Mira did not want to go to the south gardens.
She wanted to stay in bed, pretend she overslept, and let the Crown Prince yell at a flower bush instead.
Unfortunately, Leo was dragging her across campus like an overexcited tour guide.
"You can't skip this, Mira! What if this is his apology arc?"
"He doesn't have an apology arc," Mira muttered. "He has a superiority complex."
"Yes, but imagine if he had character development! I want front-row seats."
Mira pulled her arm free. "Leo. Go away."
"Nope," he said cheerfully. "I'll stay within emergency rescue distance. In case he tries to stab you. Or marry you. Same thing, really."
Mira shoved him behind a hedge and marched forward alone.
The south gardens were almost offensively beautiful. Fountains. Marble benches. Roses in impossible shades. A pathway so clean she could see her own regret reflected on it.
And there,
Standing under an arch of white lilies,
Was Adrian Everhart.
He wasn't wearing his coat.
He wasn't surrounded by guards.
He wasn't even scowling.
He just stood there, hands behind his back, posture perfect as always, watching her approach with a face carved from quiet intensity.
Mira stopped about ten steps away.
"Alright," she said. "I'm here. What do you want?"
Adrian studied her for a moment, as if choosing his words carefully.
Not dramatic.
Not angry.
Just… watching.
"I wanted," he said slowly, "to speak to you without an audience."
Mira raised a brow. "Why? Planning my arrest privately?"
He exhaled sharply. "Do you ever stop?"
"No," she said. "It's a personality trait."
A muscle ticked in his jaw.
Not anger this time.
Something like… reluctant amusement?
He stepped closer.
Just one step.
But it felt like he'd crossed a visible line in the air.
"Mira Lawson," he said, voice lower than usual, "you are causing problems."
"Good," she replied instantly. "You deserve them."
He stared at her. "That's not what I meant."
"Then say what you mean."
His eyes narrowed. "You are… disruptive."
"Thank you."
"That wasn't a compliment."
"It sounded like one."
He inhaled, as if she were a puzzle designed to torment him.
Then, unexpectedly, his tone softened.
"You stand up to me," he said quietly. "No one does that."
"Maybe they should."
He blinked.
The air between them tightened.
"Why?" he asked.
"Because you think everything revolves around you," Mira said bluntly. "Like everyone else is background scenery."
Adrian's posture stiffened, defensive. "I was raised to lead. To hold authority."
"And look how well that's going," she deadpanned.
His lips twitched, barely, but Mira saw it.
A crack in the marble.
He moved closer again.
Now only four steps separated them.
"Mira," he said slowly, "do you enjoy arguing with me?"
"No," she said.
A lie.
She hoped he didn't hear the tremor in it.
He tilted his head, studying her like she was a new language he didn't yet understand.
"You're different," he said.
"Everyone keeps saying that," Mira muttered. "Not sure if I should be offended or honored."
"It's not an insult," he said. "It's… confusing."
"For you or for me?"
"For both."
Mira's breath hitched, but she buried it under stubbornness.
He took another step.
Now three steps between them.
The atmosphere shifted, soft, tense, electric.
"Mira Lawson," he said, voice almost gentle, "I don't know what to make of you."
Mira swallowed. "Good. Then leave me alone."
"I can't."
The words dropped into the silence like a stone into calm water.
Mira's heart stuttered.
"…why?" she whispered.
Adrian opened his mouth,
But footsteps approached.
Fast.
Loud.
Chaotic.
Leo burst through the hedge like a deranged woodland creature.
"MIRA! ARE YOU DEAD? DID HE KIDNAP YOU? DID HE, "
He froze when he saw how close they were standing.
His jaw dropped.
"Oh," Leo breathed. "Ohhhhhh. I see. I SEE."
Mira stepped back so fast she almost tripped.
Adrian straightened instantly, expression snapping back into cold royalty mode.
Leo wiggled his eyebrows like a clown. "Am I interrupting?"
"Yes," both Mira and Adrian said.
At the same time.
Leo grinned like he'd just won the lottery.
Adrian cleared his throat. "This conversation isn't finished."
Mira glared. "Yes it is."
"No," he said firmly. "It isn't."
"Watch me finish it."
She turned and walked away before her heart made irresponsible decisions.
Leo rushed to her side, whispering way too loudly:
"Mira. MIRA. Did he just almost confess something? DID I WITNESS HISTORY?"
"It was nothing," Mira muttered.
"It was SOMETHING."
"It was NOTHING."
"Then why is your face red?"
Mira shoved him. "Shut up."
Behind them, Adrian stood alone in the garden.
Watching her leave.
Confused.
Frustrated.
And something else he had no training for whatsoever.
Interest.