Chapter 2

Keira, still soaked from her shower, threw on a fresh set of clothes. Her eyes glowed, and an icicle formed in her hand.

It must be an assassin.

She pressed her ear against the door to her bedroom and closed her eyes as she listened.

A footstep. They're near the window.

Keira took a deep breath and cracked the door open to peek.

Someone in a hooded, long green cloak was leaning over her desk.

Are they looking for information? She sneaked closer, one slow step at a time.

"No, no, that doesn't read right," the cloaked figure mumbled to himself, scratching out what he had written. "How should I put this?"

What is he doing?

"State your name and business," Keira said right behind him.

"Ah!" he yelped and spun around, his cloak fluttering.

"Arg." She swatted away his cloak, but he darted past her. "You're not getting away," she growled, grabbing his arm.

"Ack!" He tripped over his own feet as he turned and fell, hitting the ground hard.

Keira landed on top, straddling him, and pinned one of his arms to the floor as she held the icicle up to his neck.

"What are you after?" she growled, glaring at him from a few inches away.

His shaking green eyes widened, and his mouth flapped, but no words came out.

"Speak!"

He swallowed hard and felt the cold ice against his neck. "Too close..." he mumbled, afraid to move.

She moved it back enough for him to talk. "What are you after?" she asked again.

"I'm trying to help." He glanced over at her desk, where he had left a bottle of green liquid along with his scratched-out note.

"Help with what? I don't need help." Keira didn't bother to look over, keeping her eyes trained on his.

"Your wrist. You hurt it, right?"

Her eye twitched. How does he know that?

"I... I saw you at the parade earlier, and I saw the pain flash through your eyes."

So it is the same man from earlier, but how'd he notice from so far away?

"I promise I mean no harm, so... can you let me at least sit up?" he asked, acutely aware of her wet hair dripping onto his face and draining into his shaggy brown hair. "I'm sure you can sense it; I hold no malice towards you. And honestly, I'm a healer and wouldn't stand a chance in a fight against you."

He's right. I can't sense a fighting aura from him at all right now. She sat up, but didn't get off him. "A healer? What are you doing here? And how did you get in?"

He swallowed hard. "Like I said, I'm here to help." He pointed at the bottle again. "I made a potion imbued with my magic. It won't instantly heal, but you'll recover fully in a few hours."

Her brows furrowed. "I have access to healers, should I need it—"

"But you won't go to them. You never willingly do." His expression softened. "Though I don't know why you're so averse to asking for help. I can only speculate it's because you want to keep your Ice Queen image, despite being so much more."

How would he know that? "You've been watching me?"

"Who in this town hasn't?"

"You know what I mean. Those are not simple observations. And what would make you think I would drink a random potion left on my desk?"

"You don't drink this one; you pour it over the wounded area. I was writing down as much when you came back in."

She stared deep into his eyes, and to her surprise, he stared back. He's telling the truth? "That still doesn't answer how you got in here. We have guards around at all times."

"Oh... that... Well, I may have timed all the guards while I hid in the bushes and climbed a tree to get over the fence."

"Explains the leaf in your hair." She plucked it out to show him.

"Oh, I didn't even feel that in there... Thank you."

"You were also able to find my room."

"I-I've been in the palace before, so I know a little bit of the layout. And through the window, I could see your armour, so I knew it was yours."

"Let me get this straight, you lurked around outside peeping into windows to find my room to leave a potion for my wrist?"

His face burned bright red. "P-peeped? I never meant to do anything bad; I just needed to know the right room and had no way to know otherwise. It's not like I could ask anyone without being questioned, and then probably thrown in the dungeon or worse."

"Who knows what you could've seen?"

"I didn't see anything inappropriate! Please, I'm not lying, and I won't do it again. I promise." He scrunched his eyes closed and held his hands together, pleading.

Ugh, this nonsense is giving me a headache. With a sigh, Keira stood and held her hand out to him. "Get up."

He hesitantly opened one eye and saw her hand held out. "T-thank you." He took her hand, and she helped him to his feet. "Does this mean you're not turning me in?"

"That would be a hassle, and it probably wouldn't look good that someone successfully broke into my room. More people might try."

"I see..."

She walked over to her desk and picked up the bottle of green liquid to examine it in the light. "Is there something swirling in there? How peculiar."

"It's because I heal with green fire." He held his hand out, and green fire erupted from it. "If I may?" He glanced at her wrist. "You can keep the potion for another time, Miss. Sakurai."

Assuming I can trust what it does... Keira stared at his hand in wonder. I've never seen a green flame. It's similar to Rui's, but also quite different. "You can just call me Keira." She held a finger over the flame. "It's... not hot? But it's a flame."

"Which is why I'm useless at fighting, but I'm some help with support... and even defence a bit."

Curious, Keira held her injured wrist over the flame. Despite the lack of heat, a comforting warmth permeated her wrist. I think it's working.

His hand dropped, but the flame stayed around her wrist.

She held it up to inspect the green flames closer. "Interesting..."

When it went out, she tested her wrist, twisting and rolling it, and then punched toward him, blowing his bangs back.

"Oh!" He froze, eyes wide, and no longer breathing as he stared at her fist from an inch away.

"It feels great, thank you... What's your name? I don't think you gave it." She turned away from him and threw a few more punches.

"Hanazawa Akihiro, but you can call me Aki." He bowed to her.

"Aki," she whispered his name and nodded to herself.

"If I may be so bold, I was hoping to join your team, even if it's in the background—"

"No, I'm not looking for any members."

"But you only officially have Rui."

She glared at him. "And? He's got my back. We're fine."

"B-but, I can be of use. I don't even want recognition. You can keep the 'Ice Queen' facade that doesn't need—"

She gripped his throat. "Are you hard of hearing? I said I don't want any more members on my team. Now, just because I've accepted your healing today doesn't mean I'm excusing the fact that you've broken into my room. Am I clear?"

He nodded.

"Now, shall I escort you through the front gate, or will you leave the way you came?"

Aki pointed at the window.

"Good choice." I don't have time for him; I need to get ready for the stupid dance. "Now get going, and don't get caught. I'm not sure I'd be able to bail you out." She released him.

"Yes, ma'am. I mean, Keira." He bowed. "It was a pleasure to meet you, despite the circumstances." He glanced down at her, his lip shaking, before he headed to the window. "If you decide you want the help of someone who will keep it a secret, contact me." He dropped a card on her desk with his name and address. Aki took a deep breath and climbed out of her window, carefully keeping an eye out for the guards.

"Good luck." She leant her elbows on the windowsill as she watched him hide in the bushes to dodge the guards. "Certainly crazy to break into my room." She sighed and stared at her closet full of clothes the king gave her, though she barely used them.

Ugh, maybe I was better off dealing with him than going to a dance...