𝐻𝐸𝐼𝑅𝑆 𝑂𝐹 𝑇𝐻𝐸 𝑇𝐻𝑅𝑂𝑁𝐸

𝐶𝐻𝐴𝑃𝑇𝐸𝑅 𝟒

-LYSANDER-

After a few dances with Thalasia, I made my way back to my chair, scanning the room for familiar faces. It was then I noticed that Seraphina was missing from her usual spot.

"Where did she go?" I muttered to myself, feeling a twinge of curiosity mixed with concern.

I glanced around the room, my eyes sweeping over the crowd of dancing faeries and chattering guests. Seraphina wasn't one to just disappear without a reason. She had to be up to something.

The garden. Seraphina's favorite place whenever she visited Thalasia's mansion. I stepped outside, greeted by the sight of an enchanting garden bathed in moonlight. The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of blooming nightflowers, and delicate, glowing orbs floated lazily above, casting a soft, ethereal light over the meticulously trimmed hedges and vibrant blossoms. The gentle sound of a nearby fountain added to the garden's serene ambiance.

And there she was, sitting by the fountain, harmonizing with herself as if she were the only soul in the world. Her serene expression, so different from her usual mischievous demeanor, captivated me for a moment.

Acting as though I hadn't been searching for her, I slipped back into my playful persona. With a grin on my face, I sauntered over to her, making sure to catch her attention.

"Well, well, well, look who's hiding out here," I teased, my voice light and casual. "Trying to escape the party, Seraphina?"

She looked up at me, her serene expression quickly shifting to one of mild annoyance mixed with amusement. "Hiding? Hardly," she replied, a smirk playing on her lips. "Just enjoying some peace and quiet. You should try it sometime."

I chuckled, taking a seat on the edge of the fountain next to her. The cool mist from the water lightly touched my skin, a refreshing contrast to the warmth of the party inside. "Peace and quiet? Doesn't sound like the Seraphina I know."

She rolled her eyes. "Even I need a break from all the chaos now and then, Lysander. Not that you would understand."

"Hey, I understand the need for a little solitude," I said, leaning back on my hands and looking up at the twinkling lights above. "But I also know that solitude can get boring pretty quickly. Especially when there's a party going on."

She laughed softly, the sound almost musical against the backdrop of the fountain's gentle splashes. "True. But sometimes, it's nice to just... breathe."

I glanced over at her, noting the way the soft light played over her features, making her look almost otherworldly. "You know, I get that. This garden is a good place for it. Peaceful. Beautiful."

Seraphina looked at me, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "What are you really doing out here, Lysander?"

I shrugged, keeping my tone light. "I was looking for you. Thought you might be up to something interesting. Plus, you vanished so suddenly, it piqued my curiosity."

She smiled, shaking her head. "Always the inquisitive one. Well, you found me. Now what?"

I grinned, leaning closer. "Now, we enjoy the garden for a bit."I could see the moonlight reflecting in her eyes, giving them an almost ethereal glow.

She raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Oh? And how exactly do you plan on enjoying the garden?"

I shrugged casually, still keeping that teasing edge in my voice. "I'm sure we can think of something. Maybe we could start with a little stargazing."

She laughed softly, the sound blending seamlessly with the gentle trickle of the fountain. "Stargazing, huh? That's surprisingly... sweet for you, Lysander."