CHAPTER 426: CH 426: A SECOND CHANCE - PART 7

The gentle rustling of the leaves greeted Silvy as she and Kyle approached the outskirts of the elf forest.

Sunlight streamed through the canopy, illuminating the dew-slicked ground in golden hues. The soft, pulsing hum of life magic permeated the air—a sound and feeling Silvy had missed deeply.

As they stepped into the glade, Silvy turned to Kyle.

"Before we return, would it be alright if we stopped by the settlement?"

Kyle glanced sideways.

"Is there something you need?"

"I want to check on the juvenile elf tree. To make sure it’s growing properly... and that my absence didn’t affect it."

Silvy said.

Kyle gave a small nod.

"Alright. Let’s go."

The walk into the heart of the forest was quiet. The village, once full of movement and laughter, now stood mostly abandoned—its residents having joined the larger war effort under Kyle’s leadership. Empty homes, left respectfully intact, stood in silence, cradled by roots and vines.

Yet even with no people in sight, the forest felt far from dead.

"They’re not gone. Only scattered for now."

Kyle said, sensing her concern.

At the center of the village stood the old elf chief, his wrinkled form hunched over his wooden cane. He raised his eyes as they approached, smiling.

"The trees whispered to me. They said you were coming."

He said in greeting.

Silvy bowed slightly.

"It’s good to see you again, Elder."

Kyle nodded as well.

"I’ll rest nearby. Take your time."

Silvy watched as Kyle took a seat beneath the shadow of a large oak tree, then followed the elder deeper into the grove, where the juvenile elf tree now stood in majestic silence.

As they walked, the elder cast a side glance at Silvy.

"So... did you manage to get Lord Kyle’s attention?"

Silvy stumbled mid-step, her face coloring instantly.

"W-What? Elder, it’s not like that."

The elder chuckled, a knowing light in his aged eyes.

"No need to be shy, child. I may be old, but I’m not blind."

Silvy’s lips opened and closed uselessly, her throat dry. Emotions welled up, overwhelming her for a moment. It wasn’t just embarrassment. It was vulnerability, fear, hope... all tangled together.

"I... I don’t know what to say."

She finally whispered.

The elder placed a kind hand on her shoulder.

"You don’t have to say anything. Just feel. And trust. Things will be fine."

They turned the final corner and stopped before the tree.

The sight stole Silvy’s breath.

The juvenile elf tree had grown immensely. Its leaves shimmered with new light, and its branches had stretched higher, as if reaching for the sky itself. Its roots pulsed faintly with a stable, comforting rhythm—alive, strong, healthy.

Tears welled in her eyes.

"It... it didn’t wither. Even when I was gone..."

The elder smiled.

"The elves are more resilient than you think, Silvy. We are no longer the dying race we once were. We are healing. The tree is proof of that."

Silvy placed a gentle hand on the trunk, feeling its pulse beneath her palm.

"I was so afraid... that I let everyone down."

"You helped save the world. That is more than enough."

The elder said simply.

They lingered for a while before making their way back. As the village clearing came into view again, the chief glanced at her with a sly smile.

"So, when is the wedding?"

He said in a low voice,

Silvy stumbled again, redder than ever.

"T-There’s no wedding! Kyle hasn’t accepted my feelings yet!"

The chief raised a thin eyebrow.

"Oh? That’s unfortunate."

"It’s not that he rejected me, just... he said it’s complicated."

She added hurriedly,

The elder gave her a sympathetic look.

"Then keep trying, child. He’s worth the effort, isn’t he?"

Silvy nodded with a small, brave smile.

"Yes. He is."

______

The gentle rustling of leaves greeted Silvy as she stepped into the clearing. The morning light dappled through the canopy, casting golden patterns on the ground.

Laughter echoed from near the elder’s hut, and as Silvy turned the corner, her eyes softened at the scene before her.

Kyle stood calmly in the center of a circle of young elf children, his arms held out like tree branches.

Two kids hung from each arm, their tiny hands gripping him with all their strength, while another had climbed up onto his shoulders, trying valiantly to pull him down.

But no matter how hard they tried, Kyle remained unmoved—his posture straight, his expression almost indifferent save for the faintest amused glint in his eyes.

"Come on! He’s like a rock!"

One of the kids cried.

"No! He’s cheating! He’s not even trying to fall!"

Shouted another, tugging harder at his sleeve.

"He’s not even sweating!"

A third one huffed.

Kyle tilted his head, giving a theatrical sigh.

"You five think you can conquer me? You’ll need an army for that."

The kids erupted in playful groans but clung even tighter.

Silvy covered her mouth to suppress a laugh, warmth blooming in her chest. Seeing Kyle like this—so unguarded, so at ease—made her heart flutter in a way that left her breathless.

He caught her gaze a moment later and raised a brow.

"Back already?"

Kyle asked as he effortlessly lifted one of the children into the air and set them down gently. "Is it time to leave?"

Silvy nodded with a small smile.

"Yes. We should be heading back now."

A unified wail of protest erupted from the children.

"Nooo!"

"Just a little longer!"

"Please don’t go!"

Kyle didn’t say anything, merely waited patiently as the children groaned in exaggerated despair and reluctantly let go of him. One by one, they dropped from his arms, pouting and grumbling.

"I told you. You should’ve used ropes if you wanted to keep me here."

Kyle said, brushing off invisible dust from his sleeves.

"We’ll do that next time!"

One shouted defiantly, prompting giggles from the rest.

The elf chief approached from behind, his old eyes filled with warmth as he looked between the two.

"You’re always welcome here, Lord Kyle. You too, Silvy. These children don’t smile so easily anymore. But today, they remembered how."

Kyle gave a small nod of respect.

"We’ll visit again."

"Promise?"

A small elf girl asked, tugging at Kyle’s cloak.

Kyle crouched to her level.

"I promise."

Satisfied, she grinned and scampered back to the group.

Silvy stepped beside Kyle, watching the children one last time.

"They really like you."

"I’m surprisingly good with kids."

He said dryly.

The chief chuckled.

"You don’t just protect them. You inspire them."

Kyle looked away at that, but Silvy caught the faint twitch in his expression. It wasn’t quite embarrassment—but it was close.

As they walked toward the edge of the forest, the children waved wildly behind them, their laughter echoing through the trees. Silvy looked over her shoulder once, memorizing the moment.

"Next time, we’ll stay longer."

She whispered to herself,

As they walked away, the laughter of the elf children still echoing in the trees behind them, Silvy glanced sideways at Kyle.

"You looked happy back there."

She said softly.

Kyle gave a quiet snort.

"They’re loud. And clingy."

"But you didn’t tell them to stop."

She teased, eyes twinkling.

He didn’t respond, but the faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips said enough.

Silvy clutched the warmth of that moment in her heart, whispering.

"I’ll protect this... no matter what comes next."