A Year Ago
The school courtyard buzzed with the noise of after-class chaos—students filing out, shoes slapping tile, laughter echoing from every corner.
Manny moved through the crowd, scanning faces. He pushed open classroom doors, checked hallways, even peeked into the janitor's closet.
No sign of Kay.
"Where the hell did you go, man…"
Eventually, he gave up and slumped down on a bench outside beneath a quiet stretch of trees. His breath fogged faintly in the late afternoon chill, and sweat clung to the back of his neck. His legs ached.
"I know that feeling."
The voice came from beside him. Smooth. Not loud, but it landed like music in his tired ears.
Manny turned his head.
A girl sat at the far edge of the bench, dressed in the same uniform, legs crossed casually, a warm breeze tugging at her dark jacket.
She looked at him, smiled and waved. "Hey."
Manny blinked, slightly confused. He didn't know her. Not even by name.
"Uh… hey." He gave a stiff wave.
She laughed softly—gentle and real. "You looked like you were about to start screaming into the wind or punch a tree."
Manny chuckled awkwardly. "I was actually leaning toward collapsing in the grass."
She shifted, turning her body slightly toward him. "Looking for someone?"
He nodded. "Yeah. My friend Ka... Kevin. One second he was next to me, the next... poof. Classic magician move."
She tilted her head, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. "Huh. I was looking for someone too."
He caught the quick glance she gave him. Like a test.
"But looks like he's not here," she added, relaxing into the bench.
There was a pause. Not awkward—just quiet. Easy.
"What's his name?" Manny asked.
She hesitated, just slightly. "Someone unpleasant."
Manny grinned. "Why will you be looking for someone you see like that?"
Anne laughed again. "Well I like challenges."
He studied her as she looked away. There was something oddly alive in her eyes. Like she'd seen too much and somehow still carried it with grace.
"I'm Manny," he offered.
She smiled. "Anna."
"You have a really cool name."
Anne smirks. "Thanks, it really makes me happy."
Manny frowns. "Are you really that uninterested?"
"What do you mean? I am."
"Then why do you have the saddest smile I've ever seen."
A breeze passed between them.
Anne glanced sideways at him. "You're not what I expected."
He looked at her. "Sorry, if I sounded too rude."
"You're really epathetic and soft." She blinked. "People like that don't survive here for too long."
"I get that a lot."
They both smiled—something quiet settling between them.
And then—
"There you are!"
The moment shattered.
Kay stormed up, brushing past a tree like it had personally offended him.
Manny sat upright. "Kevin, where have you been?"
Kay ignored him. His eyes locked on Anne.
Anne's expression cooled instantly, the warmth fading from her face.
"You must be the person he was looking for.'
Kay raised an eyebrow. "And you must be a person who doesn't mind their fucking business."
Manny looked between them. "You two know each other?"
Kay scoffed. "Of course we don't."
Anne leaned back and folded her arms. "You didn't tell me that he was also unpleasant."
Kay ignored the jab. "Come on, Manny. We've got that thing to check out, remember?"
Manny hesitated, stealing one last glance at Anne.
"I'll see you around?" he asked.
"You will."
As Kay pulled him away, Manny glanced back over his shoulder. Anne was still on the bench, staring up at the trees—still with that sad look on her face.
Present Day
The battlefield had already erupted into chaos.
Steel clashed with steel. Cries rang through smoke. On the front lines, Kay tore through enemies like a storm given form—his blade a blur of silver and light. He fought with fury in his eyes, like something had already been lost.
And in the shadows behind him, Anne was left behind.
Chained, Alone and flanked by two guards.
She didn't resist. Not anymore.
But then—without warning—the guards dropped, one after the other, collapsing silently to the ground like puppets with their strings cut.
Anne blinked, stunned.
A figure stepped out from the smoke behind them. It was Manny.
He was panting, bruised—but steady. In his hands, the key to her chains.
"I'm sorry," he said, kneeling beside her. His fingers trembled as they reached for the lock. "I should've done something sooner."
Anne jerked back, eyes sharp. "Stop. Leave this place. Leave me."
But Manny didn't budge. The chains clicked softly beneath his touch.
"I'm not letting you die here," he said, voice shaking. "I know you know… I'm in love with you. That much is obvious."
Anne's expression twisted. "What are you trying to prove?" she hissed. "Leave. If you free me—I'll kill you."
She pulled away, struggling violently. "GUARDS!" she shouted, voice echoing. "SOMEONE STOP HIM!"
But no one came.
"Please—listen!" Manny's voice cracked.
And then—tears slipped down his cheeks, falling silently to the stone floor.
"The reason I fell in love with you… it wasn't just because you were strong and resilient, or even how you looked at me."
He looked up at her, eyes raw.
"It was your smile."
Anne froze.
Manny's voice softened, almost like a whisper. "That unwavering smile. It reminded me of my mother's."
A beat of silence.
"I'm from the main royal family," he said. "This country… I was supposed to be king. But I was born without blessings. No power. No divine gift. Just… empty blood."
His fingers curled into fists. "Because of that, they threw me aside. And her with me."
His eyes glazed with memory. "My mother… she was disgraced. Beaten. Treated like nothing. But she never—not once—stopped smiling."
Anne's breathing slowed.
Anne whispered, "Where is she now?"
Manny met her gaze, his voice breaking. "She killed herself."
His eyes locked onto hers, full of pain."So please… don't do the same."
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then Anne smiled. A small, tired, beautiful smile.
"I won't. But only if you promise me that you'll never leave my side."
Manny smiled back.
"Until the day I die."