The town was alive with morning energy...vendors calling out, children running past, the scent of fresh bread and roasted meat filling the air.
Princess Cyma adjusted her cloak slightly as she walked between the stalls, her disguise simple but effective. Beside her, Alpena looked far too excited for someone trying to stay unnoticed.
And just ahead of them...
Ace.
Walking like he had never left.
Like the years hadn't changed anything.
"You're both too slow," Ace called over his shoulder without turning.
Alpena scoffed. "You disappeared for years and came back bossy."
Ace laughed. "Some things don't change."
Cyma smiled faintly.
Some things… didn't.
They stopped by a small stand, Alpena immediately distracted by snacks while Ace and Cyma stood slightly apart.
Ace picked up a small pastry and handed it to her.
"You used to steal these," he said.
Cyma raised a brow. "I did not."
"You did," he insisted. "And blamed Alpena every time."
Cyma let out a soft laugh.
"That's because she always looked guilty."
"I was guilty!" Alpena shouted from behind them, mouth already full. "Just not of that!"
Ace chuckled.
Cyma took the pastry, their fingers brushing lightly.
The contact lingered.
Just a second longer than necessary.
She felt it.
So did he.
But neither of them pulled away immediately.
Instead, Ace's voice softened.
"You've changed."
Cyma looked up at him.
"So have you."
"Not that much," he said quietly.
Her gaze held his.
There was something there.
Something familiar… but deeper now.
More dangerous.
They moved through the town together, laughter coming easier as the hours passed.
At one point, Alpena ran ahead, chasing after something that caught her attention, leaving the two of them alone.
Cyma didn't even notice at first.
Until the silence between her and Ace settled differently.
Not awkward.
Just… aware.
"You're quiet," Ace said.
Cyma looked down slightly.
"I'm thinking."
"About what?"
She hesitated.
"…You."
Ace's steps slowed.
"Is that a good thing?"
Cyma gave a small, conflicted smile.
"I don't know yet."
They stopped walking.
The noise of the town faded around them.
For a moment, it was just the two of them again.
Like before.
"You disappeared," Cyma said softly. "No letters. No explanation."
Ace's expression shifted.
"I know."
"Do you have any idea what that felt like?"
Her voice wasn't angry.
Just… honest.
Ace stepped a little closer.
"I thought leaving was the best way to protect you."
Cyma frowned. "From what?"
"From me."
That made her look up.
Their eyes met.
And this time…
Neither of them looked away.
"You don't get to decide that for me," Cyma said quietly.
Ace exhaled.
"You're right."
A pause.
Then, softer...
"I won't make that mistake again."
Something in her chest tightened.
For a moment… just a moment…
She felt herself lean toward him.
Like closing that distance was the most natural thing in the world.
Then...
Dorian.
The thought hit her suddenly.
Sharp.
Real.
She stepped back.
Ace noticed immediately.
His expression dimmed slightly.
"Cyma?"
She shook her head quickly.
"I'm fine."
But she wasn't.
Her heart was racing.
And not in a way she could ignore.
Alpena returned moments later, completely unaware of the shift in atmosphere.
"You both look weird," she said bluntly.
"We're not," Cyma replied quickly.
Ace smirked. "She's overthinking."
Alpena pointed at Cyma. "Exactly."
Cyma sighed.
"I'm not overthinking."
"You are," Alpena insisted. "This is just a day out."
She grabbed Cyma's arm.
"With your childhood friend."
Then she grabbed Ace's sleeve too.
"Both of you need to relax."
Cyma looked at her.
Alpena's expression softened.
"You're allowed to be happy, you know."
Cyma hesitated.
"It's not that simple."
Alpena shook her head.
"It is."
She smiled as she pulled her aside
"You liked him once. That's true."
Cyma looked away.
"But that was then," Alpena continued. "This is now."
She leaned closer, lowering her voice.
"You're not betraying anyone by spending one day with a friend."
Cyma swallowed.
Her eyes drifted back to Ace.
He was watching her quietly.
Not pushing.
Not demanding.
Just… there.
Waiting.
Alpena nudged her slightly.
"Go with the flow," she whispered. "Just like old times."
Cyma let out a slow breath.
Maybe…
Just for today…
She could.
She looked back at Ace.
A small smile formed on her lips.
"Where to next?"
Ace's expression softened, relief flickering in his eyes.
"Anywhere you want."
And as they walked forward together again…
Cyma told herself she would stop thinking.
Just for today.
But even as she smiled…
A part of her heart still whispered one name...
Dorian.
The laughter came easier now.
After a long moment of hesitation earlier, Cyma had finally let go.
Not completely… but enough.
They were by the riverbank now, shoes off, water brushing lightly against their feet as Alpena tried (and failed) to skip stones.
"You're cheating!" Alpena complained.
Ace laughed. "There are no rules."
"There are always rules!"
Cyma shook her head, smiling.
"Since when do you follow rules?"
"Since I became a responsible adult," Alpena said proudly.
Ace and Cyma exchanged a look.
Then both of them laughed.
For a moment… it really did feel like before.
Later, as they walked through the quieter part of town, Ace slowed beside her.
"You're different now," he said softly.
Cyma glanced at him.
"So are you."
Ace shook his head slightly. "Not in the way you think."
She raised a brow.
"You're holding back," he continued. "Every time we get close… you pull away."
Cyma looked down.
"Ace..."
"I'm not asking for anything," he said gently. "And I'm not here to make things complicated."
She looked up at him.
"I know Dorian is still your fiancé."
The words settled between them.
"I respect that," Ace added.
Cyma's chest tightened slightly.
"I don't want to make this awkward for you," he continued. "Or make you feel like you're doing something wrong."
She studied him.
"You always did overthink things," he teased lightly.
Cyma huffed.
"I do not."
"You do."
He nudged her shoulder slightly.
"Just… be here. With me. Like before."
Cyma hesitated.
Then slowly…
She smiled.
"…Fine."
After that, everything shifted.
She stopped holding back finally.
They ran through the market like children, Alpena dragging them from stall to stall, Ace pulling them into ridiculous games, Cyma laughing louder than she had in a long time.
At one point, Ace grabbed her wrist and pulled her along.
"Race you!"
"That's not fair!" she laughed, trying to keep up.
"You're just slow!"
"I am not...!"
They crashed into a pile of hay, both laughing breathlessly.
For a second…
They didn't move.
Too close.
Too aware.
But this time..
Cyma didn't pull away.
"Of course," Alpena muttered from nearby, "fun never lasts."
The shift was immediate.
Rough voices.
Boots.
Steel.
Bandits.
"Stay back," Ace said instantly, stepping in front of Cyma.
Cyma rolled her eyes, already stepping forward. "You wish."
Alpena didn't argue this time...she quickly ran to hide behind a cart.
"Don't die!" she shouted.
"Encouraging," Ace muttered.
The fight started fast.
One rushed Cyma...she twisted, disarmed him, and sent him crashing to the ground.
Ace took on two at once, moving with practiced ease.
"Still impressive," Cyma called out, blocking a strike.
"Still better than you," Ace shot back.
"Keep dreaming."
But then...
A misstep.
A blade grazed Ace's hand.
He hissed slightly.
Cyma's expression changed instantly.
"Careful!"
"I'm fine..."
"Focus!"
Within moments, the bandits were down, groaning and scattered.
Silence returned.
Alpena peeked out slowly.
"…Are they dead?"
"No," Cyma replied, already walking toward Ace.
Her eyes dropped to his hand.
"You're bleeding."
"It's nothing."
"Sit."
Ace raised a brow. "That sounded like an order."
"It was."
Back at the palace garden, the sun was beginning to dip, casting warm light across the space.
Ace sat on the stone bench while Cyma carefully applied ointment to his hand.
Her touch was gentle.
Focused.
"You always get hurt doing something reckless," she muttered.
Ace watched her quietly.
"And you always take care of it."
Cyma didn't respond.
She was too aware of how close they were.
Too aware of how natural it felt.
Then...
A familiar presence.
A scent.
Cyma froze.
She knew it instantly.
She looked up.
At the entrance of the garden stood Dorian.
His gaze was fixed on them.
On how close they were.
On the way Cyma held Ace's hand.
On the way Ace looked at her.
Something unreadable flickered in his eyes.
Cyma immediately stood.
"Dorian, I..."
"I didn't ask," Dorian said calmly.
But he didn't look away.
Zion's voice suddenly broke the tension.
"Ace?!"
Ace looked up just in time to be pulled into a tight hug.
"Zion..."
"You idiot!" Zion said, stepping back to look at him. "You disappeared for years!"
Ace laughed. "Missed you too."
Zion shook his head, still half in disbelief.
"When did you get back?"
"Recently."
They began talking, the tension easing slightly.
Dorian's gaze lingered on Cyma for a moment longer…
Then he turned away.
"Zion."
Zion straightened.
"We're going to see His Majesty."
Zion nodded. "Right."
Before leaving, he glanced once at Cyma… then at Ace… then followed Dorian out.
Silence returned.
Ace leaned back slightly, watching them go.
Then he smirked.
"So that's him."
Cyma frowned. "What?"
Ace tilted his head.
"Your fiancé."
She didn't respond.
Ace continued teasingly, "I see why."
Cyma raised a brow.
"He's tall. Broad shoulders. Calm." Ace shrugged. "The kind of man most girls would fall for."
Cyma looked away slightly.
"Well…"
She paused.
"…I'm not most girls."
Ace's smirk softened.
"And I'm not in love with him."
That made Ace look at her properly.
Cyma met his gaze.
"We're just… friends."
The words lingered in the air.
And somehow...
That made things even more complicated.