[52.4] Felix POV: No Experience With Women

Priscilla decided to follow after me, down the stairs and to the open arena. I stood off to the side in the shadows watching as Reika and Cyrus chatted with everyone who came to congratulate them. They both looked harmonious standing side by side and while Reika looked completely uncomfortable by the attention, Cyrus faced the people with a confident smile and a perfect posture.

He looks just as a King should.

Unlike someone-

I glanced over at the King who was slapping the Headmaster on the back playfully while making several cringe-worthy jokes.

Once the crowd dwindled down, I took a deep breath and forced on the friendliest smile I could muster. I walked towards them waving, "Prince Cyrus! Reika! Congratulations on the win!"

Reika and Cyrus turned to me in surprise. Reika jumped over, "Felix! You escaped?!"

I laughed as she checked out my body, trying to figure out if I was finally back to normal. I stepped out of range of her nose and nodded, "I did."

Cyrus had on his tight expression, but relief flooded his eyes, "You're feeling better?"

"I am. I finally caught up on all my sleep, so let's have a party at our estate to celebrate!"

Cyrus stared at me closely, "Are you sure you're well enough for a party?"

"It will just be a small party. It's nothing I can't handle." My eyes deliberately moved to Reika as my lips curled up wryly, "Plus, I've been feeling much better recently. Almost as if I've been given a gift."

Reika smiled back at me, but when Cyrus gave her an accusatory look, she turned her gaze to the sky to hide her guilt. She whistled, "Whoa! The sky is so blue today."

Cyrus kept glaring, "Reika."

She leaned onto his shoulder and batted her eyes at him, "It reminds me of your eyes."

Cyrus scoffed and thought about her words for a moment before his lips curled into a mischievous smile. He suddenly pulled her close to him and held her waist intimately as he forced her to stare into his eyes. He spoke in a low voice, "Then don't look at the sky and look into my eyes instead."

Her face burned bright red as she was taken off guard by his sudden action. Seeing their lovey-dovey display, my lips turned down in disgust.

I'm going to puke.

I clapped my hands together, "Then shall we return to our estate to celebrate?"

Reika nodded quickly, "Let me go collect my fox!"

She bounced off with a large smile, so I nudged Cyrus, "Things seem to be going well."

Cyrus glanced at me and cleared my throat, "Felix. How much do you know about women?"

I still wore a smile on my face, but my face twitched.

Why is he asking me this garbage?

He clicked his tongue, "Wait, why am I asking you? You don't have any experience with women."

My smile faltered, "Oi. I have more than enough experience."

"Your sister doesn't count."

"..."

He kept thinking to himself, "Hm. But you might still know."

I felt my irritation get the best of me and snapped, "Just ask what you want to ask."

He nodded in determination and faced me, "Why would a woman want to sleep with you, but not face you the next morning? Why would she try to sneak out immediately after waking up?"

I broke out into an extreme coughing fit completely caught off guard.

They did WHAT!?

He continued absentmindedly, "I'm confident it wasn't bad since she returned to do it again. So what could that mean?"

I spat out in a panic, "You two- you're not married yet!!! How could you-"

My mind felt like it was about to explode.

They slept together!? Already?!

Cyrus was surprised by this realization, "You're right. It's abnormal. Maybe the reason why she keeps running away is because she thinks I'm not serious about her. Should I show her how serious I am about her by proposing?"

I grabbed his shoulders, "Stop jumping to conclusions."

He pursed his lips, "You don't think she wants me to propose?"

Seeing his expression, I felt a bit of pity for him.

I cleared my throat, "Listen. You should take things slow for now. Don't propose. Don't be overbearing."

If you propose, she's going to run away and disappear from you forever.

He looked confused, "So why is she avoiding me then? I can't make sense of it."

I stared at his confused face and almost laughed. I forced myself not to let a giggle slip, "Have you thought that maybe she is just shy?"

He was taken aback, "Shy?"

I suddenly felt a bit irritated.

Poor Reika.

I forced on a smile, "Just don't push things, okay? Let her come to you. When it comes to Reika, you must treat her gently. She doesn't respond well with aggression."

He nodded in understanding, "Okay. I will try this then."

Wait. Why did I give him advice just now?

Old habits are hard to change.

Cyrus suddenly glared accusingly at me, "Why do you seem to know Reika so well?"

I know her far better than you do.

"Ai, ai. So possessive." I kept on my smile while I stared at him, "I grew up with her as a friend, so I know her very well… I'm surprised you don't."

Cyrus looked as if he had been slapped and his ego bruised. He closed his mouth and didn't dare say anything in response.

I snickered to myself.

That's what you get for saying I have no experience with women!

…Even if it is true.

Reika came running back to us and waved, "Let's go celebrate!"

I grinned, "Is Zephyr coming with us as well?"

He popped out from behind her, "You better believe it! I never miss a party."

I laughed at him and rubbed his head, "Then let's go before it gets too late."

Just as we all turned to leave, Reika suddenly jumped up with a scream, "AGHHH!"

Priscilla was standing right beside her looking at the ground timidly, "...Can I come?"

Reika's face grew taut, "No way."

I patted Priscilla's head as I walked past, "Sure you can."

Reika threw up her hands, but seeing Cyrus raise an eyebrow, she relented. "...Fine. You can come."

Priscilla grinned and together, Caldwell, Cyrus, Reika, Zephyr, and I all left.

As we walked down the alley, I was next to Cyrus who was rubbing his muscles.

I gave him a look, "You're sore?"

He nodded glumly, "My body feels like I've been carrying around stacks of bricks."

Reika poked her head in between us, "I thought something strange was happening on the stage! What happened!?"

I nonchalantly sidestepped away from her to give us more distance.

Cyrus clicked his tongue, "I have no idea. One second I felt fine, the next I could barely raise my sword."

Reika gasped, "Magic interference!?"

Cyrus nodded then looked at Zephyr, "Was it demonic?"

He shook his head lazily, "Nope. Quite the opposite."

Reika blinked in confusion, "What's the opposite?"

"Holy magic." Zephyr scratched his ear, "I've seen that before. It's used on demons to contain them. Demons can't move at all whenever it's used. It's SUPER scary… I thought that magic no longer existed."

Reika thought to herself, "Who cast it?"

"Cyrus's Uncle." I answered absentmindedly, "But he had a device to do so."

Cyrus raised an eyebrow, "How do you know?"

I merely smiled in response.

Priscilla jumped to my defense, "That's because my brother is the best! He is far smarter than you!"

I laughed and rubbed her head.

This girl idolizes me far too much.

We entered the street and immediately I could feel something wrong.

There are no people?

But that's not right.

The competition just concluded so there should be-

Reika suddenly shouted, "Wait-"

A blue light burst out.