Early in the morning, I woke up to find Lucy wrapped around like a clingy cat. She held tightly, possessively, as though letting go would cause to vanish. I sighed, attempting to wriggle free, but she only tightened her grip.
"I want you by my side today," she mumbled.
"I'm trying to study," I replied, flipping through the Shadow Sentinel spell book.
She ignored , calling for breakfast. The maid brought the food into her room, apparently already instructed to do so. Lucy insisted on feeding herself, spooning food into my mouth like I was so oversized baby.
"This is quite delicious," I muttered between bites.
"don't eat too much there will be countless delicacy in the Baquet," she said with a aloof smile.
After breakfast, once she'd gotten dressed and everything was ready, she grabbed the back of my robe and dragged out of the room like a child refusing to go to school. I was still in the middle of reading, half-yawning, as we reached the carriage.
Without a word, she picked up and dropped onto the seat. The carriage driver gave a bewildered look, clearly confused about why a boy dressed like a maid was being handled like royalty. I just shook my head and kept reading.
Lucy climbed in after and, like it was the most natural thing in the world, pulled into her lap.
"Seriously?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
She smiled and said nothing.
Determined to ignore her, I focused on the book. After days of studying, I finally understood how to cast the Shadow Sentinel. I felt a rush of excitent and, without thinking, reached up to grab Lucy's shoulder to share the news.
Only... it wasn't her shoulder.
It was soft. Too soft.
Squeeze.
The air grew still.
Lucy turned her head slowly, her expression unreadable—deadpan, yet deadly. My hand was still in the danger zone.
Before I could explain, her hand moved faster than my brain.
SLAP!
I clutched my cheek, groaning. "That's not fair! You touch all the ti, but I can't—even by accident?"
Her face was beet red as she gently set beside her. "It's different. You're my slave. You didn't have permission."
I pouted. "When you hug , you know I can feel everything, right?"
She glared at , flustered and unable to argue. "Say one more stupid thing, and I'll throw you out of the carriage."
Taking the hint, I changed the subject. "Anyway, I think I can finally cast the Shadow Sentinel spell."
She nodded, unsurprised. "Good."
"Are there stronger spells than high-tier ones?" I asked.
She didn't even blink. "Yes. There are Legendary-tier and Ancient-tier spells."
"Ancient-tier?" I tilted my head.
"They can destroy an entire kingdom in one cast."
I whistled softly. "Makes sense. Sounds like the top of the food chain."
"Pretty much."
I leaned in, curious. "Who's the strongest mage in the three kingdoms?"
She smiled faintly. "Lance. He's talented, like you. But unlike you, his talent has already blood."
"Is he the reason demons haven't started a war?"
"Exactly. They tried once. Lance nearly wiped them out with his Ancient-tier Spell."
I blinked. "How old is he?"
"Over 350 years. He's an 8-Star mage."she said nonchalantly
I stared out the window, wondering why did he lost if Lance and failed to protect leading the humanity to extinction. But before I could ask more, I realized ti had slipped by. We were already at the banquet hall.
I yawned as we stepped out of the carriage and were greeted by the grandest castle I'd ever seen. Towering golden doors opened into a hall of luxury—polished floors, sparkling chandeliers, and glittering décor everywhere. A red carpet ran down the middle, leading to a staircase that split into two directions.
To the sides were long banquet tables, filled with nobles chatting, laughing, and eating extravagant als. The mont I stepped in, all heads turned toward .
Then I rembered: I was still wearing a maid's outfit.
My cheeks burned as I tried to shrink into myself. I was used to being around servants, but nobles were a whole different beast. Their gazes pierced like daggers.
Lucy leaned down and whispered into my ear, "You're on your own for now. I need to find the Queen of the Orthodox Kingdom."
"We're here for the Princess birthday, right?" I asked.
"Yes. I need her and the Queen atleast support for the Queen selection."
She disappeared into the crowd with practiced grace, leaving standing alone like a confused decoration.
Not that she needed to worry. She knew I was too socially awkward to talk to anyone—let alone flirt.
I sighed and walked toward the food. Maybe if I just kept my head down and ate, no one would bother .
But nobles whispered as I passed.
"He's... stunning."
"Look at his eyes! And his hair blue hair is really attractive like the ocean!"
"Isn't he a slave?"
"Can we buy him?"
My eye twitched. I'm right here. I have ears.
Trying to drown the noise with cake, I stuffed my mouth full and turned my back to the crowd.
Suddenly, soone grabbed my wrist.
I looked down and saw a girl with short black hair that shimred like the night sky. She was shorter than , but her grip was firm. Her face? Completely blank—expressionless, like a doll.
Before I could ask anything, she yanked forward.
The crowd parted imdiately, nobles whispering excitedly.
"Th-that's the Princess!"
"She grabbed him?!"
The girl didn't stop. She dragged across the hall until we reached the stairs. Then, with the most monotone voice ever, she raised her hand and shouted:
"Mom! I want this one."
Everyone turned.
At the top of the stairs stood the Queen of the Orthodox Kingdom. Beside her was Lucy, frozen mid-conversation, eyes wide with suprise
She looked down at us.
And there I was—mouth full of cake, arm still being held like a prize doll—completely and utterly speechless.
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