Sin Rouge was not ready for another disruption.
Everyone was still buzzing after Malerion's unexpected, dangerously intimate conversation with Verosika.
Dreg was pacing.
Donnie was muttering formulas of political damage control.
Quill had snapped two pencils already.
Liza was somewhere in the rafters, silent as a sniper.
Even Bit and Skit were too nervous to cause chaos.
And Malerion
Malerion was standing at the bar, eyes lowered, expression locked in that terrifyingly calm mask with smile he only wore when something actually hit him inside.
Which meant:
Verosika got under his skin.
That thought alone had the entire crew on edge.
So of course
BANG.
The door slammed open hard enough to rattle the bottles.
MALERION!
Dreg made a noise that could be legally classified as a plea for mercy.
Donnie swore under her breath.
Quill whispered, "Statistically impossible… statistically impossible…"
And Bit nearly fainted.
Because standing in the doorway
sparkly, oblivious, excited
was Vael.
The young prince bounced inside like a puppy with wings.
I knew it was her! I saw Verosika Mayday walking out of here! Did you talk? You did talk, right? She's already getting famous in the Pride Ring
He gasped dramatically.
Malerion, tell me everything!
Silence.
Then Malerion finally looked up.
Slowly.
With the kind of stare that suggested he was evaluating the possibility of committing a mild regicide.
But Vael didn't notice.
He marched straight to Malerion eyes sparkling with trouble.
And then
Asked the question no one wanted him to ask.
So… do you have a crush on her?
The room exploded.
Quill choked on absolutely nothing.
Bit screamed into a pillow.
Skit tried to crawl into the wall.
Donnie whispered, "I knew this day would come," like she was witnessing a prophecy unfold.
And Malerion
froze.
Not stiff, not angry
but with a shock so subtle, so sharp, that even Liza lowered her crossbow.
Crush.
That word didn't belong to him.
He didn't do crushes.
Didn't have space for them.
wasn't supposed to
He felt something twist deep inside, something unfamiliar and unwelcome.
Vael poked him in the arm.
Well?
Do you?
Malerion's jaw tensed.
No.
Vael leaned closer.
Are you sure? Because your face is doing that thing where it's calm, but actually it's not calm at all."
Donnie nearly choked trying not to laugh.
Dreg whispered, "This kid wants to die," under his breath.
Vael continued, smiling like an idiot:
"You protected her. You kept shady managers away from her. You watched her perform more than once. That's exactly what someone with a crush does!"
Malerion inhaled
slowly
deeply
like someone counting to ten to avoid throwing a prince through a window.
I helped her because she deserved help. That's all.
Vael squinted at him with dramatic suspicion.
"Mhm. Sure. And I train with my tutors because I love studying economics."
Malerion shut his eyes.
Alastor's voice slid into his mind like smoke:
"He touched a nerve, sweetheart. Interesting."
"Shut up," Malerion thought back without moving a muscle.
Vael clapped his hands.
"Look, I'm just saying if I had a crush on someone like her, I'd also try to keep creeps away. It's normal!"
Malerion didn't raise his voice.
Didn't show anger.
Show anything.
But his next words were low, heavy
and honest in a way that surprised even him.
It isn't that simple, Vael.
And it isn't something I can afford.
For the first time, the prince stopped smiling.
That seriousness
that weight
Vael felt it.
Quietly, he sat down next to Malerion.
"…Is it because of who she is?" he asked.
Malerion shook his head once.
No. It's because of what I am.
And what I carry.
Vael opened his mouth
closed it again.
Because even he knew there were lines you didn't cross with Malerion.
Lines he never explained.
Lines no one should pry into.
He swallowed.
"…Okay. I won't push."
The tension eased.
Just a little.
But then Vael brightened again.
"Buuut just so you know if fate wants you two to meet again, you won't stop it."
Malerion's fingers tightened around his glass.
Alastor's voice hummed:
"He has a point."
Malerion ignored him.
Quill cleared his throat.
"Your Highness? Please do not casually trigger another political crisis."
Vael blinked.
"Oh right! Speaking of crises
I think the nobles in the Pride Ring are talking about her rise.
So if Malerion does like her, he should make a move before someone else does"
Dreg slammed a fist on the table.
VAEL. STOP. TALKING.
Vael flinched.
Then laughed sheepishly.
"Okay, okay! I get it!
No teasing Malerion about crushes!"
He paused.
"…For now."
Malerion looked at him with tired eyes.
Why are you like this?
Vael shrugged.
"Because someone in this place has to enjoy life!"
And for the first time that night
Malerion actually smiled.
Barely.
But it was there.