~Lucio's POV~

"Who does Noddy think she is? How did I give in to her so easily? URGH!"

"Sire, I believe Countess Nadia won't be joining you tonight." A servant says.

Without hesitation, I rise from my chair and throw the plate of food at the ground. I hear the breaking of a plate and look straight at the servant.

"Tell the chefs to do better with their seasoning." I said walking out.

I make my way towards my room and open the doors to see my dogs asleep in their luxurious beds. I pet them and give them scritches before I walk towards the balcony. My frustration boiling like lava is making me crazy. She didn't show up.

"Urgh! How much will do to make Nadia stop nagging at me!? How much will do to make Jules get in line?!" 

I slam my fists on the balcony railing. The air was cold and teasing me of loneliness. I sigh and can't help but notice a tear fell. I wipe my tears away. 

"How cruel..." I wipe the last tear away.

Ahead from me is the open garden, lit with laterns. It makes the garden so beautiful...

"Everything's beautiful but why this?"

"Why what?"

A voice startled me. I turned around and saw Nadia standing there with her night robe on. I blush at the sight and then look away.

"Nothing Noddy." I said slowly looking at her.

She sighs and then nods. She walks towards me and joins me on the balcony. The cold night air blows her hair, making her irresistible. I smile and look at Vesuvia.

"You know? I didn't mean to slap you that hard. You just never listen." She said staring at something ahead.

I look at her and smile awkwardly. I raise my chest, trying to display my confidence.

"It didn't even hurt. I can take any pain you throw at me, Noddy." I said smirking and winking at her.

She turns to me with her face flushed and then chuckles.

"Enough with the bravado, Lucio. It was already clear enough with the slap mark." Nadia said caressing my cheeks.

I huff and lean into her touch.

"It might've hurt... only a little." 

She was warm and adorable. Maybe this was the reason why I gave into her. She was in control and still managed to be so irresistible. I sighed and took her hand away from my cheek and kissed her hand.

"Must've hurt when you slapped me." I said winking at her.

She quickly retracts her hand and rolls her eyes.

"Not even a little." She said while crossing her arms and smirking.

"Oh come on Noddy! Look at me. The real definition of hard, cold and tasty snack. My face can handle anything." I said pouting.

She laughs and kisses my cheek.

"Look Lucio. Maybe Julian's right." She started.

I quickly felt anger rising in me. I decided to look away and tune her out.

"Maybe... we need to listen to them. Many lives are dying and we just burn them. Maybe take opinions from our people." She said, placing a hand on my shoulder.

I groan in annoyance and placed my hand under my chin and my elbow on the balcony's railing with annoyance.

"Why should we? We are the ones on top. What we are doing IS for the people. Do they not want to not get infected?" I said gritting my teeth.

"Perhaps, allowing the bereaved families to talk to those who are infected before they leave." Nadia recommended.

I groan again and stand properly to face her.

"Getting them away from their family is better than letting them talk to the sick when there could be a chance to get infected." I reasoned.

"You mean, forcefully getting them on the ship without saying goodbye?" Nadia said while raising her left brow.

"YES!" I said walking into the inner room.

I turn my heels to look at her and immediately meet her red eyes. I step back as she titls her head and raises her brow at me with annoyance while crossing her arms. I could feel beads of sweat falling down my face.

"Lucio." 

"No. Noddy. No" I said trying to look tough.

"Atleast provide them time or a place where they can say goodbye, Lucio." Nadia said gritting her teeth.

I stand there, sweating like a sinner in church and finally break.

"OKAY! Fine.. before they board the ship, they can talk to their families in a clear barrier or wall. Just don't let more of my audience to die and no more oopsies." I said crossing my arms and pouting.

Nadia seems satisfied and smiles. She reaches for my hands and grabs it to give me a hug.

"Thank you...for listening." She said sweetly before she kissed my cheeks and left the room.

I stood there, stunned. 

"Did she--"

I turn to look at a sleepy eyed Mercedes as she weakly barks and return to sleep. I can't help but smile and blush.

"Oh Noddy...You don't know what you have done to me."

~Julian's POV~

After a few drinks or so, Countess Nadia asked us to escort her back to the palace and so we did. We waved goodbye and then Asra and I were left walking back to the Rowdy Raven. He's so silent that it's tightening its grip on my throat. That can't be healthy right?

"What has the witch gotten his mind thinking of?" I asked, trying to ease the silence away.

Asra looks at me, chuckling.

"Just, thinking of Y/n." He said with a smile on his face.

I smirk, "Oh? Have any plans?" 

Asra looks at me like I'm a stranger scamming him.

"Oh come on, Asra. Don't leave me hanging." I said nudging him.

Asra laughs and nods with a smile on his face.

"Let's just go home, Ilya." Asra said looking at me with a smile.

 I tap my chin and stop in the process. 

 "Hmmm.."

 Asra notices this and then sighs heavily. I begin to smirk at him. 

 "Oh no, Ilya. I don't think Y/n would love that idea." Asra said while his hands are on his hips.

 "What idea, Asra?" I said innocently while batting my eyelashes.

 "No—"

 A few minutes later...I jump into Asra's bed, feeling the fluffiness and comfort his matress had. 

 "Awurgh! This is a nice bed!" I said stretching my arms. 

 "You don't even fit in that bed, Ilya." Asra said, leaning on the door frame with an annoyed look on his face.

 I scoffed and removed my boots. I didn't care if my legs were hanging off a bit. I lay back down and enjoy the comfort. I hear Asra groan in annoyance and just smiled it away.

 "You should really stop hogging our bed everytime Y/n's not in it." Asra said as he took off his boots as well. 

 My eyes widen and I placed my hand on my chest, above my heart.

 "Asra! You've hurt me! I do not hog the bed! It is the bed that is small." I said dramatically while putting a hand on my forehead.

 Asra laughs and playfully punches my arm as he lays in bed with me.

 "Stop being dramatic, Goldilocks." Asra said turning his back on me.

 I poked his back and he immediately flinch and fell off the bed at my touch. 

 "Ilya!"

 He looks furious but I just laugh it off. 

 "You're such a child!" He annoyingly said. 

 His eyes roll as he lays back down on the bed facing me. I pout. 

 "You know? You should be careful on telling people their a child." I seriously said. 

"Oh?"

 Asra's brow raise in an annoying manner and I smile awkwardly.

 "B-because if I'm a child then you're a pedophile! And I refuse to sleep in the same bed with a pedophile!" I said sitting up and looking at him, trying not to laugh.

 Asra laughs and sits up. I soon burst out laughing.

 "You must've forgotten that, you are older." Asra said with a proud smirk. 

 I feel my face heat up and I quickly look away. I hate him... 

 "Come here." Asra said as I looked at him and seeing him pointing at the floor.

 I slowly moved and sat on the floor. He turned me around so that my back was on the edgeof the bed.

 "Since you begged for a sleepover, let's braid each other's hair and talk about life." Asra said. 

 I feel him slightly pulling on my hair. He can't see it but I feel my face heat up and turn to a shade of red. I clear my throat and nodded. 

 "Sound like a fun thing to do." I nodded again.

 Asra starts pulling pieces of my hair and places it in a section. I notice how delicate Asra has been as he starts braiding. 

 "H-Have you and Y/n done this before?" I asked.

 I swear I can feel him smile as he stops moving pieces of my hair.

 "Hmm. Yes." Asra said as he proceeds to braid my hair.

 "How often?" 

 "Everytime we get a chance, we do this to recap and have fun." He said.

 "How does one braid your short hair?" I asked. 

 Asra reaches for something on the nightstand and then continues to do my hair. He chuckles.

 "They usually try different hair styles using magic. Not the traditional braid but they like creating an illusion of my hair being long and manipulates that magic to make a braided illusion of my hair." He said.

 Wow.. these two are closer than I originally thought. 

 "They really enjoy doing things like that. Especially dressing up? They're masters at creating clothing from scrap or magic. Sometimes we dress up and then end up sleeping on the bed with the costumes." Asra said.

 "Really?"

 "Yes really." Asra said patting my head.

 Asra again reaches for somethig and hands it over to me. I then notice it's a mirror. My eyes widen at the sight.

 "Is that-- your work?" I was shocked at the braid.

 Asra braided my front bangs and braided it to the side of my head and tied a small pony tail with the braid at the back.

 "Like it? Y/n taught me how to braid." Asra said.I stand up and sit beside Asra. 

 "I love it! We should tell people of your work, Asra! This could help pay rent you know?" I said laying an arm around his shoulders. 

 "Ilya, I do pay rent. This is just for fun." 

He laughs as he falls back into thebed.I follow and smile. 

 "I can't believe you two are so close. How'd you two meet?" I asked, looking at Asra who is staring at the ceiling. 

 "It's a long story, Ilya." Asra said smiling while closing his eyes.

 "Ohh I distinctly remember that sleepovers, braiding of each other's hair and gossip is tradition. Now tell me. You've piqued my interest." I said while laying on my side. 

 Asra chuckles and then looks at me with his purple eyes.

 "Okay. It all started when it—" 

 He keeps talking and I love it. The night is young and gossip is in full swing! 

 ~Muriel's POV~

 I hear the others leave and soon relax. Inanna has not returned yet. I walked towards my bed and saw a peaceful Y/n, sleeping in a pile of fur. 

 "Peaceful."

 I walk off into the hearth and picked up wood. I threw it into the hearth to make the hut warmer for Y/n. 

 "AWOOOO!"

 My eyes widened. Then I hear clucking and chicken shrieks.

 "Inanna."I quickly head out and see Inanna chasing the chickens. 

 "Arwoor!" She whined at the chickens. 

 "Inanna." 

 She looks up at me and I can't help but notice both her tail and eyes drop down. 

 "Inanna..."

 I slowly approach her but she dodges my reach for her and enters the hut quickly. I turn around and enter the hut, shutting the door behind me. 

 "Inanna...I-Im..sorry.." I see her laying down next to Y/n.

 She growls at me and then whimpers.

 "Sorry. No help." She said, lowering her head. 

 "Scared me." She added.

 "Bad." She said sadly. 

 I lower down to her position. I try to reach out for her but she moves and turns her back at me. I retract my hand and sighed. 

 "That fog wasn't natural. Emotions all over the place." I said turning my back on her.

Silence took over and I assumed Inanna fell asleep. I sigh and work my way to the hearth to cook dinner for all of us. 

Time had passed and dinner was ready. Just as I was setting the table, I hear shifting on the bed. I look at the direction of the noise to see Y/n, half asleep and slowly petting Inanna white sitting up.

"Hello..furbaby.." They said sluggishly.

I watch them pet Inanna until our eyes met. I quickly avert my gaze and scrambled to get a plate with food on it. Suddenly, a spoon falls and I groan in embarrasment. I reach for the spoon quickly and place it back on the table, sighing in relief.

"Stupid spoon." I mumble.

I suddenly felt a hand on my arm and quickly looked to my side. My breathing hitched as I stared at them.

"Should I head home? It looks like you don't want me here." Y/n said while tilting their head to the side.

"No!"

I feel like a fool talking to them. I calm myself and nod my head side to side and gestured them to take a seat for dinner.

"It's too dangerous at this hour to go home by yourself. Stay and have dinner then tomorrow you head back." 

"Aren't you coming with me back to see Asra tomorrow?" They asked while settling themselves down on the stool and I did so as well.

I looked at them and shook my head. "No."

Their lips form a thin line. I watch as they ate the smoked eel and then begin to eat my food as well.

I can't help but think their sad. They are enjoying the food but... there is a hint of sadness in their eyes. 

I shake my head and finish my food. I placed some food for Inanna as well but she didn't eat. I sigh and placed my empty plate in the bucket. 

"Hey, is everything okay?" 

I turned around to Y/n's voice to see them, holding the empty plate and utensils. I gently took the plate and utensils and placed them in the bucket. 

"Muriel...?"

I stare back at them saying, "Nothing."

I push them away and walk towards my bed. Inanna is sleeping peacefully on my bed. I smile and pet her slowly and sat on my bed.

 I just can't help it....I wish they understood me...I didn't mean anything. What I said to Asra was...true but, I can never forgive myself for telling him that nor attempting to lose Inanna to my emotions...I hate it..Y/n's always been in our lives and yet, it makes me frustrated seeing them with Asra, the person who defended me... But I can't get mad at them for being so kind and.. open minded. It's always Asra who picked them and..

"Muri?"

A voice snaps me back to reality. I turn my head to see Y/n standing on the doorway with a smile n her face.

"Walk with me?" They asked.

I sit there in shock and then shake my head. 

"Mhm." I nod.

Their face lit up and I can't help but stifle a smile. 

"R-really? Oh! I always wondered what beauty this forest holds." Y/n said, excitement laced in their voice.

"As long as we stay within the border of the charms, we're safe." I said walking past them.

"W-Where are y-?"

I walk towards a rack of animal fur, ignoring Y/n's ramble at where the exit was and pick within the furs. I picked up a soft cloak just for their size. I turn around and hand it to them.

"It's cold at this time of the night." I said and they happily accept the cloak.

I put my cloak on and watched as they put it on with ease. I can't help but feel my face heat up.

Y/n's POV

I watched as the light comingg from the hearth showed Muriel's pink tint on his cheeks. I can't help but smile.

"Come on. Let's go feed the chickens. They must be hungry by now."

 As if on cue, several of the chickens cluck. Muriel's tint went from his cheeks to his ears. I laughed as I opened the door to reveal several of the chickens pecking the ground, looking for crumbs.I come closer to one of the chickens and lower down to their position to not scare it.

"Bok bok bok." 

It approaches slowly. I lay out my hand for them to come towards me. Soon, my hand is filled with grain. I look up to see Muriel with a bucket filled with feed and pouring some of it on my hands while meeting my position.

"Thank you." I said nodding.

He does a little side pout and grunts in response while getting up to feed the others. I smile as I felt someone pecking on my hand. I turn to look at my hand to see the chicken happily pecking on the feed.

"Happy little fella aren't ya?" I said thinking the chicken woukd answer me.

It stops and then clucks once then proceeds to eat until nothing is left. 

"Rowr!" 

I turn around to see Inanna with her tail wagging.

"Pbtht!"

 Inanna licked my face and I fell on my bottom, laughing.

"Inanna!" 

Inanna only continues to bark happily while doing small jumps of hapiness. I reach out to pet her and she quickly dodges the touch. 

"Do you want to play?" I asked her.

I stand up, dusting myself and notice that Muriel is standing infront of us without the bucket this time.

"Err.." His eyes look at me to Inanna. 

Inanna looks behind her to see Muriel and walks beside me.

"Rowr??" She said.

"Yes I'm okay." Muriel said looking at Inanna.

"Grrr rowr! Rowr rowr rowr rowr."Inanna growls while immediately standing between us.

Suddenly, Muriel begins blushing. 

What are these two even talking about?

"N-no Inanna." Muriel said to her.

"Rowr rowr! Rowr!"

 Inanna barks. I look at Inanna and pet her head. She looks up at me with her tongue out in happiness and her tail wagging. I suddenly hear Muriel sigh. I look up to see him scratching the back of his neck.

"Err-"

Inanna goes and headbutts Muriel's back legs, making him fall to his knees. He looks up at me and I can see a noticeable blush on his face.

"Uhh Y-Y/n..." 

"I didn't think Inanna was that strong." I said giving him a hand up.

He looks away making me lower down to his position."Muri?" I place my hand on his shoulder.He ignores me and I place my hand on his cheek. I happen to notice lanterns were lit around the forest and I smile, looking back at Muriel.

"Hey... it's beautiful out here tonight." I said trying to make him look at me.

"Evenmorebeautifulthatyourehere" I hear him mumbling.

"What was that?" I said, removing my hand on his cheek.

He looks up at me and pushes flowers into my face. I lost my balance and sat on the ground as the flowers are in my hand.

"S-Sorry!" He said helping me up quickly.

He looks back and I see him giving Inanna a glare. Inanna barks happily at him and I can't help but giggle. This caught his attention.

"I uhh those are for you." He said pointing at the flowers in my hand.

I look at the flowers and notice almost every kind of flower around the forest was here in a bouquet. I take a sniff and my nose start to itch.

"Achoo!"

 The pollen got into my nose. I rub my nose trying to not conjure another sneeze.

"Are you allergic to the flowers? I'm sorryy! Maybe it was a wrong idea to-."

 Muriel started rambling. He seemed to panic and I don't know whatelse to do.

 Out of reflex, I kissed his chin. It seemed rough at first because he was rambling and I was tiny. I couldn't reach his cheeks. But it worked. Muriel stopped rambling. Our faces flushed with embarrassment and is still heating up.

"Did you just...try to kiss my cheeks?" He asked, face red.

It was my turn to panic now. I was embarrassed.

"Y-yes?" I said looking up at him embarassed.

"Why?" He said covering his mouth or his cheeks?

"You wouldn't stop babbling and I was afraid you'd not want to talk to me after this." I said, cheeks painted pink.

His painted cheeks says everything. I turned around to run but, Muriel caught my wrists.

"Don't go. Too dangerous." He said sternly.

I took my wrists away from him and sighed.

"Asra will be mad at me if something happens to you." He said, now in a worried tone.

I looked up at him and smiled at him.

"You don't think it's awkward?" I asked him.

His eyes widened as I said that and then he shook his head and looked away embarrassed.

"...friends?" He said, unsure.

I laughed at him and nodded. He was cute that way. I patted his arm and went straight in to his hut.

"Let's go Muri. Inanna." I said beckoning them into the hut.

Inanna happily trudges towards me while Muriel follows behind her.

"Come on. Let's talk about each other or maybeeee if you like, we'd braid each other's hair." I said making my way to his bed.

Inanna barks with her tail wagging happily as she lays beside me and Muriel shuts the door and then stares at me.

"Come on. It'll be fun!"

 "That's what Asra always says." He said, giving me a sigh of defeat.

He sits be infront of me, back turned, enough for me to reach his hair and braid it. I hear him mumbling something.

"Hmm? Is something wrong? Am I pulling on your hair too much?" I asked, worried I pulled too hard.

He shakes his head lightly in a way saying 'no'

"I just... nothing." He said, relaxation laced in his voice.I smiled and nodded, continuing to braid his hair and talk about each other through the night.

"Iwishyoudstayherelonger." Was what Muriel said Y/n  (wink)

~*~

Hello Arcana Fans! How have you all been doing? Who's your favorite route to play? 

Btw, how's the book coming so far? Got any requests? If you do, please place them down here <3

-Angela Chan <3