"Bianca?" Vincent asks when he sees I am not answering.

I take a deep breath and let it out all at once.

"You can´t."

It pains me to tell him that, but he really can't. If I´m not going to the lake, then I don´t need the dark wolf to deal with the specters, fine. But what about the dragoness? I still don´t have the necessary level of earth control to summon her yet, but the plan is to keep leveling it up.

"I thought you liked spending time with me," he says, pulling me out of my thoughts with a jolt.

His eyes are a deep, sincere gold, and from the expression on his face, I can see he feels hurt.

Ugh, what I want is to give him a hug, not turn him down.

"I... it´s not that."

"Then what is it?"

My head is screaming: Just say yes! Plus, I could level up both earth and spirit magic with him around since he already knows that part of my secret.

But it´s not just about that. If Vincent comes along, leveling up the pup would be out of the question—he would find it incredibly weird that I was so focused on making my supposed pet gain levels. Nobody goes to those lengths for a pet.

Ugh, I´m practically pushing him into Karina's arms. I grab his right hand and cup it between both of mine as I tell him:

"Seriously, it´s not that. I like spending time with you. But this mission is one I took with Ronan, and we want to do it just the two of us."

"You and Ronan."

"Yes."

From the way his expression changes, I honestly don´t know if I managed to reassure him that I like being with him, or if I just made it worse by making him think he should be jealous of Ronan.

And then the man himself shows up in the hallway. We had agreed to meet by the portal. He is probably here because I´m running late. I got held up packing my bag and then talking with Vincent.

"My lady, are you ready, or do you require assistance? Hello, Vincent."

He positions himself by my side. His skeletal friends follow him.

Immediately, I let go of Vincent's hand as if it burned.

"Ronan," Vincent greets him with a nod, frowning slightly as he looks at the two of us.

"No, I almost have everything. Just give me a moment..." I say, using it as an excuse to slip back into my room and finish gathering my things.

Why did I let go of Vincent's hand like I´d been caught doing something wrong? Now he's going to get the wrong idea... It's not that I care if Ronan sees me like that—it just caught me off guard and made me feel self-conscious.

"Are you bringing them this time?" I hear the prince ask.

He must be talking about Tom, Joe, and Bob.

"Yes, Mary does not need Joe and Bob for now."

I come out with my things and close the door behind me.

"Well, good luck in your dungeon, Vincent. Hope you earn lots of points."

He looks me in the eyes, looking sad.

I get it. All of this must seem like I´m pushing him away, whether he thinks there is something between Ronan and me or not.

"Same to you, guys," he replies, and then walks away.

I´m left wanting to assure him that I cannot wait to spend time with him, that I like him, that nothing has changed since that kiss we almost shared.

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I think.

Because right now, my emotions are so all over the place that I don´t even know what to think about myself. Is this just hormones?

"My lady, did you do something to him?" Ronan asks once we can no longer hear Vincent's footsteps.

"No."

"He was looking at me strangely. And Vincent is one of the few students who are actually cordial towards me."

I lean back against my door, deflated; as if all the energy keeping me upright just went straight down the drain, along with the prince's broken heart. I just hope none of the students in the neighboring rooms are listening. It would make for some juicy gossip.

"He wanted to come with us, and I think he took it as if I didn't want him around because I don't like him."

Ronan stays silent for a few moments, thoughtful. I just realized I dragged him right into my limited love life, giving him information he definitely didn´t ask for.

"And do you like him?" he finally asks, his face as unreadable as it sometimes is.

"Yes."

"Then why did you not make that clear to him?"

"I tried, but I think I messed it up even more."

"Living beings are very strange, my lady. I tell my undead friends exactly what I think and feel, and they do the same."

"Ronan, most of your undead friends can´t even talk. They only communicate with you by sending mental images and emotions. Of course it´s clear what they feel."

"My lady, you are complicating and dodging the issue. If you are interested in Vincent romantically, you should let him know."

Well, I brought this on myself by bringing it up. But it seems the guy who grew up locked away in a basement is somehow more emotionally intelligent than I am.

Or maybe he just seems that way.

I sigh.

"You are right. I´ll talk to him when we get back. Come on," I say, pushing away from the door and starting to walk with more energy than I actually feel, "we have to get those worm egg sacks. It can´t be that Vincent and his group are racking up points while we´re not."

"Is this about the king and queen of the ball?"

"What?" I stop dead in my tracks, stunned. "No, Ronan, no. For all I care, he and that Karina girl can be crowned together."

I say it with such bitterness that I´m starting to realize where my emotions are actually headed. And honestly, to everyone who says girls are complicated, I fully agree. I´m a master at hiding things from myself...

I think that if I really do like him, I should make some sort of formal commitment to avoid any misunderstandings or problems. But then again, I've only known him for a short time, and marriage—at least in this otome world—is for life. It's a big deal.

"Karina?"

"They've been joined by a girl."

"Do you want me to curse her? I am looking for subjects to try out new curses."

I laugh.

Ronan really knows how to be a good friend.

"No need, but I like the way you think."

He shrugs and we continue on our way.

It's later, on our way to the dungeon, when I realize that maybe Ronan was being serious with me.

Before we reach the academy's portal room, I ask Ronan if he's well-prepared. A bit absurd, I know, since the guy doesn't seem like someone who leaves anything to chance.

"Of course, my lady. I have replenished my mana potions and checked my equipment. I am also carrying my component pouches, if that is what you are referring to."

No, I wasn't referring to the body parts, but that's what I get for asking.

In any case, I've also taken the opportunity to restock my supplies, especially arrows for my quiver. Since we returned late last night and got up early today, I haven't had a chance to go to Solstar for more. But I stopped by the item shop the academy opened for a quick minute after breakfast. I couldn't pay with coins, but they allowed me to take three arrow packs on credit. That is, each pack costs 1 point, and I promised to pay them back by tomorrow at the latest. The professor assistants running the shop were very kind. Still, they told me to prepare better next time and not to count on them doing me this favor again.

When we enter the portal room, the little wolf pup sticks his head out from one of the side pockets of my backpack and barks. Anyone would think he's excited at the prospect of gaining more experience—or trolling me a little.

The portal guardian can't help but smile when he sees the pup. We tell him where we're going, and he doesn't stop us, which is what I was afraid of. In fact, he tells us that the army team has already checked the dungeon and found nothing out of the ordinary.

Great.

That means they either didn't see the tracks or ignored them. More than likely. After sleeping and resting tonight, I've realized they're going to assume we're not stupid enough to actually approach the lake.

After passing through the three portals, we find ourselves once again in the snowy village square. The sky is overcast with gray clouds that herald an imminent snowfall.

"We should hurry," Ronan comments. "I would not want to get caught in a storm."

"I agree. Let's go."

The guards at the village wall recognize us and let us pass without any problem. The path to the dungeon entrance was the same as yesterday: cleared of snow and perfectly maintained.

Upon reaching the entrance, we pause for a moment.

"Same plan as yesterday," I tell him. "We quickly clear the first level so the pup can gain experience, then we advance toward the maze. We need to get at least enough sacks for two missions, since I owe three points for the arrows."

Ronan gives me a somewhat strange look but nods and says nothing. I appreciate it, as I'd feel a bit foolish if I had to explain about my arrows on credit. I walk, and he and his skeleton friends follow me into the dungeon. He hasn't brought the golems and bats—apparently, he wants to take them to the goblin village the next time we go there.

"Won't your roommate say anything about you filling the room with undead? Because I seriously doubt all those skeletons and zombies will fit in the closet."

"He is gone. From the infirmary, he went home for a few days to recover."

"Couldn't they heal him with magic?"

"Physically, yes, but it seems he is a coward and does not want to be alone with me again. Officially, he is on home rest."

"Oh."

I understand. I almost feel sorry for him. But when I remember what Damien wanted to do to me, I leave it at "almost."

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