The King's Pet

Chapter 3: Not Yet At Least

Hyunjin's P.O.V

It'd been a week since Makita first came to me and I only found him more adorable than when we first met. It was especially adorable when he didn't know a word and asked me for help. But even though I found it so cute I'd been thinking about having him be tutored. I hated to see him without anything to do and the thought that he was probably completely alone when I wasn't with him was agonising. Since he wouldn't be acting as a jester I imagined it would be a good idea for him to learn some basic things and perhaps be introduced to a hobby.

Though before I made my mind up I decided to ask him how he felt about it when we were at lunch in the garden as it had become a time for us to sit and talk. "But, I don't know how to be tutored, my King." He responded with clear despondency. "You don't have to anything complicated, you'll just be taught at a regular time during the week about various topics, it'll help you find something to fill your time with since you won't be a pet for me." I explained, but it seemed to shatter him. "I...I beg your pardon, my King?" He questioned, seemingly lost on the idea that he wouldn't be acting as a jester for him.

"I know it'll be a big change but I wouldn't feel good treating you how other kingdoms have." I responded, hoping he'd understand. He fell silent for some minutes and I let him think about whatever was on his mind instead of insisting he tell me in the moment. Over our lunch time interactions I'd come to learn how to best communicate with him. There seemed to be some things he'd experienced when he was with Kassandra that made him shut down with fear when an interaction between us reminded him of said experiences. I wanted to know those things but there really wasn't any good way to find out other than to let it happen naturally. Asking him would be too invasive of me and he'd only answer probably just because "his King" asked, and I wanted him to be willingly forthcoming with the information.

"Is...is how the other royals treated me bad my King?" He asked after he'd collected his thoughts. "Well I'd say yes, I know that the other kingdoms and monarchs don't respect their people. In those places you have to be of noble birth to be afforded decent treatment and that's not right." I answered, fairly passionate in my disapproval of how other monarchs conducted themselves. "Does it make you angry that they're like that, my King?" Makita asked next, picking up on my tone. "It does, does it make you angry Makita?" I asked him and he thought about it for a minute.

"I can't say it does...I've never been allowed to be angry with my rulers but I have been upset by things that they've done to me and others," He started, thinking for a while as he looked out from where we were. "Like when King Jian tricked me...he always tricked me." He continued, the sadness in his voice evident. "You were his pet?" I asked as I never knew he was another monarch's pet before he was Kassandra's. He nodded in response, seemingly too upset to speak which was understandable.

I'd heard too many stories about Jian, he was known for being cruel and sadistic. I was surprised his people hadn't staged a revolution and murdered him. And of all the other monarchs on the Continent, he was the most set in his violent and unjust ways. He wanted nothing to do with me and the reforms I was proposing, he even went as far as to ban any news of reforms from being covered by journalists in his kingdom. Knowing that Makita had to be his jester made me upset but I decided not to let it show. Instead I assured Makita that I'd never trick him and he blushed slightly with happiness.

Before he could say anything though my parents came out to greet us. Makita stood up immediately and bowed, flustered by their sudden appearance. "Good afternoon, your majesties." He said politely and my mother chuckled softly. "Hello Makita, how is your afternoon?" My mother asked him. "Lovely and yours?" He responded and I smiled like an i***t at the answer. "Our afternoon has been quite lovely as well...say, we would like to have a dinner this weekend, would you two care to join?" She asked. "I-I can't speak for King Hyunjin and I would like to join but I don't have any dinner clothes, your majesty." He answered. My mother turned to me with an expectant look in her eyes.

"We'll join you for dinner and I can arrange some clothes for you Makita." I said and my mother clapped with joy. "Perfect, see you both there." She responded before she and my father walked further into the garden. Makita sighed and sat back down, relaxing again.

"Your afternoon is lovely huh?" I asked teasingly making him blush adorably. "You have been very nice to me and I like spending time with you, my King." He admitted shyly with an averted gaze. Wanting him to look at me, so he knew I meant it, I put my hand on his gently. As I hoped he looked at me with those beautiful brown eyes of his. "I like spending time with you too Kita." I said genuinely, with a soft smile on my face. His eyes glistened with a mixture of happiness and something else I couldn't figure out as he smiled cutely.

I moved back, removing my hand from his and the feeling that washed over me was more proof to me that I really fancied Makita. I wanted nothing more than to put my hand back or even take it further and hold him in my arms, perhaps admit my feelings, but I couldn't do that.

Not yet at least.

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