[40.2] A Nonmagical Cat Fight

Felix found us in the crowd and walked towards us with a bright smile, "Reika. Are you forcing Prince Cyrus to get drunk?"

I grinned at him to greet him, "Not forcing. Encouraging."

He laughed before his gaze caught sight of Zephyr and Hazel sitting down at a table. Zephyr was shoving food into his mouth while Hazel stared at him with affectionate eyes.

Felix smiled but it did not quite reach his eyes, "Your familiar and Hazel seem really close."

I followed his line of sight, "Yeah, I guess so. I never thought the two of them would become a pair."

Felix spoke slowly, "But isn't it weird? A familiar and a human dating… That just seems… Wrong."

Cyrus snickered, "It's definitely wrong if you think of it like that."

I guess they have a point.

A familiar is like an animal in this society's perspective. Only my family and Cyrus know that Zephyr is a demon, but everyone else thinks of Zephyr as a fox.

It definitely doesn't give people a good perception of Hazel.

They probably think she's a creep.

I gasped as a sudden idea popped into my head, "Is that how my Uncle feels!?"

Felix and Cyrus looked at me in confusion.

I spoke aloud as I thought, "Oh! He must! He must see Caldwell as an uncastrated male dog in heat who comes up to your leg and starts to hu-"

"-Reika?!" Cyrus interrupted, "What are you talking about?!"

"Oh, nothing." I quickly changed the topic, "So, Felix. Cyrus told me that you two will be roommates."

"That's not what I said." Cyrus interrupted quickly, "And don't change the topic!"

Felix laughed and went along with me, "We won't be roommates. He will have the west wing all to himself and I will have the east wing. It's quite a large building, so it's possible our paths won't cross. If you ever wanted to stay the night, there's plenty of rooms for you to choose from."

I glanced at Cyrus with a mischievous smirk, "There's only one room I'm interested in staying in."

I watched Cyrus's face twitch as he clutched at his chest and averted his gaze from mine.

Felix looked between the two of us, "I… I guess that would also work."

I turned back to Felix, "Oh! So since you also graduated from the Academy, what do you plan on doing?"

"It's none of your business!" Priscilla popped up out of nowhere with a glass of wine in her hand. She glared at me, "He doesn't need to answer you."

Felix let out an exhausted sigh, "Priscilla… How many times do I need to tell you to be on your best behavior?"

Priscilla whined, "But brother! This temptress only wants to distract you from your brilliant future!"

I frowned, "Temptress?"

Does she really think that highly of me?

Felix frowned as he scolded her, "Priscilla. If you want to stay, then you'll have to be nice to Reika. I told you many times I won't put up with your poor behavior towards her."

Priscilla bit her tongue and forced herself to speak, "...Fine. I won't say anything."

Felix stared at her for a bit longer before finally turning back to look at me. He smiled warmly, "To answer your question: I've taken a position at the Academy as a new potions teacher. However, it's not the thing I would like to do for the rest of my life. In fact… There was something I'd like to ask you."

I tilted my head, "Ask me?"

He scratched his cheek in embarrassment, "Do you remember when we were children and you talked about an art museum?"

I thought back, "Vaguely."

"Well… I have a business proposition for you. I recently bought a building in the middle-class section of the city and I want to turn it into an art museum. Since it was your idea, I was wondering if you'd like to become my business partner?"

Priscilla nearly short-circuited, "NO!"

Felix continued ignoring her outburst, "You really inspired me. One of the things I love the most is painting or drawing. I've spoken to my father, and he's finally agreed to let me try. Although, we have a deal. If it isn't successful, I would give up on my dreams and continue the family business. That's why I need your help. You seem far more knowledgeable than me, so will you help me?"

My eyes lit up, "That would be amazing!"

Not only would it piss Priscilla off, but this could also let me continue my life's passion!

I didn't think I would ever get an opportunity like this ever again!

Felix let out a sigh of relief, "I'm glad to hear that. I know you are still taking classes so you won't have to spend your entire time working. My father has connections to all of the auction houses so I was hoping we could go and pick out some pieces to display."

I nodded in excitement, "I would like that! I have SO many ideas!"

Priscilla screamed, "NO! I WON'T ALLOW IT!"

Felix turned to her with a threatening glare, "Priscilla. I'm warning you."

She bit back her rage, but it was clear she couldn't control it. She clenched her glass of red wine, grinding her teeth when a sudden idea flashed before her eyes. She smirked and pretended to fall forward.

The wine in her hand went flying out of the cup and drenched me.

Priscilla covered her mouth as if surprised, "Oh my! How clumsy of me! The glass is harder to hold with silk gloves."

I blinked in disbelief and looked down at my wine-soaked dress. My lips curled, "Really? This trope? You've got to be kidding me."

I pulled my dress up and took my wand from my sock. I gave it a wave and a blue light covered me and completely cleaned off my dress.

I put my hands on my hips, "There. Good as new."

Priscilla's face went through a wide range of changes before she shrieked in frustration. She grabbed two more glasses of wine from a passing servant and threw them on me.

This time she didn't even try to pretend it was a mistake.

"You little brat!!!" I shoved my wand into Cyrus's hand and grabbed a glass of wine from another servant. I threw it on her, drenching her in red wine as well. I stuck out my tongue, "How do you like that, rich girl?"

She screamed, "I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!"

I screamed back, "BRING IT ON!"

She pounced on me quickly as she tried to hit me. I fought back relentlessly, making sure not to pull any punches.

Unlike the other girl I fought with when I was younger, Priscilla wasn't afraid to fight back. As we rolled around the ground fighting, she scratched at my head and pulled on my hair.

Suddenly, Duke Newman was pulling her off as he shouted, "Priscilla! Just what is wrong with you?! Why would you ever cause such a scene at your brother's ceremony?!"

Priscilla cried out, "She's trying to steal my brother!"

Felix stared at her in exhaustion, "That's not what happened at all!"

The Headmaster and my mother arrived while I was being helped up by Cyrus. The Headmaster spoke in a harsh tone, "What is going on?"

I pointed at Priscilla in anger, "She attacked me!"

My mother gasped, "Oh no! Reika! Your dress!"

I looked down at my dress to see it in tatters. It was ripped and torn with red wine dying the once flawless fabric.

I felt tears surface in my eyes.

My dress…

My beautiful dress…

I just wanted one night to show off!

Why can't I even have that!?

I let out an angry shout, "SCREW ALL OF THIS!"

I stormed out of the building, pushing people aside as I did.

I don't care if I have to create a scene.

I just want to be alone!

Cyrus ran after me, "Reika! Wait!"