ㅤㅤIt took three days for them to find her.
ㅤㅤShe seemed to know this might happen, since they wound up finding her in the farthest and deepest parts of London. It appeared they caught her just in time, having tracked her down to a train station. Even though he at first disagreed, Neo managed to convince Christopher to come along and provide assistance with the whole mess. She wasn't going to listen to Neo, and surely not Quilliene.
ㅤㅤNonetheless, skeletons kept in their closet didn't always stay there.
ㅤㅤ"She's over there," Christopher spoke grimly.
ㅤㅤThey had arrived at a train station close to evening, where there was a small wooden building sitting in front of a railroad track. Nestled beside it was a diner, surrounded by grass and dirt paths. Christopher had motioned towards the diner. Raemith, who stood in place as backup, gave a stern look at Neo that said don't mess this up before making his way alongside the prince.
ㅤㅤNeo followed suit, dressed once again in his plaid flannel, white shirt, and black pants. Steel toed boots covered his feet, and his white-gloved hands were resting semi-casually in his pockets. The three peeked inside through a window before Christopher spotted her, but he didn't need to point her out. There were three people inside, and only one of them was feminine, with a hoodie on and a cup of coffee on her table.
ㅤㅤ"Ye think the lass knows we're 'ere?" Raemith asked.
ㅤㅤ"Definitely," Neo sighed. "Only one of us should go to her. It might scare her off if she sees three people she previously entangled with coming at her."
ㅤㅤNeo looked at Christopher, and the man sighed. "Why, oh why, does it have to be me?" He moved to the door, pointing back at them. "Stay here. We're all going to talk to her... if I can convince her."
ㅤㅤ"Don't worry!" Raemith leaned on Neo's shoulder with his elbow. "Me an' loverboy will be stayin' right 'ere, swear it."
ㅤㅤThat only seemed to make Christopher glower, and Neo had to facepalm and look away as his cheeks began to turn red. Raemith really didn't get social cues. Watching Christopher enter the establishment from the corner of his eye, he nudged Raemith's elbow from his shoulder and leaned on the railing of the porch, waiting. Then, he smacked Raemith on the arm, and he yelped in surprise.
ㅤㅤ"Don't mention all that in front of Chris." Neo hissed through his teeth, not looking at him. "He'll literally kill me if you tease him."
ㅤㅤ"Aye!" Raemith pouted. "Oi was teasin' you, but... there ain't no need to worry. He was too distracted with 'er to be miffed with ye." He gave a cheeky smile, then leaned his back on the railing, crossing his arms. "Sooo, how is it? With 'er?"
ㅤㅤNeo stared at the window for a while. Christopher seemed to have sat down, engaging the woman in heated conversation. She didn't seem to be using her gift yet. He looked at the ground, narrowing his brows. He remembered the last few days with her, a small smile coming across his face. Close, romantic moments, that seemed deep and memorable. He shook his head, still grinning from the fantasy.
ㅤㅤ"I haven't given it to her yet..." He sighed. "The ring. She'll think it means something else at this point."
ㅤㅤ"Is that so bad?" Raemith shrugged simply. "Oi mean, unless ye haven't said Oi love ye to her then- wait, you have said it, right?"
ㅤㅤNeo paused. "Not... exactly. But I'm going to." He quickly added. "It just... hasn't come up yet."
ㅤㅤ"Aye, Oi get that." The half-demon huffed. "Oi get the fear."
ㅤㅤNeo turned his attention back towards the argument. Christopher seemed to be explaining something to the teary eyed woman, and she finally took her hood down. Neo felt his heart wither as he saw her. Alexandria. There's was a small yelling match, muffled, before they both simultaneously slumped down in the pleather booth seats. Things seemed to be going in a more... positive direction, at least.
ㅤㅤ"Though," Raemith called attention to himself. "Since Oi got 'ere, to the manor Oi mean, her majesty has been so... isolated. She used to either say a lotta snarky things or not talk at all. I think..." He paused. "Ye helped change that. Made her happy. Happiest Oi've ever seen her, and she's got a lot to be sad 'bout... Oi'm sure his highness makes her happy, too, but... not like ye do."
ㅤㅤNeo didn't say anything for a long time. He stared off at the window, watching the two sit there. He took in a breath, then sighed. He thought about how the relationship first started - meeting her in the hallway, and how she glared and belittled him. Then he smiled as he remembered their arguments, the accidental close proximity, the times he was saving her life. It was strange, being different now. How he fell in love so fast, and didn't even realise he had.
ㅤㅤMinutes turned to ten, and at first, nothing happened between Christopher and Alexandria. Christopher stood up and out of the booth, speaking to her for a moment before he made for the door. Then Alexandria said something, and Christopher turned, watching her rise from her seat. She was silent, accompanying him to the door, and they finally exited.
ㅤㅤNeo averted his eyes, a bit too nervous he might start something by accident or have her use something on him because she was still furious. The awkward tension could have been cut with a butter knife, but the air around Christopher and Alexandria was lighter. Acquaintances, for the time being. Alexandria took a breath to speak, and Neo could only glance in her general direction as she looked at Raemith.
ㅤㅤ"Sorry for what I did." She said simply.
ㅤㅤThe half-demon blinked in surprise. "Thank ye, but no problem. I understand an' all."
ㅤㅤShe shifted and looked at Neo. "I know you didn't kill him... but you tried. However, I also understand why now. You caught me off guard that day and I was angry, and confused. I hope you can understand, too." When he simply nodded, she took a breath again. "Christopher told me you have a plan. I'm in, for a price."
ㅤㅤNeo immediately stood up. "By the gods, if you tell me you want him alive-" He started with a hiss, before Raemith gave him a look. He grit his teeth and reconstructed his next words. "He's dangerous. If he keeps trying to kill the queen no matter what we do, I will do what I have to so I can keep her safe."
ㅤㅤAlexandria furrowed her brow. "No, I'm not asking for that. Christopher told me what he's capable of, and..." She looked up to the moon with a scowl. "I have accepted this place with house my brother's corpse." She looked at Christopher this time. "I want money to get out, and out for good. I'll be going back to my home once it's all over."
ㅤㅤChristopher seemed a little downcast but nodded nonetheless. "I'll make sure that you get as much money as you need when... the job is done."
ㅤㅤShe hummed, apparently content with the answer, then turned to Neo. "I won't be the one to kill him. Is that clear?"
ㅤㅤNeo shrugged. "Didn't expect you to."
ㅤㅤAlexandria squinted, then crossed her arms. "Then what's the game plan?"