“Rion, why does your bag look so stuffed today?” asked one of his classmates, eyeing him suspiciously.

“Haha… I, uh, brought too many books,” Rion replied awkwardly, trying to walk as casually as possible toward his seat in the back corner.

As soon as he sat down, he leaned close to his bag and whispered,
“Listen, when we’re at school, you both need to act like dolls, got it?”

A muffled voice came from inside, “Yeah, yeah… we know,” Ravell whispered back.

“Why are you mumbling to your bag, Rion?” asked Angga, his bespectacled friend sitting in front of him.

“Ah—nothing, Nga. Hehehe.” Rion quickly pretended to focus on his book, hoping no one noticed.

.....

When the lunch bell rang, Edrick strolled over.

“Rion! Let’s grab lunch together!”

“Sorry, I need to go to the restroom first,” Rion said quickly, grabbing his bag.

Angga frowned, watching him leave. “Why is he bringing his bag to the toilet?” he muttered.

Once Rion was out of sight, Ravell’s voice burst out from the bag.
“Hey, Rion! I’m hungry!”

“Quiet, Ravell! I need to hide you two first!” Rion hissed, running toward the back of the school.

There, he spotted a tall tree with sturdy branches.
Without thinking twice, he hurled his bag upward until it got caught in the branches.

“Uwaaaah! I’m dizzy!” Ravell’s voice screamed from inside.

“How dare you throw His Majesty like a sack of potatoes!” Arden shouted angrily.

Rion looked up, half laughing. “Just stay there! I’ll get you food. If anyone comes by, pretend to be lifeless dolls, alright?”

And with that, he sprinted toward the cafeteria.

Arden grumbled inside the bag. “Your Majesty, can we truly trust that boy?”

Ravell gazed around calmly. “For now, Arden, we have no choice but to trust Rion.”

A few minutes later, Rion came back panting, holding two portions of mie ayam and two cups of es doger in his hands.

“Phew… the line was insane! I only managed to get two bowls of noodles and two ice desserts. You’ll have to share, okay?”

Arden frowned in confusion. “It’s improper for a servant to dine at the same table as His Majesty Elarion.”

Ravell smiled faintly. “It’s alright, Arden. I permit it.”

(What a royal pain…) Rion sighed inwardly.

“Hey, Rion,” Ravell suddenly said, pointing at the chicken feet in the noodles. “Are these… dragon claws?”

Rion rolled his eyes. “Yes, tiny dragon claws. Now eat and stop asking questions.”

“This is delicious!” Ravell’s eyes sparkled. “Why is food in this world so amazing?”

Arden took a sip of es doger, his face deadly serious.
“This pink liquid… it’s sweet and strange, Your Majesty. Like a potion of happiness.”

Rion watched the two of them — a prince and his knight, both trapped in doll bodies — eating street food under a tree.
The sight was so absurd… yet oddly heartwarming.

Without realizing it, Rion chuckled softly.

Seeing their innocent expressions somehow lightened his heart.

.....

After they finished eating, Rion leaned against the tree with a long sigh.
“You two full now?” he asked, watching the pair of tiny nobles sitting on his bag like dolls at a picnic.

“Marvelous!” said Ravell, patting his porcelain belly. “I never imagined commoners’ food could taste so divine.”

“The pink drink was also delightful,” added Arden solemnly.

Rion chuckled. “If I ever open a food stall, I’d go bankrupt feeding you two.”

But before his laughter faded—

“Hey, Rion!”

The voice made him jump.
“Uwaaaah!!” Rion spun around, nearly kicking his own bag.

Behind him stood Edrick and Angga, staring with narrowed eyes.

“What are you hiding, Rion?” Angga asked, looking like a detective from a cheesy drama.

“Haha—n-nothing! I’m just, uh… enjoying the fresh air!” Rion said, forcing a laugh while subtly covering his trembling bag.

Edrick pointed at the two empty containers beside him.
“Fresh air, huh? From two portions of mie ayam and two es doger?!” He burst out laughing. “HAHAHAHA! You must’ve been starving! Two portions! Is your stomach a dimensional portal or what?!”

Rion’s face turned bright red.
“W-wait, not so loud! I was just… stressed out from studying!”

(Dear God, if they find out two royal dolls just had lunch here, I’m doomed!)

Meanwhile, behind him, Ravell and Arden had dropped flat on their faces inside the bag, pretending to be lifeless dolls.

“Your Majesty, if they find out we’re alive—” Arden whispered nervously.

“Silence, Arden! Activate the Eternal Stillness Technique!” Ravell hissed.

Unfortunately, Angga had already walked around the tree.
“Huh? What’s this?” He bent down and picked up Arden. “Rion, are these the dolls you’ve been hiding?”

Rion froze like a malfunctioning robot. “Eh?! T-that’s just… a normal doll!”

Edrick grabbed Ravell next. “Whoa! This one’s cool! He looks like a prince from a fantasy movie! Rion, don’t tell me you collect dolls?”

“HAHAHAHA! No wonder you bought two meals—you were eating with them!” Edrick laughed until he nearly doubled over.

“Haha—so not funny! I just, uh… got them from my cousin last night,” Rion stammered, smiling stiffly like cracked porcelain.

“Relax, man,” said Angga, patting his shoulder. “We’re not gonna judge you just because you like dolls. Everyone’s got their own hobbies, bro.”

“Ah… yeah, thanks,” Rion muttered weakly, taking Arden back.

DING DING DING! — the bell rang loudly.

“Time for class!” shouted Edrick. “Let’s go, Doll Collector!”

“I’m not a collector!” Rion yelled back, but his friends were already laughing their way to class.

Rion sighed deeply, glancing at Ravell and Arden.
“Phew… you guys are turning my life into a supernatural sitcom.”

Ravell crossed his tiny arms. “I never imagined lunch could end with an insult to my royal dignity.”

Arden bowed. “Forgive them, Your Majesty. They are ignorant of your noble blood.”

Rion stared at both of them, then facepalmed.
“Oh, man… I honestly don’t know which of us is the weirdest anymore.”