Work Text:
Sebek knew that many Fae hated him even though they didn’t know him. He should be used to the judgmental stares he gets when he goes to places like the market or to walk around town with his parents.
After all he was half-fae and half-human.
The youngest Zigvolt sibling knew that many fae still hated humans but it was hard sometimes growing up in that world.
He loves his father, he really does but growing up with a human father wasn’t easy in Brier Valley. Especially when your own grandfather hates your father.
When he started training under Master Lilia, Sebek felt accepted for who he is for the first time. Not just by Lilia himself but also by his training partner and his young master-
Malleus Draconia.
Thats why Sebek was always looking for his approval. Malleus has no reason to like or care for Sebek but he does, he doesn’t care that Sebek’s blood is tainted by humans, he only cares that Sebek’s is working hard.
Sebek didn’t ever really meet Malleus outside of Lilia’s house until NRC. That was the first time Malleus and him really talked outside the comfort of Lilia’s isolated house and Malleus didn’t change.
Malleus still looked at Sebek with the same admiration which only made the half-fae want to serve him more.
Malleus was a kind prince and Sebek knew that he didn’t deserve that kindness, not with his blood so tainted but Sebek couldn’t help but crave his and Lilia’s approval.
They were after all the only fae that didn’t look at Sebek like he was a disease.
He spent so long with Malleus and Lilia that he almost forgot what the rest of Fae kind thought of him.
Almost.
When Malleus was summoned to the castle for the weekend, he asked Sebek to join him since Lilia will be busy with a pop music club concert and he had asked Silver to help him.
That made Sebek ecstatic, he was honored that Malleus wished for his company and invited him to the palace.
Growing up Sebek would have done anything to be able to enter such a grand place but sadly his excitement was short lived.
As he and Malleus entered the home of the royal family, Sebek felt uncomfortable with all the stares. The knight tried his best to ignore them as he kept pace with Malleus who was making his way to…? somewhere, he didn’t exactly know where his young master was going.
Sebek shifts uncomfortably as he heard a few whispers, he knew these whispers were about him but he chose to ignore them.
He was a trusted knight of Malleus, he didn’t need the options of any judgmental fae.
But…
The whispers continued as Malleus makes his way to an office.
”Sebek wait out here for a moment, I must talk with my grandmother in private,” Malleus says, looking at Sebek.
”Of course,” Sebek bows respectfully.
Malleus smiles before he disappears behind the doors to talk to the queen. Sebek just stood at attention while he waited.
A few fae walked by, all stopping to look at him. Some gave him hesitate smiles, others just glared, and a few muttered a few things under their breath.
Sebek elected to just ignore all of them, he was only here for the weekend, not even, so he didn’t see a point in defending himself, except the whispers and the stares never stop.
”Why would someone with such dirty blood be allowed here?” One fae whispers.
”I’m sure he is only a knight out of pity,” another says with a sneer.
”Is Lord Malleus sure about him, he is half-human which means he is weaker,” a bear fae tells another fae, not even trying to whisper.
Sebek could only grit his teeth.
He hates how they all whisper about him, he hates how they all think he is incapable, he hates how there was nothing he can do to prove them wrong. He can only stand there and listen, after all he couldn’t respond unless he wanted to make Lord Malleus look bad.
After a few moments Malleus left the study and Sebek let out a sigh of relief. He didn’t have to listen to the fae anymore.
”Come Sebek,” Malleus says as he places a hand on Sebek’s shoulder for a second. The half-fae nods and follows Malleus through the halls once more.
The two walked in silence, and Sebek can still feel the judgmental stares on him.
He grits his teeth once more, trying not to lash out.
”I believe you have never been here before, correct?” Malleus asks, giving Sebek a curious look.
”No, M’lord,” Sebek answers Malleus with a head shake.
”Then I must show you my favorite spot” Malleus says with a smile, still walking but he places a hand on Sebek’s shoulder once more.
Sebek nods, a smile creeping on his face. He knows that Silver has never been to the palace either which means that Sebek would be the first out of the two to see this spot. He finally beat Silver at something, a part of him couldn’t help but feel cocky about that.
The two made it outside to where Sebek saw a garden, it was beautiful. There was so much color, and the little pond was clear as a crystal.
Seve could only stare in amazement.
Malleus next to him chuckled, “I knew you would like it.”
”I AM HONORED THAT YOU BROUGHT ME HERE MY LIEGE!” Sebek yells, unable to hold himself back.
Malleus didn’t even cringe at how loud Sebek is, he only smiles wider before directing Sebek towards a bench.
”I wished to share this place with you and Silver for a long time, it’s nice to finally have you come to the palace,” Malleus tells Sebek. “Wait right here, I will grab us some snack.”
”Wait I can-“ Before Sebek could finish, the prince vanishes leaving Sebek alone.
The knight looks around the garden, he sees fish in the pond swimming, birds on the trees chirping, and a few other animals. The garden was well maintained, with no plant out of place, it was a calm and peaceful area, one that he is sure Silver would enjoy.
Sebek also found joy in it for a little bit, by sadly that couldn’t stay long.
”Who are you?” A new fae, wearing the royal guard uniform, sneers at him.
”I’M SEBEK,” Sebek replies as he crosses his arms. “KNIGHT OF PRINCE MALLEUS.”
”You are not a knight,” the guard replies condescendingly as he rubs his ears. “You are a loud mouth though,” he mutters.
Sebek growls at the fae, “I AM A KNIGHT!”
”Oh please like they would let a weak human protect the Prince,” scoffs the fae. “They are probably humoring you this stupid fantasy of yours at best. I doubt you even know the Prince.”
Sebek scowls at the fae, crossing his arms.
”I came here with Lord Malleus,” Sebek says with a growl.
”Wow, I didn’t know you could be quiet,” the fae replies sarcastically.
Sebek growls, he wishes that this fae would just shut up. He puts his hand on his sword, wondering if he needs to take it out.
”Oh who are you going to attack me, I suppose that’s all you humans are good for anyways,” the fae mockingly asks, Sebek once more growls. But before he can say anything in response, thunder roars through the sky.
Sebek flinches and looks behind him to see Malleus, holding a few of Sebek’s favorite snacks looking more angry than he has ever looked before.
“Lord Malleus,” Sebek says with surprise but Malleus ignores him, instead placing the food down on a bench and walking towards the fae.
”Y-your highn*gulp*ness,” the fae stutters as he walks backwards in shock.
”How dare you insult my knight,” Malleus growls, grabbing the fae harshly. “Do you think I have chosen wrong when I have chosen him as my retainer?” Malleus asks with a growl.
”Lo-lord malleus, I mean no disrespect- he is a human- huh,” The knight says and Sebek could see Malleus squeezing the fae’s wrist.
Sebek crosses his arms, feeling the need to defend himself.
”I’m Half-human,” Sebek says, trying to sound indifferent but instead it came out more like a squeak which embarrassed Sebek.
“It doesn’t matter, I chose him to be my knight because I trust him,” Malleus replies coldly. “Now leave!” He says with lighting striking next to the fae.
The guard was shaking now, as Malleus let go of his wrist. He falls to Malleus’ feet and starts to push himself up.
”I’m sorry for offending you my lord,” the guard says, with a terrified voice.
”It’s not me you should be sorry to,” Malleus coldly replies before shooing him away in anger. “Now Go!”
Lighting flashes again with the sound of thunder.
The fae didn’t have to be told a third time, he ran back inside, probably shaking in his boots.
Sebek felt smug for a second before he realized that he was just saved by his lord.
Malleus shouldn’t be the one protecting him, he was Malleus’s knight not a child lost in the market. Though it felt nice seeing Malleus defend him. He certainly doesn’t deserve such a nice prince.
”Are you okay, Sebek?” Malleus turns towards the knight and places a hand on his shoulder. He gave it a little squeeze as he looks at Sebek with concern.
”Yes, M’lord!” Sebek replies instantly. “You did not need to save me from him M’lord.”
”He was insulting you,” Malleus replies, sounding so unimpressed by Sebek’s statement.
”Well yes but…you are a prince, you shouldn’t have to worry about me,” Sebek replies, almost timidly.
“Sebek, you may be my knight,” Malleus places a hand on the half-fae’s neck. “But I watched you grow up and seen how serious you take your training. He has no right to mock you like that.”
”I’m use to people saying stuff like that,” Sebek replies, he wanted to smack himself for how much of a pathetic child he sounded like at that moment.
”You are?” Malleus asks, looking shocked before angry. “As people been saying stuff like this for a long time”.
Sebek realizes that the weather was getting worse, which could only mean that Malleus’ mood was getting worse. Sebek could only gulp and hope he can calm down his lord.
”Lord Malleus-“ he starts but is cut off.
”Don’t tell me not to worry about this Sebek!” Malleus snaps, thunder all around them. Sebek could feel the hair on the back of his neck stand up, his mouth snappy closed. ”Have other fae been saying stuff here?” Malleus asks, looking at Sebek with concern.
Sebek didn’t know what to say, he only could give a slight nod.
”Then I must talk with my grandmother,” Malleus growls.
”Lord Malleus, I have been hearing all this stuff since I was a child,” Sebek finally found his voice. “It doesn’t bother me.”
”It bothers me,” Malleus replies, before grabbing Sebek and teleporting the two somewhere, from the looks of it, it was a bedroom.
Malleus’ bedroom.
Sebek could only stare wide eyed. The place was magnificent, he didn’t get to admire and compliment it though as Malleus pulls Sebek to sit on his bed.
”You said you have been dealing with this since you were a child?” Malleus asks, standing tall and looking at Sebek with his arms crossed.
”Eep,” Sebek tenses, he really doesn’t want to get into this conversation. Malleus seriously didn’t need to worry about this but he couldn’t say that, especially with how angry he looks at the moment.
Sebek only nods.
”For how long?” Malleus demands.
”Ever since I was a kid,” Sebek says after a few moments of being glared at. “Other fae hate humans and I’m half-human.”
”That is not a good reason,” Malleus says with a huff.
”But it is,” Sebek argues. “Humans took so much from fae, it must be difficult for them to see that a fae willingly had a child or children with a human.”
”Except, you were a child and have no control over your heritage,” Malleus argues as he sighs and sits down next to Sebek. “If someone gives you issues, I want you to tell me or Lilia.”
”L-lord Malleus, you don’t have to worry about me.” Sebek’s breath hitched, he didn’t want Malleus to worry about him, he was just his retainer after all, the prince has no obligations to keep being nice with him.
”Yes I do,” Malleus replies coolly. “You are my little brother just like Silver is, and I refuse to let you suffer like this alone.”
”L-little brother?” Sebek asks looking shocked.
”Of course,” Malleus replies before pulling Sebek into a hug. “You are mine and I never want to hear someone say otherwise again. You will tell me if they do.”
”Waka-sama, I am honored,” Sebek couldn’t help but whisper.
”As long as you are my knight, no one will hurt you,” Malleus says making Sebek smile.
He might not be accepted by fae kind but he didn’t need that, not with such a great prince like Malleus.
He was lucky to be able to serve such an amazing prince.