Varlog walked into her tent as she held herself, clutching her fingernails around herself.
He stared at her a beat longer as she shook while seated, shivering. Sniffling.
"... My queen." He let out casually, "Is everything alright?"
She immediately straightened.
"Yes, Varlog."
"...."
"What is it?" She turned around, her face solid.
"....."
"Do you…"
"Love the human king?" Varlog asked.
She inhaled before exhaling.
"As expected, you know of our meetings." She smiled at Varlog.
A beat of silence. Varlog stood unshaken.
"I do not." She shook her head, "I… I just…"
She gulped.
"I just wanted to hold someone." She then chuckled, "Someone fragile… I want to keep fragile things from breaking. Does that make sense?"
She shook her head, then with a smile she took a lantern and smashed it against the ground.
Shards of glass and metal spraying all over. Varlog is unmoving.
".... Just leave, Varlog." She sighed, "Get some rest. Tomorrow we'll probably need to start marching."
Her eyes went hollow again.
"... And finish this."
—-------------
Van knelt before the shrine of the Elven Goddess and prayed as he was told.
The Elven queen looked down at him. Sylva stood with Vaelthir. Takeshi stood with Sato.
'...'
Several minutes passed.
'Nothing happened…!' Sato noted.
"I truly apologize." The queen sighed. "But as promised, we'll be allies for life."
Van exhaled and rose to his feet.
"Please, stay the night. All of you." The queen turned to Takeshi and Sato. "We'll be holding a feast to celebrate our victory. None of the elves would object. Isn't that right, Vaelthir?"
Vaelthir nodded.
"As much as I'm against humans… I agree. This is a special occasion."
"Anyway, mother!" Sylva cut in. "Please, go rest!"
"I shall, child." The queen walked over and patted her shoulder. "I'll excuse myself to my chambers once the feast begins…" Her gaze drifted briefly to Sato.
Who looked away, ears red.
Vaelthir's face cracked in half.
'No. This is my imagination. She simply happened to look in that direction. She just wants them to stay the night to repay their help… Nothing more..!!'
"You are all free to explore the village and mingle until evening." The queen continued. "If you choose to stay." Her gaze settled, finally, on Van.
'...'
'...I want to check if the dwarf's finished my gear. Maybe he's faster than I thought. And after that I need to figure out how to bring my mom back.'
'Haaah.' Van cracked his neck. 'It's just one night. At least there'll be real food.'
'Besides,' His eye twitched as he caught Sato's puppy-eyed stare.
'He'll make a scene if we leave before he gets more time with his new waifu.'
"We'll stay."
Sato's eyes lit up. He kept his mouth shut. Barely.
"Uhm." Takeshi cleared his throat. "I'll have to go in a bit, but I could stay for some food if ya got any."
'I decided.' Takeshi's jaw tightened. 'I'll survive this. So that one day…' He looked at Sato.
'I can look you in the eye again. Without feeling like the little bitch I am right now.'
The queen leaned close and whispered something to Sylva.
'...' Van heard every word.
Sylva made her way over to him.
"M… Sir Hellix, right? I… I wanted to show you around. If you'd… like." She muttered as she looked to the side while blushing.
Van glanced at the queen. Then back at Sylva.
Takeshi clicked his tongue.
'Sheeesh. Could you make it any more obvious? At least pretend you didn't just whisper to her to stick to him like glue to make him feel…'
Takeshi glanced at the rest of the elves who all looked at him from afar.
'... Like everyone here isn't scared shitless of him.'
Takeshi looked at Van again.
'Him telling that snob elf that the women here look delicious plus breaking his arms in front of everyone didn't help at all.'
Vaelthir exhaled through his nose.
"Sir Hellix? I-I really do want to show you around!" Sylva took a step, "I-I mean… You saved everyone here."
Van slightly tilted his head.
'...Feast. Whatever. I'll go along with this stupid play, then eat.'
"Okay." Van turned and followed Sylva without another word.
Sato let out a slow breath.
'Haah… He's back to normal. Thank god.'
The group dispersed not long after.
Takeshi turned and began walking away from Sato.
"Sir Maglodune," Sato said behind him, "is a pretty stupid name, huh?" He chuckled softly.
Takeshi stopped.
"I…"
"It's your name, sir." Takeshi let out.
"..."
Sato turned to face him. "After the feast, let's talk. Alright?"
"I… I don't really blame you." Sato cleared his throat, "So stay long enough until we talk?"
Takeshi's lips pressed together. His breath came out unsteady, too quiet for Sato to catch.
"...Sure."
His voice cracked on the way out.