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Pales, the capital and largest city of Archanea, teemed with life as merchants and city folk bustled about the shops. Many were in the process of rebuilding their beloved workplaces in the aftermath of the War of Heroes while others chatted amongst their comrades, enjoying the newfound peace.
To the northeast of the city, the Archanean Palace stood tall, its façade adorned in glistening, newly constructed stonework. The colors of the large, rose window at the top reflected the rays of sunlight that shimmered down on the village below and its magic academy in the very center.
Construction was still ongoing as a quarter of the academy needed a roof while about half of it still required cabinets and windows to be installed. But the library attached to the large building was nearly complete. Glossy wooden desks topped with candle holders and ink feathers filled up the first floor, of which was surrounded by shelves that reached the very ceiling and contained books of information from Archanean history and lore all the way to beginner and advanced practice tomes for students.
The second floor, on the other hand, was quite a mess. Books filled both the shelves and the floor. And the tables and the chairs. Sawdust collected over them all as the staircase leading up to the floor itself was still in need of polishing.
Letting out a short cough, Merric set down another pile of books onto one of the tables, waving away the dust that flew up into the air. Squinting his eyes, he quietly read over the spines before he began to order each book alphabetically.
“Hmm… Ah! I was looking for Wind Magic Tactics. This belongs downstairs…” He mumbled to himself as he tucked the lone, green book under his arm before he went back to sifting through the others.
“…I suppose this would have to go downstairs, as well.”
Merric paused at the soft voice before he turned around. His cheeks colored pink at the woman walking over to him, who was holding another book in her hands.
“Oh, P-Princess Elice!” He stammered, unconsciously pulling the tactics book out from his arm and fiddling with it, “I… I wasn’t aware that you would be by today. You’ve worked so hard these past few days, I thought you’d be at the palace resting…”
Elice seemed rather surprised herself as she rested her book beside Merric’s on the table. “Resting? Merric, you must be silly to assume that I would leave you to organize all these books alone. You have worked equally as hard as I, even more so, and you yourself are still here covered in sawdust. Why should I have the luxury of resting when there is still so much work to be done? I have been up here for most of the morning already.”
Merric looked at her in shock, almost forgetting his words for the moment. “Wait you… I-I mean, really? Oh, Princess Elice, I should have come up here to see y—help you! A-And thank you! You… You are much too generous.”
Elice chuckled at his fluster, her blue eyes soft as she gathered up some of his books. “Oh, it is no trouble at all, Merric. I… I enjoy this kind of work. Or really anything that keeps me from being cooped up in the palace for too long.” She then looked rather shy as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, “And…well…I do enjoy your company. I’ve had a lovely time building this academy with you.”
Merric felt heat rush to his face as Elice continued looking at him. Her eyes were gentle and calm, and Merric felt his grip trembling around the book in his hands.
Neither of them had spoken much about what happened at the Dragon’s Table, for once the war finally ended and peace was restored to all seven kingdoms, work still needed to be done. The entire continent was now under Marth’s reign, and Merric and Elice, alongside Caeda and the knights, together worked to aid him in whatever way they could. So much physical and emotional rebuilding was necessary throughout each country, that no one had much time to rest and recover, aside from Caeda and Marth’s wedding ceremony that was held two months ago.
And with the construction of the magic academy now underway, Merric had fallen into busywork, trying, and failing, to suppress his emotions towards Elice. His failure to protect her left a heavy weight on his heart. And whenever they worked together, he did well to keep an eye on her. Because he still held to his promise.
I’ll never leave your side again. No matter what may come between us…
Their embrace had lasted only a moment then, for Marth and the others had been close by, and war was still afoot.
But now it was over. And Merric was still afraid to be more than what he wished with—
Suddenly, a delicate hand rested over his own.
“Merric? Are you alright?”
Merric yelped, his cheeks flaming red as Wind Magic Tactics slipped from his grip and tumbled to the floor. He then stumbled over his apologies as he went to retrieve it.
Elice gasped as she retracted her hand. Concerned, she bent down to reach for his book.
The two simultaneously pulled back when their hands brushed over each other.
“D-Don’t worry yourself, Princess! I’ll get—.”
“No, no, Merric—I-I’m the one who caused you to drop it. It’s the least I can—.”
An awkward silence fell between the two before Elice eventually took the initiative and picked up his book. However, her cheeks colored pink when Merric placed his hand over her own.
“P-Princess… I…” He hesitated. What was he doing? He should just let go of her hand and continue about his day. Let her go. Let…her…
“W-Would you…um… Would you like to…um…” Merric, no. It’s too soon. Take it back! Take it—
“Yes… I would love to.”
Face still as red as a manakete, Merric jerked his head up to look at Elice. His green eyes shined with surprise, anxiety, and relief. He opened and closed his mouth, wanting to say something profound. Or at least give her a time. A place. Anything.
“Dinner, right? You were asking about…dinner…?” Elice questioned gently, her eyes shy and hopeful. But after Merric fell silent for longer than a minute, she blushed red before clearing her throat and sheepishly pulling back her hand from his, “Oh! P-Perhaps I misunderstood—.”
Shaking himself from his shock, Merric quickly went to grasp her hand again. “N-No! You didn’t! E-Elice—Princess, I… Yes. I would like—l-love for you to join me for dinner tonight.”
Elice’s cheeks were still pink as Merric’s own as she gave him a relieved smile. “…Then it’s a date.”
Humming softly, Elice leaned a little more forward in her seat as she looked over herself in her vanity mirror. She gently added some more face powder and blush to her cheeks before reaching for her light rose lipstick. Carefully, she applied only one coat, not wanting to overdo it. She just wanted to look…a little nicer than usual for her date this evening.
It was only Merric, after all. He’s seen her in much worse conditions. She shouldn’t even be fretting over makeup.
Elice sighed heavily as she leaned back in her chair, unconsciously twirling a strand of her hair. Maybe she should remove it. What if it was too much and it made Merric uncomfortable?
Elice let her hands fall into her lap as she twisted the fabric of her evening gown.
She has known Merric for years, and not once has she felt as nervous as she does now. They were just going to have some dinner together, which should be no different than when they had dinner together at her and Marth’s old castle in Altea before the wars. Merric would come by and spend the afternoon with her and her brother, studying spells and taking nature walks in the castle garden. Their mother would even prepare a special supper just for the three of them instead of the chefs. Elice still fondly remembered the sweet, cinnamon scent of her mother’s rice tarts.
However, back then, Elice had been a young teenager while Marth and Merric were mere children.
Elice always held a soft spot for Merric, nursing him back to health on numerous occasions. But she didn’t know that softness would eventually grow into a deeper fondness upon seeing him as a grown man years later during the War of Shadows. He was still young then, but that was the first time she felt a spark in her heart upon seeing the warmth and happiness in his green eyes when they were reunited.
And that lingering spark ignited the moment their eyes met again, when Merric was clinging onto her, desperate for her to open her eyes and see him. She heard his pleas as he shouted her name, his guilt for not being there to protect her when she needed him most…and the love laced within each word.
She was too afraid in the moment to reciprocate it. All she knew was that Merric was there but Gharnef was still a threat. Their embrace was quick, but she never forgot the feeling of her heart beating against his, their lips nearly brushing.
Feeling the heat rising in her cheeks, Elice cleared her throat before hastily flattening the bunched-up crinkles in her dress.
“…My, you look so beautiful! You must be going somewhere special this evening, huh?”
Elice gasped at the cheerful voice, uncharacteristically shoving her makeup off her vanity, and nearly falling off her chair in the process. She then looked up at her surprise visitor in embarrassment.
“C-Caeda! I… Ahem. H-Hello.” Elice stuttered out awkwardly in greeting, giving the newly crowned queen a polite bow.
Caeda didn’t hold back her laughter as she hurried over to help Elice pick up her belongings. “Oh, goodness, Elice! I hadn’t meant to startle you so badly! I’ve never seen you this flustered before…” Practically dropping the makeup back onto the vanity in a messy pile, Caeda peered excitedly at a very red Elice, “I suppose I was mistaken. You must be going to see someone special. Am I right? I mean look at your dress! It’s divine! And the dash of sparkle complements your eye shadow so well! I had no idea you were a connoisseur of makeup!”
Elice felt completely out of her element. Usually, she was quite composed and quick with a response. But now, she was just staring at Caeda, like a gaping fish that just caught onto a hook line.
“U-Um… Not… Not really, I—.” Elice stumbled over her words but didn’t have a chance to finish when her brother poked his head into her bedroom chambers.
“Elice? Wow… You look amazing! I haven’t seen you dress up this nicely since…when? I-I mean no offense! You looked lovely at our wedding! But there’s…something different about your attire tonight.”
Elice groaned as Marth walked up beside his wife and curiously looked down at his sister’s makeup. After living with the two of them for the past couple of years, Elice should know better than to keep her bedroom door open.
Caeda giggled as she nudged her husband. “I think she has a date!”
Marth looked at Elice in surprise, a grin spreading across his face. “R-Really? I didn’t know you were seeing anyone. Who is it?”
Elice blushed pink at the question as she looked anxiously in between her younger brother and his wife.
What would Marth think if he knew she was going on a date with—
“Pardon my interruption, sire.” Jagen suddenly spoke up as he stepped forward from outside the hallway.
Elice dropped her head in her hands. This was humiliating.
Marth looked to his retainer in concern. “Is everything alright, Jagen?”
Jagen nodded as he briefly glanced over at Elice before giving his full attention to Marth. “Yes, Your Majesty. I am simply here to inform you that Sir Merric has arrived.”
Marth raised a brow in confusion. “Merric is here? I didn’t know he was stopping by today…” He then looked to his wife and sister before taking his leave with Jagen. “I’ll go ahead and greet him. It’s been a while since we last spoke.”
Elice nibbled at her lip as she watched her brother walk off. She would have melted into the floor out of pure embarrassment if not for Caeda grabbing her hairbrush and beginning to style her hair.
“Hmm… You have so much hair, Elice. How do you feel about putting it in a long braid? Oh! I can even grab some flowers from the garden…” Caeda mused to herself as she twisted and turned Elice’s long locks of blue hair in all different directions, “Or perhaps a simple look, with your hair down and held back by a white gold circlet…”
However, she slowly trailed off when the two of them heard a sudden rush of footsteps approaching the bedroom.
“Merric?! It’s Merric?!”
“P-Prince… Ah, sire! Wait!”
Marth rushed back into the bedroom, looking frazzled as he clumsily fixed the circlet atop his head before childishly pointing towards Merric and back to his elder sister. “Wha… What?! Why… Why didn’t you tell me?!”
Elice stayed calm as she stood up from her chair, looking apologetic as Merric finally made his way over, his chest heaving with exertion while he held a small bouquet of scarlet carnations in his hand.
“P-Princess… I… I thought he…h-he knew…” He panted weakly.
Taking in a deep breath, Elice smiled sweetly at Merric before turning towards her brother. “Marth. Relax. It’s my fault for not telling you. I just… I wanted to tell you, but I wasn’t sure how you would take it. And seeing as you are right now…”
Marth waved his hand as he leaned against the door. “I-I’m fine! This… This is great! I’m great! Merric’s great! This… This is all…great…”
Elice sighed softly. “Marth…”
Marth held up his hand before he tiredly rested it on his sister’s shoulder, his shock nearly knocking the wind out of him. He then cleared his throat as he looked at her. “N-No. No, Elice. I… I apologize. I am just surprised by this news, is all. But I’m not upset in the slightest. Gods no! I… I just didn’t know. You two are so important to me, and I didn’t even realize…”
Elice chuckled as she squeezed her brother’s hand. “We love you too, sweetheart. But it’s not your responsibility to…know of such things, nor notice them. I apologize for not telling you about tonight, nor of…my feelings towards Merric. You know I don’t wish to burden you anymore than I already have…”
Merric and Marth frowned upon hearing that last part. But before either of them could say anything, Elice walked over to Merric and gently took the beautiful bouquet from him as he went to hand them to her. “How thoughtful of you, Merric… Thank you.”
Merric blushed, bashfully rubbing the back of his neck as he stood up straight. “I… I’m happy you like them, Princess. They just came into full bloom yesterday, according to the gardener I purchased them from.”
Elice smiled shyly, her cheeks pink as she admired the carnations.
“…Why don’t Marth and I go put these in some water for you?” Caeda butt in gently as she reached for the bouquet, winking at Elice as she nudged her husband towards the doorway, “You and Merric should get a head start on your lovely evening.”
Elice smiled gratefully at Caeda as she let her take the bouquet.
Marth hesitantly looked in between his sister and Merric.
He then smiled warmly at them as he hurried back over to hug Elice.
“I’m sorry for fretting so much. I’m really happy for you…and that it’s him.” Marth whispered.
Elice hugged him tight in return.
“Me, too.” She whispered back.
Marth then pulled away from the embrace before extending his hand to Merric. “Take good care of her.”
Merric nodded firmly as he grasped Marth’s hand in return.
“I will.”
Elice let her fingers glide along the soft tablecloth before she once more fiddled with the stem of her wine glass, the Rosé sloshing gently. She hesitantly glanced up at Merric, both of their eyes meeting before together they looked away. They had been sitting at their table for about five minutes now, and the only sound coming from either of them was the drumming of fingers and subtle shifts of chair legs.
“So—.”
“So—.”
Elice and Merric chuckled sheepishly, feeling some of the tension slipping away as a gentle breeze caused the candlelight in between them to flicker.
“You look lov—.”
“You look so han—.”
Both blushed red as they spoke simultaneously again, in attempts to initiate conversation. They fell back into silence, neither of them even reaching for the steaming bread in the center of their table.
All their time spent when they were young all the way to them building the magic academy together, Elice and Merric always spoke whatever was on their mind and conversed casually as friends do. Not once had their words been frozen and awkward like this. Elice adjusted her necklace and self-consciously brushed at the powder on her cheeks. Merric nervously tugged at his bowtie and patted down his sweater, checking it over in case there were stains on it.
“I… I would say we’re much quieter than the library right now.” Elice spoke in shy playfulness as she looked back up at Merric. She let out the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding when he laughed.
“Yes, quite… And all that sawdust has covered more conversation than we have.” Merric bantered back, his eyes softening upon hearing Elice’s quiet giggling.
Together, they let out relieved sighs before taking sips of their wines.
“You would think we would have so much to talk about…” Elice spoke softly, her smile falling as she looked down at the table again, “And the feelings we’ve held back all this time…”
Merric nodded in agreement as he tugged at the cuff of his sleeve, feeling the lump of his good luck charm underneath. “…I’ve wanted to say so much more to you, but never knew when the right time would come…”
Gently, Elice reached her hand over the table and rested it atop Merric’s fidgeting ones.
“How about now?”
Merric’s cheeks reddened as his fidgeting increased. He wanted to. He needed to.
What if something fell Elice again and he lost his chance? What if a book from the library were to fall on her head, and she loses her memory? What if a whole shelf fell on her? The whole library—!
“I’m not going anywhere.” Elice squeezed Merric’s hands, recognizing the sudden panic on his face, “I’m right here, Merric.” She stroked her thumb over his palm, “I know you’re still frightened over what happened… I am, too.”
Merric squeezed her hand with both his own. “…I don’t want to lose you again. I-I know we’ve never—But I—.”
Just then, their waitress came over to greet them, and both Merric and Elice shied away from each other again. They didn’t have a chance to look at the menu and had to send the poor girl on her way without an order. And Elice and Merric fell back into silence, their cheeks pink, and their eyes downcast.
“…This isn’t a proper place to discuss such matters. Forgive me for prying.” Elice whispered.
Merric looked up at Elice in surprise, his eyes saddening upon seeing and feeling the guilt pouring from her. He glanced around, trying to come up with something that may lighten the mood. He then spotted the candle sitting on their table. Its small fire danced about in the cool breeze, reminding Merric that winter was approaching soon. He observed the candle for a moment longer before he looked back over at Elice.
“The library has candlelight.”
Elice blinked before looking up into Merric’s gentle gaze. “…The library?”
Merric nodded. “Yes. It may still be under construction, but as it is currently the late evening, no one would be there.” He then looked around the outdoor restaurant they were dining in before looking back to Elice. He held out his hand to her, “…It would offer a much quieter place for us to talk. And we can just pick up a rice tart from the bakery for us to share.”
Elice smiled brightly, her cheeks pink as she took his hand. “I would love that.”
“You’ve kept it this whole time? Merric…”
Merric smiled bashfully as he let Elice examine the good luck charm she had given him just before he left for Khadein so many years ago. The intricate gold designs she had carved into the bracelet glistened gently in the soft candlelight of the library.
“Of course…” Merric spoke fondly as he ran his fingers over the emerald gems in between the wind-shaped designs, blushing lightly when they brushed against Elice’s, “Your gift was special to me… It still is. I would never forgive myself if I let any harm come to it.”
Elice’s cheeks were once again rosy, a contrast to the yellow glow that illuminated the small study area her and Merric were currently residing in. She felt touched that he kept her gift all this time, and she melted into the delicate touch of their fingertips.
“Thank you for caring for it all this time…” Elice whispered.
Merric moved his fingers over her own and gently intertwined them. “…I wish I had done the same for you.”
Elice sighed softly as she rested her other hand atop their own, her sapphire gaze looking up into Merric’s sorrowful jade. “Merric… You saved me. To me, you were there. Perhaps not when the invasion began… But that wasn’t your fault. I promise you.”
Merric shook his head and briefly shut his eyes, trying to control his emotions.
Elice shifted closer to him, not minding her gown as it picked up sawdust from the floor. She then tenderly brought Merric’s hand to her lips. “If anything…it was mine.”
Merric slowly opened his eyes, his cheeks as red as Elice’s as he felt her soft lips press against his hand. However, the remorse in her tone pulled him from his own as he scooted closer to her side, allowing Elice to rest on his shoulder. He squeezed her hand in return before gently bringing his other hand up to hold her cheek, wanting to lift her downcast eyes.
“How could you say that?” He questioned softly, “I had the choice to stay in Altea. You didn’t.”
Elice huffed in upset but remained by Merric’s side, avoiding his concerned gaze. “That doesn’t matter, Merric. I’ve been such a burden to Marth…putting such strain on his heart to not only save me once, but twice. I took away the happiness I always longed for him to have. And now…now you’re blaming yourself for my own actions… I just… I just wanted to help Caeda be with my brother since I could not fight. I knew I couldn’t fight. But I didn’t know Gharnef’s plans... I knew the risk and was willing to…to die right then and there. I was prepared for that. Not… Not to play part in a sacrifice—.”
“Elice.” Merric didn’t hesitate to call her by her name, releasing their hands as he gently grasped her shoulders. “Look at me.”
Elice jerked her head up to look at him in exasperation, feeling anger towards herself as water mingled in her eyes.
“I’m so sorry, Merric. You did nothing wrong.” She whimpered, embarrassed she was suddenly losing her composure.
“Shhh…” Merric soothed as he gently brushed away a lone tear trailing from Elice’s cheek, feeling his own eyes pricking with tears. “…Why don’t we agree to disagree? It seems rather silly, but…if we both fall into tears, we would spoil the rice tart. And I don’t believe it requires more salt.”
Elice covered her hand over her nose when she let out a sudden snort.
Merric fell into laughter with her, discretely wiping at his own eyes.
“I love you.”
Merric gulped, his ears burning red at the soft confession.
He looked into Elice’s watery eyes, the blue of them sparkling with love and admiration as Merric felt her thin fingers rest against his cheek. Merric drew closer to her as he laid his hand over her own, Elice’s sniffles the sweetest sound in the silence of the library.
“I love you, too. I always have.” Merric whispered as their noses touched.
Elice gave a quiet hiccup, her heart fluttering as she pressed her face closer to his.
Merric’s emerald gaze melted into the beauty of Elice’s features. His hand tightened around her own as his eyes fell on the gentle pinkness of her lips.
“May I?”
Elice cupped her other hand in his hair, her smile bright as she pulled him closer, their lips brushing.
“Yes.”
The kiss was long-overdue, and the lost pieces of their hearts fell into place as they pressed their lips fervently into each other. Elice’s fingers tangled into green locks while Merric caressed the nape of her neck, silk strands of blue hair tickling his arm. There was no telling when one kiss ended and another began. The heat in the moment encompassed them both, and all the books they had read over together were kicked away as they moved into a more comfortable position. But not too comfortable to where they would accidentally fall down the stairs.
They were on the second floor, after all. It was a mess up here. Books filled both the shelves and the floor. And the tables and the chairs.
A little sawdust kicked onto the rice tart, but not enough to spoil it.
