Love? Why did I just say that? I definitely could have worded that differently, even if it is true. Adrien followed the girls to the training field, feeling slightly embarrassed with the way he had spoken. He had a feeling that it wasn’t the first time he had spoken like that, nor will it probably be his last.

Aefre walked beside him as a comfortable quietness enveloped the two. Meanwhile, Lady Evelyn and the other girl trailed along behind them, chattering amongst themselves.

They arrived at the fields and Adrien was surprised that a set of four-rowed wooden bleachers had been set up directly outside of the fence.

"The Academy placed them there for when students wanted to watch others train. You may have those in the same or a similar class who wish to view others while they practice for inspiration or to just judge the competition. And you’ll have students like you and Evelyn who wish to cheer on those who are close to them," explained Aafre when she saw the confused expression on Adrien’s face when he gazed at the bleachers.

The four of them made their way to the seats. Adrien scanned the training field watching as the students were paired up.

He was scanning for the familiar head of golden hair that glistened like molten gold when his eyes landed on a familiar face. A familiar face that wasn’t sporting blue hair, but a lovely shade of lilac.

"What?" Adrien voiced aloud when he realized that Brayden had been doused in alchemical dye just like Cedric had been, albeit a different color.

Aefre noticed where Adrien’s gaze was pointing and her eyes naturally followed. When her eyes landed on the bright purple hair, her eyes grew wide as her expression morphed from confusion to shock to amusement. Even with all of the grace that she possessed, she was unable to stop the small bubble of laughter that spilled out of her mouth.

The other girls looked over at Aafre with confusion, not used to seeing her laugh like that.

"Is everything alright, Lady Aafre?" asked the girl that Adrien didn’t know the name of.

Adrien lifted a hand and pointed it at his brother. "I think that is what caught her off guard. It seems that Mikyle has decided to give both of my brothers a makeover."

The two girls looked to where he was pointing and both of them burst into laughter at almost the same time.

"What do you mean?" Aafre asked when her laughter subsided. "Has Lord Cedric also experienced something similar?"

Adrien nodded, his lips lifting into an amused smirk. "He was banging on my door earlier today. When I opened it, he was a beautiful shade of pink. Even his clothes, both on him and in his room," Adrien explained, his smile growing with the memory.

"Oh? Aisley will love to see the two of them."

Evelyn, who had been listening to their conversation, frowned slightly. "Hopefully it isn’t the same shade of pink that Lady Aisley is wearing today."

Aefre’s smile suddenly turned into a frown. "That may be problematic."

How will that be problematic? Does Aisley hate it when someone wears the same color as her?

* * * * *

Aisley was sitting in the music hall after class had ended. Lianna was in the room with her. The two of them had decided to get a jump start on what piece they were to perform for the concert.

In all things considering, it was actually coming along quite smoothly.

"What if we made this register lower?"

Aisley looked to where Lianna was pointing. The song they had devised and had been slowly developing was a somber piece that represented change and the difficulties of life. It was the kind of piece that all three girls were unfamiliar with performing. It was also the kind of piece that was rarely ever performed during the festival’s concert.

Aisley nodded along to Lianna’s suggestion. "I think that would work. But we should have the violins play at one register higher to give a better contrast with the piano."

It had been decided that Lianna and Aefre would play the violin while Aisley played the piano. Though they were still unsure of who would sing, so their plans may wind up changing slightly as the song develops more.

Lianna broke into a smile, her expression becoming one filled with excitement. "That could work."

A noise came from the doorway. The two girls looked up to find the professor standing there.

"I’m sorry ladies, but my next class is due to arrive in twenty minutes."

Aisley closed the notebook that they had been scribbling in and stood up. "That is alright. Thank you for allowing us to borrow the room."

"Yes, thank you."

Both girls slowly walked out of the room. Aisley felt her chest constrict as a strange feeling overcame her. She had never allowed herself to truly try to become close with Lianna. It had seemed impossible since the girl was always guarded around her, but Aisley was finding that it was rather comfortable and enjoyable being in the girl’s presence. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"I still have time before my next class. Shall we try to finish what we can in the library?"

Aisley smiled and offered a small nod in agreement. "We can at least finish this part before we figure out the lyrics." Her smile turned into a frown as she thought about the daunting task ahead. She had never tried to write lyrics before and she had a feeling that it would be far harder than what they were currently doing.

"I’ve never written lyrics before," Lianna’s words mirrored Aisley’s own thinking. "Do you think Lady Aefre may be able to help us?"

"I’m sure we will be able to. I’ve heard her singing original songs she’s made on the spot before. They sounded good."

Actually, maybe we should have Aefre not only write the lyrics but sing as well. We don’t really need two violinists- her thoughts were abruptly cut off when she slammed into a soft yet hard surface when she rounded the corner. Her forehead and nose rammed against a solid chest that jarred her senses.

"Are you alright, Lady Aisley?" Lianna asked, automatically reaching out to help keep her from falling.

"Sorry– oh, it’s you," came an insufferably rude voice that had Aisley’s hair rising.

"You," she practically seethed out before looking up at him. Her eyes, which were focused on the floor, slowly made their way up with a glare in place, only to widen in surprise when her eyes kept meeting pink– pink trousers, a pink shirt, a pink vest, a pink handkerchief tucked into the vest pocket, and pink hair.

Why is Cedric pink? Everything on him is entirely pink. Wait? Aisley looked down at herself and realized that she was also clothed in a pink dress. Oh my Goddess, I look like the Half-wit’s twin!

Her thoughts became broken when she realized that she and the pompous idiot were dressed very similarly.

Lianna, who had been openly staring at Cedric, came back to her senses. "What are you wearing?" Her voice was rude and clipped, and entirely filled with confusion.

"Why are you wearing pink?!" Aisley screeched, anger blooming in her chest.

Cedric’s face bloomed a ferocious shade of scarlet. His eyes narrowed, and their brilliant blue turned icy-cold. "It was not of my choosing. I would certainly never purposely match my clothing choices with you," he spat before walking off in angry strides.

Aisly’s lips thinned and an angry heat in her chest grew. I can’t believe I ever liked that pompous idiot! Even if it only lasted up until he opened that atrocious mouth of his!

Lianna turned wide eyes onto Aisley, startled by her reaction. "Is everything alright?" She asked hesitantly.

"Yes. It’s all fine. But why was he dressed that way?" The question slipped out, anger curling in its tones.

"I’m not sure." Lianna looked behind her, watching Cedric retreating. "But for some reason, it screams of Mikyle."

Aisley paused, her anger dissipating as confusion took its place. "I’m aware that his Highness has pulled countless pranks in the past, but has he done something like that before?"

Lianna gave a solemn nod. "He’s done something similar. So has her Majesty, the Queen Regent."

"Oh." Aisley wasn’t quite sure on how to respond to that small tidbit of information.

* * * * *