Chapter 93q
The palace was alive that evening, filled with soft music, quiet laughter, and the glow of golden lights that made everything feel warmer than it truly was. It was one of the rare nights where responsibilities were set aside, even if only for a few hours, and people allowed themselves to breathe.
Alvira stood near one of the open balconies, the night air brushing gently against her skin. She watched the lights below, the movement of people, the calm beauty of a moment that felt untouched by conflict or expectation.
Footsteps approached behind her.
Zack said, "You always find the quietest places in the busiest rooms."
Alvira smiled slightly without turning.
Alvira said, "And you always find me in them."
Zack stepped beside her, resting one hand lightly against the stone railing.
Zack said, "Maybe you are not as hidden as you think."
Alvira turned her head slightly to look at him.
Alvira said, "Or maybe you are just too observant."
Zack said, "That too."
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The silence between them was not heavy then. It was calm, easy, familiar.
Alvira said, "You did not stay long inside."
Zack said, "Too many conversations that mean nothing."
Alvira said, "You say that, but you still listen to all of them."
Zack said, "Listening does not mean I value them."
Alvira let out a soft laugh.
Alvira said, "You are difficult to read sometimes."
Zack glanced at her.
Zack said, "And you are not."
Alvira raised an eyebrow slightly.
Alvira said, "Oh. And what do you think you see."
Zack looked at her more directly now.
Zack said, "Someone who says exactly what she means."
Alvira said, "That is a problem here, apparently."
Zack said, "It is."
Alvira said, "And yet you are standing here talking to me."
Zack said, "That is my choice."
Alvira held his gaze for a moment longer before looking away again.
Alvira said, "You always make things sound simple."
Zack said, "Most things are simple. People just complicate them."
Alvira said, "Not everything is simple."
Zack said, "Then explain it to me."
She hesitated slightly, then spoke.
Alvira said, "Feelings are not simple."
Zack's expression did not change, but his attention sharpened.
Zack said, "Feelings are distractions if you let them control your decisions."
Alvira turned fully toward him now.
Alvira said, "Not everything has to be controlled."
Zack said, "Control keeps things from falling apart."
Alvira said, "Or it keeps things from becoming real."
That made him pause.
Zack said, "Reality does not depend on emotion."
Alvira said, "But connection does."
The space between them shifted slightly, something unspoken but present.
From inside the hall, voices approached.
Hiccup said, "I knew we would find them out here."
Lisa said, "Of course. Where else would they be."
Ray walked a little behind them, his gaze settling briefly on Zack and Alvira.
Ray said, "You both always disappear at the same time."
Alvira smiled faintly.
Alvira said, "Maybe we just prefer quiet."
Hiccup said, "Or maybe you prefer each other's company."
Zack said nothing.
Alvira said, "You assume too much."
Lisa said, "We only say what we see."
Ray remained quiet for a moment before speaking.
Ray said, "Sometimes what we see is not everything."
Hiccup glanced at him.
Hiccup said, "And sometimes it is exactly what it looks like."
Zack straightened slightly.
Zack said, "You should all go back inside."
Lisa said, "You are not coming."
Zack said, "Not yet."
Hiccup smiled.
Hiccup said, "We will leave you both to your very important conversation."
Alvira shook her head slightly.
Alvira said, "There is no important conversation."
Ray looked at her briefly.
Ray said, "Not yet."
That made her pause.
Hiccup and Lisa walked back inside, still talking lightly between themselves. Ray lingered for a second longer before turning away.
Ray said, "Do not stay out too long."
Zack said, "Go."
Ray nodded once and left.
The balcony grew quiet again.
Alvira exhaled softly.
Alvira said, "They always make things sound more serious than they are."
Zack said, "They notice more than they say."
Alvira said, "And you."
Zack said, "I notice everything."
Alvira looked at him again.
Alvira said, "That sounds exhausting."
Zack said, "It is necessary."
Alvira said, "Not all the time."
Zack said, "For me, it is."
There was a softness in her expression now, something deeper than curiosity.
Alvira said, "You do not allow yourself to just feel anything, do you."
Zack did not answer immediately.
Zack said, "Feeling without control leads to mistakes."
Alvira stepped a little closer.
Alvira said, "And what if some things are worth the risk."
Zack looked at her, really looked at her.
Zack said, "That depends on what you are risking."
Alvira held his gaze.
Alvira said, "Maybe that is something you will have to figure out."
For a moment, neither of them moved.
The distance between them felt smaller than before.
The air felt heavier, not uncomfortable, but charged with something neither of them named.
Zack's voice lowered slightly.
Zack said, "You speak as if you already know the answer."
Alvira said, "Maybe I do."
Zack said, "And you are not afraid."
Alvira said, "I am. I just do not let it stop me."
Zack watched her closely.
Zack said, "That is dangerous."
Alvira smiled faintly.
Alvira said, "So you keep saying."
Another silence followed, but this one felt different.
Closer.
Warmer.
Easier.
Eventually, Alvira stepped back slightly.
Alvira said, "We should go back inside."
Zack said, "If you want to."
Alvira said, "Do you."
Zack looked toward the hall, then back at her.
Zack said, "Not particularly."
Alvira let out a soft laugh.
Alvira said, "Then stay a little longer."
Zack nodded once.
Zack said, "Alright."
They stood there together, not speaking, but not needing to.
At that moment, everything between them felt simple.
Clear.
Uncomplicated.
Neither of them realized how rare that kind of moment was.
Or how quickly it could change.