Kael quickly went to bed after that, trying to push aside his worries about the upcoming festival, a night when he would see the king for the first time and have to participate in Cassandra’s plan.

  As he lay in bed, his thoughts drifted back to their last encounter.

  I'm helping her, but I still need to be careful around her, he thought.

  A quiet chuckle escaped him. Looks like I’ll have to buy a suit now, won't I?

  With that faint, uneasy amusement lingering in his mind, he slowly drifted off to sleep.

  Only Ausma’s golden, glowing eyes remained visible in the darkness. They were sharp and watchful as they rested on Kael.

  The next morning, when the first beams of sunlight slipped through the window, Kael woke up and quickly got ready for his early lecture.

  As he stepped out of his dormitory, he spotted Zaros waiting outside, leaning casually against the wall.

  Kael smiled at the sight—a comforting reminder of the normalcy he still clung to—and walked toward Zaros.

  Zaros noticed him immediately and straightened. The two exchanged their usual handshake, smiling as if nothing in the world had changed.

  They made their way toward the lecture hall, talking about trivial things: training routines, rumors, and the girls Zaros had been interested in lately. Their path led them past one of the academy’s clothing shops, one of many meant to spare students the trouble of leaving the grounds for everyday necessities.

  Kael slowed, then stopped entirely.

  A black suit hung behind the display window. Simple in cut, elegant in form. His gaze lingered on it longer than intended. After a moment, he sighed and glanced at the price tag, which looked suspiciously like several months' worth of the academy’s stipend.

  Zaros noticed and followed Kael’s gaze. He let out a low whistle.

  "That's a lot of money. Can you even afford that?”

  Kael shook his head, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. All of his possessions combined wouldn't even cover half of it.

  "And here I thought I could blend into high society for once."

  The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  Zaros gave him a sidelong look.

  “Are you talking about the New Year’s Ball? That festival all the nobles won’t shut up about?”

  Kael nodded, his eyes drifting back to the suit.

  Zaros burst out laughing.

  “So even you can look like that.”

  Kael frowned.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  Zaros raised his hands defensively, still grinning.

  "No offense, man, but I’ve never seen you care about clothes or anything like that, really. It’s nice to know you’re human after all.” He gave Kael a light punch on the arm.

  Kael chuckled softly and kept his eyes on the window.

  "Sometimes you just want to step out of your usual life," he said quietly, "and be someone you normally only get to imagine."

  Zaros tilted his head.

  “So your dream is...wearing a suit?”

  Kael shook his head, smiling faintly.

  "You know I despise the people inside them. But I can’t deny the appeal of feeling like one of them for once. It's just an illusion, but maybe that's enough. Just for one night. To feel like I belong.”

  Zaros fell silent for a moment, studying the suit as well.

  "Maybe," he said slowly. "Lia could buy it for you."

  Kael laughed.

  "She would. But I can’t ask her. This has nothing to do with her."

  Zaros frowned.

  “But isn’t she your partner for the ball?”

  Kael turned toward him, irritation flashing across his face.

  "No, I was invited as one of the final five participants." He scratched the back of his neck.

  "And I kind of already have a partner."

  Zaros’s eyes widened in realization.

  "Oh, that's bad. That’s really bad.”

  Kael raised an eyebrow.

  “Why? It’s not like you did anything wrong.”

  Zaros shook his head, genuine fear creeping into his expression.

  "You don't understand. She wanted to ask you. I thought she already had. If she finds out you already have a partner...and that I let it slip—" He trailed off, making a vague gesture that clearly implied disaster.

  Kael swallowed.

  "Then why didn't she ask me earlier?" he muttered.

  He didn't finish the thought. Deep down, he knew that even if she had asked him earlier, he still would have agreed to Cassandra’s request. If not out of desire, then out of obligation.

  Zaros glanced skyward, his expression oddly gentle.

  "She probably hesitated. She knows you dislike events like that. Maybe she didn’t want to pressure you.”

  Kael’s face softened with regret.

  "I should have told you both about the invitation earlier. It just didn’t seem important, and I knew you’d both be there anyway.”

  Zaros gave him a knowing look.

  "It's fine. Just tell her that. She’ll understand.”

  Then, his eyes lit up with curiosity.

  “So, who’s your partner?”

  His grin turned mischievous.

  "One of your mysterious admirers who keeps sending letters?"

  Kael laughed.

  "You'll find out at the ball." He winked and started walking again.

  Zaros followed, giving him an intrigued side glance.

  "Avoiding the question, huh? It must be someone interesting.”

  Kael shrugged.

  "Who knows."

  Zaros laughed and patted him on the back.

  "You've become quite the charmer. You must’ve had a great role model.”

  Kael shot him a teasing look.

  "Yeah, I learned exactly how not to do it from you."

  Zaros groaned, wounded. Kael laughed, then sighed.

  "But I still need a suit..."

  "Come with me after lectures," Zaros said.

  "I know a place. It's good quality and not outrageously expensive. Maybe you’ll find something close to your dream suit.”

  "Just shut up," Kael replied with a smile, nudging him.

  Together, they walked on through the academy's white, snow-covered paths. Toward what looked, for now, like just another ordinary day.