The following day came and Dracarus went to the university. He was using a black outfit which emphasised his pale porcelain skin. Especially the leather jacket.

He entered the studio and was surprised by how large it was. It had big wide windows and a balcony where the artists often go during the breaks. The view was really breathtaking from that place, he could see the whole city from there. He was observing the start of their little projects along with other people… Everyone was giving either weird or amused looks at him, and he knew why. He also hated it, he didn’t like people staring at him like that, despite him knowing it was for a “good” reason.

Suddenly, a girl approached him. She had short blonde hair and green eyes that glowed like emeralds… Catherine, was her name.

– Oh, you’re Dracarus Swan right? It’s a pleasure to meet you here. I’m Catherine, one of the students. – She bowed.

– Huh– hi. Nice to meet you too… – He responded.

– Well, hum… We’re still starting with the project so, there’s not much to see yet, sorry about that. – She awkwardly apologised.

– Oh it’s totally fine, I was aware of that. – He replied, awkwardly looking away.

As his gaze drifted from her, it landed on the white haired girl he had seen before. She was looking through a window; she seemed quite aloof.

“It’s that beautiful girl again…” He thought to himself. She had totally caught his attention due to her uncommon features and doll face.

Catherine noticed his fixated glance on her. “Hm? Does he know her?”

– Eclipse? – She called her.

The girl he was looking at, turned around, facing them. “Again…”

“What?! She’s Eclipse Drakon?” His eyes widened in surprise and his heart skipped a beat out of nervousness.

She walked over to them and Catherine hugged her.

– This is Eclipse, she’s my friend. I noticed you were observing her so… – She pointed, letting go of her.

– Nice to meet you again, Prince Dracarus. – Eclipse flustered, looking into his eyes with an anxious tone.

– Oh… Nice to meet you, Eclipse Drakon. – He greeted her, matching her gaze.

“He remembers my full name…”

He was really stunned to see that the artist he was curious to meet was actually the girl who had caught his attention since that day at the museum. 

– Have you both already met? – Catherine asked, curious.

– Well… Kind of. We saw each other a few days ago in the museum. – He answered, glancing at Eclipse.

Catherine seemed interested in this. 

“It makes total sense now why she was at the Lawrence mansion… She was comforting her friend, Catherine.” Dracarus deduced as he had found out about their friendship.

– Hey, Catherine and Eclipse! Come help me and Lydia please! – A red haired boy yelled from the stairs. It was their friend, Xavier.

– Yeah! We’re coming. – Cath yelled back.

– Well, huh… We need to go help our friends, we’ll be right back. Feel free to wander through the studio and check on the other students’ works. – Catherine told Dracarus.

She grabbed Eclipse’s hand and both went downstairs to help them.

Despite being polite and kind to Dracarus, they didn’t seem to be that much amused and shocked by his presence, unlike others. He felt happy about that and was considering Khaos’ opinion about making friends.

~~~

He kept on observing the studio for some time, when the girls along with their friends came back.

– Oh, you’re still here. – Catherine noticed, as she saw Dracarus still in the studio.

– Why don’t you join us for lunch? – Xavier asked. He wanted to be friends with him.

– Sure. – He accepted.

The group of friends and Dracarus went to lunch at their usual spot. They kept talking about their project and stuff, until someone mentioned Catherine’s father's case.

– Well, huh… They contacted me yesterday. Apparently he was the one at fault for my mother’s death. – She said. She seemed quite uncomfortable, or sad.

They all went silent. It must’ve been devastating for her to find out about this. Lydia hugged her, trying to give some comfort.

– You know… Actually I was the one finding his body. I just reported it to the police. – Dracarus, out of nowhere.

– Wait, really?! – She, surprised. The others seemed shocked as well.

– Yes… It was a shocking case indeed. Do you feel better now? – He asked.

– Yes, I’m still kind of sad about it but I don’t give it so much thought now. Our relationship wasn’t that good… so as bad as this may sound, I’m honestly relieved in a way. 

Catherine felt like this was a bad thing to say as he was her father… But he treated Cath badly enough for her to say this.

– Well… Then I guess it’s a good thing maybe. If you feel sad about it sometimes, you can talk with me. – Dracarus tried to reassure her.

– Thank you, that means a lot to me… Is the Queen also involved in the investigation? As far as they told me, my father was a member of one of those illegal associations. – She asked, curiously.

– Yes, we helped the police on this. However, we are focusing on The Moon’s case. Your dad was also a victim of this executioner.

– Wait, what?! No one told me this.

– Mhm, I’m aware. But don’t worry much about it, it’s not worth it.

The others were just quietly eating their food as they heard the whole conversation.

– Damn, this killer is really something. – Lydia interrupted.

– True, as much as his actions are bad, they’re also reasonable in a logical way… – Eclipse added. 

Xavier didn’t even know what to say about this, or during the whole lunch time. He just kept on munching on his food.

After eating, Dracarus offered himself to pay for the food of everyone as a gift. They all accepted and went back to the studio. Dracarus sat on the couch of the room for a bit as he had nothing more to do for the day. He was only watching them work, he didn’t want to bother them.

Unawarely, his gaze was hooked on Eclipse once again and he felt the urge to go talk to her. For some reason, he was really drawn to her. Not only for being an artist he admired much, but also because she seemed like an interesting person.

He decided to walk up to her.

– Hello… – He said as he slightly tilted his head to match her eyes which were looking up at him.

– Oh, hi. – She murmured.

She was sketching some ideas for her piece; she was quite the messy artist in her sketches.

– Sorry if I’m bothering, I just hum… decided to come see you work up close. – He awkwardly explained, drifting his glance back to her again.

– Ah, it’s okay. You can sit next to me if you want. – She said, pulling out another bench from under her table.

– Thank you. – He accepted.

Dracarus really wanted to talk to her about anything, or get to know her… But he was quite shy as she seemed the introverted type of person, just like him. He decided to just attentively watch her drawing… But he couldn’t do even that. He would always lose his gaze in her focused eyes. “How do I even begin a conversation with her… About this work, maybe?”

– You’ve been staring for a while, do you want to say something? – Eclipse shamelessly asked, looking straight into his eyes likewise. 

– Oh, hum… – He looked away, embarrassed. – Nothing particularly, I was just curious… What are your ideas for this project?

He came up with a random question, trying to hide his embarrassment. Who would’ve thought a ghoulish man like him had such shyness moments.

– I thought of a kid and his grandfather having fun. Grandparents are important to a kid’s life, they often love to spend time with their elder relatives. I’m just sketching numerous poses to decide one.

– Ah, I see… That’s a great idea actually.

He kept watching her for a while… He was getting comfortable with her. She was peaceful to stay with and didn’t seem to be freaked out by the fact he was someone highly important and admirable by the whole nation.

The sounds of the graphite pencil sliding through her book were quite relaxing, opposing the loud noise of people talking across the studio.

She suddenly stopped drawing and leaned against the table behind them.

– What is it? – Dracarus, innocently.

– I need to decide which one to do now… But I’m stuck between three of them. – She answered, sighing.

Artists’ lives aren't easy… Especially when they’re indecisive about something.

– Well… I can help you with that, if you want. – He suggested.

– Uh– Sure. Choose one. – She approved.

He carefully analysed the three poses, and chose the middle one. The kid holding hands with his grandparent while happily smiling.

– This. – He decided.

– Hmm, I’ll go with that one then. – She smiled.

– Wait, really? – He curiously asked. He didn’t think she was actually going to let him decide.

– Yes! Thanks for the help. – She said, genuinely.

He cutely smirked. He was happy to help her.

– You know… I saw you in front of my work the other day… Do you perhaps enjoy my pieces? – She quoted. She was curious about him as a person.

– Yeah… I think they’re unique. – He smoothly said, as he rested his head on his hand, leaning over the table. – I enjoy the emotions you hid in them…

Eclipse was quite surprised…She didn’t expect him or anyone else to actually understand the hidden meaning and emotions in her works.

“Maybe I should be careful… I underestimated him.”

– Oh… Thank you. – She thanked him. 

They spent the rest of those two hours working on the project. After that, they all went home. Dracarus felt quite happy that day.

~~~

Later that day, at 18 o’clock, Han had finished another job ordered by Khaos. This time he had helped a lady bring the new furniture to her bakery.

He was helping the woman put the last chairs, when a girl walked in.

– Good evening, Miss Rosalie! I came here to bring the flower bouquet you asked for. – The girl said, walking towards the woman.

– Thanks, dear. I’ll pay you tomorrow if you don’t mind. I’m quite busy right now. – Rosalie replied.

– It’s okay. I’ll head back home now. – She waved goodbye.

Rosalie placed the flowers on a marble jar, above the counter. Han looked at them, and suddenly remembered something. Musa had asked him for flowers.

– Lady Rosalie, is that girl a florist? – He asked her. He thought the girl might be able to help him.

– Well, kind of. Her family owns a flower shop and also supplies various plants and flowers to other florists. – Rosalie answered while pouring water on the jar. – They’re pretty famous, I thought the royal castle knew about them…

– Oh… Not really… Do you know where she lives?

– Of course! Her family lives at the end of this street, to the left. It’s a white house full of flowers. It's quite easy to tell which house is, once you reach there.

Han thanked her and was about to leave when…

– Wait, are you perhaps going there now? – The lady asked him.

– Yes. Do you need something? – He asked, standing between the opened door.

Rosalie went to the other room and returned after a minute.

– Could you please give this money to her? So I wouldn’t need to go tomorrow.

– Yes, of course.

He took the money and left for the girl’s house. It was starting to rain so he had to be fast.

~~~

Han

I reached the house she mentioned. It indeed looked like a florist’s house. I saw the girl who was at the bakery, working in a room, not too far from the gate. I decided to go in.

– Hello… – I said, trying to get the girl’s attention, who was busy cutting some stems.

– Oh, hi. Do you need something? – She noticed and looked up, meeting my eyes.

She had pretty red eyes. 

– Yeah, well… Are you selling any flower without necessarily being a bouquet? – I asked her.

– Of course. You can choose any of these.

She showed me all the available flowers.

– Hmm, I’ll choose this one. – I said, pointing at the only blue flower. – I think she’ll like it.

The hooded girl picked up the flower from the bucket, and was wrapping it in a beige type of paper. The same as the bouquet.

It was too quiet there. Only the rain sound was audible.

She suddenly spoke to me.

– Is it for your girlfriend? 

– Oh, not really. It’s for… my little sister. – I answered.

“Musa is not related to me, but I see her as my younger sister. She cares about me like she used to…”

The girl smiled and handed me the arranged flower. Her hands were cold.

– It’s done. It will be two crowns.

I gave her the two crowns and the money from the bakery lady, and she thanked me.

– Thank you for the flower. I actually might come here more often to buy more, haha. 

– Oh, alright. – She awkwardly smiled.

I noticed her hands were getting purplish due to the cold.

– You should warm your hands and put lotion on, it’s too cold here. – I was worried.

– Uh– Yes, you’re right. – She looked at her hands. – Thanks for the concern.

I gently smiled and waved her goodbye. 

~~~

When he arrived at the castle, Khaos and Dracarus were chatting in the living room. Musa was also there.

– I bought you a flower, Musa. I hope you like it. – Han said, giving the blue flower to her.

– Thank you! It’s really pretty. – She proceeded to hug him.

Han joined them for a bit. Dracarus was talking to Khaos about how his day went.

Apparently he had met the daughter of the Lawrence case. 

– She seemed a bit down regarding her mother’s situation. Not about her father’s death though.

– That’s comprehensible… I hope she heals soon about all this. – Khaos replied, before sipping a bit of her cider tea.

– Yes… – Dracarus agreed.

Dracarus seemed distant that day. Khaod could tell he was thinking about something.

– Did nothing else happen? Your mind seems quite absent. – She asked, looking at him.

Han was also curious.

– Well, there’s this white haired girl I’ve been seeing here and there… Her features are quite uncommon… – He was slightly blushing.

– Oh? – Khaos was curious.

– And I found out today that she’s actually the artist I admired the most at the university. I wasn’t expecting this coincidence at all. – He stated, amused.

It was rare for someone to catch Dracarus’ attention. But this girl seemed really interesting to him.

– Haha, and you fell in love with her? Let me guess. – Han jokingly said.

– Of course not. – Dracarus glared, with a serious tone. – Love isn’t for a person like me anyways.

“I just think she’s an interesting person… That’s all.” He thought.

– And what’s her name? Does she live near? – Khaos asked. She wanted to meet her.

– Eclipse Drakon. I don’t know where she lives though. – He sighed, crossing his arms.

– Drakon, you say?

Drakon was a familiar name to Khaos.

Dracarus nodded.

– Huh? Isn’t that the family name of—

Han was interrupted by a loud continuous noise of someone aggressively knocking on the door.

~~~