Hearing The Story.

The tense atmosphere enveloped the two people with nonstop steps down the hall. A feeling that dissolves in the silence around it, a gaze that keeps watching the broad back of a man who doesn't let go of his grip.

"You heard that too, didn't you, Prince?" She asked while matching her steps.

Meanwhile, the man beside her stared straight at the street before him. She didn't know if it was just her feelings or what, but she could see the sadness in the red eyes of the man beside her.

"Don't lie to yourself, you heard that too, Prince."

Clovis' steps stopped, and the girl beside him kept watching him with a worried expression.

For a moment Clovis's gaze fell on the carpeted floor below him, then a gentle caressing was felt on his arm. His red bead turned to look at the girl who still looked at him with a worried look.

Elie gasped in shock after seeing Clovis's flat face who just stared at her blankly.

"Sorry, Prince Clovis, I unconsciously did it because I saw you look sad."

Not breaking their gazes, Clovis said. "Do I look pathetic?" He asked with a flat face.

Hurriedly, Elie shook her head quickly. "I'm not saying you're pathetic. What's wrong if you feel sad too?"

Hearing Elie's words made him touched.

"What they say has a point, Elie."

Seeing the grim face of the man in front of her, Elie somehow felt irritated just because he heard the talk of the nobles.

There was a small whimper after a punch slapped his back pretty hard.

"What did you do-"

"Did you know what they say is just nonsense? They just talk like mice."

Clovis fell silent, the pain he felt in his back disappearing. His gaze went straight to Elie's gray mane who was looking down, without seeing him.

"Elie..."

Elie's grip on Clovis' arm tightened. "I beg you, If they put you down, you can get back at them."

Silence fell after Elie said that. The girl's face slowly looked up, and right after that, a hug grabbed her body. Elie was surprised to see Clovis' wide back so close to her sight, even the feeling of warmth touching her skin was palpable.

"Prince Clovis?"

But it wasn't a reply she got, but a hug on her waist that was getting tighter. For the first time, Elie felt something strange within her. Elie's body froze after she saw the shoulders of the man hugging her shaking. A strange feeling dissolved after hearing the sobs of the man who hid his face in her shoulder.

This is the second time I've heard a man cry, and his cries were painful, Elie thought.

Slowly and gently, Elie stretched out her arms, embracing Clovis' wide back. Caresses and gentle pats land on his back that look dashing, in fact, fragile.

Elie placed her cheek on Clovis' shoulder. "There there, you can cry all you want."

It took a long time for Clovis to stop crying, moreover, the sound of his sobbing made Elie feel pain while hearing it. Slowly, Clovis pulled his body from Elie's arms, brushing his cheeks that were still wet with tears. Seeing the man's face before she blush, even the closed eyelids meant so much to her.

"How? Crying isn't something bad, right?" Elie smiled warmly at Clovis.

Finished calming his tears, Clovis' red eyes looked straight at Elie's face who was looking at him with a smile. Elie waited for a response from Clovis who was still staring at her with blinking eyes, even she could see that Clovis had not fully recovered from his emotions.

She was suddenly startled a moment after seeing Clovis's body crouched down, with his face hidden between his long fingers.

"This is the first time I've cried in 15 years, I wanna bury myself," he said vaguely.

Elie, who could hear him, chuckled, then crouched down in front of Clovis, who was still covering his face.

"Can I come along?" She asks.

Clovis looked at Elie's face between his fingers and saw how warm gazes were directed at him.

"Are you mocking me?"

Hearing Clovis' hoarse voice made her laugh. "I'm not mocking you at all, but Mister's voice is too cute after crying," she replied.

Cute? Clovis's brain was thinking.

"Am I cute in your eyes?" Clovis asked as he rested his head in his arms. Elie stopped laughing after seeing the intense stare from Clovis's red bead.

"Not really," she shook her head.

Clovis gave an annoyed look, "You can't cheer me up." Then he stood up from his squat.

"Eh??" Elie was confused.

Seeing Clovis who was already standing, she also stood up with eyes still pointing to Clovis.

"If you smile, you will feel much better." While saying that, Elie smiled.

As for Clovis, seeing Elie's smile made his feelings much calmer. The warm gaze fixed on him made him speechless with a raging mind.

I feel much calmer when I see your smile.

The rain started to subside with the sun emerging from behind the white clouds. The ground was damp from the previous heavy rain, and the trees were wet from the falling water droplets. But behind it all, there were smiles and cheers after the sun came back out after the heavy rain.

"The rain has finally stopped!"

"Training can continue!"

There was a joy from the Princes and Princesses who were already waiting in the Imperial hall with their swords ready in their hands. Someone's tall body stepped in after cheers sounded from the Hall, the practice clothes that fit his body add a dashing, bold impression.

"I just realized Prince Clovis is handsome."

"I agree, especially the black hair that adds a firm impression."

"Wait wait, not only that, his jawline looks firm too!"

Whispers from the Princesses who were admiring the face of Clovis standing in the center of the Hall.

"All right, Prince and Princess, according to today's agenda, then the sword practice is back on," he said tapping his sword on the floor.

After that, the guards gave directions to the Princes and Princesses so they wouldn't take the wrong road to the field. But behind that, there was someone who walked slower than the others. A girl with braided gray hair, and a black sword hooked to her waist belt.

"Elie."

The girl smiled after the voice she was waiting for finally called her name. Elie's face turned back, saw a man running towards her with flying hair.

"Be careful, Prince Clovis," she said telling.

But the man she paid attention to only showed an innocent smile without knowing what she was saying.

He's like a child, Elie thought.

After the man's body walked beside her, then Elie brought her body closer to Clovis who suddenly became silent.

"Wouldn't it be dangerous if someone saw us walking together, Prince?" Elie glanced at the man's face beside her.

But she was taken aback when she saw Clovis's right ear turning red, for some reason what made the man's ear turn red?

"Are you in pain, Prince Clovis?" Elie asked concerned.

Clovis shook his head, he gulped down his spit roughly. "I don't know why every time I'm with you, it feels like my heart is going to run away from its place."

Instantly a chuckle left Elie's lips after hearing Clovis' excuse.

"You're so cute," Elie said as she winked.

"Elie!"

The sound of shouting from the front row made Elie stutter, then she ran after hearing Zavei calling her.

"I will go first, Prince Clovis," Elie ran with a slight turn of her head.

On the other hand, there was Clovis who froze in place with a gaze fixed on the back of the girl who had winked at him earlier. His fingers lifted, running into his dark mane. Roughly, Clovis ruffled his hair.

"Haihh..." He sighed.

His long fingers descended to his eye area, blocking his view. Then he peeked through his fingers, suppressing a smile.

"Does she realize doing that could make my heart stop?" He complained while shaking his head.

It's been a month since my return, so it's worrisome.

Then he chose to walk back and watched the movements of the group walking not far ahead. His tall body passed through the pillars of the hall, feeling the cool air against his skin.

Seeing the liveliness of the Princes and Princesses who had already run to the field, made him unable to hold back his smile any longer.

"Look at them, like a child." He quickened his pace, not wanting to keep his students waiting.

Clovis walked to the center of the field, turning his body towards the line of Princes and Princesses who were already parallel.

Clovis pulled out his sword, "Alright, the lesson this time is sword fighting." His gaze fell on the green group on his right.

"Green flag, please step forward."

After the group's name was announced, the green group led by Prince Rydert advanced according to Clovis' directions.

Clovis glanced at Rydert's face, "We meet again, Prince Rydert." Smile at the end.

But according to Rydert, Clovis's smile was like someone who wants to eat his prey. Then Rydert took a position slightly away from Clovis, even the man looked at the Emperor's son warily.

"What if we choose one more group to fight against the green group, is anyone interested?"

There was a moment of silence, but from his left, the line he had previously wanted to avoid. But in reality, the brave face of the girl who stood at the forefront made his decision change.

"It seems that the yellow group wants to advance?" Clovis stared intently at the girl's face.

"We will be the opponents of the green group, Prince Clovis."

Seeing the confidence radiating from the girl's amber eyes, made him sigh.

"Please come forward." And now the two groups are facing each other, according to the wish of the yellow group who wants to be against the green group.

"The stakes in this match, whoever can take down the opponent will be deemed the winner."

Then Clovis' face turned to the yellow group leader. "And those who fall will be declared defeated."

Meanwhile, the leader of the yellow group, Elie, only gave Clovis an encouraging smile.

What was her mind really on? Clovis thought, his fist clenching against his sword hilt.

"I will ask both leaders to fight fairly, without hurting the other." Clovis' warning.

"Yes, Prince." Elie and Rydert replied.

Clovis took a step back, as did the two groups surrounding the field. The sword held by Clovis was raised high, then lowered straight down quickly.

"The battle begins!"

After hearing Clovis' voice that signaled the start of the match, Elie and Rydert looked at each other with burning eyes.

Is he waiting for me to attack first? Elie thought.

Why is this girl still following my steps? Thought Rydert.

While around the field already heard cheers for them. Along with cheers, Elie and Rydert drew swords at each other.

"Prince Rydert!"

"Princess Elie!"

Taking the opportunity that came his way, Rydert took a step forward with his sword aimed at Elie's right. Seeing Rydert's body getting closer to her, Elie took a step back with her sword which had already parried Rydert's sword.

"You noticed it, Princess Elie." Said Rydert with a sweet smile.

Elie chuckled, "Am I?"

Without waiting long, Elie countered by pointing her sword at the man's thigh area. Her sword barely managed to touch Rydert's belt, but that man was much faster than Elie.

"Gotcha."

Rydert hit Elie's sword, fortunately, the girl gripped the hilt tightly, otherwise, the sword would have been thrown.

"Not yet."

Elie drew her sword again from near Rydert, then her focus shifted to Rydert's hands. Watching with focus, Elie found her way.

He is left handed. Elie thought.

After coming up with an idea, Elie stepped back and moved to the left of Rydert's body. But the man who was taller than her hadn't noticed her movement yet, because Rydert's steps kept moving away from Elie. But seeing that opportunity, Elie tightened her fingers on her sword hilt.

"I'll go first."

Elie strikes her sword into Rydert's right hand. Quickly, Rydert shifted his sword into his right hand. But that idea was what Elie thought of, the girl pushed hard her sword into Rydert's sword that was already pointed at her.

Not having time to move his sword back, Rydert's body staggered backward, with his blade being parried.

How come? Rydert thought.

!

"Prince Rydert!"

...

Elie stared at the man's closed eyelids beneath her. With a proud smile, Elie tapped her sword against Rydert's neck.

"See the result," Elie whispered.

But at the same time, her body was pulled from the side, and she thought who can lift her body?

"Eh??" Elie swayed her feet.

"That's enough, you almost injured Prince Rydert."

Elie gasped at a deep voice very close to her ear.

"Prince Clovis?" Elie turned his head.

Clovis lowered Elie's body beside his body, then his gaze turned to Rydert who was staring blankly at the sky.

"Princess Elie is the winner!" Clovis raised Elie's left hand in the air.

Elie smiled proudly. "I didn't think I would win," she mumbled.