Volume 4: Prologue

A/N: Read author notes at the end of the chapter.

…

In the royal castle, esteemed Lords, Dukes, Counts, and various other high-ranking nobles meet. They surround a table, with the King and Queen at the forefront.

The topic of discussion? Noir Fou Stardia.

"The boy is a menace, someone with such disregard for royal authority is a disaster waiting to happen."

"It has been a long-standing rule in the academy that ALL students shall be treated fairly, we cannot punish the boy for the results of a duel."

"Perhaps I'd agree if it was a properly fought battle, but with how brutal the boy was some punishment must be given, if not for that event then at least to dissuade him from further atrocities."

"We cannot punish a man for what he might do, do you hear yourself, Lord Frampton."

"I cannot disregard a potential threat to this nation, and we haven't spoken of his armor, I've asked every craftsman worth their salt in THIS kingdom, and none recall working on anything like what the boy used…"

The room went silent, the few who were in support of Noir as a way into the duke's circle growing quiet. Those who had been neutral on the other hand, became suspicious.

"It is entirely possible the boy constructed the armor himself, he has many talents, what is to say this isn't one of them?" Duke Redgrave spoke up at long last, his words growing heavy on the backs of the Nobles who'd much rather not offend the man.

Marquis Frampton was not such a man. "At his age, how laughable, there is a reason our country's craftsmen are so well past their youth."

"Yet with that same youth, you insinuate he has somehow got in contact with a foreign power and received said armor? It is likely the boy is just a talent this nation hasn't seen before, instead of looking for ways to crush the boy, we should be nurturing it. Otherwise, we may even set him down a path reminiscent of the evil you claim he is."

There was a lot to be said about what being a Duke meant. One of such things was the sway he had, as demonstrated how ever other Noble held their tongue.

A deep frown overtook Marquis Frampton, he turned to his side of the table and narrowed his eyes at the few who were in his employment. They were sweating, caught between two death traps. Their best bet right now was to simply not move.

"That is enough." The long silence was marked as a conclusion to this feud by the Queen herself.

Watching her, Roland Rapha Holfort stood and sighed. He stood, his actions catching the attention of everyone in attendance.

"His methods aside, there has been no violation committed by Lord Stardia, in fact, his actions have worked to awaken my son from his delusion. This meeting is over."

Everyone crowded out, including a very angered Marquis Frampton. 'If even the King of this nation can't see the threat amongst us, then I suppose I'll have to open his eyes.'

…

Back at the academy, midway through her very detailed recounting of her night with Noir, Angelica is interrupted when a helper opens the window to the bedroom and enters.

Under the confused eyes of the two, it floats over to the nearby desk and takes both a pen and a piece of paper from the storage compartment underneath.

With its robotic arms, it writes something down on said paper.

Olivia was the first to stand and walk over to see what was being written. Angelica followed and they both had to reread it numerous times to make sure they were reading it correctly.

'Something has happened to Clarice, I'm not sure what so try not to worry. I'm on my way to wherever she is right now. Livia, trust that I can handle whatever it is, please do not worry about my well-being. Angie, please get in contact with Lord Atlee, I'm sure he'd like to know his daughter has disappeared.

Love you both, be back soon,

Noir.'

"C-clarice is missing?" Olivia gasped, her mind immediately going back to the last time she had seen her.

"As it seems…" Angelica turned to see the immediate worry that had filled Olivia. She hated seeing anything but a smile on the girl's face.

She wrapped her slim arms around the girl. "Trust Noir, we both know better than to doubt him when he says he'll do something."

Olivia went silent, her arms wrapped around her best friend with a tightness that expressed that she was in fact still worried, but perhaps less so than before. "You're right."

Eventually, Angelica had to end the hug. "I'll go do what Noir asked, I'll be back as soon as I'm done." She was quick to leave, already drafting a letter in her head that she'd give to a messenger.

…

[The girls have been informed, Master. You're clear to go seduce another girl into your harem.]

"Shut up and go faster." Noir snorted, having half a mind to throw the floating orb overboard. Internally though he tried to make sense of where Clarice was.

The more he thought, the less likely it was that she had put herself there. As it seemed, conflict was probably unavoidable. Thankfully, he didn't have to worry about protecting the eyes of his beloved.

…

A/N: Shorter chap because I just wanted to set some things setup up before we actually get into this madness.

To compensate, I'm willing to write a side story of any of your ideas as long as it's interesting and something I'd actually want to write.