Messenger

Chapter 7

Flower, why is making Maika lose her mind so amusing to you and Maika, why are you so bad with wording, Yohio mentally questioned. Now the trio had this random, scrawny albino on their hands and no real back up plan because Yohio wasn't about to be the reason for half the palace being left unguarded for an afternoon. This place had to be secure with old 'I was a prince for 50 gosh dang years' stopping by and Maika freaking out about it. Personally, Yohio wasn't all that worried. What can one guy really pull off in someone else's land?

In fact, that was the only reason he was letting Flower get away with the whole thing. She's not really going to need that protection anyways, so might as well let her have someone closer to her age to talk to for the time being. The big problem was that this kid had no clue what he'd just been volunteered for. Well, more like voluntold in all honesty.

A group consisting of the aforementioned very confused kid, a very tired woman, and a guy that just wanted to get this worked out and take a nap was led away to the back offices. Flower was kindly asked to stay out of this one, so the advisers needed to find a more private space. The pale teen gave a panicked look to his two friends that were hidden further in the courtyard and followed along as well.

"I'm very sorry about this." Maika stated from behind her desk littered in papers and notes. The boy sat across from her with Yohio standing to the side, the space being lit by a window behind Makia's head making it appear like she was glowing. It had to be at least a little intimidating. "We simply want to explain this mishap."

The kid nodded. Yohio could clearly see that both of these people were on the verge of two very different breakdowns and not wanting to handle that today, he decided to cut the tension. "We promise that you aren't in any trouble here. Flower just isn't a big fan of the whole personal guard plan and wanted to mess with us."

Maika shot him a look. "I guess that's accurate enough, but what we need to go over is why. A leader from a neighboring kingdom will be visiting soon as you know, but the problem is that he's shown particular interest in the princess. We don't know what he is capable of doing, but having someone to keep an eye on her and that king would ease some of our concerns."

"I seem like the last person for this job. You're better off getting the princess to pick an actual guard, not me." The teen said uncomfortably.

"We said she could pick anyone and it's not like she's going to need a lot of protection. Just having someone there is enough to stop most plans." Yohio explained.

The kid shifted in his seat. "But I have no qualifications."

"That doesn't really-"

"Maika, can I speak to him?" Yohio cut off. Maika was usually professional, but today she was reaching the end of her patience fast.

She glared at him. "Be my guest." The door closed ambiently behind her.

"So, I never got your name."

"It's Piko."

Piko looked to the ground and started fidgeting with the hem of his off white shirt and dark coat. Yohio couldn't deny how weird all of this was. This guy had no clue what he was getting into today by being in a freaking courtyard and now he's getting offered a part-time job as a knight. How the turntables, indeed.

"I was wondering why you were here today. I've never seen you around before." Yohio nudged. Time to use whatever diplomat skills he'd learned from Maika in the past few years.

"I was just visiting some family that worked here." He paused, considering his next words. "He recently started his job and we want to know if things were going well."

Yohio thought back to the group of people with Piko that afternoon. Mikoto was there, but they're hardly new and they never really talk about their family outside of Hime. Though, there was one other person with the bunch that did look kind of familiar. He guessed that the small blond was probably the family in question.

"He said that he heard some big news from the princess herself and that was a bit worrying for us at home. We didn't want him getting mixed up in extra drama." Ok, now the familiarity was starting to make sense. Poor kid had to start his day by walking into hostile war council times.

Yohio reasoned that this wouldn't be the best time to bring that up. "Makes sense. With everything that's been going on, people have been pretty worked up. Maika and Flower have been incredibly stressed lately."

"The princess didn't look that stressed to me." Piko's tone didn't change much, but a little bitterness sneaked in.

"Well, it's not super easy to be told that you have to spend time with a creepy old guy for the fate of your kingdom."

"She still didn't need to drag me into it. Heck, she straight up smirked at me." The boy flushed a bit. "She knew exactly what she was doing there."

Yohio sighed. Flower, why do you do these things? "She probably didn't think her plan would get this far. As for dragging you in, Flower would've picked anyone in that area but the people we were offering just to mess with us. She doesn't get a lot of say around here, so when she gets a chance to do her own thing, she takes it to the fullest."

"Not much of an excuse."

Flower, seriously, why? "Can we make a deal here?" Yohio offered. Piko was already chosen for this thing, but he'd much rather have him do this out of his own free will. Piko looked over for Yohio to continue. "How about giving this a test run tonight and if you truly hate it, you can go and we'll pick someone else. I do think you'll change your mind about Flower, but she's someone you need to, well... get to know first." The boy didn't quite look convinced. "I'll pay you as well."

Piko was quiet, thinking over his options. "Fine." He caved.

Yohio smiled. "Thank you. You've just saved us a serious headache."

I know this was pretty short, but things are going to be picking up soon. I'm pretty hyped. Though, I'm splitting writing time with this and a school project because someone had the bright idea of giving the my class the same assignments as the AP History students. I'm not bitter or anything. Anyway, stay hydrated kids and eat your vegetables. 

-TheLavenderNarwhal