The peaceful afternoon didn’t remain peaceful forever. One of the lookout towers suddenly sounded a single horn.
The patrol instantly stopped. The captain raised one hand.
"Three corrupted from the north ridge."
The soldiers spread out automatically. Atheline followed their eyes.
Three twisted figures stumbled between the rocks, apparently separated from one of the larger groups.
The captain reached for his bow. Atheline gently raised a hand.
"May I?"
The captain looked toward Lord Helmer. His father nodded once.
"Go ahead."
Atheline stepped forward. He didn’t even draw his weapon, a small sphere of compressed wind formed above his palm.
Lightning crackled briefly around it then he flicked his fingers. Three nearly invisible blades of wind shot across the distance.
The corrupted collapsed before taking another step. Silence returned afterwards as they all waited to see if another batch would come.
The soldiers stared at the bodies and one finally whispered, "...That was it?"
Helther laughed.
"He was holding back."
The captain walked over to inspect the bodies. The kill was clean and precise with no unnecessary destruction.
He looked back with genuine admiration.
"I understand now. The story’s circulation."
Atheline rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
"You don’t have to listen to them, they’re usually exaggerated."
"I don’t think they are."
The patrol continued shortly afterward. No one made a big deal of the encounter, exactly as the commander had said earlier. This was manageable and clearly a routine.
By the time they returned to the fortress, the sun had already begun sinking toward the western mountains.
The sea glowed orange beneath the evening light and for a brief moment, it looked almost magical.
Atheline stood upon the walls one final time, watching the horizon but still nothing.
His father joined him.
"Disappointed?"
"A little."
His father rested both hands on the stone battlements.
"Sometimes the absence of evidence is useful too."
Atheline nodded slowly. "I suppose it means whatever we’re looking for isn’t obvious."
"Exactly." His father smiled. "And that’s valuable knowledge."
The teleportation back to the family estate occurred just after sunset. Warm light greeted them as they stepped into the familiar teleportation chamber.
The estate somehow felt even more welcoming, knowing he would be leaving the following morning. His mother met them halfway down the corridor.
"There you are." She immediately began brushing snow from both sons’ cloaks. "I was starting to worry."
Helther smiled.
"We’re adults."
"I know." She continued anyway. "You’ll always be my sons. Go clean yourselves, dinner should be ready soon."
Atheline couldn’t help laughing, some things truly never changed.
Dinner that evening was quieter than the previous night’s meal, everyone understood tomorrow would mark the end of his visit.
His father listened carefully as Atheline described the fortress.
"The commander has done an excellent job."
"He always has."
"The soldiers respect him, almost worshiping him. It’s actually fascinating."
His father nodded proudly.
"They should."
His mother smiled warmly as she listened.
"I’m glad you enjoyed yourself."
"I did, it was one of my best times."
Helther turned toward him.
"Even if you didn’t find what you were searching for?"
Atheline looked thoughtfully into his teacup.
"No. I didn’t and I don’t care." A small smile slowly appeared on his face, "But I found something else."
His family looked at him curiously, he glanced around the table.
"This place, my home." He looked at each of them in turn. "I’d forgotten how much I’d missed simply spending time together."
For a moment, no one spoke. His mother’s eyes softened while his father quietly smiled. Helther reached across the table and lightly nudged his shoulder.
"You’d better visit more often."
Atheline laughed.
"I’ll try."
Outside, snow continued falling gently over the estate. Tomorrow, Lilith would arrive to take him home.
And for the first time since becoming King of the Dark Elves, he realized something that brought him unexpected comfort.
He no longer had to choose between one family and another, he had simply been fortunate enough to gain a second one.
.
.
.
Morning arrived quietly over the High Elven capital. Fresh snow blanketed the rooftops, softening the city’s usual bustle beneath a peaceful layer of white.
Inside the estate, the atmosphere was calm. Atheline had already packed the few belongings he had brought with him.
His travel bag rested neatly beside the door, while the small gifts he had received during his visit; the polished seashell from the fisherman, a carved wooden charm from one of the coastal soldiers, and a few books borrowed from the palace library, had all been carefully stored inside his storage ring.
The white fox lay curled on the edge of the bed, still asleep. Its tiny body rose and fell gently with each breath. Atheline smiled as he reached over to scratch behind its ears.
"We’re going home today."
One blue eye slowly opened and the fox yawned, then immediately climbed onto his shoulder as if it had already understood.
A soft knock interrupted the peaceful moment, his mother entered after receiving permission. She carried a tray with tea and several pastries.
"I thought you might not have eaten yet."
"I was about to head downstairs."
"I know." She smiled warmly. "But mothers are allowed to spoil their children."
He chuckled.
"I don’t think that changes even if they become kings," she continued.
"It certainly doesn’t."
She set the tray down before gently adjusting the collar of his winter coat.
"I still remember dressing you before your weapon lessons."
"What I remember from those times is me trying to escape from your clutches."
"You never succeeded even once."
"I was too small."
"You were, I can’t believe how fast you’ve grown."
She stepped back to admire him. Now, he stood as tall as his father, maybe even taller. His shoulders had broadened considerably over the past year.
The hesitant young high elf who had once hidden behind books and etiquette had disappeared and in his place stood a king.
Yet when she looked into his eyes... he was still her son.
"I’m proud of you."
The words were simple and quiet, but they carried more weight than any formal praise.
Atheline smiled softly.
"Thank you."