The moon shone brightly in the silent sky, bathing the land in silver light. The night was calm and peaceful, yet Azrion found it impossible to sleep. His mind kept wandering back to one person—Crystal.
Beside him lay his small griffin, Draco, curled comfortably near his side.
Azrion sighed as he gently stroked the creature's soft feathers.
"Why can't I get her off my mind?" he murmured quietly. "Her eyes… her smile… she seems so pure-hearted."
Draco blinked lazily, clearly more interested in sleeping.
Azrion continued, lost in thought.
"I really want to see her again… but that would mean breaking the law. But then again… if I don't actually cross the border, I wouldn't be breaking any rules, right Draco?"
The griffin simply stared at him with an uninterested expression.
Azrion sighed again, rubbing his forehead.
"But why do I feel this way toward her? I can't possibly like her… no, no, no. That would never work."
He paused.
"…But what if we could find a way?"
Suddenly, an idea appeared in his mind. Azrion lifted Draco up and looked at him seriously.
"Draco, I need you to deliver a message to Crystal."
The griffin looked at him with an expression that clearly said it didn't care.
Azrion smirked.
"I'll let you sleep at her place overnight."
Instantly, Draco's eyes lit up with excitement.
"I knew that would get your attention," Azrion chuckled.
He quickly wrote a letter, placed it inside a small sheath, and carefully fastened it around Draco's waist.
"Make sure she gets this. Take care, my friend."
With a flap of his wings, Draco shot into the night sky.
A short while later, the griffin arrived at Crystal's window, tapping against the glass repeatedly until she woke up.
Still half-asleep, she walked toward the window and opened it.
"Draco!" she exclaimed warmly as she pulled him into her arms. "What are you doing here this late?"
The griffin chirped happily.
Grace then noticed the small sheath tied around his waist.
"What's this?"
She gently removed the letter and unfolded it.
Inside were simple words:
"Let's meet at the border before sunset… if it's okay with you. —Azrion."
Grace smiled softly.
"Hmm… does he miss me already?" she teased quietly to herself.
She glanced down at Draco.
"We'll see."
She hugged the little griffin again.
"Come on, Draco. You're staying with me tonight. You must be tired."
Soon the room fell silent as they both drifted back to sleep.
Early the next morning, Grace carried Draco to the window and sent him flying back toward Zerathion before preparing for the academy.
Later that day, she arrived with Ronan and noticed Maria waiting near the entrance.
"Maria? Why are you still outside?" Grace asked.
Maria smiled nervously.
"Why else? I was waiting for you. Are you still angry about yesterday? I'm sorry… we should have listened and tried to understand you."
Grace chuckled faintly.
"It's not your fault, Maria. Besides, you weren't the one scolding me."
Maria hesitated.
"You're still angry with him… aren't you? He may have gone too far, but he really cares about you."
Grace sighed.
"It's alright, my dear friend. Come on, let's go inside."
Throughout the day, Grace did her best to avoid Arnold. She wasn't ready to speak with him yet.
But after training, Arnold finally gathered the courage to approach her.
"Crystal… can we talk?"
"Not now, Arnold."
"Please listen," he said quickly. "I'm really sorry about yesterday. I was just looking out for you."
"Understood."
Arnold frowned slightly.
"Do you still plan on seeing him?"
Grace's expression hardened.
"Are you apologizing… or are you here to give me another lecture?"
Arnold remained silent.
"Seriously, Arnold. What has gotten into you?"
She grabbed her belongings and turned away.
"Crystal, wait—"
"Leave me alone."
Later, while walking home, Grace suddenly stopped.
"Ronan, you can go ahead. I'll follow behind."
Ronan frowned.
"Why?"
"I just need to get something from the market."
"But the maids can do that."
Grace smiled slightly.
"Don't worry. I should know my own kingdom too. And besides… I can protect myself, remember?"
Ronan sighed.
"If you say so."
Once Ronan had walked far enough that he couldn't see her, Grace quietly slipped away from the road and headed toward the border.
Meanwhile, in Zerathion, Azrion was also heading toward the border.
Unbeknownst to him, Leah was secretly following from a distance.
When Azrion arrived, Leah hid behind the trees, confused about what he was doing there.
Then, moments later, Grace appeared.
Azrion's face lit up immediately.
"She made it," he whispered, his heart suddenly racing.
Grace ran toward him and wrapped her arms tightly around him in a sudden hug.
For a brief moment, Azrion stood frozen.
Then Grace quickly stepped back, her face turning red.
"I'm sorry," she said nervously. "I don't know why I did that."
Azrion chuckled softly.
"Why are you apologizing? It just shows how much you missed me."
Grace frowned.
"Miss you? You're the one who asked me to come."
Azrion smirked.
"And you didn't disappoint."
Watching from the shadows, Leah felt her chest tighten with anger.
Her hands trembled.
"I can't believe this…" she thought bitterly.
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
"After everything I've tried to do for him… he not only lied to me… he broke the law and fell in love with our enemy."
Azrion turned toward Grace.
"Crystal… I need to tell you something."
Suddenly—
"Tell her what?!"
A furious voice burst from the bushes.
Arnold stepped out, his face filled with anger and jealousy.
Grace gasped.
"Arnold?! What are you doing here, did you follow me?"
Arnold glared at her.
"What are you doing here, Crystal?"
"I… I…"
Azrion stepped forward, his eyes narrowing.
"And who are you?"
Arnold crossed his arms.
"Someone loyal to the princess."
Azrion scoffed.
"You're just a mere citizen. Whatever the princess does is none of your business."
Arnold's eyes burned with anger.
"And you're just a barbaric prince trying to lead her astray."
Azrion's expression darkened.
"Do you really want to see barbaric?"
Arnold stepped forward.
"Bring it."
The peaceful border suddenly felt like the beginning of a storm.