Ruka looked at Ardy with an exaggerated sigh, her arms crossed as she examined his outfit.
You came on a date with a beautiful girl like me," she teased, "and you wore that same black t-shirt, hoodie, and pants you always wear at the academy? And that silver ring with the blue stone—do you even need that?"
Ardy shrugged.
"You said we were discussing the plan, not going on an actual date."
Ruka smirked, placing a hand on her hip.
"I'm a princess. Dressing well is normal for me." She turned, flicking her hair. "Now, let's go."
---
The streets bustled with activity as they arrived at the mall. Ruka wasted no time browsing through the shops, her eyes scanning for anything worth buying. Ardy followed behind, hands tucked into his pockets, glancing at displays without much enthusiasm.
Then—her eyes caught something.
Leo.
With a girl.
Their gazes met, and for a moment, time froze.
Then, without hesitation, Ruka grabbed Ardy's hand and ran.
"What—" Ardy barely had time to react before they darted through the crowds, weaving between startled shoppers.
Leo noticed them immediately.
He sent his date away and followed.
Ruka's mind raced. She couldn't let Leo find them. This moment, this day—it was hers alone.
She needed privacy with Ardy.
Then—she saw it.
A locker.
Without thinking, she pulled Ardy inside.
---
The cramped space forced them close.
Ardy exhaled sharply.
"Why are we hiding?" he whispered.
Ruka's expression was serious. "If he catches us, it'll be a mess. He'll start asking questions, and I'd rather avoid explaining anything."
Ardy rolled his eyes. "Fine."
But then, she noticed.
She was so close to him.
His presence—his warmth—it sent an unexpected shiver down her spine.
A thought whispered in her mind.
"I could kiss him right now."
Her fingers twitched. Her heartbeat quickened.
She leaned in—closer—
But then—
Ardy's phone rang.
Leo's name flashed on the screen.
Before Ardy could answer—Ruka snatched the phone and slammed it onto the ground.
The device shattered.
Ardy stared.
"You broke my phone."
Ruka lifted her chin defiantly.
"I'll buy you a new one."
"Sounds good."* Ardy smirked.
But Ruka barely heard him—her mind racing.
"What is wrong with me?"
She tried to kiss him.
And he refused.
"Wait—was I seriously just trying to kiss him?"
Her face burned red.
"I'm so dumb!"
---
Leo was growing frustrated outside.
"Where the hell did they go?"
He scanned the area, rubbing his temples.
And then—he realized something.
"I lost my date."
His eyes widened.
"Oh, crap."
His head darted around wildly.
Then—he saw the women's restroom.
A grin spread across his face.
With a flick of his fingers, his shadow magic activated, slipping into the form of a woman entering the restroom.
---
Meanwhile, Ruka and Ardy emerged from their hiding place.
"Now what?" Ardy asked.
Ruka didn't answer.
Her face was still flushed, lost in the chaos of her emotions.
Instead, she pulled Ardy toward a phone shop and bought him a new device. She also picked up a few things for her mother, hoping the distraction would calm her thoughts.
The lunch followed.
Ruka spoke about herself—her age, her birthday, her hobbies, and favorite foods. She mentioned how she loved beer but avoided junk food.
Then she asked Ardy to do the same.
"I'm 19, born on 7-2-5006," Ardy replied. "I love black. My hobbies are staying alone, reading manga and light novels, watching anime, and listening to music."
Ruka listened carefully.
She was learning more about him.
And she wasn't sure how to feel about that.
---
The evening passed.
A movie.
A quiet dinner.
By the time they parted, Ruka sent a message.
"Come to the Royal Palace at 7:00 PM tomorrow."
---
The next day, Ardy arrived.
He was greeted by Ruka and her mother.
He was invited to sit—waiting for the Emperor, who was still in a meeting.
Then—Ruka's mother whispered into her ear.
"He's cute, Ruka. Did you kiss each other?"
Ruka froze.
Her face turned red.
"M-Mom!"
But the moment was interrupted—
The Emperor arrived.
And the room fell silent.
---
The Emperor studied Ardy, analyzing everything about him.
"So you're Ardy."
He examined his dark clothing, his exhausted eyes.
"He's an otaku," the Emperor thought. "Introverted, sleep-deprived, but undeniably strong."
He asked questions.
About Ruka.
About why Ardy liked her.
And Ardy's answers were perfectly composed.
*"She's kind. I like her hair."*
The Emperor narrowed his eyes.
"He's smart."
Then—he asked the hard question.
*"When did you start dating her?"*
Ruka interrupted immediately.
"Dinner first!"
The Emperor agreed.
---
Then—came the unexpected command.
"Ardy will stay here tonight."
Silence.
Ruka's *face drained of color.
*"WHAT?!"*
The Emperor smiled.
"You're a couple, and you'll eventually marry. Sharing a room is nothing."
Then—he whispered into Ardy's ear.
"Don't do anything weird."
---
Inside her bedroom, Ruka panicked.
"Why didn't you refuse my dad's offer, you pervert?!"
Ardy ignored her, removing his hoodie.
Ruka flinched, turning red.
"Don't touch me, pervert!"
Ardy went straight to sleep.
Ruka huffed and climbed into bed beside him.
Then—she asked.
"Why did you say you like my hair, not my heart? Do you love my body?"
Ardy's voice was calm.
"Hair is part of your body. And I don't like you—we're just pretending."
Ruka was shaken.
She couldn't sleep.
---
The next morning, Ardy woke up—
Only to find Ruka hugging him in her sleep.
He carefully placed her on the bed, covering her with a blanket.
Then—he went to shower.
When he returned—
Ruka was smelling his t-shirt.
When she saw him—she hid under the blanket.
"What was I doing?! I'm so dumb!"
---
Meanwhile—
A mysterious figure arrived at a hidden cave.
A leader sat upon a throne.
His voice was cold.
*"He is coming. Kuroyami Ryū."
Ryū's eyes flickered.
"Yes, not just the First Elder, but also him."
The leader exhaled.
"We need that magic stone. Send them to Holy Knight training Center. But be careful—of that man."
Then—he addressed another figure.
"General Kael Draven. Finally, you arrived."