The handsome man and beautiful woman strolled all the way to the north of the city, their leisurely manner starkly different from the people around them, who rushed about making a living.
A row of snack stalls stood by the river. Lolin bought another bag of candied fruit, eating one herself before stuffing one into Alphonse's mouth.
"Is it sweet?" Lolin asked.
"Too sweet," Alphonse said.
"Then you don't get any more." Lolin hugged the paper bag to her chest.
Alphonse laughed and reached for it. Lolin turned away to dodge him, and the two frolicked by the river for a while, their laughter carrying far into the distance.
Alphonse only wanted days like this to go on forever.
There was no need to think about anything, nor did he need to concern himself with the Academy's schemes and intrigues.
Lolin crouched before a small stall selling flower seeds, flipping through a packet as she asked the vendor when they should be planted.
The vendor was an elderly woman, and she patiently explained which flowers preferred shade and which needed plenty of sunlight.
Alphonse stood behind her, watching the wind lift the ends of her hair.
Sunlight fell across her profile, clean and gentle.
Warmth rose in his chest, and he felt that perhaps he had truly been overthinking those recent oddities.
Just then, the Nameplate in his sleeve trembled.
He took it out for a look. It was an announcement issued by the Academy.
"Lord of Myriad Phenomena Lynn will assume the position of chief mentor of the Soul Department. An appointment ceremony will be held at the Academy in three days."
Alphonse froze.
Thinking he had misread it, he looked again.
The title was right, and so was the name. It was the Lynn he knew.
But Lynn...