"Here you go."
Axel brought Rico back, holding him by the cuff of his robe. He looked like a kitten being carried by its mother!
As soon as they landed, Axel tossed him over to Sophia, who was visibly worried about him.
"Rico!" She quickly propped him up, her expression filled with concern. "You're not hurt, are you?!"
"A-Ah... I'm f-fine—" he began, only to realize something. "No, t-t-that should be my line! Your mamamajesty, did they do a-a-anything w-weird to you?!"
Once he let go of the tension from his nerves, his stammering speech returned.
And even after recognizing the difference between himself and Axel, he still acted as if he needed to protect Sophia from him. He stood between them, arms spread wide as if to shield her.
"Rico..."
Sophia couldn't help but find his desperate actions endearing, but she knew she had to clarify the situation to prevent any further misunderstandings that could put him in danger.
