The morning sun filtered gently through the tall windows of Prince Kyle's residence.
For the first time since arriving in this strange world, Kyle woke up before noon.
Which, according to the palace servants, was a historical event.
A maid nearly dropped a tray when she saw the prince already sitting at the dining table.
Kyle noticed her shocked expression and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Is it really that surprising?"
The maid bowed quickly.
"Y-Your Highness usually wakes up after midday."
Kyle sighed.
"Of course he does."
Joshua sat across from him quietly, sipping tea.
The omega had already gotten used to Kyle's strange comments.
Luis Stark entered the room a moment later.
His knight uniform looked immaculate as always.
His violet eyes immediately landed on Kyle.
"…You're awake."
Kyle raised an eyebrow.
"That sounds like an accusation."
Luis walked closer to the table.
"It is an observation."
Kyle smirked.
"Well, observe this."
He pointed to the plate of breakfast food in front of him.
"I'm even eating breakfast."
Joshua smiled softly.
"That is also unusual."
Kyle sighed dramatically.
"My reputation really was terrible, huh?"
Luis sat down beside him.
"Extremely."
Kyle stabbed a piece of bread with his fork.
"Wonderful."
He chewed quietly for a moment before looking at Luis.
"So."
Luis waited.
"You're going to train me."
Joshua nearly choked on his tea.
Luis stared at Kyle for several seconds.
"…Repeat that."
Kyle rolled his eyes.
"I said you're going to train me."
Luis leaned back slightly.
"I must confirm that I heard correctly."
Joshua whispered in disbelief.
"Your Highness wants to train?"
Kyle pointed at himself.
"Yes."
Luis crossed his arms.
"You hate physical training."
Kyle shrugged.
"Old Kyle hated it."
Luis's gaze sharpened.
"That is true."
Joshua nodded slowly.
"You also disliked swords."
Kyle lifted his hands.
"Look, I have a new life philosophy."
Luis waited.
Kyle grinned.
"Don't die."
Joshua laughed quietly.
Luis's lips twitched again.
"That is a reasonable philosophy."
Kyle leaned forward.
"So?"
Luis stood up.
"Finish your meal."
Kyle blinked.
"That's it?"
Luis nodded.
"We begin training in thirty minutes."
Kyle froze.
"…Wait."
Joshua giggled softly.
Luis had already walked toward the door.
"Do not be late, Your Highness."
The door closed behind him.
Kyle slowly turned toward Joshua.
"…I think I made a mistake."
Joshua smiled sweetly.
"You said you wanted to get stronger."
Kyle groaned.
"Past Kyle was clearly a smarter man."
Joshua laughed.
The palace training grounds were already active when Kyle arrived.
Knights sparred across the wide field.
The sound of clashing swords filled the air.
Kyle stepped into the sunlight and immediately regretted everything.
Luis stood in the center of the field, holding two wooden training swords.
He tossed one toward Kyle.
Kyle barely caught it.
"…You expect me to use this?"
Luis raised an eyebrow.
"You prefer a real sword?"
Kyle quickly shook his head.
"No."
Joshua sat nearby under a shaded pavilion.
He looked both excited and nervous.
Luis walked toward Kyle.
"Show me your stance."
Kyle awkwardly held the sword in front of him.
Luis stared.
"…What is that?"
Kyle frowned.
"A stance."
Luis sighed.
"No."
He stepped behind Kyle and adjusted his posture.
"Feet shoulder width apart."
Kyle followed the instructions.
Luis gently corrected the angle of Kyle's sword.
"Hold it like this."
Kyle glanced sideways.
"You're surprisingly patient."
Luis answered calmly.
"Only because you are a prince."
Kyle grinned.
"So if I wasn't?"
Luis replied without hesitation.
"I would have kicked you already."
Joshua burst into laughter from the pavilion.
Kyle pointed accusingly.
"You're enjoying this."
Joshua covered his mouth.
"Maybe a little."
Luis stepped back.
"Attack me."
Kyle blinked.
"…Already?"
Luis nodded.
"Yes."
Kyle sighed.
"Okay."
He swung the wooden sword.
Luis easily blocked it.
Kyle attacked again.
Blocked.
Again.
Blocked.
Again.
Blocked.
After the fifth failed attempt, Kyle collapsed onto the grass.
"I'm dying."
Luis looked down at him.
"You have been training for three minutes."
Kyle wheezed.
"That's enough for today."
Joshua walked over with a cup of water.
"You did well."
Kyle took the cup gratefully.
"You're very kind."
Joshua smiled.
Luis crossed his arms.
"Again."
Kyle looked horrified.
"Again?!"
Luis nodded.
"You will repeat the attack until your arms stop shaking."
Kyle stared at him.
"They're already shaking."
Luis did not look sympathetic.
Joshua whispered gently.
"You said you wanted to survive."
Kyle sighed heavily.
"…Fine."
He stood up again.
They trained for the next hour.
Kyle's movements slowly became less clumsy.
Still terrible.
But slightly less terrible.
By the end, Kyle collapsed face-first into the grass.
"I regret everything."
Joshua laughed.
Luis actually looked slightly impressed.
"For a beginner… you are improving."
Kyle lifted one thumb weakly.
"Thank you."
Suddenly—
A voice echoed across the training grounds.
"Training, little brother?"
Kyle groaned.
He didn't even need to look.
Prince Edward stood near the edge of the field.
His golden eyes sparkled with amusement.
Kyle pushed himself up.
"Brother."
Edward walked closer.
His gaze shifted between Kyle and Luis.
"Commander Stark teaching the lazy prince how to fight."
Kyle wiped sweat from his forehead.
"Don't mock me."
Edward smiled.
"I would never."
Luis bowed slightly.
"Your Highness."
Edward nodded politely.
Then his eyes returned to Kyle.
"You truly are changing."
Kyle shrugged.
"Maybe I got bored."
Edward studied him again.
Longer this time.
Then he turned slightly toward Luis.
"Commander."
Luis waited.
Edward spoke calmly.
"Protect him well."
Kyle blinked.
"…What?"
Edward ignored the confusion.
He began walking away again.
But before leaving, he said something quietly.
"Because many people will not like this change."
Then he disappeared behind the palace corridor.
Joshua looked uneasy.
"…That sounded ominous."
Kyle scratched his head.
"Everything sounds ominous lately."
Luis spoke quietly.
"The first prince is warning us."
Kyle frowned.
"About what?"
Luis looked toward the distant palace towers.
"Enemies."
Kyle sighed.
"I really hate enemies."
Joshua spoke softly.
"Then we should become stronger."
Kyle looked at him.
Joshua smiled gently.
"Together."
Kyle looked between Joshua and Luis.
Then he stood up again.
"Well."
He lifted the wooden sword.
"Let's continue training."
Luis nodded.
Joshua returned to the pavilion with a proud smile.
The lazy prince…
Was slowly beginning to change.
And somewhere in the palace shadows—
Eyes were already watching him.
Waiting.
For the perfect moment to strike.