Chapter Text
You wake up to the sun bathing your room in light. You roll over, starting to drift back to sleep when you remember that you’re meeting with the captain of the royal guard to meet your new personal knight. You quickly get out of bed, taking a quick shower and putting on a formal outfit. You practically kick open your door in your excitement as you run through the halls, excited to find out who it is. You hope it’s the one that’s caught your eye, a dashing young man with steel gray eyes, and obsidian colored hair. He’s so confident, and always so sure of himself. In a way, you envy him. He feels like everything that you should be. Attractive, confident, and so sure of himself. Maybe it’ll rub off on you if you’re around him enough, and maybe he’ll tell you his secret once you spend enough time with him. You hope it isn’t the brown haired one, he seems like a stickler and no fun, not letting you take risks or enforce meaningless rules. Though, maybe you could break past that and discover a secret fun side. You really hope it isn’t the blonde one—no offense to blondie, but you don’t think he would be good at his job. Suffice to say from what you’ve seen, you don’t think he’s the smartest tool in the shed. Then again, you have been wrong before and it could be to make people underestimate him. As you run into the main hall, you stop by the kitchen, grabbing a muffin for breakfast. You thank the bakers and walk out of the main castle gates, staring at the newly bloomed flowers, and begin the walk to the training grounds. You trek the path to the training grounds, walking in the shadows of the trees that guide your way.
It's about twenty minutes later when you hear the sounds of metal swords clashing against each other reaches your ears, telling you that you’ve entered the training grounds. You finish your muffin, swallowing the final bite as you pass through the entry arch. You look around and notice Zenkichi, the guard captain, in a sparring match with a brunette boy. You walk over to admire the spectacle. Zenkichi thrusts his wooden sword toward his opponent’s chest, making him fall to one knee. The match is over. He helps the brunette up, commemorating him on lasting longer. Zenkichi notices you, and waves you over. “Ah, (Y/N), right on time!” Both Zenkichi and the brunette bow, and you bow back. “Are you ready to be assigned your personal bodyguard?” You eagerly nod your head.
The brunette steps in front of you, holding out his hand. You shake it as he introduces himself: “My name is Goro Akechi. I’m pleased to make your acquaintance, your Royal Highness.”
You shake his hand firmly; your father told you that a firm handshake is important. “I am pleased to make your acquaintance as well, Sir Akechi.” You give him a gentle smile, to hide your slight disappointment at not getting the raven haired knight.
“Well then, Akechi, as the prince’s personal knight, it is your duty to make sure that he is safe,” Zenkichi explains. “As we went over yesterday, you will be by his side at all times, in the castle and in the town. When his highness is in his personal quarters, you are to wait outside of his room.” Your new knight, Akechi, nods and stands next to you, at attention.
“As for you, your highness…” Zenkichi turns to you “I expect you back here by three in the afternoon to meet your second knight. Do you believe that you can make it?” Your eyes widen in surprise, expecting only one knight. You nod, not wishing to disappoint Zenkichi, who is almost like a second father. Zenkichi bows to you as you leave the training grounds, your new knight trailing not far behind you.
“So, Sir Akechi, did you expect to be picked for the task of becoming my personal knight?” You ask him, wanting to know more about him.
“Oh, yes. I’ve always wanted to serve the royal family, as thanks for all they’ve done for their people.” Akechi smiles at you. “I’m very pleased to be able to guard you, your highness.”
The two of you traverse the tree lined path that leads back to the castle, enjoying the shaded respite of the sun. You begin to hum a tune that you heard in passing, enjoying the cool breeze. As you hum, you notice that Akechi gives you a look.
“Is something wrong, Sir Akechi?” You ask, worried that you somehow upset the knight.
“Not at all, it’s just that my mother used to sing that song for me when I was a boy. I have very fond memories of that song, that’s all.” He explains, a smile on his face.
“Oh, I was worried that I may have upset you. I’m glad to hear that wasn’t the case.” You laugh a bit, grinning at him. You continue humming the song, wondering if you can manage to buy a record of the song to give to him.
“Have you had breakfast yet, Sir Akechi?” you ask him, wondering if you should also take a quick trip to the kitchens.
“I have, your highness. Please, don’t worry about me. Have you?”
“I have, I had a muffin before I got here. The baker’s cooking is truly to die for.” You crack a grin at him, which he returns, though you can tell that it’s a bit forced. Soon after, you arrive at the castle and give him a tour of the first floor, showing him to the throne room, the kitchen, and the ballroom. “I’ll give you a tour of the second and third floor later with the second guard, if that’s alright?” You ask him, hoping he doesn’t mind waiting.
“As you wish, your highness. I don’t mind waiting a few hours,” Akechi replies, looking around the large ballroom as servants bring in tables. “If you don’t mind me asking, what are the servants preparing for, your highness?”
“Oh, Father is throwing a ball tomorrow, for the summer solstice.” If you’re being honest, you’re not all that interested.
Akechi seems to pick up on it. “Are you not a fan of parties, your highness?”
“Not particularly, but I do look forward to seeing Lady Haru again. I always have such pleasant conversations with her. It truly is a shame that we don’t see each other that often.”
Akechi nods. “I must admit, I’m not a big fan either.”
You look out a window, looking at the clock tower, and decide to get some lunch with Akechi, dragging him to the kitchen with you. Your stomach growling, you sit down with him while you wait for servants to bring you both lunch.