Smiles And Even More Smiles

Before Cyrus could open his mouth and explain the whole 'slap for a greeting' trend happening in the North, he was caught off guard by the crown prince's laughter. Unexpectedly, he didn't gawk at Cyrus nor did he look offended, in fact he looked extremely happy for some reason.

The four of them–including the third prince looked weirdly at crown prince who was now wheezing and clutching his stomach, struggling to catch his breath.

'Is he some kind of masochist? He looked really happy when he got slapped.'

Fortunately, no one replied to Derick's question, though it would be a lie if Cyrus said that he didn't have the same thought. He tried not to stare too long, but it took some time before the crown prince finally calmed down. By the end of it, the heir to the throne was kneeling on the ground, cluthing his stomach with one hand while he wiped a tear with the other.

'This one is strange too.' And here he thought–based on the first impression, that the prince was the mature, serious type. Well, the saying was really true...never judge a book by it's cover. He took a new appreciation to that quote, considering that he got hit by a romance novel that dictates his death.

Cyrus watched as the crown prince stood up and dusted off his clothes. He looked so casual doing it that he had to go and turn his head to look at Yuno and Derick, just to check that he wasn't hallucinating the same person laughing like a madman earlier. Luckily, they seem to bear the same thoughts as him judging by the clear disbelief in their expressions.

"I'm deeply sorry about that. I've shown you something unsightly." The crown prince gave them an apologetic bow and Cyrus took a minute to register what was happening before quickly dissuading the prince.

"No need your highness, in fact it's me who should be apo‐" This time, Cyrus's apology was cut short by the crown prince's index finger pressed against his lips. Before he can register what's happening, his body seems to move on it's own again as it attempted to slap the crown prince's hand for the second time.

The crown prince as if sensing another slap coming his way, hurriedly dodge, a light chuckle escaping his lips. Cyrus for his part looked absolutely horrified, slapping the third prince's hand was one thing, slapping the heir to the throne was another. So when he saw the crown prince dodging effortlessly, he was beyond relieved. A sigh of relief left his–SLAP

...

"I'm deeply sorry about this. It seems...that I couldn't contain my...excitement. If it makes you feel any better, you can slap me in return. Three time, four, as much as you want even."

The crown prince paused, seeing the General looking as if he disgraced his ancestors, he couldn't help but let out a heartfelt laugh. "Hahahaha there's no need to go that far General. Besides it doesn't even hurt that much." Though Cyrus feels guilty–he can't help but think that the other was really a masochist.

'This guy is bad at lying.'

'I second that.'

'The two of you...'

Cyrus looked at the patch of red on the prince's cheek. It seems that he made a mistake, turns out his hand wasn't aiming for the crown prince's hand. It was aiming for his face from the very start– a realization he realized too late.

"But, still I–"

"I told you it's fine," the prince interrupted, waving off the apology with a grin. "Really. No need to feel guilty, especially since it's not your fault."

'Huh?' Cyrus blinked, but before he could ask what the prince meant by that, the crown prince's attention had already shifted toward his younger brother.

"Sorry Liam. It seems that your little trip got interrupted by me."

Liam, who had been silently observing the scene, forced a smile, though his eyes darkened briefly. "No, not at all," he replied, his voice measured. "I'm just glad you're alright now."

"Haha, what a sweet little brother I have," The crown prince teased, ruffling Liam's hair with deliberate affection. From the corner, Cyrus could have swore that he saw the third prince roll his eyes. "How about you continue your trip? It'd be a shame if all the preparations you and father made went to waste."

Liam's smile faltered for a second, but he quickly recovered. "No, how could I leave when you're in this state?

The crown prince snorted, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. "You act like the slap's life-threatening. It's just a little scratch. Besides, I've already been slapped by plenty of ladies and omegas before." He winked at Yuno and Cyrus had to calm the other down before he can possibly lunge forward and grab the other by the throat.

'Yuno, no, please no. Just this once!'

'Yuno skin him! Cut his neck! Kill!'

'Derick you aren't helping.'

'He mistook you for a girl, let's kill him! We can't let him get away just because he's a prince!'

'Yuno don't listen to him. Don't do anything rash!'

While the two went back and forth persuading Yuno to commit and not to commit murder, the man in question stood motionless, his gaze locked onto the crown prince. His eyes narrowed dangerously at the prince before his lips curled into a sneer, a low, almost inaudible "tsk" escaping him. For a moment, it seemed like he might lunge forward, but instead, he turned sharply on his heel as he stormed towards the door instead.

Cyrus sighed in relief while Derick excused himself and followed the other.

"Oh, it seems your friends already left," The crown prince noted, not bothering to hide the amusement in his voice. "Well, don't dwell on it. Off you go, off you go. Continue your trip." He made a shooing motion toward Cyrus, who opened his mouth to protest, but the third prince was faster.

Liam's smile remained tight as he spoke, the forced politeness evident in his voice."Sigh... If brother insists. General, let's get going. Sir Yuno and Sir Derick must be waiting outside."

Cyrus wanted to protest, but knowing that he didn't have a choice he just gave a small nod instead, his body stiff as he followed Liam towards the door. He could feel the crown prince's gaze boring into the back of his head, which was quite unsettling–especially that smile. 'It's similar to him.'

Before stepping out, Cyrus cast a quick glance over his shoulder. The crown prince was watching them, an unreadable expression on his face, though his smile remained firmly in place.

"Safe travels, General," The crown prince called out, voice sweet as honey, but his eyes flicked over to his brother. "And, dear Liam... do take care. I'd hate for you to trip and fall on your way."

Liam's jaw tightened, but his lips remained curved in a perfect, polite smile. "Thank you, brother. You should also take care of yourself."

Cyrus couldn't help but feel the venom beneath those words. It seems that the tension he saw earlier wasn't just some sort of weird feeling. As the door to the prince's private quarter's closed, Cyrus lamented the fact that he's now left alone with the third prince Liam, the same guy that got him killed on the book.

The third prince turned to him, a bright smile on his face. Cyus resisted the urge to flinch. "Shall we get going General?"

Cyrus gulped, he nodded awkwardly and replied with a barely audible "mn."

.

.

.

"You know, you could have gone easy on me you bastard." The crown prince muttered once he were alone, his tone losing the fake politeness he used earlier. From the corner of the room, a man suddenly appeared. He sat by the windowsill peacefully, his long black hair loose as he wore his usual attire–his home clothes, as he liked to call them.

"The people from North are here."

"So?"

"Can't you dress more formal?"

"Their the visitors, why should I adjust?"

"..."

He had a book in one hand as he flipped through the next page with the other. "Walk it off. Aren't you an alpha?" The man responded without a glance, his attention fully on the book.

"What a bastard," Lyle muttered, rubbing his cheek dramatically. "Is that how you treat your only younger brother?"

"Yes, got any problem with that?"

"Awwww! It hurts!" Liam whined before his expression shifted into a mischievous grin. "Now that I think about it...the General seems willing to do anything to compensate. How about I ask him for a get well kiss–"

Without a missing a beat the man replied, a smile–the threatening kind, Lyle notes. "Do that and you're good as dead to me."

"HAHAHAHAHA" Lyle's laughter echoed throughout the room. "So it's true then! Oh my, our Licht is in love. Here I thought your sickness already turned your heart black!"

"You sure talk a lot. Didn't I order you to tail them. The heck are you lying in bed for?"

"Well, if someone didn't slap me in the face then I wouldn't be here". Lyle's grin widened and the smile on Licht's face twitched. "Oh, but I guess I can't blame you for that–I mean, even the handsomest man in the capital is threatened by my face."

"Just get out before I do something you'll regret."

"Why would I get out? This is my castle, remember?"

"You're quite lively today."

"Well, it's a wonderful day afterall. My demonic older brother is in love, how could I not be happy?"

"Get. Out."

Lyle paused, he looked at Licht's expression. His heartless older brother had a smile, a real deadly smile that can probably kill him any second. Still, the crown prince teased–jt's a one in a lifetime opportunity after all.

"Has the General finally brought the torch that would light up the prince's dark heart?"

Licht smiled as he tilted his head, and before Lyle could react, a black sphere was hurtling towards him. Luckily he managed to roll off the bed and dodged.

"HAHAHAHA oh my god. He did didn't he? HAHAHAHA." He could see the smile on his older brother's face slightly twitch–'no doubt he's embarrassed.'

"But jokes aside. How did you even met the General? He basically lives in the opposite corner of the world."

Of course his the bastard remined stern, he flashed a smile–the warning kind , Lyle notes."This is the your last chance. Get out. "

In any normal circumstances, Lyle would have shut up and increased his chance of survival. Unfortunately, he was too far gone, enjoying his brother's turmoil. "And he's also little Li's fiancé–how scandalous?!"

"That's it, I'm burning this godforsaken place." Suddenly, dark mana began to fluctuate in the air. It didn't take long for the crown prince to note that the bastard was really serious.

"W-Wait you demon!"

"You had your chance and now you lost it."

"Fine, fine I'll do it!" Lyle yelped, hands up in surrender. " Just put your hand down. Do you really want your brother, your only chess piece to die?"

"I have many pieces mind you." Licht said, voice cold as he still carried that same smile. "And besides a dead person is easier to control than a lively one."

"Aghh you psycho!" Before his castle and the entirety burn, Lyle made a break for it as he dashed off to the door–of course, yelling a few curses at his brother as well. Licht smiled at the other, amused. 'Always gets him.'

His gaze then moved to the window where the General and 'that bitch' was walking–of course, there was also Derick and Yuno following them, but he was set on staring the two that he couldn't care less.

'Sooner or later.' He thought, a vicious smirk forming on his pale lips.