Chapter Text
“ By Order of Queen Camila of Khelyria:
Due to profound loyalty and excellent service in the field, I hereby name Amity Blight, Knight of the Kingdom Khelyria, captain of the Royal Guard of her Highness Princess Luz of Khelyria, effective immediately. Captain Blight will receive higher pay, lodging, blah, blah, blah…”
Odalia set the note down on her desk, eyeing her daughter sitting across from her. Slowly, the Blight matriarch steepled her fingers and narrowed her eyes. “You understand what this means, don’t you, mittens?”
Amity shifted uncomfortably in her chair, chewing her lip. “That after all my hard work, I’m getting promoted to be a glorified babysitter?”
Odalia barked a sharp laugh with no mirth. “No, my dear child, it means you finally have an opportunity to elevate the Blight name even further. If our Princess likes you enough, you may be promoted even further! Or, better yet, maybe even marry into the royal family!” Odalia smiled at the thought; not of her daughter’s happiness, but of the lavish life as Mother-in-Law of the princess of the kingdom. She sighed, her smile souring slightly as she eyed her daughter once more. “It’s a shame, really, that you were afforded this opportunity and not your siblings. They’re much better at this sort of thing.”
“Yes, mother.” Amity kept her eyes downcast as her mother stood up from her desk.
The Blight matriarch narrowed her eyes at her daughter. “I expect your full effort on this, Mittens. We won’t be getting any other opportunities like this."
“Yes, mother.”
Odalia slammed her hand on the desk, the loud noise making Amity look up sharply. Odalia leveled her daughter with a steady, dangerous gaze. “Let me hear you say it, dear.”
“I will do my best to win over the princess, mother. I will elevate the Blight name no matter the cost.”
Odalia smiled sweetly at her daughter, tapping her lightly on the shoulder. “Good girl. Now run along, dear. Gather your things. You’ll be moving into the castle, after all. Don’t want to be late for your first impression.”
Amity clenched her fist, her face falling into a practiced neutral.
“Yes, mother.”
Amity straightened her posture as the Queen’s arrival was announced. She had dropped her belongings off in her new room (which was located near the princess’ room for safety reasons) and changed into her new armor before rushing to where she was to be introduced to the princess as her new personal guard.
A few guards marched in, lining the walls as the Queen entered. Her tan skin seemed to glisten in the light of the room, a long maroon dress trailing from her shoulders to the floor. Her hair was short-cropped and curly, with a slight grey streak running through the left side. She looked around the room with a softness in her eyes, noticing Amity and giving her a kind smile.
Amity immediately dropped into a kneel, lowering her head before the Queen. She watched the lower half of the queen’s dress come into view, a dress of light pink shuffling into view beside the monarch. Amity glanced up slightly to see the Princess looking at her with bright eyes.
“Mami, she’s my age!” the young girl exclaimed. Amity took in the Princess’ appearance. Above the regal dress she was wearing, the girl had short cropped brown hair similar to her mother’s, with twinkling brown eyes full of life looking right at Amity. The smile she wore was genuine, unlike the kind Amity had seen on countless other royals she had encountered.
“Yes, mija, but don’t be fooled.” The queen turned her attention to the knight in front of them. “Captain Blight, you may rise.”
Amity stood back up to attention, focused on making her first interaction with the royal family a pleasant one. I need to win the Princess over. I need to elevate the Blight name. No matter what.
The queen turned her attention back to her daughter. “Captain Blight is one of the most experienced and loyal knights in the kingdom, Luz. Under her watchful eye, danger will never befall you, of that I am certain.”
Amity stood a bit taller under the praise as Luz started bouncing from foot to foot, her attention now shifted to her new guard. “Oh my gosh! Have you ever had to kill someone? How many weapons do you know how to use? How do you go to the bathroom in all that armor? CAN YOU TEACH ME HOW TO SWORDFIGHT?!”
The mint-haired girl blinked in surprise at the flood of questions directed her way. While trying to puzzle her way through the labyrinth woven by the Princess’ words, the queen broke her train of thought. “Now, Luz. You’ve just met this girl, and you’re already prying. What have I taught you?”
“Oh! Right.” Luz curtseyed, nodding her head toward Amity. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Captain Blight. My name is Luz.”
Like a startled deer, Amity looked toward Luz with wide eyes for a moment before glancing at the Queen. With a nod of assent, Amity bowed the way her mother had taught her from a young age. “It’s my pleasure, Princess. I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”
Camila smiled at the two for a moment before one of the various workers in the castle whispered something in her ear. She nodded, rolling her eyes slightly as she turned back to Luz and Amity. “I'm sorry, Luz, but I’ll need to take my leave. It would seem that Ms. Clawthorne thinks she has discovered the ‘secret to vast, immeasurable wealth and power’ and is in need of a second, more grounded opinion.” She turned to Amity, giving the new guard a motherly smile. “Please try to make sure she stays out of too much trouble. You’ll find my daughter to be quite a handful.”
“Yes, ma’am!” Amity bowed again while the queen left the room. As she turned to address the Princess once more, she felt dainty hands wrap around her arm and start tugging her in the opposite direction. She turned to see Luz attempting to drag her out of the room.
“Come on! There’s still enough sunlight for you to show me how to use a sword! Let’s go!”
Amity schooled her face into one of neutrality, turning to follow the Princess wherever she was leading them. Internally, she sighed deeply, chewing on her lip. I was right. I’m a glorified babysitter.