“Where could you be now?” The knight said to himself, his armor clicking against the hallway flooring.

It had been four years since Vince was knighted and became the official guard for King Domonic. However,  he still was not used to it. Being a knight had more intense training, and his form in the past had long since grown. Even though he was still short, his body was much more defined, and muscle forming along his arms and chest was more prominent than before. He was even scarred a bit more from how rough the training was, but the new thing was the patches of vitiligo he had. 

His mother had it, her patches of white against her brown skin were smaller and spotted. The knights used to be small and almost nonexistent, but they grew into distance stripes and swirls from stress. It caused him looks, but because of his new status of knighthood, it was rare for him to receive any comments on it.

Vince looked into the different rooms of the castle, but of course, the person he was looking for was nowhere in sight, aside from a princess with the King's brother. “Sorry!”

Even after the four years he's been in the castle, he still got lost. And the person he was looking for used that to his advantage. He knew where the important places were, like his sleeping quarters, the dining room, and the ballroom, but he always mixed up the small rooms like the bathrooms and closets. Is not that Vince hated the castle, he loved it. It was the court that was the problem.

It took Vince a few months after his knighthood to become actuated to royal life. Him being the King's personal guard, he was around Dominic for most of the day. Which led to him being in places he would never have imagined. The personal office, other kingdoms, Vince knew a lot. But of course, he will not share, yet the court thought he would.

The court was next to the King as much as his knight was, yet they still did not trust him. He was not snobby like the rest of them, he did not know proper etiquette, yet he was still trying at least. There was one person in particular who did not like Vince, even after years of knowing each other; the Chamberlain.

Bartholomew was his name, with slick black hair, and pale skin. He was no older than forty-six and was very stuck up. He was the former King's friend and was the main one opposed to Vince being Dominic's guard. However, there was still tension between them, he did not like Vince, and from his crude remakes and side looks, it was clear the older man hated the knight with a passion.

“Sir Vince!” The raspy voice of the Chamberlain could be heard through the hall, it made the knight wince.

However, he turned towards Bartholomew, his stance tall and proud, “What an honor it is to see you, Bartholomew, what can I do for you?”

The Chamberlain began to scowl, clearly picking up on the knight's sarcasm and lack of honorifics. “Where's the King?”

“The garden.” Vince did not know that of course, the King was the whole reason for his search. Yet, it was the only place he had not checked yet, so he had to be there. “I was just on my way there.”

“In the entirely wrong direction?” The older man crossed his arms, his scowl just growing deeper.

“I'm just taking the scenic route, Bartholomew.” Vince snapped back, his hand clutching the handle of his sword.

The chamberlain just scoffed and brushed past him. Leaving the knight to continue his search.

The garden was a small ways from the ballroom, it had a small glass door on the side leading out onto the balcony and stairs leading to the place in question. Past the room and the servants cleaning the white floors, he made it to the balcony to hear the King and someone else. The conversation was not hostile, but it was clear the King was distressed. So, Vince stayed behind the tall bush that led to the fountain.

“I'm just saying, it has to happen soon.” It was a feminine voice, soft just like the King's.

“Can we talk about this later, Mother,” Dominic asked, but it came as more of a statement. He was seated on the edge of the fountain, his bright red robe held closely to his chest. This was a conversation that happened between them frequently, especially as the years went on.

“The other Kings are talking, Dominic.” Queen Liah said, “It was understandable during the war but you are thirty-one now, everyone expected you to marry years ago, and have an heir by then.”

“I've been… preoccupied.”

“With what, Dominic? You are King now. With your father still sickly, you have to fulfill that role.” She sat next to her son, her wavy black hair pooling at her waist.  “I want you to be happy son.”

“I'm happy now—”

“With a family.” Liah interrupted.

The conversation stopped, and there was clear tension in the air. Vince decided to make his presence known, it was clear the King was tired of it. So ruffled the bush as he stepped out of hiding, making it seem as if he just arrived. “Ah King Dominic, I have been looking for you— Queen Liah, I did not know you were here too.”

“Sir Vince!” The queen stood, “I didn't mean to take Dominic from you. I wanted to have a talk with him.”

“It is fine, I hope I was not interrupting.”

“Nonsense,” Liah waved off, “I was just leaving,”

She walked past Vince but gave a look to Dominic, one the knight knew all too well. “Remember what I said.” Then she took her leave, her blue gown the last to disappear behind the bushes.

The knight stood in his place, not daring to move until the King himself gave his order or a sign too. From where Vince stood, Dominic's face was unreadable. It was blank, almost emotionless, beside the subtle arches his brows would make. The King looked just like his mother, with the same black wavy hair and soft features, yet he was still masculine with a sharp jawline. And his small patch of facial hair made him look a little older than he actually was, he inherited that and his dark complexion from his father. It took the former king years his entire life up till now to grow the short beard he has now. (Of course, he would never say that out loud.) So Vince stood and watched the king closely, he did this often though, he would never admit it to himself.

“You heard, didn't you?” King Dominic asked; it broke the knight from his trance.

“Yes,” Vince approached the other slowly, “I apologize. I just wanted to watch over you.”

The king let out a gentle chuckle, one where he dipped his face slightly. “Isn't that what a knight is for, to look out for others? “

“I suppose, but I'm only looking out for you.” The knight stood before him, this was the only time he was taller than the King was when said King was sitting.

Dominic shyed away again, “Only because it's your duty to.”

“If you see it that way.” The knight sat next to the king, pulling his sword to his lap.

There was silence for a while, Vince stared up at the sky. There was a soft breeze going, blowing the large white clouds through the blue sky. Even at his age, he would still imagine the different shapes they made.

“She wants me to hold a party,” Dominic said, “My mother that is.”

“That seems fun,” Vince added, he was social and loved interacting with people. However, he did not like loud noises and crowds too much.

“It won't be for me.”

“How come?”

“She wants me to find a girl to marry.”

“Oh.” Vince knew of the ordeal, it had been years since he had seen the King with any maidens. Even when he was a foot soldier, he had surely seen at least a few princesses with him. But, he was confused about why it was such an issue to King Dominic now. “Well, I'm sure there are many young women out there that are willing to try seeing you. Your looks are quite attractive, I'm sure it could happen.”

“But that's just the problem, I don't—” Dominic began to choke on his words, he was having trouble speaking. He was scared of what the other would think of him.

And Vince caught on easily, to him he thought the King just lacked experience. “It's okay to talk about it, I won't judge.”

“I—uh” Dominic started, “My feelings towards women are complicated.”

Vince looked up at the other confused, which made the King panic and clarify his words.

“I like women, I do! I just find men attractive as well, and it confused me.”

Listening to the King, the knight began to realize that it was not as bad as he thought. The knight frequently questions his feelings at one point, and of course, he doesn't know the name of what he is but he just finds everyone attractive. “There's nothing wrong with that.”

“But it is!” The King exclaimed, “What if I fall for a man instead, what will the others think of me.”

“Let them talk, who are they to judge you!” Vince raised his voice a bit. How selfless Dominic was at times. Even when it came to his own happiness, he was still thinking about others.

“It's not that simple. I'm the King, I have to have an heir and a queen next to me.” Dominic's face was covered in sorrow, he was torn between his feelings and his duties.

“I can not tell you what you can and can not do, however,” Vince looked Dominic directly into his eyes, “Your happiness and safety are most important to me. Whatever you choose to do, I will support you, no matter what.”

Red met golden, and for a moment the knights began to wonder. He never realized the King's eyes would shine red when in the sun. They are mesmerizing, almost beautiful. Like gemstones.

“What?” It came from the King, now tilting his head confused. “What about gemstones?”

“Nothing!” Vince became embarrassed, he didn't mean to speak out loud. It just made the king laugh.

“It's fine. I'll think about what you said.”

“Okay.”

There was silence again, the King seemed content now, but the knight was now nervous. So he changed the subject.

“I saw your brother today.” Dominic's brother, Astion, was younger than the king by four or five years. He was tan like their mother, and his hair was thicker like their father's.

“What's about him?” The king said in a curious tone. He was not one to gossip, but his interest was piqued.

“Lady Violet was in his room.”

“Violet? I thought he was set to marry Molly.”

“I thought so too, but it was clear as day. The princess from the neighboring kingdom is here.” Vince began to laugh, it was common for Astion to jump between women, even having a few mistresses. He was clearly a pain for the royal family.

“He will get caught up in a scandal one of these days.” The king just let out an exasperated sigh.

“You want to know what they were doing.” Now Vince was teasing, this was not proper Knight behavior, but the king's happiness was just as important to him as his safety.

“Do not tell me, I can't bear to hear it!” 

—

At the entrance of the garden, the Chamberlain was watching the others trim hedges. He had just come from the garden and was starting to head to his office when he ran into the queen.

“Ah Bartholomew, I'm glad to have run into you.” Queen Liah jogged over, lifting her skirt to not get it dirty.

The chamberlain became tense, his posture shooting upright as the woman approached him. “What can I do for you Queen Liah.”

“No need to be so formal, Bartholomew. I wanted to let you know that my son and I would like to host a party.”

“A party you say, for what occasion?” The man asked.

“Nothing in particular,” the woman said, “As you know my son is getting up in age, I'm just trying to push him to get married.”

“Now?” Bartholomew seemed enthusiastic now, he loved setting up parties.

“Yes, and I hope that you will help, especially with the guest list.”

“Of course madam, it would be my honor.” He bowed, “I already have a few people in mind~”

“Great, shall we meet tomorrow morning?” The Queen clasped her hands together, “I would love for the party to happen soon.”

“Of course, how does after breakfast sound?”

“That's perfect, till then.” Liah began walking back into the castle, holding her skirt just like before.

“Till then.”