Morning sunlight streamed gently through the curtains.
Kael slowly opened his eyes.
"…Huh?"
Something felt… warm.
No—two warm things.
He turned his head stiffly.
Princess Seraphina was sleeping beside him, her silver hair spread across the pillow, one hand tightly holding his. On his other side, Princess Elowen was curled up peacefully, her face relaxed, her fingers wrapped around his arm as if afraid he might disappear.
Kael's brain stopped working.
His face turned bright red in an instant.
"H–How… did I end up like this…?"
Memories from the previous night rushed back—walking in the garden, talking under the moonlight, laughing, promises whispered too softly for the stars to hear.
His entire body trembled from head to toe.
"If His Majesty sees us like this… I'm dead," he whispered in panic.
Carefully—very carefully—Kael tried to pull his hand free.
That was his first mistake.
Seraphina stirred.
Her eyes slowly opened, shining mischievously.
"…Hey, dear," she said lazily. "Where are you going so early?"
Kael froze like a criminal caught in the act.
"A—A—A—"
No sound came out.
He swallowed hard. "P–Princess Seraphina—"
"Don't call me that," she said immediately.
"…Th–Then what should I call you?"
She smiled sweetly.
"Call me 'dear.'"
Kael's soul nearly left his body.
His face turned so red it looked like it might explode.
"I—I—"
From the other side, a sleepy voice joined in.
"Oh dear… my husband…"
Kael snapped his head around.
"El—Princess Elowen?!"
Elowen opened one eye, clearly enjoying herself.
"It's not fair," she said softly. "You call sister by her name but still call me 'princess.'"
She turned her face away and puffed her cheeks.
Kael stared.
"…How cute."
Elowen immediately turned red, covered her face with both hands, and squeaked.
"D–Don't look at me!"
Seraphina sat up suddenly and said loudly, "Lord Kael."
"Yes!" Kael replied instantly.
"You don't even call me by my name properly."
Elowen added, "And me too!"
Kael sat up between them, completely defeated.
"…Yes, Seraphina. Yes, Elowen."
Both girls froze.
Kael realized what he said and panicked again.
"Y–You both look cute! Very cute! I—I have something important to do! Please wait for me!"
He jumped out of bed and ran for his life.
A Dangerous Morning
Kael rushed down the corridor and nearly collided with Prince August.
"…Looks like you slept well last night," August said with a grin.
Kael avoided eye contact. "Y–Yes, Prince August."
Then he straightened. "I wish to meet Father. When can I see him?"
August raised an eyebrow but nodded. "In a little while."
A Father's Scolding
Later that morning, Kael stood before King Althemir's door.
Knock.
"Come in."
Kael entered, knelt, and lowered his head. "Father… I have something to tell you."
The king stared at him silently.
Then—
"Kael," the king said loudly, "you are not married yet."
Kael flinched.
"What were you doing at night?!"
Kael's face burned.
"I—I'm sorry, Father! But they had no intention of leaving me! And you don't understand how I felt—how they teased me—!"
The king stopped shouting.
His expression softened.
"…I know, my boy," King Althemir said quietly. "I felt the same once."
Kael looked up, surprised.
The king lowered his head. Kael did the same.
For a moment, father and son held each other's shoulders and laughed weakly through shared embarrassment.
Then—
Bang.
The door opened.
"Father!" Seraphina said.
"Elowen!" Kael yelped.
"…What are you doing?" Elowen asked suspiciously.
"N–Nothing!" both men replied at the same time.
Elowen narrowed her eyes. "Something is definitely cooking here."
The king cleared his throat. "Kael came to say something important."
Kael nodded and stood.
"Yes. I've decided to take responsibility for my land."
Everyone turned serious.
"I will move toward my territory—the village under Baron Kael Valcrest. I will leave tomorrow."
The king nodded approvingly. "A good decision. Do your best."
Seraphina and Elowen stepped forward together.
"Then we'll come with you."
"No," Kael replied instantly.
"Why?" Elowen asked.
Kael turned toward the wall, voice quiet.
"I don't know the place. I don't know where we'll sleep. I don't know if you'll be safe."
Seraphina smiled gently. "It doesn't matter. As long as you're there."
Kael clenched his fists.
"But it matters to me," he said firmly. "You're going to be my wives someday. I won't take you somewhere uncomfortable."
The king's eyes shone.
"My daughters cannot go," he declared. "The engagement isn't official yet."
Kael turned back to them.
"When I make a place where you can live safely and comfortably… I'll come for you."
He slipped rings onto their fingers.
"If you imagine me… you can come to me anytime."
Both girls stared at the rings, eyes shining.
Kael bowed to the king.
"Father, I left Hat with them. He will protect them."
Hat appeared instantly.
"I will disobey you," Hat said proudly. "But I will never let them out of my sight."
Seraphina and Elowen laughed as Hat high-fived them.
Kael smiled weakly. "Do as you wish."
Then his expression turned serious.
"I need to talk to Father alone."
After they left, Kael handed the king a black slate.
"From this, you can contact me anytime."
The king nodded. "August and Lucian are already handling the rest."
"Thank you, Father."
Kael left the room.
Tomorrow, his journey would begin.
Toward his land.
Toward his fate.
And toward a future he would build with his own hands.