The forest was quiet again.
Not the eerie silence of the trial.
Something softer.
Safer.
The golden light of dusk filtered gently through the trees as the group remained gathered where Kaito had collapsed. No one rushed him to move. No one spoke immediately.
They simply stayed close.
As if afraid he might disappear.
Kaito exhaled slowly, staring up at the sky through the canopy.
"…That was rough," he admitted.
His voice was quiet.
Not joking.
Not deflecting.
Just honest.
Seven pairs of eyes softened instantly.
River was the first to move, her hand gently brushing his arm. "You don't have to pretend with us."
That simple sentence hit harder than anything in the trial.
Kaito swallowed.
"…I know."
He pushed himself up slightly, sitting with their help. His hands rested on his knees, fingers loosely clenched.
For once…
He didn't hide.
Silence fell again—but this time, it wasn't tense.
Kaito stared down at the ground.
"I had to relive it all over again," he continued quietly. "The accident… my parents…"
His voice faltered slightly.
"I could hear it. The sound. The crash." He clenched his jaw. "And I still couldn't do anything."
River's hand tightened gently around his.
Cherry looked away, unusually quiet.
Rose's eyes shimmered.
"I hate that feeling," Kaito admitted. "Being useless… watching something you can't stop."
He let out a shaky breath.
"And then… my aunt…"
That one hit deeper.
His shoulders dropped slightly.
"She didn't deserve any of this," he said. "I just… left... without even looking back."
Lily knelt closer, her expression full of quiet empathy.
"You didn't leave her out of cruelty," she said softly.
Kaito gave a weak laugh.
"…Doesn't really change the outcome."
"No," Sage said calmly. "But it changes who you are."
Kaito glanced at her.
She held his gaze firmly.
"You feel guilt," she continued. "Because you care."
He didn't respond immediately.
Because part of him…
Still struggled to believe that.
"I just…" he ran a hand through his hair. "I should be happy, right?"
He looked around at them.
All seven.
Beautiful.
Kind.
Real.
"I've got everything I have ever dreamed of," he admitted. "My powers, a new life, a purpose…"
His voice softened.
"…and all of you."
That made them all pause.
Kaito looked away, embarrassed—but continued.
"I mean it," he said. "You're… amazing. Every single one of you."
A small chuckle escaped him.
But it faded quickly.
"…So why do I still feel like this isn't real?"
That question lingered in the air.
Heavy.
"I feel guilty for being here," he admitted. "Like I don't deserve this. I just ran away from my old life and landed in a dream"
His voice dropped to almost a whisper.
"...It's as if I cheated the system or something."
River gently squeezed his hand again.
"You didn't cheat," she said softly.
Iris nodded. "You were chosen."
"That doesn't mean you weren't allowed to feel conflicted," Lily added.
Orchid tilted her head slightly. "You left behind something important. That doesn't disappear overnight."
Kaito exhaled slowly.
Then Sage stepped forward.
"If you truly wished it," she said calmly, "you could return."
Kaito blinked.
"…What?"
"The Queen," Sage continued, "could expend a great amount of magical power to send you back to your world."
The air shifted.
The weight of that option…
Immediate.
Real.
"If that is what you desire," River added gently, "we would support you."
Kaito stared at them.
"…You would?"
Cherry crossed her arms, looking away slightly. "Doesn't mean we'd like it."
Rose nodded quickly, eyes already glistening. "We'd miss you. A lot."
Lily clasped her hands. "Things would become… difficult again, but we can sort of...manage."
Iris hesitated, then spoke honestly. "If the Thorn King returns…"
She didn't finish.
She didn't have to.
Orchid continued it anyway, softly but clearly.
"…it would be a tragedy."
Sage's voice remained steady.
"We would fight," she said. "We would endure. Maybe even summon another."
Sage sighed.
"…But it would not be the same."
Kaito's chest tightened.
River looked at him gently.
"But this is your life," she said. "Not ours to decide."
"That's right, you shouldn't be forced to stay," Lily added.
Cherry scoffed lightly. "Even if you're kind of our best option."
Rose wiped her eyes quickly. "We just… want you to be happy."
Kaito stared at them.
Each one.
Their honesty.
Their willingness to let him go—
Even when it would hurt them in many ways.
That hit harder than any of his trials.
"I'm insane," he said quietly.
They blinked.
"I get summoned into a fantasy world, surrounded by unbelievably beautiful elves who treat me like I matter. This incredible realm could crumble without my help..."
He looked down, voice tightening.
"…and I'm sitting here feeling sorry for myself. How selfish!"
No one interrupted.
Because this…
He needed to say.
"My aunt…" he murmured. "She's strong. She'll be okay."
A pause.
"…eventually."
He inhaled slowly.
Then looked up.
Eyes clear.
Focused.
"I was summoned for a reason," he said.
His voice steadier now.
"There are many people here who need me."
His gaze shifted toward the distance.
Toward where darkness waited.
"People relying on me. Even the Queen of Elves herself!"
Then back to his elf maidens.
"Honestly…"
A small, genuine smile formed.
"…I don't want to leave."
Rose's face lit up instantly.
Cherry smirked. "Good answer."
River's eyes softened with relief.
Kaito rubbed the back of his neck.
"…Sorry," he added. "For worrying you all earlier."
"Don't apologise," Sage said immediately.
He blinked.
She stepped closer.
"We cannot begin to understand what you went through," she said. "Leaving your world. Your family."
Lily nodded. "That would break anyone."
Iris smiled gently. "It's okay to feel conflicted."
Orchid leaned in slightly. "If anything… it makes you more real."
Cherry shrugged. "And less annoying."
Kaito snorted.
Rose knelt down next to him, smiling warmly.
"You're really strong, Kaito."
River nodded.
"And very brave."
That made him pause.
"…Brave?"
Sage met his eyes.
"You faced your past," she said. "Most would run from it."
Kaito looked away slightly, embarrassed.
Then River tilted her head.
"Actually…I have a question," she said. "How old are you again?"
Orchid inspected Kaito, "You look young."
Kaito laughed.
"I'm 19."
Silence.
Then—
All seven of them froze.
"…What?" Cherry said.
"You're kidding," Iris added.
Rose gasped.
"YOU'RE A BABY?!"
Laughter exploded.
Kaito blinked. "HEY—"
Lily giggled. "That's adorable."
Orchid smirked. "Our king is a child."
"I AM NOT A CHILD!" Kaito huffed.
River covered her mouth, laughing softly. "We're… quite a bit older."
"How old?" he asked cautiously.
Cherry grinned.
"Thousands of years old."
Kaito stared.
"…You're messing with me, right?"
Rose shook her head proudly. "I'm the youngest."
A dramatic pause.
"…1018."
Kaito's brain shut down.
"…What."
They laughed harder.
He ran a hand through his hair, stunned.
"I mean—I knew elves lived long but—this is insane…"
Then he looked at them again.
Really looked.
"Well uh... you don't look it," he said honestly.
That made them pause.
"You all look about my age," he continued.
Cherry raised a brow.
Kaito smiled slightly, gaining confidence.
"And you're all… ridiculously beautiful."
Seven blushes.
Immediate.
Unavoidable.
He pointed lightly.
"Cherry...you've got that confident, fiery thing going on. It's kinda… sexy."
She froze. "…Tch."
She blushed again.
"Rose—you're cute, but also really sweet. It's… lovely."
Rose squeaked.
"Lily—you're gentle and caring. Comforting just to be around."
Lily's face turned bright red.
"Iris—you're kind. Like genuinely kind. It shows."
Iris looked away shyly.
"Orchid—you're dangerous," he smirked. "In a good way."
She laughed softly, clearly pleased.
"River…" he hesitated slightly.
Her eyes met his.
"You're not just a pretty face, you make everything feel calm," he said quietly.
Her cheeks warmed.
"And Sage…"
He paused.
Sage raised a brow slightly.
"…You're amazing," he said simply. "A true leader. Strong. Smart. You keep me grounded."
For once—
Sage didn't respond immediately.
A faint blush touched her cheeks.
"…You are learning," she said softly.
Kaito laughed awkwardly.
"Too much?"
Cherry crossed her arms. "No. Keep going."
Rose nodded eagerly.
"Yeah!"
Kaito groaned. "I walked into that one."
Laughter filled the forest again.
Light.
Warm.
Real.
Sage watched him quietly.
Pride in her eyes.
Not just for his strength.
But for his heart.
Because this—
This moment—
Was what truly made a king.
Not power.
Not fear.
But connection.
And for the first time since arriving in Valeria…
Kaito didn't feel like he was pretending anymore.
He belonged here.
* * * * *
Night settled gently over the forest.
A small campfire crackled at the center of their clearing, its warm glow dancing across seven very expressive faces.
What started as light teasing…
Didn't stay light.
"So," Cherry said, leaning back against a log, arms crossed. "If he's going to be king, he should probably start deciding things."
Kaito blinked. "Deciding… what?"
Seven pairs of eyes turned to him.
At once.
"…Oh no."
Rose fidgeted. "I mean—it's just… hypothetically…"
"Not hypothetical," Orchid cut in smoothly. "It's inevitable."
River glanced at Kaito, slightly apologetic. "Elven tradition isn't… subtle."
Lily added gently, "If you succeed in your trials… you will eventually be bound to the Queen."
Kaito froze.
"…Right."
Sage said nothing—but her silence confirmed it.
Cherry smirked. "But that doesn't exactly stop the rest of us, does it?"
Tension.
Immediate.
"Oh come on," Iris sighed. "Don't act like you're not thinking it too."
"I am not—" Rose started, then froze, blushing furiously. "I mean—maybe a little..."
Kaito raised both hands. "WAIT—WAIT—WAIT!"
Too late.
They were already talking over each other.
"You can't seriously expect us to just ignore this—"
"We've been traveling with him this whole time—"
"And he clearly likes elves—"
"That's not the point—!"
"It kind of is—!"
Kaito slowly stood up.
Then quietly…
Backed away.
"…I'm just gonna… check on the tents, make sure everything is secure..."
No one noticed.
Or stopped him.
The farther he walked, the quieter it became.
Kaito let out a long breath.
"…What am I supposed to do?"
The words felt heavy.
"I can't just pick…" he muttered. "They're all—"
He stopped himself.
Face heating up.
"Forget it."
He reached his tent and pulled the flap open.
"…Huh?"
Someone was inside.
Curled up beneath his blanket.
Kaito froze.
"…Uh…"
The figure shifted slightly.
He couldn't see her face, as her beautiful brown locks covered her features.
Moonlight slipped through the fabric—
And his brain immediately stopped working.
"…Oh."
She was very clearly—
Not wearing anything.
Kaito's face went bright red instantly.
"I—uh—this is—my—tent—"
His voice cracked halfway through.
The young lady stirred.
Then slowly opened her eyes.
They met his.
A long, stunned silence.
Then—
"AH—!"
"WAIT—!"
She scrambled back, clutching the blanket to cover herself, eyes wide with fear.
"P-Please don't hurt me!"
"I WON'T!" Kaito panicked, immediately turning halfway around. "I'm not—! I just—this is—my tent—!"
They both froze.
"…You're not going to… attack me?" she asked cautiously.
Kaito looked away, still blushing. "No, why would I?"
"…Oh."
A pause.
"…Sorry." Kaito apologised.
"…No, I'm sorry!" The young lady blurted out.
Another pause.
Then, slowly, Kaito turned back—very deliberately trying to keep his eyes respectful.
"I'm Kaito," he said gently. "Who are you?"
The girl hesitated.
"I… don't really have anywhere to go," she said quietly. "I was cold… tired… I saw the tent and just…"
Her voice trailed off.
Kaito's expression softened immediately.
"…Hey, it's okay."
She looked at him, uncertain.
"You can stay," he said. "Really. I'm sure my companions will help you too, they'll get you clothes, food, whatever you need."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"…Really? For me?"
"Yeah," he smiled. "You don't owe us anything."
For a moment—
She just stared at him.
Then her expression changed.
Softened.
Warmed.
"…You're very kind."
Kaito rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "I try."
She shifted closer, with the blanket wrapped around her.
Carefully.
Then—
Leaned in.
And kissed him.
Kaito's brain short-circuited.
"…?!"
It was sudden.
Warm.
Unexpected.
He froze for half a second—
Then instinctively responded, awkward but not pulling away.
When they parted, he blinked rapidly.
"I—uh—you really don't have to repay me—"
"I want to," she said softly.
Something about her voice…
Felt intense.
Too intense.
"I'm so grateful," she continued.
Kaito swallowed.
She smiled faintly.
Then she leaned closer to him again, her presence pressing into his space.
Kaito's face flushed deeply.
His heart was racing.
His thoughts—
Not helping.
"…Okay, uh—this is—moving kind of—"
She traced lightly along his arm.
"You're warm," she murmured.
Kaito exhaled shakily.
"Y-Yeah, that's—normal human temperature—"
She giggled softly.
And leaned closer again—
"Kaito."
The way she said his name sent a strange chill down his spine.
"KAITO!"
The tent flap burst open.
Sage stood there.
Eyes sharp.
Magic already forming in her hand.
"Kaito, step away from her. Now."
Kaito stumbled back instantly.
"What—?"
The girl turned—
Her expression twisting.
For just a moment—
Too quickly to ignore.
Sage's voice cut through the air.
"Enough."
A pulse of magic shot forward.
Light flashed.
The illusion shattered.
Where the beautiful elf had been—
A twisted, goblin-like creature shrieked, its form collapsing into something grotesque and unnatural.
Kaito recoiled instantly.
"WHAT THE—?!"
He scrambled back, grabbing the blanket and wrapping it around himself instinctively, heart pounding.
The creature hissed, its voice now distorted.
"Got found out again. Curse you elf!"
Then vanished into smoke.
Silence slammed into the tent.
Kaito sat there.
Frozen.
Processing.
Sage exhaled slowly, lowering her hand.
"Thank the heavens you are unharmed."
Kaito blinked rapidly.
"…I almost—"
"Yes," Sage said flatly.
He covered his face with one hand.
"…Oh my god."
Sage crossed her arms, a faint hint of amusement breaking through her usual composure.
"A common forest parasite," she explained. "They prey on emotion. Loneliness. Desire."
Kaito groaned.
"I fell for the oldest trick in the book, didn't I?"
"Not the oldest," Sage said calmly. "But a very effective one."
He peeked at her.
"…You're enjoying this."
"…Slightly."
Kaito sighed, dragging a hand down his face.
"…I need to get stronger."
Sage nodded.
"In more ways than one."
He let out a quiet laugh.
"…Yeah."
Then he rubbed the back of his neck.
"…Thanks. Seriously."
Sage met his eyes.
"You are still learning," she said. "Don't be too hard on yourself."
Kaito gave a small, tired smile.
"…I'll get there."
She studied him for a moment.
Then turned toward the tent entrance.
"The others are still arguing," she added.
Kaito rolled his eyes.
"…Of course they are."
Sage allowed the faintest smile.
"Come, King-to-be."
Kaito stood, steadying himself.
This world…
Wasn't just beautiful.
It was dangerous.
And confusing.
And complicated.
But as he stepped out of the tent—
Back toward the fire—
One thing was becoming clear.
Being a king…
Was going to be a lot harder than he thought.