He told himself he stayed to repay the Ice Elves for saving him but his heart knew better.
He stayed because she was there.
There, he slowly got stronger.
Having a goal and someone to chase really felt wonderful.
And there, he tried everything to win her attention.
He dressed well, spoke politely, trained harder, even tried and failed to write poems after learning that Ice Elves have literally zero interest in artistic culture.
What a waste of his good potential?
However there were still many things to try.
He stood tall when she passed, hoping she would glance back. Smiled when she helped others, hoping she'd help him again.
Every time she rode into battle, her blade glinting with frost, Kael's heart stirred. And every time she looked back to check on her soldiers, even if her eyes never met his, he hoped.
