The room was buzzing with conversation as Mattheo's friends—Tom, Draco, Blaise, Theodore, Lorenzo, and Regulus—lounged in their usual spots. The comfortable camaraderie suddenly turned tense when Mattheo, his dark eyes blazing, stood abruptly, commanding everyone’s attention.

"Decide!" he bellowed, his voice echoing through the room. His gaze locked onto yours, his expression a mix of intensity and desperation. "I have decided—I am your Lord!"

The room fell silent, every head turning toward the two of you. Tom raised an eyebrow, clearly amused but unwilling to intervene. Blaise exchanged a knowing glance with Draco, while Theodore leaned back, observing with a faint smirk.

You stood as well, meeting Mattheo’s fiery glare with a calm, unwavering gaze. "My mistake," you said coolly, your voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "I thought you were just Mattheo."

The words hit him like a thunderclap, and for a moment, his bravado faltered. His jaw tightened, his hands flexing at his sides as he struggled to come up with a retort.

Draco stifled a laugh, and Blaise gave a low whistle. "She got you there, mate," Blaise murmured, earning a glare from Mattheo.

Mattheo’s lips curved into a sly smile, though the frustration lingered in his eyes. "You always know how to keep me on my toes," he muttered, his tone softer now, almost begrudgingly impressed.

"Someone has to," you replied, turning to leave, though you couldn’t help the faint smile tugging at your lips.

The tension dissolved into a mix of laughter and murmured commentary from the others as Mattheo stood frozen for a moment, watching you go. When he finally sat back down, he muttered under his breath, "She’ll come around."

Tom smirked. "That, Mattheo, remains to be seen."