Gwen's decision

Nate strolled through the academy courtyard, his mind racing with thoughts of Gwen. The sun cast dappled shadows through the leaves of ancient trees, their branches reaching overhead like protective guardians. It had been a couple of days since they last spoke, and he still hadn't shaken off the tension from their previous encounter. The memory of her reserved demeanor gnawed at him, a persistent ache in his chest.

As he walked, his boots scuffing against the worn cobblestones, he tried to focus on his upcoming session with Professor Garret. But his thoughts kept wandering back to Gwen, to the way her sea-blue eyes had seemed clouded with uncertainty when they'd last parted.

Lost in thought, he almost didn't notice her approach. "Hey," Gwen's soft voice interrupted his reverie, causing him to start slightly. She stood before him, her chestnut hair catching the sunlight, her expression a mask of neutrality that couldn't quite hide the storm of emotions behind her eyes.

"Hey," Nate responded, mustering a small smile that didn't reach his eyes. He couldn't hide the concern in his voice, the way it caught slightly in his throat.

Gwen shifted her weight from one foot to the other, her fingers twisting the hem of her sleeves. "Could we meet later in the gardens after classes?" she asked, her tone hesitant, as if she wasn't quite sure what she wanted from their conversation.

Nate's heart tightened with worry, a knot forming in his chest. "Of course. I'll be there," he replied, forcing his voice to remain steady despite the unease churning in his gut.

She smiled faintly, a ghost of her usual radiant grin, before turning and walking away. Nate stood there for a moment, watching her retreating form, his mind whirling with possibilities. Something was definitely troubling her, and he knew their next conversation would be crucial.

Shaking off his concerns for the moment, Nate headed toward the arena for his training with Professor Garret. The familiar scent of sawdust and sweat filled his nostrils as he entered, his eyes adjusting to the dimmer light. He found Garret in his usual disheveled state, sprawled out on a bench with empty wine bottles scattered around him like fallen soldiers. Typical.

Nate approached with a grin "Your ex-wife is here demanding money!" he yelled, his voice echoing off the arena walls.

Garret jolted awake, his eyes wide with panic as he leaped to his feet. When he realized Nate was the only person present, his face morphed into a scowl. "Kid, you nearly gave me a heart attack," he grumbled, running a hand through his unkempt hair.

Nate chuckled, unable to resist the joke. In the time they'd spent training, Garret's ex-wife had made a few memorable appearances, each time demanding something—or more often than not—money. The professor's reaction never failed to amuse him.

"Today's lesson isn't about dodging your responsibilities," Garret muttered, his voice still rough with sleep. He stumbled over to a rack of training equipment, returning with a wooden rod and two buckets. "You're gonna work on balance and dodging. Here." He thrust the items into Nate's hands. "Put this on your shoulders and keep the bucket on your head. Dodge these rocks, but don't spill the water."

Nate opened his mouth to protest, but Garret was already scooping up a handful of pebbles, a happy glint in his eye. Before Nate could fully prepare himself, the first rock was flying through the air.

What followed was an eternity of dodging and balancing, Nate's muscles screaming in protest as he twisted and turned to avoid Garret's relentless barrage. Water sloshed dangerously in the buckets, threatening to spill with each movement. By the time the lesson finally ended, Nate was soaked, bruised, and exhausted.

As he trudged out of the arena, his body ached, but his thoughts were already racing ahead. Gwen had been on his mind the entire day, and it was finally time to meet her in the gardens. The sun was beginning to dip towards the horizon, casting long shadows across the academy grounds as Nate made his way to their meeting spot.

He arrived early, choosing a spot beneath a large oak tree where he could rest. The grass was cool against his skin as he settled down, leaning back against the rough bark. His head was full of questions about what Gwen wanted to discuss, scenarios playing out in his mind. But the day's exertions soon caught up with him. His eyes grew heavy, the gentle rustle of leaves overhead like a lullaby, and before he knew it, he had dozed off.

When he woke, Nate found his head resting on something soft. Blinking in confusion, he realized Gwen was sitting beside him, his head cradled in her lap. Her fingers were gently running through his hair, the touch both soothing and electrifying.

"Well, this is a nice way to wake up," Nate mumbled with a sleepy smile, though his heart raced at the intimacy of the moment. He could feel the warmth of her body, smell the faint scent of lavender that always seemed to cling to her.

Gwen chuckled softly, her eyes filled with a mix of amusement and something deeper, more intense. "I tried waking you, but you wouldn't let go of me. So I figured I'd let you rest."

Nate's face flushed slightly, and he reluctantly sat up, running a hand through his messy black hair. The loss of contact left him feeling strangely bereft.

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of unspoken words hanging between them. The garden around them was a riot of color, late summer blooms painting the world in vibrant hues.

Gwen was the first to break the quiet, her voice soft but firm. "I've been thinking," she said, her tone more serious now. "About us."

Nate swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry. His mind raced as he prepared for whatever was coming next, his hands clenching involuntarily in the grass beside him.

"I've decided that I'm willing to consider a relationship with you," she continued, her eyes meeting his with an intensity that took his breath away. "But I have a few conditions."

Nate nodded, his heart pounding so loudly in his chest he was sure she must be able to hear it. He had anticipated this moment, knowing Gwen wouldn't make this decision lightly. "I'm listening," he managed to say, his voice steadier than he felt.

"First," she said, her voice unwavering, "you need to promise me that you'll work toward getting a noble title. I won't settle for being a second wife to a commoner."

Nate couldn't help but smile at the determination in her voice, the way her cheeks puffed out slightly in that adorable way they did when she was being particularly stubborn. "I promise," he replied softly, reaching out to take her hand in his. "I'll do everything I can to make that happen."

"Good." Gwen's face turned a slight shade of pink as she continued, her eyes dropping to their joined hands. "Second, since Sam will be your first wife... I want to be your first for something else."

Her words, combined with her shy expression, sent a rush of heat through Nate. He nodded, trying to keep his composure, but the unspoken promise between them weighed heavily in the air. "Anything you want," he murmured, his thumb tracing small circles on the back of her hand.

"And lastly," Gwen's eyes darkened, her voice lowering to a more serious tone. "I want your help to destroy my family. They've made my life miserable, and I want them to suffer the way they made me suffer."

Nate's gaze met hers, and he saw the raw pain in her eyes, the years of hurt and anger that she usually kept so carefully hidden. He lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to her knuckles. "I swear to you, Gwen," he said, his voice firm and unwavering, "I will make sure they suffer for what they did to you. Whatever it takes."

For a moment, they sat in silence, their promises sealed between them. The world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them in this perfect, fragile moment. Then, as if drawn by an invisible force, Gwen leaned forward, closing the distance between them. Their lips met in a soft, tender kiss that sent sparks racing through Nate's entire body.

The kiss was sweet at first, a gentle exploration. But as their emotions swelled, it deepened, becoming more passionate, more urgent. Nate pulled Gwen closer, one hand cupping her face while the other wrapped around her waist. He could feel the warmth of her body pressed against his, the rapid beat of her heart matching his own. Her hands tangled in his hair, nails scraping lightly against his scalp in a way that made him shiver.

When they finally broke apart, they were both breathless, their faces flushed. Nate rested his forehead against Gwen's, unwilling to put any more distance between them than necessary.

"We should go back," Nate murmured, though every fiber of his being wanted to stay in this moment forever. The sun had nearly set, painting the sky in brilliant shades of orange and pink.

"Yeah," Gwen agreed, a small smile tugging at her lips. She stood up, brushing grass from her robes, and Nate followed suit. They walked back towards the dorms hand in hand, the warmth of her palm against his a constant reminder of the promises they had made.

As they reached the point where they would have to part ways, Nate felt a sudden tingling sensation. A translucent blue screen materialized before his eyes, visible only to him.

[Quest Complete: Love is in the Air]

Reward: "Charming Puppy Dog Eyes (Epic)" upgraded to "Seductive Gaze (Epic Bloodline)"

Nate blinked in surprise, quickly dismissing the notification before Gwen could notice his distraction. As they said their goodbyes, exchanging one last lingering kiss, Nate couldn't help but feel that everything was finally falling into place.