Forever and Always

5 - Alchemist's Harmony

A few days had passed since the eventful royal banquet. The memory of Cassandra's smile, the way her eyes softened as she held his creation, still sent a jolt of nervous excitement through Varian. He found himself glancing towards her quarters more often than usual, his heart pounding a frantic rhythm whenever their paths crossed.

Today, he found himself wandering the castle gardens, lost in a daydream fueled by stolen glances and whispered conversations. He was so engrossed in his fantasies that he nearly bumped into Cassandra, who was strolling leisurely along the path.

"V-Varian!" she exclaimed, a surprised lilt in her voice. "Careful there, alchemist. Don't get so lost in your thoughts that you forget where you're going."

Varian stumbled back, his cheeks burning a bright crimson. "C-Cassie! I, uh... I mean, Your Highness! I apologize. I wasn't..." He stammered, his mind a tangled mess of apologies and jumbled greetings.

Cassandra chuckled, a sound as light and melodic as the tinkling of the nearby fountain. "It's alright, Varian," she said, her voice gentle. "Just be careful not to trip over your own feet."

Varian mumbled another apology, his gaze darting nervously between her boots and her kind eyes. He desperately wanted to appear confident, to impress her with his scientific knowledge or witty banter. But in her presence, his mind went blank, replaced by a jumbled mess of emotions and the overwhelming urge to blurt out something completely nonsensical.

"M-Milady," he finally managed, his voice barely a squeak. "The... the gardens are... looking lovely today, wouldn't you agree?"

The inanity of his statement made him want to crawl into a hole and hide. Cassandra, however, simply smiled, her amusement evident.

"They are, aren't they?" she agreed, her gaze sweeping across the vibrant flowerbeds. "Spring has finally sprung in Corona."

They walked in silence for a moment, a comfortable quiet settling between them. Varian stole a glance at Cassandra, his heart pounding in his chest. She seemed different today, less guarded, a hint of a playful glint in her eyes.

"So, Varian," she began, her voice soft, "what have you been working on in your workshop lately? Any more... interesting inventions?"

Varian's cheeks flushed again. "W-well," he stammered, "I've been trying to refine a... a new type of fertilizer. One that uses alchemy to enhance plant growth." He launched into a detailed explanation of his project, his voice gaining confidence as he spoke about his passion for science.

Cassandra listened intently, her brow furrowed in concentration as she followed his explanation. Every now and then, she would ask a question, her genuine curiosity fueling Varian's enthusiasm.

As the sun began its descent, casting long shadows across the gardens, they found themselves deep in conversation. Varian, to his surprise, found himself talking not just about science, but about his dreams, his fears, and his aspirations. Cassandra, in turn, shared stories of her training, her life as a warrior princess, and her hopes for the future of Corona.

By the time they reached the castle gates, the sky was ablaze with the colors of twilight. An awkward silence fell between them, a strange mixture of newfound connection and lingering shyness.

"Well," Cassandra said finally, her voice breaking the silence. "This has been... pleasant, Varian."

Varian could only nod, his throat suddenly dry. He longed to say something more, something that expressed the whirlwind of emotions swirling within him. But the words wouldn't come.

Sensing his flustered state, Cassandra offered a gentle smile. "Perhaps we can do this again sometime, Varian," she suggested. "Science lessons disguised as garden strolls. It has a certain... charm to it, don't you think?"