Chapter : 4

As they settled under the tree, the atmosphere shifted from chaos to a more reflective mood. The laughter faded, leaving a comfortable silence as they each took a moment to appreciate the sunshine filtering through the leaves above them.

Avril, still fidgeting with the sword she had momentarily abandoned, looked at her friends, a softness in her eyes that hadn't been there before. "You know," she began, her voice quieter, almost hesitant, "I don't think I say this enough... I really don't know what I would do without you two."

Leonora raised an eyebrow, playfully nudging her. "What, are we getting all sappy now? Are you going to start crying? Because if you do, I'm going to roll away."

"Oh, shut up!" Avril shot back, though a smile crept onto her lips. "I mean it! You both know me better than anyone else. I can be myself around you — acting crazy and all." She chuckled, trying to lighten the mood, but it didn't fully mask the sincerity in her tone.

Alexandria leaned in closer, sensing the shift in the atmosphere. "We know how you feel, Avril. It's not easy being the heir of , is it? With all those expectations... it must feel suffocating sometimes."

Avril nodded, her expression turning more serious. "You have no idea. Every day is like a performance—one wrong move, and I'm a disgrace. I'm supposed to be elegant and poised. I'll immediately turn to a disappointment, if I don't follow their orders." She laughed softly, but it was laced with a touch of melancholy.

Leonara smiled gently, her heart swelling with affection for her friends. "You don't have to thank us. Just being you is enough. And honestly? We love you for it."

"Yeah," Alexandria chimed in, wiping a fake tear from her eye. "We wouldn't trade you for all the elegance in the world. I mean, who else would keep us entertained with their dragon-slaying fantasies?"

A laugh escaped Avril, and the tension melted away, replaced by the warmth of friendship. "You two are ridiculous," she said, shaking her head. "But that's why I love you."

"You know," Alexandria said softly, "we're all kind of in the same boat, aren't we? I may be the artist, but I feel the pressure to be perfect too. People expect me to be this graceful, elegant lady who only creates masterpieces. But sometimes I just want to splash paint everywhere and be chaotic!"

Leonora nodded enthusiastically. "And me, with my poetry—everyone expects me to be this perfect little philosopher. But I just want to scribble nonsense about my terrible love life and call it art."

Avril chuckled, feeling lighter as the conversation shifted back to humor. "See? We're all messes together! And that makes it more fun."

"Exactly!" Leonora declared, throwing her arms up as if she had just solved the mysteries of the universe. "We are the misfit trio, and nobody can take that away from us!"

As they settled back into laughter, Avril's heart swelled with gratitude. Despite the pressures of their titles and expectations, they had each other. And that bond was far more precious than any title could ever be.

"Okay, okay, but can we promise one thing?" Avril said, her tone growing serious again.

"No matter what, we always stay this close. No matter what."

"Deal," Alexandria and Leonora replied in unison, sealing their promise with a group hug, laughing and jostling each other, feeling more like sisters than ever.

And as the sun began to set, casting a golden glow around them, they knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together