Chapter 118: Remembered Remember.

“Brother, I was simply talking with Captain Ezra, and apologizing for getting him suspended,” Kaelis said, his tone unusually even. “And we were hungry, since he hadn’t eaten anything, so we were just waiting for… well, him.”

He pointed at Fizzy.

That was odd.

Ezra had seen Kaelis and Helios interact many times, but this felt different.

It had been different since earlier, but this was the first time Ezra had seen Kaelis seem… smaller.

Not his usual loud, irritating self.

Something in him had quieted.

Because, yet again, Ezra started to actually feel bad for him.

“You can eat on your own. You shouldn’t keep bothering Ezra,” Helios said with a sigh. “He’s already in trouble because of you.”

Kaelis stared at him.

Ezra expected a retort. A joke. Something.

But nothing came.

Instead, Kaelis turned to Lior. “Let’s eat next time, kid,” he said lightly, then looked at Ezra. “I’ll talk to you later.”

No fight. No argument.

He just… accepted it.

Then he turned back to Helios briefly before walking away.

“Bye, bye, Kakay! Visit us again!” Lior called out brightly.

Ezra stared at him.

’Why is he being so nice to Kaelis?’ he thought, frowning. ’I need to figure this out later.’

The shift in Lior’s behavior didn’t sit right with him.

Something definitely happened while he was gone.

Fizzy stepped fully inside with the tray, placing it carefully on the table. Helios lingered for a second longer, then followed Kaelis out.

Of course.

’He’s going to talk to him,’ Ezra thought, watching their backs. ’Or maybe… he already knows something.’

A part of him tensed at that.

Then Helios stopped.

He didn’t leave completely.

Instead, he turned back.

And now he was looking at Ezra again.

Ezra straightened slightly, his irritation still lingering beneath the surface.

’I don’t look forward to this.’

Helios had punished him.

Out of everything Ezra had done over the years, this was what got him suspended.

Even though Helios knew Ezra had no real choice but to follow Kaelis.

“Ezra,” Helios called.

There was no warmth in it.

Ezra met his gaze. “Your Highness.”

’Here we go.’

“Stay here and don’t go out,” Helios said. “Get some rest, and try not to get yourself into any more trouble.”

And then—

He turned around.

And walked away.

That was it.

No lecture.

No questions.

Nothing.

’What?’

Ezra stood there, stunned.

More than stunned.

He just watched Helios leave, his mind struggling to catch up.

It was just him, Lior, and Fizzy now.

And somehow, that felt heavier than anything Helios could’ve said.

“Well, uhm…” Fizzy took a few careful steps toward the wooden table inside Ezra’s tent and placed the tray of meat down.

“Food!” Lior exclaimed, his face lighting up instantly. “Are you going to eat with us, Fizzy?”

“Uhm… no…” Fizzy said, rubbing the back of his neck, clearly uncomfortable. “Honestly, things are a bit awkward right now, little knight. I’d better go… mingle.”

“Huh? What that mean?” Lior asked, confused.

Ezra stepped in before Fizzy could say anything else and covered Lior’s face lightly with his hand. “Wah?”

“Fizzy.” Ezra narrowed his eyes at him. “Did you call Prince Helios here?”

“Oh, haha. Ha… look at the time… oh, what was that?” Fizzy rambled, pretending to hear something outside.

Then—

“Bye, Captain! Bye, Lior! Captain Aamon is calling for me!”

He gave a quick salute and rushed out of the tent.

Fast.

Faster than Ezra had ever seen him move.

Ezra stared at the entrance for a second before facepalming.

’He definitely called Helios.’

Still… Ezra knew Fizzy didn’t mean harm. Kaelis had clearly pushed him out earlier just to get food, and Fizzy probably panicked.

“I didn’t hear anyone call him,” Lior said, frowning in confusion.

Ezra couldn’t help but let out a quiet chuckle. He walked over to the entrance and pulled the flap closed, securing it so no one else could just walk in.

“That’s because no one called him, little one.”

The moment Ezra used that tone, soft and familiar, Lior froze. Then his eyes widened.

“Maman… hug?” Lior whispered.

Ezra turned to him immediately and opened his arms.

“Come here, my baby,” Ezra whispered back.

Lior let out a small, happy squeal and ran straight into him, practically throwing himself into Ezra’s arms.

Ezra caught him easily and held him close, hugging him tighter than he meant to.

“I’ve missed you, little one.”

“I feel like I didn’t see you in ageeeees!” Lior wrapped his arms around Ezra’s neck and buried his face into the crook of it.

“Ages? How dramatic,” Ezra said softly, a small laugh escaping him as he swayed a little. “We were together the whole time earlier.”

“Yeah, but you weren’t my maman,” Lior said, pouting slightly against him.

Ezra paused for a second, then smiled faintly.

“Right you are, my clever boy.”

He carried Lior over to the table and sat down with him, still holding him close.

“We should enjoy this while we can,” Ezra murmured. “God knows how many people like bothering your maman.”

“Uh huh, too many people!” Lior agreed quickly.

Ezra let out a quiet breath, resting his chin lightly against Lior’s head for a moment.

’At least… I still have this.’

“We should eat now.”

Ezra set Lior down gently on the chair before pulling the tray closer. The meat was still warm, the smell filling the small space of the tent.

“Careful,” Ezra murmured as he picked up a knife. “It’s still hot.”

He began cutting the meat into smaller pieces, slower than usual, making sure they were easy for Lior to eat. He pushed the smaller portions toward him, then took the larger cuts for himself.

“There,” Ezra said. “Time to eat.”

Lior nodded eagerly. “Okay!”

For a while, they ate in quiet.

Not the awkward kind.

Just… quiet.

The kind that felt full instead of empty.

Ezra found himself relaxing without meaning to, his shoulders loosening as he focused on something simple for once. Just eating with Lior.

Watching him.

He didn’t ask questions. He just wanted to stay relaxed after a crazy morning and afternoon.

’This is what I wanted.’

No Dark Ones. No princes. No lies.

No secrets.

Just this.

Lior hummed happily as he chewed, kicking his feet lightly against the chair. Ezra glanced at him from time to time, making sure he wasn’t choking or eating too fast.

Everything felt… normal.

For once.

Then—

“Can we eat with Kakay next time?”

Ezra froze.

The knife in his hand paused mid-cut.

“…What?” he asked slowly, looking at Lior.

Lior looked up at him, completely serious. “Next time. Can we eat with Kakay?”

Ezra stared at him, something in his chest tightening.

’Why does he keep bringing him up?’

“…Why?” Ezra asked, trying to keep his tone neutral.

He didn’t want to seem too affected.

Lior tilted his head, thinking.

Then he answered, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

“Because I remembered earlier that I remember him.”

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