A week later, at the Moonshadow estate, Elron and Maris walked down the dimly lit hallway. Both were heading to their chambers when they passed Slyra’s room. Her door creaked open.

“Elron, come here,” she said.

He turned back in the hallway, his eyebrows raised, and stepped toward her door. As he approached, Slyra extended her arm, pulling him inside the room. Maris instinctively moved to follow, but Slyra stopped her with a firm hand in her face.

“We need a moment alone,” Slyra said coldly.

Maris, unfazed, kept her usual flat expression. “I’ll wait here,” she replied.

Slyra gave her a small, satisfied smile before shutting the door behind Elron.

Elron, confused and somewhat annoyed, crossed his arms. “What could we possibly need to talk about that can’t wait until morning?”

Before he could finish the thought, it clicked. The gears turned in his head as Slyra removed the towel covering her bare chest. His eyes widened slightly.

She leaned in, her voice soft but firm. “I don’t want any regrets.” Her hand trailed slowly to his chest. “You understand, don’t you?”

Outside, Maris stood with her ear pressed against the door. After a few moments, she had enough and retreated to her room, which, unfortunately for her, was right next door.

The next morning, she found Kael, and together, they made their way to Slyra’s room. As they approached, Elron and Slyra stepped out into the hallway, both looking calm, if not slightly sheepish.

“Good morning, everyone,” Maris greeted with a smile.

Elron cleared his throat. “Are we ready for our big day?”

Kael’s eyes went wide, glancing between the two. “Wait, are we just going to pretend like nothing—”

“Yup,” Slyra interjected, bumping into Kael’s shoulder as she moved past him.

The group descended the stairs into the main dining hall, where breakfast was already being served. The table was laden with a feast—boar, eggs, and fresh fruits spread across it. Everyone quickly sat and ate heartily, their hunger evident as they devoured the food.

As breakfast quickly neared its end, Elron wiped his face with a cloth. He then cleared his throat to get their attention. “I want to thank all of you,” he began. But his words seemed to drift over them as they continued eating. Feeling the weight of their indifference, he cleared his throat again, louder this time. “You all mean a lot to me, and there is no—”

Kael interrupted, pointing at one of the sausages on Elron's plate. “Are you going to eat that?”

Elron blinked. “Uh, no, here.” He handed the sausage over, watching as Kael immediately shoved it into his mouth.

Elron sighed, then asked, “I know a year isn’t much time for us elves, but I’ve been wondering... why did you all stick with me? Going to war isn’t something you just agree to on a whim.”

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Maris, ever composed, met his gaze. “I am bound by an oath to protect you. If you choose war, I will follow.”

“That’s not true, you goody,” Slyra cut in with a smirk. “He said you’re free of that oath.”

Maris narrowed her eyes but remained calm. “True, but I gave my word to my goddess. That cannot be broken.”

Kael leaned back, rubbing his full belly with satisfaction. He stared at the chandelier overhead. “You know, the first hundred years of my life were boring. All I did was read book after book…” He looked at Elron, dazed from overeating. “Now, I need something exciting enough to write about for one my own books.”

All eyes turned to Slyra, who was downing another mug. She set it down with a satisfied smack of her lips, noticing their stares.

“Oh. Well, it’s obvious why I’m going,” she said, wiping her mouth. “Not on a whim, that’s for sure.”

“It’s not?” Maris asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Nope,” Slyra replied.

Kael leaned forward, intrigued. “Is it because of your love for—”

“Beer,” Slyra interrupted, reaching for yet another full mug.

The group burst into laughter, faces turning red with amusement. Slyra, even more confused, watched them, wondering what the joke was.

“You guys have no idea how many drinks I’ve tried,” she said defensively. “The capital can’t have them all.”

Kael wiped a tear from his eye, still chuckling. “Ha! Maybe your other half was a dwarf.”

With a loud crash, Slyra vaulted over the table and smashed her mug over Kael's head, shattering it. Elron and Maris, noticing her sudden shift in mood, leaped in to pull her off of him.

“Don’t joke about my other half again,” she growled coldly before storming out of the room.

As she exited, Marcella entered, catching sight of the mess. “What happened here?”

Elron scratched the back of his head, trying to explain. “Eh, apologies. Sometimes, those two just set each other off.”

Kael, still being helped up by Maris, muttered, “I don’t know how you tamed her, my prince. She’s truly wild.”

Elron smirked slightly. “I’ve never tamed her... or anyone for that matter.”

Turning to Marcella, he asked, “Are you here to see us off?”

Marcella blinked a few times, then replied, “Yes. But, will you take a walk with me first?”

Elron glanced at his companions. “I’ll meet you both at the spot later.”

They nodded in agreement, and Elron followed Marcella down an old dirt path toward a familiar grove of elven trees.

As they approached the lodgings, Elron's gaze fell upon a patch of dirt where he had once been beaten by Chron. He stared at the spot, lost in thought.

Marcella snapped her fingers in front of his face. “Elron? You there? Hello? What are we—”

“Sorry,” he muttered, still gazing at the ground.

Marcella tried to catch his eyes, searching for some recognition. “I want you to know... I’m rooting for you.”

Elron finally snapped out of his daze. “Me too.”

She playfully slugged him in the arm. “Well, I hope so! Just... don’t go too far with all this, okay?” She paused, then added, “The important thing is to live a long, fulfilling life. Even if you’re only half-elf, there’s no point in rushing anything.”

Elron looked at her as if seeing through her. “You really believe that?”

She smiled softly. “Ha, yeah. Most elves believe in that. What’s shocking is that you don’t.”

“If you say so,” he replied, glancing up at the sky. “I should start heading to the next town.”

Marcella's face softened. “I know you have a noble heart... or at least you did.”

Elron frowned slightly. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You don’t owe me anything,” she said gently.

“I... I know.”

Elron, lost in his own thoughts once more, looked down the path. “I really must go,” he said, turning to leave.

“I know you’re still holding onto that promise. You don’t have to anymore,” Marcella called after him.

He paused for a moment. “It’s not about that anymore,” he replied before disappearing with a mana step.