"Impossible! That actually happened!"
The princess exclaimed when Karlmine finished telling him the story of how he was approached by the elf Heilis. The princess had every right to react like that, Heilis was not someone to do that but Karlmine for some reason could relate, the thirst for power, he felt with absolute certainty that he had been like that some time in his life.
"So princess with your permission we will leave as soon as he fully recovers."
The princes was still against this idea, there where so many unknown factors in this development. What if Karlmine chose this time to flee the village, she had tried for weeks but she just could not figure out what was going on inside his head. Karlmine was a complete enigma to her and if he he fled, their chances of winning the war would plummet considerably. There was another reason she did not want him out of her sight and no matter what she could not afford to lose him otherwise all her efforts would be for naught.
She had been devastated when she learned of his death eight years prior but now the world had presented her with another chance and this time she was not going to waste it.
"I will be back, do not worry."
He assured her as if reading her mind.
"F-Fine."
She gave in, she did not want to put some restrictions to him and end up spooking him away so in this case Samora had no choice but to yield.
***
For the young elf to fully recover two full days were needed and the dawn of the third day after that found the two newly formed duo of Master and apprentice leaving the village. Their luggage was not much only carrying water skins and swords, elves were resourceful and in the great forest in which their fort was located they could find fruits and other natural edible stuff like honey.
"Young prince, I hold you to your promise."
As they were saying their farewell the princess uttered that in a low slightly longing voice, she looked down unable to meet his gaze. Karlmine thought her reaction was interesting but something felt off about it.
"Noted princess I will keep it."
Placing his hand on the princess' head he started ruffling her hair slowly which caused a strong murmur to arise from the onlookers. There were many who had come to see them off or rather who came to see Heilis off. Even after his defeat at Karlmine they still held him in high regards and their ire towards Karlmine had increased.
After hearing that Heilis would be undertaking a dangerous mission as a scout their view of him only increased further, to them this was nothing but a sign of bravery. Not only was he agreeing to take on a life threatening mission but he was even willing to be accompanied by the azure eyed scourge if this was not bravery then nothing was.
"As expected of an uncouth mortal."
"How dare he lay his hand on the princess like that."
"Just because the princess was kind enough to claim him as his betrothed."
"Shhh you will be in trouble if the princess hears you."
"Still what was the princess thinking choosing a mortal as her betrothed?"
"The princess is wise because she did not want to endanger the other elves she delegated this gruesome task to the human."
"That makes sense but why is the head warrior's son with him?"
"Who knows maybe to make sure he does not toe the line or to dispose of the detestable mortal."
Such murmurs became a humming noise to everyone else but because of his heightened hearing Karlmine heard everything as clear as daylight, just like every other day he ignored them his aesthetics allowed him to only act if the person acted first so as long their hatred of him ended at the gossiping stage he did not care.
"I wish you godspeed Karl."
Beldandy's voice, gaze and expression all carried unrestricted affection so much that the princess had to frown then as soon as that unhappy expression surfaced on her face it vanished and Karlmine realised that. Karlmine did not mind actually having someone who proactively showed concern and such interest in him was pleasant even for him, lately whenever he saw this big bosomed elf his chest would give of sweet warmth and his mood would be less irritable compared to his usual mood in fact he became relaxed.
"Thank you Bel."
His response too was warm unlike the cold that he gave almost to everyone else, even his icy cold gaze was tender and warm he patted her head also causing her to complain.
"Hey, I am not a child you know?"
Though she was complaining she did not try to resist and she closed her eyes with enjoyment. Lastly his gaze fell on someone who was of very small stature, the young maid who served him his meals. The two had finally gotten close, he would listen to her stories and all the while asking some questions about the world in general and the elven social and cultural stuff.
Well since Karlmine was hardly an open book nor a loquacious person they spent most of the time just seated quiet and staring at each other but it was no doubt that when it came to this little elven girl Karlmine made the initiative to try and create a relationship.
"Lucy, I will be back."
""__huh?""
The Beldandy and the princess could not help but suck in their breaths, what they saw was a rare scene of Karlmine___
"I will be waiting for you Karl and I will make sure to keep your room in order."
The petite young elf smiled back, a clean and pure smile full of affection like a child she seemed to have imprinted on Karlmine but the most shocking part was Karlmine's reaction to this.
"I would be most grateful____"
He ruffled her head too then turned to the other two.
"And might I ask is there a good reason why you keep staring at my face?"
He asked.
"Errrhhh just now there was something happening____"
"In your face just around the mouth region a___"
""Smile!""
The two exclaimed.
"You were seeing what you desired to see."
He turned away with the same cold and aloof expression he always had.
And then that was it only those three were his farewell party the rest belonged to Heilis who was being showered with praises and well wishes.
"We will be off then."
With these parting words their journey began.