Chapter Text
Once upon a time, on an island cut off from much of the world, there was a small kingdom called Shiganshina.
Although it was not an entirely peaceful land, and the occasional serious conflict would arise, the people of the land were generally a good and happy lot. The prosperity of it all, they could all point to their beloved king. A good and righteous man, he was also quite wise and helpful to his people.
However, in recent months, the king had passed away of illness, plunging Shiganshina into deep mourning. From the high-ranked nobles to the lower-class farmers, all were aware of the death of their dear ruler. The funeral for the king had an incredible turnout, as a result.
But even in this dark time of immense grief, still there remained a light of hope for the people. For in the king's place, the ruler next in line would be his young grandson Armin.
Armin was an adored member of the royal family, as well as its only remaining descendant after the death of the king. Due to the traditions of their society, however, he was not to properly ascend to the throne until the long mourning period for his grandfather had passed. Until that day, he would still be known to the public as 'Prince Armin'.
Some folk did use the term 'His Royal Highness' for him as well, though.
Regardless of his title, however, he still went about his routine from when his grandfather was still alive. Said routine involved going out to the kingdom and acquainting himself with the townsfolk. Just like he also did from before, he kept a low profile as he did this.
The advisors and assistants from his grandfather's rule were still about, and they definitely didn't want him milling about amongst the common folk. He did it anyway; it helped to be more in tune to their plight.
In the kingdom, there were several places that Prince Armin enjoyed going to. But there was one place in particular that he loved above all the others; the library. He also had reasons for going in there besides 'it's got that weird yet intoxicating smell of paper and old books'.
One former advisor had quipped that the smell was more 'desperation and sad people'. Armin had his grandfather get rid of that particular person.
On this day, it was most serendipitous for him to be in his favorite place. While Prince Armin was going through one of the many sections, he could hear the sound of two men bickering. One he recognized as the librarian; the other, though, he had no clue whatsoever who he was.
"I'm telling you, sir, there is no such book in regards to that type of animal care!"
"Well, you did the last time I was here! Don't tell me I imagined an entire trip here! I'm not a moron!" It went on in this fashion, for what felt like way too long. Eventually, the newcomer just gave up and stormed off in a huff. This left the librarian to sigh in exasperation.
"Lousy, no good piece of- I'll show you 'don't have that book'-"
Now seemed to be a good time to intervene.
"Excuse me," Armin said to the man as he went over to get his attention. "I'm not sure why he's saying there isn't, but they do have that book in this library."
The man just looked at him, surprised that he was being talked to.
"Uh...Okay. And how would you know that, you suck the dick of whoever's in charge of the place?"
Armin decided to pretend he didn't hear that last part.
...
Armin had just finished showing his new pal where his desired reading material was located, when the other man thanked him and kept talking.
"...I'm Jean, by the way." He actually looked a bit embarrassed to say his name, oddly enough. "I help out with taking care of the animals for some rich noble family. You ever hear of Lady Lenz and her wife Ymir? I work for them." He paused, now glancing over at Armin. "So what do they call you?"
Right before Armin was about to say who he was, he was interrupted by another person doing it for him.
"There you are, Your Highness!" Came the sound of one of his advisors. "Everyone in the palace has been searching high and low for you!" The other man took hold of Armin's wrist, pulling him away. As he was getting farther and farther away, Armin somehow managed to wave goodbye at Jean.
In return, Jean waved back, an incredulous look on his face. Clearly he hadn't at all been expecting to meet the future king of Shiganshina in such a place as the library.
...
No matter how hard he tried, Prince Armin was unable to get much sleep that night. He kept on reliving the moment he'd met Jean earlier that day; it was causing him to toss and turn in bed, enough to completely mess up the bedsheets. Something about the other man was...oddly beguiling. Like his very presence filled a void in the prince's heart he didn't know they had.
Meanwhile, at the estate of Lady Lenz and her wife Ymir, Jean was working late in the stable.
"If it weren't for the fact it's the only library in town," Jean grumbled while pitchforking fresh hay into one of the horse stalls. "I'd never go back there."
The horse that was residing in the stall didn't appear to be listening; it just continued munching away on its late night meal. Jean didn't really seem to notice; he just needed something to yap at about his grievances. It didn't matter if who or whatever it was farted directly next to his face later on.
Jean then paused in his complaining; today wasn't all bad. He got to meet Prince Armin. That seemed to put a little spring in his step when he remembered. At least it did until he went to sleep for the night; then it just gave him sweet dreams.