When Edric noticed Miranda wasn't smacking his head every time he said something cheesy or corny, didn't tease him for blushing for the tiniest compliments she gave him and didn't call him stupid after every five minutes, he knew something was up and he couldn't help but ask her directly.

"Mira."

"Hmm?" she hummed as she absentmindedly ran hands through her face, her father's words ringing in her ears like a noise. You'll assassinate the third prince. You'll assassinate the third prince, you'll assassinate the third prince, you'll--

"Can you look at me?" if it wasn't for Edric's gentle voice bringing her back from her own scary thoughts, her father's words would've resonated in her head until she could no longer feel sane.

So, she did as he told- looked at him as their eyes met. Usually, it was him who'd break the eye contact because of his shyness and lack of confidence but this time it was her who broke it and her reason was different.

"Mira," he said as he sighed. Using his ring finger, he tucked the strands of hair that was covering her face behind her ear, sending shivers down her spine. When she still didn't look at him, he raised her chin using his fingers, now making her directly look into his concerned eyes.

"If there's anything bothering you, you can talk to me," he said softly, his fingers trailing from her chin to cheek, cupping it gently.

Miranda was almost about to scoff. The person who she was assigned to kill was comforting her instead of making her hate him, making it more hard for her. She wondered why her father decided to use him in the first place. Why couldn't it be the first Prince or the second Prince? It'd have been more easy that way.

She smiled at him, holding the hand that he was cupping her cheek with. She wanted to yell at him, tell him everything, tell him there was going to be a massacre, tell him everything was about to change between them — but when her mother's wrenched face came to her view, she couldn't help but stay quiet and let the regret engulf her.

"I'm just tired, that's all," she said, pressing her lips tightly, making sure no tears formed in her eyes and she succeeded.

He may not have noticed her struggles to not burst into tears, but he did notice how she lied to him but still, he didn't push her and gave her a soft smile, his dimples appearing.

"Let's go somewhere else." he suggested as he held her wrist and tugged her along with him.

She didn't object and followed him through the commoners who were busy buying goods and bargaining with their loudest of voices. They crossed the crowd of people, and Edric would always look back to check Miranda wasn't squished by people, and she'd surreptitiously set fire to the hem of people's clothes whenever they pushed Edric and cursed at him. The horrified looks on their face while they tried to put down the fire was enough to make her smile slyly.

"Ric, where are we going?" she asked, looking around, realizing how the crowds were ceasing slowly.

Edric didn't stop and continued walking, his grip against her wrist gentle and warm, which worked like a comfortable blanket for her and she wanted more of it.

"You'll see," said Edric as he turned around and passed her a soft smile before focusing on the front.

She tried her best, to find at least anything about him that will drive her to take his life but found none. How was she suppose to take a life of a boy who wanted nothing but to be a good son and brother?

Every time she imagined putting a sword beneath his chin, she couldn't help but just see Edric smiling and telling her to slit his throat if that's what makes her happy. She shook her head, not understanding why she was in such a dilemma. She'd assassinated thousands of lives before, what was making her so hesitant this time?

"We're here," Edric declared with a smile plastered on his lips, letting go of Miranda's wrist as she began to observe the place they were in.

It was the same place where they'd always find each other — the meadow, but at night it looked so distinct, that Miranda had to recheck and see if this was really the place where they'd met for the first time.

"The meadow looks different at night, doesn't it?" Edric commented as he also observed the enchanting looking meadow and she nodded vigorously.

It looked nothing like it normally did during daylight. Albeit it was suppose to be dark since it was late at night, the bright dancing fireflies kept the meadow luminous. Apart from the countless fireflies roaming around the meadow like they were the true proprietor of it, the caliginosity of the night and the crystalline stars shining down upon them made everything look the opposite of opaque.

Two butterflies that were passing by Miranda and Edric caught their eyes as they watched them fly with no care in the world and for some reasons, they wanted the same thing-- to go away somewhere far away with no care about their heavy duties and responsibilities. Edric instantly shook his head, not letting any of those thoughts get a hold of him but it was different for Miranda, she observed them deepy-- until they were finally out of her sight.

She inhaled the air of night spring, wondering if she'd get another chance to see a view as beautiful as this with Edric. She knew she wouldn't and wanted to make this night memorable.

So, without delaying any further, she went closer to Edric, grabbed his hands and locked her eyes with him, taking him completely off guard.

"Let's dance," she smiled, taking a hold of his fingers.

He looked around. "There's no music,"

"The birds will sing for us." She was talking metaphorically- he knew it.

Then, he held her hand lightly, raising their held hands a little, indicating her to start the dance. She beamed as she quickly draped her hand on his shoulder as he gently placed his hand on her waist, both of them coming closer.

Edric started the dance as they swayed their bodies, both of them dancing with no care, their steps rhyming without them knowing, their hearts wanting the same thing — to freeze the moment.

Amidst their fluid dancing, they'd make small talks and the more Miranda got to know about Edirc, the more she realized how much of a grave sin she was going to commit.

When she asked what he truly wanted, his answer was immediate and honest: to create a world where Ezèrian and renèi Possessors could live in harmony and him and her can be known just as Mira and Ric, not a Naught and a Gifted Ezèrian.

When she asked him if there was any particular memory of his that instantly made him smile, he didn't hesitate to say that every memory he'd with his family and her was enough to make him smile and the fact that he was saying it with a soft smile warmed her heart.

And when she asked if there's anything that he was sorry about, and he answered her question, she right then and there decided there was no way she was going to take his life.

"If there's something that I'm sorry about?" he asked himself, raising his eyebrows as his hand stayed on her waist and the other hand gently holding her one.

He thought for a while- there were too many things that he was sorry about but he decided he'd share only one with her.

"I'm sorry I was born as a Naught," he finally said, looking at her, a faint smile on his lips. "I'm sorry I was born and my father had to give up on his renèi possession and transfer them to me, just to make me a renèi Possessor,"

Miranda's eyes widened after hearing him and she absentmindedly let go of his hand as she ran a hand through her hair. She knew he had transferred renèi, but she never imagined he was thinking this about himself.

"My father's dying- because of me,"

That was all it took for Miranda to cup his cheeks with both of her palms firmly and make him look directly in her eyes. His eyes widened by her sudden stunt as he tried to speak, but only muffled words came out of his mouth.

"Listen to me loud and clear, you halfwit!" she said, pressing his cheeks hard as he hardly nodded while gulping.

"You father- His Majesty transferred his renèi on his own will. He knew his body was incompatible with the transferation but he still did it- on his own will," she said, raising her voice. "So, stop blaming yourself!" she let her hands fall.

"But Mira, my brothers. . . .they loath me, because they think I'm the reason of father's sickness and they're right. If only I was a renèi Possessor, if only I wasn't a Naught, if only-"

"Damn your brothers!" she yelled, not caring about the language she used. "Why don't you understand?" she cried as she took his hand. "It's not your fault and your brothers have no right to blame you for something that you didn't even do. Stand for yourself, for the sake of gods!"

"For how long will you let them guilt trip you?" she looked down, gripping his hands. "Why does it matter if you're a Naught or a renèi Possessor? you're still their brother. You don't deserve to be treated like this," she mumbled the last part.

Her eyes widened when she realized what she said and she immediately let go of his hands. "I. . . I'm sorry, I shouldn't have lashed out like that. I. . . there's too much going on and I-"

Edric cut her off by throwing his arms around her shoulders and pulling her into his chest. The scent of sandalwood instantly greeted her nose as he embraced her tightly and buried his face on her shoulder.

It was all so abrupt for her that she didn't know how to react. Hug him back? She slowly raised her hands, about to drape them in his back when she suddenly heard her father's words. You'll assassinate the third prince. She quickly retreated her hands, shutting her eyes forcefully and clenching her fists.

When she was about to try again, she heard him mumbling softly, his breathing fanning against her earlobe, sending her tickles all over her body.

"Thank you for saying everything I wanted someone to tell me."