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“No No No!”
That hard rain pours heavily nearby the student dorms of Serendia academy and it doesn’t seem to be letting up soon, the 2nd Prince Felix was planning to head back to his room till he catches a familiar noise nearby,
“The Rain…” A small sob can be heard nearby when he turns to see the all-knowing sight of a poor little squirrel, Monica Norton frowned and mood dampened trying to wipe off tears of what's left of her wet uniform.
Something Felix has not noticed himself (or possibly denying it) is the soft spot he now wears the moment something involves the treasurer of the Student Council, approaching carefully with an umbrella in hand and detaches the red cloth of a cape on his uniform, a gentle smile washes his face as he hands it over.
“There seems to be a little squirrel in a pinch over here”
“Y-Y-Y-YOUR H-HIGHNESS??!”
Jumping at the sight of him never fails to amuse him and somewhat makes his day any better, but he quickly puts the cape around her which makes Monica flinch, shaking when the distance between them is short until her hands feel the nice feeling of fabric and curious forest green eyes look up.
“W-Wait- Your cape!”
“Come on, we don’t want our treasurer to get sick now.”
“Uwah-!” An umbrella covers them both and his other hand keeps her close by having his arm around her, Monica hardly even able to process what was happening as she tries to keep up with as she runs with the prince as they find the path back into the dorms.
Normally it would be much better to take this sopping wet squirrel to the infirmary of the school, but seeing how they were already walking amongst the halls of the boys dormitory and the weather getting worse by the minute, the idea of taking her to his room was the fun option. It wasn’t the best no, he could have probably taken her to her dorm but he doesn’t like the idea of her being sick all in the attic.
“U-Um Y-Your highness…why are we here?”
“Preferably I would’ve taken you back to your room, but no one likes to see a wet squirrel trudge into this weather.”
“S-Squirrel-!?”
“So you’ll have your respite in my room instead”
“Y-YOUR ROOM??!”
His finger immediately lays on her lips and a wink adorns his handsome face which has Monica silenced, along it was a playful smile that he shows her instead of the one he shows to the public.
“Won’t you join me for the moment, my fellow delinquent of the night? ”
The short girl’s eyes suddenly shine of realization despite her anxiety rising, but even with Felix’s mischievous nature poking out it's no question he wants to put the girl in ease and give her a comfortable atmosphere. Which is why his gaze softens when she accepts the hand he holds out albeit hesitantly, soon making their way in a quiet and secretive motion to the dorm room of the 2nd Prince of Ridill.
Quiet steps of fancy loafer shoes and the small scared steps of plain brown boots goes through the hallway of the dormitory, amongst the quick and tiny yelps of surprise and fear coming from Monica and the almost full giggles from Felix they’ve made their way to the door of his room.
At the moment the door opens, it soon showcases a much fancier set up of the dorm rooms that the academy usually offers. A tiny gasp from Monica attests to that notion upon the sight of a lot more furniture and seemingly comfortable items available, such is the life of royalty. Felix makes sure to tighten his hold on her hand when he can see her posture shakily try to enter, maybe it was because she was hesitant to put the clean floors with rain water or it was her general anxious stupor, he wanted her to feel comfortable.
“Y-Your Highness, is it r-really okay-”
“It’s Ike” His other hand covers the one he holds, thumb brushing over her fingers “Your friend Ike wouldn’t want you to be in that trouble, even as a delinquent” Ike wonders if the smile he shows her was a reassuring one he uses as Felix or perhaps a much more cheeky one as himself, because even he starts to feel relaxed around her.
“O-Okay Ike”
Making sure no one else was in the hallway before he closed the door, it was time to take care of a wet squirrel before she got sick. “Achoo-!” A handkerchief lands on the young witch’s nose and Monica makes a surprising sound, hopefully she can get out of this wet clothes before a sickness truly befalls on their precious treasurer.
“In the meantime sit here and dry off, I’ll start the bath in a bit and prepare something for you to wear”
“W-Wait, y-you shouldn’t b-be doing th-this You-your-!”
“Hmm?” A flash of a menacing smile, Monica finds herself reeling in back and reevaluating what she was going to say.
“I-I mean, yo-you…you can g-get in trouble for thi-this Ike!”
“I think they would be in more trouble trying to sneak into this room, don’t you think so?”
“Guhh…B-But…”
“Now now…” Procuring a biscuit from his pocket and giving it to the little squirrel, this has Monica rendered bewildered by such an action. “It’ll only just be a few minutes, sit here okay?” Leaving her munching on a sweet buttered biscuit that prevented her from speaking since her mouth was busy at work, Ike soon walks to the special bathroom specifically constructed for royalty in this academy. It wasn’t exactly like the ones in the palace, but being able to bathe was something he considered a luxury even with the years of being a prince.
“Master, isn’t this a bit too much?” A white lizard peeks out under his uniform coat.
“It’s nothing harmful, just caring for our little squirrel is all.” Running water echoes inside the walls of the room, he checks the temperature and makes sure this was suitable for the girl. Moments like these have his caretaker tendencies shine through, no matter the service he gets as a prince taking care of someone was something he always seems to enjoy doing.
“I thought you were done with your nightly activities Master…”
“This is different and I told you, the one in Corlapton was the last one.” In another room was the closet settled out for him, most students have servants that manage such simple tasks but Ike himself prefers to do things often on his own. Taking off the uniform coat along with the blue scarf and gold pin laying them elsewhere in the room, searching through many clothes for a possible thing to wear for Monica in the meantime.
“...If it is as you say, Master” The white lizard climbs to where his coat was as Ike hums in response, picking out one of the other dark undershirts instead for Monica to wear, though technically there aren’t any clothes here for her. A playful part of his mind was thinking of a plain white button up as he envisions the sight of it, but he held back those tendencies and picked the dark one. Such were the thoughts of a young man that couldn’t be helped.
The prince goes back to the bathroom to check on the water, pulling his sleeves up unbuttoning the first few buttons of his shirt to ease into comfort. A dip of his hand into the bath and feeling the sensation of a warm bath with being submerged, this was good enough hopefully for Monica as he turns the faucet off.
‘Let’s see how’s the little squirrel doing’
Closing the door to the closet and carrying the navy blue shirt and a bath towel, Ike was about to call out to Monica till he sees a sight he never expected to happen.
“Monica.”
“...Y-Yes?”
Halfway through with what she was doing, her bolero and vest were on the floor all wet and messy. Noticing how she has no such reaction to having him see her almost halfway to taking off her uniform skirt, the prince can’t help but leave out a sigh. Truly he is thankful he held back and picked the navy blue shirt instead.
“O-Oh well- I was going to fold them pro-properly but then it go-got too cold and-” A towel soon covers her body almost like a hug, surprising her at the sudden contact of soft fabric “GAH-!,” along with the usual odd noises she made.
“If Cyril were here, he would’ve scolded you for what you were doing”
“P-P-P-Please don-don’t tell him!!” The young man chuckles, not a soul except Will is going to know what happens here. Lest he wants a scandal to come out to the academy, he wouldn’t want any harm done unto Monica for something like this.
“A ghost can’t tell on him”
As he said those words it leaves Monica silent for a minute, looking at him with a frown and eyes downcast. It tugs a little of Felix’s memories of his past, resembling the same look
He remembers seeing so often and wishing Monica didn't retain that kind of outlook.
“Besides, I have the bath ready already so one shouldn’t let it run cold.” Unable to resist the prince’s pushy nature and Felix having her still bundled up, directing her to the way to the bathroom. Having her wet uniform in his other arm as it leaves a trail of wet drops on the floors but not something he’s entirely concerned about, soon then offering along the spare button up as temporary clothes.
“Rest up properly and enjoy the bath or I’ll have to take much drastic measures”
“Wh-What do you mean b-by that??!”
The smile he directs at her curves impishly “You wouldn’t want me to join you, right?”
“I-I’LL B-BE FINE, T-THANK YOU!”
The door slams with all the force the treasurer does and it closes, Felix leaves out a small laugh at such a comical act and witnessing the squirrel turn down his offer. It’s not like such a situation would ever happen either way, the little squirrel was just much too fun to tease and push buttons.
“Would you mean making some tea Will? I’ll have to call up someone to have something to eat”
“Of course Master” The white lizard jumps off the bed as a mist blinding magic dazzles just a minute till a tall man appears, in his usual attendant uniform unchanging and expression impassive as always. Willdianu soon heads to another part of the room to quietly perform his duties in tea making as Felix soon reaches for the servant’s bell to ring the rope, a ringing sound resonantes in the room and footsteps outside start to flurry in quick succession.
A knock is heard and Felix opens the door. “You called your…highness” The servant was a little bewildered by the sight of him but the prince can’t blame him since he’s messed up his uniform quite a bit.
“I apologize for my appearance”
“N-No! There’s nothing wrong with it your highness”
“I see, then would you mind sending over a few slices of the cakes available that the academy’s chefs made? Add a few biscuits along the way, the honey ones.”
“Of course your highness,” The servant bows in response
“Oh and additional to that Seteth”
“Yes, your Highness?”
“Send the usual later tonight”
“Of course” The servant bows then finally leaves and walks away to the hallway and Felix closes the door to his room seeing how no one else was in the hallway, that action finally done and acted upon. He wouldn’t be surprised if Monica hasn’t eaten so this was the perfect time for him to properly feed her, nothing forceful or anything just making sure their treasurer is properly healthy.
“WAH-!” A squeal can be heard from the bathroom coming from Monica, this almost has him curious of whatever happened to her inside there but as a gentleman and a prince that was improper.
“Would you like me to check upon Lady Norton Master?” Felix decides to sit on the nearby sofa present in his room as Will appears again with a tray in his hands, a nice smell fills the room as the high spirit pours him a cup.
“I think she’ll be alright, it wouldn’t be right to take a peek upon a lady, Will”
“...Is that so Master” Though with Will’s impassive expression even Felix can pick up the slight doubt in his voice, it’s not like High Spirits care much on decency or even capable of embarrassment. The prince just thinks it wouldn’t be fair to the lady herself even if he has already seen quite a lot from the night in Corlapton.
“GaAaAh!” Another sound was heard yet again from the bathing room.
‘Maybe I should check upon her…’
A layer of worry covers his thoughts at the concern that Monica might hurt herself, eventually considering the idea of checking upon her as a serious option. But the idea doesn’t come into fruition when he hears the knock on his door, preferring to answer it immediately while Monica wasn’t finished yet.
Upon opening the door the servant he previously called was in view, wheeling around a carrier that had a tray of sweets and biscuits. Instructing the said servant to leave it by the small area with a table and chairs, placing such delicious snacks carefully and then bowing to his highness before leaving the room with the cart.
Felix couldn’t help himself but steal just one biscuit from the array to have a taste. “Master-” The prince smiles reassuringly at his high spirit’s worried nature, letting him know that such snacks are thankfully not poisoned or laced with anything. “Please let me do my job next time Master…”
The young man lets out a chuckle after finishing his biscuit. “It’s fine, I don’t think Seteth would ever do something so reckless such as poison.”
“Even so…”
“Uughhh…”
Attention now directed at the bathroom door, Willdianu immediately changes back to his lizard form in quick succession and hides somewhere in the room. Approaching now to the door in curiosity, hand reaching for the handle until it turns itself and the door opens.
“Monica…?”
“Y-Y-Your Hi-Highness…”
Slowly moving the door to open, he was soon greeted with a much drier treasurer than the one before. Hair down from its usual ensemble of a braid and ponytail as the ends were still dripping with water, her finger tips were the only thing visible of her hands as his navy undershirt was far too long for her. Almost covering the upper extremities except anything below her knees, though it was odd from her current outfit to still wear her brown boots, it is much better than being barefoot.
Felix almost freezes just from such a dangerous view, maybe even starting to regret this idea of letting her stay here in the hope to make her look his way but the opposite might be happening. Nonetheless he couldn’t look away from such a rare sight of Monica Norton like this, one mustn't waste an opportunity such as this.
“Did you enjoy the bath?”
“...Ki-kind of, it wa-was very…slippery…”
Forest green eyes looked much more tired than before, probably having dealt with a tremendous obstacle of slipping in the bathroom. This brings an amusing smile to his lips as he gives her a pat on the head, making her flinch at his touch but she doesn't run away anymore. Almost looking like she enjoyed the said head pat, the prince takes note of this development.
“I think you deserve some tasty biscuits right now, come now”
Holding her hands together and still nervous being around his room, Felix gives a reassuring smile and she follows his steps towards the sofa and table that had biscuit. Though her eyes caught the attention of a separate table and chair that was situated near the window, a chess set was already on display and ready to use.
Hearing her steps come to a halt, he looks back to see Monica’s eyes looking with interest on the chess set he hasn’t cleaned up from a few days ago. Might as well have the rematch he’s always wanted to ask of her this time, quickly getting a few biscuits on the tray and hiding it away.
“Do you want to have a match with me, Monica?”
The way he tilts his head and suddenly appears in front of her view makes her jump just a little and she shakes her head. “Eh?! Ah-Ah-! N-N-not really…”
“It’s been a while since our last match before your chess tournament, and seeing how astounding you were with defeating Lord Jones, I’ve been itching to have a rematch with you again.”
“I-I-I wasn’t really th-that good! Be-Ber- I mean, Lord Jo-Jones was qui-quite the challenge” Such words were followed with the adorable way she fiddled with her fingers, looking like a meek little squirrel she always did.
But her statement was far from the truth, it would be an understatement to say she did well as everyone truly saw how she never even lost a match and would dominate the chess board before it even started. The sheer change of her presence the moment she plays on the board was visible to everyone, even he couldn’t take his eyes off the Monica Norton’s turn was shown on the chess tournament.
How many more surprises was this girl going to catch him off guard?
“Then, how about we have just a little bet now?”
“B-Bet?”
“Just the same rules as last time, the one who loses has to listen to anything the winner asks.”
Looking upon her pondering look as her eyes flickered side to side and thought of her choice, she looked back to him with a hesitant face but nodded. “Okay…”
Making their way to the chess table, Felix being the perfect example and epitome of a gentleman pushed aside the chair for Monica to sit on which she almost declined saying how it wasn’t needed. But unable to combat a sparkle smile coming her way, she kept quiet and sat on the chair and moved her closer to the table. After doing so he quickly makes his way to the other side and sits across her.
“Would you like to change sides or are you going to stay with the black pieces?”
“I’m o-okay with this”
“Let’s have a good game Monica”
As the match starts the atmosphere changes, the look treasurer Norton had was serious and calculated with eyes that was far from the skittish and anxious personality she always shows. The same could also be said for the kind and gentle Prince Felix, now with a curve of a mischievous smile but his eyes narrowed with a look of a coldness and an observant nature.
Putting down his first piece on the board, it wasn’t an exaggeration on how Monica Norton was quite a prodigy with chess. Immediately putting her next piece without even a longer than a few seconds passing, being able to calculate possibilities just as fast as she did her accounting records.
What a truly fascinating girl, one he seemingly can’t somehow look away whenever someone mentioned her or she was in view. Maybe this is why he wanted to keep her away in his room just for today, the tugging small want of having her attention to just for one moment be on him. This was definitely not because of the failed attempts he’s done in the school festival nor was it from the fact she was whisked away by his dear vice president, Prince Felix was anything but petty.
If it were Ike, that might be a different case.
The minutes passed and the board changed with the pieces becoming lesser than it was at the start, far different from the playful practice match they had months ago.
“Little Squirrel~”
“H-Huh?!”
The little sing-song voice breaks her serious reverie and he smiles, a little tugging weakness even if it felt unfair to do so.
“I’m curious what does Monica want me to do that you look quite determined to win”
He moves a piece and her attention scrambles for a second to answer him or look at the board, she opts for observing the board and moving a piece.
“I’ll do anything you say regardless, you don’t have to win in a chess match”
“...S-Somehow, I do-doubt you wou-would…” The prince makes his move on the board.
“Oh? Do you have such little trust in me, Treasurer Norton?”
“N-No! I ju-just mean that…,” One of his pieces gets taken when she moves on of her own pieces. “...Y-You Hig-Highness always i-is a-always careful in his actions."
“Am I?”
“W-Well, th-thats just ho-how I see it…”
Under the guise of a perfect prince persona, Monica Norton somehow saw through it.
‘She really is something huh…’
“Treasurer Norton”
“Y-Ye- OMPH-!” A biscuit is placed in her mouth as she speaks, disrupting her focus and making her stunned. Immediately taking the chance to move his own piece on the board and now ensuring a checkmate.
“I realized you haven’t actually had a bite this whole time you’ve been here, I hope you enjoy this biscuit”
“W-Waiff-”
Scrambling now to move her piece but also trying to eat this biscuit in her mouth, Felix’s hand covers his own mouth to hide the chuckle that threatens to spill out. However unfair his means to win were, he didn’t want to end this little time spent in his room yet. Though he was confident in his chess skills against Monica, the match was looking far too close to her win for this moment.
By the time the match ended, it was a smiling win by the prince and Monica sighed as she finished her biscuit. Taking a look at the board and recalling her move set to study the match in her mind, Felix thoroughly hoped they would have another match soon someday but now he wanted to make do with their little bet.
“Monica”
Jumping at the call of her name, she looks at him meekly.
“I-I can-can on-only do so-some stuff to cert-certain extent!”
“There’s no need for that” The treasurer tilts her head in confusion.
“Huh”
Standing up from his chair, he moves closer to Monica’s side but ultimately leans to the chess table instead. “I’ll keep this deal instead…” Taking a strand of her hair and playing with it in his hand, noticing how she was thoroughly unaffected with such actions. “...something later for the future” It would be useless to waste such a boon for his side, hoping to find the opportunity to use this little bargaining chip for her benefit someday.
“Ah…”
The look of confusion stayed for a minute until her hands surrounded her stomach in a clutch of anxiety, though Felix confused it for her being hungry instead so she handed her more of the biscuits he nabbed from earlier.
“Let me grab some of the tea over here, though it might have turned cold already I hope that’s okay”
“It’s fi-fine.”
Today Willdianu brewed some nice Chamomile tea for the both of them, though this was probably a way of the High Spirit yet again worrying since he hasn’t had any proper sleep these past few days. The whole event of the School Festival has taken so much of his time even after it’s done, and yet there was still more work to be done along. This didn’t include all the things he had to prepare for his trip to Rehnburg soon and his negotiations to prepare with the Farfolia nobles, Duke Clockford once again working him down to the bone of such tedious tasks.
Following with the delicious tea, a yawn comes out of Monica and her eyes soon start to lack the urge of staying wide open. Probably time to call it for today as she was soon starting to lean a little and yet still wanted to finish all of the tea, he wondered if these were the things she learned from the tea party classes even with the incident with Lady Caroline almost poisoning her.
What a frustrating young lady she was, it was the first in a while he was that angry after what she did to Monica.
“Would you like to head to bed?”
“N…N-No…” A yawn yet again escapes her and he puts down his tea cup this time, It was time for this girl to have the respite he promised her as she lifts her up from the chair. Holding in the obvious princess carry with hands supporting her back and holding up her legs, it was useless to do so since she was falling asleep soon but he was more focused to make her comfortable.
Moving to his bed, he places her down carefully on the other side as she curls up immediately at the moment she feels the sensation of soft bedsheets and her head leans on the pillow. Felix pulls up the blanket and tucks her in with practiced motion as the last remnants of being awake falter, starting to murmur numbers under her breath along with the mention of pigs.
“Sleep well…”
A hand reaching out to his before he stands up catches his attention, before he’s ultimately being held on the wrist and Monica starts muttering more.
“Don’t go…I won’t forget you…”
Ah.
He lets her pull her in, moving closer till he’s lying down next to her in bed. Hand being closely held by her fingers, soft and smaller than his but it had a close hold of not wanting to let go.
Foolish sentimentality.
Just one more night, he can afford just one more night like in Corlapton. If reality he can’t he’ll pay the costs to sleep peacefully for one more night. Just like how her soft whispers somehow soothed him to sleep and he dreamt of old memories he thought we’re too far gone by now.
“I’m not sick, it was just light rain” But the servant shakes his head as he ruffles the towel on the young Felix’s hair.
“We can’t afford for you to get sick, your highness, it’s my duty to watch your health” Eyes downcast and now feeling much more sad about his actions, it bothered the servant seeing Felix look like this.
“Next time I’ll bring an umbrella, so you can go along the puddles…”
“Really?!”
“I will” The young prince lets out the biggest smile that was so infectious it also brings the servant’s lip to curve and his eye to soften.
“I’m so happy, thank you ◼◼◼—”
“Master”
Eyes look around to see the white lizard perched on the bedrest and Felix lifts a finger to his lips, careful to wake up the little squirrel who clutched his wrist.
“Seteth would be arriving soon by now”
“I’ll eat it later then…” He responds in a whisper.
The lizard shakes his tail a little more and the prince knows that his high spirit was hoping for him to comply, such the ever worrywart of an ally he is.
“I will soon Will” Affirming it again as he moves close to lean on Monica’s hair, the smell of herbs and coffee beans soothes him into a sense of peace. “I just need to nap for a little while…”
The prince dreams of an older time yet again.
By the time the moon rises and it is late at night, Monica’s eyes flutter open as she awakes from her slumber. The first thing in her sight was the 2nd Prince of Ridill fast asleep, his hands close but thankfully not holding hers. Immediately she moves away because of the anxiety building up in her again and almost slips off the bed, eventually using just slight wind magic to let her get off the bed without sound.
Sitting up now on the floor with an oversized undershirt of the prince and somehow ending up in his bed, again. The Silent Witch tries to remember anything that happened this whole time she was here until she hears a tap on the window, from a far it looked like a black blob that blended in with the dark foliage. But her heart calms down in relief seeing the shape of her familiar Nero, she quickly stands up and makes sure to ensure the room is silent but thinking up of the structure of a sound barrier.
‘I just need it up for a few minutes…’
The world falls silent as she walks across the room and opens the window, Nero immediately jumps inside and lands on one of the chairs.
“Nero…”
“Hey, don’t sob now he’s still there!” Though Nero himself was also quite loud even with the attempt of whispering, Monica complies and nods along. “I was trying to find you around this whole time in the campus since you didn’t come back, only to see you were with sparkles this whole time!”
“I…ran into him in the rain…”
“But why are you in his room?”
“...He insisted, since it was much closer than the girl’s dormitory too”
Nero sighs and looks at his Master, somehow not surprised she’s in these kinds of situations at this point. “I’ll hear the story later, let’s go back to the attic. Bring your clothes.” Monica looks back to where Nero points and was surprised to see her uniform folded and all dry on a stand near the bed. Hurriedly running back to pick them and hoping Felix doesn’t wake up, holding her uniform in her arms quickly.
Though she thinks it would be rude to leave all of a sudden, she can’t risk being found out she’s in his room for a whole night from the staff. What would Louis do to her if he ever learns about such a thing?! Shivering already at the image of an angry Barrier Mage, she quickly goes back to the open window as the mana around the sound proof barrier was starting to weaken.
“Let’s go, I’ll carry you once we’re out as a human so we can get there faster.” The feline jumps out of the window and Monica almost follows suit, but looks back one more time to the sleeping prince and how she hasn’t seen him this calm or tired since that night in Corlapton.
Running back just one more time and nearing the bed, a small flash of a butterfly flies around and she places a hand on his head. The softness of his honey colored hair on her fingertips has her amazed, but she continues to work on the spell as the butterfly then lands on him.
“I hope you have a nice dream…Ike”
With clumsy but hurried steps, the witch leaves the prince’s room and the window closes without a trace of her presence.
The next morning comes and Ike wakes up with the same empty bed he remembers, but today it strangely felt just a little warm.