My eyes flutter slowly open. Yesterday’s exhibition really was amazing. I felt so inspired after that. I talked to so many interesting people. One of them was even excited to see my work. He owned his own little gallery. So if I convince him about my work, there is a chance he could want some of my art to be shown there. That's like a dream come true.

  I get up from bed and notice that I’m still wearing my dress and apron. Was I so tired that I passed out right after coming to my room? Wait a second. Did I even come back to the Tower? If I had, I would have left my apron back at my atelier. I never take it with me. Actually, didn’t I fall asleep back there?

  Did someone bring me here? There really are two options: Ayas or Myrin. I bet Annie spent the whole night with her date, and Angie and David would never come to my atelier after theirs either.

  I get up and go clean myself. It’s Saturday, and I still have work. My free days are Monday and Tuesday. I chose the same days Myrin has. Only because silly me thought that if we end up together someday, we could go on dates more easily.

  And today is the stupid double date. Why did I agree to that? I really don’t care to go.

  Let’s worry about that ter. Now I need to focus on work. The Tower always feels emptier during weekends, since most of the mages prefer to work only during weekdays. On my way up, I bump into Ayas.

  “Hey, Elena. How was the gallery yesterday? Who did you go with?”

  “It was amazing. I think my mind is bubbling with ideas, so I don’t know how I’m able to focus on work today. I also made connections with people in the art world, and one was even interested in seeing my paintings.”

  Let’s ignore his question about who I went with.

  “Whoa, that’s awesome. So are you all fired up for the double date today?”

  “No.”

  “What? Why? You are still coming, right?”

  “Yes, I’m coming. Don’t worry. But you know I’m not good with dating. I have the ability to scare everyone away with my bbbering.”

  “Don’t worry, I’m there to stop you when you go too far off the rails.”

  “Okay.”

  “I need to go. See you at six!”

  “Oh, wait! Did you happen to stop by my atelier yesterday?”

  “No, why?”

  “No reason. See you, Ayas.”

  I keep climbing up. So was it really Myrin? Should I ask him? I enter the potion department and spot him working on his experiment.

  Every mage gets one day every week to work on their own projects, like researching or experimenting. The only rule is that if they invent something, the Tower has rights to it. I have no need for a day like that. I don’t have anything I want to create. So I just try to improve already existing potions instead during my day.

  “Good morning, Rin!”

  “Morning, Elena.”

  He doesn’t even turn to look at me. Maybe it wasn't him since he isn't saying anything. I turn to go back to my work, but then spin back and just blurt out,

  “Did you come to my atelier yesterday?”

  “Yes.”

  My chest tightens. So it really was him. I feel my cheeks burn at the thought. Did he really carry me to my own room? I’m extremely happy. But I’m also a little disappointed that I slept and missed it. Just thinking about Myrin’s long arms carrying me makes me squirm. He has never carried me, barely even touched me.

  There was one time when I slipped on the stairs, and he grabbed my arm to prevent my fall. His touch was ice-cold even through his gloves. And one time I accidentally bumped into him in the library.

  That’s it. I’ve known him for thirteen years, and I have touched him twice. I spotted his discomfort with touching people right away and just wanted to keep my distance, not wanting to make him uncomfortable.

  “Did you carry me back here?” My voice is more like a whisper. I’m still stuck on the image of his hands around me.

  “Yes.”

  Oh. My. God. I can’t believe he would do that. And that I missed it! I hope I didn’t drool or snore.

  “Thanks. I didn’t mean to fall asleep. You should have woken me up.”

  “You didn’t wake when I knocked on the door or lifted you up. It was quite obvious that you’d rather let someone walk in on you than wake up.” His tone is harsh, like he is mad.

  The warm flutters in my stomach stop.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Don’t you even understand how utterly naive you are? Your door wasn’t even locked, and your lights were on. It was night. Anyone could have just passed by, seen you through the window, and walked in.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to leave the door open.”

  “Of course not. Your stupidity will get you killed someday. The capital is full of dangerous people. So stop being so fucking naive and a burden.”

  I just stare at him, shocked. My heart stings. He has never raised his voice at me. I have never seen him angry. Sure, he is annoyed and grumpy. But never angry. I can’t believe I’m the one who made him angry like that.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be a burden.”

  I turn to walk away, but then I suddenly get annoyed. I turn back to face him.

  “If helping me was that horrible, then you should have just left me there. I didn’t ask for your help in the first pce!”

  “Do you understand how furious Enred would be if he found out that I left you alone in the middle of the night?”

  After Enred left to Hilver, Myrin has always been there for me when needed. He has helped me in many ways. I thought he helped me all those times because he cares for me. But is he doing all of this just because of my brother?

  “So you were just worried about my brother?”

  “Yes.”

  Hearing that stings. Of course, it’s always my brother. I’m nothing but an annoying kid to him.

  “Well, boohoo. I don’t care in the slightest if my brother is mad at you or not. So next time, just leave me be. If being me gets me killed, then it does. It’s not your problem, you idiot!” I burst out.

  I have never yelled at him either. I know I’m being childish here. I know he is right that I was being stupid. But I don’t think it still gives him the right to be mean to me.

  “Stop being a brat, Elena. Just admit you were in the wrong.”

  “I already did! I said I was sorry. But it doesn’t give you the right to be mean!”

  “I’m being honest.”

  “You could be honest without yelling.”

  “And you could finally climb down from your fool's paradise and understand what real life is. Not everyone is born with a silver spoon in their mouth like you.”

  “What does my family have to do with this? You can’t honestly bme me for being born into a good family.”

  “I’m not bming you. I’m just saying that you should grow up.”

  “Maybe you should grow a heart.”

  I spin around and leave. I don’t know how that got so out of hand. I slightly regret yelling back at him. I guess my disappointment just burst out. Maybe it really is impossible to make him see me differently.

  I know I’ve been lucky to be born into a good family. My father is Count Trephor. Our family rules its own county but also owns Barham’s rgest trading company. So Myrin is not wrong that I was born with a silver spoon.

  My childhood has been happy, even though I was constantly sick as a child. My parents adored me. They have always treated me with care and given me anything I have ever wanted. And so has my brother Enred.

  I was a little afraid to ask them if I could come study here at the Tower when I was eighteen. Noble women are expected to get married as soon as possible. To my surprise, they agreed with a smile. So it’s extremely rare to be a 27-year-old noblewoman and not married. But my parents have never pushed me into marriage. They have supported me in doing anything I want. That also includes my passion for painting.

  Maybe I really shed out at him in vain. And who knows? Maybe he was just angry because he was worried. I can’t be sure that he really was only worried that my brother would be mad at him. Let’s just be optimistic and hope that he was at least a little bit worried about me.

  I should apologize to him. So after working for a while, I go to him again.

  “Hey, Rin.”

  “What do you want?” His tone is still rather harsh.

  “To apologize. I’m sorry for yelling. I know I was being immature and stupid. I’m sorry for taking up your time yesterday. I really promise that it won’t happen again. And I didn’t mean it when I said you need to grow a heart. I know you have one. If you didn’t, you haven’t helped me in the first pce.”

  His pupils slightly widen while I talk to him. I’m not sure why. Is he just surprised that I came to apologize?

  “Okay.” He turns back to his work.

  Okay? That’s all I get after swallowing my pride and apologizing? Would it hurt him to apologize for yelling too?

  I exhale heavily while getting back to work. This is going to be a long day. Let’s just hope the date lifts my mood. Maybe that Jerome guy really is good company. Maybe he is the one who finally makes my heart realize that loving Myrin is the stupidest thing to do.

  When work is done, and I’m all ready for the date, I take a final gnce at the mirror. I wore one of my dark purple dresses and let my hair stay loose, but added colorful flowers on them.

  Okay, Elena. Let’s have a fun outing. Even if this Jerome guy doesn’t steal my heart, I’m still going to have fun. Ayas is going to be there, so it’s going to be just fine.

  I head down to where Ayas is already waiting.

  “Looking good, Elena. Ready to charm Jerome?”

  “I don’t know about charming. But I’m ready to give him an opportunity to charm me.”

  “Very mature of you. Come on, let’s take the carriage.”

  “Sure. So, what is this Jerome like? Any heads-up?”

  “We were friends when we were fifteen, so it’s been a while. Back then, he was a very lively person. That’s probably why we got along so well. He moved to Rivel with his family.”

  “Rivel?! Really? I can’t believe he can live in Rivel City! I’m so jealous.”

  “It’s just a city, Elena.”

  “No, it’s not! It’s the home of art, Ayas!”

  “Whoa, okay. I get it. Maybe you two will get along just fine if you’re already that excited just because of his hometown.”

  I can’t help but smile a little. Maybe there really is hope that he could make my heart forget Myrin. I wonder how Myrin is spending his Saturday. Is he just going to be alone in his apartment? I wonder if he ever gets lonely there. I have never visited his pce. I don’t think anyone has.

  Stop. You are not going to think about him. Let’s focus on Jerome.

  We arrive at the restaurant, and Ayas leads me to a table where Jerome and his friend are already sitting. Jerome gets up with a smile as we approach.

  “Ayas! Happy you made it. Meet Joanna. She is my cousin who still lives here in the capital.”

  Ayas greets both of them while I stand in the back, waiting to be introduced.

  “So Ayas, where is my date?”

  What? Isn’t it obvious that it’s me?

  “Oh, right. Meet Elena, she’s—”

  “I didn’t know you had a little sister. Surely you didn’t bring her as my date? I don’t want to sound rude, but isn’t she a little too young?”

  What? I know I look younger, but that’s just too harsh.

  “Oh no, she is not my sister. She is my colleague from the Tower.”

  “So you brought a commoner child to be my date?”

  I just stare at him, stunned. I hate how people always think that a noble woman can't be a working one.

  “She is a noble, and she is 27 years old. So she is not a child.”

  “A noble woman working? Didn’t anyone want to marry her? And I’m sorry, but she looks way too young. Even her body is like a child’s.”

  My anger starts to boil. How can he talk about me like that when I’m standing right here?

  “Jerome! Aren’t you being unreasonable? She wanted to study magic. It wasn’t because there were no marriage options.”

  “Whatever the reason, she really is not my type at all. Isn’t there anyone else you could bring?”

  I pop a huge water bubble on top of his head, soaking him completely.

  “What the hell?!”

  I take a step toward him.

  “No wonder you can’t find a girlfriend when you are so obnoxious and act like a little boy. You have no right to insult me when it’s quite obvious that even I have more balls than you. I bet your dick is so fucking tiny that every single girl just runs away screaming when they see it. Trying to hide your small manhood with an asshole attitude is ridiculous.”

  I kick him in the nuts and storm out of the restaurant. My tears push their way to the surface, but I try to force them back down.

  Come on, Elena. This is nothing new. This is not the first time I’ve faced something like this. Just take a deep breath and rex. Count to ten, and it’s all good.

  “Elena! Wait!”

  “Just go back, Ayas.”

  He runs to walk next to me.

  “No way. Are you okay?”

  I let out a mocking ugh.

  “An asshole like him could never affect me. So go back to your date. I’m sorry for ruining the mood. I just snapped.”

  “Don’t be sorry. If I had known Jerome was like that, I would never have agreed to this double date.”

  “Don’t be sorry either. It’s not your fault. So just go back.”

  “No way! I won’t ditch you after what just happened.”

  “What about Joanna? It’s not her fault that his cousin was a total dick. Don’t make her time coming here a waste like mine.”

  “I know, but still.”

  “Just go, Ayas. I will just go paint. I didn’t want to come on this date anyway, so it all worked out just fine. I got a perfect excuse to bail.”

  “Are you sure?”

  I put my hand on his back and force him to turn around.

  “Yes! Just go!”

  He hesitantly leaves, and I keep walking toward my atelier. I really do feel like I need to paint. Painting has always been my way to express my emotions and pour out my feelings. I usually enjoy painting ndscapes. I love to grab my easel and find a beautiful spot outside to paint, or just use my imagination to picture something pretty. But when I need therapy through painting, I do something abstract. I just let my mind and heart guide the brush.

  This time, I’m just going to make sure that my door is tightly locked and head back to the Tower before nightfall. I don’t need another scolding from Myrin ever again.