"Alright, I'll bring you to his room," The king told Hinata, who followed him. "Just know, that... he can be a bit... immature,"
"I do not mind," Hinata stated.
The king put his hand on the doorknob and smiled slightly. "Good. Then I'm proud to officially declare you as the prince's personal knight and protector,"
Hinata bowed down. The king opened the door and Hinata saw the prince for the first time in his life. He was sitting at his desk and looked up when he heard his father come in. He was... beautiful. Really, really gorgeous.
The prince got up, smiling. "You must be the new knight. Hinata Hajime, correct?"
"Correct." He nodded.
The king left the room and closed the door.
"Well, it's really nice to meet you. I've been waiting the whole day,"
"Sorry for keeping you waiting,"
"It's alright. Let's go into the kingdom, please. I've been stuck inside my room for so long..." He whined.
"Why is that?"
"Last time I left I got attacked so my father didn't let me leave the castle until I got a new personal knight,"
"Then let's go, your highness,"
Komaeda smiled and left the room. They walked over to the horses even though they didn't need one. The walk wouldn't have been long, but Komaeda insisted his legs were too tired to walk. Hinata got onto the horse, but Komaeda didn't move.
"Uh... your highness?"
"Hm?"
"Don't you have a horse?"
"Oh, I do. I just don't know how to ride it,"
"Then ride mine,"
"Eh?" He tilted his head.
Hinata grabbed his hand and pulled him onto the horse. "Hold onto me,"
"Tch. How ride of you to assume I'd need- Aaah!" He yelped as Hinata took off and the horse began to gallop. He immediately wrapped his arms around Hinata's chest. "Too fast! Slow it down right now!"
The horse stopped walking altogether. "We're there." Hinata got off. "Do you need help?"
Komaeda nodded and held out his hand. Hinata gently took it and helped him get off. The knight and prince began walking around the kingdom. Suddenly, a man bumped into Komaeda.
"Watch where you're going- oh! Your highness! My apologies!" The man bowed down.
"Off with his head!" Komaeda said, crossing his arms. Hinata raised his sword. "Wait- no! I was kidding!" The pale boy frantically waved his hands around. "Don't kill him!"
At this point, the man had already run away. Komaeda kept walking around and buying things from small shops.
"Your highness, it's getting dark. Your father will be upset if we don't go back right now,"
"But I'm sleepy... And I don't wanna ride your weird horse again..."
"I need to get my horse back to the castle though,"
"Then go back and get it later, jeez! You're getting paid for this, aren't you?"
"...not enough..." Hinata muttered to himself.
"Hm?"
"Nothing. So, what do you wanna do if you don't wanna walk or ride?"
Komaeda looked at him and smiled mischievously. "You have such strong arms, Hinata-kun... I wonder what they could lift..."
The knight sighed. "You want me to carry you?"
"Well, I didn't say that, but if you insist I suppose I'll let you. Being able to touch the prince himself is a true honor, so you better cherish this moment,"
"For sure." Hinata threw him over his shoulder.
"Hey, not like this!" Komaeda yelled and began hitting his back with his fists. "Let me down!" He kicked his legs around.
"I'm carrying you like you wanted." He began to walk.
"Why are you so mean to me?" He complained. "You're supposed to be my protector..." He sniffled. Hinata's eyes widened and he put him down.
"Shit- are you crying?!" He began to whipe his tears. Once he was done, Komaeda smiled.
"Catch me if you can!" He grinned and began to run away. Hinata stood there, shocked. Then, he took off running too.
Komaeda giggled and ran towards an orphanage. He went inside and the children gasped. "Shhh! Don't tell anyone you saw me!" He whispered, putting a finger in front of his mouth. They all nodded. Then, a boy gasped again and pointed behind Komaeda.
"Don't tell anyone you saw me, huh?" Hinata said. He threw Komaeda over his shoulder again.
"No, stop it! Heeeelp, I'm being kidnapped!"
He was carried back to the castle and thrown onto his bed. "Why do you have to make things so difficult?"
"Why are you mean to me?! I don't even like you!" Komaeda crossed his arms and pouted.
"You know, your father not only hired me to protect you from any harm that might come to you, but he also hired me to keep you out of trouble,"
"Trouble? I wasn't getting into trouble!"
"Crashing a bunch of orphans' dinner isn't trouble to you?"
"...yes,"
"Yes, it is trouble or yes, it isn't trouble?"
"God forbid I do anything fun." He rolled his eyes.
"Don't try to pull the 'poor prince who just wants to be free' card with me. You should be grateful for what you have,"
"It's not like that! Of course I'm grateful and I like being a prince too! You don't get it! You don't even know me,"
Hinata sat down next to him. "Look, let's start over, yeah?"
"No! You're just going to tease and humiliate me again! I'll tell my dad to fire you right now!" Komaeda got up and left his room. Hinata hurried to catch up to him.
"Your highness, wait!"
"No! Leave me alone!"
A maid watched the chase. "Give it up, sir. When his majesty doesn't like someone, it's over for them!" She called out to Hinata, but he kept on running.
Hinata grabbed Komaeda's wrist.
"Let go of me, you can't just touch a prince like tha-"
"Nagito? What's going on here?" The king walked towards them.
"He's stupid and mean! Fire him!" Komaeda complained.
"Sweetheart, this is the tenth knight this month. I can't fire him, there's no one else who wants the job anymore,"
Komaeda shook his head. "That's not true, everyone wanted it a few weeks ago,"
"You fired everyone almost immediately, they all gave up eventually,"
"So... does this guy have to be my knight?"
"I'm afraid so. What did he even do?"
"He picked me up!"
"You asked me to!"
"But not like that! It's embarrassing!"
"Alright, good. I apologize for picking you up in a weird way. Next time I'll do it differently,"
Komaeda nodded. "I forgive you,"
"Uh... it was that easy?"
"Yep! Now let's go to my room."
They both walked away and Komaeda laid down in his bed. "Next time, pick me up like a princess,"
"You're not a princess though,"
"Why should I not get to be picked up in a graceful way? Because I'm not a girl? I'm smart like one,"
"Mhm, sure,"
"I'm just kidding. I'm actually quite ugly and worthless." He pulled the blanket over his body. "Still, though, pick me up like a princess." The prince then fell asleep.
Hinata bowed down. "Sleep well, your highness." He left the room again.
The next morning, Komaeda was eating breakfast alone. He always woke up later than his parents. Once he was done, he got dressed and ready for the day. He left the castle and walked around in the garden. Just a few minutes later, he was stopped.
"You're not allowed to go here,"
Komaeda turned around and saw Hinata. He sighed. "I know... but the flowers are so pretty,"
"Well... maybe we can stay for a bit. I won't tell anyone,"
Komaeda smiled. "Really?"
"Yeah." Hinata sat down on the grass and Komaeda did too.
"Why did you wanna become my personal knight?" Komaeda asked.
"I prefer protecting one person over being a guard. This job also pays more,"
"I see,"
"Hey, you two! You're not allowed here!" A guard yelled, running towards them.
Hinata picked Komaeda up princess style and began running away. The pale boy giggled as they ran from him.