Ridiculous Truth

The roasted wild boar was almost gone, but there were still a lot of other meat and suspicious vegetables left, so I decided to make a soup out of all the leftovers.

That smells nice. Maybe it will taste just fine.

Low embers left of the fire crackled in rhythm with the growing hush of evening. I shivered slightly as the night breeze rolled through.

Before either man could ask, I quietly shifted to sit between Riye and Pan. Not leaning, not cuddling, just staying close.

Mede, now properly brooding in bird form, huffed once and perched right in my lap, fluffing himself up like a triumphant loaf. There was a long pause. Pan and Riye exchanged a glance. Nodding.

Now what? Let me just hide between you both for warmth…

Pan casually offered me a fold of his cloak. Riye didn't say anything but subtly shifted closer, offering his warmth. I exhaled softly, eyes closing for just a moment.

Unbothered. Moisturized. Happy. In My Lane. Focused. Flourishing.

Then…

*Fox yips. Hoofbeats. The distant sound of a crowd.*

‘The convoy,’ Riye murmured.

The peaceful moment broke. My eyes flew wide as I saw the approaching group. Without thinking, I sprang up, Mede flapping awkwardly off my lap, and I ran to the first figure stumbling towards me.

‘Celphi!’

Still pale but awake, Celphi caught me in his arms. One of the fox twins I haven’t officially met yet followed closely. Pan and Riye followed behind me, watching wordlessly. I wrapped my arms around Celphi’s neck in a secure embrace. I eventually helped him sit down close to the fire. Slowly, Celphi’s last energy was spent and he slumped into my lap.

I looked behind me if there was anyone who would assist me but I was just met with judgement. Pan folded his arms. On his shoulder, Mede was facing away. Riye exhaled slowly through his nose.

Does no one want Celphi here? I felt my heart shattering into million pieces.

Pan crouched in front of me eventually. Checking on Celphi.

‘Squawk.’

‘Don’t complain. You were in her shirt. He was in her soul.’

Mede bird stormed off and went in the direction of the convoy. Riye cleared his throat and turned toward his designated convoy leader.

‘Why were you delayed?’

‘Minor changes in the direction of the mist, my lord. Nothing serious.’

Riye gave a short nod. Then glanced towards Celphi.

’Dragon Sir was awakened not so long ago.’

Right! That’s good! Isn’t it?

Riye gave another short nod. ‘We move before sundown.’ He announced.

‘Please feed everyone first. Before we move. They’ve come far.’

I called out as I stood up to assist Celphi back into the medical carriage. Everyone turned toward me.

Oh shit. Did I overstep?

‘We’re almost home,’ I said with a smile. ‘Let’s not arrive hungry.’

The soldiers straightened at once. Even the fox twins perked up, tails high.

‘Yes, Your Highness.’

I looked at Riye and Pan for approval. Riye glanced at Pan. Pan was already grinning.

‘She’s going to be a terrifying queen, isn’t she?’

‘And a kind one,’ Riye said, softer.

But I was just showing basic compassion…

I carried Celphi back into the medical carriage in the midst of admiring and disapproving gazes. 

‘Let me help.’ Pan caught up to us and gestured to take Celphi.

‘I got it.’ I said sharply. ‘Please grab me a bowl of food and utensils.’

Pan moved before I could see his reaction.

Celphi leaned heavy against me, each step slow, his weight dragged on my shoulders. He had always seemed so unshakable. The same strong arms that carried me effortlessly during the day and protected me from nightmares at night just hung limp. Seeing him weak, trusting me to guide him, made my chest ache. I eased him into the carriage in slow calculated steps.

‘Celphi, open your eyes properly as we get up. Then you can rest.’

He blinked groggily, but when his eyes found mine, they softened at once.

‘Ina,’ he whispered.

‘Yes. I’m here.’ I smiled faintly, brushing his damp hair from his forehead. ‘And you need food, mister. Sit up.’

Pan followed shortly with everything I asked. I nodded in thanks. I propped Celphi carefully and blowed on the warm soup for him. Always so regal, even in half conscious state. But the main question clawed at me, louder with every spoonful.

‘Celphi,’ I finally said, my voice low. ‘Why did you keep me hidden? The convoy has treated me… well. Kindly. I don’t understand why you thought isolating me was the better choice.’

He exhaled slowly, eyes drifting shut for a moment. ‘Because I only knew what I was told. That you were needed for the king’s stepping down.’

I continued feeding him slowly as he gathered his thoughts.

‘That you have get married.’ He said with heavy resignation. ‘That you have do this or that. There was a lot of different information.’

I frowned. ‘And you didn’t question it?’

‘I questioned,’ he said softly. ‘But there was one thing I never doubted. My vow.’

I stilled. ‘Your… vow?’

Ok here we go! This is it!

His lips curved faintly. ‘When you were young, Raiona, you told me if you ever said you didn’t want to be a princess, I was to take you far, far away. No matter what anyone else said.’

I nearly dropped the spoon. ‘So you kidnapped me from the summoning circle, treated me like a queen in hiding… because twelve-year-old me asked for a countryside vacation?!’

He almost smiled, weak as he was. ‘Two weeks. You said you wanted to try two weeks of quiet life. To see if you could be happy that way.’

I gaped at him. ‘Two weeks?! Celphi, do you know how long I’ve been here already? And you never explained, not once! You just kept saying “wait.” Always, “please wait.”’

His lashes lowered. ‘Because I thought… maybe your memory would return. And if it did, you would know why.’

‘And if it didn’t?’ I pressed, heart pounding.

‘Then,’ his eyes lifted, locking onto mine, ‘I would still keep you safe. And happy. As Ina.’

My throat tightened. ‘You stopped calling me Raiona, so why still uphold her words?’

‘Because you said you weren’t her,’ he said simply. ‘So I believed you. But I couldn’t stop treating you as I swore. Even without your memories, you were still… you.’

‘There were times I was going to tell you… ‘ Celphi trailed.

‘But?’ My voice cracked in annoyance. Celphi looked fearful.

As you should! I almost died for this. Make it make sense.

‘That one time I asked if it was acceptable for you if someone wasn’t a man of their word… or when I tried to speak about Raiona… ‘

‘What? About the talk of life or death promises? And me saying I’m not Raiona?’

‘Yes… You said people should follow through with plans.’

‘I WAS THINKING OF MEDICAL THINGS THEN!’

‘I felt that you weren’t ready to listen just yet… to my reasons.’ He said, remorseful. ‘So I thought waiting it out was the best approach.’

I dropped the spoon into the bowl with a clatter, torn between laughing and strangling him. ‘You’re unbelievable. You take the half-serious ramblings of a twelve-year-old girl and turn them into gospel truth. What about “me” now?’

He chuckled faintly, hoarse. ‘You were very convincing.’

‘Convincing? Celphi, I also once swore to marry strawberry ice cream! You should be building me a dairy palace right now, by your logic!’

His chest shook with quiet laughter, though it ended in a weak cough. I rushed to steady him, half furious, half worried.

‘I’m very annoyed Celphi… You’re lucky you’re sick,’ I muttered. ‘Or I’d beat you with this spoon.’

He tilted his head against the pillow, a sly glint still in his eyes. ‘But I am sick. Too weak. Too helpless. And you… would never harm a patient.’

I narrowed my eyes. ‘You weaponize my nursing oath again and I swear I’ll… ’

His trembling hand lifted, brushing my hair with a fleeting touch before falling back to the blanket. Our eyes lock and I saw nothing but sincerity in his eyes.

Pure dragon who only reflected the hearts of those around him… No wonder he’s feared by many. Must be a lonely life. But still…

‘You thought I’d be content in your cage?’

The words struck him harder than I meant. He winced but didn’t look away. ‘I only wanted you safe, Ina. Even if you hated me for it.’

‘This world, and the world before this, hates me already. Just for existing. You can’t blame me for wanting to cherish the only treasure worth keeping in my life.’

His expression shifted, softening. ‘Raiona told me something else,’ he whispered. ‘If she ever lost her memory, she’d be happy just knowing me.’

I swear if I hear another nonsense…

‘That’s ridiculous,’ I said quickly.

‘Is it?’ His gaze held mine, steady despite the weakness in his body. ‘You may not remember her vows. But you still know me.’

‘I’ve had my most restful days with you,’ I admitted, my voice breaking. ‘I do know you. I am happy I know you, bou didn’t really give me much choice.’

‘I have dedicated my life in search of you, when we found out you were in another world, I have then dedicated my life in search of ways of getting to you.’ He explained desperately. ‘I had known you didn’t want to come here… Let alone be a princess. So… I thought if you were at least with me… ‘

‘I… ‘

I do understand… But still…

‘You said something about wanting to live with me?’ He teased. His eyes desperately sought for my approval.

‘I still have pent up anger within me. I don’t know what to do with it. Don’t push me.’ I snapped.

‘Then do nothing,’ he murmured. ‘Just… stay.’

‘You’re impossible.’ My forced laugh cracked into something dangerously close to tears.

‘And yet,’ Celphi whispered, eyes sliding closed, ‘you’re still here. My jewel.’

‘You gave meaning to my life…’ He confessed in a whisper I barely heard, fighting lethargy.

I sat there long after his breathing steadied, staring at him. I thought he was pretending to sleep to avoid my fury but he was genuinely out.

This idiot, this oath bound fool, this dragon who caged me with tenderness instead of chains.

I stayed until Celphi was restful but left just in time before I could decide whether to kiss his beautiful face or to smother him in his sleep.