Help! My Fictional Knight Is Real?!
Chapter 18
[Scene: Campus Café – Seren’s Worst Idea Yet]
Seren drags Kieran into the campus café, already regretting life.
Seren wagner (fl)
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I need you to be normal today.
Kieran Valtor (ml)
(smug) Seren. I am the embodiment of normalcy.
Seren wagner (fl)
You introduced yourself to my professor as ‘Sir Kieran, Guardian of Seren’ and tried to duel a coffee machine.
Kieran Valtor (ml)
A deceptive beast. It hissed first.
Seren wagner (fl)
WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS.
Just then, a guy from her class—Jason—walks up to their table. Seren brightens.
Seren wagner (fl)
Oh, hey Jason!
Jason smiles, looking way too comfortable.
Jason (seren classmate)
Hey, Seren. Haven’t seen you around much. Want to grab lunch later?
Kieran's brain short-circuits.
He looks at Jason. Then at Seren. Then back at Jason. His grip tightens on his cup like he’s imagining throwing it.
Kieran Valtor (ml)
(gritted teeth) Who… is this?
Seren wagner (fl)
Oh, this is Jason. We have class together.
Jason (seren classmate)
Nice to meet you, man.
Kieran stares at it like it’s a live grenade.
Kieran Valtor (ml)
…Why are you speaking to her? 😑
Seren wagner (fl)
Excuse me??
Jason (seren classmate)
(chuckling) Uh, because I want to?
Kieran Valtor (ml)
(dead serious) Unacceptable.
Seren wagner (fl)
KIERAN, YOU CAN’T JUST DECIDE THAT.
Jason laughs, but Kieran’s jaw ticks. Seren suddenly gets the feeling she should remove all throwable objects from the table.
Jason (seren classmate)
(still amused) Relax, man. I was just asking her to lunch.
Kieran Valtor (ml)
A private meal? With her? Alone?
Seren wagner (fl)
That’s… usually how lunch works?
Kieran takes a slow, deep breath, as if trying to summon patience from the heavens.
Kieran Valtor (ml)
(muttering) I shall not challenge him to a duel. I shall not challenge him to a duel.
Seren wagner (fl)
KIERAN, PLEASE.
Kieran Valtor (ml)
(slamming his hand on the table) SHE IS NOT.
Seren wagner (fl)
(hissing) Oh my god, Kieran, what is WRONG with you?!
Kieran Valtor (ml)
(crossing his arms, glaring at Jason) She has prior engagements. With me.
Seren wagner (fl)
I DO NOT.
Kieran Valtor (ml)
YOU.DO.NOW
Jason raises an eyebrow, clearly entertained.
Jason (seren classmate)
Ah. So that’s how it is.
Seren wagner (fl)
THAT IS NOT HOW IT IS—
Kieran Valtor (ml)
It is exactly how it is.
Jason just chuckles, nodding in understanding.
Jason (seren classmate)
Alright, alright. I’ll leave you two to it.
He walks off, and Seren turns to Kieran, face red with frustration.
Seren wagner (fl)
WHAT. WAS. THAT.
Kieran Valtor (ml)
(shrugging, smug as ever) Just ensuring your safety, Lady Seren.
Seren wagner (fl)
From WHAT?! FRIENDLY CONVERSATION?!
Kieran Valtor (ml)
(grumbling) His intentions were unclear. And I did not like the way he looked at you.
Seren wagner (fl)
…Are you JEALOUS?
Kieran Valtor (ml)
(immediately defensive) A warrior of my caliber does not experience such trivial emotions.
Seren wagner (fl)
You totally are.
Kieran Valtor (ml)
I am not.
Seren wagner (fl)
Ohhh my god. You are.
Kieran Valtor (ml)
Enough. We are leaving.
He yanks her out of her chair, dragging her out of the café like a medieval gremlin.
Seren wagner (fl)
(laughing now) You’re ridiculous.
Kieran Valtor (ml)
And yet, here you are. With me. Not Jason.
Seren wagner (fl)
…Did you just use jealousy logic on me?
Kieran Valtor (ml)
(smirking) It worked, didn’t it?
Seren wagner (fl)
I HATE YOU.
Kieran Valtor (ml)
You love my protection.
Seren swears she’s never been more tempted to throw something at someone’s head.
But also… why is she actually smiling?
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