Pepper placed a bowl of porridge in front of Sofia. "Here you go dear. Are you sure that you are alright? You look rather pale."
"I'm totally alright, Pepper. Thank you for the breakfast." Sofia smiled as she began to eat.
"You looked stunning last night, dear. Who, may I ask, gave you that pendant? I don't recall you having that before."
Sofia looked down at the beautiful sapphire and diamond pendant. "Oh... it was Gunther. It was a gesture of friendship."
Pepper smirked. "Friendship... really? You normally exchange food or sword tips as a gesture of friendship... jewellery is a gesture of asking for courtship I think." She giggled.
Sofia blushed and looked into her bowl. I wish... She finished her food and handed the bowl to Pepper. "Thank you, Pepper. I'm off to train for a little bit." She added with a bow of the head.
"Sofia... you do realise the feelings that Gunther has for you... right?" She asked. "I feel that he's just afraid to put pressure on you since what happened when you were cursed into a human body. He doesn't want to lose you or for you to be alone again once he eventually passes on." She looked at her hands.
Sofia sighed. "His father wouldn't allow it anyway." She walked out of the kitchen.
Pepper sighed.
A few moments later, Gunther arrived. "Sofia?" He looked around for the girl.
"She just left to train, Gunther." She stared at his face.
It was covered in sweat and his eyes were wide. He was shaking head to toe.
"Gunther?" Pepper put her hand onto his arm. "What happened between you two? Sofia came in white as a ghost too." She frowned. "Have you two had a falling out?"
He shook his head. "We encountered the man she fell for as a dragon... he tried to kill her. Then announced to my father what she was. My father forbade me to go near her. But now he's asking me to court her for his own gain because Sofia has riches beyond riches." He exhaled and dropped onto the stool next to him and dropped his head into his hands. "Pepper... I love that woman with every bone in my body... but I'm scared I'll only end up causing her pain."
"Gunther... I'm going to tell you something." Jane had walked into the kitchen. She had heard what was said.
He looked up at her. "Jane?!"
"That girl for whatever reason... she has fallen for you despite her desperate attempts to stay unattached to any of us." She stated.
Gunther stared at the red-head. "She... she loves me?!"
Jane nodded. "She's broken down your walls... but you crashed through hers."
This made Gunther grin like an idiot despite the current situation.
"But she's afraid that you will one day leave her. Whether it's out of boredom or through death. According to her, dragons find one soul-mate for life. She thought that dragon-slayer was the one, but she was stood corrected when she met you. Her heart has bound to yours no matter how much she tries to deny it. She's willing to give you the flame when she finds it... to grant you immortality... in order to be with you forever."
"She is willing to throw away her chances of becoming a dragon again... to...?"
"Be with you... yes."
Gunther cupped his mouth in slight surprise. "Why... why would she choose me...?"
Jane snickered. "Beats me. You're a complete ass. But when it comes to her... you'd do anything to please her. As for that necklace that is around her neck. She never stopped staring at it all night."
"Gunther... go and see her. She's in a terrible state." Pepper stated. "She looked on the verge of tears and the one person who can stop them is her sweetheart." She dragged him up by his arm. "And for goodness sake, tell the girl before someone else snatches her up."
Gunther smirked. "Nobody would dare take my girl."
"That's the spirit. I think she's in her favourite hiding place. I didn't see her in the courtyard." Jane told him.
He nodded and walked out. "Thank you, Jane, and you too Pepper." He bowed his head.
Jane looked to Pepper. "Do you think I did the right thing... telling him?"
Pepper was grinning from ear to ear. "Jane... that was amazing. Maybe now that idiot would stop dilly-dallying about."
"I just hope Sofia will accept him if he confesses."
"Maybe he won't say a word." Pepper raised a brow.
"Oh, my goodness! He's going to kiss her?!" Jane exclaimed quietly.
Pepper laughed. "He's been beating around the bush for a few days."
"I can't believe those two fell in love in the matter of a week."
"Jester fell for you in a few minutes apparently." Pepper smirked.
"Oh shush. We're together now, aren't we?" Jane elbowed Pepper softly.
"Yes, and it's all so wonderful."
