Alicia left the palace and searched for Ivan, who had yet to show his presence after lunchtime. They had spent every minute, every hour, every day together after the competition. His disappearance left a large gaping hole in her heart, oddly enough.

Looking around the places he’d likely be at, she suddenly found herself in the garden where she and Ivan first met when they were but innocent children who knew nothing of the intricacies of the world.

She stepped foot inside the garden and saw his graceful figure resting on the grass and sleeping peacefully. He developed a habit of scaring off his caretakers when they got near while...