The Author's Viewpoint

Tave continued walking through the forest, their steps unhurried, casual, more like a relaxed stroll than an actual hunt.

And truth be told, this forest did feel peaceful. At least, compared to the ones he had traversed before. This place, in contrast, carried a stillness that almost felt sacred. The trees stood tall and ancient, as though quietly watching every creature that passed between them. It felt less like wilderness and more like a sanctuary.

"I thought this island didn't have a forest," he said at last, as they walked side by side across a gently sloping glade.

"Oh… not surprising for someone who's never set foot on this island before," Aura replied, her tone light. "This has been the homeland of the forest elves for thousands of years. Most of the land has been left to grow naturally."

She turned her calm, steady gaze toward him. "We forest elves live with the forest. That's why they call us forest elves, you know."

"Ah, okay. That makes sense," Tave said. And he was surprised to notice, his tension had begun to fade. Without meaning to, his voice had softened. That irritated him.

Dealing with someone who possessed Aura's level of social finesse was... exhausting. And disarming.

"Is it common," he asked, "for forest elves to suffer sudden attacks from within the forest?"

"Uhm… not all of us are warriors," she replied thoughtfully. "Many are workers, farmers, not everyone has high levels. So... no, we're not an invincible race. And actually, if you think about it, this island is our way of hiding. Of shielding ourselves from the outside world."

She said it with a soft laugh, and Tave exhaled deeply, because he knew it was true.

Their close cousins, the High Elves, had always posed a quiet threat. Envious of the forest elves' access to the World Tree, they were not above schemes and grudges. This place was a fortress.

Even so, the forest elves had a king whose power was nothing short of overwhelming.

Tave knew that firsthand.

They stepped into the open clearing—the very one Tave had seen earlier through Fang's eyes. Now, standing here with his own feet on the moss-covered earth, the place looked even more serene.

The lake shimmered under the moonlight, soft ripples brushing its surface like a gentle lullaby. Tave felt drawn to it—irresistibly so. Without a word, he walked toward the large, smooth stones lining the shore. He removed his footwear, settled down on one of the rocks, and dipped his feet into the cool water.

The sensation was immediate: a quiet peace, as if the lake itself offered calm through the light caress of its surface.

Aura sat not far from him, right across the water's edge. Close enough for their reflections to mingle faintly on the mirrored lake.

The fact that he was now alone with an Imperial Knight, one stronger than Elincia—wasn't something Tave could easily ignore. It left him feeling… uneasy. Uncertain.

"You can see through your shadow wolf's eyes?" Aura asked suddenly.

Tave lifted his gaze, nodding without hesitation. No point hiding it now. "Yes, I can. I saw you earlier. Standing near here with three forest elves. But don't worry, I didn't hear anything. So don't punish me just yet." He grinned.

Aura let out a small laugh, still facing him. "You think I'd punish the Princess's honored guest? Her Highness means far more to me than that. You know… I've been training her since she was a child."

She paused, then continued more quietly, "And she's more than just the crowned princess. She's precious to us. That's why I was furious when I found out Elincia let her get caught in an emergency rift."

Tave shrugged. "You know no one can control those things. Anyone could've ended up trapped."

Aura shook her head, still smiling—but her eyes were steady. "I don't believe that, Tave. I never have. There are no coincidences in this world, don't you think? Not even your meeting with Princess Vanya. I'd wager it was fate."

Tave shrugged again, voice flat. "I don't understand what you're trying to say."

Aura kept her eyes on Tave, steady and unflinching. The silence between them stretched thin—taut and strangely heavy. Just sitting there, staring at each other without a word felt almost unbearable.

But Tave held his ground, kept his expression calm, his tone casual. If nothing else, Aura might be the only Imperial Knight in Vensalor with whom he could speak like this. The others? That kind of conversation wasn't even an option.

"You know," she said suddenly, breaking the quiet, "I'm aware of the pact."

Finally. At last, the answer he'd been waiting for—confirmation. It was better than guessing.

Tave shrugged, his gesture relaxed. "So? Do you think my life's in danger? That's what Lady Elincia said to me. Coming here... it's like gambling with my own life, you know."

Aura looked briefly surprised by his words, then gave a soft, amused laugh, her gaze still locked on him. "Do you realize that the pact places you on equal standing with Her Highness, Princess Vanya?"

"No. I didn't know that. And honestly, I'm not trying to think that far ahead."

"So, you're running away from responsibility?"

"Well, it's not like I can run away from this situation."

"But you could cancel the pact, couldn't you?" Aura said, her voice suddenly sharp, straight to the point.

Tave slowly shook his head. "No one has the power to make me cancel the pact."

Aura studied him for a moment longer, and this time, the silence settled deeper between them. Quiet… but weighty.

"Is that kind of greedy?" she asked.

"I'm not trying to justify my reasons to anyone, Lady Aura," he replied. "But I will protect this pact. No matter what happens."

Aura responded quickly. "You do understand your life won't be easy now, don't you? Are you certain you're ready to stand for that responsibility, Tave?"

Tave drew a slow, steady breath. Seriously, the weight of Aura's words pressed down again, heavy and unrelenting.

"Listen," he said quietly, "the issue isn't whether I'm ready or not. It's that I'm willing. And I'm not backing down. And, seriously. I'm not trying to sound bold. I know exactly where I stand, my current strength. But—"

"I know." Aura's voice cut through his words like silk over steel.

He looked at her, startled by the interruption. She met his eyes, silent. And then, without a word, she moved.

She started to rise as if to stand, but instead, she shifted closer and gracefully sat beside him. Her movements were slow, deliberate, not a word spoken as she reached for his left hand.

Tave glanced at her in surprise when her fingers brushed his.

Without looking at him, Aura leaned in, lowering her head until her forehead came to rest against his left shoulder. Her breath was quiet, her posture composed. But there was something unmistakably tender in the way she leaned into him, as if allowing herself just this moment of closeness.

"Lady Aura…?" he asked.

What was she doing?

"I want you to form the pact," she whispered. "With me."

Tave tensed, turning his head just slightly. "What? What are you even thinking?"

Was she serious? Was she asking him to choose her instead? Was this some veiled attempt to take Vanya's place?

But Aura didn't lift her head. She stayed there, warm against his shoulder, her hand still holding his gently.

"I can protect you," she murmured. "I can take you away from all of this, to somewhere no one can reach you. Somewhere safe."

"Are you asking me to break my pact with Princess Vanya?" he asked, softly. "Please don't ask me to do that."

"I'm not trying to replace her," Aura said quietly. "But I am offering you something real. I'm strong. Strong enough to carry this. If you let me."

"Isn't this the safest place in the world?" he asked, barely above a whisper.

Aura didn't answer right away. She just stayed there, leaning quietly into him, her presence a mix of warmth, strength, and something that felt painfully human.

"I don't understand this," Tave said, his voice quiet but tense. "This is too sudden."

"I know more than most people know," Aura replied.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Tave asked, narrowing his gaze.

What does she know? The world reset? The original protagonist? The fact that he was the original writer of this entire story?

"I'll tell you everything," Aura said softly, "if you agree to my proposal."

"Proposal for what? To form a pact with you?"

"Yes…" she answered, barely above a whisper.

Tave shifted, trying to stand. But Aura's hand closed around his, not forcefully, but with just enough pressure to make him pause. The grip was gentle, but firm. Intimate.

"I haven't been given a single reason for any of this," he said. "Let's end this discussion. Please understand my position. You're leaving me in a place of confusion."

Aura didn't respond.

Tave tried to pull away again. But then she spoke.

And this time, it wasn't something he could brush off. Not something he could ignore.