Maya sat back on her bed, almost facing Lee that was sitting on a log that they found in the cave, Lou sat at the other end of the firepit, making a triangle shape with her two friends, waiting to see where Vi will sit. Vi hesitated and ended up sitting between their crush and the scholar, but a little closer to Lee. They couldn't find the courage to sit next to Lou, not yet. They needed to know what she would think of them before.

''Humm, when did we say that we should have a discussion about sexuality?'' Maya asked, puzzled.

''Oh it was way back before we even met you'' Lee explained ''when Lou and I went to meet Vi..''

''Yeah!'' Lou snapped ''When we came across that stupid freaking close-minded...''

''HE wasn't... appropriate, and to calm Lou I told her that we could discuss our sexual orientation later. I guess that this is later now.''

''I threw a rock at him'' Lou whispered ''it was really funny!''

''Yeah I never thanked you for protecting me agains't him...'' Vi shyly said, trying to look at Lou, but as soon as their eyes met, they looked away.

''It is my sworn duty to protect all of you!!''

''Okay, so who wants to go first?'' Lee asked.

She looked and the three others, they definitly didn't want to talk. She looked at Vi and wonder why she would bring the subject up if she didn't want to talk... That was intriging. Lee sighed and said ''I can go first if you want.''

''YES!'' Vi shouted a little louder than they wanted.

''I'm.... asexual...''

''OOOH! That's why you always look embarrassed when I flirt around!''

''Well that is not the only reason... Wait you know what that mean,Lou? Huh, I'm suprised.''

''Hey, just because I know how to fight doesn't mean that I'm not smart! That kinda hurt you know?''

''Oh, yes, of course I'm sorry.''

''You are a what?'' Maya questionned.

''Asexual. It is a low or absent interest in or desire for sexual activity. In my case, it is almost absent...''

''So you don't fall in love with other people?''

''Sexual attraction and love is not the same thing M'' Lou explained ''falling in love with someone is... Wanting to spend the rest of your life with that person. An asexual still have those feelings, they just don't always want to... I don't know how to say this without breaking your innocence here.''

''I'm not a child anymore you know... I get it, thanks.''

''And that can make relationship with others... difficult when they want more and you can't give them what they want... It's... I... I loved him so much, but I couldn't do it...''

Upon seeing Lee out of words and almost in tears, Maya and Vi went to comfort her and Lou stood up and went to grab her sword ''WHO EVER HURTED YOU I SHALL KILL THEM SLOWLY AND PAINFULLY! WHO SHOULD I KILL FOR YOU, MY DEAR FRIEND!!??''

''Oh please Lou, stop!'' Lee said, half laughing half crying.

''Hey, I wanted to make you smile and it worked! Kind of, and if I could understand what asexuality is and he couldn't, then he is definitly not smart and good enough for you!''

''You were in a relationship with an asexual girl?'' Vi asked.

''Yeah, but it didnt work... NOT because of that,'' Lou added when she saw Lee's sad expression ''but because she was.... I don't know how to say it nicely so, she was a jealous basic bitch! ''

''And I never told him that I was ace... When I figured out that I couldn't give him all he wanted I decided to end our relationship before we would get into a fight over it. And I'm not only talking about all the sexual part, but also the kissing and making out part... I like holding hands, hugs and small kisses but other than that it's... too much...''

''I will try to do less act of love in front of you since it makes you unconfortable...''

''Oh Lou you don't really have to... I'm getting used of seeing you the way you are, really.''

''And you shouldn't feel sorry about how you feel. You are not wrong o rbroken. You are you, and it's perfectly fine!''

''I..I guess... Thanks ...''

They all took their respective places back around the fire, Vi getting a little closer to Lou this time. Maya went to grab some water for everyone and they resumed the conversation. Maya went next :

''I never really knew what I was... I think I fall for the person more than the gender? If that make sense. There was this girl in my castle's kitchen, she was really nice and smart... She was one of the reason why I always wanted to be there, actually. And then, Will showed up and he was so chivalrous! And he is not bad looking either!''

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

''And he totally fell for you too! When he went back to 'get his sword back' he definitly wanted to see you too.'' Vi chuckled ''you should have seen his face when you showed up! If only that weird dude didn't show up...''

''Wait, so you fall for chivalrous people and you didn't fall for me? I mean all those years I slayed that dragon for you and nothing!? I'm incredibly hurt M!'' Lou shouted, making dramatic gestures.

''But, but I see you more like a sister! I'm sorry I didn't want to..''

''I know sweety, I'm kidding!'' Lou then hugged Maya and gave her a small noogie.

''Do you have to always be like.... that!'' Vi replied, gesturing toward Lou.

''Duuuh! Of course I have, I'm amazing!''

''Were you always that confident in yourself?'' Lee asked.

''I think so... I kind of always knew I loved girls over boys. I never really questionned myself about it. For me it was the normal thing to do. And in Milia nobody really cares about that. As long as you do what you are assigned to do... It's fine with them.''

''I wish I was that confident'' Lee said, scratching the back of her head.

''...me too'' Vi whispered.

Everyone turned to look at the sorcerer. Lou went to put her arm on Vi's shoulder, but when she saw Vi duck out a little, she stopped in her movement and sat back at her place. Lee spoke in a low and calming voice ''You were the one that wanted to have this conversation, did you have something to tell us?''

''You know we will love you no matter what'' Maya cheered ''you are a part of this group and always will be.''

''It's just... You all seem to know what you are and how you feel and I can't even tell how I feel about myself... That's why I always want to be in my dragon form... I never felt like a woman... or a man... I don't know how to explain, but I hate my body because I don't feel confortable with all it's... femininity.''

''So you are non-binary? ''

Vi looked up at Lee with wide eyes. She was the second person to say that they were non-binary. It made more and more sense in a way.

''I....I guess...''

''We could use they/them pronoun for now on and see how it make you feel. What do you think?''

''How do you know all that stuff, Lee''Maya asked.

''I read a lot.'' Everyone nodded and agreed to her statement. It made perfect sense.

''But how can you not feel confident with you body!? It's so beautiful and... I feel like i'm saying everything wrong again! Why are you looking at me all mad like that?'' Lou said, puzzled.

''When you don't like something about youself'' Vi related ''whe npeople tell you how amazing it is, it doesn't help at all you know.''

''....Fair enough! I didn't want to make you feel bad Vi... What can we do to help you?''

''I don't know! Usually I would get back to my dragon form and fly away, but you guys are making feel... better in my human form now... But it's still hard sometimes...''

Vi then wrapped herself in their cloak and looked down. Maya then stood up and gave some water to them. ''Here, drink a little.''

''It's okay to feel this way''Lee explained ''you are still you and we are here for you.''

''Thanks.''

There was an awkward silent between the four of them. They all wanted to cheer their non-binary friend, but they didn't know how. Lou then had an idea to change her crush's mind ''You know I've been thinking''Lou said with a little smile ''now that you are not a gigantic beast, I can totally win in a fight agains't you!''

''Lou''Lee argued ''this is not the time to fool around...''

''Pfft''Vi scoffed ''you wouldn't stand a chance.''

The three women stared at Vi, Lee in a bit of a shock, Maya gasping and went to sit right beside Lee to give the two fighters more space and Lou took her sword and was about to stand up but Vi blasted fire towards her, lighting up the fire again and making Lou roll in a defensive way.

''HEY! The rule stay the same : NO FIRE BREATH!''

''Fiiinnneee''Vi responded, rolling their eyes.

Lou then jumped in action and pushed Vi on the ground, immobilising them at the same time.

''See I told you I could....'' She couldn't finish her sentence since she got pulled back by a chain attached to her ankle, making her drop her sword. Vi sat up and also chain one of Lou's wrist to the ground, making it impossible for the warrior to stand and fight again. Vi took the sword and walk slowly to meet Lou :

''Not...a... chance! ''

''Well... You still had to use magic so... I was not totally wrong.''

''Mhmm...Let's get something to eat, I'm starving.''

''Oh yay!''Maya shouted ''I'm hungry too. Can we have fish?''

''Okay, I will go and take care of Phatom while the defeated warrior here will go fishing.''

''Well can you would have to untie me first.''

''I think you can figure that out on your own. ''

And without any other words, Vi went out the cave. Lou groaned loudly and tried to break free of the chains, without success ''How am I suppose to break free of magical chains!??''

''Are they lock?'' Lee questionned.

''I....'' Lou took a better look and the handcuffs and noticed a little button on the side of it. When she pushed it, the cuffs opened and the chains vanished.

''You're smart Lee!''

''I know. Now go out and bring back some fishes, would you? Oh and Lou...Talk to Vi about how you feel about them. I think they would apreciate to hear what you told me.''

Lou didn't have to hear it twice to rush out of the cave and run to the river to be with Vi. Maya looked back at Lee ''What did she say about Vi? How much did I miss while I was asleep!? Do they both love each other? Oh my god that is sooo cute!!!''

''Okay now, calm down, let's get some vegetables ready to eat with the fishes.''

Maya helped Lee, but she couldn't stop squeaking and smiling. She thought it was so cute and great that two of her bestfriends would get together! That gave her hopes that, maybe, she would have the chance to experience love too someday!

*Meanwhile, in the Tower*

The two men were eating lunch and they decided to have a little conversation too :

''I'm kind of suprised that a Royal prince like you is not offended of the fact that I'm attracted to man. I thought the people of Egium were really close-minded.''

''Well my little brother is also gay and I never really minded. He even have two twin brothers that are fighting for his hand. Things are changing a little in Egium. I think it's great.''

''I'm amazed to hear that. Maybe there is a chance for your kingdom after all.''

''Yeah,but I don't think they would ever change their mind about magic though... And you keeping me here won't help that case, I'm pretty sure.''

''Oh come on now Will, we were having a nice little talk and you screw everything up.''

''I was only stating the facts here.''

''Mhmm ,well when I will get that princess's powers, my Master and my little group of sorcerers will change their mind... They won't have a choice since I will become the most powerful sorcerer of the whole island... Maybe even the world~''

Felix left the room with the plates as Will was cleaning his hands with a clean cloth. No more ustensils for the prince since he tried to escape using one of them. 'Now I know why he wants Maya's power. I think i found out all I needed to know about him... If only i could tell her' the prince thought. And that conversation about his brother, Philip, made him worried sick. Will he ever see is little brother again? He needed to know which twin Philip would choose after all. He always seems to go for the ''bad'' brother, but the other twin seemed more of a fit for him. He tried to not lose hope and convince himself that he will see his family again soon.