Shards of Memory [English - Under Revision]

Chapter 32: Trust me

Blaise

I know she's avoiding me.

She thinks she hides it well behind her "duties" — paperwork, meetings, errands — but I can tell. She's everywhere and nowhere all at once. At breakfast, she's already gone. At lunch, she chooses the Royals' office instead of the cafeteria. After classes, she vanishes straight into her office, not even sparing me a glance.

Her messages have turned cold too. Where she once sent long, sarcastic rants or little jokes, now I get one-word replies, if she answers at all.

It's not just "busy." Skylane's always been busy. But she's never been... absent.

And the worst part? I don't even know what I did.

I asked Harice first. He shrugged.
"She's swamped, man. She's taking other people's tasks on top of hers. She's stretching herself thin."

I didn't buy it. So I asked Dalyn. Then Ryder.

"Why don't you just ask her yourself?" Ryder said.

"I did," I snapped. "She brushed me off. Said she's fine."

Fine. Always fine. It's like she's building walls brick by brick, and I can't find the door anymore.

Ryder tapped my shoulder. "Then let her. If she's not ready to talk, crowding her will only push her farther. Give her space, Blaise. She'll come back."

I clenched my fists. I don't want to give her space. But maybe he's right.

"I'll help her instead. If she's overwhelmed, I'll carry half the weight."

Dalyn laughed. "That's the problem, Blaise. Sky loves helping. Hates being helped. She'll fight you off just to prove she can do it herself."

And of course, he was right too. She's stubborn when she's like this, carrying the world alone because she refuses to look weak.

Then Kingsley cut in, his voice calm. "Maybe it's for the best. You've got your own hunt, don't you? Rex."

The name landed like a stone in my chest.

White didn't even look up from his notes. "We saw you file the excuse letter. Don't act surprised."

I groaned. Secrets don't last with these guys.

I turned to Ryder. "When Dalyn can't, it's you. Watch her. Protect her."

He gave me a short nod. That was all I needed.

I swore to Sky I wouldn't ditch class again. I meant it. But this—this isn't about keeping promises. This is about keeping her safe. And if that means breaking my word, then so be it.

Skylane

I'm busy. Too busy. That's what I keep telling myself.

There's the festival to organize. Three trips to finalize. Council work stacked higher than my desk can hold. And still—I volunteer for more. Decorations. Schedules. Even logistics that aren't my responsibility. Anything to keep my hands moving, my head occupied.

Because when I stop, I remember.

His phone in my hand. Her pictures. Their smiles. The way my chest caved in that night in the party. We were pretty good back in Palawan in a way. But- It's still painful in a way?

So yes. I'm avoiding Blaise.

The college campus was buzzing with festival preparations. Booths half-constructed, banners being painted, students running around with props. We Royals came to check on things.