I put the paper down slowly, letting it rest on the table as if the weight of it was more than just ink and parchment. I leaned back in my chair and exhaled through my nose.

"Ok," I said, breaking the silence, "we have two problems now, taking care of the rebels and putting the heavenly monsters in their place."

Lucy didn't rush to answer. She simply nodded once, calm and steady, like she had already accepted that reality long before I said it out loud.

"Seems so," she replied.

The room fell silent again. I stared at the ceiling for a moment, my thoughts moving faster than my words. Then, without fully thinking it through, I spoke.

"You know what," I blurted, straightening up, "let's visit those pets today, and we can take care of the Rebels' problem on the way."

Lucy turned her head slightly, studying me, but before she could respond, Maria finally intervened. She folded her arms, her voice thoughtful rather than hesitant.

"That seems like a good plan," she said. Then added "When do we set off?"

Before I could answer her bacm, Lucy smirked as if an idea fell on her mind, the smile wasn't a cruel one, but it had that familiar edge to it, the one that always meant she was about to say something that would annoy someone.

"Oh no, sweety," Lucy said lightly, waving a hand. "It would be only me and Ragnar. There is no need for all of you to come."

"After all, you could drag us down, and besides, we can't have both the king and the queen leave"

The words landed heavier than she probably intended. I saw the reaction instantly. One of them slumped down in her seat, shoulders dropping, disappointment clear on her face.

"That's so?" she said quietly. "I always wanted to see one of the heavenly monsters with my own eyes."

Her voice wasn't angry. It was soft, almost childlike, and it made my chest tighten. I stood up and walked over to her, placing a hand on her back and rubbing gently.

"Don't be sad," I said, keeping my tone warm. "I will take you and the whole group another time."

She looked up at me, searching my face as if making sure I meant it. After a second, she nodded.

"Ok," she said. "That's a promise."

"It is," I replied without hesitation.

"Just two of us, consider it a date"

Her face lit up with joy, "A date, hehehe. Good, then I'm waiting for you to come back"

Lucy finally clapped her hands together, the sound sharp and cheerful, pulling everyone's attention back to her.

"So," she said brightly, "want to take the carriage, or a quick teleportation spell?"

I didn't even need to think about it. I looked at her flatly.

"Please, a teleport spell," I deadpanned. "I have many things to do, and I would have to pass by the Rebels too"

Lucy chuckled, clearly amused, and stepped closer.

"Ok then," she said. "Come near me, little boy."

I raised an eyebrow, already suspicious, but I walked toward her anyway, after all, she helped us a lot.

"Wait," I said slowly, "I don't remember the teleportation spell always having that condition."

She didn't answer right away. By the time I stopped, I was only inches away from her. Close enough to see the shine in her eyes, close enough to feel the warmth of her presence. That's when she smiled.

It wasn't her usual playful smile. It was possessive.

"No," she said softly, "it doesn't have one. You fell for my honey trap, Ragnar."

My eyes widened.

"Wait, what do you mea, "

I didn't get to finish. In the next moment, Lucy wrapped her arms around me tightly. I felt her body press against mine, and before I could react, she pulled something from her inventory.

A love potion.

There was a sudden flash of light, bright enough to make me squeeze my eyes shut. The air shifted, cold biting into my skin. When I opened my eyes again, the royal meeting room was gone.

We were standing at the peak of a frozen mountain.

Snow stretched endlessly in every direction, the wind sharp and loud, howling like it wanted to tear everything apart. The sky above was pale and heavy, and the ground beneath us was solid ice.

Lucy didn't loosen her grip. Her arms stayed locked around me as if she was afraid I might disappear. She smiled wildly, her eyes curved like a moon crescent, bright and full of emotion.

"Finally, Ragnar," she said, her voice almost shaking with excitement. "We could be alone."

My heart pounded. The cold didn't bother me nearly as much as her words did.

"Wait," I shouted over the wind. "Lucy, have you always been like this?"

She tilted her head slightly, her smile deepening.

"Yes," she said without hesitation. "Since the moment I saw you at the shop, something in you always attracted me."

I swallowed, listening as she continued, her words spilling out like she had been holding them back for far too long.

"I even moved my house into that forest," she said, her tone proud, "and made a trail for you alone to come. But my plans failed when I saw the whole group came with you."

She paused, her expression softening for just a second.

"After all, I don't want to make Elaris sad."

Then she reached into her pocket again. Slowly, deliberately, she pulled out the love potion and held it up between us. The liquid shimmered faintly inside the vial.

"Now, Ragnar," she said gently, almost sweetly, "drink this, and you would always love me, just like I do."

My mind raced. Thoughts collided with each other, fear mixing with disbelief. The wind howled around us, the cold pressing in, but all I could focus on was the potion in her hand and the look in her eyes.

"What should I do?" I thought desperately.

Then, suddenly, an idea fell into my mind…

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