The day after the conversation at the palace, Alex found himself in the back garden, surrounded by a stillness he rarely experienced in such a place. The sound of wind rustling the tree leaves and the soft murmur of the nearby river brought him the calm he needed. Despite the many people he had interacted with lately, Alex always found comfort in solitude.
Emi, as usual, couldn't stay still. After the talk with the queen and her unexpected declaration that they would travel together to another kingdom, she had been wandering all over the palace, exploring every corner as if it were a brand-new adventure. Alex watched her from a safe distance, quietly, like a spectator in someone else's life—always preferring to stay out of the drama.
But this time, he couldn't help but notice a figure approaching him.
It was Leona, the princess, the queen's daughter. Her appearance was—as always—impeccably polished, but there was something in her gaze that hinted at disdain, perhaps stirred by Emi's carefree attitude. She walked toward him slowly, her steps elegant, but the tension in her posture was unmistakable.
—"Alex," she said, her voice soft yet serious. It wasn't a question—it was a statement.
Alex looked at her for a moment. Despite her composure, Leona wasn't hard to read. There was something in her that revealed an internal struggle, a deep desire for recognition that clearly clashed with Emi's laid-back nature. Alex wasn't interested in politics or rivalry, but he couldn't help noticing how hard Leona worked to maintain her flawless image.
—"Yeah. Can I help you with something?" he replied, keeping his tone as neutral as always.
Leona observed him with a mix of curiosity and something else he couldn't quite identify. She seemed somewhat uncomfortable but pressed on.
—"I heard you'll be traveling with Emi," she said, her tone more direct—almost challenging, though still wrapped in the politeness expected of royalty. "Why? Aren't you afraid of getting involved more than you should?"
Alex didn't know if it was about his ability to strengthen Emi or simply the fact that his presence seemed to constantly get him wrapped up in her chaos—but something about Leona's question made him uneasy. It wasn't a topic he liked discussing. After all, his goal was to avoid the spotlight, and yet, he always ended up in the middle of things somehow.
—"I'm not afraid of getting involved," he said flatly. "I just don't have much of a choice. Emi has a habit of dragging me into her messes. And, to be honest, I'd rather stay out of all this."
Leona frowned slightly, but she didn't seem annoyed. On the contrary, her gaze softened for a second.
—"Doesn't it bother you, always being the 'side character'?" she asked, leaning in a bit. Her voice was lower now, as if she were sharing something vulnerable—though Alex could sense it also carried a hint of provocation.
He sighed, feeling oddly at ease being honest in that moment despite the awkwardness of the situation.
—"Honestly? I've always been more of an observer. I'm not interested in standing out. I don't have any extraordinary abilities like the other heroes. I'd rather stay on the sidelines, helping quietly." His voice remained calm, like someone who truly didn't care about others' opinions. "And Emi... well, she always ends up pulling me into her adventures. But I've gotten used to it."
Leona stared at him for a moment, as if weighing his words. After a long pause, she nodded slowly, offering a faint smile.
—"I get it. Other people's expectations can be heavy, can't they?" she said, her tone revealing an unexpected sense of camaraderie. "Everyone expects me to be someone important—to rise to the occasion, to shine. But deep down, I wish I could just disappear into the background... like you."
Alex didn't respond right away. Something about her words struck a chord. Despite being a princess destined for greatness, Leona also felt the weight of expectations. For the first time, he saw a glimpse of vulnerability in her—a reflection of his own thoughts.
—"It's not that easy, is it?" Leona murmured, more to herself than to him. After a moment, her expression hardened again. "But even if you don't want to stand out, you have to admit—Emi can't do everything alone. And for some reason, fate decided you'd be by her side. You can't run from that."
Alex said nothing, simply watching as she walked away. Princess Leona had made one thing clear: no matter how much he tried to stay in the shadows, fate had other plans for him. Emi would need him, whether he liked it or not.
Just then, Emi appeared, bouncing over cheerfully, as if nothing had happened.
—"Alex! Ready for our next adventure? Come on, we don't have time to waste!" she shouted, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Alex simply sighed and followed her, resigned, knowing that any attempt to escape his fate was futile. Emi, whether she knew it or not, always pulled him along—and for some reason, he could never say no.