---
It had been three days since I ended a war with one word.
And now, everywhere I went, people bowed like I was some kind of walking deity. "Oh, Great Yes King!" "Bless us with your divine commands!" "Please tell my crops to grow, milord!"
I swear, one guy even begged me to tell his wife to love him again.
I was about to fake a cold and hide in a well when I heard a familiar voice behind me.
"Well, well… if it isn't the Miracle Mouth himself."
I froze.
Turned slowly.
There she was.
Aelira.
Same silver hair. Same stormy glare. Same sword resting on her shoulder like it wanted to say hello to my spine.
But this time… there was a tiny flicker in her eyes. Not quite a smile. Not quite disdain.
Almost like she was trying not to be impressed.
"Surprised to see me?" she asked.
"Honestly? Yeah. Thought you were off slaying dragons or giving speeches about how much I suck."
She crossed her arms. "Don't tempt me."
I laughed. She didn't.
But her lip twitched.
"…You heard about the war?" I asked.
She looked off to the horizon.
"It's hard not to when bards are already writing songs about 'the boy who shouted peace into existence.'" She looked back at me. "One word. No blood. That's... impressive."
I blinked. "Wait. Was that a compliment?"
"Tch." She clicked her tongue and looked away. "Don't get used to it."
Yup. There it was. Tsundere mode: activated.
---
Campfire Conversation
Later that night, we sat by the fire. She hadn't left yet, which was... weird. She always vanished like a ghost before. Now she was just there, sharpening her sword, occasionally side-eyeing me like I'd grown a second head.
"You still think I'm dangerous?" I asked quietly.
She was silent for a long moment. Then—
"I think you're unstable. Reckless. Stupid, sometimes."
"Thanks," I muttered.
"But…" She looked up, eyes meeting mine. "You didn't take advantage of your power when it would've been easy. You ended a war. You're not who I thought you were."
I stared at her.
"Wait. Was that a second compliment?"
She threw a pebble at me.
"Shut up."
---
The Softest Glimpse
We sat in silence again. The fire cracked. Wind rustled the trees.
"…I've been alone for a long time," she said suddenly. Voice quieter now. "Most Earthlings I meet… lose themselves. They become monsters in crowns. You didn't."
I looked at her.
"I still might," I admitted.
She met my gaze.
"Then don't."
That was all she said. But it felt like more than just words.
Like maybe… just maybe… I wasn't alone anymore.
---
[To be continued…]