In the quiet guest room upstairs, Lady Elowen lay propped up on a pile of soft pillows. The room was simple but cozy, with a small window letting in the late afternoon sun. Her bandages were fresh, wrapped around her arm where the wolf had scratched her, but she looked much better now, color back in her cheeks, her silver hair tied loosely over one shoulder. She fidgeted with the edge of her blanket, trying to adjust her position.
The door creaked open, and her father stepped in, closing it gently behind her. Lord Valtor's face was a bit flushed from the tea. He pulled up a wooden chair beside her bed, and the chair's legs scraped softly on the floor.
"Father," Elowen said, sitting up a little straighter. Her voice was warm, but there was that strong edge to it, like she was already bracing for news.
"You were gone longer than I thought. So, how did it go? With the proposal, I mean."
Lord Valtor sighed, sinking into the chair with a heavy thud. He rubbed his beard, looking at her with a sad smile. "Ah, my dear. I'm afraid it didn't work out as we'd hoped. The boy... he turned it down."
Elowen let out a soft sigh, leaning back against the pillows. She stared at the ceiling for a moment. "Hmm, just as I thought."
Her fingers tightened on the blanket, twisting it into a knot. She let out a slow breath, her shoulders dropping just a fraction. "I had a feeling. The way he fought those wolves, charging in without a second thought... So, he's also not the type to grab at easy titles, is he?" She tilted her head, eyes narrowing as she studied her father's face. "But why? Was it me? Did he say something about... well, flaws or whatever?"
Her father leaned forward, elbows on his knees, and shook his head with a low chuckle that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Flaws? Hardly. If anything, he couldn't stop praising you, calling you beautiful, kind, and quick-witted. Said he'd seen it firsthand in the woods, while fighting alongside you."
He paused, watching her cheeks flush a soft pink, her lips parting in a small, surprised "o."
"No, it wasn't about you at all. It was him. He says that he wants to build his own path, earn his place before tying himself down. Even left the door open for 'someday,' if he makes it on his own terms."
Elowen bit her lip, her eyes drifting to the window where the sunlight danced on the glass. She untangled her fingers from the blanket, smoothing it out as if ordering her thoughts.
Lord Valtor watched her closely, his sad tone from earlier fading into amusement. "You don't seem too heartbroken about the rejection, my dear."
Elowen shook her head, her blush deepening, but her smile widening. She reached out and squeezed her father's hand, her grip firm despite her injury.
"Heartbroken? No, Father. If anything, it makes me like him more. Back in the woods, when we were fighting those wolves, he didn't hesitate. He charged in, protected me, but he also let me fight too; he treated me like an equal, not some delicate flower. And now this? Wanting to build his own path? It's... inspiring. Makes my heart feel warm, like there's hope for men like him in this cursed world."
She paused, her strong-willed nature showing as she straightened her shoulders. "But don't think I'm giving up that easily. If he wants to earn his place, fine. I'll respect that. Maybe even help him along the way, if he'll let me. After all, a Valtor doesn't back down from a challenge."
Her father laughed heartily, patting her hand. "That's my girl. Spoken like your mother. You turned out just like her. good-hearted, but with a will of iron. Your mother would be proud if she could see you now."
Elowen grinned, leaning back with a thoughtful look. "Hmm. You know, Father, maybe this is better. If Lys had said yes right away, I'd wonder if it was just for the title. But now... now I know it's real. Or at least, it could be." She fiddled with her blanket again, her mind clearly racing. "What did you do after he said no? You didn't get angry, did you?"
Lord Valtor waved a hand dismissively. "Angry? A bit offended at first, my daughter's a prize, after all! But no, I respected it. Told him it raised my opinion of him. Then I offered a reward anyway, for saving your life. He asked for a guild connection for the village. Smart lad."
Elowen's eyes lit up. "A guild outpost here? That's perfect! This place needs it; the monsters are getting bolder, I heard from Sara. With a guild in this place, it'll give him a chance to prove himself, fighting alongside experienced adventurers and hunters, maybe."
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment. Elowen glanced at her father, her expression turning serious but still warm. "Thank you for trying, Father. Really. Even if it didn't work out this time."
He stood, leaning down to kiss her forehead gently. "Anything for you, my dear. Now rest up. We'll be heading back to the capital soon, but maybe we'll linger a bit. See if that boy changes his mind."
As he left the room, Elowen lay back, staring at the ceiling with a soft smile. Her heart fluttered at the thought of Lys, brave, ambitious, and now that she finds out that he's even more intriguing than she thought, she can't fall asleep.