Chapter 4 – The Road to the Elven Kingdom
When they finally escaped the monster, Leo collapsed into Selene's arms.
She carefully dragged him to a safe spot beneath a cluster of glowing trees, laid him down, and for an entire day she healed his wounds and guarded his sleep. The soft hum of her magic mixed with the wind — calm and steady, like a lullaby.
At last, Leo's eyes opened.
Selene crossed her arms and smirked. "Finally awake. You've been sleeping for a whole day, you know? I'm starving — we haven't eaten in two!"
Leo groaned, rubbing his head. "Ugh… I wake up and the first thing I hear is an annoying voice."
Her face turned red with anger. "Annoying?! That's how you thank the person who saved your life?!"
Realizing his mistake, Leo raised his hands in surrender. "N-no! I'm grateful, really! Sorry, Selene. Let's just… find something to eat, okay?"
Selene huffed, then sighed. "Hmph. Fine. Since you saved me too, I'll treat you to food. But first, we have to reach the main town."
Leo smiled weakly. "Deal."
---
They traveled together under a pale blue sky. When they reached the nearest town — a quiet elven trading post filled with crystal lamps and floating runes — Selene marched straight to an inn.
"Order whatever you like, Leo," she said proudly. "Don't worry about money — I'm a princess. I can handle it."
Leo's eyes lit up. "Really? Then don't blame me when you're broke."
She lifted her chin proudly. "Go ahead. I'll be fine."
Ten minutes later, her coin pouch wasn't.
Leo devoured plate after plate, trying every dish on the menu until half her money was gone.
Leaning back, he sighed in satisfaction. "Ahhh… That was amazing!"
Selene slammed her hands on the table. "You ate HALF my money in one sitting!"
Leo grinned. "Hey, you said I could order whatever I wanted. Don't blame me, rich princess."
Her cheeks burned red. "Y-you…! Ugh, never mind. But I'm never letting you order that much again."
Leo chuckled. "Fair enough. I was just really hungry after all that fighting."
Her expression softened. "Alright. But from now on, smaller meals. Anyway, let's head back to my kingdom. I miss home."
"Yeah," Leo said, looking out the window. "I want to see home too."
---
The next morning, they searched for transport. Without thinking, Selene grabbed Leo's hand and pulled him toward a merchant with a horse and cart.
"Excuse me, sir. Could you give us a ride to the Elven Lands?" she asked.
The man grinned. "Of course. I'll take you and your boyfriend."
Selene instantly dropped Leo's hand, her face turning crimson. "H-he's not—!"
Leo smirked. "How much for the ride?"
"Fifteen silver. I can't take you directly inside, but I'll drop you near the border."
"That's fine," Leo said, glancing at Selene.
She nodded quickly, avoiding his eyes. "It's fine."
---
The journey was calm at first. The forest thinned, replaced by golden plains and glimmering rivers. But peace never lasted long.
A group of bandits blocked the road. "Hand over everything you've got!"
Leo sighed, drawing his sword. "Seriously? Monsters weren't enough, now this?"
Selene rolled her eyes, summoning blue fire to her hands. "Pathetic. Let's make this quick."
Moments later, the bandits lay unconscious on the ground. The driver stared in awe.
"Th-thank you! You saved me!"
Leo waved it off. "Don't worry about it. Just tell the guards — maybe you'll get a reward."
---
By sunset, they reached the border of the Elven Lands. The sky glowed orange, the trees ahead shining faintly like emerald glass.
"Thank you for the ride," Leo and Selene said together.
The driver smiled. "No, thank you. You two make a great pair."
Selene's face went bright red. "I-It's not like that!"
Leo chuckled. "Careful, Selene. You're turning into a tomato again."
Her blush deepened. "N-no I'm not!"
Even the driver laughed. "Ah, young love."
Leo rubbed his neck. "You're not helping, old man."
---
That night, they camped under the glowing branches of the elven forest. Leo built a fire, and Selene sat beside it, hugging her knees.
"You should rest," Leo said. "I'll keep watch."
She smirked faintly. "You owe me for dragging you like a sack of potatoes."
He chuckled. "Then I'll thank you properly someday."
Her smile softened. "Just… don't make me carry you again."
The fire crackled softly, and for a moment, the world was peaceful.
---
Morning came. They packed up and kept walking.
After several weeks of travel — fighting beasts, sharing food, and laughter — the grand gates of the Elven Kingdom finally came into view.
Selene's eyes sparkled. "Finally! We're here!"
"Do your parents know you're alive?" Leo asked curiously.
"Oh, I told them when you were unconscious," she said proudly. "You think a princess like me wouldn't know how?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Considering I was protecting you the whole time… maybe not."
"Hmph. Don't forget — I saved you first."
He grinned. "Fair enough."
Without thinking, Selene grabbed his hand again. "Come on. I want to see my parents."
---
When they reached the palace gates, the guards froze — then shouted, "Princess Selene! She's alive!"
Her parents rushed out, tears streaming. "Selene!"
She ran into their arms, crying. "Mom, Dad! I'm sorry! I only wanted to help Leo, but I got caught up in everything!"
Her mother stroked her hair. "Shh. You're safe now. That's all that matters."
Leo stood a few steps behind, watching. A familiar ache filled his chest.
He remembered another world — another life.
A door slamming.
"You're useless. We don't need you."
He had been only seven when they cast him out.
From that day, he survived on his own — scraping for food, sleeping in alleys, working himself to exhaustion for a few coins.
No one ever reached out a hand.
He'd grown up believing warmth like this didn't exist.
Now, watching this family, his heart broke — not from pain, but from something gentler. Something he hadn't felt in years.
He wiped at his eyes quickly, but Selene noticed.
"Leo… are you crying?"
He smiled faintly. "I just… miss my family, that's all."
Her parents approached kindly.
"I'm Elena," said her mother. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"And I'm Jack," her father added. "Thank you for saving our daughter."
Leo bowed slightly. "I'm Leo. It's… an honor."
Jack chuckled. "You don't need to be so formal. Selene talked about you plenty."
Selene's face went crimson. "I-I didn't say that much! I just told them you saved me!"
Leo smirked. "Oh? I was hoping you said something nice."
"I—I didn't say I like you or anything!" she stammered.
Her parents exchanged amused glances. "You two became close fast," Elena whispered.
"Shut up!" Selene shouted and ran upstairs, red as a ruby.
Leo scratched his head awkwardly. Despite the teasing, he felt something warm inside — something that reminded him of what "home" used to mean.
Elena smiled softly. "You're welcome to stay, Leo. You've done enough to deserve rest."
Leo nodded. "Thank you. I'll be grateful for even a few days."
"Good," Jack said. "And don't be so formal anymore — you're family now."
---
Later that evening, Leo knocked on Selene's door.
"Can I come in?"
"Yes, you can," she said from inside.
He entered, and she immediately crossed her arms. "You can sit there. And don't touch anything."
Leo grinned. "Don't worry. I'm not even interested."
"Oh really? Then sit still and be quiet," she said with mock authority.
"Is this slavery or what? Let's go for a walk."
Selene hesitated, then said proudly, "Only because I want to."
"Sure, sure," Leo chuckled.
She grabbed his hand. "Come on! I know a place!"
They ran through the forest until they reached a sparkling waterfall under moonlight. The air shimmered with magic — like stars had fallen into the water.
For an hour, they talked, laughed, and splashed around like children.
As they sat by the water, Selene's tone softened. "Are you leaving tomorrow?"
Leo nodded. "Yeah. I need to keep moving."
"Oh… I see," she said quietly. Then, trying to hide her sadness, she added, "It's not like I'll miss you or anything!"
He smiled. "Of course not. But maybe I'll see you again someday."
Selene looked at him and smiled faintly. "At the Magic Academy, then. In five years."
"Deal," Leo said.
The night wind carried their laughter across the water — and for once, Leo felt like the world was finally giving him a reason to smile again.