Chapter 1


"Senpai! There you are!" called out Mash, making the Master stop in his tracks and turn around. "Oh, Mash, what's wrong?" he asked.

Mash urged for him to come closer, and Ritsuka did so.

What she told him somehow surprised him. "She wants to see me…now?" he asked, just to be clear. Mash simply nodded.

He nodded. "I understand. Thanks for telling me, Mash!" he said, as he began to run towards his room. Mash simply nodded and went to walk in the opposite direction.

A familiar Caster then appeared in front of her, making her drop her clipboard. "M-Merlin!" she spoke.

Merlin waved at her. "And where is the young Master off to?" he asked, and Mash looked back at the direction her Master ran off to.

She smiled. "He's on his way to make someone happy."


Ritsuka cleared his throat and entered his room. On the bed, he saw seated the Duchess, a troubled expression on her face.

"Hey there, Anastasia. What's up?" he then asked. Before he was to enter the place, someone tugged at his collar, dragging him back out.

Anastasia was confused.

The door closed, and Ritsuka turned around. It was the Mage of Flowers. "Yo, Master!" he greeted.

"Ah, Merlin…" the Master greeted back, somehow thankful that he came.

"Nervous, aren't we?" the Caster asked. Ritsuka wanted to hide it, but much like Holmes, nothing gets past Merlin. "I…am, actually." He admitted.

Merlin tapped his shoulder. "Alone with the Russian Duchess, you all nervous, and she all bothered. It's the perfect scenario, is it not? I bet those writers are interested in penning a tale or two with this encounter." He teased, only worsening Ritsuka's nervousness.

"Cut that out, come on…" the Master spoke, making Merlin laugh. He then gave him a pat on the head. "Good luck, Master." He said, before walking away. Ritsuka smiled and gathered enough courage to enter his room once again.

As he was about to step forward, another Caster showed up.

"Master, are you busy?" asked Lord El-Melloi II.

Ritsuka deflated, sighing, and looked at him. "Ah, it's you, sensei…"

The Lord merely looked at him, wondering why he looked like such and merely nodded. "I see. I'll come back at a later time." He spoke, taking out a cigar from his suit pocket, lighting it up, and walking away, waving at the Master.

Ritsuka was confused for a bit, but then snapped out of it, mustering the courage he had left to ask the Duchess what she wanted to talk about.

He walked into the room, smiling. "Yo, Anastasia!" he greeted.

"Do not let go of my hand" the Duchess then spoke. The Master stopped in his tracks, his joyful demeanor vanishing and only the leftover courage remaining.

"Anastasia…?" he then spoke, approaching her.

The Duchess looked at her, the troubled expression turning to…a sorrowful one. "Please, stay in my sight." She continued, and Ritsuka hurriedly sat beside her, holding her hands.

Anastasia looked at him, the sorrowful expression remaining. "If you hear my voice, always answer." She said, and Ritsuka nodded.

She sighed, looking down, as if on the verge of tears. "…I don't want to lose anyone anymore." She finished, tears suddenly falling.

Somehow, it made Ritsuka smile. "It's about that, huh?" he spoke.

"Huh?" said Anastasia, looking at him with her tearstained face. Ritsuka then stood up, taking the Duchess with him, ending with the both of them embracing each other.

"Master…?" spoke Anastasia, as Ritsuka planted a kiss on the top of her head.

Anastasia was surprised, and it made her blush.

"Do you like it?" he asked. Anastasia was confused.

The Master then raised her chin up. Anastasia blushed further. "I-I do like a good kiss or two…" she replied.

The Master laughed softly. "Are you still sad, my fair Duchess? I'm here with you now, aren't I?" he asked.

Anastasia looked away, not wanting her Master to see her flustered face.

But she eventually smiled, and buried her face into her Master's chest, giggling a bit.

"I'll never leave, Anastasia." He softly spoke, kissing the top of her head again.

"Thank you, Master. I…" she spoke, but trailed off, as her chin was raised up to meet her Master's gaze once again.

Ritsuka smiled, leaning in closer, and planted a kiss on her lips.

The Duchess simply, and wholeheartedly, accepted.


"Ah love, can't you feel that, esteemed Mage of the Clock Tower?" spoke Merlin, walking happily as if he were the one in love.

"I have no business with you, Mage of Flowers." Spoke the young Lord, lighting his second cigar.

The two Casters walked down the halls, with the Lord merely ignoring whatever the so-called Kingmaker may have to say.

"My, aren't you two quite the rabble." Spoke a soothing female voice.

Merlin smiled and bowed down. "Your Majesty." He spoke.

Lord El-Melloi II nodded at her, acknowledging her presence, which she did not like.

"Is that how you address queens in your time, human Mage?" Scathach-Skadi asked, and the Lord looked away, huffing and puffing his smoke.

"I do not have business with you, as well, Queen of Ice and Snow." He spoke, walking away from the two of them.

"Hmph." The Queen spoke, but as the Lord continued on walking, she hesitantly followed.

Merlin had a devious smile on his face. "Oh? Looks like something else in developing around here, hmm?"


Ritsuka woke up to a dimly lit room. He was thankful for the nightlight that Mash provided him with.

A warm body was pressed against his, and he knew who it was.

Clutching the sleeping Duchess's hands, he kissed them dearly before embracing her once more.

"Your hands have always been cold, haven't they, Anastasia?" he softly asked, and the Duchess merely moved even closer to him. He kissed her forehead.

"Sleep well, my fair Duchess…"