They were an odd couple to watch at first sight. A Japanese youth with a British boy. Heads will turn to watch the duo, the blond always finding something to argue about while the other responded awkwardly. Why would such individuals join in a friendship? They seemed out of the ordinary; however, the truth was that the Japanese youth was the bodyguard to the British boy.
That occurrence annoyed the blond to no end. It was such an irony that the only being that would accompany him was someone that was paid to do so. To Arthur, it was just another interest –motivated somebody, comparably to his father's associates. That was one of the reasons he could never befriend anyone. They could never like him for who he was.
It was true that the Japanese didn't look for friendship, but was rather, quite passionate about his job. That was all he knew and raised to do. And so when his ward asked him if he knew of any fairy tale stories, he simply didn't know what to respond.
"Forget it, just as expected, I don't even know why I bother commencing a conversation with your likes," Arthur exclaimed.
Currently they were on his father's library, a room not only piled with books, but luxurious lavishes. As a note, the Kirkland family is known to spend their money in abundance for their peers to admire. In this way they earned their wealthy reputation, but of course their jealous enemies too. The library was no exception, a fact that Kiku could relate to his Emperor's ways.
All nobles were the same, showy. However, his current thoughts focused on the young British. "Forgive me if I present…ignorance Master," he gently responded. "What does ignorance have to do with this? Surely everyone knows some fairy tale, or do you think you are too old for them already?" Arthur huffed.
These sorts of inquiries have been making Kiku feel uneasy. After all, he didn't desire to upset his ward; a bodyguard's goal was not just to secure his master's life, but being of a pleasant presence as well. The best bodyguards must also be likeable; it will be an annoyance to be with someone you are sharing your personal life the whole day and also having to put up with their likes.
Kiku then inclined his neck and bowed his head to the boy, "please forgive me for insulting, but I don't know what a 'fairy tale' is".
This only earned a drop of the jaw from Arthur. Kiku mistook the blonde's surprise by utter exasperation and his blood ran cold. I offended the Master, what to do, what to do, Kiku went on in his mind. "Master I…"
"Don't tell me you've never-"
The door swung open and in entered a maid. "Master Arthur, I was informed to tell you dinner is ready." She gave a quick reverence and made her way out as quickly as she had come in. They stared at each other awkwardly for what seemed an eternity, both still confounded. The blonde broke the silence, "I'll see you later at night then".
As Arthur made his way up the main stairs, to the left wing to go to his bedroom, thoughts poured in his head, one followed another without rest. Is it because of his culture? Did anyone even read bedtime stories to him? Could it be because he did not have a mother? Surely any mum tells fairy tales to her children.
Past the hall covered with art galleries, past the corner with the iron-barred window, and past the roses-decorated furniture, the boy made his way to his room. The room was already lit and the bed was being undone by the Japanese bodyguard. Arthur let go of his thoughts and embraced the annoyance he felt for the Asian. "You know, you don't have to do that, that's why I have servants".
He walked past the bodyguard, who had looked away in response, blushing slightly, and entered the bathroom.
"Don't tell me you prepared the bathtub as well," he said with a hint of irritation. Kiku had been doing other servant work as well, such as preparing his lunch and such, but he seemed to be over doing it this time. Does he expect a raise or something? he thought as he got in the hot water. Once he showered and exited the bathroom, the Japanese was nowhere to be found, but instead found his nightclothes folded in his bed. He is over doing it…
As he changed and let himself drop on his cushioned bed, Kiku suddenly appeared sitting on the chair next to the bed.
"Where did you-"
"Master forgive me from earlier, but I did not seek to offend". Arthur rubbed his temple and sighed, "Oh so that's why…I'll tell you for sure tomorrow alright?"
Arthur lied on his side, as the bodyguard covered him with the bed sheets. He always wanted to ask him if he stayed up all night just guarding him, but sleep would win and forget to do so.
The next day was different than the others. In the morning, Arthur would wake up for school and the Japanese left for his training sessions. The blond was accompanied by his original bodyguard who was in charge of driving him to school and then bring him back home. Arthur would then meet with Kiku and either headed to the library, the common room or the garden. Dinner would then follow and the same nightly routines ended the day.
This particular day was different because it was the head Kirkland who accompanied Arthur as they entered the house. "Kiku, make sure he doesn't leave his room," Arthur's father told the young bodyguard, who had already being waiting for their arrival. "I'll think of a better punishment later". The Japanese then exerted his attention to the blond and motioned him to follow him. As soon as the head Kirkland departed, they made their way to the left wing.
"What, aren't you going to ask what happened?" Arthur asked bitterly. Kiku continued to lead and did not look back to answer. However, he had being fully aware of the brand new bruises covering Arthur's arms and face. After a long pause and choosing his response wisely, the Japanese answered, "It is simply not my position to probe, Master".
"Of course you would say that," Arthur sniffed.
Kiku opened the door for Arthur and followed him inside. "Master, please forgive me, but how can I say this… "
"That it's none of your business?" the blond snapped. The bodyguard fell silent and looked away. "It was foolish to think that you could care," he said and dropped to his bed.
Kiku felt uneasy and somewhat bewildered. The British boy let his thoughts be known so easily, he would have never dared to do so with Wang Yao. If I ever confessed my feelings to Yao-san, he certainly would…He would have seen it as weakness.
And in entered the timid maid.
"The Master's father informed me that he must not go outside for the whole week and study extra hours for his materials".
Arthur snorted, "why can't he tell me that himself?"
The maid only bowed as a response and made her way out. "He can't enforce that if he is not personally here to tell me so right?" Arthur told the bodyguard. "Young Master, maybe it is best to-"
"Oh now you want to probe huh."
The Asian looked down, his face red. "Well whatever, I suppose I should…he did look pretty mad," Arthur said, more to himself than to the bodyguard. His father could come to check his orders would be followed after all. Fear as motivation, the British got up and took out his study book. All the while, Kiku felt he had to say something; he felt he had failed the young master more than enough.
It was just so odd to speak first, especially when Arthur had already busied himself with his reading. Hoping not to be rude, he finally found the audacity to speak up. "Master… what did happen?"
It barely came out as a whisper. "Huh, what was that?" Arthur asked, turning to face the Japanese with the flushed cheeks.
"Master, what happened to you?" he repeated. Arthur just gawked at him, making Kiku redden even more. "I, well…I got into a fight," Arthur responded, still shocked at the Japanese's new found concern.
"Oh…" What comes next?
Luckily, Arthur went on without having to be asked to continue. "The Spanish git really asked for it this time".
Arthur's body language said it all; he wasn't very fond of this Spanish person. But now there was nothing to stop him from his rant and went on nonstop, all the while the Japanese stood foolishly in the middle of the room. "-the instructor had to separate us, but I know Antonio had lost the battle…Hey don't just stand there, come sit with me". The British boy had now a wide smile in his face.
"Yes Master…"
The Japanese felt his legs take him to Arthur and his arms get a chair next to him. He was nervous for some reason. "And please drop the 'Master' or 'young Master'. Arthur is my name you know."
"Master, I could never".
Arthur frowned; the Japanese saw some sadness in it.
"I won't force you then…"
The bodyguard felt he was failing the British boy once again and had to conform. "Arthur-san."
The blond beamed, "That's better! But please no honorifics!"
"Now I can't do that Mas…Arthur-san".
"Fine," the blonde sighed. He then gave the bodyguard a mischievous smile. "I'm not really doing my homework," he said. Kiku glanced at the desk where a colorful book covered a much bigger one.
Kiku did not know how to respond, so Arthur continued, "I'm reading a fairy tale book! Remember I was going to tell you more about it? You really don't know what they are, don't you?" The bodyguard shook his head, no. "Are you even from this world?" Arthur exclaimed, as he shook Kiku's shoulders.
After Kiku felt silent out of shame, the British boy proudly decided it was his job to "enlighten" him. Kiku found the stories quite fascinating and entertaining at first, but decided they were a little too unreal. "Well, that's why they are fairy tales!" Arthur explained as Kiku had decided to let his opinion be known. They lost themselves in the spellbinding stories once more, when eventually they reached one of pixies.
"They are quite impish don't you think?" Kiku observed. "No, it's just that they portray them that way!" Arthur said a bit too offensive. Kiku simply did not know what to respond, the blond had apparently taken it too personal for a fairy tale. Arthur noticed Kiku's knitted eyebrows; he knew the Japanese now thought he had gone crazy.
He proceeded to look both ways, seeing if someone was overhearing. "No one is here but us, if you are concerned about your security Arthur-san," Kiku said, noticing his behavior. Arthur chuckled, "no it's not that…come closer". Kiku hesitated, but obeyed. Arthur cupped his hands to Kiku's ears and whispered, "I saw a fairy once…"
The bodyguard's eyes widen, he was in disbelief.
"I did too!" Arthur found himself raising his voice, "and we even talked!"
Before Kiku could respond, they heard the doorknob shake and the door open, not giving Arthur enough time to hide his fairy book. Both expected the head Kirkland, but instead three youths entered. "Oi, Artie, guess who decided to visit?" the tallest said.
Arthur clicked his tongue and responded, "Don't call me that. So when are you leaving?"
The trio laughed, but Kiku could tell not of amusement. "Do you know them?" the Japanese bodyguard asked Arthur carefully. "Yes, they are my older brothers, unfortunately". The trio finally took notice of Kiku and the tallest took lead again. "Who is this cute girl, hmm?" he said, while rubbing Kiku's hair.
Arthur shot up, "Leave him alone! And he is not a girl!"
Kiku felt too embarrassed to say anything, and plus it wasn't his place to say anything at all. Luckily, the tallest brother averted his attention once again. "You still reading baby's book, Artie? How old are you now, 9?"
"I'm ten!" Arthur yelled as he jumped to reach back for his beloved book, which had been snatched away. "Lemme see that Scott!" another brother said, wanting in the fun. Scott mindlessly threw the book at the next brother who then began flipping the pages. "You know I still kinda enjoy these stories". The last brother rolled his eyes, "what is to like about those damn stories?"
"They have brave knights."
"Whose sole motivation is to save useless princesses."
"Give it a break, it's just a fairy tale book," Scott intervened. As the trio argued, who have seemed to have forgotten why they had come to visit in the first place, Arthur could not do anything but clench his fists. Kiku had noticed the bullied position Arthur was now in, but he simply could not do anything about it, and became one with the background.
To Arthur's luck, the trios were making their way out. One of the brothers threw the book back to Arthur, all the while still feverishly continuing their argument. "Alright, so you are saying the stories were worthless because a knight could not stay with the princess?"
"Well yes, what's the point of saving the princess he has falling in love with, but cannot stay with her when he rightfully can?"
"He did save her after all."
"Both of you are missing the point!"
"What point? All I ever noticed that they preach about true love, but the knight never got the girl!"
"Well he did earn her heart."
"Haha, what is the point of that?"
"…Just think about it this way. If the knight marries the princess, who will be in charge of protecting her then?"
By then the trio had already left the room and were no longer audible.