Between Laughter and Lies

The morning sun bathed the royal training grounds in a golden glow as Yuuya moved through his training routine.

His wooden sword cut through the air, his movements precise and controlled. Every strike, every dodge, every shift of his feet—it was all part of his daily discipline.

He wasn't just training his swordsmanship but also refining his body's movement and endurance. Despite his growing exhaustion, he couldn't afford to stop.

He had to stay strong.

"Oi!"

A familiar voice cut through the morning air.

Yuuya turned to see Chris von Paldia, dressed in light training gear, stepping onto the field.

"You're training this early?" Chris asked, crossing his arms.

Yuuya wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead. "What does it look like?"

Chris smirked. "Looks like you need someone to make sure you're actually improving."

Yuuya sighed. "And that's supposed to be you?"

Chris grabbed a training sword and spun it in his hands. "Obviously. What kind of rival would I be if I let you slack off?"

Yuuya couldn't help but chuckle. "Do whatever you want."

The two boys clashed, their wooden swords meeting with sharp cracks.

Chris had improved since their duel, his movements sharper, his footwork stronger. But Yuuya still had the upper hand.

They sparred for nearly an hour, exchanging blows, taunts, and laughter. Their rivalry was still there, but the tension from before had faded into something closer to friendship.

"Alright, I'll admit it," Chris huffed, stepping back after their final clash. "You're still better than me."

Yuuya smirked. "That was obvious."

Chris scoffed. "Enjoy it while it lasts. I'll catch up to you soon."

Yuuya didn't doubt that.

Later that afternoon, Yuuya found himself in the royal garden, seated across from Flora at a beautifully set table.

Flora, dressed in an elegant light-blue dress, looked much healthier than before. Though she still required treatment, her energy and spirit had returned.

Later that afternoon, Yuuya found himself in the royal garden, seated across from Flora at a beautifully set table. The aroma of freshly brewed tea mixed with the scent of blooming roses, creating a peaceful atmosphere.

Flora, dressed in an elegant light-blue dress, looked much healthier than before. Though she still required treatment, her energy and spirit had returned.

She smiled, stirring a bit of honey into her tea. "You know… I never really liked tea parties before."

Yuuya raised an eyebrow. "Then why did you invite me?"

Flora giggled softly. "Because it's different when it's with you. Before, tea parties were just boring gatherings where noble kids talked about dresses and etiquette. But now… it feels more like spending time with a friend."

Yuuya took a sip of his tea. "So, you're saying you invited me because I'm not noble enough to ruin the fun?"

Flora covered her mouth as she laughed. "That's not what I meant!"

Yuuya smirked. "Sounds like it."

She pouted. "You're teasing me again."

"You make it too easy."

Flora sighed, but there was no frustration in her voice—only warmth. She set her teacup down, resting her chin on her hands.

"Yuuya, do you… have any dreams?"

The question caught him off guard. He blinked. "Dreams?"

"Yes. Like something you want to do in the future." Flora's golden eyes sparkled with curiosity.

Yuuya hesitated, staring into his cup. He hadn't thought about the future in a long time. Not since…

(…mother, father, Hina.)

The image of a cheerful girl with dark hair and bright eyes flashed in his mind. Running through the fields. Laughing together. His parent watching them from a far

A part of him ached at the memory.

"…I used to," Yuuya admitted softly.

Flora tilted her head. "Used to?"

Yuuya leaned back, gazing at the sky. "Before I ended up here, I had people I cared about. A place I wanted to return to."

Flora's smile faded slightly. "Your hometown?"

He nodded. "Yeah."

She was silent for a moment before asking, "What was it like?"

Yuuya exhaled, closing his eyes. "It was peaceful. Small, but lively. I spent most of my time playing outside with my childhood friend. She was always full of energy, dragging me around on some adventure or another."

Flora's eyes widened slightly. "She?"

Yuuya realized what he said and coughed awkwardly. "Yeah. Her name's Hina."

Flora tapped her finger against her chin. "You talk about her with a really soft expression."

"I do not," Yuuya denied immediately.

Flora giggled. "You do."

Yuuya clicked his tongue. "Tch."

Flora leaned forward slightly, resting her elbows on the table. "You must miss her a lot."

Yuuya didn't answer right away. He stared into his tea, the ripples reflecting the thoughts he tried to push aside.

(How is she doing now? What about my parents…?)

He swallowed the lump in his throat. "Yeah. I do."

Flora's expression softened. "If you could, would you want to go back?"

Yuuya looked at her. "Of course."

Flora's gaze dropped to her lap, her fingers playing with the hem of her dress.

"…I hope you get to, one day," she whispered.

Yuuya studied her for a moment. There was a quiet sadness in her voice.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

Flora forced a smile. "Yes. It's just… I guess I was selfish for wishing you'd stay."

Yuuya blinked.

(…Stay?)

Before he could respond, a familiar voice interrupted them.

"Flora!!"

Before Yuuya could ask further, Chris arrived, casually taking a seat beside them.

"You two are seriously having a tea party?" Chris raised an eyebrow.

Flora giggled. "What? Are you saying knights can't enjoy tea parties?"

Chris grabbed a handful of biscuits. "Tch. Whatever. If Yuuya's here, I'm not letting him win in eating either."

Yuuya sighed. "It's not a competition, Chris."

"It is now." Chris stuffed two biscuits into his mouth.

Flora laughed, and Yuuya couldn't help but smile.

The three of them talked, teased each other, and laughed, their conversation light-hearted and carefree.

It was a rare moment of peace.

A moment that, unknowingly, Yuuya wished could last forever.

That evening, Alfred summoned Yuuya to his office.

The king sat at his desk; his expression unreadable. He motioned for Yuuya to sit, and after a brief silence, he finally spoke.

"I've officially announced you as Princess Flora's personal butler."

Yuuya froze. "...What?"

Alfred leaned back in his chair, amused by Yuuya's reaction. "It was the best way to protect your identity. Otherwise, more nobles would start questioning your presence here."

Yuuya frowned. "That doesn't mean I have to accept it."

"You don't have a choice," Alfred said smoothly. "Unless you'd rather I tell them the truth?"

Yuuya clicked his tongue. "Tch."

Alfred smirked. "I thought so."

Then, his expression became serious.

"Now that you hold this position, you'll have to learn the skills of a noble attendant."

At Alfred's command, several instructors had been assigned to Yuuya.

Starting tomorrow, Yuuya would undergo lessons in etiquette, dance, magic theory, and courtly behaviour.

And to make things worse—

"You'll be attending these lessons with Flora."

Yuuya sighed. (So much for a peaceful stay.)

The next few days were exhausting.

Between his new lessons, training, and treating Flora, Yuuya barely had time to rest.

And his illness was getting worse.

At first, it was just mild fatigue. But soon, he began feeling dizzy more often, his headaches more intense.

Then, one night, it happened.

As Yuuya sat in his room, attempting to read through a book, a sharp, searing pain stabbed through his chest.

His vision spun.

He barely had time to react before a violent cough tore through him—

Splatter.

Dark red blood dripped onto the pages of his book.

His breath came raggedly, his body trembling.

(Not… again…)

His fingers dug into his bedsheets, struggling to stay conscious. But the room blurred around him, his strength fading.

Then—

A sharp knock on the door.

"Yuuya-sama?"

Lena.

But Yuuya couldn't respond.

The pain overwhelmed him, and his body collapsed onto the floor.

The door burst open.

"Yuuya-sama—!!"

Lena's panicked scream echoed through the halls.

By the time Yuuya opened his eyes, he wasn't in his room anymore.

A grand chandelier hung above him. The room smelled of medicine and incense.

He was in the royal infirmary.

And sitting beside him—

King Alfred.

The man's golden eyes held no amusement now. His usual smirk was gone, replaced by a cold, piercing stare.

"You've been hiding this from me," Alfred said quietly.

Yuuya's body tensed.

Alfred's fingers tapped against the armrest of his chair.

"Now," the king continued, "You're going to tell me everything."

Yuuya felt his heart sink.

There was no escaping this conversation.