Trouble in the Inn
Seraphine and Lionel Kisaragi had managed to secure a small, inexpensive room at the inn in Hanlorien town. The room was tiny, forcing the fierce-faced Lionel to share a space with the princess, much to his awkward embarrassment.
"You take the bed," Lionel grumbled, avoiding eye contact and throwing his bag onto the floor. "I'll sleep here. Don't talk to me."
"But Lionel, you can't sleep on the floor!" Seraphine said, her kind-hearted nature making her worry. "We can share the bed, it's wide enough!"
Lionel's face immediately flushed bright red. He stammered, "W-we are not sharing! I don't want to get close to you! You're clumsy! And annoying!" He quickly turned his back to hide his blush. He was definitely the tsundere type, easily embarrassed by her innocent advances.
"Fine," Seraphine sighed, giving up. She was used to his annoying, blunt language by now.
While Seraphine settled in, a small group of rough-looking travelers noticed them. They had seen Seraphine treating the injured boy earlier, and now they saw her expensive-looking travel bag and the valuable herbs she carried. They decided the strange pair was an easy target.
The Hidden Hand
As night fell, Seraphine was sleeping soundly, thanks to her exhausting journey. Lionel, however, was a very light sleeper. He was about to doze off when he heard a faint click at the door.
He sat up immediately, his hand flying to the small dagger he kept hidden. He was ready to jump up and argue fiercely with the intruder.
But the door didn't open. The sound stopped.
Outside the room, in the dark hallway, Kael Arisugawa was crouched by the door. He had been quietly observing the inn, making sure his princess was safe. He had seen the rough-looking travelers watching her earlier.
When one of them tried to pick the lock, Kael, moving like a phantom, grabbed the man's wrist.
The traveler gasped, but before he could shout, Kael's handsome, flirty face was inches from his own. Kael wasn't smiling. His eyes were cold, and his grip was iron-tight.
"If you touch that door again, you will regret ever being born," Kael whispered, his voice dangerously soft. "Go back to your room."
Kael's serious, protective side was terrifying. The thief, realizing he had encountered someone far more dangerous than himself, scrambled away in fear.
Kael waited until the hallway was completely silent. He smiled faintly, a mix of satisfaction and tiredness. Still clumsy, he thought, knowing he had saved Seraphine from danger she never even noticed.
A Morning Tease
The next morning, Seraphine woke up refreshed. Lionel was grumpy as usual, complaining about his back from sleeping on the floor. He hadn't noticed Kael's intervention.
As they were leaving the inn, Seraphine found a tiny, perfect star-shaped cookie wrapped neatly in a clean napkin, sitting right on top of her travel bag.
"Oh, look!" Seraphine exclaimed happily, picking it up. "Someone must have left me a thank-you gift for treating the boy!"
Lionel just scowled. "Don't eat random food. It's probably poisoned."
Seraphine ignored him and took a bite. "It's delicious! And look, it matches my eyes!" She pointed to her unique star-like pupils.
Hidden across the street, watching them leave Hanlorien, Kael smiled. He was the one who left the cookie. He was showing her, in his own way, that he was near. He was starting his playful, teasing game, even from a distance.