The World Above

Chapter 11 : Prince Valor

Haven's POV

"Oh my! Are you alright, dear?" Flema's voice shook me out of my trance. I freed myself from the stranger's cold grip and turned towards her.

Flema took me aside while the rest of the gods and goddesses stood over the broken metal murderer. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Felix break away from the crowd and make his way towards me.

"You okay?" he asked, concern in his eyes. I nodded slightly. He sat next to me, and I noticed a smudge of white chocolate on his chin. I chuckled.

"What?" He looked at me quizzically.

"Thank God you liked the flavor of the cake!" I teased. He looked confused for a second before realization dawned on him.

"You baked that?!" he asked, a bit shy at his cute reaction.

I nodded. "That was delicious... wait, how did you know I already tried your cake?"

"Because you got some chocolate smudged on your chin," I laughed out loud. Felix's neck turned a shade of red as he tried to find the smudge. I chuckled at his embarrassment and took out my hanky to help him. "Here, let me help!"

Felix's POV

Haven's delicate fingers held my chin firmly but gently as she scrubbed away the chocolate, her sparkling sapphire eyes focused on the task. As she withdrew her hand, I felt a flutter of butterflies in my stomach and released a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

"Quite the start to a new life!" We both whipped our heads towards the voice. Standing before us was a young man about my age or a bit older, sinewy and well-built, with striking ruby eyes.

"Who are you?" Haven asked after a moment of silence.

"He is Prince Valor, son of Queen Angelica and the current crown prince," Lenna appeared behind the 'crown prince,' introducing him.

"Angelica's married?!" I asked, incredulous.

"Is it that hard to believe?" Angelica stood beside the prince with a proud look on her face, one of the few emotions I had seen her display. Haven and I exchanged glances, nodding in unison. This day was becoming more interesting by the minute.

"Your Highness, I have some good news for the humans," Farris appeared and bowed to Angelica. The rest of the gods and goddesses joined him.

"Let us go to the main hall, and you can tell us there," Angelica replied.

Once we were settled in the hall, Aether jumped forward before Farris could speak. "The good news is that both Felix and Haven have matched with the swords!"

Farris gave him a look. Lenna started clapping, and the rest joined in. "That is wonderful!" Angelica exclaimed.

"Yes, it is, so now that we've found their weapons, why don't we give these two a bit of a rest? After everything Miss Park went through, I believe she deserves to sleep now," Valor interrupted.

Angelica looked reluctant, but at her son's insistence, she decided to let us go early. "This is the only time, understood?" We both nodded. "Good! Now any questions before you leave?" she asked once more.

"I have one!" Haven raised her hand. Cute.

Haven's POV

At Angelica's approval, I asked, "How did you know that the swords matched with us when nothing magical happened?"

"Excellent question! Chofi, why don't you give them an explanation?" Angelica nodded at Chofi. Chofi smiled and stepped forward.

"It is quite simple. The swords given to you were enchanted to be bulky."

"Whoever held them would either fall from the weight or be unable to swing and disarm the opponent."

"In your case, though the swords did seem heavy, you were able to hold them and even reach the end. That's how we knew the swords had matched with you," Chofi finished explaining and returned to her throne.

I had wanted a magical moment, but I guess the universe wouldn't be giving me that. "Thank you, Chofi! Any more questions?" Angelica asked.

I shook my head. "Alright! Aether and Selene, please drop them home now."

"That won't be necessary, mother. I have some plans, and I can drop them on the way," Prince Valor spoke up, startling me. I had forgotten he was there. With his raven black hair and ruby eyes, he looked like a shadow—or a devil. He didn't resemble Angelica at all, except for his pale, downward-turned lips, like his mother's.

Angelica didn't seem to have a problem with Prince Valor's suggestion, so we got ready to leave with him. "We're going to have to hold hands. Here, hold tight!" Valor stretched out his hand. I hesitated before reaching out to grab his arm. He smiled, then turned to Felix, "You too," and offered his hand to Felix, who took it.

Felix's POV

I took the Prince's hand, and we teleported to my house. I noticed Haven was about to trip, so I held her hand to steady her. She looked at me, and I smiled.

"You've got a really nice house!" Valor's voice came from the darkness, startling us. I hastily dropped Haven's hand. This man had a bad habit of interrupting.

"Thank you," I replied.

"Well, now that you are settled, I'll get a move on," Valor turned to leave, but Haven clutched his sleeve to stop him.

"Wait! Aren't you going to tell us about yourself?" Valor smiled.

"Well, I would love to, but I'm a bit busy tonight. How about tomorrow?"

"Yeah, that would be nice. 3 pm, my house?" I invited both of them. By 3, Haven would be free from school as well. Both nodded in agreement.

"Then I'll see you both tomorrow. Goodnight!" The prince bid farewell and walked away.

"I guess I'll be dropping you off then," I turned to Haven. She nodded, and I went to get the car keys. When I returned, I saw her crouched next to the flowers, admiring their beauty. She looked so fragile in the moonlight.

"Ahem! Shall we leave?" I shook her out of her trance.

"Yeah, let's go!" She smiled.

Halfway through our silent drive, she suddenly spoke up, "You know, I love that I can enjoy the air conditioner peacefully without someone fighting with me to hog it." I laughed. I loved how she saw the beauty in the littlest things.

"Wanna see something amazing?" I asked. She looked up, curious.

I opened the sunroof, and immediately we were hit by a burst of wind. Haven laughed out loud, and after a moment of hesitation, stretched her hands and waved them to and fro. I sped up the car a little, causing her to shriek in delight.

In no time, we reached her house, and she reluctantly got out. "Thank you! That was wonderful!" She was about to go inside, but I stopped her. "Wait!"

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"The Seollal Party. What my mom told you. Are you still coming?" I stammered, my nerves getting the better of me.

She nodded.

At that moment, something came over me, and I suddenly blurted out, "Would you like to go with me? I mean, you already are. Not just as companion but rather as a date? As friends, of course! But only if you want to!"

"I would love to!" She replied almost immediately, smiled, and then ran inside her house.