44 Nomads

The sun had set by the time Allyria went back to their spot. She had to stop by several times on the road since her hands, stiff from clenching the legs of the deer, had gone utterly numb yards ago.

Kaius was already preparing the bonfire when she arrived. He'd placed a clump of banana leaf on the ground beside it to sleep on and a few twigs on the side to serve as a barrier like a little house she and Vysela used to make when they were younger.

He raised his head once he saw her, "Woah," he gasped, "That's one big deer. I was expecting something smaller."

"I got lucky," she said, placing the deer on the ground and told him about what happened earlier.

Kaius couldn't help but let out a laugh, "You what?"

"I hit his head," Allyria answered. When she sensed Kaius wasn't contented with the explanation, she continued on, "I had no choice."

Kaius raised his brow.

"Okay! I guess I overreacted a bit," she took her sword and started slicing the deer. There wasn't anything they could use to cut it so might as well be resourceful.

"You should have just asked."

"And you think he'll be fine with it?" Allyria shook her head, "You already know how the world works, Kaius. Sometimes, we have to do unpleasant things to fend for ourselves."

"Okay, I was just suggesting," Kaius took his sword and helped Allyria cut the meat into strips, "You're scarier when you're serious."

"I'm not scary."

"But you are. I mean, you always have this look like you hate the world. See this?" Allyria brought her head up and looked at Kaius pointing his face, his eyes narrowed and lips pouting.

Allyria chuckled, "I don't look like that at all."

"You do. The only time you don't do that face is when you're asking for my help," Allyria was about to protest when Kaius waved a dismissive hand, "I know, I know. You're too shy to appreciate all my efforts but it's okay. I still feel it," he placed a hand on his chest, and squeezed his eyes like a newborn who's about to cry.

Allyria shook her head and made a why-am-i-even-with-you face. If Allyria has her moods, Kaius also has his. There are times when she could barely recognize him and there are really just times that she'd prefer to tape his mouth shut. She remembered their first encounter in the castle, he was very much like that.

It took them almost an hour to prepare the food minus the bickering. They set aside what's left of the deer and wrapped it in a banana leaf. Everything they had were just straight from the woods. Thanks to both of their survival skills, they might even last for a month.

Kaius couldn't believe how Allyria had the knowledge to do most things he didn't think a princess could do. Since they ran out of firewood a while ago, Kaius had to fetch some from where he got it and left Allyria to cook. He expected to get back with a burnt or raw meat but it was well-cooked, in all fairness for a status like hers.

She was already on her last bite when Kaius spoke, "We'll be finally going back to Windamere tomorrow."

Allyria nodded, "I can't wait to see them."

"Your mother? Or your father? The last time I checked you didn't like them that much," Allyria gave him a confused look. He answered, "You're not the only one who can sense people."

"Well, firstly, I do not not like them," she replied. "There are just times when they can be too difficult to understand. I don't know. They've always locked me up in the castle since I was a kid and I just learned to resent them for that. But my father is bearable though."

"Father was like that too," he stood and grabbed some firewood to add to the bonfire. They already finished eating and Allyria had just dusted off their sleeping mat, sitting on it with her back rested on the trunk. "He can be a prick sometimes and pressure me to do things since I'm the successor but right now, I'm happy that he's slackened a bit."

Allyria was staring at the void when Kaius sat beside her after making sure the fire was enough to light the night. The forest was already starting to get cold. Without a roof, they would be freezing in morning's time.

With that, Allyria couldn't help but think about Silas. He was the kindest to offer them a temporary home. He didn't even question their identity and trusted them with what he knew even on the surface level.

He saved her life. Twice. Allyria owed her that much. She couldn't understand why people hated them. There might be others who are beyond saving but there were also people like him. And with the right leadership and laws, the Ikigais and humans can actually have a chance of living peacefully together.

Kaius yawned and laid down, his back on hers, "I think I'll go to sleep now, just tell me if you need body heat."

Allyria scoffed in frantic disagreement.

"Do I really disgust you that much?" Kaius chuckled.

"You're too tired your brain's not functioning properly anymore. Sleep, Mr. Sloppy," she replied.

"Fine," he snuggled up on the corner, making a little space between them, "But my offer still stands so if you—"

Allyria slapped his shoulders, "Not interested."

"Okay, okay. I won't force you anymore," she could imagine his grinning face behind her, "Good night, ma'am."

"Good night."