Upon seeing the expression on James face, Reines could do nothing else but shake her head helplessly
"You've always been that way… even after all that we've been through… even after knowing that you have a child… when will you grow up!"
Her face showed an expression of indignance, any outsider who would see her now would immediately pity her.
The weakness she was showing and the helplessness of a woman chasing after her baby's father…
"Uhm… Okay, let's slow down here… okay? Let's think about it… I always made sure to use protection, the mystical kind- I assure you, it works 100% of the time- maybe the kids not mine? Waver?" ϞϞ૮(๑⚈ ․̫ ⚈๑)ა
Reines showed great offense to James words, her expression showed anger as she replied-
"Me? With him?" ( ｡ •̀ ᴖ •́ ｡)
Though, immediately after, she turned her head, averting her eyes, a blush formed on her face as she spoke in a whisper but her words were still audible-
"Also… spells could be broken" (,,¬﹏¬,,)
James froze, he felt a mix of annoyance and helplessness but his emotions still leaned more towards annoyance-
"..." (ꐦ○_○）✧
But his emotions returned to a peaceful calm just as quickly as it flared up. An idea popped into his mind but as his hands began to move his gaze landed on the enlarged belly of Reines causing his emotions to stir once more.
'Of all the things I'd find to be my weakness… damn it!'
James cursed internally as tried to push Reines away but her next words made him stop.
"After it was confirmed that you were the father… your cousin was adamant on taking him away… I… the El-Melloi family couldn't protect him… we can't… I- I was being forced to give him away!"
Despite his awareness of Reines' true nature, even if he knew that her words- the emotions they carry were lies… her words still held truth.
The convoluted way in which magus families handle marital affairs, the method they use to deal with children-
James was fully aware of them.
He knew what kind of crazy stunts those madmen would do for "the greater good".
It wasn't even a matter of pride or anything like that-
They were all experiments, whether it was their own bodies or those of their kids.
Success or failure didn't matter to them-
If it was a success then the child would gain full support if not-
'Lorelei!'
James cursed internally as he maintained his stoic image outside, but Reines', despite seeing no shift in expression or action, she could sense it.
Call it a woman's instinct or whatever, she knew that she had hit James where it hurts.
'James, oh James~ You should be grateful, if I didn't do this, that Tohsaka bitch would have done worse, no… that weird meat puppet would have really made a mess…'
Reines snickered internally as she recalled the moment news had spread of her pregnancy.
Many people were curious about who the father was but the answer was quickly found out when students of the Barthomeloi classroom rushed back to the Clock Tower.
That day was given its own honorary name, recorded in the Clock Tower's history as the day when the Clock Tower, a centuries old institution, nearly found its main base of operations turning to dust.
It was a horrific day, magi from all over the world swarmed the Clock Tower, led by leaders of various groups, clans and families. These magi were all here to do one thing-
Get answers-
From who?
Reines El-melloi - Barthomeloi
It was so bad that multiple Lords, even "The Queen" herself along with her Chelon Canticle Brigade had taken action in order to quell the chaos.
Scarred Red had even arrived since the coming of the magi army did not go through conventional methods.
All the students of the Barthomeloi class had used a spell bordering the level of true magic, a spatial movement spell that used complex mysteries to work.
It had a lot of drawbacks but, to transfer a large amount of people in a short period of time, the drawbacks were well worth it and-
Red had been brought in order to seal off the space surrounding the Clock Tower, ensuring no further spatial movements could be done.
A small incident involving Red had occurred when she learned that it was James Barthomeloi who had created the transference magecraft. An internal conflict that led to Red ransacking the now empty room of James leaving with a gloomy expression after realizing that she got nothing.
On that day, the disappearance of James was confirmed, the Old Man Jewel had spoken up and made sure to stop any "major" conflict from occurring.
Though, despite peace returning, Reines had to go to multiple meetings and had to fight for her own interests.
The El-melloi family had initially tried to keep the child but when "The Queen" came forward many decided to give in.
It didn't help that even Red had shown keen interest in the child forcing Reines to rely on the protection of the Clock Tower.
The Old Man Jewel had great authority but even he found it interesting to see what would become of the child.
When all that chaos erupted, Reines had found it impossible to "lose" the child as everyone wanted the boy to be born.
Especially with the disappearance of James, many seem to have a hope of the man's child becoming a second coming of "that talent".
"It's great that you brought me here, you know, even if "The Queen" didn't make a move, Red… those monster students… the people you had connections with- they all would have pounced on the poor boy once he was born."
Reines turned her gaze back towards James, her face bearing a wide smile as she said-
"You should have seen the faces of those cougars the moment they heard it was a boy"
"..." (ಠ_ಠ)
James had a look of deep concern on his face, thinking of all his previous students and the people he had a "connection" with-
Recalling the people who he knew, James could already guess what kind of chaos occurred yet-
"If he's anything like me then he'd probably welcome such a development"
"Jealous?"
"Very"
The two individuals in the dark room let out a sigh, Reines let go of James while James- he didn't try to run.
"Sorry"
It took him a few seconds to say it but when the silence struck, he had some hesitation but ultimately, James decided to give an apology.
"That's oddly uncharacteristic of you"
Reines commented, her words hitting James deep but he showed a complex expression. He did not know whether to laugh or cry but he still forced himself to maintain a calm poker face.
"You should understand… I- no we, both understand… the kind of fate people like "us" have"
James' words struck a chord within Reines as she herself knew, after all, she had experienced it. What kind of chaos comes by living with such a family.
With great power comes even greater responsibility and the title of "El-melloi" was one which she didn't want to bear.
Yet, it was that title that gave her a chance at "connecting" with James-
"Every cloud does have a silver lining, at least you summoned me… at least I know- you really do care for me"
Much like how James had shown a side to him he rarely did to others, Reines, for the first time in a long while, gave James a heartfelt smile.
Her expression was not that of a rose, a beautiful flower hiding its thorns-
No, her expression was like that of a carnation, her purity hides nothing, her warmth gives off true warmth. This was not an expression filled with lies, no- this smile of hers shows her true emotions, her true feelings.
"Thank you"
After she said those words, she gave James a hug, it was not too tight nor was it a fake light touch.
Reines completely let herself go as she leaned on James, her actions showing a desire, a desire for support. She leaned on him knowing he would protect her, that he would keep her safe and that she would not need to worry about anything in his embrace-
'Fuck'
James cursed internally, not at the world nor at Reines-
He cursed himself, his actions and the thoughts that were swirling in his mind.
'I really am a bastard…'
Looking at Reines who seemed to have turned into a small rodent clinging onto him as if he was her only hope-
The thoughts that swirled in his mind were forcefully put to rest.
There were not many moments when James would completely shut off his mind. He was never the type to "live in the moment'.
He had lived in a world where people could kill you by playing with dead animals or paper figures all the way on the opposite side of the earth.
Vigilance was the only way to survive.
Masks were a necessity-
Distrust was a commonality-
Betrayal was a culture-
And deals were made under-the-table while secrets were all open.
In such a world, even ones lover becomes the greatest threat to one's life.
Reines-
She was a fling, James ignored her since he had watched her grow up. But-
People changed and Reines knew him, she watched him and when he was at his most vulnerable she struck.
James found himself waking up next to Reines, the adult Reines in her twenties, she did not bear any childish air. She was like an empress, looking down at the world and James… he just loved to make such people kneel.
Their relationship was bound by benefits and yet-
The fragile and weak Reines-
The woman who appeared powerless-
The woman who was desperately clinging to him for support-
It was this woman that made James drop his guard completely.
Any thoughts of the future, the connection he had with the bounded field-
All of them were dropped, at this moment, anyone could walk in on him and Reines and James would not even hear the door opening.
His mind had shut off everything but the feeling of Reines in his arms.
An emotion he thought he had long forgotten had risen up inside him.
'This feels… oddly satisfying"
The two individuals remained in such a position for an unknown amount of time meanwhile-
Back in James' office, Merlin found himself having a LONG conversation with the three "important" women who had been left to "deal" with the matter of Tony Stark.
"In any case, we need to find a way to bring Tony back without arousing suspicion!"
Merlin said with a sigh, his words carried heavy fatigue as the Ho father and daughter duo were busy reading a bunch of books on magecraft, meanwhile Tony was seated next to Merlin asking some questions from time to time.
"Honestly, why do we have to think about it? Just send him home! He's a genius so he'll figure something out"
Morgan rolled her eyes as she gave her "suggestion", though it sounded more like an order- but! Merlin was already used to this.
'At least I'm not getting attacked'
He thought as he massaged his temples in frustration.
"She's straightforward, I like her"
Tony commented on the side, his words subtle yet not at the same time.
Morgan glared at Tony before turning away, uninterest at the two men.
This action of hers did not intimidate Tony though as he leaned in towards Merlin as he whispered.
"Yo, I think she likes me"
But Merlin did not have any reaction other than a "pleasant smile" (─ ‿ ─)
Their discussion had been going on for quite some time now and nothing has been resolved. Merlin tried to get anything from the three women but they all replied with scoffs or disinterest.
On the other hand, Tony was just trying to find ways to flirt with the three women, despite Merlin showing worry and fear, Tony, the man of the hour, had continuously acted like a stud on drugs, the aphrodisiac kind as he didn't stop trying prove how perverted he was.
As Merlin was nearing his breaking point, Morgan, turned to him, her expression showing disappointment as she spoke-
"Mage of Flowers, you claim to be a master in magecraft, to have a great "sense" and yet- unlike your student, you've failed to notice the "bad air" in the room… I gave you quite some time but I don't think you'd be able to notice it at this point so I'm telling you now-"
Morgan turned to the elf beside her, her face showing an expression of deep annoyance as she spoke-
"S T O P I T"
Her words were not loud nor was it deep, but the way she spoke gave an undeniable pressure. One that made Tony snap out of whatever trance he was and Merlin to look wide eyed in shock as if coming to some "grand revelation".
"Awe~ we were just getting to the good part~"
The elf complained but her words caused a shiver to run down both Merlin and Tony's backs-
"Yo Merlin… "
Tony was the first to speak up as he turned to the white haired man next to him.
"Yeah?"
"Magecraft is scary"
Hearing Tony's words, Merlin shot the genius a look, his expression shifting as he shook his head and replied-
"No"
Tony, bewildered, squinted, his eyes analyzing Merlin's expression.
"Hm?"
Merlin wasn't bothered by Tony's act as he simply spoke, his tone calm but the words he said carried a meaning that hit Tony hard.
"Women are Scary"
It was like watching Moses split the red sea or Jesus coming back to life- Tony was speechless, his expression frozen in complete and utter shock.
"..." Σ(°ロ°)
It took Tony some time but he eventually got out of his stupor, his gaze scanning the three beauties before returning to Merlin as he replied-
"Yeah" ദ്ദി（• ˕ •マ).ᐟ
At this moment, the doors to the office opened as a man dressed in black walked in, he scanned the people in the room before his eyes landed on Tony Stark.
"Hello everyone, I'm Black, the head Butler of James Barthomeloi, I have already been alerted of your matters and will be dealing with all the necessary transfers and actions though…"
Black's gaze swept through the three women before landing on Merlin as he asked-
"Please tell me, whose matter should be dealt with first?"
The words caused a silent stir, Tony and Merlin looked at each other, their eyes having a silent conversation-
"..." (⊙ _ ⊙ )!!
Meanwhile, opposite of the two men, Morgan gave a silent glare towards the Elf beauty-
"..." ヾ(╹_╹)ﾉ🔪
But the elf did not back down as she replied with a calm smile of her own.
"..." -ˋˏ ༻❁(✿◠ᴗ◠)❀༺ ˎˊ-
While the third woman, the icy beauty with a stuffed doll remained silent.
"..." ❄︎(─_─)❄︎
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Powerstone Milestone
Every 100 Power Stones = 1 side story
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