Rolling forward.

The morning came subtly without the sunlight in sight. 

Elizabeth awoke with a soft yawn as her eyes fluttered open. 

Beside her was Alexander, sleeping peacefully with his arms wrapped around her.

A wide grin crossed Elizabeth's lips as she saw Alexander holding her close. It sent her heart racing and flushed her cheeks.

Of course, she had arranged this precious position with Hinata's help, but those were minor details.

"Oh Alex, you're so handsome when you sleep," Elizabeth whispered as she snuck a finger to his lips. "If only you could see…"

Hinata, who sat leaning against the wall near the window, chuckled. 

"Enjoying your honeymoon, your highness?" She teased, crossing her arms. 

Elizabeth giggled. "Can you blame me?" She replied while turning in Alexander's embrace. 

Now facing Hinata, she continued. "This is the only time I'll ever see him NOT running away."

Hinata smirked, tilting her head. "I suppose that's true. I can almost imagine his reaction when he wakes up. The jittery awkwardness of a boy with her highness's heart."

"Such poetry, you should write a book." Elizabeth teased. "I'd buy it anyway."

Hinata sighed. "No time, not when duty calls."

Elizabeth groaned. "Ah, yes… You know I don't understand why Mother did what she did." 

Hinata nodded. "Killing a member of the Camille family was certainly… ambitious." 

She then shook her head. "Life goes on; however, the Camille family has already announced Lord Arthur's replacement, Lord Baylen."

"And Chloe?" Elizabeth asked. 

Hinata shifted uncomfortably. 

"From what I know, she has left the academy… permanently."

Elizabeth frowned slightly conflicted. "That explains why she doesn't respond to my letters."

"You're not responsible for Her Majesty's actions, like Lady Chloe and her father." 

Hinata reassured, stepping away from the wall to stretch. "Besides, today's a big day, the second match of the Pathfinder games."

Elizabeth sighed with a soft smile. 

She turned to look back at Alexander, tracing a finger down his jaw as she bathed in his quiet comfort. 

"I'd trade a thousand games to stay like this a single second longer." She whispered, before slowly sitting up with a yawn and a stretch. 

She then looked down at Alexander and placed her cold hand on his cheek. "Wake up, Alex. You've got a big day ahead of you."

Alexander stirred slowly, only truly waking up when Elizabeth pinched him. 

His eyes snapped open as a sharp yelp escaped him. 

"Ow, hey!" He quickly sat up, meeting Elizabeth's gaze. 

"What was that…" 

Alexander trailed off as he massaged his cheeks. 

Slowly he realized where he was and who he was talking to. "E-Elizabeth?" He stammered, 

"How did I…?"

Elizabeth giggled as she shook her head. "Good morning, Alex." She whispered, "Did you sleep well?"

Alexander blinked, before dropping his hand with a nervous chuckle. His last clear memory was being smacked in the head by a spinning wooden ball. 

Everything else was a blur.

"Uh, morning Elizabeth," Alexander replied. 

Elizabeth leaned forward, "You were certainly a handful last night, quite literally in Hinata's case." 

She then gestured towards Hinata. "She had to carry you like a sack of potatoes."

"Quite the heavy sack, I might add." Hinata teased, before moving to open the windows. 

The sky was smoky and gray, as it usually was for the island nation. 

Alexander seemed to rest comfortably under Hinata's gaze. 

"Thank you." He replied gratefully. "I owe you one."

He then swung his legs over the bedside with a groan. 

While standing up, Elizabeth followed after him. "Leaving already?" She asked curiously.

Alexander raised his eyebrows as he straightened out his clothes. 

"Yeah, if I remember correctly we're heading to Loire Academy for the match."

"You have an away game?" 

Elizabeth asked, a knowing look in her eyes as she tilted her head.

Alexander nodded. "Yeah, I don't want Raphael breathing down my neck for being late." 

He explained, rubbing the back of his neck. 

Elizabeth's eyes sparked as she watched Alexander head towards the door. 

"Well don't keep him waiting." 

She then followed after him, reaching for his hand. "But… don't push yourself either, Alex."

Alexander shivered as he felt Elizabeth's hand mingle with his. His face warmed when he met her gaze. 

"Y-yeah." He whispered.

There was a moment of silence between the two, Elizabeth's touch both gentle and electric. 

As her stared into her eyes, his chest tightened. 

He'd never get used to this, how close Elizabeth got to him. 

It was always a battle between passion and ambition when it came to his feelings for her. 

"Elizabeth, I… I have to go, you know?" He finally spoke, clearing his throat as he broke the silence. 

Elizabeth pouted, squeezing his hand before letting go. "Always running." She teased.

Alexander nodded once more. "See you later, Elizabeth." He replied before quickly leaving. 

The door closed with a click as he slipped into the hallway. 

Outside, Alexander jogged towards the practice field. 

His heart was still pounding from his encounter with Elizabeth. 

Everything about her made him scream. He had to repeat to himself over and over that, 'she's just a friend.' 

But was that still true?

— — —

The practice field was lined with two buses, several players, a few staff, and bags of equipment. 

The buses were reminiscent of those early 20th-century versions. Boxy, with wooden wheels and large circular headlights.

Their engines rumbled with a deep guttural sound. The kind that vibrated through the ground and into your bones. 

Spotting Raphael barking orders with his clipboard, Alexander quickened his pace. 

The closer he got, the stronger the fumes of oil became. Though he smelled it before, it was always an alien experience. 

"About time, little brother," Raphael called out, finally turning around. His voice was sharp as always, but there was more fire in his eyes. 

A burning determination Alexander couldn't place. 

"Be glad I didn't have to come get you, otherwise your morning would've been a whole lot more… explosive." 

He chuckled deeply, before gesturing towards the second bus. 

Alexander rolled his eyes as he jogged toward the bus. Unlike Elizabeth, Raphael unnerved him in an entirely different manner. 

A mixture of repulsion and frustration. 

As he boarded the second bus, he was greeted with quiet chatter and hardened expressions. 

Stepping past the worn leather and making his way to the back. Alexander spotted Jules sitting alone with two gym bags and wooden weapons beside him. 

Karl was nowhere to be seen. 

"Morning, Sir Alexander," Jules said as he moved the bags and weapons. 

"Kind of you to join me." He teased, before looking up. 

Alexander sighed as he took his seat. "When did you guys arrange all of this?" 

Jules crossed his arms and frowned. 

"Raphael went down the hall and awakened us all with fire rocks. It was as if a shell went off right under the door." 

Alexander's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"

Jules nodded. "Quite serious, however, it was more of a fright than a threat." He then shrugged. "Consider yourself fortunate you have the protection of our dear princess." 

"Oh for the love of–"

"Relax." Jules quickly replied. "I was only teasing… mostly."

Alexander groaned as he settled into his seat. "Go to hell." He muttered, before turning his attention towards the window. 

The buses soon lurched forward and the academy began rolling back. 

The sky, gray and smoky hung low. Holding its breath in anticipation of the upcoming match.