As frustrated as Alexa was with Ras for misinterpreting her wish last year, currently, she owed him everything for helping her make this possible.

“I understand,” he’d said. “How nervous it must make you feel to harbor such strong admiration for someone and trying to express it to them…”

’If only you knew the half of it…’

“…especially to someone as reserved as Iseria,” he continued. “But you can’t get stifled by your own emotions,” Ras said, having learned that lesson himself through his adventuring as the Heir. “Just be honest and true. It’s a lot easier to speak your mind when you feel confident about it.”

“I feel anything but,” Alexa confessed. “But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel a little better about it now.”

“Just think about how well it went between you two last time. Before we… ruined it. Sorry, again. But I’m sure she has no reason at all to object to going out with you again.”

“Yeah… you’re right. I was getting really worked up about it, so thanks for helping clear my head a bit.”

“Be sure to let us know how it goes.”

’Well… it’s going alright so far,’ Alexa thought, stealing another glance at Iseria as they walked between the trees together. It was too quiet for Alexa’s liking, beginning to feel awkward as the silence began to settle, but she always caught a smile curling Iseria’s lips as she admired the beautiful landscape around them.

They passed through the palace rose garden on the way to their destination, which Alexa kept secret, stopping briefly to admire the vibrant colors and sweet fragrance. To Alexa it seemed a perfect way to start their date… that was what she called it, at least. Leaving the garden behind she led Iseria outside the castle grounds, through the city—buying several sweets along the way—toward the countryside and down a wooded path. It was a miraculously warm day for being so deep into the winter; the sinking sun washed the route in gentle oranges and shadows, and Alexa felt the warm wave in her heart as well as she walked next to the equally radiant beauty beside her. She inhaled to calm herself and breathed it out slowly, remembering how Ras told her not to get worked up.

“I never knew about this path,” Iseria said into the silence.

“Really? Though, I suppose it is rather far out…”

“That it is. But I think it’s worth the travel,” Iseria said as she gazed up toward the treetops.

“So do I,” Alexa mumbled, glad that she shared the sentiment. “If you like it so far, just wait until we reach the end.”

Isera smiled then; a small but genuine display of excitement that could rarely be seen from her. Alexa couldn’t help smiling back, nor wanting to get there all the sooner now. Planning on leading her along, she reached for Iseria’s hand before she thought about what she was doing and instead deftly grabbed past it for her wrist.

“We should get there before the sun sets,” Alexa sputtered, hopefully distracting Iseria from the sudden contact, but felt her arm loosen in her grip, pulling away and turning until she felt their palms touch and hands clasped together.

“I’m right behind you,” Iseria said as she caught up to Alexa’s pace.

Alexa was glad to be in front, knowing that Iseria couldn’t possibly see her blushing. Her heart trembled, matching their hastened pace as the moved up the hillside.

Iseria wondered what Alexa was thinking right now. What she was feeling. She certainly seemed a little on edge, but then, Alexa always seemed nervous in her company. When she worked up the courage to ask Iseria out again, Iseria felt far too rude to even consider turning her down. It was rather sudden, and Iseria didn’t think herself mentally prepared for a private outing, until she remembered how enjoyable their picnic was during the new year’s celebration a few weeks ago.

Alexa’s wish… could that truly have been all she wanted? Then Iseria realized that going out alone with her would be a perfect chance to find out, or at least, to try and understand more about her feelings, and so she accepted her invitation. If anything, Iseria was glad to see her so excited. She followed her out of the forest and spied a small town farther down the dirt path.

“That’s Raylu,” she murmured, surprised to have ended up here.

“Sure is! That shortcut through the forest is a lot quicker than taking the main road all the way around.”

“It seems I still have a thing or two to learn,” Iseria said, glancing then at Alexa, wondering if she’d have any kind of reaction to that compliment.

“I still have a lot to learn myself,” Alexa said, refusing to place herself above Iseria as usual.

“Like how to take more pride in yourself, for one,” Iseria retorted. She awaited a reply, but none came. Alexa only continued leading her on toward the hills to the north.

“I can only thanks to you,” she said finally, turning and glancing back at Iseria as they scaled the grassy slope.

“You don’t give yourself enough credit.” She knew that Alexa’s admiration interfered with her own self-esteem. And yet, lately Iseria began to wonder to what extent her admiration stretched, and worried if it was inhibiting her in any other ways… Iseria thought that she might have been too direct in confronting Alexa, given her silence.

Looking past Alexa for now, Iseria could guess their destination: the top of a forested hill rising up into the mountainside behind Raylu. Sure enough, Alexa led her toward it on another path around the outskirts of Raylu.

Iseria squeezed her hand as a silent sort of apology and walked up closer to her.

“Alexa?”

“Sorry,” she sighed, slowing down and trying in vain not to focus on their hands. “I’m not great at receiving compliments, especially from someone like you.”

Iseria knew that much already, but was relieved that she hadn’t offended Alexa in any way.

“That’s okay. Just know that you impress me constantly with your growth. That’s all I was trying to say.”

“Thanks,” Alexa said quietly. “That really means so much, coming from you, Lady Iseria.” Alexa turned and showed her a bright smile, one that she couldn’t stop from curling higher when she saw Iseria smiling back again. She turned back around quickly to continue leading on, but mostly because she couldn’t stop grinning like a loon.

Her smile only widened, however, as the trees began to thin farther up the hill. Rather than heading for the very top, Alexa pulled Iseria to the side toward a clearing that overlooked not just the valley, but the entire countryside below them.

“Here we are,” she announced, letting Iseria catch up and stand at her side. Raylu’s orchards and corn and wheat fields covered the far right near the base of the mountain, while the sun set on the countryside they’d traveled. In the distance Tirel Castle towered in its majesty, all the way up to the pink skies high above the horizon, and casted its shadow on the town below.

“We traveled a long way,” Iseria observed as she absorbed the vast land before her, all its plains and rivers, tracing the path they took from the castle. “It’s easy to forget how expansive the land in Ezera really is when we’re always inside the town and castle.”

“I know. That’s why I enjoy patrolling way out here so much. Whenever I pass through Raylu I like to take the time to stop up here for a bit.”

“I could understand why. It’s beautiful. And peaceful.” Iseria couldn’t part with the view. The wind rose gently to meet them high up the hill; the only sound accompanying the sublime sight. Looking out over the golden, glowing land Iseria found it easy to forget also all of the darkness lurking in the country and everywhere else in the world. But now wasn’t the time to think of such things.

“It’s perfect.” Alexa summarized it for her finally, having lost herself in the view as well. “Oh, I’m sorry. I should have been setting up while you watched.”

“It’s okay. Go right ahead.”

Alexa kneeled into the grass to start unpacking her basket and felt a tug on her hand, looking up at Iseria to find their hands still clasped together. Iseria met her glance, freezing Alexa further in her confusion. She opened her mouth for form some sort of apology, but her voice hid in her throat, so she quickly let go and turned away wishing she could hide in her basket as heat bloomed in her cheeks again.

’Alexa, you idiot… say something! I didn’t realize we’d still been holding hands all this time…’ But her head only filled with feelings of how she didn’t really want to let go…

She distracted herself with her preparations, spreading her blanket over the grass and all the secret snacks she’d packed on top. Alexa took a spot on one side of the blanket, purposely leaving her basket in front of her to free up the space between her and Iseria, who sat down beside her.

“Now, may I ask why you bought so many desserts? Surely you don’t expect us to eat all of them ourselves.” Iseria pored over the intimidating assortment of cakes and chocolates and pastries laid out before them that Alexa had picked up on their way through town.

“This morning I couldn’t decide what to pack, so I tried asking you what some of your favorites were but you said you didn’t have any. Remember? I couldn’t believe that you’ve never been to any of the places around town, so I bought samples of some of my favorites.”

Iseria’s embarrassment over it still surprised her. It had never really bothered or even occurred to her until Alexa asked and she had no answer to offer.

“I’ve simply never had a reason to,” she realized. “I suppose I’ve never had someone who wanted to bring me,” she said directly to Alexa.

’...Does she mean me? I’ve wanted to ask her for so long. Does she know that? Does she want me to?’ Alexa’s heart raced faster than her mind as she considered what to say and how to say it, despite there being only one option.

“Well, um… if you want to, I’d be more than happy to,” Alexa said, her voice trembling as a bundle of butterflies bloomed in her chest. Gods, she was more nervous than ever. ’Easier said than done, Ras…’

“Honestly, I’m more surprised that you haven’t asked yet.” Iseria’s amused grin left Alexa wondering if she was supposed to be feeling bad or encouraged hearing that. Iseria only meant to tease her a little, to open up the possibility for her to ask, knowing that she probably felt too nervous to on her own. Or worse, that she thought she wouldn’t accept. Iseria watched Alexa’s frozen face thawing as she worked out a response and waited patiently for her.

“O-Okay, yeah,” Alexa mumbled. “I mean, do you want to? Because I would totally love to, ask you, to do that. If you wanted.” Alexa exhaled, feeling utterly stupid as she shifted further into autopilot the more that she talked.

“I very much would. You're helping me realize that there a lot of things I could stand to learn. Normal things, that I should know. It's my own fault for remaining so reclusive.”

“Lady Iseria…”

“Alexa?” she said in a heavier tone.

“Y-Yes?” Alexa choked, taken aback by her sudden shift.

“Please, stop addressing me as ‘Lady’ Iseria. At least while we’re away from the Order. There’s no need for formalities. We’re friends, after all.”

“Okay… sorry. I was only trying to be respectful.”

“No need,” Iseria smiled. “You’re doing more than enough by going so far out of your way to spend time with me.”

“No, no it’s not out of my way at all! Quite the opposite, in fact,” Alexa murmured, her voice withering as her feelings began to bubble up. “You’re the one that goes out of your way to indulge me in things like this, and all the extra time you spend training me.”

“What makes you think that it’s out of my way? It’s my responsibility, not just as your mentor, but as your friend. To be perfectly honest… I’m quite glad that you invited me out again. It seems like you’re the only person who involves yourself so personally with me. Thank you for that.”

“Lad- Er… Iseria, please. How else am I to repay you for helping me become the knight I am today?”

Iseria’s eyes drifted to the ground, somewhere between the two of them.

“This is enough,” she said finally, smiling back at Alexa.

’It is? This? ...Me?’

“It’s funny,” Iseria continued, unaware that Alexa was still tuck considering the depth of her contentment with her. “I had a favorite place like this in Dun Blyraia. From it you could see the World Tree rising above the clouds, and below it fields of my favorite white flowers. Flowers just like these,” she said, unpinning one from her hair to study it. And reminisce.

“I can’t begin to imagine it. I’ve never even been to Dun Blyraia yet, though I’d love to see it one day.”

“And I’d be honored to show you one day.”

“...Really?” Alexa asked, unable to think of anything else to say. She knew how dearly Iseria missed her homeland, and how she regretted whatever happened there that caused her to decide to leave. Her bringing it up at all was shocking. “I would be honored, I mean.”

“But on one condition: you have to earn your next promotion as a knight.” Alexa’s smile faltered, knowing that the next rank up was a great milestone and that she’d been putting it off, but Iseria continued quickly: “Which with your current skills, I would say you already qualify for. But, of course, I’ll continue to train you until you’re comfortable.” Iseria offered a reassuring smile, which brightened Alexa’s eyes up instantly.

“O-Of course. Thank you.”

Iseria merely gazed at her flower again, then toward the horizon as she pinned it back.

“Bound as I am to devote my time to being a knight first, after that, I feel more open to spending it like this. With you.”

Alexa had to wonder if she’d heard that correctly, or if her mind was playing tricks on her. Iseria wasn’t one to show much emotion, much less such warm endearment, yet… her soft weight behind her words seemed so genuine. Alexa thought she even spied her cheeks beginning to bloom a faint red. It might have just been her own wishful thinking, or maybe the sunset on Iseria’s pale skin, but Alexa treasured this moment all the same, with warm hues and feelings illuminating them.

She turned a hopeful gaze to the sky, delighted and excited by Iseria’s words and what they meant for the future.

“Oh… I didn’t realize how much the sun had begun to set.”

“Neither did I. But for good reason.”

“Yeah,” Alexa agreed, still lost in that conversation. She hadn’t expected to delve so deeply into her feelings, much less Iseria’s, and their relationship. Iseria wanting to spend more time with her… Alexa knew that it wasn’t love. But she couldn’t help feeling hopeful about the future. This was all so much more than she could have hoped for. She’d basically just secured several dates with Iseria, and perhaps even more. It felt too good to be true.

Alexa breathed deep, calming her heart heavy with happiness. The bright oranges had begun their burn low into dusk while they talked. Shadows started their slow stretch over the dimming plains.

“We should probably start the actual picnic part before it gets too dark.”

“Yes, we should,” Iseria chuckled. “Though I don’t mind walking back after the sun sets, if you’d like to stay a little longer.”

Alexa only nodded. She turned toward her pile of sweets, wondering which to offer up first.

“Let’s just start with these,” she said, picking the ones closest to her. She took a sweet roll glazed with honey over the top for herself and passed another to Iseria, sliding an inch or two closer while she was at it. “The bakery that I got these from? I always buy one or two every time I pass by.” Alexa took a big bite out of her own, humming delightedly while the sweet honey seemed to melt in her mouth. “I cam’t resith,” she confessed.

“I can understand why,” Iseria said before taking a second bite from hers, amazed that so much flavor could be contained in such a small bread roll.

“I might have to start buying an extra for you then.”

“That would be appreciated.”

Alexa finished first while Iseria took more modest bites from hers, feeling a little intimidated by the idea of filling up on sweets. She set the rest of it aside while Alexa searched for her next choice.

“You clearly enjoyed those, so… how about…”

Alexa continued to share her sweets and all her knowledge about how they were made with Iseria, who was fascinated equally by their tastes and Alexa’s tuition. They paid little attention to the sunset in favor of focusing on each other and their burgeoning feelings: Alexa’s affections finally feeling realized and Iseria’s simple enjoyment of her company. The minutes seemed to stretch on and on as they ignored them, feeling as if they’d been out all day. They might as well have been, since the rest of the day paled in comparison to this time spent together.

“Alright, our last three,” Alexa announced, lifting a chocolate-dipped assortment of apple and citrus slices and strawberries into her palm, offering them to Iseria. She plucked the apple from her hand first and bit a smallish piece off of the end, worried about the fruity combination and finding the taste rather odd, but pleasant. She sampled the strawberry next, taking a larger chunk out of it. Alexa watched for her facial reactions to the tastes, but couldn’t help noticing her lips conforming to its shape as she bit down, smiling as she chewed. A sweetened kiss would be a perfect ending to her fairytale, but Alexa broke her gaze quickly before she was caught staring.

Once Iseria swallowed it she said, “I have had these before and I love them. However it’s been so long that I’d forgotten when you asked me what I liked.”

“Really? Well I’m glad that you remembered, then.”

“Me too,” Iseria said while reaching for another.

“Ah bup bup!” Alexa interjected, lifting her hand closer to Iseria. “Last one, then you can have all the strawberries you want.”

Iseria diverted her hand back toward Alexa’s and brought the citrus slice to her mouth. And rather quickly Alexa saw her brows crinkle, her chewing slowing when the the sweet and sour clashed anything but tastefully, then quickening again to get it down and over with.

“I’ll take that as a no, then?”

Iseria nodded as she leaned over to pick another strawberry instead.

“So, you liked pretty much everything except for that, some of the pastries, and anything with dark chocolate. Hopefully you now have some kind of idea about what food you like. As far as sweets go, at least.”

Iseria nodded, still a little overwhelmed by the gauntlet of different flavors Alexa introduced her to, but trying to commit the ones she liked to memory.

“I’ll still need someone to take me out,” Iseria reminded her with a smile.

“I would be honored to. Though, you know you can go by yourself if you wanted.”

“I could. But if the opportunity is available, I’d rather go with you.”

“Just say the word. We’ll go whenever you like.”

“Understood.”

Alexa busied herself with packing the remaining sweets and discarded wrappers back into her basket before she squealed out of sheer happiness. Never did she think she’d get to see the day when Iseria would ask her out… it wasn’t here yet, of course, but it was all but confirmed at this point. She wondered when she was going to wake up from this dream… whether this was real or not, she’d at least have wonderful news for Ras.

Finished containing their leftovers in her basket and her own emotions in her heart, Alexa leaned back to look at the sunset, finding it had already sunk far down under the earth, its last flare continuing to provide light to the land. Alexa hated to say it, but…

“We should probably start heading back soon, before it gets too dark. Unless you wanted to stay a little longer,” she tried, completely willing to stay as long as Iseria wanted to.

“As much as I would, you’re right. We have a ways to walk back to the castle. And when we get back I’ll be sure to pay you back for all the desserts you bought,” Iseria added, feeling guilty for eating so many delicious, and surely expensive, desserts.

“No, don’t worry about that,” Alexa insisted. “You’ve paid me back with your time already. It’s more than I could ask for.”

“Absolutely not,” Iseria ordered, adopting a stern tone that she really only had to wield against Prince Aither when he insisted on having his way. Though she had to wonder just how much her time meant to Alexa, if she was willing to deny compensation for all that she’d bought. Now that Iseria thought about it, she couldn’t recall Alexa treating anyone else like this… Nevertheless, she folded her arms when Alexa started pouting. Iseria sighed, “At least let me pay the next time we go out. That’s only fair.”

Alexa nodded, feeling much more satisfied with that answer than taking money from her, and they stood up and stepped off the blanket. Alexa crouched down to pick it up to stuff it into her basket with everything else.

“Here, let me help fold it.”

They each took two sides and folded them together once and again, before Iseria handed her side to Alexa, fingers brushing during the exchange. Alexa paid it no mind, or tried to at least, while she put it away and put the basket over her shoulder again, taking one last glimpse down the hill. She looked back at Iseria to ask her if she was ready, but found her studying the view again. Her stare appeared serious but soft to Alexa. Contemplative. Iseria looked on for a long time.

“Sorry,” she said, turning to Alexa again. “Shall we be off?”

“We shall,” Alexa replied, walking back down the path next to her, leaving their private panorama behind.

They descended the hill back toward Raylu without a word. The silence of the night was only pierced quietly by their footsteps. Alexa grew restless the further they walked and the longer they didn’t talk, feeling far too afraid to utter anything, or even just to glance at Iseria. But she did anyway. Iseria caught it, and Alexa hunted for something to say, anything, but ended up letting the concern in her eyes speak for her instead.

“Sorry,” Iseria repeated, returning her gaze to the forest path in front of them, whose shadows began to settle into the twilight. “I was thinking about my wish.”

“Your wish? You mean from the new year’s celebration?”

“Yes.”

“If I may ask, what was your wish Iseria?” Alexa asked politely, knowing how touchy some people could be with revealing their wishes, since she was one of those people.

“Oh, it’s nothing special… Just to be able to look back on halcyon days, in peaceful moments like these. To be able to look over the land and not have to feel worried about its future.”

Alexa didn’t know what she expected Iseria to say, but it sounded just like her. Always concerned with Ezera’s wellbeing. No, not just Ezera… Alexa understood why she took such a long look over the horizon before they left.

“I think we all wish for that,” she said, looking up into the dimming sky. “Not to discredit your wish or anything. It’s beautiful and noble… It’s a lot less selfish than mine,” she chuckled.

“Don’t say that. What’s more important than your wish is whether or not you devote yourself to fulfilling it.”

“I guess you’re right. Huh.” Alexa had never thought of it that way before. It sounded beautiful and noble, just like Iseria.

“Speaking of… I’m sorry for not going alone with you on our previous picnic during the festival.”

“Oh, it’s okay… Wait.”

’Yeah, wait… how does Iseria know that I wanted it to be that way?!’ Did Ras or someone else tell her after the fact? Or did Iseria know the whole time?

Alexa’s distraught expression surprised Iseria. Why was she so shocked? ’Did I assume wrongly?’

“That is what you wanted, right?” Iseria asked carefully.

All Alexa could do was nod. If Iseria suspected that much, then there was little point in lying. And Alexa didn’t want to lie or hide anymore. That was why she asked Iseria out again in the first place. How could she do that just to squander it all here just to save face?

“I didn’t realize it at the time, and I apologize for that.”

“No. I should have said something. But everyone was already there and I didn’t want to ruin the occasion. And I… well, was really nervous. I still am,” she laughed. “I didn’t want to impose upon you any more than I already was.”

"Nonsense. It's been a pleasure, on both occasions,” Iseria smiled.

Alexa’s heart swelled with relief and utter glee, on what felt like the hundredth time today. She clasped her hands nervously as a thought passed through her lips faster than it did her mind for her to consider it.

“…So, in that case… would you-”

“I would.” Iseria answered quickly, knowing how difficult it must have been for Alexa to ask again. She smiled at her flustered expression.

“Okay,” she breathed, grinning back. “Um, do you want to go on another picnic, or get some desserts somewhere in town?”

“Do we have to do just one?” Iseria asked with a grin, finding herself adoring Alexa’s nervous reactions despite feeling bad about inciting them.

“No, of course not! We’ll just do this again, whenever you’re not busy.”

Alexa breathed deeply, worried that she’d start melting soon. Her heart raced, butterflies scattered, cheeks blushed feeling so anxious. She squeezed her hands, wondering if it would calm her down like she hoped or only make her more nervous. She could hardly remember what Ras said about getting too worked up.

’Oh, why now? All we’re doing is walking back… I should feel free as a bird. I guess I just really don’t want it to be over.’ Alexa stared down at her feet, past her hands. ’Come on nerves, please, quit acting up already…’ She sent her wish out with a sigh, before remembering what Iseria said about wishes. But what was she to do about all of these rising emotions?

If they wouldn’t go away on their own, then…

Alexa cleared her throat, steeled her voice the best she could and asked, “Iseria? May I?”

Iseria turned and saw Alexa’s hand extended out to her. It wasn’t her place to say it out loud, but she thought it beared repeating: ’You impress me constantly with your growth, Alexa.’ Rather than respond, for she knew not what to say, she placed her hand in Alexa’s. Not to reward her bravery, but to honor it and her feelings, which Iseria felt that she understood quite clearly now.

She was more curious about the funny, fluttering feeling that travelled from her hand to her heart, but she didn’t really mind it. It felt nice. She was very glad that it—that all of this—seemed to make Alexa happy. Iseria had unearthed a lot of Alexa’s feelings during this trip… and many of her own, in the process. She had learned a lot today.