Work Text:
It was another normal day at the palace. You were following the king around, making sure he stuck to his schedule and keeping track of all the important things happening in the castle. He was supposed to go to his study and take care of all the important documents for the kingdom, but he usually left most of the work to you and just signed off on them at the end. He had gotten used to you helping him with his work and trusted that you’d do your job right, if nothing else.
It had been a few years since he had made you his secretary. You had always wanted to be a magic knight, but when you had caught the king's eye, it was this or become another one of his concubines. Since you were from a fallen noble family, you had convinced him it would be bad for his reputation to try and take you. Instead, you could be his secretary and/or bodyguard. You had enough strength to become a magic knight, so being his bodyguard should be no problem. But once he figured out you were smart, he turned you into his secretary too, taking advantage of the fact you couldn’t say no. Disrespecting this crazy king could get you thrown in jail or banished, and all you wanted was to serve your country. Preferably as a magic knight, but you’d take what you could get.
You were in the middle of writing the king's weekly love letters to his various consorts and concubines; he was much too lazy to do it himself, but also couldn’t stand it when they complained about him ignoring them for weeks at a time. King Clover had left an hour or so ago to go to a meeting with the Wizard King and a few captains, so you were surprised when Marx; the Wizard King’s aide, walked into the kings study.
“So he’s not here… Do you know where the king is, (Y/N)?” Marx asked you, looking exasperated. You had worked together several times, being the assistants to the two most powerful men in the kingdom, and you knew he had enough trouble with locating the Wizard King, let alone King Clover.
“He left an hour or so ago to head to the meeting. He said I needed to stay here to finish his letters, and he was not someone who ‘needed to be babysat at a stupid meeting with Julius’. His words, not mine.” You replied, also exasperated at your king. It seems he got distracted and ditched the meeting after all. “I’m sure he’s just fooling around with one of his women, would you like me to find him for you?”
“That would be great, thank you. I should return and make sure Julius hasn’t snuck out of the meeting hall already. You know how he is.” Marx replied before rushing back out the door, back the way he came.
You finished the last of the letter you were writing, luckily it was the final one, then got up to go find the king.
Of course you didn’t have to look hard, he was in his normal spot; in his bedroom surrounded by two women.
“Your Majesty, it’s time for your meeting with the Wizard King and the Magic Knight Captains. I’ve come to escort you.” You politely bowed before him, keeping your gaze lowered. He used to get so mad seeing your defiant eyes, so you’d long learned it was better to just avoid his childish fights whatever way you could.
“Already? But I was just starting to have fun, Julius can wait an hour for me, can’t he?” King Clover whined, staring at the brunette on his right and brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
“He already has waited an hour, Your Majesty. It is time to make your grand entrance and grace them with your presence.”
“In that case, how can I refuse? Lead the way.” It had become easier to manipulate the king into actually going to his meetings over the years by using this tactic. He was weak to thinking he was the most amazing person in existence.
You led him through the halls and to the room where the knights were waiting, walking into chaos. Jack and Yami were fighting like always while Julius was fawning over their magic and the other Captains glared. You opened your Grimoire and summoned a gale of wind to blow away their attacks, then used wind pressure to force them back into their seats. Just because you couldn’t be a Magic Knight didn’t mean you weren’t training hard all these years.
“I announce the arrival of the honorable King Augustus Kira Clover XIII” You dryly say, snapping your Grimoire closed and moving aside to let the king parade to his seat. You took your place behind him, holding on to his scepter when he put it down to grab the documents for today's meeting.
As the meeting started, you had to control yourself for snapping at the kings complete lack of respect for Julius and the commoner Magic Knight Captains. Every time he got the chance, he’d say something rude to them. And he expects these people to lay down their life for him?? He must really be out of his mind if he thinks any of the captains, nobles included, give a damn about him.
Either you had too much exposure to King Clover today, or he was worse than usual, but the continuous hateful comments to the brave knights who protected his kingdom was really getting to you. You had a tight grip on his scepter and were biting your lip to keep from yelling at the idiot. You’d think you would have gotten used to the king by now, but he seemed to get more hateful by the hour. Barely containing your anger, you clutched the scepter hard. Suddenly hearing a ‘snap!’ you looked down at your hands. Whoops, there goes the king's jewel encrusted golden scepter that he loved. You kept your blank expression on your face as everyone turned to look at you.
“Sorry Your Majesty, it must have been old and rusting, for just a little squeeze cracked it like this.” You said emotionlessly.
The king looked at you in shock before starting to sputter. “O-o-o-off with y-your head!” He shouted, looking red enough you were almost worried his face would explode. Jack and Yami could hardly control their snickers at the scene.
“Now now, I’m sure it was just an accident, there’s no need to be rash here.” Julius, ever the voice of reason when it came to the king, interjected.
“It’s the third one she’s broken since coming here! Do you know how expensive my scepters are!?” King Augustus exclaimed, looking outraged. You could see Yami mouth ‘Really? Three?’ at you from his seat. You only shrugged and nodded in response. The king should have learned after the first time to not hand you valuable things while he was busy bad mouthing others if he wanted them back in one piece.
“Maybe instead of beheading her, you could show some mercy. You could just relieve her from her services in your command.” Julius suggests, winking at you.
“Oh no, anything but that, please Your Majesty. I’d rather face death than not being able to serve you anymore.” You say sarcastically, not that the king could tell the difference.
“Hmm…” The king thought about it for about two seconds before deciding. “Very well. (Y/N), you’re fired. I expect you out of the palace by the end of the day.” Of course he chose the option that he thought would cause you more pain. That’s just the kind of man he is.
“I’m so sad, I don’t know how I’ll ever survive. I’ll be out within the hour.” You deadpan before leaving the room and going to yours. You had always been prepared to leave at the drop of a hat, the king was a fickle man after all. You’d hoped he would’ve ditched you earlier, but better late than never. It only took 15 minutes before you had all your things and were leaving the palace, hopefully for good. Waiting for you at the entrance was Yami, the Captain of the Black Bulls and someone you considered to be a friend.
“So, now that you’re free, wanna join the Magic Knights?” He asked you, already knowing your answer.
“Why ask? You looking for a new set of wheels?” You tease as you make a giant butterfly out of wind.
“You know I’m always looking for ways out of doing extra work. But I can’t be worse than your old boss.” He said as he climbed on with you.
“Haha, that you can’t.” You laugh as you grab Yami’s extra Black Bulls robe and put it on, flying you both to your new home.
Omake:
*While they’re waiting for the king to arrive*
“So you’re saying the purpose of this meeting is just to piss off the king?”
“I said it was to get (Y/N) fired.”
“By pissing off the king.”
Julius sighs.
“For the record, I call (Y/N) for my squad!”
“Hey, no fair! I wanted a chance to slice her up while she’s training in my squad!”
“You snooze, you lose, you bug.”
“Why you-”
And this is what (Y/N) walked in to the meeting to find; Jack and Yami at each other's throats per usual.