Axel’s body plops, melting into the fluffiness of the bed. The events of earlier are still playing in his head. He still couldn’t believe it, not only could he not return to his own world, but he was also now stuck living within a castle. How is he supposed to react to the changes? Happy? Because he's now living inside of a castle and treated as a hero. Worried? Since he's been brought to a foreign world and now has to live a new life. Or should he feel sad? Knowing that he's leaving the world he grew up in and possibly not having a chance to come back to his home. Should he even be feeling something? During this entire experience, his emotions have just kinda been absent from him. He guesses they just haven't settled yet.
And what's worse, is the reason why they've been brought here in the first place. No matter how you look at it, in the span of one day, they went from normal students to soldiers in training. They've been enlisted into the army for a war that they know nothing about nor really care for that matter. It’s not their fight, and yet the kingdom is making it theirs. They’re just adolescents, barely starting a life for themselves, but they’re giving that up for their sake. What about their dreams? Their aspirations? Any possible futures they had planned when they grew up, do those not matter to them either?
Axel’s breathing pattern begins to get heavier as the grip he had around the blanket strengthens.
There’s a very strong possibility that some of the students will die in alien lands. Unable to see their loved ones or families back home. It’s a sad reality, but that’s the reality that they’re living with. And out of all the students, Axel is the one who’s most likely to die. There’s not an easier way to put it, unless he significantly becomes stronger within the next week with training, he will basically be no less than an average soldier fighting the equivalent of this world’s world war.
Just as Axel buries himself in his thoughts, he snaps back to reality, as the bed still tries to slowly swallow him. He couldn’t help but compare his old log of a bed back in the orphanage, to this new one that is as fluffy as a cloud.
"I have brought what you have requested, my liege," says the maid as she places the food down on Axel's mini round table.
With the banquet happening much later in the night, she’d offered to prepare him a meal. He’d agreed to the idea, though didn’t know she would have brought so many plates to choose from.
She bows, presenting the platter before him with a beaming smile. He hadn’t realized until now, she was almost an entire head shorter than him. The frills of the maid outfit did little to hide how slim her body truly was. And along with her shoulder-length orange hair that almost contrasted her pale skin, it only exemplified the freckles crossing the bridge of her nose. Lastly, his gaze falls to her sparkling green eyes.
His heart flutters as only one thought cuts through his mind. Adorable…
Choosing to put aside his thoughts for another time, Axel rises from his bed and puts all of his attention on the little maid.
She elegantly curtsies as Axel takes his seat. She then excuses herself and steps back to the food cart, waiting patiently for his next orders. Axel sits in awe of the food before him, impressed by the various selections, but something doesn't sit right with him. Despite understanding that she's just following standard maid procedures, something about this just feels wrong.
How can he just eat leisurely while somebody is just standing there and watching him. He knows now he's considered as royalty, so he can practically do whatever he wants. But he shakes the thought immediately, Axel never wanted to develop that type of mentality.
He taps at the opposite side of the table where there's spare a chair.
"Please join me, I can't eat if I'm alone," Axel states, trying to invite her over.
Her eyebrows raise as she is taken aback by his bewildering words. She stands frozen for a moment before trying to utter a response.
"Thank you, my liege, but a maid such as myself doesn't deserve to sit down with your grace," she replies, but Axel persists.
"Please, it would be an honor for me to have you be the first guest I eat with," Axel presses, while once again gesturing to the empty seat.
Although still hesitant, she finally gives in and sits down, facing Axel. She shifts awkwardly, with her cheeks turning a tinge pink and not knowing what to do, but Axel takes the initiative and starts serving her a dish. She immediately jumps in to stop him.
"Please master, let me serve," she insists as she serves Axel a dish.
Before they know it, they both serve each other. She blinks surprised when she notices what has just unfolded, but Axel smiles to ease her worries.
"Have you eaten recently?" questions Axel, and she shakes her head.
"We maids don't take a break until sunset," she answers. Meaning it would be another three hours until she’d be able to eat, according to Axel’s estimates.
She bows her head timidly as she picks up the utensils and quietly starts eating, all while hiding her mouth with her other hand. Axel can't help but be amused as a smile slowly widens across his face. Although when he tries to eat as well, he's quickly left puzzled by all the complicated-looking utensils displayed on the table. Since Axel grew up in a poor orphanage, the only utensils they had were plastic spoons, and it wasn’t until they entered school that they upgraded to sporks.
All the utensils present here are made out of metal, reminding him that he's no longer poor. After noticing the food losing steam, he shakes his head, grabbing a fork and a knife to cut the steak.
"Pardon me, but may I know the name of my personal maid?" asks Axel.
"I-it's, it's Sage," she responds rather shyly.
"That's a beautiful name!" beams Axel as he starts cutting the steak.
"T-Thank you," the way she speaks was soft and gentle, pleasant to the ear.
"Ouch!" a yelp escapes Axel, as he nicks the tip of his finger. Sage jolts out of her seat, jumping to his aid! A trickle of blood runs down his finger, tapping as it drips upon the table. Though luckily the wound didn’t look too severe.
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry about this! Let me get napkins for you," Sage apologizes, frantically grabbing a handful of napkins to cover his finger.
"Haha… No, it was all my fault, that's what I get for not paying attention."
Sage pays him no mind, applying pressure to the wound. The pain almost instantly dissipates as he notices just how close she had gotten to him. Her scent was equivalent to that of sweet petals, the aroma caresses across his skin.
His heart thumps loudly within his ears as he tries to pull his body away from her. Although her grasp only allows him to get so far. He covers his burning face as her soft, tender hands enwrap themselves around his.
Her attention is solely focused on helping him, that she doesn’t realize the situation she’d put them in. And as soon as the bleeding stops, she lets free a sigh of relief, before it dawns upon her the position she’s placed herself in. She quickly turns away trying to not let Axel see the red blossoming upon her cheeks.
"A-Anyways… I think the bleeding stopped," she fumbles her words as she lifts the napkins.
In truth, the bleeding has indeed stopped, however, there are also no traces of a wound either. His hand appears unnaturally normal as if no injury had taken place, to begin with.
"Amazing…" she mumbles in awe.
Mana: 7/10
They stay enamored, staring at the odd occurrence. Though after a moment both of them begin snickering at the situation that had just unfolded before them.
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- Meanwhile, in Blake's room -
The glistening lights of the city shine in Blake’s eyes as he peers out the lavish window. Though his room was the same for the rest of the students, it was still grand nonetheless. With a king-sized bed, multiple wardrobes and dressers, a private bathroom, and a mini table with two chairs.
The doorknob twists as someone enters the room.
"Here you go master, just as you requested," says his maid as she places a small bottle on the table.
He turns around with a delighted expression.
"Ah, good. I will reward you handsomely in due time. Keep this a secret between you and me ok. You are dismissed," replies Blake as he walks over to the table.
The maid curtsies in response.
"As you wish, master, all hail the destined hero of Everglend," the maid dismisses herself before leaving and closing the door.
Blake sits down and picks up the tiny bottle, his grin reaching from ear to ear as he examines the capsule.
"Forsooth, for the hero of Everglend . . ."
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As the night dawns upon them, the banquet soon arrives.
The creak of the grand ballroom’s doors does little to be heard over the guests. From behind them emerges Axel, with his hair glistening and freshly bathed. He dons an elegant outfit, one Sage had chosen, fitting him perfectly and bringing out a charming side he never knew he was capable of.
Nervously taking his first steps, Sage bows, and excuses herself, because she along with the rest of the maids are not allowed inside.
As the doors close, Axel confronts the ballroom. His shoulders instantly slump to their absolute lowest as his eyes shrivel in awe. The room before him is absolutely massive! Bigger than even the throne room.
Multiple luxurious glass-made chandeliers sparkle and bring the whole place to life. Along the walls are gilded carvings of beautiful, yet intricate, engravings that are pleasant to the eye. On the farthest side of the room lay a row of towering windows presenting an almost picturesque view of the glistening city. And beneath them lay numerous tables that hold delicacies varying from land to seafood.
Just about everything just leaves Axel speechless, but the most jaw-dropping spectacle of them all is the number of people present here.
Mainly consisting of nobles and royalty, they occupy almost every inch of the dance floor and sway along with their partners to the harmonic beat of the music.
With the few exceptions of the students, everyone appears accustomed to these types of festivities. Babble fills the air as they start conversations with random strangers. Some casually invite members of the opposite sex out for a dance as the musicians play with their hearts on the strings.
After a bit of searching through the endless waves of people, Axel locates his two friends chilling at a remote table.
“Room for one more?" Axel greets his friend while promptly taking a seat with them.
“Be our guest, there's not really much for us anyways. All the women here are either middle-aged, taken, or are from our school and absolutely hate our guts," responds a bored George as he rests his head upon his hand with a dreamy expression.
“C'mon now, it's not all that bad. We've never been to a party as big as this," replies Tom, trying to be optimistic.
“Hey, Tom… Who's a mouse and walks on two legs?" asks George as he looks upon Tom for an answer.
" …Uhh… Wonder Mouse?" answers Tom.
“Correct, now who's a duck and can walk on two legs?"
" …Uh… Wonder Duck?"
"Any duck you idiot," George states with a smirk as Tom gets furious and tries to strangle him.
"Ahhhhh!!! Help me, Axel!!" pleads George as he's fighting back an angry Tom.
Axel lets out a laugh as he observes these two goofballs still acting the way they are despite the situation they’re in. The uproar of the crowd grows higher than normal, causing the three to turn and catch a glimpse of the sudden commotion.
A young lady around the same age as the students is being escorted by several knights across the ballroom.
With her brunette hair fluttering against the wind caught on her shoulders and her silver eyes shimmering like beautiful pearls. Her smile can bewitch any man as her presence alone captivates the crowd. Her skin looks porcelain even from where Axel can observe. Her eyeliner and slender eyelashes serve to accentuate her alluring gaze.
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They may not know who she is, but it's obvious that she is this nation's idol. It wouldn't even be a stretch to say she rivals Vanessa in terms of beauty, who for the longest time was thought to be unrivaled.
"The princess hath graced us with hire presence," says one of the nobles.
After grabbing the whole world's attention by her mere existence, she takes a seat and modestly observes the people resuming their dances. As the room returns back to normal, Axel manages to spot Vanessa not too far away sitting by herself.
His muscles become at ease as his eyes widen in utter shock, mesmerized and forgetting to even breathe...
With the dazzling glow of the moonlight gently gracing her body, Vanessa stands out from the rest like a majestic angel in human clothing.
For the first time, Axel sees Vanessa outside the confines of their school, adorned in a stunning red dress that accentuates her elegance. The open-top design and delicate mesh sleeves only add to her allure, leaving Axel spellbound and unable to tear his gaze away.
Overwhelmed by the rush of emotions coursing through him, Axel quickly averts his eyes, his heart fluttering wildly in his chest. Vanessa's beauty has left an indelible mark on him, stirring feelings he never knew existed.
George's mischievous smile widens as he playfully calls out, "Vanessa!!"
Axel's panic is palpable as he quickly covers George's mouth. "What are you thinking, you idiot!" he scolds in a hushed tone.
"Just trying to hook a brother up," George retorts, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
Attempting to calm the situation, Tom steps in, placing a hand on both Axel and George. "She looks a bit lonely, Axel. There's no one around her that she's familiar with."
His gaze shifts to Vanessa, a hint of sympathy softening his expression. "You may think because she's beautiful, she would have a line of men ready to ask her out, but in fact, it's the opposite. Sometimes the most beautiful people are also the loneliest ones. So go on, do what you do best and make this girl's night," Tom encourages, his support evident as he stands beside George.
"Guys, seriously…" Axel mutters, but his words are drowned out by the sudden surge of excitement in the crowd.
Turning to see what has caused the commotion, Axel and his friends are stunned to find Blake dancing with none other than the princess herself. In the blink of an eye, they become the focal point of everyone's attention, capturing every gaze in the room.
"Hey there, Axel~!" Vanessa's cheerful voice catches Axel off guard, making him flinch as he scrambles to move away.
Suddenly, he finds himself forgetting how to breathe, instinctively taking a step back. His mind goes blank, words failing to form as he remains frozen in place, utterly captivated by the sight of Vanessa before him.
The crimson frills of Vanessa's dress sway with each step she takes, appearing to dance around her legs in a mesmerizing rhythm. As she moves closer, Axel's breath catches in his throat, his eyes unable to tear away from her captivating presence.
The dress reveals the graceful curve of her delicate arms, the fabric cascading elegantly around her slender form. A leather corset accents her waist, emphasizing her feminine silhouette and adding a touch of allure to her ensemble.
Caught off guard by her stunning appearance, Axel stumbles backward, only to be steadied by George's quick reflexes. With a mischievous wink, George nudges Axel forward, prompting him to approach Vanessa. Despite their near collision, Vanessa effortlessly catches Axel before they can collide, her touch gentle yet reassuring.
"Oh…h-hey," Axel's words tumble out in a jumble as he tries to form a coherent greeting, his gaze nervously locking with Vanessa's.
"Hey…" Vanessa responds, her voice mirroring his own unease.
Tom's voice cuts through the awkward tension with a burst of humor. "There's no return policy on him!" he shouts, earning a chuckle from George.
"Yeah, you can keep him!" George chimes in, adding to the lighthearted banter.
Axel's expression turns deadpan as he shoots a questioning glance at his friends, silently wondering why he puts up with them. Meanwhile, Vanessa can't help but let out a small giggle at their antics, the tension between them momentarily easing.
The two find themselves at a standstill, unsure of how to proceed in the open space.
Her mouth opens as their eyes meet, but she quickly bites her lip and looks away again, unsure of herself. Meanwhile, Axel can't shake the feeling of awkwardness that hangs in the air, weighing heavily on his shoulders.
Caught in the tension, Axel scans the situation, feeling as though he's trapped between moving forward or retreating. The thought of facing his friends' teasing if he backs away leaves him feeling stuck.
Summoning his courage, he takes a deep breath and decides to take a leap of faith.
"W-Would you like to dance with me…?" Axel's voice wavers slightly as he bows down chivalrously, hoping against hope for a positive response.
Vanessa's eyes dart around the room, hesitant to answer, and Axel feels a cold sweat break out on his forehead as he waits for her response.
"S-Sure…" she finally says, leaving Axel stunned.
But her next words catch him off guard even more.
“...But the thing is..." The corners of her lips lift slightly, sending a shiver down Axel's spine. He'd seen this coming from a mile away.
She's probably going to come up with an excuse to decline, he thinks. After all, no matter how kind she is, it wouldn't look good for her reputation to dance with someone like him. As Vanessa opens her mouth again, Axel braces himself for the rejection.
"I…I don't actually know how to dance…" Vanessa confesses, her cheeks flushing as she turns away, twirling a strand of hair between her fingers and avoiding his gaze.
Axel pauses, processing Vanessa's confession. Then, he gently takes her hand, feeling her slight tremble as their eyes meet.
"Haha… I don't either… but we’ll learn as we go. Is that fine with you?" Axel asks, noticing the sparkle in her eyes, reminiscent of the purest pearls, and the fluttering sensation, akin to butterflies, in his own stomach. A soft blush spreads across Vanessa's face as she smiles and nods in agreement.
Taking the lead, Axel guides Vanessa onto the dance floor. As they begin to dance, Tom and George watch with approving smiles.
"My, my, when did he grow up so fast?" George muses aloud, a rhetorical question tinged with a hint of pride. Tom chuckles softly, his gaze thoughtful as he recalls a certain event from their past.
As the music envelops them, Axel and Vanessa stumble over each other's feet, their movements awkward yet endearing. Instead of dwelling on their missteps, they focus on syncing their footwork, finding a rhythm that feels natural between them. Despite being far from graceful, they begin to lose themselves in the moment, the joy of simply being together overshadowing any embarrassment. With each step, they grow more confident, their laughter mingling with the music as they dance their way into a newfound connection.
With discreet glances, Axel assesses the atmosphere around them, using the surrounding crowd as a guide for his next move. Following his instincts, he delicately places his hand on Vanessa's waist, then gently lifts her arm, a nervous energy coursing through him.
Vanessa emits a small gasp, her body reacting to his touch with a subtle tremor. Axel immediately senses her discomfort and loosens his grip, his concern evident in his voice.
"Sorry, am I being too forward?" he whispers, his own cheeks tinged with a hint of pink.
She shakes her head, her face flushing a deeper shade of red, but she hides her embarrassment with a gentle gesture. Just as Axel begins to worry, he feels her hand squeeze his, a silent reassurance that puts his mind at ease.
"It's okay… We can keep going," Vanessa murmurs, her voice softer than before, revealing a vulnerable side that Axel finds unexpectedly endearing.
A chuckle escapes Axel at the realization. Despite her initial nervousness, Vanessa's genuine warmth shines through, reminding him of the inherent charm that lies within every girl.
The beating of his heart rung loud and clear within his ears as if calling out to her.
Could it be how soft and gentle she feels? How lovely she smells? Or perhaps how dazzling she looks right now?
Amidst their shared moment, they inadvertently collide with another couple, causing Vanessa to stumble. With lightning reflexes, Axel reaches out and catches her, instinctively pulling her closer to steady her.
"De pardon~," the noble offers an apology as they seamlessly resume their dance, as though the mishap had never occurred.
In the aftermath of the brief chaos, they find themselves locked in a silent gaze, each lost in the other's eyes, the world around them fading into insignificance.
As Axel's realization dawns upon him, beads of sweat gather on his brow, his body temperature rising uncomfortably amidst the swirling chaos of the dance floor. The arms that encircle Vanessa remain stubbornly fixed, refusing to obey his silent plea to release her, ensnaring her in an unintentional embrace that sends his heart racing.
Every inch of her, from the delicate curve of her face to the slender elegance of her arms, exudes an intoxicating allure that leaves Axel feeling both drawn to and overwhelmed by her presence.
As he grapples with this newfound revelation, a searing heat courses through his veins, igniting an unfamiliar fire within him. The realization that he has developed feelings for Vanessa comes crashing down upon him like a tidal wave, flooding his senses with a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.
In that fleeting moment of clarity, Axel understands the magnetic pull that Vanessa exerts on those around her, the captivating spell she effortlessly casts with just a single glance. Yet, it is only now, with her held so closely in his arms, that he comprehends the true extent of his attraction to her.
With a heavy heart and a resolute determination, Axel gathers his resolve and takes a deep, steadying breath. In a swift motion, he breaks free from the intoxicating hold of her presence, tearing himself away from her warmth and the dizzying allure of her proximity.
With each hesitant step backward, Axel feels the tumult of emotions swirling within him, threatening to consume his every thought. His mind races as he grapples with the weight of his newfound feelings, torn between the longing in his heart and the rational voice of reason urging him to retreat.
Yet, just as he begins to pull away, Vanessa defies his silent resolve with a single gesture. Without a word spoken, she closes the distance between them, resting her head against Axel's chest.
In that moment, all thoughts of retreat vanish as Axel's heart pounds in his chest, the rhythm of its beat echoing through the silence that hangs between them. With each rise and fall of her breath, Vanessa draws him in, her presence casting a spell that he cannot resist.
Though his mind may wrestle with doubt and uncertainty, in the warmth of her embrace, Axel finds a sense of solace and belonging that he cannot deny. Surrendering to the pull of her presence, he wraps his arms around her, allowing himself to be swept away by the currents of emotion that bind them together.
In the quiet intimacy of their embrace, words prove unnecessary as Axel and Vanessa find solace in the unspoken language of their hearts. And as they stand entwined, their shared connection serves as a beacon of hope amidst the uncertainty of the world around them.
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"… I… I can hear it… "
Vanessa's soft voice breaks the silence, her words like a gentle melody that resonates within Axel's chest. With her head resting against his heart, she listens intently, a smile gracing her lips as she takes in the rhythmic cadence of his heartbeat.
As the steady thump of his heart fills the space between them, Axel feels a sense of warmth and comfort enveloping him, like a soothing balm for his weary soul. And in that moment, the world fades away, leaving only the two of them standing together, bound by the simple yet profound connection they share.
Before he can fully comprehend what is happening, Axel feels Vanessa's arms encircle him, drawing him close in a tender embrace. Despite the flush of embarrassment coloring her cheeks, her smile radiates with genuine warmth and affection, erasing any trace of nervousness that once lingered in the air.
In that fleeting moment, Axel realizes that amidst the chaos and uncertainty of the world around them, he has found something precious and true—a connection that transcends words and binds them together in a bond of shared understanding and mutual affection. And as they stand entwined, their hearts beating in unison, Axel knows that he has found a beacon of hope in the form of Vanessa's love.
"…Who would have thought that out of all the parties I've been to, this one would be my favorite…" Her words hang in the air, her eyes sparkling with a warmth that fills Axel's heart with joy.
In that moment, time seems to stand still as they stand face to face, their breath mingling in the space between them. The air is charged with an unspoken tension, a silent promise of something more.
As their lips hover tantalizingly close, Axel feels a rush of anticipation coursing through him, his heart pounding in his chest. He can't help but be captivated by the radiance of her gaze, drawn to her like a moth to a flame.
And in that fleeting moment, with the world falling away around them, Axel knows that he has found something truly special in the form of Vanessa's love.
Both Tom and George watch with deadpan expressions as Axel and Vanessa continue their dance, oblivious to the two spectators. However, George's mischievous spirit refuses to be contained, and he rises to a stand with a mischievous glint in his eye.
Turning to the confused Tom, George bows dramatically before him, his hand extended like a true gentleman. "It would be an honor if you could dance with me, madam," he declares, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.
Tom's irritation is palpable as he shoots George a pointed glare. "Ain't gonna happen," he retorts bluntly, crossing his arms over his chest.
As the two friends exchange barbs, Axel and Vanessa continue their dance, their movements fluid and graceful. Vanessa rests her head against Axel's chest, a contented smile gracing her lips as they move in perfect harmony, completely absorbed in the moment.
"Do you think we'll be able to go back home?" Vanessa's sudden question pierces the serene atmosphere, her voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty as she remains nestled against Axel's chest.
For a moment, Axel is silent, his mind grappling with the weight of her inquiry. He understands the gravity of her concern; it's a thought that has crossed his own mind countless times.
Even if they manage to overcome the threat of the Demon Empire, a daunting challenge in itself, there are no guarantees that they will ever return to the lives they once knew. The reality of their situation hangs heavy in the air—a precarious balance between hope and despair.
As Axel considers the countless obstacles they face, a sense of unease settles over him. The road ahead is fraught with danger and uncertainty, and the prospect of returning home feels increasingly distant and uncertain with each passing moment.
"…I honestly don't know…" Axel's admission is accompanied by a heavy sigh, his uncertainty laid bare for both of them to acknowledge.
However, despite the uncertainty looming over them, Axel's resolve remains unshaken. "But what I do know is… I'll be trying my best to make sure everyone comes back home safely."
With those words, Axel makes a silent vow to himself and to Vanessa. He may not have all the answers, but he refuses to succumb to despair. Instead, he chooses to channel his uncertainty into unwavering determination, fueled by the hope of a better tomorrow.
Having made his decision, Axel feels a weight lifted from his shoulders. He may not have all the answers, but he's determined to do whatever it takes to protect those he cares about.
As Vanessa meets his gaze, a smile tugs at the corners of her lips, a silent affirmation of her faith in him. In that moment, despite the uncertainty of their future, they find solace in each other's resolve.
"There you go again, always putting others before yourself," Vanessa giggles softly, her eyes reflecting admiration for Axel's selfless nature.
Their moment of levity is short-lived, however, as the sound of raised voices reaches their ears, pulling them back to the harsh reality of their surroundings.
"Hey!! Get off of me!!" Tom's shout echoes through the ballroom.
"But I'm bored as heck!! I don't give a hoot if we're seen as a couple, dance with me Tom!! Dance with me!!" George's voice rings out as he drags Tom across the floor, much to Tom's dismay. The two create quite the spectacle, drawing all eyes onto them for a brief moment before chaos ensues. The laughter of nobles and students fills the air as the two friends stumble and start a playful scuffle.
"You can't have a party without those two stirring up trouble," Axel remarks to Vanessa with a grin, shaking his head at their antics.
As midnight descends upon the castle, signaling the end of the banquet, Sage appears at Axel's side, ready to guide him back to his room. With a quick nod of gratitude, Axel follows her through the labyrinthine corridors, the events of the evening still swirling in his mind.
Once inside his room, Axel flops onto his bed with an exuberant sigh, clutching a pillow to his chest as if it were a prized possession. He can't help but grin from ear to ear as he replays the moment in his mind.
"I danced with her!!" he declares to the empty room, his excitement palpable in his voice.
Though he knows he should be preparing for the challenges that lie ahead, Axel finds it difficult to contain his enthusiasm. Despite his best efforts, sleep proves elusive as he tosses and turns beneath the covers, his mind still buzzing with the memory of the dance.
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Meanwhile, within the castle walls.
"Thou is such daring, art thou sure this is what thee desire?" Questions a voice from out of the corner of darkness.
Another silhouette silently nods, bestowing their partner with an item.
"Of course, it is... for the sake of humanity. We can't have a monster lurking within these halls. When the time is right, I expect thee to fulfill thine role and save the kingdom from disaster," replies the taller shadow.
The first nods, before going their separate ways, filling the dark hallways with footsteps.