No one gave a perplexed stare at the suggestion of "pizza"; it seemed like a total no-brainer.
"Coming right up."
"Wow, you guys have pizza? Don't have burgers, but pizza? Totally reasonable."
This place makes no sense.
Gwyn sat, staring at the ceiling, leaning back in the red chaise.
"Yes, not an invention of our own. One of the Chosen Ones helped us discover its… greasy delightfulness."
With what Artero said, Gwyn got the impression he wasn't the biggest fan.
Elise sat up in a chair she pulled closer to the other two.
"Oh, stop, Artero. Pizza is the singular best invention known to elven kind. But yes, we get a lot of our inventions from Chosen Ones."
"Indeed, but it's often said by Chosen Ones that things aren't that different from where they are. Do you feel that way, Gwynevere?"
"It is remarkably similar."
She stretched on the chaise and lay on her side; this not-bed was extremely comfortable.
This is such a rich person's piece of furniture. And I have a house here now. That's so fucking sick.
A loud yawn escaped the Chosen One.
It would be nice to have one day where something extreme didn't happen.
"You tired, Gwynevere?"
Artero leaned over, brushing her hair to the side.
Gwyn gave a weak nod as she felt herself drift into unconsciousness.
"Wake me up when there's pizza."
It wasn't long until she was asleep.
Elise and Artero smiled at the sleeping woman, but then frowned at each other.
"Artero, can I talk with you outside for a moment?"
"We can talk here."
"Let's not disturb Gwyn, if we can."
He sighed.
"Fine."
They walked out of the room, down the hall, and into the courtyard.
"What are you doing?"
"Whatever could you mean? I am just showing my guest a good time; is that a crime?"
"The tours, the free housing, the tutoring. The 'accidental' hand touching. Brushing her hair to the side? Are you serious? This is going too far."
"What's going to far?"
"Your behavior?"
Artero feigned perplexity.
"Whatever could you mean? If she didn't like what I was doing, she'd make sure I was aware."
Elise sighed.
"She's just being polite with you. You gave her a freaking house, my guy. Of course, she'll be nice to you. What did you expect?"
"Why do you even care? Last time I checked, you broke up with me."
"Oh, as if that's relevant."
"Not relevant?" Artero laughed. "You're acting like a jealous freak. I'm just giving our newest Chosen One the resources she deserves."
"Jealous? I'm not jealous!"
"Yeah, and the Red Death hasn't killed anyone."
Elise scoffed.
"Yeah, well... I've saved her life."
"Already replaying this conversation? And I wouldn't call using a mediocre healing spell on someone, 'saving someone'. I blocked a high-level spell that turned others into ash."
"I saved her from falling out of a window!"
She raised her voice in frustration, as the conversation was not going where she wished.
"I've been meaning to ask you about that, actually."
He was suddenly more serious than before.
"What is there to know?"
"How does something like that even happen? Did you use your powers on her?"
Elise faltered.
"Of course I didn't!"
"Then why did that happen? Why did she fall?"
"I don't know! All I know is I walked in the room, her face was up against the glass, the glass disappeared, and she fell forward."
Artero appeared deep in thought.
"Is that all?"
"Of course that's all!"
"Well, you know. I know how you can be sometimes."
Elise scoffed.
"What the fuck?"
Artero shrugged.
"It's just how you are, Elise."
"This is ridiculous. I'm going back inside."
He held out a hand, stopping the elven woman.
"No, you are not."
"Excuse me? Who do you think you are?"
"I am the Kosmairian Prince, and this is my land, and these are my people, whom you stand to ruin the lives of. Until I can be sure that you aren't the one who attempted to take Gwyn's life, you are not allowed to set foot on our property."
"That's fucking ridiculous. I saved her!"
"So you could manipulate her? Have her fall for your charms? Get another Chosen One under the Sylvian banner?"
"I would never do that! You know I don't care about that stuff."
"Do I, Elise? Do I know you?"
"Arty..."
Elise could feel her heart breaking all over again.
At the mention of the special name she gave him, Artero's fury had bubbled over.
"Leave."
"But Arty—"
"Leave!" He turned away from her. "Please. Before I call the guards."
Elise clutched the vial around her neck.
"Tell Gwyn... I said goodbye."
Artero didn't respond, and Elise left the Kosmairian Estate.
Artero sighed and ran his fingers through his hair, letting out a deep sigh.
"Is she really trying to protect Gwynevere?"
When Gwyn awoke, Artero was sitting pensively beside her.
"The food just came out of the oven. Are you still hungry?"
Gwyn gave an eager nod, but noticed a certain pink-haired elf wasn't around.
"Where's Elise?"
Artero frowned for the briefest of moments.
"Her father, the King, summoned her."
"Did she... did she say anything before she left?"
He shook his head.
"No, she left in a hurry. It seemed that her family was more important."
Gwyn looked at the food waiting for them. She suddenly felt less hungry.
"More for us, I suppose."
What Artero thought would be a relatively unproblematic occurrence turned out to bring a little despair to the Chosen One.
Gwyn reached for a slice of pizza on a worn iron pan, orange and dark brown from years of usage. The top had mozzarella slices, with a red tomato base. The pizza featured a green leaf similar to spinach, red berries, and a golden-brown crust with dark, charred spots.
Artero side-eyed her while she took a bite, to see if she enjoyed it. Her face was perplexed at the first bite, and an audible crunch of the crust filled the silence.
The herbs and seasonings in the tomato base were light. The red berries were an explosion of a seasoned, meaty flavor, almost like sausage. The leaf tasted sweet, but not like sugar—a subtle sweetness Gwyn couldn't place.
This was a perfect balance between the savory berry, the mild tomato base, and the faintly sweet leaf. The pizza wasn't greasy either, and the mozzarella-like slices were a nice complement to the already delicious and balanced flavor.
Artero watched in surprise as Gwyn ate her first slice, then a second, followed by a third. The pizza was okay, by royal standards, but his guest seemed to enjoy it.
"I'm sorry." Those were the first words out of her mouth after eating four slices. She used her white dress as a napkin. "I hadn't realized I was so hungry."
Artero hunched forward, looking down at his barely eaten food.
"No, it's fine."
"Do you not like it?"
"I've had better."
Better?
Gwyn looked at the remaining pizza skeptically.
"I've never met a pizza that made someone look so sad."
A slight curve of his lips.
"The pizza threatened me before you woke up."
Threatened?
"Wait. Your food can talk?" Gwyn shouted. "Does it feel pain? Does it know that it's food? Does it—"
Artero smiled.
"No, no. Our food doesn't talk or do... whatever you were trying to say."
"Thank god." She exhaled in relief. "I don't know if I would be able to handle it if my macarons screamed as I ate them."
His eyebrows narrowed.
"Macarons?"
"Don't tell me. You have pizza, but not macarons?"
"I'm afraid to disappoint."
"Alright, now this is the worst thing to happen to me today."
Now that I think about it, macarons are basically tiny burgers; I don't know why I got my hopes up.
Artero smiled, but the pain he was trying to hide was still present.
"Elise is what's bothering you, isn't it?"
His shock was apparent.
"So it is then. What happened, Artero?"
"I…" He paused. "How much do you know?"
"I know that you two broke up recently."
Gwyn clutched the vial around her neck, thinking of the words it uttered when it was opened.
Artero leaned back in the chair, feeling a weight off his shoulders.
"Yes, it's true."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"Yes and no." He gave a nervous laugh. "I wouldn't want to bore you with the details."
"Look around, does it look like I have anything else going on?"
Just then, a servant walked in.
"Do you want us to exterminate that animal that was within your room last night, Young Master?"
Artero turned beet red.
"No, no. Forgot about the whole animal thing already, would you?"
"Yes, Young Master."
When the servant left, Gwyn burst into laughter.
"It's funny."
"What's funny?"
"Elves."
"Elves?"
"Yep. From what I read, they were regal, illustrious beings. Yet, I can so easily tell you hide your feelings, possibly poorer than humans do."
Artero looked away.
"Is it that obvious?" He let out a soft laugh. "Yes, I'm still in love with her. Every night, I go to sleep and see her face. It's like the sweetest nightmare. I've been trying to move on, I know I will far outlive what we had, but…"
"It still hurts."
Artero didn't respond.
"How long has it been, Artero?"
"Huh?"
"How long since you've broken up?"
"Um, a little more than a week, why?"
"That's not very long."
"Well, yes, but I am a prince, I should—
Gwyn stood up and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Give yourself time, Artero." Gwyn used Elise's words against him. "And if you need anything? I am here for you. I knew that's why you invited me to stay here."
"Whatever could you mean?"
"Oh, to get over Elise!" Gwyn laughed at her own joke, giving a sly smile. "Kidding, of course."
Artero let out a forced chuckle.
"Right, yeah. I wouldn't do that."
He lied. He looked to the floor, embarrassed at how right she was. But he wouldn't admit that, not right now.