so starting from this chapter each chapter will be jean's pov and then y/n's so next is hers and then his and so on, okay bye

read the prologue first or else u gonna be confused as hell

-

Clearly, Jean wasn't gonna turn 18 over night but it sure did feel like it. It seemed like in a blink of an eye the four years flew by.

He had went to school and immediately made a bunch of friends who also wanted to join the royal guard.

From seeing one girl every single day, he saw a bunch of pretty girls now in the halls of his new high school.

Of course, they didn't compare to the first girl he ever laid eyes on but they were definitely pretty in their own way.

He created a whole new life. He studied hard, got good grades, trained, got stronger.

He didn't mind his new life. He had fun. He was popular and went to parties. Went on dates with pretty girls. Graduated top 10 of his class.

His new life was fun but he still yearned for more. No matter how content he was, he didn't lose sight of his actual goal.

Before he knew it, he was 18 and it was test day and he was awaiting his response on whether he passed or not.

He remembered the instant rush he got when they notified him that he passed. He ran all the way home and spun his mom around as he hugged her.

"I'm so proud of you, Jean Boy." She said in his arms. "You've grown up so fast."

She felt fragile in his arms and it made his heart ache. He didn't know if it was because he was stronger now or if she was getting older and weaker.

Then just a few moments later, she informed him that she was retiring because they didn't need a nanny for this princess anymore since you were now 16. Instead you were given a handmaiden closer to your age.

Jean felt sad that his mom was getting older but he was also relieved she was finally getting a break. She had worked non stop for 20 years taking care of kids who weren't even hers.

Not to mention how much a handful you were.

"I'm gonna make enough money for both of us. I'm gonna buy you a bigger house and you'll never have to work again. I'll get you a maid and a chef and anything else you want." He told her.

His mother looked up at the tall boy with dewy eyes. "You have always had such a kind heart. Don't ever change."

A couple weeks later, Jean began his first day as an official member of the royal guard. He was told to meet at the front gate at exactly 6am to begin orientation.

And at exactly 5:55am, he was standing outside the tall iron gates that kept the castle locked away.

He was excited. Excited to show his new personality, body and face to the boys he grew up with. The boys who always made him feel inferior because they had more stuff than him.

Kai was 18 now just like him making Ambrose 19 and Elijah 20. He tried to imagine how they looked now but for some reason, he had trouble even remembering how they looked the last time he saw them.

He was only 14 when he was ripped away from the castle and told he was never able to return until he was of age.

Once all the new members were there and roll call was taken, the day had begun. The whole tour, Jean kept his eyes out for any familiar faces.

So far, he recognized none except for some of the older guards who back then had just started. He recognized the lieutenant, Levi Ackerman, immediately.

He was short but that didn't mean he wasn't intimidating. He had jet black hair and pale skin. His face was always serious and cold.

Jean swore he had never, ever seen the man smile. Not once. He didn't even think he was capable of it.

Then there was the commander, Erwin Smith. He was a lot nicer than Ackerman but also someone everyone still feared and respected.

Besides that, he tried to keep an eye out for atleast one of the princes. He kept looking out on the lawn as if he'd spot them running around or tackling eachother but then he quickly realized how ridiculous that sounded.

They were no longer kids. They were adults now with adult responsibilities. Just like him.

Throughout the day, he doesn't see any of them. Not a single one of the princes. Especially not the princess and even less likely, the king and queen.

It was oddly quiet. He used to remember this place being so much more lively and fun. But again, he wasn't a child anymore and neither were the inhabitants who use to make all the noise.

Hours go by before he finally sees one of them. Elijah.

He looked much older now. Obviously. He had grown quite a few inches since he was 16 but Jean finally beat him in height.

He had always been a pretty quiet kid but once he was comfortable and got used to you, he warmed up. He smiled here and there and even cracked some jokes from time to time.

But the man in front of him right now looked like he didn't do either of those things anymore. He looked tired and overworked. The bags under his eyes made him look much older than 20 years old.

Jean realizes it's probably because they've begun training him to take over the position of king. He was next in line after all and nearing the age.

Elijah never really wanted to be king. That was more of Ambrose's thing. Elijah just knew it was his responsibility and accepted it.

Commander Smith stands beside Elijah who stands there awkwardly. "This is Prince Elijah. Soon to be King Elijah."

The introduction clearly made Eli uncomfortable and Jean can tell by the way he awkwardly smiles and shrinks into himself.

Back in the day, the boys would tease him and call him King Elijah and he would always beg them to stop. When they were really young, he'd even cry about it.

"Nice to meet you all." He waves. Jean smiles to himself. He was still as soft spoken as always.

Maybe not much has changed as he thought.

Connie Springer, a friend Jean made in school who also wanted to join the guard and who by Jean's surprise actually passed the test, leans closer to Jean. "He's pretty shy for a soon to be king." He whispers.

Jean laughs quietly. "Just wait til you meet the other one."

And almost like he heard his cue to enter, Ambrose strides in. He pauses when he sees everyone staring at him and then grins while bringing a hand to his chest. "A party? For me?"

Elijah turns back to the group. "Ignore him. He's not all there."

Ambrose smacks him hard on the back which causes Elijah to wince. "Ouch brother, I think I deserve a much more proper introduction than that."

Ambrose was much taller than Elijah now which was funny because since Elijah was always the oldest, he was always the tallest.

He also was more muscular than the quiet, thin boy. He still had the same sly, devious grin that was always permanently glued to his face.

Jean hated to admit it but he had gotten even more attractive. He was what the girls back home would call a "pretty boy." Definitely the prince charming type.

But other than that, Ambrose seemed to be the same old Ambrose. Cocky and tauntful.

Nothing changed at all. They just got taller and older.

Because Ambrose was not too far behind Elijah, just like the old days, Jean expected Kai to show up anytime soon just a few steps behind his older brothers but he never shows.

Commander Smith continues the tour and the group walks past the two boys. Jean debates on stopping to say hello but there's a pathetic part of him that fears they won't recognize who he is.

"Kirstein? Is that you?" Ambrose asks as he leans up against the wall with his arms crossed.

Jean stops walking and turns to the two. Ambrose bursts out laughing. "Oh! It really is you!" He immediately embraces him in a hug.

When their bodies meet, Jean quickly mentally measures himself up to him. He was taller than Ambrose now finally but Ambrose was still stronger. Jean hated that. He reminded himself to work out twice as hard now.

"Look at you. All grown up on us." He says holding on to Jean's shoulders. He turns to Elijah. "Look at him."

Elijah smiles. "I almost didn't recognize you. You weren't kidding about joining the Guard, huh?"

Jean smiles back. "I'm a man of my word after all. It's nice to see you guys again."

Ambrose grins. "Looks like you're our bitch now."

Jean flinches as the word catches him off guard. He forgot how vulgar the boy could be.

Because he was a prince, you wouldn't expect such a word to come out of his mouth but Jean knew better.

Ambrose was the type to act one way when adults were around and then act completely different when they weren't. He was sneaky like that and that's why he always got away with everything.

Jean feels his skin heat up and he tries to fight the urge to go off on him but Elijah beats him to it by hitting his brother in the gut with the book that rested in his hand. "You're an idiot."

Ambrose groans and rubs at his stomach. "I was just messing with him. He knows that, right Jean Boy?"

Jean cringes. He completely forgot they knew about his embarrassing nickname his mom gave him as a kid. His first instinct is to change the subject. "Where's Kai?"

Ambrose shrugs. "I don't know, probably somewhere with y/n like always."

Wait what? Y/n? Always? Since when?

"Y/n?" Jean asks, confused.

"Kirstein!" A voice calls. Jean turns and sees Lieutenant Levi standing there at the end of the walkway, the group standing behind him. All eyes were on him. "You done gossiping or would you like group to wait for you some more?" 

"Sorry Lieutenant." Jean apologizes. He begins to jog back to the group but before he does, Ambrose slips in a slick response. "Bitch boy." He whispers.

Jean flicks him off behind his back so none of the guards notice as he joins the group again. He tried his best not to let that comment get to him as much as he wanted to turn around and punch the narcissist.

The tour continues and Eren Jaeger, another friend- Well, honestly, Jean wouldn't necessarily call him a friend, they were more like rivals. Constantly competing against each other and arguing.

Eren leans over to Jean. "So you weren't lying when you said the princes actually do know you."

Jean shoots him an annoyed look. "Why would I lie about that?"

Eren shrugs and smiles smugly. "Just seemed like bullshit to me. Does that mean you know the princess too?"

Connie tunes into the conversation now too. "Oh! Do you? No one has ever seen her before."

Marco Bodt, another friend from school and honestly probably Jean's closest friend overhears. "I heard she's beautiful though." He smiles.

Jean rolls his eyes. "She's alright."

That was a lie. Jean knew you were indeed beautiful. Well, from what he can remember. You were 12 the last time he saw you and he was 14 so things were obviously different.

He had absolutely no idea how you looked like now.

How old is she now? 16?

"She's 16 anyway so it doesn't matter if she's pretty or not." Jean reminds them. "All of you are 18."

Eren scoffs. "We're not gonna hit on her. We'd probably get hung on the spot if we even tried to."

Connie laughs. "I don't think she'd even look in our direction anyway. She's a fucking princess."

Jean gets distracted when he hears the sound of a familiar laugh. The laugh was loud and hysterical. It made him feel like he was being transported back to his childhood.

Kai appears zooming past the group causing everyone to stop in their tracks abruptly. He was laughing his head off.

He was looking back like someone was chasing him and just a few seconds later, it's clear who it is.

There's a quick flash of something purple and it crashes straight into Marco.

Jean feels his heart stop for a moment. It almost feels like his whole body stops functioning along with it.

And it's not just him. The entire group is paralyzed.

The girl falls on her ass and rubs at her head. "Ow."

Jean had a feeling he knew who it was. Who else would be running around the castle in a silky, purple gown?

But again, the last time he saw you were just a child. Twelve years old. So maybe it's not you.

The girl sitting on the ground was taller. She sounded different. Facial features were different. Body was different.

What really gave it away was the crown.

When the girl made impact with the ground, the crown that rested on the top of her head dropped forward and shaded her eyes so Jean really couldn't make sure it was you.

"I'm so sorry!" Marco panics. He lends out a hand for the girl to take. She lifts up the crown from her eyes and slides it back onto her head.

It is her.

No matter how much of you changed, those eyes stayed the same. Those eyes were the kind of eyes you don't forget. No matter how long it's been.

And you were even more beautiful than the last time he saw you. It was like each year you just got prettier and prettier.

You stare up at Marco and smile, your eyes twinkling. You take his hand and he helps you get back up on your feet.

"I'm so sorry, Princess." Marco says, bowing before you while still holding onto your hand.

You giggle. "Don't apologize. It was my fault, I wasn't watching where I was going."

Jean felt a weird sensation in his stomach. That was the first time he ever saw you smile. In all his years of knowing you, he had never seen you smile.

Only once.

The day you magically healed a bird in front of him four years ago.

You looked much happier now. Livelier. More free. Smiling looked good on you.

Kai returns and clutches his aching rib cage as he tries to stop his uncontrollable laughter. "Oh man, I wish you could've seen your face when you fell. That was priceless."

"Shut up idiot." You hiss under your breath.

Still has the same bad mouth too it seems.

Kai laughs once more but then frowns when he sees Marco still holding your hand. "Why are you touching my sister?"

Marco quickly releases your hand and bows again before the prince. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I was just apologizing to her for making her fall."

"Y/n!" A voice calls a few feet away. A dark haired girl with clear, porcelain skin jogs over to the princess out of breath. "Please stop running."

She was a beautiful girl. She was young but looked older than you like she was probably Jean and Kai's age. It didn't take long for Jean to realize this was probably the handmaiden that replaced his mom.

Commander Smith clears his throat. "Everyone. Prince Malakai and Princess y/n."

Everyone bows before the two and they just awkwardly stand there and exchange smiles with eachother as they try not to laugh.

The commander then gestures to the raven haired girl beside the princess fixing her fallen crown. "This is Lady Mikasa, the princess's handmaiden. If you even need to speak to the princess, you are to first direct it to Mikasa, not to the princess directly. This rule is nonnegotiable. Understood?"

Still as guarded and protected as always.

Everything really did seem the same. Except for the part where you were spending time with Kai who was usually always attached to his brothers.

Jean began to wonder if maybe something happened between the boys to sever their inseparable bond.

All the guards nod in agreement and continue with the rest of the tour. Jean fought the urge to stop and greet Kai considering how much he missed his childhood bestfriend but when he looks over at him, he's already walking away with the princess and her handmaiden beside him.

Maybe next time.

"I thought you said she knew you. She didn't even look in your direction." Connie elbows Jean calling his attention back to the him.

Eren snorts. "She definitely knows Marco though."

Marco responds by turning bright red. "It was accident."

Jean ignores them. He pays attention to all the halls they pass and all the rooms they enter. Everything looked the same, yet so different.

The walls were the same color but the curtains changed from a champagne color to a dark red. He wasn't sure if it was all in his head but he remembered the place used to be much more colorful and brighter. Now it was nothing but dark tones and shades everywhere.

They pass by the infamous wall that had a massive ten foot tall portrait of the royal family. It was clearly different from the one Jean last saw years ago.

The one he remembers was the queen sitting in a throne while the king stood proudly beside her. The two older boys stood beside their mother while Kai sat on the ground toward the front. The princess sat on the queen's lap.

Now that they were all grown up, the photo was retaken to be more accurately present.

This time the king and queen were seated with their children standing. The princess and Kai stand beside their father while Elijah stands behind his seated parents and Ambrose stands beside his mother.

It was so weird to see them all grown up. Including the king and queen who were visibly aging.

Finally, at the end of the tour, Commander Smith leads the group into a large room that Jean recognized very well.

They all enter into the stunning, colossal ballroom. Toward the back on a platform, rested two red velvet thrones with luxurious golden lining.

And in those thrones sat the king and queen themselves.

Jean didn't see them much as a kid. Only here and there and it was mostly only the queen as the king was always busy doing something.

He wondered if they'd even recognize him.

One by one, each of the knights were to step forward and introduce themselves.

They did it in alphabetical order based on surnames. Since he was Kirstein, he was in the middle. Not memorable at all.

One of the first ones to present himself was Marco. Marco was tall but not as tall as Jean and had dark hair and freckles that coated his face. He also had big warm, brown eyes. "Sir Marco Bodt. Rank 7. It's an honor." He bows.

A couple more of them introduce themselves and Jean can feel his heart beat faster and faster the further they went down the line.

Right before Jean was Eren. "Sir Eren Jaeger. Rank 5. I'm your man for anything." He bows.

Jean rolls his eyes. From the way he put so much emphasis on his rank to adding that last part, Eren definitely irritated Jean.

In school, the two were always trying to one up eachother.

Eren had dark brown hair that was always pulled up in a bun due to its long length and his eyes were a radiant jade color whereas Jean had more of an ash brown color that was long but not as quite as long as Eren's and a lighter hazel color for his irises.

Although they looked nothing similar, they had similar personalities.

Both competitive and determined. Both loud and temperamental so it made sense that they bumped heads so much.

Jean steps forward. "Sir Jean Kirstein. Rank 6." He internally gritted his teeth when he had to admit he was a rank lower than Eren. "It's a honor as always."

After Jean stands back up straight after his bow, he notices the queen and king both smile at him with wide, thrilled eyes.

They remembered.

Eren smacks his lips quietly. Jean smirks at the bitter boy beside him.

After the introductions are done, it's now king and queen's turn.

Smith gestures toward her. "Queen Solana of the Kingdom of Elida."

The queen stands up from her throne and bows her head. "It's a pleasure to meet all of you."

She remains standing as Smith now gestures to the king who stands now as well. Jean forgot how tall the man was since he was always seated. "King Hendrix of the Kingdom of Eldia."

The king nods. "We have a lot of promising faces, I see." His eyes meet Jean's. "I expect great things from you."

Jean could feel heat radiate from Eren's body and he couldn't hide his smile anymore.

Smith dismisses the group once the introductions are done and they all begin to walk over to the doors to go on to the next step.

"Excuse me." The queen calls as she stands up from her throne.

The group stops and turns to her. "Yes, your highness?" Smith answers.

She smiles and holds out her hand in the direction of where Jean stands. "May I have a word with Sir Kirstein?"

The entire group turns to Jean and he can feel his face start to sting with humiliation. "Of course. Kirstein, join the queen. The rest of you, follow me." Smith announces.

Eren glares at Jean and Connie shoots a ouuu, you're in trouble look at Jean who shakes his head at him in response.

Once they exit out the ballroom and the massive doors close behind them, the queen begins to approach Jean.

"Jean Boy." She smiles and embraces him in a hug. Jean stands frozen for a moment, not really knowing what to do.

She pulls away from him and keeps her delicate hands on his shoulders. "My, you've grown so much. Your mother must be so proud of you. How is she? The kids miss her."

Jean smiles. "She's good, enjoying her retirement."

"Wonderful!" She beams. She looks the tall boy up and down. "I can not believe how much taller you've gotten! I think you passed up Ambrose and that boy is tall enough as it is. Have you seen him?"

"Yes, I actually bumped into both he and Elijah." Jean confirms.

The king steps down the steps and joins the two. "And Malakai? The two of you used to very close. What are you, 18 now? Just like him?"

"I saw him and the princess but in brief passing. We didn't get to speak." Jean says. His eyes can't help but to stare at the brilliant, shining jewels that were attached to the king's golden crown.

"Oh, well we can't have that. He would be so delighted to see you!" The queen pouts. She turns to the one of the two guards that stand by the door. "Bring Prince Malakai here, please. Tell him it's urgent or else he won't come."

Jean began to wave his hands in front of him. "Oh no, that's fine! He's busy, I'm sure."

The queen glances at Jean. "Please, he does nothing but sleep all day and get into trouble with his sister."

"You remember y/n, don't you?" The king asks. It may be a simple question but there was a certain underlying, hidden tone lingering behind it.

"Of course." Jean answers cautiously.

The king smiles and places a heavy hand on Jean's shoulder causing him to lose his balance for a second. "Good. You remember everything else about her too, right?"

Jean felt himself begin to build a sweat. He knew this was coming. He was stupid to think they had forgotten he knew their big secret. The thing they try so hard to hide and keep locked away.

"I won't tell a soul. I haven't told anyone since." Jean reassures.

King Hendrix gives his shoulder a tight squeeze that if Jean hadn't killed himself this past summer working out like crazy, would've honestly probably hurt. "Oh, we know you won't."

The doors open interrupting the conversation and in comes in Kai with a large dog bouncing along side him. "You called for me?" He asks.

"Kai, look who joined the Guard!" Queen Solana chimes.

Kai frowns as he steps closer and then his eyes jolt open. "Holy shit!"

"MALAKAI!" Queen Solana booms. "Language!"

The boy immediately embraces Jean in a hug. "Where have you been?! Thought you fell off the face of the earth or something."

Does he not know why?

Jean hugs the prince back and smiles. "It's nice to see you again."

"Why don't you two go for a walk and catch up?" The queen suggests.

Jean hesitates for a moment. He didn't know how long he could stay away from the group or what he'd be missing out on.

Almost like the queen reads his mind, she says, "Don't worry, you won't miss much for orientation, you know this castle better than the commander probably does." She laughs.

Jean still debates on what he should do. He did want to catch up with Kai but he was also nervous too. He wasn't sure why.

"Don't worry. I don't bite." Kai grins. "Not anymore."

Jean laughs a little when he remembers when they were children and would wrestle eachother.

Jean was always stronger than Kai so he would always manage to pin the prince down and of course, Kai didn't wanna lose so he would bite him so hard that Jean would give in.

"Fine." Jean breathes. "Let's go."

Kai starts to head toward the door, his dog, or what Jean is assuming is his dog, bounces along beside him. "Don't call for me unless you actually need me and if you do, call the other two instead." He waves to his parents.

Jean bows before jogging over to Kai. "I can't believe you talk to them like that." He says under his breath when he finally is at his side.

Kai laughs. "What are they gonna do? Ground me? Not like I can go anywhere anyway."

That's true. Jean always figured that now that they were all older, their parents would grant them more freedom but it didn't take long for him to realize that wasn't the case whatsoever.

The two walk in silence for a moment as they trail through the hall that spills out the ballroom and leads you to the rest of the castle.

Jean didn't know whether to say something first or wait for Kai to speak. He waited for this moment for four years and now that it was finally here, it was like he completely forgot all he wanted to say.

It made him sad how he and the person beside him were always attached to the hip and now it was like he was looking at a complete stranger who just happened to have the same name as his old friend.

"How's your mom?" Kai asks, finally breaking the ice. Jean smiles. "She's good. She tries to keep herself busy. She misses you guys a lot."

Kai turns his head toward Jean and returns the smile. "We miss her too."

His eyes return to his feet, his hands hidden within his pockets. "How's everything out there?"

Jean shrugs. "It's pretty good."

Kai looks up and frowns. "Come on, I haven't seen you in years! I need details. I want to know about your life, school.." He elbows the boy beside him. "Girls."

Jean laughs. "Okay. Well, where do I start? I graduated 6th in my class. I worked my ass off, took my test, passed and now I'm here."

Kai deadpans over to him. "That's it? Just school and hard work? No partying? No girls?"

The prince sighs and walks over to a large open window and sits on the sill, his back against the wall and one leg bent. "I was jealous you got to leave and have a normal life but turns out you had less fun than I did."

Jean joins the boy by taking a seat on the window as well. "I obviously did go to parties and meet girls. I just don't wanna rub it in your face." He replies slyly.

Kai rolls his eyes. "Yeah, okay. Tell me then, do you have a girlfriend?"

Jean shifts in his seat. "No." He points a finger at Kai. "That's not saying I don't get girls! I do. I just don't make them my girlfriend."

Kai snorts. "Oh, so you're one of those guys."

Jean frowns. "What kind of guys?"

"An Ambrose." Kai clarifies. "He's supposed to choose a princess to marry by now but he hasn't because he," He makes air quotes with his fingers. "Wants to keep his options open."

Of course. Jean didn't expect anything less from Ambrose.

"He flirts with the princesses we invite to balls and stuff but he never actually chooses one. It's a new one everytime too." Kai says annoyed.

Jean shakes his head. "I'm not surprised at all. Wait, aren't you supposed to pick a lucky girl to marry too?"

Kai groans. "Yeah. I mean, there is this one girl."

Jean grins and sits up straighter. "Go on."

Kai smiles a bashful smile. "Well she's a princess."

"No shit." Jean adds.

"Last month for my birthday, my parents threw a ball and invited a whole bunch of princesses and princes and stuff. I met this girl and she was, well, she was really pretty." Kai explains.

"And?" Jean asks, unable to hide his intrigue.

Kai frowns. "That's it."

"That's it?!" Jean shouts. "You didn't talk to her or anything?!"

"I didn't know what to say!" Kai yells back.

Jean throws his hands in the air. "You're a prince! You don't have to even say anything at all!"

Kai shakes his head and sets his elbow down on his raised knee so that his hand holds up his chin. He gazes out the window. "It's not that simple."

Jean follows his eye line and looks out the window as well. It was a beautiful day outside. It was the middle of November so the weather was cool and refreshing.

The leaves on the trees were golden browns and orange hues. The sky was a soft hazy blue color.

Off in the distance, he sees some horses wandering freely and beside those horses, he sees the same lilac colored dress from earlier.

"Speaking of princesses." Jean says his eyes still glued to the girl feeding the horses apples out of a bucket full of them. "Since when do you hang out with y/n so much?"

Kai looks at you feeding the horses and smiles. He sighs before he begins.

"Well, Elijah is always busy doing next-in-line crap and Ambrose..." He trails off. "Ambrose got more annoying which I didn't even think was humanely possible. So I basically just ended up distancing myself from them and she was just... there."

Jean laughs. "Yeah, Ambrose definitely seems like he's gotten way worse."

Kai groans. "You have no idea. I'm so glad he's not first in line for the throne because this kingdom would be doomed."

Jean sighs and leans back against the wall. "Yeah Elijah is the best choice for it. No offense."

Kai laughs. "None taken, trust me. The last thing I want is to be king so I agree, Elijah is definitely the better option."

He stays silent for a moment as he gazes out the window. "Although, it doesn't seem like he wants it. More like he knows he has to."

Jean stares out the window too. The yard was still vast and wide but as a child, it seemed endless. "I don't think he ever wanted it."

Kai sighs and hops off the window sill. "Well. He doesn't have much of a choice. Not like he can turn it down anyway."

Jean hops down too. "And if he did? Ambrose would be up next, right?"

Kai pauses. "Yeah. He wants it too but everyone knows he wouldn't be a good fit so that's why everyone relies on Elijah so much."

"What about you?" Jean asks. Kai stretches and a weird, exaggerated noise escapes him when he does. "I'm not a good fit either. I don't want the responsibility."

The two start walking and it's quiet for a bit, the sound of their shoes clicking against the polished floors. "But.." Kai pauses.

Jean stops and stares at him. "Yeah?"

Kai hesitates and then looks around like he's scared someone might overhear. "Y/n would be amazing at it. People naturally are drawn to her and love her."

The two continue walking. Jean frowns and turns to the boy beside him. "Really? I don't see that. Like at all."

Kai laughs. "You missed alot. She's changed quite a bit. She's not that annoying kid who followed us around anymore. She's still annoying but not as much. She gets better throughout the years, I guess."

Jean opens up one of the doors for Kai which felt unnatural at first considering he's never done it before but he knows it's his job now. "It's like she looks different but she doesn't at the same time."

"She hasn't lost her baby face yet." Kai clarifies. He shoots Jean a smirk before passing through the open door. "You know, I always thought you liked her when we were little."

Jean could physically feel his blood pressure shoot up. "What? Gross."

Kai rolls his eyes. "If she's so gross, why would you stare at her so much?"

"I wouldn't!" Jean grows defensive. He immediately tries to hide it when he realizes how guilty he sounds. He clears his throat and tries again. "I wouldn't."

"Right." Kai says heading up the steps toward his room. He stops right before he opens the door, his hand resting on the handle.

He looks at Jean right in the eye. "I'm only bringing it up because if you stare at her now and she catches you, she might try to mess with your head."

"Mess with my head?" Jean asks.

Kai sighs. "Yeah like flirt with you or purposely try to make you nervous. She's a teenage girl trapped in a castle consumed by boredom and surrounded by men older than her. She was bound to find entertainment somehow. You saw how she got when that one guy held her hand?"

"So she's gonna try to flirt with me for entertainment?" Jean questions.

Kai lets out a loud laugh. Another thing that hasn't changed. When Kai laughed, it was the kind of laugh that echoed loudly everytime. "Well, maybe not with you."

Jean frowns with confusion. "What do you mean?"

Kai opens up the door and slips into his room. "She hates you."

"Wait, what?" Jean asks, caught off guard.

And just like that, the door closes and Jean is left standing there in the now empty hallway.

-
Three years had passed since then. Three years Jean had spent in the royal guard, patrolling the castle day in and day out.

He liked the job. It paid well and even though it was a lot of work sometimes, it wasn't too difficult. The friends he made in high school that joined him here made the time go by fast.

He had passed the awkward stage of seeing his childhood friends again. In fact, he and Kai had grown close again. Well, as close as a knight and a prince could be.

Since Kai was the youngest of the 3, he didn't have as much responsibilities. When he wasn't sleeping in his room, which he usually always was, he was making conversation with the staff or guards.

Kai was the kind of person you couldn't help but to like. He got along with everyone. He could walk up to a random person and just spark a conversation about absolutely anything.

If he wasn't doing that, he spent most of his time doing his activities and classes. He had his regular class where he studied and then he had his fencing classes and horse riding lessons. Same as his other siblings.

He was also usually seen with the princess in his other spare time. The more years that passed by, it seemed to strengthen their bond. Considering they were both the youngest, it didn't really surprise Jean.

As for the princess herself, Jean didn't speak to you much. Mainly because he tried his hardest to avoid you ever since what Kai told him.

It was true what Kai had told him three years ago on his first day.

The princess was very, very bored.

Jean caught you flirting with a lot of the guards often. They would always be way too terrified to flirt back which he could tell made it even more amusing for you.

He found it sadistic. The way you smiled and giggled as they visibly grew nervous around you.

Another thing Kai was right about was that you really did hate him. He didn't know why. He didn't recall ever doing shit to you.

Except when he caught you that one time.

Was it that? Or was it something that happened after? Did you get in trouble for it? Did you hold a grudge toward him just like he did toward you for all these years?

He wanted to ask at some point but at the same time, he didn't really care. He just stayed out of your way and you stayed out of his.

It was peaceful that way anyway.

Jean was standing by the castle's wall doing his usual patrolling shift with Connie when Lieutenant Ackerman approached the two.

"Kirstein. The king and queen need to speak to you." He announces.

Connie snorts. "What did you do now?"

Jean rolls his eyes. "Shut up." He quickly hops off his platform and follows Ackerman into the castle.

"Did they say what it was about?" Jean asks as they inch closer to the ballroom. Ackerman says nothing.

Jean felt nervous for a moment. The lieutenant's silence was overwhelming. He didn't recall doing anything bad. He had been painfully well behaved these past three years.

He walks into the ballroom and the doors close right behind him. That didn't help with his anxiousness either.

"Good morning." Queen Solana gleams. She was standing by a table that held up a gorgeous bouquet of flowers. Her fingers twiddled with the assorted flowers as she arranged the stems properly.

Jean bows before her and the king who was seated in his throne nearby. "Good morning, your highness."

She claps her hands together and smiles brightly. "So. As you know, the princess turns 19 next week."

Jean had completely forgotten. The two of you weren't necessarily fond of each other enough for him to mark it down on his calendar. "Right."

"As you may recall, last year for her 18th birthday, we had a birthday parade for her where we walked around the villages." She recalls.

He does remember. It was the your special request for your birthday. You said you didn't want anything else but to finally leave the castle walls for once in your life.

You had, of course, wanted to take a trip or visit another kingdom but a parade around the villages here was the best compromise they could give you.

You had complained for a moment but took the offer anyway. Jean watched your eyes light up the first time you set foot out the castle's gates. It was like watching a kid in a candy store.

"Are you planning to do it again for her this year?" He asks.

The queen nods. "Yes. She wants to. We originally weren't going to let her because it seems the older she gets, the more rebellious she becomes so we feared she'd do something reckless but alas, we gave in because we knew we wouldn't hear the end of it."

Spoiled brat.

"Forgive me for asking but where do I come in in all this?" He asks cautiously.

She takes a deep breath. "Well, like I said she has become more rebellious. So, I'm asking you to stand by her during the parade just to keep her in line and a close eye."

Great.

"I'd ask Lady Mikasa but the poor girl already deals with her all day, everyday. She deserves a break." She adds.

It's almost like the queen can read Jean's discontent. "We will up your pay graciously."

Now we're talking.

As much as he didn't want to, it was only for a day. Just your birthday and that's it. How bad can it be?

"Okay. I'll do it." He says.

The queen squeals. "Thank you, thank you!" She returns back to her bouquet and her excited demeanor drifts away into a more serious tone.

"If you're satisfied with a raise of just a couple dollars, you are free to go." She says, her eyes focused on the petals underneath her fingertips.

Jean felt his ears twitch. Was she insinuating there was more she had to offer him?

"Am I missing something?" Jean asks, confused but intrigued.

She shrugs. "Oh, I'm sure you're not up for it. Nevermind."

He knew she was using reverse psychology on him and normally he'd have too much pride to let her believe she could twist his mind but he couldn't hide his curiousness.

"I might be." He suggests.

She turns to him and looks him in the eyes. "Depending on how you perform with her on her birthday, we will consider making you her permanent bodyguard."

Wait...what?

"I'm not sure I'm understanding. You're assigning someone to be her personal bodyguard to keep an even closer eye on her?" He asks.

The queen nods. "Mikasa is a tremendous help and has a background of combat training so she's fully capable of protecting y/n herself but like I said, she deserves a break."

"If you don't mind me asking, why me? I mean out of all the guards you could've chose from?" He asks.

The queen looks back at the king who of course, has the same expressionless face. She turns back to Jean with a warm smile that seemed forced.

She steps a bit closer to him and he can feel himself tense up a little. "I figured she'd be more comfortable with you than with any of the other men because she's known you since she was a child and your mother raised her up."

Jean winces when he recalls all the arguments the two of you have gotten in since he started working here. "I don't think that's the case."

She grabs his hand and holds on to it as she looks up at him with pleading eyes. "Please Jean, we wouldn't be asking if we weren't desperate."

Jean could feel her hands tremble as they grasped his. Her eyes were full of worry and fear. "Why? Did
something happen?"

She looks back at the king as if asking him for approval. She then turns her face back and looks down at the floor. Her grip on his hand tightens like she's struggling to not cry.

"I'm not sure how but we have reason to believe people know about y/n's gift and plan to kidnap her and use it for their own selfish gain. We've received threats." She says quietly.

Jean freezes for a moment. How was it possible for people to find out about it when it was a secret so well kept? Was there someone on the inside giving information away?

Was someone in this castle a spy?

Yes, it was true Jean had a different bond with you then the other guards due to growing up together and his mother raising you up but there was another reason.

He already knew about your gift. They didn't want to assign someone else and have to tell yet another person the big secret.

"Why don't you just cancel her birthday parade?" Jean asks.

Queen Solana laughs softly. "Please, she'd go crazy and retaliate somehow. You know how she is."

She turns her head to one of the open windows and gazes outside. "And in all honesty, she shouldn't have to suffer because of it. Her birthday is the only time of year she leaves this castle."

She twiddles with her fingers and her eyes look past the extensive, tall walls that surround the castle. It seemed like you could see everything from up here.

"I hate having her locked in here, don't think I enjoy it. If it were up to me, she'd be as free as her little wanderlust heart yearns to be but..." She continues. "It's for her own safety."

Jean had finally begun to see thing from their point of view. He only ever saw it from an outsider's perspective. He always thought it was inhumane and cruel to keep a young girl who loved adventure trapped in a room for her entire life. Her childhood stripped away from her without any say.

But now that he was older, he understood why they did it. Now that Jean got out into the real world, he had first hand experience on how evil and selfish people could be.

Someone with a pure heart and good intentions, like him many years ago when he first found out about her gift, would think of her as something incredible that can heal the world and change everything.

But there was people who had other motives. People who would create armies and empires and use someone with that kind of gift for their own selfish gain.

It made sense, scary enough. He could see them creating unstoppable armies that could go to war and not have to worry about losing soldiers because they had a literal healing machine on their side.

A kingdom that could never lose. A king who could not be hurt or sick. It was diabolical.

It worried Jean because if he, someone with a decent heart, thought of a plan like that... He couldn't even begin to imagine what others with a darker soul could conjure up if they knew of your abilities.

"I'm not sure if you'll understand but one day when you're older, you will."

His mom was right. He was too young to get it back then. Too naive.

"I understand." He admits. He really did now.

The queen lets out a shaky breath. "Thank you, Jean. So what do you say? Are you up for it? Like I said, we will be happy to raise your pay. I know dealing with the y/n is... not the easiest. Trust me, we've raised Lady Mikasa's pay several times."

He didn't want to. He really, really didn't want to. But if it meant he was gonna get paid more...

Plus, he would be able to rub it in everyone's faces he got a promotion. He could just see the look on Eren's face now.

"Okay. I'll do it." He states.

Queen Solana claps her hands together. "Perfect! Okay, that parts over."

She sighs and takes a deep breath. "Now comes the hard part."

She turns to one of the guards standing by the doors. "Call for the princess to join us, will you please?"

The guard nods and leaves to go retrieve the princess.

Jean realizes the king has not said a single word this entire time and he wonders if he was even in favor of this idea.

His daughter getting followed around by a man just two years older than her couldn't possibly sit well with him no matter how much he trusted Jean.

If he even did at all.

He had nothing to worry about though. Jean wasn't that stupid to try anything with you. Plus, the two of you pretty much just acted like the other didn't exist.

When you did talk to eachother, it was tauntful words dripping with venom and sarcasm.

At the beginning, you would try to toy with him like you do with all the other guards but it didn't work on him.

He wouldn't get nervous or bashful like they would whenever you would flirt with them or "accidentally" touch them or ask them for help with things you didn't even need help with.

That annoyed you. You found entertainment in these kind of things so the fact that you couldn't get amusement from Jean rendered him useless in your eyes.

He wasn't sure if it was because he's known you since you were children that he wasn't dumb enough to fall for your tricks or if he just didn't see you in that way.

Not anymore at least.

Suddenly, Jean hears the sound of a slapping noise against the polished floors and sees a figure drenched in mud rush in.

He was completely appalled. You stood there, covered in mud from head to toe. The color of your dress was barely recognizable.

Your face was also smeared with the brown substance.

This is the princess of the kingdom? We're doomed.

You place your hands on your knees and try to catch your breath. "Yes mother?"

Mikasa runs a few steps behind, equally out of breath. Her dress was clean in comparison besides the brown ring that circled her at the bottom which Jean knew it was from picking you up from the mud.

She looked embarrassed like she was ashamed she allowed the princess to get that filthy.

Jean felt sorry for the girl. Everytime he saw her, she was always chasing after you or making sure you wouldn't do anything dumb.

It seemed stressful. And that was soon to be his job too now.

"What on earth happened to you?!" The queen panics. You use your forearm to wipe mud from your forehead that was sliding down to your eyes. "I was racing with Ambrose and Kai and fell off my horse."

She sighs and gently shakes her head at the ground. "Mikasa, please start up a bath for her."

Mikasa bows. "Yes, your highness."

The queen's hand swiftly gestures over to where Jean stands. "Y/n, you know Sir Kirstein, right?"

You turn to look at the guard standing off to the side and stare blankly at him. Your eyes return back to your mother. "Sure."

Queen Solana braces herself. "We have assigned him to watch over you starting today."

Your eyes widen. "WHAT?! You're joking, right?"

The king glares at you and your mom shushes you. "Lower your voice." She commands through gritted teeth. "And no, I am not joking."

You spread your arms out. "That isn't fair! I don't need anyone to watch over me. I already have Mikasa for that. Now I have to have even more people constantly hovering over me? You people are going to suffocate me one of these days!"

The queen's delicate fingers pinch the bridge of her nose and she takes in a deep breath. "It's for your own protection."

"Protection? Protection from what exactly? I never even leave this place! I don't understand why I-" You begin.

The king stands abruptly from his throne. "Y/N. ENOUGH." He booms.

The entire room grows silent, including you.

He steps down the steps but still towers over you, strong and stern. You looked a million times smaller now cowering in his shadow. "You have no say in the matter. This is for your own good whether you understand it or not. One day when you're mature, you'll understand."

"I am mature." You debate.

His continues to stare down at you, eyes cold. "Then behave like it. Or else say goodbye to your birthday parade."

Jean could literally feel the tension in the room. He was never particularly scared or intimidated by anyone. But the king was definitely an exception. Aside him being the literal king of the kingdom, he was someone who naturally made people feel inferior.

You scoff and turn on your heel, stomping out the room, muddy footprints trailing behind you. Jean bows before the king and queen before following you out.

It's quiet for a moment, just the sound of his footsteps just a couple feet behind yours. He wasn't sure where you were even going but all he knew is that he always had to be close by.

He knew you weren't gonna be a fan of this. Hell, he wasn't too keen on the idea either but he had no choice. Plus, he was going to get paid more and he tried his hardest to keep reminding himself of that.

He's busy trying to not step in your muddy tracks when you suddenly stop completely and spin around to face him. You cross your arms and stare right in his eyes. "Why did they assign you to watch me?"

"I don't know." He quickly lies.

Your eyes narrow as you try to read through him. "You're lying. Something happened. Didn't it? Why does no one ever tell me anything? Especially when it involves me."

He could feel his heart beat a bit faster. Jean liked to think he was a good liar but he wasn't actually sure if he was. He was good with putting words together and making them sound convincing, let's just put it at that.

Although one person who always, always knew when he was lying was his mom. Never failed.

"No. I'm telling you I don't know anything. They just assigned me to you and I didn't question it." He stalls.

You don't falter. "Then why don't my brothers have personal bodyguards? Why only me?" You ask.

Man, she's annoying.

He sighs. "Look. I'm just doing my job, alright?"

You look at him up and down. A harsh scoff slips past your lips. "You're useless."

You begin to walk away but he instinctively grabs your arm. "Hey. You can talk recklessly like that to everyone else but not to me." He warns.

You laugh and step closer to him. "Yeah? Or what? There's nothing you can do about it. I'm the princess, you're just a knight." You poke a filthy finger at his chest, staining his uniform slightly. "You obey me, not the other way around."

He pauses. You were right. Embarrassingly and painfully so. There was nothing he could do about it. If he tried, he'd probably end up getting hanged or imprisoned for life.

You rip your arm free. "Know your place." You say once more before you continue to walk away. He doesn't follow you this time. He just stands at a distance while he watches you slam your bedroom shut behind you.

Jean began to wonder if this raise was really going to be worth it.

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