Academic gathering with a lich

As William was about to open up, Betty squinted her eyes, looking beside William. Or rather, she was observing William as a means of disguise, focusing on a certain spot in the bar.

"They’re still here, still watching you, William."

"I’m aware, Miss Betty."

They were two men sitting in the guest seats, draped in deep purple robes, with the symbol of the Arcane Eye embroidered on their wide hoods, and the shadow of magic completely disguising their faces. It was common to disguise oneself in the Light and Dark District, but even the bold Outlaws would not dare disguise themselves as the masters of this moving city-state. They came from the Secret Pivot Council and were enforcers of the city’s law. In the grey area of the Light and Dark District, Arcanists usually did not stay for long, and they knew all too well how unwelcome they were by the locals. Besides, the level of liquid in their cups hadn’t changed a bit, standing out in the crowd like a sore thumb.

"Have they taken a particular interest in me? Has my smuggled identity been exposed?" William remembered the last time he had presented his Demon Race disguise documents for inspection.

"That’s no big deal, William. A charge of smuggling, compared to the crimes carried by those dancing around us, is like dust," Betty said, her eyes roving. "Unless you’ve offended them in some other way, it’s probably just your magic."

William sighed in relief. "Whatever it is, good or bad, life goes on as usual, something I learnt back in my circus days."

Betty burst into a hearty laugh, bright as the morning light filtering through the leaves. "Is pursuing Fannila also part of your life?"

"Yes, it’s an important part of my life," William thought to add that she could become his future, but the image of an angry Anna flashed through his mind, and the words stopped at his lips, unspoken.

Betty felt William’s response, and her body shuddered unnaturally, her hands crossed over her legs, a steady palm pressing down on another that trembled.

"Miss Betty, are you alright?" William noticed Betty’s unease, stretching out an arm to signal all was well. But her other arm seized the opportunity to move swiftly upwards, covering her own face.

This was a bad habit of Miss Betty’s, her body would occasionally be uncoordinated during conversations, supposedly a problem left over from childhood. William thought to himself that Miss Betty must put a lot of effort into masquerading as normal, without any signs, surely she had practiced in private for a long time.

"I’m fine, please continue, Mr. William. What more do you wish to know about Fannila today? I am one of her kin, and I will tell you everything I know."

William took out the white jade bracelet from his pocket.

"I have prepared a gift for Fannila, it’s not ready yet. I plan to engrave a spell meant for luck on the inner wall of the bracelet with an inscription before giving it to her. What do you think, Betty? Will she like it?"

Betty accepted the bracelet and, through a mix of bashful and teasing looks, her voice was filled with joy and a barely noticeable quiver.

"Have you done your research on what elves like? William."

"Indeed, I have invited Candy to accompany me. He is a trustworthy friend."

"A very sincere gift, William. Every elf will appreciate such a gift, and Fannila will too." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"That’s wonderful to hear. I’ll give it to her in person the next time we meet."

A genuine delight appeared on William’s face, and Betty’s smile similarly reflected happiness.

"William, I don’t quite understand. According to what you’ve said, your encounter with Fannila was just a brief journey together. Why would you, why would you fall for... this elf you scarcely know?"

"To be exact, I met her twice. The first time was just an astonishing feeling, like seeing moonlight in the darkness. She left a profound impression on me, and due to special reasons, I felt a mix of concern and panic regarding her."

"Perhaps that unusual feeling of shame is also the basis on which the feelings in my heart fermented."

"Our second encounter was in Hamlet, sharing an adventure together."

"Calling it an adventure might be an overstatement, as my involvement wasn’t deep. It was more like waking up after a hazy sleep."

"So, that night might be the only real takeaway from my journey."

"Fannila and I had stayed at the same inn during our travels. It was late at night, and I couldn’t sleep because I was worried about what we were about to encounter. I ran into her in the hallway of the inn. At the time, she was playing a harp on the windowsill, under the moonlight. She told me she was mourning those suffering souls."

"Fannila, the special elf girl in my eyes, and I talked for a while. There was something about her that resonated with me, some strange parts." William recalled some good times, his gaze became distant, and a smile appeared on his face. "You might not know, but Fannila had run away from home, albeit with the hidden consent of her elders, and came to the City of Wandering by herself. And me, I’m a rebellious guy."

A touch of melancholy crossed William’s face, his beautiful eyebrows furrowing into a frown.

"Fannila is also a rebellious soul, at least, normal elves don’t get caught up in swindles," Betty snickered.

"Hahaha, yes, that’s also one of her charms, at least in my eyes."

Betty looked at William.

"Then why don’t you confess?"

"I will."

"When?"

"When I feel the time is right."

"..." Betty looked at William speechlessly, "You like her, don’t you, William?"

"I suppose I do."

"Then why don’t you say it?"

"Because I like her too much, I don’t want to be rejected by her, so I’m afraid to speak."

Betty stroked the emerald on her chest.

"It’s you guys who have heart but no courage that make all the people around you who care about you really anxious. And it bothers me, too."

"What?"

"Nothing." Betty suggested, almost as if it was an order. "William, if Fannila accepts your gift, then you should take the opportunity to confess. You’ll surely be accepted."

"Yeah, I’ve been thinking the same."

The chat came to a pause.

"How many times do I have to say it! You’ve got the wrong person!"

Anna’s voice snapped William out of his reverie; in fact, her scream had already drawn the attention of everyone present.

A sturdy figure with a tattered hood over his head had grabbed her fragile arm, revealing two protruding horns through the gap in the black cloth, a member of the Demon Race.

This type of drunken harassment was not uncommon at the Bloody Rose, like the drunk customer who harassed Candy a couple of weeks ago, whom William had frozen into an ice sculpture.

William took out his Magic Wand, this time, he would be more ruthless.

Betty watched William’s steady yet swift pace, her eyes shimmering with a bright emerald hue.

"Human emotions are like the tangled roots beneath the flowers, Fannila."