012 ※ The Bastard and the Witch: Fate's Cruel Joke and Other Casual Conversations

"You must go back with me to the capital. Once we're there, we'll reunite with the other six bastards, and then we'll fill you in on everything that's been happening on our continent. So, the question is, will you come back with me?"

His words were straightforward, but there was something underneath them, a tone that made it clear he was implying more than just the logistics of the journey. I could sense there was something deeper at play, something he wasn't saying outright, but I chose to ignore it for now. It wasn't my concern. Not yet, anyway.

"I'll meet your king? Hmm, that sounds interesting," I responded, letting the idea swirl in my mind. "If I could meet him and find out for myself that he is everything you say he is, then I'll consider agreeing to go with you."

A childish smile crept across his face, the kind that looked innocent on the surface, but I knew better than to believe in its innocence. There was more to it—a teasing, mischievous edge that gave away his true intentions.

"You don't even have to ask me something like that, little witch. Your meeting with the King of the Dusk Kingdom? That's probably just a little act of fate, don't you think?" he said with a wink, as if he knew the world would somehow bend to his will.

Ridiculous. Fate? I didn't believe in such things. Not in this world, not with people like him. It wasn't something I needed to concern myself with.

"I don't really believe in fate," I muttered, my voice low. "But if that means you're giving me a yes, then I guess I'll go with you."

His smile widened, that knowing look never leaving his eyes. He was far too confident for my taste, but it was clear this was his way of doing things—always with certainty, always with a plan, even if it was one I couldn't quite see yet.

"Now please, call me Kai, little witch."

The way he said it, so casually, like he was granting me some sort of privilege, only made me wonder more about the person standing before me. Why did he have to be like this? So cocky, so sure of himself. It grated on my nerves in ways I couldn't fully explain.

"Kai Little Witch? Hmm, that's a good name," I teased, unable to hold back a laugh. "But my home…"

Before I could continue, he cut me off with his words quick and almost rehearsed, as though he had anticipated exactly what I was about to say.

"No one will find this place, little witch. You don't need to worry about that. It'll be fine."

His words were meant to reassure, but the vagueness of them didn't sit right with me. Something like this? What did he mean? But I decided not to press it. Not yet, anyway. It wasn't important at the moment.

"I know this doesn't look like much, especially for someone like you, who's used to living among nobles and royals, someone who's so close to a freaking king. But this is my home. I built it from scratch. So, you can think it's ridiculous if you want, but I love this place. You can joke about me, but don't joke about my little house. It's precious to me."

He nodded, understanding the sentiment behind my words, even though he definitely didn't feel the same attachment to the places he must have called home. To me, this was everything, and he couldn't bring himself to diminish it, no matter how ridiculous he thought it was. It was something worth respecting, if nothing else. Or so I hoped.

"And I have to tell you something now," I added, my voice taking on a slightly more serious tone as I paused, choosing my next words carefully. "I kinda forgot how to interact with people properly. And, well... I have this little issue where I say whatever I think. So, if you still want to take me with you, just know that this could get... awkward."

He raised an eyebrow at my admission, wondering if I actually meant what I said or if I was just trying to provoke him. I smirked, like it was funny, but he couldn't tell if I was joking or being completely serious. Either way, he couldn't help but chuckle.

"Don't worry, little witch," he said, shaking his head with a smile. "And I didn't mean to offend you when I mentioned your home, I wasn't trying to snub it. Also, I already know that you're kinda savage."

The grin on his face only grew—or at least, was starting to get a glimpse of who I truly was. His comment, though, about me being "savage," seemed to amuse him far more than it should have. He was odd, and I couldn't decide if I found him endearing or just downright irritating.

"Can you promise me one thing?" he asked, his voice suddenly shifting, taking on a more serious tone, although his playful smile never wavered.

"Depends," I replied, narrowing my eyes, fully aware that whatever he was about to ask wouldn't be simple.

"It's simple," he continued, a slight gleam in his eyes. "Can you promise me that you'll tell the king your name?"

This was it—the moment I could finally break the tension with a laugh. So I did. "I'm not that savage, Kai!" I snorted, shaking my head, not sure if he was being serious or not.

His eyebrows arched, still with that cheeky grin on his face, as if he was waiting for me to say something else. "He's a king," he stated, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Of course, I'll tell him my name. Just one, because in our world, full names hold great power. You know about that, right? You don't even need to ask me to promise something like that."

"I'll feel more comfortable if you promise," he insisted, pushing a little further, his voice more persistent now, with an edge of something like playfulness mixed with determination.

Bastard.

"Okay, okay! I promise that I'll tell your king my name," I said with a dramatic sigh, throwing my hands up in mock surrender. There was no getting out of it, not with how persistent he was. I might as well give him what he wanted.

His smile softened into something that was almost serene, the kind of smile that someone wore when they were completely content. It was clear he was satisfied, and that gave me a sense of finality, like the decision had already been made for me. Then, without missing a beat, he stood up, stretching his legs like the whole exchange was nothing more than a brief interlude.

"I already told you that I'm a bastard," he said casually, like it was just another fact about him, and there was nothing remarkable about it.

What an idiot, I thought, watching him with a mixture of annoyance and something else I couldn't quite place.

"So, can you put what's left of the stew—snake and vegetables—into a bowl, please?" he asked nonchalantly, as if that was the most normal request in the world.

I paused, not sure why the request struck me the way it did. Something about it, something about the way he casually shifted from their serious conversation to something so mundane, made me realize that I was being dragged into something far bigger than just a simple meeting with a king. There was more to this journey, more to him, than I was prepared for. Something complicated, something that could change everything.

But I had already given my word, and now, with Kai's grin still lingering in my mind and the weight of his promise hanging between us, I knew there was no turning back. Not now. Not ever.