It didn’t take long for Atheline to arrive at the Court. He had managed to escape everyone’s clutches after living the Spitting harrows.

His brother and Zelpher, who to his surprise got along well, had tried to inquire about the forest phenomenon, but he had bypassed them all.

At that moment his only thought was seeing his wife and resting. Spending three days in a forest was never something to be proud of.

It was the most uncomfortable moment of his life.

The court at the moment, was louder than ever.

Participants from the hunt had started to trickle in. Some had wide smiles on their faces, others carried their injured companions while others mourned their losses.

Merchants sounded in their crowded stalls, taking advantage of the returning crowd of both spectators and participants.

Atheline swore he heard a few Merchants use his name in their sales but he was too focused to care. None of that held his attention for long.

He walked through the capital calmly, dark robes carrying the faint smell of smoke and frost from the earlier battle.

He had been forced to cover half his face to prevent himself from being recognised and swamped by the spectators.

He removed it the moment he got to the palace gates.

A few guards at the gates straightened immediately upon recognising him and opened the gates with their heads lowered.

"Congratulations, your highness."

He nodded once and continued walking.

The palace grounds were quieter. The noise from the Court faded the deeper he walked in.

His gaze shifted briefly to the sky. The huge screen displayed contestants still leaving the forest and the final rankings.

His name was at the top of the rankings. His eyes widened slightly when he noticed the difference between him and Yander but then, it came to him at that moment.

He had been the one to kill the forest lord and that meant his kill point boost would be big. His lips curved into a satisfied smile.

With the results, his name would eventually become a household name in the dark elven kingdom just as he had anticipated, and the world beyond.

He had drained almost half of his money to feed everyone but it was worth it now. He will get it all back in a month or two anyway.

He stepped into the palace unobstructed. Servants hurried past him carrying ornaments and decorations. The dark gloomy palace was slowly being transformed before him.

Different decorations had already been hung. Banners, glowing flowers, and golden drapes hung on the pillars.

The award ceremony would be held tomorrow which meant nobles would gather and the palace would become unbearable.

He could already imagine how much socialising he would have to do.

Atheline sighed quietly. A maid passing by froze before bowing hurriedly.

"Welcome back your highness. Congratulations on winning the hunting competition. "

"Thank you. You all seem to be busy," he casually said.

"Her majesty’s personality ordered preparations for tomorrow’s ceremony. "

His lips curved slightly. ’Of course she did’

"Thank you."

The maid bowed again and scampered away.

He continued deeper into the palace until finally reaching their sleeping quarters.

The guards outside the large doors stepped aside instantly.

"Is her majesty inside?" He asked.

He wanted to clean himself up before seeing her.

The guards nodded.

"Yes your highness, she’s inside."

Atheline pushed open the doors quietly.

The warmth of the room surrounded him instantly. Soft golden rays penetrated through the large windows from the settling sun.

Lilith sat on the couch at her usual place by the window, reading a few documents while several were spread across the low table next to her.

She didn’t look up immediately.

"I’m back," Atheline quietly said.

"Welcome back."

"Did you miss me?"

Her lips curved into a smile but she still didn’t look up at him.

"Of course I did."

Atheline chuckled.

"Then why won’t you look at your own husband?"

"You seem to have shaken the forest a bit too much," she replied, getting to the point.

That made him pause slightly. Right. The fight had caused a lot of visible damage to the forest.

Lilith’s gaze finally lifted. She really wanted to jump and run to him but held herself back.

Her gaze moved silently across the burn marks on his coat, the torn sleeves near his shoulder then briefly towards the broken dagger Atheline had picked after his talk with the two.

"You fought someone troublesome."

"A little."

"A little?" She replied flatly," Your coat is burnt and you have a burn mark on your fingers. How is that little?"

Atheline walked closer before dropping onto the couch beside her with a tired sigh.

For several seconds, none of them spoke. They just stared at each other, in a comfortable silence.

Lilith returned to reading her documents while he leaned back against the couch, eyes half closed as her presence and the warmth in the room replaced the lingering tension from the battlefield.

Eventually, her hand reached out without warning and stopped near her waist. She picked up the broken dagger remains carefully.

"... You actually broke this one."

"I know."

"You liked that dagger."

"Yes."

Lilith turned the remains of the blade carefully under the light before setting it down on the table.

"I’ll have someone repair it."

"It’s fine."

"You always say that."

Atheline met her eyes.

"I’ve been thinking of also getting myself used to a sword."

Her brows raised. " Do you want me to help you find one suitable for you?"

Atheline nodded.

"I will."

"Good."

Atheline closed his eyes briefly. He could still smell smoke in his clothes and the heat of Igrad’s flames lingering faintly in his arm.

Lilith noticed his occasional silence.

"You must be tired."

"A little," he responded honestly.

"I’ll help you bathe."

He opened one eye towards her.

"You serious?"

Lilith stared at him for two seconds before lightly kicking his leg with her heel.

"You don’t want to."

His eyes flew open and he sat up straighter.

"I would never refuse."

"Haa..haa. I’ll go prepare the bath."