Chapter 23: Get to Know Me a Bit Better

Duels were uncommon at present. Usually, when there was news of a duel, it was more like a drunken brawl on the outskirts of town or two high ranking nobles had enough animosity that they’d finally agreed to a physical altercation to settle matters between them.

Ewan couldn’t even remember the last time he heard about a duel in Horizon. They were so rare that when one happened, it was big news, especially if it was between nobles or wealthy individuals. As for duels between students and on school grounds, he didn’t even think that such a thing happened in his parents’ generation.

Yet, as he watched the main fighting ring be cleared and Master McDouglass inspect the two wooden training swords that would be used, Ewan still couldn’t believe it was happening.

And to Tori.

He paused and squinted. Then again, considering Tori’s past reputation, perhaps something like this was bound to happen? He debated whether he should go and get their friends, but the duel was going to start soon.

His eyes moved over to one side of the ring, where Sir Fabian von Dorn, the most highly ranked swordsman in the first-year class, was putting on a padded jacket. Master McDouglass agreed to let them have the duel, but safety precautions needed to be in place.

That meant wooden swords only, padded clothes, gloves, and helmets. As for the vague “first to yield” requirement for calling the winner, Ewan wasn’t sure how exactly that would work. How did they know when one person yielded? Would that person have to say, ‘I yield’? Or would that person simply be unable to keep going?

“Ewan.” He heard his name called and he looked over and saw Tori adjusting her gloves. She tilted her head, making a slight beckoning motion. He walked forward. “After this, do some laps around the training grounds to let out some energy and then go back to studying.”

He couldn’t believe he just heard her say that. “You’re about to have a duel and you’re telling me to go back to studying?” Sometimes, he wondered if Tori’s mind was in the right place.

“Not immediately,” Tori said with a little shake of her head. Her bush of curly black hair was braided and she tucked it into the back of her padded jacket to keep it out of the way. “The duel is probably going to get your energy up. You won’t be able to concentrate immediately, so let it out first.”

He ran a hand down his face. “I can’t believe you....”

“It’ll be fine. This is as controlled an environment as we can get and Master McDouglass is overseeing the duel. Neither of us will get seriously hurt.” She gave him a bright smile and Ewan wondered if she forgot that just minutes earlier, Sir von Dorn had pointed a sharp, metal sword at her face.

If Vice-Captain didn’t stop him, Ewan would’ve brought his training sword down on Sir von Dorn’s extended arm. His first instinct was to protect his friend; he didn’t think about the possible ramifications of injuring the second prince’s personal knight.

Tori seemed to look at him with slight amusement. She gave him a smile. “Ewan, it’ll be fine,” she told him with the same calm reassurance she gave them when they crossed the river. “Don’t worry. I won’t let you regret not breaking his arm.”

He squinted his eyes and looked down. “Be careful.”

Tori gave him another smile and pulled her helmet down, over her face. She patted his shoulder and walked towards the center of the ring.

Ewan gripped the sword in his hand tight. He let out a low breath and moved to stand closer to the ring.

“Be careful, Fabian!” Lady Hart’s voice filled the tense training grounds and Ewan couldn’t help but frown at her.

The vice-captain was a few paces from her and Gideon and he gave her an incredulous look. “Weren’t you just trying to stop him from fighting?” Ewan almost nodded in agreement. For someone who seemed so desperate to stop the fight from happening, she had quickly turned to cheering Sir von Dorn on.

Lady Hart’s pretty face flushed and she shrank back beside Prince Gideon.

“Here are your swords,” Master McDouglass said as he handed Tori and Sir von Dorn each a wooden sword. “It is the first to yield. Either one declares they yield or I decide they are no longer fit to continue. If a student appears injured, I will call the match immediately. If the other student continues to attack, then they lose the match and I will report the aggression to the headmaster, despite the agreed upon duel.” He looked across the ring, disapprovingly at Prince Gideon, who nodded in agreement.

“I agree,” Tori said as she lifted her sword and gave her opponent a salute. Ewan didn’t think Sir von Dorn deserved it.

“I also agree.” Sir von Dorn didn’t mirror the movement and instead turned his back to Tori and took three paces for distance.

“He’s already getting this ridiculous duel,” Ewan heard his brother say beside him. “He doesn’t have to be a jerk about it.” Patrick had his arms crossed over his chest and wore a tight frown.

Ewan glanced back at the ring. Tori stepped back another three paces. Master McDouglass moved back, to a safe distance, though he was also wearing a helmet.

“Ready!” their sword master called out. Sir von Dorn moved into an aggressive stance. Tori remained in her favorite position that seemed to invite the opponent to attack. Ewan swallowed hard. Perhaps Tori did not know about Sir von Dorn’s ability? “Fight!”

Sir von Dorn, surprisingly, didn’t fly into an attack. He seemed to close distance, but didn’t make a cut. He began to circle Tori, looking for a drop in her guard.

“Do you think Tori can beat Sir von Dorn?” Patrick asked him. “Even I can’t.”

Despite his nervousness, Ewan nodded. It was a bit surprising. He thought he’d shake his head and admit that his friend wouldn’t be able to defeat the highest ranked first year swordsman, but he did know something that, aside from Tori, the rest of the people in the practice grounds didn’t know.

“She fought Sir Nassaun.”

His brother uncrossed his arms and looked at him with surprise. “Sir Nassaun? The first prince’s knight?” Ewan nodded. “How did that turn out?”

Ewan furrowed his brows, ignoring the sudden clash of swords just a few paces from him. He blankly watched the two opponents put distance between each other as they realigned. “I don’t know. I wasn’t there,” Ewan said. “But the last time I saw Sir Nassaun, I asked.”

“What did he say?”

Ewan pursed his lips. He recalled the slight grin on Sir Nassaun’s face. “She’s really fast.”

“She got his sword!” Someone cried out and the brothers both focused on the ring in front of them. A wooden sword was tossed to the ground, and Tori was keeping close distance between her and Sir von Dorn.

She grabbed the blade of the sword, around the foible and held it across her body as if it were a short quarterstaff. She began to use it to hit various points of Sir von Dorn’s body and head with the pommel or simply use the blade as a club against his body; whatever opening she saw, she’d take.

It seemed an almost reckless onslaught of attacks that didn’t belong with a sword. Sir von Dorn seemed at a loss without his weapon and he just stood there, taking the hits. Everyone grimaced.

Tori took a step to the side and slammed her pommel beneath his chin. Ewan could hear the onlookers let out a hiss. A second later, she was behind Sir von Dorn. As he was still reeling from the hit, she realigned herself so she was facing his back. Her left hand returned to the pommel and Ewan bit his lip.

Lady Hart screamed.

The cut came down hard and fast, hitting the back of his right shoulder and dragging down across his back. At the very least, it would leave a bruise across Sir von Dorn’s back, padded jacket or not. He heard a grunt as Tori raised her arms and thrusted, the blunt tip of her sword pushing Sir von Dorn forward. He lost his balance. Fell to his hands and knees, and Tori pressed her point against his back, right behind his heart.

“Guevera wins!” Master McDouglass made the call at once and rushed towards the students.

Tori took a step back and lowered her sword as Sir von Dorn’s arms gave way. The hit on his shoulder likely caused the pain that weakened his arm. He fell onto his side and let out a cry.

“What did you do to him!” Prince Gideon appeared in the ring, skidding to his knees beside his knight as he looked at Tori with hateful eyes.

“I made him yield.” Tori spoke with such casual indifference that Ewan shuddered. She remained standing, her sword still at her side as she watched her opponent taking shallow breaths on the ground. “I win the duel, Mr. von Dorn.” She almost sounded as if she were mocking him. “Are you satisfied?”

Ewan rushed over to get a better look. He narrowed his eyes and drew his head back. Sir von Dorn was grasping his sides and curling up. The most celebrated first year swordsman was laying on the ground, beaten in less time than it took to instigate the duel.

Ewan let out a low whistle and looked at Tori, impressed and relieved. “Sir Nassaun was right. You really are fast.”

Tori shrugged. She handed her sword to the vice-captain and then lifted her helmet off.

“Sir Nassaun?” Prince Gideon looked up and narrowed his eyes as he knelt beside Sir von Dorn. “How do you know my brother’s knight?”

Tori gave Ewan a look of disapproval and Ewan looked away. He didn’t think it was a secret, but it seemed Tori didn’t want to make it well known.

“He’s my brother’s underclassman,” Tori said. She tugged off her gloves. “You know who my brother is, don’t you? Kasen de Guevera?”

Master McDouglass was kneeling on the ground, inspecting Sir von Dorn. He gently helped the young man up and let out a low breath. “Lord Kasen is more than on par with any imperial knight. Lord Sebastian is even more skilled than Lord Kasen.”

Patrick furrowed his brows. “Lord Sebastian is the reason they no longer have the anniversary tournaments, isn’t he?”

Ewan heard the stories, but was too young at the time that they happened. He only knew a little. Tori cocked her head to the side, looking equally confused.

“What did my brother do?”

Master McDouglass began to help Sir von Dorn to his feet as Prince Gideon came to his knight’s side to try to support him.

“The imperial couple’s anniversary tournaments were a week-long tournament, where anyone can sign up and try their skill against imperial knights for a prize.” He looked at Tori with an unreadable expression. “Lord Sebastian was in his last year at Lycée. He went through 148 imperial knights in that week, without a single loss. He then dedicated his win to his sister.”

Ewan wished someone dedicated their win to him. Tori had two brothers and he had three and two sisters, yet no one dedicated anything to him. He looked over at his friend. Tori had furrowed her brows.

“Sebby would’ve been...seventeen?”

Master McDouglass looked almost pained at the reminder. “They nicknamed him ‘the monster’.”

Tori’s lips pulled into a line. She then looked back at Sir von Dorn. He was trying to stand. His legs were uninjured; Ewan didn’t see any attacks to his lower body. His upper body, however, was a different story.

“I hit his torso multiple times and the last cut went across his shoulder. Someone should take him to the school infirmary to make sure nothing is seriously hurt,” she said.

Lady Hart, who was standing close by and looking at them with a worried and frantic expression, grabbed her skirt and twisted the fabric in her hands. She looked at Tori accusingly. “Did you have to hit him so hard?” She sounded choked up.

“Miss Hart, he pointed a sharp, metal sword at my face,” Tori said in a dull voice. “Let me assure you, he was not holding back when he attacked.”

“Come,” Master McDouglass supported Sir von Dorn on one side. “We’ll go to the infirmary to have him checked.” They hobbled away with Lady Hart tailing after them.

Ewan looked at Tori. “How’d you get his sword?”

“Twist the cross guard around his wrist and entangle it, grab your blade, twist your sword up and towards you. It pries their grip and loosens their hold. Their only other choice is to try to grab it, so you have to be fast,” Tori said. “Also, a sword is limited in close distance, so I had to change its use to fit into the range.”

“Was Sir von Dorn seriously attacking you, Tori?” Patrick asked.

Tori took a deep breath and nodded. “Yes, but I don’t think he’s fought a lot of people outside of a tournament or one-on-one setting.”

“Why do you say that?”

Tori glanced up at him and his brother. “He pauses a lot after a cut or attack and it takes him a bit longer to step back and realign. When you’re surrounded by enemies, you don’t stop. You just keep moving or you’re a sitting target.”

Word spread quickly at the start of final exams that Fabian and Tori had a ‘scuffle’ and that she won that ‘scuffle’ on the practice grounds. At first, no one believed that she could win a match against Fabian. He had a formidable reputation amongst the students and young Horizon swordsmen in general. If Tori hadn’t beat him herself, she also wouldn’t have believed the rumors.

Then Fabian was absent during the final exams and would retake them under the headmaster’s supervision when he was better. Instructor Rosemund let the class know that he was injured while having a match. When she said that, everyone in the class turned to look at Tori in the back row as she sharpened her pencil. She had pretended that she had nothing to do with it.

Surprisingly, Gideon didn’t try to have Tori expelled or even raised a complaint. She expected him to go to the headmaster and was counting on Master McDouglass to explain the situation and confirm that it was, in fact, Fabian who instigated the duel. It didn’t come to that and Tori wasn’t sure if it was because Gideon knew that this time they were at fault or if he had some other unknown motive in keeping his mouth shut.

As for Fabian, JP had asked around and found out that he had two cracked ribs and a bruised shoulder. At the time, Tori had appeared calm and relaxed in front of Ewan, but she wanted to hurt Fabian. She wanted him to feel pain because she was just so tired of their bullshit and if this could shut them up, even for a little bit, she wouldn’t hold back.

Tori also expected Alessa to come crying to her, but it seemed her somewhat extreme show of strength steered the heroine away. Dimitri didn’t confront her. Gideon didn’t say a word, although he’d glare at her whenever he saw her. Either her plan worked and she temporarily scared them into silence or they were just all busy with finals.

The exams themselves weren’t bad and, while twice as long as midterms, Tori was fully prepared. Even Henrik felt he was much better prepared this time around. On the last day, the group agreed to trudge to Cafe Fortuna for something to drink and eat to unwind. All the studying had clearly exhausted them.

Sonia had bags under her eyes and JP was in a daze. Ilyana still had some nervous energy. Everyone knew she would score well, however; she had set a goal to be number one. Tori supported this goal, not only for her friend’s sake, but because if Ilyana was number one, then Dimitri wasn’t. Ewan fell asleep on the chaise by the hearth and Henrik had kept asking Ilyana questions to confirm his answers until Sonia told him to stop because she didn’t want to think any more.

After Mama J stuffed them full of food and warm drinks, as well as gave them motherly words of encouragement, they returned to the dorm. The final exam results would be released the following week and so they planned to schedule their dinner on the last night before they left for the break.

Or rather, until Tori left them to go home.

As Tori watched Ilyana sort through what clothes to bring with her to the inn, she decided to voice her thoughts on her friend staying alone.

“I think you should hire bodyguards.”

“Huh?” Ilyana lowered her arms and looked surprised. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, I feel uncomfortable with you staying at an inn alone. The inn is in a relatively safe part of town, but you’ll be by yourself. Everyone lives at least a thirty-minute walk away.”

“I’ll be spending a lot of time at the guild and at JP and Sonia’s,” Ilyana said, smiling. “I won’t be alone the whole time.”

Tori still couldn’t rid herself of her worry. Her brother told her that if her gut was telling her something, then to listen to it. “It’s just that with Lions Gate, some unsavory people may know that you’re a partial owner and may target you. I just think it’s safer to have a bodyguard or escorts to and from the guild and JP and Sonia’s.”

“Tori...you worry too much,” Ilyana said. “I’ll be fine.”

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Tori wrinkled her nose. “Then talk to your father. Call him and ask what he thinks.”

Ilyana was only humoring her, but didn’t expect her father to agree.

“Listen to Lady Tori,” Ilyana’s father’s voice spoke over the comcry. “This is something I should’ve taken care of when I made the arrangements. This is my mistake, Nana. You should have bodyguards.”

Tori felt a little victorious. She leaned forward. “I’ll go to Daybreak Garden in the morning and make arrangements, Baron Agafonov. Don’t worry, they will be thorough. I will have them come to pick up Ilyana on the last day of school and escort her to the inn.”

“Thank you, Lady Tori.” There was relief in his voice. “Cost is not an issue. Please let me know what the fees will be.”

“I will take care of them for now and let you know, sir,” Tori said.

Ilyana made a face after the call ended. “I didn’t think he’d agree.”

“I figured, otherwise you wouldn’t have called.” Ilyana threw a pillow at her.

“Just until school starts again,” she said. Tori agreed.

The next morning, she wandered out of Lycée and went to get a shared carriage at the plaza to take her to Daybreak Garden. By now, everyone was very familiar with her and greeted her when she entered. She let them know that she was there to hire bodyguards. It was a similar process as when she hired the guards for her stores, but this time, she was in a bit of a rush.

“I need them in five days at the latest,” Tori told Manager Vale as they sat in one of the meeting rooms above the shop front. She explained what the situation was and Manager Vale nodded, attentive. Tori thought she’d need to return to interview prospective bodyguards, but within two hours, a half dozen people had arrived.

Three men and three women. They would work in pairs, in three shifts, with the female bodyguard at Ilyana’s side.

“Where is Miss Agafonova staying?” Manager Vale asked.

“Ivy and Brick Inn in the fifth,” Tori said. Manager Vale nodded.

“Shall I see if I can book a room near hers for the guards?”

“Yes!” Tori wished she thought of that earlier. “Please send me the bill. I will pay for now and let Baron Agafonov know.”

Tori instructed the six bodyguards to arrive in front of Lycée on the last day of school, just before Lycée closed for winter break, to pick up their charge. She gathered the paperwork, paid her deposit, and left Daybreak Garden with a sense of satisfaction.

She wasn’t worried about the others; Horizon was their hometown. However, Ilyana was a rich and sheltered fourteen-year-old girl alone in a massive new city she never fully explored. And she was across town from their friends with no self-defense training. She was pretty and friendly; who knew who’d try to take advantage of their sweet Ilyana?

Of course, Tori didn’t have any real fear for herself. Horizon was big, but she’d been lost in and explored bigger. She had long mastered the ‘do not bother me’ face when walking and was generally not as approachable as Ilyana, which to her was a blessing. Less people to bother her.

She took a shared carriage back to Lycée and made it halfway across the central courtyard back to her dorm when she remembered she was going to pick up lunch for her and Ilyana.

“Shoot....” She turned on her heel and heard someone yell.

“Tori!” She sucked in a sharp breath. Her eyes crinkled up and she wondered if she should just run. “Don’t you dare run!”

She let out a heavy breath and turned around to see Henrik marching towards her with a frown. “Hello, Boss-”

“Don’t ‘boss’ me! Why didn’t you tell me you waived the damaged goods fee!” Henrik threw his arms in the air and Tori winced.

“Henrik-”

“I knew you were going to be soft-hearted! I told you not to waive the fee!” He raised his hands and tugged at his hair. “We still have time to go and demand it. Let’s go!”

“Henrik, wait!” Tori grabbed his arm and pulled him back before he could rush off. With a strong pull, she made him nearly stumble back. He was caught by surprise and nearly fell. “Just wait a moment and listen to me,” she said as she held onto his arm. She met his eyes firmly. “I have a reason.”

Her friend and business partner narrowed his eyes, filled with doubt. “Fine. What is your reason?”

Tori took a deep breath. “I agree with you that the vandal should be punished, but he comes from a poor family. Chetterswickshire lacks work; where is he going to get the money for the coats he ruined? It’ll already be a struggle for him and his family to pay the fine.”

Henrik was not swayed. “He should’ve thought of that when he broke in and vandalized our store.”

“Then what about his injury?” Tori released his arm. “When he fell he injured his hand. The doctor said he may not be able to hold anything in his hand again. He was in an apprenticeship with a jeweler and now he can’t hold tools or instruments. Henrik, think about it.” She gave her friend a beseeching look. “How will he be able to make a living with this kind of injury? It’ll be difficult for him to get a skilled labor job that pays better than being a farm hand - if he can even get that.”

Henrik pursed his lips. He squinted and looked away, still hesitant to agree. Tori pressed on.

“Henrik, he’s our age. He’s just a kid and he made a mistake. A stupid one, but he didn’t hurt anyone and it’s not as if we can’t afford the damages incurred. At least let him off on the fees. They can better use that money to find a good doctor for him and try to fix or heal his injury. I don’t want a kid’s life ruined because of one stupid decision.”

She watched him swallow, but Henrik didn’t agree.

Tori knit her brows together. She let out a low breath. “And perhaps this will also appease Miss Hart and her friends. Waiving the fees is the only thing we can do at this point.”

Henrik opened his mouth, appearing as if he was ready to argue, however, he seemed to be reminded of the trouble that Alessa and her love interests had caused recently. Ewan had excitedly told them about the duel, making everyone frustrated.

She watched Henrik’s shoulders fall and he sighed. He closed his eyes. “Next time, don’t be so soft.”

Tori beamed. “Thank you, Henrik!”

Despite agreeing, Henrik was still visibly annoyed. “If this happens again, no matter who it is, the fee will be paid.”

“Of course.” Tori nodded. “You can deal with it next time. I won’t get involved.”

He rolled his eyes. “I’m going to finish packing. Are you heading back to your dorm?”

“In a bit. I just need to pick up some lunch for me and Ilyana. Want to come?”

“I already ate. I’ll see you at dinner.”

“Okay!” Tori watched Henrik turn back in the direction of the west dorm before she began down the street.

“Lady Guevera.” Another voice called out to her and she briefly wondered how many people were going to stop her from getting food. She turned around and quickly drew her head back, surprised to see a handsome young man with dirty blond hair and gray eyes approaching. “Good afternoon.”

Tori tried not to frown. She was hoping she wouldn’t have to run into another love interest or Alessa until she left, but it seemed that was not to be. She gave the young man a courteous nod.

“Mr. Zisos, good afternoon.” I just want to go get lunch and pack...can I not get a pause in the game for this?

Constantine gave her a smile and joined her. “I’m sorry to hear about your store being vandalized.”

Tori lifted her hands. “We can only waive the damaged goods fee. The rest is out of our hands.”

She heard his low chuckle and his soft smile didn't leave his face. “I know. I heard what you said to Mr. Skuldsen.” He turned to look at her and she thought he looked rather pleased. “There isn’t anything wrong with being soft-hearted every now and then.”

Tori wasn’t sure what he was going to say when she saw him, but she did not expect this. She froze for a moment and couldn’t help but glance at him suspiciously. “Thank you. I only did what I thought was right.”

His smile seemed to widen and he looked ahead. “I’ve noticed you’re not quite what the rumors say.”

At this, Tori let out a little snort and grinned. “Is anyone really what the rumors say, Mr. Zisos?”

“I suppose you’re right,” he said. “You’re much more kind than people say.” She turned her head back at him, her eyes wide. “Most people would be happy to watch someone who tried to do them harm suffer for a lifetime, but you are still worried about that young man’s future.”

Tori shook her head as they walked down the street and rounded a corner. “You’re giving me too much credit. I just don’t think a child should have to suffer the rest of his life because of one stupid decision that didn’t hurt anyone. Even if he has a problem with or doesn’t like me, I don’t want him to suffer like this. As a great philosopher once said, ‘I still want to see you eat, just not at my table’.”

Constantine looked surprised at this and blinked. “What philosopher said that?”

Tupac. “I read it in some obscure book.”

She stopped in front of Cafe Fortuna and Constantine smiled even more. “That’s quite a book.” He opened the door for her and followed her inside.

Tori went straight to the back and waved. “Hi, Tobias! Do you have any of that stuffed chicken breast over pilaf? I want one of those and a cheese sandwich. Two coffees, a custard, and a slice of whatever pie you have today, too. I can bring the containers back tomorrow.”

Tobias nodded. “We’ll get it ready for you, Lady Tori.”

Tori smiled as she leaned over the counter. She looked at Constantine, who didn’t seem to plan on ordering. “Um...would you like anything to eat or drink?”

He looked around. “What do you recommend?”

It was a cafe and Tori wasn’t sure what his food preferences were. She didn’t recall there being any dietary restrictions for the church of Belcoy, but didn’t want to suggest something he couldn’t eat. She wrinkled her nose a bit and looked him up and down.

“Do you like coffee?”

“I do.”

“All right. Tobias,” she said, leaning back across the counter. “Can I get a foam with grounds?”

“Of course, my lady.” As Tobias’ brother worked on packing away the food she ordered, Tobias took out a small copper pot and put in some water. He measured out fine ground coffee and began to heat the small copper pot. “Does the gentleman want sugar?”

“Just a little, please,” Constantine said as he watched Tobias.

Tori’s food was packed in a canvas bag with her coffee in a special ceramic jar with a cork lid that had a small hole drilled at the top. It was placed beside her as Tobias took the coffee off the heat and then let it rest for a moment. The warm scent filled the air. Tori watched with interest as the coffee was poured into a small cup.

A moment later, it was placed on the counter in front of Constantine. “Enjoy.”

“Thank you, sir.” Constantine picked up the cup by the small handle and blew across the top before taking a sip.

Curious to see if he’d like it, Tori watched him drink. His eyes seemed to widen and as he lowered the cup, a pleased smile filled his face. His gray eyes rose and met her blue ones.

“How did you know I’d like unfiltered coffee?”

The corner of her lip tugged up a bit. “I didn’t.” In truth, it was a guess. She once met someone with his name in Greece and so she went with this world’s version of a Greek styled coffee. She knew it was a shallow reason, but was pleasantly surprised that she’d guessed right. She looked back at Tobias. “How much is the total?”

“73 coppers, my lady.”

She reached into her pocket for her money pouch only to see a silver coin placed on the counter and pushed forward.

She looked towards Constantine, who continued to drink. “Mr. Zisos, I can pay for your coffee. I was the one who asked.”

“No,” he said. “Your order and mine are on me.”

Tori shook her head. “I can’t accept that.”

“Please, Lady Guevera. I came to bother you first. Allow me to pay this time,” he said, unbothered by her protests.

She hesitated and tilted her head to the side. She raised a brow. “I didn’t think you’d be so pushy, Mr. Zisos.”

She watched his lips curl into a grin. His eyes held hers with a playful glint. “Then, perhaps you should get to know me a bit better.” He lifted his cup towards her before bringing it to his lips and drinking the remaining contents and then placing it on the counter. Constantine gave her one more satisfied smile. “I’ll see you next semester, Lady Guevera.”

Tori’s jaw dropped as he gave a courteous smile at Tobias and walked out of Cafe Fortuna without looking back.

Did...did some kid just...? No. No. Tori turned her head towards the counter and met the curious eyes of Tobias, his brother, and Mama J peeking out from the kitchen. Tori slammed her hand on the counter, placing another silver coin on it before grabbing her bag.

“Don’t tell Axton or Piers!” She shot out of the cafe in the opposite direction of Constantine, refusing to acknowledge what just happened.

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