"Come on, say 'aah'."

Spending a relaxing night with Crimson was indeed of great help; a relief both for my mind and body. Once we returned to the guild, I immediately claimed her bathroom to clean myself so that I would not smell of wine anymore. In the meantime, she made the room more comfortable for us.

For the first time, I felt like doing actually something for her. I didn't like always being the one to receive; for once, I wanted to be the one taking the initiative, to be in control. Since I couldn't control the chaos in my mind, I could at least control my actions.

So, when I came out of her bathroom, I tried to be the one to bring comfort, both for her, and myself. But as soon as I approached her on the bed, gently caressing her thighs as I explained my plan to her, she immediately leaned in, tangling her hand in my hair with a wide, sly grin on her face.

I sighed... She always has to make everything more intense, resembling a fight. But... I don't really mind. We did have a pleasant night, and in the morning we both felt more relaxed. I sure did, and she also looked happy.

"Um... do I really have to?" I asked her, blinking in confusion.

We were now in the kitchen; we were the first ones up this morning, and she made me sit on her lap, while she snacked on chocolate biscuits. Then, she picked one up in her hand, apparently intending to feed me.

"Yes. Obey. Say 'aah'," she continued with her usual wide grin on her face, with the biscuit just out of reach.

Alas, I really couldn't understand sadists... No, this was about Crimson. First, she was insatiable, teasing me relentlessly. Now, she was all loving, with big and sweet eyes. Yes, I was more relaxed, too. But the way she changed just after a lovely night was just... too much to handle. I could tell she looked forward to spending another night together, but still...

"O-okay..." I surrendered, once again trying to make her happy; to make both happy. So, I opened my mouth. "Aah-MMPH!"

While her demeanour was lovely, the way she shoved that biscuit inside my mouth was not. At all. I almost choked on it; it literally reached my throat, and I coughed.

I take back everything I said. She's just a bitch.

"Do you even have any teeth in there with that tiny little mouth of yours?" she quipped with a warm smile as I coughed.

"Give me the box. I'll eat by myself," I retorted, glaring at her.

"Hmm? And why would I listen to you?" she said, her voice clearly amused, leaning closer to my face. "You're so small you have to stand on tiptoe to kiss me. I don't listen to lowly creatures."

"I have a dagger in my pocket, Crimson."

"Oh, how scary," she giggled, picking up another biscuit and holding it out. "Hmm, here. You can feed yourself."

It almost looked like a trap. With some hesitation, I reached for the biscuit, taking it from her hand. Nothing bad happened... I munched at it, still somewhat wary. She just stared at me, amused.

After that, I opened my hand for another. She gently placed a biscuit on my palm, and I kept on eating. As I chewed, she leaned in even closer, resting her head against my chest, her eyes never leaving mine.

I kept on chewing, while she kept staring at me... deeply.

I slowed down my chewing, confused by her weird attitude; she just kept staring at me, pressing her warmth into me.

"What are you doing?" I asked her after I swallowed my biscuit.

"Just loving you," she murmured.

"... Okay?"

Some time later, the sound of people descending the stairs approached the room, and I promptly jumped off Crimson's lap. She leaned back, casually eating another biscuit.

Leonard and Joey entered the kitchen, greeting both of us. We reciprocated, and shortly after, an unexpected figure entered the headquarters.

"Prince!" Leonard exclaimed, his eyes widening. "What brings you here?"

"The Prince?!" Joey blurted out, his hands hovering in panic before falling to one knee. "I-I apologize for my insolence!"

The Prince looked at him with neutral eyes. "Raise your head, I'm here just to inform you about the situation."

Joey rose from the ground, and Leonard approached the Prince. "What's the matter?" he asked him.

“I've sent the letter to my father and briefed the guards; they'll guard the entrance of the dungeon. We should be hearing back soon," he informed, arms folded. "In the meantime, I was wondering if you had any information about Carolina's contact."

Leonard shook his head. "I know nothing about her contact. Did she send the letter?"

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

The Prince shrugged. "I'm not aware. I went to her headquarters, both this morning and yesterday, but she wasn't there, and none of her members know where she went."

Bringing a hand to his temples, Leonard sighed. "Where did that girl disappear to...?"

"I was hoping you could answer that," the Prince commented, slightly lowering his gaze.

"I'm sorry, Prince, my knowledge on the matter is the same as yours. But worry not; I shall do my best to get in touch with her. We can only hope her contact comes through..."

The Prince nodded in response. "Understood. Well, I shall take my leave, then. One of my members, Abby, currently has a fever. I'll go check on her; I just passed by to fill you in on the situation."

"Thank you for taking the trouble, Prince," Leonard said, bowing.

With that, the Prince exited the headquarters, and Leonard turned toward Crimson. "Crimson, find a way to contact Carolina."

She groaned. "Of course it had to be me..."

Amused by her despair, I hid a smile.

After breakfast, feeling refreshed and lighter, it was finally time to check on my spells. So, I headed to my usual spot outside the city walls.

"Alright. First of all... Bianca."

As I cast the spell, the familiar ice-cold gust of wind materialized right behind me. I turned around to observe the demon, but was instead greeted with a sight I was not expecting.

"W-what?!" I stumbled backward, instinctively shielding my face with my arms, hissing in pain as its claws grazed them.

I lost balance and fell to the ground, trembling as I stared up at it screeching at me. "W-what did I do wrong?! Why are you mad at me?"

After its loud cry, it stopped, turning to the other side, giving me its back. I was now sweating cold, while my heart was threatening to burst out of my chest.

"W-... what was that for...?" I stammered, swallowing hard as I tried to regain my composure.

Blood trickled from the scratches on my arms. Luckily, they weren't deep. I slowly pushed myself to my feet. The demon remained still, its head downward. I carefully stepped past it; it didn't move, nor did it look at me. I was utterly confused...

Why did it randomly attack me? And now it almost looks like it was giving me the cold shoulder... Did I do something wrong?

"Huh...?" I murmured as I observed it, clasping one of my arms with my hand to stop the bleeding and ease the pain. "W-why are you... still here?"

I kept staring at it, each passing second making my skin grow paler. "It's been more than a minute... Why are you still here?"

One minute and fifteen seconds, my hand reached for my hair. "Why won't you go away?!"

One minute and thirty seconds... still nothing... "What do I do if it doesn't leave...?"

One minute and forty-five seconds. I clasped my chest. "I don't know..."

Two minutes... "Huh?"

The demon raised its claws.

"S-seven...?"

The number increased. And then, just like it used to, it disappeared.

"Seven... and it disappeared after two minutes instead of one..."

I let out a big sigh of relief, taking a moment to regain my composure, slowly walking around. I was panicking over nothing... "So it lasts two minutes now, I suppose. But it wants an extra life. The number increased..."

I kept walking around as my heartbeat gradually steadied. Sure, I enjoyed that sound, but I'd rather it be caused by something that is not my own spells...

"No..." As I walked, another cold realization hit my brain, and I abruptly stopped. "It didn't increase... It's always been seven!"

I looked at my codex as I pondered it. "The first time I summoned it, it was against the Envokers' member! During the assassination!"

I couldn't see it well at that time, but the demon did indeed claim its first victim there.

"It's always been seven!"

For some reason, now I felt like I could understand more this spell. I smiled at the thought.

"Alright then." I cleared my throat. looking at the next spells, ready to activate it. But first... "Please don't give me a headache. Please don't give me a headache. Please don't give me a headache."

Closing my eyes and taking one last deep breath, I pronounced it. "Felincloak."

... I slowly opened one of my eyes. Then, the other followed. "I did it! I didn't collapse!"

I let out another sigh of relief, with my lips curling into a smile. I looked down at my body, now enshrouded in a purple hooded cloak. "Huh... what does it do, though?"

The cloak was light, reaching just below my knees. I walked around on the grass.

"I feel lighter!"

I increased my speed, and before I knew it, I was running around.

"Another enchantment spell..."

I slowed my steps, examining the texture of my cloak.

"Hmm... Or maybe... something more..."

I couldn't test it at the moment, but perhaps it could also diminish enemy attacks or spells... Well, regardless, it wasn't bad having another enchantment spell.

"It lasts ten minutes, and once it ends, I have to wait five minutes before it shines again. Noted."

So it was time for the new, last spell... "The fourth spell... Luxfer."

I blinked. "Huh...?"

Then, I blinked again, and I looked around. "Nothing happened?"

Finally, I looked at my codex. "... Why is my codex on the ground?"

- - - - - - -

"Ngh..."

With all my strength, I strove to thrust myself from the bed, damp with my sweat.

"Never would I have imagined blocking yond little mage could bear so heavily upon my body... Ugh..."

At last, I stood upon my trembling feet, only to fall later upon the floor, losing the hollow rabbit in the process. I was panting, sweating, sweltering.

"And why did Crimson ask her to go against it? Did she perceive the barrier was artifice?"

I dragged myself on the door. Forget the hollow rabbit... Water... I needed water...

"Nay... My technique is not so shallow to allow her discernment. Melissa perceived naught as well. Still..."

I fell face to the floor.

"NGH! Hurts..."

I tried to stabilize my breath; mana wast consuming me, my whole body felt against me, and I could do naught but chuckle.

"A rebound... Just how much is the price I hast to pay for blocking yond maiden...?"

I outstretched my arm, grabbing the book on the night table, opening it to check on the spells within with my eyes.

"Do not falter, Abby... thou must do it for her... For thy savior..."

I finally caught my breath, reposing the book back to its place as I reached for my hollow rabbit upon the floor, only to crumble again upon its bitter cold surface.

"Ugh..."

Even with closed eyes, I could tell everything wast spinning around me. In that moment of dizziness, the door creaked ope.

"Abby!"

"Prince..."

I could hear the Prince's steps apace approaching me, and a moment later, my body lifting in two warm arms.

"Abby... you're burning. Your fever is getting worse," his voice trembled as he wrapped me in an embrace, which very much only worsened my heat.

I extended an arm, feeling his cheek against my palm. "Oh, Prince..."

"Why were you out of bed, Abby? You're weak... You need to rest. Tell me if you need anything. You don't have to force yourself."

"Prithee, Prince... take care of me..."