Lyra was giddy and about a moment away from bursting into giggles as she walked out of the hospital. She cockedd her palms to her blushing cheeks, feeling their warmth. Being on cloud nine, she did not notice Zero until he called her name. She dropped her hands instantly and fixed her expression. Zero walked up to her and came to a stop, watching her with an assessing gaze. “Lyra,” he said in greeting, “it’s been a while.” Indeed, it had been a while. The last time she had seen him was that day when he pretended to kiss her in class. She had since found out that he had been confined under the king’s orders, and she knew it was because of her. “Hi,” she replied. “I’m sorry about what happened the other day. The king shouldn’t have taken it out on you.” Zero shook his head, a slight fro