Re: The Villainess Does It With Class

"Why do you look so serious?"

I heaved a deep breath and looked at them one by one, bracing myself for their reactions.

"Kuro is a spiritual being. A spirit beast, to be exact."

"Ah?"

"The fox? A spirit beast? Those things from legends?" Eon repeated dumbly.

"I knew there was something about him. I mean, how can a fox grow so big?" Gwen also parroted.

"Nnn!" Bea seconded.

"But isn't he sized normally though?" Conrad scratched his head in confusion.

"Fox? What fox?" Luther then threw this question, even more confused than Conrad. "Ah! That one from the hunt! It's a spirit beast?"

"You're wrong. Kuro could grow even bigger, Nadia even rode on him before," Gwen gainsaid.

Beatriz thoughtfully concurred, "I remember that. I thought it wasn't normal too but you weren't saying anything so I didn't ask."

"A spirit beast… I touched a spirit beast…" Eon started shivering and it almost scared us.

"It's okay, I understand..." Conrad patted his shoulder, resonating with his bud.

"But damn… A spirit beast? What else? What else do you have to say?" Luther has begun to lose it again.

I can't believe they would react this hard… They are not even trying to doubt me one bit… So trusting...

"Priests… Lord Janus… Getting invited into the tower… Spirit beast… I won't even be surprised if you revealed you could miraculously use magic too," Noah counted, summarizing what I told them earlier.

"Hey! That's too abnormal!" Luther remarked.

"Nads is already one!" Eon declared.

"Yeah, but that's too impossible! That's like reaching the most impossible thing." Luther clearly doesn't want to believe it, or he's probably in denial. Seems like there is a semblance of reason left in his brain.

"Why not? It's Nadia," Conrad jokingly mentioned.

Hearing their banter just made me nervous, especially when they were arguing about whether I could use magic. I can. But when a stipulation came out and they started talking about it, my anxiety was astronomical.

"You guys…" I then nervously laughed, sweating coldly.

I didn't catch Gwen's gaze that she shot at me because I was busy moisturizing my drying throat and keeping my expression neutral. 

It's a great thing that I have such a reliable brother I can always count on. He would never let me down!

"Alright, stop fooling around."

Nathan's cold piercing voice echoed, slamming the excitement in the air. His equally piercing eyes also stopped the guys from further comments and sat there obediently. As expected of my brother, very dependable.

"Uh-oh, brother Nathan is pissed," Luther cleared his throat.

"It's Noah's fault," Eon noted, putting all the blame on Noah.

"Why me?" His face was filled with grievance this time.

"Coz it's you," Eon echoed.

"..."

Seeing that my brother's face was getting darker, they finally pursed their lips and stopped entirely. Bea only drank her tea silently, looking very graceful at that while Gwen joined her.

The once lively atmosphere got bleak and it made this little gathering awkward. So for the sake of everyone here, I should do something to alleviate the situation.

"I missed you, guys. I'm so glad to see you all again." 

The smile plastered on my lips was genuine. I really meant what I said. My days have been so chaotic recently and having them all here, laughing with them, being surrounded by their presence, I feel safe. I feel happy.

My friends must have felt my sincerity and smiled in return, bringing warmth.

"Stop getting sick, alright?" Eon was the first to reply, touching his nose shyly.

"Idiot, how would she do that?" Luther reacted, snorting at the side.

"By being healthy, stupid," was Eon's rebuke.

"You're stupid."

"No, you."

Oh… They're starting again…

Apparently, these two are the new comedic duo.

Before, it was him and Conrad, but I guess everything changed when Conrad resigned from the knights, huh.

"Sure. I will try my best," I chuckled, halting their stupid banter. 

"If you fall ill again, you'll be punished," replied Eon.

"Ooh-- Kinky~"

Eon then slapped Luther's head in return.

"Ow!"

Gwen looked at the guys and sighed deeply, her eyes expressing disappointment.

"They're hopeless…"

A smile was pasted on my lips, looked at the two dumb duo, and sipped.

"I agree."

----**

I wanted to ask Ezekiel's advice about controlling one's powers but after realizing he's busy dealing with palace affairs, I chose to go to the tower instead and ask the guidance of Janus. If I want to learn, then I might as well learn from the very best.

I just hope he would be willing to bestow knowledge on this lowly me.

Before I informed my father about it, I had thought I wouldn't get to leave the mansion without dozens of guards escorting me but to my surprise, nothing had changed in their numbers. Only this time, my guards are all elite knights that came straight from my father's army. And there's one other person.

No, two. Count my brother in. Though he's not always around but most of the time, he's by my side. Right now though, he was doing errands.

But knowing that Lukas was out there somewhere guarding me, kind of feels surreal. I wonder where he is? I wouldn't question his ability because first, that's absurd. Secondly, I know Lukas has godly sneaking and hiding skills. So even if I don't see him physically, he's just around. Heck, he could be hiding beneath this luxurious carriage right now. Or he could be beside me and I wouldn't even know. 

The carriage entered the palace after a while and as soon as I got out, a certain figure materialized in front of me. Pretty fast, if I may add. He didn't even catch a breeze when he did so.

See? He is around.

Now I kinda want to know where he was. He must be in the carriage too, either with the coachman or atop the roof, who knows. Anything is possible with this man.

"Your grace," I greeted him smoothly, with a curtsy and all.

Lukas looked down on me, his head tilting to the side. And here I am looking up because he is such a tower.

"You don't look surprised."