Rather than snooping around inside Fayt’s room, Axel stood outside the door, his back leaning against the wall as he patiently waited. Given the details of their situation, the knight figured he’d lay a little off the teasing and flirting to keep the conversation at least semi-serious. To start off at least that is.

During the wait, a few maids would pass by, giggling and whispering while looking at the tall male over their shoulders. Even a few butlers roaming the halls stole a glance. Axel was a rather attractive young male. Taller than the average man, sparkling caramel skin, chocolate brown eyes, and a killer smile. It was no wonder he turned heads wherever he went.

However, in return, there was no one who grabbed his own attention much like that of his little prince. And speaking of the devil, there he was, making his way down the hallway.

Fayt, on the other hand, was quite a bit shorter than Axel. Pale skin seemingly untouched by the sun, golden wavy locks that could never seem to look the way he wanted. Bright blue eyes that to some were frigid and cold, yet to others were calm and steady. Sprinkled with a dazzling, yet rare smile, he was Axel’s ideal type.

As Fayt drew closer, Axel straightened up and gave him an obligatory bow. Without looking up, he knew that Fayt cringed at the sight of it and simply walked past. Opening his door, he pulled the knight inside.

“My, getting a little frisky, aren’t we? At least wine and dine with me before leading me to your room.” Axel wasn’t really one to keep promises he’d make to himself.

Shutting the door behind them, he heard the other groan in annoyance before making his way towards the nearest chair, parking his butt.

“What was it you wanted to talk about Axel?”

“This-” Before actually explaining, he held out his left hand and held it there until the other noticed what was different.

Blink.

Blink.

The knight could almost see the cogs spinning in the blond's brain as he processed what he saw.

“Wait… One of your petals is missing!” The prince gasped and leapt out of his chair, grabbing ahold of the taller man's shoulders. If smiles could kill, Fayt would become a murderer at that very moment.

Axel felt his heart beat a smidgen faster at that bright smile.

“Axel! This is wonderful news! That means… That means whatever happened earlier was one of the trials...your half of the trials. This is so sudden! I had no idea it really would activate today, nor that this even existed.” Fayt was beaming with happiness.

Axel found himself enjoying this little bit of contact between them so much he resisted the urge to make any smart comments and instead returned the grin. “I can’t fully tell you what to look out for in terms of these but...make sure to trust your gut, if you can, instead of thinking at the moment. Don’t do…” He couldn’t finish that sentence aloud. ‘...what I almost did.’ “Just don’t think too rashly.”

Surprisingly, Axel was the one to pull away first. He distanced himself, chuckling quietly at the other’s confused look. The expression soon turned into him brushing himself off and sitting back down as if nothing had happened.

“Also, I was wondering if you’d like to sneak out of the palace with me, tomorrow.” That got a look filled with question. “The king asked me to bring the potion maker here for questioning and to take up residence for the time being to avoid further incidents like that.” When he finished that, the smile was immediately brought back. Which was a nice feeling, but also irritated him, since it wasn’t meant for him.

“That means we’ll see Kai right!? We haven’t seen him in so long! I wonder if he remembers us…” Fayt was up and down with his emotions at the thought of seeing their childhood friend.

“As long as you tell no one you’re coming with, yes. If they find out before we sneak out, we’ll both get an earful.” Axel sighed, remembering the hour-long scolding they got in the past after returning home from their visits.

With that, Axel started heading towards the door before he heard more anxious ramblings about someone other than himself. Despite it being someone he also knew, it still left a bitter taste. “Meet me by the stairs in the lobby at dawn. The sooner we leave, the sooner we’ll be back.”

With that, he exited the room, cursing to himself that he had even offered.