The next day has arrived as the early morning sun bloomed all over the land. The two elf girls wake up after a peaceful sleep. They both stretch their bodies feeling the good sunny morning the light shining in their eyes.
The older teenager elf starts looking for something then she realized that Lucien is gone. This made her scared a little as she thought that Lucien got kidnapped while their were sleeping so she told her younger sister eventually grasping her tightly
"Uh hey sis what's going on?"
"SHHH I think that kid who saved us is gone maybe he got kidnapped since he was sleeping outside guarding us.
Both sisters started trembling then they heard a sound of footsteps on grass and then touching the ground making both sisters tremble even more then the footsteps came closer making the younger sister scream but then it was Lucien who went out hunting.
"MY EARS WHAT WAS THAT?
Both sisters looked confused and screamed again thinking that its a ghost.
"OUCH MY EARS ARE YOU TWO STUPID ITS ME DAMN.
"Stop lying your a ghost of that boy who saved us coming to haunt us.
Lucien's face became disappointed in my thoughts i asked myself ghost really that's so half baked. Then i removed the thought out of my head looked at the two sisters.
"You think I'm a ghost right i have an idea pinch me.
Both sisters instantly got lost telling themselves that this ghost is very stupid. But after a few glances the older elf goes for the pinch then pinches Lucien then with surprise feels real skin making her happy then she jumped on Lucien for a hug but Lucien just dodged making the older elf fall.
"No hugs, anyway its time for us to go to your village.
Both sisters nodded then the journey back to the Eldoria kingdom began. The trio walked for three hours passing many places and forests with monsters but with Lucien he took care of them. In Lucien's perspective he saw these monsters as prey for training his swordsmanship.
The trio stopped after walking and because they were tired and hungry, Lucien seeing this took out a demster rabbit from his bag and started cooking it both sisters saw this and they got surprised and drooling from the stench of the food.
Lucien finish cooking the food and now its time to serve so he does that he gives both sisters the food and serves for himself as well. Then something popped out of Luciens head his been walking with these elfs for three hours and he never asked their names.
"So you two i forgot to ask what are your names we never introduced ourselves."
Both elfs saw this as well and felt awkward.
"Uh well my name is Ellari Venea Calynor. said the older elf.
"My name is Sari Yolele Calynor what's your name. said the younger sister.
"My name is Lucien just Lucien. Lucien said to the two twin elfs.
Both girls look at Lucien wanting to ask him about why he doesn't have a last name but they stopped themselves.
The conversation of the trio went for 40 minutes. After the meal and the talking its time to resume the way home.
As the three walked down to forest ridge, the secret city of Eldoria spread out before them in all its beauty.
Thin white spires rose between trees, each bearing runes that glowed faintly with mana. Arcs of braided roots crossed crystal streams, and wind-bells of glass leaves chimed in song on the breeze. Elven guards, clad in silver mail and dark green cloaks, stood watch at the outer gate grim and cold-eyed.
Lucien slowed as they approached, but Lina and Ellari pressed forward without hesitation.
"We're almost there," Lina said softly. "Don't worry."
Lucien didn't.
Not at first.
But when they passed through the arch, and the guards didn't stop the girls only raised their spears directly toward him Lucien froze.
"By order of Eldoria's Crown," a soldier barked, "you are hereby placed under detainment for trespassing pitiful human."
Lucien's eyes widened. "W-What?"
Another shoved him down. Shackles of stone and vine snapped into place with a single word. Lucien's wrists throbbed as his knees hit the marble path.
He looked back at Sari and Ellari.
"Say something tell them i came here with you two."
They didn't.
Lina's expression was blank. Ellari's, almost… guilty. Neither stepped forward.
Neither spoke.
Lucien's blood ran cold.
The guards hauled him up roughly, beginning to drag him away—but not before he saw it.A magnificent carriage came through the gate, drawn by creatures with silver coats and horns of black stone. The doors swung open.Out came a queenlike woman, tall and golden, hair like moonlight woven in with starlight. A man beside her with eyes hard as stone. His corrupted ivory crown glowed in the morning light.
"Mother! Father!" Ellari cried out.
The Queen smiled, opening her arms. The King put a hand on Sari's shoulder.
Lucien's breath hitched.
No.
He looked between them—the Queen, the King, the girls.
Sari… Ellari…
They're… princesses?
It all made sense.
Their proper language. Their strange calm in the midst of danger. Their unblemished, flawless skin. Their hesitation at telling him where they were from.
Lucien's jaw dropped in horror as the guards wrapped his arms around and drove him to his knees. The cold bite of the shackles snapped into place on his wrists before he could even process what was happening.
"At the behest of Eldoria, enigmatic humans are to be arrested on entry," a guard stated. "You will be questioned and held over for notice."
"W-Wait, I came with them! I saved them!" Lucien protested, turning back to look at Sari and Ellari. "Tell them!"
But the two girls said nothing.
Nothing at all.
Ellari looked down at her boots. Sari's eyes flashed toward her parents' approaching carriage, then quickly away.
A stinging pain cut into Lucien's chest.
Why aren't they saying anything…?
He was dragged to his feet and hauled towards the inner gates. His gaze remained fixed on them. He waited for one of them to speak. To protect him. To say *something*.
Nothing did.
Nothing until the gates slammed shut behind him.
---
Lucien sat alone in a clean, glittering stone room. It wasn't a cell, exactly anymore a waiting room. But the guards on the door and the magical ward on the floor provided him with a clue: he wasn't leaving.
His jaw clenched as he recalled their silence.
He wasn't angry. Not exactly.
Just… hurt.
For a moment, with them, he had been seen. Not just a survivor or a damned child or an aimless specter. They had smiled at him. Talked at the fire. Even slept near him.
But as soon as they were safe
He became a stranger.
"Stupid," he growled to himself, drawing his knees up to his chest.
A few hours had gone by before the door groaned open. Lucien stood involuntarily, unsure whether to fight or talk.
Instead of guards, Ellari and Sari walked in.
No armor. No royal guard. Just the two of them heads bowed low.
"Lucien…" Sari started. "We're sorry."
He turned his back.
Ellari stepped forward. "We didn't intend for them to bring you here. We should have spoken up."
"You think?" he growled, still not looking at them.
Sari cringed. "We didn't know how they'd react. Our people haven't welcomed humans into Eldoria for centuries."
"You could've told those guards and your parents I wasn't a threat," Lucien said, breaking his gaze to finally look at them, his voice laced with weight. "You could've told them that I saved you."
They were mute.
Then Ellari whispered, "We did. Once you'd gone. That's why. they're freeing you."
Lucien's eyes widened. "What?
"Soon, the guards will release you," Lina explained to him. "We had to speak to the Council, and our parents."
"They're the King and Queen, aren't they?" Lucien growled.
The girls nodded.
There was a tense silence before Ellari spoke up, "We weren't lying to you. We just… did not want to be treated like royalty when we were with you."
Lucien glared at them for what seemed like an eternity.
Then finally he let out a sigh and nodded.
"Okay."