To think of Malleus as a child would be a terrible disservice to him, to who he was becoming and growing into. Malleus was a grown man, with his own feelings, thoughts. His own views on the world, which would continue to grow with him, as Lilia's had. The feelings he had for Malleus, well... those might not be platonic either, in such a complicated way. It was hard to place.

They didn't need to open up those feelings, those boxes, to identify and understand them. Not today.

Thank the Thorn Fairy that Malleus begins to calm, that his tension begins to drain even a little. Lilia's hand stays against his head for a moment longer, fingers playing with the Prince's hair.

"Absolutely I will. No matter what anyone else says or thinks. Even as our roles change, I will be by your side." That, he knows, is a lie. One day, he will need to leave Malleus. That day wouldn't come anytime soon, he's sure. "That simply means I can continue to teach you. Besides, Malleus..."

"Even I don't know everything. Have you forgotten how different I was when you were small? The ways I've changed, learned, grown? It's been so long since then. We've both so much to learn, so much to see."