Chapter 38

"That's wild. To imagine there are other worlds like ours out there, and yet, they're so different." Orsted sighed and leaned back on his couch as he listened to Jade's tales after their banquet for his return. "But runes are what brought you back?"

"Yes," Jade said, again. He pulled out his phone and turned it on to show Orsted. "This is what they call a smart phone. While it won't work here because there are no signals and whatnot in this world, people use this to communicate, take pictures, and use the internet."

"Internet? What's that?" Orsted reached for the phone, and Jade pulled it away.

"It's too complex for me to explain, but imagine an entire library at your fingertips, and marketplaces, and communication, but also misinformation, as Ariel put it."

"Ariel, you keep mentioning this woman." Orsted switched to sit beside Jade on the couch across from him. "And I can't help but think it's because of more than friendship, and I suppose mentorship."

"It is. It was..." Jade brought up her contact info with the photo he took of her. "This is her."

Orsted's eyes widened. "How do we get this? You know, I've seen these devices that take pictures using magic. It's not quite the same, but similar to this." He poked the phone, and Jade pulled it away.

"Don't touch it, please."

"Protective of this phone, are you?"

"From a brute like you, yes. Besides, I have no way to charge it, so once it runs out of power, I'll no longer have this." He lightly touched the picture of Ariel with the tip of his finger and sighed.

Orsted stared at the photo for a moment before sitting back to look at Jade, watching his expression as he gazed at Ariel. "I don't believe it," he murmured.

"Hmm?" Jade turned to him, holding down the button to power down his phone. "What is it? Is it about the phone? Yes, it is unbelievable by our standards."

"No, not that. Well, yes, that device should be studied to see if we can replicate it. Maybe after it's no longer of use to you. But that's not what I was talking about. You have never looked at a woman the way you just looked at her."

"What's your point?"

"I seriously can't believe this."

Jade slid his phone into his pocket. "You're turning hysterical, so I think it's time you got some rest. I've heard from the others how little you've been sleeping, and your face agrees with what they said, so it's time to sleep. I'm safe and sound at home, so you can rest easy."

"I know I need more rest, but that doesn't change what I saw."

"And what was that?"

"Love in your eyes. You care about people's wellbeing, but that look was more than that. More than our brotherly love, despite how deep it is. How could you do this?"

"What does it matter?"

"Oh, so you don't deny it? Damn. I should've been nearby to guide you through your first love, and hopefully, set up a future marriage for you, but—"

"Are you trying to make this about yourself right now?"

"No. Kinda. Only part. My main point was that you fell in low with a... What did you call them? Humans?"

"Yes."

"A human girl from another planet."

"Again, what does it matter? I needed to come back for you, for my friends, and for my family, so I did."

"Thank you for coming back. I appreciate your loyalty, as always, but I wish you didn't have to sacrifice love for us." Orsted sighed. "As someone who was pushing you to find someone, this is bittersweet. Maybe after some time, you'll be open to a new love."

Jade shook his head. "No, I don't think so."

"No?"

Jade gripped the phone in his pocket as he thought about Ariel. "I'm not sure I'll ever fall in love again, or that I'd even want to."

"Isn't this quite the predicament? But I doubt you'll be allowed to stay unmarried forever; your parents will make sure that doesn't happen."

"A marriage doesn't always mean love, though I'd rather marry for love." Jade took a deep breath. "Can we stop talking about this? I'm young enough to put it off for a while, and it should be more your focus, not mine. I don't have a country that will want an heir as soon as possible."

"I don't get why they're talking about my heir when I haven't taken over for my father yet. Feels like they want to get rid of me as soon as possible, despite my warrior prowess and proven ability to lead an army."

"They're always thinking ahead; it's nothing more."

"I hope so. I want to be a just ruler in the future, and I hope that's enough to win the hearts of my people."

"They're already happy with you, since you try to protect them, and when we're not at war, you try to give back. A bit hard with the current state of our country."

"About that..."

Jade raised an eyebrow. "Apparently, they're not so tough without Emerald. They retreated after we caught her and have yet to attack again or make so much as a demand."

"That's unusual. What of the witch?"

"Unconscious in the dungeon, and sealed with as much of her magic drained as we could. She's all but a coma patient right now."

"Drained of her magic? What were you up to? You said you were planning on getting me back, but how?"

"We figured since her magic sent you there, it'd be able to return you. I guess we don't need it now, but I don't know if it will stay contained or break out, or if it has a shelf life. Only time will tell. I suppose we can get rid of the witch now."

"It's not like us to kill prisoners."

"She's more than that; she's the power behind them, and the only reason they dared to attack. It wouldn't surprise me if she was behind it all."

"Well, do whatever you think you must, but make sure you don't regret it in the future."

"Considering how many she's killed, I don't think anyone will have a problem with her execution. Besides, it's probably too risky to keep her in the dungeon. We don't know how long the seal will hold. And if she breaks out, the war could start back up. She has to be dealt with."

Jade nodded. "Okay."

"You know, I'm afraid to point it out, because I like how your communication skills have changed, but you're a lot less formal with me now."

"I'm sorry, Your Highness."

"Don't do that to me!"

Jade chuckled. "You're right. I've learned to ease back a bit on the formalities." He got up and stretched. "Unless there's more you'd like to discuss right now, I'm going to go for a run and do some training. I've been slacking too much lately."

"But you just got home; you don't need to push yourself."

"I'm not. I've been resting well in her house, so aside from the trip between worlds, I'm fine. You, on the other hand, need more rest."

"I wish people would stop saying that."

"Then rest, and they'll stop complaining." Jade patted Orsted's shoulder and headed out.

Orsted watched him leave and shook his head. "Maybe it was my mistake to think he'd be better off at home."

Jade ran around the training grounds, obtaining welcomed greetings from many of the other knights and castle staff.

He sighed and stared up at the moons in the darkened sky as sweat dripped down his heaving body. "I'm really home."