Episode 5 of Young Royals Season unfolds with Wilhelm's classroom struggles, his mind wandering amidst the lessons, preoccupied by August's revelation about Eric. Simon, observant as ever, inquires about Wilhelm's distraction, only to be met with a vague response of fatigue. As their conversation turns to Wilhelm's impending birthday, Simon's gentle probing hints at uncertainty, wondering if his presence is desired amidst Wilhelm's evident preoccupation.
Meanwhile, August's announcement to Vincent and their peers rocks the boat; he must forego the graduation ceremony to attend Wilhelm's birthday festivities at the palace. Scanning the class nominations, he subtly challenges Vincent's sensitivity, dismissing it as a moot point since he himself would be absent. As the night descends, August secretes a letter addressed to his future self within Sara's locker, a silent testament to his aspirations.
Elsewhere, the housemistress assigns a new responsibility to the first-year students, entrusting them with the organization of the graduation dinner. Felice and Sara find themselves teamed up, an unexpected pairing that elicits offers of swaps from Fredrika, only to be politely declined by Felice.
At home, Sara's suspicions about her father's drinking habits fester, but he brushes them off with a tale of medication changes, assuring her he'll accompany her to her driving test to ease her anxiety.
As the night deepens, Wilhelm's anxieties surface in a phone call to his father. His heart heavy with concerns for his mother's wellbeing, he finds solace in his father's reassurance that the Queen is soldiering on, determined to hide her vulnerabilities. The specter of Erik looms large in their conversation, with Wilhelm's father eulogizing his perfection, leaving Wilhelm yearning to share his recent discoveries but thwarted by a sudden summons. He vows to continue the discussion during Wilhelm's birthday dinner. Yet, when Simon's call interrupts the solemn moment, Wilhelm finds himself unable to pick up, lost in a maelstrom of emotions.
The next dawn, amidst the hushed corridors of their school, Wilhelm breaks the tranquility by revealing to Simon his intention to resign from the choir's fold, citing an aversion to the spotlight's glare during performances. With the chains of their shared obligation now unshackled, they're free to rendezvous beyond the choir's confines. Simon's heart falters, wondering if his actions had unwittingly pushed Wilhelm away, their bond fraying at the edges.
Wilhelm, unable to bear the weight any longer, divulges the truth about Erik. His words lash out at Simon before the latter can even find his voice, like a storm brewing within, finally unleashed. Simon, gentle in his clarification, assures Wilhelm that Erik's fallibility does not diminish his worth in his eyes; instead, the tumultuous events with Sara have been a poignant reminder that even siblings stumble.
Wilhelm, stung by Simon's unwitting comparison, accuses him of casting an unfair shadow over Erik's memory. Deep down, Wilhelm grapples with the realization that Erik might not have sanctioned his relationship with Simon, a thought that wounds him to the core. Simon's gentle suggestion that perfection is but a myth, not even Erik's domain, acts as a spark, igniting Wilhelm's fury. Without a backward glance, Wilhelm storms off, leaving their heated exchange incomplete, a lingering tension in the air.
Finding solace in Felice's company as she delicately paints his nails, Wilhelm pours out his soul, struggling to comprehend a world where Erik, his hero, isn't the paragon he once believed him to be. The paintbrush strokes seem to mirror the strokes of his troubled heart, painting a picture of loss and confusion.
On the contrary, Simon's chance encounter with Sara is marred by his reluctance to divulge his troubles. Sara, undeterred, presses on with her day, only to stumble upon August's letter, which she hesitates to unfold. Seeking solace, she attempts to reach her father for the ride he had promised, but her calls go unanswered.
As fate would have it, her driving test becomes a test of resilience when she witnesses her father indulging in alcohol with his companions, momentarily jeopardizing her focus and nearly costing her the license.
Post-lesson, Sara's resolve hardens as she marches to her father's abode, gathering her belongings with a heavy heart. Returning to her mother's embrace, she arrives shattered, tears streaming down her face in a cathartic release.
Simon, ever the compassionate soul, greets her return with open arms, offering forgiveness without hesitation. Moreover, he beams with pride, acknowledging her triumph in securing her driver's license amidst the storm of emotions.
As the dawn of a new day approached, Simon's heart was weighed down by the fear of missing Wilhelm's birthday festivities. He slipped into his freshly tailored suit, hoping it might soothe his troubled mind, and confided in his mother about his latest quarrel with Wilhelm. Despite his earnest efforts to support his friend, Simon felt an incessant sense of inadequacy. His mother, with a gentle wisdom beyond their years, reminded him that love ought not to be a labyrinth of complexities.
Just when despair seemed to settle in, Wilhelm's apology arrived like a gentle breeze, a text message laden with contrition and an earnest invitation to the birthday bash. The next morning, Simon's melodious voice echoed through Wilhelm's chambers, serenading him with a birthday song as he presented a cupcake adorned with flickering candles. A quaint yet heartfelt celebration unfolded, mending the rift between them, and Simon humbly requested more time to perfect Wilhelm's gift.
Later, at the grand opening of Wilhelm's charity endeavor, Simon observed from the margins as August effortlessly navigated the social landscape, his charm captivating all who crossed his path. This prompted Wilhelm to beseech Farima to expedite August's return to academia, threatening to abstain from his own royal birthday celebrations if August's presence lingered. Farima, heeding Wilhelm's wishes, reluctantly sent August back to the academic fold.
August, though stung by the decision, resolved to attend the graduation party, only to find it falling far short of his aspirations. Having earned the dubious title of 'class bad boy,' he yearned for a legacy that resonated beyond this superficial label. Amidst the revelry, he caught sight of Sara, dutifully hauling garbage from the kitchen, her camaraderie with Felice fresh in his mind, particularly their discussions about Felice's culinary aspirations.
Approaching Sara, August inquired if she had received his letter, only to be met with a polite refusal to read it and a prompt return of the missive. In a moment of tender vulnerability, August read aloud the contents, baring his soul about his desire to be a man of strength. He recounted the bullying he endured upon his school's threshold, his quest to prove himself and shield his fragile self, his yearning for camaraderie, and his bid to shed the image of a sad, solitary figure.
Regrettably, his ascension to the pinnacle was marred by a ruthless path, leaving a trail of hurt individuals in its wake. Now, overwhelmed with remorse, he yearns for Sara's empathy, hoping she can fathom the depths of his former desperation. As a fellow soul who knows the chill of solitude, Sara instinctively comprehends his ordeal, wrapping him in a comforting embrace that blossoms into a tender kiss. Meanwhile, this intimate moment is inadvertently witnessed by one of Felice's acquaintances, who promptly tattles to Felice.
At the palace, a melodious ensemble serenades Simon and Wilhelm upon their arrival. The Queen, however, appears fragile, barely holding herself together, her conversations during dinner reduced to mere murmurs about Erik's unparalleled greatness and perfection. This monotony irks Wilhelm, prompting him to seek solitude. Simon, concerned, pursues him, sparking a heated exchange as Simon expresses his desire to depart. Wilhelm chastises him for his lack of consideration, unaware of the gravity of the situation, insisting that Simon's presence is vital to navigate these tumultuous times. Their quarrel is abruptly halted by a servant's announcement, signaling the time for the ceremonial cake-cutting.
As the Queen hastened to retire, her departure preceding even Wilhelm's customary ritual of slicing the cake and whispering a wish, a spark ignited within Wilhelm, igniting a conflagration that would consume their peaceful evening. When at last he confronted his parents, the calm of the palace shattered into fragments.
Wilhelm's voice rang out, laced with hurt and accusation, as he lambasted the Queen for prioritizing the monarchy above her own son's feelings. He unmasked her lies,揭露了她的谎言， and lamented the denial of his right to grieve for his lost brother. Furthermore, he reproached her for deserting him in his hour of need, when he refused to perpetuate falsehoods about his bond with Simon.
Turning his gaze to his father, Wilhelm's anger intensified, accusing him of blindly following the Queen's lead and neglecting his own son. The Queen's response, a feeble attempt to justify her dual role as mother and ruler, only fueled Wilhelm's rage further. He dismissed her efforts as futile, declaring her inadequate in both capacities.
Amidst tears and a heavy heart, the Queen and the King withdrew, leaving Simon stunned and struggling to comprehend the emotional upheaval he had just witnessed. Later, finding Wilhelm immersed in sorrow within his chambers, Simon offered solace, acknowledging the bravery of Wilhelm's honesty towards his parents, yet lamenting the toll it took on their relationship.
Simon's voice quivered with emotion as he confessed that Wilhelm had become a stranger, the love they shared feeling more like a burden than a blessing. In a moment fraught with tension, Simon uttered words that had long haunted their thoughts—he couldn't continue, it wasn't working anymore. The episode drew to a poignant close, with both men lost in tears, the future of their love hanging in the balance.
