Chapter 59: Wanna Ride Me, Princess?

Lumine dragged her feet as they wandered through the dimly lit corridors, her lantern flickering with each unsteady step. Every muscle in her body screamed for rest, and she let out an exhausted groan. "Ugh, my legs feel like they're about to give out… How much further do we have to go?"

Heizou, walking beside her, sighed in agreement. "Honestly, I second that. We’ve been walking non-stop. I think my feet are going numb."

Furina playfully nudged him. "Oh? The great detective finally has a weakness? Weak legs, perhaps?"

Heizou rolled his eyes. "If you want me to carry you instead, just say so, Lady Furina." (Not a ship mf's 😡)

Hu Tao snickered. "Ohoho! Now that would be a sight to see!"

Lumine groaned again, stretching her arms dramatically. "I swear, if I have to walk for another hour, I’m gonna just collapse right here—"

Before she could finish her complaint, a low chuckle came from behind her.

"Well, well, well… If you're that tired, princess," Scaramouche drawled smoothly, stepping closer until his breath tickled her ear, "why don’t you ride me instead?"

The moment those words left his lips, time seemed to stop.

Furina choked on air. Hu Tao gasped before bursting into wheezing laughter. Heizou's jaw nearly dropped, and Aether—oh, poor Aether—stiffened like he had just heard the most blasphemous thing in existence.

Lumine, on the other hand, felt her entire body heat up. "EXCUSE ME?!" she shrieked, spinning around to face Scaramouche, who only smirked at her, absolutely loving her reaction.

"You heard me, princess," he purred, tilting his head with that infuriatingly smug expression. "If you’re too tired to walk, you can always ride on my back. Or… something else, if you prefer."

"SCARAMOUCHE!"

The room erupted with reactions.

"NOPE. I'M DONE." Aether turned away, covering his ears. "I DID NOT NEED TO HEAR THAT!"

Furina slapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide in shock, while Hu Tao cackled like a madwoman, barely able to breathe.

"Oh-ho-hoooo?!" Heizou grinned devilishly, nudging Lumine. "Lumine, you should totally take him up on that offer. Who knows, he might actually be a good ride—"

Lumine whacked Heizou’s arm, her face burning. "SHUT. UP!"

Scaramouche chuckled darkly, clearly pleased with how flustered she had become. "What? I’m only being a gentleman, offering my services to a tired princess." He leaned in even closer, his voice dropping to a sultry whisper. "Unless… you’d rather I carry you in my arms instead?"

Lumine’s brain short-circuited.

She wanted to strangle him. Punch him. Do something to wipe that stupid, cocky smirk off his face. But at the same time, her heart was racing in a way she refused to acknowledge.

Scaramouche tilted his head. "No answer? Are you actually considering it?"

"I WILL WALK, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!" Lumine stomped ahead, far away from Scaramouche and his dirty antics.

Heizou and Hu Tao were laughing so hard they could barely breathe, Furina was absolutely scandalized, and Aether? Well… he was still trying to recover from the mental damage.

As they all continued forward, Scaramouche chuckled to himself, satisfied.

Lumine might have refused him now…

But he wasn’t done playing with her just yet.

🙄