Ambrose Magnus

Marina's eyes widened in disbelief as she processed Crystal's confession. "Wait, what?" she exclaimed, her shock evident on her face. Crystal nervously chuckled, realizing the impact of her words.

"Yes, Marina, it's true," Crystal admitted, her voice tinged with both excitement and uncertainty. "I don't have a lover on Earth, and I've developed feelings for Ambrose. It's unexpected, but I can't deny how he makes me feel."

Marina's confidence returned as she flicked her turquoise hair, a smirk forming on her lips. "I harbored a strong intuition that your claims of having a romantic partner were not genuine." she stated triumphantly. Crystal rolled her eyes playfully, knowing that Marina had seen through her facade.

"But what about Aurelius?" Marina pressed, concern etched on her face. Crystal shrugged, her expression nonchalant. "What about him?" she replied casually, though a hint of inner turmoil flickered in her eyes.

"Do not behave foolishly, Crystal. Aurelius is your destined soulmate, and his affection towards you is evident," Marina asserted, aiming to instill a sense of reality and accountability. "Can you confront and manage this situation appropriately?"

Crystal let out a sigh, shaking her head. "I can't possibly control my feelings," she confessed, her voice tinged with both frustration and longing. "I know Aurelius is a wonderful fae, and he makes me feel comfortable. But I can't seem to keep my eyes away from Ambrose. He has this charm that's hard to resist. He's like an adorable little munchkin."

Marina rolled her eyes once again, brushing off Crystal's peculiar choice of vocabulary. She focused on the matter at hand, stating, "I can discern the affection emanating from your eyes, Crystal. It is undeniably evident," Marina acknowledged. "I must admit, I was surprised by the stark contrast in their characters. Aurelius is not what others perceive him to be, and neither is His Highness."

Marina couldn't help but think about the stark differences she had observed between Aurelius and Ambrose. She had seen Aurelius willing to step in the boundaries of the crown prince, all for the sake of Crystal. On the other hand, Ambrose, who was often perceived as the coldest fae, displayed a tender gaze whenever he looked at Crystal, his eyes resembling soft cotton buds.

Crystal said, "But there is a small trouble." Marina raised her eyebrows, curious to know what it was. Crystal let out a sigh, unsure if she should reveal this information to Marina, but ultimately decided to share a vague version of it.

"It's clear to me that His Highness has feelings for me, but he seems hesitant and guilty about pursuing anything romantic. I'm not sure of the exact reason behind it, but he won't initiate anything willingly, that is for sure." Crystal looked disappointed, and Marina nodded understandingly, empathizing with her friend's predicament.

Marina suggested, "Why not take the initiative and express your feelings first? By making your affection known, you eliminate any possibility for him to deny his own sentiments, particularly considering your ability to perceive his emotions. This approach will also provide clarity regarding his stance on the matter." Crystal pouted, considering the possibility, and a mischievous smile appeared on her face as she found the idea brilliant.

"Okay, tomorrow I'll execute the mission to capture his heart," Crystal chimed with excitement, and Marina shook her head at her friend's dramatic enthusiasm.

...

With the spell of "Verba volant," Crystal had asked Ambrose to meet her at the botanical garden after her classes. Although Ambrose was hesitant to comply with her request, he still went to the botanical garden, being the gentleman he was and not wanting to keep Crystal waiting.

As Ambrose entered the garden, Crystal's face lit up with a smile, and she waved her arm excitedly to catch his attention. She stood at the exact spot where she had witnessed him painting the canvas of the whirlpool.

Seeing her smile so radiantly, Ambrose's heart started to race, and Crystal chuckled, sensing his nervousness as he approached her.

Ambrose asked, his concern evident in his aura, as he stood in front of Crystal, who was mischievously smiling at him. "Is there a matter of concern? What prompted you to summon me to this location?" Despite his worry, he maintained his composure, and Crystal couldn't help but smile. He really was adorable.

Crystal's mischievous smile widened as she replied, "Everything is perfectly fine, Your Highness. I just wanted to spend some time with you and have a little chat." She tilted her head slightly, studying his reaction, hoping that her words would provide some hint of her true intentions.

Ambrose's brows furrowed slightly, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "A chat?" he repeated, his voice laced with intrigue. "About what, if I may ask?"

Crystal's smile softened as she took a step closer to him. She could feel the warmth of his presence, and it only fueled her determination. "About us," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ambrose's breath hitched as Crystal closed the distance, her eyes locked with his. He could feel the intensity of her gaze, and it sent a shiver down his spine. He knew there was no escape from this conversation, from the vulnerability that lay before him.
"I-- I wasn't prepared for this," Ambrose faltered, his voice conveying a blend of anticipation and hesitation. "I never imagined-- that we would find ourselves in this discussion."

Crystal's smile remained gentle as she reached out, placing a hand on Ambrose's arm in a comforting gesture. "I understand if it's overwhelming," she said softly. "But I couldn't keep my feelings hidden any longer. I had to let you know."

Ambrose's nervousness was palpable as he stammered, "But-- but you mentioned that you had someone back on Earth, someone waiting for you." His eyes searched for answers, desperately seeking clarity amidst the whirlwind of emotions.

Crystal couldn't help but roll her eyes at his words. "And you believed it?" she replied, a hint of amusement in her voice. She paused, allowing the weight of her words to sink in. "I'm sure it sounded ridiculous to begin with."

Ambrose shook his head vehemently, his voice filled with earnestness. "Why would that be considered ridiculous? It's entirely plausible that someone as amazing as you would have someone eagerly waiting for your return." His words were sincere, and the intensity in his eyes made Crystal's heart flutter.

Stunned for a moment, Crystal felt a rush of warmth spreading through her. He thought she was amazing, even when she herself had doubts. It was an unexpected validation that gave her a pleasant tingling sensation. She blushed, a soft smile playing on her lips as she found her voice. "Then, would you still feel the same about me? Will you still think of me as such if I were to say I have feelings for you?" She paused before repeating her words again, "Feelings that surpass this friendship."

Ambrose's heart throbbed with conflicting emotions as he gazed into Crystal's eyes. Her longing, her vulnerability, and the undeniable affection she held for him were all evident in that single moment. It was tempting to surrender to the enchantment of her presence, to allow himself to be swept away by the current of her love.

But a surge of guilt coursed through his veins, reminding him of the past. How could he even entertain the idea of accepting her feelings when he carried the weight of his transgressions? He didn't deserve her, not after what he had done. How could his heart dare to bloom like a delicate flower in response to her loving gaze?

Ambrose's expression shifted, a mix of anguish and longing etched on his face. He took a step back, a physical representation of the emotional distance he felt compelled to maintain.

"Crystal," Ambrose began, his voice tinged with regret, "I must be honest with you. I cannot reciprocate these feelings. Please forgive me, but I feel it's necessary to reject you outright, as I have no intention of giving you false hope." The radiant smile on Crystal's face immediately faltered, and Ambrose's heart plummeted as he beheld the pain in her eyes.

In a soft, trembling voice, Crystal responded, "You cannot deceive me, Your Highness. Your emotions are an open book to me. It is evident that you harbor the same feelings for me. So why do you deny it?" Her voice, filled with vulnerability, seemed to teeter on the edge of breaking, sending waves of anguish coursing through Ambrose's heart.

Ambrose's voice cracked slightly as he mustered the strength to reply, "You are well aware of the reason, Crystal, and yet you persist in asking." The words hung heavily in the air, carrying the weight of their unspoken truth.

Crystal's voice carried a mix of exhaustion and frustration as she uttered, "You cannot deny that it was not your fault, Your Highness. Yet, you continue to cling to your denials." The weariness in her tone hinted at the possibility of surrender, but Ambrose couldn't have been more mistaken.

In a sudden surge of anger, Crystal grasped his collars, pulling him closer with an intensity that startled him. Her eyes blazed with fiery determination as she practically shouted, "Listen, Ambrose Magnus!" Ambrose stood frozen, a mixture of astonishment and vulnerability in his eyes as Crystal had addressed him with his name for the first time. Until now, she had always regarded him with the utmost respect, addressing him properly as "Your Highness."