You Really Do Have Beautiful Eyes

Three months had passed since I'd last been to the Magic Academy and if last seen Julian. The mansion had become my prison once again, but also my sanctuary. My father had kept me under strict supervision, believing it was for my own safety. After my reckless use of magic—especially the light magic that no one knew I possessed—he'd spared no expense in hiring the best magical tutor in Dalatine.

Master Theron was relentless. He pushed me to my limits every single day, forcing me to learn control over the volatile powers that had begun to surface. Water, earth, dark—each element had manifested in me, one after another, like an uncontrollable tide breaking free. It had taken me weeks to learn to master even the smallest trick, and months to gain even the barest semblance of control. But now, after endless training, I could summon the elements at will, my mind and body finally working in sync with my newfound abilities.

Yet even as I grew in power, the absence of Julian left a cold hollow in my chest. I hadn't heard from him since that fateful day—three months ago. The kiss that had almost cost him his life was still fresh in my mind, a tender, painful memory I couldn't escape.

But tonight, that memory would shift.

Tonight, for the first time in months, I would be free from my magical isolation. King Christopher had declared a ball for the New Year, a gathering for all the nobles of the kingdom to celebrate the beginning of a new year. And with it came the promise of reunion.

As we approached the grand entrance of the palace, my breath caught in my throat. The sprawling structure before me was a magnificent blend of ancient stone and gilded elegance, rising high against the twilight sky. Tall, ornate columns lined the exterior, their surfaces carved with intricate patterns that seemed to shimmer in the soft glow of the lanterns lining the walkway. The marble steps, polished to a gleaming sheen, led up to enormous double doors that were flanked by towering statues of winged guardians. Their eyes seemed to follow you as you moved, silent sentinels to the grandeur within.

The palace itself, built from pale stone and adorned with lavish gold accents, gleamed in the light of the evening. Huge windows with delicate, stained glass patterns framed the walls, casting colorful light across the courtyard. The air was filled with the scent of fresh roses and myrtle, which had been carefully arranged in pots around the grounds. Even the moon above seemed to shine brighter, casting a silvery glow over everything, as though the night itself was in celebration.

Inside, the ballroom was even more breathtaking. The high ceiling stretched far above us, painted with scenes of heroic battles and divine figures—kings immortalised in rich gold leaf and vibrant blues. The walls were lined with elegant tapestries depicting the kingdom's history, while the marble floor reflected the twinkling of chandeliers overhead. Music swirled in the air, the soft sounds of violins and harps weaving together like a delicate dream.

Noblemen and women from across the kingdom began to enter the palace, their gowns and suits a dazzling array of colors, silks, and jewels. The men wore finely tailored coats, embroidered with gold thread, their cuffs adorned with rings and crests of their families. Their hair was slicked back, each of them standing tall and proud, as though their very presence commanded respect. The women were equally resplendent, their dresses a riot of color and lace, flowing like water as they moved, the weight of their jewels glittering in the light. The air hummed with the sound of whispered conversations and the rustling of fine fabrics.

At my side, my father looked every bit the imposing figure he was known to be. He was dressed in an elegant dark blue coat, the fabric so fine it seemed to ripple with each movement. My father's posture was impeccable, a silent authority that filled any room he entered. His dark eyes were sharp, scanning the crowd with a calculating gaze, making sure everything was in order.

Samuel, as always, stood with his arms crossed, his posture rigid and unyielding. Tonight, though, his usually cold demeanor had softened, and I could see a hint of pride in his gaze. His black suit fit him perfectly, and his silver cufflinks caught the light as he moved, but it was his quiet vigilance that made him stand apart from the others. His sharp, calculating eyes didn't miss a single detail, though he remained silent as ever.

Albert, on the other hand, was anything but silent. His usual teasing smile was replaced with a softer, more sincere expression, though I could see the glimmer of mischief lurking behind his eyes. He was dressed in a deep emerald green jacket, embroidered with fine silver thread, the color complementing his dark hair. As always, he was the most relaxed of the three, though there was a certain warmth to him tonight that made me feel at ease, despite the tension in my chest.

Together, we walked into the ballroom, my steps echoing in the vast hall as we made our way through the crowds. The buzz of conversation seemed to grow louder as we entered, eyes shifting toward us, but it was my own nervous energy that made everything feel surreal. I hadn't realised how much I'd missed being in the presence of being around people, even though at the academy all people ever did was insult me and spread rumours about me.

As I glanced around the room, the sight of Julian standing near the center—his figure unmistakable even from across the room—made my heart skip. I hadn't been sure what to expect after so long, but seeing him again, dressed in his royal attire, looking as handsome as ever, sent a rush of emotions flooding through me. There was an undeniable connection, a pull that drew me toward him.

But the sight of the nobility and the energy in the room also reminded me that things had changed. The stakes were higher now. This wasn't just a ball. This was the beginning of something new, something much bigger than either of us could have anticipated.

I wore a long, pastel pink strapless dress that shimmered under the chandeliers, its delicate fabric hugging my form in a way that felt both regal and effortlessly elegant. The bodice was adorned with intricate, flowers, the same shade as my dress. The soft petals seemed to come to life, curling across my chest like something straight from a dream. The pale pink hue of the fabric made my skin glow, casting an ethereal light around me.

My hair, usually wild and untamed, was pulled back into a low braided bun at the nape of my neck. Strands of hair framed my face in loose tendrils, softening the sharpness of my features. The intricate braids peeked out from beneath the bun, winding like ribbons of silk and highlighting the delicate detail of my hairstyle.

I moved toward the center of the room, feeling the light, airy fabric of the dress swish with every step. Despite everything—despite the magic, the fear, and the distance between me and Julian—the ball felt like the moment I could finally breathe again. For a moment, I could almost forget about the weight of my powers and the chaos they had caused. Tonight, there was only him.

And there he was.

Julian stood across the room, laughing with a group of courtiers, his brown hair perfectly swept back and his royal attire crisp. He hadn't changed, and yet, the distance between us had never felt so vast. Our eyes met, and for a moment, time seemed to slow.

Without thinking, I stood rooted to the spot, my heart racing as I watched him. The moment our eyes met across the room, I felt a pull deep within me, an undeniable connection that had never really faded, despite the months apart. And then, without hesitation, Julian started to move toward me.

His presence was magnetic, his every step confident, but there was something softer in the way he walked toward me—like he was unsure of what to say, yet certain of where he wanted to be. His eyes never left mine, and with every step, the space between us seemed to shrink, until there was no room left for anything but the two of us.

When he was close enough, he stopped, just a breath away, his gaze searching mine as if looking for something—an answer, perhaps, to all the unspoken words between us. His smile appeared, slow and deliberate, as though he'd been waiting for this moment to return.

"Seraphina," he whispered, his voice low, rich with warmth and familiarity. The sound of my name on his lips sent a shiver down my spine, and I could feel the weight of his gaze on me, like a touch, like something I could hold on to.

"You look…" He paused for a moment, his eyes sweeping over me, as if memorising the sight of me, as if he couldn't believe I was really here. "Stunning," he finished, his voice soft, yet full of something deeper.

The words lingered in the air between us, and I felt them, both warm and electrifying, like sparks flying off a flame. My heart seemed to catch in my throat, and for a moment, I couldn't breathe. I wanted to speak, to tell him how much I had missed him, but the lump in my throat made it impossible to do anything but stare up at him.

"I missed you," I finally whispered, my voice trembling with the raw emotion I'd been holding back for so long. I could feel my heart thundering in my chest, the truth of my words hanging between us like a delicate thread, too fragile to break.

Julian's smile deepened, his eyes softening as they held mine. Without a word, he reached out and took my hand, guiding me gently toward the dance floor. His touch was firm, reassuring, and it sent a flutter through my chest, making me feel grounded and weightless all at once. The music swelled around us, the soft melody pulling us into its rhythm as we moved together.

For the first time in months, I felt like the world was ours, and nothing else mattered. There were no secrets, no powers to control, no forces pulling us apart. In this moment, it was just him and me, together again.

His hand rested on my waist, fingers warm. I could feel the weight of his touch, the steady pulse beneath it, reminding me of everything we had been through and everything that still lay ahead. It felt so natural, so right. I leaned into him, feeling the solidness of his presence, like a promise that no matter how much had changed, there were still things that remained unbroken between us.

"I didn't want you to leave," Julian murmured, his voice low and intimate as he brushed his lips against my ear. The warmth of his breath sent a shiver down my spine. "But I understand why you had to go. I didn't want you to feel like you had to risk everything for me."

My throat tightened, and the words caught in my chest. "I would do anything for you, Julian," I said, my voice thick with emotion, unable to hold back the truth any longer.

He pulled back slightly, his gaze intense as he searched my eyes. "I know you would," he said softly, a hint of something vulnerable in his tone. "But I can't bear the thought of losing you."

His words hit me like a physical blow, leaving me breathless. My heart pounded in my chest, the weight of his confession settling over me. I nodded, feeling the truth of it deep within me. We had both changed in ways we hadn't anticipated, and yet, standing here with him, I realised that this—us—was real. More real than anything I had ever known.

This wasn't just a reunion. It was something deeper, something we both had to navigate.