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Marcille shut her eyes pleasantly. “I never thought I would say this, but, this is quite nice.”
Laios took a sip from his own cup. “It’s great wine,” he agreed.
“Ah, the wine, yes,” she hurriedly nodded. With a sudden burst of courage, she downed the whole cup.
“I don’t think you should-”
“Oh, why not? We’re celebrating!” she giggled. “Here, pour me more.”
The man scratched the back of his head and reluctantly did. “Wine is meant to be savored.”
“I’m enjoying myself!” Marcille argued.
Raising a hand in surrender, Laios smiled at her. “After a hard day’s work, such is your right.”
She beamed and bumped his shoulder with her fist. “Don’t be coy. This was all you.”
Laios looked embarrassed. “If it weren’t for you guys, I never would have been able to make it all this way, so again, thank you.”
“Why are you acting all sappy? Are you drunk?” She peered at him with squinted eyes. Her cheeks had a light tint to them, and so did Laios’s.
“A little,” he admitted. “But I’m also happy.”
“Happy?”
“Very much.”
Marcille adjusted herself and leaned forward, nodding. “Tell me about it.”
“Maybe after a glass or two,” he smiled and took a sip. “I need to fortify myself.”
“How bad must it be for you to feel mortified? Now I’m curious! But I won’t force it out of you.” The half-elf suddenly gasped dramatically. “Oh no, your cup is nearly empty! That mustn't come to pass!” She quickly filled it to the brim.
Laios barked out a laugh. “Don’t mind if I do.”
“What shall we make a toast to?” she wondered out loud.
“How about something simple?” he suggested.
She raised a brow. “Simple?” She racked her brain, such focus never seen before, and Laios couldn’t help feeling charmed.
A light bulb visibly lit in Marcille’s head. She hesitantly clinked her cup to his. “To being happy?”
It pleased the leader greatly. “To being happy,” he toasted.
They stared at each other for a while, gentle smiles plastered on their faces, a bubble of warmth enveloping the room, the soulless bodies of the royal family in the back completely forgotten.
“Tell me about your love for monsters,” Marcille said.
It took the tall-man off guard. “I, uh…”
“Come on, Laios. I thought we had grown close enough to be able to talk about such things freely without fear of being judged.”
“You say that, but I see the repulsion in your face every time I say something out of line.”
“Repulsion is an exaggeration. Maybe weirded out at best. Plus, this and that are different,” she argued. “I want to know why you came to love monsters as much as you do.”
Laios took a sip from his glass. “Why, huh?” he mused.
“I told you about Papa! It’s only fair!”
“I can tell you about mine.”
She waved her hand dismissively. “I know all about it. Did you forget who my best friend is?”
“Falin?” he raised a brow. “I somehow doubt my sister portrayed our bond accurately.”
“You would be surprised at how emotionally intelligent she is.”
The man rubbed his nape. “That’s not what I mean. I don’t think she was-” he paused, “-is dense or anything. Falin is a person full of love and wonder. Her view of people and the world differ from mine.”
Marcille smiled sadly and drank from her cup.
“Plus, I do believe my love of monsters does stem from my bond with my father,” he added.
Brushing strands of hair behind her ears and tucking her legs underneath them in a cross-legged fashion, Marcille’s attention was entirely on Laios. “I’ve got time.”
“Not tired?”
“Not at all!” she expressed proudly, as she tried her best to seem energetic and awake, her eyes blinking rapidly.
Laios nodded and took a sip from his cup. “I still vividly remember my parents introducing me to baby Falin. I was so happy, even though I didn’t know what it meant. I would visit her cradle daily, make silly faces and tell her all sorts of stories, just to see her laugh. Falin always lit up whenever she saw me. Even though all she could do was giggle and cry and blabber, I could always feel her love and adoration.”
Marcille clutched at her aching chest.
“And I loved her. I loved her before I even knew what love meant. So when others in the village began to shun her, I couldn’t fathom it. I was, what, eight? It was bewildering for anybody to not adore someone as easy to love as Falin. So I talked to father about it. Guess what he said?” Laios looked sad as the next words left his mouth. ”’That child is no daughter of mine.’ That night, I slept hoping a monster would come and ravage the village and kill everyone in it. Each and every single one of them. I hated them. I hate them all.”
The half-elf dragged her chair next to the tall-man’s and rested her hand on top of his.
“My relationship with my father was on the rocks, and I was starting to see everyone in the village in a bad light. l had Falin, but I was still lonely. My mind would often drift to fantasies. I think it was around then that my… obsession, for lack of a better word, began. If I became a monster, I wouldn’t have to put up with people. I could fly away with Falin, away from people’s judging eyes. We could be free.”
They sat in silence for some time, Marcille choosing to digest what she had just heard, and Laios afraid to see the look on her face.
“Do you still feel the same?” she finally broke the silence.
“I’ve spent my whole life hiding who I am. It was when Falin was eaten that I promised myself to stop pretending and lay myself bare.”
Marcille squeezed his hand. “And?”
After mustering the courage to face her, he met her eyes, and judging by the way his face brightened, Marcille’s expression didn’t disappoint.
“I want to be with you guys for the rest of my life.”
The half-elf broke out in giggles. “You said the words. There’s no backing out now.”
Chuckling, Laios squeezed her hand once more before reaching for his drink. “I wasn’t planning on it.”
“Well, neither was Falin, but…” Marcille grimaced and downed her whole cup. “Sorry. I don’t know why I said that.”
“No, you’re right. It’s scary how easily something precious can be snatched away from your life so suddenly.” He downed his own cup and poured another. “We must cherish-” He yelped in surprise at the nudge on his side.
“Aren’t you forgetting someone?” Marcille whined.
He threw her a questioning look.
Marcille kept nodding towards her own cup, pouting.
“I think you’ve had enough,” he tried to reason.
“What the hell? Pour this lady some wine right this instant!”
Laios kept the bottle out of hand’s reach. “You barely look 20 in tall-man years, which means your alcohol tolerance should be on par with that of the same age.”
“I’m older than your grandparents would have been if they were alive!”
“How many fingers am I holding up?” he asked, raising four.
“Four!”
“Wrong. It’s two.”
“Liar!”
Laios couldn’t help the grin that spread on his face. “I’m sorry, Marcille, but as your leader, I must insist-”
“I’ll teach you how to summon golems!”
“Deal.”
She snatched the bottle from his hand and poured herself the last bit of remaining wine. “Like I said,” Marcille started, “compared to me, you’re but a child.”
“Yes, ma’am. A child is what I am.”
“A child that’s easily fooled,” she continued, grinning slyly.
Laios’s face dropped.
The half-elf downed the wine on her cup, and gave her party leader a triumphant look, laughter threatening to erupt from her belly. “You still have much to learn!” she hollered happily.
Disappointed, the tall-man sighed wearily. “You got me there,” he said. “I was hoping to have one more glass of that wine,” he reached behind the table, revealing another bottle, “before trying this other unknown liquor, of which I’ll not share a single drop of.”
Marcille’s eyes widened comically. “Y-you…”
“Let’s see-”
Before having the chance to fill his cup, Marcille flung herself at him, tackling him on the ground. Laios shielded the half-elf from the impact, and let out a laugh.
“There are consequences to trifling with your elders,” she grumbled, straddling him and trying to pin his arms on his chest. “It would appear your mentor may have overlooked imparting to such an essential lesson. Fret not, however,” she grit her teeth, trying her hardest to take control of him, “for I’m here. I shall bestow upon thee the necessary teachings.”
“I’m thankful for the opportunity,” Laios chuckled, letting her manhandle him.
“Do not make light of me,” she hissed. “I’m a dark wizard!”
“Okay, you’re right. I’m sorry.” He tried his best to keep a straight face.
Marcille stared at him like a hawk, her whole face flushed, lips pursed to try and contain the smile that reached her eyes. “You need to respect me.”
“I do. You have my utmost respect.”
“I’m a mage, true, but my hand to hand expertise is not to be underestimated.”
“That much I gathered. I can’t move an inch. Such extraordinary strength!”
The half-elf tittered cheekily. “If I wanted to, I could be the most renowned mage- no, living being in the world! You should be grateful I decided to join your party!”
“I’m most happy you’re part of my life, Marcille.”
That Marcille did not expect. From her cheeks, the flush spread down to her chest, and she quickly averted her gaze. “D-do you mean that?”
“Of course. Have I made you feel otherwise?” He put his hand over hers. She was burning hot.
A small smile spread across the half-elf’s face. “Well, when we started our journey, when we weren’t making good time…” she began.
“It was never our- my intention. I hope you know that without you, I never would have made it this far.”
Marcille’s features softened. Her grip slowly loosened, and abruptly, she let herself collapse on top of Laios.
Panic surged within him, but his nerves eased when he heard her laughter. “You get so sappy when you’re drunk!” she giggled.
“And you get violent,” he retorted.
“Oh, boohoo, you big baby.” She nuzzled her head on his chest and sighed loudly. “You know, when we first started our journey, I thought it would end up being the biggest mistake of my life.” She twiddled with the fabric of his shirt.
Laios shifted his weight so she was more comfortable and rested a hand on her lower back. “And now?
“I don’t think I’ve ever felt so… I don’t know what word is appropriate in this instance, because I don’t think happiness is what I’m looking for.”
“I think I know what you mean.”
“There’s guilt gnawing at me,” she muttered sadly. “Am I allowed to feel this way even though the whole purpose of this was to save Falin?”
“I’m sorry. It was because of me that Falin was eaten by the dragon in the first place. If it had just eaten me, none of this would have happened.”
Marcille propped herself on her elbows to look at Laios’s face. “What are you saying?”
“Nobody would have attempted to rescue me,” he said matter of factly, with not a hint of bitterness on his features. “Well, save maybe Falin. But she would probably give up when none joined her. Hopefully.”
“D-” Marcille smacked his shoulder. “Do you hear yourself?
“I’m not complaining or anything. We just weren’t really that close.”
The half-elf smacked his shoulder again. “You think we would just leave you to die?”
“Look, that’s not what the point of what I was trying to say was.”
“No. No, I want to talk about this.” She got off of Laios and sat back on a chair.
The tall-man sighed tiredly and dragged his chair to sit across from her. “Look, I’m not doubting your affection.”
“No? Because it seems to me that’s exactly what you’re doing.”
“I was just trying to say that… I wish I could have spared you of what you’re feeling,” he tried to explain himself. “I’m not insinuating anything.”
Marcille’s eyes glistened, and Laios’s own bulged in shock.
“Marcille-”
“Don’t talk.”
“I’m sorry, Marcille. I don’t know what to say.”
The half-elf wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “You’re so frustrating.”
Laios rubbed his neck. “This is the second time I’ve made you cry. I’m so sorry, Marcille. After we save Falin, I promise not to-”
“Don’t you dare finish that sentence,” she growled.
“I’m sorry.”
After a minute of silence, Marcille took a deep breath, which prompted Laios to look at her.
“I owe you an apology, Laios,” she said.
“Marcille, please, you have nothing to apologize for.”
“I’ve made you feel unwanted, unappreciated, even though you’ve done everything within your power to make this journey as bearable as possible for me. I’m ashamed.”
Laios shook his head and reached for the liquor. “I don’t get how or why the conversation ended up where it did. Truth is, we weren’t close when we got started on our journey, and that’s a fact. There’s no reason to feel guilty about it. It’s not like it was due to a lack of effort on your part.” Filling his glass to the brim, Laios drank the whole thing in one go. The burning sensation took him by surprise, and he shut his eyes tightly. “Now, can we please drop it?”
The half-elf looked sullen, but she hesitantly nodded. “Only if you give me some.”
“Promise not to attack me this time?” he asked, smiling lopsidedly.
“Only if you watch what you say,” Marcille gave back a teasing smile.
He poured on her cup, but only a little.
Marcille was quick to protest. “Hey!”
“Try some first.”
She took a big long sniff at her cup and frowned. “This isn’t wine,” she noted.
“No, it’s not.”
As if feeling the challenge in Laios’s gaze, the half-elf snorted. “Bottoms up!” As soon as the liquor went down, she grimaced. “Yuck. This is rancid.”
“Isn’t it?” Laios chuckled.
“Are you sure it’s not poison?”
“You know, that’s actually a great point. You shouldn’t have any in case I die and you have to revive me.”
She scooted her chair closer so she could swat at his shoulder. “You promised not to put me through anything like that again.”
“What, you mean die?”
“Yes.”
“Technically, I didn’t really promise-” At the threat of another smack, Laios quickly raised his hands in surrender. “Fine, fine. Speaking of, I think I understand why the incident with the dungeon rabbits drove you to tears.”
“Do you?” she asked dubiously.
Laios filled his cup and took a sip. “I think sips is what you’re supposed to take of this. Anyway. After you all were killed by the dragons and I had to round your bodies up, I felt a pit in my stomach. Being surrounded by your corpses was…” he took another sip from his drink, and sighed, “heartbreaking. I wish I could have prevented it.”
Marcille kept her eyes on her feet, kicking them idly as she thought. “It’s thanks to your brilliance and resilience that we’re even standing here now. I don’t think anybody but you could have accomplished what you did.”
“Thanks to Thistle and the winged lion. Sure, I was lucky enough to pull off what I did, yet my naivety still almost spelled the end for us all. I’m the leader of this party. I have a responsibility to you all. Your lives are my priority, now and always.”
Snorting, Marcille snatched the cup from his hand and took a sip. “You range from a sappy to a sad drunk, huh?”
“As opposed to straight up hostile?”
“Only to responses that warrant hostility,” she smiled, and offered his cup back. “If it's any consolation, I wouldn't wish for anybody else to lead us.”
Laios smiled back. “It is. It’s really reassuring to hear you say that.”
The half-elf averted her gaze and fiddled with her bangs. “By the way, you never told me what your succubus was.”
The question seemed to knock the wind out of Laios. His posture straightened and he drank from his cup. Then again. And again. “That’s random.”
“Just making conversation,” Marcille shrugged.
“I’m sure there are better things to talk about,” Laios chuckled nervously, and Marcille picked up on it.
“I’m sure there are,” she said, squinting her eyes at the man. “But not as interesting. What, was it someone I know?”
“What’s it matter?”
“Well, you know about mine, so it’s only fair I know about yours?”
“Who said I know about yours?”
“I’m not stupid, Laios. I know Chilchuck told you the first chance he got.”
“Actually it was Izutsumi, but who’s keeping score?” he shrugged.
Marcille gasped in disbelief. “That little scamp”
“Can you paint me a picture? I’m not sure I understood exactly what she was trying to depict. A dumb looking elf with an eyepatch on a horse-”
“Stop!” Marcille flushed bright as a beet.
“I’m not judging. Succubuses can read your subconscious. Still… you had fantasies of sexual nature with-”
Marcille whacked him repeatedly. “I do not wish to have this conversation with you!”
“You’re the one who brought this up!” he argued, trying to shield himself.
“I only asked what yours was!” she growled. “It was a monster, wasn’t it? You pervert!”
Laios froze, and Marcille accidentally smacked him across the face.
“Oh my god!” She cradled his face against her chest, wrapping him in a hug. “I’m really sorry. I thought you would block it.”
The tall-man remained still, and Marcille shut her eyes tightly in remorse.
“Please forgive me. I’ll not have a drop of alcohol ever again.”
“Marcille, I… throughout this journey, the hardships we’ve endured, and the… fun times, if you’re inclined to think so, I’ve gotten to know you better. At least I think I have. And you’ve… become someone precious to me. I really like you.” He wrapped his arms around her.
The girl’s eyes shot open in surprise.
“And I don’t want anything to change between us.”
She buried a hand on his hair and caressed his head. “You don’t have to say if you don’t want to. I was just trying to lighten the mood. And…” She squeezed him tightly. “I feel the same way.”
“Even though I’m me?”
“It’s because you’re you, dummy. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
They don’t remember for how long they remained in each other’s embraces. Marcille played with Laios’s hair and Laios rested his eyes in Marcille's arms.
“Laios?” she whispered. “Are you asleep?”
“No,” Laios mumbled. Squeezing her one last time, he detangled himself. An awkward laugh escaped his lips, his eyes roaming anywhere but at Marcille. “I don’t know why the atmosphere’s weird tonight.”
“I don’t mind it,” Marcille said.
The tall-man kept his gaze on his feet. “Are you ready to go to bed?”
Marcille shook her head. “Not yet.”
They locked eyes, and stared at each other for some moments. A realization dawned on Laios. “Oh, sorry, you wanted to be alone?”
“What?” Marcille looked confused. “No.”
“Sorry. I thought that’s why you were staring at me. I’ve been told several times I can’t take a hint, so I…”
The words made her flush. “Are you tired? I don’t want to keep you.”
“A little,” he admitted, but took a seat next to the half-elf nevertheless. “But I want to keep you company.”
As if finally mustering the courage to ask, Marcille shot her shot. “Wanna dance?”
Laios’s brows made a break for his hairline at the sudden question. “What?”
“Let’s dance.”
He studied the girl’s face. “You aren’t joking.”
“The last time I felt this giddy was when I was a child,” she said, rising on her feet. “Back then, my mind wasn’t plagued by worries. I could dance without a care in the world. I don’t want to feel scared anymore, Laios.”
The man was left speechless. However, she didn’t lose heart. Beaming, Marcille started swaying to a melody in her head, humming.
“I remember going to a festival with Papa. Mama had to attend a court hearing, so it was just us two. The town buzzed with energy, alive with the hum of voices and activity. People from different races and backgrounds filled the streets, each unique with their own story. I felt a rush of joy, swept up in the vibrant atmosphere. I pulled Papa from shop to shop, eagerly pointing out the differences between the various items and cultures, things I had read about.” Her movements became more animated, each sway brimming with excitement.
“We stumbled upon a tavern, the air thick with music and laughter, where everyone was dancing. At the time, my growth was uneven, so I looked very young, even though I was probably older than most. No one seemed eager to dance with a child like me. But Papa, ever gentle, took my hand and led me to the floor.” She smiled brightly, her expression one of pure joy. “I felt a bit awkward at first, embarrassed by my clumsy steps while everyone else seemed so free. But soon, I found myself swept up in the music, dancing without a care in the world. It was the most fun I’d ever had.” She spun on her heels, laughing.
Laios stood by, enchanted, his chest swelling with warmth and a sense of quiet happiness. Rising to his feet, he extended his hand to the dancing half-elf, who flashed him a radiant smile. Without missing a beat, she took his hand and pulled him into the rhythm of her dance. Laios did his best to keep up, matching her energy as best as he could. But in that moment, it didn’t matter how clumsy or out of sync they might have appeared. He embraced the simple joy of it—a fleeting, perfect moment shared between two who had endured so much together.
Chilchuck pressed a pillow over his ears, desperately trying to drown out the sound of the couple's dancing, muttering curses under his breath, aimed at every living being in existence.