He considered his options, deciding that in the end a direct approach was the best he could do. As much as Lambert didn’t wish to disturb or scare the boy, distancing himself and taking it slowly could too be read as him wanting to avoid facing him in the first place- between that and perhaps giving the prince a scare while trying his best to explain what happened (or at least what he thinks happened) was the lesser of two evils.
…as if there was any proper way of approaching the son who saw you get killed years ago. What a regretful last memory to be left with.
Clenching gloved hands into fists, the professor waited a moment before walking towards Dimitri. The training grounds were thankfully empty, so there was nothing there that would force him into dancing around the bush regarding the subject. Just be direct. As you’ve always been.
“Dimitri?” He called out calmly, but loud enough for the boy to hear. Once he was sure he had been heard, Lambert raised a hand- both in greeting and in defense. “Before you think me an impostor or anything of sorts…know that Matthias is aware of my presence and can confirm it to you. And if even that is not enough, then I am able to answer whatever questions you have in your mind.”
Except for the most obvious, regrettably.
Despite that, Lambert smiled softly. “...but it is me, Dimitri. In flesh and bone, whole. I am glad to see you again.” It was an understatement- Lambert held onto every fiber in his body to avoid rushing towards the prince and pulling him into a bear hug. He needed to temper himself first. “You have grown so much, my boy.”
It was meant to be his quiet time. One where he knew he had the training grounds to himself, when he could let loose. No more holding back so as not to scare or injure his classmates. Those poor dummies didn't stand a chance against the wrath of his lance. Broken bodies littered the sand around him as he flicked his fringe out of his eyes, sweat droplets falling from the ends, dampening the sand at his feet.
Just before Dimitri could launch into a new flurry of blows, a voice called out. He shook his head. Now was not the time for the ghosts of his past to rise up. Training was meant to dispel them, keep their voices to nighttime hauntings. The voice called again, closer. Sighing, he turned to check it wasn't someone pulling a joke, he wouldn't put it past fel-
The colour drained from his face when he saw who was stood there. It was Lambert. 'But, but he's dead. I saw him die' These thoughts ran through his mind and he clenched his grip on his lance to keep himself standing.
"How... can you be here?" He said shrilly "Are you some new apparition to remind me of my failings?" The man before him couldn't be real. Despite this, Dimitri couldn't deny the part of him which wanted to believe. To cast aside his worries and rush to embrace the man resembling his father. To hide in his strong arms which protected him from the world as a child.
Dimitri took a half-step forward but hung back. "You haven't changed at all" he replied "You look the same as the day I last saw you"
