A Dance With Daggers

Risks

((AN: Okay... This was A LOT longer than I intended it to be, but due to what I want the next chapter to be I had to shove all this in here, so that's why it was a bt delayed. Anyway, there may be some issues in here that I missed cause I kinda rushed it after taking so long writing it, either way hope you guys enjoy it. Chapter 3 in the works!))

*Day of the prison break*

Nearly a year ago, after centuries of fighting, Noxus and Demacia agreed upon an armistice seemingly out of nowhere. The lack of battle left the Vanguard Commander feeling like a glorified city guard. Every day the same routine, he'd wake up and go to the barracks and do drills with his men, train new recruits and fill reports. His fingers were calloused not because of his use of a sword but the writing with a quill.

To make matters worse, spending more time at his home in High Silvermere, the city where the Crownguard Estate was located, meant more time for his mother to always make him feel like he's not good enough. And 'on top of that,' she's been pressuring him to ask Liliana Lightshield to go to the Masquerade next month. It was purely a political desire for his mother, her son marrying the Prince's cousin would surely increase their status, but Garen was just not interested in politics.

But understanding that in Demacia you need to put aside your desire for personal happiness and do what is expected of you, he agreed to at least take her to dinner tonight, with a bit of pressuring from his eager sister of course. Ever since the war ended, Luxxana was nagging her brother to find a girlfriend, saying it would help him stop moping about how bored he was, but he just couldn't find anyone that gave him that certain, spark.

So there he was, wearing his Miltary Dauntless Blues they called them, a ceremonial uniform given to officers within the military as a representation of their status. It fit him perfectly and accentuated his muscular features more than he was comfortable with. His sister was in front of him, nearly a head in height shorter redoing his tie for him, releasing a chuckle.

"I can't believe you don't know how to do a tie, Garen.." she joked.

"The only thing I've ever really worn his my armor Lux... This just feels so wrong." he looked down at his sister who was eyeballing him.

"Don't worry I'm not gonna chicken out, relax." he said through a soft laugh

"Good, cause I'm really excited for you. Maybe you can actually enjoy yourself for once, yeah?" she took a step back after finishing with his tie, giving him a once over.

"You know you could always go for me." Garen sighed, turning to look at himself in the mirror. "I look like a clown." he finished.

Lux rolled her eyes, "Shut up, you look great! She's gonna swoon at the sight of you. And Jarvan is going to be there with his date as well, so at least you won't be alone" she said reassuringly.

"Great.." he rubbed his eyes and walked out of his room.

As he walked out into the main hall of the estate his mother was standing there waiting with judgmental eyes. He stopped and waited for her approval and got a halfhearted nod.

As he started towards the door, his mother spoke up behind him. "Do not mess this up for our family, Garen Crownguard."

He arrived at one of the most expensive restaurants in the capital via carriage, and as he disembarked, it almost felt as he had ripped the back of his pants after stepping out, a flush rose to his cheeks and reached around, and to his relief, his undergarments were not bare for everyone to see.

Off to a good start so far, he made his way into the restaurant and spoke with the host. And realized he didn't know the proper etiquette.

"Hey, uhm." He cleared his throat and stood up straight. "Excuse me, I'm looking for Jarvan Lightshields table.