The grand halls of the royal residence echoed softly with footsteps as Hikari arrived, and soon she stood in the reception chamber where the golden sunlight streamed through tall windows.
Eisa:
"Hikari, please sit. I'll go call my brother he's training outside at garden."
Before Hikari could respond, another voice came from the hallway.
Erina:
"Hey, Hikari. It's been a while."
Hikari turned with a warm smile.
Hikari:
"Right back at you, lady Erina."
Eisa, however, stepped forward, her tone clipped.
Eisa (to Erina):
"Hikari is here to meet with Lothar and Light. Erina Why don't you call Lothar? I'll bring Light."
Hikari blinked at the sharpness in her tone.
Hikari:
"Eisa… is that really how you talk to your mother? you should address her as your mom or alteast call her lady erina"
The words hit like a spark in dry grass. Eisa froze, her jaw tightening. She turned to Hikari, her eyes blazing.
Eisa:
"She's not my mother. Don't ever say that."
With that, she spun on her heels and stormed off to call Light, leaving a tense silence in her wake.
Erina exhaled slowly and turned back to Hikari with a gentle smile, though her eyes held quiet sadness.
Erina let out a soft sigh, turning to Hikari.
"Don't mind her. She always gets upset when the topic of her mother comes up. Even if I'm her stepmother, she refuses to accept me. And honestly… I don't blame her. I don't force it."
---
In the garden, Light was in the middle of push-ups, sweat dripping down his bare torso. Eisa walked up to him.
"Hey, Light. Hikari's here to see you."
From inside, Hikari happened to glance through the window. Her eyes widened slightly as she caught a glimpse of Light slipping on his shirt. Her cheeks warmed, and she quickly turned away, trying to hide the blush.
Moments later, Light entered the house.
"Hey, Hikari. How are you doing?"
"I'm doing good," Hikari replied, tilting her head. "But are you? I mean, look at you—you're drenched in sweat."
Before Light could respond, footsteps echoed from the stairs. Lothar appeared, walking down steadily.
Hikari's eyes went to him immediately.
"Lothar! How are your wounds? Are you okay now?"
Lothar gave her a faint nod. "I'm fine."
Light smirked and cut in.
"Of course he's fine. It's been nine days since that Kaiju fight. You healed him the very first day with your powers, so he recovered completely."
Hikari folded her arms, smirking playfully.
"You're right. Nine days since we fought that Kaiju… and also nine days since you two have been absent from the Combat Team. What happened? Did you guys get scared off on your first day?"
A voice suddenly echoed from behind.
???:
"I honestly don't understand why the two of you even joined the Kaiju Combat Team. We're princes. We have special teachers, private training, and every resource we could ever need."
Hikari turned around in surprise.
"Leanor? When did you get here?"
Leanor is the third son of the King, born to his second wife, Erina. Among all the siblings, he is the youngest.
Leanor stepped forward with a smug grin.
"Just now. Right when you were telling them they ran away from the Kaijus."
Light frowned and crossed his arms.
"We didn't run away, Leanor. I took time off for training, and Lothar needed to recover. And let me tell you something— even as a prince, I chose the Combat Team because real strength doesn't come from luxury teachers. It comes from real battles, real danger."
Lothar stepped in calmly.
"I joined because His Majesty ordered me to. That was reason enough."
Both brothers turned toward Hikari, waiting for her answer. She blinked, caught off guard, then smiled faintly.
Hikari:
"I joined because they were joining. And… because I want to help people. That's what matters to me."
Her words left a brief silence in the room before it was broken by Erina, who entered carrying a tray of tea. She placed the cups gently on the table and looked at Leanor.
Erina:
"Leanor, perhaps you should consider joining too."
Leanor chuckled, shaking his head.
"Mom, you know I'm not interested in things like this. I'm a prince— I want a life of peace, of comfort. I'm not made for fights and battles. Let them throw themselves at danger if they wish. I'd rather live a quiet life."
Erina sipped her tea gracefully and gave the group a small smile.
"Enjoy your tea, all of you," she said softly, then turned to Leanor.
"And you—come with me."
Without waiting for an answer, she left the room, expecting her son to follow.
Leanor let out a dramatic sigh.
"Great… another lecture," he muttered under his breath as he stood up.
Hikari tilted her head.
"Lecture? Why?"
He glanced back at her with a bitter smile.
"Because she wants me to become king one day. But I have no interest in that."
With that, Leanor turned and left the hall, following his mother. His words hung in the air for a moment, adding a quiet weight before the conversation shifted again.
Hikari looked toward Light.
"So… how's your training going?"
Light ran a hand through his still-damp hair, the faintest smirk on his lips.
"I've been training for nine days straight. The progress is good—better than I expected, actually."
Hikari leaned forward slightly.
"Then you'll be rejoining the Combat Team soon, right?"
Light shook his head.
"Not yet. I need more time. There are still things I have to work on."
Lothar finally spoke, his tone firm and steady.
"Then I'll go back first. The team needs someone to return, and I'm ready."
Light's expression grew serious as he leaned back in his chair.
"I think you two should also take some time off. For some reason… those abnormal Kaijus are targeting you both. This isn't something to take lightly. And we haven't even told the King about it yet."
Lothar's eyes widened slightly.
"That's true… I almost forgot. We need to report this immediately. The King must know, and we have to do whatever he orders."
But before he could move, Hikari's voice cut through, sharp and urgent.
"No."
Both brothers turned toward her, surprised by the sudden intensity in her tone.
Hikari leaned forward, her gaze locked on Lothar.
"If we tell the King, he'll isolate us. He won't let us go on any Kaiju hunts again. And right now, staying active is the only way we'll uncover the truth."
Lothar frowned, conflicted.
"Hikari…"
She stepped closer, her voice softer now, almost pleading.
"Lothar, promise me you won't tell him. I know you always report everything to the King, but this time… if you really consider me your friend, then please—don't. Let's handle this ourselves."
Lothar's jaw tightened. He hesitated, torn between loyalty to his father and the trust shining in Hikari's eyes. Silence stretched between them until finally, he exhaled and gave a small nod.
"…Alright. But only this time.