Ultear assisted Kurtis back to their camp. They enter through the back to avoid too much attention or they'll find out that Princess Ultear is in their camp. They enter a tent that's not too small yet not large either. Ultear carefully out Kurtis on the bed. He groan painfully.
"I'll strip you know," blurted out bluntly and started stripping Kurtis but he suddenly stop her hands. Ultear's brow knit in confusion.
"W-wait, I'm not yet ready." Kurtis stutter.
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"You'll said..." Kurtis voice trailed off when he, himself realized something. He suddenly went back lying as if nothing happened. However, his redden cheeks give him away. Ultear was even more with his action.
"Wait, I'll lit up the furnace first. And where's your first aid kit?" Ultear walk to the furnace and started a fire.
"It's above the cabinet. There's a white box there. That's the first aid kit."
Silence envelope the whole place as Ultear lit up the furnace. After that, she took the box where the first aid kit was and then help Kurtis take off her coat and clothes that's already covered in filth and blood. Ultear mercilessly put all his clothes in the trash bin.
"Why did you throw them?" Kurtis exclaim.
"They're filthy." Ultear said plainly. "You're not going to wear again, do you?"
"...no...of course not." Kurtis was now lying flat on the bed. His expose back facing Ultear, showing his injured back.
"What's with the long silence?" Ultear started cleansing his wounds. He would flinch with the every touch of the cotton balls.
"You're just...imagining it."
"I'll kick you." Ultear jokingly mutter as she continue cleaning his other wounds all over his body. The monster's claw, sharp fangs, some cuts and bruises were cleanse and treated carefully and full of love by Ultear. Although, it took her almost an hour, she still successfully bandage them perfectly.
Ultear ravage through Kurtis cabinet to look for some warm decent clothes and coat for him to wear. She also help him get dress. Afterwards, Ultear put more firewood to the furnace because the heat is dropping.
"Hungry?"
"Not really," Kurtis answer. "I'll just lay here and rest for a moment. My body's breaking." He reach out Ultear's hand and clasp them together with his. Put it in his cheek to feel her warmth. "You're here. You're really here,"
"Though, only for a short moment." her voice lace with sadness.
"Oh, by the way. How did you get here?" Ultear was taken aback by Kurtis question. She almost slip out and said Laurence brought her here out on a whim and she agrees, also out on a whim. How will she explain those things with him? Ultear doesn't want to lie and keep things from Kurtis since she love him dearly.
"Teleportation...?" Ultear mutter as if she herself isn't sure of her answer.
"Teleportation magic?" Kurtis brow knit in confusion, though his eyes becomes drowsy. Kurtis's body is tried from fighting the beasts and monsters nonstop before Ultear arrived and now that he rested and got his wounds treated, as well as his tension subsided, his body gave up. Now, he's sleepy.
"Yeah, some sort of teleportation magic. But not me, it casted by someone I know. We're not friends though, but I know. And he get on my nerves."
Kurtis let out a chuckle. "You should find friends you can enjoy company with and not just me. As a princess, you might needed someone's else help in the future, you know? Remember that no man is an islan." He yawns.
"Yeah, I get."
"No, you don't. That's why I'm reminding you. How many times have you said that you get it but still end up not finding any friends?"
"Uhh...I just said I get it but I didn't said I'll go look for one. And besides, Sir Knight, a friend isn't something you look for. They're someone you'll find along your journey unexpectedly even without looking for them. And I don't need just some friends, you know that right? I need some true, faithful and loyal friends. And as a Princess, I can't just carelessly make anyone my friend."
"..." Ultear glance over Kurtis since he didn't answer for a moment. "...I see. You're right at some point. Quality over quantity, is it?"
"What's with that long silence?"
"You're just imagining it."
"I'll kick you."
"Haha, I miss that phrase of yours. Well, just the phrase and not the kick itself." His eyes close for a moment.
"You what, Kurtis? Why don't you just take a rest now? You look like you're about to fall asleep anyway."
"No, I don't want to. If I do, I won't be able to see you again once I woke up. It's been so long since we last saw each other. I wanted to take this moment for us to somehow catch up. Please?" Kurtis kiss her hand and stared at her with a pleading eyes.
H-how cute! Agh, no, he needs to sleep but...I also wanted to spend more time with him. But I also can't be selfish and take his time where he needs to rest and recover just for myself. Ultear thought and suppress her desire to spend more time with him. She can't let him sacrifice his sleep and rest just to talk with her. Though she's a princess and someone important in the Kingdom, she still can't force someone to spend time with her if they clearly looks like needed rest.
"Don't be stubborn, Kurtis and just close your eyes. Don't worry, I'll try coming back again some other day, okay? Now, rest."
At first Kurtis doesn't want to let go of Ultear's hand but after a while, she successfully convinced him to sleep. She gave him a peck on his lips for him to comply, in which he takes full advantage. His bruise arm wrap around her neck to deepen the kiss. Ultear startled and got off balance. Kurtis grab her waist and let her sit on his lap while continuing the kiss.