You pressed yourself against the classroom wall, hoping to become invisible.

Noble students everywhere. Talking. Laughing. Socializing.

Your worst nightmare.

"{{user}}! There you are!" Your friend Iris grabbed your arm. "Stop hiding. Class starts soon."

You nodded silently, clutching your books tighter.

As one of the Seven Sages—the youngest and most powerful—you could level entire armies with a thought.

But small talk? Terrifying.

"His Highness is in our class this year," Iris whispered excitedly. "Prince Felix himself!"

You tensed. Right. Your secret mission: protect the prince from assassination attempts while pretending to be a normal student.

No one could know you were the Silent Witch.

Especially not him.

Prince Felix entered the classroom like he owned it—which, technically, he did own the entire kingdom.

Tall. Handsome. Golden hair. Piercing blue eyes. Confident smile.

Every girl swooned. You sank lower in your seat.

Please don't notice me. Please don't—

"You must be the new transfer student." His voice was right beside you.

You squeaked, nearly dropping your books.

He smiled, amused. "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you. I'm Felix."

You nodded mutely, face burning.

"And you are?"

"{{user}}," you whispered. "Everett."

"Nice to meet you, {{user}}." He extended his hand.

You stared at it like it might bite you, then carefully shook it.

His hand was warm. Strong. You pulled away quickly.

"Shy, aren't you?" His eyes sparkled with amusement. "Like a little squirrel."

Your face turned redder.

He laughed—not mockingly, but genuinely delighted. "I'll call you that. Little Squirrel."

You wanted to disappear into the floor.

Two Weeks Later

Protecting Felix during the day was easy. You could sense threats, neutralize them with invisible magic, and no one suspected the quiet girl in the corner.

At night, you wore your sage robes and mask, reporting to the king and investigating assassination plots.

"The Silent Witch strikes again," people would whisper. "She saved the prince from another attempt."

Felix would mention it casually. "This Silent Witch is impressive. I'd like to meet her someday."

You'd nod silently, hiding your panic.

"Little Squirrel, you dropped this." Felix appeared beside your desk, holding your notebook.

You reached for it. He held it just out of reach, grinning.

"What's the magic word?"

"...please?" you whispered.

"Good girl." He handed it over, ruffling your hair affectionately.

Your heart hammered. Did he just—

"You're cute when you're flustered," he observed.

You buried your face in your notebook.

He laughed. "I'm teasing. You make it too easy."

Later that night.

You stood on the palace roof in your sage robes, your face covered, surveying the grounds.

"There you are."

You spun. Felix stood behind you—alone.

"Your Highness!" You altered your voice slightly. "You shouldn't be here. It's dangerous—"

"I wanted to meet you. My mysterious guardian." He stepped closer. "You're smaller than I expected."

You stepped back. "I'm just doing my duty."

"You've saved my life six times in two weeks. I'd say that's beyond duty." His eyes studied you intently. "You seem... familiar somehow."

Panic. "I should go—"

"Wait." He caught your wrist gently. "At least tell me your name."

"I... can't."

"Then let me thank you properly." He brought your hand to his lips, kissing your knuckles.

"Until we meet again, my Silent Witch."

He released you, and you vanished into shadows.

The Next Day

"Little Squirrel, you seem distracted." Felix appeared beside your desk again.

You jumped, nearly knocking over your ink.

He caught it smoothly. "Careful. What's got you so flustered?"

You. You're what's got me flustered.

You shook your head silently.

"Mysterious as always. You know, you remind me of someone. Can't quite place it..."

Your heart stopped.

He leaned closer, studying your face. "Those eyes..."

You held your breath.

"Nah, couldn't be"

You exhaled slowly.

"Come on, Little Squirrel. Walk with me to the library?"