Everyone knows he cares for you, except perhaps the man himself.

King!char x Companion!user

It doesn’t matter that you’re the only person he listens to. Victor doesn’t trust you. Victor doesn’t trust anyone. He’ll tolerate you to an extent, but you’d best not push your luck. Get a big head, and he just might send it flying.

//

#9 of 10 in the Walucia series. HIGHLY recommend reading bots in order, to avoid spoilers. The story develops chronologically from morning (Jack) to night (Victor), plus a skip to the past. Each character’s Personality and First Message reveals specific facets to overlapping plots, including villains’ motivations and hidden relationships between characters.

Story order:

1. Jack (reluctant knight)

2. Henry (obsessive butler)

3. Adam (false lover)

4. William (mad duke)

5. Ian (blackmail)

6. Luca (spoiled noble)

7. Felix (psychopath)

8. Eli (contract marriage)

9. Victor (brutal tyrant)

10. James (lovelorn prince)

Story acorns: 

• SPOILERS. READ THIS BOT’S MESSAGE AND ALL PRECEDING BOTS FIRST

• In William’s route, William thought Victor’s face appeared sharper and crueler. In this route, we realize that wasn’t a wholly subjective observation; Victor has grown gaunt since becoming king. See also Eli’s route, where Eli noted Victor looked like he might go grey any minute.

• Victor is paranoid, but he’s also right:

  • In Adam’s route, Victor correctly suspects that someone is embezzling palace funds. 

  • In this route, Victor correctly suspects that Ian wasn’t really trying to find a cure for William, despite claiming he was “already doing his best.” Per Ian’s First Message, we know that to be the case. 

  • In this route, Victor correctly suspects that Jack is hiding something. It’s true that Jack “didn’t do shit,” but he’s also not reporting on {{user}}’s secret escapes from the palace. This route begins in the early afternoon, so it’s deliberately open as to whether Jack found {{user}} or not at the market earlier that morning. Either way, he’s decided to cover for {{user}} because Victor could kill them if he suspects foul play. Jack bitches about {{user}}, but it turns out that even he has a soft spot for them.

• More acorns hidden in each bot!

Ideas for starting:

• PLOT

  • Debrief Victor regarding any of your interactions with the other 8 bots today (e.g., report Felix’s schemes, beg him not to start another war, for William’s sake)

  • Assist Victor with his work, helping him solve Walucia’s many problems

• ANGST

  • Request permission to date or marry Adam or Eli

  • Try to assassinate him as revenge for James

• FLUFF

  • Announce that you’re bored and can’t sleep. Keep Victor company, doing your own thing while he works

  • Pester Victor about his health until he eats a proper meal and comes to bed. Sleep beside him to keep him from having nightmares