When the training was over I immediately headed for the library where the others are. It was the only safe place where we can talk in private. Just the three of us.
I knocked on the door with the same pattern as Ace taught us so we’ll know that it was one of us. I waited for a long time but no one answer. Frowning, I kicked the door open to look cool, and then I heard a loud sound.
What the hell was that?
I was about to check what I have hit when I heard Nate almost dying in laughter when I came in. He was trying to calm his breath as he addressed me. “Hey, Princess. How’s your day?” He grinned.
“Tiring.” I answered and began to look around. “Where’s Ace?”
“Right here.” I almost jumped went I turned back and saw Ace rubbing his red forehead and glowering at me.
“H-How did you get…” My voice trailed off as I looked past him and to the door that I kicked open. “O...OH!” My eyes widened when I turned to face him. “I-I’m sorry. I did not know that you would be standing there!”
“He was waiting for you, baby - AHH!” Nate let out a scream when Ace hurled a dagger at him that landed on the table just beside his hand.
“I think I just heard an annoying fly. Thankfully it shut its mouth.” Ace says.
“Seriously! I am a king now! Why can’t you show me respect!?”
“Oh? The bug is still speaking?” Ace looked dangerously behind me and towards the direction of Nate.
“Hey, are you alright? It kinda looks like it hurt.” I was looking at the red angry bruise on his forehead and could not help but feel both guilty and proud. I mean, wow it’s really really red. I must have hit him very hard.
Am I that powerful?
“Do you want me to heal it? Viex.” I called for my fox spirit and raised him up to Ace’s face.
“Wait, no!” Ace growled and grabbed Viex from my hand. “I’m fine. I can handle this. Your worry is enough. Let’s go.” He grabbed my shoulders, turned me around, grabbed my hand, and began guiding me to the table where all the documents are spread.
As I got there, Nate gave me a side glance. “I don’t get it. A handsome guy like me is single while PRINCE grumpy over there has you. Should I be rude and threaten to cut people’s heads off to get a girl as well?”
I bit my lips and avoided his gaze while Ace moved me to his other side and away from Nate. “Keep looking and I will not only cut off your tongue but also your eyes.” He says.
“Yeah yeah.” Nate sighed because fixing his attention back on the documents on the table. “These are the current report of things from each kingdom. Ren was able to provide scouts and bodyguards for every kingdom. Fred has been busy moving from place to place to assist in creating the barriers. King Meruem’s water route really speed things up in traveling and trading routes. His people are also monitoring the rivers in case any of the rogues make a move. All is going well, I suppose.”
“Did you count on the budget?” Ace asked
“Of course I have.” Nate sighed. “Imagine, I am not crowned yet but this is all the work that I am dealing with.”
“It’s difficult but you’ll be able to manage it.” Ace assured him. “Speaking of which, how is your relationship with your father?” I wanted to chastise Ace for that, but I guess that it was about time that he confronts Nate about him avoiding his family.
Especially when they are living under the same roof. It wasn’t healthy for either of them.
“I don’t know. I haven’t talked to him. I can’t even face him right now.” Nate muttered as he grabbed a chair and slumped on it. Custard jumped onto his lap and nestled on it. He was trying to comfort our vampire friend.
‘You okay?’ he whimpered.
“Nate, we aren’t even sure if it is him.” I told him. “It’s just a hunch. And Terrence might not be the vampire that did it. Could be…some passing vampire …?”
Ace patted my head for trying before turning to Nate. “Why don’t you go and try talking to him? Find out and judge for yourself if he really is trustworthy or not.”
Nate was quiet for a while before he shook his head. He was absentmindedly rubbing Custard’s ear as he spoke. “I don’t think that it’s something that I can handle just yet. I’m sorry guys.”
“Nate-” I started to say but Ace grabbed my hand to shut me up.
“You know, whatever your issues are with your dad, you should go and talk to him. You may never know when your last chance to talk to him will be especially when we’re going to attack Tereau.” Ace says.
Nate and I both know about the story behind his father’s death. And we both know that he has a valid point when he said these words to him.
I pulled my hand from him and placed it comfortingly on his shoulder. He turned back, smiled, and placed his hand over mine.
Nate pondered over his words for a bit before he brushed his hand over his hair frustratingly. “I really hate it when you say something with a valid point. It makes me feel guilty.” He grumbled. “But fine. I will think about it. As long as you both can stop guilting me in the process.” Then Nate gave us both a worried look. “Speaking about Tereau, I don’t want to be the one that brings this up but what happens after that?”
“What do you mean?”
“I was asking about what will happen to….you two.” Nate cast a worried glance between the two of us. “I don’t know if you have talked about this but it would be better if we brought it up while it is still early. Rose, you and your sister are more than welcome to stay here, but is that what you really want? And what about Ace-”
“-PRINCE!”
“-what will you do? You both have to talk about it while we still have time.”
I know what Nate was saying is true. There was still the problem with that. I may have a family here in this realm but I also have a family back home. And Stella, she needs my parents.
“It’s up to her.” Ace says. “Wherever she decides to go, I’ll follow. Whether she stays here in Thalia or goes right back to her own world, I’ll follow her. No questions needed.”
“But, Ace that’s-” I began to argue.
Ace turned to look in my direction just then. “I said NO MORE QUESTIONS!” He glowered at me. “Gah damn it. I’m sorry for raising my voice. Look, I’m letting you decide but on the condition that I am coming with you, okay? Don’t talk me out of it because I am not one to change my mind.”
I simply shut my mouth after that. Darn it, and I wanted to ask him what would happen to Nora. Isn’t he thinking about that?! This crazy bastard.
“Wow. So sweet.” Nate chuckled as he continued to pet Custard. “I swear, I hope that this will not be a constant thing between the three of us. I am happy for you both, really. But please….PLEASE! I don’t want to be the third wheel.” He groaned and started hugging Custard, making him yelp in surprise. “It makes me feel lonely.” He pouted.
Ace rolled his eyes at him. “Hey, third-wheel. Can you shut up?”
Upon being called with his new nickname, Nate immediately sat up. “Wait, did you just call me a third-wheel?!” He gasped while placing a hand over his heart.
“Geez. First, I heard a fly, now I hear a rambling third-wheel with daddy issues.” Ace covered the ear that was closest to Nate. “Rose, did you hear something?”
“Um…?” I pulled my lips tight as I didn’t want to answer that question.
“Hey! Just because you got a girl doesn’t give you the right to act cocky.” Nate frowned before addressing me. “Come on, Rose. You seriously can’t let this guy talk to me like this. I have feelings! It’s not too late. Come on, Rose. You can still jump into my arms!”
I gasped as I was horrified at his words. Before, I would just ignore it, but since dating the elf PRINCE, it has become a dangerous statement. “Shit, Nate, do you want to die!?”
There was a loud bang as Ace slammed his hand on the table. “Pardon me, THIRD-WHEEL, but can you repeat that last part? I feel like I was going deaf there for a minute.”
Custard let out a whimper as he tried to move away from Nate as he already knows what was coming next.
Nate finally realized his mistake. I couldn’t blame him. Flirting is a habit of his and I know that he didn’t really mean it.
I grabbed Ace’s hand as I locked eyes with Nate. “Go! Go go go.”
But despite my warning, Nate simply smirked and stuck his tongue out at Ace when he saw that I was holding him with me. I have done this countless times now that he must have gotten complacent.
“I can’t wait until you get tied down, you elf simp!” Then Nate started to laugh at him in delight.
Right now, Ace and I glowered at him. I tapped Ace’s shoulder. When he looked at me, I smiled innocently and raised my hands in the air. “Have fun.”
Ace’s eyes widened temporarily in surprise before he looked back at Nate with an evil smile on his face.
“Shit.” Nate gasped before he scrambled to his feet to reach the library door.
“I’ll be back.” Ace leaned down to kiss my cheek before he ran after Nate.
Meanwhile, I was left in the room and laughed. “Run, Nate, run! If you trip, just roll!” I yelled after them.