Chapter Text
Ser Adrian of the Kingsguard…that was something Adrian would have to get used to. As a second son to a minor lord Adrian was more than pleased to be sworn into the kingsguard, while it would mean service for the rest of his life it was also a place to distinguish himself further. Perhaps make a name for himself like that of his childhood hero, Ser Harold the Queen’s Shield who had once defended the Queen of Caria from an invading force, saving her life and the life of the unborn heir to the throne.
Adiran had been sworn to protect the current heir to the throne, as he was both the youngest and least experienced of the twelve kingsguard. That heir was currently idling away what would be good training hours reading behind the fountain, his wavy red hair poking just above the waterline.
Adrian could hardly comment on what made for a good royal education, but the prince had clearly made no effort to learn the art of the sword, or any other weapon for that matter. Having already reached his maturity it was unlikely at this point that the prince would become any great fighter, but it would be a useful skillset to have.
“Ser Adrian?” The knight swore under his breath, he would have to pay better attention to his protectorate in the future. “How can I be of service, Your Highness?”
“I know you’ve only been in my service a short while, but when Ser Arland was my sworn sword he and I had made a plan of sorts. I…well I suppose I was hoping..” the prince went quiet, chewing on a pretty, pink lip. It was clear whatever the boy had in mind was not on the up and up, Adrian just hoped it wouldn’t be anything too seedy. He’d heard of royals who had strange tastes and Adrian wanted no part in that.
“Your Highness whatever Ser Arland had planned I am sure I can accomplish,” Ser Adrian smiled pleasantly, getting along with Prince Sebastian would make service much easier, especially if he were to become his sovereign one day.
The prince, for his part, lit up at the encouragement, “well I had wanted to see the Yule Markets in town, but not necessarily as a royal visit…we could be discreet so as to better enjoy it.”
Adrian thought for a moment, “I suppose that can be accomplished, the markets were opened in preparation for the season already, but give me a few days to better prepare. I assume this stays between us?”
Sebastian nodded, “I don’t think it would be approved of otherwise. I’ll be discreet, I swear.”
With that the prince returned to his book and Adrian to his thoughts. He would have to get ahold of clothing for them to wear, something that would hide his sword and perhaps a leather cuirass for Sebastian to wear beneath a tunic….he tried to discreetly measure the sizing he should look for. Prince Sebastian had a lithe frame, and Adiran would put him at 5 '10”, though the majority of that height seemed to come from a pair of long legs. He took after his mother, it seemed, as the king was large torsoed and the type to gain mass easily. It had been an advantage to the campaigns he had fought in, the man was known to be a beastly opponent with his warhammer.
Adrian found himself glancing at the prince’s long fingers, another trait from his mother; had the boy not been born to the royal family he would’ve made an excellent musician, he even had the sort of pleasing face that would make for an excess of redheaded bastards running about, from noble houses and otherwise. Women’s gloves would suit his hands better, Adrian decided, shaking the improper imaginings away. What a thing to even imagine…
Three evenings had passed before Adrian had made his preparations. In the end he’d had to flirt with one of the seamstresses to get a tunic that would fit a minor, unimportant, lord. Adrian was aware of his effect on women, having been knighted when he reached majority he was in fighting shape for the majority of his life. To add to that he hadn’t taken any major damage to his face, leaving his steel grey eyes to be the center of attention.
Adian had never been particularly drawn to female company, which made it very easy when the call came to join the kingsguard given a requirement was to avoid any activities which could lead to producing children. With that in mind though, he did learn to turn on the charms when he needed a favor here or there. I’ll be sure to bring her something in return, perhaps a lemon cake, women like those right?
Ser Adrian left the clothing in a saddlebag in the stable, then made his way to the Prince’s chambers. When he reached the oaken doors the guards usually posted outside were distressingly absent, Damn them to the gods. Adrian knocked heavily on the door before opening it, “Your Highness?” The usually occupied chair next to the fire was empty and the fire had been put out. Adrian felt his heart flutter, Prince Sebastian had no appointments today, Adrian had double checked, and usually if he left it was with Ser Adrian.
Adrian checked the bedchamber to be sure, but the bed had already been turned down and there was no sign the prince had been there recently. Panic built up in Adrian’s chest, he rushed to the hall, his heavy blue cloak swirling with each footstep.
He made his way towards the kitchens first, hoping maybe one of the many servants had seen where the prince had made off to. Adrian collided with something rather large when rounding the corner that led to the audience chambers, that large something guaffed and Adrian felt heat rise to his cheeks when he realized that object was a fellow kingsguard.
“Ser Adrian, I understand that your youth encourages movement and haste, but do try to show more restraint….” Ser Ryklan had never spoken more than three words to Adiran, and with the glare he was leveling Adrian was sure this was not the first impression he had been hoping to set.
“I, I apologize ser, I will be more careful.”
“Where are you rushing off to?” Ser Ryklan stood squarely in the center of the hallway, blocking Adrian from his destination.
Ser Adiran ducked his head avoiding the judgment that was sure to come.“Um, I was actually looking for Prince Sebastian.”
“Your charge is your responsibility, you need to keep better track of him, that being said I know the feeling. The young royals tend to be full of mischief and don’t always understand our role is solely for their protection.” Ser Ryklan laughed lightly, “you are in luck though. The king requested that Prince Sebastian attend to him in the council chambers.” Ser Ryklan stepped to the side and gestured for Adrian to continue.
Adrian found the entrance to the council chambers without much issue, and slipped inside when a page brought in a new decanter.
The small council were all seated around the oaken table, all older lords who had been chosen by the King for their expertise in one situation or another. Milling about behind the table was a retinue of servants and guards, which Ser Adrian joined.
Prince Sebastian sat uncomfortably at the far end from his father, Ser Adrian could tell the boy was biting the inside of his cheeks, either to hold his tongue or to get through the discomfort of whatever he had been called here for.
A bearded man with a black and white surcoat, who Adrian recognized as Lord Swan, was speaking rather animatedly at the prince, “the holidays would be a lovely time for your royal highness to meet some of the young ladies we’ve listed. I believe Lord Ashford had extended an invitation for the royal family to dine on the first night of Yule; his niece is the Lady Sophia.”
The King was dressed in his house colors of deep red and sapphire blue, his gaze resting with a certain harshness on his eldest son. “Lord Swan, write back and let Ashford know to expect Prince Sebastian on the night in question. From Ashford Hall Prince Sebastian can travel to the other families.” The king’s gaze did not leave Sebastian’s face, “Prince Sebastian, I expect a decision made before the new year, if you find this task too difficult than the council and I will choose, but you won’t disappoint, will you.” It wasn’t a question.
Ser Adiran tried to blend in as he made his way to the door Prince Sebastian was leaving through, the council having moved to other topics. Prince Sebastian had already gotten to the end of the tight hallway by the time Adrian reached the door; Ser Adrian began to move towards him but fell short when he heard the distinct sound of a sniffle. If the boy…crying? Adiran felt uncomfortable, unsure if he should play off the moment and pretend not to have heard, or comfort the Prince, or just hang back until he was addressed….
Prince Sebastian solved the problem when he turned and saw Ser Adrian, his hands flew to his face, wiping what was very clearly tears away. “Oh, um I’m sorry I didn’t notice you….and I meant to tell you I had been called to the chambers but it happened all so very quickly this morning.” The prince was rushing through his words, his hands waving awkwardly around as he did so.
“I am here to serve your highness, no apologies are necessary. I had been preparing for our outing but…” Ser Arland gestured behind him at the council chamber doors.
“Oh! I would love to go still, we won’t be around for the rest of the market season. I’m sure Lord Swan’s people will fill you in but apparently I am to go on a progress.” Sebastian spat the word out like a poison. Ser Adrian hardly recognized the prince, who he’d come to find was a gentle boy, perhaps there’s a warrior under there after all.
“As you wish, your highness. If that is the case then we should make our way to the stables before it grows dark.” Ser Adrian waited for Sebastian to step in front of him before shadowing the young princeling.
Adrian fished the clothing he’d obtained from the saddlebag, “I had to make due on measurements, you look far too clean to pass as a worker, so I thought a minor lord’s son or something to that effect would be suitable as a disguise. Change into these,” Adiran passed over an out of fashion blue doublet, along with riding pants, gloves, and a warm cloak, snow had fallen the day before and he would not risk the prince getting ill.
For himself, Adrian had gone for the look of a hired hand. It didn’t require much, he simply shed his armor and threw his own cloak over himself.
He looked up to see Sebastian, stripped down to his underthings, fumbling about with the cuirass. Sebastian stripped of his finery was even more pleasant to look at somehow. While his body was still lithe, he did have some muscle definition, and surprisingly, abs. Adrian tucked that information away to ask about later.
When the boy put the damn thing on backwards Adrian let out a laugh, clapping his hand over his mouth in shock that he had let it slip out.
“I’m doing this wrong, aren’t I?” Sebastian to his credit did not seem peeved at his mistake being laughed at. “It’s alright, it is not fit the same as most armor or clothing for that matter.” Adrian moved to help the prince pull himself out of the mess, then placed the protective leather over him again. Adrian’s fingers brushed over pale, smooth skin whilst doing so, and he fumbled a bit while tightening the leather straps under the boy's arms and at his waist, feeling self conscious about the contact. Sebastian leaned into Adrian’s fingers as he fastened the last buckle, and Adrian couldn’t help but linger a bit longer.
When they were both dressed Sebastian looked himself up and down, with the light leather acting almost as a corset beneath his clothing he had a feminine silhouette, and that look was not helped by his pretty facial features. Couldn’t be helped, as far as Adrian was concerned they would speak as little as possible to other market goers, and Adrian himself would handle any purchases.
The market town was lit up with torches, the smell of cinnamon and crisped apples hung through the stalls. Trinkets and flowers and wreaths were being sold, alongside sweets and stall food. Ser Adrian understood the appeal of visiting in disguise, to drink in the merriment, the sights, sounds, and smells.
Sebastian’s face was alight with wonder, his hood had been pulled tight to cover his hair, but a fiery curl had escaped and hung over his brow, it was endearing. “Ale? Spiced ale to warm yourselves?” a woman called from a stall not too far from them. Sebastian turned Adrian, searching his face for permission.
Adrian rolled his eyes, “you’re not very good at playing a part, are you?” Sebastian blushed, which made his face even more endearing. Adrian smirked and stepped to the stall purchasing two spiced ales. The cups were warm and it seemed almost a shame to drink rather than to use against the cold, but the smell of spices overwhelmed Adrian and he relented.
“Look, Ad-uh, look! There’s a traveling minstrel!” Sebastian was pointing excitedly at a brightly dressed man playing the lute. He had a pleasant voice and was singing a common, albeit bawdy, tune.
Sebastian grabbed at Ser Adrian’s arm and pulled him into the crowd watching the singer, he was all smiles and cheers while the man ran through a set of three songs. The singer yielded the stage to a rather elaborate puppet show, which Adrian could already tell Sebastian would want to stay and watch, but Adrian’s stomach was gnawing at him, and it was a bad idea to down a pint of ale with no food.
He leaned in close to the prince’s ear, “I will go get us some food, your highness. Please wait right here, I won’t be long.”
With that Adrian slid himself out of the crowd that was gathering to watch the make believe knights fight off a fire breathing wyvern. There was a stall selling meat sticks not far, and Adrian chose there partially for its view of the show. He’d keep an easy eye on Sebastian that way.
Sebastian was enraptured with the show, so Adrian turned to the merchant and began to order for himself and the Prince, the burly man cooking the meat made some small talk while Adrian waited, commenting on the weather, the upcoming holiday, and by the time the food was ready Adrian realized he had not glanced back even once.
He searched the crowd for Sebastian, and his eyes fell on a redhead. Sebastian stood, his hood pulled down, facing away from the ongoing show. A man with his back to Adrian seemed to be speaking to the prince, that boy should know better, hopefully he lies well.
Alarm bells started going off in Adrian’s head when Sebastian started glancing around the crowd, taking a small step away from the figure.
Adrian strode over, pushing his way through the crowd with no regard to the comments on his rudeness, the food abandoned. The man, who Adrian recognized as the minstrel from before, had grabbed ahold of Sebastian’s wrist, his other hand somewhere near Sebastian’s waist.
Adrian went quick, his years of training moving him before his mind could catch up, grabbing ahold of the hand that grasped at his prince’s. Adrian squeezed almost hard enough to break the man’s hand. The startled minstrel pulled back, futily trying to create space between himself and the larger man. Adrian snatched the minstrel’s other hand, which he now saw had been dangerously low on Sebastian’s waist, and hissed. “Don’t fucking touch him.” The minstrel, out of pretty words opened his mouth, only to close it again. He looked like a fish.
Sebastian, who Adrian had angled behind him, was now clinging onto Adrian’s arm. He could feel the boy shaking. Adrian shoved the minstrel roughly, and the other man barley managing to keep his feet.
“It’s not like you think, I thought…he…was a girl!” the minstrel was itching to be hit at this rate, Adrian almost gave into that urge, but Sebastian was still here. He turned to look over his charge. Sebastian’s face was snow pale, even his rosy lips were pallid. Adiran heaved a sigh, “get out of here before I actually do some damage.” Adrian threw the words over his shoulder, not bothering to watch the coward scramble off.
He leaned towards Sebastian, speaking low, “Prince Sebastian,” those bright blue eyes were unfocused, Adrian remembered the paralying fear he had felt when he first set foot on the battlefield. Instinctively he cupped Sebastrians head in his hand, trying to ground him. Soft waves tickled Adrians fingers, but Sebastian responded by leaning into the touch, staring from beneath long lashes.
“Prince Sebastian, it’s ok. You can tell me about it, or we can go just home, or we can get you some food first, tell me what it is you need.”
Sebastian huffed, pulling himself together, “it’s ok he didn’t really do anything. I just…it was just scary. I’d like to keep walking around, if we can!”
Adrian smiled, mostly to himself, and led the way. Prince Sebastian didn’t let go of Adrian’s arm the rest of the evening.