The castle gardens were alive with the sound of soft music and laughter. A grand feast had been thrown in honor of Cedric and Lady Eleanor's wedding, but for some, the night held far more than celebration.
Tobias stood near the fountain, running a hand through his dark curls, his heart pounding in his chest.
Tonight, he had made a decision.
For too long, he had danced around his feelings for Isolde, but after everything—the battles, the near losses, and the chaos of Magnus' rule—he knew time was fragile.
And if he didn't tell her now, he might never get the chance.
---
A Game of Jealousy
Across the garden, Isolde was laughing at something Gareth had said.
Tobias felt his jaw clench.
Not because he was actually jealous, but because Gareth had a way of getting under his skin.
"You look like you're about to explode," Lucian murmured, standing beside him.
Tobias scowled. "I'm fine."
Lucian chuckled. "You're a terrible liar, Tobias. Go talk to her before she decides Gareth is more fun than you are."
Tobias narrowed his eyes. "He's not fun. He's just—"
"—Not afraid to flirt?" Lucian smirked.
Tobias groaned. "Fine. I'll talk to her."
Lucian clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Good. Now go before I lose respect for you."
Tobias muttered a curse under his breath but started walking toward her anyway.
---
A Heated Conversation
"Isolde," Tobias called as he reached her.
She turned, surprise flashing in her emerald eyes. "Tobias! I was just talking to Gareth about—"
"Yeah, yeah," he interrupted, casting Gareth a pointed look.
Gareth, to his credit, just smirked. "I was just leaving. Have fun, lovebirds."
Isolde rolled her eyes. "Ignore him. He's a menace."
Tobias exhaled sharply. "I need to talk to you."
Isolde blinked. "Alright? What about?"
He hesitated.
Then he did what he always did when he was nervous—he blurted it out.
"You drive me insane."
Isolde tilted her head. "Excuse me?"
"I mean—in a good way. Or a bad way. I don't even know anymore. You make me mad, but also—I think about you all the time, and it's annoying."
Isolde stared at him.
For once in her life, she was speechless.
Tobias took a deep breath. "What I'm trying to say is—I like you. A lot. And I don't know what to do about it."
Isolde blinked. Then she burst out laughing.
Tobias felt his heart sink. "I just confessed my feelings, and you're laughing?"
She gasped between giggles. "I'm sorry! It's just—you sound like an angry puppy right now."
Tobias groaned. "This was a mistake."
He turned to leave, but Isolde grabbed his wrist.
"Wait," she said softly, her laughter fading.
Tobias turned back, and for the first time, he saw something in her eyes that he hadn't dared to hope for.
Affection.
Something warm curled in his chest.
Isolde took a small step closer. "You think I don't feel the same?"
Tobias swallowed hard. "Do you?"
She didn't answer.
She kissed him instead.
---
The Kiss
The moment their lips met, Tobias felt the world tilt on its axis.
Isolde was soft, warm, intoxicating.
He had imagined kissing her a thousand times, but nothing compared to the real thing.
Her fingers curled into his shirt, pulling him closer, and he wrapped an arm around her waist, holding her like he never wanted to let go.
When they finally pulled apart, both breathless, Isolde smirked. "Still think I don't feel the same?"
Tobias chuckled, pressing his forehead against hers. "I need to hear you say it."
Isolde rolled her eyes but smiled. "I like you, Tobias. A lot."
Tobias grinned. "Good. Because I wasn't planning on giving up."
She playfully shoved his chest. "You're impossible."
He caught her hand. "And you love it."
She arched a brow. "Maybe."
Tobias smirked. "Definitely."
---
Meanwhile…
Across the garden, Evangeline watched them with an amused smile.
Lucian, standing beside her, smirked. "Took them long enough."
Evangeline laughed. "You're one to talk. It took you forever to confess to me."
Lucian rolled his eyes. "We were at war. Excuse me for prioritizing our lives over romance."
Evangeline nudged him. "Excuses, excuses."
Lucian sighed, then pulled her into his arms, whispering against her ear, "I love you."
Evangeline stilled, her heart fluttering.
Then she smiled, resting her head against his chest.
"I love you too."
---
The Night Ends
The garden was filled with laughter, love, and new beginnings.
Cedric and Eleanor were dancing.
Gareth was teasing Tobias about his dramatic love confession.
Evangeline and Lucian were stealing quiet moments together.
And for the first time in years, Eldoria felt… whole.
As Tobias pulled Isolde in for another kiss, he thought, Maybe, just maybe, this was the start of something wonderful.