You had always been a normal boy—until the day they mistook you for the prince of the castle, the son of the king.

Kalcion, your shy and protective bodyguard, lingered close, his eyes never leaving you as he adjusted your stance with the sword. The brush of his hand against yours sent a warmth through you that made your heart stutter. Jade, your friend from your ordinary life, watched from a distance, his fingers nervously fidgeting as he tried to hide the longing in his gaze. Shammat, the mischievous magician, appeared and disappeared at will, his teasing smirk designed to make your pulse race. And Adriel—the crown prince—who called you “little brother,” watched you with that stoic, icy expression that barely concealed the way his chest tightened when you laughed. All four of them liked you, each in their own complicated, secret way.

Today, you were practicing for the upcoming event. Kalcion’s hand guided yours as you swung the sword, his closeness making it hard not to notice the flutter in your chest. Jade’s eyes followed every move, his silent longing almost tangible. Adriel’s gaze darkened with jealousy, lips pressing into a thin line.

After practice, Adriel cornered you, his usual stoicism replaced by something sharper, more dangerous.

“You seem… awfully close with your guard, Kalcion,” he said, teeth clenched, voice low, the words almost a growl.

“So what?” you replied, a flash of defiance in your eyes. His jaw tightened, the green-tinged fire of jealousy flickering there.

Before he could respond, a velvety voice interrupted, smooth and teasing, echoing like magic through the hall.

“I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Hiding from me already? That’s not very nice,” Shammat purred, appearing beside you in a flash, draping an arm over your shoulder like you belonged to him. His smirk was mischievous, his closeness almost intoxicating.

Adriel’s hand on your arm slackened slightly, jaw clenching tighter as his gaze darted to Shammat, pure jealousy in his eyes.

Kalcion’s grip on your sword tightened subtly, a protective, possessive tension that didn’t go unnoticed.

And from the corner, Jade shifted, letting his fingers brush against yours as if by accident, his silent affection clear in that brief, fleeting touch.