"What happens to me if I say no?"
Kel spoke softly, but Leif's face fell as if he'd been hit over the head.
"W-what do you mean, 'no'?" the boy stuttered, his eyebrows scrunched together.
His expression made him seem genuinely confused, as if the thought that Kel might not agree to his request never had a place among his grand imaginings.
"If I refuse to be your knight, what will you do with me?" Kel repeated, feeling bolder in the face of Leif's timidness. "Will you punish me like you did to Dash? And the king?"
"I'M THE KING!!" Leif suddenly snapped, stomping toward Kel.
The look of bewilderment was instantly replaced by rage, and the boy raised his hand threateningly while baring his teeth.
"It's me!" he shouted again, swinging at Kel. "I'm the king! I'm the one in charge! Me!"
Kel ducked to avoid his strike, now feeling rather confused herself. Her dodging only made Leif angrier, however, and he swung again.
