The Ring of Luck (Book 2)

Chapter V - Permission and Friendship

While at the banquet, Constance really wanted to reach the subject of going out with Eden and Donovan, but didn't know how to bring it up smoothly.

"Hey, Constance, you okay?" asked Donovan, looking over at her.

Constance looked up from her plate and nodded softly. "Yeah, don't worry."

The dinner was quite anti-climactic. Nothing that interesting and intriguing really happened. Everyone was just talking to each other while gladly eating their food. Meanwhile, Constance, didn't really feel like eating much compared to Eden and Donovan, who talked to each other and ate pretty normally.

The emperor, meanwhile, noticed Constance's abnormal behavior, and ended his conversation with the Princess and went straight at Constance.

"What's wrong, Commander? Is there something going on in your head?" he asked, rather calmly.

Constance's eyes widened with intrigue. She thought that maybe she didn't have to thoroughly plan out the conversation after all, this single question was the perfect pathway into a pretty successful one!

She straightened up with small amounts of confidence and, strangely enough, a tiny smirk, which was a weird thing to see in Eden and Donovan's perspectives, because they're aware that Constance is rarely ever a confident person.

This behavior of hers piqued the emperor's interest in her upcoming response.

"Your Majesty, is it okay if Eden, Donovan, and I travel to Alouthia for a while?"

The emperor was confused. It was a much different statement than he had expected.

"Oh? What for?" he asked with some curiosity.

"We're planning to go element hunting again." replied Constance. "I hope it's fine if we take leave for, uh, let's say... a month or two?"

The emperor chuckled.

"Of course you can. Anything for you to reach incredible feats. However, if you're in need of some assistance, feel free to contact me so I can send some military soldiers over to where you'll be."

Constance nodded and silently sighed in relief. "Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty." she replied as she respectfully bowed.

He nodded back in a more casual way.

She proceeded to take a couple more bites of her food, suddenly feeling like the food she's tasting has increased its flavor and appetite. Donovan looked at her in awe, whilst Eden reacted as if she was feeling the exact same relief as Constance did.

At the same time, Constance finally remembered something.

"Oh yeah, why is it that you guys are still intimidated of the emperor?" she outright asked them, which startled the both of them slightly.

"Well," said Eden in a whisper, "it's just... as someone who grew up as a commoner, people with this much power intimidate me. So I sort of have to get used to it and be comfortable around him, which I'm still trying to do."

Donovan just nodded and continued eating.

"Oh..." said Constance in understanding. "That's okay. It took me a while to be comfortable around him. Just don't tick him off and you'll be fine."

~~~

The moment dinner ended, everyone immediately went to bed. However, Constance and the others decided to go and pack up their things since they're going to be away from the palace for quite some time. Not only that, they have to take care of their horses as well, since the journey from Ironoak to Alouthia took quite a long time.

And the greatest challenge they'll have to face is the desert, which is the only way to directly travel from Ironoak to Alouthia. The Alouthian desert outskirts were known to be massive and unbearingly hot, with bits of oases lightly scattered along the place, and the only forms of life there being small cacti that quickly die because of the lack of water and super high temperature. It was something that Constance and the others feared of doing.

So because of that, Constance was having an inner panic. She still maintains her composure, but is actually really worried about the journey.

Even the emperor and his daughter noticed her on-edge behavior, which was then passed on to Eden and Donovan ever since Constance told them about the immense heat and humidity of the desert. They even doubted that their horses would survive in that climate, so they decided that they'll go on foot instead, which was going to be a much longer journey.

At the night before their scheduled departure, Constance and the others were packing their things and bringing as much water and food as they could to sustain themselves.

"I hope this is enough..." Constance sighed, hoping that somehow they'll survive through that desert.

"The moment we reach there, we'll find a place to stay in and get some nice Alouthian food, 'cause I've heard that they use unique and wonderful spices..." said Eden dreamily.

Constance nodded. "Ironoak food is incredibly bland. I'm curious as to how the food tastes in that region, too. Must be really good, considering that dreamy look on your face. You look like you're about to start drooling, too."

Eden jumped and quickly wiped her mouth in embarrassment. "Hehe, sorry."

Constance shook her head and continued checking her things. The food, clothes, water, and other important things were all neatly packed into a big leather backpack.

"Oh, and by the way," called Eden, "should we invite Fraeya over with us? I feel like if she won't join us tomorrow then she'll feel pretty lonely."

Constance's eyes widened in realization. "Oh, right! Yeah, let's bring her along. I feel like she'd be of great help. Elven magic, after all, is pretty handy. Dunno much about it, though."

"We'll pick her up right before we travel southeast into the desert." she continued.

"Alright!" said Eden, determined. "I think the map is with Donovan if I'm not mistaken. I hope he isn't having too rough of a time preparing all this. He seemed pretty shaken ever since you told him about that 'dangerous humidity' or whatever you said at the time."

"You know you reacted pretty similarly to him, right?" Constance teased and giggled.

"Well..." Eden stammered. "I was pretty frightened at first, but you kept saying these things without fear, and so I couldn't help but feel the same way."

Constance's look softened and she gave a kind, soft smile back. "I'm glad I removed that fear from you."

Eden smiled back. "After all, this is your journey, Con. Don and I only decided to follow you because we didn't want you to get hurt. We'll be there to assist you if you need anything. Whatever you decide to do, we'll do too. As long as it doesn't hurt you, of course..."

Constance couldn't help but hug her tightly. Eden was kind of struggling to breathe under her incredibly tight squeeze.

"Seriously, I couldn't thank you guys enough. If I didn't do this without you looking after me, then I wouldn't have felt the true thrill of it all, and I'd probably be back to selling fruits again by now. My god... thank you..."

Eden hugged her back and made a soft, friendly chuckle.

"Look, it's getting late and we need to sleep. Good night, okay? Our second adventure begins tomorrow." said Eden.

Constance let go and nodded. "Yeah. Good night."

Eden relaxed. "Good night, Commander."