My eyes blinked open. There was a large, somewhat cushiony object in front of my body blocking the invasive sunlight streaming through the window. I let out a dazed smile and yawned. What a nice teddy bear... Just as I was about to drowsily close my eyes again and fall into a light slumber, I was jolted awake by common sense. Teddy bear?

I stiffened and looked up. A familiar cascade of lustrous blonde hair caught my eye, shimmering in the sunlight. My gaze traveled downwards, focused on the broad shoulders and a graceful waist, adorned in the same silk shirt I had seen the prince wearing just hours ago.

Hahaha... this dream is so funny. I tried to slowly shift back but then realized my limbs were still coiled tightly around the prince's body. Hahahahahaha... I glanced up and sighed in relief when I saw that the prince seemed to be sleeping.

I crawled out of the bed, slowly removing my arm hugging his waist and my leg wrapped around his thigh. I slipped out of the warm, thick blanket and locked myself in the bathroom. Just as I closed the door shut, the prince snapped his eyes open and jumped out of bed, dashing out of the room in a flurry.

----

I groaned and dunked my head back in the hot bathwater. The muffled noises of the water sloshing around in the bathtub made me calm down a bit. As my mind cleared, my thoughts ran rampant. Why did I even get in the bed with the prince? I could have just stayed awake and left the room... I wanted to punch myself in the face.

I had a very peculiar sleeping habit. If I slept with clothes, I would feel cold and restless, instinctively attaching myself to any warmth in the bed I could find. That was why I always took off my clothes when sleeping, but I must have forgotten to do it earlier and attached myself to the crown prince like a sticky hedgehog.

I sighed, a few bubbles underwater dancing to the surface. Should I be glad that I didn't sleep naked with the prince, at least?

I stepped out of the bathtub and dried off, slipping on informal clothes and peering out of the doorway which didn't have a door. The guards stationed on the other side of the hall were still gone. I sighed and shook my head. I really don't want to face the prince right now... I scampered to the end of the hall and slid down the two-story spiral staircase. Maybe I'll go to the training courtyard to see if I can practice magic there.

I arrived at the far east side of the palace and walked towards the knights' training area with practiced steps. From a distance, I could hear the grunts of the trainers along with the thumps of their wooden practice swords.

I hid behind a pillar and peered into the courtyard curiously. Large dummies were hung up, beaten and bashed around. Some of the knights were dueling with each other, while the higher-ranking supervised the morning training session. Dirt and dust was kicked up from the leaping and thrusting. Tiny particles of dust jumped into my nostrils, causing a bout of coughing and sneezing. Several knights noticed the sound and caught sight of my head peeking out from the column. They eyed my freshly washed face with raised eyebrows.

"All right, take a ten minute break." One of the supervisors said. The men and women all sighed in relief and all simultaneously ran towards the break room. With a sense of horror, I observed the chaotic scene as I was pushed and jostled by the unruly mob of grimy and sweaty men. I was hurled to the side, my head hitting with a solid, hard chest. Wincing, I rubbed my forehead and looked up to meet a pair of familiar eyes.

"...Young Lord Xenith?" Gree, the nosy, scar-faced knight. I gulped and waved to him stiffly. Thankfully, he didn't pay attention to the servant's face I had sent the other day before giving me the handkerchief, most likely too intently focused on bringing me to Sir Reask.

Gree's face brightened as soon as he saw my affirmative wave. "Young lord, it's so shocking to see you here!" He offered a casual bow and clasped my hand with an iron grip. "I reckon you're here for a visit with our little Reask, eh! Let's go to the break room then."

I gazed at his slightly sinister smirk and his casual grip on my left hand and felt a little incredulous. Are all knights this informal with nobles? I thought. Yet, before I was able to answer that question, I was dragged into the break room.

Hundreds of sweaty knights were sprawled across the rough stone floors, all guzzling down an ocean's worth of water. Gree was the last one to enter the room. The other knights looked at him curiously, wondering if he was punished by the supervisor, then their eyes wandered towards the clean, flustered-looking boy dressed in expensive clothes held tightly by him.

"Hey, who's this pretty boy?" One of them, laid sprawl-eagled on the floor, turned her sweaty head up and chuckled. Her prying eyes felt invasive. I subconsciously shirked away and tucked myself behind Gree.

One of the other knights next to her smacked her dead across her forehead and forced her to stand up. "Stupid, that's the crown prince's aide!" She pushed the back of the other knight's head down hastily.

Gree pushed me out in front of him before I could react and arched his eyebrows with a sense of accomplishment. "That's right, this is Young Lord Xenith, the one our dear Reask has been captivated by." He snickered. I tilted my head in confusion. 'Captivated'? Huh?

All of the sweaty knights instantly perked their ears up. "Oh, the one who Reask has been writing love letters to only to trash them and blush?" Someone smirked and wiggled their brows. I grew more befuddled. Love letters to who?

"Yeah, the one who our little Reask says is like an angel, bestowed upon-" The sentence was interrupted by a hand slapped over the speaker's mouth. My gaze shifted to the sound and landed on a redhead, his face beet red as he covered the mouth of the tittering man beside him.

Gree smiled fiendishly, fixing his eyes back on the flushed Reask. "Heyyy, little Reask, come over here," Gree beckoned. I stifled a laugh as I saw the head of red hair stumble closer shyly.

"G-good afternoon, my lord," he greeted with a bow. From above, I could see the tips of his crimson ears that matched with his fiery red hair. My body shook lightly as I stifled my growing intrusive thoughts. He's like... a little tomato. I mused. A blush spread to my cheeks as I swiftly shifted my eyes away.

"Y-yes, good afternoon." I mumbled. The little tomato is kind of adorable. I thought, lifting my collar to cover the spreading smile on my mouth.

Gree's eyebrows quirked up with a playful air as he said, "So, young lord, why have you come to our training grounds?"

The inquisitive gazes of all the knights turned back to me. With a hint of embarrassment, I chuckled and awkwardly scratched the back of my neck. "...well, I was planning to find a place for some practice-"

Before I could finish my sentence, the scar-faced knight interrupted again. "Oh, you want to practice? Reask is the best at coaching amateurs like you. You two should head out to the field and practice! Together!" Gree grabbed the Reask and pushed him towards me.

"In fact, why don't you both head there now." He placed his hands on our backs and shoved us towards the door. "I'll tell the captain our little Reask has... more pressing matters to deal with." He flashed a mischievous grin before slamming the door shut, leaving the red-haired knight and I standing in a daze. I gazed at him blankly, resisting the urge to push his pink cheeks.

"S-so..." He stuttered out a word, awkwardly shifting his eyes. "...then, um, young lord, shall we go?" He mumbled, holding his arm out in front of me while covering his hot face with his hand.

"Sure, little tomato." I responded, the words in my mind slipping out before I could stop them. I felt my ears go as red as his. "I-I mean..." I covered my face with my hand in embarrassment, and eventually just grabbed his extended arm with crippling shame. "You know what, l-let's just go."

----

The field Gree was describing was absolutely stunning. It was an expanse of a lush, golden pasture, with a beautiful view of the afternoon sun. The crisp, earthy breeze gently blew through my hair as the grass gently swayed against my thighs. Reask led me to a soaring, majestic oak tree, hidden behind the long blades of grass. Behind us, I could see the faint contour of the palace, the silhouette of its lofty silver gates etched against the horizon.

"We've arrived," Reask announced. He directed me to the base of the tree, resting against the massive trunk. My attention remained fixed on the greenery, in awe. Several minutes of tranquil silence passed before I recovered my composure, a slightly silly grin forming as I turned my gaze towards him.

"We're here to train, then." I said, eying the two wooden swords under the crook of his arm.

"Y-yeah." He handed one to me with concerned, reluctant eyes. I clutched the extended sword with an awkward stilted grip, feeling the heftiness of the front weigh down on my body. Reask watched the scene, his lips twitching as he struggled to stifle his budding laughter. I shot him a look, inwardly swearing I would set him on fire if he laughed out loud. He cleared his throat and drew closer, his touch immediately steadying the hilt's edge. Sliding in behind me, he placed his fingers firmly around my hands as he set his arms beneath mine to lift the sword. A gentle warmth encompassed my back.

"Don't hold it like that, or you could sprain your wrist." Reask murmured. I felt the breath tickle my nape. I didn't expect to get a lesson on swordplay today... I thought as I adjusted my grip obediently.

"Now, on guard." He instructed.

I turned to face him with confused eyes. "I-I thought I was already." I mumbled. I saw his cheeks inflate and shot him a pointed look. "Don't you dare laugh."

He forced the amused chuckle down and nodded seriously, directing my gaze back to the sword. "Ahem, my lord, it's like this, see..."

----

Reask's eyes changed as he held the weapon. His entire demeanor shifted, his focus fixated solely on the dulled wooden swords. We laughed as I strained to grip the heavier sword, and he seemed to relax as time moved forward. The sky soon turned dark, and by the end of the day, I had collapsed on the floor in a heap of sweat. He moved closer, sitting next to me while leaning on the ancient tree.

"You did good for your first day, my lord." He said. I turned my head to face him. His serious, sincere face grew animated again, and a familiar blush creeped back onto his ears.

I sighed and patted his shoulder before falling onto his lap dramatically. "Little tomato." I said.

The faint blush on his ears instantly turned bright red, and he turned away hastily, trying to hide it.

"Are you shy, little tomato~ is that why you aren't facing me now?" I chuckled and brushed the tip of his chin from below.

He shivered slightly from the touch, biting his lip. "...n-no, my lord."

"You know, Sir Reask." I brushed my hand through his fiery red hair. "I'm impressed you can call me 'my lord' after you dared to make me so tired from your coaching."

His eyes darted left to right from guilt, sitting up and shoving hands into his lap like an obedient child. "I-I'm sorry."

I stared at his frantic, innocent actions and felt my heart being pricked by a sense of fondness. "You call me Rem, then." I said.

He blinked his eyes and stared at me with bewilderment. I straightened my posture to meet his gaze, my eyes bent into thin crescents, watching his flustered expression with amusement. "Rem." I said again.

He blushed and looked down, his shy demeanor contrasting his large, lean build. "Yes, I understand, lo... R-Rem." He stuttered.

I turned to the side, my gaze lifting to meet the stars above. "You know," I began, "when I mentioned to the knights that I was looking for a place to practice, I wasn't referring to swordplay." I glanced at Reask. His red hair bounced as he tilted his head.

"Have you ever seen magic before?" I asked.

He shook his head with wide eyes. "Only during the festivals, where fire mages would make those big fireworks."

I giggled, turning my palm up and lifting my hand towards the sky. "Well, let me tell you, there's so much more I can do compared to those court mages."

Delicate wisps of light emerged from the expanse of tall grass, like millions of luminescent fireflies. With a wave of my hand, the trails of light gathered into a single point, bursting like a firework. The small specks of light fragmented, jumping further into the clouds, spinning into a tapestry of constellations. Bears, swans, lions, and scorpions emerged, their celestial forms gracefully traversing the night expanse, evoking the untamed grace of wild horses on a moonlit prairie.

Suddenly, a warmth enveloped my hand, drawing my attention back. The red-haired knight's hand shifted, moving closer to the base of my arm. Confusion furrowed my brow, the puzzle of the moment deepening. Reask's gaze averted, his fingers wrapping around my own. My gaze remained affixed to him, my breath suspended as he held onto my hand with unwavering tenderness.

I cleared my throat, quickly turning my gaze away. It must be an accident. I mused, dismissing the uncertainty in my heart.

----

In the knights' dormitory...

Reask sat quietly on the small twin bed, his gaze distant and unfocused. His hands rested stiffly in his lap as he processed recent events. Gradually, his neutral expression transformed into a deep blush, and his eyes darted around the room with a hint of shyness.

...he called me a little tomato. The young knight slowly reached for the pillow beside him and clung to it, burying his face in the coarse fabric. He thinks I'm adorable... With his face hidden in the pillow, he held his breath, feeling a mix of emotions.

And then... he said I can call him Rem. Reask let out a soft, muffled sound akin to a joyful otter's cry and flopped onto the bed in contentment. His toes curled under the thick blanket as he thought back to Rem's smiling face next to him.

I'm really going crazy... how can someone be that cute...

----

On the northern side of the palace, in the crown prince's study...

Lucius let out a sigh of relief as he completed the final sheet of paperwork, then slumped onto his desk.

"Finally done?" A sweet, gentle voice spoke from across the room. A girl with blonde hair and emerald green eyes leaned against the doorway, a playful expression on her face. "Took you quite a while."

Lucius pursed his lips, a chilly demeanor settling over his face. His gaze cautiously settled on the girl's laid-back smile, his relaxed posture immediately straightening. "Why are you here, sister?"

She scoffed and walked towards the velvet couch, flopping languidly onto the soft cushion. Her head leaned onto the armrest, her golden hair cascading down as she stared at her brother. "Seems like your warmth is reserved only for your aide, hm." She remarked with a teasing lilt, turning her gaze to the side. Her long eyelashes cast shadows onto her cheeks, making her figure all the more sensuous.

"You're talking nonsense," he retorted, his voice a touch sterner. A subtle flush creeped up his neck as he attempted to conceal his embarrassment.

The girl's eyes narrowed playfully, her expression one of smug satisfaction as she observed her brother's reaction. "Did you arrange that lightshow on the eastern side of the palace?" She changed the subject, gesturing towards the windows nonchalantly.

Lucius shook his head, a furrow forming on his forehead. "What lightshow?" He rose from his seat, his steps carrying him to the window. Could it be... He pulled back the curtains, revealing a canvas of constellations swirling and dancing in the night sky, illuminated by the gentle light of the full moon.

"Only a Xenith could create such a magical display," she remarked, twirling her glossy hair around her finger. "So I just assumed it was you."

Lucius' brows knitted together. The Xenith countdom was known for its prodigies in magic. Remis Xenith, the son of the Mage of the East, was known to be a prodigy in magic and performed a similar display during his debut. The prince's mood darkened, his teeth gnawing on the inside of his cheek as he struggled to rein in the unfamiliar feeling washing over him. The beautiful display of lights couldn't have been meant for practice, it was definitely meant for enjoyment. He glowered, his hands clenched into fists. A surge of bitter jealousy welled up in his heart, rampant.

Who is it that you're so eager to impress?