THE PLACE WHERE HEARTS MEET
834 Words
The Year One examinations were finally over.
For the first time in weeks, the halls of Eldoria Royal University were no longer filled with anxious students carrying heavy books.
Laughter echoed across the campus.
Some students hurried home to spend the holiday with their families.
Others wandered around the city, enjoying the freedom they had been longing for.
Inside the girls' dormitory apartment...
Aurora stretched lazily across the sofa.
"I refuse to read another book for at least two weeks."
Arina laughed.
"I thought you liked studying."
"I do."
Aurora groaned dramatically.
"But I also like sleeping."
The three girls burst into laughter.
Octavia smiled, but her thoughts drifted elsewhere.
She hadn't seen Lincoln since the day they met at the Royal Ball.
She quietly wondered...
Was he thinking about her too?
---
Meanwhile...
Inside Nightfall Palace...
Lincoln stood by the window of his private chamber.
A mountain breeze slipped through the open balcony doors.
His thoughts wandered to a girl with beautiful orange-red curls and emerald eyes.
A gentle knock sounded.
"Come in."
Arina stepped inside with a playful smile.
"You've been standing there for fifteen minutes."
Lincoln smiled.
"Have I?"
She folded her arms.
"You miss someone."
Lincoln chuckled softly.
"Perhaps."
Arina grinned.
"She's still in Eldoria."
Lincoln looked at her.
"How do you know?"
"Because she told me she and Aurora are staying in their dormitory apartment for a few more days before returning home."
A small smile appeared on Lincoln's face.
Without another word...
He picked up his coat.
Arina laughed.
"I knew it!"
---
That afternoon...
Octavia decided to take a walk alone.
The streets of Eldoria were alive with music and laughter.
She wandered through flower-lined paths until she reached a place she had never visited before.
Beyond a grove of ancient willow trees...
The breathtaking beauty of Lake Seraphine appeared before her.
Crystal-clear water shimmered beneath the afternoon sun.
White swans glided peacefully across the lake.
Wildflowers danced in the gentle breeze.
Octavia smiled.
"This is beautiful..."
She removed her shoes and stepped into the cool water, laughing softly as tiny ripples spread around her feet.
"Careful."
A familiar voice came from behind her.
She turned.
Standing beneath one of the willow trees...
Was Lincoln.
Their eyes met.
For a brief moment...
Neither spoke.
Then they smiled at the same time.
"My Prince."
"Miss Ashford."
She laughed.
"I've told you before."
"You can call me Octavia."
He smiled warmly.
"Then only if you'll call me Lincoln."
She hesitated for a second.
Then nodded.
"All right..."
"Lincoln."
Hearing his name on her lips made something warm stir inside his heart.
---
They spent the afternoon walking around the lake.
They talked about childhood memories.
Favorite books.
Embarrassing moments at the university.
Arina's endless jokes.
Professor Hawthorne's impossible assignments.
Hours slipped away without either of them noticing.
At one point...
Octavia picked up a flat stone.
"Watch this."
She threw it.
The stone skipped seven times across the water.
Lincoln applauded.
"Impressive."
"My father taught me."
Lincoln bent down.
"My turn."
He threw his stone.
It skipped twice...
Then sank immediately.
Octavia burst into laughter.
"You lost."
Lincoln placed a hand over his chest.
"I've been defeated."
She laughed so hard she almost lost her balance.
Before she could fall...
Lincoln instinctively caught her.
His arm wrapped gently around her waist.
For a heartbeat...
Everything became still.
They were so close that they could hear each other's breathing.
Octavia looked into his deep blue eyes.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Lincoln felt exactly the same.
Neither wanted to move.
A swan glided peacefully between them on the lake, breaking the silence.
They quickly stepped apart, both smiling shyly.
---
As evening approached...
The sunset painted the sky in brilliant shades of gold, pink, and crimson.
Lincoln led her to a small hill overlooking the lake.
"This has always been my favorite place."
Octavia admired the breathtaking view.
"I can see why."
They sat together in comfortable silence.
Sometimes...
Silence spoke louder than words.
Octavia looked at him.
"I'm glad I came here today."
Lincoln smiled.
"So am I."
Neither realized it...
But this simple afternoon together had become one of the happiest memories either of them had ever made.
---
When darkness began to fall...
Lincoln walked Octavia back to the dormitory apartment.
They stopped outside the entrance.
"Thank you for today," Octavia said softly.
Lincoln smiled.
"The pleasure was mine."
She hesitated before going inside.
"I hope..."
She looked at him shyly.
"...we'll meet again soon."
Lincoln's smile widened.
"I was hoping you'd say that."
Their eyes met once more.
Neither wanted to say goodbye.
Finally...
Octavia turned and entered the dormitory apartment.
Lincoln remained outside for a moment, watching the light appear in her window.
Only then did he leave.
Above them...
Hidden on a rooftop...
A hooded figure watched silently.
"So..."
"They've grown closer."
The stranger disappeared into the night.
Far away...
Another pair of crimson eyes slowly opened in the darkness.
"The prophecy moves forward..."
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