A Royal Obligation
Chapter 76: The Servant Who Stayed (2)

Chapter 76: The Servant Who Stayed (2)

Amarok!" Julian said, his voice laced with cheer as he beckoned him over. "We were just talking about you."

Amarok’s face flushed a deep shade of crimson, his eyes flickering between the twins and Eirik. "You... you were?"

Eirik’s grin widened. "Oh, don’t worry, Amarok. They’ve just been telling me about the wonderful arrangement you all have." His voice was full of teasing mirth, but his eyes were warm with acceptance. "I must say, I’m impressed."

Amarok shifted awkwardly, not knowing what to say. He had always been aware of the possibility that someone might discover his relationship with the twins, but to have it openly discussed, by one of their siblings, no less, was something entirely different.

He didn’t know how to behave around Prince Eirik now that he knew about the relationship.

Seeing Amarok’s discomfort, Eirik stood and approached him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Hey," he said softly, his voice losing its teasing edge. "Don’t be embarrassed. I accept you with all my heart. My brothers clearly care about you, and that’s all that matters to me."

Amarok blinked, surprised by the prince’s kindness. "Y-Your Highness... you... You do? I didn’t expect..."

Eirik nodded, his expression softening even further. "Of course. And if my brothers ever give you a hard time..." Eirik cast a playful glance at Lucian and Julian, "...you come straight to me, and I’ll beat them up for you."

Amarok couldn’t help but let out a nervous laugh, some of the tension in his shoulders easing. The idea of someone like Eirik, small and unassuming compared to his older brothers, threatening to ’beat them up’ was absurd, but oddly comforting.

Amarok’s lips twitched into a small smile, the tension in his posture easing. He let out a soft laugh, finally relaxing as Eirik’s teasing melted away his embarrassment.

Julian let out an exaggerated gasp, clutching his chest. "Betrayed by our own brother! How could you, Eirik?"

Lucian, ever the composed one, raised an eyebrow but couldn’t hide the slight smile tugging at his lips. "It seems you’ve made a new ally, Amarok."

Amarok chuckled softly, his confidence returning as he glanced at the twins. "I’ll be sure to remember that, Your Highness."

Eirik beamed, stepping back. "Good! Just remember, if they cause you any trouble, I’m always here to help." He winked, then made a show of fake jealousy, dramatically placing a hand over his heart. "But honestly, I’m a little hurt. You two went and found someone special without telling me first!"

Julian laughed, shaking his head. "Oh, Eirik. You’ll always be our favorite, don’t worry."

Lucian nodded, his voice warm. "You’ve always had a place with us, no matter what."

Eirik suddenly stretched dramatically. "Well, I should probably leave you three to your... whatever it is you do when I’m not here."

Julian chuckled. "Oh, you’d be surprised."

Lucian added with a smirk, "It’s not all scandalous, little brother."

Eirik shot them both a mischievous grin as he headed toward the door. "I’ll pretend to believe that for now. But don’t ever forget, Amarok, if they ever get out of hand, you know where to find me."

Amarok laughed softly, nodding. "I will, Your Highness. Thank you."

Eirik gave him a playful salute before disappearing through the door, leaving the three of them alone once aagain

The room fell into a comfortable silence after Eirik left, the mood light and easy. Amarok, now fully relaxed, took a seat beside the twins, feeling more at home than he ever had.

Julian stretched out, placing an arm casually over Amarok’s shoulders. "Well, that went better than expected, didn’t it?"

Lucian nodded, his expression serene. "Eirik’s always been the understanding one. He’s always had a way of seeing things without judgment."

Amarok smiled, glancing between the two of them. "I didn’t expect him to be so... accepting. I thought he might react differently."

Julian laughed softly. "Oh, Eirik might surprise you, but he’s always had a soft spot for us. Besides, he’s been around long enough to know we’re not exactly conventional."

Lucian, ever observant, leaned back slightly, studying Amarok with a quiet intensity. "You were worried, weren’t you?"

Amarok hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "I was. I wasn’t sure how Prince Eirik would take it, especially since... well, this isn’t the usual servant-master relationship."

Julian tilted his head with a playful smile. "Oh, we’re far from the usual anything. But that’s why you fit so well with us, Amarok. You don’t just serve us; you... understand us."

Lucian’s lips curved into a rare smile as he added, "And we’ve never made it easy."

Amarok chuckled softly, the tension fully evaporating from his posture now that Eirik had given his acceptance. He felt more at ease than he ever had in the palace, knowing that not only the twins but also their youngest brother had welcomed him with open arms.

"Well," Amarok said, glancing between the two of them, "I guess I’m here to stay for a while longer then."

Julian leaned in closer, his voice a low, playful whisper. "Oh, you’re not going anywhere. Not now, not ever."

Amarok’s smile widened, his heart lightened by Julian’s teasing but also by the weight of his words. For the first time in a long time, he felt like he belonged somewhere, really belonged. Not just as a servant, but as someone who mattered.

Lucian stood, crossing the room with that graceful, almost regal air that was so distinctly him. He paused by the window, looking out at the courtyard where Eirik had disappeared. His voice was soft but clear, filled with a rare gentleness. "Family is more than just blood. It’s the people who choose to stay by your side."

Julian, never one to let a serious moment linger too long, stretched out on the chaise and grinned at Amarok. "What he’s trying to say is, you’re stuck with us now. And trust me, we’re much more fun than you realize."

Amarok couldn’t help but laugh, feeling an overwhelming sense of warmth.

The sound of laughter echoed through the room, light and free, as the three of them settled into an easy rhythm.

---

Outside the room, Eirik walked down the palace hallway with a smirk still playing on his lips. He was happy for his brothers, truly. Lucian and Julian had always been a force to be reckoned with, and finding someone like Amarok, who could keep up with them and even soften their edges, was nothing short of miraculous.

As he turned the corner, he muttered to himself, "They might have found someone special, but I’ll still keep them on their toes."

With a final chuckle, Eirik disappeared into the palace corridors.

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