The steady rhythm of the carriage wheels hummed softly against the dirt road, weaving through the long stretch of forest that bathed in amber light. Robert and Elric sat across from one another, their conversation faint and careful — partly to pass time, partly to fill the silence that hung between them.
They talked about the roads, about the scenery outside — how the trees grew denser the deeper they went, how the sound of the river followed their path. Robert mentioned what he missed about the Vaelthorn estate, and Elric quietly agreed, her voice softening whenever she glanced toward Kael.
He sat beside her, silent since morning, his gaze fixed beyond the carriage window. His expression was unreadable — calm, distant, like he was somewhere else entirely.
Before they noticed, his eyelids began to droop. His head leaned slightly, resting against the corner of the carriage wall.
Elric's eyes softened. Without a word, she slipped her hand between his head and the wooden wall, easing him closer until his head rested gently on her lap. Her fingers brushed lightly against his temple, tucking a few strands of his pale hair behind his ear.
Robert, seated opposite, leaned forward and carefully took Kael's wrist in his hand. He pressed two fingers against his pulse, waiting.
A moment passed before Robert released a small sigh of relief.
"His pulse is stronger than yesterday," he murmured. "It seems we don't have to worry tonight."
Elric gave a faint smile, her gaze still fixed on Kael. "I noticed he didn't reject the townspeople earlier," she said quietly. "I thought he would panic when they surrounded him… but he accepted their gifts."
Her hand moved slowly through his hair. Then she paused — there, beneath the fading white strands, was a faint patch of black. It hadn't been there before.
It appeared after his heart had started beating again yesterday, and with it came a strange sense of stability in his mana.
"He's changing," Elric whispered, more to herself than to Robert. "Bit by bit."
Robert looked at her, then at Kael's sleeping face. "What did His Majesty tell you last night?"
Elric hesitated before answering, her voice barely above a whisper. "He wants Kael to stabilize first… to regain his strength. Once he's ready, we'll prepare him to stand in court again."
Robert nodded slowly, but Elric's gaze lingered — there was something else in her eyes, something unspoken. She didn't tell Robert about Reinhardt's other instruction — about the talk of marriage — because even she wasn't sure if it was right to think about it now. Not when Kael was still this fragile.
Robert leaned back, resting his chin on his palm. His eyes softened as he watched Kael. "Maybe his memories will start returning. The sword was a catalyst, after all. It might draw fragments of his past back to him."
Elric stayed silent for a long while. She didn't care if Kael remembered or not — not really. What mattered to her was seeing him at peace. The Kael she knew now was still carrying pain she couldn't name. If remembering his past would hurt him more, she'd rather let him forget. But if it would bring him closure, she'd be there beside him no matter what he chose.
The sun dipped low in the sky, painting everything in shades of gold and rose. The carriage slowed, and they decided to rest for the evening.
Elric gave quiet instructions to the guards to find a safe place near the river. Soon, tents were being set up, fires being lit, and the sound of rushing water filled the cooling air.
Kael sat quietly on a smooth rock near the shallow river, his reflection faintly visible in the rippling current. He hadn't spoken since they stopped, his gaze lost somewhere in the water.
Elric approached him quietly, her steps light against the grass. "Did you get enough sleep?" she asked softly.
Kael didn't answer. He didn't even look up. His eyes were still on the river, his expression unreadable.
Elric bit her lip, unsure if he was ignoring her or lost in thought. "Last night…" she hesitated, her voice barely audible. "You seemed restless. I thought you couldn't sleep."
Her cheeks warmed as the next words slipped out, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her sleeve. "And… about last night… was it too sudden?"
Kael slowly turned toward her. The dying sunlight painted his face in soft orange hues. He could see the faint blush on her cheeks — the way her usual composure melted into something fragile.
He didn't answer. He didn't know how. The memory of her lips from last night still lingered in his thoughts, muddled and confusing. Yet, he remembered the calm that came with her touch — how, for the first time in years, he had fallen asleep without a nightmare.
Elric noticed his hesitation and smiled faintly, hiding her nervousness. "You don't have to say anything," she murmured. "Just… rest when you can."
She moved closer and sat beside him, close enough that their shoulders nearly touched. For a long while, neither of them spoke. The sound of the river filled the silence — steady, quiet, almost comforting.
-----------------------------------------
The scent of roasted meat and herbs drifted through the night air, mingling with the soft crackle of the campfire. The guards were gathered around the flames, quietly eating after a long day's journey. Robert handed out the last few portions of food, ensuring every man had something warm before turning away.
They would depart again at dawn, before the sun even brushed the horizon. For now, the forest was calm — the sound of insects faint, the river whispering nearby.
Robert carried two wooden trays in his hands, each covered with simple but hearty food. When he glanced around the camp, he realized Kael and Elric weren't among the others.
He sighed softly. Those two again.
Following the faint sound of flowing water, Robert made his way through the clearing until he spotted them — Kael and Elric sitting by the riverside beneath a low-hanging tree. The moon reflected on the water's surface, and for a moment, it looked almost ethereal.
He stopped a few steps away, unseen, and simply watched.
Elric was leaning close to Kael, speaking softly. She laughed once — that light, unguarded laugh she rarely showed around others — and though Kael didn't laugh, there was something softer in his expression. He wasn't tense. He wasn't retreating. He was listening. His gaze followed her movements, calm and present, as though the noise in his heart had quieted for the first time in a long while.
And when Elric's hand brushed his sleeve, Kael didn't pull away.
A quiet smile crept onto Robert's lips. It had been years since he'd seen such a scene — Kael, the once emotionless figure, now sitting quietly beside someone, at peace. The tension in Robert's shoulders eased. Perhaps, finally, Kael was beginning to breathe again.
He stepped forward, his voice carrying gently through the air.
"Dinner's ready, Lady Elric. Young Master."
Both of them turned toward him. Elric blinked, flustered, realizing how close she'd been to Kael. She quickly adjusted herself, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Ah—thank you, Robert."
Robert walked closer, handing them each a tray. "We used some of the gifts the townspeople gave earlier — fruits, herbs, a few spices. It's not much, but it smells decent, right?" He smiled lightly, trying to ease the awkwardness hanging between them.
Kael looked down at his meal, then at the others. Robert and Elric's food was simple — cooked vegetables and bread — but his tray held a larger portion, with seasoned meat and extra fruit.
Robert noticed the look in Kael's eyes before he could speak. "You need to eat more nutritious food, young master," he said quickly, his tone half-scolding, half-gentle. "You've barely recovered. You can't survive on soup and air forever."
Kael's gaze lingered on Robert for a few seconds, unreadable. Then, without a word, he picked up his fork and moved part of the meat from his own tray onto Robert's.
"You are also recovering," Kael said quietly, his tone calm but firm. "I can sleep in the carriage… but you, different."
Robert froze, stunned, staring down at the plate that now held nearly half of Kael's meal. For a moment, he couldn't speak — then a startled laugh escaped him.
"By the Saints…" he muttered, chuckling under his breath. "You really do know how to leave me speechless, young master."
Elric covered her mouth to hide her own smile. The moment was simple, yet it carried a weight of warmth that none of them had felt in a long time.
Robert finally sat beside the fire and began eating the food Kael had given him, though part of him felt guilty accepting it. Kael's expression didn't change much, but there was a quiet conviction in his eyes — a look that said this wasn't pity, but care.
Elric sat close to Kael again, her cloak draped around both their shoulders to block the chill. The fire flickered gently across Kael's face, and for a brief instant, he didn't look so pale or fragile. He looked… human again.
Robert caught the sight of them from across the fire, and a genuine smile curved his lips. "He's changing," he whispered softly to himself. "Maybe not back to who he was… but to someone new."
The night deepened, wrapping the three of them in the quiet murmur of the forest. The stars shimmered faintly above, and the river reflected their light — a thousand tiny fragments glimmering like memories waiting to return.
Elric leaned slightly toward Kael. "You should rest soon," she murmured, her voice low. "We'll have a long day tomorrow."
Kael didn't answer, but his eyes stayed on the fire — the flower the boy had given him earlier still resting beside his tray, untouched, but carefully kept.
He reached for it once, gently brushing the petal with his thumb. It was still fresh.
Elric noticed but said nothing. She only smiled softly, knowing that even in silence, Kael was beginning to let the world back into his hands again.
The scent of roasted meat and herbs drifted through the night air, mingling with the soft crackle of the campfire. The guards were gathered around the flames, quietly eating after a long day's journey. Robert handed out the last few portions of food, ensuring every man had something warm before turning away.
They would depart again at dawn, before the sun even brushed the horizon. For now, the forest was calm — the sound of insects faint, the river whispering nearby.
Robert carried two wooden trays in his hands, each covered with simple but hearty food. When he glanced around the camp, he realized Kael and Elric weren't among the others.
He sighed softly. Those two again.
Following the faint sound of flowing water, Robert made his way through the clearing until he spotted them — Kael and Elric sitting by the riverside beneath a low-hanging tree. The moon reflected on the water's surface, and for a moment, it looked almost ethereal.
He stopped a few steps away, unseen, and simply watched.
Elric was leaning close to Kael, speaking softly. She laughed once — that light, unguarded laugh she rarely showed around others — and though Kael didn't laugh, there was something softer in his expression. He wasn't tense. He wasn't retreating. He was listening. His gaze followed her movements, calm and present, as though the noise in his heart had quieted for the first time in a long while.
And when Elric's hand brushed his sleeve, Kael didn't pull away.
A quiet smile crept onto Robert's lips. It had been years since he'd seen such a scene — Kael, the once emotionless figure, now sitting quietly beside someone, at peace. The tension in Robert's shoulders eased. Perhaps, finally, Kael was beginning to breathe again.
He stepped forward, his voice carrying gently through the air.
"Dinner's ready, Lady Elric. Young Master."
Both of them turned toward him. Elric blinked, flustered, realizing how close she'd been to Kael. She quickly adjusted herself, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Ah—thank you, Robert."
Robert walked closer, handing them each a tray. "We used some of the gifts the townspeople gave earlier — fruits, herbs, a few spices. It's not much, but it smells decent, right?" He smiled lightly, trying to ease the awkwardness hanging between them.
Kael looked down at his meal, then at the others. Robert and Elric's food was simple — cooked vegetables and bread — but his tray held a larger portion, with seasoned meat and extra fruit.
Robert noticed the look in Kael's eyes before he could speak. "You need to eat more nutritious food, young master," he said quickly, his tone half-scolding, half-gentle. "You've barely recovered. You can't survive on soup and air forever."
Kael's gaze lingered on Robert for a few seconds, unreadable. Then, without a word, he picked up his fork and moved part of the meat from his own tray onto Robert's.
"You are also recovering," Kael said quietly, his tone calm but firm. "I can sleep in the carriage… but you, different."
Robert froze, stunned, staring down at the plate that now held nearly half of Kael's meal. For a moment, he couldn't speak — then a startled laugh escaped him.
"By the Saints…" he muttered, chuckling under his breath. "You really do know how to leave me speechless, young master."
Elric covered her mouth to hide her own smile. The moment was simple, yet it carried a weight of warmth that none of them had felt in a long time.
Robert finally sat beside the fire and began eating the food Kael had given him, though part of him felt guilty accepting it. Kael's expression didn't change much, but there was a quiet conviction in his eyes — a look that said this wasn't pity, but care.
Elric sat close to Kael again, her cloak draped around both their shoulders to block the chill. The fire flickered gently across Kael's face, and for a brief instant, he didn't look so pale or fragile. He looked… human again.
Robert caught the sight of them from across the fire, and a genuine smile curved his lips. "He's changing," he whispered softly to himself. "Maybe not back to who he was… but to someone new."
The night deepened, wrapping the three of them in the quiet murmur of the forest. The stars shimmered faintly above, and the river reflected their light — a thousand tiny fragments glimmering like memories waiting to return.
Elric leaned slightly toward Kael. "You should rest soon," she murmured, her voice low. "We'll have a long day tomorrow."
Kael didn't answer, but his eyes stayed on the fire — the flower the boy had given him earlier still resting beside his tray, untouched, but carefully kept.
He reached for it once, gently brushing the petal with his thumb. It was still fresh.
Elric noticed but said nothing. She only smiled softly, knowing that even in silence, Kael was beginning to let the world back into his hands again.
-----------------------------------------
The forest had grown quiet beneath the night sky. The faint crackle of firewood and the soft murmur of distant insects were the only sounds that broke the silence. Most of the knights had settled down to rest, their armor laid beside them as they dozed near the flickering fire. A few remained awake, taking shifts to patrol the perimeter and guard the carriage where their supplies were kept.
Inside one of the larger tents, Robert sat cross-legged beside a small oil lamp. He was cleaning a dagger, the blade glinting faintly in the warm light. Across from him, Kael lay motionless on his cot — fast asleep. His breathing was steady, his expression peaceful for once.
When Elric stepped into the tent, the cool night air followed her. She looked a little tired but still alert, her cloak brushing lightly against the ground as she entered. "The guards have changed their rotation," she said softly. "Everything seems quiet for now."
Robert glanced at her, then back to Kael. "Good. Let's hope it stays that way."
Elric's gaze softened as she looked at Kael. "He fell asleep quickly tonight," she murmured. "That's unusual for him."
Robert gave a faint nod, his tone calm but heavy with thought. "His heart stopped yesterday, remember? Even if he's miraculously healed, the toll on his body—and his mind—was immense. The physician said he'd recover, but… that kind of shock doesn't fade overnight."
She frowned, walking closer to Kael's side. His hair was slightly damp against his forehead, his face pale but peaceful. He looked fragile, far from the figure who once carried the weight of the world.
"Can't we use the teleportation portal?" Elric asked suddenly, turning to Robert. "I'm worried he'll tire himself out if we travel this long. The journey to Vaelthorn could take a week by carriage—but if we use the portal, we could reach it in three days at most."
Robert paused, setting the dagger aside. His brows furrowed slightly as he considered her words. "I've thought about that too," he admitted, "but it's too risky."
"Risky?"
"The demon cult might be watching the portals," Robert replied grimly. "After what happened yesterday, they'll be looking for any sign that the 'dead hero' still lives. If they learn he survived that attack, the portals will be the first place they'll stake out."
Elric sighed softly. "Then we continue by road…"
"Yes," Robert said. "It's slower, but safer. At least we won't have to cross another snowstorm like we did on our way into Delcra's territory."
She nodded quietly, but her eyes lingered on Kael. Even though the wounds had healed, his body still looked weak. He's pushing himself too hard, she thought. Even his strength has its limits.
The night passed in near silence, broken only by the occasional call of an owl and the crackle of the campfire outside.
When dawn began to paint faint streaks of silver across the horizon, the camp stirred to life. The knights packed their tents, prepared the horses, and loaded the supplies into the carriage. Robert gave out quiet orders, while Elric made her way toward Kael's tent to wake him.
But as soon as she stepped inside, her heart stopped.
Kael was trembling. His hands clutched at his chest as if he were in pain, sweat dripping from his pale face. His breathing came fast and shallow, almost ragged.
"Kael!" Elric rushed to his side, kneeling beside the cot. She reached out, shaking his shoulder gently. "Kael, wake up!"
His eyes snapped open — wide, unfocused, glimmering with tears. He gasped for breath as though he'd just been pulled from drowning. His chest rose and fell unevenly, his body shaking with silent panic.
Elric's expression softened instantly, her voice turning to a whisper. "Kael… it's alright. You're safe now."
Slowly, his breathing began to steady, but his eyes were still clouded with fear. Then, without warning, he leaned forward, his body pressing against her as he covered his eyes with one trembling hand. His shoulders quivered as if the memory itself burned inside him.
Elric froze for a heartbeat before her instincts took over. She gently placed a hand on the back of his head, pulling him closer until his forehead rested against her shoulder. "It's okay," she murmured, her tone soft, steady. "I'm here, Kael. You're safe."
Kael's voice was faint, trembling, barely more than a breath.
"I keep dreaming… about how they stab me… like that day…"
Her heart clenched at his words. She could feel the tremor still running through him, the echo of pain that hadn't healed. He wasn't just remembering being attacked — he was reliving it.
Elric wrapped her arms tighter around him, her hand moving slowly across his back in soothing motions. "It's alright," she whispered again, her voice low and calm. "I'm here… it's over now. They can't hurt you anymore."
Outside, Robert had been helping the knights with the carriage when he heard Elric's voice calling from inside. The faint edge of panic made him turn immediately. He pushed open the tent flap, his eyes widening at the sight — Kael shaking, Elric holding him close, her expression filled with quiet worry.
"What happened?" Robert asked, stepping forward quickly.
Elric didn't look away from Kael. "He had another nightmare," she said softly, still rubbing his back. "He's not stable yet. Tell the others… we'll need more time before we move."
Robert hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Understood." He turned and left the tent, barking quiet orders outside to delay their departure.
Inside, Elric stayed where she was, holding Kael as the faint morning light crept through the tent's opening. She could feel his heartbeat against her shoulder — weak but steadying, little by little.
"You're safe now," she whispered once more, her fingers brushing through his pale hair. "I promise… you're safe."
Kael didn't answer, but his trembling slowly faded. His hand, which had been clutching her sleeve so tightly moments ago, finally loosened its grip.
And for a brief, fragile moment, as dawn broke over the horizon, Elric allowed herself to believe — perhaps this time, he truly was beginning to heal.