Later that night Alo didn't sleep well.
All night, whenever he closed his eyes, he saw the same thing:
James clinging to Ethan's hand…
Ethan hiding behind James…
Ethan laughing at James actions…
James calling Ethan his.
By morning, the tightness in the king's chest hadn't eased.
A servant approached cautiously
"Your Majesty, the prince and Ethan are in the courtyard…"
Alo stood up immediately.
"Prepare the training grounds," he ordered.
His voice was calm. Too calm.
The servant blinked. "Training…? For the prince?"
"Yes," Alo said, heading toward the courtyard. "It's time he learned to act like a future king."
James was in the courtyard trying to braid Ethan's hair.
It was going badly.
Ethan sat patiently on the steps while James hummed loudly, twisting the strands into something that looked like a bird's nest having an identity crisis.
"I swear this looked prettier in my head," James muttered.
Ethan chuckled quietly. "I can tell."
Then footsteps approached.
James straightened instantly, half hiding behind Ethan.
"Father! …Good morning."
Alo's gaze flicked to his son… then to Ethan… lingering too long.
"Both of you," Alo said, tone even, "come with me."
James perked up. "Where? The kitchens? The stables? Are we baking something?!"
"The training grounds," Alo replied.
James froze.
Ethan blinked.
"You're… training James?" Ethan asked softly.
Alo didn't look at him. "Yes. Immediately."
The training grounds were wide, open, and sunlit, high stone walls, wooden dummies, racks of polished weapons.
James sighed loudly.
"But Father…? Why now?"
Alo folded his arms behind his back.
"You are going to be the future king some day. It is time you carry yourself like a prince. Ethan may join if he wishes."
James's face lit up instantly. "Ethan is joining?! Yes, yes, he is coming!"
Ethan tried not to laugh. "It's fine. I'll help however I can."
Alo exhaled slowly at how fast Ethan agreed.
Annoyed.
But also relieved.
"James," Alo said firmly, "come here."
James trudged forward like a boy being dragged to a math lesson.
Alo placed a wooden practice sword in his hands.
James nearly dropped it. "It's heavy!"
"Yes," Alo replied. "Because being king is heavy."
Ethan bit back a smile but said nothing.
Alo continued, "Stance."
James attempted a stance.
It looked like he was preparing to take a dump.
Alo closed his eyes.
"…James. What are you doing?"
"I'm standing like a warrior!"
"You look like you're trying to take a dump."
Ethan covered his mouth to hide a laugh.
Alo heard it and was embarrassed as he looked sharply at Ethan then looked away just as quickly, clearing his throat.
"Ethan," he said, "correct him."
Ethan blinked, surprised. "Me?"
"Yes."
James instantly brightened. "YES! Ethan, teach me!"
Ethan stepped behind James, gently moving his shoulders, straightening his back, adjusting his grip.
James went red.
Alo went silent.
Watching the two of them so close…
Watching James melt every time Ethan touched his elbow…
The king felt something sharp twist in his chest.
"…Good," Alo said abruptly. "We begin with footwork. James, follow your instructor."
"My what?" James asked.
Alo nodded toward Ethan.
"In this moment, he is better at this than you. So you will listen."
James turned to Ethan with a grin so radiant it could power the kingdom.
"Yes, Ethan! I'll do whatever you say!"
Alo's jaw clenched.
Training continued, terribly.
James tripped over his own feet.
He swung the sword like he was shooing chickens.
He almost hit himself twice.
Ethan was endlessly patient, guiding him gently but firmly, never raising his voice,
And Alo watched every second.
James collapsed into the grass, gasping dramatically.
"I'm dying. Ethan, I'm dying. Tell my story…"
"James," Ethan sighed, "stand up."
"No, leave me here. Tell father I fought bravely."
Alo rolled his eyes. "Get up."
James stayed on the ground.
Ethan leaned down, offering a hand.
James grabbed it so fast he nearly yanked Ethan down with him.
Alo's eye twitched.
But Ethan smiled softly. "Come on. Try again."
James stood, grinning like Ethan had revived him from the dead.
Alo turned slightly away, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
And under his breath,barely audible…
"…You listen to him more than you ever listen to me."
For the first time, the king wondered:
Was he training James…
or training himself to understand why this boy mattered so much to both of them?