Shoto was a poor boy growing up, always searching for jobs just to earn a couple gold. He often got dirty, rained on and would frequently go nights with only bread to eat. But despite it all, he never complained once—even when he got pushed into the mud, even when ants got to his only food supply.

As long as he was alive, he was perfectly fine in his eyes.

Now one thing that he did love was the village he grew up in, for it was the most populated one under the King's rule. That meant that it was the gathering place for the grand marketplace, bazaars and festivals.

Shoto vividly remembers every year, hearing the trumpets and running out into the crowd just to watch the royal parade. The intricate parade floats, the wooden animatronics of unicorns and dragons, the confetti and magical displays—it was all so beautiful. He couldn't look away.

But once, when he was 10, he couldn't tear his eyes away from the parade for a different reason this time, for as the float carrying the esteemed royalty passed by, Shoto locked eyes with the little kid on that float. The one that would soon grow up to rule over his country.

Their wide eyes locked with his, a gaze filled with curiosity and childlike wonder. The difference between them was staggering, with Shoto's cheek covered in dirt and his clothes ragged while the other was bathed in gold and designer silks, their hair clean and skin immaculate. But despite the mass difference between the two, the little royal smiled and tossed Shoto a rare flower from the parade float itself before the whole interaction promptly ended when the float turned in a way that obstructed Shoto's view. He has and will never forget about that day.

And now, 10 years later, Shoto has just been approved for a butler's job at the main palace.

He wore a black servant's suit with a white undershirt and black slacks. He had also made sure to clean himself up properly for this job: his candy cane hair slicked back, his skin clean of any dirty and grime and teeth white. He smelled of peonies.

While checking his breath in the palace, the head butler—his boss—walked up with a platter of scones and biscuits and gave Shoto a once over. "Hm, well at least you have presented yourself adequately. The Highness is waiting to be served inside the greenhouse, your order is to bring over this tray."

Shoto gulped and nodded, "Yes sir," before bowing out and taking the tray of sweets into his hands then promptly walking towards his destination for his first task. As he stepped out into the garden, he was hit with the smell and sight of lush flowerbeds and beautiful garden decor.

He walked to the middle of the garden where the greenhouse laid, his heart slightly pounding in his chest even though his face remained stoic.