Work Text:
Kim Suho had lived only a few, tiring short years before his body gave up his soul. In a new land, with new people and a new name, the old burdens may as well have been a long and wicked dream. Now, with all his knowledge and wit, could he be free. Well, as free as a no name noble in an irrelevant squat of land.
Then again, how many people are given the opportunity to live in a novel in which they have already read? The contents of last night's browsing were now his reality, and now, any insignificant detail could tilt the scales in his favour. The con man knew no greater trick than pure, prophetic-level knowledge. Even with an undesirable face and an insurmountable debt, things seemed to curry in his favour. Rightly so, with that amount of willpower, he could have moved mountains if he desired.
Honestly, the man was in such an ironic predicament. So desperate for peace and leisure, he'd work harder and be bolder than anyone else, be it an upcoming sword-master or a exploitative empress. For someone claiming to dream of lethargy, he'd certainly go to great lengths just to have a one week holiday, that would have winded up being a work trip anyways.
That said, this very man had now accomplished his dreams, and was only just realising what those dreams actually had in store for him.
"Ah, morning Javier. Should we do a quick one around the perimeter?"
Javier gave him a slighted look.
"Is there any need to?"
Lloyd responded with a confused smile.
"Uh, well yeah. I don't know if you haven't noticed, but I'm kinda super important around here. Basically the CEO. And CFO. Heck, the entire board room at that."
"As much as I enjoy your otherworldly jibber jabber, that's not what I meant. During last month's meeting, you delegated all your final projects."
"So?"
"And then three weeks ago, you did a 'progress alignment meeting' and concluded that everything was almost finished."
"Yeah, and?"
"And then two weeks ago, everything finished."
A beat of realisation flashed across his face, taking in the forgotten, good news like gross medicine. Then he rubbed the back of his head in an awkward fashion, softly laughing while glancing away, looking for that sense of relief he thought he'd feel two weeks ago, at that lavish and spectacular party, celebrating all their countless successes. Well, now countable successes.
"Oh right. Huh, cool."
Javier watched the young master just sit there in a daze for a while. He drummed his fingers on the pillow (a habit Javier noticed was becoming increasingly frequent nowadays) and looked at his desk, then out the windows, and then at his desk again, with a difficult expression, almost pouting.
"Master Lloyd, could it be... that you don't have a life?"
Lloyd sharply turned his head and threw his pillow, hurling abuses and threats as Javier chuckled and stepped aside, leaving the room.
But as he walked away, the smile on his face faded and was replaced with deep thought. He recognised Lloyd's discomfort with the idea that everything was settled now, and he pitied his struggle with the strange anxiety that existed alongside it. Even so, he was unsure how to proceed with this information — comforting others was never his strong suit. It seemed that he needed to consult some other people before trying to approach the topic with master Lloyd himself.
---
Back in the room with a warm breakfast, he looked over Lloyd's shoulder as he set the plate down in front of him on his desk.
"What's that?"
Turning around on his chair, he raised a sheet of paper and gestured towards it.
"A list," he said, smiling.
"And what does this list entail?" Javier replied as he took it from Lloyd's hands.
"Enemies."
"Enemies? What do you mean by 'enemies'?"
"You know, bad guys. Like rivals or past foes. Basically anyone that could potentially want another piece of me. People with a reason to get revenge."
"Potentially," Javier said, unimpressed.
"Don't give me that look, you don't know what these guys are capable of. For all I know they're waiting for the perfect moment to strike, which would be when I finally let my guard down in retirement, obviously."
Javier scrunched his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, unable to gather the strength to not criticise this walking disaster.
"Look... master Lloyd. I get that you've been a little anxious lately. But I don't think King Samarkhan, the Sultan of Asfahan, has jurisdiction in... the Magentano Empire."
"Aha! That's what he wants you to think. All while sneakily planting his spies and assassins into our estate and plotting my very demise!"
"What? Do you realise how ridiculous you sound?"
"Hey! Watch your mouth! Do you think I've ever been wrong when it comes to situations like these? My expertise in scheming is much superior than anyone else's."
"That's not something to be proud of."
"Ah come on, you used to do everything I ordered without question. I might have to start union busting."
"Ugh. That was only when we had actual problems to deal with. This is just... conspiracy!"
"Why? Why is it so unlikely huh? Go on, tell me. Why is that so difficult to accept? I practically robbed the man in broad daylight. I wouldn't let myself get away with it either if I were him."
"Well first of all, we already have diplomatic relations with the Asfahan monarchy due to the marriage of your brother and Princess Serajard."
"Oh you're so naïve Javier. A 'peaceful relationship' is always a political front both sides put on because it mutually benefits them. However that's no reason for everything to be so fine and dandy under the surface."
"Ugh, fine. Secondly, we'd know if there was a spy planted in our estate."
"Oh yeah? How can you be so sure? Are you watching what everyone's doing twenty-four seven?"
"Well I am a grandmaster, so my senses can detect any hint of hostility far and wide, before I even see it."
"Show-off," Lloyd muttered.
"Ahem, additionally, this place is crawling with pro-Lloyd allies. Everyone here supports and adores you."
"Eh, pass. You know nothing about human nature. Of course, they may feel some sort of gratitude for someone who's helped them out a bunch. But there's no personal reason for them to be so loyal to me."
Javier clicked his tongue, patience running thin.
"That is so incredibly untrue for reasons I'll get into later. But we'd know that there was an Asfahan spy in our estate because — well because..."
"Because what? What is it?"
"Because they'd have darker skin!"
"Hah! Wow Javier, I never expected that bigoted, racist crap from you! How disappointed your fangirls would be if they were to hear that."
"I'm not saying Asfahans are untrustworthy, I'm just saying if King Samarkhan sent a spy they'd have the complexion of an Asfahan —"
Their bickering continued on for a while after that, and typically, their arguments usually ended in one of the two things: Javier resigning and giving in to Lloyd's nonsense, or Javier ignoring Lloyd out of spite, forcing Lloyd to apologise or explain himself in a better more empathetic way whilst remaining flippant and brash, because he was still Lloyd Frontera. This time it ended in the latter.
"Alright, alright. I'll drop the 'Asfahan spy' theory—"
"Conspiracy. It's a conspiracy, not a theory."
"Fine. Conspiracy theory and pretend that I didn't raise any good points earlier—"
Javier shot him an icy glare.
"Uh, interesting points then. And, for now, let go of this — perhaps 'exaggerated' hypothesis."
Unfolding his arms, Javier sighed and sat down next to Lloyd.
"Okay, maybe there's some bastard out to get you, or maybe there isn't. Either way, I need you to understand that — as your knight, I don't want to consider the possibility of your life being at risk because you ran head first into danger at your own free will."
"I wouldn't do that —"
"Don't try to deny it now. Not after the mastadon incident."
Lloyd promptly shut his mouth, unable to refute, and Javier sighed again, trying to ignore the rising embarrassment in his stomach.
"I'm aware you've been having some trouble with— adjusting to these new circumstances, now that everything's over. But just because you don't know what'll happen next, doesn't mean you're being careless or complacent."
Javier cleared his throat and raised his hands, resting it on Lloyd's shoulder whilst simultaneously trying to remember his previous conversation with the countess.
"What I'm trying to say is — don't worry. I'm here for you, always."
Speechless, Lloyd stared blankly at Javier's averting gaze and reddening cheeks. In an instant, whatever unease that'd recently been causing him more distress that he'd like to admit was forgotten briefly, and the only thing on his mind was now this man in front of him. It was sickeningly touching in fact, and he felt disturbingly happy at the prospect of his Knight's genuine care and concern. Lloyd felt a new type of unease now; trepidation originating in the heart, rather than the head.