Elizabeth awoke the next morning, well-rested and puzzled. She had dreamed so vividly that it felt more like memories — it had felt more real to her than she now did in the waking world.606Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5hBP3sm1C
She had dreamed of The Other Realm and the blue-eyed boy, Leon Pentagast. Most strikingly, it had been more than just snippets of a dream, for she could vividly recall every moment, every touch, every smell, every sound… as though she had stood right there and were still feeling traces of the dream, like a veil or mist hanging over her as she rose for the day.606Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1qPVj4QOu
Elizabeth was the last to dress and emerge into the dining room, where a breakfast of freshly made pancakes and waffles were being served. Half the girls were dressed, and half were still in their pyjamas, eagerly engulfing food and talking loudly amongst themselves — Elizabeth didn’t know how the commotion hadn’t awoken her sooner, but she had been in such a deep slumber she doubted anything short of a disaster could have roused her from her sleep.606Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxtLuCCmFp
Elizabeth’s eyes fell on Leon, and he held her gaze intently for a long time, as though searching her eyes for something he wasn’t sure to find. Elizabeth had dreamed of him again, but this time she didn’t feel guilty or uneasy about it. It had come as naturally to her as breathing, which confused yet excited her. She smiled warmly, and Leon shook his head, disappointed. Elizabeth couldn’t place his expressions for once, and she didn’t understand why he seemed so crestfallen to see her. She would be certain to ask him about it later.606Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTIv3VPV1q
“Come join us!” Holly called Elizabeth out of the doorway and drew her into the room with a playful ‘come hither’ gesture and flick of her wrist. Elizabeth took the empty seat situated beside Leon as Holly’s mother happily served her homemade cooking. Elizabeth thanked her politely and set up digging into her meal, realizing in that moment that she felt famished — as though she had spent the entire night active in her dream rather than laying motionless in a bed.606Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSLED8jO7f
“How much do you remember?” Leon asked in a hushed tone, surprising Elizabeth. She didn’t comprehend his question at first. Remember about what? She wondered. Then, the memory struck her: the kiss! She had been certain that had been another dream, but had it really occurred in the middle of the night?606Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lvch4ejRk
“Of?” Elizabeth feigned innocent, just in case he was referring to something else.606Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBz1usMRYp
“Do not play dumb; it is an unattractive quality,” he scolded. Something in his tone was darker than Elizabeth had ever heard before, and it caused her to shudder unwillingly. His mood was sour and his eyes more intense as his gaze fell back on her. He almost seemed dangerous, or angry, as opposed to the chipper, optimist Elizabeth had come to know.606Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBoQbtApGC
“Why are you being an ass?” she hissed back, clearly annoyed.606Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLg4ADdH0e6
“Because I know you remember me, and I know you remember the dreams,” he explained, tone still aggressive and challenging.606Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHxi3MmRfJ
“How do you know about my dreams?” she asked, an unspoken accusal in her words.606Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKSCHRUvP9
“Because they are not dreams; they are your memories,” he whispered back.606Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsKkaXHA8y
“Memories of what?” This finally piqued her interest. She had never been allowed to speak of her dreams as though they were anything more than the subconscious mind playing tricks on her. Now Leon spoke as though he understood and knew all about them, and she allowed him to entertain the idea of it being something more.606Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2hK2RFc3S
“Your past life. With me.” His tone had shifted again, and now Elizabeth could hear the pain choking his words.606Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gDApLTg27
“What are your whispering about over there?” Holly interrupted their deep conversation and all attention turned to them. Elizabeth opened her mouth, but found she had no cover-up answer ready to go. Leon noticed her hesitation and spoke up instead.606Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrd0F6JdLR
“I was asking about the difference between customs back home and here, whether it was polite or not to request more food or should I wait until others have finished as well,” he explained with a bright, polite smile. Holly nearly laughed.606Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7F9glq6Lyk
“Leon, you’re such a sweetheart!” All the girls cooed and fawned over him with their eyes. “You can ask for whatever you like!” she assured him. “And Elizabeth?”606Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbuKY5RsSK
“Hm?” Elizabeth finally found her voice.606Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoc2M6MhPo
“Stop hogging his attention to yourself. People might start to talk,” Holly warned and Elizabeth blushed under the attention. Everyone but Elizabeth and Leon laughed. As attention turned back away from them, they shared a long, silent gaze.606Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wgbG2ClAV
“We should speak in private later,” Leon murmured under his breath and Elizabeth nodded. This was going to make for an interesting conversation. “Meet me in the garden this afternoon, when they’re planning for the spa day.” She nodded again in compliance.606Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlwTV5FefN
