Arriving at Seraphina's side, Principal Sanchez turned to face the still sat on the rug students. "Class, Ms. Sera and I are going to step outside a moment, and I want you on your best behavior. Understand?""Yes, Mrs. Sanchez," the children chorused in unison. A well-trained response. Perhaps there were some future soldiers among them after all, Seraphina thought to herself. Rodriguez exuded authority, clearly respected in this academy, but Andromeda had no intention of letting the principal wield that power over her. Still, she needed to play along, bide her time, until she could regain her magic.Sanchez pointed to the door, and Seraphina proceeded in that direction. Before stepping outside, the principal reiterated, "No nonsense now. I want library voices in here. Anyone gets rowdy, and we'll hear you."Trepidation washed over Seraphina as Sanchez closed the door with an unreadable expression. "Well, that was quite a story, Ms. Sera."Seraphina inclined her head. "It was my story. I thought the children would benefit from hearing it." She stood straighter, holding Sanchez's gaze, unwilling to apologize for her actions or cater to the expectations placed on this Andi person.The principal's face shifted into a wide grin, her cheeks bunching up into her eyes. Catching Seraphina off guard, she took both of her hands. "Exactly."Seraphina attempted to pull her hands free, but Sanchez's grip was surprisingly strong."The manner in which you are encouraging the children to reevaluate their biases is truly refreshing." Why shouldn't we all reconsider who gets labeled a villain and who gets to be a hero?""Oh . . ." Seraphina's surprise was evident."I'm so tired of these overly simplistic fairy tales. The world is more nuanced than that! Genuinely, what a wonderful lesson, Sera."Seraphina did not resist the grin that enveloped her face in response to Sanchez's remarks, and she allowed her palms to relax. Most people didn't understand the importance of nuance when it came to words like hero or villain. They certainly hadn't in her own world. How quick they had been to label her evil when she was only trying to move the Three Kingdoms forward into a better future—a future with her at the helm, of course.She didn't thank Sanchez for the compliment or when her hands were released. Instead, she simply nodded and returned to the classroom, where the children were talking at a reasonable volume. She pointed at the little girl in front, the one who'd wrapped her arms around her earlier. "You there. Stand up."The little girl stood. "Yes, Ms. Sera?""What is it that you children do next?"The girl pursed her mouth, then sucked on one of her fingers. "Play?""She doesn't know," a boy said, raising his hand."You." Seraphina pointed at him. "Speak.""We do centers first." He pointed to a part of the room where tables with colorful containers were put up. "When we finish, we do silent reading." He inclined his head towards her. "Did you forget, Miss Sera?""I was, uh, just testing you."Seraphina's time with the children passed slowly. To her distress, she could not do anything wrong in their sight. No matter what she said or did, the kids loved her. It was tedious, especially with their incessant, meaningless inquiries.The sound of a loud bell alerted the youngsters to collect their stuff from a cubby-like structure. Each youngster took a bag, packed it with papers and snacks, and went to the door.Seraphina sighed with relief as some of the youngsters said their goodbyes, some embracing her leg and others holding up their hands eagerly. She didn't know what they wanted.When the last youngster went, Seraphina sank onto a little desk in the rear corner of the room. A little pause enabled her to reflect on what she had learnt about Sera and the world. None of it, however, led her to discover her power.She wiped her fingers across her face, frustrated and exhausted. Then an idea hit her. Perhaps there was a way for her to claim the enchantment of this universe for herself. The difficulty was, she didn't know where to begin.When she heard the door open, she looked up and saw the last youngster remaining. "You! Child!" she called, maybe too loudly.The youngster let his hand fall off the door and turned around. "Yes, Ms. Sera?""If I were to look for magic in this world, where might I find it?"The boy's gaze shifted to his forehead before he laughed. "You're so silly, Ms. Andi." You always say that the best place to find magic is in books." He tilted his head and peered at her for a time, almost as if he realized she wasn't his instructor. "Bye," he said, and went out.Seraphina shook her head, dissatisfied that she had sought advice from a youngster who supplied no useful information. But the boy's comments lingered. He was correct. Much may be gained from international literature. This meant she had to figure out how to get access to the literature.Molly's thoughts were interrupted as she opened the door and leaned against the frame. "Rough day?""I thought it would never end."Tell me about it. Are you ready? Molly looked at the black rectangular object in her palm. "How about we visit Danny's? I'm dying for a drink. Today was a long day."Molly pointed to the bottom of her skirt, which was adorned with several colorful handprints. "I guess I wasn't specific enough with my finger-painting instructions."Seraphina pictured the mayhem of finger-painting and chuckled at the thought of Molly attempting to control the small creatures. At least she wasn't alone in her suffering. Molly could be useful in navigating this odd world.The ride to Danny's tavern allowed Seraphina to view the surroundings more methodically. She was captivated by the horseless vehicles. If it wasn't magic, she couldn't understand the system.The pub, however, was familiar ground. The pleasant environment immediately put her at ease. At least the world understands the value of a decent bar.Molly persisted on ordering beverages, leaving Andromeda to study the customers. Their interactions, voice, and gestures gave useful information. If she wanted to fit in, she had to mix in with the commoners.Molly reappeared with two glasses of clear drink, topped with something green. "Here you go.""Thank you. And I'd like it if you could call me Seraphina. I've been hearing that childish Ms. Sera all day and I just want to feel like myself again."Molly smiled, peering at her. "Wow, you're really getting into this 'new year, new you' thing, huh?"Seraphina shrugged and took a sip of her drink. It was not the powerful liquor she was used to, but it was refreshing. "What is this concoction?""Mojito. "What else?"As Seraphina sipped, Molly leaned forward, her look solemn. "Hey, I've actually got a really important question to ask you, girl.""Girl?" Andromeda raised her brow. "What would that be, girl?"Molly smiled as she placed a hand on Seraphina's arm."Would you be my maid of honor?"Seraphina narrowed her eyes and drew her arm away. Regardless of the connotations of the title, Bethany's tone indicated that this was a great honor. "Seraphina is nobody's maid."Molly chuckled, thinking her for a jokester. "Come on. You know I couldn't do the wedding without you. I mean, I need my closest friend there with me." She made a begging expression. "Don't make me beg."Seraphina relented, seeing how important this was to Molly. "Yes, I will be your maid of honor."Molly shouted with pleasure and clapped her hands. "It's going to be so amazing." She raised her drink as a toast. Seraphina consented, drinking her beverage.As she sipped, she noticed activity approaching the door. She set her drink down and turned to see who had just entered. Her breath caught, and her jaw fell.Jonathan, the cursed knight, was there, gazing right at her.Seraphina's eyes blazed with fire as she stared at the man who had murdered her and sent her to this awful world—with no magic and no means to return home. It wasn't enough for him to take her life; he'd tortured her beyond death, and now he was here? She had promised to get her revenge on the knight Kane of Mountain Echo Kingdom, but she had no clue the chance would come so quickly. Was he coming to confirm her punishment? To rub his success in her face?Seraphina pushed her chair back as she stood and went toward him, scarcely hearing Molly's faint words behind her. "Sera, whoa. Where are you going?She couldn't take her gaze away from his achingly familiar face as she weaved her way through the crowd in the tavern. Jonathan had been a source of irritation for her for quite some time. If she had been carrying out the flawless plan, he would be there to spoil it. If she had her sights set on a community, he'd appear just in time to lead an attack on her. It was frustrating, but it also made her successes all the sweeter.Jonathan wasn't supernatural, but he was gifted—though she was reluctant to accept it—and a strategist almost as accomplished as herself. That was why they had faced off so many times, with no clear winner. Even if one of them emerged victorious, the other survived to battle again. Until she didn't. Seraphina rubbed the region on her chest where the knife had passed through and quickened her pace.Jonathan stayed at the entrance, speaking with a barkeep with the same smug look and annoyingly gorgeous face she remembered: a strong jaw, big lips, and stunning eyes with dark irises like her own. How many times had she peered into the depths? She shook off the memories, since nothing would stop her from confronting this guy one more and getting her retribution. But first, he had to suffer.She came to a halt in front of him, her chest heaving from the accumulation of emotions and the memory of his face being the last thing she saw before a knife was inserted into her. Jonathan looked up, his eyes widening as they met hers."Hey..." he started, but Seraphina interrupted him. She formed a fist and hit him squarely in the jaw.The pleasurable smack of her knuckles on his face appeared to indicate the bar's impending turmoil. Patrons dashed at them, pointing little things at them, such as the one Molly had. The bartender called for them to back up as Jonathan raised a palm to his cheek and peered at Seraphina, his expression a mix of rage and disbelief."Why the hell did you hit me, lady?" Jonathan demanded, his tone furious. Despite his comments, Seraphina could tell there was familiarity in his eyes.She looked back, looking for any indication that the real Jonathan was present, but there was something amiss. Not just his eyes. The small knife scar she had proudly given him around his neck had vanished. How is it possible? And his clothes—why did he appear entirely at ease in gray pants and a short-sleeved shirt? This was not the same warrior that stood before her. Could it be..?Then Jonathan spoke again, and the voice was one she recognized all too well. It was, in some ways, a comfort to bring a bit of home into this new environment. However, hearing that set her on edge. Jonathan had frequently appeared to take the high road, but Andromeda knew it was all an act.The bartender asked Jonathan whether he wanted him to contact the cops, and Jonathan said, "No, thanks. "I'll handle this on my own."Seraphina was surprised as a hard hand grabbed her elbow, and she heard Molly's voice in her ear. "Oh my god, what in the world are you doing?""I'd like to know that myself," Jonathan said, touching his cheek. "Why did you hit me?"Seraphina ignored Molly and answered to Jonathan. "You understand exactly why. You're the one who began this by entering my domain."What?" Molly hissed behind her. "Did this creep do something to you, Sera?"Seraphina paused at Molly's comments, noticing her commitment. That may come in helpful at some point. Jonathan looked around uncomfortably, as if the crowd might turn against him based on Seraphina's remarks. He shook his head in horror."What? No, I didn't. I don't even know this girl's name, and I have no idea what she is talking about. "I have only seen her in my store." He extended his hand toward Seraphina. "She must be drunk and mixing me up with someone else."As if I can't contain my booze. I'd drink his ass beneath the table any day. - That's what Seraphina said inside her head"Look, everyone, go back to your seats or clear out of the bar," the bartender stated sternly. When no one moved, he said, "Happy hour pricing remain in effect for another thirty minutes! Sarah will take care of you."With that, the audience dispersed, but Jonathan and Seraphina remained locked in a staredown. Mollyy stood behind her, and the bartender watched patiently. Jonathan shook his head again, clearly agitated, and averted his sight. He turned to the bartender."Sorry for the bother, Danny. "I'm just going back to the shop." He turned to go and nodded at Seraphina with his chin. "Maybe someone should order her some water . . . or a strong coffee."Seraphina remained fixed to her location, watching his departing back, waiting for the moment when he would rush back at her. But she just saw the door close behind him. She narrowed her eyes and waited a beat longer. "Sera. What's going on?" Molly grabbed Seraphina's arm and turned her around to face her.Seraphina's thoughts were still on Jonathan, and she was unable to construct a cohesive response. She peered through Molly until the lady walked directly into her field of sight. "Sera, I am worried about you. "You have been acting strangely lately, and now this?" Molly's eyes darted about the room, as if looking for eavesdroppers. "What in heck were you thinking? Please tell me this isn't a new trick to get the bookstore guy to notice you."Seraphina frowned, feeling the minty flavor of her drink try to emerge."No... I—I don't want to address it right now. Okay?"Her mind raced with questions. Even more so today. In this weird new planet, she had imagined she was the only one brought here. Perhaps Jonathan had something to do with it. But for him to show up..She moved away from Molly, returning her gaze to the entrance Jonathan had exited via. Perhaps the answer to returning home has to do with this world's Jonathan. There must be a rationale for Sera's previous involvement with him. He may have been pretending not to know her, or he just didn't know who he was. Yet. That was what she needed to find out.The bartender's booming voice distracted her from her thoughts. The guy addressed Molly directly, as if she were the terribly drunk crazy Kane had portrayed her as."You two should probably head out.""We will just take our luggage and leave. I am so sad about my pal. She simply... well, I apologize." Molly dragged Seraphina back to the table to grab their belongings, not letting her go until they were outside the pub.They returned to Seraphina's living quarters, and she followed discreetly behind Molly, as if she were an errant kid. When Molly began to accelerate, she cast a glance over her shoulder."Um . . . we need to hurry, babe." Her brows rose, and her gaze shifted to the business they were passing. "If Jonathan's inside his shop, we definitely don't want him seeing us after you clocked him one good."Seraphina believed she glimpsed a sneer on Molly's face before turning back, but she was too distracted with the notion of fighting Jonathan again. Knowing he was presumably outside those walls caused her to pause at the window, where the name of the bookstore read in huge letters: Mountain of Books. Jonathan was in the back, behind a counter."I'm going to find out everything about you, Jonathan," Seraphina muttered to herself, "and then you're going to get me home... even if it kills you.."