“Dear Diary,


    It still feels so strange to write every day but I''m enjoying it more and more. The end of semester is coming up and Sophie still goes out to adventure in the middle of it. It was urgent though, she needed to recharge the strangeness inside her less she lost her mind. But, I just wish I could’ve been more helpful to her. I just want her to be happy, that’d make me happy. It’s just all so confusing. I have so many feelings when I see her now. It’s something more than friendship, I want to say. All of it feels so bizarre to me. But I think she feels it too. I’ve seen how she sometimes looks at me or when we cuddle and she looks like she wants more. Me too. I also want more. But if she doesn’t see me that way, I don’t know what I’ll do. She’s my best friend. I don’t want to lose that.


    (Gap and some scrawled out words)


    I think I’ll tell her how I feel when she comes back. I want to believe our friendship can last through even a rejection. I believe. ”


    - Aryana’s Diary


    <hr><hr>


    The cheery and celebratory mood that filled the house stood in stark contrast to the heavy atmosphere that loomed over the rest of Arteria. Students casually chatted amongst themselves, imbibing generous portions of drink whilst milling about the place. Sophie was out of her depth, letting herself be led around by Aryana who seemed to be reveling in being around so many other excitable people.


    Aryana had neglected to inform Sophie that the party was being held at an address inside the city of Arteria until the last minute. That meant hastily putting on whatever she could instead of her uniform. This left Sophie in the unenviable position of looking like some bizarre snowman, with a thick coat over her, and the far too thin for the cold peasant dress underneath. Aryana meanwhile, had selected a more traditional approach of a calming blue green tunic and pants, paired with a lighter jacket that kept her warm.


    Beyond them, the duo traveled with a few others towards the city. Chief amongst them, two of Aryana’s friends; Fana, a tawny kind looking girl with silken dark brown hair who stood a head taller than Sophie; and Aubrey, an outgoing girl who sported two braids and light brown hair, looking like a more Arterian version of Aryana. The two were from the herbology department and looked almost protective of Aryana when they first laid eyes on Sophie. She recognised Fana at least, from when Sophie had her mental breakdown. The tall friend that was with Ary and Eva that day, so this is her. Tall, fit, and very much a presence that I just want to keep staring at, dammit.


    Even after chatting a while, Aryana’s friends remained slightly wary. Thankfully, though, their hostile looks were replaced by more curious ones as they examined the half elf roommate that Aryana had apparently constantly talked about. Upon learning this, Sophie had turned over to find Aryana furiously blushing and refusing to look her in the eye. When they finally did trade a quick glance, Sophie just shot her a knowing smirk.


    So it was that the group arrived at the house. Got promptly ushered in by another student. Then found herself sitting beside the window, looking out over Arteria while the other two dragged Aryana away to discuss something. Sophie smiled, I’m glad she has good friends here. I can’t imagine how it must’ve been all on her own. Sophie watched as people still roamed the city streets, guards marching in formation, and the occasional cart or wagon would drive by. I get where she’s coming from though, I’ve been there myself. Only Eva had been there for me and… well. It was enough, I suppose.


    “Hah.” Sophie sighed out loud. Still can’t believe I got… jealous… over her dating Freddie. I even teased them about it so many times. But Ary… Sophie’s expression darkened, she deserves someone better than me. Someone who can be with her properly, not making her worry every time I hop on an adventure.


    “Something the matter?” A sultry, yet somewhat familiar voice purred into her ear.


    Sophie panicked and spun around, a shudder running down her spine. She was powerless to do anything as the slender figure of a princess coyly planted herself atop Sophie’s lap. Sophie blinked back her surprise as Princess Samantha Edelin gently sipped a small drink, an unreadable but mischievous expression on her face.


    “Uweh?” Sophie let out a surprised squeak.


    Princess Edelin chuckled softly before giving Sophie a tiny head pat and shuffling onto the window sill. The princess uncrossed her legs and Sophie could only gawk at the crude manoeuvre, far removed from what she thought royals would act. The princess wore a fluffy dark blue dress that accentuated her form. A pair of polished flats and stockings accompanied the outfit. But, to Sophie’s horror, as the princess turned to face her, she found herself bewildered by the lack of undergarments, getting a clear view of something she shouldn’t have seen.


    As if reading her every thought and action, the princess spread her legs a little bit more, enjoying the expressions of horror, shock, and curiosity that flashed across Sophie’s face. She lingered like that for a few more seconds, and then crossed her legs.


    “See something?” Princess Edelin grinned wryly.


    Y-uh… n-no, your majesty.” Sophie almost choked on her words, hurriedly dipping her head and averting her gaze.


    “It’s okay. I don’t mind.” The princess giggled, “But please, just Sammy is fine. We’re not in father’s court after all.”


    “Uh… um… right… your majesty. Er, S-Sammy.”


    “Close, but good enough. Don’t you remember? We’re of equal standing at the Academy.” Sammy chided with a smirk on her face.


    “Right, sorry… Sammy.”


    Sammy chuckled before leaning in conspiratorially, the girl licking her lips almost as if she had found prey. Sophie gulped and tried to remain calm, the fear she felt only increasing the closer Sammy got. The princess was on the prowl, and Sophie was her prey.


    “If you don’t mind, I wanna... how do they say it in court? Parley with you.” Sammy lowered her voice, adopting a more demure expression, “About my brother.”


    “About your brother? Fredd-derick?” Sophie stammered out. Uh-oh.


    “Ahh, nicknames? Such closeness between you two, interesting. But yes,” Sammy chose her words deliberately, “about him.”


    “I’ll uhh, help however I can.”


    “Fantastic! You really are wonderful.”


    “Uhh, thanks?”


    Despite Sammy’s jovial demeanour, Sophie still felt anxious and snuck a glance over into the room. Amidst the students who were chatting or drinking, she found no sign of Aryana or the others.


    “You’re quite earnest, aren’t you?” Sammy purred, making Sophie snap back to attention.


    Sophie shuddered in fright and resigned herself to a quick nod.


    “We’ll be fast friends, you and I. The princess and the half elf. Now that would certainly make the court raise an eyebrow if anything. Ahh,” Sammy sighed, “But I digress. Reveal to me what you know about Frederick. Because he seems quite… lovestruck.” Sammy hummed.


    “Lovestruck?”


    “Lovestruck. He’s been more… absent lately, more shall we say, with his head in the clouds. And it just so happens that one of his childhood friends happens to be your master, one little Evaline Rosengart, tends to hang around him a lot. Does she not?”


    “Uh... umm, I guess.”


    “Wonderful.” Sammy tapped Sophie’s forehead, “Evaline is lucky to have such a delightfully colourful companion such as yourself.”


    “Thank you. I think.”


    “So answer me this, my delightful new friend. My brother is dating your master, is he not?”


    Sophie was paralysed, she didn’t know if Eva had intended to keep it secret. My stupid fault for trying to avoid the topic. But on the other hand, lying to direct royalty seemed like a bad idea. She probably already knows or highly suspects it anyway. No use hiding it I guess, sorry Eva, I hope this is alright.


    “Y-yes.”


    “Hmm?”


    “Yes, they are.”


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    “Ohhh, oh! So they are! Hah!” Sammy snorted, “I knew it!”


    The princess giggled to herself, only stopping when she became aware that Sophie was an audience to it all. Sammy paused and stared at her, her gaze boring deep into Sophie’s soul. Sophie squirmed under the intense examination, her reaction provoking what appeared to be a sadistic glee in the princess’s eyes. When she looked back, the glint was gone, replaced by playfulness.


    “Don’t look so glum.” Sammy chirped, “I merely ask you to confirm it since you are Lady Rosengart’s faithful retainer. Especially with how furious father’s going to be if he finds out. Heheh.”


    “Father? The King?”


    “The one and the same!”


    “Why would he be furious?”


    Sammy choked back and laugh and booped Sophie’s nose, the half elf flinching in surprise.


    “Oh you, you really don’t know? Father tried to get a betrothal for the two of them since they were kids. Never worked out since Lady Evaline somehow convinced little Frederick to also protest the matter. Between the two of them and Duek Rosengart doting on his daughter, the matter never moved to an official discussion.” Sammy clicked her tongue derisively, “I’m almost jealous.”


    Wait, the duke did? But he always seemed stern and headstrong to both Eva and I. Was he really delaying the idea of a betrothal to the royal family? I would’ve expected this to be a beneficial alliance, unless… Sophie grunted, only to be interrupted by Sammy’s lopsided grin.


    “Ding ding! We have a winner. My father is quite the doting parent in private as well. So well… I guess he just let the negotiations stall out. Though admittedly, it would’ve been nice to have the Rosengart demesne connected to House Edelin.” Sammy replied, reading her mind.


    “I… yeah.” Sophie meekly agreed.


    “And what about you, you little cutie? How’s your love life going?” Sammy rounded on her.


    “Eh?! What? But weren’t we talking about Eva-Evaline? I… ummm…I don’t think that…”


    “Ohhh, getting flustered? Forget Lady Evaline, I’m the princess here aren’t I?” Sammy shot her a cheeky wink, “I get to decide the topic, so? Who is it?”


    Before Sophie could reply, a distinctive voice cut through the room.


    “Sophie? Where’d you go?” Aryana called out. Oh this stupid timing!


    Sophie’s body reacted on instinct to face the direction of the voice, amusing Sammy greatly who plopped herself off the window sill.


    “Ahh, that’s… Aryana, right? We met the other day. Could it be… her?” Sammy nudged her shoulder.


    Sophie tensed up but faltered. Too observant. She nodded meekly.


    “Oh? Ohhh! Oh my. How… ahh… how far have you two gone?”


    Sophie shot an expression of horror at Sammy, the princess merely sticking out her tongue in response.


    “Hey, I’m just curious alright? She seems to innocent and well-”


    “Oh! Sophie! Ah, hello Sam.” Aryana chipperly interrupted upon sighting them. So they DO know each other.


    “Aryana!”


    “Ary!”


    Came the respective replies, Sammy immediately shooting Sophie a knowing look. Why… why is the princess bullying me?


    “I didn’t know you two knew each other.” Ary put on a strained smile. She seems stressed. Is she jealous?


    “I am her princess after all.” Sammy teased.


    “Her… princess? OH!” Recognition dawned on Ary’s freckled face, her eyes widening, “So that’s why you were umm, ehhh…”


    “Moritz?”


    “Yeah! Eva’s brother! Ahh! Wait! You were with-umpf.” Ary stopped as Sophie rose up and covered her mouth with her hand.


    “I’m sure the world will find out when the princess is ready.” Sophie whispered, turning her movement into a small hug around the waist.Sorry Ary.


    “S-sorry.” Ary mumbled.


    “Ahaha, it’s alright. I appreciate… my subjects for remaining so committed to the crown. Heh. So you two are dating then?” Sammy smiled before going straight for the jugular.


    “Ah…” Sophie was caught off guard by how direct the princess was.


    Aryana just seemed bewildered and tried to process the fact before her expressions softened. “Y-yeah. We are.” She declared, much to Sophie’s surprise. She’s done this before and yet I’m still surprised. Ahh! What is this creature even?


    Without letting time for that statement to sink in, Aryana turned and pecked Sophie on the lips. Sophie caught Sammy’s eyes widening at the sight, before a more impure expression took over her eyes. Sophie held onto Aryana a little tighter as the princess dipped her head.


    “Cute.” Sammy smiled.


    Sophie cast a worried glance at her but Aryana just beamed an even more goofy smile. The redhead’s expression of delight was evidently enough to soften the princess’s features, leading to Sammy just letting out a knowing sigh.


    “You have answered my questions dutifully, Sophie.” Sammy grunted, “I release you from your obligation and back into the ahh… tender, caring, arms of your lover.” She failed to suppress a giggle.


    Aryana and Sophie both immediately looked away, trying to conceal their flustered expressions. This only goaded Sammy on, and the princess grabbed both their hands, draping them over her shoulder and ensuring that she would be between them.


    “Say…” She whispered, “How far… have you guys gone?”


    “Th-that… that’s our business!” Ary let out a high pitched whine..


    Sammy put on a playfully apologetic expression before she spoke, “Sorry, sorry, I like teasing too much. But I see who the one in charge is, at least.” Sammy looked as if she was going to move away, only to lean towards Sophie. “She’s pretty anxious, you should… take charge sometime, eh?” Sammy whispered coyly.


    Sophie was left aghast once more by the sudden declaration, but Sammy had already abruptly walked after giving the two of them a pat on the head. By the time Sophie turned to look for her, the princess had vanished back into the crowd of students. How does one lose some dressed in only dark blue?


    Aryana looked equally mortified and was trying to hide the blush on her cheeks. Sophie scooted back to her seat, dragging Aryana along and plopping the redhead atop her lap.


    “Eek!” Ary let out a small squeak.


    Wordlessly, Sophie wrapped her hand around Aryana’s waist and clung on, resting her head against the redhead’s back. Aryana stiffened in surprise but eventually relaxed, her guard lowering after looking around and noticing that the princess was no longer present. Aryana sighed in relief and leaned against Sophie, the two taking a moment for themselves as the chatter of nearby students continued.


    “Sophie?” Ary broke the silence.


    “Yeah?”


    “What did Sam talk to you about?”


    “She was asking after Eva and Freddie.”


    “O-oh? Why?”


    “He’s her brother, after all. Royal children and what not.”


    “Oh! And that’s it?”


    “Yup.”


    “Th-that’s nice.” Ary let out a sigh.


    Sophie could hear the relief in her voice and raised an eyebrow, was she… worried about me? Best reassure her then.


    “It’s alright. Wasn’t anything too serious. So happened to uhh, Fana and Aubrey anyway? I see they''re not with you.” Sophie tried to pivot.


    She felt Aryana tense up for a second. Oh?


    “They… I… they were asking about you. Like what you did, where are you from, how did we meet. It was a lot of questions so I just told them the… erm, well the same thing that I told Sam.” Aryana fidgeted with her braid.


    “Oh?”


    “I told them we’re dating. Is… do you mind that I did that?”


    “Oh!"


    "S-sorry."


    "Aww, Ary, I don''t mind. Of course not!” Sophie nuzzled Ary.


    “Phew. I was worried you’d want to keep it quiet for now. Since we haven’t you know, been … it’s new to me.”


    “Me too.” Sophie chuckled, “But where are they? Guess they still had some worries?”


    “Yeah.” Ary squirmed, “They get a little upset. Aubrey saw a guy she wanted to flirt with, so she followed him. Fana will look for me, us, once she cools off.”


    “Aww.” Sophie cuddled the girl, “It’s alright.”


    “It’s not though!” Ary pouted, “They don’t know you and-”


    “That’s exactly why it’s alright. They don’t know me but they do know you, and you’re a precious thing.”


    “Hey!”


    “They just want to look out for you. That’s nice, right? Treasure it.”


    Aryana pouted some more but acquiesced with a silent nod. Sophie hugged her tight and Aryana’s hand held onto hers.


    “So, what now?” Ary asked.


    “Hmm. Well, we are at a party. I suppose we should enjoy it? If anything, we should try to say hi to Leon, Aetemo and Tavaeia.”


    “Ah! That’s right! They’re the ones who invited us!” Ary squeaked in agreement.


    “Well then, I guess we have a little quest for ourselves. Shall we?” Sophie winked.


    Aryana shuffled off her and beamed another goofy smile, her mood somewhat lifted as she extended a hand. Sophie took it as she stood up and the two were at ease.


    “Let’s!” Ary declared.


    <hr><hr>


    The duo navigated the house, exchanging pleasantries with acquaintances and trading quick greetings as they searched for their hosts. In their quest, they walked up to the second floor, finding both a more chaotic yet calm environment. Here, though it was still crowded, there was a distinctive spaciousness to it. Most of the students here looked older or at least more senior in terms of academic years.


    A few turned to look at the new arrivals only to lose interest just as quickly. The duo did however, catch what looked to be a tail rounding a corner and made their way towards it. Turning the corner, they found themselves next to a small room that had been converted into a lounge area. Faces both familiar and unfamiliar occupied a couch, two more milling about at the end of the room preparing drinks.


    Upon catching sight of the duo, familiar voices chirped friendly greetings at them.


    “Hey! You guys made it!”


    “Welcome, welcome. Come in!”


    Aetemo and Tavaeia beckoned. Sophie arched an eyebrow at the scene before her but said nothing more as Aryana practically skipped into the room. Fana would just have to find us here, I suppose. Heh.