Kohei PoV
"Ya know, you're just as annoying as Matsuyukine was," I said, attempting to sound playfully critical.
Dahlia laughed, a bright sound that filled the kitchen. "Oh, I'll take that as a compliment! She was quite the character, wasn't she?"
"Yeah, she was," I replied, my tone softening as memories flooded back. "Always pushing me to loosen up, to enjoy life. I often found it infuriating at the time."
"Surprised someone like that turned to look at a grump like ya," she said, snickering.
I narrowed my eyes at her, trying to maintain an air of seriousness. "Watch it, Dahlia. I might just take offense to that."
"Oh, please," she replied, waving her hand dismissively. "You know it's true. Matsuyukine was all sunshine and laughter, and you were… well, you. A prince with a perpetually furrowed brow."
I sighed. "Alright, I'll concede that I wasn't exactly the life of the party. But someone had to keep her grounded, right? Like you do with your youngest son."
