Infuriated by his inability to spend time with the (h/c) haired girl, Kazuki resigned himself to waiting until she was free. Truth be told, being told that the younger girl was "vigorously engaged" with Rei threw a giant wrench in his day. He had been happy up until that point and enthusiastic about what she would say about the effort he put into his appearance. After being dismissed by one of the king's guards, he stormed away in an attempt to cool himself down.

The only thing he could think to do was enjoy his hobby of painting. However, it had been so long since he had done it and he had lost confidence in his ability. If he were to start it, no doubt it would end up an abomination of all of his hate and rage. Focus was necessary to paint professionally, but he likely would have snapped the paintbrush if something didn't go exactly his way.

Unable to cope with his rage with a relaxing hobby, he decided to do something more energy-exerting. It had been quite some time since he had been to the sparring ring. When he was younger, it was essential to practice and brush up on sword skills as a royal heir to the throne. Sons of the crown were strictly trained in both attacking and defending and in numerous different regional Vethelan styles.

Looking back on it, Kazuki was rather stressed with all of the practice, but now that he was liberated from the throne, he wasn't forced into it. Rather, it became something he could unleash his rage with. As he arrived at the sparring grounds, he picked up the wooden training sword. He was much bigger than he was as a child, having his body be matured in a rather alluring manner. Due to the fact he was more tall and muscular, he required a bigger and weightier sword.

"Zuki," a surprised voice called, "It's been a while since you've been here."

The blonde turned to see a young man he knew very well. He was not surprised that Presley was walking around the castle. It was one of his duties as chief of staff in order to assure servants were not slacking off. The male gave a joyful grin to the royal, bowing respectfully with his hand placed to his heart. His loyalty was astounding.

"Come to blow off some steam? In that case, allow me to make myself useful to you. You need a partner, no?"

Kazuki nodded his head. That being said, he wasn't entirely certain if the match was fair. While the blonde had been trained from a young age and placed under the pressure of living up to his family's lineage, Presley had been a previous king's guard. He was prominent and highly skilled in his field of work, incredibly honest, hard-working, and devoted to the royal family. As such, he was almost unbeatable with a sword.

"Please go on easy on me," the blonde sighed.

"Whatever are you talking about, your highness? Your skill is not something to laugh at. I believe you to be rather impressive."

The blonde gave an amused sigh. He was still in a foul mood, but he didn't mind the fact that the male flattered him. After not being able to hear the (h/c) haired girl's compliments, it was a relief to hear someone else boosting his confidence even if it wasn't as effective. He gave a faint smile that was hardly noticeable, but it was there nonetheless. It lightened not only Kazuki's mood but Presley's as well.

The other male picked up a wooden sword from the weapon rack, giving another bow to show he meant well. The blonde reciprocated the action, readying his stance for their sparring match. Of course, the moment their bout began, Kazuki was no match for the older man, being continually forced to defend without an opening in which to strike. He furrowed his eyebrows, dodging the male's powerful attacks just barely.

"You're still quite agile, highness."

"Hearing that from you feels patronizing," the blonde chuckled.

Presley continued to give the younger male a workout, giving little tips on his stance and adjusting him. He acted like a parent, always ensuring that the royal family was able to be their best selves. It was a refreshing attitude to be around, especially because, out of all of the deceptive people in the world, he was one the royal family could always count on to remain loyal and dedicated. He would gladly give his life for them. In fact, it would be his highest honor.

Sooner or later, Kazuki fell on the ground, breathing heavily at the exercise. It wasn't that he was out of shape. It was just that, in comparison to Presley, everyone looked like sloths. His dexterity and strength were unparalleled even for the royal family. Letting out a small chuckle, the man picked up the wooden sword the blonde had dropped and placed both it and his own back on the weapon rack. He then continued to wet a towel with ice water, presenting it to the blonde in a respectful manner.

"Whatever is bothering you, highness?" the older male asked, giving a concerned expression, "Might I assist?"

"So formal."

"Why, what a coincidence. I was about to say the same about you."

The two males exchanged chuckles at the other's stubborn nature as well as their proper dialects. It had been as such since they were just children, and it appeared as though it would never change. However, that was fine by them. They relished in the other's presence and posed a great challenge to the other, both worthy of high ranks in their country even if one was born into the position.

"It's lovely to see you in good spirits again," Presley beamed, "I haven't seen you like this for...Well, for years at this point. I don't suppose you'll share the reasoning with me?"

"It's really quite embarrassing. You wouldn't want to hear about it."

"Come now, highness. I have always taken an interest in your life."

The blonde blushed, looking to the side with an uncertain expression. Of course, the older male was very much attached to the royal family, always ensuring their utter comfort. It was just that they had been lacking in any sort of communication. Perhaps he would have to blame the overwhelming duties of being chief of staff for that, but it didn't feel right. To just waltz back into the castle as if nothing had ever happened...It was almost insulting.

"I haven't reciprocated for the longest time," he hummed, looking over at the other male to see him repositioning his long coral hair into a ponytail, "Are you doing well?"

"How rare. I am flattered, truly, but I have nothing to report. Aside from yours and Ichi's departure, things are the same as they always are. I am satisfied."

Kazuki gave another uncertain look, directed at the other male who seemed oblivious to his own feelings. It wouldn't surprise the younger male if he was pushing his feelings away in favor of continuing life as normal. In fact, that had to be what he was doing. Abnormal though it wasn't, it still never ceased to make the blonde highly disappointed in him. Exhibiting his own negative emotions was the only thing that Presley couldn't do.

"You say that, but Orion's death must have killed you inside."

"Of course it did," the coral-haired male sighed, a sudden onset of guilt flooding through his veins, "but we all knew he wasn't going to last long. I should be glad he was able to live for sixteen wholesome years and it isn't like he didn't leave anything behind."

The male gave a shy smile to the blonde, prompting the younger male to avert his eyes. He knew what he meant, but he wasn't certain if he wanted to even try. Even if there was not nearly as much rage as he had previously possessed, his skill could still be called into question. Further still, if he were to somehow fail in the endeavor, he doubted he could ever attempt to action again.

"He left wishes," Presley smiled somberly, "I want to carry them out until I join him again in Ezdia's eternal garden. Zuki, please paint again. You inspired him. He loved watching you create, and I'm certain (Y/n) would be awed as well."

The blonde gave a surprised look, an embarrassed and flustered blush spreading from one cheek to the other. The bridge of pink that coated his features prompted the older male to chuckle quietly to himself. It was such an unusual thing for the blonde to do, especially after Moriko had ceased to be. Truth be told, it lightened the coral-haired male's heart to see him so invigorated with life again.

"Whatever do you mean?" the blonde blushed, his words almost stuttering if not for his determined wish to hide his feelings.

"I had never imagined his highness to be so childish. Now, now, you expect to hide something so obvious from me of all people? I'm offended, truly. You follow her around the castle like she'll disappear if you're not there."

"W-Well, she might."

Presley hummed in amusement, almost smirking at the natural lack of confidence the blonde held. It didn't matter if he solved world hunger. He would almost always think of himself as a tool that needed to be used else he was no better than a scrap of metal. Of course, the truth was very far from such an idea, but he never accepted it. The older male had believed if the male met the right person, he would see such a thing was ridiculous. It seemed his wish had come true, the blonde being just slightly more proud of himself.

"She must have done something quite severe for you to cave in already. I thought it was near impossible, but here you are with a silly little grin on your face. What happened to that little 'gear' idea you had of yourself? No one could break that off of you."

"Well...," the blonde blushed, resting against the marble pillar behind him, "She said I wasn't the gear to the clock."

"Mm, Moriko, huh? I remember us having a lengthy conversation about that. Something about when her time would run out, she would take all of yours with her. I have a feeling that you hurt (Y/n) for saying that. You didn't, did you?"

"No, of course not. I-I thought about it, but then she said the most beautiful thing," the younger male sighed, his eyes sparkling with reminiscence and sheer adoration, "She said I was a music box. That I would sing for someone who had the key...and now it's hers."

The coral-haired male gave a relieved smile at the younger male. It seemed he had finally found out he didn't have to force himself into that clock because he never truly belonged there. Hiding in a shell of gold and velvet, he locked himself away from the rest of the world with the shining gold that made up his heart. There had used to be countless keys that opened that hidden haven, but they had all been lost in death and betrayal, leaving only partial keys to litter the landscape.

However, the (h/c) haired girl had seen that shell of his and the lock that prohibited her from hearing the sweet song inside. And that beautiful mind of hers constructed a key that was all her own with nothing but words. They spoke to him and broke the seal on the box, opening it and revealing a desolate and empty space with a broken centerpiece. Somehow and someway, she fixed that centerpiece and took him through his own paradise, placing a priceless treasure in that music box for every memory made.

"But she's going to be married to Rei, and he'll never let me see her. I'll end up losing her like I did Moriko."

"Then you'll just have to prove you're better for her," Presley smiled, pulling the blonde off of the ground and leading him through the hallways, "I won't forgive you if you just give up, highness! And neither will you!"

The younger male continued to be dragged to the coral-haired male's room. At that point, he began piling up all kinds of things from the closet. They had previously been untouched since the blonde had left, but it was time to bring them out again. Yes, if the male was inspired by his feelings, he needed to express them. His brothers certainly got the hint. Rei had his cooking and music, Ichiro had his sewing and designing, but Kazuki had the gift of beauty. It wasn't simply him that was alluring, but the soul he infused his creations with. The songs and paintings he made prompted others to weep or smile as if they were part of the creation.

"Come now," the older male chuckled, walking through the halls to set up the easel in the blonde's room, "Paint something for her, Zuki. I shall fetch her."

"You have never been one to pick favorites," Kazuki hummed, narrowing his eyes, "Why now? Especially when Rei is your king."

"(Y/n) was quite close with Orion. I've no doubt he would have wanted her to be with the one that would make her the happiest. From my observation, between the three of you, I find you to be most compatible with her. You are perfect to a fault, highness."

The coral-haired male had said something that was quite akin to him. He was always worrying about the royals, never stopping to think about himself. It wasn't as if he neglected himself for it, knowing he had to be at his best state of mind and body to serve them with all of his being. He just put too much care into what they thought or wanted. A lot of the time it took a large toll on him. The face he was wearing very much portrayed that fact.

"What else is on your mind? I'd wager it has something to do with Orion, too."

The older male gave a large sigh, throwing his head back. The small smile on his features appeared somewhat somber in nature, but reminiscent. It would have been rare if he ever frowned in the presence of a royal. It seemed all he did when they were around was smile, bow, and listen unconditionally. As such, the blonde couldn't tell whether or not he was content or not. It was a conundrum.

"Do you think...," he paused, shaking his head as if it were impossible, "in another life, Orion would have been with (Y/n)?"

"Were they that close? I didn't know."

"Mm, he left her the royal jewels in his will."

Kazuki's eyes shrank. To give someone, especially a foreigner, the royal jewels was a symbol of great trust, and could have been thought of as blasphemous. They were passed down from generation to generation from ancient times, and while they were no longer natural and had been refined and polished to appear perfect, they were still held in Ezdia's hands all the same. Some said they were imbued with magic.

"I think," Presley hummed, chuckling somberly, "I think it was his wish for her to marry into the royal family. I don't know if he supported her relationship with Rei nor do I know if he was aware she was definitely your type. But he must have wanted her to be treated with great consideration."

There was silence for a time, especially as the older male kept spiraling deeper into his thoughts and his relationship with the orange-haired boy. Honoring his last wishes was what held him together. Even if Kazuki was still there with him, he had been helping to raise the boy since he was born, becoming a secondary father figure to him. Losing such great love would have inflicted such great pain.

"I don't know. I probably look like an idiot to him. He's watching us from paradise with disappointment. I want to know he experienced love at least once in his life. If anyone, it would have been her. It was the highlight of his day when she walked with him in the garden, after all..."

"Maybe you should focus your efforts on doing what you do know he wanted. But you should also know that Orion loved you very much, so take care of yourself for him. I think if you did that, he would be content."

"Yes, you're right. Then, after you paint again, I'll take a vacation to the spring home. I'll take care of the flowers he loved and pay my respects to the sacred mountain there."

"Sounds great," the blonde smiled gently.