Mar’Garet appeared out of nowhere, her fingers poking Alister’s cheek while she pouted with her cheeks puffed. “I don’t like you staring at women for that long,” she said with mock annoyance.
“If you want to stare, you can always look at me.”
Alister sighed, gently removing her hand from his face. “I wasn’t staring,” he said calmly. “I was just curious.”
He turned to leave, but Mar’Garet wasn’t done. She walked beside him.
“Well, I’d prefer if you were curious about me.”
Before Alister could respond, Cinder spoke up. “Mar’Garet, stop it. You’re bothering our lord.”
Mar’Garet gasped theatrically, placing her hand atop her chest as if she’d been deeply wounded.
“Nonsense!”
“My darling loves having me around,” she said, swiftly latching onto Alister’s arm and hugging it tightly.
Alister arched an eyebrow, glancing down at her. “Where did you learn that word?”
Mar’Garet giggled, a mischievous glint in her crimson eyes. She cupped her cheek with her left hand, a blush spreading across her face.
“I overheard some humans calling their partners and thought it sounded… charming.”
She tilted her head, her grin growing wider, revealing her sharp teeth. “So I decided I’d call you that too, since you belong to me, Dar-ling.”
Her voice lingered on the word, her playful tone sending her into another fit of giggles.
Alister sighed again, shaking his head as he tried to pry her off his arm, but her grip only tightened, her laughter filling the air.
Cinder blushed, her cheeks a soft crimson as she glanced at Mar’Garet and then back at Alister. “That isn’t true. Our lord belongs to all of us,” she murmured before, to Alister’s surprise, grabbing his other hand.
Alister blinked, momentarily stunned. “Cinder… not you too…”
Mar’Garet’s demeanor changed instantly. Her crimson eyes narrowed, her tone sharp. “And what exactly do you think you’re doing, Cinder?”
Cinder met her gaze unflinchingly, her voice steady. “I should be asking you the same thing. What exactly do you mean by ‘our lord belongs to you’?”
Mar’Garet took a step closer, her voice dropping to an intense growl. “You may be my darling’s sharpest fang, but I’ve known him far longer than you have. Besides, he once promised he’d return to me. Since he has, he’s obviously mine.”
Alister sighed, suddenly freeing both of his hands and tucking them into his pockets. “Enough. Stop it, both of you. That’s an order.”
The two women hesitated before replying, “Understood.”
Mar’Garet shot Cinder an intense side glance, biting her lower lip as she fought back her frustration.
Folding her arms, she looked ahead, her posture stiff. Cinder, however, ignored her completely, her expression calm as she walked alongside Alister.
As they passed through the guild, murmurs spread among the members.
“I know those are his summons… but it still doesn’t change the fact that those are two hot women walking beside him,” one of the men whispered.
“Man, Alister is one lucky guy.”
“They’re both gorgeous… and clingy too.”
One of the women giggled, folding her arms. “Sure, he’s easy on the eyes, but still… isn’t he a little shameless walking around with them beside him like that?”
“He really is handsome, though.”
Before anyone could comment further, Mar’Garet’s piercing crimson glare swept across the group.
“What are you looking at?” she snapped, her voice cold.
The women quickly averted their eyes, panic written all over their faces.
“S-She’s scary!”
“She’s totally territorial,” another murmured, trying not to meet Mar’Garet’s gaze.
Alister sighed deeply, tuning out the commotion, only to hear a familiar voice call out from behind him.
“I overheard what Blitz was talking about earlier,” the voice teased. “I thought she was joking, but now that I see this…”
“I have a feeling she might’ve been right.”
Alister stopped and turned, glancing over his shoulder. Miyu was catching up to him, her teasing smile lighting up her face, her tone playful as she closed the distance.
Alister sighed, rubbing his hand on Miyu’s silver hair as he spoke. “Is that the first thing you say when you finally decide to see your brother in the morning?”
Miyu stuck her tongue out playfully. “Oops, sorry. Good morning, big bro.”
Alister smiled faintly, removing his hand. “Good morning.”
Beside him, Mar’Garet and Cinder both bowed slightly, their voices polite. “Morning, Lady
Miyu.”
Miyu waved her hands dismissively, stepping closer. “Hold it, hold it! Just Miyu is fine. No need for all the bowing.”
Cinder glanced at Mar’Garet, then back at Miyu. “We’ll try, my lady.”
Miyu groaned dramatically, crossing her arms. “There you go again! Ugh, you two are impossible.”
She turned her attention back to Alister, her silver eyes sparkling with amusement. “So, big bro, got any plans today? You know, besides strolling around with your waifus on both sides.”
Alister’s expression immediately turned blank, with a hint of disappointment. “Please don’t say that again.”
Miyu giggled behind her hand, her tone teasing. “Why? Is my big bro shy about discussing his love life? How cute! And here I thought you’d be all manly after everything you’ve been
through.”
Alister looked at her with a deadpan expression. “Do you want something, or did you just come to waste my time by teasing me?”
Miyu leaned forward, her grin widening. “Nu-uh, I came because I had a great idea! Why don’t we hang out today? You know, you fearless team leader, the rest of your teammates, and me—your amazing little sister. We could leave the guild grounds, do some shopping, sightseeing, and maybe you’d even introduce me to the rest of your dragons. I’ve only ever seen them on clips on the Internet. You know, have fun and create some memories!”
Alister raised a brow, considering her suggestion. “You’re oddly enthusiastic about this.”
Miyu tilted her head, smiling brightly. “Well, someone’s got to make sure you don’t turn into a brooding, workaholic loner.”
Alister raised a brow at Miyu’s playful jab. “Who says I’m a loner?”
Miyu grinned mischievously, pointing at herself. “Duh, yours truly.”