I knew Brother Rouct meant well. Really, I know it. But, he didn't really have to say something that completely spooks Litos into hiding, did he?

Litos! Goes into hiding! From me! In my Castle! My home!

Just how many places can she find to hide?

Something like: "As your King, I will be the one to name your firstborn," is definitely a saying Brother Rouct will utter as the first sign of abuse of his future profession

But, since Litos has yet to accept our incoming wedding plans, for Brother Rouct to mention our future child like it is just a matter of time before one is born, that completely shatters any resemblance of calm in Litos.

While she tried her best to be on her best behaviour at the party last night, I knew she just wanted to crawl into a hole somewhere to hide in.

Litos, as it turns out, is super shy.

Her shyness is endearing, once I realise it.

But, it is also completely vexing to realise she goes into hiding when she can't take any more teasing.

She is hiding from me.

Litos is hiding from me.

How many times have I been looking for her, for as long as I can remember?

Is she really this shy?

Recalling our interactions, from the first time I met her until our time to attend school. I admit; I would not know or realise it because we were not as close as we are now. Even then, it takes me today to realise the reactions she has toward my advances are not because of her denseness or obliviousness.

But because of shyness.

I never associate Litos with shyness before, so the concept is very foreign to me.

I mean, she is Litos. The girl who is not ashamed to act shamefully when in the mood. Granted, usually, she chooses a quiet place to act out. But, she does act shamelessly without a care in the world.

"Castel," Brother Lapace waves his hand in front of my face, snapping me back from my shock at the revelation, "What are you thinking about?"

"Probably just in shock," Brother Ace, the news bearer, is chuckling at my dilemma

"Eh, does that mean Castel is denser than Litos?" Brother Rouct asks, "Ah, no. Castel is more shameless than Litos in this matter, isn't he?"

I glare at Brother Rouct, daring him to continue.

Challenge accepted, Brother Rouct continues, "For someone who never realises or claims to have any feelings for his fiancée until recently... You sure are bold," Brother Rouct raises a finger and waves it in warning, "Careful, don't let your wolf dictate your actions too much or you are going to scare the little rabbit Litos away from your paws forever~"

Brother Ace hits Brother Rouct on the back of his head before I have the chance to snarl or claw at his face. Brother Lapace just releases a long-suffering sigh.

"Instead of a little rabbit, I think Litos is more like a little lynx," Brother Ace says seriously, "Just look at how skillfully she has managed to evade Castel all day,"

Brother Lapace snorts; turning around, he covers his mouth as he shakes with laughter.

"You are right," Brother Rouct muses seriously then bows to Brother Ace, "I concede defeat. Please take back the Crown as your prize,"

"No, thank you," Brother Ace declines immediately without a second thought

Is this how they want to play? Tch. Retaliation is in order.

"You make fun of me now," I say, glaring at them, the traitors, "Just wait until Litos gets to your respective partners and implants them with ideas," letting out a slight smirk at their wary and alarmed expressions, I finish, "We will see how much trouble your partners will bring you then, won't we?"

Just like them, using Litos has quite an effect. That girl is good. Even without being present herself, she still can ruin en Marshal's Sons.

"I did nothing to deserve it!" Brother Lapace cries out, eyes watering already at the images he conjured

"Of course, there is no way I would tell Litos to play favourites, is there?" I ask rhetorically, "Everyone will get equal treatments," I pause before adding dramatically, "And affections,"

"Says the one who always hoards Litos all to himself," Brother Rouct counters dryly

"And refuses to share," Brother Ace adds, rolling his eyes

Details, details. Who cares about that?

"I did nothing to deserve it!" Brother Lapace whines, refusing the probability, still getting stuck there

I pat Brother Lapace's shoulder, feeling bad, yet not bad enough to stop.

Shaking his head, Brother Ace gets us back to the reason he gathers us, "Let's just go back and meet up with Father and Mother,"

"Lead the way," I say, smirking. The hunt for Litos will have to wait. Besides, Brother Ace claims Litos is with the visiting Princess. That sounds like a bad idea, to let them be. But, oh well. Making new friend is good for Litos, too.

Seeing them walking back one by one dejectedly, does this count as my win? Why, yes. It certainly does.

*

Brother Ace tells us about his experience and the visiting Princess, as Brother Ace calls her, Eiko-hime's proposal.

"You are not man enough to propose to her first?" Brother Rouct asks, tone laced with sarcasm

"I wasn't even aware of her intention in the first place!" Brother Ace replies with distress, "She just suddenly popped the question!"

"And made you fell down from shock?" I recall yesterday's event on the dance floor

"It was shameful," Brother Lapace offers his opinion on that matter

Brother Ace flushes, gritting his teeth as he replies, "I know, even without you guys telling me,"

Mother giggles and Father, bless him, manages to keep a straight face to save Brother Ace's dignity. Not by much, as far as I can tell. His eyes are dancing with mirth.

"When are you going to answer her?" Mother asks, taming down her giggles enough for a coherent question

"I do not know, Mother," Brother Ace replies, calming down, "She gives me a week. The length of her stays,"

"What will be your answer?" Brother Lapace asks, curious

Brother Lapace starts serving tea then, now that he is assured the reason Brother Ace summons us for this meeting is not for a dire matter.

"I... I don't think agreeing to her proposal because I pity her will do us good," Brother Ace murmurs, accepting the cup Brother Lapace offers, "She also won't want that,"

"I doubt it," Brother Rouct gives his input as he accepts a cup from Brother Lapace too, "She has been in love with you for years... Of course, once you two are married, she then will do her best to make you fall for her. Same ending, different starting points,"

Brother Ace frowns, certainly not okay with the idea.

"Is it so bad, to imagine yourself to be by her side?" I question, accepting the teacup Brother Lapace's offers

Brother Ace slants his eyes to me.

"...It is?" I blink, surprised

Slowly, Brother Ace shakes his head, "It's not... It's not exactly that... It's just... Eiko-hime is the Crown Princess... She will be the Queen of her Kingdom one day..."

"Oh, the irony!" Brother Rouct grasps his heart, "You are destined to be King, my dear Brother!"

"Cut it out, Rouct," Father warns

"Affirmative," Brother Rouct blinks, as innocent as his smile. Which is fictitious.

"Do you really have such a strong aversion to shoulder a Kingdom, Acehaut?" Mother asks, concerned

It should be telling; since he rejects to be the King of his own Kingdom.

"It's..." Brother Ace looks uncomfortable, "It's not like that... I just..."

"What is it?" Father asks, requests it gently, "Do you mind sharing your thought with us?"

Embarrassed, Brother Ace admits, "I have a dream of being an Adventurer,"

Oh. Oh.

Wow. What a grand dream.

For someone who is always in the safety of Castle, to have a dream of leaving this safe haven and roams the outside word... To leave everything behind, being a Prince is no joke, and becomes someone completely... Free.

Father nods; as if he expects it. Even though we are reeling from this unexpected confession, Father only nods.

"If you really want to be an adventurer, reject Eiko-hime's proposal and strips yourself of everything which makes you a Prince. Once you do that, you may go and become an Adventurer," Father says, calmly

The shock spreads quickly.

"Dear!" Mother rounds on Father, horrified, "What are you saying!?"

"That is so not funny," Brother Rouct frowns at Father, offended on Brother Ace's behalf

"Is Brother Ace allowed to come back?" Brother Lapace asks, worried

"Well, this is still his home, after all," I say, hands shaking over the cup of tea despite my best effort to stop it, "There is no way he won't be allowed to come back, right?"

Brother Ace only blinks at Father.

Father nods at my words, "Of course. If he wishes, he is allowed to come back. But, he won't be a Prince anymore,"

"I will be an Adventurer by then," Brother Ace murmurs, thoughtful

"Exactly," Father raises his eyebrows as he looks at us, smiling faintly, "You people have so little faith in me. I am so hurt you won't believe it,"

Mother slaps Father's arm, though the damage is absorbed by his clothes, "That was on purpose, wasn't it? To scare us like that!"

Father chuckles, "Ah, I can have fun once in a while, can't I?"

"You are an awful, awful King," Brother Rouct declares, "I am going to be an exact replica of you!"

"Please no," Brother Lapace whimpers, "My heart can't take it,"

"I will be far away from this Kingdom by then," I say dreamily, "Along with Litos, of course,"

Brother Ace laughs, though I notice his eyes are wet, "You guys... Okay, just ignore this one. Go on with your life and jokes, you horrible family members of mine,"

"Just make sure to let us hold a farewell party before you take off," Father says, raising his eyebrow at Brother Ace, "No matter how impatient, you must not sneak off without a word,"

Brother Ace takes a deep breath, controls his emotions, and lets it out, "Of course. As you command, my King,"

Is this matter closed? It seems so. Brother Ace is going to reject Eiko-hime, isn't he?

*

Brother Ace requests for my presence in his sparring match against Eiko-hime.

"I'm busy," I decline. I still have a business I need to finish.

"Litos will come with her," Brother Ace points out

That stops me short.

"Hook, line, and sinker," Brother Rouct crows behind me

"Are you going to depart on the same day as Eiko-hime later?" Brother Lapace asks, coming along, "Or before? After?"

"I don't know yet," Brother Ace grimaces, "I don't even know how to tell her about... That,"

"Want to bet whether she will drop everything and follows Brother Ace to become an Adventurer?" Brother Rouct asks, raising his eyebrow specifically at Brother Ace

Brother Ace blinks, a little shaken by the thought, "She would not... Would she?"

"She would," I place myself in her position and Litos on Brother Ace's position. Yes, I would. I would follow Litos anywhere.

"Then, what about her Kingdom?" Brother Lapace asks, eyes wide at the probability

"She has her Sisters to success her," Brother Rouct reminds us, "And really, how cruel would they be, forcing her to give up on Brother Ace and marry someone else?"

"You," Brother Ace, now equipped for a sparring match, points his sword at Brother Rouct, "Don't needlessly pour more oil on the fire,"

"Is that a concern I hear?" Brother Rouct fakes a gasp, "Brother Ace, you are so kind!"

I roll my eyes, straying away from them in case a fight breaks out. Brother Rouct loves to provoke people into attacking him first to start an impromptu spar. I am not going to get involved this time. Brother Lapace has the same idea.

"Being the oldest, they sure act more immature than us," I comment offhandedly

"Can't be helped that they are close in age too," Brother Lapace adds, smiling softly

"Spend more time in each other's company certainly will drive themselves crazy," I agree

"Aren't we blessed to be born several years apart from them?" Brother Lapace laughs

Brother Ace and Brother Rouct hear us. It doesn't come as a surprise when a full-blown brawl breaks out.

What comes as a surprise, however, is to see Litos donned up on Eiko-hime's garments. I think my heart stops beating. I certainly am almost decapitated by Brother Rouct since I fail to duck.

"Castel!" Brother Rouct snaps, "Don't get distracted in the middle of a fight!"

Annoyed to get distracted by Brother Rouct, I kick him away from me and plants my sword near his toes. That stops him from coming at me. Satisfied that he won't do anything stupid, I focus once more on Litos.

Litos... She looks like one of Eiko-hime's people. A very beautiful woman, yes. But it still makes her looks like a stranger from somewhere else. A stranger. Not the girl I grew up with...

"Oh, you are here already?" Brother Ace stops his sparring with Brother Lapace, blinking in surprise at Eiko-hime, "Sorry. We started before you arrive..."

"It's fine!" Eiko-hime smiles brightly, "I must say, you have really good swordsmanship!"

"Thanks," Brother Ace nods, accepting the compliment

"Of course," Eiko-hime claps her hands together, "Everyone is excellent! I am excited about our spar now!"

Litos blinks at me. She is not speaking. She only blinks. What does she mean? What does she want?

"Castel," Brother Rouct nudges my side, returning my sword back to me, "Stop staring,"

"Why should I?" I snap back, growling

Brother Rouct reels back, surprise clearly written all over his face.

No good. I am annoyed at something completely irrelevant. Taking it out on Brother Rouct is no good either.

"Sorry," I apologise, not sincere enough, though. Brother Rouct still accepts it, watching me carefully.

"I think, he means that it won't be good for Litos to see you staring at another woman," Brother Lapace comes over and murmurs that

I snort, shaking my head disbelievingly. She looks like a stranger to them too?

Brother Rouct frowns; he looks at the stranger-- Litos. Brother Lapace is too polite to stare, but I still can tell he is stealing glances. If they are just curious, it's fine. If they are attracted... No way I am going to let that slide.

Brother Ace tilts his head, "Where is Litos? I thought she is with you,"

"She is," Eiko-hime says, not looking back at the girl behind her

Litos' eyes widened when she senses my growing ire. Panicked, she starts flailing her arms. But, it's not high. Not the height she usually takes whenever she is flailing her arms. The clothes are weighing her down, aren't they?

Certainly, she won't be able to run fast now. But... Nope. I still don't want to see a stranger in the place of my Litos.

"What is that girl doing?" Brother Lapace asks, confused

Even Eiko-hime is confused as she turns back to look at Litos.

I take a step forward as a test. Litos takes a step back.

Okay, it's on.

"Castel, no--!"

*

I don't know how well does Litos know about the terrain of this Castle, but she sure gives everything she has to be a step ahead of me. Even with her clothes weighing her down.

I can tell she is getting tired already. She does not look back either. Not to check on me nor our distance.

"Stop right there!" I shout, letting her guess the distance from my voice

Litos stops herself from turning around. I still can hear what she replies though, "Never!"

That cheeky little girl...

"Castel!" Brother Rouct is behind me, following our chase, "What's going on?"

"Nothing!" I shout back, waving him off, "She is mine! Don't meddle,"

Litos uses the chance as I briefly turn to Brother Rouct to stop him to lift up the skirt and kicks off her shoes.

Brother Rouct stops short on that bold action.

"What do you think you are doing?" I scold her, eyes narrowing, "You might get hurt without the shoes!"

Leaving the shoes behind, Litos turns to me slightly. She only smiles as she turns a corner.

She is not barefooted, though. She has socks on. That is still not good enough reason for her to kick off her shoes.

Clicking my tongue, I go to pick up her shoes. This is a foreign set of shoes, must be from Eiko-hime. Something called geta? If I remember history correctly.

"What- that- who is she?" Brother Rouct asks, dumbfounded

"Who else?" I replied carelessly, eyeing the sword I take with me before leaving it with Brother Rouct, "I am going after her. Take this back to the armoury for me,"

"Wait," Brother Rouct rejects the sword, "You need it to deal with that assassin,"

I blink, "Assassin?"

"She is an assassin, isn't she?" Brother Rouct frowns

"She is not," I assure him, though not explaining anything. If he can't recognise Litos, I am not going to entertain him.

Brother Rouct eyes me, still frowning, "Why are you so... Persistent in chasing her?"

"Because she runs away from me," I reply blandly, "I also want to know why is she acting like a stranger,"

Brother Rouct blinks owlishly, stating clearly, "You know her,"

"As should you," I shoot back immediately, "But, never mind. I am going after her. She might get in some kind of trouble,"

"Litos?" Brother Rouct is no idiot. No matter how often he acts like one. With just a short conversation between us, he already can guess the identity of the girl I am chasing. Literally.

An idiot won't be approved by Father to be the future King, after all. I nod sharply, once.

"She looks quite different," Brother Rouct says, blinking as he recalls Litos' current appearance, "I thought she is a handmaiden of Eiko-hime,"

"She only dresses up as one," I shake my head, scowling, "I don't mind her dressing up, but, does she really have to play the part too?"

But that's not the only reason, is it?

"You are mad because she did not show herself to you first?" Brother Rouct raises his eyebrow highly, guessing correctly, "You are annoyed because she has other people look at her, dressing up and is all pretty?"

That is it, "That's not it," I say

"You..." Brother Rouct shakes his head, "Don't hoard her all by yourself. It is not just a fit of mere jealousy. It is possessiveness. It will be no good if that possessiveness goes out of hand,"

I know. I turn away, not looking at my brother. I feel slightly ashamed now.

Brother Rouct looks at the way Litos runs off to, "Why do you feel you need to possess her like that?"

"I don't know," I mumble, still feeling chided, "Maybe because she keeps running away?" Because she keeps slipping away from my hold?

Brother Rouct stares, "YOU... Seriously, keeps your inner wolf at bay."

I flash my eyes at Brother Rouct.

"A chase is good and all," Brother Rouct continues, ignoring me, "But don't think of her as yours, yet. You two have yet to get married first. And no matter how much you want to rush it, and how much we tease and support you, you still need her acquittance before holding a ceremony," Brother Rouct looks at me seriously, "I mean it,"

I growl at him.

Brother Rouct use the hilt of my sword to hit my head, "Or, I will keep Litos away from you,"

"It's for your own good," Brother Rouct continues when I do not reply in my shock, "You are human, not a real wolf. Keep that in mind. She is not your mate, yet,"

I blink, "I know I am human, thank you,"

"You sure don't act like one, concerning Litos," Brother Rouct points out, "She is a human too, keep that in mind. She has her own personification of freedom,"

But she is Litos. The reincarnated person who usually goes along with the flow without a care in the world.

They don't know that, though.

Litos's freedom... What is it, I wonder? 

"Now that you have calmed down," Brother Rouct keeps the swords away, preparing to return them to the armoury, "Go on. Don't scare her too bad,"

"She is not scared of me," I reply, a flicker of uncertainty slips out

"She must have a six-sense regarding your wolf," Brother Rouct is kind enough to let my uncertainty slips away without comment, "Really, how did she stand to be around you for ten years?" Brother Rouct smirks, "You are the most unruly of the litter,"

"I behave well enough," I shoot back, "You, on the other hand..."

"I thrive to be the joy of the litter," Brother Rouct says, turning around, leaving me alone, "Be back for dinner,"

"With Litos, yeah," I reply, turning my back to Brother Rouct and restart my run to chase after Litos

I shout at Brother Rouct's back before turning the same corner Litos turned before, "For the record, I resent your use of an analogy to describe me, no matter how cool it is!"

Brother Rouct laughs.