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After an unsuccessful foraging run in the woods, Araial made his way to the training grounds, his stomach growling. He had not found much in the woods near his home, but he didn’t want to be late for training - the instructor could be rather strict.
Once Araial arrived, he quickly picked up a practice lance to begin his drills. He got through that part without incident, but - during independent training - he began to falter, feeling as if he might pass out from hunger. He was soon approached by Dimitri, whose brow was furrowed with concern.
“Araial… Are you all right? You look like you’re about to collapse,” Dimitri said worriedly.
“Don’t worry, Your Highness. I’ll be all right - I’m strong enough to make it through.”
“You’re not fine,” Dimitri insisted. “I’ll get you some cookies from the kitchen - that might help. I’ll be right back.”
Araial panicked. He had heard how angry Dimitri’s uncle - the King Regent, Rufus - would get when Dimitri raided the royal kitchen. But before he could ask Dimitri not to go, the other boy had left.
Dimitri soon returned with a couple of cookies. “This was all I could get before the bakers caught me… But here, Araial, take these.”
Araial didn’t have the chance to thank Dimitri before Rufus came storming onto the training grounds. He could see the fear in Dimitri’s expression as his uncle led him away. It made Araial feel nauseous with worry, so he decided to follow to see if he could help. He stayed at a distance, hoping to remain undetected by the King Regent as he trailed after them. Eventually, they reached Dimitri’s room, where Rufus harshly let the young prince go, causing him to fall.
“What did I tell you about stealing food from the kitchen?!” Rufus roared as Dimitri stood back up.
Dimitri averted his eyes. “You told me not to do it…”
“And yet you keep doing it. Why? I demand an answer!”
But Dimitri kept quiet, a defiant expression on his face. This only served to enrage his uncle further. Rufus raised his hand and slapped the boy across the face. Araial gasped audibly in shock, giving away his presence. Rufus turned sharply to face Araial, a terrifying glare in his eyes.
“You… You’re Gerald Hamilton’s boy. What business do you have here?”
Araial was nervous…until he saw how scared Dimitri looked. This upset Araial, who couldn’t hold back his feelings anymore.
“Why are you so mean to His Highness?” Araial asked. “You’re his family, and family doesn’t act like that.”
“What do you care? You’re not the one getting punished.”
Araial shook his head vehemently. “It’s not his fault - he was getting the cookies for me.”
“Still, he knows better than that. He’s being a monstrous fiend, and I need to beat that out of him.”
“I… I…” Araial stammered. He was feeling a level of anger that he had never experienced before. He instinctively clenched his fists, trembling.
“How could you? He’s not a monster - you are! You’re a monster, and I hate you!” he cried out.
Rufus’s eyes flashed dangerously. “Guards!” he yelled. “Get Gerald Hamilton and tell him to get his brat and take him home before I knock him silly!”
Araial continued to stand in place, glaring furiously at the King Regent until his father arrived and took him by the hand.
“Araial… Let’s go home,” Gerald urged.
“But what about His Highness?” Araial asked, on the verge of tears.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t help him. Please, come home - I don’t want you to get hurt as well.”
Araial sighed heavily, reluctantly exiting the room with his father. He looked over his shoulder at Dimitri, mouthing ‘I’m so sorry’ as he left.
***
Once they got home, Gerald sat with Araial in the living room. Araial broke down into sobs as he realized that in his effort to help, he probably had only made things worse for Dimitri.
“I’m so sorry, son,” Gerald said regretfully. “There are some things that even adults can’t fix, no matter how hard they might want to. I wish I could have helped His Highness, but his uncle would probably imprison me for interfering. I can’t afford to be taken prisoner - I need to take care of you.”
Araial nodded in understanding, wiping tears from his eyes. “All right… but when I become a knight and His Highness becomes king, then I’ll be able to protect him. Nobody will ever hurt him again. I swear it.”
Araial held strong to that promise as he grew into a teenager. He trained as hard as he could and participated in battles alongside Dimitri, keeping him safe. His efforts earned the admiration of some of the older knights, who paid his way to the prestigious Officers Academy at Garreg Mach monastery. Araial was grateful for the opportunity to study and grow stronger, not knowing what was in store for him or for Dimitri.