The tranquility of the dense woods was a stark contrast to the lively festival Kaari had just left behind after having the greatest time of her life.
She was exhausted, yet somehow, she felt lighter than she had in years, even with her tendency to feel drained when surrounded by large crowds.
'Though I wonder if I can still make it up there.' She worried her exhaustion might cause trouble for Lex, especially since he was already going out of his way to make the night so enjoyable for her.
She had adamantly refused Lex's suggestion to watch the fireworks from the town hall after the dance as this was the first time he had about up about his childhood.
It would take a lot more than her tired, aching body to pass up such a rare chance to learn about the otherwise mysterious Kaxarene.
That is what friends were for after all, right?
Fortunately for her, Lex picked up on her worried thoughts and saw how quickly she was falling behind during their long hike up the hill for the much-anticipated show.
Secretly hoping to catch another glimpse of her smile from before, Lex offered to carry her the rest of the to the top, but her response was not exactly what he had anticipated.
"No offense, Kaari, but at this pace, we'll be watching the show on the way up. It'll be quicker if I gave you a lift instead of making you walk with me."
"I'm perfectly capable of making it up on my own." She tried to decline his offer, but Lex remained unconvinced.
"And have me listen to you groan in pain the entire way up? I'll pass, thanks." He replied with a hint of sarcasm, though his tone carried no malice. "Even if you refuse to admit it, I'm well aware that you've spent all of your energy conquering the dance floor."
"Come on now." He opened up his arms, beckoning Zeya to come over to where he stood. "I don't bite, unless you want me to, of course."
The emperor chuckled, watching Kaari's face flush bright red at his remarks before she reluctantly followed his orders.
With one fluid motion, Lex scooped Kaari off her feet and into his arms, holding her bridal style as she kept her arms awkwardly wrapped around herself to avoid touching him more than necessary.
The close proximity to the attractive emperor left her heart refusing to calm down since, and she could only pray that Lex hadn't noticed how violently her heart was beating against her chest.
"...Did you have a good time today, princess?" He asked suddenly, breaking the heavy yet comforting silence between them. "Aside from all that dancing you did, of course. It's pretty obvious how much you enjoyed it."
Kaari nodded earnestly as a response, earning a small chuckle from the Kaxarene.
"That... was the most fun I've had in years." She admitted while looking off to the distance, too embarrassed to look at Lex as she spoke. "I can barely lift my arms, but I feel so... alive. I'll probably remember this day for as long as I live."
"Such lovely words to say for an action so trivial." Lex hummed in amusement, clearly pleased by her response. "Let us hope you don't cry tears of joy during the show, shall we?"
Kaari glanced up at Lex to protest, only to catch him already watching her, his deep emerald eyes glimmering with an unreadable expression in the dim light.
Yet, unlike before, it no longer frightened her.
Instead, she could only think of how handsome he looked under the soft glow of the moonlight and how her heart fluttered at just everything he did.
"I'm serious, Lex." She glanced away quickly, feeling her cheeks burning despite the gentle breeze drifting through the woods. "I hope you know I'm grateful for everything you've done for me all these years."
She felt his body tense at her words, though his face stayed the same as always, calm and unreadable.
"I made you a promise that night when you agreed to dance with me, didn't I? That I'd protect you from anything, as long as you're by my side."
His words were straightforward, but there was a gentle undertone that assured Kaari his frustration wasn't directed at her.
"Back then, I asked you to do something difficult, and yet you accepted."
"... And for what happened earlier today, I simply stood up for what I saw was right, nothing more." The resolve in his voice told Kaari he didn't regret standing up for her, even if it had come across the wrong way at first. "You are Imnolyn's princess and its sole heir, you deserved to be up there with the rest of us, that is how I see it."
"It's not special treatment because I've seen you work tirelessly, day and night, to prove yourself."
Kaari didn't respond to his unexpected compliments, but the warmth blossoming in her chest made it clear how much they meant to her in a moment when she had felt otherwise.
And Lex, being as vigilant as he was, noticed her face scrunch up adorably as she struggled to hold back her tears, determined not to dampen his clothes.
He decided to leave her alone this time, figuring it was smarter not to draw attention to something she might find embarrassing, and chose instead to focus on getting to their destination on time.
Fortunately, it didn't take them much longer to finally reach the top of the hill, and the scenery that greeted the pair was breathtaking, at least that was the case for Kaari.
"W-Wow...This... This is just wonderful." Kaari spoke with wide-eyed wonder, her attention locked on the view before her.
Her gaze remained fixated on the scenic view as Lex guided her by the hand to a fallen log, perfectly placed for enjoying the show.
He settled onto the fallen log beside the princess, their hands still intertwined though neither felt the need to point it out.
"The show should start any moment now-"
The first fireworks exploded just as he finished speaking, and while the princess eagerly turned to watch the colorful display, Lex kept his gaze on her, finding her far more captivating than the show he had grown used to watching with his mother countless times as a child.