Being in Elincia's presence became easier the longer they were together. Caspian assumed that the initial shock of being reunited with his childhood friend, and then realizing that said childhood friend had gone from being a gangly child to a gorgeous young woman, had worn off.

"Sorry I can't show you around some the shops," Caspian said. "A lot of people have arrived in the city because of the festival, so everything is pretty crowded."

Elincia shook her head. "It's okay. We can always tour the city another time. I'm more interested in spending time with you."

The way Elincia's lips curved upwards was so sweet and pure, the kind of smile that no male would have been able to resist. Caspian certainly couldn't, which lead to him returning her smile.

Having unsuccessfully tried to navigate through the city due to the crowds, Caspian and Elincia left the main avenue, and instead they walked around until their wanderings took them to a small park.

A cornucopia of colorful flowers lined the grassy field, beautiful and fragrant, their scent invading the mind and stimulating the senses, leaving only a gentle calm in their wake. Large bonterra trees lined either side of the cobblestone path, upon which he and Elincia tread. Park benches were interspersed throughout the park, situated on either side of the path, which was wide enough to fit at least twenty people walking shoulder-width apart.

He and Elincia walked side by side. They were no longer holding hands. Elincia walked with a casual grace, her hands clasped behind her back. Caspian felt graceless by comparison.

She no longer wore the bulky cloak, revealing that, underneath the large article of clothing was a white gown. It was a one-piece dress. The sleeves were long, but they were cut through the middle halfway down her wrists, allowing them to elegantly flow out like streamers as they traveled past her hands. Gold embroideries lined the hems, and she wore a purple sash around her waist. A pair of sturdy yet elegant brown boots kept her small feet protected.

Caspian knew it was wrong of him, but as he observed his childhood friend, he couldn't help but notice all of the physical changes that she'd undergone. He observed the gentle swell of her breasts, which confirmed that Elincia had, indeed, blossomed into a young woman since they'd been apart. The dress revelled in the slimness of her waist before flaring out around her hips and shapely derriere. Seeing her like this made his throat feel strangely parched.

"Caspian?" Elincia asked, startling him.

"Wha—um, yes?"

"Are you feeling okay? You've been staring off into space."

"Oh... yes, I'm fine. I was just noticing that, well..."

When Caspian trailed off, an inquisitive Elincia spun around until she was in front of him. Now walking backwards, she leaned forward and stared into his eyes.

"Yes?"

"Ah, no, it's just that..."

"What is it?"

Caspian knew that he was blushing, but he could do nothing to stop it. "Ele... you've really... grown up..."

Elincia's eyes widened as she quickly cottoned on to what he meant. "Oh." Her cheeks lit up again. "T-thank you."

She turned around, presenting her back to Caspian as they walked. At first, he worried that he'd said something wrong. However...

"I think you've also become quite... handsome," she said, still not quite looking at him.

"I-is that so?"

"Um." Elincia nodded.

Caspian absentmindedly scratched at his cheek. He was beginning to hate himself. Just when things had become less awkward, he had to go and say something stupid.

He and Elincia weren't the only ones walking through the park. While most of the people were up on Main Street, enjoying the preparations for the festival, several people who'd probably had the same thought as them also strolled through the park. Most of them, Caspian noticed, were couples.

Maybe it's just me, but I feel all of the people around us are making things more awkward. Great.

As they continued to walk in silence, Caspian struggled to find something that they could talk about. After eight years of being apart, they should have had hundreds of topics to discuss. That he seemed unable to think up a single subject bothered him intensely. He felt like ripping out his hair.

"Ah! Is that a crepe stand?" Elincia asked, drawing Caspian's attention away from his own struggles. He saw where Elincia was looking—at the permanent stand shaped like a square with a red roof and overhang. Two people stood inside of the stand; an older gentleman and a young girl—his daughter, Caspian assumed.

He grinned. "You always did like crepes. In fact, as I recall, you once ate over thirty of them in a single sitting, and the only reason you didn't eat anymore was because you got sick. I also recall that your stomach became quite... enlarged from being stuffed with so many sweets."

"D-did you have to bring that up?" Elincia asked, her expression reminiscent to someone who'd accidentally made a faux pas and was only now realizing it.

"What did you call it when we got back home?" Caspian mused, stroking his chin as he feigned a thoughtful look. "A food baby? I think I remember you telling me that I was the reason you got like that, and that I needed to take responsibility for it."

Elincia's embarrassed look went away, replaced by an adorable pout complete with puffed out cheeks. "And as I remember, you told me that you couldn't be blamed for something that I did to myself, yet you were the one who bet me that I couldn't eat thirty crepes."

"And who was the one who accepted?" Caspian asked with a teasing smile.

Elincia narrowed her eyes at him. Caspian's smile widened. Her lips twitched, fighting a grin. He chuckled. Before long, he and Elincia were snickering as they reminisced over the past.

"Why don't you sit over there?" Caspian suggested, gesturing to the nearest park bench. "I won't be long. Your favorite is still vanilla and blueberry, right?"

"Yes, and thank you. Oh! But please don't get me thirty crepes, okay?"

"Got it."

Caspian wandered over to the crepe stand, while Elincia sat on the nearest park bench. There was no one else in line. He ordered one cream cheese crepe with bananas and one vanilla blueberry. After paying for the order, he thanked the father and daughter pair, grabbed the wrapped food, and turned around.

He felt irritation shoot through him. Three people were surrounding Elincia--three very familiar people who made Caspian scowl upon just seeing them.

Of all the people we could run into...

"Your beauty is more refined than the most expensive silk tapestries. Someone with such exquisite magnificence should not allow themselves to be manhandled by brutes like that plebeian, Sol."

The compliments and insults spewed from the mouth of Julius, who wore civilian garb that day—the expensive kind that cost more than most houses. Black silk pants and leather boots covered his muscular legs. He wore a white silk shirt. Thrown over for good measure was a dark vest with golden epaulettes. A pair of gloves covered his hand, and his weapon, a surprisingly thin fencing sword, hung from a belt with gold embroideries at his waist.

His two friends, who were always with him, stood on either side of Elincia, essentially fencing her in. Caspian's friend looked both nervous and displeased.

"I do not know who you are, but I'll not have anything to do with someone who would insult my best friend. Please leave."

"Friend?" Julius sneered as if he'd just tasted something unpalatable. His expression soon cleared up, however, and a smile crossed his face. "I see what is going on here. That boorish peasant must have tricked you into think he was of noble lineage. What did he do? Did he tell you that he goes to Arcadia's Knight Academy? Spin lies about how well off his family is? I am not one for hurting a young lady, but I must regretfully inform you that anything and everything that pissant has told you is a lie. Please, do not let yourself be bogged down by such an uncouth plebian. Come with me, and I shall dazzle you with gold and shower you with praise."

Julius reached out to place a hand on Elincia's shoulder, but she slapped it away. She glared at at the boy. Caspian had never seen her wear such a stern expression.

"Caspian has never told me a single lie in his entire life, nor would he ever. I do not know what your relationship with my friend is, but I have known Caspian for ten years—long before he went to this academy. Now, I ask again, please leave."

It was at this point that Caspian decided to step in. Julius was clearly growing infuriated. His clenched hands shook with fury, and his shoulders were bunched and quivering, as if he was on the verge of backhanding Elincia. If Caspian didn't do something fast, then the situation would take an even worse turn.

"Is there a problem here, Julius?" he asked, causing Julius and his two goons to spin around. Caspian frowned as he tried to remember their names. He believed it was Chronus and Cronos... or maybe it was Coro and Caro? He could never remember.

"Sol." Julius flipped his hair behind his shoulder. Caspian clenched his teeth when the other teen's blond locks smacked Elincia in the face. "What sort of loathsome fabrications have you been recounting to this girl? I do not know what lies you have instilled within her head, but I shall not allow such an injustice to go unpunished!"

"Did you not listen to her, or have your ears been stuffed so full of wax that you couldn't hear them? Ele is my friend from childhood, and if you know what's good for you, then you'll leave this instant--unless you'd prefer to find out first hand why I'm ranked second place within the academy."

"Hmph! What a childish attempt at dodging your rightful punishment." Snorting, Julius pulled off his left glove and tossed it at Caspian, who had no hands to catch it with, and thus let it smack him in the chest. "I challenge you, Caspian Ignis del Sol, to an honorable duel. Should I win, you will repent your villainous ways, apologize to the fair lady for brainwashing her, and never darken her doorstep again."

"We're not even at her house," Caspian muttered before sighing in resignation. "I accept those terms. However, if I win, then you have to not only apologize for intruding on mine and Elincia's time together, but you must also run around Main Street in nothing but your skivvies." He saw Julius hesitate and smiled. "You could always back down, of course. I won't tell anyone that you were too afraid to face me in combat."

Julius's face turned puce. "Who said I was afraid! I'll take you on anytime!"

We haven't even traded any particularly praiseworthy banter, yet look at him. This idiot has already lost his head. Defeating him is going to be easy.

Julius unsheathed his fencing sword as his two goons moved away. Meanwhile, Elincia rushed over to Caspian, worry etched all over her face.

"Caspian, I really don't think this is a good idea."

She was probably right. Fighting among students were forbidden. If someone said something, then both he and Julius would be expelled.

Caspian didn't care. "He insulted you. I do not mind if people insult me. I'm more than used to it by now. But, I will not brook some misbegotten, inbred fool slandering you like that. He needs to learn that just because he's rich doesn't mean he has the right to look down on others."

"But you don't even have a weapon!"

"Then I'll just have to improvise," Caspian said before pushing the crepes into Elincia's hands. "Here, hold these for me, please."

Elincia frowned at him. Caspian knew what she was thinking. He could practically see the gears turning in her head.

"You're going to go through with this no matter what I say, aren't you?"

"Yes. I can accept insults aimed at myself, but I won't accept someone insulting you."

"You've always been like this." Elincia sighed. "You're too overprotective. I've grown up, you know? I'm not the same little girl who hid behind you when we were attacked by a stray dog."

Caspian smiled. "Even if you say that, I still can't rid myself of the memory of a little girl who cried after Sylvia chased off said stray. Besides, it wouldn't be a good idea to let anyone know that you're a sorceress right now."

While Elincia could easily get Julius to back off if she revealed who she was, it was clear to Caspian that she'd come unattended, meaning that Sylvia either didn't know, or was just finding out, that his friend was gone. The last thing they needed was for someone to realize this fact.

"I... very well, I'll concede. You've made a good point. I'll let you fight this battle, but please, be careful."

"I promise."

Caspian turned to Julius, who was doing a few practice swings. He had to admit, foolish and annoying though he was, Julius did possess some talent with a blade. His form was impeccable, and his thrusts were swift. Caspian would still beat him, but the battle may prove somewhat difficult since he didn't have a weapon.

Of all the times for me to not bring my sword...

"Telling the girl more lies, Sol?" Julius asked with an ugly sneer.

"More like reminiscing about a shared past," Caspian returned fire. "Unlike you, I would never falsely boast about my accomplishments to flirt with women. I'm not a reprobate."

Julius snarled. "Enough talk! I'm going to enjoy putting you in your place!"

Feeling adrenaline pump through his bloodstream, heightening his senses and enhancing his reflexes, Caspian grinned.

"You're more than welcome to try." He beckoned the enraged Julius to battle. "But I can promise you this: no matter how hard you try, you'll always come up short."

With an enraged battle cry, Julius charged at him.

The whistling of steel cutting the air was heard throughout the park.