Lys shook his head, still catching his breath from the chase, his frustration melting into a reluctant smile as he looked at Elowen blocking his way. "No, Lady Elowen, you don't get it. Sara's like that; if I let her off the hook now, she'll just get bolder next time. I can't have her pushing me around like this, literally!"
Elowen chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling with warmth as she lowered her arms a bit, relaxing her stance. "It's okay, Lys. I'll scold her for you later, I promise. She needs to learn not to bail on people after participating in the mischief herself."
Her tone shifted then, becoming gentler, more inviting. She tilted her head slightly, studying him with a soft gaze. "But hey, Lys, why don't you speak to me more freely from now on? None of this 'Lady Elowen this' or 'Lady Elowen that.' It makes me feel so... distant."
Lys blinked, caught off guard by the sudden change. He shifted his weight, rubbing the back of his neck again, a habit when he felt awkward. "Uhh, How can I do that? You're nobility, and I'm just a commoner. Calling you by your first name would be disrespectful. I wouldn't want to offend you."
Elowen stepped a little closer, her elegant gown brushing against the floor as she reached out and lightly touched his arm, her fingers warm and reassuring. It was a simple gesture, but it felt personal, like she was bridging the gap between their worlds. "Oh, come on. I said it's fine, so there's no problem, right? We're not in some stuffy court here; this is Sara's home, and we're all just people. Besides, I like hearing my name without the title. It reminds me I'm more than just a 'lady.' Go on, try it. Say it."
Lys hesitated, his cheeks flushing a bit under her encouraging smile. He glanced down the hall where Sara had vanished, then back at Elowen, feeling a strange warmth in his chest from her kindness. It wasn't just about the words; it was the way she looked at him, like he mattered. "Alright... Elo..wen," he finally said, testing it out softly, almost like he was afraid it might break some invisible rule.
Elowen's face lit up with a genuine smile, her silver hair catching the light from a nearby window. "See? That wasn't so hard, right? It sounds nice coming from you. Just treat me as your friend." She gave his arm a gentle squeeze before letting go.
Both of them walked toward the main hall. Lys stayed a safe distance from her while walking, which was very obvious from Elowen's perspective. Knowing that he was still uncomfortable around her, she asked him finally, "Hey, why are you still uncomfortable around me? Didn't I say you can just treat me as your friend? Just treat me as you treat Sara."
"And you don't have to feel awkward around me, Lys. Really, I'm okay with everything. We're good."
Lys paused, searching her face for any sign of pretense, but her eyes were steady and warm. He shifted his feet, the hallway suddenly feeling a bit too quiet. "You seem way too comfortable around, if you ask me.... don't you feel uneasy around me? I mean, knowing that I didn't reciprocate your proposal? Your father must have told you about it, right? That I turned it down?"
Elowen nodded slowly, her silver hair swaying with the motion. She didn't look away, her expression open and honest. "Yes, he did. Actually, it was me who asked him to make that offer to you in the first place. So, yeah, I know you rejected it."
She let out a small sigh, but it wasn't heavy; it was more like releasing a breath she'd been holding. "But that's beside the point. Why would I feel awkward around you? Your reason for saying no... it far outweighs any little awkwardness I might feel. Most people would have jumped at the chance: an easy title, land, noble status. But you didn't. You said you want to chase your own success, build something on your terms. I admire that about you. It makes me glad, actually. Now I know for sure that you're not like the others." Her face flushed a little while saying that.
Lys felt a warmth spread through him, her words easing the knot in his chest that he hadn't even realized was there. He smiled faintly, rubbing the back of his neck again. "I guess I just didn't want things to be weird between us. Thanks for saying that, Lady Elowen. It means a lot."
Elowen shook her head gently, a light laugh escaping her lips as she caught his slip-up. "Ah, you did it again. Didn't I just say not to call me Lady Elowen?"
Lys winced, his hand still on the back of his neck, feeling a bit sheepish. "Ah, sorry. Force of habit, I guess."
The air between them softened, the hallway's quiet wrapping around them like a comfortable blanket. Elowen turned her gaze ahead, staring down the corridor with a hopeful spark in her eyes, like she was picturing something far off but bright. She fiddled with a loose strand of her silver hair, tucking it behind her ear before speaking again, her voice quieter but full of warmth.
"But still... you didn't just outright reject me, and I'm glad about that. It shows you're thoughtful. I'm sure you can succeed on your own, build whatever future you want. So, I'll wait for you until then. You have to come back to pick me up someday, okay? Promise?"
'Maybe I will, maybe not, who knows!,' he thought, 'After all, I have to finish the goddess's mission first. Only after that can I do what I want.'
Even though he was thinking that, still, he couldn't bring himself to reject her twice in one day."
Lys looked at her. Her sincerity made his chest tighten in a good way. He gave her a genuine smile and nodded. "Yeah. Okay, I promise."
He made that promise even though he had no idea what his future held.
He decided to let her keep her sweet daydreams, smiling at her every now and then as they walked together.