Chapter 47: The Tease War
The journey back to the capital took five days, and during that time, the tension between Captain Elara and Synoh was impossible to ignore. Both tried to keep things normal, but their conversations were awkward, filled with long pauses and nervous glances. The rest of Division 10 had quickly grown tired of the uncomfortable atmosphere between their captain and Synoh.
**Dred:** (whispering to the others) "Are they really going to keep acting like this for the next five days? It's unbearable."
**Meth:** (nodding) "Yeah, we need to do something. This awkwardness is killing me."
**Aloy:** (grinning) "I've got an idea. Let's give them a little... push."
The knights huddled together, whispering and plotting. Their plan was simple but clever. They decided to create a situation where Captain Elara and Synoh would be forced to spend more time alone and deal with their feelings.
Later that evening, as they set up camp for the night, the knights pretended to be "too tired" to set up an extra tent for Synoh. They deliberately made it so that there was only one tent left for Synoh and Captain Elara to share.
**Dred:** (acting tired) "Oh no... looks like we're short one tent."
**Aloy:** (feigning concern) "What a shame... I guess Synoh and Captain Elara will have to share a tent again."
**Meth:** (grinning) "Oh well, nothing we can do about it now."
Synoh and Captain Elara both blushed as they exchanged nervous glances, realizing they were being set up. But with no other option, they awkwardly agreed to share the tent.
Later that night, as they both lay in their sleeping bags, the silence between them was thick with tension. Neither could sleep, and the awkwardness was becoming unbearable. Finally, Synoh broke the silence.
**Synoh:** (softly) "I... I'm sorry, Captain. About what happened at the festival. I didn't mean to make things awkward between us."
**Captain Elara:** (blushing) "It's not your fault, Synoh. I... I've been thinking about it too. Maybe we're both just overthinking things."
There was another long pause before Captain Elara spoke again.
**Captain Elara:** (smiling softly) "You know, the knights are probably just trying to help us get over it. Maybe we should stop being so awkward and just... move on."
**Synoh:** (smiling) "Yeah, you're right. Let's just forget about the awkwardness and focus on what's ahead."
Both of them relaxed a little after that, finally breaking the tension that had been hanging over them for days. They shared a quiet laugh, realizing how silly they'd been acting, and for the first time in days, the awkwardness between them began to fade.
Outside the tent, the rest of Division 10 smiled knowingly, satisfied that their plan had worked.
**Dred:** (whispering) "Mission accomplished."
The next day, everything felt like it had returned to normal. Synoh and Captain Elara were back to their usual selves, talking and laughing like they used to before the awkwardness at the festival. This, of course, didn't escape the attention of the knights of Division 10.
As they marched along the road, **Dred**, **Meth**, and **Aloy** began whispering among themselves, eager to start teasing again.
**Dred:** (grinning) "Looks like the lovebirds are back to normal. Time for some fun."
**Meth:** (laughing) "I bet they think we won't notice."
**Aloy:** "Let's give them a little reminder, shall we?"
They began teasing the pair in their usual way, dropping playful comments about their "closeness" and making exaggerated gestures to hint at the kiss they shared during the festival.
**Dred:** (teasing) "So, Captain, Synoh, did you two plan any more *"special"* moments like at the festival?"
**Meth:** (grinning) "Yeah, you guys were looking pretty cozy under those fireworks."
Synoh and Captain Elara blushed, but this time they were prepared. The night before, they had come up with a plan to counter the constant teasing from their fellow knights. Instead of getting flustered or embarrassed, they decided to play along and turn the teasing back on Division 10.
**Synoh:** (smirking) "Oh, we did. In fact, Captain Elara and I were just discussing some *very* romantic plans."
**Captain Elara:** (grinning) "Yes, we might even invite you all to the next 'special moment.'"
Their bold response caught the knights off guard, leaving them momentarily speechless.
**Aloy:** (laughing nervously) "Wait... what?"
**Dred:** (stammering) "Hold on... you're serious?"
**Synoh:** (winking) "You never know. Maybe you'll get to see us under the fireworks again."
**Captain Elara:** (teasing) "Maybe next time we'll make it a group event. You guys want to join, right?"
The tables had turned, and now it was the knights who were blushing and unsure of how to respond. The teasing had backfired spectacularly, and Synoh and Elara exchanged triumphant smiles.
**Meth:** (laughing) "Okay, okay, you win this round."
**Dred:** (raising his hands in defeat) "Yeah, we surrender. No more teasing... for now."
With the teasing defused, the journey continued with everyone in high spirits. Synoh and Captain Elara were no longer the targets of jokes, and the whole group shared a good laugh, knowing that the two had finally gotten the upper hand.
The next day, **Dred**, **Meth**, and **Aloy** were determined to regain their edge and come up with a new round of teasing. They huddled together, quietly scheming as they marched along the road to the capital.
However, just as the trio was preparing to launch their next playful attack, **Captain Elara** and **Synoh** made a bold and unexpected move. Without saying a word, they casually reached over and held each other's hands while riding their horses side by side.
The entire Division 10 fell silent as they noticed the gesture, eyes wide in surprise. The sight of their captain and Synoh holding hands so naturally completely derailed the teasing plans of the trio.
**Aloy:** (whispering) "Did they just...?"
**Meth:** (blinking) "I was not expecting that."
**Dred:** (sighing) "They're making it too easy now..."
No one in Division 10 dared to tease them further for the rest of the day. The boldness of Elara and Synoh's hand-holding was enough to leave the entire group speechless. As they continued their journey, the atmosphere was light, with a silent agreement that they had been outmatched once again.
The teasing stopped, at least for a while, as Division 10 made their way to the capital. Everyone seemed content to let things be, enjoying the peace while it lasted. When they finally reached the grand gates of the capital city, Synoh and Elara still held hands, both of them sharing a smile of quiet victory.