JINHAE

It was already late in the afternoon and the sun was setting while I looked out the window of the drawing room while I waited for Lay to come for me. He had specifically instructed me to wait for him there while he went to get some things. He told me that we were going somewhere for our first date. I giggled at the thought of it. I wasn’t really nervous or anything. I felt like I was just going out with a friend and being in Meropia makes all the difference.

After I agreed to date him, I felt more at ease. He never really did what human boys would like make advances or do anything romantic. He’d just walk with me and tell me about himself, Hailesia which was his home and about the other nobles. In turn, he’d ask me things about the human world. I enjoyed our conversations, but sometimes, I couldn’t help but wonder what was running through his mind.

Zhang Yi Xing, the Healing Noble, was really someone I couldn’t understand fully. His deep, brown eyes were as lonely as they were when I’ve first met him. There was just something about the way he looks at me at times. I couldn’t help but notice that right after the minister had told me about it. It’s as if he’s reading me or something, but I don’t feel uneasy at all. He rarely smiles. The last time I saw him flash a genuine smile at me was when I agreed to date him. He’d smile, but I felt like it was just a simple muscle reflex on his face as it never reaches his eyes. He’s laugh as well and I like listening to his laughter, but that rarely happens as well. I was hoping that he’d try to relax and stop being serious all the time. I just hope our little outing would go well.

I turned when I heard the door opening and saw him standing by the door. I immediately lit up upon seeing him. He smiled back and stretched his arm forward, beckoning to come and join him. I gladly took his hand and noticed that he was holding a basket. I bent slightly to look at it then looked up at him again.

“What’s that?” I asked.

He looked ahead and grinned knowingly, giving my hand a light squeeze. “Food.”

I bounced in place. “We’re going on a picnic?” I asked him eagerly and he nodded, leading me into the foyer. If there was one thing Lay and I agreed about, it was eating. When they brought me to the village before, both of us got left behind because we were too busy going through food stands. It was just too bad that they didn’t have any fish cakes or kimbap, but I still enjoyed the food. I really missed the food in the human world. They didn’t even have any French fries or ketchup. I wonder how Shinhye was fairing without junk food.

“Ready?” he asked me.

“Yup.” We both walked to the portico. “Where are you taking me anyway?” I asked.

He pointed at the hill a few hundred yards from the mansion. “It’s behind that hill. Do you mind walking or should we take the carriage?”

I made a face. “Where’s the fun in that? Let’s walk.”

He chuckled. “Very well. I’m glad we share the same idea.”

I beamed at him. “It’s quite a bumpy ride when we would ride the carriage to that hill and we’d just get tired trying to keep our balance. If we walk, we can enjoy the scenery and besides,” I squeezed his hand as well. “I’d get to spend more time with you that way.” 

He seemed startled and he had that same look in his eyes again as if they were coming to life. “Thank you.”

I shook my head. “No. Thank you. I really appreciate the things you do for me.” I kept a smile to myself. If I was in the human world, dating a guy like Lay would make me exceptionally lucky among girls. He was really good looking and at times, when he looks at me, I feel like melting, in a good way of course. Maybe he’d be a popular guy if he was human or maybe he’ll be a model or an idol.

I felt his finger underneath my chin, making me face him. “What’s the matter?” he asked, concern drawn all over his face.

I shook my head. “Nothing. Let’s go!”  I tugged on his warm hand and we began walking out of the mansion grounds into the forest when we saw Lu Han coming our way. He looked at us and waved slightly, smiling awkwardly.

“Hannie!” I greeted him cheerfully with the nickname I personally made for him, leaving Lay’s side to meet him halfway. I haven’t seen him all day.

He mussed my hair and grinned. “It’s nice to see you,” he told me then looked over my shoulder and nodded at Lay who just nodded back. “Where are you going?” he asked.

“Lay and I are going on a picnic,” I told him proudly, smiling toothily. “You want to come?” Lu Han’s face paled a bit and I could feel tension running through the air that surrounded him. “Are you sick?” I asked and touched his forehead like I usually do to Shinhye when she’s looking down.

Lu Han sort of resembled her now. He flinched under my touch so I withdrew my hand and looked at Lay who was eyeing us thoughtfully. He was acting rather oddly since that day he saw me dancing and he always looked bothered whenever I enter the room with any of the other nobles. “Did you find what you were looking for?” I asked him again.

“I’m afraid not.” The smile re his face. “Fret not. I’m just tired.”

“Are you sure?” 

He nodded. “Have fun with Lay.” 

I had the feeling he didn’t really mean that. One time, while Lay, Yi Fan and I were walking in the garden, I saw him walking in the woods and for an instant, our eyes met. I called his name so he would join us, but he just continued walking as if he didn’t hear a thing. At dinner that same day, he didn’t join us and later that night, I heard her and Poh talking about someone. Well, I didn’t really know who the person was, but ‘she’ was making him act oddly. I wanted to ask him about it, but maybe it would be rude so I decided not to put a finger in it. Lu Han was a good guy. I just couldn’t understand him at times.

I giggled. “I will. Rest well, Hannie!” He nodded and he was off. I glanced at Lay who just stood there, swinging the basket in his hand, eyeing me. I tilted my head. “Do you –” I sighed, stopping myself. It wasn’t fair for me to be worrying about Lu Han when I was supposed to be enjoying the time with Lay.

He frowned. “Is something bothering you?”

I pretended to laugh at his sentiment. I reached for his hand and pulled him forward. “What are you saying? Let’s go.”

YI FAN

I came back to the mansion at sunset after hours of surveying the area of the Elyxian River. It was my first time seeing everything at a close range and I didn’t know that I was in for more surprises than what I’ve expected. I flew parallel to it all the way to the northern sea and saw no end to it. I’ve construed that the same was true southbound. I was a fool not to have believed what the people were claiming. Jinhae was right – it was monstrous. It took a toll on me as I have been doing just that since morning. I hovered over the mansion, planning to enter one of the windows when I saw a figure seated on the front balcony, dangling his legs as he stared ahead. I slowly steadied myself and drifted down. It was Lu Han.

I landed quietly behind him. “Looking downcast, aren’t we?” I said, startling him. He nearly fell off of his seat, but I grabbed his shirt just in time, steadying him. I shook my head. It wasn’t like him to be acting sloppy. The Lu Han I knew was always vigilant and calm even in the worst situations. 

He looked at me, his usually big, bright eyes dull and lifeless. “Yi Fan…” he whispered and smiled in a sickly manner which surprised me. Dark rings were under his eyes and he looked like he was going to fall apart anytime. That very image of the bright and bubbly Telepathy Noble shook me to the core. It was like a premonition of death. 

“Great Maru, what has gotten to you?” I demanded, feeling my eyes widening as he looked away and sank back to his depressed state.