[41.3] Time to Get to Work

I felt my comfortable pillow suddenly pull away and hugged it tighter so my personal heater wouldn't leave me.

I heard an anxious voice, "What are you doing in my bed!?"

I opened my eyes sleepily and rubbed my eyes, "My bed got hijacked."

Cyrus stared at me with panic, "Did I… Did I get snuck in another illusion?"

I paused for a moment before smirking mischievously. I propped myself up and spoke dramatically, "It's a dream illusion brought to you by the amazing Astra. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you."

Cyrus looked confused for a moment, "Re- Really?"

I nodded smugly, "That's right."

"Is that so?" Suddenly I was pushed down and looked up to see a devious-looking Cyrus, "Then allow me to enjoy this dream."

He lowered his head and started to kiss my neck.

I panicked, "It's not a dream! It's me! It's really me!"

He pulled away and chuckled, "I know that."

My face stiffened, "You… You knew?!"

He nodded, "I did. Illusions are my specialty. I can tell when I'm inside of one."

I suddenly felt irritated, "Why did you go along with it!?"

He pursed his lips, "Why are you in my bed? Were you trying to undress me again?"

I shook my head innocently, "No! This time I was a good girl. I woke up in the middle of the night because I was hungry, and then I discovered my room was taken over by the enemy."

He raised an eyebrow, "Hazel, Zephyr, and Priscilla?"

I nodded quickly, "Yes! I couldn't fall back asleep in that environment. Hazel and Zephyr stole my bed and Priscilla snores sooo loud."

Cyrus thought for a moment before smirking. His finger started tracing my neck and shoulder teasingly, "But why would you join my bed, hm? There were other rooms to choose from."

I averted my gaze shyly, "I can't sleep alone any more thanks to Zephyr."

He frowned slightly, "Before I never cared because I thought he was just a fox, but now I know he's a demon."

I laughed, "Are you jealous?"

His fingers curled between mine as he stared into my eyes, "And what if I am?"

I hummed, "What do you plan on doing about it?"

He lowered his body down so that it was pressed down on mine. He lay his head on my chest and muttered, "I will just have to capture your heart, I suppose."

I laughed and ran my fingers through his soft hair. Although his body was pressed on mine, it felt more like a weighted blanket than a crushing sensation.

It was so blissful, I couldn't remember the last time I felt this way.

Mmm. Morning Cyrus is surprisingly pleasant.

I guess he's just a morning person?

I'm the complete opposite, but if I woke up like this every morning I don't think I'd mind it as much.

*Knock knock*

Caldwell poked his head in, "Young Master. It's time to wake up-"

Cyrus screamed and threw a pillow at the door, "DON'T COME IN!"

However, the damage was already done.

Caldwell caught sight of me and shouted in surprise, "M-Miss!"

Cyrus jumped out of bed and grabbed his sword from his bedside. He summoned the blade and ran at Caldwell who promptly spun around on his heels to escape. Cyrus shouted as he chased him, "You're going to pay for ruining such a good mood!!!"

I laughed at the two and crawled out of bed. I stretched before returning back to my room to kick out the intruders. Despite the loud raucous on the other end of the wing, Hazel, Zephyr, and Priscilla were still sleeping.

You've got to be kidding me.

I walked over to the couch where Priscilla was sleeping and pushed over the couch so she would roll onto the ground. She let out a scream as she landed on the ground, "WHAT!?"

Her screams prompted Hazel to jump out of bed with her fists raised, "THERE'S BEEN A BREACH!"

Zephyr sat up groggily and rubbed his eyes, "Why is everyone screaming?"

Priscilla sat up and glared at me, "Did you push me off!?"

I returned the couch back to its regular position, "I did."

Hazel let out a sigh and lowered her fists as she muttered, "We're safe. There's no enemy invasion."

"HOW DARE YOU!!" Priscilla stood up with a huff and shouted at me, "Why would you wake me up like that?! Hm!? Do you have no manners?!"

I stared back at her displeased, "Why are you even in my room?"

She paused then crossed her arms, "That's none of your business."

I rolled my eyes and looked at Hazel who had jumped off the bed, "And why are you in here?"

Hazel grinned shyly, "I just wanted to cuddle."

I groaned and pinched the bridge of my eyebrows, "Ugh. Whatever. All of you get out. I need to get dressed."

The three were promptly kicked out and I was able to finally get dressed in peace. I joined everyone downstairs for breakfast where they all seemed to be in high energy, all except for Felix. He wasn't touching his food at all and had bags under his eyes showing that he hadn't slept at all. He stared in a daze out of the window that overlooked the lake as he drummed his fingers on the table.

I spoke up, "Felix. Are you feeling okay?"

He flinched and looked at me with a bit of nervousness, "O-Oh. I'm fine. Just a little tired."

Priscilla looked at Felix sympathetically, "Oh, big brother. Are you still nervous about today?"

Hazel had an unpleasant look on her face, "Why would he be nervous? He's not participating."

Priscilla defended him quickly, "He's going to be there as an emergency healer! He has every right to be nervous!"

Felix let out a sigh, "We don't need to fight about this. I'm always anxious when it comes to competitions whether I am participating or not."

Hazel scoffed, "Maybe that's because you're a coward."

His eyebrow twitched faintly.

I ignored their fighting and looked at Cyrus. I kicked his foot playfully under the table, "Are you nervous."

His expression didn't change as he ignored my kicking, "I am a little."

I tilted my head, "But why? You will be with a master magician- me."

He raised his eyes to look at me, "That's exactly why I'm nervous."

My mouth dropped in shock, "What?! Wouldn't that make you more confident?!"

"It would, but you usually don't take things very seriously and you have a habit of making impulsive decisions."

I pursed my lips, "You hold grudges, don't you?"

"Yes, I do." The corner of his lips curved up in a smile, "Even still. I'm not that worried about the competition. We may not finish in first place, but I doubt we will lose…. As long as you don't swallow any suspicious stones."

I leaned back in my chair and let out a dramatic exhale, "Why can't we just forget that ever happened?"

He laughed and went back to his meal. After we all finished, we were quickly rushed out of the door and pushed onto a boat where we were promptly taken to the island. Hazel, Zephyr, and Felix had to stay behind since they weren't contestants. Caldwell cried, begging to be brought with us, but since it went against the rules, he had to be given off to Chief Gonza to watch.

…Of course that shut him up instantly and he soon became more preoccupied with flirting with Gonza.