The Royal visit

The sleek black convoy rolled through the bustling city streets toward the pediatric cancer institute. Prince Nani sat in the backseat of the lead car, reviewing the details of today’s visit on a tablet. His bodyguard, Sky, sat beside him, lounging casually but ever alert, his firearm holstered and his eyes occasionally scanning their surroundings for any potential threat.

“This is one of your favorite visits, isn’t it?” Sky asked, glancing over at Nani.

Nani smiled, his face lighting up. “Yes. Those kids are true warriors, fighting battles most of us can’t even imagine. I always feel humbled being around them.”

Sky nodded. “They’re lucky to have you. Not every royal takes the time to read to them or play with them the way you do.”

The convoy pulled into the hospital’s parking lot, where a small group of staff and security awaited them. Sky stepped out first, scanning the area before giving Nani the all-clear. Nani emerged, his royal demeanor exuding warmth as he greeted the staff.

Inside, the children were already waiting in the playroom, their faces lighting up as Nani entered. “Your Highness!” they chorused, their voices bright despite their frail bodies.

Nani beamed, immediately kneeling down to greet them at their level. “Hello, my little warriors! How are you all today?”

The room erupted into excited chatter as the children crowded around him, sharing stories about their treatments, their favorite games, and the books they hoped he’d read to them.

But today, something unusual happened. As Nani settled into a corner with a picture book, a voice boomed from behind him. “Who’s ready for a real challenge?”

Sky stood in the doorway, holding up a set of foam swords he’d grabbed from a nearby toy bin.

The children erupted into cheers, abandoning Nani and flocking to Sky like bees to honey.

“Sir Sky! Teach us how to fight like knights!” one of the boys shouted.

“Can we have a sword fight?” another asked.

Sky grinned, lowering himself to their level. “Only if you’re ready to face the best knight in the land.”

What followed was nothing short of chaos, though a joyful kind. Sky had the children fully engaged, from mock sword fights to dramatic reenactments of battles. He even let them “defeat” him, falling to the floor in exaggerated defeat to their squeals of delight.

Nani watched from his spot, the book forgotten in his hands. He had always adored children, but seeing Sky like this—playful, goofy, and utterly at ease with the little ones—was mesmerizing. The sound of the children’s laughter filled the room, a melody that tugged at Nani’s heart.

---

After what felt like hours of play, the staff gently reminded them it was time to wrap up. The children clung to Sky, refusing to let him leave.

“You’ll come back, won’t you?” one of the girls asked, her big eyes full of hope.

Sky crouched down to meet her gaze, his tone soft but firm. “Of course, I will. I promise.”

He sealed the promise with a playful fist bump, earning another round of giggles.

As they left the hospital, Nani looked over at Sky, his admiration evident. “You were amazing with them.”

Sky shrugged, though a faint blush colored his cheeks. “They’re kids. Who doesn’t love kids?”

---

The drive back to the palace was quiet at first, the day’s events still fresh in their minds. After a while, Nani broke the silence.

“Do you love kids?” he asked, his voice curious.

Sky glanced at him, surprised by the question. “Yeah, of course. Kids are the best. I don’t know why, but they always seem to like me. Maybe it’s the goofy thing I’ve got going on.”

Nani chuckled. “They do seem to flock to you like you’re some kind of pied piper.”

Sky grinned. “I love being around them. Playing with them, making them laugh—it’s just...pure, you know? I hope one day I have kids of my own. A little army of them, maybe.”

Nani turned to him, his expression thoughtful. “You’d make a great father.”

Sky blinked, taken aback by the sincerity in Nani’s tone. “You think so?”

“Absolutely,” Nani said without hesitation. “You’re patient, kind, and you know how to make people feel safe and happy. Anyone who marries you will be incredibly lucky.”

Sky laughed, leaning back in his seat. “Careful, Your Highness. If you keep complimenting me like that, I might get a big head.”

Nani rolled his eyes, but his lips twitched into a smile.

Sky tilted his head, a mischievous glint in his eye. “You know, if you weren’t a prince—and a guy—I’d think you were trying to propose to me with all these compliments.”

Nani’s cheeks flushed. He opened his mouth to retort but paused. After a moment, he simply nodded.

Sky froze. “Wait. Are you—are you saying that if you *were* just a normal person...and a girl...you’d marry me?”

Realizing what he’d just admitted, Nani turned away sharply, his face burning. He fixed his gaze on the passing scenery outside the car window, his ears glowing red.

Sky stared at him, his brain short-circuiting. The confident, unflappable prince had just blushed.

For a moment, neither of them said anything. Sky finally turned to look out his own window, his lips curving into a faint smile.

As the palace came into view, the silence between them wasn’t awkward—it was charged with something unspoken. Something that neither was quite ready to acknowledge.

And yet, as they stepped out of the car and returned to their royal routines, the memory of the day—and the quiet moments between them—lingered in both their hearts.