THE SUSPICIOUS COURT MAGICIAN THE KNIGHT AND THE COURT SORCERER

The next day brought rain. 

Eleanor knocked on Louis' bedroom door, though she expected no answer. Hearing no response, she slipped inside and approached the human-sized lump under the blankets. 

His sleeping face—still disarmingly innocent—threatened to captivate her. "Still not awake, huh? " 

Unlike Lumina, Louis was notoriously slow to rise. 

"Humans, "she muttered fondly, a habit born of years spent watching over him. She perched on the bed's edge, placing a hand on his shoulder. As she leaned closer, her hair and wings cascaded into view. 

"Hey, wake up. "

A gentle shake. 

Louis stirred, eyes fluttering open. Still half-asleep, he gazed blankly at Eleanor. Then— 

"Hyahhh!"

She recoiled with a shriek as his hand brushed her wing. 

"D-don't touch my wings! How many times must I tell you?!"

"Must you always overreact? " 

"Idiot! Pervert! This is the fifth time! " 

When indoors, Eleanor often left her wings exposed. Today, their veil-like drape had proven too tempting. 

"If they're so precious, hide them." 

"Should cats hide their tails? Visible doesn't mean touchable! " 

Hugging herself in the corner, she glared tearfully. To a fairy, wings were conduits of magic—vital as veins. Severing them meant death. 

"You'd 'drop dead' if they tore off? How dramatic." 

"It's true! " 

Louis sat up, sighing. "Yet you flaunt what I nurtured. My magic made those wings radiant. A touch seems fair repayment." 

"Would you grope a woman's chest and call it 'fair' ?!"

"Are wings equivalent to—" 

"Humans wouldn't understand!" 

--- 

The Council Chamber 

Post-holiday councils bored Louis to tears, yet the king's favor demanded attendance. 

Seated opposite the knights, the court sorcerers formed a rigid hierarchy. Louis, Chief Sorcerer, stood to present findings: 

"Recent evidence challenges light magic's universal effectiveness against monsters. Some species appear immune. " 

Murmurs rippled through the assembly. 

"Concurrently," Louis continued, "we're developing anti-Demon King battlemages. Progress remains… modest. "

King Edvard—jet-haired, emerald-eyed—leaned forward. "No shame in slow strides. This research is unprecedented. " 

"Your grace is too kind. " 

As Louis returned to his seat, Chancellor Nandiel called upon the Second Knight Commander. 

"Claire Wyvern!"

A petite figure lurched up, barely reaching the table's edge. Claire—a prodigy knight Louis' age—straightened her uniform, cheeks flushing when she met his amused gaze. 

"R-reporting! The Second Division's training—"

--- 

 Aftermath 

"Wait! "Claire intercepted Louis post-council, her crimson ponytail bouncing."I need transit permits. For… emergency evacuations during rookie camp. "

"Wilderness survival includes hiking," Louis deadpanned. 

"Tradition demands it!"

"Tradition is the corpse of progress. But very well. "

As he turned to leave, she blurted, "Are you… free tonight?" 

"Eleanor's likely prepping dinner already. "

"Oh." Disappointment flickered before she masked it. "Another time, then. "

"Claire." Louis paused. "Trolls appeared near Nilrod Hills. Be cautious. "

Her eyes lit up. "You think I can't handle them?" 

"You'll obliterate them. But stay vigilant."

The praise pinked her ears. "A-anyone could! "

As Louis walked away, the king intercepted him—another "casual" tea invitation. 

Claire watched, wistful. The man she admired remained oblivious, his heart already claimed.