CHAPTER 65: CAN WE BE FRIENDS?

"For loving them," he said softly. "Your new family. For giving Evelisse a better ending than the one the world gave her."

Evelisse went quiet.

The petals fluttered between them. The silence was not heavy. It was...safe.

"I didn’t expect you to be nice," she whispered.

He chuckled. "Why?"

"Because everyone who knows something about me either wants something, or they just *assume* I want something too."

He nodded. "It’s hard to trust anyone when you don’t even trust your own past."

Fluffy floated nearby, lounging dramatically on a hovering petal.

"Oho ~ this is suspiciously close to emotional vulnerability. I approve. Very cinematic."

Evelisse ignored him. ’This doesn’t mean anything, Fluffy. I still have to figure out how to avoid putting people in danger. Especially boys my age who are clearly magnetized to weird destiny strings.’

Fluffy gave a sarcastic yawn. "Right. Because you’re just soooo good at keeping things simple and uneventful."

’I am seven. I’m supposed to be simple and uneventful.’

"Right now, you’re sitting next to a flower-making dream prince who sees your soul like it’s a bedtime story."

She glared at Fluffy.

"Rude," she muttered aloud.

Caelith blinked. "Sorry?"

"Not you. My imaginary friend."

Caelith simply nodded in understanding but didn’t ask further.

"Soooo... how do you remember me like that?" she asked quietly. "When I don’t even remember myself sometimes?"

Caelith rested the flowers in his lap. "I don’t know how to explain it without sounding... strange."

Evelisse raised a brow. "I live with a floating friend who gives me points for hugs. Try me."

That earned a laugh from him.

"I dream. Sometimes, they feel more like memories. I saw you before I ever came to this kingdom. Not as a princess. As a girl in a quiet room. Lonely. Scared. Brave in a way I still can’t understand."

Evelisse didn’t answer.

Because she was remembering it too.

The hospital lights. The smell of antiseptic. The echo of her own heartbeat as she stared at the ceiling.

"I hated that ceiling," she said suddenly. "It had a crack shaped like a jellybean. I named it Larry."

Caelith smiled. "Larry the Jellybean."

"Don’t laugh. He was my only friend before I met my imaginary friend."

From above, Fluffy spun dramatically into view. "Excuse you, you’ve said this twice, I’m not imaginary and I definitely outrank Larry by seventeen cuddles and three emotional breakdowns."

’Fluffy, I’m trying to be serious.’

"Then why are you blushing?"

’I’m not—’ She touched her cheeks. They were warm.

Caelith picked up one of the flowers. "These are nightblue forget-me-nots. They bloom only where a heart has healed."

Evelisse tilted her head. "Did you read that in a book?"

"I asked the tree."

"...Okay, that was dramatic."

"I’ll take that as a compliment."

She sighed, softer now. "You’re not as annoying as I thought you’d be."

He grinned. "That’s a relief."

"I mean, you’re still suspicious. Mysterious boys usually are. But..." she looked down at the petals between them. "I don’t feel like I have to pretend around you."

Caelith’s smile faded into something more solemn. "You shouldn’t have to pretend around anyone."

Evelisse hesitated. Then reached out, touching one of the flowers. "I’m trying to protect people. The less they know, the safer they are."

"I understand that."

"But maybe... having someone my age who understands a little of it wouldn’t be so bad."

Caelith’s eyes warmed. "I was hoping you’d say that."

He picked up the finished crown. "May I?"

She nodded.

He placed it gently atop her head. "There. Now you match the garden."

Her cheeks flushed. She looked at her lap.

Then, in a tiny voice: "Your eyes are really pretty."

He blinked.

Then he turned red.

"You’re... the first person who’s said that without sounding scared."

"They make you look like a magic mirror," she said shyly. "Like you’re seeing through things, not just at them."

His fingers brushed hers as she adjusted the crown.

Both froze.

The contact lingered.

Just for a second.

Then Evelisse jerked her hand back. "Sorry!"

"No," he said softly. "It’s okay."

Badum!

A beat.

Then he sat up straighter.

"I was going to ask something. But I think I should just say it instead."

Evelisse tilted her head. "Say what?"

"That I’d like to be your friend. If you’ll let me."

She blinked.

"Even if the universe thinks we’re part of something bigger. I just... I want to be someone you can rely on. Talk to. Not as a prince or a prophet. Just... Caelith."

Her chest tightened again—but this time, it wasn’t from fear or confusion.

It was... relief.

Pure and light.

"I’d like that," she whispered. "Very much."

He extended his pinky.

"What’s this?" she asked.

"A vow. No matter what happens—good, bad, dangerous, magical—I’ll stick with you."

She curled her finger around his. "You’re stuck with me now."

Fluffy blinked back tears. "This is so disgustingly wholesome I might explode."

’Quiet.’

They sat in silence.

Then Caelith said, "I’ll be visiting Florabelle soon. With my tutors. I’d like to see you again. Learn more about your world."

Evelisse smiled. "You can help me bake moon-bread. And maybe help me spy on my older brothers."

"Deal."

The garden glowed in soft twilight, the petals of the forget-me-nots fluttering like stars too shy for the sky.

They didn’t speak for a while.

They didn’t need to.

Just two kids sitting under a tree, sharing a silence that didn’t ache or echo—just... rested.

Then Caelith looked over.

"I hope Florabelle has a stargazing hill," he said suddenly.

"It does," Evelisse replied, hugging her knees. "I go there when I need to scream into the sky politely."

He laughed. "I’m adding that to my list. Stargazing. Baking. Sibling spying. Polite screaming."

Evelisse tilted her head. "And you?"

"Hm?"

"What do you need?"

Caelith paused. "Maybe just... a place where I’m not expected to be divine or mysterious."

"You’re doing a terrible job at that, by the way," she said sweetly.

"Oh no," he deadpanned. "My entire image, ruined."

They laughed—softly, sincerely.

And somewhere behind them, a tiny firefly spiraled into the shape of a heart, unnoticed.

He stood first, brushing grass from his cloak, then held out his hand to help her up.

She took it, a little more easily this time.

Their fingers didn’t brush by accident.

They stayed there.

Held, gently.

No magic.

No visions.

Just warm hands and matching smiles.

"I’ll visit," he said. "As often as I’m allowed. I want to know more about the girl behind the crown."

"And I’ll show you the secret garden," she replied. "But only if you promise not to touch the angry daisies."

"I wouldn’t dream of it."

She grinned.

Then—

A flicker.

The wind shifted. Again.

Evelisse’s smile faltered.

But Caelith just squeezed her hand.

"I’ll stick close," he said.

And this time, she believed it.

Even if the stars weren’t out yet... she knew they were watching.

Waiting.

And maybe, just maybe, not all destiny strings were meant to strangle.

Some... could tie hearts gently.