Arthur missed meeting with Alfred, and he was worried as well, not having checked to see if he was alright after that night. He hadn't told Francis about the encounter with Oliver in the hallway.
Francis couldn't help but wonder about that night. He noticed Alfred had been more tense than usual, especially in the presence of Oliver. The guard would keep Arthur informed about Alfred's progress, or lack thereof. Sadly, there hadn't been as much improvement as Francis had hoped. He had high hopes for the youngster, but he wasn't even a knight yet, and even with his abilities, he was falling behind.
Francis wondered if bringing Alfred to the palace was a good idea. He was a great kid, but maybe being here at the palace was more of a hindrance to his abilities. The fact that he felt like he needed to suppress himself didn't help either. It was almost like he felt like a monster… Regardless, he wasn't doing well in the days training. The trainees had been invited to Arthur's birthday celebration, but after some time and assessment, Francis dismissed the others to get ready for it, and kept Alfred behind to talk with him. He let out a sigh. "… Alfred… What's going on?"
Alfred looked at the ground. "I don't know… I-" He let out a sigh; he was letting the man down. This is what he didn't want to do. "I'm sorry. I'm trying, I really am, but I can't…"
"You can't what, Alfred? Knights need to be brave, fearless, even." He sighed. "This doesn't have to control you… And I know I have no idea what it's like, but Alfred… What is it you want?" He crouched in front of the boy. "I know it seems far away now, you're still only twelve… but on your fourteenth birthday, you will be asked to take the knights oath before you finish your training… Do you want to be a knight, Alfred?"
Alfred could feel his hands shaking. "I-I really do want to be a knight." Alfred rubbed his eyes, trying to stop himself from tearing up. "I'm sorry. I didn't want to disappoint you."
"Why Alfred?... Tell me why you want to be a knight?"
"I want to protect people." Alfred took a deep breath.
"… Then come on." He stood. "You're more than that beast…"
That's when Oliver came outside. "…Francis." He nodded at the other. "I heard Alfred's training isn't going well..."
"He will improve; we are just hitting a small bump in the road." He gave the prince a smile and patted Alfred's back. There was something off about the prince today. "Is there something you need?"
"Nothing… I really just wanted to help… I don't know what it is but… I'm fond of this kid… And I think I have an idea to get him out of this rut…"
"Really? And what would that be?"
He looked at Alfred with a kind smile. "Arthur is worried about you… You know?" He sighed and took off his cloak. "Come on…"
"Is it alright? Francis?" Alfred asked, hoping for dismissal from the captain.
Francis paused glancing between the two. Oliver waved his hand. "It's fine, even if Francis didn't approve, my word overrides his."
Francis held back his opposition, giving into the prince's will. "Go ahead and go with him Alfred."
"You can stay if you want Francis… but tell me… If he slips… How do I fix it? You calmed him down the first time, didn't you?"
"Is there reason he should slip? That only happens when he fears for his life. But really it's just a calming voice…" He looked at the prince nervously. "If it is alright, I will stay with him until I need to go to the king."
"That is fine." Oliver led Alfred to the battle arena. "I'm going to train you the same way our father trained Arthur and I."
Alfred nodded; he kept eyeing Francis, uncertain on what was expected of him.
Oliver took a training sword from a nearby rack. "… Stop being afraid, Alfred… Control it... Wield it… Let it become a part of you, it doesn't have to be your enemy. Use it. Don't get out of control… Just don't be afraid… You have to be fearless… Not even nervous… Charge me."
The air around was chilled, Alfred took a deep breath before he did as was commanded of him.
Oliver fought back with full force. He threw Alfred to the ground. "Are you afraid?"
Alfred rubbed his sore muscles. "No." He tried to keep his breath steady as he stood up.
"Good." He rolled his shoulders. "Try again then. Francis has been going way too easy on you, boy."
Francis huffed, crossing his arms over his chest as he observed. This time, Alfred went at him with more confidence.
Oliver swept his foot under the other, tripping him. "You'll have to do better than that." He grinned.
Alfred swore under his breath as he hit the ground. He pushed himself back up slowly.
Oliver's fist met his stomach. "Nobody is going to wait up for you; you show weakness, you die." He put his fake blade to the other's neck.
"Right." Alfred straightened, stepping back away from the blade; he brought his own up, connecting with the others blade, pushing it away.
"Now you're getting it." Oliver grinned and their blades clashed again. "Be flexible; strategy doesn't matter in the heat of the moment. Move your body with your opponents, melt, bend, and stretch." Their blades met again and their faces grew close. "Like sex." He snickered and watched Alfred blush before knocking his blade away. "Focus!"
"Sorry." H stuttered, face still flush red. He pushed back against the others blade with a hard force.
Oliver laughed and they continued to fight. Within a few minutes, Oliver pinned Alfred to the ground with the sword next to his ear. "Not good enough! You just died!"
Alfred pushed him off, tapping into his strength.
"Better." Oliver grinned and swung his blade at him.
Alfred was able to evade it; he charged forward, this time getting past Oliver's guard, but waiting behind the block was a second blade. It wasn't for practice, it was sharp, and Alfred ran right into it. Alfred let out a pained yelp and buckled over, gripping his side.
"Too slow." The other slammed the hilt of his blade into Alfred's back. "Scared yet?" He whispered.
Alfred was… He was terrified… He took a breath, before everything went black.
He awoke in his own room, Francis next to him.
"Good to see you awake… How are you feeling?" The mans voice came.
"I hurt…" Alfred's voice was hoarse. "What happened?"
"You blacked out… But Oliver handled you perfectly, just kept fighting. He… tired you out…"
Alfred breathed slowly, each breath sending pain through his body. "H-he stabbed me…" He gasped.
Francis sighed. "I know… But… I must say I was impressed with how well you stayed in control…" He cleared his throat. "We bandaged you up… It's the best we can do… Are you feeling well enough to be standing? I know you're weak now but… You're expected…"
"I think I can… Maybe for a little bit." He pushed himself up with a pained gasp. "Ahh" He closed his eyes and waited for the pain to subside.
"I'm sorry… Hold on…" Francis sighed and draped a nicer cloak over Alfred's naked shoulders. "I'm sorry about the prince…"
"It's fine… Did you tell Arthur?"
"No… He has been busy… He did ask for you though… A sixteenth birthday is no small ordeal for a prince… Just like a fourteenth for a knight."
"Please don't tell Arthur about this… He loves his brother so much. I don't want to ruin that…"
"It's fine… Arthur should know… but Oliver… Isn't a bad person… He just… His methods are… Interesting."
"Just don't tell him, please."
Francis helped the boy to the ball room.
"I can walk on my own from here on; I don't want to worry Arthur too much."
"… If you're sure…"
"I am." Alfred scanned the crowd, locating Arthur, who was sitting on the side and nervously playing with the fur on his cape.
Arthur looked up. "Oh… Hello Alfred… You look pale, is something wrong?"
"I umm… I hurt myself during practice today." He suppressed a pained moan.
"Oh no." His brow creased. "Well… You're working hard at least"
"May I take a seat?" Alfred was having trouble standing up by this point, not that he wanted Arthur to know that fact.
"Oh of course, you don't need to ask. How have things been going? I haven't heard from you for a while."
"Things are going pretty well… I have been struggling… The party seems nice, lots of people."
Arthur let out a long sigh. "I don't see the point in these parties."
"It's your birthday! You have to have a party!"
"… This isn't really how I like to celebrate though… Too many people and… I always feel strange at these sorts of things."
"I'm sorry." Alfred rubbed his eyes, feeling the need for sleep.
"… Well… It shouldn't be such a big deal…"
"I guess it's mostly for political reasons." Alfred suggested, motioning to all the people with high standing in society.
"Exactly… It's politics… Not really a birthday. Nobody is here to celebrate me… Just extend their own agendas…" He sighed. "Maybe it's selfish… But why do we have to care about appearances… I don't need all this. There are people in this country starving; there are orphans like you everywhere and… Well this… it all just seems a little pointless, doesn't it?"
"I guess you're right…"
"I shouldn't complain though… Are you sure you're alright?"
"Y-yeah, I'm fine." The reminder brought back the pain, causing the blood to leave his cheeks, and he let out a small moan.
"Gracious, what exactly happened?"
I -Umm, well…" He stuttered. "I tripped, and fell into another blade…" He scratched the back of his head. "It's a good thing my skin is so strong, else this would have been a lot worse."
"You what?!" Arthur leaned down. "Where? Is it bad? You're so clumsy… Try and be more careful, Alfred!"
"Ow, careful, that hurts." Alfred gasped.
"Sorry." The prince sighed.
"I wasn't thinking…" Alfred apologized.
"… I worry about you…" Arthur sighed.
"No need to worry, I'll be fine. I have lived through worse." He admitted.
"… Don't say things like that." Arthur mumbled. "It makes me feel awful."
"Don't." He smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. He felt bad for not telling Arthur the truth of how he received the injury.
"… Well… I suppose it can't be helped." He looked around at the crowd.
Oliver approached. "Arthur, what are you doing just standing in a corner? Come on future king, there are princesses to dance with!"
Alfred's stomach dropped when the older prince approached. He attempted to keep his face from showing that fear.
Arthur sighed. "You know I'm no good at dancing."
"Well then, now is the perfect time to learn." Oliver smirked. "Maybe Alfred here could be your partner; then you could have a short warm up before getting to the bachelorettes." He winked at his little brother and chuckled.
Arthur blushed. "What?... Oliver he's a knight!... Knights are not… Dance partners for the royal family… Besides… that wouldn't be acceptable, we would need to find someplace where nobody would see."
"I wouldn't mind dancing… But at this moment I don't think I could." His eyes darted to Oliver, only for a second, but Oliver noticed anyways, sending the boy a smile.
"Right… and he is injured… and we are not to dance with the knights…" The prince argued.
Oliver shrugged. "I would say he is hardly a knight yet, or likely to be… But honestly… I helped in his training tonight… I was very impressed."
"That's right… you did… Thank you for the help." He tried not to allow the prince to detect his distaste.
Oliver grinned at the way Alfred looked so uncomfortable. "Push yourself that hard every time and you'll do great." He pulled his brother away. "Come on… Unless you want to dance with Alfred."
"Go ahead, dance, have fun. I'll just be here." He smiled.
Arthur let out a dissatisfied sigh. "If I must…" Oliver dragged him through the crowed. "Oliver… I was hoping to avoid dancing with any princesses."
"Oh come off it." He yanked the prince to the dance floor. "There are girls here dying to dance with you." He tapped on a young girls shoulder; he introduced Arthur to a girl named Elizabeta. She was a noble's daughter.
"Oh…" He waved at her shyly after giving his brother a glare. Why did he insist on this? "It's a pleasure to meet you."
Oliver smiled and walked away.
"It's nice to meet you, Prince Kirkland." She seemed to be uncomfortable in the dress, as if she was unaccustomed to such clothing.
"Heh… You don't seem like you're fond of these sorts of things either."
"No not really, I don't dance." She smiled. "But thanks for offering. I can give it a try if you'd like."
"I'm not very good at it either I'm afraid. The steps have been drilled into my head but… I never seemed to do them correctly."
"Same," She chuckled.
Arthur caught a glare from his father and cleared his throat. He really didn't want to dance with her. She seemed nice enough, but… though it was just formalities, he thought dancing was romantic… and that just didn't appeal to him. He sighed. "… erm… Seems like our parents are set on it though… So would you like to try?" He held his hand out to the girl.
"Of course, Your highness." She curtsied.
He smiled weakly and bowed as well. He danced. It wasn't enjoyable, but he didn't hate it either.
Meanwhile, Feliciano approached Alfred. "Are you alright?..."
"I'm fine; just a little accident is all." He smiled, though he had a hard time holding it because he was so tired.
"You kind of look like you're dying." Feliciano laughed. Ludwig shook his head. "Feliciano…"
"I feel like I'm dying." He complained, leaning back slowly. His head was burning up. The cold wall felt amazing.
"Maybe you should go rest?" A look of concern filled Feliciano's face.
"I can't. I am not supposed to leave. None of us are." He sighed, eyes glancing around the party. It truly was a beautiful arrangement; there was an abundance of food, lights and people. The décor was perfectly laid out, making the ball room glow with beauty. But really, Alfred wasn't looking to see the glamorous ball room, he was looking for the prince, for Arthur. He found him dancing with a pretty girl with long brown hair. He let out a sigh; he would have danced with the prince if he'd asked.
The redhead sighed, blowing his short bangs away from his face. "I guess… but maybe a less crowded place would help… The courtyard is part of the festivities… There are still guests… But some open air might do you good."
"I doubt I could make it that far right now." He said.
Feliciano frowned. "I can help you outside if you'd like… What happened?"
"Fell on a blade." He lied.
"… You're bad at lying… and you hint at things like a girl does… and to think I always get teased about that…" He sighed, hoping Alfred wouldn't read too much into that. "If you're that hurt, you shouldn't be here."
Alfred was too tired to complain about the comment. "We are required to be here Feli, I couldn't leave even if I wanted to."
"Right… Well… We are going to explore the hedge maze… Find me if you need help back to your room." The boy smiled, waving to Alfred before he and Ludwig walked away.
"Will do, thanks." Alfred called to them as they left.
Feliciano nodded back to him.
Alfred let out a sigh as he watched Arthur dance for a while. He felt bad for lying to Feliciano; he felt bad for lying to everyone… The boy was only trying to be nice after all. Alfred was feeling useless… He didn't like being so pessimistic. Alfred was nearly asleep when Arthur returned, having danced with a few girls by that time.
He smiled at the boy fondly. He was so cute… Wait what?... Nah… He wasn't… Damnit… Did he like boys? Arthur thought to himself. It must be a real thing, if there are ways for boys to have sex… He wasn't weird right?
"Mmh hey Artie…" Alfred slurred.
"Ah! What?" Arthur was pulled from his train of thought. "…Oh… Hi Alfred… You look… sad… hey come on; let's get you some fresh air. I'll help you walk."
"Not sad… Tired…" He mumbled, his eyes barely open. "How was dancing?"
"… Well… Girls… They're… Ugh… I'm going outside before they stuff me back up for that oath… I can't be a kid after tonight…"
"I will go with you… If you'd like…" He held out his hand. "Could you give me a hand?"
Arthur smiled. "Of course." He pulled the boy up.
"Thanks." Alfred grunted, gripping his side in pain.
"Gracious… You look like you need fresh air more than I do."
"I'm sorry…"
"Oh hush. You can't expect to become a knight by apologizing for everything you for (delete)." They entered the courtyard. It was a lot less crowded than the inside of the palace.
"Right… It's beautiful out here." Alfred gestured to their surroundings. There were lanterns lit up by small flames, all hung up around the walls.
"… Here, moving around will help you adjust to the pain, I think… Besides, it's good training." He led the boy to the maze. "So… Oliver said he helped you train today… How was that? He's an even better fighter than I am."
"Yeah, he was great." Alfred choked.
"… You don't sound like you mean that… did he teach you like we were taught? Learning on the job?"
"Yeah, Francis said he worked wonders, then I ended up hurting myself…" Alfred took a deep breath. "Thanks for taking me out here."
"Not a problem." He stopped hearing Feliciano giggling around the corner. "Ludwig!" as they rounded the corner Ludwig and Feliciano were locked in a kiss.
Arthur paled. Shit. He heard Alfred make a noise next to him and Feliciano gasped as they pulled away from each other. "I… I… Ludwig I told you it wasn't… ah!" She whispered hoarsely.
Alfred shifted, he looked at the two before him. He still believed both of them were males. He waved and smiled at them.
Feliciano blushed looking between them. "I'm… I'm… I can explain! I…" Ludwig touched the Feliciano's shoulder. "Stop… I'm sorry, this was my fault."
"What are you sorry for?" Alfred questioned. "You like who you like. Why does it matter?"
Ludwig blinked and Feliciano gulped. "…It's…" Ludwig looked at Feliciano. "… He doesn't know…."
"You two like each other right?" Alfred smiled. "I think you guys make a great pair."
Arthur blinked at him. He didn't even know. "Even though they're both boys?" Ludwig made a face.
"Yeah, so?"
"It's… nothing I guess…" Arthur liked that thought… That Alfred didn't mind two boys being together…
Feliciano shook his head. "No... No… I'm touched but… Can you keep a secret Alfred?"
"Yes?" He cocked his head to the side.
"I'm… Not a boy… I'm a girl… I… But I had to pretend to be a boy, so I could become a knight…"
"Ohh… Why? Did you do it so could be with Ludwig?"
"I…" She looked at the other. "…Yes… I ran away from home when I was a little girl… My father was…" He shook her head and Ludwig pulled her close, looking at Alfred and the prince.
"I swore I would protect her… I gave her my word… I couldn't just leave her behind."
"That's good of you. I am glad you are alright, Feliciano."
"You can't tell anyone!... I can't go back…"
Arthur shook his head. "Its fine, you two… We won't say a word… But be careful."
"Yeah." Alfred nodded. "I wish you two the best!"
They looked at each other before smiling slightly and quickly disappearing into the hedges.
Arthur looked at Alfred. "… So… say they were boys… Do you think… It's possible for a boy to be more attracted to other boys then to girls?"
"Yeah, why not? Alfred asked, leaning more weight on the other.
"I don't know… I guess… That's just… I've never seen that sort of thing…
"Just because you've never seen it, doesn't mean it doesn't exist." He wondered why the prince had so many questions.
"…Never mind… erm…" He sighed as a guard rounded the corner. "Your highness, it's time."
"I guess duty calls, then?" Alfred released his hold on the prince so that Arthur was free to walk back inside. "I can make it back on my own…"
"If you are sure…" Arthur turned to the knight awaiting a nod, before he turned to follow the guard.
"I'll see you later." He called before he began the trek back inside. He stood tall. 'I have to be a proper knight.' He walked back attempting not to give into the pain in his side. Alfred was glad that he was able to make it in time for the ceremony. He was a little late, but he wanted to be there for his friend.
Arthur collapsed on his bed, exhausted. The ceremony had been long and boring… He lay down for a while staring at the ceiling, trying to fall asleep. There was a quiet knock at his door.
"Hey Arthur, are you still awake?" Alfred called from the other side of the door. He didn't have a chance to congratulate Arthur after the ceremony, so he decided to head to Arthur's room later that night.
Arthur pulled his face up from his pillow. "Yes?"
"It's me… I wanted to congratulate you… Things got pretty busy today." Alfred stood at the door, fiddling with his clothes, as he waited for permission to enter. Even if he was Arthurs friend, there were still rules. Arthur was a prince after all.
"Right…" He smiled. "Thank you Alfred… Are you feeling better?"
"Slightly, but like you said, I need to get used to the pain if I'm to be a knight."
"Well… Don't push yourself too hard." He smiled.
"Yeah, can I come in?" He finally asked after he didn't get the offer. He straightened himself, standing tall as he waited.
"Of course."
Alfred entered the room with a smile. "Thanks."
"… From now on I have to be the perfect prince…" Arthur let out a sigh as he lay on his bed. So much responsibility for one person.
"Yeah?" Alfred took a seat next to him. "How's that going for you?"
"Well… I will definitely treasure our time in the library more, though it may become less frequent… Keep me sane, will you?"
"Of course." He leaned his back against the wall, shifting his place to find a better position to lay. "I don't want to lose my time with you… Out of everything… It's what I have cherished most…"
"Glad to hear it… But we also need to work hard…"
"True." Alfred frowned.
"…I just hope I'm good enough to be king."
"I think you will make a great king." He gave an encouraging smile. "You seem to really care about the people, you want to improve and do right by the kingdom. You will be a great king… The greatest!"
"I do?... Ha… Alfred, you'll be a great knight…" It was dark outside. The room was only lit by a candle on the bedside table. They talked for hours; conception of time was lost and the candle had burned out, leaving them in the dark.
Alfred had fallen asleep. Arthur watched the boy. He was worried about him. Everything was quiet, eerily so. The temperature dropped. Arthur didn't notice the opened window, where someone silently slipped inside. Without a word, the stranger brought a knife to Arthur's throat, pulling him close, and covering his mouth with his hand.
A low chuckle came from next to his ear. "Well the last thing I expected was to find my victim in bed with another boy. No matter." The cold metal pressed against the prince's throat and his heartbeat exploded through his body at a rapid pace.
"…What do you want here?" He whispered hoarsely, terror shaking his body… his room was high up; this person would have had to climb the stone walls of the palace.
Alfred rolled over in the bed, seemingly disturbed by the quiet whispers. He mumbled something unintelligently, before his eyes fluttered open, seeing the prince held by knife point.
The man grinned. "We have options boy, I can take you, or I can kill you… It all depends on how you cooperate."
"You will have to kill me, before I will ever let you kill Arthur!" He shouted.
The assassin looked at the boy with a bored expression. "Foolish, I'll have to take care of you too then." He threw the prince to the ground, pinning his clothes with knives, then he dove at Alfred.
Alfred, in return, tackled the assassin to the ground. "Arthur, call for help!"
Arthur tugged away, but his arms wouldn't nudge. "Francis! Oliver! Antonio! Somebody!"
Alfred pushed and shoved at the man, trying to pull away his weapons, but the assassin threw him against the wall. He was in danger! So why wasn't he blacking out?! He needed his strength now more than ever! Alfred stumbled forward trying to get back at the man. He was having trouble controlling his limbs. Making his way towards Arthur, Alfred pulled the daggers away from the princes clothing. "Run!" He commanded once the older boy was released.
Arthur stood quickly. "You too" He demanded, grabbing Alfred's hand and bolting towards the door.
The assassin was in front of them in an instant, blocking their way to the exit.
He grinned. "Pathetic." He pushed Alfred's weak form aside. He was about to dive at Arthur, but the door opened from behind him, to reveal Francis. Francis grabbed the man in a head lock.
"Francis!" Alfred called relieved at the sight of the man.
Francis didn't hesitate, he gathered his momentum, pulling the man with him, and he ran towards the window, throwing the man out, allowing him to fall towards the hard ground many stories below.
"Thank you for helping us." Alfred saw the look on Francis's face. "Is the king alright?"
"The king is fine…" He clenched his fist and held his side, it was covered in blood. "… There was an assassin there too…"
Alfred stepped towards his master, but stopped. "Francis, are you alright?" His eyes darted to the blood spilling from the man's side. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"I'm fine; get out."
Alfred looked to the prince, "Shall we go then?" He said.
"Not the prince… Just you, Alfred…" Francis said flatly.
Arthur looked at Alfred worriedly. "Good night…"
"I will see you later Arthur… Be safe." Alfred couldn't stop himself from pulling the prince into a hug; he had thought he was going to lose his friend. "I promise you, I will protect you from here on out."
"I…" Arthur wrapped his arms around the other. "Of course… You'll be my knight…" The words came out without thought.
"It a deal then." Alfred looked to Francis, then to Arthur. "I guess I'll see you later."
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-Through the Loop