Noah flinched as the ropes around his wrists snapped apart. Aqua, Gaia, and Fire floated in a loose circle around him — elemental spirits of water, earth, and flame — conjured effortlessly by the blue-haired girl standing before him.
"Alright," Lys said calmly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Release him."
The spiritual trio complied without hesitation. Aqua dissolved into mist, Gaia’s bindings crumbled into dust, and Fire hovered for a moment, casting a smug glance over his shoulder at Noah before vanishing.
Noah groaned, rubbing his wrists. "Yeah, I’m not gonna forget that slap, you little bastard."
Fire’s form flickered for a final second, clearly satisfied, then vanished into Lys’s mana.
"You should treat your children with more respect," Lys replied, her tone neutral — but there was a flicker of amusement in her starry gaze.
Noah scoffed. "Yeah, sure... well, shall we go? It’s kinda strange for a lady to be in the men’s bathroom, you know. If someone sees you walking out, it’s going to raise more than a few eyebrows."
He glanced toward the door. "And considering you locked it when you came in, there’s probably a long-ass line outside."
Lys tilted her head, lips parting slightly. "You think they’ll misunderstand what we were doing in here?"
"Oh, definitely," Noah said without missing a beat.
Lys’s cheeks turned red instantly. "...I don’t mind, then."
Noah blinked. "You really don’t care, huh."
"I said what I said."
He exhaled. "Alright then. I’ll go first. Put your mask back on — I’ll do the same. Once we’re out, run with me to the table where I was sitting with Cordelia. Don’t stop. Don’t look back."
She nodded, slipping on her ornate masquerade mask. "Got it."
Noah adjusted his own and pushed the door open.
The noise hit him first.
"What the hell, man! Do you know how long I’ve been waiting?!"
"You’re not the only one who needs to take a damn piss, asshole!"
The line was indeed massive — dozens of irritated guests in finely tailored coats and suits, some visibly bouncing with urgency. Noah gave them a sheepish look as he tried to pass.
Then Lys stepped out.
Her short blue hair shimmered under the ambient crystal lights, her elegant blue gown flowing behind her. All conversation died for a moment... and then:
"Respect, bro, RESPECT!"
"You’re forgiven, man. You’re so forgiven."
Noah didn’t stop to respond. He grabbed Lys’s hand and bolted past the line with her in tow.
Behind them, the bathroom door slammed shut — and the men in line began fighting to be the next inside.
Cordelia sat upright at their table near the edge of the hall, legs crossed, a wine glass untouched in front of her. Across from her sat Princess Meliora, perfectly poised, twirling the recently acquired memory glasses between two fingers. Her white-and-gold mask barely hid the smirk curling on her lips.
"Well, what a surprise seeing you here, dear friend," Meliora said, voice sugar-sweet with a sharpened edge.
Cordelia returned a polite smile. "Likewise. I didn’t expect the princess herself to attend such a ’common’ gathering."
"Neither did I," Meliora replied casually, eyes still on the glasses. "But when word reached me of certain... familiar faces, I couldn’t resist."
Cordelia’s gaze dropped for a second — only a flicker — at the glasses spinning in Meliora’s hand. The vein in her temple nearly twitched. "I didn’t know you were interested in enchanted eyewear."
"I’m not," Meliora said lightly. "They’re for my collection. A girl must indulge, don’t you think?"
Cordelia leaned back, folding her arms. "They weren’t just for show, you know. I had a reason for bidding."
"Oh?" Meliora raised an eyebrow. "Something important?"
"Yes," Cordelia said, her voice calm, measured. "I needed them for something. Nothing life-or-death, but certainly... helpful."
Meliora gave a soft, dramatic sigh. "Well, pardon me for being a spoiled brat and wanting shiny things. I guess that’s just who I am."
Cordelia’s expression didn’t shift. ’She’s still thinking about it.’
She took a breath. "I shouldn’t have said what I said, back then. You were vulnerable. I crossed a line."
"Oh, don’t worry," Meliora replied, her tone almost too light. "I’m not mad or anything. Just that my childhood friend told me some very harsh truths to my face... and now I can’t forget them."
Cordelia met her gaze directly. "Then... do you forgive me?"
Meliora’s smile sharpened.
Cordelia blinked. "Seriously? What would it take, then?"
The princess leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on the back of her hand. Her eyes sparkled with amusement.
"I’m sure I can think of something."
Meliora tapped her fingers on the table, a slow smirk forming as she eyed the glasses between them. Then she slid them toward Cordelia with a single finger.
"I’ll forgive you," she said. "On one condition."
Cordelia arched a brow. "Which is?"
Meliora leaned in slightly. "You kiss that boy. Noah."
Cordelia blinked. "Excuse me?"
Meliora’s smirk widened. "You heard me. A proper kiss. In front of everyone."
Cordelia stared at her, expression unreadable. Then she let out a slow breath. "You’re enjoying this far too much."
"I am," Meliora said, unabashed. "You said you wanted my forgiveness. This is the price."
Cordelia narrowed her eyes, then picked up the glasses and tucked them into her bag. "Fine. But for the record, we’re not—it’s nothing like that."
"Of course not," Meliora said, chin resting in her hand. "Just two people running around together, whispering plans and sharing secrets."
"We’re working on something together," Cordelia corrected. "That’s it."
Meliora’s expression shifted to mock innocence. "Mm. And the lingering looks? The awkward silences?"
Cordelia stood up. "You’re imagining things."
Meliora chuckled. "Am I? Either way, I’m satisfied. You’ll do it?"
Cordelia nodded curtly. "You’ll get your show."
"Perfect." Meliora lifted her glass. "I knew you still had some fire in you."
Cordelia turned away, her expression tight. ’This is ridiculous. But if it gets us what we need... I’ll deal with the consequences later.’
Noah and Lys moved swiftly through the crowded hall, weaving between nobles returning to their seats as the lights dimmed slightly in preparation for the next round. Both wore their masks again—Noah’s plain and dark, Lys’s shimmering faintly with starlight motifs.
When they reached the edge of the table where Cordelia sat, she blinked once, then twice.
"...Lys?" she said under her breath, her gaze flicking from the girl to Noah, then back again. "You brought her?"
Lys offered a small wave, flustered but trying to look composed.
"She’s helping," Noah said simply, sliding into his chair.
Cordelia raised an eyebrow but said nothing more—though her eyes lingered on Lys a beat longer than necessary.
Lys sat down beside Noah, clasping her hands on her lap. Her heart was racing again, and not because of any spirits or enemies this time.
’This is fine. Totally fine. Just sitting beside him. At the same table. With Cordelia. After coming out of the men’s bathroom together... Okay, not fine. But manageable.’
She sneaked a glance at Noah, then quickly looked away.
’Do we really look like a couple? Maybe from far away? Maybe if I leaned in a little—no, stop it, focus. You’re a Spiritualist, not a schoolgirl!’
Fire hovered behind her, clearly judging.
At that moment, the lights shifted and a familiar voice echoed through the hall.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the announcer said from the center of the crystalline stage, "the second phase of tonight’s auction will begin shortly. Please return to your seats."
Chairs scraped gently as nobles sat down. A hush fell over the room.
Lys, however, was still adrift in her thoughts, barely noticing Cordelia stand.
Cordelia stepped in front of Noah. He looked up, confused.
She leaned in and kissed him.
Not long. Just a few seconds. But it was enough.
Cordelia pulled back with a faint smirk and sat down as if nothing had happened.
Lys, still seated beside Noah, didn’t seem to notice anything. Her face was lightly flushed, eyes unfocused as her mind spun in every direction.
’Do we really look like a couple...? Hihi... Wait—no, focus, Lys, focus!’
She was so caught in her thoughts that the entire moment passed her by.
Cordelia leaned in slightly toward Noah, lowering her voice.
"This was just for the glasses. Don’t get any ideas."
Noah raised an eyebrow. "Seriously?"
Cordelia smiled. "Dead serious."
The lights dimmed slightly as the sound of gentle bells echoed through the banquet hall. The main stage, previously empty, was now lit by focused enchantments, casting long shadows across the velvet curtain.
"We made it," Noah muttered under his breath, adjusting his mask as he slowed his steps.
Cordelia took her seat with practiced elegance, brushing her hair back and shooting a glance at the center of the stage. "Right on time."
Lys followed closely, still slightly dazed, blinking at the sudden change in atmosphere. ’Wait, this is... the auction again? Huh? When did we get here...?’
The announcer from earlier stepped out once more, her white gown shimmering like glass. She raised a gloved hand and smiled at the crowd.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience. We now begin the second phase of tonight’s exclusive auction. The following items are classified and limited. Only verified nobles or patrons of high rank may participate."
Whispers surged through the crowd like a wave.
Noah leaned closer to Cordelia. "Did you really get them?"
Cordelia didn’t look at him. She calmly reached into her clutch and pulled out the slim black case—the glasses. "I did."
Noah exhaled in disbelief. "And the kiss... was really just for these?"
Cordelia turned toward him, smiling faintly. "Did you think it was for you? Of course, you said we needed the glasses"
Lys, still floating somewhere between her daydreams and reality, stared at the stage with a vacant look. She had no idea what had just happened. Only when the first item was brought out did she blink and straighten in her seat.
’Wait... auction... focus, Lys. You’re not here to fantasize, you’re here to help!’
Cordelia clutched the glasses case tightly. "Alright, let’s win this properly this time."