6 Title or Love?

Harith sat on the ledge, his legs kicking out in repetition over the edge. He couldn't help but wonder where all of his guts went when Nana confessed to him. He tried to remember the promise he made to his fellow brethens when he ventured out into the Land Of Dawn after they had all forsaken the arts of magic. When he vowed to strive to be the leader of magic for his tribe, the Leonin elves, and confidently embarked on his journey alone.

"Just you all wait, I'll becom the master of magic and come back to prove to you all that we can be more than just laying around in the sun!", he said with vigor and rage. Harith laughed at what he used to say as the flashbacks kept coming.

"Hey, kid.", a gruffy voice came.

Harith knew it was aimed towards him and turned around to face the man. He had a chestnut coloured crew cut and heavy armour along with a long sword and shield. He looked important, but Harith didn't know how important men dressed at the Imperial Capital so he didn't pay any respects or attention.

"Hmm? Who are you calling a kid? I'm fully grown! Watch your tongue before I cut it off for you.", Harith spouted with rage.

"Easy there. I just wanted to talk.", said the gruffy man.

"I don't think we have much to talk about if you're going to lace your words with insults.", the little guy huffed and retreated from him.

"Even if it's about getting a position of a lieutenant?"

Harith froze then smiled. "Intrigue me."

A knock came at the door while Harith was going through the documents at the edge of a window. He hasn't slept in days but he still had the vigor of a rabbit. Tigreal came in with a look of concern and a roll of document.

"Harith, have you been going through all these for days?"

"Yes." Harith replied with excitement.

"I know you have been nominated for Master of Magic, but you don't have to push yourself so hard do you?"

"People would expect the best from me when I get the title, shouldn't I be more of what you people say responsible?", he said without even looking up.

"Yes, but they won't go up to your extent."

"That's because they don't have the motivation like I do."

"Just thought you might want to know." Tigreal threw the document on the table then admitted defeat and left the room without another word. As soon as he left, Harith jumped off and snatched it then read.

"Harith! Harith!", a little feminine voice called out.

Harith turned around just in time to get attacked by Nana's hug.

"Heavy.", he tried to breathe before he toppled over. Nana's hands were positioned at his sides so he was cornered without a choice. He tried to signal Tigreal to help him with eye contact but he was purposely ignoring it by looking at the skies and walking away murmuring to himself, "I don't see a thing nor hear it."

Nana's expression hardened to scrutiny and then came the questions.

"Why didn't you message or an iniator? We were all so worried. I heard you've been promoted to Master Of Magic here in the Imperial Capital. How do you do that? Have you been eating well? You don't look so good. It was lucky that I met Miya which got me a chance to visit. Tigreal was kind enough to let us stay and stock up too when he knew I was a Leonin too."

Harith was clearly embarrassed but still he tried to be cheerful and tried to slow her down.

"Woah, easy with the questions, Nana. I'm not some kind of walking encyclopedia and can you please get off me? It looks weird to the people here that you are sitting on me right now.", he said after shooing off a couple of knights giggling at the corner.

"Fine. But you have to answer my questions sooner or later."

"I'm sorry but not now, alright?", he said patting her head after awhile. Then Nana's face turned red and she tried to look away.

"You know I was worried, that you would be bullied in unknown situations at this foreign place and end up crushed with much desperation of wanting to achieve your goal. So, I started training the day you left, in hopes of reaching out to you that you're not alone. When I really got here, I figured out that was not what I really wanted to say, but in truth, I was lonely after you left. I felt abandoned when you didn't take me along when all I wanted was to be with you."

"Enough Nana! I don't deserve enough for you to confess to me like this.", Harith suddenly blurted out before she could finish while his expression turned stone cold.

Harith remembered the expression on Nana's face that day. It was a forced smile with tears streaking down her face. Then, she ran and Harith, well he just watched and stood there.