Seri received word from William that Simon was going to visit for "personal reasons". She immediately rushed over to the Palace to speak to William. Seri had a serious expression, "What did he mean for personal reasons? Is he finally giving me back my sword?"

William sighed, "I have no idea. All I know is that it is a secret trip. He is coming here undercover. The only ones who know is me, you, him, and that one guy who is always around him." William added with a frown, "And most likely Millie… I wonder if she is in the walls again…"

​​

"No, she should be home watching my children." Seri nodded, "And that one guy is called Gilyn. By the way, that man is strong. Don't let him strangle you."

William looked at her in surprise, "S-Strangle?! Why would I let him do that?!"

Seri felt her throat, "No reason…"

They waited in disguise at the meeting place. William fidgeted, "Should I have called more Knights?! What if this is a trick?"

"Relax. If he tries anything I will use my womanly wiles and kill him with Millie's poison needle before he can do anything."

William looked Seri up and down, "Womanly wiles? You never wear a dress anymore. Plus, you never had womanly wiles even before that."

Seri pinched him, "Oi. Watch your mouth."

"Ow ow ow! Okay! Just stop!"

Seri let go. A few moments later, Simon and Gilyn appeared out of the shadows. Simon smiled eerily under his hood, "Seri… You look as beautiful as ever."

She rolled her eyes, "Shut up. Now, why are you here? Are you giving me my sword back?"

"Hmm?" Simon looked away with a slight smile, "I told you. I have no idea where your sword went."

"Liar."

Simon chuckled, "Actually, I am here for another reason."

He pushed a child in front of him. The young boy looked at Seri with a look of defiance. Seri's eyes twitched, "What the- Didn't you say you were going to end the child soldier thing!?"

The child clicked his tongue, "I am 14. I am not a child."

Simon chuckled lightly, "This is Cal. He is my disciple. He is also the Prince of the Sanki Kingdom. Since he is to inherit my position, the rebels have been targeting his life."

Seri crossed her arms, "And? Why should we care?"

Simon smiled at her, "I need to hide him, and since you are my only family…"

"No way." Seri declined immediately.

Simon continued, "How can you say no? Just allow Cal to attend the Academy with your children. Aren't we in-laws now?"

William turned to Seri in confusion, "Wait. I am lost. What does he mean by in-laws?"

Simon laughed at his confusion, "They didn't tell you? Wow. They really do like keeping you in the dark. Dante is my younger brother. His mother is my mother."

William's mouth dropped, "W-Wha…"

Simon nodded, "Why do you think I attended their wedding?"

William frowned, "Because you are sadistic and wanted to remind all of us that you killed my father."

Simon spoke in a sympathetic tone, "King William… I am not that cruel. It's true that I killed your father, but I am reflecting on that now. Now I am working hard to be your best ally."

He rolled his eyes, "I'm sure."

Seri stepped in, "Stop getting off track. Why would you think I would allow Cal to stay with me? Did you forget that you also stayed with that other family under the pretense of you wanting to get an education in the Imperial Kingdom?"

Simon looked at her with a serious expression, "That was different. They weren't actually family. However, you are my family now and I would never harm you. You must believe me on that."

Seri clicked her tongue, "Oh? Dante was your family and you fought with him. Your mother was your family and you killed her."

Simon opened his mouth but didn't speak. Gilyn stepped in, "Seri. To be honest, Cal just barely managed to survive a poisoning attempt."

Cal glared at him, "Gilyn! Don't tell her!"

Gilyn continued, "King Simon grew concerned. Due to the Rebels growing in strength, he has been too busy trying to squash their forces. Cal is the named Prince of the Sanki Kingdom and is being targeted as a result. We fear that he will not be safe if he were to stay."

Seri glanced at the child, "But won't that make my family a target? I can't put them in danger."

Simon spoke, "We won't say Cal is here. We will make them think he is locked up just as the Holy Empress had been. Plus, they would never think to look here with you. I have already spread the rumor that you and Dante were killed in the fight. Why do you think that the Rebels haven't targeted you so far?"

Seri looked at William who only shrugged. She turned back to Simon, "I'm sorry Simon. But I just can't trust you. After everything you have done, I don't think I can just help you out. Even if it is for an innocent child."

Simon's face grew dark. Cal spoke up, "Master. It's fine. I don't want to go live with her either. I want to stay with you. I don't care who tries to take my life. I don't want to live in a place where I don't know anyone and don't look like the people. I will stick out and be targeted."

Simon spoke firmly, "Cal. I said you didn't have a choice in the matter. I won't allow you to get hurt."

William muttered, "Are you sure it's not a father-son relationship?"

Cal noticed Simon's determination and knew he couldn't convince him otherwise. Truthfully, he was worried to stay somewhere without Simon. However, Simon seemed to trust his half-brother and his in-law. It was probably better here than anywhere else.

Cal let out a sigh, "I am disappointed… I was excited to come live with Seri. Especially after you told me how smart she was. I thought for sure I would be able to get a good education here."

Seri's face twitched at Cal's statement.

Cal continued glancing at her face, "However, she doesn't seem as smart as you said. Nor does she seem as caring. Maybe I would be better off staying with someone who was smart enough to know we weren't tricking them."

Seri spoke quickly, "Oi! I'm smart! I'm very smart!"

William sighed and shook his head, "Seri… Are you really going to fall for this again?"

Cal crossed his arms, "You don't seem too bright to me. I doubt I could learn anything from you. Simon said you were good at math but seeing you now I really doubt it."

Seri jumped forward, "I am great at math! Just you wait and see! I will show you just how incredible and smart I am! By the time I finish, you will be singing my praises!"

Simon's eyes lit up, "That means?"

Seri nodded, "I will take the child in and allow him to attend the Academy. We can say he is Dante's nephew. No one will dare look too much into the child since he is staying with us."

Simon grinned, "That's wonderful! Oh! And don't worry about the cost. I will compensate you handsomely for your help."

Seri's eyes flashed at the thought of money, "Yes! Of course, I must be compensated for being so generous."

William smacked his forehead, "Ugh… Why is your greed stronger than your rationality?"

Seri took Cal back with her who was in desperate need of a bath. It seemed like they ran out in the middle of the night and didn't stop until they arrived. The child smelled, was hungry, and was in need of newer clothes. While Seri was getting the child's stuff ready, Cal went to take a bath.

Luther ran through the house in a panic, "Aah! What is Mother doing home so early?! She's going to kill me when she hears I have been neglecting my studies today!!! I need to hide!"

He ran until he saw the bath. A wicked grin spread across his face, "Hehe. She won't think to look in here."

Luther rushed in and shut the door behind him quietly. He turned and slowly walked into the room before freezing. Cal froze after just having been gotten out of the tub. His naked body was fully in view. Luther's eyes gradually lowered.

Then raised back up.

Then lowered again.

Cal frowned at his shocked expression and slowly strolled forward. Luther continued to stare slack-jawed as Cal stopped directly in front of him. Cal spoke in a spiteful tone, "What? See something strange?"

"B-Boobs!"

Cal flinched, "What?"

Luther snapped out of his stupor and looked back at Cal who glared at him. Luther's face turned bright red, "AAAAAH!"

He suddenly screamed and ran out of the bathroom leaving behind a confused Cal. Once he ran away, he stopped to put his hand over his heart. He could feel his heart beating wildly. As he recounted Cal's face, his face turned red. He noticed his mother walking over and bounced to her with a flushed expression.

"Mother! I saw boobs!"

Seri flinched, "W-What?!"

Luther giggled, "They were so amazing… Ah… And that face wasn't bad either."

Seri sighed, "Luther. What are you talking about?"

He looked at her with a firm expression, "Mother. I saw a naked girl. I think I must take responsibility now."

Seri's face twitched, "What?!"

Luther held his face as he blushed, "Ah… I should ask her to marry me now that I've seen her… Is this what love at first sight means?"

Seri ignored his blubbering and looked up, "Ah, Cal. I see those clothes fit you."

Luther turned to see Cal walking over wearing pants. His chest was bound under the clothes and he looked androgenous. Luther didn't find it strange that Cal was dressed like this. Both his sister and his mother were always wearing pants.

Luther pointed, "Boobs!"

Cal flinched, "You."

Seri frowned, "Luther. What did you do?"

"Mother! Who is this person?"

"This is Cal. He is going to be staying with us while he attends the Academy."

Luther frowned, "He? No. It's a she."

Cal spat angrily, "I am not a she! I am a boy! A BOY!"

Luther tilted his head in confusion, "But I saw you naked. You aren't a boy."

Cal grinded his teeth feeling aggrieved and shouted, "No! I am a boy! I may not have a boy's body, but I still am a boy! I am!!!"

Seri caught on immediately and bent down to speak to Luther, "Luther, dear. Some people are just born in the wrong body. If he says he is a boy, then he is a boy. Okay?"

"Oooh. Okay. I understand then." Luther turned to Cal who looked surprised to hear them understand without judging him. Luther spoke bashfully, "But… I still want to…"

Cal tilted his head, "Huh? Want to what?"

Luther flinched and grabbed his head in a panic, "AAAAH!"

Seri and Cal watched as Luther ran out of the room screaming in a panic. He ran to Millie, "Aunty Millie! I need help!"

Millie blinked in surprise, "What is it?"

He looked at her with a serious expression, "How do I get someone to like me romantically?"

Millie broke out into laughter, "Luther. Why are you asking me? Shouldn't you ask your father? He was the one who married your mother. I am still single."

Luther shook his head, "No. I can't ask him. Mother is a weirdo. I'm not trying to get a weirdo to like me. This person is amazing and so perfect as if they were created by the gods."

Millie held her mouth trying not to laugh too loudly, "Oh… Luther… Don't repeat that around your mother."

His multicolored eyes sparkled, "So? What can I do?"

Millie tapped her chin, "Hm… I guess you should just follow them around without them knowing. You know, to protect them. If anyone tries to mess with them, you ought to kill that person."

Luther nodded, "Ah! I see!"

Luther began to stalk Cal and watch him from the distance. He soon felt himself falling more in love with Cal the more he watched him. Cal was extremely talented at the sword and was smart as well. He struggled in math, but he could beat any person in chess.

Anyone who tried to bully Cal for not being a local soon stopped. Cal thought it was strange that one of the people who had bullied him was suddenly running away from him. Cal didn't care enough to listen to the rumors surrounding him, but it had seemed that Luther had destroyed that person's reputation.

Cal couldn't see that he was being stalked, but he could feel it. He began to get creeped out. He spoke to Seri about it who immediately went to Luther and pinched his ear, "Oi! Luther! Stop stalking Cal. You are making him paranoid."

"UGH! Okay! I won't! I will stop! I will stop!"

Since Millie's advice didn't work, Luther went to Artie. If Artie could get a boy to like him, couldn't he tell Luther how to get a boy to like him as well?

"Uncle Artie! How do I get someone to like me romantically?"

Artie smiled gently, "Make them something nice."

"Then… Can you help me make them something?"

Artie agreed to help. Unfortunately… Luther had his mother's skill at making things. The sword accessory he tried to create looked like a cat ate yarn and coughed it up. He left it at Cal's bedside dresser. Once Cal found it, he was certain someone was trying to curse him.

So, even this attempt failed.

Next, Luther went to Mary. He sighed, "Queen Mary… How do you get someone to like you?"

Mary thought for a moment, "Hmm… Make them something tasty? They say the way into someone's heart is through their stomach."

"Of course! Then I shall make some cookies!"

*BOOOOOOM*

After setting the kitchen on fire, Luther was banned from entering it again.

He groaned on the ground as Anais did her sword lesson. Anais walked over to him and sat down, "What's wrong?"

Luther turned to her with a pitiful expression, "Sister… My uh. My friend has a crush on someone. However, they don't know how to get that person to like them back."

"Your friend? You don't have friends."

Luther frowned, "Sister."

She looked away expressionlessly. In the distance, she could see Cal practicing. She spoke, "I like Cal. He is excellent at the sword. I think he is the first person I can spar with while not having to go easy on them."

"Why are you so obsessed with sword training?! AH! No! I mean, why did you bring up Cal? I'm talking about my friend. I didn't mention Cal!"

Anais turned back to him, "Just have that friend declare to be that person's personal Knight. Being by their side all day is bound to get them to like your friend back. It worked for me."

Luther sat up, "Ugh! I can't do that! Cal is like 200 times stronger than me! That's like me coming to you and saying I will become your knight!"

Anais tilted her head, "So you were talking about you and Cal."

"Urk." Luther jumped up, "Noo! I wasn't!"

Luther ran away in embarrassment. Anais shrugged and returned to practice with Cal as Merigold watched while she drooled. Luther strolled in the Academy with a somber expression. No one had helpful advice for him yet. With his head turned down, he smacked into another person.

"Oi! Watch where you're going!"

"Eh? Luther?"

Luther looked up to see Joel, "Oh. Hello Uncle Joel."

"Headmaster Joel." Joel corrected with a grin. He asked, "Why do you look so defeated?"

Luther sighed, "I want someone to like me and I've tried everything. However, this person still doesn't like me back. I don't know what to do. Everyone I have asked has only given me terrible advice."

Joel chuckled, "If you want someone to like you, just be genuine."

Luther turned his head up in surprise, "Huh? Genuine?"

Joel gave a nod, "Yes. Just be yourself and be open with them. Even though it may hurt, you should be vulnerable with them. Tell them you like them. Don't try to hide it from them. They may reject you, but they may also accept you as well."

Luther rubbed his chin deep in thought, "Be… Myself?"

A malicious grin spread across Luther's face. Joel thought that smile was too similar to Seri's and grew a bit concerned. Evil laughter escaped as Luther grinned with evil intentions, "Just you wait, Cal. You WILL be mine."