"So, back to the Creighton estate, huh?" Cecilia asked, leaning casually against the edge of my desk. Her golden hair shimmered as it caught the light, her crimson gaze sharp yet playful. Seraphina stood beside her, as composed as ever, though there was a faint shadow of disappointment in her ice-blue eyes.
We had agreed to study together today—without Rachel, who was fully engrossed in her pursuit of seven-circle magic. She'd insisted on tackling it alone, determined to match the progress I had already made since she spent more time increasing her rank.
"Yes," I replied, nodding as I glanced between them. Their gazes, crimson and ice-blue, held me in place with the intensity of opposing flames. I silently gulped.
"Arthur, it's not fair," Seraphina said, her voice calm but with a subtle undercurrent of reproach.
"I have to go for spellcasting training," I said, raising my hands defensively.
"But still," Cecilia chimed in, crossing her arms. Her lips curled into a teasing smile, though her tone was edged with genuine curiosity. "The Slatemark Imperial Palace has the Tower of Magic. Isn't that good enough for you?"
"It's not as good as the Creighton estate," I countered, holding my ground. "And I get full access there, which is invaluable."
"Fine," Cecilia said with a mock sigh, flicking her golden hair over her shoulder. "And after that?"
"I'll head to the Tower of Alchemy during the spring break," I said, watching their reactions.
Seraphina's gaze dropped slightly, her stoic expression faltering. "Do you not need Mount Hua anymore?" she asked, her voice quiet, almost hesitant.
"Of course I do, Sera!" I said quickly, stepping closer and placing my hands gently on her shoulders. Her ice-blue eyes flicked up to meet mine, searching. "I just need to focus on spellcasting right now. After mid-years, I'll be joining the war in the East."
"And I won't be there," she said softly, her tone carrying a faint pout that was so rare from her it felt like seeing snow in summer.
"Ha! Who knew the Ice Princess could pout?" Cecilia teased, her laughter light but sharp as she gestured dramatically at Seraphina. "You do realize how much of a treasure this is, don't you, Arthur?"
"Cecilia," Seraphina said, her voice as calm as ever, though her cheeks betrayed her with a faint dusting of pink.
"It's fine," I said, chuckling as I turned to Cecilia. "And you? Are you planning to tease me all the way to the Creighton estate?"
Cecilia grinned, her crimson eyes sparkling. "Of course. What else am I here for? You're no fun when you're too serious."
"Right," I said, rolling my eyes before turning back to Seraphina. "Sera, I'll always need Mount Hua. It's a part of who I am now, just like you are. But right now, my focus has to be on what's ahead. And you'll be with me for the Sovereign's Tournament."
Seraphina nodded slowly, the faintest smile gracing her lips. "I'll hold you to that."
"And so, we should have a private New Year's party at the Creighton Estate," Cecilia declared, tugging at my sleeve with a grin that was equal parts playful and mischievous.
"Private?" I asked, arching an eyebrow.
"Only the four of us," Cecilia replied with an emphatic nod.
"What about the others?" I asked, glancing between them. At once, their expressions darkened like storm clouds gathering on the horizon.
"Right, you missed the last two New Year's," Cecilia said, clicking her tongue in mild annoyance. "Safe to say, they weren't much fun. Lucifer spent the night moping over Rachel, the three of us were miserable because you weren't there, and Ian, Ren, and Jin were… well, Ian, Ren, and Jin. Add that all together, and you've got one very depressing party."
She folded her arms with an air of finality, then added with a pointed smirk, "And anyway, I prefer to wear clothes unless it's just around you."
"Cecilia!" Seraphina exclaimed, her voice sharp as her cheeks flamed crimson. Her stoic demeanor cracked like ice under a spring sun.
"What?" Cecilia shot back, unbothered by the outburst. "Did you think there wouldn't be any of that?"
Seraphina looked as though she might combust on the spot, her crimson blush deepening as she struggled for words. "W-we're still princesses," she managed to stammer at last.
Cecilia raised a single golden eyebrow, her crimson eyes glinting with impish glee. "Oh, please. Don't act all innocent. I know you've been with him twice a week. Same as me. Same as Rachel."
Seraphina opened her mouth to retort, then snapped it shut, her eyes darting to the floor as her composure crumbled entirely. Her hands tightened into fists at her sides, her lips pressing into a thin line.
"I—" Seraphina began, her voice barely above a whisper, before cutting herself off with a frustrated sigh. Her stoic mask had all but vanished now, replaced by the very human expression of someone caught somewhere between embarrassment and exasperation.
I coughed, trying to maintain some semblance of composure despite the direction this conversation had taken. "Uh, maybe we can focus on the party part of the plan?"
Cecilia laughed, a rich, warm sound that lit up the room. "Fine, fine. But it will be private. Just the four of us. Agreed?"
Seraphina hesitated, then gave a reluctant nod. "Agreed."
"Good," Cecilia said brightly, clearly satisfied. "Now we just need to figure out who's bringing the wine."
"My opinion?" I asked, raising an eyebrow as both of them turned their gazes to me.
Before I could say another word, Cecilia stepped forward with an exaggerated flourish, her golden hair shimmering like sunlight. Without warning, she flopped gracefully onto my lap, lounging as though it were the most natural thing in the world. Her crimson eyes glinted with mischief as she looked up at me.
"Arthur," she began, her tone light and teasing. "You have three beautiful princesses—one of whom is clearly superior to the other two—who are all madly in love with you, offering a private New Year's party. Even everything we've already done together, if you said no to this… well, I'd have no choice but to believe you were gay."
I blinked, caught off guard, while Seraphina, ever the picture of calm composure, shifted closer. She settled her head lightly on my shoulder, her ice-blue eyes flicking up to meet mine.
"What she said," Seraphina murmured softly, her words carrying the faintest edge of dry humor.
"Seriously?" I asked, glancing between the two of them. The contrast couldn't have been sharper—Cecilia all radiant confidence, and Seraphina her cool, understated counterpart. Yet somehow, they were entirely in sync in moments like this.
Cecilia leaned back further, a sly grin spreading across her face. "Even though your gaze makes it perfectly clear you're not, I'd still think you were gay. Just out of principle."
I sighed, already feeling the weight of their combined teasing. "Of course you would."
"You are a beast," Seraphina added, her voice low and faintly accusatory and aimed at me, though her expression was far too serene to back it up.
I pinched the bridge of my nose, muttering under my breath as Cecilia laughed, the sound as bright and effervescent as her personality.
"Fine," I said at last, my voice resigned. "You win. We'll have the party."
"Good boy," Cecilia purred, winking up at me before tilting her head to rest it more comfortably against my lap.
Seraphina's lips curved into the faintest smile as she adjusted herself slightly, settling in more securely against my shoulder.
The room fell into a comfortable quiet, their presence a warm contrast to the chaos that so often defined my life. It wasn't exactly the holiday I'd imagined, but then again, nothing about my life was ever conventional.
And honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way.