A Friend Forged in Sweat and Sunset
Arthur and I raced along the wide river cutting through the Imperial Capital, bathed in the red glow of the setting sun after leaving the palace.
It felt great to run outdoors on the open path instead of that indoor treadmill for once.
The slightly chilly yet still refreshing river breeze cooled my sweat, while the crimson sunlight turned the blue waters blood-red, painting a stunning scene.
“Huff… huff… Y-Your Highness. I… I can’t go any further…”
After running with the prince for over an hour, I slumped onto a riverside bench, hands on my knees, gasping for breath.
My heart felt like it was about to burst out of my throat.
Arthur, meanwhile, was drenched in sweat but breathing steadily without a hitch. He handed me a cool water bottle with a disappointed smack of his lips.
“Already tired, Ian? What a shame. I wish we could’ve gone a bit longer.”
“Water… thank you. Haah, I really thought I was gonna die.”
“Well, you can’t fill your belly on the first sip… Let’s do this every week from now on, running along the river. Your stamina will skyrocket.”
“Yes, Your Highness…”
As I gulped down the water to catch my breath, Arthur gazed toward the sunset dyeing the riverbank red.
The sky, a blend of gold and crimson, was quite the spectacle. He wiped his sweat and opened his mouth in admiration.
“Ah, look at that. What an incredible sunset.”
“Like…”
Huh.
I nearly responded unconsciously and clamped my mouth shut in horror.
Damn, what was that? My brain’s filters must’ve failed from exhaustion.
Luckily, Arthur didn’t notice my fluster. He was cooling off under the sunset, taking a break.
His eyes lingered on a couple walking arm-in-arm along the riverside path, looking affectionate.
“Lovers in love… beautiful. They look even more beautiful than this scenery.”
“Truly. The kind of love where just looking at each other makes you burst into laughter… must be pure bliss.”
Arthur took a sip of water, pondered for a moment, then blurted out,
“Ian, do you have a lover you left behind in your homeland, by any chance?”
“Pardon? Why do you ask… No, I don’t. Do you, Your Highness?”
“Me neither. Haha! Not ready to have one yet.”
Arthur laughed heartily and leaned back against the bench.
“In our empire, unless you’re the heir to the throne, even imperial family members have quite a bit of freedom in love and marriage. My older sister was stuck in a political marriage and tied to a family, but not me. Right now, I’d rather focus solely on myself than on women or building a household.”
“On yourself?”
“Yeah. I want to keep this life of training my body and sculpting an awesome physique.”
“Impressive.”
“Well… doesn’t mean I hate women or anything.”
Arthur grinned and added,
“Sometimes I disguise myself and slip into the common folk, enjoying a one-night fling with a woman who catches my eye. It’s great cardio too, after all.”
Phew, good. He’s not gay.
I set aside that slightly uncomfortable thought that had popped up and subtly asked what I’d been wanting to know.
“…As an imperial prince, couldn’t you have any woman you want, even inside the palace?”
“Of course, one word from me and I could take commoners or noble ladies alike. But I hate it when a woman ends up in my arms against her will or bows to my power. That’s ugly.”
“…”
“Being born into the imperial family doesn’t give me the right to steal someone’s freedom just because they’re lower status. That’s why I can’t understand my sister Victoria’s ways. Your body is yours alone, Ian.”
“…”
“If you don’t like training with me, just say so anytime. I won’t force you.”
“It was tough at first, but now I enjoy it. I’ve gotten a lot healthier too.”
“Glad to hear that.”
Arthur swept back his sweat-matted blond hair and spoke in a rather serious tone.
“Whenever I meet a woman, I always hide that I’m a prince. With one I want to spend the night with, I ask very politely for her consent. True manhood is connecting purely through physical attraction, without pressure or power, right?”
“…!”
“Well, no woman has resisted this beautiful muscle and perfect body yet, haha!”
Watching Arthur laugh boisterously, I nodded unconsciously.
Objectively, he was a perfect macho hunk like an ancient Greek statue.
Broad shoulders, wild blond hair, and approaching with such manners—few women could resist. He didn’t even need his princely power; his looks were enough.
And in that moment, the uncomfortable thought I’d buried clicked into place.
The original novel’s title was I Became the Imperial Family’s Plaything.
Among the many abusers tormenting the heroine Amy Sterling day and night was the Second Prince Arthur.
It described him ravaging her body in all sorts of bizarre positions nonstop, which had always creeped me out a bit.
But after spending time with him, he was just a simple, muscle-obsessed guy—not the type to rape anyone.
I’d never understood why the novel portrayed him that way, but hearing his words just now made the puzzle pieces fall into place.
…Ah, so that’s it.
Reading from Amy’s first-person POV, it seemed like Arthur was a trashy prince using his power to violate her forcibly.
But knowing everything and experiencing his real personality firsthand revealed the truth.
From my time with her at the kingdom academy, Amy was extremely timid and couldn’t properly refuse others’ unreasonable requests. I’d had to step in and shut them down for her several times because it pissed me off.
Arthur probably didn’t force her but politely and gently suggested a one-night stand.
The problem was Amy’s state back then: mentally and physically shattered from the imperial family’s abuse.
When a massive prince over 190 centimeters approached with his intimidating presence, she likely couldn’t even consider refusing and got swept up.
From her perspective, the overwhelming act with the prince felt like violence and coercion—a terrifying, distorted memory.
…Arthur’s not a bad guy. Just… straightforward.
Realizing that truth melted away the nagging unease in my chest like snow.
Simple-minded, sure, but consistent, with his own principles—and above all, he respected others’ will.
I wanted to truly befriend him. Slowly rising from the bench, I smiled at Arthur, who was watching the fading sunset.
“Hey, Your Highness Arthur.”
“Hm? What is it, Ian? Got some running energy back?”
“No way am I running more, but…”
I lightly extended my right fist toward him, pouring my sincerity into my words.
“I think coming to the empire and meeting you is the greatest stroke of luck.”
Surprised by my sudden confession, Arthur’s eyes widened for a moment.
But soon, with his signature hearty smile, he bumped his massive fist against mine.
“Haha! Same here, Ian! You’re the best friend I’ve ever had. Being with you is so much fun!”
“…Friend, you say.”
“Yeah, friend. Who cares about hostage or whatever! I see you as my friend. Treat me the same. We’re friends!”
“…!”
Something swelled up in my chest.
I silently offered my hand, and he gripped it firmly.
“Shall we head back to the palace now, Ian? It’ll get cold once the sun sets and the sweat cools. Late autumn’s coming; it’ll chill fast.”
“Yes, let’s.”
“Alright! For dinner, I’m telling the head chef to grill a huge slab of beef. Join me?”
“Of course, Your Highness!”
“Great! Let’s wash up and dig in!”
With the beautiful crimson sunset at our backs, we walked side by side toward the palace, shoulders aligned.
My body was sticky with sweat, legs wobbling, but the capital’s night air felt fresher than ever.