Gabriel lay flat on his back, absent-mindedly looking at the ceiling with an emotion he didn’t understand swirling within him. He had been humiliated in front of his subjects, and that pissed him off. However, wasn’t that what he wanted? To be taken seriously and actually seen as an opponent, not a prince in need of coddling. The blonde male let out a heavy sigh, just a soft knock reached his ears.

“You may enter.” The prince spoke, sitting up from his bed. His room, just like the rest of the palace, was an obnoxious colour of royal blue, with red and brown wooden furniture standing around in weird positions. His entire room was entirely too large as well. Some have even commented on it being as big as a cottage. He knew they were exaggerating, however.

Isaac came inside, rolling in a table filled with silver diningware and covered plates.

“Your breakfast is ready, my lord.” The red-haired male spoke. Gabriel let out a soft groan and stood up. The young man then walked towards the table of dishes, and one by one he uncovered them all. One plate had a creamy potato dish with chilli sausage pieces sprinkled on top. Another dish was a bowl of piping hot chicken soup, and the last plate was a cherry and apple custard pie.

There was an egregious amount of food for each dish, but Gabriel was a growing boy, and he was going to need all the nutrients he could get. Isaac stared at the prince and smirked.

“I think it’ll be more fitting if you eat your breakfast in the dining room with Miss von Stein.” He said this, watching as Gabriel froze and sent him a vicious glare.

“You’re pushing your limits, Isaac. I demand you stop doing so.” The young blonde said, his tone icy. Isaac, however, knew Gabriel was one to be pushed. He never did anything otherwise.

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“Losses are within the bounds of life. A loss here and there teaches us things. Plus, Kyra is the teacher you’ve been craving. She’s the daughter of a strong swordsman and is rough around the edges, and by the looks of it, she doesn’t seem to like you all that much. She may even find you far too arrogant. Talk to her over breakfast, and change her perception of you.” Isaac rambled.

Gabriel knew that was a great idea; however, he was hesitant. Isaac noticed this, covered the plates, and rolled the table out of the room, smirking as an agitated Gabriel followed behind him.

“Return the table to the room at once, Isaac. I implore you!” The prince yelled behind him. Isaac shook his head, and in no time they were in the dining room. It was a room far too large and could easily accommodate around three hundred people, and it was just one of many dining rooms. At the end of the white-clothed dining table was Kyra, drinking the glass of milk and scarfing down the plate of eggs and bacon.

She appeared unladylike to the two men, which they didn’t mind, but the maids standing next to her seemed to have a problem. Their faces were scrunched up in disgust as Kyra kept stacking up more food on her plate.

“Miss von Stein, the prince is here to eat with you.” Isaac spoke, his voice echoing in the barely decorated room. The green-eyed girl lifted her head and shrugged, while the maids bowed upon noticing the blonde’s presence.

Isaac looked behind and gestured for the prince to take a seat next to Kyra, and he did—reluctantly. Once seated, Isaac placed the prince's meals on the table and walked off to stand next to the maids. The situation was incredibly awkward for Gabriel. Kyra, however, was enjoying herself. She continued eating, and after she was done, she wiped her mouth and placed the cutlery on her table.

“That was amazing.” She said this, rubbing her stomach with a lopsided grin on her face. "So, what do you do for fun?” Kyra asked as she sat forward. Gabriel pointed at himself, trying to confirm if she was talking to him. When Kyra nodded, he answered with a shrug.

“There isn’t much you can do without jeopardising the reputation of the family. I try to find the fun in things that are expected of me.” He said. Isaac was bewildered. Gabriel was unravelling with a stranger with far more ease than he expected.

“I understand what you mean.” Kyra replied, truly feeling for the young man. Gabriel looked up at her and shuddered.

“What do you mean?” He then asked.

“I’m from the House of von Stein, and living up to a man known as a legendary swordsman across Aerion isn’t the easiest thing to do.” Memories of Kyra beheading her father filled her mind. “It’s near damn impossible.” She muttered.

Gabriel nodded before he looked down. He then took a deep breath and began speaking.

“I would like to continue our training session after breakfast,” he said, looking more determined and less arrogant than he was in the morning.

“That’s great. Just don’t storm off when you lose.” Kyra replied, grinning.

“I won’t.”