Book 2: Chapter 121 (1/2)

“So Vur was throwing a party mostly for Tafel’s birthday. I see,” Lindyss said. She was standing in front of a massive white cake covered in frosting, fruit, and sprinkles. E was sitting next to her, held up by an armor set. “And he’s planning on skipping his coronation and giving Tafel the unified continent as a birthday present. Amazing. Only Vur would give away a continent as a present.” Lindyss sighed and shook her head.

There was a knock on the door, causing E and Lindyss to turn around. The metal door swung open, and cold mist rushed out of the room. Mr. Skelly shivered as he stepped inside, followed by Alice. “Whew,” Mr. Skelly said, tilting his neck to see the top of the cake. “Awfully chilly in here, isn’t it?”

“You’re dead,” Lindyss said with a blank expression. “What chill?”

Mr. Skelly cleared his throat. “I was just trying to make small talk, mistress,” he said before scratching his skull. He glanced at Alice and clacked his teeth before making eye contact with Lindyss.

“Small talk?” Lindyss asked, raising an eyebrow. “That’s a first.”

Mr. Skelly let out a dry laugh as his cheekbones flushed pink. “Well, what I want to say next is a little embarrassing after all,” he said. He took in a deep breath, the air whistling out of his ribcage. His feet clacked against the metal ground as he shifted his weight from foot to foot. “I think I’m in love.”

Alice’s face burned bright red as she lowered her head, her glasses slipping down her nose. She pushed them up with her finger, but she didn’t dare raise her head. Her fingers clenched and unclenched, wrinkling the hem of her dress. She pursed her lips and took a quick peek at Lindyss, but that quick peek turned into a prolonged stare.

“So, as I was saying,” Lindyss said to E with her back to Mr. Skelly and Alice. “When Vur and Tafel wake up, you can bring this out to the center of the plaza. I’ve already ordered my people to calm everyone down and clean up the earlier mess. The scuffle between the phoenixes and dragons are over, so we can finally get things going.”

Mr. Skelly grabbed Alice’s hands and rubbed the back of her palm with his thumb. He coughed, trying to get Lindyss’ attention, but she acted as if she didn’t hear him. He coughed again, louder this time. She ignored him again. Soon, the coughs filling the room could overwhelm a group of pneumonic smokers.

Lindyss sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose before turning around. “What is it?”

“This is Alice,” Mr. Skelly said, waving Alice’s hand for her. “We’re in love.”

Lindyss sighed again, lowering her head while rubbing her temples with her fingers. “Alice,” she said, snapping her head up.

Alice stiffened and took a tiny step back. “Y-yes?”

“Do your eyes work?” Lindyss asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Not that well,” Alice said, pursing her lips. She pointed at her glasses which were slipping again. “That’s why I wear glasses.”