The academy gardens stretched out in pristine, well-kept rows.
Vibrant with shades of green and dotted with flowers of every color.
The white benches and tables set along the garden paths added an elegant contrast to the natural hues.
Maya sat alone at one of the tables.
A book in hand, and a half-empty water bottle beside her.
She'd already started mentally mapping out her study schedule.
Breaking down her time to cover her courses for the second-year opener exams.
As she read, a sudden shadow loomed over her.
She looked up.
Blinking at the sunlight around the silhouette before she could make out the figure.
Blonde hair, crimson eyes, and an unmistakable aura of regal confidence.
Leopold, the third prince of the empire, flanked by two knight guards.
"Is this seat taken?"
He asked.
His voice smooth and unhurried, as if they were old friends meeting by chance.
