In a Surprised Worried

After a while, Taneaya felt too tired to stay in the crowd at the tavern. She felt she needed time to reflect and absorb her mixed feelings. Saying goodbye to Eran and Kain, Taneaya returned to her inn to rest.

After Taneaya left them. Kain looked at the door where Taneaya had left with a worried expression on his face. He knew that Taneaya must have been devastated by what the people in the ink tavern were saying. Kain decided to give Eran time to reflect on it himself, so he ordered more drinks for the two of them.

"Eran, I'm worried about Taneaya," Kain said in a worried tone.

"Eh? What are you worried about?" asked Eran, taking a sip of his ale.

"You know how she feels about her family responsibilities, Heirs of de Wind. Hearing people's hatred for the kingdom must hurt him," Kain explained, looking concerned.

"Eh? de Wind? Family?" Eran did not understand Kain's words.

"Heh...You don't know who Taneaya is?" Kain asked with a surprised expression.

"I know Taneaya is in our band, is there anything else?" asked Eran still not understanding.

"Oh my God," Kain screeched while smacking his forehead.

Eran was confused by Kain's behavior, but after Eran thought for a while he finally understood.

"Taneaya is from Heirs of de Wind!?" asked Eran a little surprised.

"I thought you already knew," said Kain.

"Eh? Is that serious?" asked Eran still unsure.

"You thought I was joking." Eran nodded in understanding, and then Kain asked curiously, "Aren't you guys close? So I'm thinking Taneaya must have told you?"

"You mean?" asked Eran with a frown.

"It's no secret, many other members are jealous of your closeness with Taneaya. They even think that you two have a relationship, including me. Damn, you make us jealous," Kain explained while folding his arms.

"Heh, close? Relationship? What are you guys thinking behind my damn back," Eran screeched while hitting the table lightly.

"Don't you guys often go on missions together, you're also often seen hunting together. Not to mention that many people watch when we gather or party, Taneaya's eyes almost can't escape when she sees you, Eran! I'm jealous you bastard!"

"I have nothing to do with her, you guys are overreacting. When the two of us always fight, she hates me, and always looks at me sarcastically, How can you conclude like that," said Eran.

"Ah, it's called love vibes," said Kain while hugging himself.

"Stop it! You make me want to vomit,"

"Then, why are you still here?" asked Kain.

"I'm still confused, if he's offended by people's talk then his family is among the important people in the kingdom," said Eran curiously.

"You really," said Kain stopping his activity while shaking his head.

"What else? You've been acting weird all day."

"Tsk...she's from the pure blood of the Heirs of de Wind, so she's the King's daughter now, princess," said Kain casually.

"Eh! Really!?" Eran was surprised again.

"Shh...be quiet." reprimanded Kain.

"So there are two royal princesses in our band?" asked Eran, Kain nodded in response.

"Right, ah yes I almost forgot, only a few people know Tane's identity, me, Theo, Cata, and you now. Don't you leak this secret, it could endanger them," said Kain seriously.

"Whatever, in my eyes they are all the same," said Eran.

"You're worried about Tane, aren't you?" asked Kain gently.

Eran thought for a moment, then tried to summarize what he felt.

Eran nodded, "Maybe...But if I were in his shoes I would feel that way too, I can't imagine how hard he must be feeling right now. Her father is the king, and Taneaya is the crown princess. This must be difficult for her."

"Yes, she must be devastated," Kain said as he sipped his drink. "Maybe you should follow her to her room. Maybe she needs someone to talk to."

"Why not you? Why me!?" asked Eran disapprovingly.

"Well, because you're close to her," replied Kain lightly.

"Agghh...I'm not as close as you guys think."

"Never mind...Follow him, I'm leading this mission, so you have to obey me," said Kain.

"This is what I don't like about group work, but if I die from two of his sword slashes I swear I'll haunt you for the rest of my life," Eran said irritably.

"Hahahaha...there you go."

Eran thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement, then took a sip of his drink. "Alright, I'll go meet him."

Leaving Kain in the drinking room, carrying a bottle of Alley and a glass, he headed for the room where Taneaya was staying. On the way to the inn, Eran thought about how he should comfort a sad person, in all his life Eran had never done anything like this.

When he arrived at the door, he hesitated whether to knock or not. But then he heard a sobbing sound from inside the room, and he was sure that Taneaya was crying. Eran thought again about whether he should. Instead of doing this, he would instead be ordered to fight a company of warriors. Finally, Eran decided to knock gently on the door.

As soon as Eran knocked, the sound of Taneaya crying stopped. Eran was silent for a moment and then the door opened. She was surprised to see Eran at the door.

"Eran?" murmured Taneaya in a hoarse voice.

Eran smiled stiffly, "May I come in?"

Taneaya nodded and made way for Eran. Without prompting Eran went to the moonlit window and sat down. Eran poured a drink into a glass, while Taneaya was still standing by the door, confused by Eran's movements.

"I brought drinks," Eran said as he raised his glass.

Taneaya couldn't figure out why Eran was here, what he was here for. A plot twist beyond Taneaya's common sense. Many conjectures floated through her head but her feet kept moving towards Eran and sat beside him. Taneaya reached for the glass and took a sip of her drink. Then they were silent for a long time without saying anything, absorbed in their confusing thoughts.

"So you figured it out?" Taneaya said, breaking the silence. At the same time, playing with the small glass in her hand.

"Umm, well I guess..."

"So you'll look at me differently from now on?" asked Taneaya once again.

"For now, maybe," Eran replied. Taneaya immediately glared at Eran with disappointment.

"That's the Taneaya I know," Eran said mockingly.

"You're going to stay away from me?" said Taneaya, who was still glaring at Eran.

"You should be happy because no one will upset you anymore, don't you hate me, you even said at the beginning of the meeting that you already hate me," Eran replied.

"Actually...hmm..forget it," Taneaya said hanging. Eran took the glass from Taneaya's hand.

He poured the drink into it and took a sip.

"Why are you asking like that, as if I'm just going to leave? But don't worry, I won't change, I consider everyone the same. Isn't that how our band should be," Eran explained.

Taneaya smiled with relief at Eran's explanation.

They took turns using the glasses to drink, I don't know how many times this was, and Taneaya's face was red from being drunk. Her face turned gloomy again.

*****