CHAPTER 281: MORNING WITH HIS FRIENDS

"It’s great to have someone who got your back!"-Nero Adams.

•••

The deep quiet of the pocket world eventually lulled them to sleep, curled together on the large, comfortable bed in the cottage. There were no dreams of battles or political intrigue, only a profound and shared sense of peace. Nero slept on his back, one arm curled protectively around Khione, who was nestled against his side, her head on his shoulder, her white hair fanned out across his chest like a silken blanket. Throughout the night, even in sleep, their positions shifted slightly, but they never broke contact—a hand seeking the other’s, a leg brushing against a calf, a silent, subconscious reassurance that they were not alone.

The first rays of the artificial sun, warm and gentle, filtered through the window, painting the room in gold. Nero was the first to wake, his senses coming alert as they always did. But instead of the immediate tension of a new day, he felt only a deep, settled contentment. He looked down at Khione, still asleep against him, her features softened in slumber, the usual cool composure replaced by a vulnerable serenity. He didn’t move, unwilling to disturb her, and simply watched her breathe until her own eyes fluttered open.

Her crystal-blue eyes, usually so sharp, were hazy with sleep. They focused on him, and a slow, soft smile—one meant only for these private morning moments—touched her lips. No words were needed. A gentle squeeze of her hand, a brush of his thumb against her shoulder, said it all.

With a shared, unspoken understanding, they untangled themselves and began their morning routine. They moved around the small cottage with a comfortable, practiced ease that spoke of many such mornings. They changed into their training gear—functional, durable clothes that allowed for maximum movement. The quiet intimacy of dressing in the same room, the casual glances, the occasional helping hand with a stubborn strap, was a different kind of romance, built on comfort and partnership.

Stepping outside, the morning air was crisp and clean. They didn’t need to discuss their destination. Their feet naturally carried them away from the serene lake and towards the rugged, towering mountains that formed the spine of this pocket world. The path was steep and challenging, but they navigated it together, their breathing steady and synchronized.

They found a wide, flat ledge partway up the mountain, overlooking the entire valley, their cottage by the lake looking like a tiny toy from this height. Here, their peaceful morning transitioned into focused, shared purpose.

They began with synchronized stretches and conditioning drills, their movements a mirror of each other, pushing their physical limits in a silent, supportive competition. Then, they moved to sparring. But this was not the explosive, elemental war of their previous matches. This was a dance of refinement. Nero focused on controlling his lightning, shaping it into precise, contained arcs rather than wild blasts, using his Flash Step for subtle repositioning rather than overwhelming speed. Khione, in turn, practiced layering her ice, creating intricate, interlocking shields and traps that required finesse over raw power.

They were honing each other, two whetstones sharpening the other’s edge. A critique was offered with a look, a new idea tested with a nod. He learned to anticipate the subtle drop in temperature that preceded her attacks; she learned to feel the shift in the air that signaled his lightning. It was a training session built on absolute trust and a mutual desire to see the other grow stronger.

As the sun climbed higher, warming the stone of the ledge, they finally called a halt, breathing heavily but with the satisfied exhaustion of true progress. They sat together on the edge of the cliff, shoulders touching, looking out at the world they had temporarily made their own, their feets dangling in the air as they enjoyed their time together.

•••

The transition from the serene, private pocket world to the bustling energy of the Leclair main estate was always a slight jolt. One moment, Nero and Khione were standing in the quiet, sun-drenched mountain air; the next, they were in a polished hallway, the murmur of servants and the distant sounds of the city immediately filling their ears.

They had barely exchanged a glance when their peaceful bubble was abruptly popped.

"There you are!" Lux’s voice cut through the air, cheerful and insistent. He and Adam emerged from a side corridor like a pair of friendly ambushers. Adam, without a word, clapped a heavy hand on Nero’s shoulder.

"Come on, little Nero . You’ve been hogging all the quiet time," Adam grunted, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Time for a proper breakfast."

Before Nero could even form a protest, he was being firmly, but not unkindly, steered away down the hall. He shot a helpless look over his shoulder at Khione, only to see that she was facing her own predicament.

Elreth stood before her, arms crossed, a determined and utterly unyielding expression on her face.

"Khione. We need to talk. Now." Her tone brooked no argument. Without waiting for a reply, the princess linked her arm through Khione’s and began pulling her in the opposite direction, towards the more private suites of the estate. Khione’s usual icy composure flickered with a mixture of annoyance and resignation, but she offered no real resistance.

And just like that, the couple was separated.

Nero found himself ushered into a beautiful, open-air pavilion nestled in the heart of the estate’s gardens. The morning sun filtered through climbing jasmine vines, and the air was sweet with the scent of flowers. Lux, like the perfect host, snapped his fingers at a passing servant.

"A full breakfast spread here, please. The works," he ordered.

"Certainly, young master!"

The servant bowed deeply and scurried off.

Soon, the stone table in the pavilion was laden with platters of fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, warm pastries, fresh fruit, and a pot of rich, dark coffee. Adam immediately piled his plate high, while Lux poured the coffee with a flourish.

"Alright, spill it," Lux said, fixing Nero with a knowing look as he sat down. "Sleeping in a pocket world with the Ice Queen. Don’t tell me you just trained the whole time."

Nero took a sip of his coffee, a small, private smile playing on his lips, his expression still the same. "We trained. We talked. We... relaxed."

Adam let out a bark of laughter, nearly choking on a piece of bacon. "Relaxed, he says! With Khione? I’d sooner believe a volcano could relax."

"It’s different with her," Nero said, his tone softening. "When it’s just us."

Lux’s expression grew more serious, though his eyes remained friendly. "We know, mate. And we’re happy for you, truly. But you know what that kind of ’relaxing’ means, right? The rumor mill is already churning. My father has asked about you three times since yesterday."

The mood sobered for a moment, the weight of the outside world pressing in even in this beautiful garden. But the tension was broken by Adam shoving a pastry towards Nero.

"Eat, little Nero , romance can wait for a full stomach," he declared.

"Besides, you’ll need your strength to deal with whatever that is about.I pity your popularity, man" He jerked his thumb in the direction Elreth had dragged Khione.

Nero chuckled, feeling grateful inside. He was with his friends. They teased him, they pushed him, but they also had his back. As they dug into the food, the conversation drifted from lighthearted jokes about his relationship to more serious, but still supportive, discussions about the future. He didn’t regret to have left home, he would have died otherwise.