"Because I love you, Elduin. But I know that you are the Elven King, while I'm an Elven Priest. We cannot be together. We are destined to be a fated partner to maintain the Sacred Tree."

[Pupa: Ding! Breakmeter increases to 20%.]

Yunyu was surprised when he got the notification from Pupa. He was currently with Elduin, who was silenced when he confessed his real feeling to the Elven King. That they were meant to be partners for life, but not as a lover.

[Pupa: I cannot sense Urduk at all, so I don't know whether he peeked from somewhere or not.]

[I mean, at this point, I expect nothing from you, Pupa.]

[Pupa: Good, less time to explain.]

[Damn it! You are supposed to feel guilty when I said that!]

King Elduin stared at his Big Ero's beautiful face. He should be glad that his Big Ero confessed to him that his feeling was reciprocated. But he felt nothing but anger after Big Ero's confession.

Because he knew that was a lie.

'Big Ero, if you really love me, then you should not let that guy come between us. You let that filthy beast touch your pure body, and you did it behind my back. I know that you do not really love me, but why do you need to say the word 'love' when we both know you never loved me?'

'Is this just to make me feel better? Because you know that I'm just a green boy compared to your favourite beastman?'

Elduin's gaze darkened. He could feel his heart throbbing as in trying to accept that Big Ero was really cheating on him... He meant nothing for Big Ero.

'That shadow is right. To get you, I have to catch you red-handed with that filthy beastman and then kill him with my own hand. Screw purity and those bullshits, as long as I can get your heart and your body, then everything would be alright.'

Elduin's dark thought was getting more dangerous, especially when he imagined how good would it feel to have Big Ero's heart.

However, for now, Elduin knew he couldn't show his dark thought in front of Big Ero. Big Ero must've thought of him as a clueless little brother that he could fool with sweet words.

Thus, Elduin changed his facial expression, and he looked said, "Is that the truth? That you actually loved me, Big Ero?"

Priest Erolith nodded earnestly, "Indeed. I've loved you since we were just kids, Elduin. But we cannot be together as a lover. You are the Elven King, and you should be a good example for the elves. You should marry an elven girl, so the Elven Kingdom would have Crown princes and princesses. This is for the good of our race, Elduin."

'Heh, you say that because you want to run away from me,' Elduin thought.

"But Big Ero… I've loved you since we were kids. How could you push me away like this? Do you think I can marry a random elven noblewoman, and love will suddenly pop between us? Do you think of me as a mindless beast that would consummate because of animalistic desire?" Elduin said. He hugged his Big Ero tight and said, "Why do you hurt me like this, Big Ero…"

"N—No, don't say it like that…" Priest Erolith saw the fragile Elduin. He didn't want Elduin to be sad, but it was true. They couldn't be together. Because Elduin was better to live the Elven King's regal life rather than sticking around with an Elven Priest like him.

Priest Erolith knew that Urduk would not let him free after what they did together. He didn't care if he would die in the hand of that corrupted beast. But he didn't want Elduin to get involved with this mess.

They needed to get the essence of the earth and then give it to the Sacred Tree, as simple as that.

After that happened, whether Sacred Tree would save him from Urduk clutch or not, it was up to his fate.

"Elduin, I don't know whether I will be alive or not after this mission. You still have a long age to live, we shouldn't be entangled like this forever, and you should forget me," Erolith said. He was saddened that he needed to say this, but it was the truth.

Elduin sneered in his heart, 'You said that because you want to disappear with that filthy beastman after this mission, right? You will abandon the Sacred Tree, the Elven Kingdom. You will abandon me…'

Erolith sensed something wrong with Elduin, but he couldn't fathom what happened. Because Elduin kept his sad expression. He tightened his embrace and replied, "I really, really love you, Big Ero. We are going to be together forever! Why don't you understand…"

"This…"

Elduin's persistence slowly melted the previously strong Erolith. His heart couldn't lie, that Elduin was his childhood sweetheart, and the feeling only grew stronger every day, "I—I will reconsider it. But Elduin, if something happens to me in the future, promise that you will stay strong and continue to rule the Elven Kingdom."

"I promise!" Elduin said enthusiastically, but in his heart, he added, 'I promise to rule the Elven Kingdom with you. I will gut anyone who dares to oppose our love, Big Ero…'

[Pupa: Ding! Elduin's Fatemeter increases to 65%.]

***

King Elduin and Priest Erolith returned back to the lake in a better mood. They saw Maroch sitting silently while wiping his harmonica. He glanced at Elduin and Erolith, then he bowed politely, "Your Majesty, Your Divinity, it is already late at night. I suggest you sleep, or should I play a song with my harmonica for you to sleep well?"

Priest Erolith knew well the power of that harmonica. He became alerted immediately and said, "No need, Maroch, I know that you are also tired. You should rest well."

Maroch smiled sheepishly, "Thank you, Your Divinity. I also thank you for caring so much for me. I'm not so tired after you give me that high-grade potion to replenish my energy. I've prepared a special song for Your Divinity."

"I didn't—"

"Priest Erolith gave you the high-grade potion?" Elduin smirked, and he sat in front of Maroch. He glared at the beastman and said, "Well, now I'm curious about this special song you have for my Big Ero. Play it."

Maroch was a bit unsure because King Elduin looked hostile at him. Priest Erolith grabbed Elduin's hand and said, "Elduin, you should sleep now. You should rest early because we will be reaching our destination tomorrow, I believe."

Elduin noticed the worry in Big Ero's eyes. He sneered, "Why? I just want to listen to a song. This beastman said that he wants to show us a good song. Why are you so anxious about it."

"Or is it because the song is for you?" Elduin leered at his Big Ero, 'Is this the love song between you two? And you don't want me to listen, Big Ero, you are a big liar.'

Maroch glanced at anxious Erolith. He was satisfied with the amount of distrust the Elven King had for the Elven Priest. It was so beautiful and satisfying to see something heartbreaking like this.

'Of course, I can always control everything, including your loved one, Erolith.'