We proceeded to walk back into the forest but we steered away from the darkness to a more magical set in the forest. Saragona just kept glancing at me for many moments and it felt extremely annoying and creepy. I just looked at him before saying, “What?” In that secluded part of the forest, the trees seemed to glow with an otherworldly light, casting a mesmerizing aura around us as we continued on our journey.

Without warning, he questioned, "Did anyone tell you look beautiful with glasses?" his voice piercing the eerie calm of the place. I stumbled over my words like a crazy crazy person, and my cheeks rapidly grew ruby red. I was taken aback by the sudden complement. The flood of emotions overpowering my senses made me feel as though I was dying within, and I felt my heart racing like crazy inside. I inhaled deeply, attempting to gather my thoughts amidst the whirling feelings, and then I responded, "Oh no, nobody has said that to me."

The sound of a flowing river in the distance and the soft rustle of leaves created a calming atmosphere that heightened the strange atmosphere of our anxious situation. The sound of our footsteps reverberated through the forest, and a hint of nervousness blended in with Saragona's unexpected compliment. I raced through my mind, trying to figure out what he really meant when he said those words, trying to understand his intentions in that brief period of vulnerability. I could then hear him chuckle, pulling me closer to him as he held my hand close to his chest. For some odd reason, I thought I felt a heartbeat inside and he smiled a bit.

“About what happened earlier–” he spoke before I cut him off.

“It’s alright. You were stressed and you needed to let it out.”

“It’s just the fact I’ve been in this body for 13 years and I feel trapped in a way.” He looks at his free hand before clenching it into a fist after staring at it for a couple seconds. His fist lands on his chest as he sighs. I placed my free hand on top of his as I smile a bit.

“Why not we have a break,” I stop him before we sit down at a bench in the middle of the walkway of the forest. We’ve gone so far the pathway that it doesn’t even look like it’s snowing anymore. It looks like a spring paradise like a true enchanted forest from the fairytales I used to read as a child.

We look at each other for a split second before he wraps me in his arms, holding a small embrace. Feeling his warm hands made me blush tremendously. My body heated up in a embarrassing way and there I went, nearly passing out in his arms. My body screamed tremendously on the inside and even so, I couldn’t do anything about it.

He slowly cuddled me, his gaze softened as his hand slowly caressed my cheek. Then I broke the embrace, scooting away from him with my face extremely beet red. I felt lightheaded to the point where I couldn’t feel my face anymore. I slowly turn my head before asking him, “Why–”

“I was trying to make you feel safe– also because you were shivering a little.” he answered before turning away in shame. My hand quickly touched my heart until I inhaled deeply, before I peacefully did the mature thing that a young adult should do…

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!”

Saragona just looked at me with a look that asked, “Are you okay?” I just looked at him before my face flushed out in embarrassment. It was full blown white with envy and embarrassment both at the same time as then before a word was spoken, I heard what sounded like wind chimes and there flying in front of me and Saragona was a small light that swirled around the both of us. Soon enough, the light was revealed to be a little Windflower Fairy. It looked at my eyes and then it flew around my body, curious of what I looked like.

Saragona just smiled before saying, “I guess it has a liking to you!” His eyes twinkled with amusement, revealing a softness that wasn't there before as he acknowledged the fairy's peculiar interest in me.

I just look at him before the fairy chirped loudly, inviting its other friends to check me out. Which honestly, I don’t know why they did that but before I could ponder the question, a gleaming bright light surrounded me before I found myself blinded by red and white lights.

I could feel the clothing around me shift and swirl like it was something out of a magical girl anime. I felt the night robe swirl around me and wrap around my waist like a jacket before I couldn’t feel it anymore and my pajama tank top slowly started to shift too as I felt a little bit claustrophobic. I saw the red ribbon of my night robe float to the back of my head before it magically turned into a red bow. I was in absolute awe when I noticed what was going on.

The dazzling beams of light enveloped me, transforming my attire into a mesmerizing night gown adorned with delicate red bows that added a touch of whimsy to my appearance. My heart skipped with joy as I twirled in the gown, expressing my gratitude to the fairies with a warm gesture and a genuine smile.

"Thank you very much," I gracefully whispered, my voice filled with appreciation and wonderment. I laughed as the fairies twirled around me before they started flying down a path, guiding us to a new location.

Before I followed the fairies, I noticed Saragona’s face. His face was in awe and surprise, he extends his arm out to me as I blink in surprise. He faces away in embarrassment before he stutters:

“M–May I– Uh… May I–” Saragona's hesitance melted away as he shyly reached out his hand, a flicker of vulnerability in his gaze hinting at the depth of his emotions.

I quickly cling onto his arm, laughing happily. There were butterflies in my stomach but I felt something warm inside my body that proved to me that I was safe.

I could see a gentle smile arising on his face as he holds my hand before saying, “Once again, I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it,” I spoke as we proceeded to follow the fairies. As we were walking, I began to think a little bit about who or what Saragona really is.

Because of his misconceptions about himself, Saragona suffered psychologically as well as physically from his perception of himself as a nutcracker and a pitiful pretender to a royal. Deep down, all I see is a hurt cursed boy who wants to protect the ones that he love and to prove his worth as heir to the throne.

I look at Saragona, seeing him look away in embarrassment. Based on his actions, he seemed like he wanted to say something but he stopped himself before he could proceed. Staring at his eyes, I tell him, “If you have something to say–”

He shouts, truly appreciating and amazed, "You look like a beautiful princess in that dress!" making everyone in the vicinity stop and stare for a little while. The unexpected comment causes my cheeks to burst into a deep scarlet (it wasn’t beet red anymore), and I instinctively separate my arm from his to see how I appear. I turn carefully, examining the minute details of my attire, trying to identify the exact feature that gave me away as a princess.

As I struggle to make sense of his words, the fairies around us start to laugh quietly, showing their humor. I understand maybe I haven't been able to take compliments like these in the past.

In an instant, Saragona and I were encircled by the fairies, who then pressed us near. His arms were locked into mine, and there I was, immobile. I couldn't help but gaze at his stunning blue eyes on his stunning face—wait, why did I just say that? Am I developing romantic feelings with a toy?! No, I'm not capable of it!

Oh, my God...

I am.

I trail off after saying, "UH— Why don't we concentrate on what we were originally doing?"

With a swift nod, Saragona gives the fairies his thanks and moves toward the walkway. I observed the fireflies and other nocturnal beauties that scambled around the forest staring at us as night fell again. The trees and the beautifully shimmering night sky only served to heighten the romantic atmosphere.

“Are you feeling alright?” Saragona asked me but I responded in the most cringe way that you could imagine a person who hasn’t had a crush on someone this hot before would say…

“Who? Me?! HAHA! Yeah, I’m alright! Nothing crazy going on with me! What about you? I would ask the same about you HAHAHAHAHAHA!! Haha… Ha… Heh.”

I could just see his face look at me with concern after I said that and oh boy… was it embarrassing.  He just blinks for a little bit before patting my back. “You don’t sound okay,” he spoke before holding my hand but he could feel my hand shaking as we ventured deeper into the woods. He holds me close as he says, “Look, I’m still not going to forgive myself for the way I acted but even so, we still have to find the key pieces to break my curse.”

“Oh–”

“But even then, I have to protect you because I got you into this mess even though I didn’t want to… You were just a child and yet you had to be involved and you nearly died because of the war that happened…”

Once again, he wanted to cry but he couldn’t. He hides his eyes with his giant hand before I held his hand again, massaging it to reassure him that everything was okay. I then began to speak softly to him, “It’s in the past now… We can’t always focus on the past for our mistakes. Sure, it hurts to remember all the heartbreaks, trauma and mistakes that have happened but we need to move on and try to reform ourselves as better people. Personalities and hardships are difficult to break but once you finally figure out how to cope with your problems, you’ll realize that the world isn’t against you.”

We just lock eyes for a split moment before he looks away, blushing like mad like he remembered something romantical. “What’s up? What’s with the blush?” I asked him.

“Oh… It’s nothing.” He answered before we continued forward on our journey to the Marionette Kingdom.