The Hounds of House Scientia pt. 1 Storge
So yeah...thought I’d give it a go and develop this AU a little more. I’m so rusty I think parts broke off as I was typing away during my lunch hour. I thought about expanding the whole Segugio thing, making different castes came up with 3 but I’m probably going to abandon that... This is my first legit story with a reader insert, hope I didn’t butcher it.
Cautiously you opened the door to the bedroom, eyes scanning for anything amiss. The governess had tasked you in finding her student who had seemingly vanished into thin air after their earlier lessons had broken for lunch. Stepping into the room you started to investigate further, dropping down onto your knees to search under the bed first. For any other child that place would have been an obvious choice but your quarry was not any other child.
From your spot you heard a rustle of heavy fabric and a stifled giggle. Standing up you glanced towards the window and spied the toes of tiny shoes sticking out from under the hem of the floor length curtains and the outline of a small body. A smile curled at your lips and you moved quietly towards the veiled figure. If they caught on that you knew the game would be over. You drew closer and you spied the little figure go stiff and shuffle back against the wall.
“You will need to hide better-” You started, voice full of mirth as you reached out to grab the curtain and pull it back. “If you want to avoid your schooling, Little Mister!”
Green eyes obscured by wisps of dirty blond hair peered up at you, brows knitted together and little lips pursed in a thin line. The six-year-old was the picture of frustration and yet still downright adorable. It made your heart melt. Ignis Scientia, first born son and heir to the Scientia name had been yours to protect since his birth. Stuck somewhere between nanny and bodyguard, you made sure his needs were met when his parents were out of the house. You gave him a stern look and knelt down to be eye to eye with your charge.
“Little Mister-” You started, tone firm as you hoped to convey the seriousness of the matter at hand. “Why are you avoiding your lessons?”
The boy looked down at his shoes, suddenly finding the carpet very interesting. “It’s sunny and I’d rather be outside playing.”
You had a hard time keeping the smile off your face as you drew yourself back up to full height. “Maybe if you had not escaped we could have worked something out with your governess.” You sighed, hands coming to rest on your hips. “But I’m sure she’ll add extra lessons to your nightly assignments as punishment now. Now come with me, you have kept her waiting long enough.” You offered a hand to him and smiled inwardly as he reluctantly reached up to grasp it, small fingers wrapping around your own.
Escorting him back to the library you delivered him safely back to his governess. “Be good, Little Mister.” You said with a smile and heading away. You still had to patrol the grounds and check in with the other guards before collecting the boy and making sure he was fed and bathed before bed. Usually his parents would be there to help him but they had been called away to the Citadel more and more often, leaving Ignis in the care of yourself and the other staff.
As you returned Ignis rushed from his governess, “(Y/N) (Y/N)!” He called excitedly, grabbing hold of your hands and hastily telling you about an interesting tidbit he had learned before sobering and muttering that he had needed to read two extra chapters as punishment for trying to skip afternoon lessons.
“Take this as a learning experience, Little Mister.” You started as you walked him down towards the dining room. “How do you expect to be as smart as your uncle if you skip your lessons? The King needs knowledgeable people by his side.”
“What if I don’t want to become an advisor?” He asked, making you stop short, boot tip skipping against the titled floor. Glancing down you saw him looking at you expectantly.
This wasn’t the first time this had been brought up and you had been told how to respond to the question. “We all have our duties.” You said softly, walking with him again. “Now promise not to give any of the kitchen staff grief.” The Little Mister had a precocious palate and he never thought twice about letting the chef know if he thought something was over-seasoned or not done the way he liked it. It was rather funny to see the old family chef grow flustered and red-faced that a mere child was questioning his techniques. His parents never encouraged the behavior but it was hilarious still.
As you helped him into his chair in the dining room, the boy grabbed at your forearm. “Can’t you have dinner with me, (Y/N)?”
You shook your head no and moved to push his chair in. “I’ll have dinner later.” Reaching out you lightly combed your fingers through his hair, brushing the unruly strands out of his eyes and smiled. “After you get to bed and I make sure everything is safe.” Truth was you were not permitted to dine with the main family. He didn’t know what you were exactly, only that you were his protector. He looked so disappointed that you leaned in and touched your forehead to the crown of his head. “It’s just for tonight, Little Mister. Tomorrow morning your mom and dad will be back from the Citadel.”
With that you excused yourself and started on your nightly check around the house. Nothing was a miss and you sighed a thankful prayer to the Six for that. You checked back in on Ignis and found him enjoying a little fruit tart for dessert. He held it up proudly, little cheeks puffed out and crumbs dotting his lips and face.
“And where have your manners gone?” You chastised trying your best to hide a laugh as you walked up to him and reached for the napkin that had remained on the table and started to gently wipe his face. “Just because your parents have left doesn’t mean you get to stop being the young man that you are. I think you managed to get more of your supper on your face than you did in you.”
Ignis playfully fought at your efforts to clean his face, little hands pushing at yours while laughing. He knew what came next and he was ready to fight for his freedom. You knew the dance well though and anticipated when his little body moved to push off the chair and was ready to scoop him up with a triumphant grin.
“You thought you had me this time, huh?” You asked, trying to adjust the wiggling little body against your own. “But I know you, Little Mister.”
He slowly started to settle down as he was carried down the hall, resigning to his fate of a dreaded bath. “(Y/N) why do you call me that?”
“I’ve told you a hundred times why,” You smiled, turning down the hall and heading up the grand staircase to the residence on the upper floor. “I call you Little Mister because wouldn’t it be confusing for there to be two Mister Scientia’s in the house at once?”Ignis’ father was the second son of the family, his older brother and royal advisor, holding the title of Lord. Only with no legitimate heirs of his own to claim the title from him, Ignis was named next in line of succession for the title. “I call you Little mister so everyone knows just who I’m talking to.” Your lips curled into a little grin and you cocked your head to he left as you looked down at him. “I think your father would be cross with me if he thought I was telling him to eat his vegetables. Don’t you think?”
A burst of giggles was his response and he nodded. “He would.”
Bath time was a struggle, it usually was and you felt there was more water on the floor and on you than remained in the tub but he was clean so it was a success! After bath time and another battle to get into his pajamas it was time for a little bit of play and then reading. You picked out a story together and settled down on the bed, Ignis nestled up to your side. You tried your best reading aloud the tales of brave heroes but you weren’t as good as his parents, you couldn’t do the funny voices like they did. And he let you know it too.
“Would you like me to stop?” You asked, eyebrow raised as you glanced down at the boy. His head was bobbing as he fought off sleep. “I think that is enough for tonight.” Closing the book you didn’t listen to Ignis’ mumbled protest for ‘just one more chapter’.
“You can listen to more tomorrow.” You said slipping off the bed and going to tuck Ignis in, bringing the blankets right up to his chin. “Goodnight, Little Mister.” You whispered before heading out of his room, closing the door behind you.
“You’re sending him where?” It was several days later, Mr. and Mrs. Scientia had returned from the Citadel with news that the King was requesting Ignis start his service as retainer to the crown prince. “He’s only six!”
His father gave a knowing nod, leaning back in his chair with a small sigh. “I know, but this has been the plan from the start. It’s just happening a little earlier-“
“Your are robbing him of his childhood!” You yelled, the words leaving your lips faster than you could stop them. “Service will be all he’s known!”
“You forget yourself, (Y/N).” His father started lowly, eyes cold. “I do not enjoy this any more than you do but this is what’s best.”
“Best for who?” You growled lowly, hands balling into fists at your sides. “The royals or your son?” You were overstepping your bounds you knew that but your job was to protect Ignis. This path that he was being lead down would rob him of any sense of self.
“What’s done is done.” He said, lowly. His tone leaving no room for discussion. “Ignis will be leaving at the end of the week and we will be moving to the Citadel full time to be closer to him. You and the other Segugios at the house will be reassigned. I can make a recommendation if there is somewhere particular you wish to go.”
Your hands were shaking and you tried to keep your anger in check. Mouth dry you started to speak, mind searching for the right words. “C-can I ask for one favor, Sir?”
His father looked a little confused at the request but nodded. “What is it?”
“May I say goodbye?” Your voice was soft and wavered a bit. You half expected him to say no, your station was that of servant. Instead he came up to you and set his hands on your shoulders.
“Of course, (Y/N). You have been amazing helping us with him these past few years. We could not have asked for better.” He smiled, squeezing your shoulders. “This change will be hard for everyone.”
You could only give a nod, not trusting your voice not to break. You were shocked when he continued on.
“I know we haven’t said it enough to you or the others, but thank you for all your hard work. We would be honored if you and the others joined us for dinner the day before we leave.”
Shock was not the right word to express what emotions you were feeling at that invitation. “Yes.” You manage to eek out. “Thank you.”
Letting you go, his father took a step back and nodded. “Please try and keep his day-to-day life as normal as possible. We’re trying to not make this transition as easy on him as possible.”
Swallowing the lump in your throat you nod and bow. “Yes, Sir.” Leaving his office you reached up to wipe at the tears that threatened to break free. You knew that this position wouldn’t last forever, that eventually the Little Mister would have to go and take his place at the Citadel but you never thought that it would be this soon. That such a large burden would be place on little shoulders.
You did your best to keep things as normal as you could, bringing him to his classes and watching him when his parents were busy with work. You might have been a little lax though, letting him climb the trees in the back garden and helping him hunt for bugs. At the end of this week his normal life was going to be over and you wanted him to have all the time to enjoy life that he could.
The night of the dinner finally arrived and you were surprised to see the children’s table had been brought out and set up in the corner. Ignis looked to be practically vibrating with excitement as he rushed to take your hand.
"Mom and Dad said that you get to sit with me tonight.” He said happily, leading you over to the table. “Just us!”
Nervously you glanced back at his parents and the three other Segugios that made up the family’s protective detail. His mother smiled and gave you a permissive nod. This would be your last night with the Little Mister…Ignis was ever the little gentleman, pulling out your chair and trying to push it back in (succeeding with a little help from you) before rushing around and going to sit across from you. Throughout dinner he enthusiastically talked about moving to the Citadel and how he was going to be helping Prince Noctis.
It was bittersweet, he knew you couldn’t come with him but he didn’t understand the reasons. You tried to explain that the Citadel was so well protected that there was no need for you. “I would just get in the way. But I do expect to still mind your manners. If you act up I will hear about. Just like the time you tried to steal cookies when you thought no one was watching you.”
After dinner you watched as his parents went to bring him upstairs and get him ready for bed while you went to do the last check of the night. Tomorrow would see the Little Mister go and a few days after that his parents would be moving. You had asked to go to Accordo and were being placed in a small flower shop in Altissa. From there you’d be reporting on Niflheim activity as part of the intelligence network.
“(Y/N)! ” A small voice called from behind you, causing you a bit of a start.
Turning you saw Ignis at the foot of the steps, looking at you with water little eyes. It must have hit him that tonight was the last time he’d see you. “Little Mister, you need to go back up to-“ Your scolding was cut off as he jumped off the last step and rushed to hug you, wet face pressing into your stomach.
“You didn’t say goodnight!” He sobbed, fingers grabbing at your sides as his small body shook. “You always tell me goodnight.”
“Apologies,” You whispered, wrapping your arms tightly around him. “Goodnight, my Little Mister.”
