The Hidden Knave, Arlecchino In Who Made Me A Princess

A Father... Hmm?

Even with Lucas's insistence, Claude still sent an army of maids to Arlecchino's side of the Ruby Palace. He also sent another gift, one Arle found to be the most precious.

Clervie knelt on one knee, a hand on her chest while smiling softly at her princess.

"From now on, I'll be your temporary royal knight. Always by your side and protecting you, princess Arlecchino."

Lucas sighed when he felt Arle tug at his short hair. What she wanted was clear, and annoying. He placed her down and scowled when she ran to Clervie and hugged her neck. Startling the knight into laughing softly before holding her back with a smile.

Now, Lucas would allow Clervie to be here. But not the maids. He smiled and threw them all out with a wave from his hand. In a second, they were all teleported outside the royal palace, and could only stare dumbfounded at what just happened.

Clervie blinked at the display, she turned to him and held Arle closer while asking with wary.

"You're a sorcerer?"

Lucas shrugged with an uncaring expression. "Arle trusts you. Surely, the emperor doesn't need to know this insigficant detail?"

Clervie didn't answer him, she looked down at the princess in her arms and whispered. "Are you sure he's trustworthy?"

"I heard that."

The girls ignored him, and Arlecchino nodded to Clervie. "I've learned to look past his odd behavior."

Lucas frowned and crossed his arms with indignation. "Oh? And what have I done that you consider odd?"

Arle didn't hesitate to answer. "You annoy me with physical touch."

"Really now?" Lucas grinned mischievously. "Then I'll make sure to continue doing so."

Arlecchino hugged Clervie's neck in protest. Making the knight laugh and cradle her head, further hiding her from Lucas so she could sulk quietly.

"Sir Lucas, you are far too mean to the princess."

Arlecchino lowered her gaze with those words. Jokes were never her strong suite. No one could laugh due to her appearance. But when Lucas chuckled at her rare playfulness, she found herself wishing to laugh along.

But she wouldn't let Lucas ever hear her laugh. Not ever.

-

Lucas yawned while basking in the sun. He laid sideways on a stone ledge, the cats before him with their belly's up to the sun above. Freminet chirped in encouragement beside him, cheering Arlecchino in her training with Clervie.

He just observed Arlecchino wield her wooden scythe against the knight. With each failed attempt of breaking through Clervie's defense, Arle seemed to grow faster.

Her strikes slowly became letal. If Clervie relaxed, even for a second, she would end up bruised.

Lucas smirked when sweat started building on her temple. For a professional to worry when fighting Arle...

He hummed proudly and patted Fremi's head. Since Clervie was entertaining Arle, he sighed and laid his back on the stone bench. Before closing his eyes and focusing on the mana around him.

Slowly, he gathered it inside a pendant around his neck. His fingers slowly teased the penguin's face with soft strokes. Until it hid from his touch by diving in Lyney's stomach.