Work Text:
Ballister Boldheart was a good kid.
There was a reason why he was chosen to become a knight, after all. Brave, quick-witted, strong and passionate, he would make a perfect protector of the realm. Plus, the whole "noble bloodlines" thing has never been something vital in her eyes (not after she's visited the Sureblades - the only memory of that evening gives her hives), so a little reform of the old-fashioned tradition wouldn't be a problem. It's not like it could get her killed or anything.
Ballister was a perfect person to make a change. Although there were problems, of course. He'd be too brooding on the days when knights-in-training should be upbeat, or not fully pick up on noble etiquette.
The worst thing about him though? He was too honest.
Now, honesty is an important thing, especially for a knight. But there are some things you should be quiet about, not mention or even lie - a thing the queen learned by being a politician.
Some could say it's hypocritical of nobles to behave like that, but nobody was perfect, were they? The queen sure wasn't, despite trying her best to be a good ruler.
Ballister didn't understand that. He confessed in doing even little wrong, apologizing in the process. Even when he knew it would harm him, the boy believed in honesty and chivalry, which honestly made Valerin's heart melt.
And when he did try to hide something, he failed.
Miserably.
The week the queen visited the Institute (a seasonal duty of hers), she noticed something was weird about the boy. The way he talked and behaved was unusually cheerful for him. He smiled and laughed more.
At first, Valerin was glad that he finally started coming out of his shell. It was about time. But then she started wondering what the reason was. No person changes their attitude within the snap of a finger, and there must've been an explanation.
And Gloreth, sure there was one. It was called "Ambrosius Goldenloin".
Ambrosius was an active and positive kid. From the golden armour to the white, blinding smile, this boy shone nonstop from the youngest age. That was kind of expected from the Gloreth's descendant but nevertheless, always a pleasure to be around.
Ambrosius and Ballister were two unlikely friends. The queen didn't expect a Goldenloin, out of all people, to be pals with an outsider. But then she remembered how Goldenloins are raised (sheltered) and realized that him and Ballister have way more in common than expected.
There was something poetic about it, wasn't there? The highest nobleman and the street kid, training under the same conditions to protect their motherland and developing friendship in the process.
...or something other than friendship, perhaps.
The queen remembered the way she herself behaved when she fell in love with her (now late) husband. The whole courting process, the meek smiles and awkward touches, constant sneak-outs and fleeting blush on their cheeks. The boys were all of that. So seeing them, especially Ballister, try to hide their relationship was adorably hilarious.
The way they held hands and quickly shoved them in their respective pockets whenever Valerin was around, tried their best to simulate playful fighting when the "platonic" hug went on for too long, blushed and looked away after looking at each other, and so on and so forth. You really didn't need to be a detective to realize what kind of relationship they had.
The queen understood why they made it (well, they tried) a secret in the first place though. Media wouldn't let them catch a break if Ambrosius did confess he had a partner, let alone the "controversial commoner" one. They're teenagers, after all, and all this fuss about their personal lives would be really uncomfortable for both of them. It was much easier to keep everything private. Of course Valerin understood that.
Still, she did want to discuss it with Ballister. She didn't know why in particular, but maybe because she felt like Ballister didn't have a parental figure to talk about it.
Or maybe because her own son passed away way too young and she wanted to experience this aspect of motherhood, too.
Probably the latter.
So, one evening, the queen asked servants to call Ballister to visit her chambers with the intention of discussing his training and learning progress. With a cup of tea, of course.
Valerin was waiting patiently on her sofa when there was a soft knock on the door.
"Yes, Ballister, you may come in" she said, and the guest didn't make her wait. He stepped into the room and immediately dropped to one knee, tilting his head.
"Good evening, Your Majesty"
"And good evening to you, cadet. You may stand up" the queen smiled at the boy and his chivalrous politeness.
"I was told you wanted to discuss my progress in training"
"Yes, that too" with these words Ballister immediately got tense and worried (there was actually nothing to be worried about - not for him, at the top of his class in every subject), so Valerin tried to make the conversation more casual. "We can discuss it while drinking chai tea - that's how it's called in the Outer City, isn't it?"
"Uh, it's just chai, actually" Ballister corrected awkwardly. The queen felt embarrassed.
"I am sorry" she said. "And thank you"
She saw the corners of his lips slightly lift up and felt at ease. Well, now that the atmosphere is more relaxed than before, she could slowly approach the subject without freaking the boy out. His comfort was more important than her curiosity and her wish to fulfill her (interrupted) role as a mother.
They were deep into the conversation ten minutes in, with Ballister quietly sipping tea and shortly answering from time to time and Valerin actually talking about his achievements.
"I have to admit, Ballister, the way you pranced this horse training session was nothing short of breathtaking" the queen praised. She found it important to encourage the boy any time she could - given how harsh his peers treated him and how often she heard teachers throw microagressions at him.
"Thank you" Ballister pursed his lip and looked away shyly - he surely wasn't used to hearing compliments. "I try really hard to focus on my studies and training at the moment"
"And you surely succeed in it" the queen smiled warmly. "You're an excellent student from what I've seen and heard about you"
"Not as excellent as Ambrosius" well, that just slipped off Ballister's tongue.
He immediately realized what he'd said and sipped some more tea. The queen squinted her eyes.
"Oh, about that" she started, putting her cup away to concentrate on the boy and his reaction. "What do you think of Ambrosius Goldenloin?"
Ballister's big eyes widened at the question. There we go.
"Well..." he scratched his neck and looked away. "He's a good person. He fights well, he's smart and very kind. We're... really good mates"
"Good mates?" Valerin raised her eyebrows. She nearly laughed out loud at his facial expression. Nose scrunched, eyebrows arched and lips in a thin line, the boy seemed totally lost. The blush that was appearing on his cheeks didn't help - oh Gloreth, this kid couldn't lie for the life of him.
"Yes, best mates even. Is there something wrong about it?"
Valerin stayed silent as she kept watching Ballister try and predict what she'd say next. She didn't even need to say anything when realization hit him.
"Do you think me and Ambrosius are dating?!" he whispered in horror. The queen wanted to answer but Ballister did it himself. "W-who told you that?! That's bloody nonsense! I- I would never! Neither would he!"
Valerin tried her best not to erupt with laughter as she watched Ballister spiralling.
"Yes, we are good mates but that's about it! No romance involved" he shook his head, dark slicked back hair getting messy. "I do like him, and he likes me, but not like that! Absolutely not! Plus it would be so stupid of us to date!" he looked down with and put his hand on his nape. "What would we do, I don't know, kiss in the supply closet before lunch?! A pretty dumb idea!"
So that's why the Director complained about Goldenloin and Boldheart always being late to the canteen, she thought, and it made her chuckle. Her chuckling made Ballister lose his mind.
"I swear that we're just friends, Your Majesty. Me and Ambrosius are way too focused on our studies to date anyone! Besides-" the boy went completely red and articulated with his arms. "Ambrosius can't date me! I'm a boy, he's a boy, and, well, the Goldenloin family needs to continue their bloodline! I can't- we couldn't! Even if we wanted!"
The queen really started questioning if Ballister was okay.
"Also, if Ambrosius dated anyone that would be a huge deal. Especially if he dated someone like..." Ballister made a little pause before ending the sentence, sighing. "...me. I wonder why he's my friend in the first place because I don't deserve someone as good as Ambrosius to like, let alone love me"
Valerin did not expect the rant to go this way. She really did not.
"I don't think he's some holy deity whom I should worship - Ambrosius isn't perfect, nobody is" the boy pursed his lips. "But... He's Ambrosius. Kind, brave, beautiful Ambrosius. And I'm... I'm me" an exhale. "I don't get what he sees in me"
I probably should say something, the queen thought while making a mental note to hire a therapist specifically for the knights-in-training. She reached out to Ballister's shoulder, and he looked up at her.
"Ballister-"
"I'm sorry" he mumbled under his breath. "I probably shouldn't have said that. I'm grateful that Ambrosius is my friend, it's just... I..."
"Ballister, it's not-"
"I won't do that anymore. I- I think I need to go- Good night, Your Majesty"
The boy stood up and was about to leave. The queen let him. He stopped near the door, however, and turned his head to face Valerin.
She kept looking at him with no judgement in her eyes, and Ballister?
He finally confessed.
"...yes, we are dating" he whispered and looked down. His cheeks were completely red at that point.
The queen couldn't help but beam - she was grateful that Ballister trusted her enough to do it.
"Thank you for telling me" she said, and the boy softly smiled at her.
"Our three months anniversary is tomorrow"
"That's great to hear"
He sighed in relief before tensing again, chewing on his bottom lip nervously.
"...is it really that obvious?"
Valerin wanted to say no, but honesty is important, especially for a knight, isn't it?
"...yes, very much"
"See! I told him we shouldn't hug in public!"
"It is obvious even when you simply look at each other" she giggled seeing Ballister go through all five stages of grief in one second. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me"
"Good Gloreth, I'm so gr-"
"Just please use protection"
"What?! We're not- NOT YET!" Ballister's cheeks and eartips lit up in embarrassment, and Valerin laughed out loud, choking on her tea in the process so hard that Ballister had to pat her back until her breathing was alright.
Queen Valerin couldn't be more happy to know that Ballister was honest with her. Not only because honesty is important for a knight.
Being honest with someone about things like these meant you trusted that person enough to tell them about it.