[center][h2][color=#EEDC5B]The Second Prince[/color] & [color=#85aabd]The Watchdog[/color][/h2][/center] [center][sup]Interactions: [@Inertia] & [@Mantou][/sup][/center][center][sup]Mentions: Anastasia [@princess], Callum [@Helo][/sup][/center] [hr][hr] [indent]Standing against the great mahogany door to the second prince’s study was a darkened figure and his raised hand. Wystan stood there, tall and upright. But in spite of his practiced bearings, one could easily tell from the dark circles underlining his dimmed eyes that he too was just another fellow who lacked the opportunity to sleep as a result of the night before. Even this stance needed some effort to maintain as he previously made his way about the castle, but it was nothing he could not handle as the prince’s sworn retainer. With this mindset, this also gave him no reason to slack off on his attire for the day, for his own imagery as the watchdog would serve to represent the second prince’s. The guard was armed simply with concealed daggers tucked neatly into his black vest and a pair of anelaces secured to his thigh holsters this morning. Resting heavily on his hip was an excellently crafted sword, one he would regrettably have to bring up to Auguste sooner or later. And thus, the time was now. Three knocks sounded from the watchdog, with a particular rhythm only his prince would recognize instantly. [color=#EEDC5B]“Come in.”[/color] Wystan greeted Prince Auguste with a deep bow and his hand on his heart. As he faced the ground, he couldn’t help but inwardly grimace after witnessing the poor sight of the prince. Even though he smiled at him, it was not hard to tell that Auguste had worked himself to the bone and through it after the events that occurred last night. Auguste motioned Wystan to an open seat. [color=#EEDC5B]”Although I have received a preliminary report… [b]What the hell happened last night, Wystan?[/b]”[/color] [color=85aabd]”...”[/color] The bodyguard’s eyes dimmed, narrowing in the process. He recalled the events of the night prior and wanted to savor none of it. A quiet, restrained sigh left him as he lined a steady gaze at the prince to professionally deliver his report. [color=85aabd]”...The evening after the grand ball.”[/color] Wystan began. [color=85aabd]”Clive and I set out on horseback to seek out the storage house under suspect. On our way there, we were ambushed by a man. I sent Clive to ride ahead of me and report back to you should the situation seem dire once he reached the storehouse. And I stayed behind to deal with the perpretrator. It was fortunate he did not seem interested in pursuing our trail.”[/color] The bodyguard’s eyes trailed off to the side for but a moment before resting his hand on the sheathed sword by his waist. [color=85aabd]”We fought. In the midst of it, I discovered we had… history.”[/color] [color=#EEDC5B]“... History?”[/color] Auguste chimed in, [color=#EEDC5B]“A person from your past… my, that is a rarity.”[/color] The prince bore a complicated expression, seeming to want to say something before stopping himself. [color=#EEDC5B]“Go on.”[/color] Wystan nodded in turn and slowly took a seat on the guest’s couch. He leaned forward into his tented hands, eyes still narrowed as he recalled what took place. [color=85aabd]”His name is Tsukigami. Tsukigami Katsuo.”[/color] The name itself brought a flood of memories. The bodyguard shook his head to rid himself of it in that moment and composed himself. [color=85aabd]”We were… friends. Back then. He thought I’d abandoned him.”[/color] Auguste allowed his ward the time to recall last night’s events. [color=#EEDC5B]“Go on when you’re able, Wystan.”[/color] [color=85aabd]”...”[/color] The bodyguard glanced at the floor, his eyes lingering there for just a moment in ponderance. Eventually, he lowers his head. [color=85aabd]”...My apologies, Your Royal Highness. Perhaps I have said too much in that regard - it hardly has any connection to what’s happened to your brother and sister along with the rest of the royals.”[/color] He spoke of the prince’s title when normally he would have casually said his name. The watchdog felt shame and guilt in his heart. [color=85aabd]”I will take responsibility for having arrived late. It was because of my own delay and lack of proper orders towards my subordinates that things had turned out to this extent.”[/color] The guard’s fists were balled up by then, lines having appeared on his face as a result of the sleepless night [color=#EEDC5B]“Accountability is a good trait, Wystan. Admirable even.”[/color] Auguste sighed, [color=#EEDC5B]“Too much, however, is like poison. It does little to elucidate the current situation.”[/color] [color=#EEDC5B]“Knowing you, you’ve tried your best given the situation.”[/color] The prince knew that, from years of having taken Wystan as a ward, he was not one for foolish actions. The situation seemed complex, seeing as his mother personally had to step accompanied by their elite band of knights. Auguste massaged the ridge of his nose. [color=#EEDC5B]“We will revisit the situation later. Do you have any individuals you deemed suspicious that night?”[/color] The watchdog took in all of Auguste’s kind words. It was this sort of faith that allowed him to power through on his most strenuous days, even if he himself didn’t realize it. At the mention of the last question, his eyes narrowed further into the night he tried to dig. [color=85aabd]”Too many.”[/color] Wystan huffed. [color=85aabd]”But there was one in particular that stood out more than the rest.”[/color] He recalled. [color=85aabd]”An observer. Tall and fully-suited. Masked and silent. Darkened getup as if to stay relatively concealed. At first glance, he would probably be rather inconspicuous.”[/color] [color=85aabd]”...If it weren't for the fact that I felt eyes boring holes into me when I held on to the princess to steady her. Returning the gaze provided me with a chance to scan his posture and body language - if it weren't for the gun he motioned to shoot me with, I would say his general demeanour was more like that of a watcher than anything else. Now, I cannot dismiss his suspicious presence even if evidently he hasn't caused any direct harm that I knew of. [/color] [color=#EEDC5B]“Then we are to make it our top priority to investigate these men.”[/color] Auguste said, [color=#EEDC5B]“Especially the one that possessed firearms. It is not a commonality within Caesonia and is alarming.[/color] A nod from the bodyguard as he committed it to memory. [color=#EEDC5B]“Suspend the investigation of corruption within top-level nobility until further notice..”[/color] Auguste continued grimly, [color=#EEDC5B]“Let us limit this information within our trusted circle and no more. It is paramount we avoid leaking information.”[/color] [color=85aabd]“Yes, your Royal Highness.”[/color] Wystan stood up to adjust his ties. [color=#EEDC5B]“I will inform Harper and Clive to halt the operation at once.”[/color] [color=#EEDC5B]“We must also keep a closer eye on Anastasia and Callum. Have some from our own knights accompany or trail them.”[/color] With that said, the heavy atmosphere began to dissipate. [color=#EEDC5B]“While I expect a full report of the incident…let us relax. We both are in dire need of a short break and rest.”[/color] Wystan turned to his prince, an inquisitive look marked upon his ever-stern eyes. It had been a while since they managed a break, after all. [color=#EEDC5B]“Accompany me to the duelling event, dear Wystan.”[/color] He said. [color=#EEDC5B]“I am sure Mother and Father are finished reprimanding the royals now.”[/color] Wystan’s eyes brightened at the thought of watching Auguste spar once again. It was always a magnificent sight to behold– and even as the Danrose’ royal combat instructor, he would oftentimes find himself learning new things from the second prince. [color=85aabd]“Yes, master.”[/color] The watchdog uncharacteristically blurted out. His own hand cupped over his mouth before he could even realize. [color=#EEDC5B]“Enough of that, you know how I don’t like to be called as such.”[/color] Auguste rose from his seat with a smile. [color=#EEDC5B]“Shall we?”[/color][/indent]