Disclaimer: I do not own PoT.

Rikkaidai Palace

Central of Rikkaidai City

Niou Masaharu. Age 8.

Niou stared at the majestic throne at the front of the wide room. Niou reckons that it should be the great hall, where the King would attend to guests. He had guards flanking him on all sides. Niou wished that he could get rid of them, but they had spears. With sharp pointy ends. Niou didn't want to die at such a young age.

Niou felt the guard behind him shove him by his back. Niou stumbled a few steps forwards and was about to rotate his head around to growl at that rude guard when he heard a command from his left.

"Kneel down right now. The King is arriving."

Niou grudgingly went down onto his knees, placing his palms face down onto the red carpet. It wasn't too bad. The carpet was soft and fluffy.

As Niou faced the carpet, he heard loud blaring of horns, and clanking of metal.

"LONG LIVE THE KING!"

Niou was about to lift his head up when a large hand – Niou could feel the hardened calluses – was placed onto his head, keeping it down.

Stomp. Stomp. Stomp.

Niou heard stomping of boots. Was it a march of some kind?

"At ease." A deep voice boomed from the front.

From the corner of his eye, Niou saw that the guards surrounding him were all on their knees, right hand on their chest and spears in their left.

"Speak."

"King Retsuji, we're here to present to you the new addition to the Royal Family."

"Oh...?" King Retsuji lifted up his right hand, pointing at Niou. "Lift up his head."

Niou felt the hand on his head roughly tug onto his hair – Niou grimaced in pain -, pulling his head back.

Niou noticed that the King was wearing a long cape, a crown full of jewels rested on his head. The King was fairly old, from his looks, long grey hair cascaded down to his waist, and a rather long beard to boot.

Niou could feel the King's eyes roam over his face, taking in his facial features. The King leaned back in his throne, hands on either side of the armrest.

"Where'd you get him from?"

"From the town a few miles away, Your Majesty. The town called Traiken. He's the son of the mayor there."

The King seemed impressed, nodding his head a few times. He started to stroke his beard, this time, posing a question for Niou.

"Your name, son?"

Niou didn't reply at first, squeezing his lips tightly together.

"How dare you show such rudeness in front of His Majesty!" The guard on his right growled at him.

Niou waited for some kind of punishment to arrive.

"Now, now. It's alright. Your name, son?" King Retsuji asked again, observing the defiant look in Niou's eyes.

"Speak, or you won't get off so easily next time!" There was a hiss from the back.

Niou suppressed the urge to roll his eyes and muttered, "Niou Masaharu."

The King tilted his head slightly to the side. "I didn't get that son, say it again, louder this time."

"Niou Masaharu."

"Ho...Masaharu..." The King stroked his beard again. "That's a nice name."

Niou averted his gaze, glaring at the carpet instead. The King stood up, his cape swaying slightly. He raised both hands in the air, and declared, "Welcome to the Royal Family, Niou Masaharu."

Niou hated those words more than anything else in the world.

A/N: This is a prologue for a story that I'm considering. It'll contain OCs. The only pairing would probably only be Niou/Marui - cause I just love that pairing. I might include others, but haven't decided on that yet.

Comments anyone?