Chapter Text
“Parrot, wait. Just hear me out for a second, alright?”
The young prince heard a voice call out from behind. It was Wifies, one of the royal families most loyal soldiers. He wasn’t exactly sure why—but Wifies had developed a relationship towards Parrot that mirrored obsession.
“What? Wifies, what is it? I do not wish to hear it, but you’re obviously leaving me no other choice. Just hurry up and spit it out already.” Parrots voice was bitter and left no sweetness like before. He was done with this idiots little games.
He missed who the Wifies before was, not whoever this is.
“I—I promise, I’ll make it quick. I just wanted to tell you that…That I…I didn’t mean any of it. All I was doing was trying to accomplish my duty, keeping you safe. Protecting you, as every good knight should.”
“…And you seriously think this is enough for me to even turn my head and glance back at you?…What a waste of time, sparing a second to listen…”
Wifies was at a loss for words. He quickly searched for what to tell him, to convince him to stay, but nothing arrived, instead watching as the Prince quietly walked away.
This wouldn’t be the end of this conversation. No, absolutely not. In what world would it ever be?
Wifies gets what he wants; and he wants to keep Parrot safe.
No matter what the cost is.
Parrot strolled through the halls. Bored with nothing eventful happening, multiple activities put to dust due to Wifies influence, all he could really do was walk and take in the scenery.
It was difficult to comprehend. The old Wifies had been protective, but in a good, healthy way. Just as any normal Knight. What he never wanted was for him to become one with a need for control. Parrot doesn’t have his name for no reason; his mother and father knew from the day he was born that he was a person meant to be free, despite just how much royalty will cage you.
Being royal isn’t full of awesome perks, you see. Feeling constantly watched, expected to perform, overwhelmed with unbearably high expectations. And to top it all off, now he has a Knight for a friend that ended up becoming creepily obsessed with his security. He understood however how some might feel envious, though. They hold so much power and so much riches. Honestly, he feels bad, not being able to give it all up for those who really need it, for those who really deserve it.
He heard birds chirping nearby, singing songs that a human tongue couldn’t. Oh, how nice it must be, being able to fly freely. Able to escape whenever they want. Well, unless they are caught by a predator, of course.
“Parrot.” A subtle voice sprung out from behind.
Oh goodness, what could it possibly be now?
The prince finally turned his back, eyebrows furrowing and expression dull. “Yes? When can I ever just get a moment of peace here?”
“Prince Parrot, I beg. Please, please forgive me. I don’t mean to come off as desperate. Or as someone who had failed you by succeeding in their job far too much. So, please, just—”
“Well, unfortunately, you do. I don’t know what to tell you.” He quickly interrupted, not trying to prolong any interaction with this nuisance.
He had always been polite to everyone, but when it comes to those who harm him; any of his enemies, he tends to get quite cocky and rude.
Though…
It didn’t feel right, calling Wifies his enemy. That’s not true. Prince Parrot knew this in his heart, Wifies would never be someone he could call an enemy, not just because he’s a well respected knight, never disobeying orders and constantly fulfilling requests; but because his friendship is just too impactful to forget, despite all he’s currently doing.
“…Parrot…”
Wifies voice was soft; gentle, in a way that hit Parrot inside. He had done that on purpose, the prince already knew. It didn’t take away any impact.
“Wifies. Just…leave me alone. I don’t want to interact with you anymore unless you’re going to protect me, and only when needed.”
“You already need my protection, though. You didn’t even notice that we have a little visitor, did you?” Wifies glanced to his left as the prince stared in shock.
“…What?”
A ‘visitor’? Security is maximum here. Is he truly being serious?
All of the sudden, Wifies lunged forward, body blocking Parrot, and the mysterious intruders had tried to attack them both. Parrot stood in pure shock once again, before his instincts finally came back to him and he ran as fast as he could.
Multiple other guards had rushed forward to the scene as well, some others who were far behind cursing to themself about the fact they hadn’t even noticed a completely uncivilized person had snuck into the palace grounds. Parrot didn’t even know how it was possible.
Perhaps he would know soon enough.
Later that day, Parrot was called to the meeting room by his father; he took in the sight when he walked in. His father stood at the opposite of the side of the table, with other members of the royal family there as well. Curious as to what this could be about, Parrot sat down.
“Well then…Father, may I ask why you have called me here exactly?” He finally questioned. The room was filled with silence.
“We need to discuss your plans for when you become king. As…A family.”
‘Ah, so thats what this is about—of course,’ Parrot thought to himself. He had been certainly dreading this conversation. Not only did he already have so much responsibility, the expectations he would have to fulfill as king would make his life so much harder, no matter how much power and money he might have.
The only thing he wanted was for everyone to be safe, happy, and prosperous; he knew for sure that once he was king, he would use the money and power he has to better everyones lives, or at the very least try to.
The title feels oddly fitting, though weird at the same time. King Parrot.
“..I see.” He lightly replied.
"...Parrot, you do understand what this title means for you right?"
The prince remained silent, maintaining consistent eye contact with the rest of the family, despite being visibly nervous.
"You are gonna have to start making decisions on your own with minimal help from others. We won't be here to guide you forever, and you already know just how much we do that for you now—"
"Father, that's...Excuse me for interrupting, but I am quite independent. I would refrain from labeling me as needy. Though, I...I am grateful for all that you guys do for me, I swear."
"Just sit down and be quiet, all right?" His fathers stern voice didn't exactly catch him off guard, but it did throw him off a little. Parrot shifted in his seat, finally getting an idea of just how long this meeting was going to be.
A long while after that dreadful meeting, Parrot felt as though his day was just progressively getting worse and worse. Wifies. Failed ambush attempt. Meeting. Just how much more terrible could this day possibly get?
Well, certainly a lot more. Or perhaps not.
"Parrot."
Once again, Wifies voice could be heard, and the prince didn't even dare to turn, nor glance in his direction. His head already badly ached, couldn't he just catch a break once in a while?
"What do you want, Wifies? You come back to try and convince me what you did was right again yet you're somehow still sorry or what?"
"Parrot, that's not what I've been doing and you know it. All I'm asking is for your forgiveness. Please. I regret influencing those people to come after you and I regret trying to be the only one to protect you, I mean it. I'm sorry. What I did was wrong, we can both agree on that. Just....please, don't stop being my friend." He deeply pleaded.
"...Were we even meant to be friends? You are just a knight to a prince. You might be higher up, but wouldn't you be near equivalent to a maid since your only job is to protect me?"
"Your highness. I am sorry. I don't know how to make it clearer than that. You are the person I care about the most, not a single part of me wants to give any of that up."
....
Parrot remained quiet as a mouse, presumably thinking about everything that he has said. He can't exactly lie to himself here; he did enjoy Wifies company. He did enjoy being his friend. And—most importantly—he hadn't even gotten rid of his special spyglass, nor the yin-yang necklace he wore, constantly reminding him of Wifies, following him wherever he went. Parrot didn't know if that was a good thing or not.
"....Fine, Wifies. Alright."
"..What? Parrot, I...Seriously?" The knight exclaimed. Did he assume that their friendship was truly over for good? A part of Parrot wished it was, that he wouldn't have gone back to him, but it was inevitable.
"What else could that mean? Uhm..Let's just, like, put this behind us, I suppose. But don't do the things that you did again. I don't know if I would ever be able to forgive you again."
"....Thank you, your highness. Thank you." Wifies bowed, voice gentle and a soft smile resting on his face. His eyes looked as though tears had started slowly welling up.
"Wifies, it's alright. Cut the formalities, we're on good terms again, alright?" Parrot chuckled, Wifies doing so as well, picking his head back up.
Maybe things could be alright.
Hopefully.