Her otherworldly allure ignited a crimson blush on his pallid complexion; she epitomized the essence of a character straight out of a storybook.
Resembling nothing short of a captivating fairytale princess, with her enchanting presence casting a spell of admiration and wonder upon all who beheld her.
She embodies the kind of person for whom you'd willingly lay down everything, the type of individual who inspires such profound devotion that you'd gladly make sacrifices without hesitation, driven by an unwavering desire to protect and cherish her above all else.
Ace finds himself in a whirlwind of emotions, grappling with a tangled web of feelings that elude easy categorization. While he hesitates to label his sentiments as a typical crush, he can't deny the magnetic pull he feels towards her.
She emanated an aura of dominance and authority, commanding respect with every step she took, yet paradoxically, there was also an undeniable sense of gentleness and grace that radiated from her.
She effortlessly balanced strength and softness, embodying a rare combination of power and poise that set her apart from the rest. Indeed, she was a unique blend of intellect and physical prowess, a force to be reckoned with in every sense of the word.
Ace couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude as he awakened to find himself nestled next to the captivating beauty known as y/n.
Taking a moment to absorb his surroundings, he realized he was in the comforting embrace of the infirmary.
The gentle glow of the morning sun filtered through the window, casting a warm, tranquil ambiance over the room, soothing him back into a state of peaceful slumber amidst the serene stillness that enveloped them both.
With a subdued grunt, Ace settled himself onto the edge of the bed, his gaze fixated on the girl beside him, her soft snores filling the air as she drifted away into peaceful dreams.
In this moment of quiet reflection, he marveled at the transformation before him – from the fiery intensity of her enraged expression just hours earlier to the serene tranquility that now graced her delicate features in slumber.
She was a true embodiment of a sleeping beauty.
Despite the tranquility of the moment, Ace remained resolute in his convictions, unyielding in his refusal to feel remorse for his words.
He refused to offer an apology, steadfast in the belief that his opinion was his own and not subject to retraction.
This unwavering stance was only strengthened by the memory of the cruel and painful manner in which his powers had been stripped away from him.
As he reflected on the still-painful memory, Ace felt a twinge of frustration lingering within him. Yet, amidst the anger and resentment, there remained a flicker of admiration for the poised elegance with which she had conducted herself during that fateful moment.
Like a queen.
As his thoughts veered into unexpected territory, Ace swiftly pushed them aside, donning a facade of feigned frustration as he reached out to shake y/n awake.
Her startled gasp echoed through the room as her wide eyes darted around, finally settling on Ace's pouting expression.
"Give my magic back!" Ace's voice reverberated with a mix of desperation and fury, his eyes betraying the turmoil within as they began to twitch with barely contained intensity.
Once y/n had regained her composure, she swatted Ace's hand away and rose to her feet.
"Hmph! As if I would even consider such a request after the disrespect you showed to me and my familiar," y/n retorted, her tone laced with a mixture of indignation and disbelief. "Do you not possess even a shred of shame?"
Ace bristled at y/n's accusation of lacking shame. How could he feel remorse for speaking the truth? He wasn't fabricating his words or twisting reality; he simply voiced his honest opinions.
Just as Ace was about to leap off the bed, he was suddenly pushed back down by y/n, her actions catching him off guard and momentarily halting his movements.
"Sit down, be a good bird, and listen," y/n commanded, her tone firm and authoritative, leaving no room for argument as she asserted her dominance over the situation.
As much as it hurt his ego, Ace begrudgingly acknowledged the authority in y/n's voice. With a swallow of his pride, he reluctantly nodded, resigning himself to the role of listener for the moment.
With a smug smirk playing on her lips she crossed her arms.
"Since you were the one who initiated the conflict, you'll share in the consequences along with the rest of us," y/n reiterated, her tone firm as she delivered the message.
"The headmaster's directive is clear: we're tasked with washing a hundred windows as our punishment."
With each word that escaped y/n's lips, Ace's horror deepened. The idea of being roped into assisting these individuals – whom he deemed as peculiar – in washing a hundred windows was beyond comprehension.
The very thought sent shivers down his spine, and he couldn't fathom subjecting himself to such an arduous task, not in a million years.
"Keep dreaming! There's absolutely no way I'm lending a hand,"
Ace exclaimed, his expression contorted with offense and defiance. However, his outburst only served to further alienate him from the possibility of regaining his magic.
As Ace adamantly refused to cooperate, a transformation swept over the countenance of the swan maiden. Slowly but surely, the gentle features that once exuded grace and serenity contorted into a visage of utter bitter anger.
Had Ace not learned his lesson? While y/n may have been striving to redeem herself, the path to goodness was fraught with challenges, and provoking an already agitated princess was akin to courting disaster.
As Ace continued to run his mouth, oblivious to the escalating tension, y/n stalked closer to him, her eyes flashing with a noticeable change in color as they locked into a confrontation. Face to face, the air crackled with intensity.
"It was your fault the statue melted you spoiled little-"
Ace's words faltered and died on his tongue as he found himself transfixed by the girl's crimson eyes. The intensity of their gaze held him captive, rendering him speechless in the face of her unbridled fury.
In an instant, a thick fog seemed to descend upon Ace's mind, clouding his thoughts and leaving him feeling disoriented. It was as if he were a puppet on strings, succumbing willingly to the siren call of every sweet, sugary word that escaped the girl's lips.
Despite his attempts to resist, he found himself drawn deeper into her mesmerizing presence, unable to break free from the enchantment that held him captive.
"Oh, but I'm so weak and miserable!" y/n exclaimed, her voice dripping with faux vulnerability as she appealed to Ace with doe-like eyes.
"I couldn't possibly wash a hundred windows with my feeble hands... Will you save me, my king of hearts?" Her words were laced with honeyed sweetness, a cunning ploy to manipulate Ace into relenting to her wishes.
The words had a seductive allure, their sweetness tantalizing Ace's wounded ego and leaving him craving more. Each syllable was like a delectable treat, soothing his pride and igniting a hunger within him for further validation.
Despite his better judgment, he found himself drawn to the intoxicating taste of her flattery, eager to bask in the warmth of her praise and approval.
Caught in a trance-like state, Ace's body moved in accordance with y/n's every request, his mind overridden by a compulsion to comply even when his instincts urged him to resist.
Despite any inner desire to decline, he found himself powerless to disobey, his actions dictated by an invisible force that compelled him to fulfill her wishes.
Once y/n was satisfied with Ace's compliance, she closed her eyes momentarily. When she reopened them, the crimson hue that had consumed her irises faded away, returning to their normal color.
The spell of enchantment that had held Ace in its grip seemed to dissipate along with the change in her eyes, leaving him blinking in bewilderment as he regained control of his faculties.
"Good birdie," y/n cooed, her tone dripping with satisfaction. "See? Just obey me, and you'll be just fine."