«𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐡𝐰𝐚 𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐬»

𝔸𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕒𝕤𝕚𝕒 𝕩 𝕃𝕦𝕔𝕒𝕤 (𝟙)

The faint snoring caught the ears of Athanasia as she trekked across the enchanting rose garden. She was in the search of a certain magician who liked to come and go whenever he pleased. She needed his help but not a trace of him was to be found - typical Lucas.

Still, the fresh air, light breeze and lovely aroma of roses was relaxing and she savoured it. Turning the corner, she picked up her pace when she suddenly stopped. Her eyes widened in shock. There was a sight that she had never seen in her life. It was Lucas, sitting on a bench while he slept.

Not once had she seen him actually sleep. She wondered if he even needed sleep. Yet this scene in front of her mesmerised her. She walked closer to him and crouched down to look up at him. He looked so peaceful. His face still looked as handsome as ever but it wore a kinder expression.

She pondered if he was having a nice dream. Still, seeing him look so relaxed, it brought a small smile to her face. Athanasia started poking at his cheeks and his skin felt so soft, she questioned if it was real. Soon, she was lost in thought as she continued to observe him nap.

"Are you done staring, Princess?"

The voice snapped her out of her mind. There now was Lucas but fully awake as he grinned.

"I wasn't staring at you!" She exclaimed but his face looked unconvinced.

"Sure you weren't, is it a hobby of yours to stare at people while they sleep?"

He questioned with a teasing tone. Her face turned slightly red as she shot a harsh glare at him. She quickly stood up and sat down next to him.

"I don't start at people while they-"

Her voice cut off as memories started to flood her head of her many visits to Claude where he happened to be asleep. Her face and mind then went blank. Lucas's smug laughter could be heard loudly as he continued to tease her.

"Pfft ahahaha!"

Athanasia grew tired of his uncontrollable laughter as she kicked his leg.

"Shut up Lucas!"

She had never felt this embarrassed and now Lucas thought of her as some strange person who liked to watch people sleep. His laughter slowly died down as a harsh breeze blew past and their hair got caught in the wind. A leaf got stuck in Athanasia's silky hair.

Lucas reached his hand to grab the leaf as he went closer to her. She instantly moved away from his hand in surprise.

"Calm down, there's a leaf stuck"

He moved his head closer to her as he took the leaf out. Their hearts started beating rapidly at the closeness as they both held their breaths. He took a second to look at her before he quickly took her cheek in his hand and his lips met hers.

She froze. He was kissing her. Lucas was kissing her. He pulled away to look at her as her face instantly flashed red. She covered her face with her hands as he started to chuckle.

"Princess, come on, let me take a look at your pretty face." He tried prying her hands off her face as jewelled blue eyes met his.

"Why'd you do that?"

Athanasia asked with hope in her voice. She was hoping he would say what she was thinking.

"Isn't it obvious?" Lucas said clearly.

"No. No, it isn't obvious. I can't tell if you're just joking with me or being serious." She told him with a suspicious look.

"Then take a look at me and decide for yourself if I'm being serious or not."

He declared as her grabbed her hand and inter-winded it with hers. Their eyes latched onto each other's as they found themselves, yet again, growing closer to each other. As their lips met again, Athanasia felt the same feeling in her heart and she knew what it was. It gave her butterflies and she felt like doing a hundred backflips.

When they pulled away, he told her:

"Does that clear up my feelings, Princess?

Lucas asked with a genuine smile.

Athanasia couldn't describe how she felt but to put in in mere words, she felt as though it was the best day of her life. She nodded at him.

"Come on, let's go inside - it's getting cold out here."

He said as he got up. Then they walked back to the emerald palace together, hands still holding each other.