Day 16
This new land, Jakob decided, was a breath of fresh air compared to the Northern Fortress. Invasion and war aside, the sky seemed brighter, the breeze felt kinder, the tea felt purer...
The butler sighed in relief at this revelation, thinking this country to be quite relaxing. As far as his duties permitted, Valm was a decent place to be, though the company could leave much to be desired.
Speaking of, that mumbling gorilla of a king was ogling Corrin again. Chrome? Chrom. What kind of stupid name was that? Ah, there was another glance. Royalty or not, he was not worthy to gaze upon Corrin with such brutish eyes..
Chrom's butler/lover/servant- Jakob couldn't figure out the exact role by his actions alone - didn't help that much either. The hulking beast of a man, while not much taller than Jakob, was immensely wider than him and could snap the butler in half and scatter the pieces to the four winds without a second thought.
The butler felt as if this 'Frederick' as he was named simply enjoyed dashing lesser beings into the rocks with his near-infinite mass, absorbing their essence and souls as his own. But, amidst these threats, Jakob always noticed a strange habit: When Princess Corrin would speak with Chrom or his tactician Robin, Frederick would stand by, sword hand at the ready.
Then again, Jakob did too, though the dagger in his sleeve was much easier to carry about.
On this particular occasion, Lady Corrin had made a request of Jakob to retrieve some Ylissean tea from the supply tent, to which Jakob quickly complied. Just as he left the tent, he saw a massive mass of blue steel cast a shadow over him before it knocked him flat on his rear.
"Oof, what the hell was that for, you bumbling oaf?"
The knight, not seeming to notice he had trampled but a mere mortal, politely sighed and bowed in apology. However, the insult was not taken as lightly.
"Hmm? I merely bumped into you as you exited a tent. I see no need to get so aggressive over such a paltry impact," Frederick explained, before adding in a quick "uncouth savage" under his breath.
"Huh!? Look who's talking! Don't pretend I don't see it; every day before sortie, you stare at Lady Corrin with a suspicious gaze, if not anything more brutish! She's your Commander too, isn't she?" Jakob felt the knife by his wrist comfortably, keeping it safely within his sleeve until the man in front of him decided to strike.
"Isn't it natural to doubt a stranger whose origins are unknown to you being so close to your liege? Especially with a man accompanying her who stays armed even now?" Frederick retorted, easily spotting the clenching muscles of Jakob's right arm. "I suggest putting that knife away, Jakob, before the harm is done."
"Tch..." Jakob was getting lazy with his grip. Figures a sharp man like Frederick would see through his momentary ineptitude. "I don't like your attitude, but I suppose words like that make sense when around someone as clueless as your master, after all," Jakob replied curtly.
"What was that? You insult my Lord Chrom-"
The butler and the knight both drew blades simultaneously, dagger and lance raised at breakneck speeds and quickly brought toward each other's throats.
"Well? What is it then? I'll take you on, for Lady Corrin's honor!"
The provocation did little to spite Frederick, who merely looked down on the hot-headed butler.
"Lord Chrom would never allow me to stoop to such a low level..." Frederick sighed, lowering his blade before stowing it. Jakob still stayed at the ready. "I must not lose myself to my emotions for such a petty foe."
With that, Frederick took his leave, if not for the Nohrian quickly holding him back with surprising strength.
"We aren't quite finished here, retainer. What was that? I'll let you know that your devotion to your lord is but a minimal service compared to what I offer Lady Corrin! For example, every morning my first actions are to brew Lady Corrin the richest of black tea, each day's blend unique to complement the changing air of her mood!"
Frederick merely laughed as he reared his head back, waving his hand at the petty deed.
"Ha, that is it? Before every march, I personally inspect the grounds where Exalt Chrom and Commander Robin walk! Their path is barren with not a weed or stone to be seen!"
This time it was Jakob's turn to laugh, and their yelling caught attention of some of the camp.
"Tch, that is no difficult task, amateur! Every morning, I shine the equipment and silverware so pristine that when Lady Corrin rises to my work, she mistakes it for the sunrise!"
Jakob smiled haughtily, knowing he won the battle. However, the Ylissan Knight was not so easy to topple, pulling out his grandest of labors.
"Fool, when Lord Chrom desires fish, I search past the mountains to the freshest rivers to retrieve it! And if I even see him consider the thought of feeling a sneeze come up, I offer him my homemade scarves to use!"
Jakob flushed, immediately calling his bluff.
"That's a lie and-" Frederick pulled out a sturdy looking scarf, embroidered with the Exalt's insignia and in the white and blue of Ylisse.
"..."
"..."
"You're no pushover at all, it seems," Jakob admitted.
"And it seems you can back up your own talk as well." Frederick nodded with a respectful sigh.
"It seems while your master may not be familiar to me yet," Jakob began, "His retainer has earned my recognition. I'll admit."
"And I return your notice. You are possibly the first individual I've seen who is as devoted to his master as I am."
The butler nodded.
"It seems there is only one way to settle this..."
Both blades were instantly raised again.
