The warm glow of the chamber lights danced across the walls as Aria stepped in—only to stop dead in her tracks.
There, seated on the grand cushion, was Azreal... with Laisa curled up beside him like a smug cat. Her hand gently held his, and her head rested sweetly on his shoulder.
Aria blinked, lips tightening. "...Really?"
Laisa giggled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh my, I totally forgot you existed, Ant. You're so small, I didn't see you down there."
Aria grinned through her teeth. "It's okay, Lulu. Even blind bats make mistakes sometimes."
Laisa's smile twitched.
Azreal cleared his throat. "Laisa, Aria can now use flames. I want you to teach her. It's important she learns from others, not just me."
Laisa straightened with a gentle smile. "Anything for you, Lord Azreal."
Aria sauntered up, ignoring the tension. "You really think Lulu has anything to offer? Aside from forgetting her guests?"
Azreal nodded calmly. "Of course. She was once my student."
Laisa clutched his hand tighter. "Your best and most talented student."
Not missing a beat, Aria plopped herself between them, gently nudging Laisa aside. She grasped Azreal's hand, her eyes locked on his. "If you say so, I'll trust your judgment."
Azreal smiled. "Then it's settled. You'll stay here and train."
Suddenly, Hulk burst through the door. "My Lord! There's a matter that needs your attention."
Azreal stood. "Train well, Aria. I'll return soon."
Aria pouted. "You're leaving?"
"Duty calls," he said, walking away with Hulk.
Aria, desperate, bolted after them. "Azreeeal!"
She tripped mid-sprint. RIP! Her robes tore slightly open in the front, and she fell forward, landing face-first into Azreal's chest.
"...Seriously?" he sighed.
Hulk turned red, covering his mouth in horror. "My eyes!!"
Azreal pulled his coat over her. "Get her changed," he ordered a maid.
As the maid whisked Aria away, Laisa stood frozen, eyes wide.
"...Was that a seduction move? Is that a thing now? Am I... outdated?" she whispered.
She watched Azreal retreat. "She calls him Azreal—without a title! And he doesn't even flinch! Has she really seduced him? No... I won't lose." ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵⁂𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮⁂𝓷𝓮𝓽
Eyes sparkling with sudden determination, Laisa made her move.
She dashed forward, pretending to trip. "Ah! My leg!"
Just as she was about to fall into Azreal's arms—catch!
"Thank you, Lord Azreal..." she said dreamily.
A rough voice replied, "It wasn't me."
She opened her eyes... and screamed.
She was in the arms of a towering Hell Guard.
Azreal glanced back. "You okay?"
Laisa, trembling, stood. "Fine. I'm fine."
Hulk stifled a laugh beside Azreal.
"You seem cheerful," Azreal said.
"Not at all, My Lord," Hulk lied, standing stiff as a board.
They disappeared through a portal.
Laisa seethed. "I had it... I was so close! Stupid guard. Stupid Hulk! Ugh!"
Just then, Aria strolled back in, freshly dressed—in Laisa's special robes.
Laisa gasped. "Those are my clothes!"
"Oh, Azreal got this for you?" Aria said innocently. "Then it's perfectly fine for me to wear it."
Laisa growled. "It doesn't even fit you! Typical ant fashion."
Aria leaned in. "Did you say something, Lulu?"
They glared at each other.
Cassy, standing nearby, nervously spoke up. "Do you two want anything—"
"STAY OUT OF IT!" they both snapped.
Cassy quickly exited.
Laisa pointed. "You tripped on purpose earlier, didn't you? You're a seductress!"
"Says the one who tried the ol' 'oops I fell' move and landed in a guard's arms instead," Aria replied.
"HOW DID YOU KNOW THAT— I MEAN—That's a lie!"
"Oh Lulu, sounds like you just hit your Oopsie Limit," Aria teased.
Laisa's eye twitched. "That's it, ANT!"
Flames surged in her palms, her wings unfurling as petals ignited with fiery sparks.
A portal opened in the palace. Azreal stepped through with Hulk beside him.
"What's the urgent matter?" he asked.
"The cooking contest, my Lord," Hulk replied. "Are you still inviting the Pillars?"
Azreal nodded. "Of course. It's not a real competition without all of them. Laisa, Damantia, the Pillars—we'll all judge."
"But... will Lord Damantia even show up?" Hulk asked.
"He will," Azreal said. "He secretly loves Nena's cooking."
"As you wish. One more thing... are you sure it was wise leaving Lady Laisa and Lady Aria alone together?"
Azreal smiled faintly. "I'm sure they're getting along just fine."
Back in the Chamber of Scarlet Flames...
Laisa soared in the air, wings blazing, firing flame lasers at Aria.
"THIS is your idea of training?!" Aria yelled, ducking behind a table as it exploded into ash.
"Ants don't get to complain about being squashed!" Laisa cackled. "It's their destiny!"
"It's Aria! Lulu— I mean master?!"
"LAISA! It's LAISA!" she roared, unleashing another blast.
Aria zigzagged across the chamber. "You've lost it! You need therapy!"
"I'LL FREE LORD AZREAL FROM YOUR SINFUL GRASP!"
"He doesn't need saving! If anyone's a leech here, it's you—clinging to him like mold on bread!"
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING MOLD?! YOU... YOU CURSED GREMLIN!"
Aria dodged another laser. "You're the one who should be in Hell—oh wait, you already are!"
Laisa huffed, landing on the ground.
"Alright, let's settle this like grown-ups... or something close to that," Aria said, panting.
"Fine. What's your dumb idea?"
"There's a cooking contest tomorrow. Me vs Nena. Let's both join. We each cook for Azreal. Whoever's food he likes best... wins."
Laisa's eyes gleamed. "A showdown for Lord Azreal's heart... through food?"
They shook hands tightly, staring daggers at each other.
"I might use ants as my secret ingredient," Laisa smirked.
"Oh really?" Aria replied sweetly. "I was thinking of plucking some of your petals to use as dinner napkins, Lulu."
They walked off in opposite directions, fumes practically rising between them.
Aria stopped. "Wait, aren't you supposed to train me?"
Laisa sighed. "Ugh, fine. Come on, Ant."
"Sure. That's what all ants say before they get crushed."
Their voices echoed through the halls, growing fainter and funnier as they argued all the way down the corridor.