Better Left Unsaid

6

"What the heck was that conversation we just heard?" Leo questioned. The two stood in a random hall after running a good while.

"I have no idea but I have a feeling we weren't supposed to hear it."

"Hear what?" The two princes froze and turned around. Sighing in relief when it turned out to be Licht and Kai.

"You will never believe what we just heard!" Leo exclaimed. "It was so confusing but it involved the professor."

"Really?" Licht beamed excited to know as much as possible. "What was it?"

"Well," Bruno started. "I'm afraid we're dealing with something none of us could have ever imagined." He adjusted his glasses. "Our tutor seems to have a secret lover."

"No way!" Licht giggled. "Ah, I can't imagine that small man ever having a girlfriend."

"Actually, I'm sure it's a man."

"Of course!" Licht's smile widened. "I always thought the professor was just too focused with us for women, he never really showed interest anyway. I finally know why. I think the biggest question now is who it is."

"A servant?" Leo suggested.

"Or maybe a guard!" Licht cheered, seemingly too excited on the subject.

"That wouldn't make any sense, though." Bruno interrupted his brother's joy. "The other man's voice was all too familiar."

"Wait, you heard the two talking?"

"Obviously."

"Tell me everything about it!"

"About what?" The boys froze at the newly added voice to the conversation. They turned and to their surprise it was their father. His eyes precisely studying all four of them. A feat they were all used to but the looming atmosphere of suspicion was something they couldn't easily shake off.

"Just some gossip!" Licht quickly. replied. Happily to do so as if he was used to it.

"Really?"

"Yeah!" Licht went on to explain something that he heard in the city. It was enough to keep their father distracted and let the other three slowly slip away.

"Your highnesses, may I ask where you might be going?" Heine interrupted, stopping in his tracks next to Victor. The interruption snapped Victor out of the conversation and to the other three. "You still have a lesson today."

"W-we know." Leo stuttered out.

"Then why are you going in the wrong direction." Heine held a sharpness to his voice. Almost angry.

"Were you trying to run away from me?" Victor frowned.

"N-no! Not at all!" Leo panicked. His nerves getting the best of him.

"My apologies, your majesty, but I must take these four from you." Heine glared at the king beside him. The two shared a glance.

"Very well." Victor turned around and silently walked away.

"What was that about?" Licht muttered, gaining a sharp glance from the tutor.

"None of your concern." He looked to the other three. "Now, what could you be hiding for you to be running away from his majesty like that?"

"Gossip-"

"Don't lie to me." He huffed. "It doesn't matter anyway. Let's get to the lesson."

~

Heine wasn't one to be easily irritated. Though, he did have his limits. He was only human, after all.

His irritated self was truly an image of wonder though. Almost unnatural from how rare it was to see. There was one fact that about it.

It was terrifying.

He glared at the four intensly as the group lesson went on. Finished quickly and left faster. During the individual lessons, he spoke as if being with each prince was driving his patience. It concerned Kai, shut Bruno up, terrified Leo, and had Licht focused out of fear.

The rest of the day he disappeared leaving the four to wonder what was going on with their professor.

He was nowhere to be found unfortunately.

"Where could he have gone?" Licht whined.

"Who knows, but it has me worried."

"We shouldn't bother him." Kai gained their attention.

"Why?"

"For his sake." He looked down to the ground. "He wouldn't want to hurt us."

~

"You're avoiding what I said."

"I'm well aware of that."

"Victor, they're going to find out anyway."

"Heine, I thought you, of all people, would be more rational about this."

"I am being rational."

"You're not."

"Victor-"

"I suggest we talk much less. Only when needed."

"Don't-"

"We have no other choice!"

His breath ran shallow as his body was worked. Irritation turned to anger. He wasn't one to lose it but he needed to let it out. He returned to early tactics for it. Denting a tree seemed reckless.

He was reckless in the past. Though, this was best back then. Studying was not easy for him after all.

Neither was this. Any of this. Of course, he could handle this. He had his limits though. His limit being Victor.

That idiot. He thought as he hit the tree. We have plenty of choices. Again. He just can't see it. He stopped. The tree looking ready to fall. Hand bloody.

He took a long breath and let it out slowly. He was, admittedly, being quite an idiot too. They're both letting this get the best of them. Heine could see that clearly from how he treated the princes earlier. He was more angry at himself by this point.

Perhaps Victor was right. It was best they avoid each other as much as possible. They can focus that way. Not to mention that the little investigation the princes started will run cold.

Still, it didn't mean he could keep his guard down. He'd almost forgotten what was at stake here.

Idiot.