Moving Forward

-----Yui's POV

The meeting basically ended with Cecelia asking for me to talk about the idea of Kaede helping out with fight at Inasdale. There were still people against it, namely that bull man, but the majority of people switched sides after Kaede's name was brought up. Cecelia did reassure me before we left that this decision is solely on her and she doesn't plan to push this any further if Kaede declines, but I would need to let the queen know what decision Kaede makes in the coming days.

We met back up with Natalie before the four of us enter back into the carriage, waving goodbye to the queen and her daughters.

Iris: "Hah~"

Mom looks visibly exhausted as I can completely relate to her right now. So many people staring down and voicing their opinions all over the table. Honestly is quite headache inducing just listening to it all.

Natalie: "How did it go?"

Of course Natalie was the only one that wasn't with us at the meeting, so she has no idea what went down, but she is aware of what the meeting was about.

Yui: "To put it briefly. If Kaede is up for it, then Yarene will consider taking back Inasdale from the monsters."

Natalie: "Why Kaede?"

Yui: "I accidentally let it slip that Kaede fought against Lucien and won. And considering Lucien's status and the monsters, they deemed it necessary to have Kaede aid them."

Natalie: "You think she'll accept?"

Yui: "...I honestly don't know. Fabian's stuck there, so I'd like to think she would. But she has her family here to worry about now. So I'm not sure."

I guess I'll go visit Kaede now and see what she thinks. As for me, I'm quite torn on if I'd like Kaede to go or not. I don't know if I interpreted the meeting right, but it doesn't seem like me and anyone else would be involved in the fight, which would leave Kaede fighting all on her own. How long would she be gone? Will she die out there? Would it be the last time I see her again? It's tough to say this, but I prefer guaranteeing Kaede's safety over my brother's; especially if he's apparently safe at the moment.

Iris: "Don't stress about it, Ellen. But do be sure to tell her your feelings in this matter as well. You're her partner after all."

Yui: "Thanks, mom."

She's right. I shouldn't be just dwelling on this alone. I should just tell Kaede everything and see what happens from there.

Yui: "Heh. Who knows. Maybe I can also go and-"

Iris: "I'm sorry, but I will not allow that."

Yui: "Sorry sorry~ It's just a joke."

Actually it was more of a half truth. Back when Kaede was fighting Lucien, it was when I took over his fire magic that allowed Kaede to gain the upper hand. And if her next opponent had killed Lucien, then I'd argue she'd be in a much more tougher fight than before. I may not be able to control magic like Kaede's blood magic, but there's still a chance that I might still be useful. But yeah, mom's right. I shouldn't put myself in danger when there's so many unknowns. But that just makes me really not want Kaede going at all... Sorry Fabian. Can you hold out for a bit longer?

-----Fabian's POV

Rina: "Good afternoon~"

With a short knock on the door, Rina came inside, bringing with her another platter of food along with some more notes for our study session. She's showing a lot less restraint when it comes towards me now as she quickly places the platter of food on the table before sitting on the side of the bed with me. This has been our usual routine, but today I actually planned to finally get off this bed for once.

Rina: "How-"

I didn't mean to, but I accidentally cut her off as I prop myself up out of the bed, with me now standing on my own two feet. Rina looked quite worried, but a smile quickly grew on her face as she looked up at me.

Rina: "Your feet!"

It's still a bit awkward, but I give a little demonstration as I take a step forward before spinning 180 degrees to face her.

Fabian: "Tadaa~" 

She quickly claps her hands together, seeming to be thrilled at my little performance. The pain is still noticeable, but I can finally stand somewhat comfortably now.

Fabian: "Shall we sit at the table this time?"

Rina: "Table... Oh! Yes!"

The word "table" wasn't really in her vocabulary yet, but it was easy enough for her to understand when I gestured at the table. But as Rina was about to move the platter of food, I took the opportunity to take it first before carrying it over there myself. It was cute seeing Rina's reaction as she made sure to stay close in case I fell, but I guess she's been doing that every already during our little study sessions when I try to practice standing. She's honestly quite a sweet girl. It's hard to think that she's actually a monster.

But as I went to pull out a chair for her, she just went to the other side of the table before pulling out a seat for herself. I end up chuckling to myself at my realization that monster's don't share the same courtesies as humans.

Rina: "Hmm?"

Fabian: "Oh, nothing."

We take our seats as I start grabbing an apple from the platter. Rina's been sticking to a similar diet for me, making sure I eat healthy fruits and vegetables around the afternoon, with plenty of meat around dinner. Quite similar to how my usual diet back home was actually.

Fabian: "Sorry for cutting you off before. What were you going to say?"

Rina: "Cutting?"

With a puzzled look, Rina made motions with her hand, imitating her cutting something.

Fabian: "Sorry. Interrupting."

Rina: "Inter-"

Fabian: "UP!"

Rina: "...Sorry, I don't-"

Fabian: "AH!"

Rina: "Oh! I get it!"

It was a bit mean of me, but it looks as though she figured it out as she proceeded to write some more notes down. To be honest, I love these study sessions. In a way, it's like Rina's a baby and I'm looking after her, but really it's Rina who's been doing most of the work. She's taught me a few elven words here and there, but we quickly found that communicating in my language would be easier since she's surprisingly quick with learning it. Her pronunciation is leaps and bounds better than how it was at the start as well.

Rina: "Happy?"

Fabian: "Huh?"

She ends up smiling at me as it was then when I tried to smile back that I realized I was already smiling to begin with, causing me to quickly avert my gaze out of embarrassment.

Rina: "Hehe. You have to eat, remember?"

I quickly take a bite of the apple I had been holding in my hand as Rina finishes taking her notes from just before.

Fabian: "Where's Ilfa?"

Rina: "Uhm. 爪卂ㄒ尺丨卂尺匚卄 is at... Mmm, busy."

I ask this because I haven't seen her in a couple days. Earlier in the week she said she'd be getting quite busy again with her being a leader now, but I didn't think she'd be gone without at least stopping by. But at least Rina has been keeping me company. And to be honest, it's quite nice being able to converse like this and not worry about anything.

Finishing the apple, I go to grab some grapes from the platter, but I absentmindedly grabbed hold of the top of Rina's hand as it seemed like she too was also reaching for them. I quickly take my hand away in a panic with Rina now giggling away at the situation, seeming to be unfazed about me suddenly grabbing her hand.

Rina: "You like- these?"

Fabian: "Grapes. Yeah."

Rina: "Grapes... Then, here."

She grabbed a handful before extending her palm out over the platter of food towards me. I was honestly questioning whether she didn't mind me grabbing her hand, but now she's wanting me to grab grapes straight from her hand? She could've just left them in the platter, so it's leaving me a little confused as to how to proceed. It was when she gestured with her hand once more, almost as if she'd insisting I take some that I finally give in, grabbing a few grapes out of her hand which causes her to smile. We both start eating the grapes as I take a few glances towards her, but every time we lock eyes, I just look back at the food or either her notes as I continue munching on the grapes.

Rina: "Do I, make you upset?"

Fabian: "Huh?"

It was when I looked back at her that she has quite an uncomfortable look on her face.

Rina: "Elves. You hate them?"

Fabian: "Oh! No no. Sorry. It's not that."

Rina: "Hmm."

I guess she's aware of the difference in our races and is concerned how I feel about it. But I feel like it would be the other way around. When I first met Rina, she looked disgusted whenever she had to deliver food to me, even tossing it onto the ground. If anything I would think that she's the one uncomfortable talking with a human.

Rina: "Then, why?"

Fabian: "Why?"

Rina: "You looking away from me."

Fabian: "Oh. I just, got a little embarrassed is all."

Rina: "Em-embarrussed?

Fabian: "Yeah. Embarrassed. Like, shy. Like, this-"

I proceed to try and act out embarrassment by covering my face with my hands, looking away. But when I take away my hands, Rina is still left confused. I guess it is quite a difficult word to understand and-

Rina: "I, see..."

She then proceeds to try and act out the word as well, moving her head to the side, looking at the ground to the side of the table. Honestly she's doing quite an amazing job at depicting someone who's embarrassed as even through her light purplish skin, I notice that her face has gone a little bit redder, making her cheeks appear to be more pink.

Fabian: "Mm! Perfect."

I go to grab more food from the platter as Rina turns back to face me, only this time puzzled for some reason. Did she not completely understand it? Just as I was about to question it, she began to open up her notes before writing something down without saying a word. Is it just me or did the atmosphere change around this table?