Chapter 30 - Return
Early morning light streamed softly through the windows of Elder Bran’s high treehouse, casting warm hues. Maelle sat silently at the table, looking out to the village below.
The quiet thuds of footsteps signaled Bran’s approach. The blindfolded Elder carried a small wooden tray, set a steaming cup of fragrant tea in front of the princess, and took a seat across from her
"Good morning, Princess Maelle. How did you sleep?"
Maelle picked up the small porcelain cup, blowing softly over it. "I slept fine, all things considered. It was... surprisingly nice, sleeping in a place I don’t inherently hate–"
She caught herself mid-sentence, setting her cup down with a faint clink. "My apologies. I said something I shouldn’t."
Bran let out a soft chuckle, waving a slender hand dismissively. "No need to apologise. I’m glad you slept well."
A comfortable silence settled between them. For several minutes, they simply sipped their hot tea, listening to the gentle morning chorus of forest birds and the rustling leaves outside.
Suddenly, a gentle breeze of wind swept through the closed room, chiming the carved wooden ornaments and little bells hanging from the rafters.
Bran tilted her head toward the window, her smile widening into something knowing and deeply relieved.
"The forest breezes bring good tidings, Princess. Your familiar and my elves have reached our outer borders. They will arrive in approximately ten minutes."
Maelle stood up almost instantly. Without a word, she reached for Vincent’s oversized white denim jacket draped over her chair, slipping her arms into the sleeves. Though her heartbeat with a wave of relief, her face remained a picture of composure.
"My, my... such haste. Are you truly in such a hurry to greet him?"
Pulling the collar of the jacket tight around her neck, Maelle stepped out the doors first as she said, "I simply wish to be fully prepared for our immediate departure."
The elevated wooden walkways and rope bridges of the Silver-Leaf Sanctuary were just beginning to stir as the sun crested the horizon.
As Maelle walked alone toward the village’s lower archway, the elven villagers were whispering and gossiping at the sight of her.
"... Look at her... Walking through our sacred home like she owns the forest, while our stolen children remain in iron chains."
"... Human nobility. Cold, arrogant, and shameless. Why is that girl still permitted to wander freely among us?"
Through the bitter scorns and stink looks, Maelle kept her chin held high, her posture straight, and her striking violet eyes looking straight ahead as she let their insults wash over her like water off stone.
Reaching the sanctuary’s entrance, she leaned against a nearby tree and rested her hands inside the deep pockets of Vincent’s jacket.
A moment later, Bran landed effortlessly up beside her.
"You bear their hatred well."
"I am a princess of Ebonspire. No matter the race, the ignorant opinions of commoners have never dictated my composure... Besides, their anger is not entirely misplaced."
"Hmm, yes. You’re right... So? What of your plans once you safely reach the imperial capital?"
"Once I reach the capital... I intend to have a very friendly, very thorough conversation with the person who orchestrated my abduction."
Before Bran could reply, stomping footsteps echoed behind them.
"Bran!"
An older, fiercely conservative elf marched into the clearing, flanked by four backing, grim-faced elves.
He pointed an angry finger at the Elder. "I demand an explanation! Why did you authorize a human male – a filthy, unknown brute – to accompany our people into the mountains on the mission?! Have you completely lost your mind?!"
Before Bran could answer, an emotional commotion erupted from the village path next. A crowd of dozens of elven parents came sprinting down to the entrance with tears streaming down their faces.
"Elder Bran!" a tearful mother sobbed, clutching her hands to her chest. "Is it true?! A messenger said you sent word that our children are safe?! They are coming home?!"
"Ah. I’m glad you all could make it. Yes, it is true. In fact, they should be arriving right about..."
CLOP-CLOP-CLOP.
"... now."
The rhythmic sound of heavy hooves and carriage wheels rolling echoed down the muddy trail. Talia, Roxa, and the four elite elves rode toward the sanctuary aboard stolen bandit horses.
Pulling behind them was a wooden supply carriage and sitting lazily atop the wooden roof of the carriage – arms resting casually on his knees and his brown hair swaying in the morning breeze – was Vincent.
Squeezed inside the covered carriage were dozens of rescued elven, dwarven, and beast-kin children.
As the party came to a halt in the clearing, Maelle looked up at Vincent, raising a skeptical eyebrow. "You couldn’t be bothered to ride a horse like everyone else?"
Vincent smoothly jumped off the top, landing lightly on his feet beside her with a casual grin.
"Full disclosure... I have literally zero idea how to ride a horse. I’d probably fall off in five seconds. Plus, I didn’t want to make a scene with my divine form while returning back, which..."
He cast a glance at the crowd of staring elves. "...was a pretty good call, because hooo boy, look at this reception."
The moment the elven kids were gently brought down by Talia and her team, the elven parents broke ranks.
Screams of pure joy resonated through the place as mothers and fathers rushed forward, pulling their weeping, unharmed children into loving embraces.
The clearing became flooded with emotional cries, tight hugs, and overwhelming relief.
The grumpy old elf, however, refused to yield his scowl.
He stepped forward, casting a furious glare at Vincent. "My people! Do not be fooled by this circus! This is undoubtedly a staged human ploy! A calculated act to earn our trust so that we lower our guards for future invasions!"
The tearful parents immediately snapped their heads toward the old man. Their faces twisting with furious outrage.
"Hold your tongue, Durvan!" a father roared, holding his crying daughter tight. "That boy brought our children back to us while you sat in your comfortable home doing nothing!"
Before Durvan could bark back, Roxa planted herself between the old man and Vincent. He froze, completely stunned as Roxa turned her piercing, icy blue eyes onto him.
"Muzzle your arrogance, Durvan. This human has saved my life not once, but thrice. He saved me from falling to my death upon that dark mountain. He shielded me from poison darts, and he protected me from the jaws of a drake.
"And through everything, he single-handedly defeated the man responsible for kidnapping our young. You will show our savior the respect he has earned."
"W-Why you... Grrrr..."
Durvan stood utterly speechless as he stared at her. The entire sanctuary knew of Roxa’s deep-seated hatred for humans. To hear her defend a human boy shattered not only his, but everyone else’s comprehension.
While the crowd murmured in shock, Maelle scanned Vincent up and down, checking his arms, chest, and face for any lingering injuries. Finding him unblemished, she gave him a nod of approval.
"Good job on the rescue."
"Thanks. There were a couple of hiccups, but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle."
"You have performed a miracle for the Silver-Leaf Sanctuary today, Vincent." Bran stepped toward them. "Safe passage through our sacred forest is yours. You will always be welcome here, and I look forward to seeing you again, should your journey ever bring you back."
Talia slapped a heavy hand on Vincent’s shoulder with a broad smile. "I still can’t believe you flattened that top mountain! Fighting alongside you was an honor, Vincent."
"Yes!" one of the elite male elves chimed in, laughing. "If you ever get tired of living with humans, the sanctuary’s got a spot for you!"
"Thanks, guys," Vincent said warmly. "Take care of those kids!"
As Talia began organizing post-rescue protocols and helping the families, Roxa, leading two horses by their reins, approached them.
"I am aware of your arrangement with Elder Bran. I will be accompanying the two of you through the deep forest, guiding you out of this forest and setting you on the main road to the imperial capital."
Her grip tightened on the reins as she looked at Vincent. "Consider it... payback for saving my life, human. I mean... V-Vincent."
Maelle’s eyes flickered slightly as she observed Roxa’s flushed ears and hesitant posture, though she wisely chose to keep the observation to herself.
Vincent, on the other hand, lit up like a Christmas tree. "Sweet! That’s awesome! I’m actually really glad you’re coming along!"
"Oh? And why are you so absurdly excited?"
"Why? Isn’t it obvious, Maelle?! Haha! Because this means my job is pretty much done, right!? I saved you from those bandits and now you’ve got a safe and reliable way of getting out of this forest!"
Maelle’s chest tightened. For a split second, an expression of genuine, deep-seated hurt flashed across her features – as if he was reminding her that he had been trying to run away from her side since the very moment they met.
Instantly masking her pain behind a wall of indifference, she looked away. "Yes. Precisely. Your task is done. Like I said before, good job."
"Yes!" Vincent cheered softly under his breath.
"Alright, Princess! I’m ready! Unsummon me!"
Maelle raised a hand and summoned a runic circle. She uttered a single word in a cold tone devoid of any emotion. "Return."
A bright light engulfed Vincent’s body as his physical form turned translucent and shimmering.
Just before he disappeared, he called out to the raven-haired elf: "Hey, Roxa! Take good care of her while I’m gone!"
*Tsk* "I forgot you were a Familiar."
"Oh, and Maelle, I’ll try to get some good news about that whole dragon Familiar situation thing!"
"..."
"Later guys!"
The moment his presence vanished from the air, Maelle stared at the empty space where he had just stood. Her shoulders slumped just a bit, and she let out a quiet, bitter breath.
"...You idiot."
Beside her, Bran let out a lighthearted giggle, shaking her head as she watched the young princess not try to clear up the false hope that Vincent held on to.