Narrator's POV
In the times of kings and queens, most people tend to forget gay people existed. They did, they just werent open about it. Some of the most important historical figures were gay. But not many people know about that. There's a reason that they weren't open about being gay. They were scared of the consequences. Most were forced to marry/date the opposite gender if they ever spoke up about it.
But let me tell you a story about a king who wasn't scared. A king who didnt care and put his personal butler on the throne beside him. This king, would later go down in history.
King Erwin Smith.
-~-
Now, in this palace, there are colored ranks for the butlers/maids. Blue, Yellow, Gray, Green, White and Red. There were other colors aswell, orange and gold.
Gold and orange meant you were royal. Only the king and his male children wore gold, while the women in the royal family wore a beautiful orange that complimented their skin perfectly.
Red were the personal butlers/maids. They were given the most power over the other servants, and keys to all rooms in the palace.
White, green and gray were right behind red. They were also given keys to all rooms, except the royal families rooms. They have a say over the yellows and the blues, but not over eachother. Well, whites have power over green and gray.
Yellow meant you were a beginner. It's the first color you're given when you get the job. Yellows are given a hard time and aren't really respected, but its easy to climb to the next rank.
Now, theres the blues. Blue is the worst color to be given. It means you attempted to rob someone in the royal family and you chose to be a servant as opposed to death. No one respects you, and you'll be given a very hard time. Yes, it is possible to climb in the ranks but you'd have to work extra hard. You're monitored at all times and have 0 privacy. Blues have no visitation rights when it comes to seeing their family, as they cannot be trusted to leave the palace.
Now that you get the jist of it, let me tell you the story about King Erwin Smith.
Hanji's POV
I tightened my red corset over my tuxedo. Most maids were forced to wear dresses, but the prince is my best friend. He negotiated with his dad, the King, to allow me to have a suit. Erwin has always been my friend since I was a peasant.
I put on my red gloves and tiny red top hat. The hat was unnecessary, but I liked it. My roomate, Moblit, came and tied my strings for me. He kissed my cheek and smiled at me. Moblit grabbed his white gloves and corset as he walked towards the bathroom to get ready.
All servants have dorms in the palace, and most have to be roomed with someone. We're running late right now, and we were supposed to be out the door 5 minutes ago.
Just as I fix my hat I heard a distant crash, like glass breaking. I ran to my bedroom but there was nothing there. The windows were all in tact. My heart dropped to my stomach as I realized it came from the Prince's room.
I grabbed my key to his room and silently opened the door. He wasn't here as he has a meeting right now, and I'm supposed to be at his side. I grabbed a bat from the side of the door and walked slowly. I saw a man in a dirtied hood and brown rags around his body. He was quite small and malnourished, and his grimy little paws were rummaging threw the Prince's drawers.
I raised the bat and brought it down with a loud crash. The man grunted loudly and fell to the ground, completely motionless. Well, that was easy...
-~- Erwin's POV
My father leaned his head on his hand while he sat on the throne. The peasant was tied and hung his head low.
I sat beside him on a throne slightly smaller than his that used to be where my mother sat. I hadn't bothered to look at the peasant, as Hanji told me he was stealing from me.
But when I did look at him, I was shocked. His strong, but soft facial features. His dark hair that fell perfectly around his face. He was muscular, but obviously starving. I almost felt pity for the guy, he probably has a girlfriend and a child to feed.
"Your punishment is death shown to the public."
My heart beat quickly at those words. I can't let this man die, there has to be another way. I could see the expression of regret and hurt on his face, but he didn't argue. The guards lifted him off the ground and to his feet. I acted on impulse.
"Wait!" I shouted, hopping from the throne and to my feet.
"Can't he be a blue?" I asked my father.
"Son? He was stealing from you, why on Earth would you ever want to-"
"The rules say that punishment of stealing from the royal family is death or eternal servantry." I interrupted.
"Yes, son but-"
"I want him to be a blue." I hushed him from speaking.
He clicked his tongue and nodded, signaling the guards to let him go. Me and the peasant made eye contact. I smiled warmly and I could tell by the way his eyes glistened, he was relieved I spoke up.
-~- Moblit's POV
The blue showered and he looked much cleaner. You could actually see the skin on his neck, as it was no longer covered in dried mud. Though, he had a few splotches of irritated skin here and there. He seemed to have picked the skin off of a few patches and was already scratching at a new one. I grabbed a cream Hanji had made in their free time. They called it an "itching cream" and it helped get rid of really bad rashes. I rubbed it on his skin and he sighed as the cold substance rubbed across his skin.
He dressed into his suit and put on his blue gloves. I tightened the blue corset around his torso.
"So, why'd you try and steal from the king?" I ask, putting some invisible cream on a small pimple.
"I needed gold to buy medicine for my sister." He muttered.
I grabbed a tiny brush and used it to get the grime and dirt out of his eyelashes. As I clean off these tiny aspects, it hits me how horrible his siblings might look. And how he smelled rancid when he walked into the throne room. What do his siblings smell like? How hungry are they right now? Are they even alive?
His posture straightened and he looked a lot less miserable. I showed him his face in the mirror and he smiled subtly.
"So, what do I do now?"
"Hm?"
"Like, do I need to clean something or..?"
"Oh no, you don't work until tomorrow. We're just getting ready for the ceremony where you're officially hired as a blue." I spoke as I combed his hair.
Occasionally, I'd run into a part in his hair so severely matted that I have to grab each end of the knot and rip it down to the scalp. He winced slightly each time, but he didn't complain.
Finally, his hair was officially clean and unmatted. He had no bald spots, surprisingly. But he was officially ready to go face the King and the Prince. He would meet the Whisper Kingdom, the Prince's Grandparents. They had a harsh taste so I need to make sure he looks perfect.
Good luck, blue.
