A Step Closer to the Truth

There was a large room on the first floor of Hylos' place. One of the walls was completely covered with books of different kinds, most of them either historical fiction or horror stories written by some of the best elven authors. Those were Hylos' favourite so no wonder they make appearance in his private collection.

On the other side, there was a table and few comfortable seats next to it. The pillows were dark green and going well with the royal atmosphere that spreaded throughout whole mansion. The table had yellow shiny covering with few golden stripes and two cups of tea on the top of it.

"I hope you like it." Hylos said. "It is made from the finest leaves of lime tree, should be good for calming down before sleep." He smiled before grabbing a small aluminum pot and asking: "How many cubes of sugar do you want?"

The girl currently sitting in one od those comfortable seats smiled, for the first time her hood was off allowing the centaur to see her pure white hair. Despite the colour, she didn't look old, quite the opposite, it gave her an additionally charming note.

"Two please." Natalia didn't exactly expect this when she first agreed to help them but she wasn't against it at all. She liked this very much, actually, she felt like she was home once again.

"Here." Hylos said dropping two cubes in her, still steaming drink. He also put a tray filled with all kinds of cookies that would go well with a late night tea, like if she was at a tea party where the finest guests were invited so everything had to be perfect. Even when she was a child there wasn't as many different treats, if there was, she might've even liked going to family meetings and special private parties.

"Thank you. This is really nice of you." She said taking a chocolate chip cookie and trying it. She loved the taste. "Have you made those? They are amazing!"

The centaur chuckled and replied: "Unfortunately, I have two left arms in kitchen. No, these aren't made by me but are product of a trustworthy chef that has been cooking for my family for years." He took a cookie that had some kind of cream on the top and a strawberry and ate it. "Try these, they are my favourites."

The girl took his advice and tried them. "Woah. These sure are tasty." She said with full mouth, not really caring for any rules of polite behaviour her tutors used to teach when she was little. She despised them and that is one more reason why she went away from home once the chaos and family fights started.

"Hehe." Hylos chuckled. "I'm glad you like them. Now, would you please excuse me, I'll be right back, I just want to bring Odette some food too. I don't want her to be hungry either." He said, taking a plate and placing several of the tastiest cakes and cookies on it. Only the best for his Princess, you could really say he cared for her. With that, he was already on his way towards her.

***

"Odette..." Lancelot started, his voice echoing through the corridor as he stood in front of her trying to look as heroic as possible. "I'm so glad you're safe..." He said trying to grab her hand but instead of happy reunion, she dodged his attempt to do so and pulled her hand away keeping careful stance.

"Not thanks to you, thief. What are you doing here?!" Her feelings were mixed. Despite him leaving her and breaking her heart, for some reason she was happy he was back. Her mind was telling her to run away while heart was making her stay. She was confused, conflicted between the two options.

"Ah... I know, my Odette, you have full right to be angry with me. I have done something I shouldn't have and I'm truly sorry about that. I beg you--" He said getting on his knees. "Please forgive me."

Odette's eyes widened. "H-how can I just forget what you did?" She asked, frowning slightly, not believeing he was there at that moment. Like if she was dreaming, maybe it was just her tired mind playing with her. Was he really there or did she just want him to be?

"I wasn't thinking clear. Somebody hired me to steal the book and if I didn't bring it back, they'd kill me." He said. "I'm so sorry but until I met you I didn't see the beauty my actions were hurting and when I realised it, it was too late. I'm so sorry..."

Odette's eyes teared up, her pure heart felt sorry for the man, trusting every word that came out of his mouth. She wanted to help him, she crouched down and stared into his eyes. "It's okay. I understand." She said offering him a soft smile.

Lancelot placed a hand on her cheek and pulled her face closer. "I've always known you're perfect. The one worth fighting for." He said leaning in for a kiss.

Odette was flattered by his words. She closed eyes and waited but instead of feeling his lips on her own, there was a loud bang that could be heard. She got scared and automaticly screamed as she hurried to open her eyes.

She could see the image of Lancelot falling to the ground, probably having a concusion and Hylos standing next to him, holding his heavy staff.

"What the hell Hylos?!" The Swan Princess yelled. "Why did you do that?!" She looked shocked as she got up quickly. "What the hell are you thinking?!"

Hylos looked dead serious. "Excuse me princess but I couldn't leave you alone with that traitor treathening to hurt you." He said. "I want you to be safe and I will not risk your safety and well-being. Besides, how did he even find you here?" The centaur grabbed her hand and pulled her up.

She sighed. "I don't know okay. And he is no treath to me! H-he explained everything and he was treathened to do what he did a- a--" She was speaking fast until Hylos placed a finger over her lips.

"Listen. He broke his word and your heart once, I won't let him do it again." He said softly.

Odette's eyes widened. "Y-you really think he would?" She asked. "B-but... He wanted to kiss me..." She mumbled. "Are you telling me to ignore what I feel?" She asked.

The centaur sighed. He took both of her hands. "Yes, once player, always a player. Men are difficult to deal with. You never know do they really love you or they just want to use you. By no means I'm telling you to ignore your heart but I want your choice to be the one you'll be happy with forever, even if it won't be me..." He said softly before moving a strand of her hair behind her ear.

"H-hylos!" Odette said pulling away. "I-I never thought you see me that way..." She mumbled, her cheeks recieving slightly pinkish colour. "B-but thank you for caring and lookinf after me."

He patted her head softly messing her hair. He slowly started talking: "It's nothing, really, and I hope this doesn't change the way you see me." Then he picked up unconscious Lancelot. "Maybe better I take care of him... He is little to no use to us while he's unconscious.  "I guess I'll see you tomorrow morning. Rest well, my Princess-- I mean, Odette."

***

Gentle gusts of air sprayed over the folden fields surrounding the Capital of the Light where both Hylos' and Freya's mansions were located. The grass was swaying, dancing like a harmless snake on the melody of the wind.

Across the fields, through forests and down the river flows, the new morning was greeting everything in its way waking up all beings that have fallen asleep during the night and telling the nighttime creatures to hide because the gleam of sun wasn't merciful to the ones who weren't supposed to be in its light.

Birds were singing beautifully in the trees around Hylos' mansion, unaware of the drama unraveling inside. Their innocent acts were just giving background music to the scene of two intruders slowly passing through the golden gates of Hylos' family estate.

They were both wearing clothes that wasn't usual for this region so they must have a long path behind them. One of the two was wearing very dark clothes and his face was covered with the hood which left only his two dark eyes visible underneath. The other one had her face covered with an umbrella, like a real lady that wants to stay as pale as snow.

The two knocked at the door. It was still veey early in the morning but they got invited to come in and Hylos was called to meet the two travelers since they requested to meet him.

As soon as the three were alone inside of a room, Kagura and Hayabusa revealed their identities. The girl that was wearing blue dress matching her sky blue eyes started: "Sir Hylos, do you still remember us?" She asked. "We were just kids when you last visited my family."

The centaur was pleasantly surprised by the unexpected guests. "How wouldn't I remember you two?" He said happily. "I might be old but my memory isn't that bad yet." He was happy his family had so many friends, it was paying off to watch all those young souls grow into what they are now. "Tell me, you two, what's bringing you here today? The timing is a little tricky right now, I have some work to do before we can spend some good time together--"

Before he continued talking, Hayabusa said: "No matter how much I'd love this to be a relaxed meeting, that's not why we're here." He cut straight into the real reason they were there. "Look, the Kingdom of Darkness has fallen. The royalty has been taken away along with one more friend. I barely got away alive, thanks to her." He said, patting the girl'd head. It was sweet with how much taller he was than her.

"There is no time for playing games, the real enemy stands in front of us, eye to eye and we can't let him win without any resistance. We came here in need of backup. You're the Minister of war, if anybody can help us, it's you." The boy said confidentaly.

The centaur was surprised, he didn't expect this turn of the events but times like this required him to sometimes change his plans. "Alright. Tell me what you know. We'll come up with something." He said, that line opening the great storytelling time as the two young people told him everything they've come to know so far, which were some pretty useful information that filled up the gaps in what Hylos already knew before.

***

The atmosphere wasn't as positive in whole mansion. Few rooms away, there was a man with fancy uniform and shiny golden hair who was chained up in a rather comfortable seat with his own sister standing in front of him. "I can't believe you did this to yourself... You promised me you wouldn't do something stupid like that again." She started tapping her fingers against the table that was separating them.

The man struggled in the chains. "Natalia, this isn't funny..." He muttered. "Ugh... My head hurts really badly..." He said closing his eyes tightly for few moments before gazing at her again. "I was telling the truth. I was honest... I have deep feelings for her..."

Natalia sighed. She knew that now she had two options. One led to possible fame if she stays on Hylos' side and the other one was helping her own brother. What does she do...? Then, another idea flashed up in her mind. "Fine...." She mumbled before slowly unattaching the chains that were restraining him.

If she lets him go and then helps Hylos find him again, she'll appear good for both sides and if the other side doesn't find out she did something for the first side, they will all love her, both her brother and the high ranks of Light Kingdom.

The man grinned. He quickly pulled his sister closer and placed a peck on her forehead. "Thanks~" He said before exiting the room with one goal, and nothing would prevent him from completing it.