The Lazy Astral Sovereign

Chapter 16— THE LUNCH THAT TURNED INTO A TERRITORIAL WAR

The Academy dining hall was always loud, but today it reached a new level. Students gasped. Students pointed. Students whispered like they were witnessing royal scandal. Because entering through the great double doors were: 1. The future king 2. The second prince 3. A sleepy girl hugging a pillow —walking together like it was the most ordinary thing in the world. Celestia blinked at the noise. “…Why is everyone staring?” Leon puffed his chest with pride. “Because you are with me!” Raven corrected calmly, “No. They’re staring because she’s with me.” Leon spun around, offended. “Oh REALLY? When did she CHOOSE you—?!” Celestia interrupted softly, “I chose shade.” Leon dramatically put a hand over his heart. “She did not deny me… there is still hope—!” Raven took a deep breath, visibly restraining the urge to exile his cousin. Astra floated over Celestia’s shoulder whispering: “They’re not even competing for attention anymore. They’re competing for the right to breathe near you.” Celestia hugged her pillow tighter. “…Why is life loud?” “Because YOU attract chaos,” Astra said. Celestia sighed. “Unfair.” --- ⭐ The Seating Problem (A Disaster in Progress) They reached the tables. A long wooden bench. Open space. Soft breeze. Shade from overhead trees. It was perfect. Celestia instantly sat down. Raven sat next to her. Leon attempted to sit next to her too, but— Raven shifted slightly, blocking him with the quiet threat of a glacier. Leon hissed, “MOVE, ice prince!” “No.” “Yes!” “No.” Celestia blinked at both of them. “…You can sit,” she told Leon. Leon brightened— But Raven immediately shifted again, subtly forcing Leon to sit across, not beside her. Leon pointed accusingly. “You blocked the side seat ON PURPOSE.” Raven: “Correct.” Leon: “STOP BEING HONEST ABOUT IT—!!” Astra held its tiny head. “This is why I have spiritual migraines.” Celestia took out her pillow and set it on her lap. “Can we eat now?” Raven instantly stopped arguing. “Yes.” Leon also stopped. “Yes, my princess!” Celestia blinked. “…I am not a princess.” Leon struck a dramatic pose. “Yet you RULE my heart.” Raven glared. A cold wind blew. Leon shivered. “Okay okay fine—no dramatics during food—” --- ⭐ Lunch Begins (And the Drama Continues) Food trays were set in front of them. Celestia stared at the steamed buns. Warm. Soft. Perfect nap food. She took one slowly. Raven watched her like he was observing a rare celestial event. Leon watched her like he was observing his destiny. Celestia blinked at them both. “…Why are you watching me eat?” Raven looked away instantly. Leon did not. “Because you’re cute!” The bun fell from Raven’s hand. Astra choked on air. Celestia blinked slowly. “…Cute?” “Yes!” Leon said proudly. “Cute like a sleepy kitten! Or a tiny fox! Or a—” Raven cut him off sharply. “That’s enough.” Leon gasped. “Are you jealous?!” Raven did not blink. “No.” Astra snorted. Celestia tilted her head. “…What is jealous?” Both princes froze. Leon: “Oh… oh no. She has no idea.” Raven: “Don’t explain it.” Leon: “Why not?” Raven: “Because you’ll say something stupid.” Leon looked deeply offended. “As if I EVER—” A painting fell off the wall behind him. Astra clapped. “Accurate timing.” Celestia quietly ate her bun. --- ⭐ The Accidental Touch (Again) Celestia reached for her cup. Raven also reached to steady it. Their fingers brushed. Celestia froze. Raven froze harder. Leon inhaled like he witnessed forbidden romance. Celestia slowly pulled her hand back, cheeks faintly warm. “I can hold it,” she whispered. Raven nodded quickly. “I know.” But he still didn’t look away. Astra floated down, whispering dramatically, “He’s gone. He’s absolutely, entirely, disastrously gone.” Raven cleared his throat. “I was just making sure you wouldn’t spill.” Celestia blinked. “I spill often.” “Yes,” Raven said softly. “I know.” Leon slapped the table. “STOP BEING SO GENTLE WITHOUT REALIZING—!!” Raven ignored him entirely. --- ⭐ The Students React (Loudly) Across the dining hall, whispers surged. “Why is the Crown Prince feeding her buns?!” “He’s LOOKING at her like she’s a rare treasure—” “Leon is dying—” “No, he’s used to dying—” “She’s too powerful… she’s making the princes fight unconsciously—” Celestia blinked, confused. “…Why are they dramatic?” Astra patted her head. “You’re the main character. They have to be.” Celestia sighed. --- ⭐ The Shade Incident A cloud drifted over the sun. The shade moved. Celestia’s seat was no longer shaded. She instantly stood, pillow in hand. Raven stood immediately. “What’s wrong?” Celestia pointed up. “No shade.” Leon gasped. “She needs SHADOW—MOVE, EVERYONE—!!” He actually started shooing students away like they were chickens. Raven lifted his cloak slightly, creating shade over Celestia. Leon stared. “ARE YOU—ARE YOU USING YOUR CAPE AS A PERSONAL SUN-SHIELD FOR HER—?!” Raven didn’t blink. “She doesn’t like sunlight.” Celestia blinked softly. “It makes me sleepy.” Leon threw his hands into the air. “EVERYTHING makes you sleepy!” Celestia nodded. “Yes.” Raven looked at her like she was the softest thing in existence. --- ⭐ A Soft Moment (Interrupted, Of Course) Celestia sat down again. Raven kept his cloak positioned, creating shade for her. Celestia blinked at him. “…Thank you.” Raven’s expression softened. “You’re welcome.” Leon’s jaw dropped. “He… HE MELTED. HE MELTED LIKE BUTTER IN THE SUN HE’S BLOCKING—” Raven shot Leon a look that promised destruction. Leon sat immediately. --- ⭐ A Dangerous Question Celestia finished her bun, hugged her pillow, and slowly leaned her head toward Raven’s shoulder— Just a little. Just enough that their sleeves touched. Raven went completely still. Leon choked on his juice. Astra levitated in panic. “OH STARLIGHT SHE’S STARTING TO GET COMFORTABLE—THIS IS HOW IT ALL BEGINS—” Celestia blinked up at Raven. “Raven.” He swallowed. “…Yes?” “Why do you stay near me?” Leon leaned in dramatically. Raven went silent. Celestia waited, hugging her pillow. Raven lowered his eyes to her, voice faint, careful. “…Because you never notice danger.” Celestia blinked. “…Mmm. True.” “And because…” He hesitated. “…you’re easy to be around.” Celestia tilted her head. “Easy?” Raven nodded once. Leon dramatically collapsed onto the table. “I HAVE LOST. THE BATTLE IS OVER. MY HEART IS SHATTERED—” Astra zipped over and slapped Leon with its tiny spirit tail. Celestia rested her cheek on her pillow. Warm. Safe. Surrounded by chaos. As always.