A/N answering a comment: The person questioned if the title had ever been just called: Royalty.

I don't believe the title has ever been different. But I won't swear on anything that it wasn't just Royalty in the beginning. It's been way too long since this story started and then taken down and I was forced to repost all over again.

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Ryo, Joey and several others tried but failed to make it as a knight. But were granted a spot as a guard. They were on the lower level as far as guards go. Their scores weren't that great; lower ranking guards were the ones who would be assigned the bulk of the grunt work. If things, especially heavy things, needed moving it was on them. These guards always felt it was unfair of course the higher ranked ones didn't find it unfair. If anything, when they were that level it motivated them to train harder to move up in rank. The majority though wanted the tiers gone. They should have maids come in and clean or get pages or squires to do it. They also had to take shifts on who cleaned the guards and knights bathrooms and barracks. The beds and laundry were done by squires. They also hated the tier system because they always got stuck with the assignments no one else wanted. Armory or guard tower. Guards of the past have complained to their king at the time including Seto. Nothing is done except give a light reprimand to the head guard to rotate everyone to every position. It's never done and no one bothers to complain a second time.

Connor was sad he didn't manage to reclaim his spot as second in command of the knights. But took the position as head of the guards and another newcomer named Brant Draco was now his new second in command.

Finally time came for the announcement of Head Knight and Second in command. Everyone was thinking for sure, even Bakura that the new guy would be named the winner. Starr had competed against Bakura and the 4 others for Head Knight position and he, Bakura and two others were the only ones that qualified with high enough scores.

Everyone was stunned when although offered the position, like everyone assumed, he respectfully declined the position. No one understood. Why did he do all this if he didn't want the job?

Bakura was shocked but pleased as he now had earned a position previously just handed to him. He thought for sure he'd be second in command under the new guy. His second in command was Merrick.

"Everyone, I'd like you to come back after dinner. We have one more tryout." Yami announced.

Everyone was confused and looked at the guy who beat Bakura. A couple got the courage to ask what was going on. Starr simply smiled and said "You'll learn soon."

After dinner everyone gathered wondering who this man was and what he wanted? Why compete only to turn down the job when you won. Then they saw Varon enter the field and everyone instantly understood. He was never aiming for head Knight. He was trying to prove he was worthy of being Yami's personal guard.

It was a close battle and they tied on a few Varon won some Starr won some. It was deemed a tie at the end of the battle and Yami made an official announcement. "Everyone welcome Starr Fox, he is officially my new guard. Varon will be missed as my guard but I have no doubts he will continue to do great as Mokuba's official guard. We are also currently looking for a guard for Maura. If anyone, even those in the loser's circle wish to apply, you may. You will have to at least match Varon or Starr's scores. You will have to prove yourself."

The guards were happy not having this stranger as the new head knight. He just didn't appear that friendly. Not that Bakura was but they knew him and he also didn't just rock up to the castle never having been seen before and win the top spot.

"Say Ryo, this is your chance." Charlie, a guard taunted.

"My chance? What do you mean?" Ryo asked.

"You want us to believe you care about Master Mokuba? Here's your chance. Go and beg, The king, Master Atemu and especially Master Mokuba. Get on your hands and knees if necessary. Tell them that you're sorry and you will gladly take up your guard position over Master Mokuba again and take it seriously this time until they find a suitable guard for Princess Maura. Varon can take Princess Maura until then. Then by this time next year maybe even sooner they will have found someone suitable for Princess Maura without having to be pressed for time. Then we will gladly help train you so this time next year Varon can resume being Master Mokuba's guard and you will have the skills to be a knight."

"Nah, doubt it would matter. They'd never take him back." Monty another guard said.

"What makes you so sure?" Charlie asked.

Monty turned to Ryo, "Didn't you say Master Mokuba was the one who requested you to leave? Then instead of talking to the boy and asking questions you just happily ran for the door and didn't look back?"

"Well not, not exactly. I did ask if he was sure and when he said yes I left."

"Like I said you ran for the hills when he cut the string that once was tight started coming unraveled. He realized he was in your way and cut the string." Monty said.

"What no. I love him, I'll always love him."

Monty waved him off, "Keep telling yourself that. I heard that something happened not long ago and both kids ended up in comas. Whatever happened also put Master Atemu out of commission for a brief time. I heard the king was very stressed out. The king wouldn't allow anyone but a maid to stay with the children in the room when they couldn't. A guard was there at all times and Varon even took a shift. But where oh where was Master Mokuba's beloved friend? Not besides himself with worry by his side or even a little sad and depressed down here. Nope training hard only depressed thinking he wouldn't get to compete."

"Hey I forgot about that incident. Just after they got better was when Ryo got the news Master Mokuba no longer wanted him." Charlie said.

"I would too. The kid could probably sense he was never there or something." Noel said.

"I heard the kid was like Master Atemu and had magic. Maybe he found out that way that Ryo hated him and blamed him for being forced to come back here, nearly dying and losing his girlfriend a second time." Jordan said.

"What? I haven't broken up with Shizuka." For some reason Ryo couldn't remember why. 'They act like I've broken up with Shizuka. Why does it feel like I should have?'

"No, you just want to be her ideal man. That's why you have to embrace your unfounded hatred of Master Mokuba. Otherwise you can't be with her." Jorge said.

"Oh why's that? I heard her grandfather owns and operates the toy store and she helps run it." Jordan said.

Noel smirked, "I've heard that she hates children more than anything else. Rumor has it she did something to piss her parents off apparently and shipped her off to here. She works there because she can slack off and get away without doing much."

"No, Shizuka loves children." Ryo protested. But even as the words left his mouth they felt wrong somehow.

"No dude she hates them. Why not invite her to the ball that's happening on New Years? There will be a lot of royal children there. If what you said is true she would enjoy both ballrooms."

"Both? There's more than one?" Ryo asked surprised.

"I've read up on the history of the castle in my downtime. When the castle was built they wanted a grand ballroom. As it was being built the Royal family had three children. Two boys and a girl. It's said that the children kept running around as they imagined dancing in the future ballroom. So they got the idea to put a mini ballroom attached to the main one. This way their children and other royal children would have a place to play. The royal parents wouldn't have to worry as the nanny could stay in the room with them. The royal parents if they wanted to could check on them at any time but with the nanny there they wouldn't need to often if at all. They even had two bathrooms and two large rooms with small beds in case any of the children got tired or sleepy. Of course I read that other royal families weren't happy with that, as they felt their precious child deserved to be given a private room and not forced to share with other royal children. Sometimes the children slept there till morning as the ball would occasionally last all night and their parents stayed up all night drinking or were escorted to a room to sleep it off." Noel said.

"Why don't you go ask your little girlfriend if she's cool with it and then maybe her grandfather would donate toys for the royal kids. Maybe if he's lucky one or more might drop in and buy or order more." Charlie said.

"If they ordered, how would he deliver?" Noel asked. "I doubt he has magic."

"I'm sure if he asked Master Atemu for help he'd do it."