.

A few moments later, Jylan was up in his pajamas beside Sebastian, rubbing his eyes as he noticed the pup lying unconscious on the floor. 

"I thought you meant that big 'un from earlier," Jylan sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Well, you didn't have ta' kill the little one!" 

"Who said it was dead? That little idiot knocked themself out cold," Sebastian commented, nudging the body with a foot.

Jylan kneeled, lifting the pup and observing it for any injuries. "It's a he, Sebas – my prince." 

Sebastian rolled his eyes. "Don't get too familiar," he demands, and when Jylan looks at him in confusion, he continues, "with me or that wolf. We're both going to be on our way by the time daylight comes." 

"Yes, I am most definitely letting a crown prince lurk on his own through the biggest forest in the world and trip over poison ivy before getting eaten by tigers. And yes, I will let a young pup who can't even walk properly and without his parents to guide him get torn apart by more tigers! Or a boar. Or a lion. Or a cheetah. Or a bear. Or a ca –" 

"Be quiet! I get it, I get it! Yeesh." 

Jylan grinned. Checkmate. Sebastian was right under his thumb, and the butler knew it. 

That reminded Sebastian of what he had done a few hours earlier, and his face turned red. "Uh – uhm –" 

"Do we both have a terrible habit of blushing at the wrong times?" Jylan asked. The smile played on his face. 

"Y - yeah,' Sebastian started. 

Jylan raised his eyebrows.

"ACTUALLY! No! I am the prince, and I never have terrible habits! I am perfect in every way, and no one can make me think or see otherwise," Sebastian changed his mind, though his mind was screaming a different answer. 

"Oh, yeah, one more thing. Are you really going to go to sleep covered in mud and twigs?" Jylan laughed. "A change of clothes is on top of the wardrobe. Napkins are beside them, and there's a tap somewhere up there that you can use to wash up. Good night." 

"YOU –"