Page 26 of Dark Elf's Good Girl

Later on that evening, everyone has gone to their bedrooms. I am in the dining room with a book in my hand and a cup of tea in the other. Isla is at the opposite end of the room, doing some cleaning.

I don’t pay much attention to the story in my book, too infatuated by the sight of the human to give it any mind. She finishes wiping down the last surface just as I swallow the last mouthful of tea.

After putting the cleaning supplies back into storage, Isla scurries off toward her quarters in a hurried manner. Even though there’s no one around, I cannot blame her for being so skittish. If I were her, I would not linger around longer than I had to.

I put aside my book and make my way to her bedroom. Straightening myself up, I clear my throat and knock on the door. There comes the sound of her shooting up in bed, likely from surprise. Muffled footsteps come close to the door.

It opens ever so slightly. Through the gap, I see raised eyebrows of concern quickly turn to ones of relief and curiosity. Isla peels back the door, revealing more of herself.

“Hi there Isla,” I greet warmly. “I wanted to check on how you’re getting on?”

“I’m fine,” she yawns. “Sorry, I’m a bit tired after working all day.”

“Yeah I saw how busy you were with chores. Forgive me for not helping you, I was wrapped up in my own work.”

“It’s fine,” she says with a smile. “Is there something you need?”

“Well I was about to take a stroll out in the gardens if you want to join me for a few minutes? It helps relax the mind after a long and hard day.”

“Sure,” she beams. “Let me just throw something on.”

“Take your time.”

Soon, we find ourselves walking at a leisurely place, taking whatever turns come our way as we delve deeper into conversation. Talking to her is easy. She does not seem to bear as much of a front as she does in the presence of Calix.

“How have you been settling in?” I ask her.

“The work itself is fine, it’s just that there’s a lot of it.”

“I know what that’s like. I was up to my neck in paperwork earlier in the afternoon.”

We take a seat on a stone bench, reclining back against a frame of intricate carvings.

“Aiken, let me ask you something,” she says in a curious tone. “Why did you bring me out here?”

I glance at her, spotting the genuine wonder in her eyes. They’re wary but not quite alert. I’m allured to them as if she casts a magnetic magic spell on me but I decide it best to keep my current distance for the time being.

“I’ll be honest with you,” I say, causing her to tilt her head. “I see what my brother Calix is attempting to do by bringing you here, but I don’t agree with it. He and I rarely ever see eye to eye if I’m being honest, but no one deserves to be treated the way you are right now.”

“Are you being serious?” she quips. “I don’t mean to sound like I don’t believe you but this is the first time a dark elf has ever said anything like that to me.”

“I know my kind aren;t exactly the archetype of peace and kindness towards humans but not all of us are like that.”

I glance over my shoulder at the manor.

“There’s a lot of eyes on you in that house,” I remark before returning my gaze to her. “I just wanted to bring you someplace away from those prying eyes. The air is always so fresh out here, it’s a good way to decompress and let go of your troubles.”

“Well,” she sighs. “I suppose I should thank you for this. I don’t get a lot of time to myself ever since I was dragged here.”

“Do you mind me asking what you did for a living before working here?”

She chuckles, smiling reflectively as she looks to the distant moon.

“I used to be a dancer.”

“That would explain your build,” I comment. “I mean that respectfully of course.”

“It’s alright,” she says with a smile. “I always had eyes on me when I was up on stage. What about you?”

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