MLQC Oneshots

Ever yours, (Victor)

 This is something that was meant to be in a whole chaptered story, but this is a oneshot book so a snippet is all I present (meaning, if there are some holes or somethings that are left without meaning,  that's why)

Royalty!AU 

tw: some slight mention of injury

-

As she talks on, Victor listens to every word. Even to the subject the most mundane, he listens as she speaks. The comb he grips runs through the same thin hair she would always complain about. Through the light of the candle sitting at the vanity, he watched the pale brown strands thread from the end of the comb.

Though thin to her dismay, her hair stayed soft. One factor he was sure would stay in the years to come. It never changed from when they were children, after all.

'And you?' She catches his eye through the mirror. 'What did you do today?'

'You shouldn't ask questions you already know the answers to.' He retorts.

'That may be true.' The remark doesn't phase her. Her smile had only grown brighter. 'But, I feel all I talk about is myself. I want to hear about you.'

What is there to learn, he thinks but wouldn't speak aloud. They were as close as they could be, close enough that he knew what made her frown. Or what caused worry in her small, naive brain.

He had been her servant for many years, though they had both grown into their own person, nothing about Victor would change. And he was sure he wouldn't have it any other way.

'The Prince of Polise visit soon.'

'I am aware. But, that isn't about you.' She furrows her brow thinking about the Prince.

'You said you would have me talk more.'

'Fine, fine. The 'Prince of Polise.' What do you think of that, Victor?'

'He is a fine ruler.' 'And?'

'I know less than you, your highness. Is that so much of a surprise?'

'I guess not.' Her eyes look elsewhere.

'MC.' Placing the comb down, he places his hands on her shoulders and he meets his eyes though the mirror once more. 'You have nothing to worry about. You are overthinking it.'

'Yes, maybe.' Her soft hand finds his. Her cheek leans against his fingers. 'How did we end up like this?' She smiles. Victor can't tell if she's genuine or not. He is lost in her soft eyes he never grew tired of.

'I can't tell you how. But, I'd say I don't regret it.'

-

That night a dream occurs. Though, it had been too real to call it completely that.

She shrieked again. Every time she shut her tired eyes she sees the same vision. Her Mother's corpse. Her skin is charred black, the ends of her soft hair burned to a crisp. And she was alone. Not any guards or nobles or Father is at her side as she dies.

But, when she opened her eyes she was in her bedroom. Mother was in her room; Father would be beside her, the two of them sleeping peacefully.

A girl as small as she should not be fearing the deaths of her family members. But, it is something out of her control.

Checking on them won't hurt, will it? But the fears of the castle's dark hallways mixed with the fears of her mother's body. What if she was waiting outside her door.

She hears soft knocks at her door, completely abandoning the plan she sinks into her covers, pulling the blanket over her head. But still, the door opens without her response.

'Princess?' The familiar voice of a boy, not much older than she. 'I heard screaming.'

Jumping out of bed, she runs into his arms. He stands there, stunned. Eventually he hugs her back, running a hand though her messy hair as her tears stained his nightshirt.

'It's alright.' He comforted. 'Nothing will hurt you, now.'

-

The dream, so real it felt like a flashback, clouds her mind the following morning.

'What's wrong?' Victor stood at her side once more, much like they did everyday. Though he sported a servants' uniform, black, plain with an apron over his legs. The only thing differentiating him from others was the scabbard that hung at his belt. For emergencies, he would say.

Victor never broke position, standing straight as he threw the off hand comment. Though they were friends, they weren't equal, even if she always thought he was meant for something greater than a servant at her feet.

'Ah, sorry. It's nothing.'

'I can only assume it means something if you can hardly touch your breakfast.'

'Oh yeah?' She laughs slightly.

She would tell him everything. She trusted Victor with her life. But, she would hate to worry him. Then again, if she told Victor it was a dream, then it really was a dream that didn't matter. As she took a deep breath in, about to say the secret from the night before, two women stopped at her side. They bow as they greet her, waiting for her instruction to speak.

'Yes?'

'We apologise for interrupting your morning, your highness. But, you must get to your dress fitting.'

'I completely forgot!' She pushes back her plate and quickly gets to her feet. 'I'm so sorry.'

'Please, you don't need to apologize.' They assure her, even if such a quirk was common to her mornings. They take her arms, quickly leading her out of the room. Her last look was at Victor, giving him a disappointed look. She gives him a small, unsure smile and waves back.

-

'How do I look?' She finds him later. Victor had been standing outside her door, a pocket watch in his hand as he waited to accompany her to her next ordeal. Victor surveys her over, her perfections stand out in his mind, but his hand only reaches to the one. A crown sitting crooked on her head. The heavy gold object had no place on someone as kind as she. Still, he fixes the crown straight.

'There. You could hardly dress yourself.'

'I guess nerves clouded my vision.' She smiles weakly as Victor offers her his arm. 'And I know you told me not to worry, but I can't help it! I haven't done anything like this before.'

Before, it had been her Father purely dealing with nobles and political ties. But recently, the war had been busying him further as the situation grew worse and worse across the border.

'You were trained for this. It should be like breathing.'

'You're only saying that to be kind.'

'Is encouragement not what you wanted?'

'Well, it does make me feel better.' They stop at the door to the throne room. Before letting her go, his hand falls into hers. Raising hers to his lips, he places a kiss on the back of her hand.

The common gesture makes her blush madly. Her heart races as he lets go. He looks back at her. His striking violet eyes see right through her and she has to turn away.

'Best of luck, your majesty.'