The night wore on, and as the hours passed without Lysander's return, my worry deepened. I temporarily forgot the problem about my hair color as I busied myself with small tasks around the house, but unease hung in the air. I found myself pacing the kitchen, restless thoughts swirling in my mind. What if something had happened to him?
I was just about to pour myself a drink to calm my nerves when I heard the front door swing open with a loud bang. Lysander stormed in, his eyes wide and his expression intense, like someone who had been running for their life.
"Nerina!!!" he shouted, dashing toward me, and my instincts kicked in.
Startled, I grabbed the closest thing available—a frying pan—and swung it without thinking.
PANG!
The frying pan connected with Lys's face, a loud thud echoing in the kitchen. His eyes went wide, and he staggered back, touching his nose, which instantly started bleeding.
"Eh?" he muttered in confusion, looking completely dazed before his legs gave out and he collapsed to the floor, unconscious.
I stood frozen, staring at him sprawled on the floor, a rush of panic flooding through me. "Oh no, oh no, oh no!" I knelt beside him, heart racing, checking his pulse. Relief washed over me when I felt it strong and steady, but the sight of his bleeding nose and the fact that I had knocked him out cold made guilt overwhelm me.
"Lys, I'm so sorry!" I whispered, frantically searching for something to help him.
As I fretted over my mishap, Lys suddenly sat up, rubbing his head and groaning. "Nerina…" he muttered softly, still looking dazed. "I didn't know you could hit like a man."
I jumped, startled by his awakening. "You shouldn't have run at me like that! I thought you were attacking me!" I shot back, my annoyance flaring.
He winced, still holding his nose, but the intensity of his expression softened. "I would never do that! I ran because I was excited—I finally found a way to change your hair color… temporarily."
My frustration faded in an instant, replaced by a rush of excitement. "Really? I don't care if it's only temporary; that's amazing!"
Lys managed a small smile despite the discomfort. "I'm glad you think so. Just… maybe next time, let's keep the frying pan out of it?"
I giggled, a bit embarrassed, "Deal. But you really need to work on your dramatic entrances."
He chuckled, though it quickly turned into a groan as he touched his aching nose. "Alright, let's take care of this nosebleed first, and then I'll show you what I found."
With a sense of relief flowing in, I helped Lys to his feet, bandaging his nose as best as I could while trying to suppress my guilt.
He pulled a small vial from his pocket, filled with a shimmering liquid that shifted colors, the dominant hue a deep, ominous black. "Here, drink this," he said firmly yet gently.
I hesitated, eyeing the swirling concoction with suspicion. "Are you sure this is safe?" I asked, my uncertainty clear.
Lys rolled his eyes playfully. "Yes, I'm sure. Now drink it," he insisted, edging the vial closer.
I awkwardly laughed, wanting to back out of it. "You know, Lys, I think I've changed my mind. But thanks for your, um—hmmpf!"
Before I could finish, Lys expertly shoved the vial into my mouth, forcing me to gulp down the contents. I recoiled at the taste, my face contorting as the strange flavors danced across my tongue.
"Urgh! Lys! Are you sure this isn't poison?" I sputtered as I shook my head to clear the taste.
He chuckled, clearly enjoying my reaction. "If I told you how bad it tasted, you wouldn't have drunk it. And then where would we be? Now, let's see if it worked."
"Can't you change the taste? It was like drinking toxic waste!" I complained, still grimacing at the aftertaste.
But Lys was too focused on my hair, his eyes wide with a mix of relief and excitement. "Hahaha! I knew it! I'm not a genius for nothing!" he exclaimed, flashing a grin.
I dashed to the mirror, heart racing with anticipation. As I looked at my reflection, I felt happiness bloom in my chest. My black hair had transformed into a rich, dark red—almost wine-like—and I couldn't help but admire it.
"How did it fail the first time, though?" I asked, still transfixed by my new look.
"Ah," Lys began, scratching the back of his head sheepishly, "I researched it at the Royal Archives. Since your body rejected magic externally, I thought, why not make a potion? This way, it's more direct, so your body can't refuse it."
Feeling my annoyance dissipate into gratitude, I turned to him with a warm smile. "That actually makes sense. Thank you, Lys. This really means a lot to me."
He grinned, clearly pleased with himself. "Anytime! But remember, this is temporary, so I'll whip up some more potions just in case."
"Thank you so much, Lys!" I beamed, genuinely appreciative of his efforts.
He waved off my thanks dismissively with a playful smirk. "That's enough gratitude for today; now you should get some sleep. The town festival is tomorrow at noon, and you're going to want to be well-rested for it."
The mention of the festival sent a surge of excitement bubbling up inside me. "A festival? That sounds amazing!"
"Yeah, it's a big event. You'll get to experience the town more, and who knows? Maybe you'll get a partner," he teased, smirking knowingly.
I laughed lightly, a mix of anticipation and nervousness dancing in my stomach. "I'll make sure to rest up then. Goodnight, Lys."
"Goodnight, Nerina. And don't worry, you're going to love the festival," he reassured me.
With a heart full of happiness, I made my way to my room, already daydreaming about the festival and all the new experiences awaiting me.