"Lucius!"

Florian exclaimed the moment Cashew opened the door, his eyes widening at the familiar white-haired butler standing in the doorway. "You’re— you’re okay? Should you even be out? Shouldn’t you be resting more?"

Lucius smiled softly as he stepped inside, posture calm despite the faint stiffness in his movements. "Your Highness, it has been some time. Thank you for your concern, but our dear healer worked miracles—and I’ve already been absent from my post far too long."

Florian let out a weak laugh. "Only you would get stabbed half to death and think, Great, time to clock back in. Most people would take that as a sign to enjoy lying around with no responsibilities for a while."

He gestured toward the sofa. Cashew, sensing the mood had shifted, quietly bowed and slipped out of the room, closing the door behind him.

Florian watched the door shut before turning back toward Lucius.

"I won’t be long," Lucius said, politely declining the seat.

Florian rolled his eyes. "I insist. Sit. You and I have a lot to talk about."

Lucius blinked, then gave a small amused chuckle. "Very well. How could I possibly refuse?"

"You already did," Florian said dryly as he dropped onto the couch. "Indirectly."

"My apologies, Your Highness. A lapse in my impeccable decorum," Lucius replied, matching his humor with a gentle tone.

"You’re forgiven," Florian muttered, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Lucius finally took a seat on the opposite sofa.

For a quiet moment, they faced each other.

Florian wasn’t really looking at his eyes, though.

His gaze kept drifting to the bandages visible at the edge of Lucius’ collar, the faint white wrappings peeking from beneath neat fabric. Evidence of what he took instead of someone else.

’You idiot...’

"Don’t worry, Your Highness," Lucius said calmly, noticing his stare. "I truly am much better now."

Florian finally lifted his eyes to meet Lucius’, narrowing them. "Stop reading my emotions."

Lucius didn’t deny it.. His gaze softened, golden eyes faintly glowing with that familiar perceptive edge. "I apologize. It isn’t something I can switch off entirely. Your feelings were...quite loud."

Florian scoffed softly, but decided to let it go. At this point, he barely cared about having his emotions read—he’d grown used to it long ago. There were more important things left unsaid.

And he was tired of holding them in.

So he spoke.

"You were absolutely stupid," Florian said quietly, the words sharper than he meant. "Risking your life like that—what if you had died?"

The anger bled into his voice before he could stop it. Beneath it lurked something else. Fear.

The memory surged up again.

Steel flashing.

Lucius stepping forward.

The daggers meant for Cashew.

Meant for him. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Lucius started to answer. "I did it bec—"

Florian raised a hand abruptly, cutting him off.

"I’m not done."

He took a steadying breath, forcing the tension in his chest down. "But... I know if it were me, I would’ve done the same." His gaze dropped to the floor. "I was ready to take every one of those daggers for Cashew."

His fingers clenched at his side.

"As stupid as that is... it’s the same stupid choice I would’ve made." He looked up again, eyes steady now. "You did it for me because you cared. I don’t need your creepy emotion-reading ability to know that."

Lucius froze.

"Your Highness..."

Florian smiled—a small, sincere thing that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

"Thank you, Lucius. Really. I just wanted to thank you." He exhaled softly. "And don’t say you shouldn’t be thanked. And don’t say it’s your job. It is not your job to die for me."

He tilted his head. "If it were, you should be getting paid a lot more."

Lucius blinked—then snorted.

"Well... a salary increase would be nice."

Florian laughed despite himself, the sound lighter than he felt. Lucius joined in, the tension between them easing just a bit.

"You’re welcome, Your Highness," Lucius said warmly. "And truthfully—I’d do it again. I’m certain Cashew would too. Lancelot as well."

His voice softened.

"You matter to all of us. Not because you’re a prince. But you once said it yourself..."

Lucius smiled faintly.

"Because we’re friends."

Ah.

Friends.

The word echoed quietly in Florian’s chest.

Lucius.

Lancelot.

Scarlett.

Athena.

Cashew.

They really were his friends.

’No, the original Florian’s friends.’

Florian didn’t know why hearing it out loud made his heart ache.

It wasn’t supposed to.

He felt relieved. Truly.

Relieved that Lancelot and Lucius seemed to have moved forward from their feelings for him. That they weren’t trapped in something painful anymore.

That maybe... they even had something forming between themselves.

Everyone was finally healing.

No one would be left heartbroken.

And Florian was closer than ever to fulfilling the promise he made—to return the original Florian to a life that would be gentler than the one he’d lost.

Still...

"Your Highness, your—"

"I know," Florian whispered, eyes lowering as he shook his head. "I know what my emotions are right now."

’Too many of them.’

"I’m sorry," he murmured. "I don’t know what came over me."

Lucius studied him carefully, his ability no doubt already peeling apart every layer. "Did... something happen while I was away?" he asked gently. "I heard that His Majesty was also—"

"Lucius," Florian cut in quietly, lifting his gaze again.

He met Lucius’s eyes.

"Let’s not."

Lucius stilled.

"I’m sorry for ruining the mood," Florian said, forcing a small smile. "We were... having a good time."

His voice faltered just the tiniest bit.

"I just don’t want to talk about Heinz right now. Or any of it."

He inhaled and held the breath for a moment.

"I just... want peace. Even for a little while."

There was silence.

Awkward, heavy silence.

Lucius clearly didn’t know what to say after that, and Florian suddenly felt guilty for dropping the mood so abruptly.

’I really am a mess.’

He didn’t know how to deal with everything pressing against his chest all at once—the hurt, the anger, the confusion, the ache he couldn’t quite explain.

’Is this really what a broken heart feels like?’

And that thought alone irritated him.

’Why would I even be heartbroken? This was my decision.’

The smart decision.

The right decision.

The ideal one.

And yet—

"Ah—apologies, Your Highness," Lucius spoke suddenly, the sound breaking through Florian’s spiraling thoughts. "I know you didn’t wish to speak about His Majesty, but the reason I came to see you is because I have news from him."

Florian blinked, dragged back into the present.

"Yes...?" he said slowly.

"His Majesty is planning to allow all guests to return home—both the visiting nobles from neighboring kingdoms, as well as the dukes of our own," Lucius explained.

Florian’s eyes widened.

"That is why he asked me to tell you to prepare your belongings," Lucius continued. "And to inform those you invited to accompany you to make their preparations as well. Duke Elara has already sent word that she intends to depart with you the moment travel is permitted."

Oh.

That was... fast.

Suspiciously fast.

Florian hadn’t heard any real updates on the rogue situation. Last he knew, disturbances were still being investigated around the outskirts of the kingdom.

’Either Heinz knows something I don’t...’

Or...

’He’s guessing and hoping this gamble works out.’

Either way, hearing that departure was already arranged left Florian unsettled.

Still, if Heinz was allowing everyone to leave, that meant it should be safe.

...Should.

"I..." Florian hesitated, then cleared his throat quietly. "I need you to relay a message to Heinz for me. It’s about the list of people I intend to bring."

Lucius raised an eyebrow faintly. "A list? It sounds like you’re taking quite the entourage, Your Highness." He paused. "Aside from Sir Lancelot, who else will be accompanying you?"

Florian blinked.

"Lancelot is coming?" He tilted his head in surprise.

"Yes...?" Lucius frowned slightly. "Were you not the one who decided that?"

"No," Florian admitted, a little confused. Then he sighed. "But... that’s fine."

’Of course that was Heinz’s decision,’ Florian thought. ’Even with a decision that’s supposed to be mine, he still makes his own choices without informing me first.’

Still, it was better than Heinz barging into his room uninvited—or cornering him personally for details about the trip.

And Florian did feel relieved that Lancelot was there to keep him safe.

Also...

"As long as he doesn’t show up himself..." Florian muttered quietly under his breath.

"Did you say something?" Lucius asked, tilting his head slightly.

Florian cleared his throat and looked away.

"Nope," he said, shaking his head a little too quickly.

Lucius studied him with narrowed eyes—he definitely knew Florian was lying.

’Damn empath vision.’

But, to Florian’s relief, Lucius didn’t press further.

"Well then," Lucius continued, crossing his arms loosely. "Who did you invite, Your Highness? I’m assuming Cashew will be accompanying you."

"I wanted him to come," Florian admitted, a small smile tugging at his lips. "But apparently he’s taking his new position a little too seriously."

Lucius blinked. "That’s new."

"But also not surprising," Florian added fondly. "He’s been working harder than anyone since getting the title."

Florian nodded to himself.

’Even I was surprised, but then again, who wouldn’t want to be head maid? He’s ridiculously motivated now.’

"I invited three people," Florian said. "Athena and Scarlett—by the way, please also let Cashew know to inform them. We’ll be leaving tomorrow."

Lucius hummed knowingly. "I doubt that will come as a shock to them."

"Especially not Scarlett," Florian said with a faint laugh. "She probably already has five trunks packed."

"I’m sure they’re excited," Lucius said.

"They are," Florian replied softly. "Very."

Lucius shifted his weight. "And the third?"

Florian didn’t answer immediately.

His fingers tightened slightly against his sleeve.

The silence stretched a fraction too long.

’Say it... Just say it.’

Lucius’ brows drew together. "Your Highness?"

Florian exhaled slowly.

"...Prince Hendrix."

The reaction was instant.

Lucius’ eyes widened—really widened—far more than Florian had ever seen before.

"You’ve got to be kidding me."