The morning sun shone brightly on Phillip’s face, slowly turning it pink. There was a soft pat on his face then a not so soft one. Phillip jolted awake, nearly falling off the branch. Juliet was staring directly at him. 

“What the fuck Juliet?” Phillip groaned, putting his hand to his cheek. 

“We have to go to the castle, unless you want to miss any more important events.” 

Phillip’s eyes widened; they had to get to the castle. Anymore time spent in this forest is more time spent away from befriending Ian. Phillip remembered that during the time when everyone was gathering at the kingdom, Ian started to fall into a horrible mindset. Not eating, drinking, sleeping all the time, not getting out of bed; he was just staying in his bed all day long, ignoring everyone. 

Phillip remembered reading this; Ian had trusted his parents so much that learning they didn’t accept him was heartbreaking. Phillip wants to be someone who Ian can lean on. When Phillip was reading this, he wanted so badly to give a hug and support that Ian needed. Now he can actually do that.

Forgetting that he was in a tree, Phillip fell off his branch and landed down on one below him. Hitting his abdomen, Phillip immediately threw up. 

“Disgusting.” Juliet jumped down on the branch next to him.

Phillip couldn’t argue back with her, he was busy coughing; causing Alex to wake up.

“You good up there? What happened?” 

Alex steadied himself on the branch, stretching out his back. He had to lean over the ground just a bit so he could see Phillip, who was still hanging over the branch, groaning. Phillip didn’t want to move. If he did then he would definitely throw up again. 

“I’ll take that as a no then.” Alex chuckled. “Can’t you just float yourself down the tree, instead of tumbling out of it.”

Phillip couldn’t use his magic fully when he was injured. He has to have a clear mind when using magic, that’s why he waited till after the fight to cast a spell. He didn’t want to exert himself nor hurt Alexzander or Adaline. Being in pain didn’t help with the whole casting spells. His neighbor was helping him get to the point where he could have a somewhat clear mind to cast spells even when fighting or in pain. 

Phillip could’ve casted a spell to stop the three bandits from yesterday or lower himself down but he wasn’t confident enough to do so yet. 

“Pain, no good when spells.” Phillip mumbled, making Alex laugh. 

“Alright, alright. Let me help you.”

Alex climbed up the tree to Phillip, then carefully lifted him off the branch and held him up. Alex didn’t let go of his arm until he thought that Phillip was okay to stand on his own. 

Breathing heavily, Phillip’s stomach started to settle down and he no longer felt nauseous. Juliet moved closer to him and patted his foot. Trying to comfort him but it didn’t work. 

“If you didn’t slap me awake then maybe I wouldn’t have fallen.” Phillip argued. 

“What? You fell out of the tree on your own, that wasn’t my fault.”

“You stressed me out, so it is.”

“Uhhhh, what’s going on?” Alex asked. 

Phillip had forgotten that no one else can hear Juliet but him. He sighed.

“Nothing, she's just being a nuisance.” Phillip answered

“She can understand us?” Alex questioned, bending down to pet Juliet.

“Yea but only I can understand what she’s saying.”

“What does she think of everything?” Alex scratched behind her ears, earning a purr from Juliet. 

Phillip stared down at Juliet, while she was receiving scratches. She didn’t have to say anything to him, he already knew what she thought of everything. Phillip was trying to find a way to say it without telling Alex that he’s just a character in a novel. Phillip took another second before answering. 

“She thinks the tournament is a complete waste of time and that she thinks Ian should just rule. Mostly she’s being lazy and doesn’t want to do any of this but sleep in front of the fire.”

Alex chuckled at the comment. 

“Well it's a good chance for us ‘lower’ lives to make some change.”

Phillip didn't answer but nodded his head, in agreement. He stopped feeling nauseous and was able to gradually get down the tree. With Alex sticking to his hip and cautiously watching over as Phillip made it down. Once they got down, Phillip noticed that Adaline was gone and did not seem to be anywhere nearby. He thought it was strange that she just went off on her own. Alex had informed him that she always wakes up early to scout out ahead to see if there’s anything suspicious on the way there; and that they’ll meet up with her eventually. 

Phillip didn’t understand how she slipped away earlier, he’s normally a light sleeper and kept waking up to tigs snapping from creatures roaming around. Then again, Juliet did have to slap him twice to wake him up. 

Maybe I’m a heavy sleeper in this book? Or do I just need more sleep when I give off more magic?

“I don't think so. You aren’t a specific character that’s actually in the book, plus you didn't really use too much magic yesterday. Other than the fire and healing Adaline, you didn’t need to sleep for the entire night to regain the loss.” Juliet informed him. 

Phillip thought about it; if he was an actual character in the book then he would’ve adapted their personality and looks. He didn’t use that much magic yesterday either. 

So how did I not notice that Adaline snuck away?

“Well I mean I did have to slap you awake… twice.” Juliet commented. 

Phillip rolled his eyes. Reviewing the book in his mind, trying to remember as much as possible about Adaline and Alexzander. There wasn’t that much given about them. Just childhood friends, wanting to make a change in the kingdom.

They don’t seem that bad of people. Could it just be a way that they travel? There’s nothing wrong with scouting ahead and making sure everythings fine. Especially after yesterday.

Phillip came to the conclusion that nothing was suspicious going on, only wanting to make sure no one tried to kill them again. There was however a small tingle that kept telling him that something was off. He ignored it and came out of auto pilot, realizing that they were getting closer to the kingdom. With the big wall coming closer to them. 

As they got closer, the wall grew bigger. Phillip could see people perched up on the top of the wall, walking around the top; scanning the area. Two soldiers at the top had stopped walking and watched as Alex, Phillip and Juliet walked closer. Phillip could feel their nasty stares from where he was. 

There was rustling coming from a few feet away from them, soon Adaline came into view; jogging towards them. 

“There you are.” Alex exclaimed. 

“Yea.. I thought you guys would be slower.” Adaline caught her breath. 

“Why would you think that?” Phillip wondered. 

“Well I thought that you would honestly sleep more.” Adaline answered. 

Phillip was a little taken back by her answer. Why did it sound like she knew that he needed to sleep off the magic he used? 

“Maybe she has a family member or an old buddy that was a witch too.” Juliet guessed. 

“Yeah but-

Juliet bumped his side, interrupting him. Phillip glared down at her in confusion.

“Shut up. The guards wouldn’t like it if you’re randomly talking to a cat.” She hissed. 

Okay so now I just think to you instead of talking?

“Yes, that would be ideal.” Juliet answered. 

They had no problem getting inside of the castle, but Phillip was questioned; mostly about Juliet than about him being a witch. As they entered the castle grounds, Phillip hadn’t realized how many people would actually compete. In the book they don’t really mention a specific number of people there, just names a few characters. There had to be at least 100 people wanting to be crowned king. 

Not being a fan of big crowds of people, Phillip stuck himself in between both Adaline and Alexzander so no one would be too close to him. Alexzander lead them to the main advisor about the event, clocking in while Phillip stayed a step back; not participating in the contest. Waiting for them to finish up they’re assessment, Phillip glanced around the crowded market place. He kept feeling like there was someone watching him; everyone would glance in his direction but someone was watching him. He couldn’t find the person staring at him. 

“You good?” Adaline asked.

“Yeah, I just feel like someone’s watching me.” Phillip answered, trailing behind Alex as they walked to a tent set up for them. 

“That’s normal, I get it quite a lot. Mostly since I’m a woman and no one thinks I can handle these types of things.” Adaline explained. 

“Just stick close to us and we’ll look out for you.” Alex reassured. 

“Thanks.” 

Phillip felt a bit better having Alexzander and Adaline with him, but he still felt the eyes on him. 

At the other side of the marketplace, the pair of eyes never once left Phillip’s figure. When they noticed him first step into the point when he disappeared into the tent. They watched him with curiosity and wonder. 

“Who was that?”