Sophia bit her fingers, frustration etched into her delicate features. Her usual bright and excitable expression, like a blooming flower under the sun, had withered into worry.
Princess Lucy, who silently riding a carriage eyes scanning the Envelope and opening it looking at the letter in her hands.
The paper contained devastating news—Akashi had been found severely injured, teetering on the edge of death, and now lay unconscious in a coma.
Lucy's hands trembled as she gripped the paper tighter, crumpling it under the pressure of her fury and fear. She had fulfilled all her duties assigned by the Queen, had played her role perfectly,
She wasted no ti.
With a flash of blue light and a storm of energy, Lucy spamd teleportation spells, warping through space over and over until—barely thirty minutes later—she arrived at the scene. Her breath was ragged, her mana thinned, but her concern overrode her exhaustion. As the bright glow of her final teleportation faded, she appeared in a quiet, sun-drenched room where Sophia and a healer stood solemnly near a bed.
Her eyes fell on Akashi's unconscious form, and her fury surged like a tempest.
A crack shattered through the window glass, spiderwebbing outward from its center.
Sophia stepped forward, raising her voice gently. "Big sis... I know he's important to you, but please, calm down. You're not helping anyone like this."
Lucy took a long breath, her chest rising and falling as she struggled to control the storm within. Her hands clenched at her sides, her fingers twitching with restrained magic. Finally, she spoke, her tone low and tight. "What happened to him?"
Sophia sighed, shaking her head helplessly. "I found him in the garden... It looks like he was attacked by a beast—probably a bear. There were large claw marks, and he had collapsed before anyone could find him."
Lucy stepped closer, her expression softening slightly as she reached out and placed her hand over his chest. A soft golden glow enveloped her fingers as she channeled a healing spell, amplifying the efforts of the healer beside her. The wounds began to nd faster, and the tightness in his face loosened just a little. But sothing was off.
Her eyes widened as she examined his mana core. It was utterly depleted—drained dry like a desert well. And yet... slowly, ever so slowly, traces of mana were beginning to reappear.
Her mouth parted in silent astonishnt. This... when did he break through to 2-Star? She whispered the question only to herself, keeping it hidden from Sophia. Her thoughts raced.
If she realizes how fast he's growing... she might beco interested in him. She might even try to compete with for his affection.
That thought made Lucy's stomach twist uncomfortably.
Without another word, she lifted Akashi carefully into her arms and turned toward Sophia. "I'll take him to my room. Don't follow. Don't disturb ."
Sophia could only nod, watching in silence as Lucy vanished in another burst of teleportation magic.
The spell strain was becoming obvious. Lucy staggered slightly as she landed in her room, her face pale, sweat beading her forehead. Even with her vast mana reserves, spamming teleportation spells for thirty straight minutes had taken its toll.
She laid Akashi gently on her bed, then sat beside him, placing both hands over his chest. As his Master, she could scan his internal condition in full detail. What she saw left her breathless.
Within just three days, he had learned a high-level spell—not yet fully complete, but still remarkable. Even more shocking, he had already mastered every spell she'd given him. Her perception of him soared with every passing second.
How is he advancing so quickly?
Her anger faded into a quiet frustration as she rubbed her temples. She needed answers. But for now, he needed rest.
Days passed.
One day... two days... three days.
During that ti, Lucy never left his side. Despite only knowing him for a week, she had grown deeply attached to him. She didn't understand why, but his story, his despair, his smile—it all tugged at her heart in ways no one else ever had.
For the first ti, she didn't feel so alone.
She, too, had burdens. People expected her to be perfect, to be a pawn in royal gas. When others approached her, it was either for her beauty, her status, or her wealth. She could always see it in their eyes—that calculating glint.
But not with Akashi.
He was different. He was genuine. And now, seeing him lying there—defenseless, fragile—made sothing protective stir deep within her.
She reached out and held his hand tightly. I won't let anyone take you from , she thought.
Even now, unconscious, his charm was overwhelming. His delicate features were beautiful, almost too much to be real. His skin was smooth and unblemished, his eyes—when open—always seed to shine with purity. She often found herself tempted... but guilt held her back.
That night, she awoke with a jolt.
Akashi was crying.
Tears stread silently down his face, and a storm of emotions swirled in his expression. Without hesitation, Lucy wrapped her arms around him, molding her soft body against his. She whispered softly into his ear, her voice like a warm lody.
"Everything will be alright," she murmured, tightening her hold.
Eventually, his breathing cald. He slipped back into a peaceful sleep in her arms.
By morning, his eyes slowly opened. Tiredness painted dark lines beneath them, but his charm still radiated effortlessly. When he saw her, a small smile played on his lips.
"Can I rest a little more, Lucy?" His voice was soft, with a quiet sadness and determination laced within.
She smiled back, brushing his hair aside and patting his head gently. "You can rest as much as you want. But tommorow, you're telling everything. No hiding."
Her voice was firm, but caring. He nodded, and they embraced again. He fell asleep once more, comforted by her warmth.
The next morning, he wriggled out of her embrace. As he stood and stretched, he felt it—his mana core had strengthened. He was officially a 2-Star now.
Excitent filled his chest, but also a new resolve.
Lucy stirred, her graceful form basked in golden morning light. The curves of her body were silhouetted by the sun as she opened her eyes.
"If you try to leave without explaining everything..." she whispered with a dangerous edge in her voice, "I'll cut off your limbs and keep you here forever."
Her smile was sweet, but her eyes held no jest.
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