The next morning, Sora woke early and slipped out of the dorm with Delphlinka. After their morning jog, he stopped at the square, lifted the sword, and began his practice.
Back on Earth, Sora had learned swordsmanship from his grandfather, and after years of practice, he had become quite skilled. Yet, without real combat experience, his technique still lacked sharpness. The motions were precise but missing the instinctive weight—the raw edge of a killing strike.
After completing his training, Sora returned to the room. Louise and Princess Anrietta were still asleep. Sitting down in a chair, he closed his eyes and slowed his breathing.
Anrietta stirred first. She turned over, gently pressing Louise down and kissing her forehead and cheeks. Louise slowly opened her eyes.
"Ah, Anrietta," Louise murmured with a sleepy smile.
"My sweet Louise," Anrietta cooed, cupping Louise's face with both hands. "Why are you so adorable?" Her hands slid down to Louise's neck, brushing lower against her chest.
"Ah—Anrietta…" Louise's face flushed crimson, her eyes misty and hesitant.
Just as the moment threatened to deepen, a cough broke the hush.
"Ahem." Sora opened his eyes and cleared his throat meaningfully.
Both girls froze. Their heads whipped toward him, only to lock eyes with the very definition of a third wheel.
"Ah—Guards! No—wait!" Anrietta yelped, grabbing the blanket to cover herself, cheeks blazing red.
Louise let out a small groan. "Oh no... it's Sora. I completely forgot."
Sora stood, stepping toward the bed. "Princess Anrietta, I'm Sora, Louise's friend. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Anrietta stared at Louise in shock, like a girl who'd just been betrayed by her lover.
Louise, face burning, waved her hands. "It's not what it looks like! He's my familiar—my familiar!"
"Really? Louise…" Anrietta hesitated, her expression easing slightly.
"It's true! Honestly."
"Oh… good." The princess let out a relieved sigh.
Sora narrowed his eyes. Being brushed off as "just a familiar" didn't sit well with him.
"Louise-chan," he said slyly, suddenly wrapping an arm around her back.
Louise blinked. Before she could react, Sora pressed his lips to hers. Their tongues met—soft, then boldly entwined. A faint silver thread of saliva trailed between them as he deepened the kiss.
Louise, used to his forwardness, froze for a moment before responding timidly, lost in the sensation.
Anrietta gaped, speechless. Her eyes widened in fascination—and curiosity. So… that's how you're supposed to kiss?
Only when Louise began to lose her breath did Sora finally pull back. "Satisfied, Louise-chan?" he teased.
Louise collapsed onto the bed, panting softly, her face as red as a cherry.
"Princess," Sora added with a mischievous grin, "Louise and I already share that kind of relationship. So it's best not to pursue her further."
Anrietta's eyes darted between them, wide with disbelief.
"Louise is mine," Sora said flatly. "I won't let anyone take her."
"Really?" she whispered.
Sora leaned close to her ear, his voice dropping to a purr. "Then you and Louise will both belong to me." His warm breath brushed her skin, and Anrietta flinched, her ears turning red.
"I'll step out for now," Sora said with an infuriatingly smug tone. "You two can get ready—just don't… do anything extra." He left the room before either could protest.
Anrietta glared daggers at his back as he disappeared down the hall. That insufferable man! How dare he ruin my moment with Louise. Her cheeks puffed with silent irritation.
A few minutes later, she exited the dorm wrapped in a cloak, throwing Sora one last glare before slipping away. Louise, still flustered, pulled Sora back into the room.
"Don't tell anyone Princess Anrietta was here," she warned. "And don't say anything about… well, what you saw." Her wide eyes pleaded with him.
Sora shut the door behind them and smirked. Then, in one swift motion, he pushed her gently onto the bed, pressing his body against hers.
"If you want me to keep that secret," he murmured, eyes flicking to her lips, "I'll need some kind of reward."
Louise trembled, her blush deepening. "I—I understand." She closed her eyes, lashes trembling with nerves.
After several long seconds with no movement, Louise peeked open one eye. "W–why aren't you…"
Sora smiled. "Louise, come here and kiss me."
"Huh!?"
"This is your reward. If you want me silent, you have to do it."
Louise clenched her tiny fists, then relaxed them. "Fine—it's just a reward," she muttered, cheeks puffed. She leaned up awkwardly and brushed her lips against his cheek.
"It's crooked, Louise-chan," Sora teased.
"It was an accident!" Louise huffed, a spark of stubborn pride lighting her face. She grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him closer. This time, her lips met his with fierce determination.
She bit down harder than intended, drawing a trace of blood between them.
Sora didn't flinch—he only smiled against her mouth. Her kiss was clumsy, a little stiff, but honest and full of heat.
Wrapping his arms around her, Sora returned the kiss. They tumbled back onto the bed, their lips and tongues entwined again, the tension between them thick and undeniable.