You Really Do Have Beautiful Eyes

"We can't tell anybody about this," Julian said firmly, his tone leaving no room for debate.

"Because it's not normal?" I asked, already knowing the answer. Julian's hesitation, his serious expression, made it clear—because it's not normal to have two abilities.

"That, and... we have another issue at hand." Julian's breath was heavy, his words deliberate as though he were carefully weighing them. He avoided looking at me as he spoke, his gaze shifting to the window. "The real problem is that you can't even control your wind magic, let alone your light magic. What will happen if you reveal it?"

I swallowed hard, the weight of his words sinking in. He was right. I had barely managed to keep my wind magic under control, and now I had this—this light magic that had appeared out of nowhere.

I needed to make a decision.

"I guess we have to tell Housemaster Gilbert," Julian said suddenly, standing up, his expression grim but resolute. "He's the only one who can help."

"That seems reasonable." I nodded, trying to sound calm, though everything about the situation felt overwhelming. Housemaster Gilbert was already teaching me to control my wind magic, and he wielded light magic himself. He'd be the best person to help me control this new power. But even with his guidance, there was so much I didn't understand.

Julian's gaze lingered on me, his face a mixture of shock and concern, and I felt a lump form in my throat.

I sat down on my bed, inhaling deeply, trying to keep myself steady. The words "demon" and "witch" swirled in my chest, prickling my heart. Without warning, tears slid down my face, landing softly on the mattress like raindrops.

"Seraphina?" Julian's voice reached me like a whisper from far away. His presence was comforting, but it didn't stop the flood of emotions. I looked up at the ceiling, trying to will the tears back.

"Seraphina," Julian repeated softly, sitting next to me, his hand reaching out to wipe my tears. I smack his hand away.

"Don't touch me!" I shouted, my voice trembling with a rawness I couldn't hide. "I don't want to hurt you." I hugged myself tightly, as though physically holding in the pain. "It's true. I'm a demon." The words felt like a curse. "I'm a demon. I'm a demon." I whispered it over and over, as if repeating it would make it true.

Julian didn't say anything at first. He just pulled me into his arms, holding me as though the world had stopped turning.

"Seraphina." His voice was firm, but soft. "You. Are. Not. A. Demon. You're beautiful, kind, intelligent, and yeah, you're different, but that's what makes you unique. You're not some heinous beast—you're special."

I shook my head, trying to hide the tears, but his words seeped through my defenses.

Suddenly, Julian began to sing, his voice painfully off-key, but filled with something sincere.

"I know sometimes you feel, like you don't fit in. And this world doesn't know, what you have within." He grinned at me, the most ridiculous grin I'd ever seen, and I couldn't help but chuckle despite myself.

"When I look at you, I see something rare—"

"Oh no," I groaned, embarrassed beyond belief. "Stop, Julian, please!" But despite myself, I was laughing, my tears drying up.

"A rose that can grow anywhere, and there's no one I know that can compare. What makes you different, makes you beautiful..." Julian continued, totally ignoring my protests, and I finally gave in and joined him, my voice cracking but still joining in with his out-of-tune melody.

"What's there inside you, shines through to me…"

We finished the song, laughing like idiots, and for the first time in what felt like ages, I wasn't consumed by the weight of the world. But as Julian stood to go to his bed, I felt something strange rise up inside me. My hand reached out instinctively, grabbing his wrist before I could stop myself.

"What?" Julian asked, looking down at me with a raised eyebrow, his lips twitching into a knowing smile.

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. My chest tightened.

"Uh... sorry," I mumbled, pulling my hand back. "I don't know why I did that."

Julian's eyes were filled with amusement, but there was something else there too—something deeper, something unreadable.

"Seraphina," he said, his voice teasing, but with a softness that I couldn't quite place. "Do you want me to sleep with you?"

Oh my God! "No!" I practically shrieked, my voice cracking.

He chuckled and started to pull away, but I grabbed his hand again. "Wait... if you don't mind... c-can you please sleep with me tonight?" My voice was barely a whisper, and I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks. "I just... I don't want to be alone tonight."

There was no hesitation from him. He simply pulled me into the bed, wrapping his arms around me as though it was the most natural thing in the world.

"J-Julian," I stammered, my mind racing, trying to make sense of everything. "This isn't what I—"

"Shh," he murmured, pressing me close.

"C-can you at least put a shirt on?" I asked, my voice barely audible, squirming uncomfortably in his hold.

He let out a soft laugh. "Let's just go to sleep. Tomorrow, we'll talk to Housemaster Gilbert about everything."

"Okay," I whispered, my heart still racing, but somehow at ease in his arms. Maybe it was the warmth of his embrace or the comfort of knowing I wasn't alone, but for the first time in a long while, I managed to close my eyes and fall into a deep, peaceful sleep.

The next morning, I wake up in Julian's arms. My body is still warm from the comfort of his embrace, and for a brief moment, I let myself forget everything else. I turn slightly to face him and watch as his eyes slowly flicker open, his gaze soft as he blinks a few times, adjusting to the light.

"You really do have beautiful eyes," Julian says quietly, his voice husky with sleep.

I smile gently, still a bit dazed from the warmth of waking up next to him. "Good morning," I murmur, my voice barely above a whisper.

He stretches, his arms above his head, letting out a long breath. I watch him for a moment, and when his gaze meets mine again, I realize we have to face the day ahead.

"I'm going to go take a shower," I say, standing up and moving toward the door.

Julian nods, his eyes watching me thoughtfully. "Then we'll go see Housemaster Gilbert."

I stop in my tracks for a moment. Breathe, Seraphina. Breathe. I tell myself. It will be okay. The weight of everything that's to come lingers, but I push it aside. This is something I have to do.

Julian follows me as I head toward my morning class with Housemaster Gilbert. Guilt gnaws at me. Because of me, Julian skipped his own class. It makes me feel like a burden, like I'm dragging him into this mess. But as if he can read my mind, Julian speaks up, his voice light.

"Don't worry about me skipping class," he says, a playful smile tugging at his lips. "I'll get away with it. I am the crown prince, after all." He winks at me, trying to ease the tension I know is there.

I can't help but smile a little, though it doesn't fully ease the guilt I feel.

We walk outside, and the cool morning air brushes against my skin. The sun is barely rising, and I feel the weight of the day ahead pressing down on me. Everything is about to change.

"Housemaster Gilbert, may I please speak with you?" Julian's voice is calm but resolute.

"Why, your highness, are you not missing your lesson?" Gilbert raises an eyebrow, his tone laced with amusement but also a hint of skepticism.

I avert my gaze, feeling the weight of his words settle in my chest. Guilt creeps over me, but I push it aside. This is more important than any lesson.

"I am, however, I have an important reason as to why that is," Julian presses on, his voice steady, but there's something in his expression that shifts the atmosphere.

"Please, indulge me."

Julian takes a deep breath, and in a voice that is surprisingly serious for someone so often playful, he says, "It concerns Seraphina's powers." His gaze flicks to me, and I understand the silent request. With a steady hand, I focus my energy, creating a small ball of light that hovers in the air between us. The light pulses gently, warm and golden in the dim room.

Housemaster Gilbert's jaw drops, his usual calm demeanor slipping into something akin to awe and disbelief. He steps back, as if the light itself has taken on a life of its own. "Divergent," he mutters under his breath, barely loud enough for me to hear.

"Pardon?" I ask, my voice sharp, confused by the word.

Julian steps closer to Gilbert, his voice a little strained. "Please, can you not call her that?" His tone is polite but firm, though I can sense the subtle edge of concern that laces his words.

Gilbert's gaze softens, but only just. He approaches me slowly, his hands reaching out to place themselves gently on my shoulders. His grip is steady, but his expression is serious, almost somber.

"My dear child," he begins, his voice grave. "You are what is known as a divergent."

I blink at him, still unsure of what that even means. "Divergent?" I repeat the word, testing it on my tongue.

He nods solemnly. "Those capable of wielding more than one ability are referred to as divergents. This means you don't just belong to one of the six churches. You belong to more than one. In your case… light magic is the second." His words hang in the air like a heavy fog. "You may also possess dark magic, which would explain Duke Clarke's claims of your dark magic abilities."

The weight of his words settles in my chest, each syllable making my stomach churn. Light magic... and possibly dark magic? How is this possible? The question hangs in my mind, unanswered.

Before I can speak, Julian's voice cuts through the tension. "Housemaster Gilbert. Please do not frighten Seraphina any further." His words are quiet but forceful, protective in a way that makes me feel like I'm being shielded, even if I don't quite understand why. "Seraphina and I have come to you in the hope of your assistance. As you know, Seraphina cannot control her magic. Now that she has unlocked light magic, we need your guidance, and we need you to keep this knowledge between us three."

Gilbert looks at Julian, eyes narrowing with a mix of disbelief and concern. "Have you told the king?"

"No one must know," Julian answers, his voice cold and resolute. There's a finality in his tone that brooks no argument.

Gilbert's frown deepens, "You are defying the church you were born under by not informing the king, who must then notify the light church. It is already bad enough that the wind church is unaware of Seraphina's wind magic. But now the light church as well? This is... preposterous, Prince Julian. You're playing with fire here."

Julian's expression hardens, and his stance shifts to something more authoritative. "I am not defying the church I was born under," he states firmly, his gaze unwavering. "Nor am I defying my very existence. I am not from either the wind nor the light church. I possess fire, like my father." He pauses, his voice taking on a slight edge. "If it helps ease your conscience, feel free to tell the king that Seraphina possesses light magic. But if anyone finds out she may possess dark magic, there will be consequences."

Gilbert's eyes flick to me for a moment, then back to Julian. "Understood. The king will be notified of this immediately, and no one else. But your highness," he adds, his voice low, "you're walking a dangerous path."

Julian nods, his jaw set. "I doubt my father would tell anyone else either."

I glance at Julian, watching as his certainty seems to fill the space between us. He has no doubt that the king will remain silent on this. But how can he be so sure? The idea of my secret—this new ability of mine—being passed on to anyone, especially to the king, makes my stomach twist. How many people could potentially know about it? And what if they choose to expose me?

But Julian... he seems so sure, so confident. And I want to trust him.