The knights are grasping their breath as they run around the oval training ground. Some of them gave up and slumped down to the ground. Only Prince Grey and a few others continue to run.
"Your majesty. Shouldn't we stop now?" Darius whispered behind Grey. He is also breathless trying to follow the Prince's pace.
Grey stopped and turned around to see his knights crawling to the ground.
"Prince Grey, we've been running and training since early dawn. We are all tired."
"Alright. Rest for 15 minutes." He uttered before leaving.
The knights groaned in frustration.
"Sir Darius, did we offend Prince Grey? Have we done something wrong? Why is he punishing us?" Collen complained.
Darius exhaled.
He noticed the Prince liked to spend time in the training ground these days. He must be bored or something.
"I noticed he sighed a lot like he's frustrated or annoyed at something," Collen said rubbing his chin as he recall the times he saw the Prince by himself.
"Yes, I also noticed that. He's been like that since we arrived here." Another knight mentioned.
"Maybe he is just thinking of the upcoming war. The empire is on high alert." Darius explained.
"I don't think so, Sir Darius. It seems like he is sad about something. I saw that kind of expression before." Collen said.
"And what could it be?" Darius asked.
"I think it's a love problem."
"Love problem?" The knights exclaimed in surprise.
"And what do you know about these things? The prince has no lover." Darius said.
"Well. Are you always with him? I think he has someone he likes but having a problem with it." Collen said.
"And who could it be? I never saw any lady with the Prince since we arrived." Darius said.
Stupid knights. Gideon thought.
She followed the Prince walking out of the training ground. As usual, he is deep in thought.
Grey exhaled in frustration. Gideon pushed herself to his feet to comfort him. Grey smiled when he saw her. He squats down and petted her.
"Do you miss her too?" Grey asked.
If you are referring to Luna, yes, I miss her. I miss someone who can understand me when I ask to scratch an itch in my back or give me the exact food I crave. And I miss Coco too.
Grey remembered when she rescued Luna from drowning. He was scared when she was unconscious. Thankfully she regained consciousness after lifting her out of the water. He wanted to scold her for being stubborn and acting on her own but at the same time, he is proud of her. She is very capable and strong. But now he is worried about her. Does she know now of her true identity?
"Prince Grey?"
Grey got distracted from his reverie. A young woman is standing in front of him. She has long ginger hair like Luna.
"You might not know me but I'm Emily. I'm the adopted daughter of Marquess Randolf."
"Yes, I heard about you from Sebastian."
"I never thought my adopted brother mentioned me to you. I'm so glad to hear that."
"What brought you here in the palace, lady Emily?" Grey asked.
"Mother is visiting relatives and we would like to inquire about brother Sebastian."
"Did he not write a letter to you? He went straight to your home." Grey responded.
"I understand. Maybe he sent a letter at home. I was looking for him around but I saw you instead, Prince. I kinda got lost..."
"Grey!"
The two of them turned and saw the second Prince, Julius. Emily was surprised to see the second prince. She saw him several times before but from afar. This is the first time she saw him up close. He is stunning like Prince Grey.
Grey beamed when he saw his younger brother. Julius embraced him.
"I immediately come back to the palace as soon as I heard you are back! I heard you catch a mystical beast. Where is it? Let me see!" Julius asked enthusiastically.
"Here she is, Gideon." Grey proudly introduced Gideon to his brother.
Julius' enthusiasm turned into confusion.
"Isn't it a pig or something?" Julius asked.
Grey tried not to laugh as he saw Gideon's angry look. He is glaring at Julius.
"Isn't she the prettiest?" Grey asked as he scooped up Gideon in his arm.
Julius laugh awkwardly.
"Yes, yes. Did father see her?"
"Yes, he's surprised as well. He did not expect a gordrock to be this beautiful." Grey responded.
Julius is confused if his brother is joking or just blind. He was expecting a massive, magical, and powerful beast but saw a little chubby animal. Then he noticed a woman beside her brother.
"Aren't you the adopted daughter of Marquess Randolf?" Julius asked.
Emily is surprised by the attention. The second prince knows her!
"Yes, your majesty. I did not expect that you would know me."
"You are quite popular. And you look very lovely in person. A lot of ladies indeed envy you." Julius said.
Emily blushed at the compliment.
"Thank you for the compliment, your majesty." She said then smiled shyly.
"Are you with my brother?"
"N-no. I was just lost. I was looking for my brother but he's not here." She explained trying to clear the misunderstanding.
"Let me call a knight to send you back," Grey suggested.
"Yes, your majesty. Thank you very much." Emily bowed politely.
She initially planned to walk with Prince Grey but it can't be helped since he is just reunited with his brother, the second prince.
I guess I need to wait for the party to talk with him again.
Emily turned to the two Princes when she walked out the knight. The two are busy chatting with each other. Prince Julius looks very friendly and kind while Prince Grey looks reserved and serious yet he seems genuinely happy to see his younger brother. She did not expect the two princes to be friendly to each other despite two opposing supporters among their subjects. She grew interested in the two princes and would like to be closer to them in the future. This will benefit her and her adopted family.