Chapter Text
1
It was a nice afternoon in Diasomia where Malleus was sitting and drinking tea with Silver, Sebek and Lilia, talking about their day and courses that they took today. They were chatting happily about their day while Silver was trying his hardest not to fall asleep. And mid conversation, Malleus mentioned that he was interested (or more) in Idia Shroud the housewarden Ignihyde, the tech genius. Which for reaction made Silver bolt awake, leaving Sebek shocked and Lilia thrilled that one of his sons is interested in someone after 178 years of raising him, since he never showed much interest in a human other than how they live.
Malleus continues drinking his tea, not noticing the shocked faces from Silver and Sebek and the very wide smile plastered on Lilia. Malleus later noticed that both Silver and Sebek were quiet both their mouths a bit open and Lilia was just smiling, very happy and brightly thinking about the future for both of them and grandchildren. Malleus was very suspicious of what Lilia is thinking about, since he knows that Lilia is thinking about the future and grandchildren. He finally broke the silence saying that he wants to know stuff/things about Shroud and what he likes, so he could get to know him better.
‘Lilia- sama can you help me, get to know Shroud?’ Malleus asked, stirring his tea cup.
‘Of course Malleus, I could help you get to know Idia if that's what you wish for.’ Lilia replied happily while inside he was doing happy dances.
‘Don't you boys agree?’ Lilia said, turning to both Silver and Sebek.
‘Yes Lilia-sama.’ They both answered.
‘But how will we know what Shroud likes if he is always in his room?’ Sebek asked.
‘Yes, we need a plan to get him out of his room.’ Lilia answered.
"We could maybe find him in the courtyard at around 7pm.” Silver answered, sleepy.
‘Oh really now Silver. And how do you know this?’ Lilia asked.
‘Well that one time when I was in the courtyard learning my stealth for the spelldrive competition against the other dorms and school. I heard Idia walking and talking about how he doesn't want to talk in front of a big crowd and saying that he is going to make a tech machine to talk for him.’ Silver answered.
‘So we can find Idia right now in the courtyard?’ Sebek asked.
‘Well technically it's 6:55 pm.’ Silver said ready to fall asleep.
‘So he will come out of his room in 5 minutes.’ Lilia said very happily.
‘Then we should head to the courtyard or one of us should go.’ Silver said, looking at the three of them.
‘Lets let Malleus go, since he was the one that is interested in Idia.’ Lilia answered cheekily.
‘Ah yes, let's let Malleus go.’ Silver said, getting the hint in Lilia’s tone.
‘But we can't let our liege go alon-’. Silver covered Sebek’s mouth with his hand, giving him a signal that Lilia wants Malleus to go alone so he can talk with Idia alone. Sebek realized the single and nodded. Silver let go of his hand from Sebek’s mouth.
‘Sorry my liege but it seems like I’m too busy to guard you.’ Sebek said in defeat.
‘It's alright Sebek. I don't mind that you're not by my side.’ Malleus answered.
‘If you say so my liege.’ Sebek said.
‘Oh boys 1 more minute before it’s 7pm.’ Lilia said, pointing at the clock.
‘Ah then I should be off now.’ Malleus said, walking towards the door.
‘Well be safe my liege!’ Sebek said loudly.
‘Sebek he will be alright so there is no need to worry.’ Silver said to Sebek and Lilia floating right next to Sebek.
Those were the final words that Malleus heard as he went through the door, heading towards the hall of mirrors. As he stepped out of the hall of mirrors he saw that Idia also stepped out of his dorm mirror. They both saw each other and just stood there looking at each other awkwardly. It felt like they were staring at each other for more than 5 minutes. The silence was very deafening for Idia. so Idia decided to speak..before he got interrupted by Ortho.
‘Big brother!’. You could hear the sound coming from his tablet. ‘Don’t forget to buy seasonings, meat and vegetables, at Sam's shop.’ Ortho said through the tablet that Idia is holding. ‘Y-yes Ortho I will go and get those items from Sam’s shop, don’t worry.’ Idia said reassuring through his tablet. ‘Alright big brother but don’t get distracted by the cats, I don’t want to go get you again.’ Ortho said as Idia tried to turn down the volume from his tablet, so Malleus can’t hear what Ortho is saying about Idia. ‘Yes yes Ortho I understand.’ Idia said to his tablet. ‘Alright Idy, have fun getting the groceries!’ Ortho said as the screen fade black. Idia let out a sigh but then he remembered that Malleus is next to him.
He looked to his right to see Malleus staring at him with curiosity. Idia got scared of Malleus staring at him, so he quickly walked away from him and out of the hall of mirrors. Malleus was confused at the sight of Idia quickly walking away from him. But he did know why since for starters he is future king of Brair Valley, 2. He is a very powerful mage and 3. Idia doesnt like to socialize with other peoples, so it will be very hard for him to know Idia and his interests. So he though about a safer way to approach him so Idia won’t be scared and overwhelmed.
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Malleus thought and thought about an idea so he can approach Idia without him being too scared to talk and so he doesn’t run away from him. He then thought maybe he could bring a cat to him since he just heard the younger Shroud saying that he loves playing with cats. And now he needs to think on how he will bring a cat to Idia or how he will find one. So he went out of the hall of mirrors and went to look for a cat or any cats.
Malleus walked into the courtyard looking for some cats that might be wandering for food or a nice resting place. He kept walking around the courtyard, looking for cats that might be lying in the bushes or hiding. He kept wandering in the courtyard till he finally found a cat lying next to a bed of peonies and red roses. He was about to catch the cat till he realized that it was injured by their right back leg. The cat was bleeding heavily at their back leg, which made it hard to move and run away. The cat noticed and sensed Malleus presence, it tried to crawl away from Malleus since they were scared. Malleus saw how the cat reacted and didn’t go any further to the cat so he waited for someone or Idia.
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Idia was at Sam’s shop getting all the stuff that he needs to cook and for the dorm kitchen. Sam summoned the things that Idia needed and left it on the counter to pay. Idia took the stuff that is in the bags and paid 50 madol. He took the bags and left Sam’s shop. He was walking till he reached the courtyard where he saw Malleus standing by a bed of peonies and red roses.
Malleus noticed Idia was looking at him. Idia then realized that he was staring back at him and began to walk away when Malleus called out. ‘Shroud wait!’ Malleus called out. Idia stopped in his tracks when Malleus called out. He turned around to look at him, Malleus then gestured to Idia to come to him. In which Idia went to him but took some small steps so he can keep a bit of distance between them. He stood next to Malleus with a bit of distance between them, Malleus noticed but didn’t mind.
‘S-so why did you call me over..’ Idia asked, looking down at his shoes.
‘Well I was walking around the courtyard looking at some flowers then I saw this poor injured cat lying by these flowers.’ Malleus lied to Idia so he doesn’t find out that he was trying to catch a cat for him.
‘W-wait you said an injured cat!’ Idia said loudly, looking up to meet Malleus gaze.
Malleus nodded when Idia looked up from the ground. Idia looked at him in surprise, he was about to ask where till Malleus pointed in front of them. Idia saw the poor injured cat and carefully put the bags down and went to the cat slowly and cautiously. The cat saw the Idia was coming to them slowly. They were about to hiss at him, when Idia pulled out an cat treat straw that he started to peel open. The cat saw the treat in front of him and gently started to eat it. Malleus saw how the cat relaxed when Idia brought out the treat and he also saw how gentle Idia is with the cat. Malleus couldn’t help but smile a little. Idia gently picked up the cat, the cat was startled when Idia picked then up and scratched his hoodie’s sleeve which left a hole. Idia didn’t mind that the cat scratched him, he gently changed the cats position in his arm so the cat can lay on its back. Now that the cat is laying on its back, Idia couldn’t help but smile at the sight of the cute black cat. Malleus saw Idia smile and he could help but feel that his heart just skipped a beat and his ears feeling a bit hot.