As the lesson ended and the instructor dismissed them, the six boys wandered to the academy gardens—an open-air courtyard with enchanted plants and soulstone paths.
"I hear your fiancée list keeps growing," Peter commented, leaning against a tree with his arms crossed.
Robert grinned. "Mermaid, vampire, orc, succubus, ogre… sounds like the start of a spicy ballad."
"They're not just names," Serenil said calmly. "They're people. Powerful ones. And… they chose me as much as I chose them."
Jon nodded. "A wise perspective. Emotions are a resource, Serenil. Don't waste theirs—or yours."
Ned crossed his arms. "Still, the political implications are vast. Five kingdoms bound to you… it's not a harem. It's a network of diplomacy."
Robert clapped his hands. "And if you ever tire of diplomacy, I'll take a few off your hands."
Serenil chuckled, surprising even himself.
In the shared laughter, the boys didn't feel like nobles, soldiers, or heirs. They felt like friends.
"I think we'll do great things together," Serenil said, staring up at the sky. "We'll change Faeloria—not just with swords or titles, but with trust."
Peter, Jon, Ned, and Robert exchanged glances… and smiled.
In that moment, the future pillars of the kingdom began their journey—not alone, but together.