Houshao'nao sighed, falling silent.
Suddenly, he noticed warmth in his hand—Dier's delicate fingers intertwined with his, her face flushed a vibrant pink.
He jerked his hand back, embarrassed. "Sorry, Dier. I didn't mean to—"
"It's… fine. We're friends, after all…" she murmured, head bowed.
His heart raced. "Dier, I've decided not to leave. Let's stay friends, okay?"
Her eyes lit up. "Really? I'm so glad. I… I've wanted a friend for so long."
Watching her shy smile, Houshao'nao felt a weight lift. "Me too. You're the first who doesn't yell or hit me…" He trailed off, cursing his bluntness, but Dier just laughed.
"Yes, we're best friends now, right?"
"Right." He nodded, awkward but warm.
In the days that followed, Anna busied herself with travel preparations, leaving Houshao'nao in peace.
"See? Told you it's safe. Ever eaten such good hay?" he teased the donkey.
"Bah, calm before the storm. You're delusional," the donkey snorted.
"Shut up, or I'll leave you to starve."
The donkey rolled its eyes. "Fine. More hay, please, * (Boss)*."
Without Anna's harassment, Houshao'nao looked forward to afternoons with Dier, sharing simple meals in the tavern's corner. She loved asking about ancient legends, especially those of elves. But one topic stumped him: the Holy Elven Stone.
"Sorry, Dier. That's all I know. But Magic Academies must have records. I'll ask for you someday," he promised.
"Really? You'd do that?" Her eyes sparkled.
"Of course. They're full of old books—you could read for years."
" (Saint Yago Magic Academy)? You've been there?"
"N-no, just heard of it," he lied, cursing his slip-up.
"Then take me there someday. You promised," she said, placing her hand near his.
He hesitated, then gently clasped it. She sighed, not pulling away, cheeks rosy.
"Houshao'nao! Where are you?" Anna's voice shattered the moment.
They jerked apart, Dier fleeing with a squeak. Anna eyed them, suspicion burning. "Flirting with the elf, huh?"
"Nonsense, Miss. She was teaching me to mix drinks."
Anna's face reddened, recalling their own awkward encounters. "Stay away from her. I leave tomorrow—behave, or you'll regret it."
"Regret? Because you're jealous?" he dared to smirk.
Their eyes met, then darted away, Anna's cheeks flaming. "Father wants you. Don't keep him waiting." She spun and ran, leaving him chuckling.
*"As if a noble (young lady) would fancy me. Dream on."*
At Sheffield's office, Houshao'nao found the (master) with President Giles. "Saddle the horses. We're meeting a (VIP)."
He waited outside, but Sheffield and Giles vanished on horseback, leaving him and the donkey trailing far behind.
"Useless beast! Faster!" he snapped, slapping the donkey's flank.
"Ow! Blame your curse for making me a donkey! If I were a horse—"
Their bickering stopped at distant hoofbeats. A caravan approached, and the donkey stubbornly blocked the road.
"Stop. Check that boy," ordered a man in the escort.
Sheffield rushed forward. "It's my attendant, (Your Excellency). My mistake for not warning him."
The (VIP) laughed at Houshao'nao's name. " (Back-of-the-Head)? Charming. A fitting name for a… unique fellow."
Sheffield chuckled nervously. "Born to peasants,. I meant to rename him—"
"No need. It's memorable." The man clapped Sheffield's shoulder, eyes twinkling. "Bring him closer. I'd like to meet the boy with the… *unusual* name."
Houshao'nao approached, heart pounding, as the caravan's laughter rang out. The donkey brayed mockingly behind him, a fitting soundtrack to the absurdity of it all.
And so the stage was set: secrets lingered in Dier's longing gaze, Anna's unspoken farewell, and a (VIP) whose arrival hinted at darker plots. For Houshao'nao, the calm was ending—the storm, as the donkey predicted, was on the horizon.