Hunter Of The Six Realms

Chapter 20

The carriage was quiet, too quiet. Just the sound of horse hoofs stepping on the cemented floors of the streets and the wheels rolling along.

Kaizen sat stiffly beside Alira, his arms resting on his laps and his eyes fixed on the window, pretending to watch the blur of buildings pass by. His soaked trousers were beginning to dry, clinging uncomfortably to his legs, and his bare feet rested awkwardly against the polished wooden floor of the carriage.

Neither of them said a word.

Alira didn't seem bothered by the silence. She sat gracefully, legs crossed, one hand supporting her chin while she stared straight ahead, lost in thought.

Kaizen shifted slightly.

Just as he opened his mouth to say something, Alira also tried to speak.

"So—" She started.

They both paused.

She raised an eyebrow.

"…Go ahead," she said, gesturing for him to speak first.

Kaizen hesitated, then glanced at her sideways. "Why did you help me?"

Alira blinked once. No emotion crossed her face. "Because you helped someone I care about."

"…Helped someone?" Kaizen asked, brows lightly furrowed. "I don't remember helping anyone."

He tried to recall, but nothing clicked.

"You don't need to," she replied plainly. "Just take it as a debt paid."

Kaizen leaned back slightly.

'Could it be because of someone I helped in the last raid?'

There was another pause. Alira's gaze shifted toward him briefly. She looked like she wanted to say more, but instead, she waited.

"…You're not very talkative, are you?" she asked after a beat.

"Never had a reason to be," Kaizen replied.

Her lips twitched. Not quite a smile, but something close.

"Fair enough. I've been meaning to ask, why exactly did you let that guy treat you like that? He could have injured you badly if I hadn't stepped in."

Kaizen fist clenched, his brows furrowing...that feeling was back, frustration and anger as he replayed all that happened. "Because I am weak." He replied flatly, not turning to look at her.

Alira noticed how her question made him tensed so she didn't push further.

Another moment passed before Kaizen spoke again, voice low, his expression back to normal. "Can I ask for a favor?"

Alira tilted her head. "Depends on what it is."

"If my parents ask where I've been," Kaizen said, his tone serious now, "Tell them I was with you. Say you summoned me for something important."

She raised a brow. "You want me to lie?"

Kaizen met her eyes. "Just cover for me."

There was a short silence, then she nodded once. "Fine. I'll say it was classified. That should be enough to stop them from asking questions."

"…Thanks," Kaizen muttered.

Alira leaned back. "You can ask for my help whenever you need it. I meant that."

Kaizen didn't answer, but the slight tilt of his head was enough to show he heard her. He could have said more or asked more questions about who exactly was the person she talked about, but he didn't want to mess things up and accidentally say something that might turn his new found ally against him, so he decided not to say anymore.

The rest of the ride was quiet, but less awkward than before.

Eventually, the carriage rolled to a stop.

Alira peeked out the window, then turned to Kaizen. "So this is your house?."

Kaizen nodded and reached for the door, but before he could step out, Alira spoke again.

"I'm coming with you."

He turned halfway, confused. "Why?"

Why would a royalty like her want to follow him into his worn out home? That was the question that went through his head but he just stuck with 'Why'

"Because," she said as she adjusted her sleeves, "I want to meet the people who raised someone like you."

Kaizen blinked. "…That sounds like either an insult or a compliment."

Alira gave a small shrug. "You decide."

He stepped out first, bare feet touching the dirt path that led to a small, modest-looking house. The wood panels were a bit worn, but it was clean. Xnv

Alira stepped out right behind him, immediately drawing attention from a few people down the street. A noblewoman in royal fire garments walking behind the well known magicless white-haired boy was not something anyone expected to see.

Kaizen ignored the stares and walked up to the door.

He knocked once, then turned the knob and stepped inside.

"Mom? Dad?"

There was a scuffle, then quick footsteps.

Elen hurried out of the kitchen, apron still on, a small cut on her finger like she'd been slicing too fast.

"Kaizen?" she gasped.

Behind her, his father appeared, eyes wide. "Kaizen?"

They both rushed to him, his mother grabbing his face, checking him like he was a toddler. "Where have you been? We've been worried sick! You didn't leave a message, your shoes and dagger were left inside and you've been gone for hours—."

Kaizen scratched the back of his head. "Sorry, I..."

Before he could explain, a voice interrupted.

"Pardon me."

His parents turned instantly toward the doorway.

Alira stepped into view, looking elegant and Intimidating.

Their expressions froze.

Kaizen glanced at his mom. She looked like she'd just seen the sun itself walk into her house.

"I summoned Kaizen for something important," Alira said smoothly. "It was sudden and confidential. He didn't have time to inform you. Apologies for the worry."

Elen blinked. "…You— you summoned…?"

"Who are you, exactly?" Kaizen's father asked, squinting.

Alira offered a faint smile. "Alira Flameheart. Princess of the Fire Realm."

There was silence. Heavy silence.

Then—

His mom nearly dropped to a knee, but Alira stopped her with a gesture.

"Please, don't. That won't be necessary."

Kaizen stood awkwardly between them, rubbing the side of his face.

"…I told you," he muttered under his breath. "It wasn't anything bad."

His mom reached for him again, this time pulling him into a tight hug. "You're grounded."

Kaizen grunted. "I'm eighteen."

"I don't care."

Alira watched the scene, arms folded loosely.

She had always been lonely as a child, she didn't know what parental love felt like, neither her father nor her mom were loving parents, and they had no expectations from her either. All the attention was given to her brothers.

"…You're lucky," she murmured.

Kaizen looked over her shoulder. "What?"

"Nothing," she said, already turning toward the door. "I'll leave you now."

He didn't respond. Just stared after her as she stepped out, her presence still lingering in the room like smoke.

His dad coughed after a moment.

"…Did she say princess?"

Kaizen sighed.

"Yeah."

Then he looked down at his feet.

"…Also, I think I got frost bites."