The seasons soon began to pass as routine took hold of time. Ci and Babcia harvested their fall crops from the renovated garden, which brought them small moments of joy in the early winter. Ci became very handy at home as she soon grew to be quite efficient at cleaning, sewing, and after some hesitancy from Babcia, cooking. Ci felt estatic when she was finally let into the kitchen and she worked hard to not mess anything up. Soon, she could confidently make stews, stir fry meats and veggies, and even bake breads and other pastries, and her repertoire expanded each day of the soft and quiet winter that fell over Alverot. People had finally given up on looking for the lost princess. Marina Amon was deemed dead to the world... and in a way, she was.

  As, the final snow of the season melted and the ground began to green again as spring graced itself upon the kingdom. Middle of May had arrived, along with Ci's 20th birthday.

  "Surprise!!!" Babcia and Remora excimed as they held up several shiny wrapped boxes. Ci jolted and froze in pce at the sudden excitement and focus on her.

  "What's this all about?" Ci's gaze darted between them. Remora and Babcia smiled ear to ear.

  "You mentioned your 20th was today, so Remora had the bright idea of getting you something special..." Babcia expined. Ci's eyes darted to Remora who had the most sheepish look on her face that she had ever seen. Her face grew hot as Remora shyly pced one of the gifts into Ci's hands.

  "For... me...???" Ci stammered in disbelief. Remora and Babcia chuckled.

  "Of course it's yours! Go on, open it!!!" Babcia urged and Remora nodded eagerly. Ci blinked at them wordlessly before she dug her fingertips into the wrapping paper, tearing it off. Babcia and Remora held their breaths as she undid her present.

  Ci opened the box and reached inside, lifting a sleeve.

  "New dresses?" Ci smiled curiously. Babcia and Remora shared a knowing, giddy look and shook their heads.

  "Not quite, deary..." Babcia allured. Ci cocked her head and pulled out the rest of the outfit by it's colr. She realized it was a shirt, but none that ever existed in hers or Remora's wardrobe. Even more surprising, was lying underneath it, were a pair of pants. She blinked as she began to process it.

  "Are... these...???" Ci inquired breathlessly. Remora and Babcia chuckled at her reaction.

  "They're young men's clothes. We figured... since the search for you has quieted and you look so drastically different with your shorter hair, that perhaps the only thing left to totally disguise you is something new to wear..." Remora expined with a faint blush on her cheeks. Ci's eyes widened as her heart began to hammer in her chest.

  "What are you saying...?" she inquired.

  "I'm saying... what with the warmer seasons approaching, it would be downright awful to keep you cooped up in the house 24/7... With this, maybe we could occasionally go out together." Remora's eyes were beaming at the idea. She already had so many ideas for adventures they could go on. Ci felt her throat tighten as she tried to choke back tears, but her eyes inevitably watered.

  Never in all her life, with all the expensive, royal gifts she received, did something ever come close to this. It was meaningful, from the heart, and it truly represented her desires. Peasant life was far from freeing how often she felt the outside world staring at her from what felt like miles away, but was only seperated from her by the walls of the house, and the invisible barrier of the front door. She sometimes sighed at the feeling that she just went from one cage to another, though this one was much preferable, so she never spoke up about it. Remora and Babcia sensed it though, and knew this could be the only way.

  Ci sniffled and Remora and Babcia's hearts felt like they were bursting from the sight, and they both went to her and wrapped her up in a familial embrace, to which Ci happily colpsed into as she wept senselessly.

  ...

  As Ci stepped out from the stairs in her new outfit, she was a completely different person. She truly looked like a boy, not like some runaway princess. Remora and Babcia gasped, and Remora even felt a strange sensation hit her from the sight alone, one she quickly buried away and would likely try to never address.

  "Oh honey, you look perfect..." Babcia smiled with pure glee. Ci ughed sheepishly and gave them a small spin to show off, to which they both appuded in excitement.

  "They're so comfortable! Why doesn't everyone wear these!?" Ci excimed and they all ughed.

  "Patriarchy, I'm afraid." Remora retorted with an amused eyeroll, drawing a sardonic snicker out of all of them. Remora's eyes twinkled as she gazed upon Ci. "So... wanna test the waters?" Remora bit her bottom lip in anticipation. Ci blinked at her confusedly.

  "Test what waters?" Ci asked obliviously. Remora chuckled and cocked her head towards the front door.

  "Let's go into town, you and me. The markets have started and I think it'd be fun to go to." Remora swayed. Ci's eyes widened as her heart started pounding again.

  "G-go out...? Like... right now...???" Ci blinked rapidly, looking between her and Babcia like they weren't real and all this was just some dream. Remora nodded rapidly and Babcia sighed.

  "Yes... I'm allowing it. I was hesitant at first but... you really look nothing like yourself from all those months ago. So go on with Remora and have a happy birthday. Babcia smirked. Ci was speechless from astonishment, and she looked to Remora who extended her hand.

  "No pressure of course... but I think it could be fun..." Remora reassured. Ci's gaze dropped to her hand then back up to her eyes, and she felt a sudden giddiness explode inside of her, and she quickly took Remora's hand.

  "O-okay...!!!" She agreed. Remora beamed and pulled her out the door instantly.

  "You both be safe now you here! Be back by sunset!" Babcia called to them. Remora called back in response to assure their caution and they waltzed down the streets together.

  "Mora... Are you sure about this...? What if someone recognizes me?" Ci began to double back on her earlier excitement which gravely twisted into anxiety. Remora scoffed with an air of confidence.

  "No one will. You know why?" Remora had a mischevious glint in her eye. Ci turned her head.

  "Why?"

  "Because..." Remora's smirk grew. "You'll look like a boy," she ruffled Ci's hair, "talk like a boy," she nudged her in the gut, "and act like a boy..." Remora wrapped her hand underneath Ci's arm to seemingly have her be courted by her down the streets. Ci's face grew red from the act.

  "Wha- uh- g- uh..." Ci stammered, and Remora giggled pyfully.

  "Rex... it's just pretend after all... but this way, we won't look the least bit suspicious." Remora affirmed with a proud nod, giving Ci's arm a little squeeze. Ci wanted to protest or ask more questions to relieve her anxiety, but she knew it was fruitless at this point (despite the very fruity situation they were in... hehe... get it?) and she sighed, deciding to py along.

  They walked into the market, Remora's hand still linked under Ci's arm. Ci's heart would not stop racing, and she just hoped that if Remora could hear or feel it, she would justify it as excitement for finally being able to go out in public for the first time... which of course she was nervous about, so it wouldn't be FAR from the truth.

  The sights, the smells, the energy was everything to Ci. A stunning dispy of produce, jewelry, and other artistries decorated the booths. Selrs hollered cheerfully for customers, and crowds of buzzing people filled the streets.

  To Ci, the coming of her birthday had always been a dreadful one... instead of feeling the revival that spring brought to these lower-css citizens, it brought her a sense of doom surrounding her time to be bargained off to some suitor. Now, she felt like she was instead blooming like the white flowers upon the fruiting trees of springtime. She never felt more alive on this date.

  Live music filled the pza at the center of the market, and people gathered in the the square with great energy. Remora ughed excitedly and pulled Ci along to the square, taking her hands.

  "Ah...!!! W-What are you doing?!" Ci excimed. Remora ughed, moving her feet to the celebratory sounds.

  "Dancing! Come on!" She tugged her. Ci shook her head.

  "I-I only know how to ballroom dance I don't-" Ci protested. Remora snickered again.

  "It's fine, Ci! Just move how you want to!" Remora said, moving her arms and body to the rhythm in a nonsensical, but stylish manner. Ci gulped and mirrored her, moving with a rge amount of hesitancy. Remora nodded at her. "Yeah! You're getting it!" She reassured. She then reached up and let down her curly, auburn hair, swaying it as it became free. Ci burned a bright red at the sight, and Remora grabbed her hands, coaxing her to put more energy in.

  Ci soon felt the excitement burst inside her, and she moved less stifly, becoming more life-like and loose by the second. They met each others' eyes and ughed, spinning each other around until they were far too dizzy and stumbled to the side and onto a nearby table with chairs, ughing out their hearts.

  "Oh my Gods! I'm so out of breath!" Remora excimed as she wiped a joyful tear from her eye. Ci recovered from her aching diaphragm as her own giggles subsided.

  "I can't believe I just did that... I've never moved like that in my life!" Ci excmed with bright eyes. Remora smiled and nudged her.

  "Feels good doesn't it?" Ci was about to agree before a shadow loomed over them. They both looked up to see a charming, though just by his grin, clearly agitating looking man.

  "Heyyy darlin', you got some nice moves, mind if I have a whirl?" He said, his eyes locked onto Remora. Ci felt a bitter feeling hit her like a punch to the gut, and she immediately frowned.

  "Uh... I'll pass, no thanks." Remora waved her hand in dismissal. The man's grin didn't falter and he stepped closer.

  "Aw, come on, one little go-around couldn't possibly hurt..." He held his hand out to her. Ci practically growled and smacked his hand away.

  "Can't you catch a hint? Bug off." Ci said, dropping her voice to a masculine tone, hardening her expression and puffing her (thankfully) small chest out. The man scowled at her.

  "And who are you?" He crossed his arms. Ci stood up against her better judgement, her chair screeching against the stoney ground. She didn't know what it was, perhaps her clothing or her amount of affection for Remora made her want to outweigh this man's testosterone.

  "Does it matter? She said 'no thanks', so I'll say it again... Bug. Off." Ci repeated, her new height making her eye level with the stranger. The man huffed in amusement.

  "Ohhh... so pretty boy here thinks he's hot shit, huh? Well, I'm willing to bet this fine dy here will change her mind quite quickly when she sees what a real man is like..." He sat in a chair across from her, pcing his elbow on the table and opening his hand with a malicious, inviting grin. Ci looked down and up at the sight, raising an eyebrow.

  "Hows about a little competition? Whoever wins an arm wrestle gets the favor of this fine dame here. Sound square?" His toothy smile spread wider. Ci gulped, unsure of this game completely, but even then, she knew she would come out the loser no matter what, for it was obviously a test of strength. Remora knew it too as she cleared her throat.

  "Hm... I'll do you one better... If you can beat me then you'll earn your dance." Remora coaxed Ci out of her chair, sitting down across from him and rolling up her sleeve. She raised a cocky eyebrow and set her elbow on the table, opening her hand in invitation. "Sound square?" She smirked with a sickly sweet voice. The man's eyebrows cocked up and he burst out into a horrendous ugh.

  "Ha! Well, that's your choice, dollface, but I won't be going easy on you just cause you's a dame." He huffed in amusement. Remora smiled cooly and met his hand.

  "Count us down, will you, honey?" Remora asked with a strange amount of prideful affection in her voice as she gnced at Ci. Her eyes widened and she nodded.

  "R-Right... Three, two, one... GO!" Ci lifted her hand, biting her nails.

  The battle was on and they began straining against each other, their arms shaking and tilting back and forth, their teeth gritting and the sounds of groans escaping them. Ci could hardly bear to watch. But soon enough, the tides began to sway and the man's arm began to tilt down, Remora's dominating it. She let out a cocky excim as the back of his hand was met the wood of the table. A hard "THUD" sounded and she withdrew her hand, cheering.

  "Welp...! Snooze ya loose! Better luck next time, buddy." Remora leaned back in her chair with her arms crossed. The man looked up at her with a scowl.

  "The fuck's going on here? You some kinda fuckin' freak!?" He snarled. Remora's cocky expression left as she realized his anger was growing beyond normal, and she quickly stood up, taking Ci's hand.

  "That's our que... RUN!" She excimed as she pulled Ci through the crowds. They ran as fast as they could until they were out of the market and up the hillside. As they ran out of breath, they colpsed onto the grass.

  Their chests heaved up and down as they stared up at the gentle sky, their heads buzzing with adrenaline. They then turned and met each other's eyes, and couldn't help bursting into ughter once more, until it hurt and they had to settle down with a deep sigh.

  "Well... We might wanna stay out of town for a little bit... avoid anymore confrontation... you bonehead." Remora palmed the side of Ci's head, giving her a pyful shove.

  "HEY! Why am I the bonehead?!?!" Ci rubbed where Remora shoved her.

  "I think those boy clothes are going straight to your head! Acting all big and macho like that." Remora teased. Ci huffed and crossed her arms.

  "I just didn't like how he was treating you! Gods, men are such awful... stupid... fucking PIGS no matter if they're royals or not!" Ci quickly gasped and covered her mouth. Remora's jaw dropped.

  "Oh my Gods, Ci...!!! Such nguage!!! How undylike!" She quipped. Ci scoffed and rolled her eyes, but her words felt... familiar... too famir...

  Ci stopped to look at Remora. The wind was flowing through her curly hair, the golden hour sunlight was illuminating her skin, and she had a strange look in her eye, one Ci had seen before. She gulped, imagining this moment's outcome. She imagined what would happen if she leaned closer... if she... and her eyes darted down to Remora's lips for a moment.

  But three incredible facts struck her like a thunderous hammer at an instant.

  1. Ci's heart still belonged to Jamie. She couldn't betray her.

  2. Remora was DEFINITELY straight.

  3. Even if she could abandon Jamie, and even if Remora felt the same way, she had ruined both her's and other person's lives by allowing herself to indulge in such feelings. So she shook it away.

  Remora was just a friend.

  Remora caught notice of a shift in Ci and nudged her.

  "You alright?" She smiled with reassurance. Ci met her eyes again and nodded with a silent smile. She begun to stand.

  "We should probably get heading back..." But she was quickly stopped as a hand grabbed her wrist, and she looked down to see Remora with a gentle smile.

  "Hold on, I wanna show you something..." Remora tugged her back down. Ci blinked curiously at her.

  "But... Babcia said to be back home before sunset..." Ci protested. Remora rolled her eyes and shrugged.

  "We'll call that a suggestion, not a necessity... and trust me, this will be worth it." She assured. Ci wanted to protest. She wanted to go hide away along with her feelings... but she nodded in defeat.

  They waited until the sun settled past the ocean's horizon and it began to grow dark out.

  "What are we-?" Ci attempted to question her, but Remora simply raised a hand and shushed her, pointing out towards the world below.

  Suddenly, lights all over the kingdom's town flickered on, like industrial fireflies were bustling beneath them, and they twinkled all over the ndscape. Ci's eyes widened at the glowing sight before her, and she practically held her breath from its beauty. Remora watched as the wonder appeared on her face, and a warm smile crossed her lips.

  "Happy birthday, Ci." Remora whispered. Ci turned to her with beaming eyes and Remora ughed softly, leaning over to rest her head on Ci's shoulder. Ci stiffened as her heart began to race, but she forced herself to rex, resting her head on Remora's and closing her eyes with a deep breath.

  Despite all conflicts, that fleeting moment felt so needed. It was a thousand times wrong but so singurly right.