The Ridiculous Conclusion

Lief was very uncomfortable in the chair, but he tried to stop himself from moving too much. It wasn’t just the chair. The entire setup he was already familiar with felt uncomfortable now that he was in the center. The spring aura of the greenhouse was suffocating, but Lief forced himself to smile.

The young woman seated opposite him was examining him, her bright green eyes scrutinizing his face. The closest he had ever seen her eyes before was that one encounter in the North Section’s archway. Now, there she was. And yes, at this very instant, Lief had officially thrown everything, including himself, on the line.

“Who did you say you were again?” Aine Darien asked.

“I was the one you helped before,” Lief replied, keeping the smile on his face. “Remember? You gave me something to drink when I fainted.”

“Yes. I remember that, but…”

“I came here to apologize for the trouble I caused you that day. And also to thank you,” Lief said. “And if you don’t mind...” Lief pressed his arms on the table, his upper body leaning closer. He stared Aine directly in the eyes and flashed a cheeky smile. “I’d love to be able to meet you regularly, too.”

***

When her mother had called her to tell her about a new suitor, Aine never expected it would be this person. She never even expected to see him again. But as she studied the black hair that was neatly cut and styled and the hazel eyes staring at her, there was no doubt it was him. This time, he was wearing more formal clothes—a black suit with matching black tie that was as dark as his hair.

He suddenly leaned closer and said, “I’d love to be able to meet you regularly, too.”

Aine just continued to stare at him, as if trying to find answers in his eyes. What the hell is he talking about?

“I’ve already talked to your parents,” he continued. “They said every weekend is fine.”

“I’m sorry,” Aine said. “What did you say your name was?”

“Lief,” he responded. “Lief Devlin. I’m from a neighboring kingdom. I happened to be lost and exhausted when you came across me that time on the archway. You really saved me that day.”

Lief…Aine thought. What a weird name.

“Also,” Lief took out something from his suit’s inner pocket and placed it on the table. It was a square black velvet jewelry box. “I brought this for you.” He opened the box, revealing a silver tennis bracelet embellished with green crystals. “The emeralds reminded me of your eyes,” he said. “I hope you like it.”

Aine looked at the bracelet, then at Lief. She had received countless presents before. She had heard the same line a couple of times before. But there was something with the way he enunciated the words that somehow felt…strange.

Then, the door swung open, and Mila came in carrying a tray of tea and macarons.

Mila bowed to both Aine and Lief, and the two watched in silence as Mila set the table. Once Mila had finished, she left with another short bow.

Lief raised the teacup and took a sip from the tea. “Is this beetroot tea?”

Aine nodded. “My mother’s specialty.”

“Is this the same one you gave me that day? When I fainted?” He took another sip.

“Hmmm…Sort of.”

“But strange…I don’t get a hint of honey and vanilla.”

Aine’s brows furrowed.

“I couldn’t forget that taste and the smell,” Lief said, placing the teacup back on the table after another sip. “Is it possible to request that I be served that tea again? The same one from that day.”

“You…want that tea?”

“Yes, I’d love to have that tea again.”

“Say…that day, after the tea I gave you. Did you by chance feel anything different?”

“I felt refreshed. I think that drink…helped me a lot.”

“Did your memory become hazy after? Or did you have a headache? Did you recall doing anything…weird?”

“No. I remembered everything that happened clearly. And I was perfectly fine. Like I said, I felt refreshed.”

Maybe because he was exhausted that day, that’s why he didn’t realize the effects? “Then did you feel,” Aine continued. “Like…Something strange? Overwhelming? Like your heart beating fast?”

Aine noticed Lief purse his lips for a second, and his body leaning backwards.

“I…don’t know what you mean, My Lady.”

“How about a sudden surge of emotion?” I was the only one there, Aine thought. Though there were some trees and plants, too… “Like, were you by chance, suddenly captivated by a tree?”

“A tree? Why would I?”

“A plant?”

“Was there some rare plant there or something? If there was, I failed to notice.”

“Then…were you…Did you…look for me?”

“I did look for you. That’s why I’m here.”

“No, I meant. Sort of…longing…”

Lief chuckled. “I did. That’s why I’m here.”

Aine’s eyebrows raised. She was not getting much data from this young man. She thought of the glass tube inside her pocket. Should I give him love potion again? Come to think of it…I have never given a second dose of love potion to anyone before. This might be a good chance for my research.

Aine placed her hand on the table. Then slid her hand sideways, pushing the jewelry box hard, until it toppled onto the ground. The bracelet fell from the box and was thrown farther. “Oh God, I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to. I have rough hands.”

“It’s okay, My Lady.” Lief stood. “I’ll get it.”

***

Lief smirked as he turned away from the table. He already knew her game. He went to pick the bracelet and the box, and did so as slowly as possible. He could hear the soft sound of splashing liquid, then something being poured. He was envisioning her pouring the love potion into the teapot. He was not at all fond of this plan—and Cheddar was absolutely aghast—but things were working quite well.

When he had spent a considerable time, he returned to the table. He placed the bracelet back in the box, then placed the box gently on the table. “Here you go, My Lady,” he said as he sat down.

Aine replied with a smile.

He knew what that smile meant. She poured it in.

He looked at the tea cup in front of him. He drank before, but the cup was full again. Did she replace the contents? Lief always wondered why she couldn’t just pour the potion directly into the teacup. Why on the teapot? Perhaps he should try to find that out, too. Lief raised the teacup, inhaling its aroma. Now it had hints of honey and vanilla.

Aine was still smiling at him, her green eyes shining brighter due to anticipation, watching closely as Lief drank the tea.

***

He must really like the taste. Aine thought as she watched Lief finish the tea quickly, seemingly unbothered by how hot it was.

“That was an amazing tea,” Lief said, and Aine merely smiled, waiting for the love potion to take effect. She had adjusted the ratio of ingredients again, and recently the waiting time had significantly shortened.

After a couple more seconds, Lief’s body had become rigid. His head hung on his shoulder. Aine removed the potted rose at the center and placed it under the table. She had enough data on young men falling in love with plants, and she was definitely not interested in watching another one fall for a bee. She needed to see them fall in love with humans…with her.

Lief’s face snapped up. His eyes blinked once, then opened, and stared straight into hers. His lips curled into a soft smile.

Ah…there it is. He loves me. Aine shifted her body, getting ready to stand and run in case he was the aggressive type. But he just sat there, staring and smiling at her. Is this how the love potion affects him? Just like this?

They remained in silence, just staring at each other, for what felt like almost a minute.

“Is there…anything you’d like to say?” she finally asked.

He chuckled. “The tea…” His hand was pressed on his chest. “It was really amazing.”

“And?”

“Thank you for the tea.”

“Yes. And?”

Lief then stood and walked toward Aine’s chair.

Ah…He’s probably just the calm type. Aine thought. He’s definitely going to confess now.

“Lady Aine,” Lief said, his hand pressed on the table.

He’s going to say he loves me…

He bent down, his eyes fixed on hers. “Let’s…” he began, flashing a cheeky smile again. He moved closer.

Or is he going to propose?

He moved closer and closer…

“Let’s…” He paused, gazing at her eyes intently.

Aine saw his eyes contract, a splash of light green and gold colors spread on his irises.

“Let’s…” he repeated, and Aine found herself marveling at his eyes.

He does have striking eyes.

“Let’s have the same tea next time again,” he said and quickly backed away. “For now…I have to go.”

“Wha—”

He bowed and hurriedly headed for the door. He moved so fast he seemed to have reached the door in a flash.

Aine watched his back, dumbfounded.