ᴛʜᴇ ʜɪᴅᴅᴇɴ ᴍᴀɢᴇ 一 ɢᴇʀᴀʟᴛ ᴏꜰ ʀɪᴠɪᴀ

𝕏𝕍𝕀. 𝕤𝕠𝕝𝕚𝕥𝕦𝕕𝕖 𝕟𝕠 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖

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ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ꜱɪxᴛᴇᴇɴ

ꜱᴏʟɪᴛᴜᴅᴇ ɴᴏ ᴍᴏʀᴇ

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It just made no sense, whatsoever. 

       Clearly in Eleanora's eyes, Geralt was being nothing but an arsehole. He always thought Eleanora would follow him around and obey whatever he wanted. The duo had been travelling together for months; surely he knew by now that the princess was not going to patiently sit by while he fought the striga. So here they were, arguing back and forth like children.

"You are being absolutely ridiculous, Geralt. I'm coming with you."

       "I said - " Geralt grunted while he shoved his useful belongings deeper into his pack, preparing himself for a long night. Eleanora stood with her arms crossed over her chest as she annoyingly watched the tall man arise from his kneeled position on the floor to face her. "I said no." The Princess of Kattegat swung her arms up, exaggerating how stupid this conversation was.

"I don't understand! Why can't I come with you?"

       "You don't need to understand anything. You will only get in the way." Eleanora sharply laughed with faux humor, craning her neck up towards the ceiling as she tried to remain calm.

"So, what? After all this time we have spent together, I was only in your way?"

"I didn't say that -"

       "Yes, but you meant it." She heavily sighed, her shoulders slumping down in defeat and hurt. "We've battled hundreds of creatures together. I have saved your life just as much as you have saved mine. I'm not incapable, Geralt, and you know it." Geralt's eyes softened at the young woman's statement, a sense of guilt tugging at his heart.

Was he being a bit rude and straightforward? Yes.

"Why can't I join you?"

But the witcher was too damn stubborn to admit his true intentions to the princess.

"Hmm."

"Triss?"

       "Oh, please do not involve me." The sorceress pleaded, not glancing up from her... weird substances and flasks. "I much rather watch from afar while you two sort out your differences."

       "Fine. Geralt's reasoning for being childish are not important. I do not need your permission because I'm going on my own terms, whether you like it or not." Eleanora bitterly stomped away before Geralt gripped her forearm, refusing to let her leave just yet. They fiercely gazed at one another, challenging the other to speak first.