I reincarnated as an elf .......and married the yandere villainess.-Chapter 26:He doesn’t know.

Atheline rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly as he tried to come up with a feasible explanation for his impulsiveness.

’I know this is stupid but...haa’

"I thought you’d have already left," he said.

She smiled and crossed both her hands on her chest.

"I was planning on leaving after my morning training...did you miss me that much?"

Atheline rubbed the bridge of his nose in resignation.

"No, I wanted to give you a gift back ....and no that stupid carving wasn’t a gift."

She chuckled.

"Aren’t you a gentleman?"

"I suppose.... I can’t accept something so precious without giving you something back," he admitted.

That had been a teaching from both his parents: if he was given something, even if it was a crappy gift, he should give something back to the giver.

That was why he loved cooking for his family since he couldn’t give them gifts all the time. Food was the best way to show his appreciation.

What she had given him was too good a gift for him to just sleep on it.

"Then what do you want to give me?" She asked amused.

A golden jewellery box appeared in his hand. He fumbled with it for a second before he opened it and pulled out a thin brown bracelet with black intricate markings.

Anyone near it would feel the Aether pouring out of the bracelet.

"I thought it would suit you."

He stepped forward and looked at her hand then back to her silently asking for permission.

"May I?"

She nodded.

The bracelet expanded and then contracted to fit her hand the moment he put it on.

Gasps filled the training ground but Athelines was too preoccupied to notice the weird and shocked looks he was getting. He also missed the chilling glare she shot at the warriors behind her.

Atheline stepped back after placing the bracelet but Lilly didn’t drop her hand. She lifted it in the air her gaze fixated on the slightly shimmering bracelet the only jewellery in her hand.

She slowly turned to look at him.

"You should be careful, making promises you don’t understand," she said seriously.

Atheline looked at her in confusion. He had expected maybe a thank you but not her turning serious.

"Do you not like it?" He asked.

She chuckled softly the light catching her hair.

"No, I love it Atheline.. It’s beautiful.... It’s absolutely beautiful. "

Atheline chuckled mirroring her.

"I’m glad you like it, it’s made from the topmost branch of the world tree. Since you’re obviously strong this was the only thing I could get you, it will help increase your comprehension and there is some extra raw Aether in there."

She unconsciously rubbed the bracelet.

"Thank you for making my day," she said.

"My pleasure."

There was a small silence as they both looked at each other.

"Young lord!"

Atheline turned to see the familiar soldier who had given his family crest walking towards him. He had planned to ask Lily about him but it seems he had brought himself over.

The man stumbled the moment their eyes met before he righted himself and continued towards him.

’Why is he so stiff?’

The man stopped a small distance away and bowed. Atheline didn’t think much of it since he was used to such gestures.

"Thank you for bringing it back and as you can see, I found the commander," he turned to Lily, who was standing beside him to explain," he was one of the soldiers who came to look for you on my behalf, it seems we went in totally different directions."

Lily nodded thoughtfully.

"You’re right, I always train alone," she paused, " he must have gone to my personal training ground."

Atheline smirked down at her.

"I see, I was lucky to find you then."

She nodded.

"Yes...yes you were," she said in a lowered voice.

"I should be leaving since I still have a lot to do... You said you’ll be coming back two days before the engagement right?" He asked her.

She nodded.

"I should be finished with most of my preparation," she said then linked her hand around his," if you miss me that much, I can come earlier if you want."

Atheline shook his head.

"It’s okay, I was only inquiring to make sure," he said.

’What if she gets punished by the villainess for not completing her assignments? I can’t imagine myself working with someone that psychotic....thank goodness the prince is a bit lazy but normal nonetheless.’

The reputation of the dark elf queen, Tyranny, and her killings were used to scare children in almost every continent. She was the epitome of the she-devil.

’I wonder what she looks like? There is not even one drawing of her and father doesn’t want to talk about her at all’

"I’ll be leaving," Atheline said and stepped away from her.

She reluctantly let go of his hand and nodded.

"Don’t forget me okay?" She said quietly but Atheline caught it.

"I won’t."

He walked towards the guard who gave him his crest and escorted him outside the training camp where a carriage was waiting.

"Young lord?" He called out to Atheline before he could enter.

"Yes. "

Atheline stopped and turned to him.

"Do you know who..."

"Cerian!" His companion shouted his name.

The guard, Cerian, turned to look at his caller.

"Come on, it’s time to change our shift."

"But.."

"No. Come here!" He said in urgency.

Atheline glanced between the two in confusion.

"It’s okay, you can go."

Cerian looked at him and Atheline could swear he saw pity flash through his eyes.

"I wish you luck my lord," he said quietly and ran towards his companion who slapped him on his back.

Atheline shook his head and got into the carriage his mind playing the cut-off words. The good luck sounded more ominous than a blessing.

’Shit...when did I start getting this paranoid. I must be worried about his majesty’s summons’