The next day at school, we were all sitting in the library. I was tapping my finger while staring at Millie. She read her book completely oblivious.
I was surprised to see her acting so normal. I thought she would at least be embarrassed to face me, but she wasn't. It was a bit strange.
I picked up my pen and chucked it out the window.
I put my hands on my face and pretended to be upset, "AHHH! MILLIE! MY PEN!"
She looked up, "What happened?"
"My pen just flew out the window on it's own! What will I do? That was my favorite pen."
Dante raised an eyebrow at this, but didn't say a word.
She put her book down and smiled, "I will go get it for you."
I wiped away a pretend tear, "You're such an angel!"
She giggled and ran towards the door, "I will be right back."
I shouted and waved after her, "Come back soon or else I will die from loneliness!"
Her voice sang from the hallway, "No you won't~"
I watched and made sure she was gone before turning to the two boys. I grabbed them by their shirts and pulled them close to me.
I spoke in a hushed tone, "Okay. Emergency meeting."
William frowned at me, "Haah? Did you really make Millie go grab your pen so you could have an emergency meeting?"
"No. It really did fly out of my hand on it's own."
"Liar."
"Shut up William. Anyways, that's not important. I need a favor."
He frowned, "What is this about?"
"You need to start inviting Millie over after school."
William was surprised by this, "Why? The only reason you can even come over is because you train with Dante and my mother is obsessed with you."
I turned my head upwards smugly, "Fufu. She's obsessed, is she?"
William frowned, "Don't get too happy. Don't you realize how hard it is to visit royalty? Very few people even have the social status to do such a thing. There's no way Millie can just come over like that."
I frowned, "I was worried you would say that. Which is why I came prepared."
I released them and turned over my palm. In my hand was a tiny caterpillar. William shrieked and jumped out of his chair, falling backwards.
He crawled away with a look of horror, "WHY DO YOU HAVE THAT?!"
I chuckled and put it on the table, "Relax. It's fake." He looked at me suspiciously. I smiled maliciously and leaned forward, "But if you don't do what I ask, I am going to make sure your life is filled with bugs crawling all over you."
William shrunk back in fear again. I kept leaning forward, "They're going to be in your food. Your bed. Your books. Your class. Even your bath."
He looked as if he would faint, "Y-you fiend! You're lying!!"
I smiled, "Would you like to find out if I am or not?"
He fixed his shirt anxiously, "N-no. I believe you."
"Good. So you'll invite her over?"
He sighed and returned to his seat, "Yes. I will figure something out."
I clapped my hands, "Yaaay!"
He looked at the fake caterpillar with a scowl, "Just take that away, will you?"
I grabbed it and held it out, "What? This?"
I giggled as I teased him with it. Even though he knew it was fake, it still freaked him out.
Dante looked over at me and spoke in a cold voice, "Why do you want her to come?"
I looked at him and smiled, "Why not?"
"..."
He continued to stare at me giving me a slight chill. I raised an eyebrow, "Are you perhaps... Jealous?"
His eyes looked fiercer as he glared at me. I held myself as his glare sent shivers down my spine.
I threw up my hands, "Alright, alright. Calm down. I want her to come because I'm worried."
William raised an eyebrow, "What are you worried about?"
I tapped my chin and thought for a moment. "I guess I'm worried about her growth."
Dante raised an eyebrow, "Her growth?"
I nodded, "Yes. She seems a bit..." I tried to think of the right word, "Vulnerable. I'm worried that if she doesn't have more interactions with people then her future may not be as bright."
Bloody even.
William looked at me suspiciously, "I don't think she's the one we need to worry about."
I sighed, "Alas, I thought the same. But I fear we were both wrong."
I noticed Millie walking back in smiling. I made a face at the two boys to make sure they kept our conversation a secret. When she sat back down next to me, I threw my arms around her.
"Ahh! Millie, you're an angel! Thank you for getting my favorite pen! Mwah!"
I planted a big kiss on her cheek. She smiled happily, "I'm happy that it wasn't lost."
"I am too, but more importantly why'd you take so long?! I almost died from loneliness, you know!"
She giggled, "No you didn't."
As I fawned over Millie, I felt a cold chill creep across my back. I looked over in the direction of where the chill was coming from, and noticed the boys were both staring at us. William looked clearly unhappy and crossed his arms in irritation. Dante was giving us such an intense death stare it made me reflexively let go of Millie.
I chuckled dryly, "Ahaha... Why are you both looking at us like that?"
William looked away too embarrassed to admit anything. Dante just kept on staring without saying a word.
I forced a smile at him, "Dante, if you stare that intensely at me, I will blush."
He responded without a touch of emotion, "Hmm."
Is he really that upset?
I glanced over at Millie but she was smiling happily with that fluffy expression of hers. She was completely unfazed by the boy's overwhelmingly jealous stares.
I looked back at Dante and noticed his wrist was bandaged. I unconsciously reached out to it and held it. "Ahh. I didn't know I bit you this bad. I hope it doesn't scar."
He pulled his wrist away quickly and looked away. He rubbed his wrist tenderly and muttered, "Trophy."
I raised an eyebrow, "What was that? I couldn't hear you."
The tips of his ears turned red in response. He refused to tell me what he had said so eventually I gave up on asking. I shrugged. He must be too embarrassed to have a scar from such a weak girl.
Now with the two boys avoiding me completely, I turned my attention back to Millie.
She's just so adorable!
___
After school we left to go over to William's house. When we arrived, we went to see Queen Luna.
She smiled and hugged me tightly, "Ahh! Seri! You're getting so big. I bet you could use more clothes."
I chuckled dryly, "No, no. The hundreds of dresses you sent last week still fit me."
She shook her head, "No. I'm sure you need more."
At least I don't have to worry about wearing rags as long as she's around.
William looked at her, "Mother?"
She turned to him and smiled, "Yes dear? What is it?"
He mulled for a second then recalled the threat he received by me earlier. He spoke with conviction. "I was wondering if Miss Millie could also start coming over after school."
She thought for a moment, "Millie? Who is that?"
I smiled at her, "She's my best friend!"
She pouted, "Best friend? No. I think William is your best friend."
My face twitched.
Why does she ship us this much?!
William sighed, "She's the Daughter of Vongare."
She thought for a moment, "Oh, I recognize that name. That's the family who REALLY loves nature, right?"
I nodded. Yes, the hippies.
She continued, "Didn't they just protest the new building in Chester square? No. I don't think Millie would be able to visit..."
I glanced at William and flashed him a warning glare. He swallowed hard and turned to his mother. "If you let her come over from now on, then Seri will spend her entire day off with you."
My mouth dropped.
Traitor!!!
Queen Luna smiled and brought her hands together, "Oh! I've been dying to spend all day with my future daughter!"
Wait. Future daughter?
She continued, "Oh! I'm going to plan the entire day out now! We can have breakfast in the morning, then go for a nice walk outside, then head into town to watch a show, then we can have a tea party! Oh, it's going to be so fantastic!"
NOOOO! MY DAY OFF!
William smiled, "So Miss Millie can come?"
She nodded quickly, "Yes. I will send a letter over right away. Teehee! It's going to be so nice!"
I wanted to cry.
It's not going to be nice for me!!! I wanted to sleep!
Queen Luna skipped away happily while still fantasizing about the day ahead of her.
I looked at William and growled, "You traitor."
He smiled smugly, "You said I just need to get her to come over. You didn't say how."
I threw my fist at him, "Come here you little bastard!"
He turned away and I started running after him still trying to hit him. Dante watched quietly for a moment before sitting down. He looked at his bandaged wrist and smiled tenderly.
____
I walked the hallways at home and yawned. I really wanted a snack before I fell asleep. I hope the cook still has some. If not, maybe I will just have to figure out how to cook some myself.
I walked by the room and heard my parents talking to an unknown man. I stopped in my tracks and walked back. I held my ear to the door, but couldn't make out what they were saying.
I looked through the key hole and saw my parents talking to someone with a serious expression. However, I couldn't see who they were talking to.
Perhaps Duke Bayne came back?
But wouldn't they be freaking out if he was coming? Oh, but I guess that was because he was a Duke before and he's not now.
But still, who is it? The voice sounds unfamiliar. It's extremely deep making it hard to understand.
I tried to look under the door, but it was only big enough to see their shoes. I snapped my fingers at a sudden idea. I rushed to my room and took a small mirror. I went back and slipped it under.
Reflected in the mirror was a tall and skinny man. Although he looked a bit different, I knew who it was immediately.
I jumped up in excitement and flung open the doors, "No way! You actually came!"
I took a step forward and heard something smash under my feet. I looked down to see the broken mirror.
Oops.