During the noon, they took some time off to go participate in the games their class organised. Such as, board games, hot potato, games involving balloons, musical chairs, even arm wrestling battles which Han won.

– Damn, that was hard to win, haha! – Han laughed, picking his first place prize.

– I’ll pass your strength in no time, you should be careful. – Dracarus warned, in a playful tone.

– Keep on dreaming, Dracus! – Han winked at him.

He smirked.

They spent a really nice time at the festival, either selling food or having fun in the activities.

The night was now coming and it was really cold. They took the most important things back to the storage room in case it rained, and were about to go home now.

– Ah, the cold nights are back… – Catherine was trying to warm her hands with Lydia. – I hope Vincent doesn’t take too long to arrive here.

– Yeah, same about my mother. – Lydia looked at Eclipse who was sneezing next to her. – By the way, Eclipse, do you want a ride home from my mom? You said your parents were too busy to pick you up.

– Ah, it’s fine… I’ll pick up the next bus. – She denied Lydia’s offer. She didn’t want to bother her mother.

– Aw, are you sure? It’s really cold… – Lydia insisted.

– Nah, don’t worry… – She refused again.

Lydia’s mother arrived and she went home. Eclipse, Catherine and Dracarus were the only ones left, Xavier and Han had left earlier.

– What about you, Dracarus? – Catherine looked at him. She thought he would go home with Han, but he didn’t. – Aren’t you going home?

– Yes, I’m just waiting for you two to go home. It’s not safe to stay alone at this hour here.

– Oh… Alright. – Catherine replied.

“He’s really a Prince… Such a gentleman.” She recognised his title.

Later on, Vincent got there and Catherine got in the car.

– Oh, Dracarus Swan also came today? – He asked, driving off.

– Yes, he and Han are always with us now… 

– Well, I guess they really enjoy being around you all… They usually don’t speak much when they go to the police department to work with us, especially Dracarus, he seems to be more reserved.

Vincent had encountered the Princes a few times at the station, but rarely had a conversation with them… He was surprised to see them hanging out with those university students.

~~~

After she left, Eclipse and Dracarus were alone… again.

– Well, I should get going now… – Eclipse was saying her goodbyes to him. – Have a good night.

“She’ll catch a cold if she stays in this freezing weather for too long… She’s already sneezing…”

~~~

Eclipse Drakon

I was already walking my way to the bus stop, when I felt a grip on my arm. It was Dracarus.

– Wait… It’s really cold, are you sure you don’t need a ride home? 

“Did he really come all this way already to ask me this?”

I really didn’t want to get much closer to him nor to interact much more with him… Because of the path I chose, I can’t get close to a person whom I need to hide and run from, it’ll only hurt more. 

However… It would be mean if I refused his ride offer again…

– Hum… Alright. I’ll accept it this time. – Accepting him only a few times wouldn’t hurt.

– Well, allow me then. – He tightened the grip on my arm, and in an instant I was with him in front of his motorcycle.

“What? He can also teleport like Han?”

He picked up his helmet from the handle and put it on me.

– Wait but, what about you? – I asked, concerned about his safety.

– Don’t worry about me. – He turned on the bike and got up on it. – Come, hop on.

I carefully hopped on behind, and hugged him, trying to protect myself.

Despite being cold, his body was really warm.

“It’s comfortable… I could easily fall asleep on his back.” 

We were mid way when I realised we were supposed to go to my house… and he didn’t ask for directions.

– Wait… How do you know where I live? – I asked, confused.

– Han told me. Sorry if that creeped you out.

“Ehh?! Why would he tell him? Are they up to something? Did they find out anything?!”

I was overthinking everything again, but something distracted me… I felt a strong yet soft force holding my hands together, as if they were tied.

– I used my power on your hands to keep you more safe, please don’t think anything weird about it. – He said, with a gentle tone.

“He’s really careful with everything and everyone… I wonder if he does this to anyone who rides with him.”

After a few minutes, we arrived there.

He helped me take off the helmet and I couldn’t take my eyes off him at that moment… Once he noticed it I looked away… I had never felt so enthralled by someone like I felt with him but I really couldn’t let it develop more.

I couldn’t fall in love with him… It was too early to feel something like that for him as well. We barely met.

His eyes wandered off to the electricity pole next to my house. Something caught his attention.

– So the posters exist even here, huh? I guess it’s getting famous.

– What is that?

– It’s a poster of a new theatre performer that’s getting quite famous. Haven’t you seen it yet? 

– Not really, I never even noticed that poster was there.

– Well, I guess we should go watch it someday then. – He smiled at me.

I suddenly felt something liquid falling onto my face. I looked up to see if it was raindrops and I put on my hood.

My hand had been exposed again, and I guess he had seen it again…

– Can you… give me your hand, please? – He asked me, reaching out his hand.

I wasn’t sure what he was going to do, but I did what he asked for.

He took off the bandage and held my right hand with his warmth. I saw his forehead star lighting up in a red tone.

– Even though this wound doesn’t really seem to be caused by a cat, I won’t doubt you. – He had noticed already that I was probably lying. He didn’t seem to care why though, but it could be something troublesome for me. 

– It’s healed now.

I looked around my hand and the injury was gone. Only a little scar was left. 

– Thank you. – I looked at his star, and it had returned to its normal appearance. It was my first time witnessing his healing power.

– You don’t need to thank me, Eclipse… – His voice was really soft at times…

~~~

Dracarus Swan

I really wanted to ask her about what Theodora said… This interest I have in her keeps on growing each day I spend with her and after what the girl said, I felt the urge to know more about it.

This isn’t something usual for me, I don’t even know how to explain this feeling exactly. It’s definitely not because I admire her artworks… it has way more depth than that.

– I’ll head inside now since it’s raining… Thanks for the ride too. – She grinned.

– Wait… Uh– Can we talk about something first? It’s quick.

~~~

– Yeah, sure… What is it? – She was curious about what was going to be this time.

– Well… – He was still hesitant about it. It was rare for him to be so straightforward with something. Especially this. – About earlier when Theodora said you liked me, what exactly do you like about me…?

Eclipse was caught by surprise by this, she didn’t even know exactly how to react to that question.

“He’s always so quiet yet he can ask things like this so directly… The same happened on wednesday…!”

– So, hum… – Eclipse composed herself. – I just… think you’re really kind and understandable with me. – She was being honest with him. – And with the others, of course… Also the fact that you like my art and that you’re able to understand its hidden meaning. – She kept on scratching her neck. It was her habit to do when she felt nervous about something in front of someone.

– Oh… Is that it? – He asked, as if he was trusting her.

– Yes. – She looked at his eyes in awe. – I like being your friend.

Eclipse knew she shouldn’t be so friendly with him, but she really couldn’t help but do it anyways.

His eyes softened as if he was either happy or relieved about something. “So… She doesn’t like me because of my looks or position in the nation…!”

– Thank you… – Both exchanged an intense gaze. – Hum… – He looked away after a few seconds. He felt nervous about this. – You should go inside now, it’s raining.

– Yes, I will. Have a good night. – She awkwardly grinned at him.

– You too.

She went inside and he left.

From afar, someone was observing them and hearing the whole conversation…

“I never thought they would meet… How did we all end up connected to each other…?”

~~~