❝𝐇𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝❞ || Golden Guard x Reader

Hate

At long last, you held a scone in your hand. Your eyes nervously scanned it, double checking that it was completely safe to eat. You wanted to ask the Golden Guard what they put in there, but you felt as if you were walking on eggshells already. One wrong move, and he'll probably take back the deal you both made. Thinking about it sent a shiver down your spine, goosebumps dotting along your arms. It seemed as if the boy had noticed your timid stare and tensed up figure because he had given your hand a light squeeze before letting it go completely. The feeling of the breeze rushing between your fingers was enough to snap you out of your thoughts.

"You look nervous. Do you not like scones? We can get something else, human." The guard cocked his head. You tentatively shook your head, bringing the snack up to your mouth and taking a small bite. You waited for a moment, half expecting some sort of pain or discomfort to flood your body. But, luckily it never came.

Once confirming your safety, you chowed down on the little piece of dough like an animal. Starvation would be an understatement to describe the large pit in your stomach. You lacked any sort of etiquette, practically forgetting where you were and who you were with. A gloved hand grabbing your arm and pulling the scone away from your mouth was what had taken you from your mini paradise.

You looked up at the masked witch curiously, completely unaware of the lack of manners you had just shown.

"What are you, five?" The Golden Guard freed your wrist from his grasp, using that same hand to wipe away the vanilla glaze that had smudged near your lips. "Get yourself together. Can't go around making yourself so obvious." You sure felt five. This guy that was barely older than you was scolding you like you were a toddler? 

"I'm 15..." You decided to just change the subject.

You glanced at the untouched scone that was in the guard's other hand. "Aren't you gonna eat? Or are you too scared I'm gonna see that face of yours?" The boy stepped back slightly, putting his free hand on his hip. "Ohoho, wouldn't you love to know?" Then, he slowly lifted the mask up, only enough to take a bite of the pastry. You could barely even see past his chin, but you had taken notice that his skin looked pale.

Perhaps a sickly pale? 

That sure was a little concerning. Sure, you stood in a realm surrounded by nothing but non-humanoid sentient beings, but this guy seemed human enough. He was a teenager, about the average height and build for somebody near your age, and his voice was completely normal, albeit a little muffled due to the poor ventilation on his mask. You didn't doubt that the creatures here could be as white as a sheet of paper, but if you saw that kind of paleness on somebody in your school, you'd probably assume they were sick or sleep deprived.

It made you wonder, though... Could this Golden Guard kid be a truly horrifying monster underneath it all? He left no part of his body uncovered, and the mask surely didn't help his case.

You shook those thoughts out of your head and finished your scone in deathly silence.

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Walking back to the palace had been an awkward journey. Neither you nor the guard had spoken, save for the time he had stopped you about halfway back, carefully putting the handcuffs back on his and your wrists.

It was good. You shouldn't have been making friends with somebody who is involved in your captivity. The person who had started this all in the first place. The scones were nice, but now that you were nearing the Emperor's residence, you both knew that the fun and games were over. Whatever serotonin you had given one another was forbidden. 

The boy wordlessly led you back to your cell room, re-assembling the shackles around your ankles and wrists. You glared at him the entire time, and he damn sure knew it.

"Stop that." He ordered as he straightened, standing over you in your trapped, vulnerable state. From this angle, he was almost scary. You didn't know what he was capable of, what he really was like. Yeah, he was a brat, but that's all you knew about him. That, and the color of his skin. "You're making this difficult for me." He finished, sighing.

You almost felt a smirk creep its way onto your face. Perhaps you gained some sort of satisfaction by getting under his skin. Maybe you just wanted a reason to not sink into your own puddle of despondency and despair. Either way, you complacently hissed a simple "good", causing the teen to turn on the balls of his feet and begin walking away. You stared him down, [E/C] eyes following his every step. As he turned to close the door, you muttered, loud enough for only him to hear.

"I hate you."

You didn't expect a reply, but the guard opened his sly mouth and replied with a "sleep well."

╚══════ ≪ ❈ ≫ ══════╝

The Golden Guard was a completely different person in front of the Emperor. A young man that had just been as smug as domineering was now on one knee, bowing in front of the abnormally tall individual. His voice was higher pitched when speaking to his Liege, showing both the fear and devotion he had around Belos. 

And, well, that was to be expected. Everyone with a brain and a will to live was devoted to Belos.

"Did you gain knowledge of our little visitor, Hunter?" A booming voice, followed by a much smaller one.

"Yes. [F/N], 15 years old. I'm unsure of the last name. They're a little prickly around the edges, but I believe I can get through to them with time." 

"Very good, nephew."

As much as Hunter felt the urge to smile from the compliment, he couldn't help but replay the last moment he saw [Y/N] before he left their room. I hate you, they had said. He deserved it, he knew it shouldn't have bothered him - still, nobody liked being hated. And he had felt sorry for them being dragged into this mess. 

"Uncle, I'd like to state a concern." His heart pounded deep in his chest, almost making him lightheaded. He knew he was going to be shut down, he knew he was going to speak out of turn, and he knew this wasn't even worth a shot. But a desperate boy will do whatever it takes to ease himself of the negative emotions. 

"I don't feel comfortable with manipulating the human like this. They-they didn't do anything wrong. Maybe if we can get them on our side, we wouldn't have to do this. I'm positive that it won't take long for me to persuade them." The boy would've kept talking, hadn't the Emperor rose off of his throne and peered at him with every ounce of malicious intent.

"Hunter."

The blond shut his mouth, anxiously biting his tongue to the point that the familiar metallic flavor engulfed in his tastebuds.

"Right. I'm sorry. I'll continue on with the plan as you had commanded me to. Don't expect another complaint from me." With that, Hunter had stood up and slowly walked out of the room, a weight lifted off his shoulders as soon as he left. 

All of this, it was for his uncle. It'd all be worthwhile in the end.

Still, the Golden Guard was pitiful. And because he was pitiful, he took his blanket off of his bed and sneaked his way to the cell, quietly unlocking the doors. As expected, the human was completely deep in slumber. What else was there for them to do?

Hunter tightly clutched the blanket before draping it over their body.