Lionel has changed

"Welcome, welcome everyone. Today you will witness a story of a hero who risks everything to save the world from a disaster. No one knows where she came from; she's probably older than time itself. The dark witch struck fear and terror throughout the realm. Plagues ravaged the people until even humans began to disappear. But a hero, beloved by the gods, rose up to end her tyranny and find his missing friend." Says a masked announcer with an elegant-looking costume.

"I hope there is a beautiful actress in this play," I think loudly.

"Human, be quiet. I want to see this," Sisli whispers.

"Stop calling me human. I am Caspian, and I didn't say anything..." I say.

"Pshhh," she says.

Ah, forget it. Sisli, Knox, and Aria are to my left, and Lionel and Rosa are to my right. Rosa seems to cling to Lionel since we met again. Lucky guy. But what is wrong with Aria? Is it because of Rosa? Maybe she is jealous, or Lionel is just an idiot...
Why am I even thinking about it? I should just watch the play. The blonde actress is really cute after all.

To save everyone, the hero travels through the kingdom and defeats the witch, who is hated by everyone, in an epic fight.

"Spare me! I am just what you humans made me," the witch in the play says, whining.

"Don't look for pity after everything you've done. I'll end it, even if it costs me my life," says the hero.

"No, don't. Sealing her will cost you your life energy!" cries the hero's freed girlfriend.

"I have to for the good of all; that's the meaning of my existence." The hero says.

The hero seals the witch and dies in the arms of his beloved girlfriend. 

The hero even dies in the arms of a beautiful woman. How lucky he is, except for the dying part. I don't envy him for that.

"How heroic. He did his duty until the end. Isn't that right, Lionel?" Rosa shouts excitedly.

Lionel doesn't react at first as he looks at Aria, who seems a bit more down than before.

"Lionel?" Rosa asks again.

"I don't know if 'heroic' is a fitting word. Was it really his duty to die, without a right to live his own life?" Lionel says, thinking.

In the past Lionel wouldn't have answered like that. He really has changed because of Aria. For the better, I think. When we were children, he knew how to live for himself. But when we were twelve, he was chosen as the hero, and he lost his smile and lived only for others.

"What are you talking about? A hero lives for the common good. That makes him a hero. You should know that best! Did you see how the evil witch tried to give the fault to the people? Isn't this ridiculous? After everything she has done."

"No one can choose his role in life... Monsters can also be made by humans..." Lionel says.

"You are really talking weird things today. Come on, let's look around," she says and tries to grab Lionel's arm.

"Go ahead, I will come soon." He says.

"In the past you were better with Rosa! But she seems to cling to you more despite it," I say teasingly.

"Rosa always encouraged me to live up to my role as a hero. She always supported me completely. But now, I no longer share all her views anymore." Lionel says.

"You changed. To the good. So don't mind it."

A beautiful lady walks past us, smiling.

"Caspian? Do you know what is with Aria? She seems more down than before?"

"Oh, sorry. I was a little distracted. What did you say?"

"Do you know why Aria is like this?" Lionel asks.

I grab Lionel and take him to the side.

"Lionel, my friend. Women are a mystery. You can't understand them. But I think you should show her that Rosa is no threat."

"How? And why should Aria..."

"Just take more care of her during the rest of the festival!"

Lionel is a hopeless case. He is lucky that he has a friend with so much experience, like me.

"Aria, come, let's go." I say while pushing her in Lionel's direction so that they can walk together, as she was about to walk behind us.

"What are you doing? Do you have a death wish?" she asks.

"No, I just want to walk behind."

"That's a stupid reason," Aria says but does as I wish.

Someday Lionel will thank me. Probably...

Then we walk across the marketplace and meet with Rosa again.

After some snacks we sit down. Aria is talking with Sisli and Knox. She seems to get in a better mood. Nonetheless, Rosa clings to Lionel, who always looks to Aria. They say I am an idiot. But they are stupider. Lionel obviously has a thing for Aria. And I think she might have a thing for him too. But if he doesn't start sending clearer signals, it probably won't work out. And he was finally interested in a woman.

It slowly begins to get dark, and the musicians begin to play their songs again. We grab some drinks. And I sit down next to some beautiful ladies.

"Hello, ladies. Is this seat free?" I ask them.

"Of course!" One of them says.

I'm only half-listening to what they're saying because my attention is elsewhere. Aria has sat down on a bench with a drink, and a rather conceited-looking guy is walking toward her. This promises to be a great movie.

"Sorry, ladies, I have something to do!" I say and stand up to get closer.

"Hello, beautiful lady. How about a dance?" the man asks Aria.

"No thank you!" Aria says without paying much attention.

"Come on, just a dance! You can decide after that whether you want more," the man says confident with smile.

"And how about you just get away?" Aria says, a little annoyed.

I look in Lionel's direction.

"Lionel. Come dance with me!" Rosa says, smiling.

But Lionel is obviously looking at Aria with a pissed-off look. He also noticed the guy. Then he walks over to Aria without paying attention to Rosa, who is obviously irritated.

"Do you think you are better than me?" The man shouts aggressively and lifts his arm.

Aria already has her hand on her belt. I can imagine that she will use her dagger if this goes on. But Lionel is faster. He grabs the wrist of the man and presses it.

"What are you doing with my dance partner?" Lionel asks the man, annoyed.

"Ouch... let go. This bit..."

"Watch your mouth!" Lionel says and throws him on the floor. 

He positions his hand on the handle of his sword. The man becomes obviously anxious.

"Calm down, man! I don't want any trouble..." he says, then gets up and disappears in the crowd.

Then Lionel grabs Aria by the hand. I don't know what they are talking about, but he seems to have gotten her to dance with him. They grow up so fast.

Someone grabs my shoulder. Surprised, I turn around. It's Rosa.

"Caspian, since when does Lionel act so impulsively?" Rosa asks me, shocked.

Normally he would have been a little composed. But he is not like that anymore.

"Rosa, Lionel changed. For the better, I think. You should accept that." I say.

"But he is the hero? Shouldn't he focus on the common good?"

"First and foremost, he's a human. And he has forgotten that for too long. So don't try to change him. What are you actually planning to do now?" I ask.

Sometimes I am so wise that it surprises even me. She hesitates to answer at first.

"... I will stay in the city for a while. I can't see blood and pain anymore." She says.

The border is a dangerous and cruel place. I can certainly understand that.

Lionel and Aria look each other in the eyes. They seem both happy. Maybe he'll finally confess his feelings to her. 

Oh, the full moon appears in the sky, and Lionel's bag on the belt starts to glow. The orb seems to be ready. Why now?