A Growing Turmoil

Kaelion adjusted the strap of his satchel as he walked alongside Clara toward the university library, his posture as straight and composed as ever, though inside, his thoughts churned with restless energy. Each step felt heavier than usual, burdened not by physical strain but by the intangible weight of emotions he couldn’t quite articulate. The vibrant chatter of students passing by only seemed to amplify his inner disquiet, their carefree voices a stark contrast to his brooding silence. The day was crisp, sunlight filtering through the towering trees lining the campus paths. Clara carried her usual energy, her stride lively and her chatter casual as she recounted the highlights of the sports day. Her enthusiasm was infectious, her laughter ringing out like a melody, but Kaelion's mind was caught in a web of conflicting emotions he could not untangle. His role as the prince of Telysia, the zaylaran nation renowned for its diplomacy and openness, loomed in the back of his mind, complicating his growing feelings for Clara.

The Diplomatic Foundations class had tasked them with analyzing recent interspecies treaties, a challenging project requiring deep focus. Yet, Kaelion found his attention increasingly divided. Clara’s presence was a distraction he had never anticipated. Her voice, her smile, even the way she furrowed her brow when concentrating—everything about her drew his thoughts away from the task at hand. He questioned himself repeatedly: why did she have this effect on him? Was it merely admiration, or something deeper?

In the library, the atmosphere was hushed and focused, the scent of old books mingling with the faint hum of a heating vent. Clara spread her notes across the table, flipping open a treaty compendium with enthusiasm, her movements quick and purposeful. Her eyes sparkled with energy as she scanned the pages, occasionally muttering to herself or underlining key points. She exuded a contagious eagerness that seemed to light up the quiet corners of the library, a stark contrast to Kaelion’s subdued presence.

“Okay,” she began, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “I think we should start with the Arador Accord. It’s the most recent and probably the most relevant example of successful diplomacy.”

Kaelion nodded, his gaze lingering on her a fraction too long before forcing himself to scan the document in front of him. Focus, he chided himself. This is not the time for such thoughts.

Minutes turned into hours. Clara scribbled notes and highlighted passages with vigor, her enthusiasm evident. Kaelion, meanwhile, struggled to absorb the text. His eyes skimmed words without registering their meaning, his mind drifting back to Clara. The curve of her smile when she found something, the way her brow knitted in concentration—these thoughts consumed him. Despite his best efforts, her presence filled the space between each breath he took, rendering him helpless against the pull she had on him.

“Kaelion,” Clara’s voice snapped him back to reality. She was looking at him, her expression tinged with concern. “Are you okay? You seem… distracted. Which isn’t like you.”

Kaelion straightened, his face a practiced mask of composure. “I am fine. Just… tired.”

Clara’s gaze lingered for a moment longer than necessary, her eyes searching his face. “Well, we’re both tired,” she said, leaning back in her chair. “Maybe we should call it a day. We’re not going to get much done like this.”

Kaelion hesitated, part of him wanting to protest. But the truth was, his mind was too muddled to be productive. He nodded. “Very well. Perhaps tomorrow will be more fruitful.”

Back in his dormitory, Kaelion sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the moonlit wall, his mind a tempest of emotions. The faint silver glow of moonlight illuminated the stark walls, casting soft shadows that seemed to mirror the turbulence within him. Why am I so consumed by her? he thought, running a hand through his silver hair. His heart wrestled with unspoken desires and fears, each thought colliding with the next. Would she even consider someone like me? A zaylaran? A prince? Telysia’s openness and diplomatic values were a source of pride for him, yet now they felt like an impossible standard. Clara values honesty and simplicity. What if she doesn’t want the complications of being with someone like me?

He clenched his hands into fists, frustration mounting at his inability to control his emotions. The quiet of the night offered no solace. The questions endlessly spiraled in his head until they blurred into a single aching truth: he wanted her. But could he risk everything for this? Sleep was an impossibility. He lay back on his bed, staring at the ceiling, as the hours crawled by, each one heavier than the last. His chest tightened with each unanswered question, his mind returning to the same doubt: Could Clara ever accept me?

The next day, Kaelion arrived at their Interspecies Communication class, his steps heavy, as though the restless night had seeped into his very bones. The familiar hum of conversation in the classroom felt distant, almost muffled, and each movement seemed to require deliberate effort. His silver hair fell slightly out of place, a subtle but rare sign of his exhaustion. Professor Vynel, an aging zaylaran with sharp eyes and a wealth of experience, greeted the students with his usual enigmatic smile. Kaelion found his seat next to Clara, who immediately noticed his haggard appearance.

“Kaelion, are you okay?” she whispered, leaning closer. “You look even worse than yesterday.”

He shook his head slightly. “I am merely tired. Nothing more.”

Clara frowned, unconvinced but choosing not to press him further. After class, she waited for him outside the lecture hall.

“Here,” she said, handing him a steaming cup of coffee. “You need this more than I do.”

Kaelion accepted the gesture with a mix of gratitude and discomfort. “Thank you,” he said, his voice quieter than usual. The warmth of the coffee seemed to seep into his soul, momentarily soothing his restless thoughts. Yet, even as the drink brought a fleeting sense of relief, the storm within him persisted.

That afternoon, Clara suggested they continue their project in her dorm room.

“I have too much other work to do, and if I go to the library, I’ll never finish,” she explained. “But if we work here, I can multitask.”

Kaelion hesitated, his heart quickening at the thought. Yet he agreed, following her down the corridor to her room. The space was small but cozy, filled with personal touches: a bulletin board covered in photos, a shelf crammed with books, and a desk cluttered with stationery.

Kaelion stood awkwardly for a moment, his gaze darting around as a faint unease settled over him. He noticed the cozy chaos of Clara’s room and felt a strange mix of intrusion and comfort. "Your room is… inviting," he said, his tone betraying an unusual stiffness. For a brief moment, he wondered if crossing into this personal space would only deepen the chasm of emotions he was trying so hard to suppress.

Clara laughed, gesturing for him to sit. “Thanks. Make yourself comfortable.”

They resumed their work, Clara’s focus unwavering. Kaelion, however, found it increasingly difficult to concentrate. The proximity was overwhelming. He stole glances at her, noting the way her hair caught the light, the way her lips moved as she read aloud. He found himself wondering if her friendliness was simply platonic or if there was something more behind her warm gestures.

This is unbearable, he thought. How can I focus when she is so… captivating? Yet the weight of his title and its implications loomed. If Clara shared his feelings, would she still accept him, knowing his responsibilities as Telysia’s prince?

On the outside, his expression remained neutral, betraying none of the turmoil within. Clara, oblivious to his inner struggle, carried on, her voice a steady anchor.

After several hours, they called it a day. As Kaelion returned to his room, his thoughts remained in chaos. He lay awake again that night, staring at the ceiling, the weight of his feelings pressing down on him. Every unresolved emotion threatened to unravel his carefully composed facade.

I cannot continue like this, he resolved. Tomorrow, I must find a solution.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***