marlowemuses | Lover, I know you're weary

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Lover, I know you're weary

It was a subtle thing. King Auguste wasn't sure how long it had been going on without him noticing. Months. Perhaps even years--Laurent was an introspective creature, and Auguste hadn't thought to look for signs of Laurent's infatuations. Laurent was nineteen now, and Auguste supposed that Laurent must have started feeling romantic attraction years before, but Auguste had never noticed. Laurent was still his baby brother, bookish and shy.

Laurent trotted after them everywhere. He was like a cat, in that it was hard to tell he liked you at all until you noticed that he took care to be in the same room as you as often as possible. Nyx was Auguste's best friend and his trusted guard captain, and it was often the three of them together. They were Auguste's closest and most trusted advisors.

So it took Auguste some time to notice that Laurent's eyes followed Nyx around a room. Even when he noticed, he thought that Laurent had developed some suspicion about Nyx. It took longer for Auguste to notice that on very rare occasions, Laurent's lips would part when he looked at Nyx and an expression of yearning would cross his face.

It was sweet, and at first Auguste dismissed it as a crush.

After four months, Auguste realized that Laurent was in love, and that he would never say anything and Nyx would never notice. So he hatched a plan.

It took some time for him to get a chance to speak to Nyx alone without Laurent present.

"I have a strange request to make of you," Auguste said. His eyes lingered on the door where Laurent had recently left.

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Nyx sits up with a slight start from where he'd been staring out the window at the trees, daydreaming a little between reports. Things had been suspiciously quiet out on the eastern and southern fronts of late, and he was wondering if he ought to go out and pay a visit there himself, talk to the generals commanding them and confirm that all was well. It never hurt, being able to return to Auguste with first-hand reports. In fact, it might be better if he made a full tour of it, riding along the borders to check in on the soldiers stations at Vere's most vulnerable points.

But... truth be told, he doesn't particularly want to. It's not that he can't bring himself to leave the cushy comforts of the palace, no, it's just-- it doesn't feel right, doesn't feel safe, leaving his liege and the young prince alone here. Not when he's not here to stand guard, not when--

His meandering chain of thoughts is broken by Auguste's odd words.

"Strange, huh?" Nyx's brows quirk upward, lips curving in a sharp grin. "Try me."

"Lest you think that this is a demotion," Auguste says, coming over to stand close to his friend so that Nyx can see that his eyes are earnest, "I'm giving you a dukedom. Don't object. You'll be the Duke of Amberley, and there's a comfortable castle that comes with it." The castle is to Laurent's taste, pretty and with lots of scenic lands nearby for horseback rides, which is why Auguste chose it. "But I want you to keep quiet about that for now."

Keeping his voice low, Auguste holds Nyx's eyes. He's completely serious about all of this, though he knows it won't make sense to Nyx. "Choose someone to succeed you as Captain of the Guard. I want you to take up the role of private bodyguard to the prince."

Whatever he'd expected from Auguste's proposal, this is... not it. Nyx's head jerks up, he'd had his feet propped up on the meeting room table and they hit the ground with a thunk.

"What?!" Auguste may as well have slapped right him upside the head, the expression of utter shock on his face is nearly comical. "No."

Not a particularly good or smart thing to say to one's royal liege, perhaps, but Nyx has never been particularly good at keeping his mouth shut and obediently accepting orders and Auguste has had ten long years to get used to it. "My duty is to you and throne. I'm not a-- fucking noble, I don't have any place owning a castle, let alone a dukedom. Your court will laugh me out of the room. And--"

The last part of Auguste's request leaves his brow furrowed in confusion. What do these two things have to do with one another?

"What's wrong with the guards Laurent has now? Are you dissatisfied with them?"

"My court knows you are my closest advisor and dearest friend, and have been for years," Auguste says, not particularly interested in debating the point. "I'm sure they're more surprised that I haven't yet bestowed honors upon you. But keep your mouth shut about it for now, even if you hear some rumors about the new Duke of Amberley."

Taking a seat nearby, Auguste puts his feet up on the table, leaning back comfortably and relaxing in the face of Nyx's bewilderment. "In the meantime, and as for Laurent, I want you very specifically to prevent anyone from flirting with him."

"Yeah, yeah, that's every year or so we end up with a fresh round of rumors about Galahdian insurgents in the capital, foreigners stirring up unrest, all of that." Nyx rolls his eyes. He'd long used his status with the King to ask for favors for his displaced countrymen, refugees made homeless by war, and never made any secret of it. "Why Lord Pomais puffs up with anticipation and outrage every time you smile and open your mouth in my direction; this is exactly what they fear."

Nyx doesn't particularly want to make more enemies of his king's nobles, and he's afraid that's exactly what would happen, should he be elevated among their ranks. How will he protect Auguste if he's all trussed up in silks and expected to watch his tongue and talk in honeyed half-truths like the rest? How would he protect Laurent if not as a stalwart shield and blade?

And as for Laurent...

"Your Majesty, shall I also work to prevent the sun from shining and the rain from falling while I'm at it? Laurent is damned..." And at that point, some vestige of deference and survival instinct kicks in, and Nyx trails off lamely with "...uh, popular. With a certain crowd. Even though I know that's not his aim. I can ward them off the best I can, but you know how things are."

"I do. And I expect you to take whatever measures necessary to carry out my orders. Make people think that I have a marriage picked out for him, or that you're acting out of personal jealousy. I don't care, just don't confirm anything."

Rising again, Auguste waves a dismissive hand at him. "When my goals are complete, you'll have your reward. Now go make sure my guard is going to run smoothly while you're busy babysitting my brother. We both know perfectly well that he's going to be a handful."

Particularly because he doesn't know a thing about Auguste's schemes.

"Auguste, if what you really want is to have me executed by henpecking, you can just come right out and say it," Nyx replies in a drawl, partly because he's still in disbelief and partly to hide the panic that's just beginning to well up in his chest. In one swift move, a few simple words, he'd been stripped of his duty and his place at his king's side. Even if Auguste says it isn't a demotion... Nyx can't help but wonder if it had been something he'd done, if he's to blame in some way.

All of this... he can't make heads or tails of it. But Auguste is a good and clever king, Nyx knows, and at the end of the day, he has never been anything other than completely loyal to his liege. Even if Nyx rather hopes that his "reward", whatever it is, is an end to this madness and a return to the usual...

First things first, he returns to his offices in the barracks, running through the roster to see who's been assigned to the Prince for the day. He pulls a few sheets of papers from the haphazardly filed assortment in the drawers-- truth be told, Nyx isn't a particularly organized captain, and paperwork had never been his greatest strength. If August insists on him selecting a replacement... Nyx steadfastly ignores the pang in his chest. He'll do his duty, whatever the cost may be.

Next, to inform Prince Laurent of the news. Nyx makes his way to the Prince's quarters, heaving a quiet sigh before he straightens to attention and raps sharply twice on the door.

Laurent isn't expecting the knock on his door, but he trusts his guards. "Come in," he calls, only a little surprised when it's Nyx, alone, rather than his brother or a guard announcing some other visitor. Setting his book aside, Laurent gets to his feet, ready for whatever Nyx has brought him. It's strange for Nyx to approach him alone at all. They always have Auguste between them, because Auguste has always been the link that connects them.

Laurent's heart flutters, briefly, at having the object of his infatuation alone in his rooms. But Nyx doesn't know about Laurent's childish crush, and Laurent isn't about to bother him with it.

"Your Highness."

Nyx enters the room and drops to one knee, head bowed. He's rarely ever this formal with Auguste, more likely to put a casual elbow in his king's ribs than bow and scrape, but he knows better than to adopt that air of easy familiarity with the young Prince. Over the last ten years or so, Nyx had watched Laurent grow from a painfully shy, kind and bookish boy into a fledgling young man, brilliant and achingly lovely and still so, so sweet, nothing at all like his brother except in the ways that matter most-- heart, loyalty, duty. Even without Auguste's new orders, Nyx would have protected Laurent with his life. But that doesn't make Nyx his friend, or anything more than a well-trained guard dog.

He keeps his gaze lowered.

"I come with news. Nemus and Aiden have been reassigned their posts with the Palace Guard. By order of the King, I've been assigned as your personal guard."

Laurent startles at the news. He’s always been good at hiding his emotions, except for surprise. It’s like a blow, hearing that insult to Nyx.

Nyx, who has always been kind and loyal, who earned his place at the king’s side. And now it’s been stolen from him. “Nyx.” His voice is sympathetic, concerned, and deeply confused. “Please rise. This is Auguste’s order? What reason did he give for it?”

Nyx obediently rises to his feet, still not meeting Laurent's gaze.

"Uh..." Not like him to be tongue-tied, but Auguste had asked him to keep his mouth shut about that whole dukedom deal, and he's not sure how much of his orders he could divulge, even to the Prince himself. Also, Laurent is... distractingly beautiful, even just standing there beside him.

"He didn't give one. Or mention if this is a temporary or permanent arrangement."

"I'm certain he has a reason for it," Laurent says, brow furrowed in frustration over Auguste's strange behavior. "And it must be temporary."

Ringing for a servant, Laurent goes to his little table by the window and beckons Nyx to come and sit with him. "You're to be my only guard? No relief? He can't mean that."

When the servant ducks their head in, Laurent orders tea and sandwiches for them both.

Didn't sound temporary, Nyx finds himself thinking. Sounds like Auguste knows full well exactly what he's doing, and he has some sort of plot up his sleeve. But it's rare that his king doesn't let him in on one of his plans, so this... whatever it is, it must be important.

"Hey, don't worry about me," Nyx says as he follows Laurent to the window but doesn't take a seat, instead opting to remain standing with his hands clasped behind his back, still the picture of a perfect guard. But he manages a weak grin, a shadow of his usual easygoing attitude, as his gaze as he looks the Prince over is tinged ever so slightly with fondness. "If anything, I'm sorry Auguste is saddling you with my bad jokes all day. Usually, I only inflict them on him."

"Sit," Laurent commands, pointing to the chair opposite from him. "You're my brother's best friend, and I will not have you treated like an ordinary guardsman. If my brother has trapped you at my side for whatever reason, then you may serve as my companion. My name is Laurent. You might try using it."

Laurent arches a brow at Nyx, inviting him to protest.

"I am an ordinary guardsman, Y-" Nyx catches himself, and for a moment his carefully downturned gaze flicks upward, the corners crinkling as they meet the bright blue of Laurent's eyes.

"Laurent." The Prince's name is soft on his tongue, and almost despite himself, Nyx finds his lips twisting in a wry smile.

"Just because His Majesty has chosen to raise me beyond my place, doesn't make me too good for any role he might see fit. Let alone a position at your side."

"You're more than an ordinary guardsman," Laurent insists. "You're my guardsman, and my friend."

The servants reappear with tea, sandwiches, and little cakes for them, and Laurent settles in to eat, waving a hand at Nyx to encourage him to help himself. "Eat. You're my companion now. I mean it."

Friend, huh? That's... sweet, and perhaps Nyx shouldn't be surprised by the gesture, not with all that he knows of Laurent. Auguste's brother had never put on snooty airs to impress, after all, and the other servants of the palace adore their prince for his kindness. For Nyx's part, he's dropped his gaze once more, but there's no denying the affection hovering over his lips, in the quirk of his smile.

But if Laurent wouldn't look out for his own dignity and interests, then Nyx would just have to do it for him.

"As you command... Your Highness." He flashes Laurent a roguish wink as he slides into the seat across from him, plucking a tiny sandwich from the tray and polishing it off in two bites. "But at least let me stick to formalities when we're in court. Don't want Baroness Melva suffering from a stroke because His Majesty's pet barbarian is getting too familiar with both members of the royal family."

"What are you talking about?" Laurent asks, grinning. "That sounds ideal. I've been trying for years to be scandalous enough to give Melva a stroke."

He sips at his tea, considering the request. His eyes linger on Nyx, weakened by that smile and that little wink, and a soft blush rises to his cheeks. "I'll allow relatively more formalities in court. I do want to be formally addressed in court. You may behave as you wish otherwise, as long as you're prepared to react positively to my whims."

That prompts a laugh from Nyx as he picks up a second sandwich, speaking between bites.

"She'll be getting plenty to complain about, now that I'm hanging off your coattails."

Unfortunately, flirting comes as easy as breathing to Nyx as he grins over in Laurent's direction, already starting to ease his way into impudent familiarity.

"Oh, your wish is my command, your Royal Highness. But don't keep me in suspense-- what sort of whims are those?" There's a faint edge of a purr in his voice as he sets his chin on his hand, affixing Laurent with his full attention.

It's a heady feeling, having Nyx's full attention like this, and having him relax enough to be playful. Usually they have Auguste between them, and when they're alone, they've always kept a safe, formal distance.

Now with Nyx flirting with him, Laurent feels his cheeks heat, and he can't help but grin. It feels nice to be the object of Nyx's flirtation, even if it's only Nyx's nature to flirt. "You never know," he warns. "I might make you dance with me."

"Oh, I wouldn't do that," Nyx says, laughing. "I dance like a three legged horse. Auguste tried to teach me once- thought he could put me to use charming some of the stodgier nobles out of their tights, but no. I'd only embarrass you and step on your feet."

He lifts one of the fine teacups up to his lips, pinky raised ostentatiously. After years spent in court, Nyx has enough of a grasp on the finer points of dining etiquette to get by without anyone challenging him to a duel mid-meal... even if he still thinks that most of it is damn silly.

"Now, if you need someone to peel grapes for you or get oiled up and wrestle in your honor, I'm your man."

"Don't think I won't take you up on it," Laurent says, grinning a little bit over his cup. He reaches over, gently tucking Nyx's pinky back down. "You only lift the pinky if the structure of the cup requires it, and it's never exaggerated like that."

He's never really gotten to spend time with Nyx like this, and he's thoroughly enjoying himself. Laurent's eyes keep flicking back over to him, and a smile lingers on his lips. "Now I'm going to have to think up some scheme that will require you to get oiled up and wrestle for my honor."

Laurent's grin lights his already-beautiful features up like a sunrise, and Nyx has to sip at his tea to mask his smile in response. It almost makes him want to act out again in some small, meaningless way, if only to face that gentle correction once more.

"If you're looking for ideas, His Majesty did do that once. Wagered on my victory for some council vote and a prize chariot, talked it up into being a contest of inner fortitude or some bullshit- ahem, pardon me, Your- Laurent." Nyx's wry expression is abashed but also admiring. Despite his musclebound appearances and carefully kept public image of easy strength and bravado, Augustus is much more cunning than he usually lets on. "You should've seen the way young Lord Byrant blushed and sputtered when I started stripping down."

"It's been long enough that I'm sure you could pull it off again. And there's nothing I wouldn't do for your honor, Laurent." Accompanied by another playful wink.

"I hope for my brother's sake that his carefully crafted, very secret schemes have taken our mutual irreverence into account," Laurent says, grinning and starting to blush at Nyx's flirtatious winks. Whatever Auguste is up to, Laurent plans to thoroughly enjoy having Nyx's full attention in the meantime.

"So, dance lessons, oiled wrestling, scandalizing the court... but what will we do tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow, I peel grapes," Nyx replies with a chuckle. "And I'm afraid you've discovered my secret that I'm not good for much else."

Expression sobering somewhat, he picks up a tiny nut-filled cookie from the tray, examining it in his hands. "I will need time to speak with Orias, to brief him and do some training on his [...] new duties as Captain of the Guard. The men will need to be told as well. Best that I handle it personally."

His voice is matter of fact, as Nyx tries to ignore the faint pang in his chest, the keen sense of... loss. He thought he'd found his place here in Vere, and for over ten long years he'd served at Auguste's side. And now, all of a sudden, everything is changing.

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