Chapter 127 - 126: Check, But Not Mate
The next day, Lumberling waited beneath the shade of the tall tree by the training grounds, expecting the familiar flash of blue and green from Vaenyra’s approach.
Instead, footsteps, measured, calm, and almost too quiet, announced someone else.
He turned and blinked.
Thessalia approached, her long green hair tied back in a loose ribbon, the shade matching her intelligent, emerald eyes. Her figure was sculpted with quiet elegance, graceful curves beneath a modest high-collared robe. Pale skin, long lashes, and a face that looked like it had been chiseled from ivory. Always serious. Always composed. Like someone who weighed every word before letting it pass her lips.
"Hey," he called out, stepping forward.
She looked at him with that calm, unreadable expression. "Good morning."
"No Lady Vaenyra today?"
Thessalia gave a small shake of her head. "She’s occupied. You’ll be studying magical theory today," she said, turning slightly and gesturing toward the shade beneath the tree. "That’s why I’m here."
"Oh." He followed her. "I see."
They sat on the grass. Thessalia pulled out a leather-bound notebook and opened it with deliberate care.
Lumberling glanced at her sideways. She didn’t offer more than what was needed, no smiles, no small talk. Just the cool professionalism of a scholar doing her job.
Still... for someone like her to spare time for him?