All these things -- that I've done [royal AU]
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā [ā] Dawn in the kingdom. Reiner moved silently through the castle corridors, buttoning the last clasps of the vest that completed his uniform. He was up before several of the other servants, charged with arguably one of the most important duties within the entire palace: protecting the Kingās son and sole heir to the throne.
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā By formal title, he was the princeās lord-in-waiting, but he provided so much more than the simple duties of a butler or an attendant. Apart from being the princeās steward and valet, he was also Bertholdtās head of security. He oversaw the preparation of the princeās meals to ensure there wasnāt any sabotage. He rode at Bertholdtās right hand during any diplomatic missions or affairs of state. He attended all of his classes and lessons alongside him. He oversaw the rest of Bertholdtās personal staff. He managed Bertholdtās schedule and leisure time. So, naturally, he and the young prince were virtually inseparable.
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā They had been that way since they were toddlers. Bertholdt had been accompanying his mother and father on an ambassadorial expedition when they encountered Reiner, begging for food, in the streets. He had performed some amusing tricks with a set of juggling pins, and the tiny prince had been delighted beyond words. The king and queen charged their chief-of-staff to take Reiner under his wing so that the small blond could become a personal servant to their son. It was customary, after all, for young noblemen to have companions who were their age so that they could acquire the necessary social graces. Peasants were often collected for this task because they didnāt possess an ounce of royal blood in their veins, and thus posed no threat to the nobles they served. Not to mention, Bertholdt had never been very sociable to begin with (he rarely played with his royal cousins), yet he seemed to get along seamlessly with this charming young commoner.
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Reiner, however, was naturally gregarious. Heād beguile royal visitors and fellow servants alike. That was how he met Berik, a young squire-in-training. Berik primarily tended to the stables, taking care of the knightsā horses and maintaining the quality of their swords. Reiner and the prince would often play games out in the barn; they one day invited Berik to join, and the rest was history.
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā And so, they grew up together. They sparred together. They got into trouble together. They pranked their instructors together. They pretended to be knights together. And they only seemed to grow closer as they grew older. Reiner taught Bertholdt and Berik how to tie impermeable knots and how to swindle others at card games. Bertholdt taught Reiner and Berik how to write letters and master enough etiquette to keep the quartermaster off his back. And Berik taught Reiner and Bertholdt how to joust, how to rideā¦ how to be brave. They wereā¦ the dearest of friends. But as the years passed and the boys grew older, as they developed stronger builds and more restless hearts, their friendship blossomed into somethingā¦ more convoluted.
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Reiner emerged from the palace and moved swiftly across the grounds, a fully-packed saddlebag slung over his strapping shoulder. The prince and his family were taking an ambassadorial excursion into the capitol later that afternoon. It wasnāt a very far journey, but due to the nature of the trip, they were only going to be accompanied by members of the royal guard. That, unfortunately, did not include servants. Reiner had been sad to hear the news, particularly because going to the capitol was a rare and exciting event for him. It had been years since his last visit. He would have to settle for staying behind, which wasnāt entirely terrible, because it meant that he would be helping Berik with his duties in the stables. First, however, he needed to ensure that everything was ready for the Princeās departure.
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Sauntering up to the barn, Reiner spotted his dark-haired friend hitching a mule to a cart loaded with several bales of hay. āDonāt see why you went to the trouble of hooking her up to the wagon,ā the blond teased, depositing the bag to the ground, āWhen you could just haul the thing yourself, Berik. You are, after all, a complete ass.ā Reiner smirked.
