"Don't get ahead of yourself now."
Silas smiled as he stepped closer to Victoria, the corners of his lips curving in quiet amusement. He patted her shoulder with casual ease, though the look in his eyes carried a flicker of something warmer—more intentional.
"But you definitely are beautiful."
He added softly, leaning in just enough to whisper the words near her ear. His voice was low, edged with sincerity. A faint blush bloomed along the curve of Victoria's ear, trailing across her cheeks as she instinctively stepped back, her eyes widening in surprise. She wasn't prepared for that—not the closeness, and definitely not the sudden compliment.
"I can't decide if you're creepy or charming… or a mix of both."
Victoria stammered, her voice unsteady. Her smile twitched on her lips, wavering like she was caught off-guard by a chill that wasn't really there. She crossed her arms tightly around herself, half as a barrier, half out of reflex—like the compliment had peeled away a layer of her usual armor.
"But… thank you, I guess…?"
Her gaze dipped to the floor before darting back up, a mixture of suspicion and embarrassment simmering behind her crimson eyes.
"Weirdo…"
She mumbled with a breathy laugh, shaking her head slightly. Then, with a sigh, she relaxed—her arms falling to her sides again. One hand settled on her hip in that familiar, confident stance. She glanced across the library, scanning the rows of books and winding paths between tall shelves.
"Now then… where did that girl run off to."
Silas tilted his head and gestured toward a quiet corner of the library, opposite from where they stood. In the distance, through the soft amber light and scattered silhouettes of shelves, Maria could be seen—speaking to someone. The Prince, recently returned from his errands, stood beside her. The two seemed caught in an unexpectedly intimate conversation, their voices too low to hear but their posture unmistakably engaged.
"We should leave them alone for now, don't you think?"
Victoria followed his gaze, her eyes lighting up with mischievous amusement as she spotted the scene.
"Well, look at you being a good wingman for the main heroine and male lead."
She gave him a playful nudge with her shoulder, her tone teasing but approving.
"Anyways, it's about time I head home. Wanna walk with me?"
She threw the question over her shoulder as she turned slightly toward the exit. Then, with a bratty smirk, she added:
"Not like you have anything better to do—unless you're a creep who likes to watch two people flirt with each other…"
Her voice was mockingly accusatory, her eyes gleaming with playful malice.
Silas raised an eyebrow and flicked her forehead with pinpoint accuracy, his fingers swift.
"Try aiming your psychoanalysis at someone else."
A slight frown furrowed his brow, though his tone was more amused than scolding.
"Hey—ow!"
Victoria recoiled with an exaggerated gasp, both hands flying up to cradle her forehead as if she'd been mortally wounded.
"Don't you know how to treat a girl right?"
She pouted dramatically, lips jutting forward as she glared up at him beneath her silver bangs.
Silas merely chuckled, stuffing his hands into his coat pockets with a lazy sort of grace. He turned slightly toward the exit, his pace casual.
"Anyways, I'll take you up on your offer. Now let's get going before we get outed as stalkers."
Victoria huffed softly but began walking beside him, her pout still lingering as she trailed after him out of the library. Together, they stepped into the long marbled hallway, their footsteps echoing faintly.
Then—thunk!
A briefcase came flying through the air and smacked the back of Silas's head with a dull but decisive thud. He stumbled forward with a grunt, nearly losing his balance.
"Catch, Mr. Assassin Heartthrob!"
Victoria shouted from behind him, her grin triumphant. Her fingers crackled subtly with levitation magic—the same spell she'd just used to lob the briefcase across the hallway with pinpoint precision.
Her laughter followed after him, ringing with the kind of victory only a brat with magic and good aim could savor.