I groan and shift, blearily blinking the sleep out of my eyes, and stare up at the unfamiliar ceiling of my dorm room.

Ah, it's that time, again.

I close my eyes.

I must have fallen asleep in his arms last night. We stayed out too late, and when we tried to go back to my room we got caught in the rain and it was late and we tumbled giddily into bed together. We must have been exhausted, because we don't even remember changing out of our wet clothes. The candlelight has burned out, and it's still dark. The warmth of Viktor's body beside me is the only thing I feel.

The front of his chest is pressed against my back, and an arm is thrown across my chest protectively, as if he's afraid of losing me if he doesn't hold onto me tight. His head is nestled on top of my shoulder, his warm breath tickling the side of my neck. Viktor has always been a clingy sleeper. It's endearing. I would stay here with him forever, if I could.

...I love him. I love him.

My hands find his and grasp them in mine, pulling them closer. "I love you, my Viktor." I whisper.

He stirs slightly, and mumbles something incoherent in his sleep. It's so cute. I bite back the urge to squeal. I shush him and curl into him, closing my eyes and drifting back into sweet nothingness.

The next time I open my eyes, the sunlight is peeking through the windows. I can see the rays illuminating the carpeted floor and the empty plate on my table. A little pot of violets is beside it - Viktor had brought me one the other day and I'd been taking care of it.

It's late morning, and Viktor has already gotten up and left. As he actually has magical abilities, unlike me, he has more classes than I. Thus, he's already left for his morning classes.

I stretch, then reach for my discarded dress, tossing it on the bed and smoothing it out. I rummage in my drawer, reaching for my hairbrush. It's always difficult to comb my hair in the morning. It's long and tangled and frizzy. The dry air in the Academy makes it even harder for me to manage, even with my expensive hair oils and perfumes.

I manage to tie it back into an acceptable braid and knot it up to keep it together. The bell chimes loudly from downstairs, indicating it's time for another class. Unlike Viktor, I don't have any classes today. Since I have the whole day free, I spend an hour baking, making pastries. Once I finish the dough, I pop it into the oven and cover it with cloth to keep the heat contained.

I clean up after myself and wash the dishes and counter. When I check the oven again, I find the dough has finished rising and is ready for the next step. I lose track of time while I'm baking and preparing pastries to be cute enough to make Viktor smile. A pile of delicious tarts, muffins, and cakes slowly appears on the counter as I hum to myself and cook away the afternoon.

Once I'm satisfied with the number of tarts and goodies I'll need to feed myself and Viktor,I leave my room and head out to the gardens behind the main building. Viktor will be waiting for me there, once his classes have concluded. I carry the treats wrapped up in a cloth covered wicker basket.

As I walk, I notice the tall figure of Prince Hedrim approaching. He pauses in the corridor as he spots me, his eyes turning to look in my direction. The two of us have passed by one another once or twice before. We're cordial, but little else. As I'm not pursuing him or harassing him, I'm merely a near-equal with no other connection to him. By now he should already be intrigued by Eileen and on the way to enamored, so any opportunity I might have had to get to know him if I'd wanted to is already gone.

I tilt my head curiously as I smile politely, nodding my head respectfully in greeting.

Hedrim inclines his head towards me as well, crossing the distance between us with a quick stride. He pauses about an arm's length away. "Good afternoon." He greets, in a cool, aristocratic tone. He speaks well, and is respectful in a formal manner. He is polite and restrained in public, as the prince of the country is expected to be.

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It's hard to imagine him as anything else, but I'm familiar enough with the game to know just how many wild emotions are bubbling beneath the surface, waiting to be unlocked by Eileen. He'll become quite the hothead when he falls for her.

"And to you, Your Highness." I curtsy as is customary. "Is there anything I can do for you? Have I done something to offend?"

"Nothing of the sort. I am only returning your greeting. Forgive me, if my behavior comes off as rude. I have spent the past few months avoiding someone." He glances in the direction of the students. I can just barely see his eyes flick in the direction of one of the upperclassmen - Lysander de Brahm. A problem person in Hedrim's route. "That being said, I have no wish to treat anyone with hostility. It is beneath me."

"I shall endeavor to continue doing the same. The academy is no place for squabbles and hostility. after all."

"Yes, I am certain we shall get along admirably." Hedrim nods in response, turning his attention to the sky. "It is a pleasant day. I believe it will remain so." He comments, sounding disinterested. He must be used to giving inane conversation to keep up appearances.

I suppress a laugh at his line delivery. It sounds almost exactly the same as in the idle conversation he gives in his room in-game, down to the inflections. "So it is." I reply easily, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

He looks at me strangely for a moment. The air is pregnant with words begging to be said. It's an unnerving feeling- like pressing up against a glass mirror and seeing yourself so close you should be able to touch, but can't. Or walking up to a doppelganger of yourself living a different life. I wonder if he can feel it? The fact that if this were the game he would have things to say to me right now, because I'd be his nagging, demanding betrothed.

...No, that's absurd. This may be the world of the game, but it's not literally a game come to life. It's only my memory of the game causing that feeling. And I have been nothing like my canonical counterpart, nor have I been particularly memorable. I haven't done anything interesting or bizarre. Beyond my family's power, I have no reason for the prince to pay any attention to me outside of this chance meeting fueled entirely by his desire to look busy so his rival will leave him alone.

Hedrim studies me for a few moments longer, then abruptly snaps his head around and strides off in the other direction.

Huh.

I shake my head, dismissing the incident, and continue on my way, headed to meet my darling Viktor.

The garden is empty, save for the two of us. Viktor is bent over a bouquet of white roses. He straightens up and his eyes meet mine, lighting up. He gives a happy laugh as I draw close and presses the bouquet into my hands. "Hello, Ophelia! How are you feeling?"

"Mm." I murmur, and raise the flowers to my nose, inhaling the sweet aroma, before holding out my own offering to him - the fresh baked goods. "Hungry. I've been waiting to eat with you."

Viktor takes the proffered treat eagerly, his eyes sparkling in appreciation as he admires them. He digs out one of the smaller pieces, popping it into his mouth before licking his fingers, humming in approval. "I suppose it is safe for me to assume these are the fruits of your labors this morning?" He smiles happily as I nod enthusiastically.

Viktor's smile widens before his lips brush against my temple briefly and then pressing against my cheek for a lingering moment before withdrawing. His hands clasp my own as he leads me over to a wooden bench and takes a seat, guiding me to sit down beside him. His arm slips around my shoulders and pulls me against his chest. "Viktor..." I sigh softly, enjoying the way I fit so neatly in his embrace. I could get lost in this man's arms, so secure and strong, so warm, and smelling like a winter's night with just a hint of earthy sandalwood.

"My dear, beautiful Ophelia." He murmurs into my ear. His fingers rest lightly against my cheek as he tilts my chin up, bending to kiss me. He tastes sweet and musky, his tongue darting into my mouth. The kiss deepens until we're both breathless. My heart hammers in my chest. I've never been so alive in all my life. "My Ophelia." His lips trace the lines of my cheek.

"Yours." I murmur in response, cupping his face gently as I look into his beautiful green eyes. My lips press to his forehead, trailing slowly down to rest against his lips.

For a moment, an intense look of desire flashes through his eyes...and then he quickly turns to grab one of the baked treats I brought. "Come. Let us eat before we...forget to. "

I nod and let myself fall against his shoulder as we nibble on the snacks in companionable silence. I lay my head on Viktor's shoulder as the wind picks up, letting my eyes drift closed. He's so comfortable. All I want to do is lay with him and do nothing all day long. Just lie there with him, my cheek buried against the side of his neck, breathing him in and drinking him in with my senses.

It doesn't matter what Ophelia would have been doing in this moment in the game, because I am here now...and the person I want to be, is the one Viktor holds.