It's been one week since the tournament ended.
I'm still alive. I should be happy.
But now I have a new problem.
Elizabeth Argento.
She went home after the tournament.
I got a mission saying I have to keep her safe. I have no idea how. She's in the north. I'm still here at school.
Right. No pressure.
Today's the last day of class before summer break. One more boring lecture, and I'm free… to deal with assassins. Great.
I walked into class, keeping my head low, hoping no one would ask me to fight them again. After what happened in the tournament, people either stare at me too much or pretend I don't exist. It's confusing.
Liora sat on my right. Selene on my left.
"Morning," I said.
"Barely," Liora replied. "You look like you crawled out of a grave."
"Thanks. That's how I feel."
Bennett strolled in late, as usual, holding a breakfast bun.
He leaned down toward me and grinned. "Noah, you keep flirting with Selene and Liora's going to beat you up."
Liora snorted and crossed her arms. "I will."
Selene smiled politely. "We're not flirting. We're just friends."
I gave Bennett a thumbs-up. "See? Friend-zoned already. No danger."
But that didn't stop me from noticing the glare Selene's guard was giving me from across the room.
Then I made the mistake of asking Selene something I'd been wondering about.
"So… how did you become a princess?"
She paused. The whole class seemed to hold their breath.
"I'm engaged to the Imperial Prince," she said softly.
My brain shut down for a second.
"Oh," I said, blinking. "So you're not a princess yet. Cool. Good. Great. No need for your fiancé to kill me then."
She laughed, but her guard cracked his knuckles.
Class ended early today. I think even the teachers wanted summer break to start.
As I was packing up, Selene walked over.
"Noah, would you like to walk with me?"
"Uh… sure?"
Then her guard stepped in front of me. He leaned in close and whispered, "If you make her cry, I will end you."
"Got it," I said, voice cracking. "No tears. All smiles."
Later, around the academy gardens…
The sun was warm, and a breeze carried the scent of flowers. Selene and I walked side by side. She was quiet, and I didn't know what to say.
I kept stealing glances at her. She looked so calm. So pretty. Her hair caught the light like moonlight on water.
Stop staring, idiot.
"Do you come here often?" I asked.
She tilted her head. "You're nervous."
"Nope. This is just my face."
She laughed. "You're funny."
We reached a small bench under a blooming tree. Selene sat first, and I joined her.
She looked up at the sky, then down at her hands.
"Noah," she said, "I don't want to get married."
I blinked. "Oh."
"I don't even know him. I've only met the prince twice. But my family wants this… alliance."
I didn't know what to say.
"I'm sorry," I said finally.
She turned to me. "You're the only person I can talk to like this."
Her hand reached for mine.
I froze.
Was this happening?
Her hand was soft. Warm.
She leaned in a little.
Oh no.
My brain screamed. I started to panic.
"Selene, I don't think this is—"
THUMP.
"Found you!" a voice yelled.
We both jumped.
Liora and Bennett dropped down from the tree above us. Literally. They had been spying.
"Were you watching us?!" I shouted.
Liora didn't answer. She slapped me hard on the cheek.
"Ow!"
"Pervert," she muttered and stomped off.
I chased after her. "Hey! What was that for?!"
She ran all the way to the park. I followed, panting. When I finally caught up, it was just the two of us.
The sky was turning orange. The trees cast long shadows.
"Liora, what's wrong?" I asked.
"You know what's wrong!" she snapped.
"We're cousins," I said gently. "I understand how you feel, but—"
She stepped closer.
"I know," she whispered. "But still."
She leaned in. Before I could stop her, she kissed me.
My body froze. My brain shut down.
Then everything went black.
I woke up in bed, staring at the ceiling of the infirmary.
Vivianne stood over me, hands on hips, glaring.
"Why do I even bother giving you medicine if you're just going to pass out again?!"
"Good morning to you too," I croaked.
"You kissed someone and fainted? Are you five?"
I groaned. "Can I die now?"
"No. Not until I say so."
She slapped a wet cloth on my head and walked off muttering.
I chuckled.
"Oh great. From romance drama to deadly missions. Summer's going to be fun."