MIDNIGHT BEAUTY

Aurelia whirled around, her hand instinctively flying to the hilt of the dagger strapped to her thigh.

"CLANG!"

"It saddens me, that the first thing my lady did when she heard my voice, was point out a dagger on me." Moonlight bathed the balcony in a soft glow, highlighting the mischievous glint in his grey eyes.

"ahem ELIAS! How dare y-"

"Shhh, my lady. The lousy guard sleeping behind the door may hear you, it would be even more of a headache then." Elias chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender.

"Forgive my transgression, my lady. I take full responsibility for your elevated heart rate." 

"Well, you shouldn't barge in a lady's bedroom at the stroke of midnight through the balcony, Anyways."

"My apologies, lady. My eyes had mistaken in seeing your humble abode as an alchemy lab." Elias continued teasing the annoyed Aurelia. The tension eased, replaced by a comfortable familiarity.

"Oh? Then what brings you to my humble abode at this ungodly hour?" Aurelia said, lowering her hand from the dagger.

"Right, but before... won't you invite me in?" Elias said as he scanned Aurelia's chamber.

"No."

"But it's cold and chilly out here, my mind could freeze and I might forget my cause of coming to meet you too Aurelia." Elias said, with a dramatic shiver.

"Don't be so theatrical. You knew there wouldn't be central heating on the balcony." Aurelia said, as she raised an eyebrow.

"I came so far to give you the information... and you treat me this way... I'm disappointed my lady-"

"Fineee, be my guest." Aurelia finally gave in, as the cold and chilly winds seemed to annoy her too.

After a few minutes of bickering, Aurelia and Elias settled down on two old and worn-out chairs near the fireplace Aurelia prepared through alchemy.

...

"So" Elias had a serious tone.

Aurelia's posture straightens, her eyes glinting with interest. She leans forward. "Is it something S-level? I'm listening. Tell me everything." 

"Embezzlement."Elias tossed the parchment towards her, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Embezzlement at Lumina. Looks like someone's been dipping their fingers a little too deep into the kingdom's coffers."

Aurelia's lips twitched. It was another case for Leah, Aurelia's fabricated name within the bustling network of informants that hummed beneath the city's glittering facade.

"Marquess Reginald, huh?" Elias muttered brow furrowed. "This could get messy, he got influential people around him. "

A thrill shot through Aurelia. The higher the stakes, the more exhilarating the chase. "All the more reason to expose the truth," she declared, a sly smile spreading across her face. 

As Elias scanned the document, his playful demeanour melted away, replaced by a mask of steely concentration. The familiar shift never failed to fascinate Aurelia. Aurelia knew that his playful banter and mischief weren't everything about him. Even Aurelia, with her keen eye for character, couldn't unravel the enigma that was Elias. His graces, knowledge and everything about him, it was hard to believe he was a commoner.

Intrigued, Aurelia found herself drawn to Elias, eager to discover the stranger she trusted so much. 

"Aurelia, I know you think I'm handsome, but rather than glaring at the midnight beauty sitting right, in front of you, I am aware it is hard, but you should focus more on the case." Elias joked as he felt Aurelia's gaze on him.

"I- I was just-" Aurelia stammered as she was taken aback by the sudden remark.

"It's fine, I understand women have a weak point for handsome men."

Aurelia's cheeks burned under Elias' teasing gaze. "Actually," she countered, a playful glint in her eye, "I was just formulating a brilliant deduction based on the latest evidence."

Elias raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "Really? Do enlighten me, brilliant detective." He leaned back in his chair, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

"Bait him, obviously," Aurelia said with a sly grin, tossing the stack of "Alias guild" pamphlets at Elias.

Elias chuckled, catching the flyers with ease. "Hahah, you surely are something else, Leah. 

"I should get going then, good night, Aurelia." Elias said, stepping out onto the balcony with a confident smile. Aurelia rushed to the balcony railing, a touch of panic in her voice.

"Elias, wait!"

Elias stopped and turned back, raising an eyebrow. "Is something wrong?"

"Actually," Aurelia stammered, "how about we meet at the guild tomorrow instead? I need to make a quick trip to the market for some alchemy supplies too." She gestured to a collection of empty vials on a nearby table.

"Ah, I see," Elias said with a chuckle.

"No need to worry, I wouldn't dream of intruding on your personal space tomorrow."

"No, that's not what I meant—" Aurelia began flusteredly.

Elias cut her off with a playful grin. "Relax, Aurelia, I was just teasing. In fact, I have an idea."Aurelia's curiosity piqued.

"Let's hear it."

"Give me a list of the ingredients you need, and the potions you take while going out." Elias said.

Aurelia hesitated. "But I was planning to go myself—"

"I know," Elias interrupted gently, taking the bag containing her alchemy tools.

Aurelia smirked. "So, what's the big surprise, mastermind?" she drawled, feigning boredom.

Elias winked. "Just follow my lead, milady." He held out his hand, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Aurelia hesitated for a moment, then took his hand with a sigh. "Fine, but if this is another one of your 'tricks', I'm turning back."

"Too late"

Elias grabbed Aurelia and jumped through the balcony.