The Nickname War
AURELIA/ LEXI
The red light of the Underworld seeped through the slits in the thick curtains of the Obsidian Hall. I sat cross-legged on the floor, trying to focus on the posture of the scroll Kael had left in front of me. Dark meat in a silver bowl steamed beside me, and the glowing fungi flickered slightly like a gimmick. I frowned at the scroll as I studied the symbols.
"Vaer-tha, chin up… shoulders back… What does that even mean in practice?" I whispered, poking the fungi with the curved utensil.
Nyx's voice came from the corner. She was busy arranging the things Kael and I would use for our study later. I turned to him and was amazed to see how things flew through the air and spontaneously settled into their proper places.
"That means you act like a queen, Your Majesty. Every move… is deliberate."
"On purpose," I repeated, rolling the word around on my tongue. "It's tiring. Every time I walk, I wonder if my posture is correct and if I look noble."
My three servants looked at each other. Probably wondering why I was having trouble with proper posture and how to be a noble.
Morgana snorted. "You'll get used to it too… eventually, Your Highness. Being strict, Commander will definitely yell at you until you do."
I grinned. "Yell? Ha! I can handle yelling. It's the… staring that terrifies me. His eyes feel like molten rock."
Celestine laughed softly. "Molten rock? You're exaggerating, princess."
"Am I? Maybe. But I'm ready. Give me a scroll, give me glowing meat, and watch me fail with style." I was still bragging a little.
Nyx tilted her head, amused. "Failing with style… only you could make that sound like a plan, Your Majesty."
I poked at a piece of dark meat. "Someone needs to entertain the Underworld while pretending to be a princess. Maybe it would be better if it were me."
"Sometimes we don't understand what you're saying, Your Majesty," Morgana commented.
"That's right," Nyx replied. "I can't tell if you're still our princess who lost her memory or if you're a different creature."
I was stunned and fell silent for a moment. "What if I'm not the princess you're serving?"
The three fell silent, looking at each other, but before they could answer me, the air suddenly changed. My stomach slowly churned. I glanced at the door.
"Here comes trouble."
As if there was a signal. He appeared. Kael, arms folded, eyes like storm clouds. My three servants also turned towards Kael.
"Sel-thren, Your Majesty." Celestine, Morgana, and Nyx said almost in unison.
I nodded, and they quickly left the room. Kael and I were left behind, and the door was immediately closed. I even heard it lock.
"We had a discussion about time, and you came late," he said.
I smiled. "Talk about late, you just arrived. I should be the one to accuse you of being late."
"It doesn't mean that you came here without me, that you came first." He said seriously.
I snorted. "You're so good at sneaking around, you're still late in the act, denying it." I pouted.
His gaze wandered from me to the surroundings. "Are you ready?"
"Can't you see, I'm ready. I'm always early when it comes to eating strange and spicy food."
Kael's lips twitched. There was a glint of… something, maybe amusement or maybe annoyance.
"Commander Kael," I tilted my head. "Or should I call you… Big Horn?" I smirked.
His eyes narrowed. "Big Horn?"
"Yes, it suits you. Or maybe… Stubby Horn?" I leaned forward, pretending to examine my scroll.
He didn't move, didn't say anything. That only emboldened me even more. "Oh, wait—I know. How about Grumpy Horn?"
Something flickered, anger, amusement? It spread across his face. He blinked once. Lips pressed thinly together.
"Aurelia…"
"Yes?" I cried innocently. "You like it?"
"Stop."
I laughed. "Stop? That's your reaction? Weak, Commander."
"Vaer-tha," he whispered.
I froze. The words themselves were just a greeting, but the way he said them sounded like he was scolding me while showing me a part of him that only I could see.
I leaned forward, moving closer to him. "Grumpy Horn, huh? Or maybe—Terrifyingly Handsome Horn?"
His composure broke. His jaw trembled, and his fists clenched, but he didn't scream. Instead, he stepped closer, forcing me to back away. A red light hit his horns, and I noticed his shadow. His horns sharpened in the shadow. My chest tightened.
"You're testing me," he said softly.
"And you're… interesting when you're tested," I teased.
He didn't answer; instead, he stared. The kind of stare that will make your heart beat faster, and your heart beat faster at the same time. My teasing is effective.
Then I went too far. "Horny Horn?"
Silence.
I swallowed. His eyes, as black as nothingness, reddened by the fires of the Underworld, stared at me. I felt the distance between us shrink. I laughed, partly out of nervousness, partly because… it was exciting.
Kael suddenly turned, took a few steps, then stopped. "Enough," he finally said. "Focus on your posture."
I nodded even though I could feel my cheeks heating up. I had given him many nicknames, but he wasn't angry.
I picked up the glowing fungi, stabbing a piece with my curved utensil. "You're too easy to rattle, Big Horn," I whispered, smiling at him.
He didn't answer; he just stared at me. But that silent presence… was worse than any insult I could throw.
After a while, we sat in silence after our training. I rested my chin on my hands, glancing at him furtively. Kael adjusted my shoulders with a serious feeling that could have been deadly… or protective.
"Are you getting used to me, what?"
He didn't say anything. "You'll get used to me," I said quietly.
"I won't."
I smiled. "That's why I enjoy teasing you."
Kael didn't answer. He just remained silent.
I took a deep breath, letting the moment linger. For the first time, I felt like I had achieved a small victory against the steadfast Kael.