"Are you sure you made the right choice? I mean, he sounds terrifying. Not to mention ugly."

I cocked a brow towards my handmaiden's reflection, keeping still as she brushed my hair out and over my shoulders.
"Perona, I said he would not remove his helm. How on earth would either of us know what he looks like?"

Shrugging, Perona continued doing her job, her own pink tresses sitting full to the sides of her head in pigtails I always admired.
"Why else would he refuse to take it off? Besides, what kind of a name is Massacre Soldier, anyway? Sounds like the kind of man who would kill you in your sleep, if you ask me."

Whipping my head around, I have her a glare that wasn't all too serious, but still let her know that I didn't want her to mention such things.
"Good thing I did not ask you, then, right?"

I had been close to my dear handmaiden for as long as I could remember. Our own mothers had been good friends as Queen and servant, and it was no different between the two of us. She spoke to me as an equal, and I cherished it. A rarity in my life.

"Spirits sound interesting and all, but don't you come haunting me when it turns out I'm right." She scoffed, discarding the brush and running her fingers through my (H/C) hair to fluff it out further. "Has your father punished you yet? Can't imagine he'd be too happy about you making a fool out of him."

Ugh, don't remind me...

"I have been banned from reading for the next two moons. He took every one of my books, spouting something about it being no pass time for a woman..." I muttered, slouching in my chair. It was honestly worse than being struck. I could always hide a bruise or two with make-up. I couldn't replace my favourite hobby.

"Oh, ew." Perona made a face, a hand on her hip. "If you ask me, being king is no pass time for him..." I couldn't help but giggle at her words, even though I knew full well that if she had been heard saying them in any other situation her head would have been skewered on a pike at the city gates.

"Uh, Your Grace..?" When a soft voice called from the other side of the door Perona squeaked, scurrying to stand at my side.
"You may enter, Rebecca." I replied, nudging my friend in the ribs to let her know her reaction had amused me.

In came Rebecca, one of the many other young ladies who served the royals and their guests. She hadn't been working in the castle long, having been offered as a gift merely four moons ago by Lord Donquixote, of the Northern keep of Dressrosa.

She bowed her head low, her cream of strawberry hair tied tightly back into a ponytail.
"Your Grace, may I present Lord Marco, of the house Phoenix, to escort you to the throne room."

Out from behind her stepped a strapping gentleman, gold and blue embellishing his clothing beautifully. I smiled upon seeing his familiar face, standing to curtsy.
"Lord Marco, I am glad to see you have returned from your travels, safe and well."

He reciprocated by bowing low, taking my hand to press a chaste kiss to my fingers.
"Forgive me, Your Grace. I wish to compliment your beauty, but alas, I am afraid not a word, old or new, exists to truly do you justice-yoi."

Always the charmer.

Fondly rolling my eyes, I waited until he had straightened up again before I lightly batted his chest.
"As you well know, flattery gets you everywhere. I missed you. I do hope you have the time to accompany me on the odd occasion? As much as I care for Lucci, he's nowhere near as fun."

Marco grinned as he offered me his arm, guiding me towards the door once I had accepted.
"As always, I remain busy, but not busy enough to deny you my time and attention, Your Grace."

Marco was like an uncle, or an elder brother to me. A part of the royal cabinet, he was in charge of all trades, including the large fleet of cargo ships that dappled the docks. He had endless tales to tell, and not once made me feel like less than he was. I may have been a princess, but more often than not I was treated like any poor-born woman.

"Where did your travels take you this time?" I asked curiously as we headed down the halls, heading towards the throne room.
"Oh, here and there. Actually, I brought you a gift all the way from Drum Island. I believe you know exactly what it is-yoi."

I wanted to be excited, but I felt my body slump, but quickly tried to fix my posture once Marco gave me a concerned look.
"Uh, I very much appreciate it, but I'm afraid my father has banned me from reading for the next good while. I kind of...did a thing..."

Marco sighed, half amused and half frustrated, but not at me. He never seemed to get all too frustrated with me.
"Yes, I heard about said thing. I must say, I am proud of you. I have no doubt that you saw great promise in this Massacre Soldier-yoi?"

I really did...

Nodding, I pulled him to a stop just before we reached the looming double doors, wanting to take another moment for just us before I was crushed beneath the weight of endless eyes.
"I can't quite explain exactly what it was that I saw, but I trust he shall be an exceptional personal guard. Have you ever just...known that somebody was great, Marco? Deep in your bones?"

Marco's smile softened, and he reached out to tuck a stray hair back behind my ear.
"I know exactly what you mean, Your Grace-yoi." Making sure I was ready, he nodded once to the guards, and they opened the door to the throne room to let us through.

It was a room far too large for any need, yet it was filled with lords and ladies. All who wanted to know anything and everything that was going on, whether it was to do with them or not. Intrusive souls, they were.

All bowed when I entered, some slight and some low, but I was the one who curtseyed when coming face to face with my kingly father.
"Sit." He waved me off with a limp wrist, still obviously annoyed that it was my fault we had to do this all in the first place. "Hurry it up, then! Get it over with!"

Yet I have to sit here for hours whenever it's something that interests you...

As I sat, Marco seemed to sense my frustration, stepping forward and taking matters into his own hands.
"May I present Ser Killer, Massacre Soldier of the South, to take oath before the Princess!"

The doors on the other end of the vast room opened, and there he was. He looked almost completely different than he had down in the arena, and the changes were strikingly obvious.

Whoever had been in charge of getting him cleaned up had given him a suit of armour, crisp and new, and brushed out his long, flowing hair so that it no longer tangled at the ends. The biggest difference, however, was that the stripes of blue down his helmet were now red. Of course, I knew it was to match the colours of our house, but I had very much preferred the original.

Despite it only having been hours since I had last seen the man, I felt myself bristling with excitement in my seat. Even now, without being caked and splattered with filth, he screamed danger. Rugged, aggressive, untamed.

He halted before our royal podium, bowing low to greet us. It seemed unnatural for him, but I was glad to see him do it so he wouldn't get in another round of trouble.
"Before we get this over with...Marco!' My father barked across to my dear friend, who turned to him immediately with a smile.

"Yes, Your Royal Grace?" My father raked his eyes up and down his form, scowl deepening. Before he opened his mouth I realised what his issue was.
"Mind telling me why you're wearing your own colours in my throne room instead of mine?"

Because they're not his colours? Duh. Red doesn't even suit him. Asshole.

Marco bowed again, much deeper than before, though he kept his smile strong on his face.
"My deepest apologies, Your Grace. You see, I had only just sailed in when I received your summons. I would have hated to be late when you have called for me-yoi."

I heard a slight chuckle, glancing across my father to where Lucci stood, looking down upon Marco as though he was worth no more than a roach.
"Perhaps you should opt to be more present with your duties here, instead of going off gallivanting around the realm with no aim or goal?"

From where I was, I could see Marco's eye twitch, or maybe I had just noticed it because I knew him well, and I knew he despised Lucci with a passion.
"My friend, the gallivanting I do is what keeps our kingdom rich and plentiful. Perhaps you should get out more-yoi?"

Burn.

"Lord Marco, I-"
"Enough!" My father snapped at the two of them, but his anger seemed to be directed more towards Lucci than Marco, which was amusing. "I'm getting a headache! Bicker in your own time, like men, not a pair of bleeding bitches! On with it!"

His comment made me grit my teeth, but I had no other choice than to deal with it, instead turning my attention to the Massacre Solider, who waited patiently. Deciding that it had been my cue, I rose to my feet and approached him slowly, stopping before him.

"Good Ser, here before you I do so sincerely offer you the title of Personal Guard to the Princess." I began, holding my hands tightly together in front of me so I wouldn't fidget too much. "You shall accompany me through castle, through city, through realm, and wherever I may go. You shall offer your swo...your blades to keep me safe, and serve me however I so choose. Do you accept my offer, good Ser?"

I had intentionally left out little pieces here and there, like laying down his life and offering his blood. I had no desire for that. No man had any obligation to die for me, Princess or not.

The man took a knee before me and held out his hand, and I nervously laid mine atop it, my skin tingling when it touched his for the first time.
"I, Killer, Massacre Soldier of the North, so do swear my blades, my blood and my life to protect you, Your Grace. Under the gaze of the King, his court, old gods and new, I offer my service to you until you so decree, or until my dying day. Whichever comes first."

He pressed the front of his helmet to my hand, in place of his lips, yet I still felt my heart thundering inside my chest. His rough voice had sounded so sincere, and so oddly formal, like he had rehearsed it a thousand times over. I did not like, however, that he had inserted what I had purposely left out.

"Alright, so be it! Under the eyes of the King!" My father shouted loudly, and the mysterious man who was now officially my guard released my hand, rising to his feet. "Off with you all! I'm a busy man! Leave me be!"

Trying not to roll my eyes at my father's typical aggression, I turned back to the blond, smiling nervously. I wanted to make him as comfortable as possible, because surely he wouldn't be all too thrilled with being around someone who had almost had him killed.

"So...Ser, uh, Massacre Soldier? I am expected to join Lady Hancock for afternoon tea within the hour. Would you mind escorting me?" I asked kindly, even though I knew he didn't really have much of a choice now that he had taken an oath.

"I wouldn't mind at all, My Princess."

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***I have so many characters I want to include in this but I can't use all of them and I scream into the void.

I had an allergic reaction last night and my throat is still dying. I have a full day alone in the store tomorrow too :') Help. I don't want people to think I'm diseased xD

Also disproportionate doodle cuz why not?

Next Time: Don't Be So Stiff***