Her Notice

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

The castle was filled with light for what would only be a handful of moments more, the very last of the sun reaching the walls of the open stone hallways before it would settle into murky twilight. Dusk looked beautiful on the tiles and the tapestries of the castle, scattering over muted servants and hurried nobles alike as the day drew to a close. Measured steps were audible amidst the sounds of a conversation between councilmembers, and though the younger of the two pretended flawlessly to absorb everything he was told, he was focused on the gorgeous failing light of the kingdom. It was much more enchanting then what was possibly the dullest conversation he could think of, but as he sensed another pause he hummed as if considering something, nodding to his elder to continue.

Adrien hated these things. He knew he was probably being childish, but he really hadn't retained a single thing since they left the gathering hall, where most of his attention had been required. The lord that currently monopolized his attention wasn't saying anything that he needed to hear, not a single thing was of note or use to him in the slightest. It was essentially a recap of things they had already voted on, and arguments they had already made, which Adrien had actively argued against in the meeting they just came from, but that didn't seem to occur to the nobleman. The persuasive argument had been so contradictory and useless since the matter had already been decided that Adrien was reminded of a goat ramming its horns against a wall. The old codger was probably just sore that someone so much younger than him had the king's ear, taking their moment alone as a chance to swing Adrien to his side. Not that it mattered, since it was already over and Adrien had already won.

'Just take the loss and stop already...' Adrien muttered in his head, tearing his eyes away from the view of the castle town and indulging this dusty mean man in the interest of politeness. The old lord said something and argued something and made some kind of point, and Adrien just hummed again, looking away and down the hallway a bit wistfully. How nice it might be to walk down that way. Alone, and without a lecture. But men in positions of power loved their arguments too much to be stopped just by being wrong so... he endured.

"Yes I see," Adrien stated eventually, not sure exactly if he interrupted in a spot that made sense but he was really hoping this would end soon, "however as I stated before I think the current needs of the outer territories are more important then the cost in resources. The Fall harvest will bolster us, it's a worthy investment and the King agrees with me if it means salvaging relations. Now if you'll excuse me-,"

"This Kingdom is not like your own!" the noble reiterated, and Adrien internally wilted as he seemed intent on repeating himself again. "Our crop yields are different to yours, we can't account for-,"

"Sir please, if you will," Adrien nearly begged, taking a step away, "The matter is settled, and I have business to attend to."

Adrien turned to leave but the lord was speaking again, and he had to make an effort not to sigh in exasperation, facing the opening looking out over the castle grounds like he might jump from it. He kept his back to him in a desperate hope that he might let him leave, but as he ranted about the territories his attention was caught by a group moving far below him.

Adrien took a step forward, leaning out to look at the procession of horses seeing as the lord didn't really need him to engage anyways.

Marching through the inner walls of the castle grounds was the familiar formation of a royal party, heavy footed guards following along behind as three horses made there way up to one of the entrances to meet some servants who were waiting expectantly to take the reins. Adrien looked to the front, grinning to see an armored guard step down from his place on his steed and hand the lead to a servant, no doubt saying please and thank you. He could easily recognize the princess immediately behind him, already dismounting on her own as the guard bypassed her without hesitation, moving instead to help the small weary twins from their shared saddle.

They all looked together and in one piece, Nino collecting the royal daughters and sending the horses to be watered with what he was sure was an air of expertise. He couldn't hear them or see them too clearly in detail, but he could picture it perfectly, beaming to see him doing so well. He deserved it, after how hard he worked, and Adrien again felt that same swell of pride he had when he saw Nino that morning.

He watched them until they vanished from sight, his mind already working out a way to maybe 'accidently' encounter Nino again to ask how it went when he felt a tap on his shoulder, and he allowed himself a small sigh.

"Yes?" he asked dully, turning to pretend to listen again, at least for a little while. Then, he'd sneak away and find the guard. Yes, how optimistic that sounded, as the aging lord continued to rant about nothing. The implication that he might ever escape was somewhat reassuring to him, and he steeled himself for another round of tiring, insufferable politics.

---

The tail end of dusk mingled with the now lit torches of the interior staircases, filtering through the windows and illuminating the carpeted stone steps that the party very slowly made their way up. Their progress was hindered by the twins, who were subdued as they mumbled something sleepily to each other, the pair of them holding onto their older sister's dress as she gently guided them towards their rooms.

Nino smiled when he looked back at them, staying in the lead but forced to wait every few steps for them to catch up. The poor little ones had worn themselves out before they had even left the field, so the ride home and through the town had been a weary one. Nino frowned a little when he saw how dirty the hems of their dresses were (and in honesty he wasn't looking much better), but he hoped they might still be awake enough to explain to their mother how much fun they had had should they see her before bed. Certainly, Alya would explain at least but he also wasn't sure he wanted the story in her hands either. She'd probably linger on the loud, clinking rabbit hunt adventure a little longer then was professionally impressive...

He caught Alya's eye when she looked up, trading a smile as they tried to do. She held onto her sisters as they reached the landing, walking with them through one of the longer, final hallways.

"Today was fun," Alya stated simply, and it took Nino a second to realize she was talking to him. He looked around for a moment to ensure the other guards had taken their posts, but when he saw they were alone he slowed up, walking beside her instead with one of the twins between them.

"I'm glad you had a good time."

She hummed in response, and he realized he hadn't left much of an opening to continue. He looked around again, careful, before saying, "I know you said you don't get to do those a lot, so it's nice that you were allowed to today. And I bet the little ones loved spending time with you."

At this Alya laughed, smiling up at him as they walked shoulder to shoulder. He felt himself stand a little taller, wanting to still look impressive if he could manage it but the dirt and creek water that still lingered on his armor probably ruined that a little. Or maybe she liked it more, he wasn't sure.

"I hardly ever got to go out like that when I was young, so I argue for It as much as I can whenever an opportunity shows itself. My parents are very protective of us, which I understand but... still. They're kids. They should get to play in the creek, right?"

"Absolutely," he was quick to agree, and she smiled again.

It felt weird, and a little blasphemous to walk besides a princess. He knew that if anyone saw he'd have to cover for himself quickly, making some kind of excuse for why he'd treat her so plainly. They had been in each other's company for hours now but being back in the castle had made it difficult to feel comfortable with it, and she seemed to understand that even if she pursed her lips.

He couldn't tell what she was thinking now, as they turned the final corner towards their rooms. The farther they got from the fields Nino noticed her stand straighter, laugh less, walk smoother. Like her whole being was pulled up and towards the castle with a sort of... inevitability to it. Or maybe he was reading into it too much... he overthought things a lot, but still. They both acted different, as they passed the company of other nobles and guards and he was forced to walk ahead, guarding them and waiting patiently as they exchanged curtsies and brief conversations. He looked on, standing stiffly as he watched Alya laugh at something someone more important than him had said.

But it didn't sound exactly right, not mischievous or teasing or anything like he had heard just a few hours ago. Just... polite. Proper.

Appropriate, for a princess.

He walked in front of her, guiding them to their rooms without comment or any more risked glances as they passed a few people more now that the day was turning towards indoor necessities. He wanted to talk to her again, for a handful of reasons, but as they closed the final distance he realized he'd have no time to. He didn't like that the last laugh he had heard was so... thin. But it wasn't his business to think one way or another about such things, and he was forced to walk in silence until he formally stepped to one side of the twin's door when they arrived. Alya gave him a nod to indicate he should wait, as she plucked the children from the hem of her dress and took them inside, vanishing from view.

Nino was left in the hall with a pair of other guards, neither of which spared him a glance as they guarded the royal chambers. He felt something like pride to be one of them, guarding the living spaces of the royal family, but it felt a little lack luster in comparison to leading them safely about their business.

Or catching rabbits, whatever they needed really.

Nino kept an eye on the hallway, diligently aware of all movement, but letting his mind wander as he waited. He was sort of reminiscing about how a 'guard' almost always is someone watching a door somewhere, or maybe a wall or in some cases a person, but it's just sort of sitting around and making sure other folks don't sit around and look at the thing you're looking at.

It's a 'hey mate this is a special door' kind of job. And this door here was very special, because it had very important people who were vulnerable to attack, so if you were going to be watching a door then out of all the doors this door was the one to be watching. Because something might happen with this door. Anything really.

...

Pretty boring, actually, Nino eventually thought to himself. He couldn't afford to get spoiled on interesting escort missions... this is what he had been doing for three months straight and was exactly what he was going to be asked to do as soon as he left the princesses charge for the night. His job was to be dangerous and stand in front of a door, that was about it.

Could be worse... but he was grateful for the change of pace the day had provided. Getting to feel so important for a second... standing tall like he was some kind of Knight, a real Knight. It made watching doors feel so mundane in comparison, if it could get any duller than he already thought it was.

He was still mulling over his grievances when he heard Alya's voice just inside, heading towards the door as she commanded something of her sisters. Judging by the whines they were reluctant to listen, but he could hear her rebuttal clearly as she opened the door to leave.

"Listen to them now, you can't sleep with that dirt all over you. You wash your feet and change for the night, and be nice about it for your maidens all right? Is that clear?"

Nino fought to keep a smile from his face as he heard the twins moan, Alya giving up and turning to face him with a slight huff.

With his back to the other guards Nino risked a sympathetic expression, quirking an eyebrow and shrugging slightly as if to say 'What can you do?'. Alya saw this and chuckled a little but turned away to say her final goodnights.

To Nino's surprise he got one as well, the twins leaning on their beds to be visible through the half-closed door, waving to him sleepily.

"Thank you, Sir Guard sir," Etta called to him in a small voice, "For the rabbits and for walking us and letting us go."

"Thank you for the bunnies Sir Guard, goodnight sir, thank you." Ella offered as well, grinning at him before she clutched her dirty feet and frowned at a round-faced maiden who was trying to clean her.

Nino was a little stunned, but he smiled, bowing. "Goodnight princesses, it was lovely to meet you."

He wanted to say more, but the three maidens inside were already tittering a little, asking the girls what they meant by 'the bunnies' as Alya closed the door and stepped away.

He straightened up, knowing now that he was soon to be dismissed as they started walking. She was only just down the hall, and he was a little sad to see the day close. However, he was under the impression that he had done a good job, and everyone seemed to like him so that was a relief.

He walked her to her door in silence, internally fretting over the fact that he was probably always going to be 'the farm boy' in her mind, but also pleased that he had earned some small place there for the day, in her attention.

Where he had come from, and who he had been before... he had never once thought he would be in the presence of royalty. He had also thought very differently of what royalty might be like. So far they were regal yes, and powerful as well, but the King had been kind. The young princesses were just children, and Alya?

She was unbreakable, and sharp and interesting. He wasn't sure what to make of her, but he thought of her jokes and her teasing when they were together on the hill and he knew it was nothing like what he expected a princess to be.

He much preferred it, actually.

They came to her door in no time at all, Nino turning smartly to attention as he awaited her dismissal. Dusk had faded now, and it was the torches that lent them light in the muted stone hallways, her royal highness looking up to regard him.

She didn't say anything for a moment, just standing there outside her chamber door, looking at him. Their only company were the same two guards, now a good way down the corridor nearer to the twins, and Nino seemed suddenly nervous, though he attempted not to look it.

It made her smile a little.

"Thank you for your service today," she said simply, her smile audible in her voice. After a moment she added, "And your company. It was a nice change from the others."

"I-uh," he froze a little, looking her in the face and again, a little stunned by her. She had this way about her, that in his mind he was forced to admit he had been wrong, at least a little. In this way, she was very much like a princess. The absolute command of attention.

After a short moment of floundering he bowed his head, speaking earnestly. "It was an honor, your highness. Thank you for, um, indulging me, I suppose."

When he looked up he saw some of that spark return to her eyes, the one he had lost somewhere in the castle since they arrived. Lost in all the hollow conversations and proper laughs and curtsies.

"If you looking after my little sisters for me counts as indulging then I'd spoil you rotten," she said with a smirk. Then she seemed a little more genuine. "They haven't had that much freedom to be kids in ages. And I got to relax a little as well so... thank you." She smiled. "I appreciate it."

There was a beat, and before he could think better of it, he said, "Any time, your highness."

She frowned a little, playfully though it looked like, and turned to open her door to her chambers. He glanced briefly inside, finding it already lit and made up in preparation for her, her handmaiden likely somewhere inside waiting for her to return. She stepped inside and she dropped the frown as she turned back to look at him, an eyebrow slightly raised.

He was frying a little, trying to figure out what he had said wrong, before it occurred to him as she dismissed him, a simple 'That will be all sir, thank you.' The last thing he might say to her, he corrected himself.

"Goodnight, Alya."

She had already started to turn away, but upon hearing her name she looked back at him, smiling happily again.

"Goodnight, farmboy," she answered in return, giving him a smirk when he made a face. He had no time to reply before the heavy oak door was shut, and he was abruptly alone with her departing line in the hall.

Professionally dismissed, but remembered.

Job done then... but he lingered for a moment.

And a moment more,

Before he shook his head, smothered his smile, and returned to his business. His business as a royal guard, feeling more official and in place then he had the entire summer for all his tiresome work. He had been congratulated, beat down, fought, tested, and patient, but now...

Nino held his head high, carrying her acknowledgment with him and letting it bolster him as he passed his fellow guards, earning their glances now as he marched confidently past. Now, he had fulfilled the higher part of his calling here, to be of service to the royal family should they call upon him, and things were different.

He'd do his dull work proudly, with a point to prove. He had nearly won over the guards through hard work and harsh reminders, with a good few enemies, but budding allies as well. He was aware, distantly, of this King's reminder that he had his attention, and now the princess as well seemed intent to keep her eye on him. He was a farm boy with the notice of the royal house, something he had no intention of squandering-...

His mind turned to the creek.

Suddenly his thoughts were in the wildflowers again, cramped and overheating but holding perfectly still, a bit over eager to make up for his wrong doing with the twins. He slowed on the stone steps, thinking again of the creek water in his boots as the eldest princess teased him, and it felt natural enough that he could roll his eyes. She laughed and he mumbled, and the twins celebrated his excellent tracking. They were little kids, and the princess, for a moment, was just a girl.

When he came back to the moment the torch lit stairway seemed cold in comparison, and his ambitions fell by the wayside as he slowly continued on his way.

That was important too, he decided.

He had a lot to prove, and a lot he wanted to be seen as, but he had ambitions to be close to the royals for another reason now. Their approval didn't just mean status it was... something else too. Something simple and good that seemed lost the more formal and practiced everything became.

He was new, he had been indulged only once and he had trouble articulating exactly what he wanted to do but...

He hoped they might call again, and he would have another chance. So that they'd be safe, so that he could do his job and do it well, but also, so that not all the little things got lost in the castle. Yeah.

Something like that.

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net