Brie barged into Sora's room around 06:30 the following morning and jumped in his bed. "Wake up, sleepy head!"
Sora smiled and grabbed Brie tight. He kissed her, gently. "I missed you. Ready to make your debut as my equal partner at the Council?"
'Oh, I didn't think he'd actually kiss me.' Brie thought happily, as she returned his kiss. The second part of his statement finally dawned on her, and she turned beat red.
"What do you mean–equal partner?!" she asked.
"Well, everyone comes in tandems, except for the King, as his wife died long ago, and me. Azazel brings his commander in chief Malphas, so it's not like it HAS to be someone you're married to or anything. I just thought you'd like it if we just came out to the world… officially. You know… like, a couple?"
Sora's confident tone surprised Brie. He typically wasn't this quickly sincere and usually thought before he spoke on matters like this.
"Who said I wanted to be in a relationship with you, anyway?" Brie asked with a straight face.
Sora didn't want to let Brie know Sasha talked to him. He also planned on asking Brie about it before he invited her to the council, so he didn't feel like he was lying.
"No one, really, I just thought I'd ask you myself."
"Ok then. I'm good with that. I'll be your girlfriend, or whatever." Brie said shyly.
"Hey system, where are Brie's council clothes?"
[They are laid out on her bed. The King also left them there with your letter last night.]
'How the hell does he manage to get past my security, my system, and just come into my house and leave stuff?' Sora thought.
"Hey, can you get changed? Sora asked politely. "Your stuff is in your room. I'm going to get changed and we should say hey to the others and get going."
They both quickly changed into their council attire. When she walked into the kitchen, Sora was cooking her favorite breakfast.
"Woah, you look great. Those are some fancy clothes." Sora said.
Brie stepped out in an ornate, black dress with baby blue trim. The dress went past her knees, and she wore baby blue heels. She wore the same cloak, baby blue with a silver cross on the back and did her makeup, especially her beautifully stylized, purple eyeshadow, to match Sora's amethyst eye. Because her eyes were teal, it perfectly mirrored the beauty of Sora's unique eyes.
She blushed and thanked him and sat down to eat. As she sat down, she read the note left on the table.
"Lovebirds, we're out clearing dungeons. Jubelle is doing much better, and his strategy helps us clear them more efficiently. Don't worry, we'll be fine. We'll teleport to you if we need to, even if it crashes your council meeting." signed, Levi.
"Do you think they'll stop with the jokes, now?" Sora asked.
"Doubt it," she said.
They finished breakfast, got into the armored car parked in space 47 and before the two of them knew it, they were at the Uthra castle.
"This is exciting! I've never been to Harmonia or any of the cities in Haven!" Brie exclaimed.
****
Sora stepped out of the car and helped Brie out. Everyone in the area immediately turned and started taking pictures, only to watch one of the guards walk down, cast a spell, and to the dismay of the onlookers, all of their photographs were gone.
"Sorry about that Master Lockheart. Welcome Lady Reinhardt." the guard said. "Follow me."
They followed the guard to the familiar arched doors, where Sora read the passcode and stated his name.
"Does the guest also have a passcode?"
"There's no need, the King is aware we're dating and expecting her." Sora said sternly.
"Apologies, you may enter."
Sora immediately wished he got there sooner.
"Well look at this, someone has finally won over the heart of the half-god," Fenrir snickered.
"What a fragile, yet beautiful young human you have with you Sora," Selene said condescendingly.
Fortunately, before any commotion could continue, the King stepped out from the backroom and motioned for them to sit.
"Well, I believe Azazel has a matter he'd like to discuss with the group. He informed me of this yesterday and I would like to hear from each of my council members how they feel about the situation," King Joseph stated, sternly. It sounded like new life filled his voice.
Azazel went to speak, but Sora politely raised his hand.
"Yes, Sora?" the King asked.
"First, I'd like to introduce you to my new partner, or girlfriend, whatever you'd prefer to call her. Her name is Brianna Reinhardt and she's nearly a SS rank adventurer, despite only being 20. I expect everyone here to treat her with the same respect anyone else on this council would receive." Sora said confidently.
Azazel's smile widened, as he couldn't wait to deliver his news.
"Secondly, as to what Azazel is about to bring up. I'll just go ahead and admit it. I'm the leader of the masked party. I'm sorry for deceiving the council, that was never my intention. Rather, I only wished to protect my party members from having any public association with me. I'm sure you can all relate to dealing with the people lined up outside, waiting to take a picture of any one of us?" Sora asked.
"Thank you for being honest, Sora, now let's hear what Azazel has to say," the King stated.
"Not only has Sora, Brie, and the three unknown party members, which I demand he reveals, defeated my elemental fiends, but they've also been targeting demon dungeons! I have the proof, right here!" Azazel said.
He pressed a button on a device located on the table, and documentation about the dungeons Sora and his party cleared over the last few weeks appeared.
The council stood and looked at them in silence for a few moments.
"Wait, he's not just targeting demon dungeons Azazel, he's cleared plenty of different dungeons. What's really going on here?" Dorian asked.
Brie leaned close to Sora and whispered, "Let's not tell them about the secret dungeon."
Sora nodded and continued to listen to the others. Neither of them were having a great time.
This wasn't the way Sora wanted the first Council meeting to go for Brie. He wanted her to be able to show her bubbly, confident personality.