Hana was feeling happy.

She was feeling extremely happy, despite the traumatic event that happened back in the bandit’s den. 

Even her dirty dress, which was like Cecil's white lacy dress, but blue in colour, didn't make her upset. Along with her red hair that was rather disheveled.

Hana rested her chin on both her palms, swinging her legs as she observed the two people in front of her. One of them was reading a book about medicinal herbs, while the other was sleeping peacefully, his head leaning against the corner of the carriage.

They were thankfully able to get their belongings back.

Hana watched them with a grin, letting out a short giggle. 

Cecil glanced up at Hana, smiling back. “Why are you so happy?” 

“I just am!” Hana chirped.

“Well, it’s a good thing you are happy,” Cecil glanced back down to her book, smiling. “After all that happened.” 

They were riding in a carriage back to the academy, and Gom was with the other civilians, acting as a guard in case another mishap occurs. Thus, it was only the three of them in the carriage, however, Cecil felt the situation was somewhat...strange. 

Why am I seated beside the lord protagonist?

Cecil put her book back into her backpack, tapping her fingers on her chin. She looked up at Hana who was still smiling at both her and Xue. 

The moment Gom placed Xue down in the carriage, Hana hurried to take the seat opposite Xue, occupying the entire space that was meant for two people, and Cecil only stared at Hana, puzzled. 

Hana insisted on Cecil sitting beside Xue, not letting Cecil have a single inch to squeeze in beside her. Cecil didn’t want to delay the trip back to the academy any longer, thus, she reluctantly took the seat beside Xue, who was still in a deep sleep. 

The carriage rocked violently, startling Cecil out of her reverie and the two ladies watched as Xue fell forward due to the momentum. The two of them cried out at the same, catching Xue in time. 

“Sorry, there was a loose rock!”

Cecil and Hana blinked their eyes at one another, before breaking out into wide grins since they caught Xue in time.

They started to push Xue back onto the seat, when the carriage rocked violently again. Hana fell back to her seat and Cecil’s hands slipped. 

With none of them supporting Xue, his body swayed just as Cecil fell back into her own seat...and Xue’s head landed on her lap. 

"...!"

"..."

“Sorry, there was another loose rock!” the driver apologised. “Too many damn rocks, who the hell kicked them over here?!” 

The two ladies gasped, looking down at Xue who was lying comfortably on Cecil’s lap. Hana covered her mouth in surprise, and Cecil stared at Xue in disbelief. 

Cecil looked up at Hana, her expression one of guilt and regret. 

Hana started to giggle delightfully.

“You are laughing?” Cecil sighed. “You should have been the one sitting here instead…” 

“Me?” Hana tilted her head, still giggling. “Why?” 

Cecil gave Hana a conflicted look. 

Because you are the heroine!

Because you are supposed to be the love of Xue’s life!

Because...you are Hana Katae!

Cecil knew this was considered a spoiler, hence, she gave up. “Nevermind.” 

“Sorry, they are more loose rocks up ahead!” the driver apologised, wanting to cry. “Find something to hold onto!” 

Cecil wanted to cry without tears.

How many loose rocks must there be?!

Hana smiled, as if a bright idea had struck her mind. “Cecil, you hold on tightly onto Xue, I can handle myself!” 

Cecil wanted to cough blood. 

Hold on tightly?! Onto your husband-to-be?!

My dearest heroine, please don’t do this to me. If the lord protagonist finds out it’s me, and not you having this romantic moment...

“Can...can you just exchange positions with me?” Cecil pleaded. 

Hana shook her head. “No way, it’s not my spot!” 

“Then...it’s mine?” Cecil pointed to herself.

“Mhmm!” Hana nodded.

Cecil was speechless. 

The carriage started rocking back and forth, and Cecil had no other choice than to hold onto Xue, ensuring that he wouldn’t fall.

The constant shaking awoke Xue from his slumber, and he frowned, blinking drowsily.

The first thing he felt was an arm holding onto him, secure and warm, and his head was lying on something soft and comfortable. 

The next thing he smelt was the familiar scent of herbs and flowers, instantly knowing who it was. 

His gaze followed up the arm, and his eyes met a pair of concerned, limpid eyes. He was still feeling awfully drowsy, not knowing if it was reality or a dream.

“Xue?” Cecil blinked down at him, her onyx eyes reflecting his face. 

An imperceptible smile graced his lips, and Xue closed his eyes. 

Cecil was speechless once again. 

Xue had actually gone back to sleep even after seeing it was her and not Hana! 

Meanwhile, Hana observed the couple opposite her in glee, still secretly giggling to herself. 

***

The carriage arrived at a stop at the entrance of the academy, and the passengers were asked to get off. Since Hana wasn’t the one being forced to sit by a certain protagonist, she went off first. 

“Wait, Hana!” Cecil called out, imploring. “At least, help me with Xue."

Hana glanced at the loving scene of Xue resting happily on Cecil's lap, blinking innocently.

"I just remembered, I need to ask the teacher something about my fighting techniques!" Hana exclaimed. "It's very urgent, sorry Cecil! I'll help you with your bag!"

Cecil couldn't retort since Hana snatched her backpack, and dashed out of the carriage like the wind.

Cecil glanced down at Xue, sighing helplessly.

"You can just wake him up, Cecil!" Hana poked her head in, surprising Cecil. "And we should hurry up and change, we all stink!"

"Hana--"

"Byebye, see you later! I'll put your things back in your room!" Hana waved, dashing away like the wind again.

Cecil glanced down again at Xue, biting on her lower lip.

Unbeknownst to her, Hana was shooing away the people who wanted to offer help to Xue and Cecil.

Cecil nudged Xue gently, muttering softly. "Xue, we have reached."

Silence.

"Xue?" Cecil leaned down even further.

A piece of her long black hair fell down, tickling Xue's face. It had become rather disheveled due to her time in the bandit's lair, just like Hana.

Feeling a tickling sensation on his face, Xue's face scrunched up and he snapped his eyes open. Due to being woken up suddenly, Xue appeared dazed, staring back at Cecil blankly.

Cecil stared into his grey eyes, observing his tousled ash blonde hair, and since his outfit was entirely black, no smudges of dirt from the previous scuffle could be seen.

Cecil could see his features clearly, as if they were meticulously sculpted and placed on him.

All the way from his prominent jawline to his thin lips, to his well-defined nose and eyebrows. His gorgeous grey eyes were focused solely on Cecil.

So handsome.

Cecil couldn't help but admire.

Her hair tickled his face again, and Xue blinked rapidly. That's when Cecil noticed her hair tickling his face, and she quickly tugged it behind her ears.

"Sorry."

He was dazzled by the sight of seeing Cecil's beautiful face up close, still feeling slightly drowsy.

"...it's okay." Xue muttered out without thinking.

It took a moment for him to fully awaken, soon noticing that he was lying on Cecil's lap and he widened his eyes.

Cecil, at the same time, seem to notice their close distance, recoiling back.

Xue hastily sat up, his eyes still wide in disbelief.

On the other hand, Cecil smoothed the creases on her dress awkwardly. She then noted her torn sleeves sadly.

Goodbye pretty white dress.

I guess I could go back home and ask mother to buy more for me.

Clearing her throat, Cecil slowly stood up. "I'll be going ahead first, I really need to clean myself up."

Xue didn't look at her, nodding quietly as he stood up too.

Cecil took a step, realising her thighs were numb as her legs trembled. She lost her balance, gasping aloud as she fell backwards.

Xue immediately caught her by the waist, and Cecil glanced up at Xue, wide-eyed.

Xue's expression mimicked hers, and he swallowed his saliva, clearing his dry throat. "Are you okay?"

"Uhm, that...my legs are numb," Cecil smiled awkwardly. "Because, you know..."

She trailed off, unable to meet Xue's eyes.

Because you have been lying on my lap the entire time.

Xue obviously knew what she was trying to say, and he noted the state of her torn dress, and the injury on her arm. Without any word, he bent down and scooped Cecil into his arms.

Thankfully, the carriage was wide enough for Xue to do this.

Cecil let out a shriek, her arms automatically flying around Xue's shoulders.

It took her a split second to register, that the lord protagonist was currently carrying her in his arms.

"Xue, you--"

"It's my fault your legs are numb," Xue glanced to her torn dress and the injury. "And you are injured as well."

"It's just on my arm--" Cecil protested. "You don't need to carry me like that!"

She struggled in his arms as Xue carefully stepped down from the carriage. Cecil felt her face burning, along with her entire body.

She was obviously flustered.

"Stop struggling."

"You can let me go now, I can walk on my own!"

"Keep struggling and I'll drop you."

Cecil stiffened, her arms curling around his shoulders even more.

"No," Cecil shook her head, her voice holding a hint of fear. "Please don't drop me."

I'm tired of falling through air again and again!

Xue was always used to seeing the composed and haughty Cecil. Seeing her in this flustered manner, Xue couldn't help but find her...adorable.

"That depends on you." Xue replied, his gaze gentle, mirth lacing his voice.

Since Cecil was in a flustered mess, she didn't catch his subtle teasing, or his gentle gaze.

Kai: "Now you are flirting with Cecil? Man, you have really changed after she got stolen away, huh?"

Alric: "Pl-please don't drop her!"

Zasiok: "She's so cute..."

Leonaut: "Is this how you talk?! Finally, I got it right--"

Hearing his other soul fragments talking, Xue narrowed his eyes. Just like Kai, he had learned the trick of shutting of the link connection, and he did so immediately.

"I won't struggle." Cecil smiled nervously. "I won't struggle anymore, so just let me down."

"No."

Xue continued walking to the gates of the academy. It was after lessons, hence, there were still many students around, and without a doubt, they recognised Xue and Cecil in an instant.

Xue, Hana Katae and Cecil Lan.

They were the most popular students throughout the academy. Whether it was amongst the seniors, the juniors, the teachers, everyone knew them.

"Isn't that Xue and Cecil Lan?"

"A princess carry!"

"They look like the perfect couple, how nice..."

"Hold on, is Xue throwing Hana away?"

"No way! It's more like Xue finally realised his true love!"

Cecil was embarrassed beyond words, hiding her face from the crowd. If she actually heard the last three sentences the students said, she would have vomitted blood.

"People are watching and gossiping." Cecil hissed.

"Let them be."

"My legs aren't numb anymore!"

"I doubt so."

"Hana will see and hear about it."

Xue furrowed his eyebrows, he knew Hana would, but the way Cecil said it, it was as if Hana would be sad. Xue recalled how Hana teased him with a wide grin, about his obvious concern for Cecil.

"You think she will be sad?"

"Yes."

Xue stated, his voice holding a hint of amusement. "Definitely not, she'll be happy instead."

"Wha..." Cecil lifted her head up, staring at Xue in disbelief.

Cecil gave up.

The lord protagonist today is abnormal, I...I can't take it!

My heart cannot take it!

The students were still whispering to one another, gossiping eagerly. Some girls even sighed in envy.

"...where are you going to carry me until?"

"To the healer."

Cecil coughed, looking back up at Xue. "Wh-why?"

"To get some ointment for your arm."

"..."

She felt her head spinning from trying to understand the protagonist she was facing at this moment.

It all started when he reunited with us back at Leonaut's lair.

Ever since then...ever since then, Xue has been behaving so strangely! Even Hana too!

Cecil wanted to cry without tears. These romantic moments should belong to Hana, not her!

Seeing that Xue wasn't going to let her go anytime soon, and not wanting to drop to get a bruise on her back or her butt, Cecil resigned to her fate.

Her fate of getting carried like a princess.

In her mind, she was muttering a million apologies to Hana, and the loyal fans of the novel that shipped Xue and Hana together.

Moreover, she still hasn't truly gotten over stealing Leonaut from Hana as well, adding on another million of apologies.

***

Hana sneezed, rubbing her nose as she sniffled.

Is there someone talking about me?

Hana sat by the academy's pond, she had easily broken through her gate, just like Xue and Cecil said.

She was ecstatic, albeit the fatigued look on her face.

"Hana, congratulations!" her teacher smiled at her, patting her head. "You just came back and started meditating, but you already broke through!"

Hana smiled back, panting.

It took her just two hours to breakthrough. Her stressful experiences in both the queen's castle and the bandit's den had helped her immensely.

"You are just in luck," her teacher clapped her hands, eager. "This year, the principal decided to hold more sword mound expeditions, and there will be one in two weeks, you can join it!"

"Really?" Hana jumped up, beaming excitedly. "I can get another weapon?!"

"I'll inform the administration," her teacher patted her shoulder. "Just get yourself prepared and ah, you can ask Cecil for any advice."

Hana nodded happily.

Her teacher walked away, and Hana skipped her way towards the earth element department.

***

Pt. 1

《 start 》

...so that's why...

With you by my side, I feel complete.

With you by my side, I feel at peace.

With you by my side, it...it makes me happy.

It was only when you disappeared from my side, I realised it.

...!

I have been lying on your lap the entire time?

...

...I wish had been awake instead.

《 stop 》

***

Pt. 2

《 start 》

I wonder what weapon I will get!

A sword?

A spear?

A dagger?

Eeee! I can't wait to tell Cecil and Xue!

Will they be proud of me? Hehe!

《 stop 》