Distraught

As I try to feed her another piece of fruit, I realize that our master has fallen asleep. Her peaceful expression makes her look even more beautiful, and I can't help but chuckle softly to myself. She's like a cat, always finding comfort in lazying and sleeping.

Gently brushing off some stray hairs that frame her face, I'm struck once again by her stunning beauty.

Whispering a silence spell to ensure she remains undisturbed, I call for Haroun. He stops massaging her feet and looks at me questioningly. Gesturing towards our sleeping master, he quickly understands and gently carries her to her room. I watch as he carefully lays her down, making sure she's comfortable before quietly leaving the room.

Returning to the living area, I settle comfortably into the couch. But my brief moment of relaxation is interrupted by a cold voice calling my name.

"Nikolai," Valendor's voice cuts through the air as I make my way to the kitchen area where he's preparing dinner. The aroma of his cooking fills the air, making my mouth water.

"Please tie up my hair, it's distracting," Valendor says, his focus on chopping vegetables.

"Yes, yes, princess," I reply with a hint of amusement. The nickname 'princess' was initially used by our master but has somehow stuck with the rest of us. I gather Valendor's golden locks into a neat ponytail, my fingers deftly working through his hair.

Just then, Haroun speaks up from the corner of the room. "Should I grow out my hair too?" he asks, his voice filled with curiosity.

Both Valendor and I scoff at his suggestion. "Hey, hey, what's that supposed to mean?" Haroun protests, folding his arms defensively.

"Nothing big guy, it's just not a look for you," I reply, giving him a playful tap on the shoulder as I finish up with Valendor's hair.

"But you and Valendor can pull it off apparently?" Haroun grumbles.

"Yep," I say with a grin.

"Yes," Valendor chimes in.

"I think this is bullying," Haroun mutters, looking slightly put out.

Valendor decides to put Haroun to work, enlisting his help in the kitchen. As they get to work, I make myself cozy in the living area, enjoying the banter and camaraderie among us. Haroun tries to sneak away, but a mischievous green vine suddenly wraps around his neck, catching him in his attempt. I can't help but snicker to myself at his predicament.

*

It warms my heart to see our master enjoying the meal I've prepared, her expressions of delight and contentment making all the effort in the kitchen worth it. As she takes a small piece of meat I offer her, she practically moans in pleasure at the taste. It's a small indecent sound, but in this moment, she cares not about propriety, only about savoring the flavors.

Deciding it's time for me to eat as well, I pick up my fork and begin to enjoy the meal I've created. I can feel Nikolai's eyes on me, attempting to steal pieces of meat from my plate. With a quick glare, I stop him in his tracks.

"Half elf," I remind him, emphasizing that I do eat meat despite my elven heritage. It's always a battle of wits and appetites with Nikolai around; one must always be on guard. Sneaky fox.

The table is filled with soft chatter as we enjoy the meal together, the atmosphere warm and comforting. However, the mood shifts abruptly when our master speaks up.

"After the new year, I'll be leaving on a holy pilgrimage for 2 years," she says softly, her words hanging heavily in the air.

The conversation comes to an abrupt halt, everyone stunned into silence by this unexpected announcement. Nikolai and I exchange glances, both equally distraught by the news.

"But Master, don't most pilgrimages last just a few weeks to a month?" Nikolai asks, voicing the question that's on all of our minds.

"They do. However, my circumstances are a little special," our master explains, her voice tinged with sadness. "I have to serve the Goddess for 800 days."

The weight of her words settles over us like a heavy blanket. A pilgrimage of this length means complete isolation from the outside world. No communication, no visitation, no connection with the world we know. For the duration of her pilgrimage, our master will belong solely to the Goddess and be cut off from us.

It's a somber realization, and the gravity of the situation hangs over us like a dark cloud. The thought of her being away for two long years feels almost unbearable.

The rest of the meal passes in somber silence, the weight of our master's impending departure casting a pall over the room. Appetites are lost, and everyone merely picks at their meals, lost in their own thoughts.

"Perhaps I should have waited to share the news," our master says softly, breaking the heavy silence as she notices the lack of enthusiasm for the meal now. She lets out a weary sigh, the weight of her decision evident in her expression.

After dinner, she settles into Nikolai's embrace, while patting Haroun's head affectionately as if he were some prized pet cat. In a way, he is, I think to myself with a slight chuckle at the direction of my thoughts.

Taking a few strands of her curly white locks, I begin to braid them absentmindedly. Kai once told me that braiding hair is a way to show affection in this world. I had rolled my eyes at the time, but now I find myself doing the same to Nikolai's long purple strands of hair. It's a strange compulsion, one that's surprisingly difficult to resist. I've unwittingly fallen into its compulsion again.

*

As I sit in the compartment on the back of the Gilcha lizard, making my way back to the palace, I absentmindedly tug on the braid that Valendor had done in my hair earlier. The boys were clearly distraught with the news of my upcoming pilgrimage, and I can't blame them. I did just spring this on them, after all.

Unfortunately, I have a deal with the Pope, and I must fulfill my end of the bargain for him to keep his. The thought of being separated from the boys for two years is daunting, and I can't help but feel a pang of guilt for putting them through this.

Sighing once again, I lean back against the comfortable cushions of the carriage, lost in my thoughts as the Gilcha lizard carries me towards the palace.