An Unlikely Ally! Enter Aldric!

Darkness drifted like morning mist. It was warm, comforting. Elena floated through the haze, the roars of cannon fire fading into distant echoes. The screams of sailors, the crashing of waves, and the smell of the burning timber became a little more than fragments swallowed by the silence.

Then…

Warm lips pressed gently against hers.

She frowned.

Prince Lucien…?

She had never met the prince of Niflheim. She knew only his description: a handsome young man with raven black hair, noble features, and a fair smile. Their first meeting was meant to be during a grand ceremony attended by the kings and nobles from every corner of the continent.

Certainly… Not like this. Her cheeks burned.

How shameless…

A proper introduction had not even been made. No vows. No blessing from the gods. No wedding. To steal a kiss beforehand was terribly improper…and yet…

For reasons she couldn’t explain, she found herself returning it ever so slightly. The warmth lingered and the world brightened. Then the dream shattered, her blue emerald eyes snapped open. Instead of a handsome prince…

A boy with messy light brown hair was leaning directly over her. Their lips still touching.

“WAAAH!”

Elena’s hand moved before her thoughts did. SMACK!

The sharp slap echoed across the quiet beach. The boy stumbled backward, clutching his reddening cheek.

“Owowow…”

Elena scrambled away on trembling arms, coughing violently as seawater poured from her mouth.

She glared at him between breaths.

“You…!” She began another cough interrupting her.

“You…pervert!”

The boy blinked several times. “P-Pervert?”

“You kissed me!” Elena cried.

“I was trying to save your life.”

“I don’t believe you for a second!”

He rubbed his aching cheek.

“My grandmother taught me. If someone isn’t breathing after nearly drowning, you breathe into their mouth.”

Elena crossed her arms despite being soaked from head to toe. “Yes, yes. A likely story.”

“It is!”

“And you expect a princess to believe such nonsense.” Elena shot back glaring at him.

“...You’re a princess?”

She froze

“...I suppose I just told you that.”

The boy scratched the back of his head. “Well… you were floating face-down in the ocean.”

“I was not floating.”

“You kinda were.”

“I most certainly was not.”

“You definitely were.”

Elena looked away with a huff. “... Perhaps only a little.”

The boy smiled at her; it was a gentle innocent smile she thought to herself.

“I’m Aldric.

She answered with practiced dignity.

“I’m Princess Elena Seraphina Lucis of the Kingdom of Lumiere.”

Aldric nodded. “...That’s a really long name.”

“It is not!” Elena's annoyance resurfaced.

“It is compared to Aldric.”

She stared . In that moment, Elena truly took him in. He looked younger than she had first assumed – only a child, really, perhaps on the cusp of adolescence. Yet there was nothing fragile about him. Beneath his simple linen clothes, his frame was compact but muscular, shaped by hard labor rather than courtly training. His messy light brown hair stuck out in every direction, and his light brown eyes carried an unguarded, almost reckless curiosity.

He didn’t look noble, he didn’t look like a soldier either. Just a boy from nowhere in particular.

“...Fair point.”

Silence lasted only a heartbeat before Aldric looked toward the sea.

“So…”

He pointed toward the broken piece of timber drifting ashore.

Elena’s expression darkened.

“Our ship was attacked.”

The warmth vanished from her voice. “They flew no banner. They slaughtered our guards… burned our vessel…”

Her hands tightened.

“I don’t know if anyone survived.

Aldric's cheerful smile faded.

I was traveling to meet my betrothed.”

“Betro… what?”

“My future husband.”

“Oh.”

“So… does that mean you’re already married?”

“No!”

“Good.” Aldric's smile returned to his face

Elena blinked

Elena looked confused; she assumed after her story of journeying to meet her husband only to be attacked by pirates at sea and washing ashore would be enough to sour any mood, but Aldric seemed to just continue on with his cheerful carefree attitude.

“... Why is that good?”

“I dunno.” he shrugged honestly.

Aldric stood and offered his hand. “Come on.”

Elena looked at him suspiciously, unable to decide whether to accept his help or not.

“My grandmother can help.”

After a moment's hesitation, Elena accepted. As she stood she suddenly realized something she was taller. Not by terribly much, but enough. She looked down at him until now she assumed he was only a mere child but he could not be far off from her own age.

Aldric noticed her staring. “What?”

“...Nothing.” She replied, averting her gaze.”

“You’re thinking something.”

“I am not.”

“You looked at me funny.”

“I merely…”

She hesitated.

“... expected you to be taller.”

He stopped walking.

“...Grandma says I’ll have a growth spurt.”

“I’m sure she does.”

“It’ll happen.”

“I’m certain.”

Aldric folded his arms. “You don’t sound certain.”

“I am merely… optimistic.”

“Hmph.”

They continued along the mountain path. Only a few moments later–

“Watch your step.”

“I know how to walk.”

CRUNCH

Elena’s foot sank into a muddy puddle. She gasped. “My shoe!”

Aldric tried not to laugh.

“I’m sorry.”

“You are laughing.”

“I’m trying really hard not to.”

“You are laughing!”

Another few moments passed. A goat wandered into the path and looked directly at Elena. Then loudly bleated.

“Meeeeeeh!”

Elena stepped back.

“... Why is it looking at me?”

“It probably liked you.”

“It looks hostile.”

“It’s smiling.”

“Goats smile?”

“I think so.” Aldric responded while gesturing non chalantly.

The goat suddenly headbutted her leg.

“EEK!”

Elena stumbled backward as Aldric burst into laughter. “It challenged you!”

“I was assaulted by livestock!”

“You lost.”

“I most certainly did not lose!”

“You retreated.”

“It’s called a tactical withdrawal!” Elena exclaimed, pulling whatever dignity she had left after the encounter.

By the time the village finally came into view, Elena was thoroughly exhausted. Dozens of modest wooden cottages rested among terraced fields carved into the mountain side. Chickens wandered freely through the dirt roads while children chased each other between homes. Smoke curled lazily from stone chimneys, and every villager seemed to know one another by name. To Elena it was… Tiny.

By royal standards, it was scarcely more than a hamlet. Yet there was warmth here that no marble palace could imitate.

People openly laughed and neighbors shared food. No one bowed. No one feared saying the wrong thing Aldric waved enthusiastically to nearly everyone they passed.

“Morning , Mr. Doran!!”

“Catch anything today, Aldric?”

“A princess!"

The old man blinked. “...Sure you did.”

He kept walking. Elena frowned. “…No one believed you.”

“They never do.”

At the edge of the village stood a modest cottage surrounded by herbs and colorful flowers the likes of which Elena had never seen before. She stood in amazement at all the different flowers and their colors. She knew Lumiere had its fair share of florals and she believed them to be the most beautiful in the world, but these flowers in this small village showed her just how little of the world she had seen.

Aldric pushed open the wooden door.

“I’m home grandma!”

An elderly woman’s voice answered from inside.

“You’re late.”

“I found someone.”

An old woman emerged carrying a wooden spoon. Silver hair was tied into a neat bun, and despite her age, sharp amber eyes missed nothing.

She immediately noticed Elena.

“Oh my.” the woman said.

Aldric rubbed the back of his neck. “She washed ashore.”

“My dear…”

The woman rushed forward with surprising speed. Speed enough Elena thought to potentially rival that of Sir Roland.

“You poor child.”

Elena instinctively bowed while she was of higher social status she understood the woman was clearly her elder and deserving of the utmost respects.

“I am Princess Elena Seraphina Lucis of the Kingdom of Lumiere. Thank you for allowing me into your home.”

The old woman chuckled warmly.

“A princess,hm?” She smiled kindly.

“Titles can wait.”

“For now…”

“You look like you need a hot meal.”

At those words… Elena’s stomach growled loudly enough for the entire room to hear. Silence. Aldric looked at her, his grandmother looked at her. Elena slowly covered her face with both hands.

“... You heard nothing.”

Aldric grinned.

His grandmother laughed.

“Come inside,princess.”