"What's he doing here?" Aestra muttered under his breath, eyes narrowing as he observed Michael from a distance.
"And how could he know we were going hunting?" Elera whispered, her brows furrowed. Michael's presence—handsome, naive, and dangerously persistent—was a complication neither of them expected.
"He said he wanted to meet me," Elera added calmly, though her mind raced at the implications.
Aestra raised an eyebrow. "Alright… let's go see him."
They approached Michael, who was talking to the other members of the hunting party. He looked exactly as they remembered: blond hair catching the sunlight, bright blue eyes shining with confidence, and a presence that radiated heroism and justice.
Michael's gaze fell on Elera, his expression brightening, but as he noticed Aestra beside her, his smile faltered. Jealousy and disbelief flashed across his face.
"And… who is this man?" Michael asked, voice tight, attempting to mask the shock and envy.
"This is my friend, Aestra," Elera said simply. Her tone left no room for argument.
"F…friend?" Michael repeated, eyes widening. His gaze shifted between Elera and Aestra, incredulous. How could a commoner, with no noble blood or notable family, stand beside the princess like this?
Aestra could feel the tension radiating off Michael and sent a quick telepathic nudge to Elera. This is going to be interesting.
Shut up, Aestra. Focus, she replied.
Michael straightened, his jaw clenched. "Your Highness… may I know which family he belongs to?"
"He belongs to no family," Elera said flatly. "He has a… difficult past."
Michael's confusion deepened, and a dangerous gleam entered his eyes. "He… is coming with us?"
"Of course," Elera replied, expression neutral.
Michael's mind raced. A commoner, a friend of the princess, and apparently strong? He couldn't accept it. "Your Highness… forgive me, but he's a commoner. Surely he won't be able to defend himself in the hunt."
Elera's gaze sharpened. "Do not worry. Consider him my equal—or even stronger."
Michael froze. "W…w…what? You say he's as strong as you?"
"Yes," Elera said, her voice calm, unwavering.
A tense silence fell over the group. Michael's pride and jealousy flared. He had been trying to prove himself to Elera, to show he was worthy. And now, not only did a commoner appear to rival him in strength, but Elera also treated him as an equal.
"Then… if he is so strong," Michael said slowly, his tone hardening, "I must… test him." His blue eyes burned with determination. "I will not allow a commoner to stand beside the woman I love and surpass me unnoticed. We shall fight—me against him—to see who truly deserves your attention!"
Aestra's eyes narrowed, a hint of amusement crossing his face. Of course. The protagonist always makes things complicated.
Elera gave a small, almost imperceptible sigh. She knew what Michael was like—persistent, competitive, and far too dramatic. She turned to Aestra. Do you need to participate, or should I handle this for him?
I'll handle it. Let him learn something, Aestra replied.
Michael's declaration hung in the air, charged with tension. The others sensed the storm brewing but knew better than to intervene. This was the battle of egos, pride, and jealousy before the hunt even began.
For Aestra and Elera, the fight was not about proving strength. It was about keeping Michael in check, asserting boundaries, and maintaining the balance of power. For Michael, it was everything: proving himself worthy, claiming attention, and denying the commoner any claim to Elera's admiration.
As Michael stepped forward, sword in hand, Aestra relaxed his stance, waiting for the first move. His mind was sharp, calculating. This is not just a fight—it's a lesson in control, restraint, and observation.
The tension between the three crackled like electricity. Michael's jealousy had ignited a storm, but Aestra and Elera were calm, composed, and far beyond the protagonist's expectations.
If he causes us trouble… we'll deal with it. But for now, he will learn, Aestra thought, eyes narrowing slightly.
And so, the stage was set. The forest hunt would test more than just their skills—it would test pride, strategy, and the invisible bonds that tied them together.