"Do you really think it could work out between us?"
With Mrazivý getting straight to the point, she wanted to hear what Marcus had to say about the possibility of there actually being something between them.
They certainly were close, having become good friends starting when they were both stuck down in the Ocean Bluff Temple alone together for over a week, and continuing with their subsequent encounters.
She had given it a great deal of thought, but she was still not able to come up with a definitive answer.
Certainly, she could not deny that she cared for Marcus. She had poured her only emergency elixir down his throat without hesitation, and she could only think of very few other people she would have done that for.
But right now, she was conflicted on whether a relationship between them could ever amount to anything.
She was a princess, and he was a ghost, how could it possibly end well.
However, Marcus while having similar concerns as Mrazivý, was confident in trying to build their relationship, and said, "Yes I think it could work between us. I realize that right now both of our feelings are immature, but I would like to see where we might end up if we give it a chance."
Marcus could clearly see that Mrazivý was on the fence about the possibility of their being something between them, but he was certain it was not because she did not have any affection for him, but because of her position as a princess and the difference in their races.
But an idea quickly pooped up into his mind and he took out the map of the kingdom he had and handed it over to Mrazivý.
"If you are still unsure, how about we go on a date to see if we are compatible. Pick anywhere you want to go within five hundred miles of here, and we can go there today just the two of us."
"What?!"
Mrazivý was utterly shocked when Marcus said this. Five hundred miles? Anywhere she wants to go? How would that be even possible. She could come up with over a dozen problems just right off her head as to why it would not work.
"Are you joking around with me?" Mrazivý asked genuinely confused.
Yet Marcus simply shook his head and said, "Nope, I really mean it. I can fly us anywhere within five hundred miles. Of course, it does not have to be that far if there is somewhere closer you want to go."
"But what about the tournament, you have another match in just a day and a half. And anyway, Heward would never let me go off on my own like that."
Undoubtably Mrazivý had brought up some good points, but Marcus was not going to relent so easily, and said, "The time is off no issue. We can go today and come back tomorrow. As for avoiding Sir Heward, do you not have any sort of secret exit we could sneak out of."
Unfortunately, Mrazivý had to quash Marcus' hopes of a hidden door that led to a network of tunnels or something. There was only one way in or out of the room, and currently it was being watched by an overprotective knight.
"Okay give me a moment and I will find a way around him."
Vanishing, Marcus returned to his ghost form, and quickly peeked his head outside.
And just as he thought Sir Heward was firmly planted in front of the door, with Diana standing just off to the side.
'Well, it would be difficult to go out this way. I could try luring them away somehow, but I highly doubt that Sir Heward would leave for anything. Possession is too risky; they are both strong enough to put up a level of resistance. Time to look for another way.'
With the front door not an easy option, Marcus peaked into he two room that were next to Mrazivý's and found that they were also occupied. But when he went down, he discovered an empty room, devoid of any life.
Floating back up Marcus reappeared startling Mrazivý for a second as she threw the map in her hands away and reached for her sword.
Letting out a breath of relief Mrazivý took here hand off her sword and said, "Next time could you warn me before you disappear and appear out of nowhere."
"Sorry, sorry, I did not mean to scare you. It will not happen again." Marcus said, as he held his hands up and apologize.
"So did you pick out somewhere you wanted to go."
Remembering what she had been doing Mrazivý picked up the map of the kingdom Marcus had handed her and laid it out in front of her.
"Yeah, there is a place I have always wanted to go, but I have not really had the chance since it is far away from any civilization."
Mrazivý then placed her finger on the map where she wanted to go, and it really was in the middle of nowhere.
The was no sort of settlement within fifty miles of the place and it was almost four hundred miles from the capital city.
Also, on the map Marcus had there were no discernable landmarks, it was just a blank space.
"What is there, as far as I can see on this map there is nothing."
Shaking her head Mrazivý said, "No your map just does not have it on there. Though it makes sense, since that area is normally pretty treacherous and lacking in resources, and the place I want to go is known by only a few. But my one of my older brothers who is the leader of the kingdom's aerial knights, flew over there one time and said that there is a large ravine that runs through this area, and is full of beautiful crystal caverns. He told me that it was one of the most amazing things that he had ever seen, and I have wanted to go since I was a little girl when he told me about it."
As Mrazivý talked about the place Marcus could see the genuine wonder and happiness it was bringing her.
It was a place she really wanted to go but had never had the opportunity. However, Marcus was going to change that today.
"Okay, I have figured out a way for us to leave unnoticed, I checked the room below this one and it is empty. So, if I carve out part of the floor, we can drop down into the room below yours, and leave unnoticed."
Mrazivý then looked down at the floor with a bit of hesitation.
She wondered if she should really be doing this. It would cause a good deal of trouble when she was discovered missing. But this was her chance to go somewhere she wanted without it being scrutinized or changed by anyone, a decision all her own.
"Let's do it. But first I should write a letter so that the entire kingdom does not go up in arms and think I was abducted."
Mrazivý quickly wrote up a latter telling her guardians that she was heading out on a quick trip with her friend, and that she would be back tomorrow.
"I will probably get in trouble when we come back and get the scolding of my life, but this is going to be fun." Mrazivý said with a big grin on her face.
The two of them then equipped the hair changing hair pins that Marcus had made, before he cut out a small square from the floor with his scythe.
"Got it."
Using his spectral arm Marcus was able to prevent the large slab of stone from crashing into the floor below, and slowly lowered it down.
The two of them then lowered themselves down into the room, and began making their way out of the arena, with Mrazivý's protectors none the wiser.