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Approaching the outskirts of the camp, you spotted Siegbert in the same place the two of you always met. Yet again, he was sitting on the small, wooden crate with his nose in a book. You could tell immediately, that there would be no speech for you to witness today. This wasn't a surprise though, as his speeches had grown fewer and fewer until eventually stopping altogether. At first, you were glad that he wasn't being so tough on himself, as he needed the rest, but now, you were wondering if he had simply given up. “Not today either, huh?” Standing just in front of him, you placed your hands on your hips and gave a half frown.

“You sound disappointed.” Only now looking up from his book, which, upon closer inspection seemed to be a text on war and diplomacy, Siegbert saw that he was right. The disappointment was clear on your face.

Not even trying to deny the truth, you nodded. “I am.” Before continuing, a sigh escaped your throat. “You know, it's been almost two weeks now. You've really got to get back at it. All of your hard work is going to be for nothing if you don't keep practicing.”

“I'll resume things, eventually.” His voice serious, Siegbert gave a confidant nod. “Just not right now.”

“That doesn't sound very convincing to me.” Shaking your head, you sighed again. “You've still been practicing on your own, right?”

“Of course I have.” Placing a small piece of fabric between the pages of his book to mark his place, Siegbert shut the book and rose to his feet. His shoulders squared and his chest puffed out, just slightly, Seigbert's voice sounded almost offended. “I wouldn't simply shirk my duties. You of all people should know that.”

“Good.” In a way, his words relieved you. In another however, they worried you. He was still working himself to the bone, but he had gone back to doing it alone, without your help. As far as you knew, he wasn't getting the help from anyone else either. That, in your mind, was a big problem. “I didn't think you would, but since I haven't seen you doing any of those duties lately, I had to be sure.”

Your words caused his brows to knit. “I understand that, but you don't have to check up on me so very often.”

“Yes I do. That's kind of why you keep me around, or, at least that's why you kept me around at first.” Since he had never minded you checking up on him, his words left you feeling a little confused. Maybe he didn't feel that he needed your support anymore. He had grown leaps and bounds as far as his confidence went. In everything from public speaking, to giving orders, to believing in himself, Siegbert had matured, so you wouldn't have doubted it. It was probably a bit selfish of you, but you truly hoped your suspicions turned out to be wrong. Brushing your emotions aside, you forced yourself to continue. “Besides, once a day isn't really all that often.”

You had tried to hide your worry from him, but one look at Siegbert, and you knew you hadn't done a good enough job. Taking a small, half step towards you, he lifted his hand, as if to touch your cheek, but stopped short. “Why are you frowning?”

“I'm not.” Trying to deny the truth, you laughed in an attempt to convince him. “This is just my face. You should be used to it by now.”

Your laughter backfired, causing a worried crease to form between Siegbert's brows. “I am, and that's why I know you're frowning.” For a few seconds, he silently tried to figure out what was causing your unhappiness, but came up empty. Had he done something and not realized it? If he had, hadn't the slightest idea what it could have been. Needing to know, he tilted his head to the side and asked again. “Why?”

“You see, this is why I told you we needed to work on your interrogation Techniques.” Placing your palm on his cheek, you gave him a gentle pat. “You're still not very good at it.”

He couldn't deny that, but he did wish you hadn't had to bring that up now. Wanting to prove you wrong, but wanting an actual answer even more so, his jaw set as he said your name in a commanding tone. “Tell me why you're frowning.”

This time when you laughed, it came naturally. He could try all he wanted, but you just couldn't bring yourself to take him seriously. You knew him too well to ever be intimidated by him. “Siegbert, that was even worse than before.”

Deflating completely, he said your name again, this time, in a quiet, almost whiny whisper. “Please?”

“Okay, okay, I'll tell you. But only because you look so pathetic.” Honestly, you still didn't want to tell him anything, simply because it was a bit embarrassing, but you had already promised. In a happy, cheerful voice, which was a stark contrast to what you were about to say, you gave him your reason. “I'm frowning because I don't feel like you need my help anymore. You've really improved a lot, so I understand if that's the case. I just wish you would have told me instead of letting me find out this way.” Acting as if it were really no big deal, you shrugged. “That's all.”

Confused, Siegbert stared at you, unblinking for several seconds. “I have no idea what you're talking about.” Only now realizing that you were serious, he took your hands in his, holding them tightly to his chest. “Of course I still need you.” Those words came out a bit more forcefully than he had meant them to. He hadn't yelled them, but he had come pretty close. This fact caused a light blush to dust the tips of his ears. Not wanting to embarrass himself further, Siegbert made a conscious effort to keep his voice down. “I mean, you've helped me a lot, why would I not need your help anymore?”

“Well, you did say that I didn't need to check up on you so much just a minute ago, and you haven't been practicing your duties around me lately either.” When your sentence first started, you had sounded upbeat. By the time it finished, however, it was nothing more than a weak mumble.

“Ah, that.” Not bothering to give any explanation, or elaboration, Siegbert turned his eyes to the ground. Though he wasn't looking at you anymore, his grip on your hands tightened.

“Yes, that.” You nodded. “What's that about?”

Looking a little sheepish, Siegbert cleared his throat. “It's just that I would prefer to spend time with you doing other things. I don't want all the time we have together to be spent training and such.” Though his blush was spreading, Siegbert didn't stop. “Even if we do nothing at all, that's preferable to doing something if that something isn't enjoyable to you.”

Though his answer had been vague at best, and even a little bit confusing, you knew exactly what he meant. Instantly, the heaviness that had been filling your chest lifted, allowing a crooked smirk to pull at your lips. “I knew this would happen.”

“You knew what would happen?” Siegbert's expression went blank. “I don't follow.”

“I warned you that your crush was going to ruin our professional relationship, and look, I was right.” Freeing your hands from his with ease, you pulled him into a hug. As you snuggled your face against his chest, you could hear his heartbeat quicken.

Returning your hug, albeit, a bit shyly, Siegbert relaxed, breathing a quiet sigh of relief. “I suppose you were.”

“I'm okay with that though.” Snuggling yourself as close to him as you could, you looked up at him and smiled. “Really, I don't think I was ever cut out to help you with all of your princely duties. You might not have noticed this, but I'm not really all that refined myself.” Even as you said them, you realized just how much of an understatement your words had been. “It's probably better that you find someone else to be by your side for that kind of thing.”

Siegbert couldn't deny that there was truth in what you were saying, even trying to would have been pointless. “True, you're not refined. You tease me mercilessly, and seem to enjoy flustering me as well.” With a shake of his head, he sighed at the memories flooding his mind. “You really do have a knack for tormenting me. Still, there's no one else I would rather have at my side.” Suddenly holding your face in his hands, Siegbert looked at you with more sincerity than your heart could handle. “Promise me that at my side, is where you'll stay.”

Hardly able to breathe, let alone speak, you found yourself standing there with your mouth half open, but unable to make any words come out. Heart fluttering in your chest due to the kindness behind his gaze, you had to close your eyes just so you could think straight. After a moment of silence, and a deep breath in, you looked up at him and smiled. “Well, since you put it that way, I guess I can stick around.”

Expecting nothing less, Siegbert returned your smile. Still gently holding your cheeks in his palms, he leaned in just enough to place a kiss above your brow before pulling you back into a tight embrace. Showing no sign that he planned on letting you go, he released a happy sigh. “Thank you.”