Serene’s POV

Mariela Sensei confided in me the deepest secrets of her heart with a sigh. I observed turbulent emotions in her eyes. This made me happy that he had found a friend in her, someone with whom he could talk freely.

"Sensei, I am sorry you had to feel that way. But if I know something about Kilamin, it’s a fact that he is not materialistic. If you want I can talk to him about you and know his opinion. Or I can call him here on some pretense and you can talk to him yourself." I put forward the suggestions that scrambled in my mind, remembering his small room which only held his basic necessities.

"I would like that very much if you could casually ask for his opinion. If it’s positive I would like to know him better and see where it goes." She smiled warmly at me and I understood how badly she wanted to know if or what he felt for her. I found it hard to believe that Kilamin would ever express what was in his heart but if someone could talk to him, it was me.

"I will do it, Sensei. You don’t have to worry. Leave it to me." I replied with a smile and she nodded at me in approval.

Taking my leave from her I went to find Zeph in Dining Hall. He was waiting for me with some food which he had covered with another plate. I went ahead and sat in front of him.

He pushed the plate in front of me and asked: "What did Mariela Sensei say?"

"She asked me to keep it a secret," I replied in a hushed voice while picking up the plate covering the food and taking a bite from the juicy meat he had saved for me.

"And are you?" He asked with a scowl, folding his arms in front of his chest.

"Yes," I mumbled taking another bite.

"I don’t like having secrets between us." Zeph’s voice was serious now.

"Zeph, it’s not my secret to tell. I have to respect her wishes. I will tell you if it will reach a finality." I reached out and patted his hand offering him a reassuring smile. He sighed before nodding his head at me.

I finished the food and Zeph walked me to the stairs of our room. Night had already fallen so we kissed goodbye. Reaching my room, I stood outside and took out the green crystal Kilamin had given me. I wore it around my neck at all times, Zeph had embedded it in the necklace he had given me. It was the same crystal that I had given to Zeph and Ralph.

I touched it with the intent of reaching Kilamin and I knew by early morning he would be here. Opening the door I entered the room and saw Ayrden sitting on the bed alone.

"Heya! How are you feeling?" I beamed at her and she offered me a small smile.

"I have been better, I don’t know what’s up Serene but I seem to have no energy. I feel like a burden on others, on you people."

"Hey, hey! Quit such thinking. You are not a burden, remember we are a team. We will always stand together." I approached her and engulfed her in a tight hug. Her heart was not easing, she had been like this for a while now and I wanted to be there for her as she had been for me when I was going through rough times.

"Thank you Serene for being there for me. You are the type of friend everyone deserves." I could sense the weakness in her voice, she was hurting.

"I am always here for you, Ayrden." I rubbed her shoulders and stayed with her until she fell asleep.

I laid her down and after changing my clothes and went to bed as well.

Early in the morning, I heard a swift knocking on our door. Rubbing my eyes, I woke up to find it was still dark outside and dawn was just breaking.

"Kilamin," my brain told me and my eyes flew open at the thought. He must be worried sick to arrive this early. I scrambled out of bed and rushed to the door. Opening it I found a very sleepy-looking Shumal Sensei.

"Serene, did you call Kilamin? He is here and seems worried. Is everything alright?" She inquired while stifling a yawn.

"It is, I just wanted to talk to him," I replied a bit sheepishly, rubbing the back of my head. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"Go then, he is waiting in the common room," and I rushed out, not needing to be told twice.

Opening the door I found him pacing the room, seeing me he moved at lightning speed toward me and caught me in an iron-clad hug.

"What happened?" He whispered with so much concern that it made me feel guilty. His handsome face was distorted in worries.

"Heya! big brother and good morning to you as well," I pipped in seeing his reaction.

"Did something or someone hurt you?" He questioned again.

"No, I am all good. Calm down. I just wanted to see you," I offered him a sheepish smile and his concern turned into anger.

"You can’t be serious Serene, you almost gave me a heart attack," He reprimanded me.

"I wanted to talk to you so I called you. No big deal," I replied getting out of his bone-crushing hug.

"Serene, I gave you that for emergencies." He pointed out, giving me space.

"You never said that. You said I could use it whenever I needed you. Well, I needed you," I shrugged at him and a small smile crept up on his face.

"What’s going on? Are you in trouble? Talk to me." His concerned voice was back.

"Let’s sit first," I took his hand and dragged him toward the sofa.

Settling down I asked: "How have you been? How is father?"

"Father is doing well, considering the pressure he has been under and I am the same as always." He replied looking at me intently.

"Give father my love when you return, I miss you both."

"I will, now tell me what’s going on." He was getting inquisitive.

"Ahm! Brother. I don’t know how to ask you this but have you ever liked someone? Like a girl?" I muttered averting my eyes and boring them into the ground.

"That’s what you called me here to ask." He shook his head at me in disappointment. His eyes showed his astonishment though, not expecting the question I was asking him.

"It’s a genuine question and a very serious one too. So answer, please." I peeked at him, slowly.

"Why do you want to know that?" His voice held a surprise.

"Because I don’t want you to be alone," I spoke the truth that always bothered me when it came down to him. He deserved so much happiness and he needed someone to share it with.

"I am not alone, I have you and father."

"That’s not what I meant, you need to have someone as a romantic partner." My cheeks flushed at my last sentence and I could see his ears turning red, his eyes grew twice the size in shock.

"Serene, what has gotten into you? Are you acting as a matchmaker? What’s going on here?" He playfully knocked on my forehead while a slight smile.

"Please, answer my question." I pleaded with doe eyes and clasped my hands in front of me making him sigh before he said:

"No, I don’t have anyone like that in my life. I don’t have time for romance, Serene. Too many responsibilities on my shoulders."

"Let me share your responsibilities and make time. I don’t want you to be alone for the rest of your life. So tell me, what type of girls do you prefer." I questioned with one of my eyebrows raised.

"Serene, seriously? I am not having this conversation with my sister." His cheeks were crimson and I couldn’t believe mighty Kilamin was blushing.

"Yes, you are. So you prefer someone beautiful or someone intelligent? Or do you like a mixture of both? And she should be a fae or a witch? Or a vampire or a folkel?" I inquire tilting my head at him.

"Serene, I prefer someone intelligent who can think along the lines I do. I don’t care about anything else, I don’t care about their skin, hair, physique, or species. I am not materialistic like that and beauty is all about the brain for me." He finally told me what I wanted to hear and I flung myself at him embracing him in a tight hug. Flustering and astonishing him even further.

"Well, brother I have someone in my mind who fits all your categories. I just want you to give her a chance, please." I pouted at him with twinkling eyes.

"Who is it?" He asked with utmost seriousness.

"Mariela Sensei," I replied awkwardly, observing what reaction he would give.