After coming back from hanging out with Aria, I spent ti with the four girls. My parents had retired early, and Aria was video chatting with friends in her room, leaving us with a rare mont of privacy.
"Honestly, I'm impressed with your dedication," Rose comnted from her place at the foot of the bed, her auburn hair loose around her shoulders instead of its usual careful arrangent. She was leafing through one of my training journals, her analytical mind clearly appreciating the detailed notes. "Your approach to mana circulation is quite innovative."
"It's the bare minimum," Cecilia countered as we lounged on the bed, and this ti, I was relegated to her lap. Fairness demanded a rotation after all, since Seraphina couldn't hog that privilege every night. "Arthur's potential is extraordinary. He's only scratching the surface."
I exhaled, resolving to be ready.
"Besides, who else would have the patience to listen to Rachel's endless theories on courtly etiquette?" I said, feigning a sigh, which earned a smirk from Rachel and a good-natured swat on the shoulder from Seraphina.
Cecilia rolled her eyes, "The Martial King clearly recognizes your value. Private training sessions are unheard of."
"The Martial King has always valued potential over pedigree," Rose observed quietly. "My father says it's why the academy has maintained its standards despite political pressure."
I chuckled. "Oh great. You're all going to inflate my ego until I float away."
"Exactly," Rachel grinned, leaning over. "Prepare for greatness, Arthur. There's no escaping it."
At her words, I felt both the warmth of friendship and the weight of responsibility, as well as a renewed determination to be ready for whatever ca next. For now, I'd revel in this company—and maybe survive the impending expectations with a smidgen of grace.
I caught Cecilia's gaze lingering on my abdon. "Is my nightgown not quite up to your royal standards this evening, Your Highness?" I teased, raising an eyebrow as her cheeks flushed and she quickly looked away. This ti, I'd made sure to wear a nightgown that actually covered everything—no repeat of last night's... unplanned transparency.
She leaned in close, her voice barely a whisper, "I'd actually prefer nothing." Her fingers brushed my forehead as she spoke, and this ti, it was my turn to blush.
Rose cleared her throat, her face bright red. "Perhaps we should discuss sothing more... appropriate?" Despite her embarrassnt, there was a hint of amusent in her eyes.
Before I could muster a coback, Rachel held my hand with a small, wistful smile. "When you're training with the Martial King... don't forget about us, alright?" There was a softness in her voice that caught off guard.
Seraphina nodded beside her, wrapping her fingers around my other hand, her expression uncharacteristically tender. "Yes. Don't leave us wondering... alone."
"Like I could ever forget," I replied, smirking as I brought both their hands up and pressed a light kiss to the back of each. "With four of the most extraordinary won I know waiting for ? I'd be a fool not to."
Rose watched with a small smile, her eyes conveying emotions far deeper than her composed deanor suggested. "You have a gift for flattery, Arthur Nightingale."
"Not flattery if it's true," I replied, eting her gaze directly.
Cecilia, who'd been quietly watching, leaned down from her place above . Before I could even blink, she was holding my face in her hands, her lips brushing against mine in a bold, unexpected kiss that left too stunned to think.
When she pulled back, her crimson eyes sparkled with both mischief and warmth. "That's just to make sure you rember."
My heart was thudding as I tried to summon sothing witty, but all I managed was a smile that probably looked more dazed than dashing. Sowhere in the background, Rachel and Seraphina exchanged glances before each giving Cecilia a knowing, exasperated look. Rose's eyes had widened considerably, her composed deanor montarily shattered.
"You are so unfair, Ceci!" Rachel huffed, crossing her arms before reaching over and, to my surprise, pulling up with enough mana-boosted strength that I didn't have much say in the matter.
Before I knew it, my face was nestled against her chest as she held close, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks. Leaning in, she whispered, "See? Far better than Cecilia, right?" Her voice wavered, her confidence almost hiding a touch of nervousness as she gently patted my head.
Cecilia watched with raised eyebrows, her smirk not hiding her amusent. "Well, Art? It seems you've been caught in a, shall we say, tight spot?"
I chuckled, pulling back just enough to et Rachel's eyes. "I'd say I'm in a rather… unique position." Seraphina, who had been quietly observing, shook her head with an exasperated smile, muttering sothing that sounded suspiciously like, "Honestly, the three of you…"
Rose had buried her face in her hands, though I could see the tips of her ears burning crimson. "This is highly improper," she mumbled, though she made no move to leave.
Rachel's blush deepened, but she held on, clearly intent on proving her point. anwhile, I could only pray fervently that my parents wouldn't choose this mont for a late-night check-in.
We eventually settled in, and the room grew quiet as everyone drifted off to sleep. Or so I thought.
Just as I was about to close my eyes, a soft whisper brushed against my ear.
"Art."
I turned, eting Seraphina's gaze, her ice-blue eyes bright even in the dim light. She had an almost petulant pout on her face that made bite back a grin.
"Aren't you being a little unfair?" she whispered, weaving her mana into her voice so the others wouldn't stir.
"What do you an?" I whispered back, arching an eyebrow, already knowing where this was headed.
She tilted her head, the moonlight catching in her silver hair. "You know exactly what I an. Make it up to … hug ," she whispered, pulling slightly on my nightgown for emphasis.
I shook my head, chuckling, but slid an arm around her shoulders. "Happy now?"
Her eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint as she shook her head, guiding my arm lower, until my hand rested on her exposed midriff, her breath catching for just a mont.
"Sera…" I murmured, feeling my own heart rate kick up a notch.
"It's only fair," she said, flashing a grin that was both innocent and entirely self-assured as she settled her hand over mine, keeping it in place. With a little sigh of satisfaction, she nestled in and closed her eyes, clearly content.
From the other side of the bed ca a soft, almost inaudible sigh. I turned slightly to see Rose watching us, her expression a complex mixture of longing and resignation. When our eyes t, she quickly looked away, pretending to be asleep.
And as I lay there, surrounded by these four remarkable won, I felt both the weight of the situation—and the start of a smile.
Despite the chaos of the morning—sparked by Seraphina's playful move from the night before and the ensuing looks exchanged between the girls—it seed par for the course now. Just another part of this unusual but sohow endearing reality I was living.
A small, genuine smile curved my lips as I watched them, feeling a warmth I hadn't expected. Because, deep down, I already did love them—with everything in , these remarkable, frustrating, and undeniably captivating won who had sohow made their way into my life.
Morning would co soon enough, bringing with it the inevitable teasing and playful competition. Rose would pretend nothing had happened, maintaining her dignified facade. Cecilia would be boldly unapologetic about her kiss. Rachel would vacillate between embarrassnt and determination. Seraphina would wear that knowing smirk that seed to see right through .
For now, that would do. And maybe, that was already more than enough.
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