Freen was pacing back and forth in her chamber, her heart aflutter with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. Today was going to be the day that she's going to ask Rebecca out for a date. She had been planning for this moment for days now, yet the weight of anticipation still settled heavily in her chest.

Her gaze drifted to the ornate mirror that adorned one of the chamber's walls. Taking a deep breath, she met her own reflection, her blue eyes reflecting her nervousness. She had rehearsed what she wanted to say countless times, each practice run a step closer to building her courage.

"Rebecca," she whispered, testing the sound of the name on her lips. It was a name that held a world of meaning for her, a name that had taken residence in her thoughts and dreams. The thought of asking her out on their first date was simultaneously exhilarating and nerve-wracking.

Although they had spent more time together in the last couple days because of her heat, Freen was still nervous. She had never been in a position where she had to ask someone out. It was always the other way around.

With a deep breath, she imagined Rebecca's presence once more and began to speak as if addressing the princess directly.

"Rebecca, there's something I've been wanting to ask you... I've enjoyed our conversations and the moments we've shared, and I was wondering if you'd be interested in going on a date with me."

As she continued her imaginary conversation, Freen tried different variations of her proposal. Each attempt carried a unique nuance. She practiced speaking about Lumina's festival, their shared interests, and the connection she felt with Rebecca. She spoke about how Rebecca being there for her multiple times already and how she fell in love with her for Rebecca's unwavering support and kind and loving nature.

With each practice, Freen refined her words, adjusting her tone to capture the warmth of her feelings. She even anticipated possible responses from Rebecca and practiced her reactions, ensuring that her demeanor would remain confident and genuine.

"I hope you'll consider it, Rebecca. I truly value our time together and I'm eager to share more moments with you... I'll understand if you're not interested, of course, but I wanted to ask and see if you might feel the same way."

After numerous rehearsals, Freen's heart began to settle. She hoped that when the real moment came, her words would flow naturally, and her true feelings for Rebecca would shine through.

Outside her window, the sky was painted in shades of orange and pink, a serene backdrop to the flutter of butterflies in her stomach. As the sun dipped lower on the horizon, casting elongated shadows across the floor, Freen's resolve strengthened.

She knew that she couldn't let her nerves hold her back. Rebecca deserved to know how she felt, and Freen wanted to make her intentions clear, even if this is one aspect of the festival that every heir muse partake in.

With a steadying breath, Freen left her chamber and made her way through the palace's corridors. Her steps were purposeful, each footfall bringing her closer to the moment she had been building towards.

She found herself outside Rebecca's chamber, her heart pounding in her chest. Freen started to pace again, but this time outside Rebecca's door. She tried to be as quiet as possible. She didn't want Rebecca to see her so nervous before she could ask her out.

Summoning her courage, she knocked softly on the door. A few moments passed before the door opened, revealing Rebecca's surprised yet welcoming expression. Freen's words caught in her throat for a moment, the weight of her intentions almost overwhelming. But she couldn't back down now.

"Rebecca," she began, her voice a touch unsteady despite her best efforts. "I was wondering... if you would like to go on a date with me?" Her gaze held Rebecca's, her blue eyes seeking reassurance amidst the vulnerability of the moment. As soon as she saw Rebecca, Freen forgot everything that she had rehearsed in her chambers. She hoped that Rebecca didn't mind and could see her sincerity though.

Rebecca's lips curled into a playful smile as she regarded Freen, her eyes dancing with amusement and affection. The vulnerable moment between them held a different weight now, given the intimacy they had already shared. Freen's nerves were endearing, but Rebecca found herself reveling in the opportunity to turn the tables just a little.

Her voice carrying a teasing lilt, Rebecca took a step closer to Freen, her eyes never leaving the princess's flustered expression. "You know," she began, her tone a blend of innocence and mischief, "I was starting to wonder when you would finally ask me."

Freen's cheeks flushed with a rosy hue, a mixture of embarrassment and delight dancing across her features. "You were?" she asked, a hint of surprise in her voice.

Rebecca chuckled softly, which echoed slightly in the corridor. "Oh, yes," she replied, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "It's not every day that a princess paces outside another princess's chamber looking both excited and nervous... It was quite endearing, really, but I was starting to wonder if you enjoyed pacing outside my door more than the idea of an actual date."

Freen's embarrassment deepened, but she couldn't help but laugh along with Rebecca. "I suppose I wasn't as discreet as I thought," she admitted, shaking her head with a sheepish grin. "I promise you, pacing outside your door wasn't exactly my idea of a fun time," Freen admitted.

Rebecca's teasing softened into genuine warmth, and she reached out to gently touch Freen's arm, her fingers grazing the soft fabric of her sleeve. "You don't have to be discreet with me, Freen," she said, her voice gentle. "I appreciate your honesty and the effort you put into asking me out."

Freen's nerves were now laced with a sense of playfulness, the tension within her releasing like a coiled spring. "I'm glad I could provide some amusement," she said, her voice light and teasing. "And I hope my efforts were enough to earn me a 'yes'."

Rebecca's playful gaze met Freen's, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Oh, you have most definitely earned a 'yes'," she replied, her voice dripping with mock seriousness.

Freen's heart soared at those words, a rush of joy filling her chest. "Really?" she asked, a mixture of excitement and relief in her voice.

Rebecca chuckled softly, stepping closer to Freen and giving her arm a friendly nudge. "Yes, really," she confirmed, her smile radiant. "I've been looking forward to this."

Freen felt a surge of happiness, and she couldn't help but let out a contented sigh of relief. "I'm glad you said yes," she admitted.

Rebecca's smile deepened, and she reached out to gently pat Freen's arm. "And I'm glad you finally asked," she replied, her tone warm and affectionate.

Rebecca's fingers lingered for a moment longer on Freen's arm, before her curiosity sparked, and she raised an eyebrow playfully. "So, when and where will this date of ours take place?" she asked.

Freen's gaze held Rebecca's, her blue eyes twinkling with anticipation. "Ah, that's a surprise," she replied with a wink.

Rebecca's curiosity was piqued, her playful grin matching the mischief in Freen's eyes. "A surprise, huh?" she mused, a playful glint in her own gaze. "Well, I suppose I can handle a little suspense. But don't keep me waiting for too long."

Freen's smile held a touch of conspiratorial delight. "Don't worry, the wait won't be too long," she assured Rebecca.

"Two days from now," Freen finally revealed, her voice carrying a touch of mystery after making Rebecca wait in anticipation for a bit. "I want it to be perfect, and I have a few surprises up my sleeve." Her eyes held Rebecca's in a shared promise, the anticipation between them growing.

Rebecca's smile blossomed, her heart fluttering with anticipation. "I can't wait," she replied, her voice tinged with excitement. "You know I'm always up for an adventure."

Freen's grin widened, mirroring the growing excitement within her. "I know, and that's why I have something truly special planned," she replied, her voice brimming with enthusiasm.

"You already have me intrigued," Rebecca admitted softly. "I have no doubt it'll be amazing."

Freen's eyes sparkled with mischief as she looked around quickly, ensuring that they were still alone in the corridor. And then, before a mischievous grin could fully spread across her lips, she leaned in and placed a swift, sweet kiss on Rebecca's cheek. It was a soft, fleeting connection, a secret stolen in the privacy of the palace's halls.

Rebecca's heart skipped a beat at the unexpected touch of Freen's lips against her skin. Her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue, a mixture of surprise and delight warming her features. "Well, that was unexpected," she remarked with a playful twinkle in her eyes.

Freen's grin widened, her gaze dancing with playful affection. "Consider it a teaser of what's to come," she replied with a wink, her voice a gentle caress. "I'll see you in two days, Rebecca."

With that, Freen turned to leave, her steps carrying a lightness that matched the newfound energy between them. As she disappeared down the corridor, Rebecca stood there for a moment, her heart still racing from the surprise kiss. She touched her cheek with her fingertips, her lips curving into a dreamy smile.