(A/N):
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Clover Capital...
House Vermillion...
Late Afternoon...
The Vermillion estate buzzed with unusual activity.
Servants moved briskly through the halls, carrying formal attire and polished accessories meant for the Wizard King's annual dinner.
It was a familiar routine—one Fuegoleon had attended countless times.
Yet today—He felt uneasy.
"...."
Fuegoleon stood near the window, arms crossed behind his back, staring out at the sunlit courtyard.
His chest felt tight, instincts prickling like embers stirred by an unseen wind.
"…Tch," he muttered. "I've got a bad feeling about this."
He rarely trusted unease without reason.
Footsteps approached.
-Thud. -Thud.
"Big brother!"
Leopold Vermillion burst into the room, already dressed, fire in his eyes as always.
"Everyone's almost ready! This year's dinner is going to be amazing!"
Fuegoleon smiled faintly.
"Calm down, Leopold. You'll burn the palace down with that enthusiasm."
Then—Another presence entered the room.
Fuegoleon turned. And froze.
"...."
Mereoleona Vermillion stood in the doorway.
For a moment, his mind refused to process it.
Mereoleona… attending a formal gathering?
She leaned casually against the frame, arms folded, expression as fierce and untamed as ever—but something was different.
Very different. No heavy makeup. No attempt to blend in.
Yet unmistakable. A light touch-up around the eyes. A subtle hint of lipstick.
And around her neck—A necklace.
Fuegoleon's eyes widened just a fraction.
"...."
'Mereoleona hates accessories.'
She met his stare and scowled.
-Frown
"What? I've got dirt on my face or something?"
"No," Fuegoleon said slowly. "You look… prepared."
That earned him a sharp grin.
-Grin
"Careful, little brother. Compliments don't suit you."
But his gaze lingered. The necklace. The effort. The fact she had come at all.
Years had passed with Mereoleona avoiding gatherings like plague zones—finding excuses, creating emergencies, vanishing into the wilds.
And now? She was going.
Fuegoleon's thoughts snapped together.
'So that's it…'
His expression shifted—not disapproval, but alert curiosity.
'A mystery lover,' he realized. 'And likely a Magic Knight… attending tonight.'
Leopold blinked between them.
"Wait—Sister Mereoleona's actually going? Did the world end and no one tell me?"
Mereoleona ignored him completely.
Fuegoleon cleared his throat.
"I didn't expect you to attend."
She shrugged. "Didn't expect to either."
That confirmed it. Fuegoleon exhaled slowly.
He wasn't judging. He wasn't scandalized.
But he was her brother.
'Who in the world managed to tame this wild lion…'
He thought, eyes narrowing slightly.
No—more important—
'Is he still alive?'
Fuegoleon straightened.
"Well," he said, voice calm but firm, "then it seems tonight will be… eventful."
Mereoleona smirked hearing her words.
-Smirk
"Try not to embarrass yourself."
Evening...
Wizard King Palace...
Golden light spilled across the grand hall as mana lamps ignited one by one.
Squads began to arrive.
Cloaks of every color passed beneath the towering arches, boots echoing against polished marble as the Magic Knights of the Clover Kingdom assembled for their annual gathering.
One by one, the captains and vice-captains took their places:
Fuegoleon Vermillion with Randall Luftair
Nozel Silva with Nebra Silva
Charlotte Roselei with Sol Marron
Jack the Ripper with Sekke Bronzazza
Dorothy Unsworth with Kirsch Vermillion
Rill Boismortier with Fragil Tormenta
Kaiser Granvorka with Xerx Lugner
Conversations buzzed softly.
Laughter mingled with clinking glasses.
For a moment, the kingdom felt at peace.
Then—A shadow crossed the stained-glass ceiling.
-SWISHH!!!
Guards looked up just in time to see a sleek figure descend through one of the open upper windows.
-Thud.
A soft impact.
A green flash.
-FLAASSHHHH!!!
Mana rippled outward as Jetray landed lightly on the marble—then transformed, light folding inward until Ben stood in his place.
The hall went still.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Every knight straightened. In unison, they saluted.
Ben inclined his head calmly.
"At ease."
The tension melted instantly.
Captains and knights alike stepped forward, greeting him with respect, curiosity, and relief.
Ben returned each greeting with composed nods, exchanging brief words here and there.
Moments later—
The doors swung open again.
The Black Bulls arrived in their usual chaotic formation, loud and unmistakable.
Not long after, the Golden Dawn entered in perfect order.
Yet something was missing.
Whispers passed quietly between tables.
"Captain William hasn't arrived?"
The Golden Dawn vice-captain stepped forward and addressed the hall politely.
"Captain William Vangeance was delayed by an emergency. He sends his apologies."
Ben's eyes narrowed slightly—but he said nothing.
-Frown
Then the atmosphere shifted once more.
Mana surged warmly through the hall as the Wizard King, Julius Novachrono, entered with his usual bright smile.
Applause filled the chamber.
Julius raised his hands.
"Thank you, thank you! Let's not be stiff tonight."
He looked around at the gathered knights, eyes shining with genuine pride.
"To every Magic Knight here," Julius began, "thank you. For your courage, your sacrifice, and your dedication to protecting the Clover Kingdom."
The hall quieted.
"...."
"...."
"...."
"You are the shield that stands between our people and chaos," he continued. "Tonight isn't about duty—it's about recognizing how far you've all come."
He grinned looking at those who were listening to his speech.
"And eating until you can't move."
Laughter rippled through the hall.
With a wave of his hand—The feast began.
Platters of food appeared in bursts of magic.
Music filled the air. Glasses were raised. For the first time in days, the kingdom breathed easily.
Yet—
From the throne-side of the hall, Ben watched the celebration with a calm, unreadable gaze.
William's absence. The magic stones. The timing.
The night was only beginning.
With his speech concluded, Julius Novachrono clapped his hands together, clearly satisfied.
"Well then, enjoy yourselves!" he said cheerfully. "I'll leave the rest to you fine knights."
Beside him, Marx Francois adjusted his glasses and gave a polite bow to the hall.
The two slipped away together, Julius already animatedly talking about something Marx was clearly trying to summarize in writing as they disappeared down the corridor.
The moment they were gone—
The feast truly began.
At one long table, chaos reigned.
Asta was attacking a mountain of food like it had personally challenged him.
"This is AMAZING!"
He shouted between bites, shoveling food with both hands.
Beside him, Charmy Pappitson had somehow amassed more plates than should be physically possible.
"DON'T TOUCH MY DESSERTS!"
She yelled, hugging a cake tray protectively while still chewing on something else.
Across from them, Yuno sat straight-backed, eating calmly and neatly, as if he were at a noble banquet rather than beside two natural disasters.
"…You're both embarrassing,"
Yuno muttered, sipping his drink with refined restraint.
Asta grinned at him.
-Grin
"You're just jealous because you eat like an old noble!"
Charmy nodded seriously.
-Nod
"Yeah! Food tastes better when you fight it!"
Yuno didn't dignify that with a response.
From a short distance away, Ben watched the scene unfold.
"...."
He leaned back slightly, arms relaxed, a genuine laugh escaping him.
-Chuckle
For all the looming dangers…
For all the secrets moving beneath the surface…
Moments like this reminded him why the kingdom was worth protecting.
Laughter echoed through the hall. Plates clinked. Music played.
For tonight, at least—The Magic Knights were simply people enjoying a hard-earned meal.
Even if, somewhere beyond the palace walls, fate was already counting down.
Later That Night...
A soft cough sounded behind Ben.
-Cough
"...."
He turned to see Charlotte Roselei, standing with composed posture, her expression formal but her eyes warm.
"Your Majesty," she said politely with a smirk teasing him. "May I?"
Ben smiled. "Of course."
She took the seat beside him, careful, deliberate.
Tonight was an official gathering after all.
No matter what lay beneath the surface, appearances still mattered.
They exchanged quiet words, the kind meant only for each other, spoken softly enough to blend into the hum of the hall.
Across the room—
Nebra Silva had been enduring her brother's loud bragging with thinning patience.
"...."
The moment she noticed Charlotte seated beside Ben, her lips curved.
Perfect timing.
She excused herself mid-boast without apology and crossed the hall gracefully.
Pulling out another chair, she sat down on Ben's other side, smoothly inserting herself into the conversation.
"Well,"
Nebra said with a bright smile,
"this looks important. I'd hate to miss it."
Charlotte blinked once.
-Blink
"...."
Ben let out a small, helpless chuckle.
-Chuckle
Somewhere nearby, the air temperature spiked.
Mereoleona Vermillion stood frozen, eyes locked on the scene.
"...."
Ben. Charlotte. Nebra. Together. Her jaw tightened.
"…Tch."
Mana leaked from her unconsciously, heat rippling outward.
Nearby Magic Knights stiffened, instinctively stepping back as the pressure rolled off her like a warning.
"So,"
Mereoleona muttered under her breath, fists clenching,
"that's how it is."
Flames licked briefly at the floor before she reined them in with effort, exhaling sharply.
Around them, laughter and music continued, oblivious.
At the table, Ben glanced up—just in time to feel that familiar, dangerous presence.
He sighed internally.
-Sigh
'This night just keeps getting better.'
And somewhere between restrained smiles, simmering mana, and unspoken intentions—The real fireworks were only just getting started.
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(Author's POV)
(A/N)Thanks for reading the chapter!
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