Chapter 49: Midnight Misfires and Royal Red Faces
The courtyard was frozen—not from Prince Kimo's powers this time, but from the sheer silence that followed Oki's parting words.
"You'll forgive me when you kiss me later."
Those words echoed in Kimo's mind like a spell he couldn't dispel.
He stood there, jaw slightly ajar, a roasted chicken leg still in his hand like a forgotten sword. Around him, guards avoided eye contact, trying desperately to act as though they hadn't heard what just happened.
One guard coughed. Another pretended to count the feathers on the ground. A third was staring at the sky like he suddenly remembered he was supposed to watch clouds for the kingdom.
Kimo cleared his throat and tried—tried—to stand taller.
"Well," he said in his most princely voice, his ears still glowing red, "training resumes... at midnight. And, uh, bring extra feathers. For—reasons."
The guards nodded with the solemnity of warriors marching into battle, doing everything in their power not to smirk.
Kimo turned sharply, intending to march off like nothing had happened—regal, unbothered, definitely not flustered.
But instead, he tripped over a bucket of chicken feed and nearly did a full spin before catching himself on a bewildered stable boy.
"Your Highness!" the boy squeaked.
Kimo coughed. "I was... testing your reflexes. Well done."
The boy blinked. "Thank you, sire?"
As Kimo strode into the hallway, his boots clicking too loudly in his hurry, he muttered to himself, "I am the storm. I am the wind. I am not embarrassed."
But even the palace walls seemed to laugh.
---
Later that evening...
Kimo sat in his chamber, glaring at the candlelight like it was to blame for his humiliation.
He could still see Oki's face—her smirk, her bold eyes, the glint of mischief that always disarmed him faster than any blade.
"I'm the prince," he told himself, pacing. "She can't just say things like that in front of my guards! I'm fearsome. I command snow and—!"
A knock interrupted his self-pep talk.
Three hesitant knocks.
He opened the door to find three guards standing there, dressed in armor, holding tiny mugs and one of them… a pillow.
"Sire," the oldest said, "you said to come at 1:00 for drinks... and, uh, emotional bonding?"
Prince Kimo blinked.
Then groaned, dragging a hand over his face. "I thought you knew that was a joke."
One guard scratched his head. "With all due respect, sire… it's hard to tell with you lately."
Another guard whispered, "Do we still fight chickens?"
Kimo sighed. "No chickens tonight."
They looked relieved.
"But we are doing honesty rounds. Sit."
They hesitated, then shuffled in awkwardly. Kimo poured juice (which he strongly pretended was wine) and began the "royal bonding session" which mostly involved him asking very dramatic questions like, "If you could turn into an animal, which would you be?" and "Do you think Oki likes me or is just mocking me?"
They didn't dare answer the second one.
By the end of the night, there was laughter, awkward singing, and a lot of guards pretending they hadn't had the time of their lives drinking pretend wine with their blushing, love-struck prince.
And somewhere in the hallway, hidden in the shadows, Oki watched it all.
Her lips curved into a smile.
"He's getting there," she whispered.
Then vanished into the dark, just as the candlelight flickered and the palace, once again, became a little warmer.
---
To be con....