The Forest of Eldertree

My outburst had left a tense silence hanging in the air, and I braced myself for the repercussions of raising my voice at the King. But despite the risk of punishment, I had reached my limit. For too long, I had been underestimated and labeled as weak by others. Yes, I lacked supernatural abilities, but I refused to let that define me. I possessed an inner strength and determination to protect those who were vulnerable and powerless.

"I know you are not weak," Ludwig spoke up, his voice tinged with caution. "But I also know that your body can't handle constantly being exhausted, especially now that you frequently lose consciousness."

His words struck a chord within me, a reminder of the toll my relentless pursuit of independence was taking on my health. Despite my protests, I couldn't deny the truth in his observation. It was a bitter pill to swallow, acknowledging my own limitations in the face of my stubborn pride.

"I am not neglecting myself," I asserted, meeting Ludwig's gaze with determination. "I actually stop whenever I feel exhausted."

Ludwig's expression grew increasingly furrowed, his frustration evident in the lines etched across his forehead. "Then why are you forcing yourself to work?" he pressed, his tone tinged with exasperation. "If you're doing this because you don't want to get bored, there are plenty of other activities you can engage in within the castle."

His words only added to my confusion. Why was he so adamant about this argument? I couldn't understand his perspective. Yes, I worked in the Greenhouse, but watering plants hardly qualified as strenuous labor. It was a peaceful, albeit solitary, activity that I found solace in.

I fell silent, recognizing that further explanation would likely fall on deaf ears. It seemed futile to continue debating the matter when it was clear that Ludwig wouldn't understand my perspective.

"Is it because of the debt again?" Ludwig's voice rose with irritation, his frustration palpable.

As the oppressive heat of the room intensified, so did the tension between us. His forehead remained furrowed, his gaze darkening with each passing moment.

Unable to meet his intense stare, I found myself nodding in reluctant agreement. We lapsed into a heavy silence, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavily in the air.

Every fiber of my being screamed for escape, for respite from Ludwig's unwavering scrutiny. I longed to flee, to put distance between us and the suffocating atmosphere of our confrontation.

Unable to withstand his piercing gaze any longer, I averted my eyes, the memory of our recent encounter still fresh in my mind. There was nothing more to be said, no resolution to be reached. Our conversation had become a futile cycle of frustration, with no end in sight. It was time to retreat, to seek refuge from the relentless tension that hung between us.

Despite my efforts to push back the memories I wished to forget, they persisted, flooding my mind with vivid recollections. Each scene played out before me with painful clarity, as if illuminated by the harsh glare of the sun. It was here, in this very room, where it all began. At this table, where we sat together.

The memories were overwhelming, threatening to consume me with their intensity. I remembered the searing pain, the desperation that had driven me to seek refuge in my room, where...

I shook my head, forcibly banishing the intrusive thoughts that threatened to overwhelm me. When my gaze fell upon the pendant Alexa had given me, I was struck by its faint glow. The once vibrant red hue had faded to a dusty gold, yet it seemed to radiate a comforting warmth.

Alexa had been right. Perhaps this pendant held the key to easing my turmoil, offering solace in the midst of my inner turmoil. With a trembling hand, I reached for the pendant, allowing its gentle glow to envelop me in a sense of calm.

As Ludwig drew closer, his imposing presence loomed over me, but unlike before, I did not feel the overwhelming surge of his power coursing through me. There was a sense of relief in this newfound distance, a reprieve from the electric currents and searing pain that had plagued me in his presence before.

"Fine!" Ludwig's voice reverberated through the room, his tone tinged with frustration. Rising from his seat, he approached me with purpose, closing the gap between us until our faces were mere inches apart. His intensity was palpable, leaving me rooted to my spot in shock.

"You want to return the favor, right?" Ludwig's words came in a low rumble, his breath warm against my skin. "You want to repay your debt, which I never asked for. You want to work? I'll give you that opportunity." His voice softened to a whisper, his gaze locked with mine in an unspoken challenge. "Work..."

I struggled to comprehend his words, the closeness of our proximity making it difficult to focus. Despite my instinctual desire to retreat, I remained seated, unable to break free from his magnetic presence.

"You're going to work," Ludwig declared, a sly grin tugging at the corners of his lips. "But you're going to work for me."

As Ludwig's lips drew closer to my forehead, I instinctively closed my eyes, bracing myself for the impending touch. His presence enveloped me, accompanied by the faint scent of fresh mint and the comforting warmth of his proximity. In that moment, the world around us faded into insignificance, drowned out by the deafening rhythm of my own heartbeat.

No longer could I hear anything beyond the thunderous drumming in my chest. Despite my efforts to quell the rising tide of emotion, my heart refused to obey, its relentless cadence echoing through the silence. It beat with an intensity that seemed to consume me, its relentless pulse a testament to the turmoil within.

In the midst of this internal chaos, Hiyasmin's voice resurfaced, her words echoing in the recesses of my mind. "You like him," she whispered. "You like Ludwig." Her words a haunting reminder of the truth I dared not confront. Yes, my heart beat for Ludwig, its rhythm a relentless reminder of the feelings I harbored within.

The sudden collision with Ludwig jolted me back to reality, snapping me out of the whirlwind of emotions that had engulfed me. His agile movements prevented any physical harm, but the confusion etched on his face mirrored the tumultuous thoughts raging within me.

Did I really like Ludwig?

The question echoed incessantly in my mind, each repetition only deepening my uncertainty. How could I harbor feelings for someone I barely knew? Sure, he was undeniably handsome, and his act of saving me had left an indelible impression, but beyond that, what did I truly know about him? I didn't even know his surname, let alone any significant details about his life.

As I grappled with these conflicting emotions, one thing became clear: the notion of liking Ludwig seemed utterly implausible, a mere figment of my imagination. After all, how could I develop feelings for someone I barely knew?

""Are you okay?" Ludwig's voice was laced with concern as he attempted to approach me, but I instinctively stepped back, putting some distance between us.

There was a fleeting expression in his eyes, a glimpse of something I couldn't quite decipher, before he closed them tightly, taking a deep breath before reopening them. Whatever emotion had briefly crossed his features seemed to vanish in that moment.

Before Ludwig could speak, Liam suddenly appeared before us, his demeanor serious. He was dressed simply, without his usual cloak, a sight that struck me as unusual. Without preamble, he addressed Ludwig with a sense of urgency.

"The knights we sent have finally sighted Percival's cohort," Liam announced, his words sending a jolt of apprehension through me. My heart raced at the implications of his statement, my mind racing with the possibilities of what this news could mean.

They had already encountered Percival? But why was Ludwig insisting on locating him? Did he understand that it was crucial for my return home? Was he intentionally trying to facilitate my departure?

"They're currently situated in the Forest of Eldertree," Liam disclosed to Ludwig in hushed tones. "Close to the territory of Moonlit Sylvan. They're aware of our pursuit, having captured four of our knights."

Ludwig immediately sprang into motion upon hearing this intelligence. He fixed his attention entirely on Liam, absorbing every detail.

Liam stole a quick glance in my direction before adding, "They've also relayed that they've severed ties with a member named Adolf. He parted ways with the group following the passing of his spouse two years ago."

Ludwig muttered a curse under his breath, his agitation palpable.

Unaware of the conversation's context, my focus remained on the imminent prospect of returning home.

"But they have information about Amelia," Liam interjected, adding a new layer of intrigue.

Upon hearing this, Ludwig straightened his posture, his demeanor shifting noticeably. Even with the pendant around my neck, I could sense his extraordinary power, emanating with an intensity that felt both compelling and overwhelming, heating up the surroundings.

"Alert Leonel and Rivalz," Ludwig instructed Liam, his voice carrying authority.

As Ludwig and Liam prepared to depart, I halted them abruptly. "I want to… join," I declared firmly.

Liam's eyebrow arched in surprise, exchanging a glance with Ludwig.

Meanwhile, Ludwig's expression hardened as he turned to face me. "You cannot come with us," he replied carefully. "The Forest of Eldertree is dangerous, particularly as we venture into Percival's—"

"But he's my only hope of returning home," I interjected urgently, emphasizing the importance of my request. I needed to join them, to personally inquire of Percival about where they had taken me when I was transported to this world. I sighed, my patience wearing thin. "There is no other way for me to return to my home but through the portals," I explained. "But they no longer exist." I paused, letting the weight of my words sink in. "If they were the ones who brought me here, they are also the ones who know how I can go back to my world."

Ludwig's expression revealed his reluctance to agree to my request. He appeared visibly conflicted.

But I remained resolute. "I want to go home, Ludwig," I said, my voice trembling with sincerity. "I really want to. I don't belong here…"

"Damn it!" I jumped as Ludwig slammed his fist onto the nearby table, causing it to shatter and melt under the force of his blazing fist.

Before I could even recover from the shock, Ludwig turned away from me. "Gather your things," he said tersely, without looking back. It was his final word before he disappeared from sight.