Rebekah turned in surprise.
"I didn't mean it like that," she said quickly. "I just wanted him to stop shouting in the bath whenever he's alone."
"That's why I said you went overboard with your words," Lucy replied, walking toward her. "You know nothing about Alfie yet. You only met him a week ago—so don't act like you've figured him out."
Rebekah looked away, saying nothing.
"And the same goes for him," Lucy continued. "He doesn't know anything about you either. That's why he's careful with his words. Honestly, I think you're the one who needs to grow up, Rebekah."
With that, Lucy walked toward the motel.
"You better apologize. That wasn't nice," she added before disappearing inside.
Rebekah stood there, frozen with regret. She clenched her fists, then slowly made her way toward the motel behind Lucy as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows and ushering in the night.
By the time they reached the room, Rebekah broke into a jog, rushing ahead to open the door.
"I'm sorry, little Alfie! I didn't mean any of those words!" she shouted, eyes tightly shut.
"Open your eyes, Rebekah. He's not here," Lucy said from behind.
"What? Damn that Alfie!" Rebekah groaned, grinding her teeth. "He made me apologize to an empty room!"
"So where is he, Master?" she asked, turning to Lucy.
"I don't know. Maybe he's out clearing his head," Lucy replied, collapsing onto the bed. "He's becoming more of a man, if you ask me."
She yawned. "I'm really tired. I need some rest. Check around the motel—if you don't find him, come back."
"Okay, Master," Rebekah nodded, then dashed out the room.
"Alfie! Alfie!" she called, walking around the motel.
"Where are you, Alfie? Where did you run off to?" she thought, scanning the area.
"Keep it down, kid. Don't draw attention to yourself," a man said from his nearby shop.
"I'm sorry. I can't find my friend," Rebekah replied.
"Then search for him quietly," the man muttered.
Rebekah nodded and walked toward the back of the motel, which led to a forest near the kingdom border. Just then, the sharp clashing of metal echoed from within the trees.
She perked up. "Hey! Alfie, is that you?" she shouted, sprinting toward the sound.
Deeper in the forest, she found Alfie furiously training with his sword, slashing at trees with powerful swings.
"Alfie! What are you doing out here? It's getting dark. We need to rest for tomorrow's journey," Rebekah called.
"You go back, Rebekah. I'm fine," Alfie said without looking at her. "This is the best I can do for now. I don't want to be useless if something important happens."
"What do you mean by that? You're not useless. If anyone's useless, it's probably me…" Rebekah said, her voice trailing with sadness.
"Don't say that, Honey Badger," Alfie replied, gritting his teeth. "I've been having this feeling… that we're going to be attacked. Or worse, killed. It's not something I can shake off. It's like a storm building inside me."
He swung his sword again, cutting down three towering trees in one blow.
"It keeps getting stronger, this feeling… like we're just waiting for something to come knocking on our door."
"Alfie…" Rebekah whispered, eyes wide.
"It's like the way you know your papa or mama is coming home and you're waiting by the door—that kind of instinct. I can't ignore it. I need to do everything I can to protect you and Master."
He dropped to his knees, sword still gripped tightly in his hand.
"Huh… Alfie, you're not mad at me? For what I said earlier?" Rebekah asked hesitantly.
"Mad? No. I wasn't mad. I left because of this feeling… not because of your words."
"Ahh, really? Then what was that cold look and the way you walked away?"
"That was me being angry at myself, Rebekah. I'm sorry if it came off wrong."
"It's fine… I'm not mad at all," Rebekah said, lowering her gaze.
"Why are you apologizing? You did nothing wrong. I was the one who said awful things," she added, dropping to her knees and bowing her head to the ground. "I'm so sorry."
"Huh?! Don't do that, Rebekah," Alfie said, startled as he jumped up. "I told you, I'm not mad."
"No, no, no. I said horrible things. I need to apologize properly. Please accept it," she insisted, still bowing.
"You're such a pain in the ass…" Alfie muttered with a small smile. "Okay, okay—apology accepted. Are you gonna train with me now?"
"How can I train with you when I don't even have a sword?" Rebekah frowned.
"Here—use mine. I'll take this one," Alfie said, handing her his sword and pulling a second blade from behind his back.
Rebekah's eyes widened.
"What's that in your hand? Is that what I think it is?!" she exclaimed