a flower bed

“Your Highness!”

The call was accompanied by the sound of footsteps approaching. The Princess looked up from her teacup, turning to the flowery arbor at the garden’s entrance. Beside her, the Knight rose from their shared seat, her hand tensing around her sword’s hilt.

The footsteps grew louder until a guardsman burst through the arbor into the garden, leaves and petals scattering to the ground in his wake.

“I am here,” The Princess said, her voice calm and measured. “What is the matter?”

“The Queen sent me to fetch you, your Highness. It is a matter of utmost urgency!”

The Princess got up at once, rushing in front of the Knight to approach the young man. “Mother? What has happened?”

“T-the Dragon, your Highness! She has requested you. Immediately.”

A heavy silence hung between them. The Knight could not see what face the Princess was making. Her posture went rigid, but she made no sound, said no words. It felt like time had frozen in that instant, a taut bubble that any word or movement might pop.

When the Princess finally spoke, it was with careful composure. “Send word to my mother and our guest. I will be there as soon as I can.”

With that, the guard bowed and sprinted back the way he came.

Leaving the two of them in that tense pocket of time.

The Knight clenched her jaw. “She demands your presence yet again.”

“It appears so.”

“She has no right.”

The Princess turned to face her then, and that one soft look dissolved all the frustration bubbling in the Knight’s chest .

“Regardless of whether she has the right or not, she is a dragon. A powerful and dangerous being. Any attempt to confront her would be disastrous for the kingdom. If giving her my time is all it takes to keep lives from being lost, I will gladly do so.”

The Knight’s chest tightened. Her charge was too good. Too giving. It hurt to see her so willing to subject herself to the Dragon’s vile mockery for the sake of her kingdom. And the fact she could only stand there and watch made it infuriating. She was supposed to protect the Princess. She was supposed to protect her.

“We should hurry,” The Princess said, primping her hair and her dress before making her way out of the rose garden. “We wouldn’t want our unexpected guest to get impatient.”

Her tone was playful, but it tugged at the Knight's heart. She could only lower her head with a sad smile.

“Yes your Highness.”

The walk to the west hall was quiet. The Knight deeply wished she could speak to fill the silence, but she did not want to interrupt the Princess’ thoughts. She needed this time, to gather herself, to prepare. Her presentation of dignity and grace was convincing, but the Knight could see her brow twitch. A crack in the mask.

When they finally arrived, two guards immediately opened the doors to the balcony. The cool evening air rushed into the west hall, and the Princess shivered.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m quite fine. I just wasn’t expecting the chill.”

“It… was not the cold I was referring to.”

The Princess looked over her shoulder, her brow furrowed. It made the Knight pause. They had already come; it was too late to turn back now. But she couldn’t say nothing. She had to now, while she still had the chance.

“I know you are willing to put up with the Dragon for the sake of the kingdom, but I wish you did not have to. You should not have to. And if she ever upsets you, you merely need to say so and I will step in.”

Once again the Princess turned to face her fully. Her dark eyes were warm and full with deep feeling. Slowly, that familiar smile crept across her face. “Thank you. That means a lot to me. It does. I would not want you to risk the kingdom for my well-being, but the fact you are willing to risk your life for me… It… I can’t put it into words.”

“It is what I swore to do, and I meant every word. I simply cannot stand to see that… creature make you feel uncomfortable.”

The Princess froze for just a moment. She looked down, and her expression changed into sometime different. Something shyer. “She doesn’t make me uncomfortable.”

The words came out in a whisper, barely audible. But the Knight heard it, and her breath caught. "W-"

A rush of air cut her off, followed by another, and another. Each one was perfectly synced with the steady rhythm of beating wings. A loud thud shook the entire hall.

“She is here, your Highness.”

The Princess took a deep breath, and stepped outside, where the unmistakable giant silhouette loomed over the balcony. The Knight could only follow, staying a few steps behind.

“You’ve returned,” said the Princess.

A deep chuckle rumbled from above. The Knight clenched her jaw as a huge claw descended to lift the Princess's chin.

Ama turned to see Joy approaching the windowsill carrying a tray. She wasn’t sure if the human’s slow measured steps were for her benefit or for the sake of the mugs balanced on the tray, but she was grateful nonetheless. The clattering rain on the roof and howling wind were daunting enough without the rumble of human footsteps.

Joy must have read something on her face, because she suddenly stopped. ‘I- I mean I’m not glad you can’t go home like you planned. I would never want you to stay here if you didn’t want to, especially since human houses make you uncomfortable. I just meant- I’m glad you’re not out there.’

‘I’m not uncomfortable here.’ The words left Ama’s mouth without thinking. But once they were out, there was no point in stopping. ‘I only feel uncomfortable in human buildings when I feel trapped or unsafe. But here…’

Her breath caught on the last sentence. She turned her head down slightly, just enough that she wasn’t looking Joy in the eye. ‘I… I’m happy to be here.’ With you.

The last two words hovered in the air unsaid. Joy did not need to hear them to understand. The nervous stain on her expression dissolved completely. She beamed, and it lit up the whole room.

The sight made Ama’s cheeks grow warm. Her lacy wings fluttered. She quickly turned back to the window. ‘Besides,’ she quipped, ‘ only a very brave or a very stupid fairy would risk flying in that.’

Joy let out a soft chuckle. Ama giggled along with her, letting the stored tension out of her body. After a moment of quiet relief, she felt the vibrations of Joy coming closer until the human sat down and set the tray on the windowsill beside her.

‘I made you some hot chocolate.’

‘You didn’t have to,’ Ama said.

Joy moved the smaller mug towards her. ‘I know. But I wanted to.’

‘Thanks.’ She’s too good to me.

A comfortable quiet fell between them as they sat together, sipping hot chocolate and watching the storm. Ama loved these moments. Being with Joy in peace. No pressure to fill an awkward void with empty chatter, especially when she could never think of interesting things to say. Just the two of them enjoying each other’s company. Although, she also loved listening to Joy. She’d happily hang on every word her human said, no matter what the subject. In the end, I guess I just don’t like talking myself.

Wait.

Her human? Had she thought of Joy as… hers? The idea of it made her heart skip a beat. It was… confusing. In a way, Joy was hers, just as she was Joy’s. So why did it feel so strange to think like that? When this whole thing began it felt so abstract, like nothing had really changed between them. It still felt like the warm comfortable friendship they’d developed over time. And for a while she assumed that’s just how it works. But, every now and then, there were moments where Ama’s stomach would drop, and her wings would flutter. Moments like this…

Her Joy?

A gentle voice broke through her thoughts. ‘You know, since you’re going to be here ‘til tomorrow, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask.’

Ama did her best not to jump. The last thing she wanted was to make Joy think she scared her. She gathered her composure as quickly and subtly as she could before turning to face the human. ‘What might that be?’

To her surprise, Joy looked away. ‘It just so happens that tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. It’s- well… It’s a special day when we celebrate romantic love.’

Ama blinked. She felt her cheeks grow warm again.

‘So, I was maybe wondering if- perhaps- if you wanted to- we could maybe- I don’t know… have a special date tomorrow?’

Another silence fell, but this one felt charged with nervous energy. A date? Like, human courting? They… had never done that before. And that’s when something sparked in Ama’s mind. They had never done actual courting- dating. They had been spending time together. Having fun together. Talking together. All the things they were doing before-

Before this started. Nothing had changed. Ama had assumed that was simply how it worked but…

Perhaps things had been a little too comfortable. Have I been taking this too slow? Have I been taking Joy for granted?

She forced herself back out of her own head, back to Joy. The human was still looking away, her long dark hair forming a curtain in front of her face. Ama hated that. She didn’t want Joy to hide from her. She had to give an answer.

The little fairy moved towards the human’s hand on the windowsill. The hand was much bigger than her, easily capable of holding her, just like on that day. In the past, the thought of a human hand holding her was the most terrifying thing she could imagine. But now she moved closer, reaching for it. For her Joy.

I don’t know much about relationships or romance. I don’t know what you’re supposed to do or how you’re supposed to feel. But I do know that I care about you. And I love to see you smile. And even though there’s so much about this that I don’t know, if it’s with you, I’m willing to learn.