“So how was school this week?”

“Great! I made a new friend.”

Elizabeth’s normally cheerful smiled had gone lopsided at the remark, Luke instantly regretting his answer.

“Oh, a new friend? Who are they?”

Luke was reluctant to answer the princess as she struggled to return to her naturally cheerful expression.

“A girl named Julia. Why?”

“Oh. So I guess now you’ll be hanging out with them instead?”

“N-no. I’ll be hanging out with her and you.”

Luke felt his heart sink as the princess no longer held her straight face, but a grimace.

“I understand. I can’t be with you at school. I wouldn’t want to be alone either, if I could help it. As long as you come visit me still, I don’t mind. Now, about that game of hide-and-seek?”

The boy wiped his head, only to find he wasn’t sweating like he initially believed. Still, he felt uneasy despite the change of subject.

“Uh, sure. You hide first this time.”

“Okay Luke.” The princess began to walk passed the boy and out of the garden, only to turn her head back toward him. Looking into her long, cold stare, Luke felt fear he didn’t know was possible. “You’d better find me.”

The boy had ducked down, closing his eyes and beginning the count.

“One.” Luke’s voice trembled as if there were an earthquake.

“Two.” His voice began to calm down.

“Three.” After taking a breath, the boy could feel his composure returning.

“Four.” The scary image of the princess had faded from his memory.

“F-five.” Just as he thought about how he had forgotten the memory, it smacked him in the face, bringing back the traumatic fear from earlier.

With shaky legs, the boy forced himself out of the garden, in the general direction the princess had departed. This hint was of little value, as the garden was open from all sides, and Elizabeth had learned from Luke that she could simply exit one side, yet end up on another side completely.

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Heading north, the only areas to hide were in the hall to the throne room. The throne room itself was made off limits, at least that was the two agreed on after interrupting a meeting with the queen. Luke checked the east wing first, searching the kitchen and art room.

The kitchen had smelled of many delectable treats, possibly deserts for the princess. Luke figured she might have had a sweet tooth moment and wanted some. Looking through the kitchen, there were colorful muffins, but no princess. Perhaps after today, the boy wouldn’t be getting anymore special deserts from her highness.

Venturing southwest, Luke searched the peculiar art exhibit. Paintings, sculptures, and surreal metal devices decorated the sides of the hall, the floor a checkboard pattern. The boy had always been fascinated at the floor pattern more than anything else in the room, but his parents refused to replace their wooden floor.

Looking at the paintings, Luke hit a realization that he may not have had to have mana if he could paint. As he continued to think, he remembered he didn’t have the slightest clue how to paint, nor did he care to learn.

Taking a deep breath, Luke traveled west, toward the armory. Normally he would check the location first, the room being the most frequent target for the game. Most days, the boy wouldn’t pay any mind to the fact that the room was filled with sharp weapons within arm’s reach. Today was not a typical day, but Luke was damned regardless.

Creaking open the door, the boy hesitantly stepped forward. As he left the vicinity of the exit, the door slammed shut. Luke could feel his body tense up, his eyes darting all over the room, his mind running circles.

“Boo!”

Luke screamed as he felt a poke at his back, leaping forward with full force.

“Hehe, where is your friend now?”

Looking up, the princess was barely visible as she stood above the boy, grinning evilly. Luke began curled up into a ball, shutting his eyes as he waited for the end.

“Sorry Luke, I read a scary story the other day and got really into it.”

Opening his eyes, Luke could see the girl more clearly, her arm outstretched. Helping the boy up, the princess escorted him out of the room while he caught his breath.

“I don’t mind if you hang out with friends from school, just don’t forget about me, okay?”

The original evil grin from earlier had transformed into a sincere smile, the innocent type she had normally given, before again being replaced by a more concerned frown.

“I promise I’ll visit you every weekend!”

Returning his biggest smile, he received a touch on the nose as the princess ran off. Luke gave chase, not letting her get the slip up on him.

----------------------------------------

“Hey Luke, I forgot to ask yesterday, but how was school? And was your visit with the princess today.”

“School was great. Me and Julia had fun.”

“I see you got a new favorite. Personally, I’d stick with the princess.” Matthew winked at Luke.

“Uh, yeah. Anyways, the princess and I had fun.”

“You’re not getting into any trouble, are you?” Matthew raised his eyebrows at his brother.

“Am I?” Luke returned favor.

“Well, I have bad news. Dad wants you to start learning how to use a weapon.”

“I can’t use mana though!”

“Even if you can’t, you can still use a weapon. If nothing else, you need some way of defending yourself.”

“Okay…”