Arthur collapsed into his ornate chair, cup forgotten in his hands
Years ago, on a hill overlooking Rosa Castle during bird migration, flocks of colorful birds painted the sky.
Two figures sat beneath the sunset.
"Are you sure?.. That mark on Leo's forehead..." Arthur asked.
"Isn't it precious? It glows, too," Leos murmured.
"That's not what I mean, Your Highness!" Arthur's voice sharpened with concern. "You don't grasp how dangerous this is!"
Leos lifted a palm. "Wait..."
His gaze drifted to the lake... Arthur followed.
Two fish leaped side-by-side, rippling the water. Birds skimmed the surface, hunting food.
...
"My son will understand in time. Let him live the journey." Leos watched a kingfisher dive. "He'll find true friends... Knowing everything now would steal his childhood."
He met Arthur's eyes with quiet certainty.
"When I go... keep Leo safe."
"Go? What do you mean?" Arthur seized Leos' shoulder.
"I'm unwell... My time nears its end."
Arthur dug fingers into Leos' tunic. "Don't say that!"
"You're not going anywhere!" Arthur's grip turned vise-like.
Leos only smiled
—as a kingfisher snatched one fish. The other sank alone into dark water.
"You're not going anywhere, huh?" A tear splashed into his cup, rippling the reflection.
"Are you alright?" Leo approached gently.
"Ah... I'm alright. Don't worry."
"So... you didn't answer me?" Leo's hands rested on his lap.
"Before that... where did you hear those words?"
Leo rubbed his chin.
"I don't remember him well..."
"But he wore a black royal robe..."
"And...?" Arthur stared intently, cider sloshing as he poured.
"Oh! Speaking of letters... I saw two letters on his shoulders."
"What were they?"
An "A."
Arthur froze. Cider spilled across the floor.
"Oh, yes! I remembered—he was staring intensely at my sword. Is there something special about it?"
"Here, take it." Leo presented his sword to Arthur.
A colossal blade of gleaming silver reflected light like a polished mirror. At its center gleamed a small inscription:
"Asiménios Prínkipas"
"What the—?!" Arthur covered his mouth, examining the blade.
Arthur's fingers hovered above the letters not daring to touch_
"I didn't notice... but it makes sense now. That's why Goro's crusher shattered so easily."
"Who gave you this sword?" Arthur's voice trembled.
Leo inhaled, steadying himself.
"When the rebellion happened... a stranger rescued me. I don't remember him well.. a horseman in full armor."
Leo pressed hands to his temples.
"I don't remember much..."
"But his words never left me:
_'I'm watching you, Leo. I'm always with you, even when you don't notice.'_"
Leo sniffed.
"He promised we'd duel when I became stronger."
A pause hung heavy.
"But I never saw him again."
"But since he left, butterflies started following me... and guiding me."
"Because of them, I found company."
Leo's fist tightened as he smiled.
"...Wait. Maybe I can summon them anytime?" Leo realized aloud.
Arthur listened, clearly puzzled.
Leo stepped to the window, raising his hands.
"COME, BUTTERFLIES!" he yelled into the night. Some guards relaxing in the moonlit garden glanced up.
"Did he drink something?" one muttered.
"Yeah... extra milk?" another snorted.
The guards burst into laughter.
After the yell
... nothing happened.
His cheeks flushed crimson.
Arthur stared, bewildered.
_Hope he hasn't lost his mind after all he's endured, Arthur thought, facepalming.
"I—I swear they exist!" Leo's voice trembled defensively.
"They helped me to take Goro down!"
"I believe you, Leo," Arthur said gently.
"Holding this sword explains everything."
"Anyways, Leo as long as that horseman gave you this sword,
"..it's in safe hands." Arthur sighed, weariness heavy in his voice.
He approached, patting Leo's head.
"Yes!" Leo smiled, head bowed.
"So you won't tell me about those inherited letters?" Leo pressed.
Arthur hesitated, scratching his beard before sighing.
"...Let time tell."
"Oh, come on!!" Leo whined like a petulant child.
As their shared laughter faded, a figure peered through the door's shadow..
Emma's silhouette curled like a knife against the doorframe.