The Prince’s Earthly Struggle

Kaelion sat in the corner of the university library, a thick, leather-bound volume resting on his lap. The scent of aged paper mingled with the faint aroma of coffee drifting from a nearby table, while the quiet hum of whispered conversations and the soft rustle of turning pages provided a soothing backdrop. Yet, amidst this serene atmosphere, Kaelion's internal conflict simmered, an unrelenting storm masked by his composed demeanor. The golden letters on the cover read "Grimm’s Fairy Tales," but his expression remained as composed as ever, betraying none of the internal turmoil roiling within. To the casual observer, he might have seemed like a diligent student engrossed in research—a common enough sight among the academic elite. Yet, Kaelion was anything but common, and his current endeavor had nothing to do with class assignments.

His mind had been occupied with one singular, overwhelming thought: Clara. Every interaction with her was a tug-of-war between his duty as the prince of Telysia and his growing, undeniable feelings. He was no stranger to diplomatic challenges or political intrigue, but this—this was uncharted territory. How did one express emotions so deeply personal and intimate? How did one even begin to court a human?

He flipped through the pages of the fairy tale, absorbing the simplistic narratives. Princes kissed enchanted princesses awake, rescued them from towers, or swept them off their feet at grand balls. Was this what humans valued in romance? I'm a prince, but not this type. Surely it can’t be that straightforward, Kaelion thought, his brow furrowing slightly. These stories seemed… reductive, yet they stirred something within him—a yearning to understand what Clara might secretly wish for.

Kaelion sat in the common area of the dormitory, a well-worn book in hand. The title glinted faintly under the dim lighting: "Pride and Prejudice". Though his expression betrayed nothing, his thoughts churned with relentless vigor. If Clara likes books, she must like human romance tales. Surely, these will provide some guidance.

He turned the page methodically, soaking in the details of Darcy's hesitations and Elizabeth's wit. Yet, the nuances escaped him. Should he compliment Clara's intelligence as Darcy did, or would that come across as condescending? He frowned slightly—an almost imperceptible gesture—and closed the book. The complexities of human romance eluded him, despite his rigorous study. This exercise only added layers to his confusion.

The next morning, Kaelion dove into more research. He moved through fairy tales like "Cinderella" and "Snow White", pondering whether human women truly dreamed of dances in ballgowns and dramatic rescues. By mid-afternoon, he’d picked up more contemporary titles. "Twilight" left him confused—was Edward’s brooding meant to be romantic or unsettling? "Fifty Shades of Grey", on the other hand, prompted him to shut the book immediately, baffled and mildly horrified by the peculiar dynamics it portrayed. He briefly questioned his life choices for turning to such material in search of answers.

This is impossible, he thought, walking back to his dorm. How does one even begin to understand human courtship when the information is so... contradictory?

Later that evening, Kaelion’s room was bathed in the glow of his tablet as "Love Story" played on the screen. For the first time, his expression softened—his mouth set in a grim line, his eyes wide. As the movie reached its heart-wrenching conclusion, a single tear betrayed him, slipping down his cheek. He quickly wiped it away, but the lump in his throat remained. The film had stirred something within him, an ache he couldn’t fully articulate.

That’s when Rynar and Noah barged in, their abrupt entrance shattering the quiet. Rynar’s sharp gaze immediately landed on Kaelion, whose reddened eyes betrayed a rare moment of vulnerability. Noah, ever the perceptive one, caught on quickly, his usual grin widening with disbelief at the sight of their stoic companion caught off-guard.

“Kaelion?” Rynar froze, his dark brow furrowing as he took in the scene. “Are you... crying?”

Kaelion stiffened, his usual stoic mask snapping back into place. “I am not.”

Noah exchanged a glance with Rynar before grinning. “You were totally crying. Over Love Story? Man, I didn’t think you were into emotional movies.”

“I’m not,” Kaelion said firmly, standing and switching off the screen. “You saw nothing.”

“Hold up,” Noah said, blocking the doorway. “You’re acting weird. Spill it. What’s going on?”

For a moment, Kaelion hesitated. His gaze flickered between the two of them, weighing his options. Finally, he crossed his arms over his chest. “I require... advice.”

Rynar tilted his head, curious. “Advice? About what?”

“Human courtship,” Kaelion admitted, his voice steady but his words careful. “Specifically regarding Clara.”

Rynar’s jaw dropped. “Clara? As in our student representative Clara? You like her?”

“Yes,” Kaelion replied, his tone flat. “I would appreciate it if you refrained from repeating this information.”

Noah smirked, leaning against the doorframe. “You’re asking me for dating advice? I mean, sure, but aren’t you supposed to be this diplomatic genius?”

“Diplomacy and human romance are not the same,” Kaelion replied dryly.

Noah chuckled. “Fair enough. What have you tried so far?”

“I have read extensively,” Kaelion began, “and watched several human romantic dramas. I have analyzed themes, gestures, and—”

“Wait, wait,” Rynar interrupted. “You’ve been reading books and watching movies? That’s your plan?”

Kaelion frowned slightly. “The literature and media of a culture often reflect its values and behaviors. It seemed logical.”

Noah burst out laughing, his shoulders shaking with amusement. "Man, you’re overcomplicating this," he said, leaning casually against the doorframe, his grin as wide as ever. The incredulity in his tone only added to the contrast with Kaelion’s stoic demeanor, making the moment all the more absurd to Noah. "Books and movies are fine, but they’re not a guide to real life. Clara’s not looking for a prince on a white horse—or, uh, spaceship.”

Rynar scratched his head. “So what does she want? Flowers? Poetry?”

Noah shook his head. “Nope. You don’t need to do anything flashy. Just pay attention to her—what she likes, what she values—and be honest. Ask her out. It’s just a date, not a marriage proposal.”

Kaelion’s brow furrowed in thought. Could it really be that simple?

“I still require guidance,” he admitted. “What constitutes an appropriate... date?”

Noah grinned. “Now that’s something we can help with. Let’s plan the perfect one.”

Rynar crossed his arms. “I don’t know much about human dating, but I’m in. Clara’s cool.”

Kaelion nodded, his resolve strengthening. “Very well. Let us proceed.”

From that moment, the three of them brainstormed ideas, Kaelion listening intently as Noah described casual outings and simple gestures. Though Kaelion remained composed, his thoughts betrayed him: Clara deserves something memorable, but not overwhelming. Something... perfect.

As the night went on, Kaelion’s confidence grew. He would ask Clara on a date, and for the first time, he felt a flicker of hope.

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