Chapter 98
“Small Changes”
What the hell?
“I didn’t think you’d ever talk to me again after what happened. I thought you broke the deal.”
“What?” Kalysto frowned. You’re the one who didn’t keep the deal, and it’s me you’re accusing? But before she could plead, Caranthir knelt down in front of her. To her great surprise.
“I apologize. It was because I was too busy eliminating the monsters and trying to save my soldiers, that I neglected you and because of that error of judgment on my part, because of that little moment of carelessness in which I sent someone else to protect you thinking they were totally trustworthy, the saintess was kidnapped and tortured.”
“...” Kalysto froze when she heard that. “How did you find out about that?” She asked, confused at the annoyance she felt that word had gotten out, surprised that he had knelt before her, as if he were confessing to a priest, and the slight emotion that ran through her as she saw him kneeling before her looking down at the ground.
What the hell is wrong with me? She scolded herself.
“ Because the queen came, tortured my brother, and destroyed the palace. Even the monsters that were nearby fled in terror as soon as they sensed her,” Kalysto kept silent before answering. And she took the opportunity to take another small look at the ruins surrounding the rubble of what was left of the palace.
“What happened to those two?” she asked, suddenly filled with distrust. Looking to the sides, realizing that there was no trace of any survivors, “Where are the rest of your people? I’d rather not have to meet any more elves.”
“I don’t think the saintess should worry about those two, they have been tortured and killed by the queen.”
“...And the rest?” Caranthir stirred uncomfortably at the insistent question. “... What happened to the rest of your people?”
“...” After another moment of hesitation, he raised his face and looked her in the eyes. “May I speak freely with the peace of mind of knowing that nothing I confess to you will be brought to the queen’s ears?” Kalysto looked at him coldly.
“... That means the others escaped before she arrived, doesn’t it? How did they know when to escape?” Kalysto could see his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down nervously.
“I’m afraid that was my fault. As soon as I noticed that you were gone I returned to the castle thinking that you had returned to this place of summoning, but when I realized that it was not so I continued searching, it was then that I noticed the disappearance of Roedhoj and Ather. And I began to suspect what was happening. So I alerted my brother, but instead of informing the queen of what had happened, he gave the order to evacuate. We argued, and I learned that apparently they were not the only ones who had planned to attempt against you, but Jaesia had discovered that Xaermn and Lakyat had also recently disappeared after she began investigating why the food my younger brother ordered for you was never sent. Also, we believe they were behind the monster invasion. Apparently, it was a political move to discredit my brother’s power and his right to the throne.”
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“... In that case, wouldn’t you be another suspect?” she asked, crossing her arms.
“I was never interested in the throne in the first place, plus I’m a half-breed, so the high elves would never allow someone like me to rule.”
“... And while everyone is gone, why are you still here?”
“My cottage is on the outskirts, deep in the forest. And while it is not protected from monsters, it is protected from the interruption of other elves.”
And that alone says a lot about the kind of life you’ve led so far, doesn’t it? Having to protect yourself from the very people you fought so hard to protect. She thought with a bit of sympathy.
“Then we’d better continue this conversation there then. I wouldn’t want to meet someone unwanted," she said, looking him in the eyes.
“If you mean my brother, I assure you that he is in no condition to even get out of bed.”
“Why? What happened to him?” she asked. If Caranthir still hasn't been able to heal him after what happened with the queen, that could give me an advantage. She thought. But if the reason he hasn’t recovered yet is because after what happened with my boss, he’s been fighting to stay on the throne…
“Your queen, that’s what happened to him," he said, extending a hand towards Kalysto, which she took with some caution. Then, they both appeared in front of a cozy hut surrounded by trees.
“I don’t get many visitors, so I apologize for the mess," he commented somewhat shyly as he opened the door. Leaving her to see a small living room followed by a dining room that was filled with books and behind which was a nice kitchen. Three closed doors caught her attention, but she ignored them as she took a seat in the dining room chair he pulled out for her. “I doubt you will accept anything to eat that I offer you, but I still feel compelled to ask.”
“It’s fine like this for now," she forced herself to say despite the delicious smell of cooked meat coming from the kitchen.
The two sat in awkward silence for a few minutes before Kalysto dared to break it.
“If you’re thinking of asking me to cure him, the answer is no.”
“...I figured it would be," he replied with his eyes closed as he let out a long sigh. “But that doesn’t mean I didn’t have hope.”
“You broke your promise," she accused him.
“I know," he replied in a soft voice. “And I am willing to pay any price you wish," he assured her in a solemn voice, but the sadness in his eyes did not disappear. Quite the contrary. To the point that Kalysto began to feel some compassion for him, despite all that had happened. “But I would like you not to break the deal, although you would have every right to do so. If it is necessary for me to kneel..." he began to say as he rose from his chair, but Kalysto was quick to stop him.
“That is not necessary," she assured him. Though to a part, deep within her, she was filled with satisfaction at seeing him on his knees. Instead, she opened her status window, but nowhere did she see any indication of where she could find the contract they had made.
Map. she thought. How the hell can I change our contract? And she pressed on the dot that showed Caranthir’s location.
A purple window appeared in front of her.
[User wishes to delete/modify the soul binding contract with Caranthir, son of Arandh?]
[Delete/Modify]
Several hours later, it was almost dawn when Kalysto was finally able to return to the small bathroom in her room in the human kingdom. Exhausted after all that had happened that busy day, she threw herself on the bed without changing her clothes.
Only to wake up what seemed like seconds later, in the middle of a lonely corridor with the loud sound of footsteps approaching her.