Mia woke up around eight in the morning, just like almost every day since she arrived here. She stifled a yawn as she got out of bed, never having been particularly fond of mornings. The blonde had always been a night owl, but she had to adapt to the schedule based on the day and night that governed life here. It's not like she could go bar-hopping with her friends or hang out on her laptop all evening.

She had dinner at the infirmary the previous day, as she had told Ethan. Lily had brought lunch baskets to Andrei's room, and Mia ended up having dinner with her fairy friend, the two magicians, and Oz. Mia had given them a general overview of what had happened with Ethan a few hours earlier, receiving a mix of concerned looks regarding her involvement in events that shouldn't concern her and relief that the vila had decided to protect her.

They had parted ways a few minutes after finishing their meal, with Andrei having permission to leave and join the magician's quarter. Arry had naturally accompanied him after bidding her two friends goodnight. Lily had returned to her room shortly after, still tired from the past two days.

Around eight forty-five, Mia left her room to have breakfast with Lily. The fairy was in the process of collecting the used sheets from the rooms where patients had been able to leave the infirmary that morning.

"I'll be right there, go ahead and sit," the fairy announced as she crossed the hallway.

Mia didn't need to be told twice and settled into one of the armchairs in the infirmary's hall. All the fairies had breakfast here, but Mia rarely encountered them since she woke up later than they did. However, they were aware of her habits since they often left some fruit along with a pastry or two on one of the small coffee tables in the hall. The young woman never ceased to be touched by the kind attention the fairies showed her.

Lily appeared a mere five minutes later. She used her powers to heat the tea water, placing her hands on the coffee maker and setting down two steaming cups next to the food. Mia, having no idea how to boil water without magic, left the task of preparing the beverage to Lily. After a few days, their routine was well established.

"Are you going to the arena for the director's announcement?" Mia asked.

"I'm not sure... We still have quite a bit of work due to the way the tournament unfolded. Usually, Elisa handles these kinds of meetings when we're swamped, and she gives us a report afterward. Besides, you're going with Arry and Andrei, right?"

"Ethan is accompanying me; I don't know if they'll want to tolerate his presence. I'd understand if they don't, though," Mia sighed.

"Yeah, I guess they'll have to get used to it if he's not planning to let me go out alone anymore."

Mia sighed once again, sinking back into the armchair, disheartened. It wasn't because she had given in to his oppressive presence that the situation didn't frustrate her. She wouldn't even be able to spend peaceful time with her friends outside the infirmary if he intended to watch her incessantly. She still had the option to lie about her comings and goings, but she'd never been one to resort to lies. After the events of the tournament, tensions were still high. If things calmed down, she might be able to negotiate some freedom.

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"It's annoying. It's even more frustrating knowing he's doing it against his will. If only he didn't secretly despise me, it would be somewhat bearable. I think I preferred it when he was trying to intimidate me. At least then, he actually meant it."

Lily chuckled quietly, stifling the sound with her hand.

"What?" Mia asked, annoyed by the feeling that her friend was making fun of her.

"Since you've arrived here, you've been handling things incredibly well. You're told you're in another world, it's OK, that it's populated by legendary creatures, it's OK, that you're potentially in danger, it's more or less OK. You didn't have a choice in any of this, and it didn't particularly offend you. But with Ethan and this soulmate situation..."

"It's not the same," Mia grumbled.

"What bothers you, then, in all of this? And don't tell me it's because you don't like not having a choice. You've resigned yourself quite well to your life here, rather quickly I might add," Lily interjected, raising her hand as Mia was about to protest.

"It's not the same," she repeated. "Now that he's constantly on my back, I'm not even free to move as I please! I have to account for my whereabouts, I'm completely dependent on him as soon as I leave the infirmary! I feel like a damsel in distress with her watchdog. And this bond thing... How could I agree to the supposed great love story of my life, which I didn't choose, happening with someone who despises me for who I am?" Mia burst out.

"I see," Lily replied, smiling mischievously. "I didn't know you were so romantic."

Mia sighed deeply, sinking a little further into the armchair, trying to blend into it. Lily continued:

"You know, we're mostly worried because these are complicated times, and this situation is poorly timed. But, deep down, it's not a bad thing. Some may call it a curse, but I see it as a blessing. The bond between a vila and their soulmate goes beyond love, it's something strong and beautiful to witness, and probably wonderful to experience. I understand that the damsel in distress role bothers you, but he's right. After what happened at the tournament, you're not safe here. And you know it very well, since you've accepted him to accompany you everywhere, even if you're not thrilled about it."

"It doesn't change the fact that he hates me deep down. Even if I genuinely accepted all this, a part of me would always be stuck on the fact that he would have preferred anyone else over me. And that's not something I can accept."

"Then show him you're not who he thinks you are?"

Mia jumped up from her chair in indignation.

"Really? It's not up to me to make an effort!" the blonde shouted.

Lily sighed, raising her hands in front of her, trying to calm her friend.

"Alright, alright. You should hurry, you're going to be late."

Mia's gaze turned to the old wooden clock, indicating that indeed, it was more than time to leave. Not that she was particularly eager to be on time to meet Ethan, but she didn't want to miss the director's announcement. After all, she had experienced the tournament disaster head-on.

After waving a goodbye to her fairy friend, Mia left the tranquility of the infirmary, feeling a knot in her stomach. She wished she had time to think about this conversation before confronting the vila, not knowing which way to turn anymore. Lily had a point, even if she didn't like it. Should she at least try to be friendly with him? Would that really make the situation more bearable?

Oh well, screw it, as I told Lily, it's not up to me to make the effort.