Love Fever

The early chirp of the birds goes through the subtle room. A gust of wind gently passed through the open window, and made its way to the people sleeping peacefully in the bed. The wind gently lifts a strand of hair from the white-haired boy, and he slowly opens his eyes in response

He gently rubbed his eyes awake before looking at the other person sleeping next to him. 

Startled at first, he soon smiles before slowly stretching his hand to him. 

"August…"

It has already been six months since we entered the academy. Unfortunately, we've both been busy and rarely had any time to see each other after we confirmed our feelings. 

I've been cooped up at the academy's library, trying to read all the books about the many subjects I was restricted to back home. August has been preoccupied with receiving specialized classes and training for those who are magic swordsmen. 

We would occasionally try to eat lunch together, but that was also interrupted when noble students began crowding us as they tried to form some sort of connection with us. 

It was only yesterday that we finally got a chance to spend some time together.

Last night, when I was changing out of my uniform, I suddenly heard a knock before the doors creaked open. August entered the room, smiling brightly since he finally had time to visit. 

"Lys, are you busy—"

But by that point, I had already unbuttoned my shirt, and my bare body was showing. 

August stood there in silence before sheepishly looking away. He anxiously scratched his hair, stammering with his face bright red. "S-Sorry, I should've waited—"

I shook my head before completely removing my shirt. "It's fine. You can sit on the couch while you wait. How was your day?"

"..."

Not hearing a response, I looked back at August. He continued to look away, his face completely red and even steaming.

I walked up to him, placed my head on his forehead and closed my eyes. "You're burning up. Are you sick? Do you need me to heal you with magic?"

"I-I'm fine! Y-You can continue changing. I'll head back to my room—"

Before he was about to walk away, I grabbed his hand. "Don't be like that. You're free, right? It's been awhile since we last met up. So please…" I tighten my grasp. "Don't go."

August slowly opened his eyes to me, blushing once again before looking away. "O-Okay, but can you put your shirt on first?"

I flinched before looking down at myself. "Ah. Sorry, I was in the middle of changing." I walked back to my bed, grabbed a plain-white shirt, and quickly put it on. "But are you really alright? You still look flustered."

He sighed in response. "... You don't seem fazed at all."

I sat next to him on the couch, slightly tilting my head. "What do you mean?"

He let out a small chuckle. "… Let me ask you then: How would you react if I were to suddenly change in front of you?"

I contemplated a bit before looking back. "If you want to change out of your uniform right now, then I don't mind."

"That's not—" He rubbed his brow, shaking his head with disbelief before looking back at me. "Do you not mind seeing me in such a state?"

"... Well, I've already seen you in underwear before—"

"When?!"

"Um… If I recall, it was two years ago. Father took you to a nearby lake to train, right? I was nearby, so I thought to visit you two. But when I arrived, you were already in the middle of training. I didn't want to interrupt you, so I just watched."

August quickly buried his face in the couch, screaming internally to himself. 

Seeing him like that, I placed my hand on his back, feeling slightly guilty. "Sorry… Did I do something wrong?"

He quickly got up, looking serious all of a sudden. "You didn't do anything wrong." 

He then sat back up and crossed his legs before contemplating really hard. After a few seconds of silence, he quickly glanced back at me, making me flinch. 

"Lys. I have a question."

"Y-Yes…?"

"If…" He closed his eyes with a blush, unsure if he should even continue. "If I were to take off my shirt right now, how would you react?"

"...? Well, I'm not sure. I've already seen you shirtless countless times when you trained with—"

"Yes. But how would you react now?"

I stopped for a long moment, thinking deeply to myself about what he said. 

I still don't have total control—even less knowledge—about my own emotions. If I were to count the current emotions that I have, it would simply be four: Anger, Sadness, Happiness, and Love.

The occasional embarrassment seems to be relevant, but I don't see myself in such a state from his given scenario. 

"... I'm not sure. But I believe I would act normal like the other times."

He smirked, slowly closing his eyes before getting up from the couch. 

"Okay, let's do an experiment then. From what I noticed, you seem to always draw a wall between your past and present experience. In the past, whenever we had our face close to each other, you wouldn't even blink or get embarrassed. But now, whenever we do so, your face seems to redden up." 

"Really?" I stroked my chin. "That's new information…"

He removed his coat and slowly loosened his tie. "It was also the same when we held hands together. You would just smile calmly even as we intimately interlocked our hand. But now, even as our hand brushed against each other, your expression shows me just how much you love me—"

I quickly placed my hand in his mouth. "Okay, Okay! You proved your point! You don't have to say it out loud…"

He chuckles, intertwining my hand with his before placing a small kiss on it. "Since you understand now, do you mind sitting down for the time being?"

I blushed hard before nodding. "S-Sure…"

As I sat back down on the couch, I slowly gazed back at August.

My eyes then widened as I suddenly saw him unbuttoning his shirt, slowly making his way down from one button to another. 

The more I saw, the more I could see a segment of his bare body exposing itself.

"Strange. I've already seen him shirtless countless times. But why is my heart beating so much…?"

Lost in my own thoughts, August finally unbuttoned his shirt, revealing his toned body. As I continued to gaze, I could see the chiseled features that display the amount of exercise and training he had to endure.

This isn't even the first time, but why am I reacting like this?

He finally removed his shirt, exposing more of his toned muscles. 

As I continued to stare at his smirking face—alongside his exposed upper body—I could feel my face reddened up more and more. 

It feels weird to ogle at him like this. 

It makes me feel so… indecent.

He suddenly got closer, and I instinctively flinched before looking away, my face completely red. But the moment I did so, he placed his arm on the couch. 

I slowly looked up to see his endearing face still smirking. 

"Your face is red." 

I let myself calm down, sighing at his remark. "It seems your hypothesis was correct."

"Well… I was trying to prove my point." He gently lifted my chin up. "The way you're feeling right now… That's how I felt when I saw you earlier, you know?"

"I-I see… My apologies then—"

"No. You don't have to apologize. In fact, it should be me who's apologizing. I did something indecent in front of you—"

Suddenly, the room door slowly creaked open. Ophelia then entered the room, only looking at the thing she was carrying in her hand without noticing what's currently happening yet.

"Sorry for barging in. I knocked a few times but you didn't answer. Gia told me to give this package of food to you—" 

But as her gaze slowly lingered to us, she finally saw the spectacle. The door gently closed, and we remained frozen—staring into each other's questioning eyes—for what seemed like an eternity. 

Soon, her face flushed red before she dropped the thing she was carrying, and screamed as loud as she could—trying so hard to find the handle of the door to leave the room.

"W-W-What are t-two d-doing?!"

August quickly got backed away from me before shaking his hand in denial. 

"I-It's not what it looks like—"

"Don't get any closer, you pervert!"

"Pervert?!"

As the two continued to bicker, the only thing I could do was sit on the couch in disbelief, and gaze up at the empty ceiling.

"... I should probably lock the door from now on."

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ 

Me and August, who was now wearing a shirt that I managed to find nearby, sat next to each other on the couch while Ophelia stood before us, not saying a single word. She crossed her arms-crossed and continued to stare at us with utter contempt.

A cold sweat ran down my face, and I gave it my all to slowly look up at Ophelia with pleading eyes. 

Making eye-contact with me, she finally let out a sigh and rubbed her forehead with disappointment. "... I didn't realize your relationships was of that kind—"

August quickly looked up. "You're misunderstanding—"

"Misunderstanding what? You were pinning Lysander down on the couch HALF NAKED."

He sighed in response, awkwardly scratching his hair. "The situation… seems questionable without the context—"

"What situation would lead to that?!"

"... Please stop interrupting me."

She clicked her tongue. "I'm just going to say it. Was he going to force himself on you—"

"Hey—

"Quite! I'm talking to him right now."

I looked back and forth between August and Ophelia, feeling slightly guilty since this whole misunderstanding is because of me.

I took a deep breath before finally speaking up. "... I was the one who asked him to do that—"

August looked at me confused. "Hey, you don't have to—"

"Really? You don't seem to be the type to engage in those types of things."

"... Like August said, you're misunderstanding. I was trying to confirm my current feelings."

"Feelings?"

I nodded. "I never understood the concept of love… At first, I thought it was a superficial, maybe even forced, concept in the minds of people. Part of that belief might've been my lack of… Well, seeing him in that state only strengthens my love for him."

She stood there in silence, staring at me without ever so blinking before letting out a sigh. "... I see." She then began making her way towards the door. "Well, if he wasn't forcing himself on you, then that's good enough to hear. I'll leave the food that Gia made for you here."

"... Are you not going to ask any more?"

She stopped as she was about to open the door. "... Would anything change even if I were to ask?"

I remained silent. 

After a few seconds, she then sighed, taking my silence for an answer. "Don't misunderstand. I just detest malevolent people—" 

Her eyes then widened, gazing back at August before looking away with a hint of shame. "Well, I shouldn't be the one talking." From the corner of her eyes, she looks back at August while grabbing the door knob with all her strength. 

"That petty face of yours… It's really different. You seem more human now."

She slowly opened the door and waved goodbye. "I'll take my leave."

But just before the door was about to close, she slowly gazed back, and our eyes connected for a split moment. 

Her mouth began to utter the following words before the doors completely closed. 

Be Care-Ful Of The Fo-od.

I gazed at the food on top of the coffee table in front of me. 

"This isn't Gia's food… "

The cloth around it is entirely different from the one she regularly uses. Whoever tried to imitate the food she makes didn't take into consideration the amount she usually gives me. 

Furthermore, there lies a subtle smell of poison. Not fatal, but enough to bring someone ill for a few weeks or so. 

It seems I have already made some enemies…

But the problem is that Ophelia said that Gia was the one that gave her the food… 

Was it someone who tried to impersonate her? Or did Ophelia lie to me?

But if she lied, then why did she—

"Ah… I guess it was orders from her household."

I slowly looked at August. "... This food."

He sighed before gently tapping his finger on his head. "Just what are they trying to plan…? The poison is not fatal enough. But it still has the potential to make someone bedridden with a fever—" His eyes quickly widened with an answer. "... So that's it."

"Do you have a clue?"

He nodded. "Exams will begin next week. From the timing, it seems that they are simply trying to hold you off from taking them—or hinder you from getting a decent score at least."

The simple reason caught me by surprise. "That's it? I expected a more profound reason…"

"Well… I'm not sure about the Blakesty Duchy, but the other Duchies pride themselves to be the best among the best. That motto is also induced to the heirs. The academy is a perfect place to indicate their pride and wealth. Exam rankings are no exceptions. It wouldn't be a stretch to say that's how they determine their future values."

"So they're willing to harm someone just because of their pride… How awful." 

I could feel August slightly pat my shoulder, trying his best to bring me back to spirit. "Well, that's just how the noble faction works. It's more tamer for noble children of the imperial faction. You'll just have to avoid Ophelia for now."

"I see. Her visit today was also a sort of hidden message then. I guess I'll have to limit my interactions with her and Adeline for the time being."

"Adeline…? It seems you've already met the heirs of the other duchies."

"Indeed. Have you already met them?"

"Well… I've already told you about Julian. Meeting Adeline was quite… something when she came to visit the palace a few years back. And Ophelia…"

He sat there in silence, unable to speak out his thoughts. "Well… I don't know how to say this…"

"... Was it something bad?"

He sat there in silence once again. "... She was one of the people to betray me."

"Betray?"

He slowly nodded before looking up at the ceiling, trying to remember something. 

"When I was seven, I received an invitation from her family for a playdate of sorts. I knew something was up due to various reasons, so I decided to accept the invitation and see what they were planning. But before I knew it, many people in black robes surrounded me, and knocked me down before kidnapping me. The last thing I heard before I lost my consciousness was…"

"Stay back, Lady Ophelia. You'll get hurt."

As he finished, I sadly looked at the ground. 

Slowly looking back down, August let out a sigh before looking back at me with a forced smile. "Sorry about that. I didn't mean to ruin the mood. But that was a long time ago, and we were both young, so I doubt she even remembers it. She also looked scared when it all happened."

He quickly looked at the clock. "It's getting late now. Sorry for keeping you up. you must be feeling tired. I'll head to my room now.

He then stood up, and was about to make his way towards the door. 

But without realizing it, I immediately clenched his clothes, and stopped him from leaving. He slowly looked at my hand and smiled before making his back.

 Crouching down on the floor, he gently held my hand and placed a small kiss on them. "Your warm aura is turning blue from my story. Sorry, I shouldn't have told you about my past—"

"You don't have to apologize." I slightly tightened my grasp on his hand, and brought my face closer to his. "All the terrible things you've experienced… It might be selfish, but I truly wish for you to not recall them. If possible, I want to replace them with only happy ones."

"Lys…" He slowly wrapped his arms around me, and embraced me warmly while gently stroking my hair. "Don't worry, Lys. You don't realize just how many happy memories I created because of you. If it wasn't for you, I don't think I would've been able to train under the duke. If it wasn't for you, I don't think my mother would still be alive today."

He then looked straight into my eyes, placing his hand on the side of my face before touching my forehead with his. "Every day that I spent in Blakesty estate has been a blessing. I got to know what it meant to be around people I could trust, and I even got to meet you… You're the greatest blessing that I could've ever received, Lys."

I couldn't help but blush so much at those words. 

I tried to look away from him, but he held my chin, and forced me to look straight into his warm eyes. "It's an even greater blessing to have you love me as you do now."

He smirked before finally backing away. "I'll head back to my room. I'll see you tomorrow."

But once again, I tugged at his clothes, and looked at him timidly before uttering some hazy words—which led to the current scenario of us sleeping in the same bed. 

I continued to look at his sleeping face—seeing him breathe in and out in such a lovely manner. I continued to reach out to him, trying to fix his hair before placing my hand on his cheek. 

Feeling my hand, August slowly moved his hand on top of mine. Gently removing my hand from his cheek, and bringing it close to his mouth, he placed a small kiss on it before opening his eyes to me. 

"Good morning, Lys."

I couldn't help but smile in response. "Good morning, August."

In this lovely morning where I could be with August—talking about what we should do later in the day—I could feel my heart melting away from that ice that I once feared before. 

The same ice that controlled my emotions in the past… is now disappearing. 

The more I talk to August, the more I realize that I could gently embrace him into my life without anything restraining me. 

August… How could I ever repay you for giving me a chance to be by your side?

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

In the Blakesty estate, a single being in an office sits on his chair—busy with so much paperwork that he has to read and fill out. 

Soon, a familiar maid enters the room, smiling with so much excitement while holding an envelope. 

"Your Grace! I have something to report!"

The Duke slowly looks up from his desk. "Mia… Is something the matter?"

She shows him the envelope and flaps it happily. "I've received a letter from the young master!"

The Duke smiles as he gazes at the envelope. "I see. It's already been six months since he started attending the academy. How time flies."

A second person quietly enters the room. It was none other than the gray-haired man who once fought against the white-haired boy.

The Duke takes a quick glance of him before closing his eyes. "Before we go on with the topic of the envelope, are the people we captured adjusting to their roles?"

Mia nodded. "Yes. Her grace managed to identify the curse that restricted all of them except the vampire. She tampered with it so that they now pledge loyalty to you." She then smirks before turning to the gray-haired man. "They're well-capable people. They were just forced to serve the saintess."

The gray-haired man slowly nodded. "... I'm thankful that you… let someone like me live… Especially after injuring… the young master..."

The Duke opened his eyes and began tapping his finger on top of the desk. "Lysander mentioned that you have a unique gift." He stopped tapping, and looked back at the man. "A seventh ring magician who can feel the natural state of mana… What was your name again"

He bowed down. "My name is Caspian, Your Grace."

"Quite well-mannered. How about the other people? Are they adjusting?"

"Yes… Esmerald, the woman you fought…. is learning under Sir Qadir… She especially enjoys gardening… the flower beds… and fields..."

"That's… fortunate. She is still suffering from her past, so it's nice to see she found something to do."

Caspian nodded with agreement before continuing. "The assassin girl, Noor… is training under Sir Nilo… and Miss Nila… It seems they originated… from the same village… So they grew close… The black-haired man… named Richard… is studying under Miss Mia…"

The Duke, surprised, quickly glances at Mia, who was suddenly acting all smudge and mighty. "Well… It is quite rare to see someone wield two blades like me. I thought it would be nice to teach him a few things or two."

The Duke sighed before looking back at the Caspian. "What about you?"

"I… am studying… under Sir Leo… Although we're both… in our seventh rings… he has a more profound… understanding of magic… than someone like me..."

"Did you not study under an institution?"

Caspian shook his head. "The Holy empire doesn't… have such instilled institutions… like the Izora Empire…. Only the wealthy can… enjoy such education…. I only taught myself… with some books I found… as a child…"

"I see… Then, what about that vampire boy?"

"Ah… his name is Ira… He's currently studying… under Miss Veda… Vampires are quite… prone to new knowledge… The amount of books here… especially caught his attention… He also said that he… wanted to serve Miss Veda… with all his might after losing… a tradition followed by Vampires."

"I let Veda gather any books and knowledge about any topics that catches her attention, no matter the price. I make use of the knowledge she acquires from time to time, but you can say that her territory lies in the library."

The Duke stops talking for a moment before looking up at the ceiling. "Who knows… Maybe it was thanks to her that Lysander had something to enjoy while reading all those books."

He slowly closes his eyes before glancing back at Mia. "Well, never mind that. You said Lysander sent an envelope, right? How unusual. He usually sends them once a month—trying so hard to refrain from teleporting back. He already sent one this month…"

"Well… I was also worried that something may have happened, so I took the initiative to read the letter. Let's just say… it isn't anything bad."

Mia slowly walks towards the desk and hands him the envelope. 

The Duke pulled out the letter and began reading the content with a smile. 

But the more he read, the more his smile began to disappear. After completely reading the paper, he puts the paper down and facepalms his face while angrily clenching his hand.

"So… they're together?"

Mia awkwardly scratches his cheek. "Their relationship seems to have developed throughout their stay at the academy. The young master seems to have forgotten to mention it though…"

The Duke sighed before forcing himself calm. After a long moment of contemplation, he finally speaks. "I should be happy for Lysander then. He seems to have found a person worth sharing his time with. The way he wrote that letter carried so much affection…"

"So… you'll let them be?"

"What else can I do? Lysander really loves him it seems."

The Duke quickly looks at Caspian. "Very well. I don't mind their relationships, but I need to be assured that they don't carry themselves with indecency. Especially for that foolish boy he loves. He's sly. For all I know, they must've slept in the same bed already."

The moment he uttered those words, the white-haired boy sneezed during one of his classes, catching everyone's attention before he embarrassedly rubbed his nose. 

"I can't allow myself to let them be until they are officially grown up." He points at Caspian. "I promised Lysander to not send any retainers throughout his stay, but I'm afraid I'll have to break that promise. Make sure to keep an eye on those two, especially that foolish boy."

Caspian slowly nodded, feeling slightly awkward though since this is his first official mission from the Duke. "I'll make sure… to follow your orders... Your Grace."