Inheritance

Part 2. Chapter 32: Dalliances

The colorful sunset which was partially obscured by the gray clouds drenched the woods Kori, Francis, and the knights were setting up camp in a vibrant purple.

Kori and three other knights gathered wood for a fire while the other knights stayed and kept watch over Francis.

Kori threw her armful of twigs on the pile of wood and let the knights set about lighting it on fire.

With a tired sigh, Kori collapsed in front of the pile of twigs with her legs pulled up to her chest—breathing deeply.

Riding a horse became very uncomfortable and hard on the body after a full day of it.

Like the rain, her gray mood had started off as a drizzle, and had become a drenching on-pour.

Francis, who was sitting across from her, noticed her very dour frown.

It put a smile on his already smug face.

"What weighs so heavily upon your mind, Redeemer?" Francis asked. "Is it, perhaps, your dashing king?"

Kori's face was lined with shock and offense. She frantically glanced at the knights who thankfully seemed to be talking amongst themselves and hadn't heard. She took in a shuddering, angry breath. "Come here, elf. Now."

Francis raised an eyebrow. He had little choice but to obey. He rose to his feet, walked around the fire, and sat at the waif's side.

Kori grabbed his pointed ear and yanked it with all her strength—making the elf yelp in pain. She whispered in his ear, "I swear, if you ever tell these people about me and... If you ever tell anyone, I'll kill you myself. How did you even know...?"

Francis gave her a snide look. "Do you think I'm a fool? The look in your face when you talked about him... I think I know when someone is lovesick. I pity you falling in love with someone who cares so little about his people that he would risk his kingdom's future just to kill me. He seems like a worthless king—especially since he let his lover bully him into letting me go; he's stupid and flighty. He should at least take a stance on things."

Kori released his ear.

She muttered furiously. "Doesn't your queen listen to the advice of her people? That's what good leaders are supposed to do. That's... What—what Laurence did." She lowered her eyes.

Francis snorted. "A good leader does what's best for their people regardless of what those people think. My queen allows no dissension among her people; if she hears people saying negative things about her rule... If she hears talk that offends her, she throws them into the dungeon. Peace reigns and Alanheim is a beautiful place because of her ruthlessness."

"Living in fear doesn't count as living in peace..." Kori replied, turning her back to the elf.

"Alanheim hasn't been invaded by another kingdom in dozens of years; we have the securest borders of all the kingdoms. Sounds like peace to me." Francis insisted smugly.

"If it were so peaceful, then why do you fear your... Gender being revealed?" Kori challenged him.

Francis opened his mouth to protest, but could find no retort suitable enough to counteract her argument.

It was Kori's turn to grin smugly.

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Later that night, Kori found it hard to sleep.

The rain wouldn't let up, and she was thankful for the thick layer of leaves above protecting her from the endless liquid cascading from the skies.

"Can't sleep, milady?" One of the knights asked.

The knight, Terrance, was one who she recognized. He often volunteered to guard her whenever she had to leave Castle Maribel.