A little royal Klaroline AU that’s been floating in my head for a bit. I could be convinced to continue it
“Nik! Nik!”
Niklaus turned from the wood he just started chopping to see his younger brother running toward him full tilt. He smiled despite himself, though 13 years separated them, the brothers were very close.
“Did you hear? There’s a surprise swords competition today and anyone can enter!”
Nik thought about what Henrik was really telling him, “Father’s not here, he can’t stop you from entering.” It was true enough, but if Mikael returned and heard he had spent the day doing anything but working, and he would find out, Nik could only imagine his wrath.
Their father had long ago forbidden Nik from entering the competitions, though he had no clue as to why. When he was fourteen, Niklaus had begged his father to let him enter the contest, thinking he could finally make his father proud by receiving recognition from the Queen’s generals. It was a foolish idea, that his father would ever be proud of him, and the beating he received ensured he had never asked since.
“Then I suppose you should get your sword and show them how it’s done. I need to finish this, you go win for both of us, yes?”
He watched Henrik run off toward the competition ground, feeling a bit sorry for himself, before turning back to the wood he had to chop and pile before Mikael returned home.
Princess Caroline watched the contest from inside a sun shelter beside the completion grounds. Local men and a few women fought for the chance to train to be a part of the country’s prestigious guard. Those who showed promise were brought to the capital for further training, though only 10 were chosen each year for the guard, and this year, unknown to anyone but her inner circle, she would choose an additional 5 for her personal guard.
The contests involved sword play and mild hand combat to gauge their skills and strength. They were never announced so there was no chance to invest in heavy training, or compete in more than one region.
She turned to her friend and advisor, Enzo, with a look of utter boredom.
“I haven’t seen anyone today I would trust my life with. Have we ever taken anyone from this region?”
Lorenzo St John, along great with being one of her most trusted advisors and a commander in the royal guard, was one of her best friends. She trusted him and his judgement implicitly.
He managed to look slightly amused and totally bored at the same time. “I honestly don’t know. You know the Mystic region is more agriculture than anything else, but they have to have a fair shot too. Just be glad there’s only one more region after this,” he gave her a sideways smirk, “and that no one can see you in here.”
She sighed, if she had to play princess while sitting through these contests she would have lost her mind. She had Enzo to thank for the privacy, since her attendance was apparently mandatory.
Three men were chosen for further training in the capital, Very few, but more than usual for the mystic region. Caroline and Enzo were discussing the most promising recruit, though much smaller than his competitors, he won easily on his swordsmanship alone, when the were interrupted by a guard.
“Excuse me Princess, Sir, we have a problem.”
“What do you mean he’s only 12? how is a 12 year old the best swordsman in the region?”
Caroline couldn’t believe what she was hearing, her most promising recruit was too young to train for the guard. Her luck just figured.
The boy in question stood in front of her, looking very much like he had something to say.
“Go ahead, Henrik was it?”
He nodded, “it’s just that, I’m not the best swordsman in the region, my brother Nik is, he taught me how to fight.” He looked down, almost shyly before continuing, “our father won’t let him enter competitions, or train with the others, so no one knows how good he is.”
Caroline frowned, sharing the look with Enzo. Why would their father keep the older brother from training? Someone with Henrik’s skill and a few years older was exactly what she needed.
Niklaus looked up from his work to the commotion he heard from the road. He sincerely hoped his eyes were playing tricks, and he wasn't watching his younger brother climbing out of a carriage marked with the royal crest. He should know by now, he didn't have that kind of luck.
