Vincent and I walk in silence until we reach one of the benches in the gardens.

It's a bit tense, honestly. I can tell he wants to ask me something, but he's holding back. And as for me… I have to admit, the thought that his mother might have told him the same thing she told me makes me uneasy.

That she would approve if we got married.

Well…

Once we reach the bench, we sit down. The flowers and the fountain are beautiful, the sound of the water and the occasional nearby bird relax me a little. I notice that he's looking at me. And right now, I'd really love to slap myself, because I don't understand why, lately, every time I look at him, I can't help but notice how handsome he is.

I noticed it the first time I saw him, and it was just like "Yeah, he's the prince, of course he's attractive". Makes sense. End of story. That fountain statue over there is also beautiful, and yet it doesn't make my stomach fill with nerves. This is definitely because of what his mother told me.

The fact that this—the romance—could actually be a possibility is what's messing with me.

"Tell me, Vincent, what did you want to talk to me about?" I finally ask, since he's still staying silent, and I'm getting more uncomfortable by the second.

"You went to the palace to talk to my parents. I'm worried."

Since I'm looking straight into his eyes, I can see the sincerity in them. Deep, golden irises… And he's worried about me, and now I'm spiraling again.

"Worried?" I ask.

"Yes. You have that sword, and they called you to the palace. You're also hiding something from me, and I know you're one of the exceptional students the academy supports and trains. Bianca, I… I don't know what's expected of you."

I let out the breath I'd been holding as I listened to him and smile. This makes things easier—it's nothing about marriages or engagements.

"That's exactly what I wanted to talk to you about too. They called me in to meet me, said I was valuable to the kingdom." I see him nodding, not missing a single word I say. "I took the opportunity to ask your mother for permission to tell you."

He stays silent, as if afraid that speaking might make me change my mind. I glance around, checking if anyone is nearby. Then, he murmurs the words of an air spell.

"My detection level isn't very high, but aside from the guard escorting you, I don't sense anyone within a few hundred meters. It's Saturday, they've probably gone home or are in the city. If someone gets close, I'll let you know."

"Thanks."

"Go ahead."

"I have more magic than just earth." I steel myself and just blurt it out. "The professor who checked our stats on the stone chart kept quiet about my other affinities. He took me to see the headmaster, a representative of the crown, and another professor, and then they offered me the contract they reserve for exceptional students."

"I have two affinities. That's rare, but not unheard of. Do you have three?" he asks, clearly surprised.

He definitely wasn't expecting this.

"Six."

"What?!"

Vincent raises his voice and even stands up from the bench. My bodyguard, standing far enough away not to hear our conversation, watches us. I give him a gesture to show that everything is fine.

"Calm down, it's all good. But you understand why I couldn't tell you all this" I tell the prince.

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He starts pacing, walking to the nearby fountain and back a couple of times. Then, he sits beside me again.

"I'm sorry, Bianca. The four basic affinities plus light and darkness… No one has ever been known to have them. Not even in the oldest legends."

Yeah, poor guy, I've completely shattered his worldview. Time to correct him:

"I don't have an affinity for darkness. My sixth element is something new, a basic element that no one had heard of until now: spirit. I have it because I possess all four basic elements: air, fire, water, and earth."

This time, he stays still, processing it. After a couple of minutes, he finally speaks.

"Bianca, you are truly incredible. Saying you have talent is an understatement. Does Ronan know?"

I nod.

"He does, but I didn't?"

"He figured it out. He saw it on the stone chart the day of the entrance exam."

"I see." He runs a hand through his hair absentmindedly. His short blond strands look soft. I wonder...

I stop my hand before I actually reach out to touch them.

"Then no wonder he calls you 'My Lady,'" he concludes.

"No, that's because he didn't have people to talk to as a child and read a lot of old books. Don't mind it. I already asked him. He said that since I was kind to him, he thought it was appropriate to show me respect."

He stares at me, looking a bit lost. Poor guy, I get it. The earth mage in his party turned out to be some kind of archmage, skilled in almost every magic plus a brand-new one never heard of before.

"So, the boss..." he mutters.

"Yeah," I lie.

It hurts because I know he means that I was the one who killed it. But it wasn't me—it was the shadow wolf.

And this... This is something I can't tell him.

"Thank you for saving us in that dungeon, Bianca. Now I feel like I got carried. I thought having you with us would be good for you, that it would help you level up, but it turns out you could've cleared the dungeon alone, without any help. When my brother's party gets back, I'll ask them to let you enter alone to clear the dungeon."

"Vincent, that's not true," I assure him. "You all did so much. And of course, it helped me—just like it helped Mary. She even learned a new light attack spell that was brutal against the lich boss." I smile at him. "I want to go back and clear it again, over and over, until it stops giving us experience. But with you."

"With me?" His face moves slightly closer to mine. We're so near that I can almost feel his breath.

I feel a soft brush against my hand. I don't dare look down. I know it's one of his hands.

If I look down, if I stop staring into those golden eyes and those strong, masculine lips… I think it would be like giving him permission to kiss me.

Strangely, I don't blush. I feel like I'm in a trance, as if a soft melody is playing, and both my heartbeat and Vincent's have synchronized to it.

"With you and the others," I break the moment.

Yet, I don't move away.

I long to stay like this. I long for… something.

"Of course."

His fingers brush against mine one last time before pulling away. His face moves back as well.

We sit in silence for a few minutes. I was supposed to meet Ronan. I'll probably be late. And yet… right now, I have no desire to move from this bench.

"My mother… knowing her, it's possible she told you something else."

"Something else?"

My heart starts beating faster. I look at him. He's staring straight ahead at the fountain.

"Yes. She always points out young ladies she considers suitable for a union with the royal house."

Okay, now I do turn red—bright red.

"Bianca?" He turns to me when I don't answer.

He looks nervous too.

"Well, if that's the case, it's nothing. It would just be another suggestion…" I murmur.

"You will never be just another suggestion to me." His voice is soft and sweet, his eyes locking onto mine.

Oh, dear goodness…

I close my eyes. I can't handle this. I feel him leaning in, his hand moving toward my face.

"My lady?" I hear Ronan's voice in my head. "You're late. Do you need assistance?"

I jump in surprise, and Vincent pulls back. I open my eyes—he's looking at me, a mix of hurt and confusion in his gaze.

"Sorry, I just remembered something—I'm late."

"No, wait for me. I'm closing the conversation. I told you this channel was for important matters," I think at Ronan, hoping he won't reply.

Because knowing him, he might say something like how I use it to set up meetings with him or for other trivial matters.

"Now that I know your secret, can I join you and Ronan for training?" Vincent asks.

He's composed himself again—back to being the prince, not a boy rejected before his first kiss with me.

"Ah… another day. Remember, you have plans with Mary."

"Bianca, why does it feel like you keep pushing me toward Mary? Should I remind you that she's going to the ball with Theodore?"

"Uh… no, I… I wasn't—"

Shit, he caught me.

Vincent furrows his brow, looks at me for a few seconds, as if trying to read me, and then sighs.

"As for the dance, you have a partner, right?"

"Yes, my fiancé Marco."

"Alright, Bianca, see you."

He whispers a few words, I imagine to deactivate his air spell.

I say goodbye to him, and we each go our separate ways.

The truth is, I don't know what's going on with me. If Ronan hadn't been so timely, I think he would have kissed me.

And I'd have been totally fine with it, not thinking about the consequences it might have, just enjoying the romance and the moment.

Bianca... this guy has three possible romantic routes, and none of them are with you, I tell myself.

So, if he ends up with Mary, everyone will be happy.

Okay, then why does it hurt in my chest just thinking about it?

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