Stay
628 Words
The soldier’s eyes widened in panic.
Elena studied Ronan carefully.
Just moments ago, he had walked away as if nothing mattered.
Now he was helping them.
'Why?'
Ronan suddenly glanced toward her.
Their eyes met.
For a brief moment, the coldness in his gaze softened slightly.
Then he released the soldier roughly and stepped back.
"What you do with him now," he said flatly, "is none of my concern."
But this time, he didn’t immediately walk away.
Aria was clearly getting impatient as her golden eyes turned colder and she let out a low angry growl
The soldier trembled under Aria’s low growl, his back pressed against the rough bark of a tree. His frightened eyes moved between Elena and Ronan.
Elena kept her sword pointed toward him. “Speak,” she said calmly. “Why are you in this forest?”
“I told you—I don’t know anything!” the soldier stammered.
Aria growled louder, her tail lashing behind her.
The man flinched.
Ronan leaned against a nearby tree, watching quietly, his golden eyes filled with mild curiosity.
“You’re a terrible liar,” he said casually.
The soldier swallowed hard. “We were just following orders!”
“What orders?” Elena asked.
“To search the forest.”
“For what?”
The soldier hesitated, clearly afraid.
Elena stepped closer, her voice turning colder. “Answer.”
“We were told to look for the missing princess of Avelon!” he blurted out.
For a moment the forest fell silent.
Ronan’s eyes shifted toward Elena, studying her face.
Elena frowned slightly, as if annoyed.
“And you think she’d be hiding in a forest like this?” she said flatly.
“I—I don’t know!” the soldier said quickly. “That’s just what we were told! Any travelers are to be questioned!”
“Who gave the order?” Elena asked.
“The captain at the border garrison. He said the nobles want the princess found before she gathers any supporters.”
Ronan raised an eyebrow slightly but said nothing.
Elena lowered her sword a little. “And you decided to attack two travelers because of that?”
The soldier looked ashamed but said nothing.
After a moment Elena stepped back.
“Leave.”
The man blinked in disbelief. “W-what?”
“Run,” she repeated coldly. “Before I change my mind.”
He didn’t wait for a second warning. Scrambling to his feet, he ran into the forest as fast as he could.
Aria watched him disappear between the trees, a quiet rumble still in her chest.
Ronan straightened from the tree and looked at Elena.
“So the kingdom is searching for a runaway princess,” he said lightly.
Elena shrugged, wiping sweat from her forehead as if the matter bored her.
“Kings and nobles are always looking for someone,” she replied. “It has nothing to do with us.”
Ronan studied her for a moment longer, but her expression remained calm and indifferent.
Finally he looked away.
“Maybe,” he said.
He turned slightly as if preparing to leave again.
Elena spoke before he could take a step.
“You helped us.”
Ronan paused.
“So?”
“Stay,” Elena said. “You clearly know this forest better than we do.”
Ronan looked back at her, faint amusement flickering in his golden eyes.
“You’re persistent.”
Elena didn’t answer.
After a moment he sighed quietly.
“…Fine. Just until we reach the road.”
Aria huffed softly, still watching him with suspicion.
But Elena simply nodded and grabbed the cart again.
“Then help push,” she said.
For the first time, a small smile touched Ronan’s lips.
- Writer
