Adrian sat on the edge of his bed, elbows resting on his knees. The room was quiet, save for the faint rustle of curtains swaying in the evening breeze. But Adrian barely noticed. His eyes were fixed on the worn wooden floorboards, unfocused, as his thoughts spiraled.

Who was she? The question gnawed at him, an itch he couldn’t scratch. He replayed the moment over and over, the way her green eyes locked onto his, the unspoken pull that tied them together, even across the distance. It wasn’t just her beauty that lingered in his mind, though that alone was unforgettable. It was the way her gaze had felt. Intimate. Familiar. Why do I feel like I know her? If I’d met her before, I would remember… wouldn’t I?

He leaned back slightly as he exhaled. It wasn’t just a passing feeling. I could feel that there was something connecting us, pulling me closer. But… none of this makes any sense, I-I shouldn't even be feeling this way.

A soft knock at the door snapped him from his thoughts. He straightened, turning his head toward the sound as the door creaked open. Selena stepped inside as she asked. “Adrian, what’s keeping you? Master Lysander and Miss Natasha are waiting for you downstairs. Dinner’s already set.”

He blinked, shaking off the lingering haze of his thoughts. “Oh,” he said, his voice slightly hoarse before he cleared his throat. “Right. I’ll be down in a minute.”

“You alright?”

“I’m fine, just… distracted.”

She didn’t press further, giving him a brief nod before stepping back out, leaving the door slightly ajar behind her. Adrian rose to his feet, running a hand through his hair as he tried to push the questions from his mind. But even as he headed for the door, the memory of those green eyes lingered. Damn it all, I'm going to be distracted for a while.

Adrian descended the staircase as his thoughts lingered stubbornly on the girl with the green eyes. Focus, Adrian. You can’t sit around obsessing forever. He shook his head slightly, forcing the memory to the back of his mind. For now.

Soon, he arrived at the dining hall where Lysander sat at the head, sipping from a crystal goblet. Natasha sat to his right, twirling a fork between her fingers. She glanced up when Adrian entered, her lips curving into a faint smirk.

“Ah, our guest of honor has finally decided to join us,” Natasha said, gesturing toward an empty chair.

Adrian took his seat across from her, offering a polite smile. “I didn’t realize I was keeping anyone waiting."

“You weren’t,” Lysander interjected, setting his goblet down with a soft clink. “But dinner is always better with good company. But tell me, Adrian, what do you think of the academy after our tour?"

“I think it's exactly the kind of place I’d want to be. Eventually.”

“As I told you before, I’ll see what strings I can pull to get you in. Of course…” A sly grin tugged at Lysander's lips as he folded his hands together. “I’m starting to think your enthusiasm isn’t entirely academic.”

Adrian frowned slightly. “What do you mean?”

“Oh, come now,” Lysander said, waving a hand dismissively. “A young man like you, all wide-eyed over a place filled with potential, opportunity… and, let’s not forget, intriguing elf girls with striking green eyes.”

Adrian’s cheeks flushed faintly as Natasha raised an eyebrow, her gaze darting between the two. “Elf girl? What are you talking about, Daddy?”

Lysander chuckled, clearly enjoying himself. “Our dear Adrian here had a moment earlier, caught sight of a girl who he just couldn't look away from."

Natasha’s smirk widened into a mischievous grin. “Oh? Adrian, I didn’t know you had such a soft spot. What’s this about an elf girl? Do tell.”

Adrian groaned inwardly, already regretting the direction of the conversation. “It’s not like that, I just… saw her. That’s all.”

“Saw her, and what? Decided you couldn’t live without her?” Natasha teased.

Lysander chuckled again. “Don’t tease him too much, Princess. The boy’s already got enough on his plate.”

“Hardly,” Natasha countered, leaning forward with her elbows on the table, her gaze locking onto Adrian’s. “So, what’s she like? Beautiful? Cute? Did she sweep you off your feet?”

Adrian sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Can we talk about something else?”

“Fine, fine,” Natasha said as she leaned back in her chair, glancing at Lysander. “Anything else you’d like to embarrass him about?”

The Whitewynn Patriarch's expression suddenly turned noticeably more serious as he rested his elbows on the table. “Actually, there is something I’d like to discuss."

“What is it?” Adrian asked.

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“I’d like you to act as my and Natasha’s bodyguard for the upcoming ball.”

Adrian stared at him, struggling to process the request. “I don’t get it. Don’t you real bodyguards for that? I'm sure you can find a ton of people more qualified than me."

Lysander’s smile widened slightly, a flicker of amusement crossing his face. “If I'm being completely honest, you're already stronger than most of my men. Certainly stronger than the usual rank and file at the bare minimum."

"Wait, but how do you know that for certain?"

"Adrian, please, I watched your duels with Natasha. I know that you're capable."

Adrian froze, his chest tightening. He said 'duels', which means he likely saw the second duel I had with Natasha here in the estate. I… suppose I shouldn't be too surprised.

"You seem like the resourceful type, Adrian, and I need people like you to make sure Natasha is safe while I go off mingling with the other families." Lysander explained.

Adrian glanced at Natasha, hoping she’d chime in with something that might pull him out of this predicament. Instead, she crossed her arms, an annoyed huff escaping her lips. “I don’t need a bodyguard, Daddy, I can handle myself just fine."

Lysander raised a brow, unbothered. “It’s not about what you can handle. It’s about ensuring every precaution is taken. You know how these events are, I’d rather not take unnecessary risks with your safety.”

“I don’t need coddling,” she snapped. “This is ridiculous.”

Adrian glanced between the two, tension building in the room like a coiled spring. I should not be here for this. He lowered his gaze to his empty plate, silently debating if he could excuse himself without drawing attention.

“It’s not coddling. It’s strategy. If something happens, then I want to know there’s someone I trust watching your back.” Lysander said.

Natasha opened her mouth to retort, but Lysander cut her off with a raised hand. “And before you say anything, yes, I trust my usual guards. But more help doesn't hurt, and Adrian here is capable and trustworthy enough in my eyes."

Adrian’s cheeks flushed slightly at the compliment. Great. No pressure or anything.

Natasha groaned, leaning back in her chair and crossing her arms tighter. “Fine, but don’t blame me if he gets bored.”

Adrian cleared his throat, drawing both their attention. “I’ll do it,” he said. It’s not like I can say no to Lysander anyway.

Lysander’s face lit up with a broad, satisfied grin. “That’s what I wanted to hear, lad. I knew you wouldn’t disappoint.”

Adrian shifted uncomfortably under the praise. “When is the ball?”

“In three days,” Lysander replied. He set his glass down and gestured to one of the servants, who immediately stepped forward to refill it. “That should give you enough time to prepare.”

“Prepare?”

“You’ll need proper attire. Tomorrow, get yourself something sharp. Consider it an investment in your role as part of this household, and don't worry about money."

Natasha rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath. “Just don’t embarrass us, Adrian.”

Adrian shot her a look, half-annoyed and half-amused. She really knows how to make someone feel welcome.

Lysander laughed, his booming voice filling the room once more. “Ignore her, Adrian. She’s just upset she’s not getting her way.”

Natasha scowled, but there was no real venom in her expression. She pushed her chair back and stood, her movements sharp but controlled. “I’m going to my room. Let me know when you’re done making ridiculous decisions, Daddy.”

“Goodnight, Princess,” Lysander called after her.

***

Adrian laid on his bed, feeling oddly exhausted. His room was quiet, save for the rhythmic chirp of crickets outside and the occasional creak of the wooden beams as the house settled into the night.

His thoughts churned, an endless loop of the day’s events swirling through his mind. The academy’s grandeur, the strange pull of his encounter with Alisha, and now Lysander’s unexpected request. A ball in South Tusk, surrounded by people who would probably look at me like I don’t belong. What am I even doing?

Adrian turned onto his side, resting his cheek against the cool fabric of his pillow. You know what? I haven't talked to Mimi in a while.

“Mimi, are you there?” he called softly.

For a moment, there was nothing. Then, a faint flicker of green light danced in the corner of the room, growing brighter until it resolved into a small, fiery figure. Mimi’s emerald-green flames glowed warmly in the dim light, her fox-like form stepping gracefully out of the shadows.

She padded closer to the bed, her flames casting playful shadows against the walls, and hopped lightly onto the mattress. Mimi curled up near Adrian, her fiery tail flicking lazily as she settled into the space next to him.

Adrian reached out, brushing the soft, ethereal texture of her flames. It never ceased to amaze him how something so clearly fire could feel so gentle, almost like silk.

At the same time, he reminisced about the events of the last few days. Most important of all was the visit to the academy, and his encounter with a certain elf girl. Okay, okay, that's enough, think of something else…

In a few seconds, he decided to think of Lysander. The old man's kind enough so far, but being the head of the Whitewynn's means he has to have had his hands deep in some shady stuff. Although, I can't quite get a read on what he actually wants, even after all this time. Best not to get on his bad side.

Mimi nudged his hand, her soft trill breaking through his thoughts. Adrian blinked, realizing his fingers had stopped moving. “Sorry, girl,” he murmured, resuming the gentle strokes along her back.

She arched slightly, her tail flicking again in what could only be described as approval. Watching her, Adrian felt a pang of gratitude. His mind wandered further back, to the days when life had been simpler, though not easier.

The faces of Marcus and Anisa surfaced, the two had taken him in when no one else had, giving him a place to belong, if only temporarily. And Kael, with his blindfold and knowing smirk, had been an odd but comforting presence. Even Galtier turned out not to be as bad as initially imagined.

Then there was Kiyara too. It's been a long time since I've seen her, but… I have this feeling that I'll see her again in the future. It could just be wishful thinking, but stranger things have happened.

Mimi shifted, rolling onto her side and exposing her belly, a gesture so simple and familiar that it pulled Adrian from his reverie. He chuckled softly, rubbing the soft glow of her stomach. “Alright, alright, I'll scratch your belly again."