A Transmigrated Princess's Guide To A Fluffy Royal Life!
Chapter 25: Compromised Composure

Chapter 25: Compromised Composure

Leo was the first to take the bait.

"Well," Leo said brightly, "I bested Lance three times in swordplay last week."

"You cheated," Lance hissed from across the table.

"It’s not cheating if it’s creative."

"You threw a pear at my head!"

"It was a distraction technique," Leo replied primly. "Effective, too."

The King blinked. "You used... fruit as a weapon?"

"Improvised fruit-based strategy," Jared said with a grin. "Very Leo."

"Mother, tell him it was a foul," Lance huffed.

Queen Seraphina only sipped her wine, unbothered. "It was innovative. Unorthodox, but amusing."

King Aldric actually laughed—a quiet, genuine sound that rippled down the table.

"I’d like to see this swordplay," he said, setting his goblet down. "Now, if possible."

Leo and Lance exchanged a look. A spark lit between them.

"You mean... a demonstration?" Leo asked, sitting straighter.

"Right here?" Lance added, half-rising already.

Evelisse’s eyes widened in shock. ’They’re actually going to fight in the dining hall?’

The King gestured toward the clear space near the massive hearth at the side of the room. "There’s room. Show me."

Chairs scraped. Leo and Lance stood, summoned their sword hilts from enchanted loops at their belts. A sharp shimmer of magic lit the air as their blades extended, lengthening from simple hilts into polished, gleaming forms—Lance’s blade pulsing with a faint blue sheen, Leo’s a glowing silver arc.

They circled each other once. Twice.

And then—CLASH.

Steel met steel in a brilliant spark. Their forms were sharp, fluid, practiced. Leo spun low, aiming a swipe at Lance’s knees. Lance leapt, blade turning vertical in a graceful parry. They moved fast, impossibly so, as if the air itself parted to make way for them.

Gasps echoed. Even Lucien sat forward, eyes narrowed in approval.

"Not bad," Marcus murmured.

"Impressive," Aldric said aloud, eyes tracking their every movement.

The clash of their blades echoed like rhythmic music, drawing gasps from the younger staff watching from the walls.

Even Aldric’s brow rose slightly. "Well..."

Queen Seraphina folded her hands in her lap, clearly enjoying the display. "They’ve improved."

Lucien nodded, analyzing every move. Jared began humming dramatically under his breath, trying to turn it into a battle ballad. Evelisse watched in awe, her mouth slightly open.

Leo vaulted over a chair with a laugh. Lance ducked and retaliated with a powerful sweep. Their blades sang with each collision, magic humming beneath the surface like a second heartbeat.

Evelisse clapped once before catching herself and folded her hands again.

The match ended with Leo disarming Lance in a brilliant feint and knocking his sword from his hand.

Panting, they both bowed low.

King Aldric stood, slow and deliberate. "Well fought. Both of you."

Lance flushed with pride. Leo beamed.

"That was very cool," Evelisse whispered as Leo sat beside her.

He winked. "You’ll be next, squirt."

"I shall train with Snugglewuff," she declared with a proud little puff of her chest.

"Fearsome duo," Leo said solemnly.

"Now," Aldric said, "if no one else plans to toss fruit or furniture, perhaps we can return to the meal."

Chairs scraped again as everyone retook their seats, breathless from excitement.

Jared leaned toward Evelisse and whispered, "I was going to debut my new ballad tonight, but now it feels underwhelming."

"Brother Jared," Evelisse whispered back, "I would still like to hear it."

He smiled fondly. "You’re my favorite now."

Across the table, King Aldric’s gaze shifted.

"Tell me honestly," he said, voice quieter now, "what do you want, my children? What do you miss? What have you needed that I have not given?"

A pause.

Queen Seraphina raised an eyebrow.

It was Jared who answered. "Time. Mostly. You suck at it, terribly. Sometimes, we feel mother has a lot of responsibilities and taking care of our stubborn asses as well."

"That’s about right!" Leo nodded. "Although, I’m far from being stubborn or an ass like you, brother Jared."

"Why you little—"Jared swallowed the rest when he caught sight of Lucien’s glare.

"You go for long trips, it’s as though mother’s abandoned." Lance added.

"We miss our family bonding time, and we know mother feels your absence more." Felix muttered, looking anywhere but their parent’s faces.

Marcus looked over at Lucien, expecting a complaint, but Lucien simply looked down with a dejected look, hands tightly gripping the edge of his plate till his knuckles turned white.

He could tell Lucien wanted to voice out, but it looked like the weight of being a crown prince made him realize what could happen once he became King.

Then he finally spoke—broke.

"Have you all ever thought father doesn’t have a choice in this?!" Lucien cracked, his hand trembling. "He’s doing the best he can for us and the Kingdom in other for us to live in a peaceful time, and so should we as members of the royal family. Don’t you see the bigger picture?"

Silence.

Seraphina looked flustered by their complaints and Lucien’s outburst, she shook her hand and tried to calm the tense situation. "Your father has done a lot for our Kingdom and family and I know you all know that, I appreciate that you look out for me, but frankly I am fine and having an adoring husband and wonderful children, and I wouldn’t take back anything for the world, do you all understand that?"

"Yes, mother." They all muttered in unison.

Lucien had a little smile as his eyes reflected pride at his mother who had handled the situation way better than he had imagined, a new found peace and awareness blooming in his mind.

The King nodded, slow. "I cannot undo the past, nor the future if situation calls for it. But I can be here now and I don’t know if I say this much but, I love you all so, so much."

"We love you too, father!" They all beamed with joy.

"Aww, what a loving speech." Fluffy swooned, wiping imaginary tears from its eyes.

Evelisse held back a laugh at Fluffy’s comment.

"So," Aldric said after a few bites of roast quail, "tell me how you’ve all been. I trust your mother and the council have ensured your safety and growth, but I would hear it from your mouths."

Lucien, now back to being the ever the composed eldest, cleared his throat. "We’ve maintained our studies and training, Father. I’ve kept the reports on the western trade routes updated, and the academy results have been favorable this quarter."

"Excellent," Aldric said, nodding.

Jared strummed his fingers along the edge of his goblet. "I wrote a ballad that made three maidens cry."

"Because it was awful," Lance replied flatly.

Aldric’s smile grew as he watched them bicker with subtle fondness. Then his gaze shifted to Evelisse.

"And you, my precious flower? What mischief have you been up to in the castle while I’ve been gone?"

Evelisse looked to her side, not expecting the question directed to her.

"I think he’s talking to you, princess. There’s no other precious flower beside you." Fluffy deadpanned.

’Oh...’

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