Nadeline was very happy Wesley had asked, and she was unable to hide her mischievous smile as she would go to his side, kneeling next to him. She placed her hand on his, squeezing it tightly as she looked up at him.

"[b][color=f7941d]You did everything you needed to,[/color][/b]" She told him. "[b][color=f7941d]Wesley, in all honesty, you had me at 'hello'. If it was a spell you cast on me, I'd do everything in my power to keep it going, if only it meant I would stay by your side,[/color][/b]" She smiled, feeling a little nostalgic. "[b][color=f7941d]Your kindness, your nobleness, your dedication to your brethren and your country...it's admirable and more. I adore you more with every day that passes. To be your queen is more than an honor, though as a person, I admit that our time together has shown me everything I needed to know about you.[/color][/b]"

She then let out a slight giggle. "[b][color=f7941d]If you hadn't proposed to me already, I believe my little speech would have been grounds for one.[/color][/b]"

[hr]

Lorenzo shrugged, waving Jaakuna's concern away. "[b][color=f26522]I prefer Jaakie. It's more rugged and manly, the way a man's name should be.[/color][/b]" He grinned, punching his sister's shoulder and earning him a glare. "[b][color=f26522]A man's name is his pride after all![/color][/b]"

Reia couldn't help but roll her eyes, and made an attempt at a sane conversation. "[b][color=turquoise]So, do show the rest of the ship, it would make a poor tour if we finished here.[/color][/b]"

"[b][color=f26522]Yeah! I need to see the rest of it![/color][/b]" Lorenzo agreed as he would warp his arm around Reia's shoulder. "[b][color=f26522]It's a real treat, getting to soar in a beauty like this![/color][/b]"

Reia shot him another look, but Lorenzo would essentially drag her along.

[hr]

Emiri knelt down, bringing up the bed skirt as she would look under the bed. No, he wasn’t there either. She had no idea how he had escaped so quickly, but he didn’t seem to be around anymore. He wasn’t under the bed, in the closet, or hiding behind the dresser. Clucking her tongue, she would stand up and smooth the wrinkles out of her dress. If he was gone, so be it and good riddance. As she let out a sigh of relief, she decided that she may as well get out for some fresh air. Making her way to the garden, she was pleased to feel the wind pick up around her, though it would quickly turn into an annoyance as her hair whipped around her. She rummaged through her pockets, deciding to tie it up, only to find her hair tie gone. How could that be? She had it earlier before everyone left, had she dropped it on her way out?

It was then she spotted the man again, kneeling and examining some flowers. What was he doing here? He looked up at her and straightened up. “[b]We meet again,[/b]” He said as she approached him.

She had little reason to believe this was coincidence. “[b][color=pink]You sure escaped quickly. A specialty of yours?[/color][/b]” She asked.

“[b]I’ll make sure not to stray too far from you if you missed me so much,[/b]” He replied, grinning. “[b]Just ask, and I’m yours forever.[/b]”

Emiri scowled at him. “[b][color=pink]Seriously?[/color][/b]” She asked.

“[b]A bit over the top, yes, but I can tell you’re feeling lonely. You’d very much like to be with someone right now, don’t you?[/b]”

“[b][color=pink]What I’d like is for you to come out with what you really want,[/color][/b]” She cut straight to the point. “[b][color=pink]You ran away when Aloa showed up, which I can guess is because you didn’t want to be seen by her. What is your true intention?[/color][/b]”

He frowned at her accusation, although he seemed somewhat amused. “[b]I meant what I said. I want to mend your broken heart. A lady is much more beautiful when she is happy and whole, you see.[/b]” It was comments like that one that made Emiri suspicious. He seemed to have gotten the hint, though, and would instead bow down to her. “[b]Call me Keiran for now. I know it doesn’t look like it, but given time, you’ll turn to my way.[/b]”

Emiri believed that he wanted her trust for some reason. But why? What was his angle? Did he want something to do with the royal family? No, he might’ve gone for Karolina if that were the case. She eyed him carefully, trying to sum him up, so to speak. He didn’t look particularly strong, she figured if it came down to it, she could probably take him in a physical fight.

His jaw dropped as he backed away a few steps. “[b]That’s a really scary look on your face,[/b]” He commented, his eyes wide.

The brunette scoffed, crossing her arms as she glared at him. “[b][color=pink]You’re getting on my nerves,[/color][/b]” She informed him.

“[b]Good, that means I can get under your skin,[/b]” He replied, clearly pleased, though he would beckon her to follow him. “[b]Let’s get going, then.[/b]”

“[b][color=pink]Going? Where?[/color][/b]” She asked, watching him walk away.

He grinned again. “[b]Your powers should be stable enough. We should go see Andre and alleviate him a bit, don’t you think?[/b]”

[i][color=pink]What?[/color][/i] She didn’t even realize she hadn’t vocalized her confusion until she found herself running after Keiran. “[b][color=pink]What do you mean ‘alleviate’? Has…has he gotten worse?[/color][/b]” She asked him. “[b][color=pink]You know something, don’t you?![/color][/b]”

“[b]No idea, but I do know that you can do something about it,[/b]” Keiran replied as he would lead the way. “[b]Your head might not be totally in the game, but the rest of you is in tip-top shape.[/b]”

He seemed more sure of that then she did. “[b]I know everything there is to know about you,[/b]” He reminded her. “[b]And I know this is a step in the right direction.[/b]”

The pair stopped outside of Andre’s door, Emiri looking at Keiran hesitantly. Jaakuna didn’t think it was a good idea to be using her powers. Still, as Keiran would invite her in, she couldn’t help but follow him, and as she saw Andre again, she could feel her previous bitterness returning. Of course she should help her father, he was suffering, this was as plain as day. At the very least she could do as Keiran said and help him out a little. 

As Emiri looked down at her father, Keiran looked at her curiously. He would then stand behind her, lifting both her arms up, as if controlling her movement. “[b]You can do this,[/b]” He encouraged her gently, gripping her wrists.

[i][color=pink]I can do this.

I want to do this.

I have to.[/color][/i]

Soon, the mist around them would change, the hand of time itself going backwards. Just a little bit, just enough to help her father. The color returned to his skin, his breathing more consistent. But as she wanted to go further, she felt Keiran’s hands leave hers. As she turned to as what was wrong, she was yanked away from her father, coming face to face with Karolina.

“[b][color=orange]What are you doing?![/color][/b]” She exclaimed, shaking Emiri. “[b][color=orange]Have you forgotten yesterday already?[/color][/b]

“[b][color=pink]I’m helping him![/color][/b]” Emiri didn’t realize her voice matched Karolina’s in desperation. “[b][color=pink]I can’t sit around and do nothing while my father lays on death’s door! I can’t do it, Karolina…I can’t![/color][/b]”

To her surprise, Karolina would clasp her hand tightly. “[b][color=orange]I know that, but you have to have patience. Look at how pale you are, you aren’t well, my dear.[/color][/b]”

What was she talking about? Though before she could respond, she felt the entire world shake. No, it wasn’t the world, she was shaking. Her knees gave way, and Karolina barely managed to catch her before she hit the ground. She was sweating—was she sick? How hadn’t she noticed before? As she looked at Karolina, she couldn’t help but feel like she was losing her mind.

A soft groan distracted the pair, and Emiri scrambled to her feet as Andre would awaken. “[b][color=pink]Papa![/color][/b]” She gasped, her eyes widening as he would look around.

“[b]Emelia? What—where am I?[/b]” He seemed utterly confused.

Karolina hesitated for a moment, though she would concede defeat as she would press a button. In a manner of seconds, a nurse appeared at the door. “[b][color=orange]Lord Andre has awoken, summon the doctor to tend to him,[/color][/b]” She ordered, taking Emiri’s hand. “[b][color=orange]I know you want to be with him, but I’d rather the doctor look him over first, alright?[/color][/b]”

Emiri nodded. She’d do anything if it meant that she could see her father again. “[b][color=pink]Yes, I’ll go lie down, and then I’ll come back for him, okay?[/color][/b]” She promised her, her eyes bright. “[b][color=pink]I can’t believe he woke up…[/color][/b]”

The woman let out a sigh, nodding. “[b][color=orange]Of course.[/color][/b]”

Keiran was waiting for Emiri in her room, twirling a snapdragon flower between his fingers as he was laying down on her bed. Once she would enter, he would look over at her, clearly pleased at her better mood. Once she spotted him, she approached him, and he would sit up. He offered her the flower as he spoke, “[b]All you needed was a little faith.[/b]”

She would take the flower from him, holding it tightly. “[b][color=pink]You were right. Papa is awake…and it’s thanks to you,[/color][/b]” She told him as she would sit down next to him. “[b][color=pink]How did you know that was all he needed?[/color][/b]”

It was then Keiran would frown. He gave her a very serious look. “[b]Honestly…I figured he was going to die unless you did something,[/b]” He admitted. 

“[b][color=pink]I thought so, too,[/color][/b]” She paused for a moment. “[b][color=pink]You left again when Karolina came. Why?[/color][/b]”

“[b]I didn’t want anyone to think I pressured you into doing something you didn’t want to do. But now that it’s done, you feel a lot better, right?[/b]”

“[b][color=pink]I do. I’m so glad…but I’m kinda tired, too.[/color][/b]”

Keiran would then readjust himself, patting the area next to him. “[b]Lay down,[/b]” He instructed her. Once she would lay down on her side with her back to him, he gently ran his fingers through her hair. “[b]Relax, you’ve earned some rest.[/b]”

She did. Papa was alright, and even though she was tired, she felt really, really good about it. As she drifted off to sleep, Keiran let out a small sigh, watching her. “[b]Rest easy, I have a lot in store for you.[/b]”