It was a quicker exchange than Leilani expected. Drawn like a horse on a lead, he was pulled along by Seigle in front of him, a glance over the shoulder unnecessary to know Matilda guarded his back. Rather than follow footpaths, they tread towards the afternoon sun, past the fruit trees until they gave way to plain woods.

Though she stated she wouldn't kill him, Lee was all too aware of the scabbard Matilda had brandished to her hip, a moment's pause on the hilt enough warning for him to comply as they secured his ropes before leaving. For now, he'd been pacified into quiet thought, the wounds to his body still as fresh as the ones to his ego.

"Don't be so glum, your highness, take this as a learning experience." Matilda chimed to Lee's slumped shoulders.

He shrugged half heartedly, "I couldn't have been that obvious?"

A moment passed without response, but Matilda only needed it to think.

"No, I suppose I was too harsh. But you certainly weren't hiding it well enough to anyone that matters."

"Anyone that matters?" Lee echoed. Seigle glanced briefly behind him but stayed apart from the conversation. Matilda only "hmm"ed in response.

"So does that mean…" Leilani slowed his steps to finally face the woman behind him,"that you're someone that matters?"

Before Matilda could muster a reply, a head of chestnut curls butted full force into her chin. As she reeled, Lee snapped the rope from Seigle's lazy grip and bolted without direction. Despite his best efforts, though, he didn't run long before being toppled with a cry. Writhing and kicking, he squirmed to get up before stopping short of a silver sword pointed at his nose. Matilda huffed above him once more, scarcely out of breath. A meager drop of blood began to trickle from her nose.

"You are so-" she inhaled sharply through her nose and for a moment turned her gaze to the sky in exasperation. A tassel of glassy blue and crystal beads quivered from the hilt of her sword as her knuckles squeezed white before softening with her heavy sigh,"Just try that again. I dare you. Nobody said anything about returning you unharmed. Get up."

"If you value your friend here, I'd recommend we keep him in one piece, my lady." Jerking her head to the curt voice, Matilda felt a dread wash over her as Lee nearly cried with joy.

Donovan held a splendid carved dagger to Seigle's throat, the boy's arm twisted mercilessly behind his back. A cold sweat ran down his temple as he stood between two stifling forces. It was anyone's guess which had the harsher glare.

"Your highness. What a pleasure." Matilda kept her tone short, blade still steady towards Leilani.

"I don't believe we've had the pleasure. Care to start by removing your weapon?"

Lee gazed up at his captor expectantly, but no motion was made. Only a furrow in her brow appeared as she spoke slowly, as though her words were difficult to say.

"No… I apologize, Prince Donovan. I don't think that will be possible." A shrill whistle abruptly slipped from her lips, and as if lit anew Seigle startled to life.

Donovan doubled over as an elbow slammed into his gut, Seigle's Adam's apple narrowly missing a slice of his blade. Spinning so he may kick Donovan while he was down, Seigle gasped as his ankle was grabbed by the recuperating prince, a fierce scowl locking him down. With a shove, Donovan toppled him backwards into Matilda.

Not expecting the turn of events, Matilda twisted her body to bear the brunt of the falling boy, sword barely missing Leilani as it's tip was driven into the ground. Rolling and scrambling to get up, he's quickly reunited with Seigle as he charged full speed to attack again. From his pockets came his knife, chipped and now stained by the orange rot. Behind him, Matilda salvaged her sword in time to parry Donovan’s dagger, forcing the prince to exchange for the rapier on his hip. Lee couldn't spare him any worry before Seigle stabbed forward once more.

Despite his tact for finding trouble, Leilani was not a brawler. Posterity training aside, he steered clear of confrontation when he gallivanted outside palace walls, but it was clear by Seigle's swipes and kicks he was meddled by survival on unforgiving streets. No matter the pedigree of a swordsman, when met against a fighter of pure instinct, unpredictability always has a chance against premeditation. And so, when Seigle dove in for a stab, Leilani turned his shoulder and slammed his weight into Seigle's unguarded body. Ragged metal ripped a savage tear into the torso of Leilani's clothes.

Seigle, though he stumbled, didn’t fall; but more to Lee's surprise, he felt a force yank him harshly back by his collar and onto the ground. Above him, Donovan returned a kick to Seigle to his chest, at last making him choke for a gasp of air. Temporarily out of the fray, Lee could finally hear Matilda's screams, her sword arm slack as it was held limply with her other hand.

"Seigle! Leave it! Go!"

Still gasping from his newly bruised rib, Seigle slipped in his step as he turned to run, like a beaten dog returning to its master. Donovan started as though to pursue, but halted in his steps as he grabbed at Lee attempting to rush ahead.