Chapter Text
Todd didn't exactly ask for this, but he never had the courage to speak up about it.
He was used to being left alone, melting into the shadows while Jeff shone like the bright star he was raised to be. Don't get Todd wrong, he loved his brother. He was the only reason why he didn't hate living in the castle. But it stung in his chest when their parents would praise Jeff when he accomplished just a little thing, while shrugging and continuing to discuss how to find a good wife for Jeff when Todd came up with a poem that he felt quite proud of. It seemed it mattered when you were just prince and not crownprince. He got used to it though, but Jeff was always there for him afterwards, hugging him tightly and agreeing that their parents should do better. It was soothing to have at least one family member care for him.
Other than Jeff, Todd had Knox, his friend and retinue, who he held dear. They had met when Todd and Jeff were out and about in their kingdom, taking a look at how everything was. Knox had stumbled into Todd and apologized over ten times before inviting the two princes for some pastries as an apology. Both Todd and Jeff had stressed that it was okay, but they didn't say no when they were presented with mouth-watering pastries that were placed in front of them. Afterwards, Knox was very much surprised when the second son of the king and queen had approached him and asked to stay in touch. Their friendship blossomed from there and then led to Knox becoming Todd's official retinue (Todd didn't like the formal title, normally referring him as his friend instead to not make Knox sound like he was underneath him. To Todd, he was his equal).
Life had been quiet and easy, an okay routine for Todd. Spend time with Knox, attend formal events, get neglected by his parents, hanging out with Jeff when he had the time, go to sleep and repeat. But life wasn't easy. You see, the kingdom Duskendale was known for being a rumour filled and gossiping kingdom, and those rumours spread fast. So, when a noble noticed at one of the monthly balls that the king and queen had not even acknowledged their second son, you could guess how easy that spread around all the other nobles and important people in the room, which then spread out even faster in the kingdom. Unwanted questions started to rise about the Anderson's family dynamics, which the king and queen did not like in the slightest. They knew that if the rumour continued to be fueled, it would mean losing trust in their people if they really saw how little they payed Todd attention.
So what was their brilliant idea? Why, gifting Todd a personal knight, of course!
It was brilliant in their heads. They would spin a tale about how Todd was almost murdered in the middle of the night and that they worried so much over him that they personally handpicked the best knight in their ranks to watch over and protect their dear second son. In reality, they left the job of choosing the knight to the commander in charge of the guards that were stationed in the castle.
When Todd was called to the throne room one afternoon, he didn't think too much of it. He put his poetry book on his bedside table and walked the halls that led to the enormous room and quietly entered. What he saw was his parents on their thrones and a knight Todd hadn't seen before. He was quite cute, if he had to be honest, he looked to be around Todd's age. Short brown hair, good posture as he stood straight with his hand resting over his sword. He couldn't see his eyes since they were closed in respect. After inspecting the knight, he walked closer to the king and queen, nodding to them meekly.
"Todd, meet your new personal knight," his mother had said, gesturing to the cute knight that still hadn't moved an inch, "I think you know very well why we are doing this for you. It is only to put out the rumours that has started to flare up in our kingdom. We wouldn't want to make it harder for your brother to take over the throne after your father."
Todd sighed and nodded, "Yes, mother," he said quietly and had walked up to the knight, who finally opened his eyes. Soft brown eyes met pale blue ones. Todd had nodded curtly to him, "Hi. Sorry for making you do this..."
The knight shook his head smiled at him. It looked trained, almost. Fake even, "No, it is my pleasure to aid you, prince Anderson," and he had bowed to him, his armour rustling as he moved, "Neil Perry, at your service, my prince."
It was awkward, to say the least.
Todd now had to get used to that armour rustling behind him as he moved around in the castle. He had to get used to seeing Neil standing guard in the corner while Todd was hanging out with Knox. Of course, Knox noticed the obvious tension that was building up in the room. He had managed to coax Todd into requesting that Neil would instead stay on guard outside of the room instead of inside.
"I could cut the tension with a knife, Todd. You have to get to know him on an acquaintances level at the very least," Knox said the moment Neil had closed the door after him.
Todd groaned as he burried his face in one of his books. He shook his head and lightly hit himself with the book, "It's not as easy for me as it is for you, Knox... I wish I was as social as you."
It was well known in the lower ranks of the castle that Knox was a very friendly man, easily making friends with the butlers and maids that he met along the way. He related to them in a way, since he was also in a similar position as them before becoming Todd's friend (official retinue). Todd always liked that about Knox, that he didn't feel superiour to the other people who worked in the castle just because he was close to the prince. He was respectful and was kind towards those who earned it. When Todd had first witnessed Knox making small talk with one of the older maids, he knew he had made a good friend.
Knox patted him on the back before carefully removing the book that was covering his friend's face, "Look, I know it physically pains you to force yourself to interact with others, but I think this will be worse if you don't get to know your own knight."
The prince groaned yet again before nodding in defeat, "I know, I know... I just- He seems so stiff... Like- like he has crafted this whole personality that suits a knight."
His friend had just shrugged and guessed that most knights do that to avoid getting fired, which, to be fair, was most likely true, but it still irked Todd that Neil wasn't showing his true self to him. It was selfish, but it really did annoy him when people weren't honest with who they were. It was one of the biggest reasons why he hated formal events. Everyone was wearing a mask to hide their true self.
After having Knox proofread some of Todd's new poems, he bid him goodnight and exited the room, aiming to go back to his room to read some more before going to sleep. He jumped in surprise when he heard rustling behind him. Right, he had a knight following his every step. Todd turned around and nodded curty to Neil, who nodded back with his trained smile on his face.
The walk to the prince's room was awkward, just like how Knox had described it before. Todd racked his head for ideas on how to make small talk with the knight.
"Is- is your sleeping quarters far from my room?" Todd asked tentatively, not daring to turn around to see how Neil reacted.
He did hear how he stopped walking for a split second before matching his pace with Todd again, "Ah, yes, I am afraid so, your majesty," Todd gagged at the title in his head before actually paying attention to the answer he got. Was that so?
Todd started to fiddle with his fingers, "I uh... could request that they prepare a bedroom close to mine for you, in case something happens in the night," he said quietly, "And to also make it easier for you... if that is okay for you?"
He heard again how the steps behind him stopped, now with an added hitch in his knight's breath, before he resumed his pace yet again, "That- that would be wonderful! Ah, if it is not too much trouble for you, your majesty!"
They had reached Todd's bedroom. He finally turned around to meet Neil's gaze, that was quite intense. Todd quickly averted his eyes to the ground instead, "Of course. It would make things easier for both you and I," he opened the door and walked inside. But before closing it, he looked back at Neil with a small smile on his lips, "Good night, Neil. I will make sure your new sleeping quarters are ready for you tomorrow," and with that he closed his door.
When he heard the knight walk away, he slid down against the door, letting out a shaky breath. Okay, he had talked to him and also taken a step in their partnership (is that what you would call it in their case?) with providing Neil with a new bedroom closer to Todd's own. He felt proud of himself! He had managed to make decent small talk!
"I'm so screwed, Charlie,"
"No shit,"