CHAPTER 69: CHAPTER : 69 : IDIOTS IN LOVE!

Arisha watched as the others slowly left the chamber. The goblin generals, the guards, even Adrish finally went out after tossing Aurora one last smug grin that made her ears burn red. Aurora sat quietly, fixing her braid, trying to act composed. Arisha’s heart was thumping in her chest like a war drum.

"...Aurora," Arisha suddenly called out, voice a little too stiff.

Aurora blinked. "Huh? What is it, Ms. Zenith?"

Arisha bit her lip, then looked around—empty, silent, just the two of them. She straightened her back like she was about to give a battle report. "Can you... wait for a moment? I... want to talk."

Aurora tilted her head, then gave a small nod. "Alright." She sat back on the chair, swinging her legs lightly, watching curiously.

Arisha took a deep breath, walked over, then sat down right beside her. Her armored hip clinked against the wood as she placed her hands stiffly on her lap like a schoolgirl caught stealing sweets.

Aurora blinked again, side-eyeing her. "Uh... you’re... sitting really close."

"I need to," Arisha blurted, blushing furiously. "Listen, I... I don’t know how to say this. I... am in love."

Aurora nearly fell off her chair. "H-HUH?!"

Arisha looked at her like it was a death confession. "Yes. And I don’t know what to do. All I know is swinging my sword and killing enemies. I’ve never... done this. So I came to you."

Aurora stammered, cheeks turning pink. "M-Me? Why me?!"

"Because you’re in love too," Arisha shot back, eyes sharp.

Aurora went pale, then red, then pale again. "W-Wha—! I... I-I don’t know what you’re talking about!"

"Don’t lie." Arisha leaned in, voice lower. "I’ve seen how you look at Adrish."

Aurora’s face went beet red. "Shut up! I-I can’t even say it to your brother!"

"See?!" Arisha jabbed her finger like she’d won an argument. "That’s exactly why you can help me. We’re both idiots in love."

Aurora groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Spirits, why is this happening to me... Okay, fine. Who is it? Who’s your crush?"

Arisha’s whole body went rigid. Then, slowly, shyly, like she was admitting a crime, she whispered: "...Sir Aiden."

Aurora’s eyes went wide as saucers. "EHHHHH?!?!" She shot up, nearly tipping the chair. "S-Sir Aiden?! As in Princess Lysandra’s husband Sir Aiden?!"

Arisha covered her face, ears burning red. "I KNOW, alright?! But he’s just... too handsome, too tall, that deep voice—oh spirits, every time he talks I feel my chest explode!"

Aurora slumped back down, clutching her chest. "Oh no no no no no... this is bad... this is sooo bad..."

Arisha peeked through her fingers. "You’re smiling nervously."

"Of course I am!" Aurora hissed. "Y-You’re talking about falling for a married man!"

Arisha groaned. "I can’t help it! Do you think I want to feel this way? The moment I saw him, I thought my knees would give out. He’s too strong, too calm... spirits, his presence alone is unfair!"

Aurora buried her face in her hands again. "...This is insane..."

Then suddenly, like lightning, her own feelings burst out. "But it’s the same with Sir Zenith!!"

Arisha blinked. "...What?"

Aurora froze, realizing what she just shouted. Her cheeks turned crimson as she covered her mouth.

Arisha smirked, leaning closer. "Oho... so you admit it."

Aurora glared, puffing her cheeks. "Sh-Shut up!"

Arisha chuckled. "Honestly though, I don’t get it. What do you even see in that idiot?"

Aurora snapped, slamming her hands on the table. "Don’t disrespect him!"

Arisha raised her hands defensively. "Alright, alright! Calm down! Sheesh. You really are in love."

Aurora turned away, sulking. "...Maybe."

Arisha grinned, nudging her shoulder. "How about this—I’ll help you with my brother, and you help me with Sir Aiden."

Aurora’s jaw dropped. "W-What kind of twisted pact is that?!"

"A mutual assistance pact," Arisha said seriously, like she was planning a war. "We both suck at love. So let’s cover each other’s weaknesses."

Aurora groaned, but then hesitated, cheeks pink. "...What exactly are you suggesting?"

Arisha smirked. "Simple. I’ll give you advice on Adrish—how to talk to him, how to get under his skin. And you... help me figure out how to catch Aiden’s attention without looking like a desperate fangirl."

Aurora looked horrified. "Ms... he’s married."

"I know," Arisha groaned, burying her face. "But my heart doesn’t listen! Please! Just help me not make a fool of myself!"

Aurora puffed her cheeks again. "Ughhh... Fine. But only because you’re pathetic."

Arisha grinned wide. "Deal."

Aurora sighed, muttering under her breath. "Spirits save me..."

---

Arisha leans closer, whispering like it’s top secret. "So... what do you usually do when you’re around Adrish?"

Aurora fidgets, twisting her braid. "N-Nothing... He just teases me, and I... I get all flustered..."

Arisha smirks. "So you like it when he teases you."

Aurora turns red. "N-No!! I just... I don’t hate it..."

"Same thing," Arisha teased.

Aurora pouted. "Well what about you?! What do you even plan to do with Sir Aiden?"

Arisha froze. "...I don’t know. Smile at him? Compliment him? Pretend I didn’t drool the last time he spoke?"

Aurora snorted, covering her mouth. "You’re hopeless."

"You’re one to talk!" Arisha shot back, flicking her forehead. "At least I can admit my feelings without fainting!"

Aurora yelped, rubbing her forehead. "Ow! Don’t bully me!"

Arisha grinned. "See? That’s how you should act around Adrish. Tease him back."

Aurora’s eyes widened. "T-Tease him?! I can’t!"

"Yes, you can." Arisha leaned closer, eyes sparkling mischievously. "Next time he says something smug, you just... tilt your head, smile, and say, ’Oh? Is that all you’ve got?’"

Aurora’s face burned. "N-Never! I’d die of embarrassment!"

"Better than dying single," Arisha smirked.

Aurora groaned, burying her face in her hands again. "This is torture..."

Arisha chuckled, then sighed, resting her head on the table. "Love really makes fools of us, huh?"

Aurora peeked at her, softer now. "...Yeah. It really does."

For a moment, both sat there, cheeks pink, hearts racing, just two hopeless girls tangled in love troubles.

Arisha lifted her head, grin returning. "Alright. Operation Idiots-in-Love begins now."

Aurora groaned loudly. "Why do I feel like this is going to end in disaster?"

Arisha smirked. "Because it will. But at least we’ll be disasters together."

Aurora couldn’t help it—she laughed. A small, embarrassed laugh, but genuine. "...Fine. Together then."

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END OF Chapter : 69 : IDIOTS IN LOVE!

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