Did she like Stefan?

As a human being, obviously. But romantically? Perhaps not anymore. If it had been a month ago when Cynthia was still having trouble adjusting to Bronte, and Stefan was helping her whenever she needed it, her answer would have been different. As the girl had mentioned. It was an infatuation, and she felt it too. It was the natural attractiveness that Stefan held, alongside his charming and kind personality, was what had made Cynthia think she liked the golden haired boy.

But right now, in this very moment, when she was dancing with that same boy, her mind drifted off to somewhere else. More specifically, her mind had been nothing but occupied by a certain someone.

What annoyed her the most was Lucian's mood swings. He stayed in silence most of the time when Stefan was around Cynthia, and he returned to his friendly self in the absence of the said boy. The girl had tried many a time to bring up the issue over and speak about it directly to Lucian. But the blue eyed boy was too clever to dodge the question somehow, every single time.

But it would be a lie to say that Cynthia Kiorsa did not fully understand Lucian's change of behaviour.

Cynthia couldn't help but sigh when her eyes locked with Lucian's fiery glare. He was standing at the far end of the hall, leaning against the wall, with a glass full of a soft drink in his hand. Many girls approached Lucian who was looking exceptionally dashing tonight, but he turned them all down. In fact, Cynthia will probably not be able to tell a single second when Lucian hadn't taken his eyes off from her and Stefan. The way he was clenching the glass in his hand was concerning.

Cynthia knew that it would be rude to leave Stefan in the middle when the song hadn't even ended. In fact, before Lucian could, Stefan had asked her out, for the dance. Hence, the girl's eyes began searching for a certain blonde, possibly for help, but seeing her having her own little time, Cynthia knew it was best to not bother her.

"What has been troubling your mind lately?"

Stefan's gentle voice made Cynthia break her eye contact with Lucian.

"Nothing." Cynthia subtly shook her head.

"Well, maybe this sad but pretty lady needs a little twirl?"

Cynthia giggled when, in an attempt to cheer her mood up, Stefan twirled her around until holding the girl close to him.

To say she felt awkward would be an understatement. Cynthia was feeling beyond uneasy, as for the past few weeks she had been avoiding Stefan's affections. The only problem was the fact that Cynthia still had not learnt to properly speak her mind, just to anyone. Considering the fact that she had known Stefan just for one and a half month, the constant worry of hurting the poor boy's feelings, ultimately, worried her. Not that Cynthia led him on or anything. She always made sure to change the subject or dodge his intimate actions. She could not be as free she was with Lucian, in terms of sharing everything.

"Do you know that you have been on my mind for some time?" Stefan put a strand of hair behind Cynthia's ear.

"Haha, I see." Cynthia's eyes were now all over the hall, looking for the blue eyed boy. But he was suddenly nowhere to be found. Cynthia knew where this was going and she needed to get out of this situation anyhow.

"Cynthia." The golden haired boy's palms were now on both the cheeks of Cynthia, held in a loving manner. It was as if his eyes had hearts sprouting here and there. "You do know that I like you, right?"

Cynthia could not utter a single word. What was she supposed to say? I know, but I don't feel the same?

The girl's eyes widened when Stefan began leaning in and moving closer towards Cynthia's lips. As if on reflex, Cynthia moved her head to the other side, causing the boy's lips to land on her left cheek.

Being somewhat broken-hearted, Stefan pulled away as he waited for an answer from the girl.

With a sigh, Cynthia gazed at Stefan apologetically, "You are an amazing person, Stefan, and I am sure that any girl would love to be with you. But that girl is not me. I thought it was, but that was just an infatuation. And I deeply apologize if I ever made you think that I possess feelings for you too.

I do like you. But as a person. Not romantically, and I think I can never imagine loving you romantically. I hope you understand where I'm coming from, Stefan."

Stefan stared down at his feet with glistening tears and Cynthia had almost reached to wipe the tears away, when she heard his next words. Shocking words, to be exact.

"Wait, is this about the thing I was doing before? That was stupid of me, and I never realized I would actually develop feelings for you. These are true feelings, Cynthia, and I do not know from whom you got to know—"

"What thing, Stefan?"

"You don't know?" Stefan asked when he realized the big blunder he had committed. His heart beat hammered against his ribcage at a rapid pace.

"I want answers, Stefan." Cynthia stated with her crossed arms, and her voice as calm as a furious lioness.

"You see," Stefan gulped a big lump, "Just hear me out, okay? And don't be mad at me, please.

Before, that is, when you and your friends first arrived, my intention was just to play with your feelings."

Cynthia clenched her fists, so much so, that she wished to punch the boy in front of her, but controlled herself to hear what more he had to say.

"I know it was stupid and childish. I guess, I wanted to have a bit of fun. You know, date around and then...dump you.

However, I do really like you, Cynthia. If you give me one chance, I will prove how genuine my feelings are—"

"Stefan." The golden haired boy visibly shuddered at Cynthia's never before seen, uncanny stare. "Let me ask you one thing. Are we in the position to just date around and dump? Are we truly, when humans are fighting for their freedom and some Dragonesians like Leon, for theirs? Are we, when we are on the verge of facing a ruthless war? I thought you were mature, Stefan. I did not know there was an immature kid leaving under this façade of yours. This may seem dramatic to you, but I would gladly not like to continue the friendship I thought we had managed to build. Fake people are not needed in my life. Have a good life, Stefan."

Cynthia neither raised her voice nor engaged in a physical fight with the guilty boy. She delivered each and every word, with calmness dripping down her tone. But she was dead serious. Furious even, and perhaps a little hurt since she had thought of the boy as a genuine friend. Who would have known that it was because he had his own intentions?

Not wanting to create any scene in the crowded hall, Cynthia turned around to take her leave, only to be caught by the wrist by Stefan.

"Cynthia wait—"

Stefan was unable to finish his words as he found himself getting hit by something hard and soon enough, warm blood dripped down his nose. When he looked up after steadying his blurry vision, from the ground where he had collapsed due to the sudden force, he found staring at two angry eyes. Not Cynthia's. Rather, a pair of familiar and fuming blue eyes.

"She said she didn't want anything else to do with you." Lucian's scary demeanour was enough for the couples in the hall to stop dancing and stare at the drama unfolding in front of them. It was not every day that they got to experience such a juicy matter to gossip over, at Bronte. "Are you genuinely dense, or do you pretend to be dense in order to gain sympathy?"

Stefan was ashamed enough already to even stare into Lucian's eyes and say something.

"Lucian." The boy evidently calmed down at Cynthia's tender touch on his arm. "Let us leave, please. People are staring."

Nodding at the girl's word, the two exited the scene, leaving an ashamed, humiliated and regretful Stefan on the floor.

"Punching him was unnecessary—"

"What?" Lucian couldn't help but give a bewildered expression. "A jerk like him deserved it, anyway. I knew he had treacherous intentions since the beginning—"

"And we are suddenly back on speaking terms?" Cynthia rolled her eyes.

"We have always been." Lucian managed to say without stuttering, although he knew what a pathetic argument that was.

"Oh really?" Sarcastically snorting, Cynthia continued. "You surprise me Lucian Haroise. You have been avoiding me for weeks. Heck! Even the past one month counts. I was so confused, thinking that I had truly done something to hurt you. But again, for a brief period, I find you being all normal. I am a human being too, Lucian. I have feelings too. You boys have been playing with my emotions like a ping-pong ball, and it's utterly frustrating and hurtful."

"I am sorry," Lucian immediately apologized, "I know that by now you are aware of my feelings for you. As for my behaviour, I myself was confused. I wanted to give you and Stefan space and stay as a loyal friend beside you, but at times my jealousy spoke and I lost control. Hence, I thought rather than revealing how envious I could get, I should keep my distance. At least that would help me get over you, I thought and hoped, but it didn't. I truly believed that you liked Stefan. I wouldn't lie, I had my doubts about him, but I realized later that this is your life. Likewise, I am no one to tell you who is right and who is wrong—"

"God, you are intelligent and dumb at the same time. Now come here and kiss me."

And they did share a loving, sweet kiss under the moonlight. Initially, Lucian was nervous and let Cynthia take the lead. She, in fact did pull the boy by his neck into an unforgettable deep kiss.

Their kiss was short-lived as almost immediately Lena came dashing out of the hall.

"Oh, I am so sorry," Lena vigorously apologized before saying out loud what she had to say. "Luxuria is asking for the five of us.

Apparently, there's a spy among us."