Chapter 393: Royal Party Planner

Just as Mika was standing outside, watching the last groups of students disappear into the night and thinking about finally heading home himself, a sudden shout pierced the quiet.

"MIKAAA!"

He barely had time to turn around before a figure came flying through the air, diving straight toward his face at an alarming speed.

Before he could dodge, the figure crashed into him, wrapping arms around his neck in an enthusiastic hug that nearly knocked him off balance.

It was Nuri.

She had the biggest, brightest, most radiant smile on her face that he’d ever seen.

"You did it, Mika! You did it!"

She squealed, squeezing him tightly.

"Not only did you create a ’decent’ atmosphere like I asked you to—you went beyond that! You created something absolutely amazing!"

She squeezed tigher, and Mika made a slight choking sound, from the sheer hardness at her flatness.

"Nuri—it hurts—"

But she wasn’t listening. She was too busy vibrating with excitement.

"Do you know how many people came up to me and said it was the best party they’d ever been to?!"

"Do you know how many humans told me they’d never had so much fun with demi-humans before?!"

"Do you know how many demi-humans said they’d never felt so welcomed by humans?!"

"It was—it was—"

She pulled back slightly, her eyes shining with unshed tears of joy.

"It was best party I’ve ever been too!"

"And my father? He’s thrown some really big parties! With actual professional entertainers and fancy catering—but this one?"

"This one was so better!"

"Because it was real! Because people actually connected! Because you made it happen!"

She hugged him again, even tighter.

"It’s all because of you, Mika! All of it! You’re amazing! You’re the best! You’re—"

"Nuri." Mika gasped. "Seriously—lungs—need them—"

She finally released him, floating back with a giggle, but the excitement hadn’t dimmed one bit. If anything, it had intensified.

She pointed a finger at him dramatically.

"So! Because you did such a good job, and because this party was such a massive success, I have decided—"

She paused for effect.

"—to appoint you as my chief party planner!"

"What?"

"That’s right! From here on out, when I become queen—which I will, obviously—all the parties are going to be managed by you!"

"Every celebration! Every festival! Every royal gathering! You’re in charge!"

She beamed at him, clearly expecting enthusiasm.

Mika opened his mouth to respond—but before he could get a word out, another voice cut through the night.

Cool. Playful. Amused.

"Well, well, well. Who would have thought you’d be such a party animal, Mika?"

Mika turned.

Maria was standing nearby, arms crossed, one eyebrow raised, a teasing smile playing at the corners of her lips.

The soft light cast interesting shadows across her face, giving her an almost mischievous appearance.

"With how lonely you are and how you have absolutely no friends..." She continued, her tone light and mocking. "...I thought you and parties were the last things that could ever go together."

"But to think you could hold something like this? To actually create a party that’s going to be the talk of the school for weeks?"

She walked closer, her eyes never leaving his.

"I’m genuinely impressed, Mika. Really. Color me surprised."

But before Mika was about to tell her that she doesn’t have to call him a loner even while complimenting him—her gaze shifted to Nuri, and her expression changed.

It became tender.

Became almost...worshipful?

"Of course." Maria said smoothly, her voice taking on a warmer tone. "The one who truly orchestrated this entire thing was you, Nuri."

"You’re the one who brought the party together. You’re the one who invited everyone. You’re the one who bought all the ice cream."

"So technically, it’s all your abilities that created a party like this."

She clasped her hands together, looking at Nuri with an expression of genuine admiration.

"And I’m pretty sure everyone here thinks of it that way. So many people are looking up to you right now, Nuri. You’ve become something of a hero tonight. A legend."

"The princess who brought humans and demi-humans together."

Nuri’s eyes went wide.

Then wider.

Then absolutely enormous.

"When you say it like that..." She gasped. "...it makes so much sense!"

"Technically, I was the one who elevated this party to such an extent, so I am the true party animal here!"

She then flew over to Maria and, to Mika’s surprise, landed directly on top of her head, settling into Maria’s hair like it was a nest.

"You’re such a good girl, Maria." Nuri said, patting Maria’s head from above. "Such a good human, always finding the best things to say, always making me feel so happy."

"I’m so glad I met you at this party!"

Maria simply smiled—a warm, gentle, utterly genuine-looking smile.

"I would say the same to you, Nuri. It’s so fun to meet someone as...fun and adorable as you."

Nuri giggled, preening under the praise.

And Mika?

Mika rolled his eyes so hard he nearly sprained something.

Because he knew exactly what was happening here.

When he’d introduced Maria and Nuri earlier, Maria had immediately sized up the situation.

She’d noticed how innocent Nuri was.

How despite being a princess of an entire realm, despite wielding considerable power, despite having every reason to be cynical and guarded, Nuri remained genuinely sweet, genuinely trusting, genuinely open.

And Maria, being Maria, had immediately recognized an opportunity.

Not a malicious opportunity. Not a cruel one.

But an opportunity nonetheless.

Get on the princess’s good side.

Offer praise and compliments in subtle, effective ways.

Become someone Nuri trusted, someone Nuri enjoyed being around.

Build a connection that could pay dividends in the future—because who knew what benefits could come from being friends with an actual princess?

A future queen, even.

Of course, normally, Maria wouldn’t bother with someone like this.

She didn’t care about making connections or building relationships.

She barely spoke to anyone other than Mika.

But Nuri was different.

Nuri was so easy.

Easy to please. Easy to make happy. Easy to get along with.

The simplest effort—a few well-placed compliments, a little warmth, a bit of attention—and Nuri was absolutely delighted.

And honestly? Mika could tell that Maria genuinely enjoyed it too.

There was something about Nuri’s innocent joy, her uncomplicated happiness, that made even someone as calculating as Maria want to be around her.

Want to see her smile.

Want to make her giggle.

So Maria was getting what she wanted—a valuable connection, a future asset, a powerful friend—while also genuinely enjoying the process.

It was, Mika had to admit, a very Maria way of doing things.

And he wasn’t going to stop it because he knew Maria.

Knew that no matter how manipulative she could be, no matter how calculating and dangerous, she would never do anything to actually hurt Nuri.

She might use their connection for her own benefit.

She might leverage it in the future.

But she wouldn’t take advantage in a way that caused real harm.

So he simply watched as Nuri perched on Maria’s head, chattering happily about how wonderful the party was, how amazing Maria was, how this was the best night of her life.

And Maria listened, smiled and occasionally said just the right thing to make Nuri giggle even harder.

It was, in its own strange way, almost sweet.

But just then, a large figure approached—Ursula, her scales gleaming in the moonlight. She bowed respectfully.

"My lady." Ursula said in her deep, rumbling voice. "The car is ready. Your father has been informed of the party’s success and wishes to congratulate you personally when you return."

"Ooh!" Nuri perked up even more, if that was possible. "Daddy wants to congratulate me?! Yes yes yes!"

She turned to Mika, her eyes shining.

"Mika! We’re going back to my house now! I’m going to show Maria my home and all the cool dragon stuff! She said she wanted to see how a dragon home looks like!"

She tilted her head, hopeful.

"Do you want to come too? Please please please? It’ll be so fun! We can show you everything! The halls, the treasure rooms, the—"

Mika held up a hand, smiling gently.

"No, Nuri. You go ahead with Maria. I think I’m going to head home and get some rest."

Nuri’s face fell.

"Oh..."

"I’ve had enough interactions for one day." Mika continued. "More than enough, honestly. I think I’ve reached my social limit."

"You two enjoy your girls’ night, okay?"

Nuri looked genuinely disappointed, her lower lip protruding, her eyes glistening.

But Maria quickly swooped in to save the moment.

"That’s perfect, Nuri!"

She said brightly, reaching up to pat Nuri’s foot where it dangled near her ear.

"Let’s make it a proper girls’ night! Just us girls, no stinky boys allowed! We’ll have so much fun without Mika tagging along and being all...Mika-ish."

Nuri’s expression shifted from disappointment to consideration.

"A girls’ night..." She murmured.

"Yes!" Maria pressed. "Think about it—we can do all the things boys don’t appreciate! We can talk about whatever we want! We can try on clothes! We can do each other’s hair! We can—"

"We can do each other’s hair?!" Nuri’s eyes went supernova. "No one has ever done my hair before! I also have scales! Can you do scales?! Can you style scales?!"

Maria paused, momentarily thrown by the question, then recovered gracefully.

"I... can certainly try. And whatever the result will be, it will be an adventure."

Hearing this, Nuri’s earlier disappointment vanished completely, replaced by boundless enthusiasm.

"Then what are we waiting for! Let’s go already!"

She flew off Maria’s head and grabbed onto her hand and dragged into the car.

"Bye bye, Mika!" She shouted, waving frantically from the door. "Thank you for the night! Thank you for everything! I’ll tell you all about the girls’ night tomorrow! Maybe! If I’m allowed to share girl secrets! Bye bye!"

Mika waved back, smiling despite himself.

"Bye, Nuri. Have fun."

The door closed and the car drove away with several other cars following behind it.

Mika watched it go.

And as he watched, one thought drifted through his mind:

’I really hope Maria doesn’t sink her fangs so deep into Nuri that she becomes the puppet master behind the future queen of the entire dragon race.’

’Because that combination?’

’That would be terrifying.’

’A manipulative genius with access to the full power of the dragon realm?’

Mika shuddered slightly.

Then he shook his head and started walking.

The silence was profound after the chaos of the party.

The campus, usually bustling with students at all hours, was empty and still. Everyone was either asleep or still out celebrating in their own groups.

Mika breathed in the cool night air.

It felt good.

Peaceful.

After everything that had happened today—this quiet solitude was exactly what he needed.

He headed toward the parking area where his scooter was waiting.

But then—

His phone rang.

Mika pulled it out, glancing at the screen.

Who could be calling at this hour?

Maybe Yelena, wondering where he was and why he wasn’t in bed with her and Charlotte.

Or Fauna, asking if they were going to extract ’milk’ tonight with Anya.

He looked at the caller ID.

And his eyes narrowed slightly.

Nadia.

Why would Nadia be calling him at this hour?