Chapter 16:Coincidence

In the training ground, under a large Blelue tree, students stood in line, each holding their designated weapons. These were students specialised in combat training which the prince taught.

"How are they? Atheline asked.

He was standing beside the prince his hands folded across his chest as he looked at the concentrating students.

"They’re good, better than expected but that one.." he pointed at a blue-haired girl at the end of the line,.." she’s better than most of them. I’ve never seen someone that talented. "

Atheline nodded. He had also been part of the onlookers and had already noticed her talent with the sword.

"Yeah, isn’t she from the border?"

The prince nodded. " Mmh, she came from the Northern Aetherion for the admission. Heard her parents were killed by the corrupt."

"Ooh, there have been a lot of those lately."

The prince nodded along. Atheline stepped back and stretched himself.

"I should get going your highness, duties call."

The prince waved him off.

"Remember to file my report today, Father says he wants it by dusk and I haven’t done it.... right, I almost forgot, Mother said she needed help with the engagement arrangements and requested you go to her tomorrow. "

Atheline felt like throwing his hands up in the air. He had a lot of things in the schedule and the queen had to squeeze herself in.

’

Why am I good at my job’

Atheline smiled at the prince and nodded.

"Not to worry your highness, I’ll be there tomorrow. What time does she need me?"

"In the morning, you know how mother is," Solaris rolled his eyes," the earliest picker gets the best fruits she says."

"She’s right your highness," Atheline teased him.

Solaris rolled his eyes.

"Don’t even get started, I’ve had enough from her wiseness."

Atheline chuckled. Though the queen can be a bit spontaneous, she was a kind soul and a good ruler.

Atheline was genuinely fond of her.

He walked out of the academy and came to a stop outside the gates. He glanced back at the academy’s towering building scattered near trees and some of them built inside trees and sighed.

’

I

do not miss this place’

He looked up at the warm sun covered in clouds then at the quiet road, and an idea went through his mind.

’

Since I’m early, let’s just walk to the city’

The academy was at the southern outskirts of the capital. A ten minutes to reach the capital centre.

They wanted a quiet place for the students to study without the bustle of the city.

Luther had not accompanied him so he didn’t have anyone to bug him about taking a carriage.

He started to walk down the road while whistling a soft lullaby his mother used to sing for him.

It didn’t take long before he heard footsteps behind him. Atheline really wanted to ignore it but he couldn’t, unfortunately, before he could even come to a concrete decision his shoulder was held.

"Do you know how long I’ve been looking for you?"

The familiar voice followed. Atheline almost tripped in shock. He turned around so quickly that he felt a sting on his shoulder.

"Look at that, I almost nicked you...you have to be careful. "

Atheline looked down on his shoulder to see that his white robes had been sliced through and his skin scratched.

Though small it was still glaring.

"What are you doing here?" He asked cautiously and stepped back freeing himself from her grip.

He had not expected to ever meet her again. She smiled at him kindly and stepped forward. Atheline stepped back. She did it again, Atheline did the same.

She frowned at him before a smile took over her face.

’

Light, she’s still beautiful’

The thought passed through Atheline though his heart was beating faster than he wanted it to.

"Are you avoiding me?" She suddenly asked.

Atheline studied her smiling face carefully and cleared his throat to regain balance.

’

She’s pissed’

"No, as you can see...." he tried to cook up any excuse that would sound logical," It’s not advisable for a female to be seen with a male alone...I don’t want to destroy your reputation."

She smiled the anger in her eyes melting but she didn’t step back. They both maintained the one-step distance between them.

"I do apologise for my lack of knowledge, this is the first time I’ve heard of this."

Her apology surprised Atheline.

’

She’s not that bad’

"Thats understandable."

She stared at him for a while, this made Atheline uncomfortable but he still maintained that smile.

"Were you heading to the city centre?" She asked him breaking the hypnotic silence.

Atheline found himself nodding before he could think. She smiled and started to head towards the direction of the center. She passed by him and took the lead.

"Come on, I’m also going there," she turned and called to him.

Having already revealed his destination, Atheline had no choice but to follow a step behind her.

"How old are you?" She asked him suddenly.

"Twenty years?"

She nodded.

"What about you?" Atheline asked in response to her question.

She abruptly came to a stop and turned around. Atheline almost collided with her.

"You can never ask a lady for her age," she chuckled, " Okay."

Atheline nodded. She smiled at his response and turned around.

"Why did you not come to that pond?" She suddenly asked.

Atheline’s brows furrowed as he tried to remember which one she was talking about then it came to him.

’

That one, did she go back there again?’

"I don’t always go there often," he answered.

She was quiet for a moment.

"Then how will I meet you, i want to see you."

Atheline was shocked by her directness. Though it wasn’t the first time he had been approached. This was the most direct.

"Thats inappropriate my lady..."

"Call me Lily," she cut him off mid-sentence, her voice more commanding.

It wasn’t a request more like a command. Atheline took a deep breath.

’So her name is Lily.. Flowers’

"That’s not appropriate..Lily..."

He didn’t notice that she smiled.

"I’m not a high elf hence I do not conform to your tradition. Do not worry about such little things it will not affect my reputation."

Atheline was quiet.

’

What in the world!!! I know dark elves are extremely straightforward but isn’t this too much?’

"As you wish Lily but I apologize, I won’t be able to meet you."

Atheline wanted to nip all of this in the bud. She seemed determined to get close to him and he didn’t want anything to do with whatever this was.

She was beautiful but he had to keep his family warning in mind.

"Thats a shame, here I came to bring this back."

She gave him the bangle. Atheline took it, surprise etched on his face.

He had thought he had lost it but it seems she had it. It was a gift from his mother, made from sunfire crystals so that he could have extra Aether wherever he went.

"Thank you."

He bowed to her. The bangle still felt warm in his hands from her heat.

"It’s okay, I’ll be leaving them. Please make sure not to lose it next time I come to visit."

Atheline didn’t even have time to complain. He watched her merge into the crowd and slowly disappear.