The One I Love 🖤👑 (Saiouma ! Royal AU)

A Helping Hand

Shuichi's Pov:

"Hey, father?" I look up at my dad with a curious expression on my face.
"Yes, son?" His answer took a minute considering he was wishing the Akamusts a safe travel's back to their kingdom.
"About that um, thief.. What are you gonna do with him?" I questioned, but he didn't even spare a glance in my direction.
"In most kingdoms they cut off a hand and send you away for theft. I was thinking something on the lines of that." My eyes widened at the thought of the purple headed boy leaving with one less hand than he arrived with.
"U-uh, doesn't that seem I don't know, harsh?" He looked down at me, finally staring straight into my eyes.
"I don't think so, the boy should know better. Stealing and trespassing does not go unpunished." His face was emotionless, cold, empty even.
"Maybe we can, I don't know, just let him go? He is around my age. He might still be a minor." My father grabbed my shoulder, turning me to face him.
"That is out of the question son. Stealing is stealing regardless. Unless you can come up with a more fair punishment then hand it is." I sighed staring down at my feet. It seems unfair. I mean I know he was stealing but it was from the gardens. Fruits and veggies are the only values there. Maybe he was hungry. I don't think an apple is a fair trade for a hand. I thought for a moment, nothing seemed to come to mind.
"Come." My dad commanded. A little confused, I followed. Momota walking straight behind us. My dad paused, turning back in mine and the guards direction.
"Momota, fetch the young boy and bring him into the throne room." A little startled, the guard nodded.
"Yes sir!" Momota bowed, immediately heading towards the dungeon to find the little thief. My dad continued to walk into the throne room and stood by his throne.
"Now son, you must watch as I handle this thief so you know exactly what to do when you inherit the throne, understood?" He raised his hand, grasping the side of my face before retreating his hand back to his side.
"Understood." I replied, turning my attention to the front of me so I was now facing the throne room doors. My heart began to race as the door's opened slightly.
"Here's the bastard!" Momota shouted proudly. The purple headed boy scoffed at the sight beside him. The guard had the boy's collar lifted up by his own hands so the young boy couldn't touch the ground.
"Put him down Momota." My father exhaled.
"Of course sir!" Momota dropped the boy on the ground with a slight thump as he collided with the floor.
"You, boy. What is your name?" My father questioned the purplenette.
"Ouma. Ouma Kokichi." Ouma softly spoke.
"Now why is it that you've been stealing from the royal gardens, Ouma?" My father said staring daggers straight into Oumas eyes. Ouma didn't flinch.
"I was hungr-" "hungry?" The king cut off his words making him unable to continue.
"Why yes, hungry." Ouma stared daggers right back into my dads irises and for the first time ever I saw a glimpse of confusion in his eyes.
"Well. Stealing is stealing and trespassing is trespassing. So for that a hand is your punishment." My dad finally getting straight to the point.
"WHAT?! MY HAND?! BUT I'LL-"
"Stop screaming. You put this upon yourself." I watched the boy's once confident eyes form into worry and fear. Watching him made my stomach turn as Momota readied his sword.
Think think think I thought to myself as everything went slow in my head.
"Think think think" The boy was now getting dragged, coming closer to the king.
Think think thi- wait.
"WAIT!" I shouted as loud as possible.
"Oh- uh. I'm so sorry- um- I didn't mean to be so lou-"
"spit it out." My father glanced back over his shoulder relooking into my eyes. This struck more fear than I already had inside of me.
"W-well, maybe he can um- I don't know.. work in the castle?"
"You want a THIEF to work in OUR castle?" My dad emphasized the words thief and our for the sarcastic effect.
"Besides, what job would he even have? We have enough butlers, servants, guards, gardeners, kitchen assistants."
"Well um.. I still don't have a personal servant yet. I mean, that way someone could be basically watching him 24/7. I find that more fair, yes?" My dad paused in thought.
"Is that REALLY the best idea Shuichi? You want him?" I nodded in reply.
"If that's what you feel is fair. Ouma Kokichi, you now work for my son. This is how your debt will be repaid." The purplenettes eyes switched from side to side in a confused manner.
"Uh- well how long?" "For as long as prince saihara needs you." The boy eyed me looking confused and grateful at the same time. I smiled gently to give him reaseranes.
"You start tomorrow. Ibadishi-kun will begin your training."  I sighed finally feeling relieved. I'm not one for gore and most likely, never will be. Ouma was soon escorted back to the doors heading to probably meet ibadishi. I watched as they left when suddenly,  my attention was snatched by my father.
"Shuichi. Listen, I know you have a kind heart, but punishment is punishment and this won't always work out in your favor son." I frowned at the comment but nodded in response. I started to walk away before my dad spoke again.
"See you tomorrow son." I smiled slightly.
"See you tomorrow." I waved, then continued my exit.