Chapter Fourteen - Let the journey continue

„Who is this lady, brother?" Aprudeé seemed very curious about me from the beginning but, did not ask until we got into the carriage. Lord Lauviére has lent us one to take us to the next town, and from there we will go by stagecoach.

„I met her while I was looking for you. She helped me, so now I want to assist her." I appreciated that he said that even though he could handle everything on his own without problems.

„Do you need help, my lady?" She was so polite and so cute. I was starting to miss Rihian. He was just as precious as she was.

„Well… My father is sick, so I am looking for a cure." I confessed.

„Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. You were part of my rescue, so if I can lend a hand I would love to." This kid is very serious for her age. Rihian also received a strict and tough education, but he wasn't like that. I think Aprudeé's behaviour was a result of the actions of her parents and brothers. Her parents probably told her to be responsible and act like an adult, while her brother tried to do everything they could to substitute their attention and love.

„Thank you. I will take you at your word if I need it." It would be rude not to take her seriously.

My gaze went to the boy next to her, but I quickly averted my eyes. I didn't want to seem impolite by staring. He was quiet and only answered questions—no wonder considering what had happened.

From what I heard, he was traded by people for years. His body was scarred and there were shadows in his eyes, but it wasn't broken which gave me hope. He didn't give up and from now on I believe Eiran will take care of him. No matter how much Aprudeé wants to do anything for him, because of her age people won't care what she has to say.

I was contemplating his situation and stealing glances at him when my eyes met a shocking green one. He didn't blink and I felt my face turn red.

„I'm sorry! I just…" What can I say?

„No need to apologize to me. I am used to being a spectacle. I know that my appearance is disgusting in the eyes of humans."

„No, that can't be true!" How could this child call himself disgusting? Except for his ears and eyes, he looked exactly like any other human. And even if he looked very different from us, he would still bleed the same and feel the pain in the same way. „You are very handsome!" I stammered.

„Am I?"

„Is he?' Eiran and his voice overlapped. Ryenne was in disbelief and he had a strange expression on his face.

„He will be after he grows up." I corrected myself. „But you are pretty." I smiled at the boy.

„I told you." Aprudeé looked smug as she touched his hair. „You are the prettiest, Ryenne." Hah, this girl going to be a lady-killer… Or a man-killer?

„I warned you not to be like your older brother." He swept his sister's hand away. „You cannot touch others arbitrarily.„ She started pouting.

„I am sorry if I was rude." I felt the need to apologize again. „The truth is, I didn't even know about the existence of elves before I met you, so I was just curious, but…Sorry. „I hang my head in shame.

„It's okay. „ He reassured me and closed his eyes. I guess the attention made him uncomfortable so I turned my gaze to the landscape.

It was an unfamiliar land but wasn't so different from what I had seen before—clear blue skies with white clouds, lush trees and bad roads. I almost forgot how much I enjoyed travelling before.

„Sooo…." It was said unnecessarily long, probably to catch my attention. I looked at Eiran. „Guys like Ryenne are your type?" What? I looked at the kids. They slept leaning on each other. I sighed in relief.

„He is a child." I know there is no FBI here, but really… I didn't want to get in trouble.

„There is not much of an age gap between you two." Can't you just let it go? I looked at him exasperatedly but somehow he seemed satisfied.

„That may be true, but I see a certain kind of innocence in him, so I only see him as a child." And I'm actually over thirty. Not that I can say that.

„And you are not innocent anymore?" He raised an eyebrow. Once upon a time, I was a healthy 18-year-old girl with a loving boyfriend… But this was not the kind of innocence I meant.

„Do I look innocent to you?" I looked deep into his eyes and he didn't turn away.

„In what sense of the word?" Damn, this guy! „Anyway, no. You look more mature than your age. When I look at you, I see a young lady, not a child." Well, I was flattered. „What about me? Do I look like a kid to you?" Is he crazy?

„Is there anyone who would think that when they look at you?" I questioned him.

„Perhaps my older brother?" He wasn't confident. „But I'm glad you think of me as a man." I felt my face became red. Why did he have to say such things? I thought my heart would never race like this again. Why is he the only one… No!

I looked outside again and closed my eyes to pretend to sleep, but after a while I fell into dreamland.