"Watch my movements you idiot!" Arthir shouted.
"I am!" Cyris shouts back, swinging his burning blade at Arthir, who dodges.
They fought the next day, and the next and the next. Three days of fighting over and over again, ending in draws and breaks. It was impossible, how was Arthir so on par with Cyris and remain unscathed most of the time? Just how?
"Prince Cyris, do not put all your weight to that side. You'll tire out more easily!"
The General and soldiers watching: Is he trying to make that monster even more monstrous!!?
Cyris clicked his tongue and swung his sword more swiftly, breath even, "Well you should watch your footing and amass power at one point to strike."
"Oh? Many thanks."
"I'll win this time."
"Excuse me? You dare to steal my line?"
The two finish in a draw once again, fighting further would only break their bodies and worsen their conditions. Their audience looked horrified. Arthir and Cyris once said that they were sparring, but the one look at them and people could mistake them coming out of a warzone.
Arthir frowns, assessing the damage of his robes and body. So many cuts and tears...His lips fall, crestfallen at his condition. Nevertheless, his injuries needed to be treated. He raised his sleeve to soak the blood on the side of his face.
Meanwhile, Cyris was doing what he can with his own wounds. Shit, he hits hard.
"Let's go to the medic."
"Yeah, yeah. Oh, we're doing a gun fight tomorrow. I won't lose to you."
Arthir chuckles lightly and nods. "I'll beat you. I have to leave after all."
Cyris looked startled, suddenly reminded of the reason why they had fought in the first place. "Do you...really have to leave?"
Arthir blinked at Cyris for a moment and realized. With a hum, he says. "What? You're going to miss me?"
"It is a pleasure fighting with you."
Arthir froze, almost letting out a surprised noise. He expected the Prince to refute or something similar but to get an unexpected honest answer...Arthir suppressed his bewilderment and kept a calm face.
Cyris continued. "I have never felt more challenged with anyone but you. Finding an equal and exchanging blows...That's something I never thought I'd find ever since my father retired from the battlefield."
"I see...I"m honored."
Cyris wondered why Arthir suddenly looked away, hiding his face behind his sleeve. He could hear Arthir clearing his throat and reminded him. "Let's go to the clinic."
"Oh...yeah." Cyris turned around to head to the infirmary with Arthir, eyes meeting the silent audience.
When Prince of Bestetia's eyes landed on them, they quickly scurry away. Cyris didn't really have a reaction, he was used to it. However Arthir had something to share with a frown.
"...You have to work on your relationship with them, Prince Cyris. As comrades who fight together in the battlefield, it's important to have trust."
"Huh?" Cyris looked annoyed. "Our relationship is already good. What is there to improve? I order, they follow."
Arthir quietly facepalms and shakes his head. Cyris looked at him innocently, remaining silent to urge Arthir to continue and explain. Arthir faces him and crosses his arms. "Your highness, most of your men follow you out of fear, not out of respect. Do you think that kind of relationship is good?"
"Is that so..." Cyris growls. "Those disrespectful little-"
Arthir grabs Cyris's arm. "Hold on, you brute. Who's fault do you think it is that made this happen?"
"..."
Arthir chuckled at Cyris's reaction, who looked down and grumbled. "Do you have any suggestions as to what I should do?"
"Oh?" And he's willing to do something about it. "Hm, let's talk about it as we make our way to the clinic."
And so they began their little journey towards the infirmary. On their way, they notice a servant approaching. Arthir smiles and turns to Cyris. "Your highness, try greeting them as we pass by. Greetings are important."
"I see."
The servant avoids them by turning a corner.
"..."
He isn't even approachable!!
"Well, he went the other way. Should we follow him?"
"N-No need. Let's try something else..."
Arthir hums, lost in thought when an idea popped in his head.
"We can start small, for example, thanking them and appreciating their efforts. Praising them and acknowledging their hard work."
"That's all I have to do?"
"Hm, there's more you can do, but let's start off like this. Let's do a little exercise to practice. Imagine me as one your servants and I serve you a cup of tea."
"Thank you." Cyris flatly replied.
"W-Wait..."
"I thanked you, didn't I?" Cyris said. "So I have accomplished the task."
"You sound like you don't care at all..." Arthir taps his finger on his chin, searching for another example. "Prince Cyris, your servants work hard everyday to serve you food, keep the palace tidy and do chores. Put yourself in their shoes and imagine not being appreciated for what you do. Showing your appreciation will improve bonds and prevent possible future issues."
"So I should act all buddy-buddy with them?"
"You should maintain professionalism as well. You are certainly allowed to be friendly with them and I encourage that, however not to the point that they forget that you're the future Emperor and intentionally or unintentionally take advantage of your kindness and make demands."
"...It all sounds so complicated."
"You'll understand as time passes and as you interact with everyone else. Don't you have a good relationship with Cohlin?"
Cyris shrugged. "He's been there ever since I was born. It's like he's a relative honestly."
"I see."
They finally arrived at the infirmary and their injuries were thoroughly taken care of. The two sat in their own beds as they were treated. After the nurse had finished bandaging Cyris's wounded arm, Cyris cleared his throat and caused the nurse to flinch. "Um...Thank you for work. You did well."
The nurse becomes flustered. "N-No need for thanks, your highness. I am just doing my job."
And she walks away to clean up.
Arthir smiles proudly, clasping his hands together. "That's it, Prince Cyris."
"Y-Yeah...I mean, she did take care of us, so..."
Arthir's smile grows larger. "Indeed."
"...I have to go." Cyris suddenly stands and averted his gaze. "I have work to do."
Cyris rushes to the door, but suddenly paused.
"And A-Arthir..." Cyris calls, turning to Arthir to meet his gaze. "Thank you for teaching me."
Cyris walks out before he could see Arthir's bewildered face that eventually settled into a soft smile. There was something Arthir wanted to say back, but it etched deep down his throat. He felt confused and there was a question he wanted to ask, but he wasn't ready to hear the answer. He silently ponders by himself.
Cyris quickly traverses through the halls to get to his father's office to assist by sorting out documents and data. Then he sees the General in the distance, he quickens his pace.
"General..."
"Yes, your highness?" The general swallowed harshly.
"Good work today."
"..." The general's mouth hangs open, failing miserably to mask his shock. "Your highness, I am just doing my work. Thank you for your kind words."
"Mhm..." And Cyris walks away.
The General was left frozen in the hall and looked at the direction towards the infirmary. Maybe...The Third Prince coming here isn't so bad after all. They were honestly concerned with how much Prince Cyris and Prince Arthir fought and talked back to one another with bitterness, but maybe they weren't seeing something. Is what the general thought.
Ever since Arthir came here, Cyris had become...They wouldn't say soft, he's still the same as ever, but...more tame? He supposes.
Well whatever it is...it's good.
Cyris arrives at his father's office just in time to begin work. He holds a fairly large tablet and began sorting data and several other materials. The two performed their tasks in comfortable silence and it didn't take long for Cyris to finish. He sets down the tablet and prepares to move to his own office.
"It's almost been a week since Prince Arthir came here." The Emperor began as he quickly signed holographic documents with his finger and swiped to the next one. "What do you think of him so far?"
"He's strong."
"Of course he is..." The Emperor said nonchalantly, expecting that answer. Seeing the bandages and plasters on his son's body is also enough to prove that.
"He can be arrogant. Tsk."
The Emperor sighs, focusing more on his work instead as his son complained. "His jokes aren't funny and he taunts me on several occasions. He makes me frustrated."
"..."
"But he's also perceptive, sharp, strict but far from oppressive." Cyris continued, causing his father to set his work aside and rest his cheek onto his knuckled hand, intrigued. His son doesn't stop there. "He's virtuous. Bound by justice."
--
"What is this?" Arthir stepped into a scuffle caused by a servant to another servant. The servant came up with several excuses when they were clearly hostile against the other servant. "I do not appreciate lies and false accusation. I shall personally investigate the matter and get to the bottom of this."
--
"And hero of the story cut down his foes, saving his family and brought justice for his loved ones!" Arthir cheered, holding one of his favorite books against his chest. His eyes shone in clear admiration and delight. "I aspire to be as great as the heroes of the past and of stories. I want to become someone people can rely on and I'll do my best to become stronger and stronger to protect those I cherish."
--
Cyris recalls several moments with Arthir. It hasn't even been a week, but there was so much he could say. The amount of times they fought, walked to the infirmary together, talked, passed by one another, and fought again. So much had happened within a few days.
"Do you think he will be a good asset to our kingdom?" The Emperor asks with a faint smile, returning to his work but attentively listening.
Oh yeah...They were supposed to be married.
Cyris thought about it.
What will it be like to be with Arthir?
What will be new? How will things change?
The Emperor hadn't stopped smiling. Cyris is seriously thinking about it and reflecting on infinite possibilities. Fighting alongside each other, ruling an empire together, spend their lives together and become a...family.
The Emperor inquired once more. "Well son?"
Cyris looks at his father.
There was something he wanted to say from deep within him, but he couldn't utter a single word. It was a strange, unfamiliar feeling, and it was growing slowly. Cyris may not be highly sharp, but he was ignorant to the changes he found within himself. Behavioral patterns and his restlessness becoming more manageable.
Just what is this?
~~~~~~~~~~
And so their relationship develops further!!
Hello everyone!
How are you guys?
Ahh!! Once again, I just love writing development and realizations. There's just something so charming about it and honestly, real talk, it's something that's important. I want my characters and couples to have a journey. This is what I was worried about writing this because I do feel it's a bit rushed. I'll explain more about it at the end note.
Thank you everyone for all the support, views, votes and comments!
I'll see you guys in the next chapter!