Elise looked at Loriel with pursed lips and a worried expression. It looked like she was considering whether she could trust this man or not. This world was a scary place from what she heard her teacher told her. So many wolves in sheep's clothing.
Do not go out alone. Do not go out at night. Do not wear a revealing dress.
Wait! Even if women wore non-revealing dresses they were still at risk of being assaulted.
Yet, she had no choice today. She took the courage to run away and ended up in New York City, the only place she knew aside from home.
Now that she was here.. she didn't know where else to go and what to do. Now, she almost regretted her impulse. She should have been more prepared.
"If you don't want to tell me, it's okay. I just want to help," Loriel said with his gentlest voice. "I understand that not everyone wants help."
He didn't want to scare her by coming too strong. Deep inside he was relieved that Elise didn't easily trust some stranger. Even if it was him. He would prefer Elise to suspect each and every male she encountered.
He believed, over time, he would be able to gain her trust. So, it would work in his favor. But if Elise easily trust anyone, who knew where she might have ended up?
Maybe she would already marry another man.
Wait...! Was she married?
The former king quickly glanced at her fingers, trying to find any ring there.
There was none.
B-but.. it's not a guarantee that Elise was not married. She could be allergic to gold and didn't wear her wedding band.
Or.. she might be having a fight with her husband and decided to leave her ring back home.
Gosh... what if...
What if she was really married? Suddenly Loriel went into a panic.
He looked at the beautiful woman with a distraught expression. He would be so heartbroken if his fifteen centuries of wait ended in a pathetic way. That damned Time Master really got him good this time.
He lied about the year he sent Elise to, and so, even though Loriel was lucky enough to meet her in the same lifetime, she was already married to another man.
Wait...! She couldn't marry any other men! Elise was still his wife. They got married and took the vow to love, care, and protect each other for as long as they lived. In Loriel's case, it would be forever.
But, how would he prove it to her if she didn't remember him?
Oh, honey...
Elise tilted her head when she saw the man looking visibly distraught. She didn't know what suddenly triggered the change in this man's expression. Just minutes ago, he looked nonchalant and carefree, but now, suddenly he was looking sad.
Did something happen?
Out of reflex, Elise touched Loriel's cheek and looked at him deeply. Her voice was so sweet to the ears when she talked. "Are you okay? Is something bothering you?"
Loriel's sadness immediately evaporated when he heard her voice. He knew for sure that this lovely woman was his Elise. Only her voice could have this effect on him.
He touched her hand on his cheek and immediately regretted it since Elise was suddenly reminded that it was rude to touch other people, especially a stranger. She automatically withdrew her hand.
"I-I'm sorry.. I didn't mean to be presumptuous..." she said shyly. "I thought something happened and you are feeling sad."
"It's okay.. you are not presumptuous," Loriel hurriedly said. "Something came to mind and it made me sad. But I am fine. Don't worry."
"Okay, then..." Elise bit her lip and seemed deep in thoughts. It looked like she was assessing if she could trust the man beside her and tell him about her problem.
Finally, when she had made a decision and was about to say something, the train's speaker announced that they had arrived at their station.
Elise looked at Loriel and asked him with her eyes, the man nodded and rose from his seat.
"Yes, we have arrived. Let's get off here."
He reached out his hand and the girl took it again automatically. They walked holding hands out of the train, and then to the stairs that led to outside.
People who saw them would think they were lovers. The man looked so caring and attentive, while the woman shy and timid.
In actuality, Loriel did it out of love, while Elise just accepted his hand out of instinct. She didn't even think about it.
"It's over there, I think," Loriel said while pointing to their left. "The signs say so."
"Ahh.. that's nice." Elise's face was beaming. She let go of her hand from Loriel's and walked toward the park. Loriel quickly caught up to her and walked beside her.
"Is there anything special in Central Park that you want to see?" The man asked in passing.
Elise shook her head. "Nothing really special. I just want to be there. It brings nice memories."
"Oh... let me guess, memories with someone you love?" Loriel pretended to say those words casually, but deep inside, he felt dejected.
Elise nodded. "You are right."
Loriel felt so sad when he heard her reply that his steps halted, while Elise kept walking, not realizing the effect of her words on this weird stranger.
So, it's true. Elise was married. Maybe something happened to her husband and now she was going there to remember him.
Right at that moment, Loriel felt his world ended so abruptly. Elise had met another man and fell in love with him. She didn't even remember him and the past they shared together, and...
Ahh...
Elise finally realized that the man was no longer walking beside her. She halted her steps and turned around. She furrowed her brows in confusion when she saw him standing rooted on the spot, and looked at her with gleaming eyes.
She walked over to him. "You look sick. Are you okay?"
Loriel looked at Elise deeply and forced a smile. "I just had a headache. It's gone now."
The more he looked at her, the more Loriel didn't care about anyone else. So, what if Elise was married to another man? He didn't care. Elise was his wife and his alone. Her new marriage was void and Loriel would make her his again.
"Ah... okay." Elise smiled. "I'm glad you are okay."
"We can continue, it's right over there," Loriel said. "Are you meeting anyone in Central Park?"
"No," Elise turned around and continued her walk with Loriel. After spending a bit of time with this man, she started to feel comfortable talking to him. She finally explained the reason why she wanted to visit Central Park.
"Actually, my father met my mother here and fell in love with her at first sight. It became his favorite place in the world. He brought me here several times before he got sick. Today, I miss him. So, I just want to visit his favorite place."
Loriel truly didn't expect that was the reason why Elise wanted to go to Central Park.
Oh.. so, what she meant by 'nice memories' was not memories with another man, but with her father?
Wait...! What father? Elise's father, King Leoralei passed away fifteen centuries ago.
How could she have another father in this modern world?
Was this not his Elise? Was Loriel mistaken and got the wrong woman?