Chapter 31
To comfort Kainel, who seemed like he hadn’t read the masterpiece series yet, Lorr opened his mouth with a composed expression.
“Later, I—”
“What if I can’t see you again?”
A mumbling voice interrupted Lorr’s words. But it was so soft that Lorr didn’t hear it.
“Huh?”
Lorr repeated, but only silence returned.
‘…Adults always say they’ll come back, but they don’t.’
Kainel’s expression, with his head hanging low in silence, was extremely dark.
Something… his face was full of storm clouds.
Just as Lorr tilted his head toward Kainel, thinking he might have missed something important, Kainel pointed ahead with his finger to draw Lorr’s attention.
“Look, someone’s coming?”
“Huh? Who—”
Following Kainel’s gesture, Lorr turned his head and was so startled that he jumped back.
It was Reikal!
Reikal, with his stern expression, was striding into the training ground!
Why is Reikal appearing here?
Lorr hadn’t exactly been avoiding him on purpose, but suddenly running into him like this made Lorr even more nervous.
‘What if he hates seeing me here again? Like last time, glaring at me…’
…Because Reikal dislikes Lorr…
At that thought, a small part of Lorr felt as if something had bitten at his heart.
The storm clouds that had been swirling around Kainel gathered around Lorr as well.
Thunder rumbled and lightning flashed down over the little heads facing the emergency.
Lorr froze, paralyzed.
As Lorr suddenly stopped speaking, Kainel alternated his gaze between Lorr and Reikal.
That same jet-black hair.
‘Ah. So that’s him.’
The Crown Prince, Reikal Atteleon.
Having heard a rough account of what had happened between them from Lorr, Kainel snorted.
It was obvious what kind of person Reikal was—and why he had acted that way toward Lorr.
This naïve kid probably thought that Reikal was angry at him. So he ended up sad, timid, and careful.
Kainel glanced at Lorr.
Sure enough, he was still looking down at his feet, completely dejected.
It was frustrating to see such a cheerful little one cowering like this.
Frowning slightly, Kainel grabbed Lorr’s hand and pulled him behind himself.
As if determined to protect him.
“Huh?”
“Stay behind me.”
Lorr, looking bewildered, was dragged along by Kainel.
Meanwhile, Reikal stopped in front of Kainel. Being a head taller, Kainel had to look up to see him.
“Ahem, ahem.”
Reikal cleared his throat.
He felt strange seeing Lorr peeking out from behind the shabby little one.
When their eyes met, Lorr looked wide-eyed and flustered, quickly turning his head away. Seeing those drooping eyebrows made Reikal even more uncomfortable.
‘I’m acting so childish…’
He was dealing with a young cousin—only five years old.
The day Lorr had cried uncontrollably at the dinner table, Reikal couldn’t sleep, feeling bitter. As soon as morning came, he made a decision.
From now on, he would treat Lorr… a little better.
Lorr had just started learning etiquette, so naturally, he could be clumsy.
Any rudeness from him hadn’t been intentional.
Being five years older, Reikal thought he could understand that much.
Yes. He was still an innocent little kid; he would improve with practice. He decided to overlook it. But…
‘Why is he hiding behind someone, even though he’s family?’
Once again, a stubborn streak flared up.
Strangely, Reikal often became easily annoyed regarding matters related to Lorr. He hardly ever did otherwise.
Still, seeing the little one in front of him, he softened a little.
“…So small.”
Reikal scanned Kainel from head to toe. He had thought he was small from afar, but he was definitely shorter.
With short limbs and a chubby face, he seemed quite young.
Reikal suddenly felt embarrassed. How childish, getting upset at such a young kid and coming all the way here.
It wasn’t dignified for the Crown Prince.
What could he even achieve by getting seriously angry at a little one…?
“Well then, let’s spar with the little one.”
A sharp voice snapped Reikal out of his thoughts.
“My name is Kainel. I’m staying here as Lorr’s guest.”
The boy’s stance—one leg cocked, head tilted—didn’t match the polite words; his face was full of discontent.
He was suddenly calling someone small? How rude.
His sharp eyes, combined with displeasure, gave him a fierce look.
Reikal was already annoyed with how he had treated Lorr, and now this piercing gaze doubled his irritation.
“…What?”
Reikal asked, unsure if he had heard correctly.
But Kainel merely rested his hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist.
Only then did Reikal realize he hadn’t misheard—Kainel truly meant to spar.
“Haha. Aren’t we a bit mismatched for sparring? You look… smaller than me.”
Reikal burst into laughter.
Being a royal, well-fed, disciplined, and trained in swordsmanship, he was tall for his age.
Meanwhile, Kainel was slightly smaller, even considering his younger age. Perhaps he hadn’t eaten well; he was a bit thin.
For such a little kid to say that? Ridiculous. To think he could match swords against someone trained by the royal knights.
“Your name is Kainel? If the guest gets hurt, it’ll be awkward in front of your uncle. Let’s pretend I didn’t hear that.”
Reikal tried to politely admonish him, but the little one stared at him arrogantly, refusing to relent.
Lorr stood timidly behind Kainel, and Kainel didn’t let go of his sword, as if protecting him.
Somehow, it was starting to irritate him.
Yes, it felt like he was trying to protect Lorr from him.
Exactly like that.
‘Am I the villain here?’
Reikal swallowed a bitter laugh. Even knowing it was childish bravado, he felt genuinely annoyed.
Then.
“Even His Highness Duke Atteleon sparred with me,”
At Kainel’s words, the smile left Reikal’s face.
Daring to mention Lorr’s father—his respected uncle—was a clear provocation.
Come to think of it, Kainel’s gaze was extremely insolent.
Sending that look to the Crown Prince?
It wasn’t mere rudeness; it was almost threatening.
“Really?”
Gritting his teeth, Reikal tried to remain silent, but the little one’s insolence didn’t stop.
“Yes, but…”
Kainel scanned Reikal up and down, tilting his lips slightly.
This time, a provocation without words. Reikal’s face twisted.
‘That…!’
He had tried to endure and act magnanimous, but failed.
‘Did my uncle really spar with this kid?’
Old grudges with his uncle flared up again.
And that fire was directed at Kainel.
Reikal suddenly grabbed one of the sparring swords hanging nearby.
Clang!
Even a sparring sword was still a sword. The blade slid from its sheath with a chilling metallic sound, gleaming blue.
“Since your uncle personally sparred with you, I’ll teach you a lesson too.”
“Huh?”
How did it come to this? A flustered Lorr let out a strange cry.
Kainel glanced back. Lorr’s eyebrows drooping gave away how intimidated he was by the tense situation.
Kainel lifted his head and met Reikal’s blazing gaze.
“Good.”
“Everyone, step back.”
Reikal looked around, ordering not only the knights but even Lorr to move back.
The training ground tensed in an instant. Reikal motioned for Kainel with a finger.
“Then, come in first.”
[Ah, this is a bit…!]
The letters on the flapping pages of the book appeared urgently, reflecting the restless chaos.
Unlock please.