Alexia slumped onto the grass beside a rose bush, hands squishing her cheeks, sighing like it was her full-time job.
[Host, you could try running again. Just four attempts and you're already giving up?]
She ignored Hermes, too busy glaring at the garden path Lucius had disappeared down.
The traitor. The menace.
He had left to get cream cakes.
And—just to rub salt in the wound—he made it very clear they weren't for her.
Her lips curled into a pout.
[Host, where's your determination?]
"Hidden in a sea of misery and hopelessness."
[…Understandable.]
She exhaled dramatically, shifting her gaze around the garden in search of something—anything—to make life interesting again.
That's when she spotted it.
A head of long, lime-green hair.
Her brows shot up.
"…Who's that?"
And more importantly—
"Why are merfolk everywhere?" she muttered, groaning.
Before she could even process her new headache, the girl turned—sharp violet eyes locking onto hers, brimming with skepticism and just a dash of contempt.
Alexia blinked.
"…Okay."
The mermaid girl strutted toward her, oozing self-importance, but Alexia didn't bother admiring the gracefulness or the excessive layers of makeup.
No, her attention was on the real issue here.
That almost see-through skirt. The way-too-tight top. And—brown sandals.
Why? Why sandals? Why not boots?
The girl's violet eyes flickered with contempt as she looked Alexia up and down. Judgment was mutual.
"So, do you even know how you look?" Her voice was soft, but sharp enough to cut glass.
Alexia barely blinked. "No. But I know I look better than you ever will, even with that thick wall of makeup."
She folded her arms, rising to her feet—and immediately realized she barely reached the girl's chest.
The mermaid girl smirked, relishing the height difference. Then, like a proper noblewoman, she mockingly giggled behind her hand.
"Big words for someone so… small."
Alexia's face burned. Not from embarrassment. From sheer pettiness.
"Get yourself a mirror, you clown."
The girl's smirk twitched. "Clown? Do you even know who I am?"
Alexia lifted a brow, completely unimpressed.
"A joke?"
The mermaid girl gripped her bouquet of roses as if she were about to commit murder.
The girl huffed, squaring her shoulders before flashing a smug smile. With deliberate slowness, she spoke, as if expecting the heavens to part at her words.
"I am Lyra, seventh princess of Kalindi, daughter of Queen Nerissa, niece of Queen Astrid, and bride-to-be of General Casen of Aethera."
She paused, letting the weight of her very long title settle. Then, her violet eyes gleamed.
"Scared now?"
Alexia blinked once. Then twice.
And yawned.
Rolling her eyes, she plopped back down onto the grass.
"I bet General Casen didn't even agree to marry you."
The effect was instant.
Lyra stiffened like she'd been slapped, her entire face morphing from confidence to seething rage. Her grip on the bouquet tightened until thorns pierced her palm, crimson staining the petals.
"HOW DARE YOU?!" she shrieked, voice bordering on banshee levels.
Alexia simply tilted her head. "That wasn't a no."
Lyra trembled, her eyes turning red.
Alexia froze. Oh no.
But Lyra didn't let the tears fall. She just gulped, wiped her eyes with the back of her bloody hands, and sucked in a sharp breath.
Her voice wavered, but her words were sharp.
"If you haven't noticed, your hair is frizzy, messy, and full of leaves. Your dress is stained, muddy, and unkempt. And you're sitting on the floor."
She gritted her teeth, her red-rimmed eyes locked onto Alexia.
"So isn't it normal to ask if you even know how you look?"
Alexia opened her mouth.
"I—"
Lyra's hand shot up. "No! Let me finish."
She heaved, chest rising and falling fast, her whole face burning red.
"Have you ever been forced to marry a man who isn't even interested in you?" Her voice cracked. "I'm trying, okay?!"
Alexia blinked. "Wait—"
"Your land is horrible! It's too hot! The people are too fierce! I—"
Her bouquet hit the ground with a dull thud.
She paused. Looked at Alexia. And then, without another word—she turned and ran.
[ Smooth, Host. ]
"I'm not here. I'm not here," Alexia mumbled, closing her eyes and settling into a meditative stance.
"Em, sister... did you break?"
Her eyes cracked open. Lucius stood before her, his golden eyes gleaming with barely contained amusement.
"I am done with the universe," she declared, shutting her eyes again. "I shall not move from this spot. Nor shall I react."
She resumed humming, drowning out his presence.
Lucius sighed, a dramatic, knowing sigh.
"Sister is so wise. I respect your choice."
Then, without further warning, he picked her up and slung her over his shoulder.
Alexia's eyes snapped open. Her lips twitched.
"PUT. ME. DOWN."
Lucius only laughed, holding her effortlessly.
"Pretty liar, you broke your oath," he teased. "Why are you reacting?"
Alexia decided not to answer. Instead, she squinted at him. "Why are you so…"
"Handsome." He cut her off smoothly, flashing a warm smile—too warm. His golden eyes glinted with mischief.
"No!" She huffed.
"Happy."
Lucius's smile widened. "Sister noticed?"
"Just talk!"
He chuckled. "Two reasons, actually."
"First?"
His voice turned almost dreamy.
"Sister took care of me yesterday, and I got to—"
"Next!" Alexia snapped, thrashing.
Lucius laughed, completely unfazed by her futile struggles. His grip on her remained firm, effortless.
But then—his gaze flickered downward.
To her neck.
"Mm. You really were sweet."
Alexia went rigid.
Then—violence.
"I WILL KILL YOU."
Lucius barely shifted, sidestepping her flailing limbs as if she were a mere inconvenience.
"Ah, sister, how cruel! I'm only telling the truth."
"DROP ME THIS INSTANT!" she shrieked, twisting like a wildcat.
He hoisted her higher, adjusting his hold with maddening ease. His other hand? Still holding his damn cream cake. Untouched.
"Ah, but I also have a surprise for sister," he mused, voice practically purring. "A thank-you gift."
Alexia went limp.
Lucius let out a soft chuckle, his steps never faltering.
"Sister can always rest on me," he murmured, lips curving into something too pleased. "I won't resist."
And with that, he strode forward—the very image of a man with absolutely no shame.
****
"Lucius, are you sure this is okay?" Alexia asked, gripping the cream cake package in one hand and clinging to his neck with the other.
"Mm. Sister, I'd prefer if you held me more." Lucius ignored her concern, his voice far too casual for someone scaling a temple wall.
Peach-colored claws dug into the pristine stone as he climbed effortlessly, his sister secured to his back like a stubborn little gremlin.
Alexia exhaled. "This... surprise. Is it worth all this effort?"
Lucius huffed, sweat beginning to bead at his temple. "Yes, Sister. You'll love it."
Silence.
Then—
"Sister."
"What?" Alexia furrowed her brows.
"Why are you so small yet… so heavy?"
He mumbled the last part under his breath—but not quietly enough.
Alexia's grip on his neck tightened.
Lucius climbed faster. Much faster.
"Lucius—"
"Yes, sister?"
"Have you ever had a girlfriend?"
Lucius climbed faster.
"Have you ever kissed?"
"Sister, you look stunning as always, but… why are you asking this?"
"Oh, because if you did have a girlfriend, you'd know you don't call a girl heavy."
"…."
"But I guess you don't." She shrugged.
"So, sister, are you romantically experienced? Can it help you fly?"
Alexia blinked. Then looked down.
"I'm innocent, I swear!"
Lucius chuckled, his grip on the ledge tightening.
"Sister, I do hope you're being truthful. A gentleman shouldn't be violent, but..."
He paused, his golden eyes glinting.
"I have to protect you, don't I?"
His voice remained warm, his smile still soft—but his gaze? Dark. Too dark.
Alexia exhaled, deciding to switch tactics. "Lucius, have you ever considered marriage?"
Lucius climbed faster.
"Lucius—"
"Sister! We have arrived."
With one final push, he vaulted onto the windowsill.
"Ah!" A soft gasp came from inside the room.
Alexia froze.
Lucius grinned. Hands raised in triumph, chest rising and falling, he panted—
"Surprise!"
Alexia stared at the blindfolded woman, her long white hair swaying in the breeze, crimson robes pooling around her like liquid silk.
A memory flickered—soft, blurred, but unmistakable.
She barely registered Lucius's voice.
"Lucius. Did you—?" Her words trembled with something unfamiliar. Something dangerously close to hope.
"Yes, concubine mother. I brought her."
Lucius took the cream cake package from her hands, and before Alexia could react, he smoothly lifted her off his back, setting her down inside the room. Then, with practiced ease, he jumped down.
"My princess."
Aria's voice broke.
Alexia froze as warm arms wrapped around her, pulling her close.
"Mother?" The word left her lips in a whisper—uncertain, disbelieving.
"Yes!" Aria sobbed, holding her tighter, fingers ghosting over Alexia's face as if memorizing every detail. "I missed my princess so much."
She pulled back, hands trembling as they traced Alexia's cheeks, her forehead, her jaw.
"She's perfect," Aria breathed.
Alexia could only stare.
Then, slowly, quietly, tears spilled down her cheeks.
Behind her, Lucius smiled.
"I told you you'd like it."
"Lucius, you're such a sweet child. Ah!" Aria gasped, carefully guiding Alexia to the small bed.
"Rest, please." She coughed, her face bright red. "Forgive me. My condition isn't the most appealing."
Alexia just stared at her.
Aria's brows furrowed slightly before she turned to Lucius.
"Lucius. Is she okay?"
Lucius nodded, his peach hair bouncing with the motion.
"She's just having..." He tapped his chin in thought.
Then, with an innocent smile, he looked at Aria.
"A 'me' moment! Yes, that's what it is."
"Oh? What's that?" Aria asked, tilting her head toward Alexia.
"Concubine Mother, it's a child thing," Lucius answered smoothly.
"Ah!" She covered her mouth, laughing softly. "Being here has made me behind the times."
Lucius stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"But you look as young as I am." His voice was low—meant just for her—but his golden eyes flickered toward Alexia.
Alexia blinked.
Aria blushed, lightly swatting his arm. "You tease me."
"Concubine Mother, I truly mean it. In fact..." Lucius leaned in, his tone dipping even lower.
But before he could continue, Alexia wordlessly yanked Aria onto the bed beside her, locking eyes with him in silent warning.
Lucius only smirked, entirely unbothered.
"Cake, anyone?" He dangled the package of cream cakes, his voice smooth, his expression infuriatingly pleased.
Alexia ignored him—probably the best choice.
"Mother, how have you been?" she asked, forcing a smile as she held Aria's hand.
Aria clutched back tightly.
"Alexia—"
She hesitated, then sighed.
"I'm sorry."
A breath.
"Mother was weak. Mother made mistakes. Mother was—useless." Her voice softened as she lifted a trembling hand to caress Alexia's face.
"But please, don't hate me." Her fingers barely lingered before pulling away, as if expecting rejection.
Silence.
In the background, Lucius calmly ate a cream cake.
Silence. Then—
"Can I think about it?" Alexia asked hesitantly, scratching her cheek and looking away.
Lucius blinked. What?
Aria smiled. "Of course! Take your time." She didn't reject me outright. There's hope.
"I think I'd like to leave now." Alexia abruptly stood up.
"Oh? Right now?" Aria asked, hands clasped.
Lucius sighed, shaking his head. "I apologize, concubine mother, but my sister is emotionally evasive. One of her core traits."
Aria looked between them, clearly amused.
Lucius stood, letting the package drop to the floor.
Then he stepped forward, gently taking Aria's hand.
"Though it pains me, this departure will be bittersweet." He sighed dramatically—then winked.
Before Aria could react, he leaned in and whispered, "Yes, I am winking at you."
Aria froze. Then—she burst into laughter.
Lucius smiled, straightened, and gave a deep, theatrical bow.
"Farewell."
Then—without hesitation—he grabbed Alexia by the wrist and launched them both out the window.
"Lucius!" Alexia's scream rang out—followed by Lucius' wild, unrestrained laughter.
Aria chuckled, shaking her head as she picked up a cream cake.
"Kids."