“Ah! That Elizabeth girl! Pretty brown hair, hazel eyes, and the cutest little tushie you've ever seen, of course I know her, lives down the road with her father. 469 Almaine Road.” The old lady says with a knowing smile. “You better hurry, or some beast might snatch her up!” She says before bellowing a laugh.

Siyu gives a bitter grin and bows. “Thank you, my lady. Have a wonderful day.” He says before gesturing to Frey and leading the way.

As Siyu walks down the road, he almost thought his pace was quickening.

**PITTER**

**PATTER**

**PITTER**

**PATTER**

Siyu looks down and lets out a sigh. Nope, that’s just my heart beat… He thinks, defeated.

Frey looks over and could not contain a grin. “So what will you say when you meet our dear Elizabeth again? Will you speak of your yearning as you were away? How destiny allowed you to cross paths once more? The suspense is killing me.” He says with a laugh.

Siyu shakes his head. “Shouldn’t you be more worried about your wife?” He asks.

Frey lets out a demonic smile. “Siyu, I've learned much traveling with you, and I think I’ve come to terms with it, the fact that I do not control the heavens. I’ve also learned about the meticulous control it has over us, and if it knows me as well as I know myself, it will know that to touch a hair on my wife’s head is the same as setting a country on fire.” He says, silence echoing his words, their intensity burning itself on the present.

Siyu smiles. “Oh Frey, how you’ve grown. A proper master now, it seems.” He says, amused.

Siyu looks at the house ahead, an open wooden gateway to welcome them, covered in vines and blooming red flowers. Before them, a pathway. Siyu sighs and walks through the gate.

…

…

**KNOCK**

**KNOCK**

**KNOCK**

The door opens…

A man with dark hair and glasses looks across at Siyu from the screen door. His eyebrows raise. “Can I help you?” He asks.

Siyu also raises an eyebrow. “I’m looking for Master Radford’s home? I was told this was the address.” He says, certain that he went to the right place.

The man’s eyes widen in realization. “Oh, are you acquaintances of Master Radford? If you’re looking for him, he seems to have left for a job. He should be back by the end of the week.” He says.

Siyu lets out a bitter smile and scratches his face. “Actually… We wee looking for Elizabeth. His daughter.” He says, somewhat embarrassed.

The man’s brows furrow, and he closes the door.

Siyu frowns. Then, from inside he heard a call, “Elizabeth!”

The door opens once more, and it was as if spring had begun to bloom. Unknowingly, a smile had blossomed on Siyu’s face.

“Elizabeth.” He calls out, his heart calming, finding comfort.

Elizabeth opens the screen door, and then they were embracing. “Siyu,” She whispers. “You’ve come.” She says, satisfied.

…

…

“Oh, you know, just work. Our dear Frey had gotten lost. The king was worried, so I had to run to the Paz kingdom.” Siyu says with a smile as he sips his tea.

Frey didn’t say anything and simply smiled. He was still watching the show.

Siyu looks over to the dark-haired man who was sitting with them and worry couldn’t help but creep into his heart. “And who’s your friend? We haven’t been introduced.” He says, trying to seem casual.

A blush forms on Elizabeth’s cheek. “This is Jonathan. His father is a close friend of my father’s. We grew up together.” She says, looking down into her teacup.

Siyu maintained his composure, but the tension only increased, until…

***CRACK***

Siyu’s teacup had broken apart, staining the table with tea.

Elizabeth’s eyes widen and she hurriedly gets up to find a cloth to clean the mess.

Siyu stands up and lets out a heavy breath. “Sorry. That was clumsy of me.” He says, turbulent emotions bubbling underneath.

Elizabeth lets out a smile. “Oh, no worries. Accidents happen.” She says as she cleans the mess. She gathers the broken teacup and throws it into the trash, before getting a new teacup, filling the tea and handing it to Siyu, with a gentle rub of the arm. “Be careful.” She says with a teasing smile.

Siyu lets out a smirk. “I’ll try.” He says before sitting down once more.

Jonathan watches this scene and frowns.

Elizabeth settles in her chair. “Well, now that you’re here, you should stay for a few days. We have more than enough room.” She says.

Jonathan’s eyes widen. “With your father gone? No, that's inappropriate. They’ll stay with me.” He says, immediately compromising.

Elizabeth frowns. “There’s no need, Jonathan. They’re my guests and they’ll stay with me. You can rest assured. Both Siyu and Frey are proper gentlemen.” She says, confident in her words.

Frey lets out a smirk. “Perhaps. But what was that thing you used to say, Siyu? A demon with opportunity?” He says before letting out a chuckle.

Siyu shakes his head. “This demon understands manners.” He says.