Alexander didn't respond—watching Louise leave his room.
When she left Alexander flopped back into his bed.
Louise's words lingered around him like smoke, clouding his exhausted thoughts.
Was Elizabeth really dangerous?
Or was Louise saying that because of their rivalry?
Alexander sighed, rolling the covers over himself.
"Maybe she's right, maybe wrong… I'll find out on my own."
Sleep came fitfully that night.
— — —
The next day.
Elizabeth sat wrapped in her blanket with a curious expression.
"Alexander never arrived last night."
Hinata reported, standing in front of Elizabeth—hands behind her back.
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow.
"Are you certain?"
Hinata nodded firmly, "Yes, your highness. I waited until the final train arrived, but there was no sign of him."
Elizabeth's pink eyes narrowed, a flicker of irritation crossing her composed features.
"Then either he was kidnapped, or Louise managed to not be herself."
She chuckled, "Both seem equally unlikely."
Hinata gestured a hand to the side,
"It's possible Lord André managed to hold the group together, Alexander seems fond of him."
Elizabeth leaned back against her plush headboard.
The morning light peeks through her tall window.
She drummed a finger against her blanket—thinking back to the last time she saw him.
"Lord André, yes Alex clung to him like a lifeline."
She sighed, sinking into her bed.
"Well, that explains why Alexander didn't return."
Hinata faintly smirked.
"You don't appear delighted, Your Highness. Is there a reason?"
Elizabeth waved a hand.
"I'm pleased Alex has people he can trust…"
"But?" Hinata urged.
"But I wish to keep him for myself. I adore him, more than I should."
She continued, her voice reminiscent.
"Sometimes I wish I could crawl in his skin—to share his body as we become one."
Hinata's eyes bugged as Elizabeth glanced at her.
"Is that weird?"
Elizabeth asked with a giggle, raising her hand to her lips.
Her pink eyes shimmered with a mix of mischief and something else…
Hinata cleared her throat, shifting uncomfortably.
"It's certainly an interesting way to express your affection, but I believe I understand."
Elizabeth sighed, her gaze drifting towards the window.
"He's different, Hinata. He's sweet but fiery. Unpolished but stoic, kind but reserved."
She gripped her silk blanket into a fist.
"It's hard holding back.
The urge to tackle and cuddle him.
It's overwhelming."
She shifted her gaze to meet Hinata's, "and if I lose him, Hinata..."
Her tone dropped from its composed high to a low and vulnerable murmur.
"…I might just burn everything."
Hinata swallowed hard, her usual stoicism cracking under the raw gaze of Elizabeth.
She had served the royals for years.
Whenever they had that look—those dilated pink eyes, terrible trouble followed.
Usually involving death.
Hinata hesitated, choosing her words with care.
"Your Highness, I'm sure Alexander will arrive within the hour.
Perhaps we could wait at the station, I'm sure we'd catch him there."
Elizabeth's eyes lit up at the suggestion.
"A splined idea."
Her lips curved into a smile as she unraveled herself—swinging her legs over the edge of the bed.
— — —
Alexander stared out the window at the passing scenery—the train jostling him about as it sped down the tracks.
Beside him was Louise, with André and Béatrice sitting across from them.
"You guys will be a little late."
André said, glancing at his pocket watch, before slipping it back into his vest.
"But that doesn't matter much, just try not to disturb your morning classes."
Alexander nodded, his gaze still fixed on the rolling hills outside.
His mind was still tangled in Louise's late-night talk.
The argument, the weight of his ambitions, Louise's warnings…
Elizabeth.
He glanced over at Louise, who sat stiffly with a leather bag in her lap.
She hadn't spoken much since they boarded the train, but her presence was enough.
After some time the train began to slow, the platform of the station coming into view.
Alexander's heart thumped against his chest as he spotted a familiar figure standing near the edge of the platform.
Elizabeth stood with Hinata, her posture regal—her white hair catching the sunlight.
As her pink eyes peered into the train windows, Louise stiffened.
André noticed too, his expression shifting to something serious.
"I… should've known."
He muttered, slouching his shoulders.
Béatrice sighed as the train squeaked to a halt.
"You took her most prized possession, this should hardly be a surprise."
Alexander frowned.
"I'm not her possession…"
He grumbled.
The group stood, filtering out of the train and onto the platform.
The clacking of boots against polished wood danced with the hissing of the train.
Elizabeth's eyes locked on Alexander the moment he emerged, her smile blooming into something radiant.
"Alex!" She called out, stepping through the hustle of the station.
"I was worried you'd vanished into the void."
Alexander stood awkwardly.
Louise and Béatrice burned holes in the back of his head, while André placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Hey Elizabeth," Alexander replied, his tone cautious and warm.
He unknowingly smiled, not expecting her to be here, but happy nonetheless.
"I stayed with André last night, I didn't mean to worry you."
Elizabeth waved a hand dismissively as she closed the distance.
"Worried? Oh, that's an understatement."
She looped her arms around his neck, her pink eyes sparkling with relief and warmth.
Alexander chuckled as he felt her weight against him.
One hug couldn't hurt, right?
Louise's warnings went out the window as the scent of chocolate tickled his nose.
He hugged her back tightly, wrapping his arms around her waist.
The familiar warmth sent the bustling station noise fading into the background.
Elizabeth's embrace was almost possessive, like she was clutching something lost.
"Alex," she whispered in his ear, her voice a soft purr.
"You have no idea how much I missed you."
Alexander pulled back as a shiver ran down his spine, his hands lingering on her sides.
Elizabeth met his gaze, her eyes holding a depth that always made him feel exposed.
"It was just one night."
He replied nervously.
Elizabeth tapped a finger on the back of his neck while poking out her lip.
"One night too long…" she murmured.
A moment of silence passed between them as Elizabeth scanned his face—taking in every detail.
Until suddenly his name was called.
"Alexander."
Alexander flinched, swallowing hard as he turned around to see André waving his pocket watch.
"You're gonna be late, buddy."
"Right, oh, uh… school."
He stammered quietly, disentangling himself from Elizabeth.
Though his hand lingered on her side longer than necessary—his heart was pounding as he avoided everyone's gaze.
Damn it, I folded under zero pressure!