Kazuki had been through a lot over the past few days—falling off towers, exploding breakfast duels, slime-induced flying lessons—but nothing prepared him for the mortal terror of a princess tea party.
He sat stiffly on a too-fancy velvet cushion in the Royal Garden Pavilion, surrounded by porcelain, rose bushes, and a dangerous quantity of tiny spoons.
Across from him sat Princess Hiyori of Tenshika, sipping tea with the grace of a porcelain swan. Her glossy black hair shimmered in the sunlight, and her expression held the faint curiosity of someone trying to figure out if the guest before her was a savior… or a squirrel that wandered into the palace by mistake.
Kazuki took a sip from his cup. Then blinked.
"Is this… mango?" he whispered.
"It's sunset-leaf blend," Hiyori replied gently. "It has over forty-two rare ingredients. Harvested only by moonlight."
Kazuki nodded slowly. "Wow. We had chamomile back home. Sometimes in a can."
✦
Elsewhere: Secret Observation Room No. 5
Behind a false wall, Aurelis crouched behind a decorative curtain, gripping a spyglass like it was a weapon. Beside him, Oro floated silently.
"This is a trap," Aurelis whispered. "A honey-sweet political trap."
"I believe she is simply being courteous," Oro said.
"No, you don't get it. She's smiling at him. Genuinely. No sarcasm. No 'you're a disgrace to swords' smirking. That's how you know it's serious."
Oro blinked. "You're jealous."
"I'm not jealous!" Aurelis hissed. "I'm… observant."
Smile jiggled down the hallway, peeked in, and stuck a sticker on Aurelis' back that said: "#JealousKnight"
✦
Back in the Pavilion
Hiyori leaned forward, hands folded in her lap.
"I've been watching your matches, Kazuki."
Kazuki tensed. "Oh… um, look, that thing with the soup guy—"
"You're amazing," she said plainly.
Kazuki's soul left his body for three seconds.
"…What?"
"You defeated two ranked warriors. Without using conventional techniques. Without training. Without… actually knowing what you were doing."
"Y-Yeah, that sounds about right."
She smiled. "It's genius."
Kazuki's brain began overheating.
Was she flirting with him?
Or was she studying him like a test subject?
Did she want to marry him?
Or turn him into a thesis?
✦
Meanwhile, in the Garden
Tala lounged lazily on a tree branch above them, tail flicking as she eavesdropped. She muttered under her breath.
"Great. Another royal with feelings. This one's not subtle."
On the ground, the palace wolf pup, Yukimaru, panted excitedly and chased his own tail.
"Do you think they'll kiss?" he yipped.
Tala rolled her eyes. "With Kazuki? He'd probably trip into the punch bowl."
Smile jiggled nearby and very slowly nodded.
✦
Meanwhile, Kazuki's Internal Monologue:
Okay, Kazuki. Don't panic. You're having tea with a princess. You're definitely not sweating through your shirt. You're a hero! You've survived two tournaments and a soup bomb! You got this.
Wait, what did she just say about fate?
"Kazuki, do you believe in destiny?"
Oh no. Oh no no no. That's a serious question. This is where heroes say cool stuff. Think, brain, THINK!
Kazuki blurted, "I believe… destiny is kind of like pudding."
Hiyori tilted her head. "Pudding?"
"Yeah, like, you never know what flavor it is until it smacks you in the face."
There was a long pause.
Then, unexpectedly, Hiyori laughed.
A soft, royal laugh that was not rehearsed or refined.
"You are… so strange," she said, eyes twinkling.
Kazuki rubbed the back of his head, smiling sheepishly. "I get that a lot."
✦
Later That Evening
Back in the palace dorms, Kazuki returned to his room feeling… confused.
And also possibly emotionally wrecked.
"Guys," he said, "I think the princess thinks I'm cool."
Tala: "Yup."
Oro: "Indeed."
Yukimaru: "That's what I was barking about!"
Smile: squish-squish.
Aurelis stood in the doorway, arms crossed, gaze judgmental.
"She's probably just interested in your tactical incompetence."
Kazuki blinked. "…That's not a real phrase."
"It is now," Aurelis muttered darkly.
✦
System Notification – Personal Log:
[PRINCESS HIYORI'S FAVORABILITY HAS INCREASED!]
Current Affection Level: Mildly Fascinated
New Title Unlocked: Cupcake of Curiosity Smile has written this in your journal in glitter ink.
✦
Meanwhile… deep underground
Far beneath the city of Tenshika, a crystal hummed.
Dark tendrils of mana pulsed, writhing slowly toward the surface. They sniffed the air—chaotic, unpredictable, strong.
"The Child of Accidents has begun his rise," whispered a voice from the abyss.
A second voice, high and screeching, replied, "You mean the tripping guy with the plushies?"
"Silence. Even fate stumbles… and lands where it must."
The dark forces giggled.
"Let's make him fall harder."