Chapter Text
Altaea Kingdom, also known as the land of the Wind and Sky.
It was a beautiful country, filled with dozens of fields, flowers and rolling hills. There were ample farms and villages filled with the hustle and bustle of the townspeople bargaining and bartering their wares, but there were also many beautiful cities with gorgeous houses and banners that flowed freely through the breeze -- proudly sporting the gentle green and gold flag of the country, centred with a flower in the middle.
In ways Altaea was Idyllic, but not every country was perfect.
The poor still suffered and the rich coveted their wealth, but the monarchy tried their best to aide where they could.
At least the Queen did.
Her only son, Sonic, had remained absent throughout his entire childhood bar one viewing of him in public as a young child. He'd seemed like a sweet boy, with bright azure hair and jade green eyes that shone like jewels in the sun. The event had been a garden party for the nobles which Shadow Robotnik had attended when he was small, in which he had the unfortunate experience of meeting said young prince in person.
"Hey! You're a hedgehog too right?!"
Shadow turned to shorter boy who was staring back up at him with a confident smile. He'd only walked away from his grandfather and Maria for just a moment, and yet he'd found himself cornered by a younger blue hedgehog dressed in a green jacket that matched the colour of his eyes decorated with gold trim.
"You look strong!! You better become a knight one day so I can fight you!"
He couldn't believe his ears, the audacity of the younger boy to so brazenly challenge him out in the open at a formal event. He really had no decorum.
"I don't need to be a knight to best lowly scraps such as yourself." Shadow said back bluntly, eyeing the blue hedgehog with scrutiny.
He didn't seem to be dressed in anything special at first, but then he felt his stomach drop once noticing a golden circlet atop his head, encrusted with jewels Shadow had never seen in person before.
Instead of offence however, the boy laughed back at him and tilted his head, the gems shining in the sun and complimenting his deep green eyes. "You're funny!" He beamed back at him, and Shadow felt his eyes widen at the sight.
This kid, no older than five, had truly impressed the seven year old Shadow.
"Well, if I'm the lowly scraps," Sonic continued before walking up to Shadow and fearlessly grabbing his hand, making Shadow flinch in shock. "Then you better be super prepared to beat me when you become a knight. I'm gonna be the Hero of Altaea!" The boy suddenly declared. "My powers of the wind are gonna save everyone!"
The loud declaration had members of the party turn their heads to the boys in that moment, and whispers of a Robotnik fraternizing with the crown prince were flowing through the air.
Plus the prince's loud declarations of grandeur? What decorum was that for a prince?
The queen had arrived not too soon after, quickly pulling Sonic away and scolding him for causing a scene in front of the guests, but Sonic didn't seem that bothered.
Instead the boy turned his head and waved to Shadow as he was picked up and carried off by the queen.
"Red and black hedgehog! My name is Sonic, Prince of Altaea! When I grow up come and fight me! You look super strong!" He called out to him, while Shadow watched in stunned silence.
Never before had he met a child so fearless, or so bold - So arrogant!
He seethed with anger at the attention he'd forced upon Shadow at the party, and all of the stares at the Robotniks gained.
Their house had been contested for a while (due to one disturbing family member) and Gerald had adopted Shadow in hopes of proving his family's loyalty to Altaea as a means of damage control. In fact, Shadow was being pushed to be a knight to earn back the family's honour and trust within the nobles once more. The garden party had been his own debut in a way.
Picking a fight with the crown prince in the day of his formal introduction to nobility had not been his smartest decision, but Shadow was an impulsive child who did not socialise often bar speaking with his sister Maria, so his filter had yet to develop.
Plus, the prince had been an arrogant whelp, picking a fight with a kid two years older than him?
What kinds of things were they teaching him as the future king of the country?
To have an impulsive, cocky and brazen man as king?
Shadow held back a visible shiver.
Yet, despite it all, he still focused all his attention towards becoming the best knight on the guards, climbing the ranks until he was head of the elite.
He was actually approaching a promotion to ascend to the royal knights of the round table; an elite force of esteemed knights chosen for the monarchy.
Before him, only three other members had been admitted. Lord Percival, Sir Gawain and Sir Galahad. Shadow was to be the fourth, with the title Sir Lancelot.
Percival had been the first appointed, reaching the rank at 21 due to her incredible abilities with both swords and fire magic. Gawain was second, for his use of raw strength and talent in close combat at the age of 20. Galahad joined at 18, fresh out of training and climbing the ranks due to recommendations from Percival herself and his increasing skill with telekinetic abilities.
Shadow was the firm middle, joining at 19 due to his exceptional swordsmanship skills and chaos control ability. Although, his strength had initially posed him as a threat to the others due to his family name.
He daresay he would have joined even younger if not for this bias, but he thanked the stars he was ever allowed to join.
For when you were part of the round table, you were given special royal tasks such as guard the queen on travels, go on quests to quell overseas affairs and engage the prince in training matches without running the risk of being charged with regicide.
Shadow was more than ready to finally humiliate that egotistical prince. He couldn't wait to be actively encouraged to beat him.
~~~
Footsteps echoed throughout the hallways as Miles opened the doorway to a large entrance, knocking a few times before walking in on instinct. It had always been a formality with his proverbial older brother rather an an actual requirement, humming as his tails swayed behind him.
"Sonic! I finally got approval for those blueprint plans! want to come to the workshop with me?" He called cheerfully, only to pause in surprise when there was no answer. His smile slowly fell to a frown as he continued to venture around the large room. "Sonic?" he called again as he checked the bed for any potential sleeping hedgehogs. Still no sign of him. Weird.
Miles glanced over to the window and his ears twitched at the open breeze flowing into the room - and the fluttering of the spare bedsheets that had been tied up around the middle pillar of the window.
"He ran off again..." Miles sighed in defeat, ears lowering as he debated telling queen Aleena. As kind and carefree as the prince was, he had a nasty habit of running away to sneak off into town as of late. He couldn't really blame him, the prince had been sheltered in the castle his entire life.
Apparently, it had been due to a seer prophesying a disaster in the future surrounding the prince leaving the castle before his 18th birthday.
For the one with eyes of jade of and quills of blue,
The world shall start anew.
Lest he meet his untimely end,
On his eighteenth summer his powers shall mend.
Land of Wind and Sky heed this call,
Or the kingdom Altaea,
Shall fall.
Sonic had never been much for superstitions, but the queen had been more cautious.
That's why not many people had actually seen the prince, bar his closest friends, the maids in charge of his wing of the castle, and the knights of the round table. And frankly, Miles could understand how anyone would find it stifling. Yet alone his restless princely brother.
"I hope he remembered his disguise at least..." Miles mumbled thoughtfully with worry. "He's getting awfully reckless as of late."
He tilted his head in thought. The queen had asked the fox to report when Sonic's behaviour was edging on dangerous, he was starting to think maybe now was the right time... "Forgive me Sonic, but you could have at least told me about this one..." Miles sighed in defeat.
He could only hope Sonic wouldn't be too mad at him for snitching to the queen.
~~~
"Look who finally shows! Sir Lancelot, in the flesh!" Rouge smiled as she welcomed into her tavern, The Diamond Bar.
It was a beautiful establishment, decorated with fine silks uncommon in the outskirts of Altaea and the softest pillows made of feather down. It was where a lot of knights came to drink and unwind after a day's work training, even the four Royal guards.
Shadow sighed and removed his helmet as he walked in, inclining his head politely to the white bat. "You don't have to announce the new title so loudly."
"Nonsense! My best friend just became a royal lap dog! I have to let everyone know the aggressive Shadow Robotnik now has a pretty little royal leash attached~" She winked at him while Shadow silently fumed at her words. Only Rouge would dare say such things, they'd been friends for as long as he could remember - although he'd never actually admit it.
"Watch your words, Rouge!" Gawain snapped from his side on the table, making the knights presence known in the corner of the tavern.
"Awh, don't take it personally, I like a man with a leash~" Rouge teased back, earning a flustered expression and sputtering from the red knight.
Percival, who had been sitting next to Gawain sighed and put down her glass of wine. "I fear we will be off topic before even discussing it." She said back calmly, dispersing the awkward energy in the air in mere moments.
Shadow had to admire her talents and maturity. She really showed in her actions how she had become the first knight of the round table.
"I am in agreement." Shadow nodded before walking over to the group, sitting down on the free seat across from the pair, glancing to the other spare seat and raising an eyebrow. "Is Galahad not joining us?"
"Silver is on prince duty." Percival responded back.
"He's out on the loose again." Gawain growled in annoyance. "He's too fast to catch and he's been out since this morning! I feel sorry for Galahad having to find him."
Shadow let out a small hum, but internally he was laughing in amusement. He'd been told the shut in prince was secretly a chronic runaway, guess those rumours were true.
"He'll show up in the end." Percival nodded before leaning forward to take another sip of her wine. All of the knights had been charged with watching the prince before, and with Percival being the one who had spent the longest around Sonic, she knew it was pointless to find him.
Whenever Gawain questioned her lack of concern, she had simply said; "you've fought him before, our prince is capable of defending himself."
Gawain couldn't argue.
It made Shadow envious to think about. To know these knights had personally fought and lost to Sonic had Shadow's mind race. He wanted to know just how strong the prince really had grown.
It was a stupid want, and he doubted Sonic even remembered his challenge to him, but his stubborn pride couldn't allow the insult to his character.
He needed to fight the prince.
No matter what.
"Regardless, shall we get to important matters?" Blaze asked back lightly against her glass. "One for Lancelot, please." She asked Rouge as the white bat smiled.
"Of course, I have a fine vino just for the celebration." Rouge smiled at Shadow before flying off to pour a glass for her friend.
"You need not get me a drink, I had no intentions of staying long." Shadow responded, but Percival waved him off.
"I fear that is not your choice as and when this gathering ends." Percival interrupted before putting her glass down and putting her hands on the table with a quiet calmness. "As much as I want to wish you congratulations, I also must question your intentions on joining the royal guard."
Shadow's eyes widened slightly in mild surprise, looking between Percival and Gawain only to see the echidna grunt in agreement. He should have expected it really, but a small part of his pride hurt that he still wasn't trusted just because of his lineage.
"You wound me with your words" shadow said back calmly.
"It is not because of your title nor name" Percival reassured as she waved him off. "I merely wish to question why you joined the royal guards when your opinions of the prince have been... Less than favourable."
Ah.
So that was it.
"While I may not speak fondly of the prince, my loyalty to my country is absolute; that I assure. I would not allow an isolated emotion to affect my judgement for the benefit of the kingdom." Shadow responded back with firm conviction in his eyes.
Rouge placed a glass down in front of him with a smile before flying off. A rich red wine with a fruity scent stayed in her place.
"We'll see how that loyalty fares on your first assignment." Gawain narrowed his eyes at him.
Okay, so Gawain still doubted his character. That he could earn. What was another approval to add to his already impressive pile?
Shadow rose an eyebrow at his words. "Meaning?"
"Don't spoil it." Percival cut Gawain off before he could speak further, her golden eyes shining in amusement. "Allow him to enjoy his evening."
While his curiosity grew, Shadow didn't question further, opting to take a sip of his drink as he let the flavour rest on his tongue. He hummed in approval before swallowing, Rouge had left him a good wine indeed.
"Regardless, a toast." Percival rose her own wine glass, encouraging Gawain to follow suit. "To Sir Lancelot, the fourth knight of the round table."
Shadow could appreciate her wanting to offer an olive branch, politely raising his glass in turn while Gawain begrudgingly joined in.
It was a gentle clink of glasses and cups. No bells or whistles. No fancy parade. Just a silent celebration and proverbial pat on the back.
Shadow preferred it.
The trio remained for a few moments, going over the basics of what tomorrow would entail and what Shadow was expecting to do as he was officially accepted into the Royal Guards. As well as where to gather in the morning, before Percival began to stand. Her glass empty on the table.
"I do hate to cut this short when there is much I would wish to discuss, but my lady has been without us for longer than I am comfortable with." Percival began as Gawain began to stand as well. "We shall bid you goodnight for now. I look forward to seeing you be welcomed by the Queen."
"Make sure you turn in soon too, tomorrow is going to be a big day." Gawain said back as he glanced to Shadow, who only nodded in agreement.
"I shall. Rouge will have my head if I do not speak with her further for tonight, but I will be retiring soon."
Gawain grunted back, but that seemed as far as approval went for him. "You be careful too, there's been a lot of reports of crime around here recently." He called over to Rouge.
"I'm a big girl, I've been taking care of this place longer than you've been a royal knight, thank you for worrying about me though sweet~!" Rouge called back with a small laugh, earning an embarrassed flush from Gawain.
The echidna was quick to storm out, a very amused Percival following behind.
"You really need to be more blunt with the boy." Shadow mused as he took another drink.
"Half the fun is the chase." Rouge hummed back playfully, Shadow's ear flicking behind him on instinct as she heard her wings flap closer to him. "It's not much different to how you and Blue play." She settled down on the ground next to him and smirked. "I'm sure he'll be thrilled at this news of yours as well!"
Shadow stiffened at that name.
Oh, Blue.
The mysterious travelling merchant who had made it his mission to aggravate Shadow by any means possible, as often as possible.
Shadow couldn't deny, the resemblance was striking. And he'd asked Blue about it before. But the merchant had insisted on being just that- a merchant.
Any other questions Shadow asked him were often evaded or ignored completely, assuring him that his life was not that exciting.
He liked his privacy. He could respect that.
What he couldn't respect was how aggravating Blue was.
"The day I hold affection for Blue is the day the last other living person on earth perishes." Shadow said back bluntly, finishing off his glass of wine. "Besides, why should I want a vagrant to know my business?"
"To think I mean so little to you, think you know a guy huh?"
That voice.
It was unmistakable.
"Blue!" Rouge cheered in excitement and quickly got up to run over to him and pull him into a hug. "I was wondering where you were, you're unusually late."
Blue laughed and easily returned the hug, blue cloak swaying as he wrapped his arms around her. "I got a little side-tracked on the road called life!" He beamed back, green eyes shining under the mysterious black mask he always wore.
Shadow rolled his eyes, finishing off his glass and standing. "Well, I best head off."
"Already? I just got here! Allow me a drink at least?" Blue said back quickly with a pout.
"Not necessary." Shadow declined, but Rouge was already off to open the remaining wine to fill two glasses.
"Nonsense, I'll pay!" Blue smiled and easily slid into the seat Percival had sat not long before. "Come on, I wanna know the good news too! Finally get promoted Shads?"
"Sir Lancelot now." Rouge corrected as she waltzed over to place the glasses of wine down in front of them. "He's being appointed to the Royal Guard as part of he round table."
Shadow could have sworn he was a frown tug at Blue's expression. Peculiar.
"Wooowww... royal guard, huh?" Blue let out a whistle. "Fancy title. You're going to be working for the queen then?"
"And the crown prince." Shadow nodded. "I'll finally be able to fight against him in training."
Blue visibly perked up. "Oh! So you're finally gonna be able to fight him? I'm jealous! Does this mean I need to curtsy around you now? Wait that's for ladies- do I bow instead?" He teased with a widening grin.
"You'd be no bigger a fool than you are now should you curtsy." Shadow smirked back at him in amusement.
"You wound me dear sir." Blue held his chest in mock hurt, his peach fur standing out against the blue of the cape and the white of his plain tunic.
Blue was a strange colour for a merchant, but Shadow thought he wore it well. Something about standing out in his wares was the explanation, but Shadow wasn't sure how much he bought it. It was an expensive colour to own, especially not for a merchant's salary. Yet Blue never seemed tight for money.
"Anyway," Blue interrupted his thoughts by raising his wine glass with a bright smile. "To Sir Lancelot, the Royal Knight of Altaea!"
Shadow started back at him before indulging him in the toast, considering he'd paid for the wine and it was worth drinking. No other reason whatsoever.
Blue hit the glasses with more force Percival and Gawain combined, the cups making a loud clink across their side of the tavern.
"Break it, you buy it!" Rouge called back in warning, earning a giggle from Blue.
"We'll be careful, but I'll pay if it does break!" Blue called back with an easy going smile.
Shadow caught himself staring, and opted to take a drink and enjoy the small buzz he had forming in the back of his head.
He might have been a heavy drinker, but this was strong wine. Even he felt it a little after a second glass.
"I guess this is the last time you'll be here for a while then." Blue said back for taking a sip of his own wine.
"I assume so, my duties will be vastly different from now on."
"Same here." Blue responded with a small sigh, earning a raised eyebrow from Shadow. "I have a lot of responsibilities starting soon, I won't be returning to the tavern for a few moons at least."
"You have responsibility?" Shadow tormented him back with a teasing look, making Blue pout at him.
"Would it be that surprising if I was a well travelled and educated individual?"
"Immensely." Shadow responded without missing a beat.
"You're a jerk." Blue laughed back at him, letting out a hum and suddenly down his drink in one. "But I'll have you know I'm full of surprises."
"Oh?" Shadow said back simply, feigning disinterest.
"One such surprise is..." Blue suddenly stood up and grabbed Shadows hand, pulling him up and further into the tavern where the band was playing. "I'm an excellent dancer!"
"What are you doing?!" Shadow hissed back, trying to pull away from Blue's vice-like grip. It was no use however. He was quickly being dragged onto the dance floor.
"Come on Shads, it's our last night of freedom! Let's dance!"
"I don't dance!" He denied back harshly.
"Nonsense!" Blue laughed back, still holding his hand as he began to spin in time with the music. "Come on, one dance?" He begged back softly, eyes shining in the light.
Shadow couldn't say no.
He let out a deep sigh before slowly softening his stance, allowing Blue to move between his hands as he brought him in, then push him away, his hands swapping over when Blue changed directions.
"You're good," Blue complimented as he let Shadow take over the dance once he'd gotten more confident in the rhythm. "Do you attend balls often?"
"On occasion, often with my sister when she is well enough to attend."
"Maria right?" Blue looked up with a smile.
Shadow simply nodded in response before pulling Blue closer and gently placing a hand on his waist subconsciously. He'd spoken of his sister once or twice before around Blue, but he was still impressed he remembered.
"I'd love to meet her one day." Blue laughed. "I feel like she'd be wonderful to get along with."
"You don't know the half of it..." Shadow mumbled as he thought about a hypothetical meeting of Blue with Maria. He had no doubt they'd get along like a house on fire, but Shadow didn't know what it would do for his already thin patience.
Shadow had mentioned Blue once in passing to Maria and since then she'd wanted to know everything. Such fantasies of romance were often her forte, and wanting to pair her stoic brother off had become a favourite pass-time of hers. Being frail herself, she was not offered many suitors undeterred by her weak constitution. She was such a kind and wonderful woman, and yet fate had denied her the fairy tale story she had so desperately wished for.
Maybe Shadow was soft, but he allowed her to hypothesise Blue's affections for Shadow, although the ebony hedgehog never outwardly honoured her many questions.
Shadow snapped out of his thoughts when he noticed Blue stare up at him silently. There wasn't much of a height difference, maybe a few inches if that, but now it felt so much more noticeable. The other male was so much more lithe in his hold.
"I'm really gonna miss this..." Blue mumbled, leaning closer into his hold for a moment, his voice strained.
"Blue?" Shadow asked back softly, only to blink in surprise as he noticed something shining underneath his mask. "Are you crying...?"
Blue flinched before laughing awkwardly and quickly wiping his eyes as best he could through the mask. "It's nothing, don't worry about it!" He shook his head, forcing another wide smile onto his face that made Shadow's stomach twist in concern.
"Are you in danger?" Shadow asked him back quietly.
Blue was quick to shake his head again. "I'm just... I'm really happy for you." Blue said back, this time offering Shadow a genuine smile that put his unease at rest. Though there was still something nagging at the back of his mind. Something Blue wasn't telling him.
"... I know you don't share a lot about yourself, but you've pestered me non stop for the last few years. I owe at least a second of time for you in return."
Blue laughed back in return, eyes bright as he shook his head in bemusement. "A lifetime of bothering you amounts to a second, how kind." He teased back before letting out a sigh. One he didn't even know he'd been holding. "Shadow... Would you hate me if I... Lied to you?"
Shadow rose an eyebrow at him. "That would depend on the lie." He said back carefully.
"If I had to, for example, even though I didn't want to."
"I'm not sure I'm following what you're getting at." Shadow narrowed his eyes as the pair began to pick up the pace of the dance, music swelling as the pair circled and danced around one another was if they were the only two in the room.
Even a few regulars were staring at the display.
"Just- I beg of you. Please, don't hate me should you find out a lie I've kept hidden." Blue begged back.
"Is this where you tell me you're a spy for another country?" Shadow asked back with an accusatory glare.
"No! Nothing like that! Just-" Blue sighed and shook his head. "Whatever happens tomorrow, I'm sorry, alright?"
"What do you-" Shadow was cut off by the music ending, Shadow in the middle of dipping Blue to the ground low enough that he could see those gorgeous emerald eyes stare back at him.
"Lance..." Blue said back softly, his chest heaving slightly from the intensity of the dance. Shadow's own breaths came in laboured as well, the dance demanding more than he'd originally thought. He'd found he'd been captivated by another sight however, Blue reaching up to him and cupping his his cheek with a gloved hand.
Time seemed to stop when suddenly Blue leaned forward to press a chaste kiss to his cheek.
The action stunned Shadow, looking back to Blue and slowly letting him go.
"Thank you for humouring me." Blue said back to him gently, quickly turning and rushing out of the tavern before Shadow could question it further.
"Wow, Blue made the first move... Damn, I should have made a betting pool." Rouge hummed in amusement as she walked over to the still stunned Shadow, holding out his remaining glass of wine previously abandoned on the table.
"I..." Shadow took the drink in his hand, touching the cheek Blue had kissed with his other. The glass began to crack as Shadow's grip tightened, shattering it as the wine remaining wine spilled to the floor. "I'm gonna fucking kill him!" He seethed.
"My glass!" Rouge glared at him in disapproval before calling over a maid to bring a sweep and a mop for the mess.
"I'll pay for it." Shadow growled in annoyance. "That vagrant just kissed me!"
"On the cheek hun, it's not that big a deal." Rouge rolled her eyes and took the mop from the maid and began to sweep it up. Shadow tried to help, but Rouge quickly batted his hand away. "Blue left a generous tip so no need. I was going to replace these glasses soon anyway, although I wish you hadn't wasted the wine."
Shadow was beginning to regret that too. "I should not be letting a lady deal with glass." He tried to argue, but Rouge laughed at him.
"And risk you getting shards in your paws a day before becoming a royal knight? Dream on buster!"
Shadow rolled his eyes at her.
"What do you think that was about though?" Rouge asked curiously, first time I've seen Blue act that impulsive in a while."
Shadow let out a deep sigh and shook his head. Who could say?
"That boy is a bag of mysteries." Shadow sighed in defeat, insisting on waiting for the mess to be cleared up before he allowed himself to leave for the night. "Take care tonight Rouge."
"I always do." Rouge smiled back at him gently. "Get home safe too."
Shadow let out a snort but secretly appreciated it, silently slipping out and returning to his family home for the final time.
Tomorrow he would be in the palace permanently and closer to the royal family. As long as Maria's medication was paid by his salary he didn't care.
She deserved a comfortable life if not the one she desperately wanted.
Although he knew it wouldn't just be Maria disappointed there would no longer be anymore Blue stories to tell for a while.
Was that him saying goodbye before?
The sorrowful face he held had called to a very deep part of Shadow. The one that wanted to see his smile on his face one more time.
He needed somewhere to direct these emotions, all this frustration and bittersweet farewells the night before his inauguration had not been how envisioned this long awaited day.
"Curse that Blue, he's worse than the prince!" Shadow growled as he hissed at the chill breeze against his armour.
He prayed he would be allowed to fight the prince tomorrow.
~~~
An hour after Shadow left, sir Galahad burst through the tavern door, run ragged with deep bags under his eyes.
"Lady Rouge, have you seen the prince?!" He asked desperately as he rushed up to the bar.
"He left about two hours ago." Rouge replied, not even turning back as she poured another drink at the bar for a patron. "I'd assume he's already gone back to the castle."
Silver let out an exasperated groan, slamming his head against the bar in exhaustion.
"So how long did he run off for this time?"
"Since morning." Galahad groused, idly tracing a knot in the wood with his index finger.
Rouge let out an impressed whistle. "Queen won't be happy about that."
"He's like an eel!" Galahad argued back. "Percival says leave him be, but he's the prince! Surely we should heed the prophecy with more reverence?" He asked in frustration.
Rouge chuckled before turning back to him fully, deciding to change the topic ever so slightly. "He was dancing with his new knight earlier."
"Sir Lancelot?" Galahad lifted his head in mild surprise.
"He was here celebrating the promotion with Lord Percival and Sir Gawain."
"Without me?" Galahad whined and hid his face in the bar again. "I always get left out... I haven't even met the guy yet!"
"I feel like your days at the castle are going to become very interesting soon Lord Galahad." Rouge smiled at him in bemusement.
Galahad paused before looking back up at her. "How so?"
"Well," Rouge before before turning to him with a glint in her eyes. "Today was your last day of prince guarding duty, correct? I wonder who it'll be next..."
Far away, Shadow felt a shiver run down his spine.