Augustine rolled over on his side, his long, neatly braided blonde hair falling against his bare chest.

“Hey,” he said, “you think I could kill a wolf? Don’t you?”

Luca looked to him from the other side of the bed. “We just finished and that’s what you’re thinking about?”

Augustine propped himself up onto his elbows, cupping his face with his hands. “I’m just curious. You do think I could do it, don’t you?” Luca opened his mouth to respond but the crown prince could tell from his expression he was about to tell him whatever he wanted to hear. “Tell me honestly,” Augustine quickly added.

Luca sighed heavily. “Please don’t take this the wrong way my lord but...you aren’t really the killing sort.”

Augustine frowned. “Why do people think that? I’m sure I could kill if I wanted to.”

Luca’s expression didn’t change. “Well, if you pardon me saying this, you don’t seem like the kind of person who likes to get their hands dirty. Of course my lord, that’s not a bad thing-”

Augustine cut him off with a deep sigh. “You’re my eyes and ears Luca, is it true that the villagers truly believe that I, general of the Wolf Hunters, haven’t made a single kill on my own.”

Luca bowed his head, “that is indeed the consensus sir.”

“Shit,” Augustine muttered, rolling over onto his back.

Luca’s eyes widened at his reaction. “B-But everyone still things you’re an amazing leader!” He stammered. “They all know the Wolf Hunters wouldn’t be nearly as effective without you, their brave and dashing leader, to guide them-”

Augustine held up a hand, automatically silencing the manservant. “Luca, I already told you I want you to tell me the truth. Not what I want to hear.”

Luca bowed his head even lower. “I’m sorry sir.”

Augustine shook his head, slowly sitting back up. “Don’t apologize, I know you were just trying to make me feel better.” He offered him a small smile. “I really do appreciate that you made an effort.”

“If you don’t mind me asking sir...what exactly brought all of this on?”

Augustine ran a hand through his hair. “It’s Hansel, we got into a little bicker recently about the festival. I need to make sure he shows up before the Hunt and is at my side during all the festivities so it looks like he supports me. Everyone knows he’s the most powerful of the Wolf Hunters so if it seems like he’s endorsing me and my leadership the villagers will have no choice but to believe it as well.”

“A wise plan sire,” Luca said with a nod.

“And speaking of plans,” Augustine said, “how goes your attempt to get close to him? Did you get any new information?”

Luca shook his head. “I approached him like you asked while he was leaving the cathedral and we spoke then. I tried to find him again to get more information but he’s kept disappearing these last few days. I spoke to his sister this morning and she said he didn’t even come home last night.”

“So it’s as I thought, there’s definitely something suspicious going on with him. I began to suspect something was off when he started skipping out on training this past month, that’s something he’s never done before.” He leaned back against the pillow. “My brother thinks he has a new lover but I find it extremely unlikely he’ll ever move on after Ethan, especially during this time of year. Something else must be up.” He looked to Luca now, leaning forward. “Hansel is the single most important Wolf Hunter we have, the kid is practically a one man army. We can’t afford for anything to happen to him which is why it’s dire you keep a close eye on him until we can figure out what he’s up to.”

“Of course sire.”

Augustine offered him a small smile, ruffling the manservant’s hair. “Thank you, I don’t know what I would do without you Luca.”

Luca blushed slightly, slowly going to reach for his shirt that had been tossed carelessly over the side of the bed.

Augustine smirked. “What are you doing?”

Luca looked to him, his cheeks growing an even brighter shade of scarlet. “Getting dressed sir.”

Augustine shook his head. “Leave it off for a little longer.” He smirked, lacing his fingers together. “I’m enjoying the show.” He could see the blush spread to Luca’s ears and he chuckled under his breath. How the hell could a single manservant be so cute.

Luca turned to him now. “But my lord, surely you must want me to get back to work. I’m no use to you as a manservant if I simply lie around in bed all day.”

“But you just look so lovely, it takes everything in me to not simply keep you here forever.” Luca always wore a golden necklace with an emerald dangling from it, the same color as his eyes. Augustine grabbed it now, pulling Luca to him and into a kiss which the boy accepted hungrily. When they finally parted Augustine offered him a soft smile, brushing a stray strand of chestnut hair behind his ear.

“So Luca, you’re sure you didn’t hear or see anything else when speaking to Hansel that we should keep an eye on?”

Luca smiled at him, his gaze unwavering. “I’m positive my lord.”