SIDE STORY (4)

"Alex! Look! Look!"

Leo, dressed in a finely tailored tunic embroidered with the royal crest, bounced beside Alex as they walked through the castle halls. His golden eyes shimmered with excitement, his small hands gripping the edges of his brand-new coat.

"I look like a real prince!" he declared, spinning dramatically.

Alex chuckled, adjusting the boy's collar. "That's because you are a real prince, Leo."

Leo beamed.

Today was an important day-his first official royal lesson.

The halls of the castle felt bigger today, the ceilings taller, the gold chandeliers brighter. Or maybe that was just Leo, practically vibrating with excitement.

"I'm gonna learn everything!" Leo announced. "About history, and laws, and-oh! Maybe sword fighting too?"

Alex hummed. "Swordsmanship comes later. You'll need to master reading first."

Leo pouted. "Boooooring."

Alex ruffled his hair. "You'll survive."

Leo huffed, but didn't argue. Instead, he grabbed Alex's hand, holding onto him as they continued walking.

Alex smiled softly.

________________________________________

From the upper balcony of the throne room, Sebastian watched them.

Arms crossed.

Expression unreadable.

He had always known that adopting an heir was necessary. It was expected-after all, a kingdom needed stability. A successor.

But what he hadn't anticipated was... this.

This tiny boy running through the castle halls. This child who smiled too brightly, who clung to Alex's side like he belonged there.

Leo was... kind.

Hopeful.

He had the same wide-eyed wonder that Sebastian himself had lost long ago.

And that-

That made things difficult.

Sebastian's own father had never spoken to him with kindness. Never held his hand. Never praised him. His only value had been in strength. Power.

And now, standing here, watching Alex effortlessly comfort Leo-

Sebastian realized he had no idea how to be a father.

...But he was trying.

And damn it all, he would be better than his own father ever was.

________________________________________

The royal tutor, an older scholar with spectacles too large for his face, cleared his throat as Leo settled onto a chair in the study.

"Now, Prince Leo, let's begin with the history of the kingdom-"

"Boring."

Sebastian, seated across the room, raised an eyebrow.

The tutor stiffened. "E-Excuse me, Your Highness?"

Leo swung his legs under the desk. "History is boring."

Alex sighed. "Leo."

Leo pouted.

Sebastian smirked.

The tutor fumbled with his papers. "Well, um, perhaps we can start with something more engaging? A story from the past kings-"

Leo's golden eyes lit up. "Oh! I know about the last king!"

The room fell dead silent.

Sebastian's smirk vanished.

Alex froze.

The tutor gulped.

Leo, oblivious to the sudden shift in atmosphere, continued excitedly. "The last king was super mean, right? He made lots of bad choices, and then-"

Alex immediately cleared his throat. "Leo."

Leo blinked, confused.

Sebastian stared at the desk, fingers tapping against his armrest.

Alex sighed, kneeling beside Leo's chair. "History is complicated. And some things... should be talked about carefully."

Leo hesitated, looking between Alex and Sebastian.

Then-quietly-he looked down at his hands. "Sorry."

Sebastian exhaled, running a hand through his hair.

He should say something.

He knew he should.

But the words caught in his throat.

How was he supposed to explain it? That the man who had shaped his entire existence was a tyrant? That his own father had never once looked at him the way Alex looked at Leo? That killing his father had not just been necessary-but personal?

How could he tell Leo that his entire childhood had been built on fear? That his father's shadow still haunted him?

Instead, he just said-

"You're not wrong."

Leo looked up. "Huh?"

Sebastian leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "The last king was cruel. He ruled through fear. That's why he fell."

Leo listened intently.

Sebastian met his gaze. "And that's why you will be different."

Leo's eyes widened slightly.

Sebastian smirked. "After all, if you're going to be my heir, you can't be weak, can you?"

Leo's pout vanished-replaced by determination.

"I won't be weak!" he declared. "I'll be strong! Stronger than any king!"

Sebastian chuckled.

Alex sighed.

"What have you done?" he muttered under his breath.

________________________________________

The lesson continued without further trouble, and by the end of it, Leo had somewhat grasped the importance of history.

As the tutor left, Leo stretched his arms. "Studying is hard."

"Welcome to royalty," Sebastian said dryly.

Leo giggled, then looked at Alex. "Can we go to the kitchen now?"

Alex smiled. "Of course. Let's get you a snack."

Leo cheered, grabbing Alex's hand and pulling him toward the door-

But then, suddenly, he turned back.

Sebastian barely had time to react before Leo grinned at him.

"Bye, Father!"

Sebastian froze.

Alex froze.

Leo, unaware of the absolute shockwave he had just caused, happily ran off.

Sebastian blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Then-

A slow, smug smirk stretched across his lips.

"He called me Father."

Alex groaned, rubbing his temples. "Oh, no."

Sebastian leaned back in his chair, looking far too pleased with himself. "Did you hear that? Father."

Alex sighed. "I heard."

"Of course he would," Sebastian continued, voice smug. "It's only natural. I am his father, after all."

Alex gave him a look. "You were just struggling with this yesterday."

Sebastian waved a hand. "Irrelevant. Clearly, he sees me as the superior parent."

"Sebastian."

Sebastian smirked.

And for the first time in a long time-

He felt lighter.

Leo had called him Father.

And somehow, against all odds-

Sebastian felt like he actually was.