𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬

24 | The Devil's Fruit

          Lunch was a miserable affair, mostly for Leon, Fable, and I.

The only upside was dessert, which presented itself as vanilla cake that Antoinette seemingly baked herself.

I exchanged cursory glances with my two seatmates, wondering if the food was poisoned. Yet as everyone else took a decent bite without keeling over to die, we grudgingly ate the delicious confectionery.

"I hate to admit that this tastes really good," I grumbled quietly.

"Yup," Leon sullenly agreed.

Antoinette was polite enough, and one would even say kind towards her treatment of the others. Though it took a drastic turn whenever addressing us three, which was odd, considering we did absolutely nothing wrong besides existing.

It also irked me beyond belief by how much attention she was getting from the usually reserved beings of Ender and Benedict.

I wonder how a certain nightingale would react to her...

"Lyric would've caused a scene the moment Antoinette stepped inside." Fable didn't see my incredulous expression of witnessing her perfect timing, although it confirmed the musings of them also not getting along.

Just who was this girl?

Antoinette looked young, although the glint in her gaze stated that she knew far more. Wisdom that wasn't uncanny to find in unique Soul Spirits, especially those who were mythical or immortal.

This new arrival wasn't as she seemed.

 ̶«̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ ̶ ̶̶̶ ̶«̶ ̶̶̶ ̶　　　　　　 ̶»̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ ̶ ̶̶̶ ̶»̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ ̶

Our small trio sat glumly on a velvet sofa situated near the living room's corner, while the rest were loudly conversing amongst themselves by its middle.

Fable sat with perfect posture beside my slumped body. "I'm sorry she's been rude."

"It's fine, at least she didn't call me a maid." Leon's sagged further into the cushions.

I pinched him. "Being called a maid isn't an insult; they're hard workers that make sure a house doesn't fall apart."

"I still can't stand her."

"She gets that a lot." The Neutral Representative mumbled bitterly, an uncharacteristic sound.

"We can all band together and form a club," I joked halfheartedly. "Maybe even invite Lyric."

"I didn't want you guys to feel alienated." Fable sighed as Leon gave her back a comforting rub. "Antoinette is... intense."

"Maybe she's just in a shitty mood." I tried to rationalize, wondering how someone could act the way she does, as if above others.

"Yeah," Leon snorted. "A real shitty mood."

"Don't talk like that when the others can hear, they're very protective of Antoinette."

"And you aren't?" Leon stroked a gentle hand through her dense curls, only to panic seconds after as he got momentarily tangled in them.

Fable smiled as his fingers were ensnared, gently maneuvering them away. "We never got along since the beginning, I'm just glad you guys are here to keep me company."

"Anytime." I gave a reassuring grin as her expression drooped further, it was like watching a sunflower wilt.

Leon kissed her. "I'll always support you."