Pearl had been stuck on guard duty again. They huffed under their iron helmet making the inside more humid than it already was. Rose Quartz had known how great their abilities were but she had ordered Pearl to scout the around her castle once again. Surely, Rose could have got a rooky to do this childish job. Like Pearl always did, they continued dwelling on it and was not going to let it go for the entire night.
Pearl knew this task was given to them due to the royal dining that was going to take place in an hour and there could not be any attackers during the gather. It would give terrible name to the House of Quartz, the gossip could go on for months and well hardly any other nobility would show up to such gatherings.
Pearl felt like a fool. They had never liked being away from Rose because they feared without them there the Lady would be in grave danger. No matter how aware the knight was that Rose had many guards and even a sword and shield to protect herself they just did not feel like she was secure.
Of course the knight would never tell Rose Quartz themself how they felt.
Pearl continued walking in their usual path through the garden, it was breezy at this time of the night and the stars were shining bright. The knight took a moment to gaze at them. All that could be heard was the wind whistling through the wholes of their helmet and the trees branches gently swaying.
Crack!
The knight took out their spear and pointed it towards the direction the sound came from. Though, there wasn't anything but a lone apple. Pearl cocked their head in confusion and pursed their lips taking small cautious steps towards the apple. Pearl had to admit they felt ridiculous tip-toeing towards an apple. They picked it up examining it, it was lightly bruised.
There was a ruffling noise and this time Pearl pretended not to hear it. They waited for the right moment to surprise the mysterious shadow that lurked around them. They danced their fingers across the spear still listening for another noise to be made.
Crack!
"Hah!" Pearl shouted pointing their Spear to a young woman who lied under them. The woman must have been a peasant, her hair was a mess, and she was dirty. What she wore was hardly even clothing more like a bag that belong to a sack of potatoes.
"Who are you? You are not nobility." The point of the spear was inches away from the peasant's neck. She scooted away from the edge of the tip.
"M-my name is Lapis… Lapis Lazuli!" Pearl pulled their spear away slow giving the peasant a suspicious look. They would give anything to just slice her up but they knew how Rose Quartz treated peasants. The knight themself didn't find anything fascinating about peasants but Rose saw far more. She could go days talking about how different their lives are compared to nobility.
"Hm, state your reason for being here peasant!" Lapis Lazuli shifted and was breaking out a sweat. "Look, knight, I-I was just looking for food! You can't kill me for being hungry!" The peasant dropped a plumb.
The knight could kill her for being there but Rose would not appreciate it and they would do anything for her. Pearl took a moment to glance around. "Get up." Lapis did and Pearl was quick to grab her, pulling her close with assertiveness.
Pearl pulled the peasant through the gardens to the nearest guard. The guard stood lazily against the stoned wall and she yawned. Pearl frowned tapping the other knights armor. She jumped looking around pulling out her sword at the last minute.
"Huh? Oh, um, Sir Pearl." The guard bowed in their presence.
"I see you were slacking off… you."
"Amethyst."
"Yes, Amethyst. I need you to send a message to Lady Rose Quartz… Tell her there is a peasant whom somehow made it into the gardens. Ask her what she wants to do with her." Amethyst nodded putting a thumb up while running away and Pearl sighed no longer wondering how Lapis made it pass the guards.
"I swear, Rose is willing to take in anyone these days."
"Have something against Lady Quartz's decisions, huh? Pearl is it? Aren't you her servant?" Pearl snapped their head back frowning.
"Sir Pearl to you and I am not her servant!" The knight had said in a mocking tone towards the peasant throwing a hand in the air. The peasant just smirked. She knew exactly who Pearl was. Pearl was the most loyal knight to Lady Quartz. They had been serving her for the longest and had led the Gem Civil War. Lapis did know this, it was clear she was just poking fun at the knight because who didn't know about Pearl?
"A servant is something a peasant like you would be, not a knight like I." Lapis rolled her eyes but still kept a smirk on her face. "And the answer to your other question, no I do not have anything against Lady Rose's decision… I just think they can be a little illogical."
The guard from before, Amethyst, comes running back. "I…" She catches her breath for a moment and Pearl begins to tap their foot, impatient. "Lady Quartz wrote this."
The knight took a glance at the paper reading every word. The bottom of the paper was signed in fancy letters of her name. They sighed giving the letter back to the knight.
"Illogical like this one." Pearl murmured under their breath. "Thank you. Stop slacking off and stand up straight." Amethyst grunted standing up properly but Pearl knew it would only be for a short time until they left.
The knight pulled Lapis towards them leading the peasant to an entrance only they and Rose Quartz knew about. It had been there for emergencies only but Pearl had not seen any other way to sneak the peasant inside. By now the nobles would be lining up in the only entrance Rose had and the knight themself was not going to sneak a peasant up a window that they would have to climb. Too much trouble.
"Where are you taking me?" The knight sighed putting their head down turning to look back. "Who said you could speak?"
"I'm at least entitled to know where I am going, Sir Pearl."
Pearl rolled their eyes and pointed to the ground beneath them. Lapis Lazuli cocked her head in confusion. The ground was planted with beautiful flowers but there was one patch that was just plain grass. Pearl kicked it up with their foot gently tossing it to the side.
Pearl gestured with her head to get in and Lapis shook hers while scowling, slightly backing away. The knight didn't let her get away though, they pulled her pushing her towards the hole. There were stairs built into the ground and the peasant continued to walk down them while Pearl followed behind.
It was quiet and Pearl walked alongside Lapis. She crossed her arms and didn't take a look at the knight. How could Rose order the knight such a duty? They weren't there to baby sit, they were there to protect. The anger made them breathe a bit unsteady. The two stayed moments walking in the same path in silence until Lapis spoke up.
"Can you breathe quieter?" The peasant asked bothered. "Better yet stop breathing maybe..." Lapis mumbled under her breath.
"No." They said simply and quick. They heard exactly what she mumbled. "Why must you ask questions?"
But Lapis did not answer. She instead made a 'hmph' sound and continued on. Pearl found this peasant unusual. Most peasants would be scared to talk and would be shaking in fear. Most did, in front of knights and nobles.
"How is it like? Being a knight that is." Pearl sighed.
"You ask far too much questions being someone I can easily kill."
"If you were able to kill me, you would have by now." Pearl knew she was right. Rose Quartz had ordered them in the message not to kill her. If she weren't a peasant her head would be on their spear. Pearl was known for brutality among the other knights and that's what made the others fear them. Was it good that they feared them? Pearl didn't know.
"Since you will pester me about it... It's not easy, especially when a war comes around. Most are sent away from their families and some volunteer."
"Do you have family?" The peasant ask.
"I… Rose is my family." Lapis looked over quirking her eyebrow.
"You two aren't related, right? Some kind of tragic past story I'm betting?" Lapis paused for a while and continued speaking right when Pearl opened their mouth. "Wait, are you two in love?"
And there it was. That triggered something in Pearl. The knight stopped for a moment looking over to the peasant. If Lapis could see them under their helmet, she would see the blush taking over their face and the sweat trickle down. What could make her say that? Was it obvious there was some hidden feelings for Rose?
"Oops, did I poke fun at a fresh wound? Sorry." It wasn't sincere, obviously. Lapis smirked looking directly at Pearl.
"I-it was never like that! You couldn't possibly know how I feel! I-Rose is… Rose is just someone I care very much about!" The knight realized they were still standing, frozen and pushed themself continued walking ahead with their spear held high. They couldn't show anymore weakness, especially after that.
Lapis didn't say anymore she just continued walking along with Pearl. They arrived to a few more steps that led to higher ground. They were the steps to enter the castle and the knight had to be careful to make sure no noble was wondering where they weren't supposed to be.
Pearl had motioned Lapis to walk faster and they took a peak out the door making sure there were no nobles around. Pearl opened the door fully and held the door opened for the peasant.
"I honestly thought you were going to throw me in a cell down there." She pointed in the direction of where they came from. "Are you going to tell me where we are going now?"
Pearl put a finger to Lapis's mouth with a low 'shh' noise. They grabbed her arm and lightly pulled her through the halls being cautious of nobilities or those who lived in the castle. They pulled Lapis up a flight of stairs and then shoved her into the first guest room there was.
"Hmmm." Lapis hummed. "A room…?" Pearl sighed and leaned back against the wall.
"Lady Rose ordered me to give you a room. She wants you presentable, she wrote that she would like to meet you..." Lapis turned and Pearl looked at her up and down from behind cringing. "Though, I have no idea why..." They mumbled under their breath.
Lapis was no longer listening and that bothered Pearl. She examined the room awe struck like a child being given a new toy. The knight put a hand to their head still upset they were put on orders to babysit a peasant. A peasant. That is what bothered them the most. The knight would have been even fine with babysitting an infant. There was just something about peasants that bothered Pearl the most.
"Pearl, when are you going to remove your helmet? I want to see what Lady Quartz most loyal, trusting knight looks like." The way she said it made them cringe and not to mention that she didn't refer to Pearl by their title. This time Pearl didn't correct her though they let it slide knowing it wouldn't change anything. Strangely, this peasant gave a vibe that made her seem more superior then Pearl and of course she wasn't. Well, anyone was more superior than a peasant.
But Pearl did oblige. Only because they were burning underneath that helmet of theirs. They removed it slow and then put it on the chair next to them. The knight ran a hand through their hair and looked to the peasant who just stared. There wasn't a change in facial expression, she almost looked bored.
"How does your… nose fit under there?" Pearl gasped covering their nose and frowned.
"My… my nose!? I-it just… silence you!"
Lapis chuckled leaning in taking a closer look at Pearl's face.
"You are actually kind of good looking for a knight… even that scar below your eyes suits you well."
Pearl could feel the heat rising from their neck. Lapis had them cornered and the knight wasn't sure what they were supposed to say.
"Thank… you…?" Lapis smirked and nodded.
Pearl was tempted to put their helmet back on but did not want to look like a fool and get questioned by Lapis. So, instead, they sat down on the chair where the helmet laid staring at the peasant who was still looking around the room. Was this how all peasants reacted when in a nobility home? Pearl wouldn't know, they never had this happen before.
Everything was quiet and all that could be heard was the mumbling of Lapis's voice and the anxious tapping from Pearl's foot.
"This room has much valuables."
"Yes, are you thinking of stealing them?" Pearl asked with sarcasm.
"Perhaps…" Lapis said with a joking tone in her voice while staring intently at a painting Rose bought from a museum. Lapis took a seat onto the bed and Pearl cringed. They thought about how dirty Lapis 'clothing' was indeed dirty and she put herself on a clean bed.
"Yes, about that presentable part I mentioned earlier. There is a bathroom, right there." Pearl pointed and Lapis nodded.
"Are you implying something, knight?"
"I am not implying anything? You are dirty and smell like waste." Lapis quirked her eyebrow and crossed her arms. Pearl flushed realizing that's exactly what they were implying.
"Of course…" Lapis trailed off walking to the bathroom. "I am not sure how you work this." Pearl walked into the bathroom and the peasant just stared at the bathtub.
"You don't know how to turn a bath on? Have you ever even took one?" Lapis put her hands on her hips and frowned.
"I have… This bath is just… more complex than any bath I've seen." Pearl smirked, they thought it was utterly pathetic that she could not work a bath. The knight pointed to the knob. "Hot…" they turned to the other "Cold…" and then turned them. Lapis nodded, what kind of baths did she take that she was not familiar with how the knobs work?
"I see…" Was all Lapis said. "I understand, you can go now." The peasant pushed Pearl light and they huffed.
Pearl leaned back for a moment against the wall deciding that they would wait for Lapis to finish. There was a light knock at the guest room door and entered a servant.
"Lady Quartz wanted to know what color of dress the guest would want and size." Pearl quirked their eyebrow at the servant for saying 'guest'. Pearl nodded and walked to the bathroom door opening it but soon regretted it. It was just a habit, they were so used to just opening the door when Rose Quartz asked. Lapis had already pulled her shirt halfway off, Pearl blushed and covered their eyes quickly.
"I-I sorry… It's just—I…" Pearl shook their head trying to pull it together. "Lady Rose would like to know what color of dress you would like." They spoke fast.
"She actually has something that isn't pink?" Lapis's tone didn't change, it sounded the same as usual and Pearl thought she would be just as embarrassed. "Blue." It was simple short response and Pearl nodded still with their eyes covered quickly turning around and shutting the door.
"Blue." They mirrored Lapis. "And size... small as you can get."
"That is... vague..." The servant put a hand to their chin thinking. "Thank you, Sir Pearl." The servant said bowing before leaving.
Pearl waited a long while until the servant from before came back with a light dress that would definitely suit the peasant. They picked up the folded clothing and knocked on the bathroom door this time. There was a long pause before Lapis said a word then there was some shuffling.
"Yes?"
The knight found the tone quite suspicious.
"The servant brought the dress... Are you decent?"
"I'm still nude." Lapis said to Pearl as if they should have expected it... which they should have. "Just leave the dress by the door, if you are so frightened to walk in." They scoffed tempted to prove that they could walk in easily but instead they did what she said and put them to the side. It seemed like intrusion to just walk into a bathroom though Lapis did not see it like that.
Pearl awaited for Lapis to get dress, they lied themself down on the bed, and let their mind wonder. The knight wanted to know what Rose was going to do with the peasant after she met with her. Surely, she was going to send the peasant off at least. Pearl could only hope for a cell for such a smart mouthed one like her. Though of course, the knight knew Rose would never do such a thing.
A latch unclicked which they assumed was Lapis grabbing her dress.
"You look like you are making yourself comfortable in our guests bed." The voice was not that of Lapis Lazuli. Pearl jumped off the bed and stood up straight immediately putting their hands behind their back. "Lady Rose!"
"Oh, Pearl." Was all Rose said chortling. "Where is our guest?" There was a glimmering in the Lady's eye.
"The peasant is in the bathroom..." Pearl took a glance at the door checking for the dress and it was gone. "I believe she is now trying the dress on." Pearl found it odd they didn't hear her even open the door.
The bathroom door opened slowly and Lapis was still looking down at her dress. "It's... big." Was all the peasant said. It was bigger than a usual dress would be but Pearl did have to admit, it looked rather ravishing.
"You must be the guest." Rose brushed pass Pearl over to Lapis. The knight scoffed. "What is your name, I must know."
"Lapis Lauzli, a pleasure to meet you Lady Rose Quartz." Lapis said in a lighter tone than usual. Pearl quirked their eyebrow. Rose smiled and grabbed Lapis's hand. "There is much I wish to know about you, but I have to be up early for a negotiation between I and another House." Rose gently let go of her hand. "Though tomorrow Sir Pearl would be happy to give you a tour."
"My Lady!" Pearl shouted in protest. "Aren't I to be the one to travel with you to the negotiation!?"
"Sir Pearl, you need a break... You are always with me and working. Maybe it's time you made a friend."
"With a peasant?" Pearl looked over Rose looking at the peasant who just smirked. "With our guest. It will be good for you." The servant who entered with Rose tapped her lightly. "My Lady, we need to prepare for tomorrow."
"Ah, yes. I must go. It was nice meeting you Ms. Lazuli." She turned to Pearl. "And Sir Pearl, I expect to hear all about your day with Ms. Lazuli."
That was all Rose said before leaving the room. The knight crossed their arms and turned to the peasant who gave a mischievous smile. "It sounds like Lady Quartz thinks your obsession with her is unhealthy." There was a short pause. "I'm sure we will be great friends."
"I-I am not obsessed with her!" Pearl said grabbing their stuff. "And I'm sure we will be great 'friends'." Pearl said in a bitter tone before leaving the guest room with flush still taking over her face.