"That tasted good." Mikhail said with a grin as he turned towards William.
"I guess for a bumpkin like you, it does. It was particularly normal. The ones made by... ... Ehm... Nevermind."
"???" Mikhail tilted his head as he stared at William's face that slowly flushed red.
"Q-quit staring at me! Let's just finish the nets! I need to discuss our plan for the contest!"
"Ah! The contest! I thought you wouldn't even bother!" Mikhail beamed again making William knit his brows.
"Sigh... Look, I don't want to group with you. But since I'm already paired with you, I might as well get it done flawlessly. So, make sure you don't drag me down!" William furrowed his brows before pointing his finger directly at Mikhail.
"Sure! I'm looking forward to working with you." Mikhail said as he grinned innocently at William.
The duo then made their way back to the room where they had made their nets to find Susie sitting in the dark.
"Woah! Susie?" Mikail exclaimed before questioning his sight.
"F*cking hell?!" William exclaimed at the exact time as Mikhail as the room was lighted by the torch he was holding.
"Mikhail~ You're back! I was waiting for you! Let's finish up together. Since the prick had aided you earlier, what he said earlier doesn't count right?"
"Earlier...? Oh. Hmph. Whatever. Since you're going to help out then do it right. I'll see you at first light bumpkin." William said before shoving the torch into Mikhail's hands. He then turned on his heels as he left the room.
"Wi-- erm... Zach... Thank you!" Mikhail called after William before turning back to face Susie.
"Come here Mikhail! Let's wrap this up together!" Susie said as she grinned at him.
"Sure. Wil-- Zach taught me how to weave it properly. I'm sure we'll finish it in a flash!"
***
"Bumpkin." William rapped on the door again as he folded his arms and leaned on the frame, staring at Mikhail who was still sleeping in bed.
"Bumpkin!" William knocked the door harder as his voice grew louder.
"Nngh.... .... Zzzzzzz.."
"Freaking annoying..." William knitted his brows as he pushed himself off the door frame and walked towards the bed.
William nudged Mikhail a few times but he didn't budge, sending William into an even bigger rage.
"Wake the f*ck... eh... what...?" William's words cut off as he tripped on the bed covers and fell on top of Mikhail. Mikhail groaned but pulled William into an embrace as he continued dozing off.
"Oh, f*ck me..." William grumbled as he found himself wrapped up in the covers and a tight embrace.
***
"I'm so, so, so, SO!!! Sorry!" Mikhail apologised as he lowered his head onto the bed.
"Sigh... It's fine. Just didn't take you as a heavy sleeper. Anyways, we've lost precious time that could be spent discussing our plans. I need to be off soon for a meeting with my Knights as well... So... my best advise is..."
"Best advice..." Mikhail stared expectantly at William as his eyes sparkled.
"Just wing it. We'll come up with a solution by then."
"W-wing it?!"
"Yeah. Anyways, I've got to leave now. See you in the evening. You better get up to practice your swordsmanship. I saw your teacher earlier."
"Ah! R-right! See you later Wi---... Zach!" Mikhail called out as he was about to say William's name but stopped when he felt a death glare from said person.
"Hmph. Don't let me down."
***
"It's evening now... Where is that bumpkin..." William muttered to himself as he glanced around at his surroundings.
The few young ladies of noble houses sighed as his gaze crossed theirs. They fanned themselves as they tried to cool the heated feeling in their chests.
"Who is he waiting for? Is it his partner?"
"Such a sad thing he already has a fiancée isn't it... Sigh... I'm sure I'm much more suited to him."
"Oh, isn't that..."
"Bumpkin! Slow as always! What were you doing? The contest is about to start!" William frowned as he shook his head disapprovingly at Mikhail.
"Sorry, Zach! I just finished my training... I had to get a quick bath and change my clothes. ... I wanted to look presentable." Mikhail panted as he ran his fingers through his damp hair.
"Ergh. Whatever. At least you made it before they announced anything important. Where's your net?"
"N-net?"
"Are you an idiot?! We need a net to catch the wisp! Sigh... Good thing I already brought an extra beforehand."
"Oh, thanks! But why an extra?"
"You'll see."
"Hey... Is that the prince they brought back from the suburbs?"
"I think so. It's no wonder they brought him back... With hair of such fine silver."
"I thought Prince William wasn't on good terms with him?"
"Maybe the rumours weren't true."
"Is that gossip I hear? If you're wondering about their relationship... They're far from friendly." Susie suddenly popped up in between the noble young ladies as she glared at them.
"Hiieeekkk!" The young ladies shrieked as Susie grabbed hold of their shoulders.
"You can pine for the other prince. Not. My. Mikhail!" Susie broke her speech as she grabbed the one young lady who mentioned Mikhail's name and shook her vigorously.
A loud shriek of horror was heard from a distance away as Mikhail and William went to grab an extra net each. They glanced behind with curiosity but turned back to face the large platform where a signage of the festival was placed.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Young and old! Welcome to Wisp Le Festival Fantomatique the 300th year anniversary!"
"3-300! Wi-- Zach! It's that old?!"
"Yeah. I suppose a bumpkin like you wouldn't know though. He'll give a brief introduction on the celebration, then, the contest will hence be commenced."
"Oh..."
"As you all know, every year on this single day... The wisps will appear. Legends go that the wisps appeared due to the legend of the golden warlock."
"The golden warlock was a passing mage with hair of radiant gold. He was said to even be seen during the founding of this kingdom through records in the Royal palace."
"Rumours say, the warlock had been in combat against the most perilous foes that lurk in the darkness. He only comes out during this one day... after every blue wisps are caught."
"There is a reason why the golden wisp is the hardest to catch. The golden warlock uses this wisp to search for the blessed duo who could lead the kingdom and nations to prosperity and peace."
"Of course, last year's contest was nearly won with Prince William nearly catching the golden wisp... But alas... he missed and broke a limb..."
"Ah, hey! That's private!" William grumbled as his cheeks flushed red.
The event organiser ignored him and continued his speech with a nonchalant expression on his face. "However, with certainty! This year will be a new year and a new century! The golden wisp will finally be caught! And now... I hereby commence the Wisp Hunt!"
"... Is your broken lim-"
"Shut up. The contest has begun. Let's move out." William cut Mikhail's sentence as he walked towards the forest, his cheeks up till his ears were flushed a bright red.
***
"There! To the left! Bumpkin!" William yelled as he swung his net at a blue wisp.
"Y-yes! I got it!" Mikhail exclaimed as he inserted the caught wisp into a bag designed to store them for the duration of the contest. He glanced at William who stood on the ground looking up at him with a conflicted expression.
"So far we're in the lead. If we mess up... You're dead meat!" William glared at Mikhail as he indicated for Mikhail to climb down.
"Y-yes!"
Suddenly, a spectacular glow lighted the area they were in. William pulled his lips to a snarky grin as he lowered his knees and straightened his arms to prepare to lunge.
"Get ready!" William whispered to Mikhail as a golden wisp shot past them.
"F*ck! Bumpkin! Hurry! Let's split up!"
"R-right!" Mikhail exclaimed as he ran towards the left hand side and readied his net.
This wisp is faster and has a far more erratic movement in comparison with the blue ones. No wonder nobody has ever caught it before!
"Bumpkin! Quick!"
"Yes!"
Mikhail and William swung their nets at the same time as they cornered the wisp. However, they missed and bumped head on with one another. They groaned as they rubbed their heads and glanced around.
"Dammit! It escaped! Bumpkin! Let's head to town, if we can't catch it, let's at least submit our bag of wisps."
"R-right... Eh... Z-Zach! Over there!"
"Huh?" William turned to look at where Mikhail was pointing before pulling his lips to a grin.
"Let's give chase! Good eyesight, bumpkin! We're going to win this thing!"
"Yes!" Mikhail replied as he ran alongside William. His heart pounded in his chest as he found himself grinning.
Today was one of the few days he and William really felt like siblings. He wished the day would never end.
If only he could continue using this chase as a means to get closer to William... Then hopefully, it goes on till dawn.