Late one morning, a dashing young fairy-male was strolling down Royal Way with a lovely fem-fairy holding his arm. Dressed in their Sunday finest, the duo approached the main entrance to Pyxis. In their case, it was a much-desired exit.

The Legion of Liberty soldier on guard opened the gate and moved to the side with a bow. The fairy-male gave him a polite nod in return and led the fem-fairy out of the caves and into the brisk spring breeze.

Snow was receding in Canada's Boreal Forest. Browns were turning to stunning deep greens. Birds were chirping as they fed their young and small forest creatures were burying their nuts and berries in their nests of black spruce needles.

The majestic pair continued along the forest floor. On the first passably warm day of the year, it had also come alive with fairy activity. And whenever in public, the young couple never failed to catch the attention of others.

Joseph MacRae accepted handshakes, words of praise, and encouragement. Some even lauded him as the savior of Pyxis and congratulated him for leading the four-and-a-half-year era of peace and prosperity in Queen Andromeda's unforeseen absence.

Cassiopeia Labelle graciously acknowledged their admirers as well, but for the most part, she clung to Joe's arm attentively but silently.

With a cool gust wind, Cassie released Joe's arm and pulled her cloak tighter across her torso. Walking in and out of the shade of the trees, she couldn't effectively shake off the chill.

Joe perfected the position of his glasses and rolled up his crisp white sleeves on his forearms. He placed his hand at her waist in time to feel her shiver.

"Joseph MacRae," a voice beckoned from above.

Joe's hand slipped from her side as they lifted their gaze to the sky. Together, head and eyes in unison, they watched another fine pair coast to the ground, landing in front of them.

"Mr. and Mrs. Fournier, Corvus and Ara," Cassie whispered in Joe's ear, sensing his difficulty placing their names with their faces.

"Thank you," Joe whispered back. He was now capable of saying, "Corvus, it's so nice to see you again. And Ara, you look lovely, as always."

Ara gave him a nod and a curtsey and Corvus Fournier grasped Joe's hand in a firm shake. "Likewise. I'm glad our paths crossed today. And since our last discussion at The Summit for Higher Education," Corvus continued, a seamless and time-effective transition to his business, "I've had quite an epiphany regarding The University of Pyxis."

While the fairy-males began discussing last month's summit, Cassie followed their conversation word for word until she caught Ara's smile. "I hope this beautiful day finds you well. How is your daughter faring? It's hard to believe she is of school-age already."

"She is excelling in all of her lessons," Ara replied. "Thank you for asking. Are you looking forward to the Commencement Gala next weekend, Princess Cassiopeia?"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world," she replied dutifully.

"Any hints on what you might be wearing?" Ara asked with a sparkle in her eyes.

"I am still finalizing my selection."

"I feel I must mention how absolutely exquisite you looked in the gown you wore to the May Day Ball. I've never seen such detailed work. That shade of blue was truly luminescent."

"Thank you," Cassie returned with an appreciative nod. "My dressmaker, Alexander, does get a little carried away sometimes."

It was a beautiful dress. It was also too tight. That's because it had to be taken in at the last minute. She had apparently lost weight again. And the entire night, it felt as if a pin were sticking into her side. Judging by Alexander's mood just prior to Cassie's emanation, that point may have been intentional.

"His gowns are remarkable," Ara babbled on. "He accentuated your beauty with such prowess and ingenuity!"

Ara's praise did not end there. But Cassie had a momentary lapse in attention while she imagined herself alone in her room next to the fire, opening the adventure story she had selected from the Royal Library.

"You are too kind," Cassie stated at the appropriate time, in an amiable tone, and with a rehearsed but pleasant grin. Then she squeezed Joe's arm to let him know that she was ready to move on.

"Well, it's been a pleasure. I will definitely consider your proposal."

"We look forward to seeing you again at the Gala," Cassie added. "Enjoy the rest of your day."

Joe and Cassie waved good-bye and began walking in the opposite direction. Joe led the way to a more densely forested area.

"This is a little more of what I was looking for today," Joe commented cheerfully. "Privacy and a few minutes alone with my favorite fem-fairy."

Cassie desired privacy for a different reason. She removed herself from Joe's touch and crossed her arms over her chest.

"What's wrong?" Joe asked, his surprise apparently genuine.

"Now we're funding an expansion of the university? I thought you said the infirmary was next in line for funding."

Joe smiled at her, and the tilt of his head was an added show of his amusement. "I said I would consider his proposal. You have to know by now that 'consider' in the language of politics means 'ha ha, nice try, but the chance of your request coming to fruition is somewhere between slim and none.'"

Part of Cassie's attention turned to a family playing a game of ball on a sunny spot of the forest floor. They could come and go as they pleased—no mandatory events or appearances, or long evenings smiling and curtsying in uncomfortable gowns and shoes.

Cassie shuddered again. Now in the deep shade, the breeze chilled her small frame more thoroughly than before.

Joe grabbed her elbow and pulled her close. "Let's not discuss business today. It's Sunday and we need some time off once in a while."

She let him slip his arms underneath her cloak even though she was still displeased. For reasons that remained enigmatic to her, he never failed to discuss their policies with everyone else in Pyxis. "I get days off. Too many. You're the one who's occupied most of the time. Now that I have your attention, I'd like to know what's occurring. It is technically my kingdom after all."

"I know all about it, Princess. My father and I are simply doing what we can to stabilize the city while you recover."

"I'm fine."

Joe peered at her sideways and frowned.

"I assure you," she adamantly insisted. "Sometimes I think you both make believe I'm still ill so there's an excuse to belittle my existence."

"That's not true. Let's not fight today, please?"

Her heart was beating wildly, beyond what one would consider "healthy." She closed her eyes for a moment to fight the swell of dizziness and nausea. "You're right." Deep breath. "I'm sorry." She had to remind herself of what might happen if she was no longer in Joseph MacRae's good graces. "And thanks for taking me out of Pyxis today. The winters are so long here. I sometimes forget how beautiful spring can be once it does arrive."

"It's my pleasure. You seemed like you needed a little sun and a good excuse to remove yourself from the library."

They walked on quietly, arm in arm. And that concerned her. The silence was the kind of stagnant wordlessness that Joe didn't usually let occur.

He opened and closed his mouth. Was he about to express the thoughts churning through his mind? Though she tried to probe into them a bit, something she didn't make a habit of, he was a jumble of contradictions—loud and soft, hot and cold, black, white, gray . . . every mood "color," truly. She couldn't get a good read.

Instead, the hush continued, broken only by the sound of his hand going into his pant pocket. Something clicked in there when it did. It clicked again when his hand re-emerged.

Cassie studied Joe carefully to see if his expression would give something away. He patted her hand and smiled. And then he began whistling.

"Is there something on your mind?" Cassie finally asked.

"I have a lot on my mind today."

Silence.

"Anything you'd like to share?"

Joe gave her a headshake and a shrug all once, and it was all so uncharacteristically skittish. He started whistling again as his hand went back inside his pocket.

"What do you keep playing with in there?"

Before he had time to answer, she stole a little box out of his pocket with her tiny hands and quick reflexes. She dashed a few paces in front of him and walked backwards, making sure to wear a victorious smile.

His eyed widened with surprise. He then gave her a "you win" nod and a forced smile. "All right, nice maneuver. Can I have it back now?" He approached her with his palm up.

She whirled around so he couldn't take it from her. "Why, what's in it?"

It was a wooden box—dark, smooth, hand carved. It had an elaborate design and a lovely burnt-wood scent.

And Joe lunged for it, but she evaded his reach with a giggle.

She shook the box next to her ear. "Does this mean you don't want me to open it?"

"Not exactly. C'mon, this isn't funny!"

"Joe, if there's one thing I've learned from you over the years . . . almost anything can be funny with the right spin." She galloped away from him, her cloak swirling around the pinecones in her path.

He caught up to her unexpectedly fast and grabbed her wrist. "Not this."

A surge of anxiety came with the realization that Joe wasn't joking. She handed the box back to him.

He fiddled with it in his hands for seconds that seemed dense and unwieldy. The mood was more serious than it had been all day.

"Cassie, there's something I've been meaning to talk to you about. It's important. . . ."

"All right," she complied. "What's on your mind?"

"Well, I've been thinking. I want to tell you that the last few months have been the best of my life. I enjoy every moment we spend together."

Cassie struggled to catch her breath. Air did not particularly satisfy her miniature lungs once she figured out what he was trying to tell her, or more precisely, ask her.

"Before we met, I wasn't sure the right girl for me existed. But then you came into my life and I immediately knew you were the one," Joe said, the rhythm and word choice suggesting that he'd been practicing his lines. He then got down on one knee and opened the box. "So, what I'm trying to say is . . . will you marry me?"

Cassie evaded his hopeful, wide, blue-eyed gaze. Instead, she sought the ground. With her feet, she fiddled with forest debris to pass the time while her mind was misfiring in all directions.

"What's holding you back, Cassie?" There was a hint of accusation in his tone as if he had already assumed the worst and had anticipated what that worst might be. "I love you and will do whatever it takes to make you happy."

If he truly meant that. . .

Cassie suppressed that notion before it could manifest and lifted her head back up. She took the ring out of the box and examined the sparkly golden loop. It contained a diamond large enough for a human hand and she was only three-and-a-half inches tall, and that was with her tiny high heels on!

She slipped the heavy ring on her finger and looked into his expectant eyes. "My answer is yes."

Joe lurched to his feet, took her face in his hands, and kissed her with more zeal than he ever had before. It was enough to send the princess staggering for balance. He steadied them both when he broke away and held her tight in an embrace.

Over his shoulder, there were tears building in Cassie's eyes. But she willed them into a backward flow. It burned, pressurized, and gave her no relief, but it was the best place for them. She imagined them pooling in the empty basin she kept for herself deep within. "Let's get married this summer," she murmured.

"Really? So soon?" He pushed her shoulders away so he could gauge her reaction, a skill he had yet to hone.

Her tears were thankfully out of sight and a smile worked its way through her lips. "I don't see any reason to wait."

"If that's what you want."

She nodded.

"Fantastic! I don't see any reason to wait either. And don't worry. I'll take care of everything. All you'll have to do is show up and look pretty."

"Perfect," she said. Show up and look pretty. I'm good at that.

While Joe discussed various dates, chefs, musicians, themes, etc., Cassie expressed her opinion when necessary to move the conversation forward. As they ventured back into the open where other fairies were enjoying the increasingly clement day, Cassie spotted the family she had seen earlier. They were now sitting on a blanket and pulling items out of a basket for a picnic. The mother handed the baby off to his father so she could serve some of the older children their food. The father swung the boy with blond curls over his head. The baby emitted a squeal of laughter.

"You're off in space somewhere. Are you still listening, Cassie?"

"I certainly am," she affirmed. "You just mentioned the guest list and the challenges associated with keeping it concise."

"Good. You were paying attention."

Joe checked his pocket watch and winced. He led the way back into the caves of Pyxis at a pace Cassie had trouble matching. He had an afternoon appointment with his father and the Chancellor of Defense. Joe wasn't particularly punctual by nature, but the great Scott MacRae had earned the reputation for being late to a fault. It was not a tendency they could both sustain if they intended to fulfill any of their promises.

Soon the sound of the baby's laughter grew fainter. Cassie couldn't decipher if it was real or an echo of her imagination.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Weezer. I don't want to let you go.

~

"The pain is killing me

But I can't let it be

I have to let you know

I don't wanna let you go"

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