Leo sighed to himself as he turned and walked out of the study, relieved he didn't have to see his fiance, yet, that relief was short lived once he opened the door to come face to face with none other than. . .
Celi Ryu. . .
Celi was far taller than Leo, and his polished figure demanded respect. His long hair was jet black with half tied back, and his sharp eyes were a dark shade of sapphire blue. He wore a neat black and silver suit that brought out his pale skin.
"Gale, please tell me you had a valid reason for being in my study without me." Celi said, backing Leo into his study with a stern look. Leo gulped as he gripped the straps of his satchel and tried to explain, "I-I'm sorry Celi, the Crow Keep got yours and Cova's mail mixed up so I-I-."
As Leo stuttered, Celi slammed the door to his study shut, and backed Leo into the desk. Cornering Leo against the desk, Celi reached towards Leo, causing him to flinch and look away, trembling. "Move aside" Celi's cold voice echoed off the stone walls as he waved Leo away before sitting down and groaning, seeing the Human Kingdom's seal stamped on the letter.
While Celi read quietly to himself, Leo stood awkwardly behind him, glancing around the room. He distinctly observed a dull blue and gold crook and flail. They were covered in dust and faded, but still looked stunning. Leo could only imagine how lovely the two would look once polished and out of the dim study.
With an exaggerated sigh, Celi put down the letter and turned to Leo with a tired gaze. "Why are you still here? Leave me, I have work to do." Leo paused, pondering before asking shyly, "can I ask about these?" As he pointed to the crook and flail, Celi grumbled, pinching the bridge of his nose, "they're an artifact left over from the dark ages."
Leo's eyes glowed with curiosity, stepping closer to the shining artifacts. Celi tapped his desk, narrowing his eyes. ". . . You can touch, but don't pick them up." He said, inviting the young witch. Heart beating, Leo reached out to touch the glistening crook, not noticing the stunning glow surrounding it.
As Leo's hand grazed the delicate handle, he flinched, moving his hand away. "I couldn't, it's an artifact after all." He said, moving away from the two. Celi continued to stare at Leo, glaring as he stood and beckoned his fiance forward. Nervously, Leo crossed his arms and walked to Celi, knowing he had done something wrong.
The emaciated Celi grabbed Leo's arm harshly, pulling him forward as he grasped Leo's face as he stared intently into his bright pink iris. As if searching for something, Celi studied the witch's eye. He then reached for Leo's hair, which covered his left eye. Before he could touch him however, Leo pushed him away with a huff, feeling uncomfortable.
". . . Come to my room tonight. A servant will bring you decent clothes. Now leave me. I have work to complete." Celi ordered as he turned his attention back to his desk, grumbling to himself. Leo looked in confusion, trembling as he held his hand over his covered eye, he opened his mouth to say something, but quickly stopped himself and walked out of the study.
Once Leo left the study, he heaved a sigh, running his hand through his still tied up hair.
'And this is why I hate Mondays. . .'
As Leo wandered back to Cova's study, his vision blurred, and he stumbled into a wall. The evening temperature chilled the rose quartz walls, easing Leo as he rested against the wall and looked out the open windows.
Leo coughed weakly into a handkerchief he didn't realize he was holding. As his vision faded, he looked down at the cloth and saw light spots of blood. "Need. . . To get to- *cough* C-Cova. . ."
As his conscience left him, the witch breathed heavily, trying to move forward, but only falling into pale muscular arms. Leo looked up slowly, gazing into violet eyes, before smiling gently.
". . . Ymwt mutt."
3 scenes flooded the young witch's mind as he heard whispers in both English and Arabic. It sounded like prayers.
. . ."Njmẗ" . . .
2 women sitting at a desk with papers scattered across it. One of the women turned behind her, her red eyes reflecting the witch's pink eyes.
. . . "Almwt" . . .
A sigil of death hand- carved into a stone amulet, one the witch has seen time and time again, crumbled as sudden black crystals spread across it.
. . ."I know you're watching". . .
A witch being chased by an unknown source, gasping as her silent screams filled the air and she turned to dust.
. . ."Leo". . .
"Leo? Leo sweetie can you hear me?"Leo groaned as he slowly opened his aching eyes, looking to the side to see who called him. It was a short woman with tan tattooed skin, discolored green and blue eyes, and evenly split short black and white hair.
"N-Nalini? Am I in the study?" Leo asked, recognizing the woman as Cova's wife, who smiled when she heard the witch speak, "thank the deities, it wasn't too bad this time, and yes we're in Cova's study." Nalini turned away from Leo, getting a cup of chamomile tea and handing it to Leo.
As she did so, Leo sat up and looked around, surprised that Cova had yet to lecture him. "Where's Cova? He didn't get mad again did he?" Leo asked, taking a sip of tea. "Oh he's mad, in fact you may want to find some earplugs for when you see him again, but don't worry dear, he didn't leave because of you."
Leo sighed in relief, confused. "Then where did he go?" Nalini laughed, picking up another cup of tea and taking a small sip. "The king had urgent matters to discuss with him, apparently that's why he found you in the hallway."
As he drank his tea, which soothed his throat, he choked and coughed up the warm drink at the mention of the king. "L-LEO!? ARE YOU OK!?" Nalini yelled in concern, lightly patting Leo's back.
"I-I'm fine, i-it's just that- um. . . The king found me?" "Yes?"
". . ."
". . ."
"I'm just going to die in shame now." "Leo. . . No, just no. . ."