Sometimes it was the little things in life that made my day. For example, how someone woke me up in the morning. Although, I wasn’t particularly fond of being tickled, especially along the face. So when I felt something dangling above me, gently caressing my cheek, I turned my head, mumbling in my sleep. But it didn’t end there as now I felt a gentle breeze grazing my neck, making me move back in protest, grunting to myself.

“Alex. . .” I heard a low whisper, a familiar and gentle tone. “Wake up.”

“Ughmmm. . .” I kept moaning, refusing to open my eyes, enjoying the comfort of a warm bed.

“Are you that tired?” Alice asked, her voice becoming stronger.

“Mmm. . . five more minutes. . .” I muttered, taking a deep breath through my nose.

She giggled. “Okay.”

Exhaling slowly, I sank back into the bed, blissfully relaxed. So relaxed that when Alice’s hand gently settled on my back and caressed me, my lips only parted before I drifted back to sleep. It wasn’t as if she’d never done that before, caressed my back or hand when we were alone. It happened a few times back in Thysa. However, this was the first time she did it while I was asleep, and I’d be lying had I said I didn’t enjoy it.

When I opened my eyes to her gentle touch rubbing my chest, I had hoped mere minutes had passed. Not because it wasn’t pleasant or I was embarrassed, but because I worried I selfishly made her wait. However, her soft smile that greeted me reassured me it was alright just to accept what was happening.

She leaned closer, inches from my face, pushing her hair behind her left ear while gazing into my sleepy eyes. Something about her presence was so calming.

“What are you doing?” I asked, chuckling and refusing to break eye contact.

“Would you like me to move away?” She knew the answer yet still cheekily asked.

We were close, that was for sure, but I had no idea where we were going with this. Alice knew better than anyone we were like the earth and the moon, attracted to each other but unable to embrace it. Pretending to be ignorant only delayed the harsh truth that if I were to pursue her, we’d face unimaginable obstacles. She was a princess destined to live a long life while I a mere lord that, at best, could push two centuries if what Penelope mentioned once to be true. History suggested that human mages who achieved high circle magic had a prolonged lifespan, but it was hard to prove since most by then were of old age. Something about leaving her widowed when her life had only begun had left a bad taste in my mouth, enough to quell my desire. But that’s only true if she stopped pushing. Even I had my limits, though I was a more stubborn bastard than most.

“No, but you keep tempting me, and one day might come to regret it. And what if someone walked in and saw us like this?” I asked, calmly staring.

“Perhaps.” She chuckled but didn’t move. “But I’d be to blame. And what? Are you worried about your reputation?”

“More like worried about yours.” I sighed.

“Sounds to me like we’d make a good fairytale,” she joked, finally pulling back and sitting up straight.

Perhaps it was because we spent some time apart, but she was suddenly more open about liking me. Though, it could also be that we were just away from home, and she felt free to do whatever. After all, we were talking about a girl who ran away from home to explore the Beastlands by herself. Even I wasn’t crazy to try something like that.

“Yeah, well. . .” I pushed myself up and realised I slept shirtless, but at least I still had my pants on. “How long have I even been asleep? Seriously, someone might walk in and – you get the picture.”

“Don’t worry. Classes are in session.” Alice arched her back, stretching her arms out and consequently showing off her figure. I wasn’t sure if I should have looked away or not.

“So not even an hour. . .” I sighed before laughing a bit.

“Pff. . . Even the rain stopped,” she argued and looked away but stole a glance while coyly smirking at me. “So, what are we going to do?”

Grunting, I pulled the sheets off and got my feet on the ground, sitting beside her, gazing out the window at the illuminated castle grounds now that the Sun had broken through the dark grey clouds.

“How about we check out the top of the tower?” I asked, smiling at her.

“Sure, but I’ve already been up there, and so have you, now that I think about it.”

“True, but now there shouldn’t be anyone up there, and the castle will look like ours alone since it rained and everyone’s in class. Just imagine how peaceful it’ll look.”

Alice grabbed my hand and stood up, tugging on it gently. “Come on. What are we waiting for?”

Her smile was full of life, mesmerising to look at. And the next thing I knew, I followed her up the steps before reaching the very top, exiting onto a balcony that circled the tower.

Graced by passing winds and the sun shining upon us, we gazed upon the breathtaking view Grimhold offered. And while I was busy looking toward the east at Dragon’s Peak, I caught Alice glancing at the spooky Faedark Forest to the north.

“You want to go there, don’t you?” I asked.

“Surprised?” She approached the stone balustrade, crossing her arms and bending over so her tummy pressed against it while looking in the distance.

“I’m beginning to think that the promise we made was aimed more toward dragging me into your adventures.”

“Scared?” she teased.

“No. Just glad you won’t be wandering off on your own.” I chuckled, looking up at the clear sky above us, spotting a hawk circling over our heads. “So, I’ve noticed you get along well with Penelope.”

“She’s a sweetheart, though intimidating at first.” She shifted her gaze toward me. “Smart, beautiful, funny. . . no wonder all the boys are flaunting over her. It makes me wonder how you’ve never fallen for her.”

“What?” I chuckled, caught surprised. “We’re talking about my sister.”

“Not by blood,” she said, standing back up before nudging me with her elbow. “Come on, admit it. Has the thought ever crossed your mind? I won’t tell.”

“Yeah, I’m not falling for that,” I said jokingly, looking her in the eyes, curious about what was going through her head.

“No?” She laughed, looking to see if I’d change my mind. It wasn’t the first time she asked a question that could potentially cause her jealousy, but realising I wasn’t budging, she turned her gaze eastward, placing her hands on the balustrade. “Fine, fine. I wasn’t trying to ruin the mood. Just curious, but it’s cute seeing you get all worked up over nothing.”

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“Totally didn’t,” I argued, but all it did was make her chuckle.

“Of course,” she kept teasing, grinning smugly. “Anyway, let’s head to the library.”

“To the library?” I furrowed my brows, knowing there was no point in arguing. “Of all the exciting places, you want to look at books?”

“Sure, you could look at it that way, but I know you love books, and I certainly wouldn’t find it boring. Besides, it rained, so it’s probably best we stay clear of muddy places, especially the spooky dark forest. Now come on.” She grabbed my hand and began leading me inside. “Maybe we find something about this place.”

“Sure,” I agreed, smiling to myself, thinking how lucky I was to have gotten a chance to spend the next four years with her.

----------------------------------------

Stepping into Grimhold’s library was beyond anything I could’ve imagined. Enough books were lying around to last me a lifetime, if not more.

“Woah. . . I expected it to be big, but this. . .” Alice said quietly, hoping to avoid the attention of the dozen or so students wandering around.

“Good call on visiting the library,” I praised, spotting flying books returning to their spot, a neat trick I could’ve used back home.

“See? You should listen to me more often,” she said, looking around.

“Like I already don’t. . .” I sighed.

“Perhaps. . . but I could do without the convincing,” she said, pointing her tongue at me.

“Wouldn’t that just make me your slave?” I smiled, shaking my head.

“A brave hero held captive by the evil elven princess set on conquering the world, forcing him to do her bidding. Will she succeed, or will he manage to save the world while bearing the hardship of serving under her?” She turned around, tracing her finger up my neck, cupping my chin. “We should put a collar on first.”

“You wish to conquer the world?” I furrowed my brows.

“Would you help me do it?” she asked, gazing into my eyes. Nothing about her voice or body language hinted at her joking. “O’ Brave Hero.”

I took a moment to answer.

“Don’t ask me twice,” I said.

There was a moment of silence where our eyes locked like magnets, later broken by Alice’s soft chuckle as her hand reached for my cheek.

“We’d definitely make an interesting fairytale,” she muttered, turning on her heel. “Come on. The librarian told us we’d find what we’re looking for back there.”

Watching her walk away, I took a deep breath and slowly let it out before following.

“What are we looking for?” I asked.

“The old map of the island. She mentioned there being cartography tools by the workbench. We’ll use it to pick spots we want to explore.”

“What’s wrong with the map hanging by the gates?”

“Oh, nothing much. . . just the things we need,” she said, stopping in place. “Ah, there they are.”

She waltzed over to the rolled-up maps categorised by continents.

“I still don’t get what you’re looking for,” I said, helping her pull out and open the old map that probably nobody had used in years.

“Something stupid,” she admitted, blowing on the dusty map while I covered my eyes.

“Couldn’t you have used magic?” I asked, squinting my eyes.

“You’re just like Penelope.” She chuckled. “Anyway, we’re looking for old markings. Locations they wouldn’t want students exploring. That’s why we can’t use the map out front.”

“Do you even hear yourself when you speak?” I smirked, leaning on the table with my arms crossed.

“I don’t see you walking away,” she argued, tracing her finger across the worn-out map.

“Your father would kill me if anything happened to you,” I said, looking at her.

“Good, because I definitely feel safer with you around.” She smiled at me before getting back to the map. “Look here. Think I found something.”

“What is it?” I leaned over, taking a good look.

She was pointing at a small area hidden within the Faedark Forest named The Widow’s Grove.

“It’s faint, but if you look close enough, you can see traces of ink here. It seems someone marked the map after it was finished.”

“Wait, what?” I asked, not seeing it. “Where?”

“Look. Right here,” she said, tapping her finger.

It took me squinting and really leaning into it to notice, but she was right.

“Wow. . . I didn’t know your sight was so good. Wouldn’t have spotted that in a million years.”

“Really? Perhaps it’s because I’m an elf,” she said.

“Maybe,” I said, but it wouldn’t be the first thing unique to Alice.

“We should do more research on this place,” she said, looking around again.

“Think we could figure out who marked it?” I asked.

“Doubt it. The map’s probably hundreds of years old.” She crossed her arms, dropping her gaze.

“What’s on your mind?”

“Ron. . .” She turned to look at me. “He lived here, didn’t he? Perhaps he knows something.”

“Nurse said to let him rest for today, but we can ask him tomorrow. Unless you were thinking of going today?”

“No, no. It’s too muddy outside, I told you.” She pulled up a chair, sat down with her legs crossed and adjusted her skirt. “Besides, we just got here.”

“Didn’t know you could be patient,” I teased, earning the look.

“We’ll see you when the time comes,” she retorted.

“I’ve been battle-hardened by your nagging,” I joked.

“Want me to stop?” she raised an eyebrow.

“Of course not. I’d wilt from boredom.” I smiled, nudging her with my foot.

“Thought so,” she chuckled, leaning into the chair with her legs stretched out.

“We should ask the librarian if anyone else took an interest in the map. Gnomes live long, right? Maybe she was around back then.”

“Alex!” she whispered loudly, giving me a worried look. “She’s a halfling, not a gnome. Don’t let her hear you. They’re quite touchy on the subject. Aunt told me once that she knew a halfling that destroyed his neighbour’s pot of lilivails.”

“Some flowers?” I asked, confused as to what the big deal was.

“You don’t get it. Lilivails are stunning white flowers that absorb mana around them and take years to bloom.” She looked back at me. “Kind of like you.”

“You saying I haven’t bloomed?” I chuckled, staring back.

“I meant the absorbing part.” She refused to tease, biting her lower lip while shifting her gaze toward the ground, thinking something. “But yeah, we could ask. However, what if she tells the headmaster someone snooped around for something dangerous?”

“Then maybe we shouldn’t be doing it? Though, we would just tell them the headmaster inspired us to explore while on break– I mean, suspended.”

“You’re really not upset we’ll skip out on classes?” she asked, a bit surprised.

“Look, I’ve made my goals clear. I’m here to learn about magic and spend time with you guys. Sitting in the classroom all day wasn’t exactly what I hoped to do.”

“Wouldn’t it be better then if we took some time and trained together?” She managed to sneak in the question in a somewhat subtle way. “Not that I’m insisting or anything. . .”

“Tomorrow,” I said, and her eyes shot wide. “We’ll train tomorrow.”

“Really?!” she asked, blinding me with her dazzling smile. “You mean it?”

“Hah. . . Had I known you’d be this excited, I would’ve told you yes sooner.”

She got flustered, dropping her gaze again, realising perhaps she got overly excited. It was cute, though.

“Whatever. . .” she muttered, standing back up. “Let’s get back to work.”

Chapter End.

Thank you for reading.