Francis POV

My ears were filled with the sound of women's annoying squealing.

"She's so adorable!" my mother, Grassina, squealed, leaning over to get a better look at baby Sophia.

Millie beamed with pride, little Sophia cradled in her arms. As Sophia slept, her little pink mouth opened into a perfect O. She let out a soft yawn, stretching her arms slightly, then falling back into deep slumber.

"Awwww!" the ladies cooed together.

I groaned, turning to look at Audun. "How can you stand this? Doesn't it even bother you in the slightest?"

Audun chuckled, his gaze never leaving the child lying in her mother's arms. "When it's your daughter they're squealing about, it's really not that bad." He smiled as Sophia's let out a content sigh. "Being a father changes your outlook on life."

I rolled my eyes. "Congratulations, you've achieved ultimate sap mode."

Audun just shook his head. He reached out to clap my shoulder. "One day, you'll understand."

I glared at him. Who did he think he was, getting all deep with me? He was acting like my father!

I brushed his hand away. "Keep dreaming, dragon boy." I said.

Emma finally released her hold on Eadric, and he quickly made his escape. "Phew! All this baby talk is going to drive me insane!" he exclaimed.

Audun grinned. "You know you like it."

Eadric turned to him, beaming. "Very much, actually." He shook himself once. "I can't believe I'm a grandfather!"

Audun smiled dreamily. "And I a father. This is all so unreal."

"Augh..." I groaned. "That's it, I'm gone." I turned and started down the throne stairs, ready to make my grand escape.

Suddenly, light flooded the room, momentarily blinding me.

Almost as suddenly as it had come, it vanished. I heard a soft thud, and knew instantly that the flood of light had been from the hall doors opening. Now that they were closed, the intense light had vanished.

I looked up to see the most beautiful girl I had ever seen walk down the hall.

Her hair was long and silky, falling down over her shoulders in a cascade of curls. She was a bit on the short side, but not by much. As she walked forward, I noted the way her dark purple dress swished around her ankles.

The closer she got, the more I got the feeling I was missing something. She looked oddly familiar...

The girl reached the stairs, and smiled up at everyone. Did she know them? And why did I get the feeling I knew her?

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Millie gasp, her face breaking into such a big smile I thought her face would crack.

"Zoe!" she cried, rushing forward to hug the girl awkwardly with one arm (she was still holding Sophia).

"Hey Millie." Zoe said in a voice I recognized from a time long long ago.

The two friends started talking, telling stories of the times they'd been apart.

It was then that I began to recognize the familiar features in this older Zoe. The way she held herself, completely at ease. Her eyes were filled with that mischievous glint, as if she had just preformed a master prank.

Her smile I recognized most of all. I'd always loved how, when she smiled, it spread all the way up to her eyes, as if her features were smiling along with her mouth.

As I stared at her in awe, she turned her head slightly in my direction, looking out of the corner of her eye. A smile lit up her face when she saw me. She leaned forward to murmur something in Millie's ear, and then started towards me.

I stiffened, and for once, I felt completely unsure of myself.

Thoughts buzzed furiously through my mind. She's coming over here! What am I going to say? I don't know what's going on in her life. What if she thinks I'm silly?

Zoe had reached me, and was standing in front of me with a big smile on her face. "Hi Francis." she murmured softly.

I caught my breath. You're waiting too long! a voice in my head screamed. Say something!

"Uh...hi Zoe." I said, my voice squeaking at the end. I winced. Brilliant. Francis, brilliant.

We just looked at each other, neither of us saying a word. My body was on fire, and I was struggling not to gasp for air. I was mortified.

The silence was deafening.

Is that even possible?

Well it was for me.

I wanted to say something...anything. But I couldn't stop staring at her. My mind had shut down for shock of seeing her again, seeing her grown up. She was no longer the 13 year old girl I had once known. She was a grown woman. 18 years of age.

And I was just some flustered knight.