After the lessons, Mor went to get Tiara, while his friends went ahead and acquired snacks and drinks. Mor returned to the space of the first-year lessons, but the instant he was spotted, a low murmur started, and many students looked intrigued.
As the little group went on, the murmuring went on. Still, Mor couldn't understand what was said, and as soon as he made eye contact or tried to talk to a first year, they would flee and leave him standing in confusion.
°What's going on?° Mor asked, but the human gave no answer, only chuckling.
After a short search, he found the waiting girl and noticed that she seemed deep in thought. Mor walked over to her, and instantly, the murmurs took on a new intensity, but every time he turned towards some of the chatting first years, they instantly fell silent.
"Are you ready?" He asked the girl, making Tiara flinch.
"Yes, let's leave." She answered and went ahead, Mor quickly following after her.
"Wait! You don't know where we are going." He complained and overtook the girl with a few quick steps.
"I don't care!" She hissed, confusing Mor.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"You know what's wrong! How could you?" She asked, pissed.
°I'm confused. What's up with her now?° Mor asked.
°How the fuck would I know? Did you do something to her while I wasn't looking?° The human asked back.
°Very funny, you know that is not possible, we're stuck together!° Mor said.
°Then only one explanation left…° The human said.
°And which one would that be?° Mor asked, annoyed.
°Girls.° The human simply stated.
°Not helpful…° Mor complained.
He led the furious princess to his training room, where his friends were already waiting with their spoils. All three of them threw him confused looks at the temper of the princess, but Mor could only shrug. After they closed the door and locked it to keep their privacy, everyone except Tiara sat down on the floor. The princess stood there for a moment, then crossed her arms and started to interrogate Mor.
"Now, explain yourself!" She demanded.
"Explain what?" Mor asked.
"You know what!" Tiara retorted.
"What's your problem?" Saphine interceded. "Are you pissed because you aren't getting anymore kneeling and begging out of us?"
"Yes, but that's not my main reason. I can overlook this because Dino told me I'm a student like everyone else." Tiara huffed.
Stolen story; please report.
"Then what is your problem with Mor?" Clare asked, and Mor was glad about the girls' inquiries.
"I heard the rumors, but they are pure lies. Dino told me the true story and that you only had a small part in it! Still, he had offered you a favor!" Tiara hissed.
"Slow down, please tell me what you heard exactly," Mor said.
°Oh, this will be fun. Too bad we don't have popcorn, ° The human said and was ignored.
With a huff, Tiara sat down and glared at Mor.
"Don't play dumb. I'm talking about the disaster you were a part of last year." Tiara growled.
"What did you hear?" Mor pressured further.
"Some first years have older siblings, and those told them what they thought had happened, and the story is already known to every student, but it's fake." Tiara continued on.
°A true politician… Never giving a straight answer.° The human sighed.
"Just tell the story." Saphine suddenly hissed, and Tiara first flinched and then looked annoyed.
"Fine. According to the students, there was a giant made of flame, and you almost defeated it single-handedly without even using magic! Then you offered the victory to the prince and his two guards, gaining his eternal favor, and you used that favor…" She glared at Mor again. "... to make the prince's youngest sister, in other words, ME your fiance!"
"What?!" Mor, Saphine, Orth, and Clare shouted in perfect synchrony.
°That's too funny.° The human howled in laughter.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Orth asked his friend.
"Are you sure that was a good idea?" Clare added.
"That must be a lie!" Saphine interrupted.
°Whoo, casanova.° The human chuckled.
"I did nothing like that!" Mor defended himself. "That is obviously untrue!"
°Also you fucking know that I didn't° He chided the laughing human.
"Of course, it's not true! Dino told me you and your friends bought just enough time for the teachers, him, and his guards to finish the fire demon off. But because he was impressed by your courage, he granted you the favor! Still, why didn't Dino tell me of the promise?" Tiara complained.
"Because that is also untrue!" Mor tried again. "Yes, I did get a wish as a reward from Dino, but we agreed on an I.O.U!"
"What's that?" Orth asked.
"He owes me the favor whenever I want it. I didn't know what to wish for, so that was the best decision." Mor explained.
"Why didn't you wish for a noble title?" Saphine asked, and Mor shrugged.
"Because I don't want to join nobility?" He said, and couldn't get a read on his friend's facial expressions.
°Wrong answer…° The human sighed. °Fucking piece of osmium…°
°What now?! You know, just shut up!° Mor growled.
"So you didn't want to marry me?" Tiara asked, confused.
"That's what I said! Dino wanted me to protect you, but that's it!" Mor said.
"Still, I hate to break it to you, princess," Orth said. "Your version is only half right. Your brother excluded some details. Mor did fight that "demon" all on his own and almost beat it, and not a "guard" of your brother beat him, but an old friend? Mor's mother ultimately destroyed it, but he did most of the work."
"His mother?" Tiara asked.
"The Ice-empress," Clare added, and Tiara looked confused for a second before understanding but still didn't want to believe that version.
"Dino wouldn't lie to me," Tiara said, and Orth simply shrugged.
"Did we clear that misunderstanding?" Mor asked. "I would like to get to the original reason why we're here."
"Yes, we did," Tiara said, nodding.
"You could at least apologize to Mor," Saphine muttered but wasn't heard.