Leo groaned aloud as he shifted through the many people filing into the Mess Hall that day for lunch. He hated being surrounded by so many Hoshidan strangers. Even under Corrin's watchful eye, he still suspected those ninjas would stick a shuriken in his back if he wasn't careful. Gods knew that Saizo would have no objections to an assassination mission from Prince Ryoma. One wrong move and Xander might find one of his younger siblings dead.

Perhaps it was foolish to assume such things about the high prince, but this was the leader of Nohr's eternal enemy. Leo was going to be prepared for anything should the worst happen. He was still mulling over the contents of his history book as he waited in line to be served. He dreaded what sort of concoction would be served today. The youngest royals were teaming up that day, helping each other out in the kitchen.

Elise had mentioned something about wanting to be more ladylike to Camilla the other day. As always, Camilla was there to answer all the strange questions Elise had blabbed out. He hadn't meant to overhear the conversation, but it was nearly impossible to not eavesdrop when they were in the same room. He wanted to scoff at the current attempt Elise was trying. The quickest way to a man's heart is through his stomach, Camilla had said. Where did his sister even come up with such a ludicrous statement? Did she really think most men were that petty and shallow?

"Milord Leo! May I join you for the consumption of nutrition in this eating establishment?"

"No, Odin. You may not," Leo answered, almost rolling his eyes.

As much as he adored having Odin around as both a friend and retainer, his exuberant and theatrical personality could get tiring. Not to mention he already knew that Odin was the one Elise was trying to impress.

"Pardon my intrusion, milord. I couldn't help but notice you're being targeted."

Leo froze. "Targeted by what?"

"The darkness whispers to me. It tells me that eyes of a golden hue have zeroed in on milord from the darkest corners of the world! They desire for—"

"Odin, just get to the point. I'm not in the mood for deciphering your flamboyant jabbering."

"Oh," Odin said with a frown, disappointed his act was blown away so quickly. "Well, I keep noticing that someone has been spying on you today; usually from around the corners of buildings and such. I thought you should know that you might have a secret admirer in this army."

"Ah. That one," Leo muttered darkly, remembering the events from the previous night. "Don't worry about it. I already know. I doubt that person will do anything they might regret."

"So long as you know. As your humble retainer, I, Odin Dark, am sworn to protect you from all that may wish harm upon milord's head! Just say the word and I shall smite thy stalker with—"

"I know you will, Odin," Leo said with a small laugh. "But hold off on your Eldritch Smackdown for now, alright? I'll let you know if I require your 'smiting' services."

"As you wish, milord!"

Leo shook his head as he watched Odin run off to join the other Nohrian retainers that were all gathered at one table. A frown formed when he remembered his last big conversation with Odin. The mage had mentioned he would be leaving as soon as they "saved the world". Leo didn't really like the thought of having to say goodbye to Odin. He had gotten used to his theatrics and to suddenly have that taken away…it was disheartening.

Elise and Sakura gave him his food, both telling him to judge how it tasted. Sakura was more concerned with her own cooking skill while Elise just wanted to know how it tasted and hoped that Odin would like it. He didn't please them with an answer, going off and sitting at the lone table that no one was sitting at. Once he sat down, he opened his book again.

"So that's where it was…"

Leo straightened up, finally noticing the one person he wished to avoid. Of course it wouldn't be that easy. The archer was still under the effects of his spell and he would be for at least a week. Leo grunted, hoping that if he ignored him long enough Takumi would get the message and leave him alone. Much to his annoyance, the Hoshidan prince sat across from him. Leo changed his tactics to glaring. Takumi was unfazed and he was still looking at the book instead of him.

Was Takumi avoiding his gaze like his sister Sakura would?

"Prince Leo," Takumi began unsurely. Leo was almost shocked to hear the other prince call him by his real name. "I…wanted to…apologize."

"For what?" Leo snapped, raising the book so he wouldn't have to look at the pathetic expression on Takumi's face.

"We got off on the wrong foot and…I wanted to…try and…start over."

"And?"

"And what?"

"Prince Takumi, let me make this perfectly clear," Leo began, slamming his book shut so that the Hoshidan would actually look him in the eyes. "I don't care what my sister says. You and I are enemies. We will never get along even if you try."

"I never said we had to get along!" Takumi grumbled, crossing his arms and scowling at Leo. "I just want to quash the rumors going around about us once and for all!"

Leo raised an eyebrow. "Rumors?"

"You haven't heard? I thought you'd be the first to know. Everyone's calling us 'the twins'. You and I couldn't be more different, but they seem to think otherwise."

"Perfect." Leo pinched the bridge of his nose. "Just what I need on top of…"

"On top of what?"

"Never mind. So what was your plan to stop these rumors?"

"Well…" he began twiddling his thumbs. "I suppose we could…get to know each other."

"I see. Understandable. You and I must like different things. That'll be enough to prove those cretins wrong."

"Right!" Takumi said all too quickly. "Right. So…uh, what's your favorite food?"

"Beef stew."

"Is that a soup?"

"Sort of. And you?"

"Miso soup."

"Mee-so soup? What's mee-so?"

"It's a Hoshidan seasoning that's mixed in with the broth. It's really good. You should try it sometime."

"Okay…" Leo mumbled awkwardly. "But our hobbies must be different."

"No, not really. You like history, don't you?"

"How could you tell?"

"I was looking for the book you're currently reading earlier. Is it…because you like to study the strategy of past battles?"

"Oh gods. Not you too?"

Takumi nodded. "Yeah."

"Then…would your favorite game happen to be a tactical board game as well?"

"It's called shogi; and yes, it is a tactical board game."

"Our version is called chess," Leo explained. "…I didn't realize we had so much in common. No wonder those rumors formed."

Takumi shrugged. "I guess stopping them is going to be harder than I thought."

"Although…" Leo smirked. "This does give me more of a reason to converse with you."

"Oh really?"

"Even among our troops, I find it hard to find someone to chat with. Not everyone tends to have the same interests as I do. How ironic that my enemy has similar passions. The world works in odd ways, doesn't it?"

"I suppose it does."

"You've been oddly agreeable today," Leo noted with a frown. "No witty remarks or bland insults. Are you feeling well, Prince Takumi?"

"Me?" a small blush appeared before it disappeared just as quickly. "I don't know what you're on, but I'm fine. It's just hard to hate someone who has such good tastes."

Leo chuckled. "So it would seem."

If he was anyone else, the shyness and denial Takumi was showing would be endearing. But since he wasn't, Leo could only overlook it. This wasn't the way the real Takumi acted. The Hoshidan prince he knew was a lot coarser and hot-headed. But on the bright side, it seemed the spell was allowing the other to open up. Leo had no idea Takumi liked a lot of the same stuff he did. It wasn't an unwelcome feeling to find a potential ally in the Hoshidan batch of soldiers he had been so wary of. He stood up, taking his half-finished meal with him to throw it away.

"Takumi, would you care to join me in the library later on? Maybe you could suggest a few Hoshidan texts that may pique my interest?"

"I would lo—"

Leo couldn't believe what happened next had actually happened in real life. Someone had rammed into him from behind, forcing him to lose his balance and let go of the tray that had been holding his soup bowl. Leo watched in shock and horror as Takumi was showered with sandwich condiments and lukewarm broth. He completely froze as he watched the Hoshidan react accordingly, trying to wipe bits of rice and lettuce off his face and out of his now soaked hair. Understandably, the commotion caused everyone in the room to pause and look at the situation. Leo could see Takumi's face turned tomato red from embarrassment and rage. Leo patiently waited for the angry words that he knew would be shot at him.

"Oboro!" Takumi shouted. "The hell!?"

Leo blinked when he heard the person behind him swear something in the Hoshidan language, rushing to Takumi's side. She looked remorseful, trying to apologize for causing the whole thing. It then clicked with Leo who she was. She was one of Takumi's retainers and the one who had a seething hatred for Nohrians. Takumi began shooting all sorts of words he couldn't understand at Oboro while the retainer simply bowed and accepted all of them. Once he was done, he seemed to cool down and apologize to Oboro for blowing up at her. She simply smiled and accepted his words. She sent a nasty glare at Leo, as if she was warning him to stay away from Takumi. He did not back down from the look even as she left his line of sight. He turned back to Takumi, watching him brush off more vegetables that were clinging to his clothes.

"Um…may I ask what just happened?" Leo tentatively inquired.

"She did it on purpose," Takumi explained with a sigh. "I know she's only looking out for me, but there are better ways to go about doing it."

"I'm sorry you had to endure such an humiliating situation in the first place."

"Oh gods!" Takumi cursed, remembering that everyone was still watching him. "Everyone saw that!"

Before Leo could mutter another word, Takumi zoomed out of the cafeteria faster than he thought possible. He didn't know what possessed him to follow after the Hoshidan prince. He convinced himself that it was to avoid the inevitable explanation as to how he was involved with the fiasco to both royal families. He followed him all the way to Takumi's tent where he found the Hoshidan taking out different clothes to change into. Takumi was in such a rush that he almost ran into Leo on the way out. A blush once again flared across his face before it vanished again.

"You!?" Takumi shouted. "Wh-What are you doing here!?"

"Whether you're angry or not, I am partially to blame for your—literal—mess," Leo teased, picking off a stray piece of chicken that had stubbornly clung to Takumi's bangs.

"I don't need your help, Nohrian scum," Takumi snapped. "I can take a bath by myself."

"Perish the thought," Leo replied in disgust. "Even if I wanted to, it certainly wouldn't be with you."

"Look, if you have nothing good to say, then get out of my way and leave me alone!"

Takumi stormed past Leo, shoving the other away as he went by. Leo scowled, the sudden urge to chase after the Hoshidan surfacing again. He quashed it down this time. He should leave things be for now and let the idiot cool off. Besides, it appeared that Takumi's hatred was doing just as he predicted. He wouldn't have to worry about the other prince's false infatuation getting out of hand.

"Why should I care what he thinks? I want nothing to do with him."

Takumi sunk lower into the water, the steam not helping in the least to cover up his pink cheeks. Once again, he couldn't stay near the Nohrian prince without feeling like his heart wanted to explode. It was bad enough he had been peeking and spying on Leo. It took all the self-control he had just to talk normally to Leo without dissolving into a stuttering mess. It WAS true when he said he had wanted to stop the rumors. However, he wasn't expecting there was some truth to them. He wasn't expecting Leo to be interested in the exact same things he liked. After learning that, he had a desire to know the Nohrian better. Maybe Leo wasn't the kind of heartless scum he always believed all Nohrians to be.

Takumi gave a start, shaking his head. He was going insane. He had to be. Otherwise these thoughts wouldn't be plaguing him right now. It was Leo's fault in the first place he was feeling even more insecure about himself than normal! It had to be! This warm feeling was a lie! Everything about that scum was a lie!

At least that's what he told himself.