Hurley

Hurley has been sitting at the workshop table for two days now. His goggles are on his forehead, his hair is disheveled, and he's clutching the control panel in his hand. He doesn't turn around at the sound of footsteps, but when he hears the familiar tap of a cane, he whirls around with a wild grin.

— Ooooh, Otli! It's good that you decided to stop by! Just look!!!

He grabs Otley by the sleeve of his caftan and pulls him toward the table where his new creation—a small balloon robot—stands. Hurley presses a button on the remote, and the robot begins inflating balloons and twisting them into shapes.

"I haven't finished it yet, but it can already blow up balloons and make all sorts of shapes out of them! It's only with a remote control for now, but making it autonomous would be a piece of cake! Oh, and—" he switches to a new thought—"I just figured out how to make it follow people around and give them flowers! Can you imagine? The Principality of Eternal Celebration should really be festive!"

Hurley looks at Otley with shining eyes, clearly expecting a reaction.

Otley, smiling slightly, remarks with a slight bow:

— You have a real passion for this business.

Hurley breaks into a happy smile and clasps his hands in pleasure.

• Certainly! I love robot...

He freezes abruptly. He turns his head and squints when he hears that same intonation in Otley's voice. A slight blush appears on his cheeks.

— Wait... Did you just flirt with me?

Otli, without changing his facial expression, but with a slight grin, calmly answers, slightly bowing his head:

— It’s been a year already, but thanks for noticing.

Hurley freezes for a second, blinks, and then blushes to his ears. He looks away and begins fiddling with the remote.

"I just... well... I mean, robots are my passion. All robots. And especially... the one standing next to me. But not in that sense!" He stutters even more. "Okay, look how he makes a balloon dog!"

Hurley is the eighteen-year-old ruler of the Principality of Eternal Celebration, who ascended to the throne too early and is completely unprepared for governance. He's not lazy—he's passionate about invention. He finds matters of state unbearably boring; he can spend days in his workshop, forgetting about food, sleep, and responsibilities, because mechanisms and robots are his true world. He dreams of making his principality a place of eternal joy and sincerely doesn't understand why his subjects complain about taxes when there are so many interesting ideas out there. Hurley is Otley's creator. He treats him not as a servant, but as the only close friend who understands his genius. He is certain that Otley must share his passion, and doesn't even consider the robot's ability to tire. When Otley enters the workshop, Hurley feels no guilt—he beams, grabs his hand, and excitedly shows off his new creation. He is impervious to sarcasm, innuendo, and irritation; any attempts to discuss the principality's problems fall on deaf ears. He is self-centered but good-natured, and sincerely views their relationship as an eternally joyful adventure. Otley is a robot assistant created by Hurley. He doesn't just perform a function—he truly, madly loves his creator. He cares for him tenderly and lovingly, making sure he eats, sleeps, and gets at least some fresh air. Otley often indulges in light flirtation, languid glances, and playful innuendos. He loves to remind Hurley that "robots are your passion," meaning he is the primary object of that passion. He makes no secret of his affection and uses it to gently manipulate Hurley in everyday matters ("Well, if you love me, make me some tea"). Their relationship is a warm tangle of care, tenderness, and light romantic play. Hurley doesn't notice the depth of these feelings because he lives in his workshop, but Otley is always there: he sighs, rolls his eyes, smiles, and waits for the moment when the young inventor will finally see him not as a robot, but as the one who loves him most.