Discover L (Book 2) | Complete |

~ Patience Is A Virtue ~

"A week?" Bryce exclaimed, his spoon splashed pudding across the table.

It was magically cleaned up and his spoon reappeared in his dish.

"Yes, Brycathlen, a week. This is not a simpletons potion, it will transport the Keeper to a place not of this world. That requires many calculations and special attention to ensure she does not materialise in the wrong place." The king seemed to find his reasoning oddly amusing.

Bryce didn't, although by this point his mind had taken a different turn. "What do you mean, take the Keeper to another world? You do realise all three of us are going to Paguea?"

That did wipe away the amusement on the king's face. He shared a shocked look with the queen.

"You cannot be serious, we assumed you returned home to recover and assume your duties." The queen admitted, shaking her head in disbelief.

"No, I came home with L to help her in asking for the potion. Of course I plan to go with her, I wouldn't be a very good-" Bryce faltered, likely knowing if he said anymore it would be an open invitation for their questions.

L was glad he stopped himself, and the king and queen were too busy fearing for him going to Paguea that they didn't jump on his hesitance.

"You cannot go to Paguea, we will not risk your life as heir to the throne." The king stated as though it was the end of the discussion.

That didn't stop Bryce.

"I will be fine, we'll do what we need to in Paguea and then I'll come back. Going with L won't stop me from taking my place in line to the throne."

"Brycathlen, be reasonable. Paguea is extremely dangerous, you would be very lucky to return at all. We cannot and will not take that risk."

"But you don't mind L taking it?" Bryce brandished a hand between his parents and L, who didn't quite know what to make of the way the conversation was going.

"Yes, because that is the Keeper's risk to take. You hold the fate of the Elf kingdom in your hands, if anything were to befall you, well... it doesn't bear thinking about." The queen uttered the last few words in a softer tone, nibbling on some of her dessert.

"L is the Keeper! The last Keeper, she holds the fate of every race in her hands, shouldn't that be of consequence to you aswell?" Bryce was getting more agitated by the minute.

"Hey, what are you trying to do make them change their mind?" L hissed across the table at him.

Bryce glanced to her, looking a little wild.

"Brycathlen, the Keeper has strength and maturity far beyond her years. And her determination will not be hindered by our refusal, we must simply assist in her achieving her goals simply and safely. Your company would be a hindrance, what with your... situation."

L blinked back her surprise, as did Bryce, they hadn't been expecting the king to bring it up so blatantly. And it was clear that's what he meant as his gaze passed between the two of them, his perfectly shaped brow quirked.

"That... that has nothing to do with this. I am going with L, and I will come back and assume my role as I promised I would." Bryce sat back in his chair, the finality of his words didn't have quite the ending effect he seemed to be hoping for.

"You will not be going. The Keeper is quite capable of going to Paguea without you, aren't you, Keeper?" The queen asked, though she seemed to think L was just going to agree with her.

And L hesitated for a moment, she had wanted a reason to keep Bryce safe since he'd been hurt by the Trolls. She couldn't see that happen to him again, she wasn't sure she could handle it. She wished she could keep him and Robbie from ever getting hurt, but she also knew she couldn't control their lives. She couldn't force them to do things they didn't want to do, just as she wouldn't want them to do to her. And keeping Bryce from going with her, from helping her on a journey he's been a part of from the beginning, would be doing just that.