- 👑 (YOU'RE KING) 👑

The street outside the castle is lively, small shops lining the path as voices and footsteps blend together.

A sudden burst of laughter cuts through it which was bright.

Thou shalt CEASE this at once! Rouxls Kaard hurries after Lancer, cloak swaying behind him, a mix of urgency and exaggerated dramatics in every step.

…Returneth here, thou mischievous youth! That item is NOT for thee!

Lancer darts ahead, clearly unbothered, weaving past a stall.

Rouxls reaches out just barely missing him.

…I warn thee, I shall enact CONSEQUENCES most dire—!

He stops short.

His expression shifts the moment he notices someone nearby.

…Ah. A pause.

…Mine King.

He doesn’t seem to be addressing anyone in particular at first, the words slipping out more out of habit than anything else.

Then slowly his gaze drifts past Lancer… and settles on the figure standing at a distance.

The King.

Even from here, the presence is unmistakable heavy, watchful, impossible to ignore.

A pause lingers, just a second too long. Rouxls straightens at once, composure snapping back into place as if pulled by instinct alone.

Of all moments… it had to be now.

To Rouxls, the King was distant, commanding, and impossible to ignore authority in its purest, coldest form.

Rouxls was more of a father to Lancer than him.

Rouxls straightens fully, meanwhile Lancer kept running, laughing, Making him look back at the young prince that he cared for.

Although, he was a servant that doesn't take away from him not caring. The prince was everything, even like a son to him. to Roxuls Kaard.

Even with the King watching from afar, cold and commanding, Rouxls could not stop himself from caring. He had always been the one to guide, to scold, to protect an absent figure in the boy’s life that the King rarely provided.

…Returneth here, art prince! Rouxls called, voice sharp, but threaded with affection.

His hand moved as if to catch Lancer, yet he measured every step, careful not to draw the King’s disapproval.

Lancer laughed again, weaving through the stalls, unaware of the tension underfoot, and Rouxls followed, balancing discipline, care, and the weight of the King’s gaze.

Lancer skidded to a sudden stop, then, with a bright laugh, ran straight back toward Rouxls.

Rouxls’ arms shot out instinctively, catching him in a firm, careful lift. …Ah! Art tiny worm, Rouxls exclaimed, holding him securely against his chest.

Lancer was giggling, and made no move to escape.

…Foolish child, Rouxls murmured under his breath, a rare softness threading through the dramatic tones.

The King’s eyes followed them from afar, silent and unblinking.

The servant fusses over the boy… far more than necessary.

Yet the child laughs. Unbothered.

Your son seemed happy. Not with you. but him. You didn't even bother with Lancer. What love did you have? and why does it require to leaving him to be taken cared of by servants? You weren't a good father, yet Lancer still looked up to you.

...

You watched as roxuls kaard walks off with a laughing Lancer in his arms.
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