Chapter Text
Prince Armin Arlert was not merely admired he was cherished, treasured, revered in a way that felt almost sacred from the moment he was born, the kingdom of Marley seemed to decide as one voice "This child is our sun"
And as he grew, he proved them right His beauty was the kind that didn’t simply stand out in a room , it glowed.
Soft golden hair that fell in gentle waves now grown longer with age, brushing his waist like strands of sunlight. Eyes the color of warm morning blue sky. Skin soft and fair, with a delicate flush that appeared whenever he smiled or grew shy.
He had an elegance that nobles tried and failed to imitate. The way he walked, graceful and fluid. The way his robes flowed behind him like moving silk. The way his voice wrapped around words like velvet.
Armin was the kind of beauty that made even foreign delegates pause mid-sentence. The kind that sculptors begged to carve and painters begged to capture.
And yet, he wore that beauty gently. Never proudly. Never arrogantly. It clung to him naturally, like a second skin.
But it was his mind that truly unsettled the court. He was simply brilliant.
Not in the loud, boastful way of prodigies but in quiet, razor-sharp ways that left seasoned generals speechless.
He could read a treaty once and recall it word-for-word weeks later. He could solve disputes in the council before they had the chance to ignite. And could listen to two sides of a war report and offer a solution neither commander had considered.
More than once, high-ranking officials whispered to each other “If he wished, he could outsmart
This was the prince the kingdom relied upon their golden mind wrapped in a golden heart
And after the king declared Erwin as Armin’s royal knight as per his request , an odd silence settled between them.
Armin was still recovering from the attack , physically he was safe, but the fear lingered beneath his skin he needed an anchor and Erwin was his .
Erwin kept a precise distance of three steps behind him at all times, never speaking unless spoken to, never relaxing, never lowering his guard. He watched every corridor, every passing servant, every shifting candle flame.
Armin noticed all of his odd per say acts everything about Erwin felt… wrong to Armin
Not in ability. Not in loyalty. And not in dedication it was how he carried himself he moved through the palace like a man expecting the walls to attack him.
Hyper-focused. Hyper-alert. Hyper-prepared all the time never relaxing even for a second
Every step was measured every breath controlled every glance sharp enough to cut stone.
He wasn’t a knight yet not really he was a soldier trying to pretend he belonged in silk corridors.
And Armin felt it the tension radiating off him like heat from a forge.
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The first few days were almost painful.
Whenever Armin turned around, he found Erwin standing directly behind him, rigid as a statue carved out of battlefield stone.
“Sir Erwin,” Armin would say, smiling politely.
“Yes, Your Highness,” Erwin would answer immediately.
Armin blinked each time, startled by the intensity he wasn’t used to someone reacting to his smallest movement as though it were an order he wasn’t used to someone watching him like a hawk watches prey.
To put it simply he wasn’t used to… Erwin.
The first time Armin gently corrected him was during breakfast.
Erwin stood beside him, feet apart, spine rigid, hand resting on his sword hilt in a room filled with pastries, fruits, elderly nobles, and chirping finches.
A war-stance In the royal dining hall.
Armin coughed softly. “Sir Erwin… you don’t have to hold your sword while I’m eating.”
Erwin blinked once slowly Then “Understood.” but his hand didn’t move.
“Sir Erwin !” Armin repeated sweetly, lifting his gaze, “you may let go of your sword.”
Erwin froze Then, reluctantly almost painfully he loosened his grip and set his hand at his side.
As if the sword had been part of his body and detaching from it required a small funeral.
Armin bit the inside of his cheek to stop a laugh.
A few days later, Armin attempted to feed the palace koi fish.
He knelt by the pond, tossing small pellets into the water, smiling as the koi swarmed toward him , Erwin stepped forward instantly, one arm shooting in front of Armin’s torso in a protective barrier.
“Your Highness, don’t lean too far”
“I’m not going to drown, Erwin.”
“The rocks are slippery.”
Armin blinked. “So you think the fish are going to assassinate me?”
Erwin’s expression didn’t change. “I do not underestimate threats.”
Armin laughed actually laughed at Erwins serious tone and gently lowered Erwin’s arm.
“Threats are people with knives. Not decorative animals.”
“…I see.” In fact he did not see not even a little. Instead he frowned at the pond suspiciously, as if one of the koi might leap out wielding a blade.
Despite all of these events , Armin never once mocked him never embarrassed him in front of others he corrected him with a kindness that disarmed Erwin more effectively than any blade.
“Sir Erwin,” he would say gently, “you don’t have to bow every time I look at you.”
“Sir Erwin, you may sit.”
“ Sir Erwin, you don’t have to stand guard outside the doors of the bathing chamber.”
“Sir , I promise I can walk down three steps without military escort.”
“Erwin… please breathe and don’t be too stiff ”
Every correction was soft every word gentle With a smile .
And every moment softened the iron soldier just a little more it only took Erwin 4 years to became something else entirely
A shadow that followed Armin everywhere silent Loyal and terrifyingly protective.
He memorized the sound of Armin’s footsteps recognized the subtle shifts in his breaths he Knew when he was anxious when he was excited and when he needed space but most importantly is when he needed someone close and for Armin to learn every subtle shift in Erwin’s breath, every tension in his jaw, every unspoken warning.
Anyone who stepped too close noble or servant found Erwin’s presence looming behind Armin like a warning carved into stone.
He was a lone wolf trained to guard one person one heart one prince.
And Armin, for all his polite frustration and soft corrections, couldn’t help but feel a quiet warmth bloom in his chest each time Erwin appeared at his side.
Because the truth was simple he felt safer calmer steadier when Erwin was there
And Erwin the overprotective, stiff, battle-shaped knight was slowly, unknowingly becoming the most important person in Armin’s world long before either of them dared to call it love.
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The morning began the same way it had for years now the once young prince now has grown into adulthood
A soft knock at dawn, the rustle of skirts, the low greetings of the palace maids. Erwin opened Armin’s chamber doors from the outside, allowing them in before stepping back into his position posted right beside the entrance, guarding from the corridor rather than the room itself. He had long ago learned the boundaries of a royal knight and Armin had long ago learned that he will never crossed them.
Inside the chambers , the maids worked gently, as if touching something too precious to disturb. Armin sat at his vanity, blue eyes clear with sleep, golden hair tousled and shining in the early morning light. They brushed it until it fell in soft waves over his shoulders, pinned the sides back with a thin silver clip, then draped royal-blue silk over his frame. His morning attire was simple today loose sleeves, a high collar embroidered with threads of white-gold, fitted cuffs that exposed the elegant angles of his wrists.
“You always look radiant, Your Highness,” one maid murmured as she adjusted the final clasp.
“As if he needs our help,” another whispered with a smile.
Armin only laughed softly and thanked them, gentle as ever.
When they finished, he crossed the room with his easy, graceful steps, opened the doors, and found Erwin already standing tall and straight, perfectly composed.
“Good morning, Erwin,” Armin said, voice warm like it had been every morning for years.
And as every morning for years, Erwin’s breath caught for half a second before he bowed “Good morning, Your Highness.”
The day moved forward with practiced familiarity. Armin walked to the breakfast hall, Erwin following exactly two steps behind close enough to protect yet far enough for respect. The head butler Louis approached as soon as Armin took his seat, which Erwin pulled out for him without needing to be asked, like he always did.
“Your Highness,” the butler began politely, “today’s schedule is rather full.”
Armin sipped his tea, already dreading it. “Tell me.”
“You have a brief meeting with the scholars regarding the new archives, then council at midday.” He nodded
“And… the nobles gathering at the west garden.” Armin paused. “The tea party?”
“Yes, Your Highness. You’ve postponed it three times so far .” Armin sighed, long and quiet. “Fine. I will attend.”
He noticed Erwin then standing directly behind him, expression perfectly neutral but with the faintest, most unmistakable curl of amusement tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Armin narrowed his eyes. “You’re coming with me.” Pointing his finger into him .
Erwin froze his smirk vanished instantly “…Your Highness,” he said, like a man walking into his own execution.
Armin only lifted his cup again, victorious It almost made the tea taste sweeter fully ignoring Erwin's plea
After breakfast, they moved through the palace halls in a rhythm they had perfected over the years. Armin greeted servants by name, paused to offer compliments on floral arrangements, engaged in short conversations with passing nobles, Erwin remained silent behind him offering nothing but presence a steady anchor.
When they reached the council chamber the first stop of the day , ministers stood as the prince entered Armin took his place at the head of the table his posture poised expression calm. Erwin positioned himself behind the prince’s left shoulder where he could see every man at the table, every hand movement, every shift in tone. He had stood there so long that the marble flooring beneath him had taken the shape of familiarity.
The meeting began politely enough It always did but council members were predictable creatures in frustration , ego and disagreement. And whenever a voice lifted above its proper place, Erwin’s entire body sharpened his fingers curled around the hilt of his sword his gaze would cut across the table like a blade pressed against a throat one glare was enough to silence them .
People no longer raised their voices at the prince not if they wished to keep their dignity or their careers.
And Armin did what he always did he turned his head just slightly, just enough for his eyes to meet Erwin’s a look of reassurance soft, warm, asking him to relent.
Erwin exhaled and stepped back every time without fail.
They moved through the rest of the day together as they always had Armin guiding the kingdom with grace and intellect, Erwin guarding him with unwavering devotion. Years had passed like this quietly and It was already time for the rea party that Armin dreaded so much .
The nobles of Marley prided themselves on elegance , Dukes’ daughters dressed in fragrant silks
Foreign lords leaning in just a little too close
Counts trying to impress him with hollow compliments.
And Viscountesses who cared more about gossip than tea they hovered around him like moths drawn to a lantern.
Nothing in the west-garden tea pavilion felt elegant to Armin. Too many powdered smiles. Too many fans fluttering like nervous birds. Too many hungry eyes on him.
And behind him as always like a silent wall of steel stood Sir Erwin Smith straight-backed emotionless and quite dangerous.
“Your Highness,” the young duke’s daughter purred, leaning toward Armin with a laugh too sweet to be sincere, “tell us… why is your Knight always so grumpy?” a ripple of laughter circled the table.
Armin blinked once surprised they had the nerve then smiled a small, soft, deceptively innocent smile that made Erwin’s shoulders stiffen ever so slightly “I don’t know,” Armin mused lightly. “Would you like to ask him yourself?”
The nobles froze a few stared at Erwin like he was a sleeping bear they were being asked to poke.
Finally, Lady Yvette bolder than she was smart cleared her throat delicately and faced Erwin with exaggerated respect “Sir Erwin,” she said with a polite, too-bright smile, “why do you always appear so… stern?”
Armin turned just enough to look at Erwin his blue eyes glimmered with mischief his eyebrows arched in a silent challenge.
Go on entertain me his eyes said .
Erwin wasn’t flustered but Armin recognized the tiniest betrayal the slight shift of breath, the twitch near the corner of his lips, the faint tightening of his fingers behind his back.
He bowed slightly “My apologies,” he said in a tone smooth “It seems my face causes unnecessary concern.” Armin hid a smile behind his cup “But,” Erwin continued, and his eyes flicked to Armin for the briefest, quietest heartbeat, “if I appear stern, it is only because certain individuals require more attention than others.”
Armin inhaled sharply his fingers tightened around his cup.
The nobles gasped dramatically “Attention…?” Armin said under his breath, heat blooming across his cheeks. “Are you implying something, Sir Erwin?”
“Only that you tend to attract trouble my prince ” Erwin answered, voice low, calm, and far too meaningful. “I simply do my duty.”
“That is absolutely not what you said,” Armin whispered, flustered.
“Is it not?” Erwin murmured, with a softness only Armin could hear.
Armin lightly kicked the side of Erwin’s boot under the table Erwin didn’t move nor flinch he didn’t even pretend to acknowledge it.
He simply dipped his head a fraction a silent challenge back is that the best you can do?
The nobles, clueless to the current beneath their feet, looked between them in fascination none dared assume anything .
“So,” a count ventured, leaning forward, “does he ever smile?”
Armin’s entire face lit with wicked delight.
“Oh, he does,” Armin said breezily. “Especially when he scolds me. It’s terrifying.”
Erwin stiffened. “Your Highness…..”
“And when he’s annoyed,” Armin continued proudly, “he gets this tiny wrinkle right here”he pointed directly at Erwin’s brow.
Erwin’s jaw flexed “Your Highness!”
“And when he lies,” Armin said, tapping his finger on the table, “he looks down for exactly two seconds ”
“Your…Highness ? ”
The nobles laughed, thoroughly entertained Armin preened and Erwin looked like he was contemplating war crimes.
And then Armin added softly too softly for anyone but Erwin “You know I’m right.”
Erwin’s breath barely hitched but Armin felt it.
“You are enjoying this far too much,” Erwin muttered.
“Mm. Perhaps,” Armin replied with a teasing hum.
“And you are exaggerating.”
“Perhaps.”
“And you will stop now.”
“I will Not.”
Erwin’s composure cracked only for Armin to see his eyes softened just enough
Lady Yvette stared openly. “Sir Erwin… are you smiling?” Erwin cleared his throat and straightened “No.”
But he was.
The prince leaned back, tapping his nails along the rim of his cup, triumph glowing in every inch of him.
“Well,” he said sweetly, “if you don’t like me describing you, you could always tell them the truth.”
Erwin folded his hands neatly behind his back, the picture of stoic dignity “And what truth is that, Your Highness?”
“That you pretend to be grumpy,” Armin said with a sly smirk, “just to intimidate people.”
Erwin let out a quiet laugh soft, low, barely audible but enough to stop the entire garden cold.
The nobles stared as if the marble statues in the courtyard had begun speaking , Armin froze, breath caught, pulse thundering.
Erwin never laughed not in public. Not at court. Not for anyone Except him.
Heat rose up Armin’s neck he looked down quickly, hiding his flush behind his hair.
Erwin’s eyes softened again, but this time he lowered them deliberately so no one else would notice.
“I only intimidate the ones,” Erwin murmured, voice meant for Armin alone, “who try to take your time, Your Highness.”
Armin’s fingertips trembled his heart stuttered painfully in his chest.
But Erwin was already back in perfect posture, as though nothing had been said as though he hadn’t just set something inside Armin alight.
“Shall we continue with tea, Your Highness?” he asked calmly.
Armin swallowed hard, nodding. “Y–yes. Of course.”
The nobles resumed their chatter, pretending to forget the tension because nobles loved gossip, but they also loved survival. None dared comment on what they didn’t understand.
Armin continued sipping his tea.
Erwin continued standing behind him like a pillar of marble.
But under the table, Armin’s fingers kept brushing against the edge of his chair searching for calm.
And Erwin’s shadow loomed closer than usual, a silent presence that warmed Armin’s spine.
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The sun had already dipped low, staining the palace corridors in soft gold when the tea party finally ended. Armin felt the exhaustion settle into his bones the moment he stepped away from the nobles’ last forced smiles. A quiet yawn escaped him as he walked, his steps light and slightly unsteady from the long day.
Erwin noticed immediately.
Armin swayed a little, then giggled under his breath at nothing in particular, the way he always did when he was too tired to keep up his royal composure. Erwin moved closer without thinking but Armin beat him to it, slipping his hand around Erwin’s arm and leaning into him with sleepy familiarity.
He never did that in public unless he was truly gone with exhaustion.
Erwin stiffened for half a second, instinctively glancing down the hallway for witnesses, but Armin only pressed closer, his cheek brushing Erwin’s shoulder.
“It’s nice…” Armin murmured softly, voice warm with fatigue. “Being close to you like this. Without having to hide.”
Erwin’s breath caught. He guided Armin carefully, a hand hovering near his waist but not quite touching. “Yeah,” he said quietly, though the hesitation was unmistakable. “But we shouldn’t really… talk like that out here. Someone could hear.”
Armin’s eyes narrowed in annoyed disbelief too tired to mask it. “Who would hear?”
Erwin made a vague gesture around them. “Everyone,” he muttered. “The walls have ears. The streets have eyes. And a nose, perhaps.”
Armin stopped walking for a second just to stare at him. Then, against all royal etiquette, he burst out laughing, a tired laughter that echoed in the corridor.
“A nose?” he repeated, clutching Erwin’s arm for balance. “You’re ridiculous.”
Erwin tried very hard not to smile but failed miserably. “I’m serious,” he insisted, even as the corners of his mouth twitched. “Nobles always find a way to overhear what they shouldn’t.”
“But we didn’t say anything,” Armin argued, still clinging to him.
“You almost did,” Erwin replied.
Armin rolled his eyes but didn’t pull away.
They continued slowly toward the royal chambers, Armin leaning heavily into Erwin’s body for guidance. It was far from the formal two-steps-behind distance Erwin normally maintained.
By the time they reached his chamber doors, a faint sound pulled Armin’s attention to the windows lining the hall.
Rain.
Soft at first, then steadier, the sky opening up in a sudden, evening downpour. Armin paused, watching droplets race down the glass.
“Crazy weather,” he murmured. “It was sunny an hour ago.”
Erwin nodded beside him, gaze shifting briefly to the cloudy sky. “The storms come quickly this time of year.”
Armin hummed with thought, fingers absently rubbing circles on Erwin’s arm. He seemed to debate with himself for a moment before speaking again.
“You know…” he said, voice quieter, gentler. “The rain reminds me of something.”
Erwin tilted his head. “Of what?”
Armin tugged lightly on his arm, drawing him just a bit closer , close enough for their shoulders to touch fully, close enough to share breath.
“That night,” Armin whispered. “When we confessed to each other.”
Erwin froze in place.
A blush crept up his neck so fast Armin could practically feel the heat through his clothes. His throat worked as he tried, and failed, to form words.
Armin smiled at the reaction soft, affectionate, teasing. “You remember, don’t you?”
Erwin swallowed. “Of course I remember.”
Armin leaned in further, pressing his forehead to Erwin’s upper arm. “It’s a good memory. Even now.”
Erwin’s hand hovered again then finally, slowly, rested against the small of Armin’s back. Barely there. Gentlemanly. Protective. Intimate.
“We should get you inside,” he murmured, but his voice was lower than before. Warmer. “You’re tired.”
“Maybe…” Armin whispered. “But talking to you like this makes me feel awake.
”
Erwin didn’t move. He didn’t know how to—not when Armin was looking at him with that softness, not when the rain was humming against the windows like the night everything changed between them.
“Armin…” he said, breath unsteady.
“Mm?”
“You’re going to be the death of me.”
Armin only smiled and pushed the chamber door open, still holding his knight’s arm as though it belonged to him alone