Chapter 15 — THE PRINCE WHO REFUSED TO LEAVE HER SIDE
1173 Words
The Academy courtyard was unusually calm after the previous day’s chaos. No cosmic accidents. No collapsing towers. No screaming princes. Just morning sunlight… and Celestia Draven walking with her pillow. Astra whispered above her shoulder, “Today… we behave. No drama. No explosions. No romantic tension you don’t understand.” Celestia blinked slowly. “…I never create drama.” Astra stared at her. “You exist,” he said flatly. “That is enough.” Celestia hugged her pillow. “Is existing a crime?” “For YOU? Yes.” She ignored him and drifted toward the gardens where the morning breeze was warm and the benches were empty. Perfect nap conditions. Or so she thought. The moment she crossed the hedges, a familiar cold voice said— “You’re early.” Celestia froze. Because Raven Aldric was already there. Sitting. Waiting. Looking entirely too calm for someone who had spent the last several days preventing her accidental deaths. Raven stood the moment she approached. “You’re here,” he said. “You’re here,” Celestia replied. Raven paused. “…Yes.” Celestia paused. “…Yes.” Astra slapped its tiny face. “This is WITNESSING two introverts trying to communicate.” Raven cleared his throat. “I waited,” he said finally. Celestia blinked. “…Why?” Raven inhaled slowly, his gaze shifting away to the roses. “I told you yesterday,” he said quietly. “I’ll stay near you.” Celestia hugged her pillow tighter. “But I wasn’t going to fall.” Raven gave her a look. “You almost fell yesterday.” “Mmm.” “And the day before that.” “Mmm.” “And the day before THAT—” Celestia exhaled. “I have a gravity problem.” “A gravity problem?” Raven repeated. “Yes. Gravity hates me.” Astra nodded. “Honestly, she’s not wrong.” Raven sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. But there was something soft in his expression too—something almost warm. “Come sit,” he said, motioning to the stone bench beside him. Celestia blinked lazily. “…Why?” “So I can keep an eye on you.” Celestia stared. “…Is that a threat?” “No.” “A warning?” “No.” “…A confession?” Raven practically choked on oxygen. “No.” Astra burst into tiny giggles. “He WANTED to say yes—oh, stars, this is delicious—” Raven glared at the empty air. Astra hid behind Celestia’s pillow. --- ⭐ They Sit Together (And Raven Fails to Stay Calm) Celestia sat beside Raven, setting her pillow in her lap. The bench was warm. The breeze was perfect. The sunlight gentle. Ideal napping conditions. Raven watched her closely. “You’re going to fall asleep again.” “Maybe.” “It’s not safe.” “Mmm.” Raven exhaled slowly. “I’ll keep you awake.” Celestia blinked. “…Please don’t.” Raven blinked back. “You WANT to sleep?” “Yes.” “In public?” “Yes.” “Where anyone can walk by?” “Mmm.” Raven stared at her like he was trying to decode a celestial riddle. “…You are the opposite of normal.” Celestia yawned. “I know.” Raven almost smiled—a faint, rare curl at the corner of his lips that vanished before she noticed. Almost. --- ⭐ A Sudden Visitor (Of Course It’s Leon) Just as Celestia’s eyes began to droop— “CELESTIAAA—!!!” Leon crashed into the garden like a meteor. Raven stiffened visibly. Celestia sighed. Astra muttered, “Of course.” Leon ran to Celestia, skidding to a stop dramatically. “I FOUND YOU! You weren’t at breakfast, and I panicked, and Raven disappeared, so I assumed he kidnapped you, so I brought backup—” Behind him, two guards waved sheepishly. Raven glared. Leon glared back. Celestia blinked at Leon. “…I was sitting.” “In a dangerous emotional state?” Leon gasped. “No.” “Are you heartbroken?” “No.” “Are you hungry?” “No.” “ARE YOU AVOIDING ME—?!” Raven cut in smoothly. “She isn’t avoiding you.” Leon pointed at him. “STOP ANSWERING FOR HER!” Raven looked away, unfazed. Celestia hugged her pillow. “Leon… I am awake. Please reduce your volume.” Leon clutched his chest. “She SPOKE to me gently—!! Is this love? Is this destiny?” Astra groaned, “It’s delusion.” --- ⭐ Raven Loses Patience (Quietly) Leon cleared his throat dramatically. “Celestia! I came to ask you a very important question.” Celestia blinked. “…Mmm?” Leon knelt—actually knelt—on the grass in front of her. Raven’s aura sharpened like a winter storm. “Would you like to join me for lunch today?” Leon asked hopefully. Celestia paused. “I am not hungry.” Leon deflated instantly. Raven looked deeply satisfied. “But…” Celestia continued. Both princes froze. She hugged her pillow and nodded slightly. “I will sit with you. If there is shade.” Leon exploded into sparkles. Raven looked betrayed. Astra whispered, “Oh dear. The ice prince is jealous again.” Raven stood abruptly. “Fine. I’m coming as well.” Leon spluttered. “NO YOU’RE NOT—” Celestia blinked. “…Why?” Raven’s jaw tightened. “Because you attract danger.” Leon protested, “I’m not danger!” Astra and Raven both: “YES YOU ARE.” Leon gasped in offense. Celestia yawned again. “I will nap after lunch.” Raven nodded. “I’ll supervise.” Leon pointed. “ME TOO!” Raven glared. “No.” Leon: “YES.” Astra: “This is exhausting.” --- ⭐ Lunch Plans and a Subtle, Unwanted Realization Celestia rose slowly from the bench. Both princes immediately straightened like two soldiers awaiting orders. She blinked at them. “…Are we going?” “Yes,” Raven said politely. “Yes, my princess!” Leon said dramatically. Raven shut his eyes briefly, as if reconsidering living. Celestia took one slow step. Raven matched her pace. Leon matched Raven. Astra hovered behind, sighing. As they walked toward the dining hall, students gasped, whispered, screamed, fainted—nothing unusual at this point. But one thing was unusual. Celestia glanced up at Raven. He was walking slightly closer than yesterday. And when their hands brushed accidentally— Raven froze. Celestia froze. Astra gasped. Leon screamed. The world paused. Raven cleared his throat sharply and moved half a step away. Celestia blinked sleepily and looked away. But in her chest— Something warm flickered. Not love. Not yet. But something soft. Something new. Astra whispered, “Oh dear… she’s starting to feel things.” Celestia whispered back, “I don’t have the energy for feelings.” Astra patted her head. “Too late.”
- Writer
