The back of my brain was screaming at me that something was off about Luna’s current smile; it was terrifyingly reminiscent of Nil’s scheming face. The two spent a lot of time together so it would stand to reason they rubbed off on each other. But usually Luna lectures Crown Prince Nil on his scheming. Didn’t change the fact my instincts were howling that despite her innocent observation, something about what she was saying was loaded with an ulterior motive. How? Luna was a child; she was seven and a half. That kind of scheming shouldn’t be possible for such a young child. I shook my head. Am I losing it? What could she possibly be scheming? It felt like some baffling conundrum for absolutely no reason.

“Nautilus seems really fond of you!” Crown Prince Nil added on. The two tended to agree, or at least be on the same page, but this felt fake, or scripted.

“What are you two doing?” I asked them point blank.

“Seeing Nautilus defend you from the monster! Like a princess!” Luna chimed back with a massive smile and sparkling eyes.

“I was amazed that Nautilus was willing to duel the truly monstrous Krahinn.” Crown Prince Nil answered matter-of-factly. There was definitely something afoot.

“What are you two scheming?” I pressed as I gave Crown Prince Nil my strictest stare while he looked calmly back at me. I just know these two are playing me somehow. I couldn’t fathom what the two of them could be after at the moment.

“I am scheming nothing.” Crown Prince Nil insisted. Oh yea, it is definitely Luna. I looked at the two of them again. Maybe it’s Luna for once; that glint in her eye just reminds me too much of Nil's mischievous face. I still was willing to wager Crown Prince Nil was up to something or at least willing to contribute.

“What would I be scheming?” Luna inquired innocently. I don’t know what you two could possibly be after at the moment is the issue.

“Okay you two, totally not scheming kids, how did you convince Krahinn to apologize?” I tried, knowing that blasted had to have his arm twisted for him to somewhat behave.

“Luna would gladly explain.” Crown Prince Nil stated immediately. Luna glared at him as he smirked back at her.

“It’s what Emperor Father Nil said Krahinn needed to do, or he’d make a stink about what he did.” Luna answered. That sounded plausible, but I wasn’t buying it; what she said sounded like it might be the answer.

“How do you know that?” I pressed. If you two start mentally talking, I know something is definitely up. So far, I just had a hunch.

“Krahinn was grumbling about it the entire walk over.” Crown Prince Nil spat out in an instant. Hmmmmm. Nope. Wasn’t buying it. I dealt with Crown Prince Nil’s antics enough to recognize he was covering his tracks. He commits to the bitter end usually, unfortunately. Especially when you can’t prove he’s misbehaving.

“Why are you two so blatantly lying to me?” I chided, sounding as disappointed as possible.

“Why would you accuse me of lying?” Luna snarled, looking hurt at the accusation. Those fake tears are getting nowhere. I’ve seen you cry silently from Nautilus’s lessons, that’s not the right face.

“You can quit the fake tears; I am your caretaker and usually supervise your lessons with Nautilus. You two aren’t tricking me.” I snapped at them. The kids with eerie confidence looked back at me, seeming unfazed by my calling them out; it was unsettling how calm they were. They are totally willing to get grounded and punished for whatever they want. Probably should try and fix the attitude of punishments being a cost to do something questionable, but that was for later.

“If we are tricking you, what mischief could we possibly be up to?” Crown Prince Nil challenged. Oh yea, the two of them were one hundred percent scheming. I could recognize that tone anywhere. Luna gave Crown Prince Nil an irritated stare, confirming my suspicions.

“That is what I am trying to figure out, but you two continue to act in ways unbecoming of your positions.” I lectured. I sounded a little too much like Grisbane there.

Before I could try a different approach, the black sphere Krahinn conjured shattered as Nautilus went flying out of the lake, skipping across the ground in massive plumes of dirt. Krahinn was floating over the lake breathing heavily with a few scratches and scuffs on him. I immediately rushed over to Nautilus, seeing she had several deep gashes. Krahinn appeared next to her, checked the timer, and shrugged before reverting to his casual form. I checked Nautilus whose hands, feet, and abs were now coated in metallic bronze scales. I gave her the healing potions I kept on hand while she looked furious at Krahinn who had already healed himself. Both of them looked awfully fine despite the fact the two had just been dueling.

“Why?! Why ya bar’ly figh’?! Don’ wanna duel me?!” Nautilus roared at Krahinn as she stood up. He picked a fight and then just, didn’t pummel the person he provoked into the ground?

“I was in the wrong. Letting you blow off steam was a more efficient use of my time as hurting you would only cost me more in the long run.” Krahinn answered drily while checking his hand.

He looked completely disinterested at the moment; all things considered. If he was grumbling, why would he look so apathetic towards the outcome? I highly doubted Krahinn would drop something this easily. Even that earlier was pretty half-hearted given his abilities. Wait. Nautilus and I didn’t see who launched the , we just assumed Krahinn launched the because of earlier. I immediately glared at Crown Prince Nil. That was his . A weak, half-hearted attempt from Krahinn, but that would be you putting everything you had into it. But. What did Crown Prince Nil possibly gain from framing Krahinn for something so childish? Why did Krahinn play along with such an idiotic gambit? Piss me off? Crown Prince Nil might have loved to be a troublemaker, but that wasn’t his style at all. If Krahinn was so half-hearted now, why was the original attack so much more dedicated to whatever cause was going on? Wait, could that original attack have been Crown Prince Nil as well? I knew Krahinn was watching the kids this morning as Luna wanted to go hiking. Both were from Crown Prince Nil. I had no idea how he managed the first one, but the events made a lot more sense if he was the attacker. He gained nothing other than getting in trouble and breaking his word. I’ve never seen Crown Prince Nil break his word. That was also quite peculiar for a kid. Not important now, will return to how oddly good about keeping his word he is later. I had quite a few questions and concerns for later.

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“Ya think ya so forlin’ high an’ migh’y! Actin’ like ya a Lord ya utter piece o’ shiza!” Nautilus screamed at Krahinn, moving to get in his face. I put myself between them to her great confusion.

“Nautilus, I greatly appreciate you standing up for me, but you are wasting your breath dear. You’re also yelling at the wrong person as it’s the kids.” I informed her, moving my hands in a calming gesture.

“Th’ grublins?! How?! Nil can’ cast a dat stron’!” Nautilus snapped incredulously. I didn’t know how he did it, but Krahinn’s reaction made way more sense if the kids were the masterminds.

“I don’t know how, I just know Krahinn wouldn’t try so little if it was his idea. The two are also scheming something, I can’t figure out what yet.” I explained. She immediately shot to the kids, who were looking a lot less confident. Krahinn had the smuggest grin as he began floating and eating popcorn again. That all but confirms I’m right.

“Why?! Ex’lain, now!” Nautilus ordered them. Her was currently terrifying as she was shaking in fury. The two looked at each other, back at Krahinn, and then back to the other. Their heads lightly bobbed as they discussed the next move.

“Stop scheming, you got caught. Answer us.” I spat at them. Attacking me twice and tricking Nautilus into dueling Krahinn? All that did was show how willing to protect and defend me Nautilus was. I kind of like it, but I don’t get what these two get out of it.

“Ya got fi’ secon’s b’fore I get violen’.” Nautilus threatened them. Krahinn looked like he was having a blast now.; I still didn’t grasp why he played along as long as he did. I doubt I’ll ever get that answer.

“I was scared Nautilus would leave.” Luna answered. What? Did I hear her right? What could their actions possibly do to influence her staying or leaving? Nautilus looked at Luna, blinking her eyes slowly trying to grasp her words.

“Cla’ify.” Nautilus prodded, having lost a lot of her edge for some reason. Her voice was still tense, just nowhere near as incensed as she was a few seconds ago. She’s buying that answer?! Why?! It was so odd it might be true, but it only brought more questions than answers.

“I don’t think Helga has realized you want a home and place to protect; that you travel around and take lovers hoping to find one that will be an anchor to keep you there. Someone who wants you by their side keeping them safe, someone you devote yourself to and make feel like the treasure you scoured the world for.” Luna clarified sheepishly.

What?! What just left this child’s mouth?! Was that why they attacked me?! What kind of childish logic was that?! I mean, they are kids, but how in the name of the Lords would Luna know that?! Nautilus looked at Luna gob smacked, opening and closer her mouth a little. Was Luna right? Which should I focus on? The world’s oddest children or Nautilus? I immediately went to Nautilus. Is that what she wanted? Krahinn for once in his life decided to be helpful and drag the kids away with a . Nautilus had an expression I didn’t recognize as she looked at me. Her wasn’t calming down either as before it was swirling like a whirlpool in anger, but this was more like a turbulent sea.

“Is that what you want?” I asked Nautilus. For once, Nautilus didn’t look like her powerful, monolithic self. Her expression got worse as I realized she was slowly starting to move back. I really didn’t like her how her face looked at the moment as her confident smile was way better to look at.

“I… I… I…” Nautilus stammered. It finally clicked what that expression was: fear. Nautilus was scared.

“Please talk to me dear.” I requested. I stepped towards her, and she stepped back. She is definitely afraid of my reaction right now.

Why? We hadn’t dated that long; it had been just over two months. I know I was considering whether or not to start taking our relationship a bit more seriously. I thought we were just having fun. We definitely didn’t have the greatest start in the world. The children using me as a selling point. Still was a bit irritated about that. Did Luna know that back then? Luna wanted to keep Nautilus around for sure, but Nautilus seemed so casual and flirty all the time. Unless I matter more to her than she’s letting on; she’s trying to hide how much she cares. Then why not just say it? Nautilus looked frozen at the moment. Perhaps the last time or two she tried it ended badly for her. My heart hurt at that realization; Nautilus was so doting and fun. Some portion of my brain felt like I was making a major decision at the moment. I likely am. Did I want to be with Nautilus? Did I want to pursue this relationship further? Her expression right now was upsetting me. She ain’ a conquest! Nautilus meant that, didn’t she? She probably did want to make a life here. I looked at my girlfriend, who was breathing rapidly, trying to calm herself down.

“You’re breathing too fast dear. Breathe in. Hold. Hold. Breathe out. Breathe in. Hold. Hold. Breathe out.” I told her soothingly. Nautilus mimicked me, still looking terrified.

“I. You. I’m sor’y.” Nautilus apologized. Her face was so distressed currently.

“Don’t apologize. I know you got put on the spot, and Luna likely somehow called out something you were insecure about. It’s okay to be upset.” I assured Nautilus. Her face didn’t improve anywhere near as much as I would’ve hoped.

“Imma make her lessons bru’al fo’ this. I. I jus’ don’ like bein’ the only one questionin’ thin’s like this.” Nautilus grumbled, struggling to look me in the eye.

“I am insecure too. It’s fine.” I informed her. Nautilus looked incredulously at me.

“Abou’ wha’? Ya always seem so put togethe’! Ya so beautiful, classy, e’egan’, and refined and I kno’ I got a histo’y.” Nautilus pouted, her face barely containing how upset she was.

“You’re so much stronger than me it’s makes me feel like I’m dead weight. You have status, power, and rank that all dwarf mine. You are head turningly gorgeous. Why would you like someone so far beneath you this much? You’re charismatic and could easily find someone better than me if you wanted to.” I retorted. Her history wasn’t relevant, the Nautilus of now was incredible.

“Who bette’ than ya?!” Nautilus snapped back with zero hesitation.

“I don’t know. Everyone just seems stronger than me, more put together than me, or more capable than me. It’s soul crushing. Somehow even Luna knew part of you better than I did! On every front someone seems to be vastly superior to me.” I answered. I hated saying that out loud.

“Luna chea’ed; it don’ count. And why ya measurin’ yaself off what they can do? Ya are the mos’ patient and carin’ bein’ I have eve’ met. None come close.” Nautilus pointed out. I kind of froze; Nautilus was right. I felt myself turn crimson as something occurred to me.

“Why ya so red?” Nautilus inquired, still looking upset. I really did matter to her.

“Because some of the traits of mine I didn’t care for you find deeply attractive, don’t you?” I checked. Nautilus blushed a bit but was finally making solid eye contact with me.

“Ya. I like eve'ythin' about ya.” Nautilus confessed. This sappy idiot. My heart was not fluttering. My heart was totally normal at the moment.

“Of course I want you to stay. You’re fun and make me feel special.” I told her, as I felt my ears getting redder.

“Really?” Nautilus double checked.

“Yes! I want to take our relationship seriously and see where it ends up. I like it when you stand up for me, I like it when you act as if I’m the most precious gem in the sea, and I like how safe it feels with you around. I want to be in a relationship with you.” I informed her. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Nautilus, your hug. I was being crushed in her hug, but it was oddly enjoyable.

“I wanna take i’ seriously too.” Nautilus agreed, holding me tightly.

“And we will. I’m not going anywhere, and neither are you.” I assured her, settling into her strong arms, setting my head against her, and hugging her back.

“Okay.” Nautilus conceded, nuzzling me affectionately.