The next few weeks passed peacefully.
Kael continued to visit the village whenever his duties allowed.
Sometimes he came with a reason.
Sometimes he didn't.
Elara noticed.
She never asked him why.
She simply smiled whenever she saw him arrive.
Mira, however, had no such restraint.
One afternoon, Kael was sitting outside the shop while Mira played with the wooden horse he had given her.
Elara was counting coins at the counter.
"You've been here for three hours," she said.
Kael looked at her.
"Have I?"
"Yes."
"I didn't notice."
Elara smiled.
"Of course you didn't."
Kael leaned back against the wall.
"It is peaceful here."
Elara stopped counting.
"You don't get peace in the capital?"
"Not much."
"What is it like being a famous knight?"
Kael thought for a moment.
"People look at you differently."
"Because you're famous?"
"Because they think you're not afraid."
Elara looked at him.
"And are you?"
Kael smiled slightly.
"Of course."
She seemed surprised.
"You are?"
"Everyone is afraid of something."
"What are you afraid of?"
Kael became quiet.
For a moment, he didn't answer.
"Losing someone I care about."
Elara's expression softened.
She looked down at the coins in her hands.
"I understand."
Neither spoke for a while.
That evening, Kael prepared to leave.
Mira ran toward him.
"Are you coming tomorrow?"
Kael smiled.
"I don't know."
"Why?"
"Because I have duties."
Mira frowned.
"I don't like your duties."
Kael laughed.
"Neither do I sometimes."
Elara walked outside.
"Don't listen to her. She'll make you quit being a knight."
Mira immediately replied,
"Good."
Kael laughed again.
Elara smiled.
Then Kael looked at her.
"I'll try to come soon."
She nodded.
"Be careful."
Kael stopped.
It was a simple sentence.
But somehow, it felt different this time.
"I will."
He climbed onto his horse.
Elara stood beside Mira as they watched him ride away.
After he disappeared, Mira looked up.
"Elara?"
"Yes?"
"When Kael comes back, can he stay forever?"
Elara froze.
She looked down at her sister.
"Why would you ask that?"
"Because I like him."
Elara smiled.
"I know."
"And you like him too."
Elara sighed.
"Mira..."
Mira giggled and ran inside.
Elara remained outside.
She looked down the road where Kael had disappeared.
For the first time, she allowed herself to admit something.
She missed him when he wasn't there.
The Capital
Several days later, Kael returned to the capital.
The moment he entered the royal fortress, he noticed that the atmosphere was different.
Soldiers were moving quickly through the courtyard.
Messengers were arriving and leaving.
Kael dismounted.
"What happened?"
A soldier shook his head.
"Nothing serious. Just increased patrols near the western border."
Kael's expression became serious.
"The western border?"
"Yes."
Before he could ask more, a familiar voice called out.
"Kael."
He turned.
Aldric stood near the entrance.
Kael walked toward him.
"Sir."
Aldric looked at him carefully.
"You've been away often."
Kael smiled.
"I had business in the villages."
Aldric raised an eyebrow.
"Twenty miles away?"
Kael said nothing.
Aldric smiled.
"You're becoming a terrible liar."
Kael laughed.
"Perhaps."
Aldric placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Come. The King wants to see us."
As they walked inside, Kael glanced back toward the road.
His thoughts briefly returned to Elara.
Then he remembered her words.
Be careful.
He smiled faintly.
"I'll come back," he whispered.
He turned and followed Aldric inside.
Neither of them knew how much that simple promise would one day cost him.
And somewhere beyond the western border, something had already begun to move.