Vanya bit the insides of her cheeks. She felt her embarrassment ripple through her body. Her intentions may have been different when she stared too long into Rhohaz’s eyes as if she was about to pounce on him and gauge his eyes out but Timmie and Cecil clearly did not comprehend it as such.

Word spread like wildfire among the villagers gathered at the school. By the time Vanya and Rhohaz stepped out to bid their farewells and head out, almost everyone was giving a cheeky smile, hiding smirks so clearly plastered across their faces while scanning them standing there with an awkward distance between each other.

“No wonder the leader was so relaxed with her,” a whisper went across the crowd that was gathering to say their greetings before nightfall.

“Finally, I thought poor Rhohaz would end up alone all these years. He’s not as charming as most men his age. I guess our troubles have ended at last.”

Vanya shook her head trying to ignore the very obvious statements thrown around. She was astonished to see the complete reversal of attitude amongst the villagers who were clearly disgusted by her presence in the morning but seemed completely fine by the fact that she was the woman Rhohaz seemed to have charmed for the first time in his life.

“Walk slow. Enjoy the evening, you two,” Cecil pushed the two ahead as they reluctantly stepped on to be on their way.

Vanya huffed angrily. Her tongue soured at the fact that anybody thought that she would even consider to be interested in the leader who was scheming to have her and Joan thrown out of the village only yesterday.

She marched ahead while Rhohaz bid farewell to the rest of the crowd and jogged his way to catch up to her.

The sun was setting with a pink tinge taking over the sky. Vanya’s legs halted on a hill and caught the Godly view of the heavens above so perfectly reflected on the massive ocean below. For the first time, she felt her mind unable to comprehend how such beautiful colors lit up the sky and ocean alike. They reflected each other perfectly, like a mirror, never alone. The dull seaside seemed so vibrant, so delicately beautiful.

She was too far into admiring the beauty of the sunset when Rhohaz cleared his throat breaking her away from nature’s trance.

“You must forgive them. They are only harping on the next big thing to gossip about. Our village is so small and rarely ever does anything exciting happen.”

Vanya frowned at Rhohaz. Yet his pale eyes caught her attention again. She watched them most carefully waiting just a bit longer, hoping she could catch it.

“Stop it,” Rhohaz waved his hand in front of his face.

“Stop what?” Vanya retorted hoping to prove him wrong of whatever he was about to say next.

“Staring. Stop the staring.”

“I wasn’t.”

“Yes, you were. You were staring back at the school building and you were staring just now. This is why Timmie went about telling everyone he thinks we are…” Rhohaz stopped looking away.

“A couple?” Vanya continued for him.

“Something like that….maybe,” Rhohaz finished only to hear Vanya’s disgusted laugh.

“You should have said something, then and there. You should have said no. Why didn’t you?” Vanya grunted.

“Why didn’t you? You should have cleared the misunderstanding yourself. Said you were falling sick like in the morning,” Rhohaz pressed on.

“You are their leader. Shouldn’t you have stopped your people from speculating? Besides, I never thought they’d be so into the idea of having the girl, who was supposed to be cast away just yesterday by their very own leader, to suddenly be considered his love interest.”

Rhohaz stopped himself from replying to that. He watched Vanya sigh, her face tomato red. He knew he should be apologizing for what he did yesterday. He was ashamed of his decisions and the fact that it got brought up again by Vanya left his pride hurt and him wanting to curl into a ball and hide away.

Even as a child he was so good at following the rules, not making a mistake, and was always praised for his ability to be calm, composed, and always right. But ever since he became the leader of Shalom, every day posed a threat to his perfect persona of being the figure who made the correct decisions. The council doubted him and his abilities to lead. He felt the constant pressure to be quick with making his mind up. Soon he was in shambles. For a person who thought so highly of his ability to weigh all options and make the right decision, he found himself utterly useless these days.

But the words of a simple apology could never leave his lips. He was too prideful. He was holding onto it as if it was the last shred of sanity he had left.

“Let’s say your punch last night made up for it if you would like that?”

Vanya looked to Rhohaz, his offer was bogus. Why would her simply punching him, accidentally ever make up for any of this? But seeing him with his almost purpled nose he had been carrying all day made her feel guilty.

She simply stayed silent, her anger dissipating by the minute.

Seeing her quiet Rhohaz felt good for he thought he managed to make up for some of what he did without actually uttering words of apology. For now, that was all that mattered.

They walked their way back watching the sun turn the sky magenta and then dark violet before starting to fade away into darkness. Vanya was too engrossed in seeing the stars pop up one after the other when Rhohaz stopped her before she stumbled on one of the thin fences head-on.

“Let’s not have you hurt as well. I think one of the sisters injured is enough already,” he said. His hand barely touched hers before she steadied herself without any assistance.

“Yes, of course, how would you ever be able to provide for two additional residents without having at least one of them help earn their fair share,” Vanya retorted sarcastically, rolling her eyes at the council’s stupid reasonings.

Rhohaz only kept his smile hidden until he turned away. He too found his own council’s measures unnecessary. He fully well knew it was only to have the visitors leave as soon as possible, anything to have as a reason to justify later if their visiting duration was edging far too long.

“You asked about Roza this morning…” Vanya switched topics gaining Rhohaz’s attention,”...Is she okay?”

Rhohaz thought for a moment before replying, “She should be. It’s just that…”

Vanya beamed. Despite her reluctance to entertain any of what was happening in Shalom, ever since Cecil mentioned Roza’s little adventures by herself, Vanya’s curiosity had been bubbling, hoping to know more.

“...I’ve not seen her at home since last night. I was wondering if you saw her…”

Vanya looked ahead in disappointment. It was not as interesting as she thought it would be.

Well, she’s avoiding you, obviously…

She only thought not wanting to start another fight about anything.

“...Although, maybe that’s something you can help me with…”

She looked to Rhohaz, who had stopped a step behind her as if he was about to say something of utmost importance.

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“...Keep an eye on Roza, let me know when you see her leave in the morning and perhaps when she sneaks back in at night.”

“A spy?” Vanya let her thoughts out with a smirk crossing her lips. Rhohaz scrambled.

“Not a spy, per se. Just to keep an eye on her. She’s very…”

“Unpredictable?”

“Yes, unpredictable. I just want to know when the best time is…to speak with her,” Rhohaz finished hoping he did not sound like an overbearing sibling.

Vanya let out a laugh and then took a step towards Rhohaz, who did not expect her to be so forward.

“And how often should I report these new findings? Every night?”

“Oh no, just…just whenever you see her, if, if you see her at all–”

“I take my job very seriously, especially if it involves spying of some sort–”

“It’s not spying–”

“It is. And I will report to you every night with my findings…”

Vanya set her foot down on it. Rhohaz sighed unable to find the words to take it back. He wondered why she was so adamant but the answer came faster than expected.

“...That said, what will I get in return for providing this valuable information to you?”

Of course, that’s why…

He thought with an uncomfortable smile crossing his face. Nothing was truly ever free.

“Let’s say, I clear up the misunderstanding with the folks, that you and I are a couple before it takes over the whole of Shalom?” Rhohaz proposed.

Vanya’s brows furrowed for a moment before she shook her head and replied, “No, that’s too weak. I will come up with a list of options for you to choose from–”

“A list?” Rhohaz snorted.

Vanya turned around and started back on her walk spotting Rhohaz’s home.

“A list?!” Rhohaz followed her and nudged her slightly trying to get her to answer.

“Yes, of course. It is a huge undertaking on my part. I must sacrifice my sleep in order to spy for you as well as be hidden well with no one finding out my motives. I must be rewarded accordingly. Therefore, I shall come up with a suitable list of options for you to choose from.”

“You are taking this too far. I’m going to call it off.”

“There’s no turning back now. Be happy I am at least willing to offer you options.”

Rhohaz bit his lip and sped up to keep up with Vanya’s pace. She kept on her heels just to spite him.

“What kind of options may I ask would be in this said list?” Rhohaz asked hoping it was not anything that was going to have him in front of the council again.

To his delight and his dismay, Vanya replied, “Um maybe something involving punches? I get to punch you every time I bring you news?”

Vanya quickly got to the flimsy gate to Rhohaz’s brick home. The sky was holding the last bit of light before entering to full darkness. She only barely opened the gate before Rhohaz held it tight so she could not escape him.

“Punches? That’s abuse of power, don’t you think?”

Vanya looked at him, closer to her nose. “It’s a bargain, after all.”

Rhohaz could have called it off. He had the power to say no, end it there, and walk away with no trouble following him. But something in him held on. Vanya’s dark eyes lingered on his for a moment. Her soft face and her bold attitude were quite contrasting. But her eyes held a certain air of power in them. He suddenly felt his breath leave him.

“Oh!” It was Joan’s gentle voice.

Vanya and Rhohaz turned their heads in a flash to see Joan and Grandma Tilly in the garden with clover beneath their feet, staring back at them.

Rhohaz let out a loud cough before forcing his hand away from the gate. Vanya pushed through, her cheeks flushing red.

Joan was stuck mid jaw-drop and tried to grab Vanya but she ran off to Tilly’s back door and vanished behind it. Joan gave a sneaky smile to Tilly before limping her way after Vanya.

Rhohaz too was going to scurry his way home but Grandma Tilly’s cane caught his backdoor handle before he did.

“You seem positively chirpy,” she smiled cheekily.

Rhohaz let out an uncomfortable laugh. It seemed that getting away was not an option at this point.

“It’s not at all what it seemed like,” Rhohaz tried explaining but Tilly only winked to say, “That’s what they all say…”

Rhohaz sighed. He was only making things worse.

“...Although, I must say, you have made an unlikely friend. I have no doubt you will treat her well.”

Her words seemed cheeky at first but Rhohaz felt a certain sense of heaviness to them. Almost as if there was something more to it. His grandmother gave him a gentle yet firm pat on the back before heading off to her home.

“I left some soup for you and Roza in the kitchen!”

***

Vanya avoided Joan’s eyes for the entire evening stuffing herself in the chicken soup Tilly had carefully crafted. The kitchen with an explosion of hearty smells made Vanya dream of all the delightful food she had ever eaten in the dining hall of the majestic castle in Esmeth.

Her father usually sat on the opposite end of the painfully long wooden table that hosted something different to eat every day. He rarely spoke to her the first few years she resided with him in Esmeth. Then she started training with the retired general who offered her lessons in combat and her love for riding soon blossomed. With the news his daughter was excelling in riding and fight lessons, the King became fond of speaking to her a little about her interests and then all at once about how she could improve her skills. She was gifted a horse every year during the celebrations held to commemorate her birth. The stables were moved to a location she desired and she rode almost every day.

With a close relationship forming between her and her father, making up for the years she resided alone in her castle in the East of the Northern Kingdom, her father invited her to meetings with his advisors, and then the generals of the army. There was no war that was being fought, for the war ended with the previous King, her father’s brother, who was brutally assassinated by a group with an alliance to the Southern Kingdom. Although the South denied any involvement, treaties were signed with the ascension of the new king, and peace restored.

She was only sixteen when her father held a sudden celebration and named her the heir to the throne of the Northern Kingdom. The festivities lasted a week. She was more than thrilled to be looked on as capable and eligible by her father, who usually criticized everyone. With her being crowned the heir to the throne, the questions on her birth legitimacy circulated by the King’s new wife, faded. She was indeed the King’s only daughter. The king later had a son through his wife, but never really paid much attention to the boy.

Vanya missed her interesting life but today for the first time she remembered the sky and ocean dripped in delicate pink. She was glad she stopped taking a moment to flush the scenery into her mind. She had never seen such a view in Esmeth, a city usually crowded with architecture. She may have seen pink skies but never so magnificent. The empty sky and the vast sea amplified everything.

Suddenly she remembered those eyes. The gold shimmering eyes that sparkled only for a moment before turning dull. She coughed, choking on the chicken soup. She did not expect her mind to go there, to his eyes.

“Careful now,” Joan came to help her cough it out.

Soon, supper was over and Vanya was lying on her back on her surprisingly comfortable bed. She heard Joan enter the room and quickly forced her eyes closed, knowing Joan was about to start teasing her anytime now.

“I saw you. You are not asleep,” Joan spoke and waited for Vanya to open her eyes, “Fine, I promise I won’t ask anything about what I saw. Will you open your eyes?”

Vanya peaked, then seeing Joan remain quiet she sat up. Joan sat closer to her and smiled controlling herself.

“How was today?”

It was a simple question but Vanya exploded into detail without an ounce of hesitation. With the amount of new information in her head about to make her head start throbbing again, releasing it all to Joan was a huge relief. Joan listened attentively, occasionally looking as equally baffled as Vanya was. It was not until the very end did Joan stop and think to herself.

“So Jac is a wizard?...” Joan asked her fingers to her chin.

“Maybe.”

“...And Roza is disappearing for days on end?...”

“It appears so.”

“...And there’s a prophecy about something bad happening to Shalom involving ghosts on horses?”

“Yes.”

Vanya left out one part, one about a pair of eyes shimmering gold, but not important to have run it by Joan just yet.

“I know it's probably sounding like made-up stories. It’s quite stupid. Just forget I ever said anything–” Vanya started but Joan interrupted her.

Joan, scooting over to Vanya, whispered, “No, I believe you because…well, I thought of how to explain this to you or if I should even mention it…,” She glanced around the empty room as if she was making sure no one heard her, “...I was walking to the back yard after my afternoon nap when I saw grandma Tilly planting something. I wanted to help, so I was on my way to her when she held two baby plants in her hand for far too long. You would not believe it, your Highness, and I swear to you those were tiny plants, barely the size of my palms, on her hands. She placed them on dirt and they flourished. One into a full-grown vine and another into a bush half my height. I’m telling you, my lady, I thought I was dreaming until I pinched myself too hard to wake up…”

Vanya saw the side of Joan’s arm slightly bruised.

“...It was, without a doubt, magic. And I cannot believe I witnessed it.”