Lukas would meet Lord Alik on one of the bridges near a fountain garden late at night. At this point, as he had walked to it, the full moon glinted off the water. He wanted to think this was the start of a new fairy tale, but there was something off-putting.

Some of the plants had begun to bud, and with the little green shoots, although it was night time, he could see the highlights from the lamps and the moon. At this point, Lukas desperately wished he could find a way to draw this place. But in an attempt to remain under the radar, he had left his art supplies at home.

He would wait for a short while, imagining the scenario in his head. What if Lord Alik never showed up? What if he had made a mistake in coming here?

Before too long, Lord Alik would show up, wearing a drab outfit. At this point, he looked more like a peasant, and he had shrouded himself in a coat, pulling the hood over his head. He gave a grin as he revealed himself with his long hair.

“Its such an honor to meet you here,” Lord Alik said, extending his hand.

Lukas shook his hand, his own palm growing sweaty. By all of the laws of both his world, and that of Lord Alik’s, he shouldn’t have had the ability to talk to the man. At least, not on this level. Lord Alik had riches and status Lukas had never known. At least, not in his current life. And yet, Lord Alik had noticed him, and he had agreed to come here.

As he stared into the man’s face, the composition of his dark eyes proved to be entrancing. It was like in the old times, where he had met a fairy tale prince. Lukas had often read those tales. At the youngest age, he would be given them. He had, in many senses, related to the woman. He had always thought of himself as a man, but the way the women presented themselves in the relationships had hit different than the romances he was gifted where he was supposed to insert himself to where he was the man, looking into the women. It was through those revelations and books that he realized his attraction and the nature of it. To be standing in front of a man who had gone through such lengths to see him was quite novel.

Lukas closed his eyes, trying to still his mind. He shouldn’t panic. It had only been a short bit since he met the man. This was only the first date. He shouldn’t have been a whirlwind at this time. And, above all else, due to life’s challenges, he wasn’t certain their relationship would work out.

Above all else, he had just broken up with Irvin, and he still had plenty of those feelings. As he looked into the man’s eyes, he tried to still himself and think of what to say. But at this point, there was nothing. He didn’t know what to say, or how to talk to a nobleman.

“How has your life been?” Lukas said. He trembled as he looked into the man’s eyes. “And what have things been like?”

“Well, there are a lot of politics,” Lord Alik said. “A lot of it is mundane, like making sure the taxes our people pay go back to the people, rather than the elites. Apparently, some people don’t like that.”

Lukas resisted the urge to tell the man that he had heard about it in the day. But he gave Lord Alik his attempt at a smile. “Complicated things. You know, at one point, I nearly studied law.”

“And how did you find it?” Lord Alik asked.

“There were things I really liked,” Lukas said. “I mean, I like going to school, yes. But I realize now I would have been better off if I had gone to art school instead.”

Lord Alik smiled. “You do tend to have neat artworks. I would love to see what you could create on a big canvas sometime.”

Lukas’ heart fluttered. He wanted to say something more, but the clock struck midnight. “Listen, I loved meeting you, and I wish I could stay, but I have to go. Before anyone gets suspicious that I’m gone.”

“It was a pleasure meeting you,” Lord Alik said. “If you ever need anything, I know we’re supposed to be enemies. But I would be more than happy to help you out.”

Lukas’ blushed once more. “Thank you, Lord Alik.”

“For you, it can just be Alik.”

As the two men parted, Lukas couldn’t stop thinking about what he had just secured, and who he had just met. Lord Alik had pushed him, so that he would call him by his first name. All of his old fantasies had been fulfilled. Or at least, he could hope.

When he returned to his dorm, he found a letter at his doorstep, from Irvin. At this point, he didn’t want to read it. Not really. But as he slumped back. He found the note.

Dear Lukas,

After all of these years, this is how you repay me? I am so angry with you over this. You know, I could find a way to destroy you over this. Chances are, I could hire a private investigator who can shift into the other world. I could find some holes, and when I do, I will destroy your life over it.

When you come back to me crying, you can keep crying. And begging. There will be terms to get back into my good graces. And I won’t be merciful. But you can remember how you were the one who destroyed the relationship. And then you will be sorry.

You owe me everything I gave you over the past few years, and you owe me more than that. I will not forget or forgive. If you come back to me, then we will talk.

Sincerely,

Irvin

Lukas would crumple the letter, but this time, he didn’t tear it to shreds. He would keep it, and he would use it if he ever needed. But at the same time, it was because of Irvin he walked away from his meeting with Alik, wondering if he had made a huge mistake.

He had gone from one person to the next, and it was in such a short period of time. Furthermore, he wasn’t really supposed to talk to Lord Alik. At all. He chewed the bottom of his lip, then he put his pillow over his eyes, trying not to panic.

The next morning, he would start his classes with an aching back, exhaustion to the point of nearly falling asleep, and behind on his schoolwork. He hadn’t even known what to talk to Lord Alik about, and he was so awkward throughout the meeting. They were quite awkward throughout their chance meeting. And yet, a part of Lukas wondered if he could meet Lord Alik again. He wanted to get to know the man, despite his best judgment.

Tomorrow, my goal is to go to the palace to interview for a position in the palace garden. I hope I can make enough money, so that both Lord Alik and I can begin talking in earnest.