Noah returned to the room as he phased through the wall. His body shimmered back into view as he deactivated Spectrum.
Emma and Amy looked up from the bed.
"You're back," Emma said.
"What did you find?" Amy asked.
Noah sat down on his bed and leaned back against the wall. "Alice told me everything. That the Marines started showing up after her parents died. They want the rare earth minerals that are on this island and that they're putting pressure on her brother."
Emma frowned. "So the Marines are basically acting like they own the place?"
"Pretty much," Noah said.
Amy sat with her legs crossed. "What about Allen?"
"He doesn't know how deep things are," Noah answered. "Alice is trying to protect him."
The room went quiet for a moment.
Then Noah stretched and yawned. "Let's get some sleep. We have a long day tomorrow."
"Yeah…" Emma said softly.
"Goodnight," Amy added.
The room went silent as the three slept.
The Next Morning
Noah woke up early, washed his face, and fixed his clothes. Emma was brushing her hair, and Amy was doing some push ups.
"Breakfast with royalty," Emma said. "Try not to fight anyone."
Noah shrugged. "No promises."
They walked through the halls until they reached the grand breakfast hall. A long marble table sat in the center. Fruit, bread, rice, meat, everything was neatly laid out.
Allen waved at Allen happily.
Sitting beside him … was the Marine Admiral from last night.
Admiral Raime.
Noah groaned.
"Great...just great this is exactly what I wanted first thing in the morning."
The Admiral gave Noah a cold stare.
"Who's this?" Admiral Raime asked, pointing at Noah.
Noah opened his mouth.
"Umm—My name is—"
Before he could say anything, Alice spoke up.
"This is my fiancé, Neah," Alice said. "And those two are his sisters, Elizabeth and Amber."
The trio froze.
Emma and Amy forced smiles.
They waved at Admiral Raime.
Noah nodded slowly.
(Noah's thoughts)- [Nice save, Alice….]
Allen looked confused for a second, but then he caught onto the act. "He's a wonderful brother in law!" Allen said.
The Admiral studied Noah silently with suspicion in his eyes.
Noah continues to eat not giving a crap about what was going on.
After a tense moment, the Admiral picked up his fork and went back to eating.
Allen talked excitedly.
"I didn't sleep last night! I kept thinking about Neah's fight. You're so strong! How did you learn all that? Can you teach me? Can you."
Alice lightly tapped Allen on his shoulder.
"Eat first."
Emma and Amy giggled.
Noah took a sip of juice and whispered to Emma, "Why do I feel like I'm the only one who's not bothered by all this…?"
"That's probably because you are." Emma whispered back
Amy nodded. "Nothing never really bothers you."
Noah glared at her. Amy smirked.
The Admiral kept staring at Noah the entire time.
Every time Noah looked away, Raime looked right at him.
(Noah's thoughts)-[ Okay now I'm bothered by this moron. If he stares at me again, I'm gonna punch him.]
Once breakfast ended, the servants cleared the table.
Alice stood up and smiled sweetly.
"Neah, honey, would you walk with me to the royal garden?"
Noah blinked.
He looked left.
He looked right.
He pointed to himself.
"…Me?"
Emma leaned toward him and whispered, "She's talking to you, dummy."
Admiral Raime stared even harder now.
Noah panicked.
"Oh! Yes! Right! Sorry." Noah rubbed his head. "Had a concussion yesterday."
Alice took his arm gently.
Noah awkwardly cleared his throat. "Let's go, my love."
Emma covered her mouth trying not to laugh.
Allen just waved happily. "Have fun!"
The Admiral narrowed his eyes.
Alice and Noah walked out of the room together.
The Royal Garden.
The garden was huge—filled with icy trees, glowing flowers, and small dragons resting in the sun. A blue stone path circled a frozen pond.
As soon as they were alone, Alice let go of Noah's arm and sighed loudly.
"That was exhausting."
"You're telling me?" Noah said. "Why am I your fiancé now?!"
Alice crossed her arms. "You should be thanking me. If I didn't say that, the Admiral would've arrested you on the spot."
Noah scratched his cheek. "Okay… fair point."
Alice kept walking, so Noah followed beside her.
A small dragon waddled up to Noah.
It sniffed him.
Then licked his shoe.
"Uh… is this normal?" Noah asked.
Alice giggled. "He likes you. That means you're not evil."
Noah stared. "…So licking shoes is the test?"
"Yes."
"…Your clan is weird."
Alice pushed him lightly. "Stop talking."
Noah laughed.
Alice kept walking, and Noah followed. A small dragon waddled up, sniffed him, then licked his shoe.
Alice sat first.
Noah sat beside her.
She took a breath.
"I need you to continue pretending to be my fiancé."
Noah blinked. "What? Why?"
Alice looked at the palace windows.
"The Marines are watching us. If they think we're actually together, they won't be so suspicious. It keeps you and your crew safe."
Noah leaned back. " Got it."
"Good to know," Alice said.
"Alright..I guess we're engaged until i leave this island." Noah replied.
Alice smirked. "Don't be too happy, if you peek at me while im naked again I'll kill you"
"Yeah..yeah, you can kill me all you want," Noah said.
She looked away, her cheeks slightly red.
"Just don't mess up, okay
"
Noah shrugged. "Anything else?"
Alice twirled a strand of her silver hair.
"Yes. You'll need to stay in my room from now on."
Noah choked on his own spit.
"—WHAT?! Why?!"
Alice turned red. "Because if you sleep somewhere else, the Marines will notice something is off! Couples don't sleep in separate rooms."
Noah covered his face with his hand.
"This is insane…"
Alice poked his shoulder. "Deal with it. You're my fake fiancé now."
Noah groaned. "Emma and Amy are going to kill me."
"Good," Alice said.
Noah stared. "…You're evil."
Alice smirked. "Only a little."
As they walked back toward the palace, Noah felt a strange chill.
He glanced to the side.
Marines were spying behind the pillars, pretending to clean or carry boxes while watching them closely.
"We're being watched." Noah whispered.
"It seems like the Admiral doesn't believe that we're engaged." Alice whispered back.
Noah decided to play along.
He gently placed his hand on Alice's shoulder.
She froze.
Noah leaned in and kissed her on the forehead.
Alice's entire face turned bright red.