"You're not wasting my time. I really enjoy talking with you." Cas smiled up at Aki.
"Casper!" Cas jumped, startled by his father's voice.
"Uh… yes, sir?"
"Why aren't you talking to any of the lovely ladies who traveled so far to come here?"
"…I'm not exactly interested in getting married at the moment, sir."
Aki shrinks when the king raised his voice. He pulls away and bows his head, looking to the floor. All happiness had been replaced with utter fear.
"Your interests aren't exactly what matters right now, Casper."
"I-I know, it's just-"
"Quiet!" Cas fell silent immediately, though he didn't look happy about it. "This is for the kingdom, and it is your duty as a prince!"
"Well, what if I don't want to?" Cas huffed, reaching up to take his crown off.
"You keep that crown on, boy!" Cas's father slapped him and Cas barely managed to stop the crown from tumbling to the ground and shattering.
Aki shrinks back further, his eyes wide. He knew he was going to regret something tonight. He looked up as the King slapped Cas. Trembling, he stepped in front of Cas. "Sire…" He says softly. "You must realize that you have an audience." He says slowly.
"Aki, y-you don't have to-"
"And who do you think you are?!" The king glared down at Aki now, crossing his arms. "He is a prince and he needs to remember his place! Isn't that right, Casper?" He gripped the collar of Cas's shirt, pulling him close.
"Yes! Y-Yes, sir, just please don't-"
"Don't snap at me!" Cas was white as a sheet now. They did have a bit of an audience, as Aki had pointed out, but outbursts like this from the king weren't uncommon and no one tried to intervene.
Aki took a deep breath. "That doesn't mean you treat your son like that." he says lowly. He extended his hand, white light escaping from his hand. The kings grip was loosened and Cas was pulled back so Aki was in front of him. "No man should lay a hand on their kin in a way of harm or evil." Aki says slowly.
"What's it to you? He needs to be disciplined or he'll never amount to anything!" The king was seething now, and a couple people stepped back. The man was practically insane as it was, but he was exponentially worse when he was angry.
"Aki, y-you… it might be best to stand down…" Cas whispered shakily. "It's no big deal… he does this a lot."
Aki shook his head. "No." He knew the king was insane. But that didn't mean he got to hurt people. "Hurting them only makes them worse. Not better." He replies sharply.
"Guards!" The king roared, and a few guards came forth. They took Aki by the arms and began dragging him away.
"No! Dad, please, don't-" Cas was interrupted by another slap, stumbling this time.
"That's sir to you, boy!"
Aki struggled, his eyed wide. "What is going on." A strict voice yelled over the commotion. A man with black hair and silver blue eyes stood in the middle of the crowd, a wolf wrapped around his legs. Aki was crying now, truly scared. "Master." He whimpered. "I believe that is my student you're touching." he growls.
The guards looked to the king, who waved his hand to say they could release Aki. "Keep a better watch on him next time." He growled, leaving the scene to cool off. Cas just trembled for a moment before sitting beside the table and burying his face in his hands.
Aki's master hurries to his side before gently helping him up. "Easy now." He mutters gently. Aki nods to his master before walking to Cas. "I- apologize." He falls to his knees and bows his head. "It was rash of me, and I apologize for my actions."
"It's fine… it's not your fault…" Cas whispered, peering up at Aki from behind his hands. "He's just like that sometimes." There was a red mark blossoming on his cheek from where he'd been hit, but he seemed more scared than anything.
He gently places his hand on the blossoming bruise and gently heals it before looking at the other and pulls away before sighing. "I really am sorry though." He whispers.
"Don't worry about it." Cas tentatively touched his healed cheek, glancing up at Aki's master. "I'm sorry you had to see that."
Aki's master, Zephyr only shook his head. "There is nothing to apologize for, young prince." He helps why young boy up and Aki backs away, looking down at the floor. "Your father is… To say the least, annoying." He hums before looking to Aki. "Are you alright, my student?" He asks. Aki nods. "A few bruises but I'll be fine."
Cas fidgeted with the crown in his hands, looking around nervously at the crowd. Many of them hadn't even noticed, and the ones who had were no longer watching. The king was like mad king Ludwig, but he was just violent for the most part. Cas had decided that he was going to try and put a stop to all the wars his father had started as soon as he took the throne.
Aki looked ashamed of himself. "Forgive me master. I didn't like seeing the King hurting Cas…" He whispers softly. Zephyr shook his head. "You did well." He says gently. Aki walked over to Cas. "Are you alright?" He asks quietly.
Cas snapped out of his daze, a bit startled. "Oh! Um, yes. F-Fine. Feeling just, uh… good. I'm good." He stammered, mentally slapping himself for it.
Aki sat beside him. He dug around in his little bag and offers a small cake to him. "Eating helps a little." He offers kindly. "And…" he pulls out a small necklace. "West this. And if you ever need me, just say my name. I promise I'll be there. Whether it's to help or just talk." He says softly.
"Oh, um… th-thank you." Cas tentatively accepted the cake and the necklace, blushing a bit. "Thanks. Sorry I'm a little disoriented at the moment, but I do appreciate it."
"It's alright." He replies with a gentle smile. "The necklace will also protect you. It'll make sure that your father cannot harm you. It only works if you wear it though, so keep it hidden." Aki warns gently. "But it's also a way to talk to me if you get lonely." He says quietly.
Cas nodded in understanding, jumping when his father announced the end of the ball. "I hope to see you soon, Aki… thank you again." He bowed politely and went off.
Aki nods and watches him leave. "Aki." Zephyr calls gently. The kitsune hurries to his masters side as they exit the ball. "That was a very brave thing you did back there." Zephyr says gently. Aki looks down. "Yeah… But I might not see Cas again…" He says sadly.
The king gripped Cas's arm tightly and dragged him away, Cas looking very nervous. The heavy doors closed and sealed off the room, Cas's yelps of pain not audible from the outside.