692 He noticed my presence
Alec shot Kyle a bewildered look. He coughed and stood tall as well. If Kyle is not doing it, he shouldn't bow either. They are not from the elven planet, so they do not really need to bow to the Queen.
Kyle surveyed the study, noting the numerous bookshelves that lined the walls. However, his gaze lingered on the round table behind the elven Queen, heaped with papers, for a moment longer.
He then strolled over to the many seats positioned in the corner of the study and settled in comfortably. Alec and both the elven Queen gazed at him for a moment before they both joined him and settled down on the seats around him.
Kyle's eyes flitted about quietly. He wasn't typically intrigued by many things, but he had to admit, the many books on arrays around him piqued his curiosity. Although somewhat tempted to check the books, yet as a guest, he restrained himself. Glancing at the Queen, he inquired.
"So, what do you want to talk about?"
The elven Queen caught his subtle gaze as he scoped out the study but chose not to address it and got straight to the point.
"Let's not waste time in trivial talks. I permitted your friends to stay on this planet. Now you are here too. But with all the enemies you've made so far, wouldn't it be better for my people's safety if you leave this planet promptly with your friends?"
Alec noticed the atmosphere around him shift. However, he observed that the elven Queen still had that same smile she had displayed when they first saw her.
'She's quite blunt, I must say.'
He then looked at Kyle, noticing that the man seated beside him wasn't bothered at all. Kyle nodded at the elven Queen, and a smile appeared on his face.
"I understand your perspective, and you're correct. I shouldn't endanger others due to my presence, but don't you think your race should repay me for what I did for them?"
Alec was perplexed by his words, but he noticed how, for a brief moment, the elven Queen's smile faltered before she regained her composure and fixed her gaze on Kyle.
"Are you talking about the Tree of Fate? I recognize your help in cleansing the dark energy that endangered the tree, but you took the fruit of fate in return. I believe that's ample repayment for your help."
Alec's eyes widened a bit. So, that's how Kyle snagged the fruit of fate! Ever since he set foot on the elven planet, he had been wondering how Kyle took the fruit right under the noses of so many elves!
'Anyhow, why do I feel like I'm being left out of the conversation?'
Kyle shook his head.
"Do you honestly believe that such a tiny fruit could repay the favor I did by purifying the dark energy from the Tree of Fate? It was something your whole race, together, couldn't accomplish."
The Queen was left speechless by his words. They were discussing the fruit of fate, not just any ordinary treasure! But it appeared, to Kyle, the fruit of fate held no greater significance than a mere trinket.
She furrowed her brows.
'Don't tell me Kyle is not aware of the purpose of the fruit of fate? I know he has consumed it, since the branch of the Tree of Fate that bore the fruit had grown leaves. I need to enlighten him about the power that tiny fruit he consumed holds.'
However, before she could explain the immense power of the fruit of fate to Kyle, especially the fact that it can reshape a person's fate, he began to speak again.
"I know you're expecting something in return for letting us stay on your planet. So, just go ahead and tell me what you want. Do you want me to owe you a favor? Or something else?"
Kyle scanned his mind space. He possessed a lot of treasures right now. He was certain his wealth exceeded that of the woman sitting in front of him. Therefore, he was confident he could offer her adequate compensation to let him and the others stay on her planet. But the Queen just sighed at his words.
"Young man, that's not my intention. I merely want to protect my people. Having conversed with Ronan, I have an idea of your personality. Hence, I harbor no wish to impose upon you. My sole request is for you to leave my territory. That is all."
Kyle gazed at the woman before him. He didn't detect any threat in her words, but he felt the gravity behind each of her words.
'Does she truly not want anything?'
He was somewhat taken aback. She displayed wisdom in her approach. He was certain that if it were someone else, they might have demanded a favor in return for their help or something similar.
Alec glanced at Kyle and finally intervened when he noticed how Kyle and the Queen were silently locked in a gaze.
"We will leave. Our initial plan wasn't to remain on this planet for long. The elders in our group have decided to go find James because they said he is their master."
Kyle's eyes moved to Alec. Why didn't he know about this? As he continued to listen to the man, his gaze grew more intense.
"Asher will leave tomorrow. He mentioned he would search for the people he knows to see if they are still alive. Jian informed me he intends to go back to our planet to meet his friend. Regius and Iva will go with him. The rest of us are getting ready to join the war."
23:00
Alec finished his words but swiftly averted his gaze when he caught Kyle's piercing stare fixed on his head. The Queen let out a silent sigh of relief.
"Trust me, if you all were just regular people, I would have never asked you to leave. But sadly, the circumstances didn't allow me to let you stay on my land."
Alec nodded in understanding. With Kyle's list of enemies growing, if he found himself in her position, he would done the same!
Kyle's eyebrow twitched as the Queen and Alec began conversing. She cleared her throat and gave Alec a smile.
"Wesley and Ronan are also getting ready to head back and join the war now that they have completed the task I gave them. If you are interested, you and your friends can join the two supreme ranks."
Alec didn't immediately agree and said he would discuss with the others first. He then inquired about the war, and the Queen was more than willing to address his queries.
The two were talking when Kyle clicked his tongue, rose from his seat, and made his way to the bookshelve behind him. The elven Queen didn't stop him, so he didn't think twice and grabbed a book about arrays that was closest to him.
Kyle flipped through the book pages. A single glance at each page was sufficient for him to grasp everything. He knew the Queen wasn't watching him, but he could sense the presence lurking in her shadow, keeping an eye on his every move.
He put the book back after a few seconds, then swiftly picked up another and began flipping through its pages. He noticed how both Alec and the Queen became quiet. In the end, the only sound in the study was him consistently flipping the pages.
Alec cracked a polite smile at the Queen, clearly puzzled by Kyle's behavior before glancing at the man behind him. He spoke directly in Kyle's mind.
'What are you doing? If you want to read them, just pick some. Why are you flipping through the pages? It's not like you would understand anything this way.'
Kyle paused in his actions. He believed the books here would be beneficial, but after examining just a few, he realized they were somewhat pointless. His understanding had surpassed the content within them.
'Got it...'
He turned back but didn't return to his seat. Instead, he gazed at the table in the middle of the study. He noticed many papers piled on the table, but before he could approach it, the elven Queen gestured with her hands and created a barrier that blocked his path. Her smile had disappeared completely as she locked eyes with him.
"You and Alec should go. I have finished what I needed to discuss with you. It was indeed a pleasure meeting you both."
Alec sensed the sudden awkwardness in the air and realized there was no chance the Queen would entertain any more of his questions. What a shame; he was eager to learn more about the war. He stood up and was on the verge of instinctively bowing again but halted just in time.
"It was delightful conversing with your highness as well."
The Queen nodded at him, but her eyes widened upon hearing Kyle's next words.
"It was also a pleasure for me, Your highness, Ariana Silverleaf. But I would like to chat a bit longer."
He returned to his seat, disregarding the shock in the elven Queen's eyes. He knew she was curious about how he knew her full name, but he couldn't confess that he had read some of the papers on the table the moment he stepped into the study.
"Actually, I'm planning to get married. But since everyone I know is gonna go their separate ways soon because of you, I'd like to have a wedding under the Tree of Fate before they leave. I believe it won't take much time. A day would be enough."
Alec almost choked on his breath when Kyle's words shattered the serious mood. The Queen's lips twitched as she looked at Kyle, who waited for her answer with a serious look. She closed her eyes for a moment and then let out a sigh.
"You are truly... unexpected. There are places on my planet that host weddings for the elves, but instead of going there, you want to have one under the Tree of Fate?"
She rose from her seat. The fact that Kyle knew her name might be a coincidence. He could have picked it up from someone else. It's not as if her name was a secret. So, she didn't dwell on it much.
"Very well, I will instruct some of my people to make arrangements."
She paused for a brief moment.
"And... I reckon with this, my poeple no longer owe you anything."
Kyle looked at her shadow and stood up with a contented expression.
"The elven race isn't as bad as I thought. However, I hate owning others. So, I will remember every word we talked today."
He motioned to Alec and began striding towards the study exit.
"Time to leave"
Alec nodded at the Queen one final time and swiftly trailed behind him. After they both exited the room, the woman hiding in the Queen's shadow emerged behind her with a solemn expression.
"He noticed my presence."
Ariana, the elven Queen, simply sighed.
"Well, that's not surprising. He took down one of the shadow generals. How could you expect he won't detect you?"
The woman behind Ariana pondered for a moment before she approached the books Kyle had checked a while ago.
"He skimmed through the pages so effortlessly... At first, I thought he grasped nothing, but then I noticed the intensity and peculiar gleam in his eyes. I can't believe that his comprehension abilities surpass even mine. He undoubtedly comprehends every page he saw with just a glance."
Ariana rubbed her forehead.
"What a unique individual... He possesses both strength and intelligence. It's truly a shame he's not from our race."
But then suddenly, she chuckled.
"Regardless, I never thought he would get married on the elven planet and I would be the one preparing for his wedding."