King Alo stayed hidden behind the trellis longer than he intended.
His gaze lingered on the sight before him: James laughing freely, Ethan trying to keep him from falling into the pond, both boys glowing under the afternoon sun.
His son had never acted like this.
Not with tutors.
Not with relatives.
Not even with the servants who had raised him.
James always seemed… restless.
Lonely.
Like a spark constantly looking for something to ignite.
But now?
He was soft.
Gentle.
Happy.
Alo exhaled slowly, almost silently.
"…So that's the effect you have on him, Ethan."
He stepped back from the trellis, but paused when he heard a splash.
"JAMES…!!"
Ethan's panicked voice cut through the garden like a whip.
Alo's heart jumped; he nearly broke into a run
But then he heard laughing.
James's laughing.
Alo stopped short, tense for only a second before peeking through the leaves.
James was drenched.
Completely soaked from the waist up, hair sticking out in all directions, drops sliding down his cheeks as he sputtered.
"I…I tried to catch the fish!" James choked out between breathless giggles. "It slapped me! Did you see?! It slapped me right in the face!"
Ethan was trying so hard not to laugh, but his shoulders shook.
He reached out and brushed wet strands from James's forehead.
"You're so stupid" Ethan whispered, though his smile was warm and fond.
James grinned proudly. "Stupidly impressive."
"No…" Ethan chuckled. "Just stupid."
Alo watched Ethan laugh, really laugh and something warm tugged inside him.
That gentle smile of Ethan's…
The softness in his voice…
The way even the sun seemed to settle on him…
Alo cleared his throat quickly, startled by his own thoughts.
He stepped forward at last, boots crunching on the gravel.
"Explain why the prince is soaking wet."
James jumped like he'd been caught stealing.
Ethan straightened immediately, bowing.
"Father! It wasn't my fault! The fish attacked me!"
Alo raised a brow. "The fish attacked you."
"Yes!" James pointed accusingly at the pond. "It's vicious."
Alo pressed two fingers to the bridge of his nose.
"James… it is a goldfish."
"A dangerous goldfish," James corrected.
Ethan couldn't hold it anymore as he burst into laughter.
The sound was light, bright, and completely unguarded.
Alo's head slowly turned toward him.
For a second, just one second, the king forgot what he was going to say.
James saw the look.
Instantly, he stepped in front of Ethan, hands spread out like a tiny guard dog.
"He didn't do anything wrong! I fell in by myself!"
Alo blinked.
"…I didn't accuse him."
"I know!" James puffed his cheeks. "But you were thinking it."
Ethan tugged James's sleeve softly. "It's okay. Your father isn't angry."
Alo crossed his arms again, but his expression softened slightly at Ethan's calmness.
"No. I'm not angry," Alo admitted. "Just making sure my son is safe."
James brightened instantly. "See? He wasn't mad."
"But," Alo added, eyeing his drenched child, "you are getting a bath immediately."
James deflated.
Ethan giggled.
Alo's eyes flicked to him again and he caught that smile.
The corner of his mouth twitched upward before he turned away.
"We'll return to the palace."
James grabbed Ethan's hand again. "Ethan comes too!"
Alo didn't like how fast he said it.
But Ethan nodded politely. "I don't mind helping."
James beamed but Alo didn't.
As the three of them walked out of the garden, Alo walked slightly behind the boys, watching Ethan's dark hair shimmer in the sun, watching how James clung to him like a lifeline.
And, quietly, the king muttered under his breath
"…This boy…let go of him a little…"
But James, of course, did not.
In fact, once they reached the palace halls, James held Ethan's hand even tighter, as if some invisible villain might steal him away the moment he blinked.
Ethan couldn't help smiling.
"James, I can walk by myself, you know."
"I know," James said proudly. "But a man protects what's his."
Ethan froze and Alo stopped walking entirely.
"…James," the king said slowly, "explain what you just said."
James looked up innocently.
"I'm being manly, Father."
Alo stared at James, "By saying Ethan is…"
"Mine?" James finished cheerfully.
"Yes, he's mine father"
Alo inhaled sharply, gripping the closest pillar so he wouldn't commit a crime.
Ethan quickly waved his hands. "Your Majesty, he doesn't mean it like…"
"Yes I do," James said boldly. "I'm the man here. I'll protect him."
Alo's eye twitched so hard it could've started a small earthquake.