Back In Shape

Duke Alexander opened his brother's bedroom door and sighed when he saw Emperor Allister lighting a cigarette.

"You should get rid of that bad habit of yours. Didn't Anastasia already told you to stop smoking?" he said and sat in front of him.

"Can't help it" Allister said and shrugged making Alexander shake his head "What did you find in your investigation?" Allister asked as Alexander crossed his arms.

"According to Lance's testimony, the First Platoon was in charge of the investigation that led him to be enslaved with a man involved with the Baron's son. He said that the slave dealer took an interest with Lady Callista and the Princess thus kidnapping them without the boys around" he said.

"And the Baron?" Allister asked and glanced at him from the side "The Baron didn't know what was happening and his son was reported to be missing for almost a year now. We investigated this to see if he was telling the truth...and he was. The mages from the Tower of Lucis stated that traces of black magic was seen in the castle." he reported everything as Allister remained silent.

"What are you planning to do, Allister?" Alexander asked as Allister smirked and puffed out the smoke.

"What else? It's time for cleaning, my dear brother" he said with a familiar glint in his eyes that Alexander was completely familiar with. It seems that a blood-bath will happen soon.

****

It has been a week since what happened at the Capital and Anastasia and the rest of the boys are not allowed to leave the Academy walls because of what happened.

While Callista looked outside the window to see numerous students walking around like little ants. She coughed violently again as she covered her mouth with a handkerchief.

She brushed her hair that still had white highlights while she was in her nightgown.

She turned to the door when she heard a knock so she stood up "Emily? I told you already that I'm okay" she said and opened the door but froze when she saw who it is.

"I-Ignis? W-What are you doing here? How did you get here?" she asked "I...sneaked in, obviously" he sarcastically answered "That's...unusual." she said and turned to both sides to see if there was anyone who saw him before pulling him inside the room.

"Why are you here? You know that men can't enter the Women's Dormitory" she asked and also closed the curtains.

"Are you okay now?" Callista didn't expect his question and turned to him "I'm fine" she smiled making Ignis scoff.

"Fine? Do you call that fine? It has been five days since what happened and yet you still look like this" he said and glanced at the handkerchief with blood in the bed.

"But I am okay. I just need a few more minutes and I can finally leave the room" she said making Ignis sigh. She was held by the shoulder and pulled to sit on the bed, he kneeled in front of her making her blush.

"What are you doing, Ignis?" she asked with her rosy cheeks as Ignis raised his hand to caress her cheek "You're hiding something" he said while studying her face.

"That's no longer a shock to me" she said making Ignis sigh again "Even though the others aren't saying anything. They are having many suspicions of you." he said.

"Then why don't you get rid of me?" she asked before nuzzling into his hand "Why would I? You threatened us and your identity is still unknown but you never did anything to harm any of them" he said.

"I'm doing that because I know you'll get angry. I wouldn't even care if they get killed or something" she said and rolled her eyes.

"You always say everything you don't mean and make me as an excuse" he said with a shake of his head and stood up "I mean it!" she pouted as Ignis's mouth raised slightly making Callista blush.

"Good news, you're now back to normal" he said so Callista looked at the mirror to see the highlights were gone and her body feels lighter.

"You..." she said and looked up at Ignis "You transferred your mana to me. Is that why you have been touching me earlier?" she said in awe.

"I'm surprised that you just noticed" he said and put his hands inside his pockets "But why are you doing this?" she asked.

"Don't get the wrong idea. Ivan has been complaining to me about how long you will be on leave because he couldn't take anymore of Professor Wilford's scolding" he said making Callista roll her eyes and flip her hair to expose her neck.

"That piece of shit" she said and clicked her tongue before a smile made way to her lips "Oh my.." she said and pulled the strands of her hair behind her ear before looking at Ignis with her legs crossed.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked with his usual grumpy look "It seems like I love you more than I thought Ignis" she said and lovingly looked at him while Ignis was speechless.

He was looking at her blankly for a few seconds before turning away "How...how can you say that to someone you don't know properly and so easily?" he asked in confusion.

"So what? You can't control your hunger or thirst or neither your happiness, so what's the difference with love?" she asked back and blinked innocently.

"Are you seriously asking me that?" he asked and looked at her as Callista tilted her head "Anyways, stop it if you don't want me to be more uncomfortable than I am now." he said and pinched his temple.

"Who cares? It's my feelings" she said so Ignis glared at her "You don't listen, do you?" he said and clicked his tongue as Callista smiled sweetly in response.

"Fine. Whatever. Do anything you want" he sighed in defeat. Callista chuckled as she was delighted seeing him like that and stood up from the bed before embracing him.

"Thank you for visiting me, Ignis" she said and nuzzled into his neck "You're being too comfortable around me" he raised a brow "It's because I love you" she smiled up at him as his hand raised to caress her face as she tilted her head in response.

"I'm pretty, aren't I? That's why you've been touching my face" she said as Ignis's mouth opened to retort before swallowing his words "I haven't met anyone as shameless as you." he said making Callista chuckle.

Ignis silently studied her face as his thumb trailed her bottom lip but before anything could happen, he had already disappeared in thin air.

Callista's hand was up in the air where she was hugging him before slowly putting it down.

"I know you are heartless, but you should have at least given me a goodbye kiss" she said to herself as a happy smile was on her face.