This time, after weeks of not being able to make time to go out, Alicia finally calls him over. They're flying on Draggy towards a mountain overseeing the city in all its splendor.

Alicia is pleased to see Lloyd get more and more relaxed through the course of their encounters, first being uptight and scared with his mind somewhere else, later sitting while crossing his legs and talking about his daily life, later putting his hands behind him and asking her how she's doing, later lounging on the floor looking at her with appreciation, ultimately coming to her office to help her with her work.

The wind blows as Lloyd realizes sincerely her beauty; he can see the love for her kingdom in her eyes; sees how she doesn't have anyone to confide in; that she sees him as an equal and someone she can trust; questions if it's only because of the 'Title effect' and gets scared to be closer to her all over again, although he knows, looking back that's not the case; thinks that maybe helping her it's not that bad if he can take some burthen off her shoulders even if that means not lazing around as much; he admires her consistently and character.

Queen Alicia Magtemano and Lloyd Frontera get literally closer with each picnic, sitting so close their fingers touch on accident at first, then they keep touching fingers on 'accident'; when grabbing fruits, when Lloyd serves her a drink, or when she gives him a sandwich.

Lloyd is looking far away, concentrating on his detailed explanation of the wonders of roman cement and the importance of proper foundation, when he starts playing with her fingers out of the blue, he does it so naturally like he doesn't realize what he's doing, and she doesn't take her hand away while her cheeks are blushing slightly.

Time keeps going on like this and after a while he talks about buildings so tall they can touch the clouds, he begins making small squares, lines and circles in her wrist. Her skin is burning up.

"It's like, he's drawing a construction plan..."

She whispers softly, mumbling to herself. Lloyd, being a high-sword-expert, hears it clearly and looks at her with a questioning gaze, finding her looking down, to their hands.

Surprised, Lloyd feels blood rush to his face and in panic lets go of her hand, but, quickly noticing her expression; the slight disappointment in her eyes, for a small moment he hesitates, ponders, weighing his options while suddenly realizing his feelings like a crushing wave.

That's what it was, huh?

So, feeling brave for once, he decides to take a risk, to take her hand; she doesn't move, only searches for his eyes, finding him looking at her with nervousness. She doesn't move her hand away, or say anything, not even a quip remark, just looks at him gently as the wind ruffles his hair, ruffling his hair bravely as she wishes she could. She feels jealous of the wind.

Queen Alicia can practically see numbers and calculations in his eyes, the fear, the panic, the tenderness and then, determination, that same determination he has while confidently striking up a contract or when he's explaining a new construction method, like he's sure, like there's no doubt in his mind, and she, really likes that look.

How many times did I wish for him to look at me with those eyes?

With the certainty that she was the cause of such passion, of such conviction, that the reason Lloyd would have that fire in his eyes was her and only her.

So, she also feels brave, that look was the push she wanted.

Lloyd pushes himself as well.

I promised myself that if I ever fell in love with someone, I would be sincere. But, how could I have known it would be her? What will happen if... No. I have to, I don't want to regret it later. I already learned that.

"Your majesty... I believe there's something you have to hear"

"Um? You believe?" She smiles brightly.

Is he going to...?

Lloyd's chest goes up and down, the air carries all the courage in the world.

Here goes nothing.

"I believe I've fallen for you, I..."

Oh, the words won't come out.

Lloyd lingers on as queen Alicia tries to hide the excitement and stops the corners of her lips from going up even higher, her eyes closing for a second.

He said it! All cheekily, just as I hoped he would. Well, not entirely, but he did it! I have to calm down, can't drop my image just yet.

She leans closer.

"Is that so? I'm honored. And you're completely sure of this?"

"I am"

Yes!

"What a pleasant surprise, and what do you propose, I should do about it?"

"I'm your humble subject, I would not dare, to tell the queen what to do"

"You've done it before, what's the difference now?"

"I'm a bit scared, your majesty"

"Um? Why?"

"...could I, drop the formalities?"

"We are quite close, aren't we?"

"We are." He smiles at the reaffirmation, "It's the first time I've done this...but " Looks down at their hands "If I can be more brazen, I would suggest you also feel the same way?"

Hoho, look at him, he's got me all figured out.

The engulfing sound of birds chirping and leaves falling to the ground. Alicia is seamingly deep in thought, calmly enjoying the moment.

Why isn't she saying anything?

But for Lloyd, the thought that he may have miscalculated is rapidly making him more and more awkward.

He felt cool talking with confidence and wanted to appear more manly, the silence, however short, is quickly consuming his resolve, so, he loses the courage to look up again. His head lowered.

What was I thinking? Why would she ever, feel that way towards me? Sure, she looks kinder and amused whenever we meet, and her tone of voice goes up higher and softer when we talk, but.

Could it be my misunderstanding?

"Was... I wrong... your majesty?" a whisper.

What happened? He went back to the formalities too.

"Don't."

"..."

"We've come so far, might as well use my name... Hey, Lloyd, look at me"

But he can't gather the courage to, even if it were an imperial order, his eyes closed, his hands sweating and heart heavy.

Maybe he should have made a joke, laughed or lied about it, the only time he's ever opened up about having a romantic interest and he never knew it was this hard, to be this vulnerable.

Other people just made it look so easy, his parents, both korean and back in the Frontera county did it all the time with smiles on their faces, his brother and sister-in-law were like lovebirds in no time.

Why am I so scared now?

"Lloyd, look at me"

"No..." quite murmur

She holds both of his hands tightly, her voice becoming softer.

What should I do? Did I hurt him in some way?

"... please, I'm nervous too, you know?" that finally gets Lloyd to look at her, there's surprise written all over his eyes.

"Have you ever been wrong, about what you believe in?"

"Truly? I wasn't wrong?"

"Would I lie to you?"

"You wouldn't"

"Then, should I say it as well?"

"Hmm"

"I love you, Lloyd"

Woah, so that's how it feels.

A small chuckle escaped his lips.

"I'm glad... Alicia"

Oh, he said my name!

The silence this time is calming and reassuring, Alicia opens his hands and, one by one, traces the lines of his palms.

"Since when did you fall for me?"

"Just now"

"What?"

"I realized, when I saw what I was doing, it recontextualized my actions, and cleared my thoughts"

"Uh huh"

"We've technically been going on dates for the past few months... looking back, I should have realized sooner." he says scratching his cheek.

"..."

Are you seriously saying that?

"Are you mad?" He tries nervously.

"..."

All this time. Has it only been me? Me?

"Ho- how about you, Alicia?"

"..back ..since..dragon..." She mumbles while pouting.

What? There's no way she- that was so long ago.

"Huh!? Did I, get that right?"

Sigh, this guy, he really looks dumbfounded.

"Since you fought the bonedragon. You ran away, then came back with a brilliant plan, and calmed the situation down"

"Well, I had to... but why did that make you?"

"When I saw you absorbing the dragon's mana, and getting knocked out... I realized, I didn't want to lose you. You had become too precious to me"

Lloyd's so surprised he doesn't have time to blush anymore so instead backs out and bows with his head on the ground.

"That's!... I'm sorry, I've been a fool all this time"

Self awareness, how funny.

"No need for that. It's my fault, I didn't know you were as dense as a granite brick"

"... Can I, make it up to you, somehow?" he ask sheppesly.

Oh?

"What are you suggesting?" she raises an eyebrow, smiling mischievously.

She looks like she's expecting something, uh...

Lloyd wracks his head thinking hard as to not make a fool out of himself. With shaky hands, he holds her face to him and slowly gives her a small peck on the cheek.

How's that?

Observing her reaction, he looks for affirmation, she nods happily and closes her eyes. Lloyd gives her short kisses under her eyes and their corners, on the nose, on the forehead, on the space between her eyebrows and lastly on the lips.

How lovely, no wonder people become so enamoured with feelings. This feels so... right.

He lingers on the cotton-like sensation, the softness permeating his beating heart. He feels her hands on his chest, fingers tightening the hold on his shirt.

Um, what do I do now?

Lloyd scrambles his brain for memories and images of his past life and present one, looking for instructions and guidelines, coming up empty, his reliable mind failing him for the first time.

Well, at the very least, I can do it again.

Not wanting to look naive, he separates and joins their lips one more time, attempting to move them slowly back and forth.

Alicia leans in closer, caressing his neck and passing her fingers between his hair.

To finally be able to do this with him...What should I do? I want this moment to last longer.

Lips opening and closing slightly, capturing and liberating each time, submerging themselves onto the rhythm. She tilts his head from the back of his neck and kisses him with increasing intensity. Again and again.

Just a bit more.

Opens her mouth making him part his lips in an attempt to go deeper, her tongue swirling beyond his clumsily.

Surprised, he lets go, looking bright red.

Alright, that's his limit for now. I'll take note if that.

"Surely- you didn't think that- would be enough compensation- did you?" her cheeks are also red.

What, was that?

"That's too mu-! ... I've only seen how other people do it"

"You don't know, and somehow end up doing the sweetest things, I haven't done this before either"

She hasn't?

Alicia kisses him sweetly.

"But I am confident, because I trust you Lloyd, so you can trust me too"

"Of course"

"You could do no wrong, and if you did I would tell you clearly"

"That's reassuring"

They both laugh and look at each other tenderly, their eyes conveying caring and wanting.

Is it okay to kiss her again?

Lloyd caresses her face, circling her cheeks with his thumbs, looking into her eyes attentively, she leans in his palm, her gaze shining with love.

So you feel the same way.

He moves his hands down her body, holds her waist, guiding her to rest on top of his lap. She secures herself a comfortable position, and kisses him leisurely, one, two; lingering as if his lips were the sweetest fruit in the world, biting and pulling his lower lip, until a small whimper escapes from him.

She opens her eyes, whispering into his pink ear.

"I love that look in your eyes. I liked it since the first time you came to the palace"

Lloyd smiles and kisses her again.

"I like the way your nose wrinkles when you get annoyed, and how your eyebrows rise slightly when you are pleased"

She cuddles on his chest and hugs him dearly.

"I like your smile, that mischievous smile you make while negotiating projects"

He hugs her tighter.

"I like your smile too, the way you speak so confidently with your chin up"

Alicia looks up to him holding back her laughter.

"You said you just fell for me, but, you've been observing me closely?"

"I have eyes to see. I was responding to your expressions, so, over time, I began to understand you better"

"I'm glad you were looking attendly. You did well"

Alicia ruffles his hair.

"Now, what do you want me to do with you?"

"Umm"

"I assume making you my fiance, would be too much too fast for you? How about dating for a while?"

"... you like me that much? me?"

"Yes you, what, are you going to say that dating me is too much work? You could laze around in my office"

He chuckles, "I can't win against you."

"What are you even saying?"

"I do want to"

"Is that so?"

"Yeah, I want to laze around with you"

"I would love that"

They join their lips one last time before getting up.

"I'll come again tomorrow"

"I'll be waiting in my office then, no one will disturb us, I'll make sure of that"

"I will have the queen all to myself, how lucky~"

"I could say the same thing"

They hold hands while walking towards Draggy, who has been keeping and eye on them, while pretending to be sleeping. Having packed everything they brought, they say goodbye to the gentle wind who brought them closer.