--- Roric

When he returned to Cassidia, Roric was happy to see that the people of the palace were treating him as a guest once again.

The young warrior's exploits in the battle of Lyngard had reached the city well before him, unleashing a storm of rumours and claims about his Elemental powers and the amount of enemies he had or hadn't beaten by himself. If in the past he had grown used to walk around relatively unnoticed, now wherever he went he found servants glancing at him, confabulating, perhaps surprised that a simple low-born had been such an important piece in the defense of the Kingdom.

On the other hand, most of the nobles still seemed puzzled about having him there.

I suspect they'd rather keep me somewhere safe, and be sure I don't freak out. How long until they understand I'm not a threat?

In truth, Roric had to admit that wiping away the memory of the atrocities committed by his kind was no easy task. Many of the families the members of the court belonged to had at least connections with those who had fought against the Elemental tyranny in the ancient times. Yet, from his point of view he was doing more than enough to be accepted as a normal human being.

If I want Cassidia to be my home for real, I need to show that I'm a valuable asset and help them to get rid of Rickhart once and for all. Then, nobody will be able to criticize me anymore.

Elise had invited him to join her and pay a visit to her father, who intended to thank him for his service. The boy didn't think it was necessary, but she insisted that he should have at least heard what the King had to tell him.

So, when she and Lady Annette had passed by his room to pick him up Roric was basically forced to join. The woman had abandoned the distrust in his regard and led the way, looking at him whenever she thought he couldn't notice, but he didn't care that much. Not when he could walk the corridors of the palace beside his friend after months. He had missed it.

"I still don't get it," Elise was saying. "What is an Elemental, exactly? What makes your powers different?"

"I don't really know," the young warrior scratched his head. "The priest of my company once told me everyone has spiritual powers, in theory, but only a few manage to use them. Now that I think about it, he never explained why Elementals are considered their own thing."

The girl wasn't satisfied. "Clearly, you aren't similar to a Mage. I asked Mary, and she said the Arcane acts as a suppression for any kind of natural radiance. It was a bit confusing."

"So, even the Circle doesn't see the Arcane as a natural... Wait, when did you two start talking to each other?"

"While you were away. What, you wanted to keep her all for yourself?"

What the heck is she...

Roric was about to reply, angered by her insinuation, but then he realized that Elise was just messing with him. She burst into laughter and he glared back.

"Sorry, sorry! It's just too funny," the young princess tried to minimize it. "The way you act whenever I say there could be someone in your life more important than..."

Than her.

She stopped talking, blushing and bowing her head. "Well, you know."

Her words made the boy's heart skip a beat. Up to that moment, he had never put in discussion her importance, not even after meeting Mary and getting closer to her. The Mage girl had many things in common with him and they went along just fine, but Elise was the one he had shared more time with. She had helped him remember what having a family was about, and led him to a distant place with the promise of always being there for each other. It was natural that he also dreamed of being with her...

No! I'm a commoner, she is a royal. There's no way we could...

"Your Highness," Lady Annette stepped in. "We are almost there. I suggest you two keep this conversation for a different time."

She turned and winked, making the two look away embarrassed.

***

King Sebastian didn't receive them in his study, privately, but in the throne room.

Several council members were also present and silently clapped when their monarch expressed his gratitude to Roric for the courage and determination he had put in service of Cassidia and his daughter. He officially forgave the crime of hiding his Elemental nature and promised no one would have ever called him a monster on his watch.

"Now, I've already informed the court of another decision and I hope you'll accept it too."

"What should I accept, Your Majesty?" the young warrior asked.

Standing up and limping towards him, Sebastian began explaining himself.

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"In the past, your friendship with Elise guaranteed your stay here despite your social status. This time, however, things are different. You helped my kingdom and proved your worth to me in person, so I shall allow you to take a place among us permanently as an honorary royal guard. Are you interested, Roric?"

The boy's mouth went wide. "Are... For real? Your Majesty, it means I can remain here at the palace without worrying?"

"Yes. You'll also be able to see the Princess and escort her when she needs. I figured it would be a good workaround for you two to spend some time together."

"That's marvelous!" Elise exclaimed. "Thanks, Father!"

Roric didn't like the idea to claim victory just yet, not while Rickhart was still alive and scheming who knew what against them. He bowed to the King, giving him his own thanks, and left the hall with his friend, heading out.

On the way back to his room, after a few minutes of silence, the girl spoke.

"Is... Is something wrong? You seemed happy, but then..."

"I don't want to think about it now. Yeah, you are right, I was happy, but then I thought about Rickhart and the fact I had let him escape and-"

"Annette," Elise addressed her lady-in-waiting. "Can you leave us alone? We have almost arrived and there's a discussion we left unfinished."

The woman politely obeyed, and went on her way.

What...

Roric gasped when his breath was cut by an incoming mass, jumping at him. The girl's arms hugged him, as she rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes.

"You were saying?" she asked, with a smirk.

"I... I..." the young warrior tried to get a hold of himself in that weird situation. "I fear we'll never be able to be in peace until that guy is dead. He'll keep coming, and kill."

"And that's really what you fear? You've already beaten him once."

"It was just luck. Next time, he will be prepared for it. He might even target you if he discovers that we are so close."

Elise sighed, and let him go. "If that's what he wants, let him come. We'll protect the people of Cassidia together. For the rest of our lives."

"Together? For the..."

It took a couple of seconds for the boy to realize what she meant. His face became red instantly.

Are... Are you saying she's...

"Roric..." she didn't look at him in the eye, and her voice lowered. "I wouldn't mind staying unmarried if it meant keeping you around."

He almost yelled. "What? But your kingdom needs you! The way you always talk about this country-"

"Yes... And yet, sometimes I don't know what to do. Would it be that selfish of me if I..."

What a change in character. I've never seen her struggling so much. Normally, she's pretty straightforward and self-confident... Now look at her! What happened? Don't tell me she sees me in the same way I see her!

"I... I'm not going anywhere, I promised I would stay by your side," the young warrior tried to put the conversation back on track. "I'd never ask you to choose between me and your people."

He didn't have the heart to ask her what she cared the most for, of those two.

"It's just... I feel so guilty!" Elise complained. "Ever since we came here, our relationship crumbled. I focused too much in my role as a princess-"

"Like I told you, you did what you had to. I acted like an idiot and didn't trust you."

"I'm not talking about your powers. I'm sorry for how I behaved before Norburg. I left you alone and only thought about myself. I should have asked my father to treat you better. At the tournament, maybe you could have sat at my table and not with Mary..."

Roric raised an eyebrow. "So you are jealous."

"Maybe," the girl replied, crossing her hands behind her back and walking to a nearby balcony. "She is prettier than me, after all."

The fact that I can't see her face while she is saying this confirms it. Is it a signal of some kind? Should I voice my opinion on the matter?

He chose the safer approach. "Both of you have peculiar personalities, and they are interesting in their own way. And relax, there's nothing wrong with your physical appearance."

"I'm simply aware of how boyish I am. But thanks for the compliment, I guess."

In the subsequent minute, the two didn't talk. Leaning against the railing, shoulder to shoulder, they simply gazed at the city below.

"Roric?"

"What is it?"

"I intend to get to the bottom of this issue. I wasn't kidding when I said I'll chase Rickhart until I bring him down."

The young warrior chuckled. "And I wasn't, when I promised I would help you. I trained for this very reason."

"Good," Elise nodded. "Because, after he's down..."

She blushed again, giving the boy a vague idea of what she was thinking.

Those eyes of hers... How long should this go on? I know I'm supposed to keep her safe like Dominic asked, but if she has feelings for me...

He gulped, and drove away his desires.

"There's no need to make plans right now. Let's just focus on stopping our enemy."

That night, Roric didn't sleep well. His first day as a royal guard had been much more stressful than he would have ever wanted.