Archmage

Lucifer awakens hastily in the morning. He opened the door to his room and ran towards the quarter of the other knight who had been drinking with him last night.

"Last night," he said, opening the conversation. The two knights looked at him in confusion. "Did Lady Roxus come to the bar?" asked Lucifer with a face of horror.

The knights burst out laughing at Lucifer's question and his utter despair. That made Lucifer fall to his knees.

"What have I done?" he buried his face in his own hands.

"Don't worry, Sir Lucius. Lady Roxus came to apologize to you," said a knight.

Several other knights appeared and entered the conversation. "Ooh, so that's what happened last night? Sir Lucius, you're making a scene in front of the knights' residence. Last night you didn't want to stop hugging Lady Roxus and go inside," said the knight.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah no way—what should I do now ?!"

"Sir Lucius, you must truly bow down to our Lady after this!" said another knight.

"You have to give her a gift and apologize sincerely," said another.

"Don't forget to compliment her appearance and do everything she asks. Oh! Do it all without even asking!" plus one more.

"I'll go to Windcliff and pick flowers..." muttered Lucifer. The man looked pale and swayed, but his eyes were full of determination. "...if someone is looking for me, say that I went away for a moment and will come back soon," said Lucifer.

All the knights there were knights one or two ranks below Lucifer. In comparison, none of them could beat Ernacht. The Croix County Knight-Captain was also very strong, just a little more experienced than Ernacht, but he lived in his residence the Count gave him. Also, the Captain couldn't even match Lucifer's swordplay even if he didn't use the slightest bit of Aura.

After what had happened last night, many Knights became closer to Lucifer. They saw another side of the strong man they admired, weak because of a woman. "But thank goodness," muttered Lucifer as he stood up. "Looks like she's no longer angry about Lord Ernacht," he continued.

Lucifer's relief made the other knights feel relieved too. Secretly, they wanted to support Lucifer's feelings for their Lady. At least, after the past few weeks of watching Lucifer, they know that Lucifer deserves to be Lady Roxus' companion. He is a Swordmaster, a rare figure that only kingdoms with strong militaries have and is often told in legends, although his existence is not as rare as an Archmage.

.

Roxus laughed. She burst out laughing in front of Cecilia, who was nervously drinking her tea while looking guiltily at Roxus. Roxus laughed while patting hard on the upper arm of the man next to her, Lucifer, who could only smile, accepting all of Roxus' spontaneous abuse. 

His hangover has already subsided after running his horse to the Windcliff. He would never go drunk as a human anymore, except it was necessary.

"I never thought you would do something like this—oh! Cece..." Roxus said, slowly wiping her tears from laughing too much.

A young man in plain dark clothes sat next to Cecilia. His face was so flat, but he looked surprised.

"You know I have no choice, Bebe. In the letter, you said you would use all of Croix County's strength to support and protect me, so I decided to..." Cecilia glanced over to the side where the man in plainclothes was sitting.

The man was a young man who looked the same age as Lucifer. His hair is black with faded blue eyes. When he arrived, he was wearing a robe that covered his head, of course, to hide his unique hair colour. But then, when he shows his appearance, everyone immediately knew his true identity.

"Your Majesty, The Imperial Prince Samael Rotund, nice to meet you," said Roxus in a voice that still seemed to be holding back laughter. "...and I still don't expect Cece to use the fact that I am an Archmage to invite Prince Samael here."

"…Nice to meet you too, Lady Roxus Croix."

Samael put his right hand on his chest and nodded his head. Cecilia looked at Roxus guiltily. Earlier, she had prepared to make Roxus angry for using her like this. She also knew that she could make Roxus suspicious of her because Cecilia already knew that Roxus had not announced to everyone that she was an Archmage.

But the woman burst out laughing instead.

"It was like a blind date with school friends. Like, hey, I know that popular girl. Do you want to come to play with us?" Roxus spoke towards Lucifer, who looked worried from earlier.

"Bebe... I'm sorry," Cecilia said weakly. Her small and fragile body looked so pathetic with her shoulders down.

"Come on, Cece… you aren't the only one who has a good information network in this world. I know you ordered your special forces to watch over and protect me. I also know that you've actually recovered and can walk normally now," Roxus said softly.

Cecilia opened her eyes wide in surprise. "...Bebe..." It wasn't just Cecilia who was shocked. Prince Samael, who glances at the two, was also shocked.

He came here because of a secret letter he received from Cecilia, the Kingdom's Only Surviving Princess known to be sick and weak. Cecilia promised to introduce him to Roxus Croix, an Archmage who had just been born in her kingdom. But he got something else as soon as he came.

Three new pieces of information. Cecilia and the new Archmage were close friends, Cecilia had special forces under her command, and Cecilia was not disabled and could walk normally.

"But my intention is not for myself, Bebe," said Cecilia.

Roxus raised her eyelids. "I have information that you are looking for a husband," Cecilia smiled sweetly.

Instantly, Roxus's expression changed to a surprised face. Cecilia noticed, but she was still smiling as Roxus's face turned into a gentle smile. "Cece..." Roxus called softly. "You cunning woman," Roxus said with an expression and voice as if she was giving the best praise.

Cecilia shone with pleasure and pride. Seeing Cecilia's reaction, Samael flinched.

"This way, let's just say that you two owe me a debt of gratitude for introducing you to each other," Cecilia said with a gentle smile.

Lucifer chuckled, then stood up slowly. "Then, I will resign," he said.

"Luc," called Roxus quickly.

Lucifer stopped.

"Will you sit here until our conversation is over?" Roxus asked.

Cecilia then recalled other information she had received from her special forces. Lucifer has openly stated that he loves Roxus, and it is possible that Roxus also has the same feelings for Lucifer.

However, "Bebe, let Sir Lucius go. I want to tell you something important," Cecilia said softly but sounded serious.

Lucifer bowed to the three and walked away from there. Roxus stared at Lucifer's back, looking worried. She turned to Cecilia after she sighed.

"So, what do you think?" asked Cecilia then.

Roxus tilted her face, staring the other way. "Cece, it's true that my family and I are announcing that I'm looking for a husband, but that is one of my ways to keep Ariaster away from Croix," Roxus said.

"Is that why you decided to announce your status as an Archmage?" asked Cecilia.

Roxus nodded slowly. "I'm trying to make someone realize their place," Roxus continued.

"Hmm," Cecilia smiled. "But wouldn't it be better if you married someone of a much higher status than Ariaster?"

"That's right," Roxus replied. "It's just that I've decided never to get married," she continued.