Back to the Present
Tears welled in Elisabeth's eyes as memories flooded her thoughts. She hastily wiped them away, composing herself before Allen approached her in the mini garden.
"Good evening, my dear queen," Allen greeted her with a respectful bow.
Elisabeth acknowledged his greeting with a nod, her expression stoic.
"I've just received news that Princess Alisha has completed her mission and will be returning home tomorrow," Allen informed her.
A flicker of happiness crossed Elisabeth's face at the news.
"Prepare her room and arrange for her favorite dishes for dinner. We will welcome her back properly," she instructed Allen.
"Yes, my dear queen," Allen replied before leaving to attend to his tasks.
- - - -
In the human world…
"That was an incredible race!" Jenny exclaimed.
"Did you see Slayer's maneuver on that turn? It was amazing! I thought he was going to tumble off the cliff," Vickey added excitedly.
"I was holding my breath the whole time!" Alex chimed in.
"Thanks, Lea, for making sure we didn't miss out on this!" Rayan expressed his gratitude.
"It was nothing, really," Lea replied with a modest smile.
Liam draped his arm over Lea's shoulder and interjected, "Give credit where it's due. You don't have to downplay it."
"But I…" Lea began, only to be interrupted by another voice.
"I didn't expect to find you all here," the voice exclaimed, drawing everyone's attention.
"Tressa?" Ria called out in surprise.
"Hey, guys," Tressa greeted as she and Kira approached the group.
"What brings you here?" Liam asked, a hint of suspicion in his tone.
"I'm not particularly interested in car races, but Kira wanted to come, so I tagged along," Tressa explained, gesturing towards her companion.
Before Liam could press further, Tressa diverted the conversation. "You must be Leona, the new transfer student."
"Yes, that's me," Lea confirmed with a polite smile.
"I'm Tressa. We're in the same class," Tressa introduced herself, offering a handshake, which Lea accepted.
"And I'm Kira, also in the same class," Kira added, joining the conversation.
"Did you two know each other before?" Kira inquired, glancing between Liam and Lea.
"No, we met after I joined the college," Lea clarified.
"I apologize if I sounded rude. I was just curious," Kira interjected.
"What spell have you cast on all of them that they have become so close to you in such a short time and Liam who is always distant from everyone treats you so well"
Ria's irritation was palpable as she reprimanded Kira, "Watch your words, Kira."
"Sorry if I offended anyone; it was just an observation," Kira responded, feigning innocence.
Liam, visibly agitated, defended Lea, I am like what I am to others because they are nobody to me but Lea is part of us now so obviously I will treat her differently".
"This is some friendship that grew so strong in such a short time," Kira said.
Listening to her words Liam's face darkened with anger and others were not any better.
He was about to lash out but before that Tressa intervened.
"Okay, that's enough Kira" Tressa said acting as if she was trying to stop her.
"But babe…" Kira tried to speak to Tressa but was stopped by the glare given by Tressa.
"I said enough," Tressa said after which Kira bowed down her head.
Then she turned towards Lea and others as she said "I am really sorry for what just happened, she was just a bit angry looking at Liam with another girl when our parents were discussing getting us engaged".
"What?" The group exclaimed in unison, stunned by the revelation.