Axel listened attentively to Joseph's words, the weight of his revelation sinking in. The news that Ivy and Merry, the two elves they had encountered, were about to be purchased by the prince of the kingdom left Axel conflicted. While his previous statement about his desires had been nothing more than a lie, a part of him felt a pang of disappointment at the thought of them being taken away.

"Well, it seems I'm out of luck then," Axel replied, trying to mask any trace of disappointment in his v