The distance between them was further drawn out when he decided to take Raki into his care for over a year after the incident.
Most thought he'd end up dead, especially since some were still suspicious of Raki, so they supposed her uncle would be too.
But he came back alive, although much moodier than usual, and had no desire to continue his friendships with either Salīa or the brother he was once closest to.
Bazil didn't have many memories with Prince Kian himself, though one that he'd never forget was their first meeting.
He had still been a child and playing at the palace in the large outer garden.
Much clumsier then, he was running and tripped over, about to land in a muddied stream, when he felt a firm arm and hard, pointed object press into the core of his stomach as he was lifted upright.
Towering above him was an awesome man of large shoulders, but a natural build, fallow brown skin, long curly black hair that coiled at the edges, and a face so sharp it could cut glass.
From the long and pointed nose to the deeply squared jaws to his thick and fiercely arched brows, it was not a naturally cordial face.
Even his eyes had a sharpness to them, brown as both his sisters, but slightly yellow at the rims, making them gleam in a certain light.
His essence was so strong that even Bazil thought he should bow down as if he'd just done a thousand wrongs.
If this had been an elder man or woman Bazil was passing in his village, he might just have greeted him as 'uncle' or 'auntie,' but seeing as he was dressed so regally and, in the palace, such a greeting might cost this child an execution.
And so, he raised an x and did the proper ceremony of greetings.
While Prince Kian didn't stop him, he wasn't paying much attention either. For on his shoulder was a little furry creature with glossy brown fur that Bazil would later learn was a sable – surprisingly docile as it nuzzled into him, despite its wild nature.
It was here that Bazil also got to peek at the thing that nearly took the wind out of him when he was stopped from slipping, the infamous gavel.
Ever since Prince Kian became known as the Judge, all described him as never going anywhere without this unique gavel of his, which had a slightly pointed spike on one end, as if a small war hammer.
Which made sense as he treated his court as a battleground, as ready to close adjudications with his gavel, as a soldier was to end a battle with their sword.
He was certainly not one half-ass castigations and handed them out as freely as a wealthy saint would with coin to the poor.
Realizing just who this was, Bazil kowtowed again and said, "Greetings Prince—Judge—Prince Kian."
To this, Prince Kian looked at him and smiled.
"Good, child." He then got down on one knee to level with him, having Bazil shake. "And what are you to the palace?"
Bazil almost said that he was nothing, just there to play with his friend Salīa. But instantly swallowed those words before propping himself up proudly and making an x.
"I am the fourth son of Chief Raino of Salazā, a zazu in training, soon to be a zazu commander. I aspire to become Commander Guardian and protect the land, its leaders, and its people until my next life."
"Is that so?" Prince Kian nodded, amused, stroking the head of the sable.
"And…" Bazil paused, trying not to fidget nervously as he continued. "I'd like to be the chief guard of the crown princess one day…and promise this if she'll let me."
The uncle chuckled mildly at this, even more amused as he let Bazil speak on.
"You're willing to protect her, even if that means losing your own life?"
Most might've hesitated, and maybe that's what he was expecting, but Bazil, even as a kid, answered quickly and resolutely. "Even then."
"Very good, child," he patted Bazil's head. "Never forget your promise."
Right after, the little golden-haired princess ran over cheerfully.
"Uncle!" she giggled as he swept her up in his arms, smiling just as widely back.
It shocked Bazil, for he wouldn't be able to picture that such a stern man could do such a thing if he hadn't seen it himself.
But one thing he'd come to learn was that this man was infamously protective of what he loved, and he was undeniably avuncular, often doting on Salīa. And for a good reason.
Prince Kian was known for being laconic; concise in his conversations, terse with his sentences, and clipped with his words.
Salīa had always been a precocious and discerning child and was highly attuned to his reticent nature. In many ways she was quite taciturn herself, leaning towards observing others and their blended dispositions and temperaments.
Her uncle appeared as a bastion, an unyielding one at that. He was always quite tall, and his glasses, while clear, appeared to have some fortifying glass that shielded against those prying deep into his eyes.
His expressions were as forthright as his tone, and his raiment as neat and stylish as his speech.
It was observed by many that he was quite a handsome man, although mysterious, for he never spent much time in Salazā.
Yet he was irrefutably erudite and a lover of many things, such as epistemology, rhetoric, jurisprudence, pathology, and aesthetics.
While he attended all ceremonies and festivals expected of him, and could be charming when expected to talk, he just as easily slipped into his seat, silently, without a desire to change the air.
Though Salīa was aware of how stolid he could be, she always found a way to ignite a flame of conversation with him in her eagerness to learn more.
She definitely wasn't as proper and seemed to have a penchant for trouble, yet Prince Kian's usually tight-wound tolerance loosened effortlessly as he took great joy in being able to edify this young princess.
There were many little instances, however, where many thought he might scold her. One Bazil recalled was when many were congratulating Prince Kian on his engagement to Princess Subi.
Many spoke about how she was known as a goddess in her land.
Some praised him for finding someone so beautiful, offering compliments on her soft, lustrous eyes to her smooth, sable skin.
While others praised him for choosing such a delicate and honorable woman of a pleasant nature.
And some even risked asking between her beauty and her kindness, which won him first.
And he simply just said, "It was from her first words to me."
Many leaned even closer, wondering just what flirtatious line could've hooked him more than his other admirers.
"She said, 'I really like heraldry, too.'"
This stunned others to the point of not even knowing how to respond. It was an odd thing to say, but none would dare show they felt that way or even ask for an explanation.
Yet Salīa was never as fearful, and despite not knowing heraldry was, she just said, "That's really nice."
"You think so, child?"
"Oh, yes. I want to learn about harlotry too."
Those listening had been stunned once again, struggling to tighten their lips even further. No doubt, the princess had switched up the words, but unfortunately, the meaning of the word left a lot of thoughts racing in their minds.
They instantly looked as her uncle glared at them, tapping his gavel lightly against a table, as if daring them to look at her niece.
Some worried about their own punishment, but Bazil just thought about hers. He didn't know the meaning of either word, too, but easily picked up the choking tenseness in the air.
He was just about to jump to her defense, but stopped as Prince Kian smiled at her, pushing back some of her curls. Once eyeing his servant and nodding, a book called Heraldry of the Realm was opened.
"Would you like me to teach you?"
"Yes, please," she nodded excitedly.
And so, he did, and that was that. Those who were around knew better than to stay around, and even those who did always had the best of manners.
No matter what, he always had an eye on her. This was one of the things that furthered Bazil's resolve to watch over her, too, one day.
"Bazil?"
He snapped out of thought as he met with Salīa's ocean eyes pouring into him.
"Yes, Līa?"
"Thank you," she said, touching his hand. "For writing that for him."
"Oh, of course."
She smiled faintly, then looked back to the skies. Bazil couldn't help but think another thought.
What if she's not doing this to distance herself from him, but because she felt he first distanced himself from her? After all, so many did after that time…
A tall, muscled figure ran straight up to them, and Bazil instantly stood up, guarding Salīa.
But the man stopped in front of Bazil, his eyes locked in, his shoulders squared, and his voice resolute as he said, "Let's fight."
X