The Knight, The Strength

Kaiser watches Victor in awe, eyeing every task the man does.

Victor is a busy man, far more busy that Kaiser believed he is. Victor has early breakfast with his fiancé (which is the one time Victor beckons him off to meet him in his study, as for some reason, he doesn't want Kaiser and his fiancé to meet), after he spends hours in his study, flipping through documents until 12 o'clock, where if he doesn't have lunch with Brielle, Victor spends some tea time either cooped in his office or outside in the secluded gardener, where he skims through a thick book while sipping his pig bloodied lavender tea. 

Then Victor meets with other royals to discuss poloticals or polices until he's had enough and needs to escape. After, Victor joins a teacher to be updated on more policitcals, policies, and worldly news. A short break of tea, then Victor attends short dance classes, music classes, art classes, then he takes a break and continues on with his paper work until dinner, where he eats in comfortable silence, quickly finishes, does a few more hours of paperwork, and then finally, he heads to bed. 

It's been two days that Kaiser has observed said routine, and Kaiser's heart feels a bit stuffed, watching Victor with a emotionless face like he just goes through the motions of his day without any joy or interest.

"You're up fairly early, Knight Kaiser." It's Maria, his personal maid that offers him a new pile of fresh clothes. She's young and cute, with short brown hair, freckles like stars on her cheeks, and a short statue. She's probably the same age as him, as she seems so young and full of life, and Kaiser enjoys her often stopping by to chit chat and help him with mundane things. 

"I am, Maria." Kaiser said, smiling, missing the soft blush that stains Maria's cheeks. "As I said, you needn't bother with bathing me or other task. I know you are fairly busy, so please."

"N-not at all, Knight Kaiser!" Maria squeals, her chubby cheeks flushed deeper. "I quite enjoy serving you, as you are very kind."

"You needn't address me so, Maria." Kaiser said, smiling as he lifts the new pair of clothes in his hands, "But I enjoy your company too, Maria. Please go rest. I will be alright."

Maria nods, turning her head, but it's Kaiser who is the one who stops her.

"Maria?" Kaiser asked. Maria nods in response. "It wouldn't be trouble to use the kitchen for a bit, right? I needn't cause problems."

"It shouldn't be! Since it's pretty early, I don't think the other maids will have a problem with you using it. They'd not be in yet."

Kaiser smiles, nodding his head.

"Thank you, Maria." Kaiser said. Maria nods, making her way out of Kaiser's bedroom door, but now not without sneaking a peak as Kaiser lifts his knight shirt from over his head, stretching his muscled back before changing.

....

Victor sits in his office, pinching the bridge of his nose as he reads through another stupid request from an elder noble. There's too much to do, but most of what Victor has done as of late is indulge with selfish, insolent men who only desire wealth and power. As long as their toes aren't stepped on, these selfish fools don't care about anyone's life but their own. 

Victor flinches, feeling his pale neck grown a bit stiff from sitting at his desk for so long, and a odd, pinching feeling coming from his fingers. He's strangely gotten up early than usual, which means the maids are probably scurrying to fix him a plate of salty goodness, which makes Victor feel more sick than excited to eat.

"Where's Kaiser?" Victor asked Ron, who's pouring Victor another cup of red tea. 

"He's...coming from the kitchen." Ron said, his eyes avoiding Victor's.

Victor cocks a thin eyebrow high enough that it almost gets hidden in his dark bangs. Victor opens his mouth to comment, but a knock on his office door cuts his speech short.

"May I come in?" It's Kaiser's voice that beckons Victor to look at the closed door. 

"Yes." Victor said, clearing his stuffed throat.

Soon after, Kaiser comes in with a tray of food and a kind smile on his face, striding towards Victor's side and placing a few plates of actual food near Victor's elbow.

"You...made this?" Victor said, his red eyes slowly meeting with Kaiser's. "All of this? For me?"

Of course, My Master." Kaiser said, smiling at Victor. "I apologize it took so long. Some recipes take a bit of patience, but I wanted you to try as many dishes as possible to know what you like. You…work very hard, and I would like to make sure you at least eat enjoyable foods to get you through the day, My Master."

Victor looks to the dishes in front of him, decorated and placed on each plate like a trained chief. Victor has no idea what any of the dishes in front of him are, but his stomach rumbles, eyeing the handsome dishes that sit before his eyes, patiently waiting for him to devour them.

Victor looks between the dishes and Kaiser, eyeing Kaiser's smiling face as he fiddles with his hands, and when Victor finally notices Kaiser's cut up and bandaged hands, he realizes why his hands were aching before.

"As amazing as those dishes look," Ron said, clearing his throat, "I still do not trust him enough for His Highness to eat that. What if he tries to poison you, or what if-?"

"Oh! If My Master is uncomfortable, I must understand." Kaiser said, his face set in a smile, but Victor watches his cut up hands tremor in nervousness, like he was more afraid of Victor's rejection to his food than the accusations Ron throws at him. "I apologize if-wait, My Master-!"

Kaiser and Ron both stare at Victor as he scopes a large spoonful of an unknown dish and shoves it in his mouth, chewing subtly before swallowing deeply, his eyes sparkling and wide as he spoons another mouthful, and another, turning his head to grab another plate of a different dish and filling up his long yearning belly until the plates on his desk are clean, Victor wipes his mouth calmly with a napkin, and Ron and Kaiser look to the empty dishes in awe.

"You will be allowed to cook my breakfast, at least." Victor said. "The rest of the day, let the maids handle it."

Kaiser nods his head, eagerly smiling at Victor, and the food Victor consumes settles in his stomach like butterflies.