Chapter 58: Worries and mischief
Elyreina stepped out of Lyrian's room, letting the door close softly behind her. She remained still for a moment, her fingers tightening at her sides.
She hated seeing him like that—exhausted, bruised, and pretending it didn't matter. He was pushing himself too far, and no matter how much he acted like it was fine, she knew better.
Her lips pressed together as she exhaled slowly.
She felt sorry for him.
Sorry that he was carrying so much weight alone.
Sorry that she couldn't do more.
With a quiet sigh, she shook her head and walked away.
__
"Reynaaarrrrd!"
A loud groan followed. "By the gods, again?"
Reynard took a step back. "Don't."
Dorian took that as an invitation to throw an arm around his shoulders. "I've been looking for you everywhere!"
"I was hiding from you," Reynard muttered, prying Dorian off. "What do you want now?"
Dorian gasped dramatically. "That's how you greet your best friend?"
"I wouldn't call you that."
"But we've been through so much together."
Reynard rolled his eyes. "You mean you've dragged me into your nonsense."
Dorian grinned. "Speaking of nonsense—" he suddenly nudged Reynard and gestured toward the garden path, where a girl with flowing auburn hair stood, flipping through a book.
"Look at her," Dorian whispered. "A beauty! The epitome of grace! We must approach."
Reynard deadpanned. "We must do no such thing."
Dorian ignored him. "I'll go first."
Reynard scoffed. "You'll get rejected first."
"Jealous?"
"Of your failure? Absolutely not."
Just as they were about to start arguing, another boy, tall and confident, strolled past them toward the girl. He ran a hand through his hair and smirked.
"Who's that?" Dorian frowned.
"No idea."
The boy leaned against the bench with a practiced smirk. "Hey there. What's a pretty thing like you doing all alone?"
The girl slowly looked up.
Expression blank.
Voice cold.
"Reading."
The boy chuckled, unfazed. "Ah, a scholar, I see. You know, I've been told I have a way with words. Maybe I could recite some poetry for you?"
The girl blinked once.
Then, in the flattest tone imaginable—
"No."
The boy visibly faltered. "Wait, I—"
"Leave."
Defeated, he awkwardly turned and walked off.
Dorian and Reynard watched the entire thing unfold in silence.
Then, Dorian clapped a hand on Reynard's shoulder, shaking his head solemnly.
"You know, that should have been you."
Reynard scoffed. "Me? I wasn't even looking at her."
Dorian grinned. "Sure, keep telling yourself that."
Reynard sighed. "Let's just get out of here."
Laughing, Dorian followed as they walked off—already planning their next bit of mischief.