Ardesco's halls were eerily silent as Raelyn wandered through them. The sunlight poured through the massive arched windows, casting a bright glow on the stone floor beneath her feet. Door after door passed, each one leading to another abandoned room. When she stopped before a red door, something tugged at her, and she reached for the brass doorknob with hesitant fingers. As she turned it and stepped inside, she was greeted by the stillness of an empty classroom.

Her hand brushed against one of the wooden chairs, the roughness of the surface grounding her in the moment. The red door slammed shut behind her, making her spin around with a start.

Standing in the doorway was a young man—a vision of perfect beauty. Blond locks fell over one side of his face, but his smile shone through, warm and inviting. It was Folainn. Raelyn's heart raced at the sight of him. She had known him for what felt like an eternity, though from the first moment their eyes met, she had always admired him from afar. He was everything—handsome, graceful, and flawless in every way.

He stepped forward slowly, his gaze never leaving hers. Raelyn stood frozen, unable to move, unable to speak, her breath catching in her throat. When he gently placed his hands on her arms, the warmth of his touch surged through her body, making her heart thrum wildly. She couldn't breathe as his face drew closer to hers.

Her heart raced, her thoughts scattered. She had never been kissed before—never even imagined this moment. She closed her eyes, waiting for the soft press of his lips against hers.

But instead of the sweetness she expected, something cold and wet brushed against her cheek.

Raelyn's eyes snapped open to find not Folainn, but Rakz, his yellow eyes filled with confusion as his tongue flicked out to nudge her.

"A dream... again," she thought bitterly, her chest tightening as she tried to shake the remnants of the illusion.

When she looked out of her window, she saw the sun rising over the hill. Beams of light shining down on her.

Through her window, she watched the sun rise slowly over the hills, its rays spilling down in golden beams.

"Time for work," she muttered to herself with a heavy sigh.

Raelyn dressed in the same clothes she had worn the day before. Rakz hopped up beside her mattress as she took a knife to slice some bread, folding it into a small pocket in her tunic. A ribbon bound her hair into a simple ponytail. Rakz watched her, his tongue flicking out, and she smiled as she scratched behind his neck. She scooped him into her arms, opening the window to the soft morning air.

"Be a good boy today, Rakz," she whispered, her voice soft but filled with affection.

Rakz met her gaze, his tongue flicking out once more, as though acknowledging her words. Raelyn took her tiny companion in both of her hands and raised it up to her face. Closing her eyes, she placed her forehead against his.

"Happy hunting Rakz." She said after a few seconds.

he placed him on the branch near her window, and he settled there, waiting for her signal.

"Go on, boy," she said, her smile warm. "I'll see you tonight."

Rakz tilted his head, then crawled down the branch and out of sight, vanishing into the trees as Raelyn watched him go.

The walk downstairs to the tavern was quiet. The only sound was the echo of her footsteps on the worn wooden floor. The tavern was empty, save for Ranati, the innkeeper, who called out from behind the bar.

"Your rent's late again, girl."

Raelyn turned and forced a smile. "Today's payday. I'll pay you tonight."

Ranati gave her a look that could freeze water. "You better. Or—"

"Or you'll kick me out," Raelyn finished, rolling her eyes. She turned back to the door. "I'm aware."

With that, she left the tavern and made her way to Ardesco.

The journey was short, but her heart felt heavy as she passed through the massive gates of the school. The courtyard, normally silent, buzzed with life. Students filled the open space, walking in pairs or groups, their laughter and chatter ringing in the air. Raelyn made her way through the crowd, slipping between groups of students until something on her left caught her eye.

Folainn leaned casually against a stone wall, chatting with a girl whose laughter tinkled like chimes in the breeze. The jealousy that twisted inside Raelyn felt sharp. Her stomach churned as she watched them. His hair was swept back behind his ears today, revealing the perfect contours of his face.

Raelyn's heart skipped a beat when he reached out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind the girl's ear. She could hear the girl giggle, and though it was meant to be endearing, it only made Raelyn's pulse quicken in discomfort. A smirk tugged at the corners of Folainn's mouth, and Raelyn felt her world narrow to just the two of them.

But before she could move, a shadow blocked her path.

Magus Corix stood in front of her, his sour expression enough to freeze anyone in their tracks. The man was one of the many magi of Ardesco, but most definitely the least loved. He was a short-tempered and impatient man. His wrinkled face was only covered with short gray hairs at the sides, the bald top reflecting the sunlight. The deep wrinkles around his eyes made his gaze seem even more judgmental.

"Watch where you're going, young lady," he muttered, his voice harsh.

Raelyn flinched and immediately apologized, stumbling over her words. "P-please forgive me, Magus."

Corix sniffed and gave her a long, contemptuous look, as if she had interrupted something far more important than her existence.

"Don't let it happen again," he grumbled, then turned away without another word.

Raelyn exhaled sharply and, with a glance over her shoulder, found that Folainn and the girl were gone. The courtyard now felt even emptier than before.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of menial tasks. Scrubbing floors, washing windows, folding linens—work that didn't leave room for her thoughts to wander. It was the same routine she had grown accustomed to. At the end of her shift, she went up to Keardath's chamber to receive her pay.

Keardath sat at his desk, absorbed in the scrolls spread before him. His glasses magnified the wrinkles on his face as he looked up, surprised by her entrance.

"Ah, Raelyn," he said, smiling warmly. "Didn't hear you come in. Forgive me, so much to prepare."

Raelyn returned his smile, stepping forward. "Of course, Magus."

"What can I do for you today, Raelyn?" Keardath said.

"It is my payday today magus." She chuckled slightly. Keardath nodded and opened a drawer of his desk.

"Of course it is."

He took a small burlap bag and placed it in front of her on the desk. She heard the coins jingle when it hit the wood of the table. She took it and held it in her hands as she looked at the magus. The old man does this every time, trying to trick her.

"Anything else I can do for you Raelyn?" he asked. Raelyn shook her head.

"Not that I can think of magus. Thank you."

Keardath stared back at her when the corners of his lips curled up to a smile and he chuckled. The drawer opens once more and Keardath takes out a smaller bag.

"A few riyans from myself as always." He handed her the bag and laughed "You thought I forgot didn't you." Giggling, Raelyn took the bag and shook her head.

"You had me fooled magus."

Magus Keardath nodded "You fall for it every time."

Raelyn stuffed the bags into her pocket and prepared to leave when Keardath paused.

"Actually, Raelyn," he said, "I need you to do something for me."

Raelyn waited, intrigued, as he shuffled through the scrolls on his desk until he produced a letter.

"Take this to Magus Corix. He's teaching tonight—just give him the letter, and you're free to go."

Raelyn nodded and accepted the letter, her heart already heavy with the thought of facing Corix again.

The walk through the halls of Ardesco was quieter now, the night's chill settling in. She arrived at Corix's classroom and knocked lightly before opening the door. As expected, all eyes turned toward her as she stepped inside, her heart thundering in her chest. The students' gaze felt like a thousand needles, and she wished she could sink into the floor and disappear.

"I..uhm.." she mumbled.

Corix folded his arms and raised his bushy eyebrows "Well..?"

"I... I have a letter," she stammered.

Corix's gruff voice cut through the silence. "Speak up, girl."

She straightened and raised her voice. "I have a letter from Keardath."

Corix raised an impatient hand, and she quickly moved to the front of the class, the weight of every pair of eyes on her. She handed him the letter, and he took his time reading it, his eyes scanning each word with meticulous care.

Finally, he looked up. "I shall return shortly," he muttered, then turned and walked out, leaving her alone in front of the class.

As soon as the door closed behind him the class turned back to her. She felt their stares burning as she looked across the room. Her heart raced when she spotted Folainn's face amongst the students. Raelyn wanted to leave but the moment she took her first step, she felt something tug on the lower end of her tunic. She turned towards the students, her eyes peering over them until she found a guy squinting his eyes as he looked at her focused. The students around him chuckled and she heard a few whispers of encouragement. 

Raelyn panicked and turned to leave when her long tunic flew up to her arms, exposing her legs and stomach to the entire class. Laughter emerged in the room when she tried to force the tunic down but failing. Screaming, Realyn realized her undergarments were revealed to all. Including Folainn. The sound of coins jingling and the small thuds when her two velvet bags hit the floor increased her hysteria.

"My money!" she thought to herself.

Tears of humiliation stung her eyes, but just as quickly as it started, the tunic fell back into place.

Raelyn breathed a shaky sigh of relief as she gathered her fallen bags from the floor. But before she could flee, Folainn stepped into her path, his warm hand resting on her shoulder.

"Leave the poor serving girl alone," he said with a pointed glare.

Raelyn froze. This was the closest she'd ever been to him.

The rest of the class fell silent.

He turned his gaze back to his fellow students, a cruel chuckle escaping his lips. "She might tell her parents." A wicked grin spread across his face as he glanced back at Raelyn. "Oh no... wait... Never mind."

Folainn snorted, and the classroom erupted in laughter at his insult toward the orphan girl. Raelyn's stomach turned. She stood there, frozen, as the room filled with mocking voices. Her mind raced, trying to process what had just happened. If anyone else had made such a comment, she could have brushed it off. But this—this was Folainn. The boy she had admired, the one she had watched from a distance, the one who had always been untouchable.

The words cut deeper than she ever expected. Her heart clenched, and without thinking, she shoved past him, storming out of the classroom, her breaths ragged and harsh. The echoes of laughter followed her down the hall, but she didn't stop.

She ran, the cold night air biting at her skin as she pushed herself faster, her thoughts in disarray. She couldn't believe he had said that—of all people. The betrayal stung sharper than any physical wound. She fought back the tears, refusing to give them the satisfaction of seeing her break. She wouldn't let them see her weakness, not tonight.

By the time she reached The Cup and Staff, her legs burned, her chest tight, but she kept moving, forcing herself through the tavern's noisy door. The usual hum of chatter and clinking glasses filled the air, but it felt muffled to her, like she was trapped in a bubble.

Before she could reach the stairs, Ranati's shrill voice cut through the noise. "Rent!" she yelled from behind the bar.

Raelyn's fists clenched at her sides as she turned to face the innkeeper. Without a word, she grabbed the larger bag of coins from her pocket and slammed it onto the bar. Ranati flinched, taken aback by the sudden display of anger.

"There's your bloody money, you old hag!" Raelyn shouted, her voice dripping with venom. The entire tavern seemed to fall silent in an instant, all eyes turning toward her. The warmth of the room felt suffocating as she glared at the innkeeper. "I hope you can buy a man's love for one night of your miserable life!"

A tear slipped down her cheek, but she wiped it away furiously before it could fall. She didn't want them to see her like this. Without waiting for Ranati's stunned reply, Raelyn turned and stormed up the stairs, her pulse pounding in her ears.

She slammed the door shut behind her, the sound echoing in the small room. The weight of the day bore down on her, and for a moment, she just stood there, trying to steady her breathing. Through the window, she saw Rakz perched on a branch, patiently waiting for her.

Raelyn hurried to open the window, her hands trembling. She pulled Rakz inside, cradling him close as if he were the only thing in the world that could calm her.

The tears she had fought to hold back all night finally fell. She sank to her knees on her mattress, holding Rakz tightly against her chest, his warmth a small comfort in the cold emptiness of her heart. She buried her face in his soft scales, allowing the tears to fall freely now, her sobs echoing through the room.

Rakz, as always, licked her cheek with his cool, rough tongue, his presence offering a strange kind of solace as she lay there, broken and vulnerable. Slowly, the tears came to an end, and exhaustion began to pull at her.

Raelyn closed her eyes, her body aching from the weight of the day, and with Rakz nestled close, she cried herself to sleep.