Novel Bin
Chapter 26: Arwen’s Arcane Breakdown (and the Terrifying Tea Party)
Location: Royal Academy – Advanced Spell Theory Room
BOOM.
A flash of ice exploded across the practice chamber, freezing six training dummies, two ceiling chandeliers, and an unfortunate frog familiar.
“Again!” shouted Arwen Galehart, breathing heavily, eyes blazing with frost.
Her gloves steamed. Her mana flared like a blizzard trapped in a bottle.
Professor Eltanin stared. “Miss Galehart… the frog was not part of the curriculum.”
“I’m fine,” croaked the frog. “Emotionally scarred, but fine.”
Arwen ignored them. Her thoughts were elsewhere — more specifically, on a certain janitor who had just “accidentally accepted” a soulbound royal handkerchief in front of half the academy.
Zephyr Arclight.
“I swear, if he blushes one more time when a girl proposes to him…”
She clenched her fists and ice bloomed across the floor.
Meanwhile: The Janitor’s Closet (Upgraded)
Zephyr was arranging teas alphabetically.
“Chamomile… check. Mint… check. Spirit-cleansing saffron…”
BANG.
The door flew open.
Selena Frostveil marched in with a clipboard and an army of enchanted tea cups.
“Emergency intervention. We’re hosting a Tea-Based Interrogation.”
“…What?” Zephyr asked.
“Princess Lyssette has invited you to a second ‘practice date’ tomorrow,” she said, adjusting her glasses. “We need to prepare you. Emotionally. Socially. Strategically.”
Rosalia peeked in, holding a silver tray. “I brought holy sugar cubes!”
Drakynia leaned against the wall. “And I brought my sword. Just in case.”
“…For a tea party?” Zephyr asked.
“Girls like tea parties,” Rosalia said earnestly.
“They also like blood oaths,” muttered Drakynia.
Selena set her clipboard down. “We’re doing both.”
Location: Student Council Lounge – Later
Operation: Calm the Janitor Before the Princess Clings Again
Zephyr sat in the middle of a circle of chairs. On his left: Rosalia, humming a sacred hymn while blessing the tea. On his right: Drakynia sharpening her blade. In front: Selena, cross-referencing his behavioral data.
Arwen stormed in.
“You.”
Zephyr blinked. “Good afternoon.”
She tossed a frozen invitation card at him. “She sent another formal dance proposal. With imported snow lilies.”
Selena adjusted her glasses. “That’s a level-six romantic offering. Borderline royal claim.”
Rosalia gasped. “That’s almost… matrimonial prelude.”
“Why are there levels?!” Zephyr asked.
“Tradition,” Arwen snapped.
“Prophecy,” Rosalia added.
“Desperation,” muttered Drakynia.
Selena cleared her throat. “We need to take countermeasures. We’re attending the event. All of us.”
Zephyr blinked. “…As what?”
Rosalia beamed. “As your escorts.”
Drakynia cracked her knuckles. “Let’s see how that princess handles our version of courtly diplomacy.”
Arwen smirked, frost glittering in her eyes. “Let the frostball begin.”
Location: Clocktower – Shadow Division Observation Post
The Cloaked Watcher spat out his tea.
“They’ve turned a royal date into a tactical standoff.”
A second observer looked through the crystal orb. “Sir… if they all show up at once…”
“A harem war will begin.”
The raven nodded solemnly.
End of Chapter 26
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