The palace garden was unusually quiet.
Lucas sat beside Oliver calmly, as usual.
Samuel watched from a distance, arms crossed.
Ryan whispered, "He's thinking."
Elena nodded. "He looks serious…"
Oliver noticed too.
Samuel is plotting something…
---
Suddenly, Samuel walked forward.
"I've decided."
Lucas glanced at him. "About what?"
Samuel spoke clearly.
"I'm going to marry Oliver when we grow up."
Silence.
Ryan almost fell. "WHAT?! AGAIN?!"
Elena covered her mouth. "Samuel too?!"
Lucas frowned slightly. "…You're copying me."
Samuel crossed his arms. "No. I decided myself."
Oliver blinked.
This… is escalating.
Lucas said calmly, "I declared first."
Samuel replied instantly, "That doesn't matter."
Lucas: "It does."
Samuel: "It doesn't."
The air grew tense.
Wind stirred slightly around Samuel.
Lucas's aura sharpened.
Oliver sighed internally.
Why am I the prize…
---
Theo, watching from afar, narrowed his eyes.
"…What now?"
Charles listened.
"…Samuel also wants to marry Oliver."
Theo froze.
"…No."
Sebastian laughed loudly. "That's my son!"
James sighed. "Oh no…"
---
Samuel stood closer to Oliver.
"I'm strong. I'll protect you."
Lucas added calmly, "I'm strong too."
Samuel: "I'm stronger."
Lucas: "We'll see."
Ryan whispered, "This is turning into competition."
Elena nodded. "Poor Oliver…"
Oliver rubbed his forehead.
"You're both five."
Samuel answered, "Planning early is good."
Lucas nodded seriously. "Agreed."
Oliver thought:
I have two marriage proposals at age five… unbelievable.
---
The system panel appeared briefly.
Alert: Rivalry Intensified
Effect: Growth Speed Increased
Note: Multiple Protectors Detected
Oliver blinked.
Even the system is encouraging this chaos…
---
Theo walked forward.
"…Oliver is not choosing anyone."
Samuel nodded. "Not yet."
Lucas agreed. "Not yet."
Theo sighed.
Charles laughed softly. "They're determined."
Sebastian grinned. "Let them compete."
Oliver looked at both boys.
Samuel — confident, loud, protective.
Lucas — calm, serious, steady.
He smiled gently.
"Let's just train together."
Samuel nodded.
Lucas agreed.
But both still stood closer—
One on each side.
And Oliver realized—
His peaceful childhood…
Was officially over.