When they were done reading, Ophelia felt a new surge to explore. What to explore, the world, Nordlys, herself, or Leon? She did not know.

On the next day, when she was about to go train with him, she noticed little white feathers on her wings. Gasping in ecstasy, she said, "Sir, look! My wings are going to be white!"

Seeing her run around him in joy, Leon smiled a little. Ophelia stopped in front of him and said, "Why are my wings white? I thought they would be black, just like yours."

"It is because you're different from me."

Ophelia nodded as she understood. Leon advised, "You need to be careful with them when you go outside. Don't let anyone see your wings. If they recognize you as a daylight vampire, you will be in trouble."

"Aye, Sir!"

"Can you try moving your wings?"

Ophelia nodded again and slowly moved her wings upwards.

"You need to fold your wings and hide them. Look at me," said Leon as he spread his wings out. Ophelia watched him in awe.

"Try following what I do," he said and slowly folded his wings behind.

She was confused; she could not catch what he was doing at first. When he repeated, she watched him carefully.

Looking back at her wings, she tried doing what she had seen. The first attempt failed; she ended up hurting herself by moving them in the wrong direction. Frustrated, she sighed. "This is so hard!"

Leon let out a chuckle. "I know, it is. But you should not give up yet."

Ophelia took a deep breath and tried again after Leon showed her. She moved her wings slowly, making sure she copied every move of Leon. When her wings folded just right, she grinned. "I did it."

Leon's wings disappeared into his back. It seemed as if they were gone. Ophelia's eyes widened in wonder. "How did you do that, Sir?"

"It works with magic. You should be able to do it by just telling your wings."

"Oh..." Ophelia closed her eyes and whispered, "Dear wings, please disappear..." Opening her eyes, she saw they were gone.

"You don't have to say it out loud," said Leon as he rolled his eyes.

Later, they went out to train.

Ophelia practised swinging her sword every day. When Leon saw her rapid improvement, he thought of teaching her how to fly.

It was a night when Grace was out of the house. Before Ophelia could change into her nightgown, Leon said, "Have you ever wondered how the night sky would look without the clouds?"

Ophelia looked back at him with curiosity. He was seated on the couch; his lips slightly curled up. It was unusual for him to talk about something trivial with such enthusiasm. She placed her finger on her chin, thinking. "Not really. I've seen it all my life: a sky lit up with stars."

Leon looked at his feet, smiling. "Don't you want to see how it is in Nordlys?"

The girl could understand he was disappointed in her indifference. She said nervously, "Y-yes, I do!"

Leon stood and walked towards the store room. "Then, let's go."

Feeling helpless, Ophelia put her cloak on and followed him out of the house through the back door.

It was eerily dark in the woods, almost pitch black. She was only able to divide the nearest trees from the background. The only bright thing she could see was the dim whiteness of Leon's shirt. Fearing that she might fall, she held tight onto his shirt.

The man looked behind. Seeing his intimidating gaze, Ophelia assumed he was slightly irked by her action. She let go of his shirt, grinning sheepishly. "I'm sorry... It's just very dark here."

Leon sighed and held her by hand by the wrist. He said, "Let's not waste time here," and began to run.

She jerked at the sudden pull on her hand, but she adjusted with it. She ran through the woods after him, not having the slightest idea of where he would take her to. All she knew was: he had been excited about it.

After running for quite a long time and taking small breaks in between, they stopped at the end of the woods. Ophelia was astonished to see a thick wall of white clouds in front of them. She said while panting, "What is this thing?"

She walked towards the white wall and touched it. It did not feel like anything other than cold fog. Leon said, "This is where the clouds that cover the sky end."

Ophelia turned to him and asked with doubt, "Why are we here?"

"To avoid being seen."

Leon held her hand and walked through the wall. To Ophelia, it seemed as if Leon sank into a sea of clouds. It scared her when she could not see him from the other side. The only part of him she saw was the hand holding hers.

Ophelia closed her eyes and stepped forward. She felt a slow, chilling wind as she passed through the wall. When she felt she had done it, she opened her eyes and saw a roaring sea right in front of her.

The winds were strong and the sea was illuminated with the light of the stars. Ophelia looked up to see a sky she had never seen before. The stars glistened, beating like hearts. The bands of greenish light in the sky flowed like smoke, although they were soothing. Reflecting the hues of green, the sea looked iridescent.

Leon stood in front of her, blocking her vision. Her heart skipped a beat when he held both of her hands. It was unnatural for him to smile softly and hold her with such gentleness. Ophelia wondered, Why is he acting like this?

His ink-black wings spread out behind him. Ophelia could comprehend he would fly with her; it made her heart throb. Her face heated up despite the cold winds that blew.

Without warning, Leon strode backwards, still holding her hands – but tighter this time. The girl gasped, feeling a sudden pull to her hands. She could not help but follow along as he jumped off the cliff.

The last thing she saw before closing her eyes tight was Leon's glimmering smile. She anticipated she would find herself drowning in the cruel waters of the sea. She shrieked in fear, but none of what she had worried about happened.

She felt weightless while Leon was still holding her hands. His hold was as gentle as it was before. What is going on?

Ophelia opened her eyes when Leon said, "There is nothing to be afraid of, Ophelia."

His wings flapped, creating tranquil winds around them. Below them was a lively sea shimmering in starlight.

Unable to believe any of it, Ophelia said in a breathy voice, "Is this real?"

Leon nodded. Ophelia could not understand how she was floating though Leon only held her hands. Naturally, she would be hanging in that position, but it did not happen. She asked, "How am I floating?"

"I used magic."

Leon changed his pace and flew towards a mountain that reached over the clouds. He landed in a cave in the mountain, making sure Ophelia was safe throughout the entire flight.

When they were in the cave, Leon let go of her hands and stood under the starlight. He gazed at the sky with unwavering devotion. Ophelia had never seen him beaming with such felicity. His face was glowing; his eyes were sparkling.

Ophelia did not notice how her lips curled up into a smile seeing his euphoria. She went ahead and stood right beside him. The view from the cave was breathtaking. Above them was a sky embellished with stars and light, and below was a thick layer of dimly glowing clouds.

"Is this what you wanted to show me?" she said, marvelling at the view.

Leon turned his head to her and replied, "Yes."

"It's really beautiful."

He smiled at her words. After a moment of silence, he reached his hand out to the sky. "I wonder if... I can live long enough to let Nordlythians see it every night."

Ophelia's heart sank in uncertainty. She strode closer to him and stuttered, "What are you saying, Sir?"

Leon turned his head to her, chuckling. "I hope we both live to see that day together."

Ophelia did not know what he meant. She was a little afraid hearing his words, especially when he stood at the very edge of the path. She strode to him and held his hand. "Sir, what do you mean?"

He remained silent at the question as if he never heard it. His hand was not cold. Ophelia felt mild astonishment seeing how warm his hand was. She sighed and lowered her head. "You seem to have... a fever."

"Are you worried about me?" he said as he clasped her hand. Flustered, she pulled her hand away. She stuttered, "No... actually, yes. If something happened to you, who would look after me?"

Leon took a deep breath. "Why, there are Mother and Danielle. They will take better care of you."

When Ophelia frowned, he laughed quietly and shook her hand off. "Fear not, I will be alright."

She moved towards him, fidgeting. "But... I don't think it's normal."

Ophelia noticed him rubbing his arms all of a sudden, shivering. He walked into the cave, followed by the concerned girl.

Leon wrapped his cloak around himself and sat on the ground. Ophelia took her cloak off and gave it to him. She sat beside him and watched as he placed his head on her lap, covering his face. He whispered, "Hey, there is no need to worry."

She did not know what to do. She could only pat his head and hope he would get better soon.