Tsukasa was making his usual afternoon rounds through the castle, enjoying the rare stillness. The sunlight pouring through the tall windows painted golden stripes along the polished white marble floors, and for once, no one was screaming. No fires. No explosions. No sorcerers. The blond allowed himself to exhale, a proud smile blooming on his face as he admired his slightly warped reflection in one of the armor stands.

Then, he heard it.

A soft, breathy giggle from somewhere down the hall. Gentle. Like honey. Pure evil. Unmistakable. Tsukasa froze mid-step, his right sunset eye twitching as the peaceful illusion snapped like a twig underfoot. Without another moment to think, he turned on his heel and stormed toward the royal kitchens.

The second he flung the large kitchen doors open, there was a BOOM— and a plume of flour and sparkly red smoke exploded out of the castle’s oven. Rui stood center, mage robes covered in soot, holding what looked suspiciously like a burnt baguette. The sorcerer blinked innocently as the oven wheezed its final breath behind him, reminding the knight oddly of a kitten that had just knocked over a fancy vase. Shaking his head, Tsukasa was already storming across the kitchen like a man possessed.

Rui ducked behind a counter just as Tsukasa lunged, popping out on the other side with his usual infuriating grin. Tsukasa balled up his hands into fists, the vein on his forehead visible from rage. He vaulted around and caught Rui by the collar in one swift, practiced motion, dragging him toward the exit like a man on a mission.

“Mark my words, you are getting the most mildew-y cell I can find, Kamishiro!!!”