Lukas would wear his worker’s outfit once more, attempting to meet Boris at a restaurant known as The Stone’s Fire. According to what Boris had said, there was some legend behind the restaurant, coming from folks who had understood certain things about this realm’s magic over fire.

In wondering if Boris had abilities over fire, Lukas would want to ask. Unfortunately, those questions were quite personal. In this country, asking about someone’s magic, unless there was a business meeting behind it, was generally considered taboo. Not that Lord Alik, or some of the others had followed it.

But at this point, Lukas still felt as though it would be better to avoid such a topic. This time, when he saw Boris, he would produce five flowers.

“Hey,” Lukas said. “So I know things are early on, and we’re still in the talking phase. But I was wondering if you would want to be my boyfriend?”

Lord Alik remained quiet for a long moment. Then, after a period, he leaned in and whispered. “I think I need more time to think about that. See, I think you’re cute. I do. But marrying someone not of the same class is complicated. And if you date me in any capacity, it will have to be through the lens of marriage”

The sting was worse than Lukas could have imagined. This man had said no to him, and while he should have expected it, he would come to regret ever asking. He looked down at his food for a moment. “I’m sorry.”

“For now, I am happy to talk, and I am happy to be a friend,” Lord Alik said. “But I think I would prefer more time before we consider something more serious. I do like you, but for a nobleman, if we were to take things beyond, things are more complicated. As such, I think I am the one who should apologize. Because things are complicated, and it’s not your fault.”

“But–” Lukas stared at his coffee at this point. It was as if he were a school boy, feeling the weight of being scolded. Not from anything Lord Alik had said, but from the general weight of things. “Boris, I appreciate you saying something. And I should know better.”

“If it were up to me, this kingdom would be different,” Lord Alik said.

“We could run away together?” Lukas asked. His face flushed. “That was a joke. I have school. You have complicated politics. At any rate, thanks for the dinner, and thanks for everything else.”

“Hey,” Lord Alik said. “I wanted this to work, and it’s not a never. It’s just a not right now. I am happy to talk, I am happy to be a friend, I would love to see your artwork.”

“I suppose this is fine, in a way,” Lukas said. “I know I should have said something sooner, and I’m sorry. For everything. I recently got out of another relationship, and so I wanted you to know that.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Lord Alik said. “But that information confirms my resolution.”

The two men would sit in relative silence for the time being. Lukas couldn’t deny that, although Lord Alik had promised he would reconsider, there was some hurt from the rejection. He couldn’t deny the shame for asking, and for all of the gifts he had sent.

But all of this had come out in the blue. Lukas, at this point, would not press the man further. Instead, he and Boris would finish their soups. Afterward, they would shake each others’ hands and be on their way. Lukas would make his way back to his dormitory, and at this point, despite the work he would need to do, and the preparations he would have to make for tomorrow, he didn’t want to do any of it. All he wanted to do was go to a bookstore, find a sad romance novel, and read it. All while he contemplated the mess of his own love life.

He would sit back, pull his hands through his hair, and wish he could have done better. Upon looking upward, he would sigh. Out the nearby window, the clocktower indicated it was close to midnight. He had to sleep soon. But try as he might, he couldn’t deny how hard the rejection had hit.

The next morning, he would do his best to set his issues aside, while he cleared away some of the beds. He found a flow state for his work, but he would also find himself to think about last night. Today, things were a bit better. As he picked through everything, and as he cleared away the last of the old bed, he would find Ptyor.

“I hope you have been eating, sonny,” Ptyor said.

“Yes, Sir,” Lukas said. He shifted uncomfortably. “I’m sorry, I was up late last night. Stress over entrance exams, if you will.”

“Good, good,” Ptyor said. “You are a fast worker, so if you’re going to complain about being slow, at least you completed something. At least no one is riding on my ass for being slow because of you. Now, now. We have a new bed we need to prepare for planting. Can you help with that?”

“Yes,” Lukas said.

Lukas would work his way through the tasks, carrying the heavy bags of dirt. It was a bit heavier than the bags of flour, but he didn’t care. He would not complain to Ptyor again. Not after that. All he had to do was make sure the man didn’t get suspicious of his late-night activities.

Or anyone, for that matter. But keeping his boss happy was his main goal. He could not, and would not get fired from this job. He had promised himself. But at the same time, there was some skepticism. He had lost his other two jobs, after all, and it would take time for him to gain experience here, he was certain he would lose this one. But either way, this time, Lukas found he actually enjoyed his work.

As he smoothed out the dirt in the new bed, he would find himself sensing the rest of the plants in the garden. He looked up at Ptyor and smiled.

“There is so much energy within these plants. I am so excited for them,” Lukas said. “And hey. If you ever need more hours from me, especially while I am on break, let me know.”

“You should be good,” Ptyor said. “How about you come in on the mid week. We can talk together, then.”

“I can agree to that,” Lukas said. “If anything comes up, I will let you know. Thank you.”

“I want to start training you with your magic tomorrow,” Ptyor said. “I don’t know how, but we will need it in the upcoming weeks. Plus, there are a lot of roses throughout the city which might need your help. We have a lot of work to do, because Lord Isidor and Lord Alik have come together to sponsor a bill to expand the palace gardens. We have invited people with magic to come here, if you will.”

Lukas’ heart stopped. From the description of the bill, he couldn’t help but wonder if Lord Alik had planned any of this. It was only a mere conspiracy, but had Lord Alik done this to help him?

“Now,” Ptyor said. “Since you’re only here on the weekends, I must warn you. For those other two workers, I did give them a warning.”

“What happened, Sir?” Lukas asked. He was too scared to know, but with the seriousness on Ptyor’s face, there was something else the man was preparing him for.

“Well,” Ptyor said. “Out of the entire year they have worked for me, only once have they been on time. If they don’t show up on time for their next three shifts, I am firing them. Besides, you’re worth the two of them. And the rest I can do myself.”

“Oh,” Lukas said.

“Which means I might need your help more than I would otherwise,” Ptyor said. “Or, at least until I find others. If I don’t find anyone else, and you tag along for as long as I can keep you, I would pay you more.”

“Oh,” Lukas said. He paused next to a flower bed. Ptyor came to stand right next to him.

“Yeah, the emperor might ride my ass a bit, but you know what? I could spend more time training you,” he said. “Under most circumstances, I would already have enough information to fire them.”

Lukas would turn away. He then looked back at Ptyor. The man had a long, sorrowful look on his face.

“Thank you for everything, then,” Lukas said.

“See, they didn’t show up at all today,” Ptyor said.

I have a shot at earning more money, plus I have increased my current pay by twenty coins. I can be happy with that for now.