Crescent Vow

c.iii. bridging the gap

─── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ───

The next few days, Lyra found herself seated by the window of the training room, staring out into the moonlit night. The gentle light of the moon cast a serene glow on her thoughtful face, contrasting with the turmoil inside her. The sight of Prince Kael's transformation into a beast haunted her thoughts, and she was plagued by guilt for running away in fear. It wasn't just the beastly form that unsettled her but the profound loneliness and pain she had seen in Kael's eyes. She regretted not finding the courage to reach out to him, realizing that her reaction might have deepened his belief that no one could see past the curse to the person he once was.

As she sighed, her breath fogging up the cool glass of the window, she murmured to herself, "After running away from him, now I can barely see him."

At that moment, Peony entered the room, her arms laden with supplies from a recent trip to the marketplace. The scent of fresh herbs and various potion ingredients mixed with the faint aroma of lavender that lingered from earlier lessons. Peony's cheerful presence was a stark contrast to Lyra's somber mood.

"Hey, what's up?" Peony asked, noticing Lyra's distant expression as she approached the table where they would be preparing their potion-making supplies for the evening's lesson. "You look a bit zoned out these days."

Lyra shook her head, forcing a small smile as she got down from her perch by the window to help Peony arrange the supplies. The soft rustle of potion bottles and the clinking of glassware filled the room as they prepared for Master Cedric's lesson.

"Oh, it's nothing," Lyra replied, though the weight of her thoughts lingered in her voice. "Just thinking about how I reacted the other day."

Peony raised an eyebrow. "Still thinking about that? It's not like you to let something get to you like this."

Lyra shrugged as she meticulously aligned the vials and ingredients. "Yeah, well, it's not every day you see someone transform into a beast and realize how alone they must feel. I just—"

Before she could finish, Master Cedric walked in, his presence bringing a sense of calm and wisdom. The grand library had a comforting ambiance with its towering shelves crammed with ancient texts and the faint scent of old parchment that always seemed to linger. The gentle light from the sconces on the walls created a warm and inviting glow.

"Good Evening, Master Cedric," Lyra greeted him with a respectful bow and a sweet, albeit tired, smile. "Thank you for conducting this additional lesson for us."

Master Cedric's eyes twinkled with approval. "My pleasure, Lyra. I always appreciate a student with such genuine curiosity and dedication."

As the lesson began, Master Cedric's voice was a soothing blend of authority and encouragement. Lyra listened intently, her focus sharp as she absorbed the details of potion-making techniques. The room was filled with the sounds of bubbling cauldrons and the occasional murmur of awe from Peony and the other trainees. Lyra's hands moved deftly, her past experiences blending with Master Cedric's teachings to create a seamless harmony of knowledge and practice.

Throughout the lesson, Lyra stood out with her keen grasp of the material. Her previous experience with potion-making from her village days gave her a solid foundation, but here, under Cedric's guidance, she was able to refine her skills and delve deeper into the art.

As the class concluded and the students began to gather their belongings, Lyra approached Master Cedric, her face illuminated by a mix of excitement and trepidation. "Master Cedric, may I ask you something?"