A Wolf's Howl, A Fairy's Wing

After Naeku reminded her uncle of the consequences if Erik had not shown up when he did, Enkai had no good rebuttal. "I— Of course, you're right, little Naeku… we owe them a debt of gratitude," he sighed and admitted.

He turned to Erik with a sincere expression, "I mean that. I haven't said it yet, and I've been a little brash due to Naeku's disappearance, but on behalf of myself and my people; thank you." He slightly bowed his head to show his respect.

Yet, as if it never happened, he immediately went back to his previous rhetoric, causing Erik's eyebrows to twitch.

Enkai turned back to Naeku and shook his head, "But one thing has nothing to do with the other! They deserve a reward, but you can't just take of with them! What will I even tell your father?! And what if something happens to you?! In fact, what if this man happens to you?!"

At the end, he pointed to Erik as if suggesting he might do something to Naeku. "I will be eternally grateful for their intervention, but that says nothing about his character! In fact, he seems like a scoundrel more than anything!"n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Can't fault him on that one," an amused Elora giggled in his head. But then her mood quickly fell again. "Although I do think he's being a little presumptuous after we saved their collective asses…" she grumbled, already considering ways by which she could get back at him.

To which Erik shook his head and sighed, "He's just concerned for his niece. I do believe his gratitude is real, even if that's not why we intervened."

Meanwhile, Naeku had adorned her stern expression again. "Enough, Uncle!" she frowned domineeringly. "Our people are safe, and honour demands I repay our saviours in a way that is convenient to them, not us! I've already made my decision, and unless you intend to restrain me physically, this is what's happening!"

Enkai balled his fists and closed his eyes as he trembled with helpless frustration. For a moment, it almost seemed like he might decide to truly take her in by force. Tension rose as Erik frowned and prepared to fight. Yet, Naeku remained surprisingly calm and confident.

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In the end, her confidence was rewarded when Enkai sighed as his body relaxed. He palmed his face and groaned, "Gods, little Naeku… You really are your father's daughter. Infuriatingly honourable."

With her uncle's capitulation, Naeku began to show a soft smile on her transformed face. "Don't worry, Uncle. I wouldn't have accepted if I didn't think he could be trusted, and you know my intuition with people."

At that point, she glanced behind her at Erik with a small smirk, "Although I have to admit, he does have scoundrel energy…."

Erik did his best to look indignant, but a quick glance at his family and servants saw them all nodding in agreement, so he simply pursed his lips and remained quiet.

Meanwhile, the soldiers around them had various reactions as well, from indignant, to angry, to even pride at their princess's sense of honour. Yet, none of them dared to interfere in matters that involved people so much more powerful than them.

Enkai sighed nodded reluctantly, "Your intuition does count for something…" Yet, he wasn't ready to give up, as he had one last plea to make. "Listen Naeku, if you so insistent on going, then fine, but how about I—"

"I beg you not to finish that sentence, Uncle," Naeku interrupted him harshly. "We both know you are needed here. Not only to escort our people through the forest so that your presence will scare away any second rank beasts, but also…"

She suddenly fell silent as her face scrunched up a little with carefully hidden anxiety. "But also," she continued with a gulp, in a voice soft enough that none but Erik and Enkai could hear her, "you need to check on my father… we don't know how the other battle went, and with that bald woman showing up here, I…"

She fell silent again, yet kept herself impressively together, likely to stop the soldiers from noticing anything, but the worry and anxiety were clear in her voice.

Behind her, Erik raised a surprise eyebrow. At the same time, Elora talked to him in an equally surprised tone, "There was another battle, and her father was involved, yet she's still willing to come with us? I'm not sure what to think of that…"

Elora was always a family focused person, and even in other people she could respect a close-knit family. Meanwhile, there was this Naeku, who clearly cared deeply about both her people and her family, yet still put honour first.

Erik nodded and answered in a mildly impressed tone, "It's… admirable in a way. But there's probably also a component of pragmatism, where she realizes there's likely nothing she can do to help her father, no matter the situation. Her uncle on the other hand…"

"I suppose that might be true," Elora nodded with reluctant agreement. "But if you end up marrying this one, I expected her to put our family above her honour!"

"Noted," Erik chuckled, inwardly realizing that the chances of a marriage with this woman had just sunk to an all-time low, but he didn't mind so much. If it ever came to it, and Naeku did fall in love, the heartfire sigil would likely test her honour and commitment to her people against that love.

And to be honest, Erik didn't like his chances.

But that was an issue for another time. Right now, Enkai's face fell to match his niece's tone. "Isn't— Isn't that all the more reason to come with me, little Naeku…?" he pleaded, one last time.

But Naeku shook her head and frowned with determination. "No! No matter the situation, there is likely very little I can do. I will be back in a week, and I'll know the situation then, and if it's too late, then… then so be it. We— We already said our goodbyes to each other before we marched to battle a few days ago…"

Her voice trembled a little at the end, but she continued bravely, "Father raised me to respect honour, tradition, and our people. If it's already too late, then… I won't dishonour his memory by betraying his teachings now!"

Enkai shook his head exasperatedly, "He also loves you more than anything, little Naeku…"

Before continuing, he turned his face towards Erik with an unasked question, but unfortunately, Erik could only shake his head. "I understand the predicament, and I won't insist that Naeku comes with me, but if she intends to help me in return for saving her people, then it's this or nothing, and it's now or never. I can't delay."

Erik felt for Naeku, particularly because he lost his own father, but this concerned his mother, and if she wanted to fulfil her promise, he wasn't going to stand in the way.

Enkai snarled a little in frustration, but still turned back to Naeku, who looked back at him with a deeply determined expression. In the end, he could only relent with another sigh. "I understand, little Naeku… your father would be proud."

"Thank you, Uncle," the werepanther smiled softly.

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