NOVEL NEXT Chapter 318: New Information [I]
It was morning, and sunlight streamed through the half-closed curtains.
Medusa groaned softly, squinting her golden eyes as the warm light hit her face… like it did every other morning, however it wasn't every morning that she was in Azel's room.
Her hand searched lazily across the bed until it brushed against skin and she recognized who it was instantly...
Azel.
He was still there.
Relief melted through her as she pressed her cheek against his toned stomach and sighed quietly.
His slow breathing and the way his heart beat… as well as how muscular he was… it calmed her more than anything else.
He was so perfect for her. She didn't even want to imagine what she would do if he ever left or what she would have been doing if they never met.
The mattress shifted slightly as Azel stirred.
His eyes opened and the first thing he laid them on was… her.
"Oh… Meda, you alright?"
He ran his hand gently through her hair, his fingers combing through the soft strands. "Do you feel any mood swings coming up?"
She smiled against his skin.
"Nope," she said sweetly, then kissed his stomach softly. "Morning, hubby."
Her voice was playful, a little shy but full of affection. She'd heard Edna use the same word multiple times before and had wanted to try it for herself too.
And judging from his reaction, it worked.
"Hehe, morning to you too, cutie," Azel said, grinning.
The warmth in his voice made her ears turn bright red.
"N-no…" she mumbled, hiding her face as she tried to pull away.
Azel sat up, stretching, the muscles on his back shifting beneath his skin as he took off his shirt.
Medusa peeked at him from under the blanket.
"Are you going somewhere today?" she asked quietly.
"Yes," he said, pulling off his shirt and looking at her over his shoulder. "Just going to meet a little fortune teller. Nothing much."
He ran a hand through his hair and added with a grin, "While I'm gone, don't bring the house down, okay?"
She pouted, her eyes lowering a bit.
"The damages from yesterday are going to be fixed today," Azel continued with a sigh. "But I'll have to pay for all of it."
That made her chest tighten.
She looked at his back as he moved around the room… her expression turning a bit guilty.
'He's paying for the mess I caused… because I wanted his attention.'
Her heart ached slightly. 'Maybe I should stop…'
She watched as he picked out a simple outfit… a black T-shirt and gray trousers. It was nothing flashy, but it looked good on him anyway.
"But then again," Azel said casually, breaking her thoughts, "money's not really an issue. Just… don't tear the house apart again."
He paused, then smiled. "If you feel a mood swing coming, you can use one of my shirts. I'll give you the full thing when I get back."
Her eyes widened.
"F-full thing?" she whispered, her face turning bright red as she buried herself in his pillow.
Why was this man so shameless first thing in the morning?! But she loved it as well…
"O… okay…" she murmured, voice muffled by the pillow.
Azel chuckled quietly and walked toward the bathroom. "Good girl."
The door closed behind him, leaving her to stew in her flustered thoughts.
She hugged the pillow tighter, still smelling his scent on it. She loved that too…
"It won't hurt if I do it some more times…" she whispered, her beautiful smile covered the fabric.
…
A few hours later, the Academy's entertainment district buzzed with life.
Students, merchants, and performers filled the streets and Azel could smell the street food in the air.
He was currently walking through the crowd with both hands in his pockets, taking in the sight.
According to the current rumors he'd heard, the Academy would reopen in three days. He still needed to confirm with Dorian, but that was enough time to prepare for the next sub-arc before the first Calamity.
His real destination, though, was Madame Estesse's place… the infamous fortune teller who somehow always had a line stretching down the block.
When he arrived, nothing had changed.
The same long line of students, nobles, and even merchants stood outside her door, waiting for their turn.
Some looked desperate, while others were smug… all of them were convinced they'd learn something about their future.
Azel stopped a few feet away, eyeing the crowd.
"You people really believe this scam, huh?" he muttered under his breath.
But then again, a hustle was a hustle.
He respected that.
Before he could even think about joining the line, the door creaked open.
A small veiled woman stepped out and ran toward him, each time her foot made contact with the ground... there was no noise.
She looked up at him and spoke in an eerie tone.
"Madame Estesse calls you."
Her voice made a few heads in the line turn in jealousy.
Azel blinked, slightly amused. "Just like last time, huh?"
The veiled girl ignored the murmurs and gestured for him to follow. "Please come with me."
She led him past the annoyed crowd, ignoring the handful of nobles who tried bribing her for a VIP session.
"Madame said him only," she repeated, and no one dared argue.
When they reached the small door at the end, she opened it and motioned him inside. The moment they stepped through, the noise of the street vanished.
The door shut quietly behind them, and Azel heard the lock click.
The girl then lifted her veil, revealing her young face.
He recognized her instantly.
Charlotte's little sister.
"Where's your sister?" Azel asked casually.
The girl opened her mouth to reply, but before she could, a loud burp sounded through the room.
Azel turned his head toward the sound.
And there she was.
Madame Estesse… or rather, Charlotte was sitting cross-legged on a couch with a half-empty bottle of beer in hand.
Her long pink hair was slightly messy but her eyes were full of energy.
"Welcome, boss," she said with another burp.
Azel stared at her. "…You've been drinking since morning?"
"Don't mind the commotion outside," she said, waving her bottle lazily. "I'm on break."
Her little sister sighed softly and went to tidy up a corner of the room.
The place was filled with candles, scattered tarot cards, and what looked like three half-empty cups of different alcohols.
Azel took a seat across from her, crossing his legs. "You shouldn't get drunk in the middle of a session, are you trying to be caught?"
Charlotte chuckled.
"I have some resistance to it so there's no problem…" She leaned back and smirked. "So, what does the great representative want from a poor little drunk like me today?"
"My Information," he said plainly.