Chapter Text
“Alright, crew! Ten minute break and shift change, let’s move!”
“Yes, sir!”
Cheerful chatter filled the worksite as laborers moved to their breaks or swapped shifts with a fresh face. They were making real headway into construction, the amount of hands available for a royally mandated project making the workload extremely efficient. This was already enough to put Lloyd in a good mood, but he couldn’t deny he had been feeling almost annoyingly happy that day.
He’d confirmed last night that Javier had been healing well. The night after the Julian Incident, Lloyd had bullied the proud man into letting Lloyd change his bandages if he was going to cry about his wounds so badly. Javier had nearly snatched the bandages back, but had just sighed and sat down instead. Lloyd wasn’t picky with his wins.
Each night after that, he kept the habit since it was obviously easier for someone else to help bandage an injured shoulder anyway. Just as he had suspected last night, today Lloyd watched as Javier moved easier, his arm having more range of motion and no more odd pauses. It was hard to tell for most people, in fact almost no one could see he had been injured at all, but Lloyd could clearly see – Javier was on the mend.
How handy to have a swordmaster’s manaheart.
His shoulder was even healed enough that Lloyd didn’t immediately call Javier out when he noticed he wasn’t just supervising the summons today. Much to Bangul’s delight, Javier opted to assemble Bangul’s dirt pizzas.
At the break, she bent over to nuzzle her huge head against him in thanks. Lloyd watched, amused, as Javier solemnly acknowledged Bangul’s cheers that he absolutely couldn’t understand. Amusing Lloyd even further, Bibeong hovered in the background looking torn between being jealous at the attention Bangul was giving Javier, and pleased that she was getting what she wanted.
The cherry on top that broke Lloyd’s composure was the realization that Ggoming had decided to doze away in the nest of Javier’s silver hair.
“Okay, okay, break time means you too, get over here,” Lloyd called with laughter.
Javier turned away from the summons crew, making Bibeong visibly droop with relief. Bangul jingled her tail in farewell when Javier, polite as ever, excused himself and walked over to Lloyd.
Javier would deny it, but he pulled up in front of Lloyd with what he could only describe as a pout.
“I am fine,” Javier huffed… at the exact same time Ggoming let out his own tiny grumpy sleepy huff from his hair as well.
Lloyd barked out a laugh at the combined image. At Javier’s raised brow, Lloyd motioned him to lean down. He reached up and gently untangled the lazy little bird from Javier’s silver curls. Steadfastly ignoring how soft they were, Lloyd chuckled at Ggoming’s dozing face as he brought him back close against his chest. Lloyd lifted his head back up to find Javier still bent over a little and looking down at the bird, eyes softly twinkling in amusement and not at all surprised.
The feeling Lloyd was nervous to name rose up at the sight.
There are workers around, right?
“Demonstration?” Lloyd blurted out quietly.
Javier blinked. He glanced around the area, clearly spotting the workers milling about, and gave a quiet affirmative hum.
And then Lloyd watched as Javier closed his eyes.
Against his will, Lloyd’s heart skipped a beat at the sight.
…It also gave him a sense of mischief.
Lloyd leaned forward and gently pressed his lips to Javier’s cheek… and then blew a raspberry instead.
Javier instantly jumped a foot in the air. He backed up hurriedly, looking a little scandalized and completely grossed out.
Lloyd roared with laughter. He bent over nearly in half, cracking up at the scandalized expression. After a few gasps Lloyd tried to stand back up, only to spot an icy frown on Javier’s face while wiping his cheek. He doubled over again, cackling.
“Y-your face–” he wheezed out.
Javier looked unimpressed.
“Are you pleased with yourself?” he asked, voice dripping with disdain.
Lloyd stood up with a few more gasps.
“Ohhh, delighted, thanks for asking,” Lloyd grinned, wiping a tear from his eye.
Javier huffed and frowned.
“Refrain from such vulgar actions. That is not how demonstrations look.”
Lloyd chuckled, finally tucking a poor disgruntled Ggoming back into his chest pocket.
“I dunno about that. We can have a bit of fun too, you know? There’s more things than just whatever’s in ridiculous sappy love letters,” he said, amused.
“...”
At the odd silence, Lloyd glanced up from his pocket to catch a flash of Javier looking particularly frozen, before his eyes darted away and avoided his own.
No way.
Lloyd suddenly wondered if all those love affairs in The Knight of Blood and Iron were just Javier bluffing based off of love letters. Like a teenager copying what to do from romance novels.
Lloyd snickered, making Javier twitch and turn back determinedly.
“You said you wanted to sell a fairytale,” Javier frowned, shaking his head. “We need fairytale demonstrations, not… that.”
Lloyd hummed. He put his hands on his hips and tilted his head consideringly, a vicious smile beginning to form.
“Oh?” he asked. “Like what?”
Javier’s eyes flashed at the challenge put down, but he sniffed and raised his head.
“Master Lloyd must be terribly unrefined if he cannot come up with any ideas of his own,” Javier said, aloof.
He wasn’t looking Lloyd in the eyes though.
Oh, he’s just too easy.
“Is that so? Care to share with the unenlightened?”
“...”
Lloyd couldn’t help himself – he smelled blood in the water. He leaned in close, leering up with a wicked grin.
“I bet you’ve run out of ideas. Need a love letter to come up with something?”
Javier’s eyes darted down to him with a glare, eyes once more flashing.
“If Master Lloyd is incapable of thinking of actually convincing demonstrations, then, out of pity, I should provide a better example.”
Lloyd only had a second to realize he had made a mistake before both of Javier’s hands reached forward, sliding over Lloyd’s cheeks to caress the back of his neck. Lloyd’s breath hitched, and at Javier’s approach (or was he getting pulled?), he slammed his eyes shut.
There was a warm, gentle press to his forehead.
Lloyd snapped his eyes open to find Javier backing up just enough to allow Lloyd to see his smirk.
He blinked, the warm palms on his neck scrambling all his thoughts.
“There’s no beds to break out here you two!” Someone hollered from nearby, quickly followed by hoots and cheerful laughter from the workers around them.
Lloyd jumped.
“Speaking of breaks, yours is long over! Get back to it!” Lloyd snapped his head to the side to holler back, ignoring the sensation of warm hands being pulled away.
Feeling oddly warm considering the season, Lloyd turned back to Javier, whose smirk only seemed to have grown. Lloyd shooed him away, which Javier did with a rumble of a laugh.
“You better enjoy your time with Bangul, because I’m gonna get some real work outta you later!” Lloyd called to the retreating figure, definitely completely composed.
Ggoming grumbled from his pocket. Lloyd shot a glare down at his own chest.
“My heart rate is just fine, thank you very much,” he grumbled back.
***
To Young Lord Lloyd Frontera and Sir Javier Asrahan,
My apologies. It is my turn to cancel our class this time. I have an event to attend today – I have many friends who will be attending and I ought not miss such a large event with so many interesting people to speak with. I hope you shall continue to keep my favor, and practice dancing on your own. I shall see you next week.
Sincerely,
Lady Carlotta Cordona
Javier handed back the letter to Lloyd on the couch.
“It seems she is keeping her promise to us,” Javier said.
Lloyd accepted the letter with one last glance before tossing it onto the coffee table.
“Into the lion’s den she goes. Though I suppose she’s used to dealing with court gossip,” Lloyd mused.
Javier’s lips fell into a flat line.
We are receiving so much help.
Julian, Sheherazade, and even Lady Cordona. Javier could even extend it further to those not in the know like Lord Nort, the maids, and Lady Dantes. But if they didn’t do anything more themselves, then all the work Lloyd and Javier had done so far would be moot.
“I believe,” Javier said seriously, “that we should go on a date.”
There was a series of bewildered coughing noises from the couch.
“What are you– ah,” Lloyd caught himself, eyeing the letter again. “Itching to push the scheme?”
Ignoring Lloyd’s strange fit, Javier nodded.
“If we cannot help with the research on the assassin without tipping our hand, then we should at least keep pressing the scheme. It is nearing winter in Frontera County.”
“Hmm. It’s true it’s barely been a month since the count asked for trading assistance. And if Paris’s cronies are still complaining about trade routes…”
“Then there is still tension to dispel.”
Lloyd tilted his head to look up at Javier, eyes searching and calculative.
“You’ve given this some thought.” He didn’t look surprised per se, but intrigued.
“The county’s wellbeing is important,” Javier intoned.
Frontera county needed many things from other places to make it through the winter - salt, wool, and preferably a moderate amount of glass and certain metals. All of which were running low in their farflung home that was the furthest east from anyone in the kingdom.
“I used the failure of the recent attack to our advantage, but it couldn’t hurt to do more,” Lloyd said, rubbing his fingers in thought. “With Lady Cordona at a function today, I’m sure everyone will know we have the day off anyway.”
“Indeed.”
“I guess it’s too cold for another picnic these days…” Lloyd mumbled thoughtfully.
“Yes, hence, I have planned otherwise.”
“Huh?”
“Before I stopped attending the training hall, I had heard some knights talk of inviting their paramours on a stroll through the palace’s walking maze. We shall walk through, then visit the walking path through the palace woods, and finish at a teahouse on the city walk back.”
“Wha– You’ve really given this some thought,” Lloyd boggled, mouth agape.
“The fact that you thought a second picnic would be enough means that perhaps you did not give it enough thought,” Javier sighed pitifully.
“...”
“Truly, it is a wonder we have been believed with such tepid attempts so far.”
“...”
“Besides,” Javier said, “we have not taken a proper stroll since we left home.”
“Huh.” Lloyd’s pained grimace eased for a moment, and he squinted up at Javier curiously. “Did you just want to take a walk?”
“It is simply the most efficient plan,” Javier said, cool and composed, inspecting something that wasn’t Lloyd. “And you enjoy walks anyway.”
“What am I, a dog?”
“Well. If Master Lloyd thinks of himself so...” Javier trailed off with a smirk.
“Hey.”
Javier shut his mouth but let his smirk remain. Lloyd glared up at him for a moment before sighing.
“I’d been thinking about doing more since we heard the latest trader talk, anyway,” Lloyd said. He stood up and stretched. “Fine. I’ll take a lazy day just walking about. I thought I could take a little vacation when Viscount Nort wanted to take over construction, but this trip hasn’t let up.”
Javier shook his head as he walked to get their coats.
“Such bold words for someone who makes the viscount do most of the work regardless,” Javier chastised.
Lloyd accepted the coat and scarf that Javier handed to him, and brought a hand solemnly to his chest.
“Oh I wouldn’t dare take away the work that he so happily hoards for himself. It is a burden, but I must bear it with pride,” he lamented, playfully wiping away non-existent tears after securing his scarf.
Javier rolled his eyes as he secured his warm coat, but still stuck an arm out for Lloyd.
***
It was a clear day, but one that hinted at the approaching winter with how the wind bit into you and the sun’s reach felt further than usual. The leaves had nearly finished falling, with the last few clinging tightly to their branches, and the evergreen plants kept the last visuals of life abundant in the gardens of the palace.
As Javier had guessed, it was also one of the last times they could head out and still see people milling about the grounds before it got far too cold for anyone besides those paid to be there.
Javier guided Lloyd along, taking the same strolling pace they would if they were back in Frontera. They ran into servants, palace officials, and nobles. Those who flicked their eyes onto Javier and Lloyd did so with furrowed brows and pinched lips. However, there was a distinct lack of overwhelming disdain.
“The majority of people who do not look pleased are nobles,” Javier murmured to Lloyd.
“That tracks. They’re the ones most likely to get influenced by the gossip being spun by our assassin,” Lloyd hummed. “That and people who think I’m competition anyway. There’s already less pushback though. We’re getting closer.”
Javier hummed in return.
On the way to the maze, they passed the edge of the new gardens where Bibeong was napping, and gave the sleepy summon a wave. Only a short while later, they arrived. The maze was large and sprawling, and despite being close to the main palace, the amount of people around it thinned, and the demographic leaned towards the younger crowd. A few shy looking couples loitered in the area.
“An additional benefit of the maze…” Javier said as he pulled Lloyd through the towering hedges of the maze’s entrance. He looked behind him purposefully. “...no shadow for the day.”
“Wait. Really?” Lloyd looked surprised.
Javier pulled them both down a random branching path without thought, to truly seal off the view from the entrance.
“Yes,” Javier said, “when we were in the area a few times, he seemed to actively avoid the place. Coupled with the fact that there are apparently multiple exits – he will not be sure where or when we leave. And I can simply pull us back if he happens to guess correctly, and we take another route.”
“Oh ho, an unexpected bonus,” Lloyd said, pleased.
Without prying eyes during the day for once, the two leisurely walked through hedges, relaxed. Both tugged each other down paths without much thought, neither in much of a hurry to get to the end. Javier found the area interesting, though perhaps a little monotonous, only occasionally stumbling across interesting statues, a few couples pink from the cold, and random dead ends.
It was at one such dead end that Javier heard something unusual.
While he wasn’t certain of their current path, he was fairly sure the slightly wider space around the next corner was still quite far from most of the exits. Perhaps one of the dead ends to lounge in. He could hear the babble of a fountain, and sense two people sitting at a bench nearby. As Javier wondered what the area would look like, another sound became apparent.
Javier started walking slower.
“It is simply a dead end ahead. We should turn back,” he said abruptly.
Lloyd gave him a weird look.
“That hasn’t stopped us before. There might at least be some interesting art to look at instead of endless bushes,” Lloyd said, continuing forward and tugging Javier a little further.
“I do not think there is anything we need to look at,” Javier muttered, tugging Lloyd to a stop.
Lloyd squinted at him in confusion. “Why on earth are you pink–”
“Oh!” interrupted a breathy voice from beyond the bush wall. “Oh darling, you know just how to keep me warm.”
Cough! Javier covered his face with a grimace, while Lloyd froze solid, face alarmingly pink. He frantically yanked Javier around.
“Yup, absolutely nothing to see here,” he declared hysterically under his breath. “Go, go, go, go.”
The moment they turned around properly, they booked it.
After a few sharp turns and going far enough even Javier couldn’t hear anything anymore, a rumble started against his arm. Turning to the side, he found Lloyd still pink, but clearly holding back laughter.
“‘Knight’s take their paramours to the maze’?” Lloyd struggled out between choked out laughs. “Javier, did you take me to Make-Out Point??”
Javier absolutely refused to say anything as he pulled them to a brisk walk. His face was getting warm from the running.
When they said it was a quiet spot to meet undisturbed, I did not think it was this!
He glanced over to Lloyd in dread… who took one look back at Javier and instantly fell over with laughter, Javier yanking him upright by instinct.
“You– You tried exactly one thing not in sappy letters, and it was this?” Lloyd cackled.
Javier briefly debated dropping the horrible man leaning half his weight onto him, absolutely pink with howling laughter.
I am being laughed at far too much lately.
Javier grumbled. After a few more gasps of laughter and a few mocking pats to Javier’s arm, Lloyd stood back up.
“Ohh, you sly dog. I didn't realize you had this kind of thing in mind for our date,” Lloyd snickered.
“...surely people tour the maze for non-salacious reasons as well.” Javier grimaced. He didn’t sound convincing even to his own ears.
“You really know how to make a guy feel that fairytale romance you preached so much,” Lloyd laughed, tone tipping mockingly.
“At least I got rid of our shadow, unless you wanted a more intense demonstration,” Javier huffed, trying to defend himself.
There was a choking noise, and then Lloyd’s mouth finally snapped shut with an audible click.
“You know, it could have been worse,” he strangled out, still pink.
Javier rolled his eyes.
Justice for laughing.
He pulled them back to a walking pace, now actively looking for the exit. At the center of the maze was a wide open space with more fountains, and a gazebo with strangely fogged glass which they gave a wide berth to. Many turns and thankfully uneventful dead ends later, they found an exit, luckily free of their shadow.
“My guess is he didn’t think we’d be, ha, finished with the maze so soon,” Lloyd snickered as Javier pulled them quickly away from the maze. Javier guided them to the beginning of the wooded path with a glower.
“Absolutely absurd place. In broad daylight, too,” Javier grumbled.
“If that was your first pick of the day, I’m a little worried about this teahouse of yours,” Lloyd said, obnoxiously smirking over at him. “Perhaps instead of tea, it sells something salacious instead.”
Javier gritted his teeth, but could only fight back with a muttered, “It was recommended by Lord Nort, not a random knight.”
“Now, see, that’s a review I can trust!”
They walked slowly through the palace woods, under hanging branches and over frosted fallen leaves. They passed by a wider range of people than at the maze. Groups of chatting friends, a few serious looking palace officials, and one or two more sedate couples milled about, enjoying perhaps the last clear day of the season, all bundled up against the deceptive cold. Javier’s wool coat was well made, but he thanked his hard work in becoming a swordmaster when he didn’t shiver anytime the breeze wove its way through the trees.
Another breeze blew past, and Javier definitely felt the arm tucked in his shiver.
“It is not even winter yet, and you are already shivering?” Javier raised a brow.
“It’s cold! Not all of us are swordmast–”
Lloyd’s insistence was cut off as he took another step over a shiny patch of leaves and then suddenly went horizontal.
Alarmed, Javier twirled the arm in his to grab the back of Lloyd’s shoulder and yanked it back towards himself, reaching to pull his waist so he didn’t just fall face first instead. Lloyd slammed into his chest with a wheeze.
It is lucky that we got used to walking arm-in-arm.
Clearly dizzy, Lloyd clutched at Javier’s arms. After a moment, he loosened and blew out a small, “Jeez.”
“Are you unhurt?” Javier asked just in case.
“Ugh, just bruised pride. Never hurt anyone,” Lloyd grumbled, cracking open his eyes with a scrunched up nose. Instead of sighing and stepping away like Javier expected, he froze, blinking, when he came face to face with Javier. They were rather close, Javier supposed, with one of his arms wrapped tight around Lloyd’s waist. He felt a bit restless too.
Javier’s musings were interrupted when an elderly couple nearby clapped in amazement.
“Heavens! Good catch, young man!” the man cheered to Javier.
“Ah. Thank you, it was nothing,” Javier replied politely to the side.
Javier moved to step back, only for Lloyd to instead tighten his grip hard on his biceps. Javier turned back to Lloyd to find he had gotten closer, a sly gleam in his eye.
“Naw, it’s a real demonstration of your skill, Mr. Swordmaster,” Lloyd said with a smirk and a raised eyebrow, bringing a hand up to gently double tap against Javier’s cheek.
Javier blinked at the request, but within a heartbeat, he tilted his cheek in acquiesce. It was a good opportunity, and much tamer than the wild maze.
It still did not prepare him for the calloused hand that slipped over his cheek and then through his hair to gently tug at the nape of his neck to pull him fractionally down. A pair of chapped but warm lips pressed against his cheek for a moment, before slowly pulling away.
“Oh my, you must be the famous young lord Frontera and knight Sir Asrahan,” the elderly woman laughed at their display, hiding her smile behind her hand.
“The one and only,” Lloyd chuckled, turning to face them.
He had not moved an inch backwards. While pointed to the side, Lloyd’s face was still mere inches away, and Javier still felt every calloused finger splayed upon his spine.
Perhaps his swordmaster abilities were overactive in the cool air. He felt unbearably warm.
“Reminds me of our early days, dear,” the elderly woman said to her husband, amused. She turned back to them with a smile. “You sweet kids have a lovely day, alright?”
“Thanks! You as well,” Lloyd chirped happily.
He waved them off from Javier’s arms, the couple chuckling as they waved farewell. With a few musical taps on Javier’s spine that shot through him like lightning, Lloyd murmured to him amusedly.
“You wanted fairytale sweetheart, you get fairytale sweetheart.”
The hand was blessedly removed from Javier’s neck, only for Lloyd to pat his still-warm cheek condescendingly. Javier felt a rise of agitation at the smirk directed at him so close to his face, but strangely not the urge to let go. He did so anyway.
“I am surprised you did not decide to do another gross display,” Javier muttered. He tugged at his lapels to straighten them, resisting the urge to touch his cheek.
Lloyd, looking down to fuss with his own scarf that had gotten wild after his fall, waved him off halfheartedly.
“What, you said you didn’t want to, right?” he said offhandedly, clearly not giving much attention.
Javier blinked.
“Argh!” Lloyd grumbled as another breeze blew through the trees, making him shiver again, even with his scarf finally back in place. “How are autumn winds colder than winter ones? That warm drink better be heavenly nectar for all this.”
Javier, still caught on the earlier comment, hesitated for a moment. Then, without much thought, he stepped forward and hooked Lloyd back in arm-in-arm, and released a small amount of mana through his arm into the other’s, warming Lloyd as Javier pulled them forward.
“Whoa, what’s with the mana?” Lloyd asked, eyebrow raised as he looked over in surprise.
“...The count and countess would be upset if you froze.”
Lloyd snorted but didn’t contest.
They continued on their path side by side until they made it out of the palace grounds and into the city streets. From there, Javier guided them past cheerful citizens and well-lit shops until he found the one Lord Nort had mentioned previously. It was clearly a high-end gem, as nobles milled about, but tucked away so the prices didn’t make Javier shake his head as much.
They were quickly sat at a table. They were in luck and were given one by a window, and Lloyd sank into the cushioned seats with a relieved sigh. The pair quietly people-watched out the glass through the darkening evening, occasionally speaking up or drinking warm cider tea. Inexplicably pleased, Javier watched as Lloyd relaxed among the quiet chatter of the shop, a rare smile on his face at the finger foods and warm teas.
Javier was in the midst of subtly scanning their new plate of snacks when a group of nobles walked near their table, the way many people had before, on their way out the door. However, instead of passing, the leader of the pack paused upon seeing Lloyd, making one or two of their companions stumble behind him.
“Well, if it isn’t the infamous youngster from Frontera,” the older gentleman sneered.
“My lord…” one of the group cautioned from behind him, shuffling his pince-nez with a raised brow.
“Come now, do you not find this strange? It is known that this brat does not bother hanging out with nobility,” the older man snapped behind him. He turned back to Lloyd, who hadn’t moved from his relaxed pose holding his drink. “So what could you be doing here? Perhaps you thought you could discretely meet that Asfahan woman your brother deigned to entertain while you were away from the eyes of the palace. I hear you’re quite good at deals after all.”
Javier frowned, incredulous at the sudden attack. There were a few people in the older man’s entourage who scowled down alongside him, but a few grouped in the back looked exasperated at the situation. No one else stepped forward to stop him, though. Javier turned to catch Lloyd’s eye and see how he wanted to proceed, only to stop short in surprise – there was a well hidden and vicious gleam of satisfaction in them.
Javier suddenly recalled the party.
What did he say? Words would be useless against rumors… unless someone directly attacked us first?
And they had quite the audience now too.
Suddenly, Javier was no longer worried for Lloyd at all. Instead, he sat back, coolly scanning the gentleman up and down, and wondered if he would be needed to clean up the leftover shreds of this noble afterwards.
Click. Lloyd casually placed his cup back in its saucer, the sound somehow both delicate and sharp. The room had gotten much quieter, many of the patrons blinking at the loud accusations thrown near the entrance.
“My oh my, I thank you for the compliment on my skills, but I’m afraid I’m not my brother or sister-in-law’s keeper,” Lloyd said with a bright grin as he sat back, arms resting comfortably on the armrests. “I’m sure they’re far too busy to join us for tea.”
“What could a second son and a throw away daughter possibly be doing–”
“I’m so glad you asked!” Lloyd grinned sharply among scandalized murmurs around them. “I don’t get to brag very often, as I figured most people with a brain would be aware of their reputations already. Sheherazade – that is, my dear sister-in-law – is terribly busy settling into her new home. I dearly hope she’s doing well – I can only hope after Count Ventura himself officiated the wedding and her necklace ceremony, she feels confident in her newly minted Magentano noble status as she trains. You know, because she’s a high-level swordsman who’s joined the Magentano Kingdom? I believe she's made a few acquaintances while training with Her Majesty’s knights already. Goodness, it’s a little embarrassing you’re behind the times.”
The group of nobles gawked at the deluge of barbs dripping from Lloyd’s silver tongue. The older gentleman was red and gaping while the crowd murmured around them.
“My nephew said she was quite formidable, and yet she offered to help his form when he got stuck…” someone murmured.
“Goodness, the diplomat who sealed the Sultan peace deal blessed her wedding and necklace ceremony himself?” another wondered.
Lloyd blinked innocently as he kept smiling at his prey, ignoring any hubbub.
“And my brother, goodness! He’s been getting all their wedding thank you letters sent out even when moving from home to live in Magenta. After all, since he graduated second from the academy, he’s been preparing for his new position at the palace that’s offered with such accolades. Oh, you know what–” Lloyd suddenly cocked his head, faux remorseful, but eyes sharp. “I must apologize for bringing the academy up. It must be quite a sore spot for you. Wasn’t your son and one of your nieces kicked out after Her Majesty deigned to clean out the trash there?”
Absolutely no one was paying attention to their own meals by this point.
“I heard about the academy crackdown – quite a few noble children were deemed unworthy of attending, and the curriculum became much stricter. And the younger son still managed to graduate second among all that?” someone gasped.
“Wait, you don’t think the people speaking ill have grudges because of things like that…?” another said slowly.
The older gentleman was quaking in rage and embarrassment. If it were Javier, he would have suggested that the man call it a loss, and retreat while he could still save face. In fact, one of the man’s cronies put an arm on the gentleman’s shoulder, as if to calm him. Unfortunately for him, irritation clearly got the best of the gentleman as he yanked his shoulder free.
“You,” the man spat, pointing rudely at Lloyd, who sat calm and composed, “You and your whole family think you are so important. Why do you even wish to be in the capital at all when your arrogance makes it seem you are above it all. In fact,” the gentleman swung his focus, strangely, to Javier, though he continued speaking to Lloyd, “a little birdie told me that even the heartless dog of Frontera refused conscription orders from the queen herself.”
Chatter instantly overtook the teahouse, all other gossip paused. Javier could only bring himself to blink in shock – as far as he was aware, his conversation with Her Majesty after the attempt on her life was confidential, aside from the Thornbush knights in attendance.
How does he know something like that?
For the first time since the man stopped by, Lloyd looked startled as well. His face darkened, but before he could open his mouth, Javier held up a hand, gathering everyone’s attention to himself.
He would not be shamed for his loyalty.
“It has been my lifetime wish to serve Count Frontera,” Javier said smooth and steady. “Her Majesty was kind enough to understand my heart and allowed me to deny her offer of the commander position.”
The room practically boomed with noise.
“What?!”
“–unprecedented for a commoner to attain the royal knight’s commander position, and at his age–!”
“Wasn’t that previously Sir Kyle’s–”
“He turned it down?!”
The gentleman looked stunned at the reception, whipping his head around. A few of the people in his group who had already looked exasperated at the gentleman’s antics looked over at Javier, impressed.
Lloyd, to Javier’s surprise, had heeded his halting hand. Before he had a moment to contemplate it, however, Lloyd’s eyes flashed with opportunity.
Wary, Javier watched as Lloyd leaned forward onto the table, his chin resting on his palm.
“Aww, you wanted to stick with me that badly, huh?” he said sweetly, batting his eyelashes dramatically.
“Master Lloyd…” Javier sighed, embarrassed at the display.
It was true that he had wanted to remain in Frontera, as it was his lifelong goal to be a knight to the kind man who saved him as a child. He wished to protect the place that had become his home, to the point he was even currently doing strange schemes to help it. It occurred to Javier that he may have also recently gained another reason to stick to Frontera as well. He pursed his mouth shut tight.
Lloyd gave a theatrical wink in response to Javier’s sigh, earning him a number of chuckles from the crowd.
“Oy, come on old man, just duck your head and leave. You haven’t any dignity left to spare,” a bold young man heckled. His group looked embarrassed, shushing him, but looked like they also agreed.
“The young men are clearly just here for a quiet evening out on the town, lord. Perhaps it would be wise to stop harassing them,” an elderly lady nearby in noble fashion shot the gentleman a cold look.
Compared to when Javier and Lloyd had walked in, the amount of eyes full of suspicion or disbelief towards them were heavily outweighed by those now looking concerned for the pair. One or two of the more excitable customers looked ready to stand up, even.
It has barely been a month since Viscount Nort’s party. This is quite the difference.
Javier glanced at Lloyd. He was a gifted speaker, but Javier knew he didn’t rely solely on it. He had been laying the foundation for an excellent trap such as this with every nudge in conversation and every demonstration since the party. Javier let himself quirk a sighing smile at Lloyd’s smug grin.
“I believe we have another appointment we must attend to, my lord,” one of the older gentleman’s cronies lied poorly, grabbing onto the man’s shoulder firmly and staring at the floor in shame.
The older gentleman gnashed his teeth, glancing around the teahouse. With no defense coming his way, he stood up straight and waved at the people behind him to follow.
“Enough of this, I must leave,” he gritted out.
Javier watched in pleasure as the man finally waddled out the front door with his crew, earning a few derisive snorts from nearby customers at his escape. Interestingly, the clump of nobles who had never looked pleased at the gentleman’s demeanor didn’t bother to follow. The man wearing pince-nez sighed.
“I shall make our apologies. Let us stop crowding the area,” he said quietly to the smaller group.
They all gave the man a bow. Then, to Javier’s shock, they all briefly did the same to Lloyd, who also blinked in surprise, before they left as well. Nobility was a rigid structure. Either every single one of the nobles had less status than the son of a count, or they were indeed being demonstrably apologetic. In a crowded room no less.
“I have no excuse for failing to intervene,” the man intoned as he put his hand over his heart. “My neighbor was already in a poor mood and decided to take it out on you and your betrothed, and for that, my own vassals and I must apologize. We shall endeavor to keep him from crossing your path in the future.”
Javier perhaps wasn’t as shrewd as Lloyd, but he felt he could judge character well enough. The man seemed genuine. He even made sure to look between Lloyd and Javier himself, clearly making sure the conversation included both people – a rare thing among nobility, even with his current status as Lloyd’s betrothed.
He watched as Lloyd gave the man a discreet onceover, also catching that the conversation was between all three people for once, and then gave him an appropriate, though lopsided smile.
“I spent my evening with a bit more chatter than originally intended, but I can hold my own in a conversation. I’d say we’re fine, yeah?” Lloyd said, the question sent to Javier.
A bit surprised, Javier simply nodded. Lloyd turned back to the man.
“No harm, no foul.”
The man adjusted his pince-nez with a small smile.
“You are an interesting man, young lord Frontera. I shall at least speak with the teahouse staff. The least I could do is have them put your meal on my tab.”
“You’re too kind! But we accept,” Lloyd said very quickly.
As the man walked away, Lloyd swung to face Javier, and as he had suspected, there was pure glee in his eyes. Lloyd shot a smug grin at him with a look that clearly said “free food, again!” Javier shook his head and sighed at the penny pinching, but couldn’t stop a small smile from sneaking onto his face at his antics.
When the man returned, he had his coat in hand, ready to depart.
“I have done as I have said. Please order what you wish, it is the least we could do. I hope that the rest of your day out was more pleasant than the evening.”
Any good-natured fondness Javier had felt for a moment instantly came to a halt. Javier could see mischief lighting up Lloyd’s eyes, and dread began to sink in when his grin curled up sharply.
“Oh, I’m perfectly pleased with my day so far,” Lloyd purred, one hand on his cheek, “My betrothed and I had a lovely time visiting the maze earlier. Left me quite breathless.”
Javier choked. The man also clearly knew exactly what kind of place the maze was – his dignified state cracked for a moment as he pinked and then sputtered a laugh. Javier lifted his gaze to the ceiling in despair. There was no way he would ever be able to live down the maze trip at this rate.
The man, now embarrassed, cleared his throat once or twice.
“Well! I think with that, I will bid you both a good evening. I hope it will be pleasant,” he nodded to them as he began to walk away. “I made sure the staff was also aware that you were newly betrothed as well. Please enjoy!”
“You let them know… huh?”
The man left, but Javier was frozen in place at the comment. Lloyd slid his wide eyes over to him.
“No,” Lloyd said breathlessly. His expression was torn between disbelieving, horrified, and desperately amused. “Javier. You didn’t.”
Javier, sweating bullets, could only watch in dawning horror as a handful of cheery looking staff rolled a cart towards their table and started singing to them.
“There’s no way,” Lloyd muttered under his breath to Javier, eyes locked on the approaching display with a balanced expression of mocking delight and dread. “You have to be doing this on purpose. There’s no way you whiffed so hard, twice in one day.”
Javier could only sit back and let the awful engagement tune wash over them both, a few nearby customers clapping cheerfully as a much more happy crowd filled the area with the obnoxious song. One agonizing eternity later, the song ended with applause, and Javier accepted the mini croquembouche presented to the table with a miserable scan for poison, while Lloyd drily thanked the other customers and servers who left with a cheery wave.
Javier was sure he had been more embarrassed when he and Lloyd returned home from Namaran. But entirely forgetting the main gimmick of the recommended teahouse certainly approached such levels. He dropped the cleared croquembouches to the table with a glare out the window.
From the window’s reflection, he saw Lloyd struggle to keep his snickering quiet before he cleared his throat forcefully a few times.
“Phew,” Lloyd sighed with a smile. He pulled the plate of mini croquembouche towards him. “After that embarrassing display, I feel like I deserve the whole plate to myself.”
“If the young master wishes to have sugar for blood, I cannot stop him,” Javier muttered out the window.
“Ohh, so mocking. And here I was considering giving you half.”
Javier turned around to squint at Lloyd who looked back with a mocking smile.
“Why do I suspect there are conditions?”
“Oh, easy, because there is one!” Lloyd said cheerfully, carefully separating the pyramid in two chunks. Croquembouche disassembled, he held up a plate with half with a lopsided smile. “You get half if you ensure that this new trend does not happen at our wedding.”
“It shall be done.”
“Promise?”
“An easy promise,” Javier assured, plucking the plate under Lloyd’s raised brow. Javier then smirked. “I would not dare, for fear of our guests coming to harm if you chose to sing along.”
“Hey!” Lloyd yelped, and tried to take back the plate with a scowl.
Javier kept the plate far out of reach, his mood easing back to something lighter. Lloyd took the loss, clearly not interested in making another scene, and stuffed one of his own pastries into his mouth with a scowl.
Javier took a bite of his own. It was strange that it no longer felt strange to discuss their upcoming wedding. He supposed anyone could get used to anything. He’d gotten used to all sorts of things in the past few years, he supposed.
The rest of the visit to the teahouse was much more subdued, both servers and customers giving them space. They sat for a while longer, just idling. They talked about nothing, and they talked about home. They still had a few months left of work on the garden. Javier was ready to get this trip over with, and knew Lloyd thought the same.
Night truly began to settle in, and they slowly prepared to leave. They had gotten their coats and scarves from coat check and were bundling up when an important and tired looking staff member approached them.
“Before you leave, we would love to provide a treat for you to take home as an apology from our staff for not stepping in sooner, as well as further congratulations for your recent betrothal,” he intoned formally.
The man was proper, but Javier could see the sincerity in the way he bowed… as well as the way his eyes shined when he spotted the Frontera necklace Javier had tucked away while buttoning his coat. Like with the maids in the palace, the staff seemed to find the betrothal between him and Lloyd charming rather than threatening, and wanted to be helpful. Javier didn’t see a reason to refuse the gift.
“You’re too kind! We’ll accept,” Lloyd cheered, looking entirely too pleased.
Not like Lloyd would ever refuse anything free anyway, Javier thought to himself, amused.
“We shall only be a moment. Please take a seat while you wait.” The man gestured to an empty table near the entrance before walking over to the rest of his staff.
Javier sat properly, but Lloyd flopped into his seat with a stretch and a satisfied smile. He relaxed back into his seat, face partially tucked into his scarf.
“Well, it wasn’t the lazy day I’d hoped, but it wasn’t too bad,” Lloyd yawned. “Weird but fun.”
He looked amused, and surprisingly content. Javier was suddenly completely pleased by the fact.
Good.
Javier glanced around the area, eyeing the nearby tables. He could ensure the evening sealed the deal, as per the reason behind the date in the first place.
“One demonstration before leaving?” Javier murmured quietly.
Lloyd blinked his eyes open, looking over in surprise. Before he could respond, the staff member returned and gently placed a box with a little handle onto the table.
“Once more, we apologize for your less than ideal evening. We thank you for being so kind in accepting our apology,” he said with a bow.
While Javier took a moment to scan the box, thankfully turning up clear, Lloyd dragged his eyes over from Javier to the man. Lloyd patted the box with a lopsided smile.
“Well,” he drawled, cocking his head, “I have no reason to refuse.”
His eyes slid over to Javier, and gently tapped Javier’s foot with his own under the table. Approval, then.
The staff member bowed out, letting them leave, and Javier slid into his place, hand outstretched to the still seated Lloyd. Javier watched with interest as Lloyd looked up at him with a seemingly unaffected air, but discretely steeled himself by briefly gripping tight onto the box’s handle. Regardless, Lloyd placed his hand in his own.
Javier did not let go. He pulled, tugging Lloyd up to stand, face to face for the second time that day. He gripped the hand a little harder and moved… only to pause. Javier thought to bring the hand to his lips, just as he did with their first demonstration, but for some reason, he felt himself hesitate.
Within a breath, Javier subtly changed directions. He wrapped his hand around Lloyd’s properly, and, instead, tucked both their hands into his coat pocket.
“It is cold outside, so do not let go,” Javier uttered, marginally louder than usual, resisting the urge to look around the room.
Lloyd blinked between the pocket both their hands were quickly warming in and Javier’s face, and then choked out a laugh.
“You’re so bad at lying,” Lloyd laughed quietly into his scarf. He looked back up with a cheerful grin, his face a strangely sweet pink. “No complaints here! I have my own personal mana handwarmer now.”
Javier hadn’t seen such a look on him before, and suddenly felt the urge to hide it from the crowd. He instantly ignored the reaction in confusion, as the move would be incredibly counterintuitive. Not sure what else to do, he began pulling them to the entrance.
While Javier walked silently, Lloyd looked down and realized something else.
“Hey, wait, come on, you took my only free hand. Take the box, too,” Lloyd pouted.
The box was lifted into Javier’s vision, making him stop at the door. He looked over.
“I am afraid you must bear the burden, Master Lloyd. I need access to my own free hand in case an issue presents itself,” Javier said, and then opened the door with a small smirk.
“You could just drop it,” Lloyd grumbled, walking with him through the door into the cold.
“You know as well as I do that neither of us like to waste food.”
Lloyd muttered complaints and Javier countered them as they walked back to the palace grounds, the vibe settling back into more comfortable territory. In the eventual quiet that settled around them as they passed by nobles and trees, Javier couldn’t help the feeling that they had truly settled into the rhythm of the scheme. Aside from dancing, they had not held hands since their first “date.” The feeling was much different from then. Much less of a burden.
Perhaps because he no longer was focused on the novelty, the hand wrapped within his own came into clarity. The weight, the warmth. He recalled the ink stains on them from dancing, and could feel the callouses dotting his palms and fingers.
Both earned from his tireless work for the fiefdom.
Without thinking, Javier gave another squeeze to the hand in his own. At the same moment, another breeze swept through, causing Lloyd to shiver once more.
Javier supposed the hand was also a little cold, and started pouring his mana across their link. He could help with that. Javier knew Lloyd disliked the cold, and knew just how to keep him warm.
***
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3… Argh.
Javier took a few steps, staring down at his feet in their living room. It had been an embarrassing day, and he wanted to get a win by finally nailing down the dance steps. They had promised Lady Cordona that they would practice as well.
Lloyd, however, was rewarming on the couch by the fire, and sleepily acting as a playground for the summons, the book he had been attempting to read fully put to the side table.
Javier ignored him, concentrating on his steps and trying to keep the beat. He knew he had the steps technically right by this point, but he always felt like something was just a little off. Any hesitation only made the moves worse as well.
When Javier moved back to the starting position again, Lloyd rolled his head back, eyeing him lazily.
“For a swordmaster, you’re really struggling over there,” Lloyd commented, Hamang gleefully sliding down his arm like a slide.
Perhaps if someone had not suddenly cancelled class to go to cake tasting instead…
Javier kept the thought to himself, grumpily ignoring him to focus once more. Not that Lloyd let him.
“Seriously, I’ve seen you in battle, how are you so bad at dancing?”
Javier lifted his head up to glare in the middle of a spin.
“Yikes. You’ll scare the ball attendees if you keep that up too,” Lloyd snorted, amused.
“And Master Lloyd will be nothing but a ball of hot air if he does nothing but talk,” Javier responded coolly.
“Ohh, really grumpy.” Lloyd rolled his head back further, practically upside down. “Just listen to Lady Cordona’s advice, the rest isn’t that complicated.”
As if I am not already attempting that!
Javier bit his tongue. Lloyd was being annoying, but Javier could not deny that he was frustrated with his own progress as well. He simmered, gritting his teeth with each inelegant lurch.
“Hmm, what’d she say… It’s not just memorizing stuff?” Lloyd drawled, still carelessly flopped on the couch.
Javier missed his next step. He gritted his teeth and restarted his beat from the top.
“And keep your eyes up?”
Too slow this time. Javier didn’t have the space for the next step. Restart.
“And remember the rhythm isn’t always the same?”
Another misstep. Javier cursed internally.
Lloyd cocked an eyebrow.
“What are you even thinking with that hangdog face? Want another walk?”
Javier felt his frustration boil over and shot his head up to snap.
“I want you to cease being a nuisance and teach me. Properly.”
Silence.
Javier… had not meant to say that. He made himself stand firm, regardless.
Lloyd had paused, and after a moment, turned around in his seat to properly face Javier. His careless lethargy had waned, but instead of irritated or smug like Javier would have guessed, Lloyd looked calculating. He took a moment to examine Javier, who, until this moment, had never wondered how construction guidelines felt.
“Huh,” Lloyd mused. “Well, all you had to do was ask.”
Lloyd stood up and dusted himself off while Javier could only blink in shock.
That worked?
He was still awkwardly rooted on the spot, confused, when Lloyd walked up to him.
“Okay, get into your lead starting position,” Lloyd said, lifting his arms up while waving him on.
Javier hesitated, but complied, glancing down to ensure his feet were placed correctly. Before he could lift his own arms up, he heard an exasperated sigh from in front of him. Suddenly he was yanked forward, nearly chest to chest with Lloyd.
Javier was too startled to glare, and simply glanced down in disbelief. Lloyd looked unimpressed, fingers hooked around the Frontera necklace that had pulled them closer.
“First of all, stop paying attention to all the steps you’ve definitely already memorized. Pay attention to who you’re dancing with,” Lloyd said, unimpressed.
Clink. Lloyd took a moment to drop the necklace back into Javier’s shirt. Javier could only gawk, Lloyd moving forward to nonchalantly place his hand on Javier’s shoulder and the other into Javier’s own to get into position.
“You’re so uptight about this. It’s not like there’s a construction guideline that you’re not permitted to deviate from,” Lloyd said with a raised brow.
“There are quite literally steps required for this–”
Javier’s protest was interrupted when Lloyd, despite not being in the lead position, took a step forward. Without time to think, Javier was forced to step back in time. The sway backwards was slow and Javier found his footing with ease. His mouth snapped shut, the unplanned dance step happening so smoothly he couldn’t counter.
Lloyd halted and gave him a firm look.
“You need to remember; I am not a piece of equipment to operate. I am not some foe to beat into submission. I am not even someone in need of defending as a knight. I am your… I am a dance partner,” Lloyd stated.
Lloyd pulled at Javier this time. Javier followed the guide this time, pressing forward into the sway, before Lloyd stopped again.
“There are steps we need to take,” Lloyd continued, “but we are dancing together. If the situation turns weird, it’s just a part of the process.”
Somewhat dazed, Javier couldn’t think of anything to say. Lloyd started pulling back again, and Javier, compelled to continue, did his best to guide them through one of the dances they had learned.
“Second of all… man, why is it so hard for you to stick to a beat??” Lloyd complained, incredulous.
Whatever eloquent spell Javier found himself under broke at the comment.
“What happened to taking this seriously,” Javier sniffed.
“Ah, ah! You said not to be a nuisance. I’m being very helpful,” Lloyd smirked. “So… pick a beat you like and stick to it.”
Javier grumbled.
“There is no beat to follow in swordfighting,” Javier muttered, doing his best to turn them.
Javier winced as Lloyd rushed to keep up with the too-fast turn. Lloyd raised a brow.
“Not in swordfighting, but we keep a beat in construction sometimes, right?”
“...”
“It’s the same. The same.”
“...are you truly approaching dancing like it is a mining rhythm?”
Lloyd snorted.
“No, but I figured we should start somewhere. I think of it like negotiating a deal.”
“...I am not a sly conman.” Javier mumbled, refusing to praise the man about his dazzling conversation skills.
“I will take that as a compliment for my wit, thank you,” Lloyd said, regardless. “No, you’re the thick-skinned type. Hmm… How about this then?”
The hand on Javier’s shoulder began to tap a rhythm. The solid reminder, beating warm against him, worked better than time kept aloud or in his head.
The next turn Javier did had him and Lloyd moving smoothly, sliding right into the next part with no hesitation.
A zing of joy swept through Javier, satisfied at the ease of movement even without an instructor's guiding hand. Even Lloyd’s cat-that-got-the-cream smile couldn’t deter his buoyed resolve.
“I thought so. Alright, we’ll drill this into your muscle memory,” Lloyd said, a determined smile on his face. “And with the basic issues covered, let’s cover a few more things. I’m tired of getting stepped on.”
The next hour, Javier had Lloyd’s full undivided attention. It felt like he was back as a young teen, grasping the fundamentals of swordmastery under a picky gaze. Javier resolved to steel himself, just as he did when he was learning back then. But despite the critique, he somehow never felt wronged.
Javier would spin the wrong direction and Lloyd would question his sense of direction, but then explain clearly how to use his dance partner as a guidepost on the right way to go. Javier would lean the two of them strangely, and Lloyd would crack a joke about broken spines, but then gently use his hands to reposition him and they’d do the move again.
It was a strange evening. Two people working hard on a task that many others took for granted.
It seems to have become our specialty.
Javier’s mouth quirked up at the thought.
“What got you all worked up anyways?” Lloyd suddenly asked.
Javier nearly took it as another snark, nearly fumbling his recent rhythym, but realized Lloyd looked curious, not teasing. Somehow that made him more tense than any quip.
“I’m the one who’s gonna make a fool of himself dancing with the queen at the ball,” Lloyd reminded him, “and a dance can be poorly done and still look romantic. It’s a dance, not a battleground where missteps get you killed.”
Javier looked away, still guiding Lloyd through some movement thoughtlessly. A steady beat continued to keep time against him, unwavering.
The necklace continued to slide around under his shirt as well.
He has not brushed off my comments yet…
“The wedding dance will be the first official example of your status as the future Lord of Frontera… as well as my apparent introduction to nobility,” Javier murmured slowly, eyes fixed on space to the side of Lloyd’s head. “I do not plan to be the one to make us, or the county, look like fools.”
Lloyd snorted. Before Javier could scowl, however, Lloyd replied with nonchalance.
“Who cares? We just need to do it our way.”
Javier hesitated before his eyes slid back to Lloyd properly, his brow furrowed.
“...the dance, or…?”
Lloyd also hesitated at that, a thoughtful look crossing his face.
“Hmm,” Lloyd mused. “Everything, I guess.”
“...”
“I bet your panties are also in a twist because it’s annoying that you’re actually bad at something for once, huh?” Lloyd snickered.
His snicker grew into a full laugh when Javier couldn’t counter, Lloyd smothering his laughter into his shoulder at Javier’s grimace.
They danced until the fireplace lulled to a glow. The room felt soft. Lloyd’s yawns became more frequent, until, finally, he was practically dozing on Javier’s shoulder, mumbling step counts and somehow still tapping the beat. Javier held him tighter to prevent him from falling over, his waist brought closer and calloused hand held tighter.
He stayed up late just because I wanted to practice.
Javier felt a bit stupid.
Lloyd was always a rogue agent, coming up with wild ideas that no one could persuade him otherwise from doing. Meeting the elves, and visiting a dragon lair were things that sprang to mind. He would bend people’s desires to his will, and twist them until he got what he needed from them. He may draw lines in contracts and firmly keep his word, but he was a petty, mocking, and sly man.
Which made it all the more dumbfounding when Javier realized he should have noticed that Lloyd had been taking Javier at his word. Javier would request something and Lloyd would, in his own way, ensure to listen.
Since the party.
Javier felt his heart warm at the realization that Lloyd, the stickler for professionalism, decided to trust Javier with their strange arrangement.
Still gently swaying, Javier listened to the pleasant hum of Lloyd’s heart circles, pressed close against his own thumping manaheart. Entwined as one, Javier realized he didn’t really want to let go.