At night, Lukas would wake up in a cold sweat about his situation. He would look around the room, panting, before attempting to go back to sleep. Unfortunately for him, there were many nights where he couldn’t.

During those mornings, he would go to class, the exhaustion overtaking his entire physique. On the third day, he would sit in the back of his class, the defeat lingering within him as he thought about how at this point, Irvin had not sent a response letter. Lukas tried to tell himself he would be taking his time, as maybe there were other things he had to be concerned with at this time. He had the oncoming exam, and his plans for what he would do next.

Somehow, even though Irvin wasn’t in this world, he could be certain Irvin might find a way back into this world. As Lukas made it through his morning quiz, and then he progressed through the rest of the day, he would find himself distracted. And then by the time he ate at the dining hall, he would find it hard to eat little more than a few bites. The guilt lingered as he put the plate back, knowing that it wasn’t so long ago he had found it challenging to eat a whole meal.

In making it back to his dorm, Lukas would stare at the ceiling. Although the warm weather had not permeated through, he could find himself wondering what he had done. He had ended things with his old lover, but he had sent his new lover away, all because he was afraid of being caught in the act. Especially while he was with Irvin, the idea seemed horrible. But what if Lukas had made a mistake in letting his old boyfriend go? What if he had to go back to his old world?

Lukas would, once again find himself sitting outside, caressing the two dogs. In hugging one of the dogs, he found some warmth. The fact that got him here, after everything, was the fact that Alik had not come out here. On the other nights, when he went to greet the dogs, he did not see Lord Alik there either.

Had Lukas built in fantasies about that man, without even knowing him much? All it took for Lukas to feel something about the man was for the gift of art supplies, the compliment, and then the fact that even at his status, Lord Alik had listened to him when he said now.

The next afternoon, during the gap between classes, he would meet with the academic advisor to discuss his progress. Thanks to both his conversations with Lord Alik, and his conversations with Irvin, he wondered if they would know yet, and if his academic advisor would call him out for it.

This advisor was more direct for the program, and was a woman named. Masha. Masha sat across from him, a stern look in her eyes. Lukas sat down, trying not to appear frightened. Masha gave him a cold stare as she began.

“Your professors have been telling me about your progress,” Masha said. “You seem to have progressed through the language quite nicely, yes? But they have reported some concerns with you. Namely, the fact that you only ever seem to sit in the back, or with the fact that you have seemed rather distracted.”

“I’m sorry,” Lukas said. “I have a lover at home, and while I haven’t been contacting him, I have come to realize how much I miss him, and it has caused a lot of pain.”

“Why are you here again, then?” Masha said. “The conditions here are that you will help Lord Isidor after this.”

Lukas rubbed the shoulder. “I needed to change the fortunes for the both of us. That’s why I am so anxious. Because every day I am away, I miss him. But it’s for the best.”

“Oh, Masha said. “I suppose that works. Your marks are high enough anyway, but I would urge you to be careful. The end exam is coming up, and I believe you have plans to further your education, right?”

“I do,” Lukas said. “So long as Lord Isidor would allow for it.”

“Speaking of which,” Masha said. “While you aren’t allowed to talk to anyone, considering he’s your sponsor, we have made an exception for him, on the conditions that he asked for it. Because he sponsored you, we are going to take him as an exception. Because his sponsorship helps the university, and this can be seen as an act of goodwill. Just don’t tell anyone about the meeting, no?”

“Of course,” Lukas said.

Masha would get up, taking her papers. She gave him a harsh gaze, before she scoffed. “I will go call him in here. See that you stay out of trouble while I am gone.”

When she left the room, Lukas sat back. The candle flickered in the corner still. He wished he could draw it. He also wished he could use the art supplies Alik had given him. But, in the interest of keeping everything secret, he had smuggled those in his room.

Upon entering the room, Lord Isidor would sit down in Masha’s seat, before turning to Lukas. “I see you have been doing quite well in class.”

“Yes,” Lukas said. “Listen. I am trying my best with everything, yes? I do feel concerned about some of the feedback though, Sir.”

“Young man, don’t worry about it,” Lord Isidor said, his voice lightening up. “I wish my son were as studious as you might be. Besides. I don’t care if you’re not the best student you can be all the time. There is something I do care about. Word has it you’re an artist?”

“I can also work with plants,” Lukas said. “Being from the third realm and all.”

Lord Isidor nodded. “If you’re looking for a job at the palace as a palace gardener, I can help put in a good word for you, then.”

“Thank you, Sir,” Lukas said. “Even if I am here, it would be nice to be able to make my own money.”

“There’s one condition,” Lord Isidor said. “I know it’s going to be challenging, considering how he’s around. But I will need you to stay away from Lord Alik for the time being, and then thereafter. Because I hear you are interested in going to art school?”

“Yes,” Lukas said. “Or at least, I hope I am. I mean, I never lost it. I was merely trying to study the wrong thing in my old world.”

“Listen,” Lord Isidor pulled out a piece of paper. “I know you have a long way to go, but I have a pen and paper for you. This is the contract. If you make it through art school, eventually I will hire you as an artist. On the condition that you remain my ally, and treat my enemies as such. There’s a complicated history between Lord Alik and I, but we both want the same power.”

“I can do that,” Lukas said. Somewhere inside, he felt as though a part of him had shriveled up. It was as if someone had pinched him.

All for a man I only know a little bit. I don’t know why I am supposed to be enemies with Lord Alik, but I know I am too disappointed in not seeing him again.