Chapter Text
Prince Diederik was rarely seen outside the castle as the day of registration approached. He was mostly cloistered in rooms with treasurers, artisans, chefs, and a whole host of other people, waving off his hovering advisors insisting they could take care of things.
Of note to the pair of red eyed knights was how often their captain was meeting with the prince, but when pressed, she just flashed her too sharp grin and said, "Just wait," much to the excited curiosity of most of her knights but to the wary displeasure of the two inquiring.
Soon enough, it was time for everyone to regather and sign up for their desired competitions. Once again the nobles gathered, conversations abuzz with anticipation.
The buzz fell to a whisper then to silence as Prince Diederik arrived, followed by a flock of advisors, a herald, a scribe, and two servants carrying a long table on which the scribe placed several sheets of parchment, quills, and ink. The prince sat on his throne, more truly casual than the deliberateness with which he usually appeared so, his eyes just barely tinged with weariness. When everything was settled, his herald looked to him, then at his nod ascended two steps if the dais and said, "His highness, Prince Diederik, Lord of the--" The herald paused, glanced at his liege who simply watched him, then continued, "Lord of the Bilious Plains welcomes you all back and thanks you for your eagerness to participate in his tournament. When you are called forward, simply sign your name or stamp your crest on each sheet for the events you want to participate in. Since some of the events are limited, his highness would like to first introduce you to his knights and give them first pick of events." He focused on a figure at the entrance to the hall on the far side from the dais and said, "Captain Pyrope, at your leisure," then gave a small bow. The figure bowed back, then gave an ear splitting whistle. Servants on either side of the entrance opened the doors and cleared way for the troop of knights to march forward, single file, through the crowd of nobles then split off to either side of the dais once they reached it until they formed a line of about two dozen bodies in front of it. The herald frowned slightly as he took another step up the dais to keep the whole hall in view.
Captain Pyrope stood in front of her charges, grinning widely as she bowed to the prince, then faced the crowd of nobles.
"Knights of the Kingdom of Skaia!" She called out.
"Skaia is the kingdom we defend!" her knights called back.
"To whom have you sworn loyalty?"
"We swear our loyalty to our prince! Long may he serve the people!"
"To whom do you offer your lives?"
"We live and die for those who need us! The helpless! The innocent! The citizens of Skaia!"
"Today is not so dire, my brethren! Today you are to be recognized! State your name and the competition in which you will show why you are the best of the best, worthy above all others to protect your prince!" She turns and nods to the knight at the far right, who sounds off.
Prince Diederik barely pays him any mind, nor the next few knights until--
"Dave Strider. Armed combat and horseback racing." His voice is even and his words are quick and the prince is expressionless as he filed the information away. Then he turns his attention to the next knight.
"Karkat Vantas, and I respectfully decline his Majesty's generous offer of reward and will instead focus on protecting the civilians watching the tournament while my comrades are otherwise occupied." There was a bite in his voice, undermining his polite wording, and the prince had to hide a smirk behind his hand. Strider was shaking slightly then tensed as their captain rounded swiftly on Vantas, a growl in her voice as she snapped, "Your request is noted but participation is not optional." She looked to the herald for confirmation, who in turn looked to Prince Diederik, clearly out of his depth, who nodded, using the gesture as an excuse to hide more of his mouth.
The herald cleared his throat. "There will, ah, be alternate sources for security during the festivities, though his highness appreciates your dedication to your duty." He glanced back at the prince, who gave him a thumbs up, his other hand now practically covering the entirety of the lower half of his face. He knew he wasn't being subtle, but it was good for his court and his captain to understand his amusement and not look too harshly on the knight.
Vantas stiffened, then reclined his head to his captain. "If that is how his majesty wishes to utilize my training, then I am honored to comply." Captain Pyrope frowned deeply, but didn't say anything further.
"Your, ah, chosen events, Sir Vantas?" The herald prompted.
"Armed and unarmed combat," came the short reply.
There was a moment of awkward silence, then the captain gestured for the next knight in line to continue.
Prince Diederik let his mind wander, the rest of the proceedings holding little interest to him. He passively watched as the last of the knights announced their names and intentions, nodded when they turned and bowed to him before leaving, and ignored the bustle of nobles rushing up to the table once the herald announced it was time for them to sign up. He was far, far too preoccupied with a pair of deep, burning red eyes.