SIDE STORY (7)

Leo had never been this excited before.

The moment Arthur Langford and his child, Elliot, arrived at the castle, Leo practically followed Elliot everywhere.

At first, Elliot barely spoke. They were calm, polite, and very composed-completely different from Leo, who talked way too much and had the energy of a hundred knights combined.

But somehow, it worked.

And now-

"Elliot, hurry up!"

Leo grabbed Elliot's wrist, dragging them down the castle halls.

Elliot sighed, but let him. "Where are we going?"

"The kitchen! Alex is baking today!"

Sebastian, sitting nearby, raised an eyebrow as the two children dashed past him.

Alex, standing beside him, chuckled. "They've gotten close quickly."

Sebastian crossed his arms. "Too quickly."

Alex smirked. "You're not jealous, are you?"

Sebastian scoffed. "Jealous? Please. My son is simply getting attached too easily."

Alex hummed. "I think it's adorable."

Sebastian grumbled under his breath.

________________________________________

In the royal kitchen, Leo excitedly climbed onto a stool beside Alex, rolling up his sleeves.

"What are we making?"

Alex set a tray of flour on the counter. "Something simple. Cookies."

Leo cheered.

Elliot watched curiously. "You help bake often?"

"All the time!" Leo said proudly. "Alex's cooking is the best!"

Elliot tilted their head. "You really like Sir Alex."

Leo paused.

Then grinned. "Of course! Alex is the best ever!"

Alex chuckled. "Flattery will not get you extra cookies, Leo."

Leo pouted.

Elliot, meanwhile, hesitated-then reached for the dough, copying what Alex and Leo were doing.

Alex smiled softly. "That's it. You're doing well, Elliot."

Leo beamed. "See? It's fun, right?"

Elliot glanced at Leo-

Then smiled back. "Yeah. It is."

________________________________________

Sebastian leaned against the doorway, watching.

His eyes narrowed slightly at the way Leo looked at Elliot-like they had just found their new favorite person.

Arthur, standing beside him, chuckled. "Your son is smitten with my child."

Sebastian glared. "He's fond of them. That's all."

Arthur smirked. "Mmm. Sure. Keep telling yourself that."

Sebastian scowled. "He's too young to be acting like that."

Arthur snorted. "Oh, you should hear the way Elliot talks about Leo. 'Leo is so lively. Leo is so fun. Leo is so full of energy.' It's quite cute, really."

Sebastian sighed. "This is going to be a problem, isn't it?"

Arthur patted his shoulder. "A very amusing one."

Sebastian groaned.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen-

"Elliot! Try this one!"

Leo happily handed Elliot a cookie, his eyes sparkling.

And Elliot?

They took a bite-

Then smiled so softly.

"It's really good."

Leo almost melted on the spot.