Archive of Our Own

"Hey, Misha?" softly did Rae call out, lost in her pondering mind. "You awake?"

"I am," Misha answered groggily, yawning into her blankets from the top bunk. "What's up?"

"Can I ask you a weird question?"

With a sigh, Misha chuckled, expecting something utterly bonkers. "Sure."

"If you were to be romantically interested in me, what would you see in me?"

Although Rae couldn't see it, Misha raised her eyebrows. All of Rae's questions were quite peculiar but it never stepped into this territory before. This wasn't out of disgust by any means, just out of pure bemusement.

Misha hummed her wonders, rummaging through her organised brain for an answer.

"If I had to say, my first thought would be 'wow, she looks pretty ordinary, she's rather boisterous and really stands out'," she jested, expecting a giggle out of Rae, who remained silent, potentially anticipating for extras. "But," Misha carried on, easing the awkward tension she could sense drooping down the room's atmosphere, "I daresay there are good qualities about Rae Taylor: she's determined, courageous, humourous and never afraid to be herself - I find that admirable. "

Rolling over, Rae faced the wall. "I see."

"What brought this on anyway?" Misha peeked over her bunk.

"It's nothing."

"Something's bothering you, I can tell."

Rae zipped her mouth up. Ralaire cuddled up to her.

"It's not good to bottle up your emotions," Misha added sternly. "That's something you told me once - no - many times before, remember?"

Forcing out a chuckle, Rae inhaled and exhaled dejectedly. Now Misha was worried. Had something or someone planted negativity into Rae's system today?

"It's nothing serious." Shrugging it off, Rae curled herself up into a ball. "I was just curious to know what others saw in me, I guess."

"Why's that? I think highly of you; you're my best friend after all."

"I dunno," Rae flatly responded.

Clearing her throat, Misha treaded on her words carefully as she connected the dots in her brain thanks to the very much recent events that must've been the trigger to explain Rae's eccentric shift in behaviour.

"Does this have something to do with Miss Claire and Princess Manaria?"

Scrunching up her face, Rae hugged herself in bed. Contemplating.

"I mean, what else could it possibly be about?" Rae grumbled under her breath then sadly sighed as her eyelids grew heavy. "I haven't been able to show my love to Miss Claire since Princess Manaria showed up. I can't even get close to Miss Claire without her getting in my way and flirting with her in front of me. I seriously don't get what Miss Claire sees in her but at least she looks happier without me in her life."

"Rae?"

"Maybe Miss Claire doesn't need me around anymore. Maybe she's better off without me. She's interested in someone else and I just have to support her, I guess. I don't think she'll ever enjoy life if she was near me for any longer."

Rae's tone was nonchalant. Overly dry. Misha didn't like that. This was the Rae she was reverting back to and Misha very much preferred the exuberant Rae today.

"What… are you saying?" Misha descended from her bunk, her face drowned in worries. "Are you implying Miss Claire has no interest in you?" She climbed on to Rae's bed but remained at a safe distance.

Right now, Misha was flabbergasted - not only because of Rae's depression but also how it didn't seem as if Rae believed she would ever be loved by someone else. As a matter of fact, Misha was one of the few who could notice even the most intricate signs of Claire's interest in Rae, who was insanely oblivious to it all.

Who broke your heart, Rae?

Rae let out a lonely laugh. "Why would she be, Misha? I'm annoying, a thorn in everyone's side, loud, stupid and selfish. I have no good qualities at all. I don't belong here." She held back tears. "Hey, Misha, do you think I should go back-"

"Stop it, Rae. Please. Don't say that. It hurts to see you put yourself down like this."

"Why do you care?"

"Because I'm your best friend!"

"Even though I've done nothing but cause you and everyone else trouble, you want to help me?"

"Of course, isn't that what friends do?"

Frustrated, Rae deeply exhaled. "What's the point? I can't reach out to Miss Claire. Reacting to Princess Manaria's advances is just giving her what she wants. It's a losing game. And besides…" Rae shivered, burying herself into her blanket, hoping it was her grave, "Miss Claire made her mind up anyway."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Sniffing, Rae choked on her breath.

"Oh Rae, come here." Closing in on the broken whimpers, Misha began to stroke Rae's covered hair for comfort. "I'm here to hear you out, no matter what."

It'd not hit Misha until now just how… awful - no - dreadful Rae's insecurities were. For Rae to be stabbed in the heart and having her heartstrings toyed with without anyone considering her internal suffering due to her optimistic and chaotic attitude that rubs off to anyone as being carefree, it must've been torture.

Guilty, it also pierced Misha's heart that she hadn't noticed how isolated Rae must've felt like without necessarily anyone to turn to. She wished she was a better friend as Rae has always been for her, especially after Misha and her family fell on hard times in the past. Frankly, Misha was proud to admit that without Rae, life wouldn't be the same - Rae was just that important to her.

"If I were to choose a partner of the same gender, I'd choose Sister over you."

"Huh?"

Hesitant, Rae ever so slightly rolled over, unwrapped herself from her comfort zone, facing upward and at her close friend. Misha's chest couldn't help but tighten to lay her eyes upon such a disgruntled and pained Rae; she was used to how Rae's mind wandered elsewhere to places nobody could enter, but here was a totally different story: her best friend despaired alone and nobody batted an eye.

That spark in her eyes that every person in this academy was familiar with had also been stamped out. Despite being a water slime, Ralaire acted as Rae's pocket tissues to help hide evidence of such anguish, so that's what she did now - as personally trained by her owner herself.

"That's what Miss Claire said to me."

"Rae, I don't think she meant it."

Rae maniacally chuckled, ignoring Misha entirely. "I mean, I can't blame her; Princess Manaria has everything I don't. She's a quad-caster, she's royalty and," She balled her shaking hand into a reddening fist, "Miss Claire's first love."

That last part was confidential information that only Rae could have been made aware of, but her mind was blank, blinded in a tunnel vision for doomed unrequited love. Every word of hers slipped out against her own volition.

"What choice do I even have, Misha?" Unable to control her tears, Rae hid her eyes under her forearm - Ralaire couldn't tend to her, so she backed up. "I have no chance."

"So you're giving up on her?"

"…No."

"To me, you sound like you are. What happened to not giving up on Miss Claire, no matter what?"

Momentarily thereafter, Rae turned away to the wall once more, coughing into her woes as she did.

"Rae," Misha weakly called out, but her friend fell silent, "listen to me. Miss Claire does genuinely-"

"Don't pity me."

"You… don't believe me?"

As much as Misha didn't want to admit it, it struck a nerve. Not an angry one, but rather a dispirited one. What made Rae hate herself this much that she couldn't put trust in either her loved ones nor the truth?

Yet, it always passed Misha's mind until this very moment: all Claire had done was push Rae's advances and genuine affection away. On one hand, Misha could understand how Claire would view it as light-hearted but on the other, none of them had been considerate of the reality that Rae's feelings were being the butt of these so-called jokes instead of Claire. Time from time again, Rae would shrug rumours off and how her love was being downplayed, but Misha felt a daunting weight fall on her shoulders as the bell tolled; how much of it was an act and how much of it was Rae hiding her true, stranded feelings? What else was Rae hiding from her?

Letting further equally suffocating and consoling silence wash over them, Misha reluctantly pulled her hand away from the now passed out Rae. Frowning, Misha self-debated if she should coddle Rae with a hug for the night or go back up to her top bunk. If anything, she was grateful that her childhood friend was opening up to her again after so long, but at the same time, such a morose sight of pure desperation and self-inflicted mental harm couldn't go unnoticed. Not on Misha's watch. After all, she was the only one who knew Rae best, right?

Sadly sighing, Misha lay down next to the cold girl and wrapped her arms around her, providing doting warmth. Doing this put a smile on Misha's face; it's just like when they were children and having a sleepover all over again, yet it is oh but so much different nowadays. No, now wasn't the perfect time to reminisce on the past.

Forcing her eyes shut, Misha rushed the miniature workers in her brain to rummage through every nook and cranny they could to help twist cogwheels, seeking for an answer. With how everything was going as of this present moment, Rae wasn't going to believe any word anyone tells her, so any attempts to convince her out of this mindset is a lost cause. So what now? What could Misha do or say to work around this? To be honest, she could simply just keep an eye on Rae from afar and keep her company when she lags behind the love of her life. Alternatively, Misha can be proactively helping Rae. That's right, she wanted to be a helpful friend! To see Rae genuinely smile once more without a barrier and fear of romantic rejection.

So far, there stood only dead-ends. No, she couldn't lose hope now! This was for Rae's sake! Someone she held dear to and she needed to be there for her as nobody else can pull her out of her shell as Misha had. But… what could she do? Think about it.

Think…

Think about it.

Think, Misha, put your brain in gear!

A plug entered a socket, expanding Misha's now broadened perspectives. The switches were now flipped and there were more paths to explore. Claire and Manaria are madly inseparable and Manaria would dance around with playful advances on Claire to provoke Rae with every chance she had.

What was the purpose of it? Obviously, to punch Rae where it hurts. Other than that, what else? Did Manaria want Rae to lash out? Does Manaria expect Rae to take Claire back? Perhaps Manaria was secretly malicious and merely wanted to sadistically squeeze Rae's heart until she can't take it anymore.

No. Misha hated the idea of putting royalty under a negative, harmful light, yet the back of her mind bugged her that it was a certainly doubtful possibility. Either way, Claire had found herself to be the centre of their underground dispute and had not even considered her surroundings.

Wait!

Despite the other doorways to misty pathways towering over Misha, there was another approaching opening - one much clearer compared to the rest as if it were the day for the perfect weather outside.

Misha's found her answer.

Seriously, it's absurd, but if Manaria could pull on strings behind the scenes, then two could play that game. Taking Claire away from Rae? Then fine, Misha will steal Rae away from Claire! In a way, it was a taste of Claire's own medicine but even that was too much of a twisted thought for Misha to bear in mind.

Now at peace, Misha's dedicated brain powered off the lights in preparation for the next day.

"So, what do you feel like eating this morning?" asked the curious Misha as a wide grin was planted on her face as she walked side by side with Rae, passing the courtyard.

"Uh… just a rice bowl, I guess?" Tilting her head, somewhat dazed. "By the way, Misha," Rae lowered her head, "do you really have to hold my hand?"

Misha hummed her wonders. "What's wrong with doing so? We used to do it as children a lot."

"Well," Rae paused for a brief moment, "I guess, but-"

"Then there are no problems!" Giggling, Misha then intertwined her fingers into Rae's. "Come on, we don't want to miss out on breakfast."

"R-right."

Unable to escape Misha's grasp, Rae tagged along in spite of her not having much of a choice, gobsmacked at what was happening right now. What was with the sudden mood change? Was this done out of pity after last night? Not that Rae could remember it clearly all that much as she was still stumped in a drowsy state.

Regardless of how subtle their current display of public affection was, an imbalanced handful of students had caught wind of it. This wasn't necessarily part of Misha's plan at all but it wasn't too much of a concern to her: this is innocent! What's wrong with hand-holding with a friend?

Walking up to the server behind the counter, Misha requested, "One plain rice bowl and the usual, please!"

"Don't forget Ralaire!" Rae exclaimed as Ralaire kept trampolining on top of her head.

"Oh, that's right! And another small rice bowl for the little one!"

"Coming right up!" yelled the enthusiastic server, spinning around, portioning the dishes and immediately returning with them at the ready. "I made sure the veggies were extra juicy today!"

"Much appreciated!" With her free hand, Misha picked up her tray of vegetables that had a generous glaze of gravy on top.

"Uhm, Misha?" Rae awkwardly interjected.

"Yes, Rae?"

"Uhm…" Rae's eyes trailed down at their still interlocked fingers.

Misha thrummed a pondering tune.

Shaking her head, Rae forced a laugh, "Never mind!"

They made their way to a dining table by one of the many windows as it was the perfectly reserved spot for two, but more importantly, in Misha's mind, it was moreso ideal to buy reaction time for Claire and Manaria's arrival. Digging into their food at a peaceful pace after finally releasing Rae's hand, Misha repeatedly stole glances around the vast environment.

Any moment now…

Since Manaria had basically stolen Claire's heart and dominated Rae's duties as a maid to prepare the noble for the day, Misha figured that Rae needed a break even if she was aware that her master was going to ream her out once she found her. Oh, just you wait for the tables to turn. While it did take an extreme amount of convincing to even let Rae be Claire and Manaria free, it did luckily appear as if Rae had an improved state. That alone brought Misha joy.

Now!

"Hey, Rae, would you like some vegetables? It's good for a balanced diet." Offering a bite in her fork, Misha smiled brightly.

Rae's eyebrows curiously perked up. "You don't mind?"

Misha shook her head. "Not at all."

"Well, I can't say no to free food!" jested Rae, star-eyed, going for the bite.

Misha's chest warmed up; it was an amazing feeling to have Rae back to her usual self. Ralaire couldn't help but spill out pleasurable noises as she wore her now empty bowl as a hat.

"Here, have some more; I'm probably not going to finish it all anyway."

"Yay! You're the best, Misha!"

At that point, Misha endlessly offered bite after bite as Rae's cheeks puffed out like a hamster hoarding its nuts to save for later.

"They're quite close, huh." Manaria rubbed her chin as she observed from afar, standing by Claire, who'd also just entered.

"Well, they are childhood friends after all," Claire matter-of-factly clarified, quickly resorting to huffing and puffing as she stormed towards the happy-go-lucky duo. "Commoner, there you are! How dare you slack off on your maid duties! I expected better from you!"

"Ah, Miss Claire, you have my sincerest apologies," Misha remarked as Rae was unavailable to speak in the first place; her mouth stuffed with food. "I'd asked Rae to help me with tidying up our room this morning and I suppose we lost track of time."

Claire was taken aback. "What a poor excuse!" She beamed at Rae. "Using Misha as-"

"No, Miss Claire, you're mistaken," added Misha.

"Huh?"

"Like I said, I asked Rae to help me out." Misha danced her fingers across Rae's shoulders, incidentally tickling Rae's nape as she did so, evoking a twitch and suggestive whimper out of her, and pulled her closer as Rae's whole neck was now enveloped by Misha's arm. "Isn't that right, Rae?" Her tone shockingly softened intimately, not having recognised that she'd hit Rae's soft spot on accident. Just barely recovering from sudden touch on her weak point, Rae timidly nodded, her face painted red as her ears tingled. Adding fuel to the fire, Misha leaned in closer, resting her head on Rae's.

Jaw-dropped, Claire could only gawk at this random and odd turn of events. Her brain struggled to process just what was happening in front of her. Had Misha always been the type to be physical with others? No, that doesn't sound right. This must be a dream or a nightmare, no?

While Claire lost herself in a muddle, sinking into mud, Misha had organised the trays, plate, bowl and cutlery with her freehand.

"Well, if we are done here, we shall be making our move." Standing up, Misha helped the ridiculously bashful Rae up by the waist and smoothly linked their arms together, intertwining her fingers with Rae's again - this time, more affectionately for show. "We'll see you later, Miss Claire."

Both of them made their exit after putting their dirty dishes on the counter for collection. Just as confused as Claire, Ralaire skimmed and scanned the area. Ironically, the moment they stepped foot out into the hallway, Misha's face blew up in a crimson state. That… was more embarrassing, nerve-wracking and somewhat cringe than she'd anticipated. Just how does Manaria do it?

But fret not, this didn't deter her from getting what she wanted and not what Manaria wanted.

"Interesting," said Manaria.

Heart throbbing, Rae froze herself closeby the round table under the arbour, blankly staring at the one she loved and the one she grew to despise flirting with one another, whispering adoring words into each other's ears. All of the pent up hardships Rae locked away inside her had gotten back to her. Ever since last night, Rae failed to get herself worked up over Manaria's antics. Emotionally, she was exhausted.

Her gaze remained empty, lonely…

Broken.

"Yo, Rae, mind if I get a tea refill?" Rod excitedly waved his hand, breaking Rae out of her self-deprecating daze.

She blinked once. Then, she remembered she was in her maid attire with nobles and royalty staring at her.

"Ah, my apologies," Rae responded at last, although coolly, as she tended to Rod and also Yu.

"No need to worry, it is not an urgent request." Yu innocently simpered.

"You're too kind, Prince Yu." Rae feebly smiled back, glad that she at least had a distraction.

Claire opened her mouth, planning to scold Rae for delaying the tea refills and for her monotone attitude, but Rod happily hopped on to a brand new topic.

"Hey, by the way, Rae, that hairclip you got there really suits you!"

"Eh?" Rae blinked but jerked up after she recalled that Misha had put it on her merely moments before the tea party. "Ah, right. Uh, thank you."

Rod chuckled. "You really are a cutie, huh."

Claire's eyebrow twitched.

Uncomfortable, Rae simply bowed out of respect. "I appreciate it, but…" She stepped back, "I do not deserve such flattery."

"Commoner!" Claire snapped. "What did I tell you about disrespecting loyalty!?"

"Relax, Claire~" Rod smirked.

"But Prince Rod-"

"We're equal students here at the academy, so informalities are encouraged."

"That, I agree with," Yu chimed in. "Say," He turned his head to face Rae again, "I am rather curious. Who gave you that hairclip? It looks oddly familiar."

Rae scratched her head. "Ah, well-"

"I found you!" announced Misha, surprising Rae with a bear hug from behind.

"Eh? Misha?"

Immediately, Claire tensed up.

"I figured you'd be here." Holding her hand, Misha then stepped beside Rae. "Ah, my apologies, are you currently on maid duties right now?"

"I-it's fine."

The entire table had their jaws to the ground and eyes in a wholeheartedly dumbfounded state. Meanwhile…

1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49-

Clutching her ruffled necktie in a region her amulet was, Claire was counting odd numbers!

"You're matching…!" Yu blurted out with a poker face.

That's right! Rae and Misha were indeed wearing the same hairclip. The hairclip itself was simply a red rose and it glimmered in the light so beautifully that it was difficult to miss - the only one who had not yet said anything about it was Claire as her attention was grabbed by Manaria from even way before the tea party even began. Both of their eye colours, too, matched them wonderfully, which was the cherry on top.

Giggling, Misha winked at Yu, allowing Yu's expression to soften up. "Indeed we are." Purposefully did Misha let her head go limp on Rae's shoulder. "It is a sweet symbol of our mutual connection with one another."

Claire was going to chomp her own thumb off at this rate, a malicious aura radiating off her. Yet, this did not send a crack to Misha whatsoever, but it did send shivers down Ralaire's core, who had been quietly watching on Misha's opposite shoulder.

"This is quite the turn of events, huh~?" Rod grinned, eyeballing the pairing, at Claire and back.

"Right~?" Manaria glanced over at the very much vexed Claire.

A little confused but having the spirit, Rae plainly nodded along in utter silence with what she would consider Misha just being in a good mood today than the norm.

"Don't worry, I won't take up too much of your time." Focusing her gaze on Rae, Misha delicately ran a finger from Rae's thigh up to her collarbone and rubbed it in a circular motion. "I just have to let Rae know about something."

Unsurprisingly, a question mark popped out of Rae's thick head as her cheek was then cupped into Misha's warm palm as she leaned in to whisper into Rae's ear. If a stare could kill someone, Misha would've been victim number one on Claire's death-note. Seriously, Claire couldn't tell if her brain prioritised her smashing her own head against the wall until she passed out or throwing Misha's soon-to-be corpse into the lake nearby.

Thoughtfully tilting her head, Manaria couldn't help but adore Claire's jealousy getting the better of her: Claire and Rae truly were meant to be.

"Eh~!" And so, Rae whispered back. Of course, Ralaire wanted in, so she listened with intent written all over her beady eyes.

More than anyone else right now, Claire wanted to get up and lash out at Misha, but with her nobility status and alliance with her, she refrained herself and hated every moment of it.

"Claire, you're supposed to drink from teacups, not eat them," remarked Manaria as shattered pieces fell from Claire's gritted teeth to the table.

While Rae and Misha continued to whisper among themselves, Rod and Yu checked up on Claire and laughed at each other's flippant grins. It seems like all but one understood the assignment. Eventually, the flirtatious couple giggled and finally, it was time to part ways for what felt like an insanely long rollercoaster Claire partook in against her will.

"Well, I'll see you later, then," said Misha.

"Don't forget the final blow." Manaria winked at Misha as a thumbs up.

Although Misha had been dragging out their conversation to decide within her if she could mentally brace herself for what she was about to do, she was still rather hesitant, but in order to stay devoted to her elaborate, temporary craft, she figured it was best to take any opportunity she could to strike Claire's nerves.

…Even if that meant being on her death wishlist later.

"Oh, and one more thing." Rae hummed her wonders as she was pecked on the cheek. "I love you!"

That. That was bold!? How was Rae going to-

"I love you too!" Bubbly pastel pink cherry blossom petals hovered around Rae's head, appearing from seemingly nowhere.

Just how dense was this girl!? Even her familiar was at a loss of what to make of her master.

Figuring that was the last straw, Misha instantly made her quick getaway, already sensing that she was in heavy loads of danger under the François name. As she did so, Misha's face and the tip of her ears (once again) fuzzed up with warmth: that was so humiliating. You better pay Misha back for this, Rae!

Smoke rang out of Claire's ears and steamed off of her head while she gave all her power into ripping her ruffled necktie to shreds with both her bare hands and fangs.

"Oh dear." Yu giggled, fascinated.

"Aw, you're both cute together, aren't ya!" added Rod, rubbing salt into the wound.

"Don't you think… you're both being a bit… too awfully close?" Hissing through her teeth, Claire beamed at her oblivious maid who'd unknowingly fought off her daggers without needing to move a muscle.

"Huh?" Rae tilted her head to the side. "I mean, we are best friends after all!"

Veins popped out of Claire's head, on the verge of exploding.

Ultimately, Manaria cackled, unable to hold herself together anymore. "Honestly, Rae, you really are something!"

"Eh?"

Just like this morning, the rosy duo were sat at the same table in the canteen; it allowed such a gorgeous and vibrant glow from the windows giving way to the nature outside and most significantly, the welcoming ray of sunlight. All of these factors accompanied by the perfect table size for two well and truly set the scene for a date. Technically, in a girl's world, this was one. Not only did they match hairclips, but they also matched the same food to gobble up: beef bowls! Their and other commoners' collective favourite. Killing time, they'd chatted about anything that came to mind even if it meant nothing special - anything to preoccupy Rae's mind from plummetting into hysteria as it had hours ago.

Truthfully, it was proven that Rae is an academic genius, exceeding Claire in the first ever exam rounds they'd powered through while holding a competition to the side. So as they were here, Misha took the chance to study alongside Rae to bump up her a grade or more, as they'd planned right under Claire's nose since the tea party. Frankly, Ralaire was left on the fence but stayed by their side nonetheless.

"Wow, you're an amazing teacher, Rae!" Misha shined. "When you put it that way, it's easier to understand."

Tittering, Rae humbly rubbed her nape. "Really~? Aw, shucks!"

Thrumming an agreeing tune to reassure her friend, Misha rested her elbow on the table, her cheek falling into her palm. She couldn't help it: awestruck, Misha didn't take her admiring gaze off of Rae. Rae was always a silly ball of sunshine once she crossed paths with Claire and it erupted joy in her, and also… heartache?

"You feeling OK, Misha?" Rae beamed cheekily.

Nodding, Misha softly told her, "I am. I was just appreciating how striking you look."

Huh? That wasn't part of the script.

"Aw, well aren't you such a flirt!" Rae quipped, cupid's arrows bouncing off of her head. "You're being so adorable right now~!"

Eyelashes fluttering, Misha averted her gaze, faint roses blooming upon her cheeks. Claire wasn't even here this time to have heard that. Clearing her throat, Misha regained her composure.

"Honestly, I can't understand you," Misha joked back playfully before sliding her finger to the next area of study on the textbook. "Anyways, let's move on to the next one; I've been meaning to ask you about this - I have yet to wrap my head around it."

"Oh! This one's pretty easy, I gotcha!"

Getting back on track, Misha multi-tasked between listening to Rae's explanation and listing Manaria's suggestions to pull off next. Now that Claire had Misha under her radar, the smallest touch - hell - even Misha just being friendly towards Rae at any angle was enough to put Claire on edge, no matter if there were advances or not. Regarding that, however, Claire's true colours would ooze out of her if Misha were to put Rae on the romantic podium. Another cogwheel fixed into place. Right, Rae's maid duties! Driving Claire crazy without her maid by her side was a way to go. To Misha's surprise, Manaria hadn't suggested that as she was more fixed on intimacy… or maybe she had and it slipped Misha's mind entirely until it clicked back into her. The easy part was distracting Rae. The difficult part was convincing Rae.

"Ah," Rae lost her train of thought from what she was teaching Misha, "Miss Claire," she muttered under her breath, her smile subtly fading away.

There, entered Claire and her goons: Pepi and Loretta - probably popping by for a snack or for a cup of tea in a varied atmosphere for a change. Longing, Rae gawked at the blonde, who met eyes with her, enchanted with ease but that swiftly flopped into irritation once Claire noticed Misha's presence directly next to Rae: their shoulders basically touching.

Now, gently does it.

"Hey, Rae?" Cupping Rae's cheek in her palm like she did earlier within the arbour, Misha carefully pivoted Rae's head towards her. Now, they'd locked eyes with one another. "Look at me, OK?"

Pop.

Realistically speaking, Misha was improvising. Unknowing of how to add to her words, they simply remained in this entranced state for what felt like the longest few seconds of their lives.

Pop.

Letting it linger, there was an itch on Misha that she couldn't quite explain. Soon, she let her thumb slide over Rae's lips. They were so soft. Smiling, Misha ogled in awe.

Pop.

"I'm looking." Rae broke the intimate atmosphere. "Did you need something?"

Returning to her senses, Misha glided her thumb away from Rae's lips and awkwardly chuckled at herself while her ears heated up.

"Ah, s-sorry."

Drilling into her head that Claire was - in fact - watching, Misha learned that becoming progressively bolder was the worm into Claire's veins. That said, Misha gently pinched Rae's chin and leaned closer but at a fair distance.

Pop.

"I didn't quite catch that last part - of your explanation, I mean. Would it be OK if you went over it again?"

Sparkling, Rae gleefully nodded. "Sure, I can do that - no problem!"

They scooted closer together.

Pop.

Finding herself comfortable, Misha relaxed her head on Rae's shoulder and hugged her arm.

Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop.

Curious, Misha peeked over at Claire, who had veins popping out of her forehead like there was no tomorrow.

"M-Miss Claire, are you feeling alright?" Loretta inquired, swallowing out of concern.

Forcing the most fakest smile Claire has ever drawn on her face, Claire clasped her hands together, spun toward her childhood friends and lied as much as she breathed.

"Why, I'm over the moon!" she barely whistled through her teeth. "Yes, yes, absolutely splendid! Wonderful! Amazing! The happiest person alive! Am I ever not in such a chipper mood?"

"M-Miss Claire, you're going to get in trouble!" cried Pepi, noticing the small fireballs Claire formed.

Deep down, witnessing Claire in such an antsy mood thanks to her ongoing antics awoke a mischievous devil inside Misha. As family, Ralaire could resonate with her master and her master's connections, so she could very easily sense Misha's newfound colours and Claire's raging jealousy. This was terrifying to her.

Flames flared up behind Claire as she gritted her teeth and clenched her wrath in her palm. Misha simply smirked back, satisfied with her contract.

Biting her thumb, Claire stomped in circles around her fancy bedroom, searching for something in her brain to explain everything that'd put her mind into a blood-boiling frenzy. Entertained by this, Manaria perched on the sofa, lightly snickering at the discombobulation Claire just absolutely protested to overcome.

"What's going on!?" growled the lionness as she stamped her foot on the ground. "I don't understand at all!"

"What seems to be troubling you?" Manaria queried, not bothered in the slightest, thoroughly enjoying this, in fact.

"You were there this morning, weren't you, Sister? You saw how Misha wrapped that commoner around her fingers! I mean, what was that about!? Honestly, has she forgotten who her master is? She lacks discipline!"

Wrinkles formed on Claire's forehead as her eyebrows furrowed. Never had she ever seen Rae so flustered and beet red before and it wasn't by Claire's command and something tugged on her brain about that.

"Eh~"

"And where on earth did that girl get that rose and why had Misha worn the same one? Curse that lecherous Misha - she didn't dare keep her dirty hands away from my maid! Not only that, whatever could they have possibly been talking about among themselves anyway!?"

No matter how much it ticked Claire off, she could not rid of the picture of Rae and Misha exchanging purrs, acting lovey dovey as they did so, from her mind… as if Claire hadn't done the same with Manaria before Misha's arrival at the time.

"Who knows~"

"That commoner must be enjoying herself, isn't she! Hey, Rae…" Mimicking Misha, Claire cupped her own cheek into her palm and rotated her head one way for a split second before snapping back to her original, enraged pose. "Seriously, what's her problem!? Is she pursuing my maid to make a fool out of me? Where does this preposterous behaviour originate from? Did that commoner blackmail her for this? Or is it the other way round? What's the goal!?"

"I wonder~"

"Sister," Claire toned it down a tad bit, but still with lingering rage, "are you even listening to a word that I have to say?"

"I am~"

"It's simply maddening and sudden that…! That…!" Sticking her claws out, Claire groaned and roared at the air.

Manaria pondered. "Well, I do agree that it's quite the sudden shift in behaviour, but I don't seem to consider there being any issues here."

"Huh?"

Conflicted, Claire dropped her stance, trying to register what Manaria just told her. To Claire, this was dire! Her one and only maid? Being taken away from her!? For what reason? On the contrary, Manaria savoured their situationship as much as she could, content with Misha's progress. Sure, Manaria wanted to be the one to grab jealous-driven faces out of Rae but the anxiously shy and unaware Rae that Misha brought to the table was equally just as adorable to look forward to.

"Unless, we'll say," Manaria crossed her legs, "perhaps you're jealous?"

"Wh-what!?" Almost losing her footing, Claire stumbled backwards. "Absolutely not! Please spare the humour for my delicate feelings, Sister!"

Oh Claire, you never change, do you? Even when Misha had no plans of handing Rae back any time soon, this noble would continue to conflict with how she really thought.

"In that case, then why fret?"

"Because…." Grasping on to her own arm, Claire hung her head low, redirecting her stare to the floor.

In actuality, it never crossed Claire's mind that she had any valid reason to feel the way she did about this whole fiasco. What was it that triggered the ticking time bomb in her whenever Rae held hands with Misha? What made Claire's heart slowly rip apart whenever Rae never paid her any attention but had all the time in the world for Misha? Why was Claire urged to chase after Rae? Why did it hurt to hold back? Why did she want Rae to barge in this instant and cling on to her? Her dear Sister was here, so why did any of this matter to Claire at all?

Aware of Claire's neverending internal conflict, Manaria inhaled and exhaled. "Although, if what Misha is doing is bothering you that much, what do you intend to do about it?"

Thoughtfully, Claire rubbed her chin but her mind had gone blank.

Swooping to the rescue, Manaria recommended, "You'll either have to strictly deal with it or fight back."

"Attempting to ignore such sinful deeds with my maid is as torturous as it is!" Claire spat, folding her arms, not realising what she confessed.

"Yet, reciprocrating Misha's provocations is a sign of you giving in."

Only she would know that.

"That's…!"

"Say, shall we take a bath? It's probably best to think about this another time."

"Uh, I suppose I have no choice." Holding her own hand, Claire had yearned for Rae's warmth as she would normally be there to give her the greatest massage and most luxurious bathing experience she could ever ask for.

Mentally noting this down, Manaria began to set her path to the hot springs and albeit Claire lagged behind, she still followed, dragging her feet while she let her head remain drooped forward like an unused desk lamp. Now that Claire dwelled on the past handful of scenarios, she recalled Rae's joyous, heartwarming grin that Claire found maddeningly cheeky, yet so endearing. Only this time round, it wasn't for her. Before Manaria's visit, Claire also remembered how hardworking Rae had become to keep her in check while maintaining her usual self, workload and antics ever since Lene's expulsion from the kingdom. Even after that heartbreaking revelation, Rae dared not to leave this aristocrat's side: she was committed and truly loved Claire, not that Claire could believe it in any way possible - at least, that's what she initially thought.

Somewhere tucked under the overprotective layers of Claire's heart, there was a deep sense of trust in Rae's passion and adoration for her. Now, Claire felt like a hypocrite. Claire, you were the one who neglected Rae for someone else, so Rae turned to the next closest person she could think of. Undeniably so. As a matter of fact, Rae muted herself a lot more frequently than Claire would like to admit, even though she was around her. Was Rae no longer happy to be in the same radius as Claire? Cueing Manaria's involvement, she'd been acting rather strange. Distant. Almost as if she's becoming unreachable to the girl she swore she loved - no matter what.

Now, all of a sudden, Misha barged her way in, stole a paint brush and orchestrated her presence with a mind-boggling scheme covered up by mastery that Claire had yet to understand. Nothing added up!

Except Rae's happiness.

That's right… Rae seemed more bright around Misha. They grew up together since a decade ago, but with how the latest events have unfolded, Claire's brain nagged at her, despite her being grateful for Misha for lifting Rae's spirits when she wasn't with the blonde.

"Claire?" Manaria had turned around, noticing that Claire had halted in her tracks a while back.

Eyebrows softening up fully, Claire squeezed her ruffled necktie.

"Hey, Sister?"

"What's wrong?"

"Do you think that the commoner…" Claire shook her head. "No, it's nothing. Never mind."

…Would be better off with you? No, nobody in their right mind would've thought so, Claire.

Unfortunately, Claire had not slept a wink. Her maid's absence was becoming discomforting to her chamber and she had no way of recovering from this as of present moment. Weights continued to lower her shoulders while she allowed her legs to take her wherever - Pepi and Loretta awkwardly trotting behind as Manaria confidently strolled beside the distraught Claire. They'd tried to appreciate the fresh whiff of nature in the courtyard, but with Claire's frame of mind rubbing off on the environment, sniping birds to their impending doom, that was impossible to do.

Similar to yesterday, Misha had hoarded Rae all to herself in advance for breakfast with a potentially poor excuse as to why Rae couldn't attend her maid duties for today if ever confronted. It didn't bother her at all. No, that's false. Claire couldn't handle it that she'd put her noble etiquette aside, scoffed food down, downed her beverage, disregarded gobsmacked looks surrounding her, and fled the scene. She had only glanced over at Rae and Misha once and regretted it immensely.

You and that damned sneer, Misha.

What yanked on Claire's heartstrings the most was how Rae greeted her so formally in class: a sad smile and a secluded look on her face. Such warmth Claire grew accustomed to shrivelled up, as if the Rae she knew and cared about was fading away. Close to a stranger. Did Rae get injected with such a potion?

This wasn't right at all!

"Hey, isn't that who I think it is?" snapping Claire out of her thoughts, Manaria pointed out.

Mindlessly, Claire and her accompanying friends directed their view to where Manaria had pointed to. Slightly further away from the arbour were… you guessed it, Rae and Misha's new remedying spot. They'd sat beside one another on glistening, lively grass by the flowing, sparkling lake, which they intricately observed. Delicate wind brushed by, their hair swaying ever so lightly. Such an empowering sight for them: it was increasingly romantic. Unappreciative, Claire tutted. More than anything in this moment in time, she'd wanted to switch places with Misha. Her intrusive thoughts barking at her to push Misha into the lake also.

Perking up a little, Misha received a signal. She slumped her head into the comfy lap next to her. Catching Rae off-guard, she couldn't help but laugh thereafter.

"Tired?" Rae asked, bubbly, looking down at her unreadable friend.

"Yes." Snuggling up to Rae's warmth that Claire so desperately craved and missed out on for almost two days, Misha positioned herself more comfortably. "Let's stay like this for a while."

"Alrighty!" Tucking Misha's hair behind her ears, Rae began to stroke her hair. This was rather an addicting sensation that Misha rapidly cherished for eternity.

"M-Miss Claire…!" Loretta squirmed.

"Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Miss Claire!" wailed Pepi. "You're hurting us!"

To their misfortune, Claire's dangerous grip on their hands proceeded to worsen. Poor girls may have broken bones if let go in at least a gruelling hour or more. Blinded by everlasting fury, flames burned in Claire's eyes. This wasn't fair! That was her maid! And Misha had her dance into her fingertips. You returning corny actions unrelentlessly poked Claire's heart, if you didn't know, Rae!

"Miss Claire!" Pepi and Loretta resorted to begging on the floor at this rate, leaving a menacing impression with their blood-curdling screams.

Groaning, Claire buried her face into her palms, a depressing ambience illuminating from her presence. Inevitably, she sent her two best friends away to be healed from nearly having their hands amputated purely by a strengthened grasp that was out of her control. Had Manaria not been there, the latter would have been most likely occurred for Claire to humbly regret until her last breath. Afternoon class rolled around and Rae and Misha had lost track of time, putting Claire on edge but also at ease at once - mainly on the brink of losing her mind.

Nosy, Rod popped his head in. "Someone's unhappy."

"Prince Rod, with all due respect, please leave me be," Claire retorted dryly, uncaring of who she was addressing.

"Oh, that's a refreshing response from you!" He cackled but she wasn't finding any of this amusing in the slightest.

"Oh my, perhaps Misha has been taking things further, hm?" Yu snickered.

Rolling her hidden eyes, Claire shook her head. "No, that's not it."

"Well, that was fun!" Rae patted Misha on the back out of gratitude. They'd just gone through the door.

"Indeed it was." Misha snatched Rae's hand out of the air. "Thank you for tagging along."

"It's no problem - we should do this again!"

Nodding, Misha beamed positively and opened her mouth but the instant she did, she'd tripped up on one of the steps. Squinting, she braced herself for impact.

"Whoa!" Impulsively, Rae dramatically griped Misha by the hip and swivelled her around. They appeared as if they were on a stage and twirling into a fancy tuxedo and breathtaking dress for a show. "Are you OK?"

Opening her eyes, Misha's heart dropped at how close Rae was to her face, leaving her mouth agape momentarily until she recovered and gained her footing back.

"Wh-why yes, I am perfectly fine." She cleared her throat. "Thank you, that was rather clumsy of me."

"That's A-OK!"

Jittering, Claire firmly gripped both ends of her pen and aimed to break it in half, pretending it was Misha's back.

"Are you sure you're feeling OK?" Rod sweat-dropped.

"Oh, but of course!" Claire hissed.

"There appears to be rivalry among the two of you, huh?" Yu childishly twinkled.

"Y'know, I'm startin' to think Claire here has become Rae-deficient," quipped the snarky Rod.

"I don't have a clue what you are talking about!" Claire snapped the pen in half at last, crumbs flying in the air and dropping dead on the desk and floor like flies.

Hatred burned through her blood - Misha did that on purpose, didn't she!? Sparing a possibly huge internal rant, Ralaire shakily slid her way across the desk to the now confused Claire.

"Huh? Ralaire?" Claire pivoted her body to the familiar, who jolted back. "What's wrong? Why are you scared of me?" Like she were a mother, Claire delicately offered her palms for Ralaire to jump on after carelessly tossing her pen to the side. "Come here."

Learning that Claire had complete control over her emotions now, Ralaire inclined to hopping into a maternal embrace and gazed up at her mother. Essentially, to Ralaire, Claire was the only one who was still technically herself - the connection between the familiar, her master and Misha felt severed (in a way) as they'd frequently forget Ralaire was with them wherever they traversed.

Upset, Ralaire blinked at Claire and whimpered. She missed her. She missed the old them. Comprehending Ralaire somewhat, Claire unhappily glanced back at the blossoming girls, piecing the puzzle together in her head but could not yet complete it due to the many missing key information she had soon to discover. All had fallen apart on Rae's end thanks to Manaria and now the tables have turned thanks to Misha. How ironic: both of them were just as dense.

"Hey, isn't that the commoner who was trying to woo Miss Claire?" a student somewhere behind them whispered, attracting the princes', Claire and Ralaire's attention. "Did she finally surrender?"

"I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest. A freak like her could never curry favour with a noble such as Miss Claire," another student remarked.

"Though, to think that Miss Misha would be into a weirdo like her."

"You don't think that creep bribed her or anything?"

"Sounds like something she'd do."

"God, she makes my skin crawl!"

Slamming her fist on a neighbouring desk where gossiping students dawdled around, Claire snapped, "Silence yourselves at once! Every single one of your voices sound like a fork scratching against a plate and none of us want to hear it!"

"What's your problem?" One of the nobodies raised a brow.

"My problem is your vulgar mouth spewing utter nonsense with the sole purpose of spreading vile waste for no apparent reason!"

The group of students exchanged looks and smirked back. The nerve!

"Rae, wait!" yelled Misha, who couldn't grab Rae in time as she rushed out of the door.

Losing her breath, Claire spun on her heel. Rei fled away thanks to the other intolerable morons in her class. Not again. She figured she'd escape it but the social rejection pursued her to no end.

"This is not looking good," Rod murmured as his brothers furrowed their eyebrows in agreement. Even Manaria hadn't considered this possible damage but thanks to her highness, she could simply sway everyone's views into the right direction, so she remained vigilant.

"Rae…" Claire's heart beated slowly as Ralaire glumly perched on her shoulder.

Sadly, Misha was held back as demanded by authority and had no choice but to attend class as everyone else did. Concerningly enough, Rae never made her return, but Misha had hoped she'd simply holed up in their dormitory; it was the safest place for one to be in. On the bright side, thanks to Manaria's influence, she delayed class momentarily for an important lesson on the prejudice against homosexuality, enlightening commoners and nobles alike on the topic at hand - it was beneficial as much as it was educational.

Hearing Manaria's lecture took Claire back to the time when Misha had dropped the bomb on Rae so suddenly in the canteen months prior and helped her broaden her views in order to gain a better understanding of homosexuality as well as Rae as a person. Claire never considered it before, but just the mere thought of Rae being frightened by being confronted about something so personal and brooded over how it could tweak everyone's relations with her gnawed at Claire's stomach. How did she not realise it sooner?

Rae was human too. Precisely, she was flawed and hid behind a mask as Claire did so too. Had Claire not been a product of her pride-filled environment, she would've hugged Rae right then and there - she regretted how she didn't. Nevertheless, there was one difference between them: there were fresh cracks chipping away at Claire's whereas Rae's remained smooth and untouched.

Peeking over her shoulder, Misha was astonished at Claire's disappearance. Was she on her way to finding Rae already? Shaking her head, she knew she didn't have the luxury to lay back and waste her time now. Misha scurried out the classroom door, turned one way and instantly bumped into the determined Claire, who dragged the jaw-dropped Misha a few steps away.

"Out with it, what's your deal with Rae Taylor?" Claire cracked her knuckles; she refused to let this opportunity slip by - she had her cornered now.

Smug, Misha hid her hands behind her back. "I'm not sure I follow."

"Don't play dumb with me, Misha. You've been acting odd for these past couple days - explain the rose!" The blonde indicated to Misha's hairclip. "Explain your courtly behaviour this instant! It's not like you at all!"

Singing her wonders, Misha tilted her head. "Why does it concern you?"

"She is my maid!"

That was her excuse.

"Really?"

"Why are you acting like this!?"

"I believe you're missing the plot, Miss Claire."

"Enough with the ambiguity!"

"Well, I suppose I have no choice." Knowing that she had no escape plan from off the top of her head, Misha pushed her back up against the wall. "Allow me put it this way: why do you need my dear Rae if you have Princess Manaria?"

Pet names now? Claire instantly flinched at that, getting exceedingly tempted to rip Misha to shreds.

"What are you implying? Princess Manaria is not a slave! She is royalty!"

"With all due respect, you happily let Princess Manaria do all of the tasks that my Rae was assigned to before, no?"

"Well, that's…!"

Crossing her arms, Claire dug her fingernails into her arms, losing her words. All Claire wanted was both answers and her maid back, and for Misha to go around claiming that Rae was hers… that - that pissed her off. She was HER Rae, not Misha's.

"By my logic," Misha closed her eyes pridefully, "you are not fit to be Rae's master."

Scoffing in disbelief, Claire shot back, "You don't decide what I own! I hired her! She favours me and always remained loyal by my side!"

"Really now?"

"Are you trying to provoke me? I don't find this humorous at all!"

Dropping her mocking laugh, Misha's tone twisted into nonchalance. "They say love is blind, Miss Claire."

"What are you-"

"If I were to choose a partner of the same gender, I'd choose Sister over you."

Claire's heart sank. Her own words she'd jingled and teased in front of Rae's gullible face at the time without even thinking were being repeated back to her, and every word plucked at the butterflies in her stomach, killing them off one by one. She said that, didn't she?

"That's quite harsh, wouldn't you agree?" Cold sweat ran down Misha's neck. "I bet it must've stung to be told something as dismissive as that by the person you love with all your heart. My poor Rae deserves better than that, I fear."

"N-no," Claire lost her balance in the battle with Misha now dominating the argument, "that's not…" Specks of angry sweat dripped down Claire's forehead.

"From former noble to noble, I believe this is common sense, but every word you say, write, convey can leave an everlasting impact on someone. So, tell me, Claire François, how do you think Rae-"

As much as words stung, so did actions as the aftermath echoed throughout the hallway. Keeping herself together, Claire let her tingling palm drop down to her side. Had she said another word, Claire would've broken down on the spot. She knew Misha hit the nail on the head. She was fuming at herself, and with Misha singling her out for a just reason, Claire needed a selfish outlet - she'd regret it later. She despised how crude she could be and how her judgement was clouded by her sheltered lifestyle. Again, it labelled her a hypocrite for even feeling the way she did against Rae and Misha's time together. Behind the red curtains, Claire had a strong feeling that Rae became desolate thanks to her ignorance. Claire hated how she brought Rae grief; there was no other way Misha could have known about that conversation other than the one person who would've personally taken it to heart. Rae's devotion was real - it always had been. There was no other explanation for such intense change in the once animated Rae.

"I deserved that." The prickles on Misha's cheek let up.

Claire gasped. "Misha, I-"

"But you understand now, don't you?"

"Huh?"

Even though Claire smacked the uncharacteristic sarcasm out of Misha, she had more to bite back with?

"Since your heart aims for Princess Manaria, I'm taking Rae to be mine."

"What…? Th-that's absurd!" Claire couldn't believe her ears. "Honestly, what are you saying…?"

Reasonably so, Claire was tased from head to toe. Was Misha interested in Rae this entire time and waited for the correct moment? Thinking about it, that'd basically mean Misha taking advantage of Rae's vulnerablity - Claire was petrified at this possibility, jumping to the conclusion that she learnt something new and hollow about Misha in the worst way possible by impulsive assumptions.

"It's just as it sounds." Stepping out of this arena's bounds, Misha sought her way out. "Rae's heart belongs to me."

With a flick of the wrist, Claire seized Misha's arm. "You will not take my maid away from me."

"Oh." Peeping over her shoulder, Misha scorned. "But I already have."

"I will have her at my heel as soon as possible!"

"How do you plan on doing that? My sweet Rae has stuck herself to me like glue. In fact, she doesn't even look your way anymore."

"Enough with the flattery. She will heed my word!"

"Even after all the times you pushed her away when she cherished you most?"

Losing grip of this rigged clash, Claire hopelessly watched the figure eventually fade away from her view.

Damn.

Claire had found herself in a predicament, seized by the feet by a bear trap, and she walked straight into it. How Misha fiddled with the strings was beyond Claire's understanding. Admittedly, everything Misha drilled into Claire's head had hit the mark - there was no denying that. Was Claire an open, humiliating children's book that anyone could read and comprehend without issue? How ineffective was her facade becoming? In opposition to that, Claire could not wrap her head around how she'd been so withdrawn to not have perceived her maid under a different spotlight other than being a cheeky, redundant commoner.

There was more to Rae than she thought. Why had it taken her this long to realise this? Claire wanted to enfold Rae in her arms and apologise for lacking the competence to acknowledge Rae for who she was, but now was not the time for wishful thinking. Violently clutching the amulet through her ruffled necktie, Claire shuddered under her jittering teeth, her breathing ragged. What was that… crazy girl's problem? Rarely did Claire dare swear profanities under her breath that she wouldn't even let her late mother hear, but her door was broken down and nobody had come along to fix it for her. Really, she unexpectedly wanted her beloved knight in shining armour to do that but she wasn't here.

Slipping out of Claire's pocket, Ralaire ascended to Claire's shoulder, giving her kisses and face rubs.

That wretched woman was taking her maid away from her. Her belonging. Her beloved Rae.

Deeply inhaling and exhaling, steadying herself and repeating this process multiple times, Claire gave Ralaire gentle headpats, poking her face while she was at it.

"Thank you, Ralaire. What would I ever do without you?"

Shapeshifting, Ralaire formed herself into a cartoonish heart which helped bring a frail smile upon Claire's lips. Hopping once, Ralaire twirled, cheering her mother on, living in the moment. That dance reminded Claire of Rae.

"Have you been sleeping well recently?" Delicately brushing Claire's naturally straight hair, Manaria glimpsed at the mirror the two of them prepared by daily, the welcoming morning sunlight hovering next to them.

Verbal spells Misha casted on her brain persisted. Tormenting, infuriating, depressing. Alas, the finish line was mere guilt and regret. Surely, Rae's announcements to the world proclaiming her worship for the almighty noble were baseless jokes? No, she had to stop lying to herself. But why would anyone love someone with such an cranky personality? This was Rae! Claire didn't have anyone else to make haste for. For ages, Claire was head over heels for Thane but then all of a sudden, this kooky commoner girl shortly awakened interest within her safe space. Nobody else was given a pass to enter this forbidden chamber Claire built with her father - not even a single living being like Manaria… except that silly Rae. Rae materialised the key and Claire waited for her to unlock the door already.

She waited.

Waited.

And Waited.

Why was Rae not there? Three days and she never once tended to her other than the tea party with a couple of the princes and not a star beamed from her eyes as much as Claire anticipated. Mayhaps she'd constructed an extra door in her sleep that Rae had to expedite a scavenge for another accessible entrance. Under Misha's fingers, Rae's time was stalled. If Misha was successful in winning her best friend over for a lover, would Claire be supportive of that? Just the mere notion skewered all of the organs in her chest. No. Not at all. What choice was there? The Scales were currently inequal, Claire's side being higher than Misha's, and that was not working in her favour.

"Claire? Earth to Claire~!"

"Yes?"

"I thought I'd lost you." Manaria cracked up, already halfway through curling more drills into Claire's hair. "Tell me! What's gotten you so deep in thought?"

"Oh, it's nothing." Claire's eyes unfocused.

"Well, it's clearly something to have you in such a daze like this."

Putting her voice aside, Claire sighed, squeezing her skirt. To put it bluntly, Claire wasn't in the mood to look at anyone. No one but one. Descending from the stand, Ralaire landed on her lap, looking up at her with a blink. And her pet slime, of course.

"Is this perhaps about Rae again?"

Claire hesitated, rubbing a finger lovingly on Ralaire's cheek. "No."

"It's written all over your face. Don't you miss her?"

"No, I… most certainly do not."

"Still stubborn as ever, are you?"

"Please spare me the teasing."

Teasing was Rae's job.

Tranquil, Claire and Manaria strolled through the short loggia. Chains tugged at Claire's ankles as they did so, Manaria eyeballing her. They had no destination in mind other than maybe a place to grab a small snack to eat yet that was the least of Claire's priorities; those two must've settled in there already.

"Miss Claire," a timid whisper behind the noble and princess halted them in their tracks.

That was Rae's voice.

While Manaria did, Claire didn't realise they'd passed the rivalling duo she originally didn't mind to now finding it daunting to cross paths with. Without giving it a second thought, Claire twisted herself in her direction in hopes of greeting her maid back for the first time in 72 hours. As if she were a puppy, Rae's eyes pleaded longingly, but a thief caught up to her behind her back.

"Come on," Misha bandaged her arm around Rae's, reclining her jaw on Rae's shoulder "let's get going already." Smirking, Misha brazenly appended, "My dear Rae."

"…R-right."

Reluctantly, Rae weakly turned away, a conflicted and saddening look on her face gnawing at Claire's as she stupidly stood where she was without moving an inch. Reliving every waking moment where everyone simply ran away from Claire: her mother, Lene and now her Rae. The Rae who knew best despite knowing her for such a minimal period of time. This pattern… No, someone or something made them go - one by one. Her mother tragically had her life unwillingly taken from her in a freak accident. Lene had been suffering as a commoner alongside her pathetic brother, who signed up for a deal with the devil, and were going to reap what they sowed - if it weren't for Rae's clever thinking they wouldn't be walking on Earth now. Claire was forever in Rae's debt. But now, Misha (Rae's childhood friend) played tug of war with knowledge she had stored in her archive, earning her a checkmate.

Exhilarated to the core, Claire didn't have it in her to react the way Misha wanted. It was a losing battle after all.

"You're just going to let that slide?" interjected Manaria sternly.

"What are you talking about?"

"You love Rae, don't you?"

"What!? No, I-"

"There's no use in being dishonest now. You haven't been acting yourself since Misha's provocations."

Putting her foot down, Claire flushed red. "Well, that's because that commoner is my-"

"Stop making excuses for yourself."

Shocked, Claire could only arch her back.

"Phrasing repetitive excuses of Rae being 'your maid' won't help you in working wonders."

Claire held a heavy hand to her chest, fumbling on her words.

"E-even if what you say is true, such a relationship would not work; I am a noble and Rae is a commoner."

She didn't deny it.

"I see. So you choose to turn a blind eye to Rae's profound love for you? Because of obligation? Do you not care about her? Have you made your mind up?"

"Sister, please…"

"Is your love for Rae that half-hearted?"

"No…"

"Do you want Misha to take her away?"

"No."

"Listen to yourself, you're giving up on Rae!"

"No! I'm not!" Claire's throat croaked. "Sister, please, why have you and Misha been unlike yourselves?"

"To wake you up from this pitiful state you've put yourself in."

Eyes widening, Claire finally caught a glimpse of Manaria's face - it was a sight she never would have thought she'd live to see: judgemental distaste. Her first love, glaring at her, had put herself under a new light in front of the once blinded Claire. Claire didn't know this Manaria. The brightness lowered. Was this even her dear Sister anymore? Her first prince charming fell into corruption?

Why was this happening to her?

"You can't run away forever, Claire!" boomed the anticipating Manaria as Claire sprinted further and further away from her.

"It's kinda weird sitting here without my maid outfit." Rae chuckled, plopping herself down on a chair that was by the round table in the arbour.

"I suppose you've grown accustomed to the nobles' tea parties out here, huh." Misha put a hand to her hip.

"Yeah," Lowering her head, Rae pouted, "I guess so."

Ah, there she goes again.

Shifting the table to the side somewhat, Misha straddled Rae, enfolding her arms around her neck.

"M-Misha!?" Rae's hands frantically waved around in the air. "What are you…?"

"Just making myself comfortable." Misha pushed her hot forehead up against Rae's.

Afar, across the courtyard, no longer could Claire handle the heartache, turning the other way, balling her hands into fists as she did - Ralaire dolefully perching on her head. Why was she like this? Why couldn't she put a stop to this? Why couldn't she just snatch Rae's hand and run away together again? Why couldn't she just be honest with herself? It hurt. It really did. To not have the one she mutually adored by her side. Claire knew Rae had no interest in men, so had Rae been with a male instead of Misha, it wouldn't have shoved her over the edge in the slightest. But this was with another girl - Misha Jur. An unreadable female who most definitely wanted to relink the wires in places that benefitted her most.

That Misha… Always hiding an ace up her sleeve, putting up a front with a poker face: Claire should have seen this coming since their poker game with Yu. Frustratingly enough, she was entirely unforeseeable and Claire had no clue what she could possibly do next. To her Rae especially. Was her next move going to go beyond intimate? Was she going to have Rae her way under her? No, Claire. Stop thinking about that. Rae would never melt into that, would she? Rae never showed any interest in anyone but you, Claire. And yet, Rae was so far away. Claire couldn't possibly pursure a commoner, could she? It wouldn't be noble-like of her.

"Do you want Misha to take her away?"

No, she didn't. Claire didn't want that at all. She's established that with herself that morning.

Adamant, sharing concerns and wanting the best for their dear noble friend, Pepi and Loretta nodded at each other.

"I'll never understand what goes through that girl's mind whatsoever!" Loretta huffed.

"I agree! I mean, she must have nobility in her still, no? Was she ever taught about self-restraint!?" Pepi chimed in, albeit not saying the most suitable words in the world. "Also, did you see how she treated that commoner like a dog!?"

"Yes, like why was she rewarding her headpats?" Loretta questioned while ironically giving headpats to Pepi.

"Why was she scratching her chin?" Pepi's chin was also itched.

"And what could possibly explain the reason behind slamming that commoner against a wall and hushing her ever so erotically!?" Loretta mimicked what she could remember to Pepi, disregarding there being no wall for them to fully re-enact it.

"Do not forget how she touched the commoner in the bath!" Pepi wiggled her fingers. "What a shameless girl!"

Yelping, Loretta's face splashed red.

"Huh?" Losing track of what they were doing, Pepi was kicked by a horse, only having noticed her palm had slid from Loretta's knee up to her inner thigh. Squealing, Pepi apologetically pulled back in a panic. A demonstration gone too far.

"Misha did what?" Claire finally snapped.

The disasterous duet picked themselves back up, opened their mouths but instantly zipped it, flashing white as if they'd just seen a ghost.

Oh shit.

"Misha!" Before she knew it, Claire had dashed to the arbour in the speed of light. "How dare you lay your lecherous hands on my maid!"

She said it again?

Scorning, Misha thrusted Rae's head into her chest and covered her ears with her palms.

"Whatever do you mean, Miss Claire?" Gradually, Misha embraced Rae's stiff head into her arms instead. "Can't you see we're in the middle of something?"

"You know exactly what I am referring to! Unhand her this instant!"

"That, I cannot do."

"Are you prompting me to end you?"

"Is that a threat? Are you looking for a fight?"

Claire gritted and grinded her teeth. "I declare a duel!"

"Going for the offensive, I see." Misha stroked Rae's soft hair, running her fingers through it. "Very well, then. I accept."

"I will not lose to the likes of you!" Claire triumphantly declared. "I swear to God!"

"I - too - swear to God that I will not lose." Misha tucked her hair behind her ear, reminding Claire of her connection between her and Rae.

"You will not have your way," Claire hissed as Misha slowly released Rae from her death grip; she was practically suffocating. "I will not stand for this!"

Catching her breath, Rae was bewildered. "What's going on!?"

Shushing Rae in the same manner she had as Claire's friends demonstrated minutes ago, Misha cupped both hands around Rae's cheeks, caressing one side with her thumb.

"Worry not, we are merely discussing trivial matters," Misha paused for a nanosecond, "my darling."

Claire had planned to rock her shit that day.

"Uhm, how did we get here?" Rae blinked, inspecting where she'd been forced to go to thanks to Misha's proud encouragement.

There was a rather constricted audience that solely consisted of everyone Rae was familiar with: the princes, Claire's flunkies, Manaria and that one guy who sets up the magic-dampening barrier - moreso playing the commentator role. The girl herself was sat among them in the bottom row, lost at what was going on. One moment, they were by the lake, the next moment, they're at the back of the academy with Claire and Misha readying themselves to butt heads. Frankly, Rae expected the only two to possibly be in this magic ring was her and Manaria, but it never crossed her mind as Misha blindfolded her from the aches and pains of Claire's disinterest in her.

"Can someone explain to me what's going on here?" Rae spun her head in all directions. "Anyone!?"

"That commoner is so dense, honestly," Pepi whispered into Loretta's ear.

"Do you think we should whack her in the head with a hammer to wake her up?" Loretta suggested.

"You know what, that sounds like a solid idea! Why not drop a boulder on her head?"

"Are you trying to kill her?" asked Thane as Ralaire - on his shoulder - beamed at the two gossiping girls with malicious intent.

"Alright!" shrieked Lorek, wearing a headset. "Is everyone ready!?"

"Isn't he a bit too excited for this?" Loretta blushed from second-hand embarrassment.

"Claire François versus Misha Jur! Who will win!? Let's find out!" Lorek raised his hand and then karate-chopped the air as if he had a flag. "Let the battle com-"

Spitting compact Fire Arrows and thrusting them Misha's way, Claire roughly replicated Rod's army - minus the elaborate shape.

"Hey, at least let me finish!"

"Misha!" Yu tapped his foot, concerned. "I don't like where this is going."

"Relax, she'll be fine." Rod patted Yu on the back.

"I will not allow for your degeneracy to disrupt my maid's duties!" chided Claire, pausing briefly to spare herself mana.

Smoke fully engulfed Misha and her entire personal vicinity and there hadn't been a word nor any signs of movement from her end.

"Surrender at once!" Staying on-guard, Claire kept up her stance, locking her eyes on where her many bullets strayed to.

"You sure do like to shout a lot, don't you?" Misha's voice seeped out of the thick smoke as she walked passed it unscathed, her hands cockily behind her back. Indeed, she utilised Vacuum Rupture.

"This feels like déjà vu." Rod rubbed his chin.

"Are you mocking me!?"

Claire threw Fire Bombs that were zapped out of existence thanks to Siren, Misha casually strolled forward as if she were going on an ordinary walk around the campus, backing Claire into a dead-end until Misha scored a hit, sending her up into the air (but not at a hazardous height) before Claire gracefully landed back on her feet, though almost losing her balance again.

Dashing backwards, Claire yelled, "Flame!"

She sent a Flame Bullet Misha's way, but that simply vanished out of thin air with the snap of her fingers.

"Curse you!"

"I'm waiting." Misha tapped her foot patiently, no longer bothering to wander aimlessly.

"Why you…!"

Tossing a Flame Lance directly towards Misha's way, Claire took many more steps back as her attack was stripped away mere seconds before it hit Misha's forehead.

"Not holding back, huh?" Misha sparkled.

"Do not ridicule me, you fool!"

Delivering another package of Flame Arrows, Claire raced around the field.

"Is it just me or have the roles switched entirely?" Rod raised a brow.

"Misha is playing the villainess, it appears," Yu explained.

"But why?"

"Who knows."

Yu didn't deny that it was rather enjoyable to see such a new, refreshing side of Misha - the things some people do for a close friend.

"Wow, she's really not holding back, huh," Manaria voiced, witnessing Claire repeatedly attempt to overwhelm Misha with basic attacks to no avail: she wasn't like Rod, who'd depraved Misha of oxygen when they duelled.

"What's going on…?" Off-putting anxiety surged through Rae's body in replacement for enticement. "Why is this happening? Why are they fighting?"

Swiping Claire off her feet, Misha sauntered with glee.

This had steered in a direction Rae was unfamiliar with… this wasn't part of the lore at all!

"Oh, Rae… you still haven't figured it out?"

"What?"

"I've had enough!" Claire took a second to regain some energy.

"Oh, you're giving up so soon?" Misha wasn't touched once.

All she did was smile, tilt her head, hide her ready hands and mock this noble just by solely existing.

"I can't believe I've had to resort to this!" Raising her wand above her head, Claire grunted.

Rae's heart dropped at the floating crests. She didn't waste a second to vault over and on to the field.

"No!"

But it was far too late.

The casted humongously dazzling beam fired, precise accuracy darting in Misha's way and zoomed past her. As if molten glass drooled all over her, Misha hollered, collapsing to the ground.

"Misha, oh my God!" Tripping up on herself, Rae crawled to the limp Misha, immediately pulled out her wand from her pocket and healed her as much as she could - that alone was a hopeful sign. "Hey, wake up!" She cradled her friend with one arm and held her head with the other. Rae gently shook her. "Misha!"

Claire stood in disbelief, finally registering the dreadful deed she'd nearly committed. "What did I just…?"

"Claire, what were you thinking!?" Yu screeched, rushing in to aid his beloved companion. "Are you trying to get yourself beheaded as punishment for murder?"

"No! I-I didn't mean to-"

"What the hell is wrong with you!?" Rae's words pierced Claire's chest as much as it reverberated in her ears. She'd never heard Rae refer to her this way. Rae… was angry at her. No, it wasn't comical this time. It was raw. "You knew how powerful Magic Ray was and you still used it!? You almost killed my best friend! I can't believe someone like you would do this," Rae's glossy eyes controlled swords to fly at her master, "Claire."

Really, nobody expected Rae's burning rage and gloom to have ever been directed to the girl she admired with her entire body until the day she passed. But it happened. And for good reason. Speechless, Claire regretfully hung her head; she'd gone too far. What was wrong with her? Why had she gone to such extreme lengths this time? Why did she abandon self-control? How deep did she drown in her emotions that rational decisions had not clicked with her until the very last minute? This was unforgivable for a noble.

"You didn't have to go that far! Misha, she… I wouldn't know what to do without her."

Ouch.

That stung.

Now Claire understood how it felt.

"Why did we let this happen?" Rae grimaced, unable to bear the thought of how much agony Misha would be once she awoke from her indefinite slumber.

It's not that Claire didn't want to tell her nor because she couldn't, she can't. Claire wasn't able to form words, no matter how hard she tried.

"Rae…?" the familiar hoarse voice cracked.

"Misha!" Rae squeezed Misha into a tight hug. "Thank God you're alright! Man, you had me for a sec there!"

Yu kneeled by the two. "How are you feeling? Do you need more healing?"

Huh…?

Exhaling, Misha awkwardly clutched Rae's back as her jaw comfortably lay limp on Rae's shoulder. "I'm… quite fine."

What the hell.

Manaria waved her wand in the air. "Here, let me heal her too."

You made a fool and villain out of Claire and now, even after rousing from your potential death bed…

You still want to sneer at her like that?

No… Misha held back.

Claire refused to believe it.

It was another deliberate hole Misha dug up for someone else to take the fall.

Hand in hand, Rae kneeled by the bed where the wiped out Misha laid. They'd brought her to the infirmary to fully confirm a full recovery and was advised that Misha rest up and be checked up on in advance to being discharged for good. Prince Yu himself wanted to tag along but was hurried to tend to unwanted tasks out of his control.

Claire peeked through a window on the other side of the door, tightly squeezing where the amulet hid.

Misha came to once more, dazed and tingling in the horrid burning sensation that'd soothed mildly and made out to be more of a carpet burn than lava feasting on her skin like piranhas. She was totally caked in bandages as Matt was thanks to the Dede incident, stirring up the Commoner's Movement. Only in this case, the issue at hand was more personal rather than controversial.

"Misha!" Rae perked up, leaning forward and tucking Misha's hair behind her ears. "Misha, are you OK? How are you feeling?"

"A little better," Misha grunted.

"Do you need me to heal you more?"

"I think I've been healed quite enough; I should recover naturally."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

"OK, I believe you." Rae stroked Misha's casted arm delicately.

"It's quite a shame that I lost," Misha lied.

"Who cares about competition!? Miss Claire nearly killed you!"

"Yes, you're right." The injured woman sank her head into the squishy pillow. "To be honest, I was surprised at how Miss Claire didn't hold back. I can recall when she used the same spell on you but missed on purpose."

"That's what I don't get!" Rae blurted out, disgruntled. "Why were you both fighting in the first place? She didn't have to go that far! She looked like she really wanted to kill you too!"

Misha couldn't help but snicker. "Oh Rae, you're so unbelievable sometimes."

"Huh?"

"You worry too much over what others do that you haven't yet thought once about yourself - yet, that's what I find so charming about you."

"Well, of course I'm going to worry! Especially after what you've just gone through! You mean so much to me!" retorted Rae, dodging hints unknowingly.

"W-well… thank you, Rae." Shakily did Misha raise her hand and place her palm on Rae's head. "I appreciate it."

Averting her gaze, Claire's heart painfully throbbed. Was she now deemed the enemy here? That wasn't of any significance to her. Her Rae had her eyes on someone else and this was uncalled for. She was the one who declared war on Misha without considering a done deal other than not raising a white flag to give in. This wasn't fair. It wasn't fair how Misha could be so open and sincere with her feelings towards Rae and not even care about how Rae would react, how it could sound to anyone nearby and how wonderfully they treated one another. Mutual respect. Claire herself failed to return in favour of her Rae and she reaped the consequences.

Clearly not belonging here, Claire heaved her feet off the ground to escape everything.

"Mind if I bother you?" Thane barricaded Claire's exit and she guiltily raised her head.

"Prince Thane…?"

Thane crossed his arms. "I've been made aware of Misha's provocations since the beginning." He frowned. Not even this guy, who'd always preferred to hide behind the sidelines, was appreciative of this turn of events. "I assume you've been enduring them this entire time. How come? Does it not anger you?"

"W-well…" Claire held her elbow and squeezed it, "What other choice did I have? I've reacted and acted on Misha's advances and even now, she's played me like a fiddle. I ended up giving her what she wanted and now Rae hates me for it."

"I see."

"Seeing them together has done nothing but made me agonise over my feelings. The way she holds Rae, the way they talk to each other, the way they're always attached to one another. I can't stand it. Rae doesn't even want to look at me in the eye anymore. I don't understand it at all. For it to end like this…" Claire shook her head, unsure what was in her head and what was spewed out of her trembling mouth. "I… I don't want Rae to leave me."

"Forgive me for asking so bluntly, but has it ever crossed your mind what Misha's true end goal really is?"

"What?"

"I must say, I do not believe she's wooing Rae to win her heart by any means. This is merely a theory, but what do you make of that?"

"With all due respect, Prince Thane, I do not understand what you mean. I mean, why else would Misha…"

Waves of Misha's infuriating moves sent shockwaves into Claire's brain: the hand-holding, the linking arms, the affectionate embraces, the seductive touch, the bold public instigations, the rose hairclips, the intimate whispers, the pet names and ignoring that annoying shit-eating grin, these were all the things Claire wanted to do - with Rae. To experience with her Rae. This whole time, Misha was so obviously wearing a sign on her head to persuade Claire into winning her Rae back. It was so crystal clear. It was dangling above Claire like a mistletoe and she somehow missed it.

'Come take her from me' was written in a permanent marker all over Misha's eyes.

It explained everything. To put it simply, Misha followed in Manaria's footsteps. Romance was filled with drama and conflict, and was never meant to work as a fairytale. That's basic knowledge. Everything became gradually comprehensive. Pieces of the puzzle formed into the correct shapes. It explained why everything and everyone had turned against her. No, that's not right. In reality, what the party truly longed for most was for Claire to break free from her shell: Rae contrarily did not pick up her chisel to follow the same sentiment as she'd been unmotivated to do so thanks to her master's ripping words she had not meant. No more - Manaria wasn't under her rose-tinted lenses anymore.

"You are not fit to be Rae's master."

That much was true. This aristocrat was not suited to be Rae's master but nobody told her she wasn't fit to be her lover.

"Rae's heart belongs to me."

No, it didn't. It belonged to Claire.

"You love Rae, don't you?"

"Listen to yourself, you're giving up on Rae!"

"Even after all the times you pushed her away when she cherished you most?"

Claire couldn't hide under her pillow fort anymore: she really wanted Rae. Honestly. Seriously. Romantically. Carnally. She wanted what and who she owned back this instant. How could she? She had almost committed a crime with a double-edged blade and didn't bother apologising to the victim. Regardless if Misha wanted this to happen, it was still over the top to have put her in harm's way so willingly and so heartlessly.

Speaking of, Rae ushered past the two, not looking back.

"Are you not going to chase after her?" Thane dejectedly furrowed his eyebrows.

Claire opened her mouth and shut it, but opened it again after an abrupt pause. "How could I talk to her after what I did?"

"I see. So you're convinced she despises you."

"I cannot blame her. I almost bloodied my hands of someone she holds dear to."

If anyone did the same to Pepi and Loretta, Claire knew she would assassinate them.

"Well, I suppose I can't change your mind. Thank you for your honesty and time." Deeply sighing apprehensively, Thane walked away.

Clearing her throat and inhaling through her tight throat, Claire sluggishly turned back around. Her Rae was away, leaving Misha alone. Now was the best time to apologise without her beloved Rae there to ream her out in spite of how warranted it was. She made up her mind! No more running away from her problems and fears.

Retracing her footsteps from earlier, Claire beamed, resolute.

"Don't you think you've been having a bit too much fun?" Manaria verbalised, freezing Claire as she had not yet touched the door handle. Just when did she get here? "Going as far as to fondle Rae's body? You are aware that that was a mere quip, I hope? Then putting Claire on a pedestal?"

"I think you misunderstand my intentions; I would never take advantage of Rae in such a way," Misha retorted. "And the duel was unplanned. I wonder: had Miss Pepi and Miss Loretta not run their mouths off - I wouldn't be incapacitated as I currently am."

"Why have you not said a word about it?"

"What reason would I have for doing so?"

"What reason would you have for not doing so?"

"I never really thought that far ahead." Misha lightly chuckled at herself. "Perhaps I was in and over my head."

Until she was given a reality check anyway.

"You've fallen for Rae, haven't you?" Manaria bluntly asked.

Claire's entire world stopped. Were her suspicions going to be confirmed right here and now!?

"Maybe I have, maybe I haven't," dismissively, Misha answered. "Besides, if it is so, doesn't that put us in the same boat? You appear to have enjoyed toying with Rae's heartstrings by leading Miss Claire on."

"That, I cannot deny. I will not reject my feelings towards Rae, but what I cannot turn a blind eye from is Claire's behaviour. What exactly have you said to her that I am not aware of?"

"You know," Misha paused thoughtfully, smoothly dodging the question, "they're rather similar to one another."

"What are you implying?"

"Rae's pain is Miss Claire's pain and Miss Claire's anguish is Rae's despair. You've told me yourself: they believe they're doomed to be unrequited forever. That is all I have to say on the matter."

"Inconceivable!" Manaria - at last - raised her voice. "I thought wrongly of you."

"Well, either way, I'd much rather prefer keeping Rae with me rather than handing her body over to the likes of you."

Lowering her voice, Manaria was defeated. "So you've heard about that."

What?

"What comes around, goes around."

What are they talking about? Where did this come from? Manaria was interested in Rae too? Then what was point of wooing Claire!? No way, Manaria seriously used Rae's clear interest in Claire to satisfy her building up urges?

"I wonder how Miss Claire would feel after learning about such a scandal from the beloved princess of the Sousse Kingdom."

"It's not like she'd believe you." Manaria cautiously shot back. "And how does it benefit you?"

"Betrayal can cause oneself to hit rock bottom for God knows how long. Not only will Miss Claire view you as a walking carcass and no longer associate herself with you, but she may fall into another depressive state - I'll have you know, this works in my favour."

"What are you saying!?"

"I get to keep what's mine."

No matter the hardships, Rae never quit, and that influence would be injected into Claire's system. Slamming the door open, Claire scowled at the two: one she used to admire to a T and mainly the one who was motivated to steal what's hers.

Manaria's eyes widened slightly. "Claire?"

"To think that you've both been consorting with one another to conspire against me - I will not stand for this!" Claire darted her finger at Misha. "Heed my words, you will not take my maid away from me!"

Recovering from the startling switch up in Claire's fervor, Misha smirked from ear to ear that Claire wanted to set alight to. "Oh, I've heard the stories. And you're confident you can take her back? Tell me, Miss Claire, do you truly think you have a chance this time?"

"Don't mock me."

"My dear Rae has no reason to give you a moment of her time. Have you already forgotten why I'm currently bedridden as we speak?"

Hissing through her teeth, Claire couldn't bite back at that. This was the truth. Her own wrongdoing. Did she feel bad about it? In one way, yes, in the other, absolutely not. So, now what? Rae must've shunned Claire for this whole ordeal.

"Give it up, Claire," Manaria bluntly suggested. The nerve of this woman! "You may have won the duel, but you've lost Rae's trust."

"Then I'll just have to regain it back!" Claire snapped back.

Raising a brow, Misha tilted her head. "How do you plan on doing that?"

Drats, the lovestruck Claire had not thought that far ahead. Was her next move going to consist of stubbornly refuting every little phrase and word those two sneaky girls had to say? No, that's pointless; it'll sink Claire further and further down the manmade hole they were cultivating - just like that one time when she and Rae duelled. The one where Claire was forced to give in.

A lightning bolt struck and ricocheted inside and out of Claire's brain. Why had she not considered it since the beginning?

Yes, that's it!

Insistent, Claire held a proud hand on her chest. "I challenge you to face-off with me over the Scales of Love!"

Misha and Manaria raised their eyebrows inquisitively, faced one another, nodded and looked back at Claire.

"Very well, I accept your challenge." Misha turned to Manaria. "Princess Manaria, please be our witness for this competition."

"Why, it'd be an honour." Manaria winked. "I daresay, however, aren't your stakes generously low for a challenge?"

"With all due respect, Sister, whatever do you mean?" Claire tapped her foot impatiently.

Manaria held one hand up. "If you win, you get your Rae back." She then raised another hand. "But if Misha wins, then…" Manaria playfully hummed and snapped her fingers. "I get to claim Rae's body!"

"Wh-what…!?"

Horrified, Misha had gone pale herself. "Princess Manaria, with all due respect-"

"Now, Misha, don't chicken out now." Manaria hushed her partner in crime. "Like I said, if you win, I get a cutie to toy with. But I mean, since you're up in the front-lines, it's only fair that you get to keep Rae's heart, of course."

"What the…?" Claire's organs malfunctioned. "Are you being serious?"

"One-hundred percent!"

What. The. Fuck.

"You…" Claire stepped back. "You're sick."

Cold sweat torturously dripped down Misha's neck and forehead as she tightly squeezed the white blankets. What the hell has she gotten herself into? Did she get backstabbed just now? She'd signed a deal with the devil, didn't she…? This was… Misha's best friend Manaria was talking about.

"Who are you?" Claire's jaw jittered. "You're not the Sister I know."

Manaria giggled. "Just your friendly neighbourhood princess."

"What reason do you have to behold ill-will against my maid?"

"Lust."

Shaken to the core, Claire stumbled backwards and slammed the door shut on her way out. No. There was definitely no way she can lose now. Originally, Misha was her sole concern: win Rae over and dangle her victory in her face as if they were keys to locations she had no access to. Now, there was a serious threat. Not on Claire's chastity, but her Rae's. Claire knew how much Rae didn't carry interest Manaria's way. Disgusting. Vile. Putrid. This was the woman she told Rae she'd prefer over her any day? Claire took it all back, no questions asked. She hated how that horndog was her first love - in fact, she'd wished it was Rae the moment she was born.

Rae, you will be free from this conflict once and for all. Just hold out for a bit longer and Claire will hold you close without ever daring to release you. Thankfully, a spotlight hovered over Rae; she wasn't in the endless void anymore. And for once, Claire could independently carve her own magical path unbeknownst to her. Finally, you were reachable! Only, she was at too much of a great distance to call out to, but it was progress nevertheless.

"Miss Claire?"

Thank God. No, Thank Rae. Daydreaming about her patient Rae, Claire could regain her composure, her senses and rations all at once. This was her self-medication and she savoured it dearly. Stop. Claire couldn't dwell on her revulsion for that princess nor fondness for her Rae right now; time is money. Who knows if Manaria will pluck on hairs to get what she desires. Claire shook her head.

Think.

Think about it hard.

Think!

What do you associate with Rae, Claire? You should know this by now! Perversion, adoration, rowdiness, loyalty, sincerity, a prankster, a cheeky commoner, a knight in shining armour, a prince charming, a-

No, that's not what she meant. What does Rae enjoy? Other than Claire François herself.

Checkmate.

Evidently, it was confectionary. Of course, Claire was brought joy by Rae's delicious treats. Albeit it may not hold the power of magic, Claire wishfully hoped that the Scales would accept an offering full of love. It had not found her mind that she could whip up a batch right then and there as she had no knowledge of what to do and how to work with a recipe in the first place. Staring at her inflamed palm that Ralaire smooched better, Claire let out a heavy sigh. Chocolates, while recent, must've had the simplest recipe, right? And what was it that Rae said about the language behind it? If anything, it weighed the similar concept to the language of flowers. Claire could recollect the following:

"Giving chocolate to someone is basically saying you adore them, so Miss Claire, please take my love! Please, I beg of you!"

Claire's ears heated up. She simply couldn't resist the chocolate and ate Rae's love in secret after saying no. That said, Claire wanted to return the favour. Despite the large disinterest in touching any pots and pans, Claire had been captivated by a longing urge to wander listlessly for the chef work.

However, there was a problem.

Claire seriously had no idea how to cook, let alone bake. After all, she was the sample taste-tester and would dive into the sugary treats. Frankly, this uncultured aristocrat was already at a disadvantage.

Suddenly, Claire snapped her fingers. That's right! The Broumet - her favourite restaurant. That was her go-to plug for whatever food cravings she had in the heat of the moment. That was it. Great, she had a lead!

The early bird gets the worm. Claire had taken the earliest ride she could to the Broumet and the first hour of opening synced as she stepped through the entrance.

"Oh, greetings!" A worker behind the counter enthusiastically waved. "You're quite early but we're happy to serve!"

"Good morning, it is much appreciated." Crossing her arms, Claire stuck her nose up in the air. "I have an inquiry to make, if that's not too much to ask for."

"I'm listenin'!"

"I must get my hands on a recipe for chocolate this instant."

The worker sweat-dropped. "That's more of a demand," he told himself.

"Excuse me?"

"N-nothing. Anyways, uh… don't you want to pay for the finished product that's in stock and prepared at the ready?"

"My apologies but did you mayhaps not understand a word I say?" Claire tapped her foot against the floor.

"W-well…" The worker's eyes drifted off to beside him, blinking in that direction.

"Ah~!" Another employee slid into the commotion. "Whatever could be the problem here? Oh!" She stood upright. "You must be Clare François! Rae Taylor's mistress, correct?"

The noble nodded, impressed. "That is correct."

"That's wonderful! Miss Taylor's been a huge help to us as a business and she's really sweet!"

Now that's what Claire liked to hear.

"Well, I am pleased to hear she hasn't made a fool out of the François name!"

"She's really talented for a maid!" The employee clapped her hands but halted briefly afterward. "Ah, I'm so sorry for stalling your time! You needed a recipe or something, right?"

"Indeed I do! The one for chocolate."

"A-are you sure?"

"I am positive."

"Alrighty then!"

"Hey, isn't this against restaurant policy?" the male worker whispered to the other.

"Well, we can't necessarily turn it down if it's a demand from the François House," the female employee whispered back.

"I guess you're right."

"Do we have a problem over there?" Claire's eyebrows twitched.

The female employee clasped her hands together. "N-no, not at all!"

"Good. Then, I may use your kitchen as a starting point!" Claire triumphantly pointed in the centre of the duo.

"Eh!?" The male was flabbergasted.

"W-well, uhm…" The female awkwardly rotated her head to the side, received a nervous nod from the nearby chef and looked back at Claire. "Sure, that's OK!"

Firstly, what the hell was an aristocrat doing here - first thing in the morning - demanding for a recipe that she clearly had no full idea how to follow? Secondly, why did she need this? Thirdly, why is it Claire François?

"So first, you have to-" The female jerked up. "What are you doing!?"

"What do you mean what I'm doing? I'm preparing."

No, Claire, you were charging up your magic rays…

"O-on second thought, maybe you should just take this recipe and try it elsewhere."

"Misha!?"

Rae scrambled around the infirmary, throwing the blanket to the floor, checked under the bed, behind the door, in the mattress, in the pillow, under the pillow, every nook and cranny of the hallway, in the classroom, Misha's desk, Misha's textbooks, Misha's bed in the dormitory, Misha's night cap, Misha's pyjamas, the courtyard, the grass, under the dining tables in the canteen, under food trays, under plates, under burgers, under chairs, on the windows, in the trees, in defeated monsters, in the bathhouse, in the water, in the arbour, in the lake and gazed up deep into the sky.

"Misha, where are you!?" she howled into the sun as if it were a full moon.

Students closeby blankly stared at her, bemused. Spinning around, they were taken aback by her haste.

"Have you seen Misha Jur around here? She's a stoic girl, about my height, with long silver hair, a pretty face and a rose hairclip like this!" The desperate Rae pointed at her hairclip.

"Uh… No, we haven't, sorry," the students stated.

Rae sped to the next person. "Do you know?"

"No."

"What about you?"

"Nope."

"You?"

"Nah."

"Where could she have possibly gone!?"

"Just walk the other way," Loretta flatly said aloud, beside Pepi.

"Ah, the flunkies!" Rae raced to in front of them.

"We have names, you know!" Pepi spat.

"Never mind that - have you seen Misha anywhere? I can't find her!" Rae snatched Pepi's unwelcoming hands. "Please, you saw the damage dealt yesterday! She hasn't fully recovered yet!"

Sighing, Pepi and Loretta share glimpses of annoyance. Pepi yanked her hand away from the commoner.

"We have not seen her," bluntly answered Loretta.

"I see." Rae gradually turned around.

"Are you not going to ask about Miss Claire?" Pepi snarled, freezing Rae on ice. "Does she not cross your impudent mind anymore?"

"Have you given up your so-called love that you kept going on and on about to Miss Claire?" Loretta chimed in angrily. "Was it all just a hoax after all!?"

"N-no, that's not…!" Rae gulped on her words.

"Toying with Miss Claire's heart without care? You're seriously unbelievable, commoner."

"I'm sorry." Rae weakly replied, her throat suddenly hoarse. "I'm really sorry."

"Ah, wait…!"

But Rae had dashed away already.

"Great, we didn't even get to warn her about that." Loretta facepalmed.

Escaping her sorrows, Rae spotted the princes from a mile away. Maybe they knew something!

"HeyPrinceRodPrinceYuPrinceThanedoyouhaveanyideawhereMishawent!?" Rae spoke before she could breathe.

"Whoa, slow down and chill out, would ya?" said Rod.

"This is an emergency!" Rae rebuked. "Misha's gone! It's like she's vanished!"

"Is that so?" Yu rubbed his chin.

"How are you not worried!?" Rae's face scrunched up in disapproval of the princes' attitude. "Misha was severely injured and she's nowhere to be found!"

"Well, Misha is a strong girl," Yu carefully reassured the overly panicking Rae. "I'm sure she'll be fine. I believe in her."

"You make no sense!" Rae started to pull her hair out. "Prince Thane, please tell me you have something at least! Anything!"

Sternly, Thane nodded. "I have seen her."

"You have!? Is she OK!?"

"I saw Misha with Princess Manaria leave the academy early in the morning."

"What?"

"I'm uncertain as to where they've travelled to, however."

"B-but why? Why would Misha be with Princess Manaria? What's even going on anymore?"

The princes stole glances at one another.

"Do you all know something I don't?" Rae pouted. "How come I'm in the dark about everything and why?"

"Well, I dunno the details but something important must be brewing," Rod stated.

"What do you mean?"

"Perchance, do you recall the Scales of Love?" Yu pointed out.

"Yeah. Yeah, I know it." Rae raised a scrutinising brow. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"In simple terms, after what transpired yesterday, they may have gone ahead and articulated another competition."

"What!? Are they crazy!?" Rae was dumbfounded. "Wait, why would they do that in the first place?"

"To put it bluntly," Yu folded his arms, "they want to prove their love to you."

"Huh?" Rae thoughtfully scratched her chin. "But why would Misha and Princess Manaria…?"

"No, you've got it all wrong." Yu shook his head. "It's Misha and Claire."

"What?"

For what reason?

"Wait, what!?" Rae's jaw was numbed out.

Did she hear that right?

It moved Rae that Claire had a sudden change of heart that she couldn't grasp an understanding of, but what overtook her mind entirely was the fact that Misha was the other competitor. Her best friend! Wouldn't it have made sense for Rae and Manaria to have faced one another off? Hell, maybe Claire and Manaria? But no, it was Misha and Claire!? In spite of it hurting, Rae didn't want to get her hopes up with even getting a chance with Claire at all; she was blinded by her unrequited priority as Claire's happiness came first above all else. Little did that girl know how much Claire needed her by her side to be that symbol of joy in her life.

As for Misha… it disconcerted her. Was Misha interested in Rae to such an extent that she'd squabble with her love interest? But why? Doesn't Misha have a hardcore crush on Yu? Turning the thoughts on its head, Rae's sweat trickled down her chilly cheek. Yet, Misha's appearance was highly attractive. As a matter of fact, Misha as an overall person was beautiful to Rae. If she were a romanceable route in Revolution, Rei would have most probably considered romancing her if it weren't for Claire stealing the spotlight. What was Rae thinking? There was no way it would work: Misha's never shown any attraction to a girl - let alone Rae.

If Rae ever were to catch butterflies by being around Misha, she may not even know how to feel. Perhaps she wouldn't forgive herself. Rightfully so, correct? Rae's heart was deadset on Claire at the end of the day. This was the accepted outcome as it made the most sense in Rae's mind. Besides, even if she did show attraction, Misha would potentially have been the type to display her interest through actions. Like hand-holding, linking arms, hugging and…

…

Wait…

"I was being flirted with!?" Rae bounced up in the air, utterly blown away.

"You only just realised!?" all of the princes shrieked in unison.

"W-well, it never really hit me until now but I've been wondering about Misha's behaviour for a while now." Rae nervously scratched her head. "She's been so grabby recently." Rae drastically lowered her voice, her voice sizzling through her teeth like a snake. "Hey, do you think she was trying to take my virginity?"

"I have not a clue what you're saying and something tells me it's best if it remains a mystery for everyone's benefit." Thane sighed.

Clearing his throat, Yu changed the topic at hand. "In any case, I wouldn't fret too much, even if what you've just learnt is overwhelming."

"Yeah! Just follow your heart!" Rod winked at Rae, who found that gross.

"I must say, as much as I find it compelling to consider Misha's victory, I would like to put my faith into Claire just the same."

"Even though I've done nothing but avoid her," Rae murmured under her breath.

"Speaking of, have you seen Claire around?" Rod hopped back in the conversation.

"I… I haven't." Rae drooped her head forward, her self-hatred gnawing at her brain.

"As much as it would be lovely to allow the two of you to reunite, that is presently impossible; Claire is making preparations for the day itself. It is respectful to not interfere." Thane shut his eyes after having just uncharacteristically run his mouth off in an informative manner.

"I see." Rae facepalmed, comically tearing up before groaning. "That means I got no one to talk to!"

"Uh, we're right here?" Rod placed both hands on hips.

Rae deadpanned. "I don't talk to guys, bye."

"And… done!" Claire clapped. "I think." She scratched her head.

She'd occupied - no - hoarded the entire academy's kitchen without notice but if anyone asked, her methods of conjuring up foods would shoo people away from questioning exactly what she was doing.

"Hey, Ralaire, it's not really the greatest-looking treat in the world and it's not on Rae's level by any means, but could you sample this for me?"

Quivering, Ralaire anxiously nodded as Claire offered one of the deformed chocolates she'd attempted as a test run. Surely, the recipe couldn't have been that difficult to follow, right? Well, for an aristocrat, the maids and lower-class were in charge of such a job that involved the world of culinary skills - regardless of gender and age. Instructions were clear but the usage of the tools were not. Swiftly, Ralaire gobbled up a singular chocolate ball, flopped and rolled off the table like a freed tennis ball as if she'd just been poisoned.

"I see, no good, huh?" Claire sighed, already wanting to hit the haystack. "In my defence, I haven't a clue how commoners work with such confusing instruments like these."

Determined, Ralaire recovered with a blink, springing back up on the table, looking at her mother with intent as she rolled from side to side like a musical seal.

"Yes, my, you're quite right. I shan't give up so easily and sit here complaining."

"If Misha wins, then I get to claim Rae's body!"

"No. I will not allow myself to get so bogged down and waste such precious time." Claire raised a single-minded fist up in the air. "Let's try again!"

Another uneventful passing day goes by and Rae had to wake herself up from bed for once. After her late realisation that her best friend had been licking her heart with tasty intentions, Rae struggled to perceive her and Misha's touch the same way. Somewhat did Rae miss Misha's soft calls and soft touch when she nudged Rae awake… No, Rae, what are you thinking!? Had Misha's advances taken a toll on you so easily? Admittedly, they had been sleeping in the same bed more often than Rae would like to confess - if Claire found out, they'd both be dead meat.

Tray in hand, Rae sat by the nearest table. Go figure, the canteen was a lonesome desert.

"Hey~!"

…Or so Rae thought.

Rae's soul left her body as if she were Claire being startled by a ghost.

"Wait, come back!" Rod begged, unable to reach the dying Rae floating away into the ceiling.

"You shouldn't have scared her like that." Yu sweat-dropped, snapping his fingers in front of Rae's then awakened face.

"My bad, my bad! She just looked so gloomy!"

"Can I help you?" Rae dryly queried.

"Nope, we just wanted to sit with you!"

"You already did that, so I had no say in the matter." Rae's eyelid twitched.

"Then I shall take my-" Thane was seized by the wrist.

"Do not leave us now!" Rod whined. "C'mon, you gotta understand how lonely Rae Taylor must be feeling without her Claire and Misha~!"

"Life is more unbearable with you," Rae interjected coldly.

"Aw, thank you~!"

"That wasn't a compliment."

"Say, I have an idea!" Yu perked up. "I've heard about that game you played with Brother Thane. What was it again?" He rubbed his chin and a light bulb popped out of his head. "King's Game, was it?"

"Need I be reminded of that?" Thane puffed under his breath.

Rae nodded, munching on her plain rice. "Yeah, that's the one. What, you wanna play it?"

"I do! I do!" Yu cheerfully clasped his hands together. "It's one way to pass time and keep you occupied."

"Well, I guess I got nothing better to do." Rae put her bowl down. "Got any paper?"

"Indeed I do." Yu pulled out four numbered strips.

"Hold up, you were planning to play with me from the get-go!"

"Ah, busted." Yu chuckled.

"For a prince, you really are cheeky." Rae groaned. "Oh, that's right. I assume you know the rules, then?"

"Yeah! One of us becomes king and we get to order peasants around." Rod then chomped on his sandwich.

Flipping the strips over, hiding the numbers, Yu delicately clenched on to them and stole glances around their table.

"That being said, shall we begin?" Yu twinkled, enticed to play a new game.

"Who is the king now?" they chimed in unison, taking a strip for themselves.

"Ah, it appears that I am the first king." Yu hummed, ignoring Rae's judgemental stares as her brain was fully convinced this was rigged already. "Numbers one and two, I order you to hug."

"Is that really necessary?" asked Thane - number one.

"Aw c'mon, it's a harmless order!" Rod - number two - nudged Thane's hip with his elbow. "Could be worse!"

"I really didn't agree to this." Thane was on the brink of death and the day had barely started.

"Oh? Could it be that you're number one?" Childishly, Rod peered over Thane and confirmed it. "Oh, sweet! C'mon, gimme a hug!"

"Absolutely not."

Déjà vu? Was this what Claire and Rae looked like to an outsider perspective? As a pushy guy, Rod wouldn't let up, but as an inferior guy, Thane struggled to fend off his irritating brother.

"Alrighty then, let's move on." Yu smiled, collecting the paper strips.

"Who's the king now?" everyone wondered in unison.

"How unfortunate, it is I." Thane deadpanned. "Well, I suppose…" Thane glanced over at the waiting Rae.

Last time, she caused serious lesbian trouble, but honestly, with Claire not in the picture currently, maybe it wouldn't hurt to go with a recurring order? However, there was one issue: Rae had no chance of being able to rig this game this time - this was unplanned in her records.

Let's go gambling.

"Numbers two and three, I order you to handshake."

"I'm number three!" Rod was hyped up.

Icked, Rae scooted away from the prince.

"Oh, Rae, could it be that you're the other number?" Stars formed in Rod's eyes. "Y'know what, this might just be my lucky day!"

Rae rolled her eyes. "You are my burden, I hope you know that."

"Aw, c'mon, don't be like that~ Besides, it's just a handshake, no?" Stealing Rae's hand from the air, Rod powerfully shook it with both of his own. "Whoa, you're so soft!" He then rubbed her hand with his thumb in a circular motion.

"What are you doing? Stop that."

"Following commands!"

Thane was revolted. History had repeated itself. Was this considered karma?

Boldly, Rod gently held Rae's fingers collectively and slowly leaned in, targetting her knuckles.

"I think that's quite enough." Thane clutched his flirtatious brother by the collar and yanked him away from the uncomfortable Rae.

"Aw~" Unsatisfied, Rod whistled.

"I'll make sure to wash this hand thoroughly before I touch any of my stuff," Rae told herself, her vision of her hand seeming as if it were a bacterial infection.

"Oh dear." Yu laughed.

"Who's the king now?"

"Yahoo! It is I!" Rod whimsically jumped up from his chair. "Rae, quick, tell me your number!"

"Would you like a blade to your neck instead?" Rae shot back.

"Do you hate me that much!?"

"Yes."

"Not even hesitating!?" Rod hung his head in defeat. "Fine~ Whatever~ Number one, give number three a headpat or something, I dunno, man."

Yu raised his hand. "I am number one."

"Ah, I'm number three." Rae hesitantly showed off her number. Yu's affection levels for Rae weren't high as much as Rod's, so Rae felt at least a bit more safer down this route. Even so, she'd wished it was Claire giving her a headpat instead.

"Are you comfortable with me touching your head?" Yu glimmered under the light.

"Yeah, I don't mind."

"What!?" Rod whacked the table. "How come you-"

"Shut up."

"Understood."

"Well, here I go." Yu placed his hand on Rae's head and began to stroke it ever so gently. Whoa, he was so sweet, even with actions! As much as Rae hated to admit it, this felt like bliss; it was such a relieving sensation and Rae was treated just right unlike a certain other brash prince. "Oh my, you seem to be enjoying this!"

"Really~?" Rae's eyes were shut - the way Yu petted her hair was almost the exact same as how Misha had done so a couple times before.

Yu giggled. "It's written all over your face."

Bearing Misha in mind, Rae envisioned Misha's ogre mask glaring at her for being pampered by the prince she secretly offered a heart to. In reality, Misha might've just killed her for this. Alike the absent Misha, devoted fans of the princes sent daggers Rae's way but she had melted too far into this moment to pay any mind to it.

"Oi, aren't you gonna stop?" A vein popped out of Rod's forehead.

"People are staring," added the concerned Thane.

"My apologies, I can't help myself when Rae looks like a blissful puppy right now," Yu teased.

Rod blinked. "A…"

"Puppy?" Thane tilted his head.

Both of the brothers stared at the calm and collected Rae, intently squinted their eyes and shared their enlightened vision: Rae had dog ears and a wagging tail! They both shivered and averted their gaze.

"So cute!" Rod squealed.

"Still no luck, huh?" Claire wiped the intense sweat off her forehead. Ralaire had tasted another failure but believed in her mother. "Do not fret, Ralaire, I will not give in."

Worried that Claire was overworking herself, Ralaire pounced on Claire's arm and climbed up to her chest to give her a troubled look to say to take a break.

"There isn't a need! I have not yet hit my limit, so don't you worry!" Claire squished Ralaire between her palms, picked her up and put her back on the table to get back on track.

"I wonder what Miss Claire's been up to~" Rae pondered, a creeping grin forming on her lips.

Having suffering from a boring morning, Rae peered through the window. She wanted to be in the know for once. Who could blame her? Claire François? A noble? Cooking? A shocker! Claire putting in the effort to win a commoner over in the Scales of Love? Double shocker! And that commoner was Rae Taylor? Triple shocker! And she was competing against Misha - Rae's best friend? The whole shebang! Shockwaves for days!

Ruining the exciting spell Rae drilled into her head, Claire charged mini magic rays up, aimed at the pan and beamed at it.

Holy fucking shit.

Terrified, Rae's eyes whitened and she could feel her soul dying inside. Was she trying to commit arson?

"Didn't I say not to interfere?"

Rae yelped, hopping up on her feet. "P-Prince Thane! What are you doing here?"

"I should be asking you that." Thane crossed his arms. "This is a dire event and time is ticking - Claire requires all the focus she can get."

"Y-you're right, sorry." Rae lowered her head dejectedly. "It's just that… I miss Miss Claire. I miss Misha. It feels so empty without them."

Thane's eyes wandered off into the window. Claire had taken notice of the two and was awestruck but she'd snapped her head back to the pan she was using.

"Well, I hear that my brothers are in the arbour playing chess as we speak. Perhaps they could use a talented maid to keep them occupied and satisfied with your service. Alternatively, another player to compete with."

Rae slowly inhaled and exhaled. "I guess I got no choice, huh?"

With that, Rae leisurely but sullenly trudged away. Thane and Claire exchanged looks once more. Thane simply nodded and took his leave also.

"Ralaire, did you see that? Rae was watching me…!" Her whisking rapidly became increasingly aggressive as Ralaire snuck away.

"Hey, Loretta, get a load of this! Haven't you noticed how close that commoner's been getting to the princes?" Pepi scowled as they walked around the courtyard.

"You noticed too? Ever since Misha's disappearance and Miss Claire's determination, that commoner has been wrapping more people around her fingers!" Loretta shook her head in disgust. "That commoner is nothing but a vile player!"

"Right?"

All of a sudden, Pepi let out a blood-curdling squeak, petrifying the also screaming Loretta next to her.

"P-Pepi, what's wrong!?" Loretta wailed.

"My neck!" Pepi cried, trembling, hysterically shaking her hands around the air.

"Huh?" Loretta checked and merely blinked, quickly taken aback. "Wh-what the…!? What is that!?"

"What is it!? What is it!? Get it off me!"

Loretta reached her hand out but kept pulling away out of fear. "I-I don't know what it is!"

Innocently, Ralaire lifted her head as she remained in the form of a hand as Misha had taught her moons ago, and waved at the girls with a menacing aura: she heard them talking smack behind her master's back.

"Wait, you're that monster slime that commoner carries around," Loretta remarked after registering.

"H-huh?" Pepi was dumbstruck. "Oh, so that's what it was? Geez, why did you scare us like that?"

Ralaire beamed but her explanation couldn't be communicated. As a last resort, Ralaire slid down into Pepi's then open palms and transformed into Claire with the portrayal that she was wearing an apron and holding a rolling pin. Pepi and Loretta shared curious gazes.

"You want us to see Miss Claire?"

Ralaire nodded in Claire's form.

"She's in the kitchen, right?" Loretta added.

Ralaire nodded. Finalising their decision, the three of them set off to Claire's burdening kingdom that her brain and body was practically rotting in at this rate, as she had not considered self-care in the slightest.

They strolled into the hallway leading to the kitchen itself. Ralaire had implied to them much earlier on that Claire was the one cultivating for sweets. On one hand, Pepi had piqued interest but on the other, Loretta was worried that Claire had not stepped foot outside of this hole she'd locked herself away in. Maybe she should've gotten Claire something to eat.

What was more troublesome?

The sudden flash of light that almost shattered the kitchen windows as if there were an explosion. The pairing squawked at it and were disturbed at the warzone that was stirring in there, so they bludgeoned the door down.

"Miss Claire, are you alright!?"

"Are you hurt!?"

"Huh?" Pivoting, Claire blinked at them as Ralaire remained unfazed. "Oh, Pepi, Loretta, perfect timing!" She twinkled cheerily.

"Huh…?"

"I just finished this next batch. I daresay I'm rather chuffed with the outcome, and I am interested to hear out on your opinions." Holding the plate, she showcased her next handful pridefully.

Ralaire felt queasy as Pepi and Loretta jerked backward - their hearts plunging to their feet. What in the hell is that? The deformations evolved or devolved into pixelated sludge that not a normal human being could discern - let alone a pet slime. What magic spell had Claire casted while Ralaire was gone!? How was it visually censored? What colour was it? How did we get here!?

Claire's smile faded. "Oh. Does it not… look appetising?"

"Eh? O-oh, that's not true at all!" Pepi lied.

"I-in fact, it looks delicious! Why, I cannot wait to try it!" Quivering, Loretta hovered her hand over the plate.

The abomination MOVED.

IT MOVED!

No, seriously, IT FUCKING MOVED!

It almost resembled intestines wiggling around as if it were a serpent or bundled up maggots devouring their meal.

Pepi and Loretta gulped as they looked at one another. There was no turning back now! Jittery, the both of them battled against their fears, picked up the constantly squiggling mutation and gawked at whatever they were holding.

"You don't have to eat it if you don't want to," Claire dejectedly reminded them.

"Do not worry, Miss Claire, we are more than honoured to sample your creations!" Loretta reassured her friend. "Right, Ralaire?"

Putting Ralaire on the pedestal now!?

"Well, th-thank you for the treat!" Pepi rallied as she and Loretta brought the things up to their quavering lips.

And they took a bite.

"Miss Claire!"

Visions of that gremlin commoner were inflicted upon them.

"I love you, Miss Claire!"

Rae Taylor…

"Please step on me, Miss Claire!"

While that wave of Rae's confessions and masochistic tendencies were abrupt, it was the worst few seconds of Pepi and Loretta's lives.

"So, how is it?" asked Claire expectantly.

Yelping, they came to.

"A-ah - well, I can see you've put your heart into it." Pepi shuddered.

"I feel like I saw something I wasn't supposed to." Loretta covered her mouth, on the verge of vomiting. "Apologies, Miss Claire, but as much as I'd love to stay and try more, I ought to have business elsewhere."

Tagging along her sick friend, Pepi favourably gave Claire a thumbs up. "W-we're wishing you the best! Keep it up, Miss Claire!"

"What's their problem?" Claire raised a brow and looked down at the unconscious Ralaire on the ground. She then made the decision to try her invention herself.

It was delicious!

…To Claire anyway.

"One more time!" she spun on her heel.

The day arrived. Today was the day. This was the day that settled the boiling pot once and for all. No more gaming with the guys. No, they're the least of Rae's concerns right now. The winner weighed on Rae's mind: she had no idea Misha swung that way, and Claire was always her true love, no? Surely! To Rae's mishap, she would automatically have no say in the matter. One could never object what the Scales of Love's verdict was.

"Hey, girls!" Lurking behind the still traumatised duo, Rae wrapped her vigorously shaking arms around them. "How are ya doin'?"

"Commoner, let go of me this instant!" Pepi shot back, pushing Rae away.

"Do not get friendly with us now!" Loretta spluttered, shoving her palm against Rae's face.

"Sorry~ Just wanted to know how Miss Claire was doing! I wasn't allowed to pay her a visit - prince's orders." Rae backed away at a more pleasant distance.

"A-ah, so now you finally acknowledge Miss Claire!" Pepi stuck her nose up in the air egotistically, struggling to even look at Rae seriously.

"I always have!" Rae retorted.

"How dare you talk-back!"

"In any case," Loretta huffed, "Miss Claire has been working her hardest for your sake, so you better be grateful!"

"Unless you've given up on her for that lecherous Misha." Pepi frowned.

"Wh-what? Of course not! I've not once lost faith in Miss Claire!" Rae double downed.

"You better stay true to your word - or else!"

"You bet!" Rae saluted and stuck her tongue out.

"Are you mocking us?"

"Ah, Rae, there you are!" Manaria protruded from the crowd. "And hello to you too, Pepi and Loretta."

"Salutations, Princess Manaria." The nobles bowed in unison and intensely beamed at each other - they almost forgot about the rumours flying around about Manaria.

"Oh, it's just you." Disappointed, Rae sighed.

Loretta snapped, "C-commoner have some respect for royalty!"

"Is Misha back?"

"Don't ignore me!"

"My, has your heart already swooned for her? How shameless." Manaria chuckled.

"I'm not laughing." Rae grimly frowned.

"You're so cute even when you're angry and full of disgust - I envy Claire and Misha wholeheartedly." Manaria reached for Rae's chin, but Rae scooted away behind the duet.

"You know, Loretta, I can't tell who the womaniser is here," Pepi whispered into her friend's ear.

"Me neither," Loretta muttered back.

"Anyways, you're up now, Rae Taylor," Manaria eagerly announced.

The podium for the Scales was open and ready for the next set of challengers who'd squabble over the one they loved. Rae was next in line to have her partner chosen for her. The poem that inspired this was preposterous to her and she didn't believe in any of it all; why bother going through all of this trouble when the woman could have just chosen the one she loved most rather than leading two men on and having them at each other's throats? However, Claire adored this poem and this concept. It meant everything to her. Recalling the sneak peek into Claire's endeavours, Rae filled her heartfelt jar - it was rude to invalidate such efforts that a noble like Claire François herself willingly went through. Her nobility was at risk but she'd ignored all odds and ignored the humiliation of resorting to what one of the lower class should do in this society.

Now, the Scales were balanced in front of Rae's very eyes. On cue, her best friend walked up on the stand too.

"Misha, you're OK…!"

Misha proclaimed, "This is my offering."

It was Claire's instant loss.

The Flower of Flora.

It glistened under the sunlight ever so beautifully, the Scales falling at its lowest. The princes, Pepi, Loretta and the general audience flinched and rambled their surprises. Manaria was her partner in crime - no wonder.

"Miss Claire couldn't make it, it seems." Misha's tattered hairclip continued to sparkle despite the circumstances.

So this was how it was going to end.

"It appears I've won this one." Interlocking her fingers with Rae's, Misha cradled her arm around her to hold her by the waist.

"Misha…" Rae's heart pounded on its own volition.

Leaning in, Misha sombrely whispered into Rae's ear, "I'm so sorry for everything."

"Huh?"

Pulling back, Misha weakly smiled. "I've won your heart, haven't I?" She cupped her chilling palm around Rae's cheek.

Rae slid her hands up to Misha's chest, contemplating, as their bodies and faces inched closer together. All this time, Rae pursued Claire. Claire was the love of her life. Claire was her sole reason for living as Rei's moronic life. Without Claire, what was the point of Rae being around anymore? Even if Claire did make it last minute, there was nothing that could beat the Flower of Flora. Manaria had played every single one of them like they were nothing.

But Rae didn't know that.

Nothing was going to change between them, right? They were childhood friends! They bathed together, they slept together, they stuck around for each other, they did everything together. They know one another for who they are. Also, doesn't Misha have a heart for Yu? Unless Rei's interference with how the canon events in the Revolution video game altered Misha's brain chemistry with her… Was the original Rae Taylor not as endearing as Oohashi Rei in this body?

If Rae was going to live the rest of her life sharing an amorous ring with Misha, then maybe things wouldn't be that bad. Rae knew how trustworthy she is, so there was nothing to fear.

…Right?

"Hold it right there!"

Both Rae and Misha peeled open their eyes, discovering the source of that breathless demand.

"M-Miss Claire!?" Rae's lips were agape.

Simpering in relief, Misha stated, "You're rather late."

Shrugging off those words, Claire - with accompanying eyebags - rushed up to them. "Get your tarnished hands off my Rae!" The frizzy blonde shoved her rival away.

"I wonder, what could you possibly offer against the Flower of Flora?"

Already having expected that Manaria would play a dirty trump card that not only benefitted her but also upped the stakes, Claire simply smirked with beaming conviction.

Proudly, Claire slid open the box where she contained her lovely… treats. "These!"

Silence.

"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT!?" every single person present hollered, the audience fainting at the abomination's appearance.

"Homemade chocolate, obviously!" declared Claire.

"What do you mean 'obviously'!?" Rae sobbed.

"Don't you start! I went through a lot of trouble to make these!" Claire growled as she placed the small container on her side of the scale. "Honestly, you…"

"Hey, is it just me or has it gotten worse since the last time we saw it?" Pepi uttered.

As one would expect, no dice. Claire gritted her teeth; there was only so much she could accept and move on from but this was one of the situations she couldn't fall on deaf ears to. In spite of Claire's secret ingredient being utilised to the best of its ability, even that wasn't enough. She had lost this one… No, that can't be right. Rae kept a secret: she, too, had an ingredient she wanted to give Claire since the very beginning. No, there's an unwritten correction - their close confidants had accumulated the similar sentiment between Misha and Claire. Too dependent, Rae, too dependent. No longer did she want to rely on others' thoughts and feelings. What did you want personally, Rae? That was a silly question. She wanted to destine her wishes into Claire's efforts. Indeed, she wanted to believe in Claire. Rae had faith in her beloved villainess.

Raising accordingly as if fine-tuning an instrument, the Flower of Flora lost its throne.

"Wh-what!?" Manaria was bewildered. "Impossible!" She gawked at Misha. Did she swap it out with an imitation?

"The Flower of Flora… lost?" Misha couldn't believe her eyes.

"Do you see now?" Claire scoffed. "Rae belongs to me, so don't take what's mine away from me!"

Must've been the wind.

Bubbling, Rae shrilled, pouncing on Claire with a clingy hug. "You really love me that much!?"

"Wh-wha…!?" Claire lost her composure at last. "D-don't get ahead of yourself!"

"But you said I'm yours!"

"N-no, I didn't! Get off of me! We're in public!"

"But you so did!" Rae faced the tiny handful of living people in the crowd. "Didn't she?"

The princes, Pepi, Loretta and Ralaire nodded.

"You're not supposed to agree with her!" Claire roared.

"Does this mean we'll be together forever now!?"

"Eh!?"

Relaxed from her tense muscles, Misha dourly sighed. She'd reached her goal and made ends meet. She'd known that Claire's ending puzzle piece was Rae Taylor herself. Now, she had the bigger picture and she could now sit back with the audience to allow blossoming feelings to unfold before the noble and commoner. Truthfully, Misha enjoyed her time as a villainous wingwoman - it evenly seared her chest just as much to not have Rae's touch.

As long as Rae was happy, that was all that mattered to Misha.

"Looks like a happy ending!" Yu clapped his hands.

"But what are we watching exactly?" Rod blinked.

"You must've put a lot of love into these chocolates to have beat the Flower of whatever, though!" Rae swivelled toward the Scale and as she did so, Pepi and Loretta hid their mouths, averting their gaze while Ralaire tried to bounce up to her back to normal master as a warning but couldn't make it in time. "Thank you for the lovely treat, my sweet Miss Claire!"

"W-watch what you say!"

Elevated, Rae hoovered one up and chewed on it.

"Oh wow, Miss Claire!" Star-struck, Rae twisted her torso to the amateur confectioner. "It's so," she slurred, "yum… my…" She plunged to the ground.

"Rae!?" Falling to her knees, Claire cradled her Rae in her arms and tried to shake her awake. "Rae, are you OK!?"

"Oh, c'mon, they can't possible be that bad, can they?" Sceptical, Manaria joined the drama queens on stage and peacefully took a bite into Claire's monstrosity.

"Miss Claire~" Rae moaned.

Ah.

"Please touch me there."

These hallucinations were far too explicit.

"Miss Claire, I'm gonna…!"

Manaria cleared her throat. "That was hot."

"Just what did Miss Claire put in those chocolates?" Misha sweat-dropped.

"A lot of love, we'll put it that way," Manaria vaguely clarified.

"Is anyone going to help me!?" Claire screeched.

"I'm here!"

"Never mind, I can handle Rae myself, thank you very much!" Finicky, Claire awkwardly picked Rae up, giving her an unsteady piggyback.

Regardless of Claire's detestation against Manaria, the princess merrily skipped alongside her in case Claire's arms gave out halfway through their trip to the point where Rae would've just been dragged across the floor like a corpse. Staying behind, Misha eyeballed the atrocity, caught Pepi and Loretta in the corner of her eye basically begging her not to touch it as they violently shook their heads and swiped their hands across their necks as a gesture to discourage it. Their head-shaking easily made them dizzy as it upped in speed with the closer Misha's curious hand was to the box of organs.

Then, she took a bite.

"M-Misha, your nose! It's bleeding! Do you need more healing!?" Yu sprung to her side.

Laying on the infirmary bed in peace, Rae fluttered her eyes open, processing the information that she could once her vision unblurred. Claire had fallen fast asleep whilst kneeling next to Rae on the cold floor, their fingers intertwined as Claire rested her head on the bed. Regaining the fully healed spark in her eyes, Rae warmly smiled, gliding her freehand over Claire's head and giving her adoring strokes.

"You didn't sleep for the past couple days, did you?" Rae worriedly let out in a low voice, twirling Claire's luscious locks around her finger. It was so silky and smooth yet so dishevelled. "I'll have to make sure to take care of you better from here on out."

Out of nowhere, Claire hopped upward. "I'm awake!"

"Sorry." Rae giggled in awe. "Did I wake you?"

"N-no, not at all." Claire found herself lost in the joyous Rae she missed with all of her heart - not that she'd admit that.

"Say," Rae broke the silence, "it's been a while since we've been alone like this, huh."

"Yes, indeed it has been."

They squeezed each other's hands gently.

"I missed you so much, Miss Claire," Rae softly said. Blushing, Claire held her Rae's hand up to her cheek: Rae was so pleasantly warm. "I really did miss you. I kept telling Misha that I wanted to do my duties and see you but she wouldn't let me go. Miss Claire, I'm really sorry I left you alone."

"I'm not mad." Claire shook her head. "Why are you blaming yourself?"

"Because…" Rae drifted off, unable to really form what she felt into words.

Rae figured she'd made a lethal - no, a fatal mistake by taking her anger out on Claire when she did, let alone abandon her duties under Misha's orchestrated and out of character pressure. With Manaria in the picture, Rae felt as if her presence was no longer a basic necessity to Claire anymore.

Ears tingling, Claire brought Rae's hand to her lips. Since when was she this affectionate? Giggling, Rae focused her bedazzled gaze on Claire's adorableness.

"Wh-what's so funny?" Claire's cheeks heated up.

"You were jealous of Misha, weren't you?" Rae teased, only just taking into account that her hairclip has mysteriously disappeared and it was not done by her own hand.

Claire hesitated. "S-so what if I was?"

"You didn't deny it~"

"Sh-shut it."

"You're so cute."

"You're so," Claire's tone weakened, "unfair."

"Miss Claire…?"

Claire paused briefly. "Why did you let her touch you the way she did? Why did you let her call you those… those wretched names? Why have you been so eerily quiet?"

"Miss Claire…"

"Rae, please, tell me honestly: do you not find me attractive anymore?"

"Miss Claire," Rae lovingly squeezed Claire's hand tighter, "I love you with all my heart."

"Do you really mean that?"

"Wholeheartedly. Like I said, with all my heart."

"No charades?"

"No charades. I am forever in your debt."

Claire softly snickered at that. "You're unbelievable."

"And you're adorable."

"H-honestly, you…" Claire averted her gaze, her entire face on fire at this point.

Rae laughed, only this time it was sombre. "Miss Claire, please be honest with me. Do you love me the same?"

"Huh!?" Claire beamed at Rae, considering it a jest, but the internal conflict was written all over her Rae's face and that hurt Claire's heart. "O-of course I do! Stupid Rae!"

"Do you really?" pleaded Rae as if she were an unloved puppy who was learning how to be unconditionally loved again.

"Are you downplaying my feelings? Have you lost your faith in me?"

"It's not that. It's just… I've just been annoying you all this time. I can't take anything seriously without cracking a joke. I'm just a selfish person so… I just don't get how anyone could fall for a nobody like me."

"It frustrates me to hear you put yourself down like this." Claire clenched her amulet that still remained dear to her, heartbroken to hear her Rae talk down on herself.

"But it's true, isn't it?"

"Idiot, even after all the trouble I went to win for you."

"…I'm sorry."

Sinking her head back into the pillow, Rae spaced out into the plain ceiling. Once again, she seemed so… lonely and broken. So unlike the Rae that Claire warmed up to overtime. Did Rae really not believe her? How much self-loathing did it take for Rae to accept that her handmade fate was predetermined to living an isolated life? Dammit, Rae! Claire loves you, dammit! Rae opened Claire's closet with the key she'd taken oh so long to obtain and now she doesn't even want to go in it with her.

There was a stark difference between the two: Claire couldn't handle it when people left her, whereas Rae expects everyone to leave her if she'd gotten too close yet felt so distant to them.

Reinforcing their bond, Claire felt as if she'd met the inner Rae that she could comprehend and love. That's right, Claire loved Rae, no matter the flaws; Claire was aware of her own after all. She couldn't handle the concept of her darling Rae feeling unloved and lonely even when there were people who loved her so.

"Rae, look at me," ordered Claire, gingerly.

Without even thinking about it, Rae obeyed and was given the greatest treat of her livelihood, winning over the food poisoning by a mile. Momentarily thereafter, Claire pulled away.

"Th-there, do you believe me now?" Her face steamed up as she looked everywhere but at Rae except for a couple of nervewracking glimpses. Unresponsive, Rae was left in a daze, which when registered in Claire's mind, evoked a smirk out of her. "Cat's got your tongue?"

Euphoria. For the both of them. Claire heavily enjoyed the fact that she was the person who could put such a usually energetic and incalculable girl into a state like this, and she'd be lying if she said she wasn't craving for another one right about now.

Claire cupped her rosy palms around Rae's cheeks. "I'll make you believe me." She pushed her lips up against Rae's once more, lingering for longer.

Eventually, Rae came to her senses and easily melted into Claire's embrace. Their breathing had resonated in sync, brushing past their skin. Claire lifted a leg up on the bed and after another hot moment, the other leg climbed over her Rae. Slumping her whole body weight on top of her, Claire carefully bit her Rae's lip. Obliged, Rae allowed Claire to have her way, and so did their tongues clumsily meet, exploring one another's hot and bothered mouths as well as getting tangled up. Muffled moans escaped Rae's lewd lips as Claire caressed Rae's hair.

Gradually, they lost their breath. Claire pulled away, a trail of saliva escaping between them as she did, drooling down on to the sheets. The air was filled with arousal and they were already caked in crimson from their first ever French kiss. To Claire, seeing Rae's chest raise and lower so deeply, and to be the reason in causing Rae's insanely erotic face was overly gratifying. Claire pecked Rae's forehead, one cheek, the other cheek, the tip of her nose and her jaw. Rae ran her fingers through Claire's knotted hair, untangling it ever so slightly.

"I can't believe this is happening," Rae whispered to herself.

Claire frowned. "The nerve you have!"

"Huh?"

Angrily, Claire dug her furious fingernails into Rae's nape and harshly bit into her sensitive neck, sinking her teeth in more at a constant pace like a vampire would. Yelping, Rae trembled, a small handful of whines hissing through her teeth. Face painted scarlet, Rae had been physically stunned but melted into Claire's mouth. In return, Rae shakily cuddled Claire's neck and petted her head.

They remained like that for a solid minute, Claire then transitioning to sucking on Rae's skin as the clock ticked. As nobility, it was natural to have been taught self-restraint on the topic of lust, but with Rae, it was impossible for Claire to control herself - especially when Misha had her whimsy with her Rae. Claire genuinely did not realise how much she craved for Rae in every way possible. Frankly, they weren't ready to dim the lights just yet but this was one step further to that.

"Miss Claire," whispered Rae, evoking a tingle in Claire's ears. Her claws scratched down into Rae's back, leaving evidence out in the open. Ultimately, Claire pulled away with a pop, regaining her breath. She ogled at the mark she produced on her territory and fixed her views on the very much horny Rae, who was moaning for air.

Snapping back to her senses, Claire jerked up.

"R-Rae…? What was I doing to you!?" Claire looked down and spotted Rae's hands gliding to just under her breasts, flaring her face up. "Where are you touching!?"

"Miss Claire marked me~" Rae swooned into her ecstacy. "I can die happy~"

"Hey!" Claire pinched both of Rae's cheeks and stretched them outward. "I don't like that face you're making! Cease your perverted thoughts this instant!"

"Excuse me, Miss Claire, if you don't mind, I'd like to talk to you about…" Misha stopped in her tracks. "Oh." She blinked at Claire pinning Rae down on the bed and spotted the mark that was left on Rae - something that Misha had considered to do to Rae as her mistress but decided it was best not to go that far. Besides, Claire would've had all the more of a reason to commit murder. "Never mind, we can talk about it later."

"W-wait!" Claire tumbled off the bed.

Misha had taken her punctual leave.

"Oh, you're not wearing the hairclip anymore?" Yu curiously tilted his head.

"There was no need for it anymore; Miss Claire got her Rae back," Misha clarified.

"Ah, I see, that's a shame. It looked beautiful on you."

"M-much appreciated." A faint blush dusted on Misha's cheeks.

Deep down, Misha was going to miss her craft but all enjoyable activities end at some point down the line - life moves on after all.

"Misha."

"Yes?"

Oh fuck.

Misha froze into statue.

"I believe we had something to address, didn't we, my friend?" Claire grappled Misha's shoulders as she grinded her teeth and forced a death-stare into her eyes.

"You know, I'd love to hear you out too." Yu sparkled curiously. "What exactly have you been doing with Rae up until the Scales of Love?"

You're on your own, Misha.

Manaria, you damned traitor!