[26.4] The Age Gap May be Alarming

After walking across the Academy, I finally stumbled upon him practicing his sword. My steps halted as I watched his form.

It was as if he was dancing with the blade.

The magic that was poured into the sword danced around him, causing a beautiful golden light to swirl as if it was a living being.

My breath caught in my throat as I watched the beautiful magic play around him.

It's just like the moment I first smelled him.

He put away his sword, snapping me out of my thoughts. As he wiped the sweat from his brow, I rushed toward him.

I grinned forcefully, "I see you are still practicing your swordsmanship! You've really improved too! Isn't that-"

He gave me a glance, then turned on his heels and walked away.

I grit my teeth.

Not this time!

I ran after him, "Oi! Don't ignore me! HEY!"

He started running.

I screeched, "WHY ARE YOU RUNNING AWAY?!"

In the end, I collapsed as I gasped for air.

"I… Hate… Exercise…"

...

I kicked my feet on the bed and let out a scream into my pillow, "AAARRG!"

Zephyr lounged at the foot of my bed with a lazy look. He let out a yawn and glanced at me, "What's wrong with you?"

I spun around with a growl, "Goldilocks! That little brat! He keeps IGNORING ME!"

Zephyr gave me a look, "Why do you care so much? The entire time we were traveling, you never once mentioned him."

I bit down on the pillow, "I can't STAND being ignored! It makes me so… So-"

"Annoying?" Zephyr said with a smirk.

I frowned at him then kicked him off the bed, "Oi. You're not a little kid. Stop sleeping on my bed."

Zephyr rolled to the ground and jumped up with his hair raised, "Oi! I was never a kid! You forced me to look like that! I was an adult the entire time!"

I sneered, "If I were you, I wouldn't say that you were an adult sleeping in the bed of a little girl."

He narrowed his eyes, "You evil woman. I'm glad you're being ignored."

I stared at him threateningly, "Say that again. I dare you."

Zephyr averted his gaze and changed the subject, "So why did you even agree to be his Royal Magician? You were always going on about how annoying you thought it was and how you would never do it."

I collapsed back onto the bed, "I… I couldn't stand it. They were all being so cruel to him. He was clearly the best candidate out of that trash, but no one would stand up for him despite trying so hard to win his favor just moments before."

Zephyr climbed back onto the bed and grinned mischievously, "Just admit you care about that little brat, you middle-aged spinster."

My face twitched, "I don't want to hear that from a thousand-year-old demon who was hitting on a teenager earlier."

"Oi."

I closed my eyes and let out a loud sigh, "Although, I do pity Goldilocks. He's an innocent kid who only wants to become King just so he can properly punish his good-for-nothing Aunt and Uncle… And after meeting them, I have to agree. So shouldn't I at least give him the chance to make his dream come true?"

Zephyr let out a big yawn, "Mhm."

"THAT'S IT!" I suddenly jumped up and screamed, "I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!"

Zephyr flinched and watched as I suddenly opened my window and jumped out. He shrugged, turned into a fox, and got comfortable at the foot of the bed.

The door suddenly opened and Della strolled through, "My precious Rei of sun! Your mummy is here to read you a story to sleep- Eh? Where is she?"

Zephyr let out a yawn, "She's escaped into the night."

"Oh… I see." She looked at him, "What are you doing in here, though? You know that Aldrich doesn't allow you to sleep at the foot of her bed anymore."

He looked at her with an innocent and adorable expression, "But I'm just an innocent little fox~"