Chapter Text
Bright and beautiful decorations are set up on every corner of the Kingdom, signifying a grand day. A day to be admired and remembered. Music echoed everywhere, waiting and stalling for something even grander.
The town below the castle that is usually closed off from outsiders, is now open and welcoming travelers from all around the nation. Merchants grabbing their chances at selling and scamming the hell out of innocent folks. They don't usually have so many chances to sell something here, do they?
Some servants were allowed a day off for this day, unfortunately, Clown wasn't one of them. Those that were left behind in the castle are running around trying to check up on anything and everything to be perfect. Including the royalties, which is a funny sight to behold.
Clown could see Sir Pyrosycthe walk around an endless journey of small steps around the castle. Clearly nervous about the event soon to happen, and honestly? Clown couldn't blame the man either. 'He's' also a little nervous. Although not as much as the royalties, but 'He's' about to meet one of his very much old friend in this event.
Clown had already sent some people to every section, there's probably nothing more for 'him' to do other than do the bigger things specifically assigned to him for the event.
Although Clown might need to check around the castle for the last-last-last-final time that nothing is totally wrong. And it's exactly like Clown had thought, nothing was wrong so far! The last place to check was the castle's surroundings on the outside.
Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. The pigeons gathered around here more than usual, but that might have something to do with the amount of food the cooks had made for this day so nothing is probably wrong.
Unless it decides to.
The same cat from Branzy's house is walking around here.
So is the owner of that cat. They even dressed up well enough to be passed as one of the servants. Branzy actually dressed up as a maid, and that beauty traits of hers are common enough for no suspicions to be made.
As if Branzy had planned for this in advance, but Clown couldn't be bothered to complain about unwanted companionship. 'He' had more things to do and this is simply not in 'his' bucket list today. Honestly an extra help for the day is even great, if Branzy would do it at all.
" Now what do you want? " Clown spoke up.
" Oh? You didn't want more help? " Branzy gave back a gentle smile with her grass green eyes.
" Not what I asked "
" Well, I figured since this is a big day for everyone "
" Why not help out a little? "
" Just go play with the town folks or something, I cannot play with you today. "
" But they're all boooorinngggg! " Branzy's movements were dramatic enough to put up a good performance in the royal court's theater.
Clown doesn't have much time to spare before the Spades prince's arrival. 'He' had to do something about this danger of a woman. All of the thoughts were clashing in Clown's mind and it was giving 'him' more headache than he wanted today.
" If you don't out my secret to the people then do whatever you want to me, I don't care, just don't mess up the event. Annoy me all you want or whatever it is you're planning "
Clown said what came first to 'his' mind, that took 'him' longer than expected to realized what 'he' just said. It's too late to change what has been said now because Branzy is radiating with an amount of joy Clown didn't realize a person could have.
" Ohhh! You're the best! So what do I call you? Is it still Clown or something else? " Branzy held Clown's hand and jumps up and down, her face looks surreal, It made Clown a little jealous that 'he' didn't get the chance to act like that.
" It's Mr. Pierce or Sir in the castle, including when I'm outside with a uniform. " Clown pulled away 'his' hand from Branzy. Though he couldn't tell from the gloves in the way, it felt soft.
" Yes, sir! "
Before any of them could do anything further, the horns sounds through the air.
The Spades prince had come.
Everyone had gathered at the front gate for the long awaited grand reveal of the prince from the Kingdom of Spades appearance. Soon the guards made their way into the road, shiny black armor decorated with different trim colors appearing on each, faces of the guards fully covered by their helmet, they all gave shivers down the spine.
Mostly all boring to Clown, 'he' didn't pay much attention to all of the things that are happening. Unlike the person beside 'him', eyes lighting up like a child that has never seen a festival before, or maybe she actually never saw a prince's arrival. Whatever.
Another horn echoes through the air, now this is the real deal. Horses and carriages starting to appear and there he was- The prince of The Spades, Ashswag, on the back of a white horse that didn't quite fit the overall arrival theme, to make him stand out maybe.
A familiar face to all of Hearts, yet still always mesmerizing to the people. Curly noir hair, beautiful tanned skin, face of a young handsome man with mature personality, purple and black themed garments with a hint of gold, red from the rose he always carried on the chest. Such a novelty for the Hearts people. A clear difference between them, making the prince stand out even more.
The Spades had always had a thing for purple when it came to fashion, just like how The Hearts had a thing for red too. Clown never saw as much of The Clubs and Diamonds culture enough to know what those kingdoms preferred. Heck, Clown doesn't even care about them, 'he' just knew to remember the royal names every year in case something happened. Literally nothing other than that.
Ashswag waved to the people like they were his own, greeting them with a small smile on his face, yet he was asserting dominance in the people. Clown never knew why someone would do that kind of thing, at least because 'he' simply wasn't born into the life of royalties, and will never truly be in one.
As soon as the prince fell out of sight, people started to leave and go mind their own business. Some are still talking about the prince and that's normal. The Spades might've been the most frequent visitor, but traveling costs a lot, and they took a long break in between each one.
" That was quite a show wasn't it, Mr. Pierce? " The sly tone that Branzy decided to use on Clown's name is absurd, to the point of regretting every letting her do it at all.
" That's like the most boring show of my life. "
" You're not a lot of fun at banquets, are you? "
" I don't go to banquets as a participant Branzy. "
This conversation is eating away all of his nerves. Clown can feel 'his' sanity drowning away every second of it.
" Let's not keep them waiting, shall we? "
" Sigh Just don't make yourself the center of attention their "
Branzy pulled at Clown's arm and started dragging 'him' back towards the castle. Clown never got to object when going back was in the to-do list anyways.
The welcoming party went smoothly as always. They all had did this more times than enough in their lifetime. Nothing else was to be added aside from casual chats about states of each Kingdom.
Prince Ash and Sir Pyroscythe were to discuss as usual, they would drift away to a more remote place when the conversation starts to get serious and personal. Clown had been called over a few times until they got everything they needed for the deals. Clown wishes that 'he' had more power and could listen to their conversations. Even if Sir Pyroscythe was a generous person in a lot of things, this is one of the things he can't be generous with. Even if it's against his will, it was the will of Sir Zombie.
Clown felt a little relieved when 'he' was done with the day's task, that was until someone slightly expected appeared to be at Clown's room doorway.
" Today is done, go to your own home or something? "
" Well guess what, I've decided I'm going to be here until the prince leaves! "
" Wha- You can't do that!? "
" Oh- how unfortunate that I would have to spill some- " Clown hurried over and shoved Branzy into the room, tightly locking it behind.
After making sure that no one could process what they were doing, Clown turned back to the problem in her very own room.
" You are not saying that around here "
" Aww, scared? "
" I can still drag you out with me if you want that "
" N- Not a chance "
Now Clown can't even take off something to breathe in her own room. She's so stuck with Branzy and knew no way out of it aside from directly killing and silencing the woman before her. That also wasn't an available option right now. If Branzy really has something up her sleeves then anything is quite possible. Clown is not risking that.
" Forgetting something? " Spoke up Branzy.
Clown doesn't even know what Branzy is talking about. Too tired to think, she looked around and saw that her window was open, again. She made sure that it was closed the whole morning, how did it open again? Branzy was with her almost the whole day under surveillance. There it was again, the same white cat from the morning, sitting right at her window frame.
" Let me guess, you use that cat as another vessel of yours? "
" I'm not a demon mind you! Cluckess is just another pet of mine! "T
" Don't you treat Cluckoot like you did yesterday too! "
" Cluckess? Cluckoot?? I know who is who, but dang it, can't you come up with any other better sounding name than these??? "
The air felt a lot more tense and hard to breathe. Looks like Branzy wasn't happy with her response. Branzy petted the cat and let it go off to who knows where. At least she was kind enough to close the window. Branzy tackled Clown into a wall and pointed in her face.
" NO ONE talks about my children like that "
Now that Clown had seen something, she's actually surprised at how shorter Branzy was compared to her. Branzy was only like, at the height of her chest when Clown had her platformed boots on. Yet somehow Branzy is a lot more intimidating than most people at her height.
Clown nodded even though she didn't need to. You just don't want to mess with someone with their eyes glowing a violent purple with the intention to kill. That's just in the book inside of her mental now.
Clown had never been so glad to have a mask on in times like this.
" Rest well, you know you need it Clown. "
" Is that a threat? You can sleep on the bed.. I guess? "
Branzy stepped away and sat at the wooden chair of Clown's personal working table. Crossing her legs still in the ridiculous maid uniform. Her eyes still glowing violently.
" I don't need to sleep, and I'd like to use your pens and papers please? "
" Just do it. "
Clown took her boots along with her outer coat off and decided she's not changing into pajamas tonight. Clown climbed on the bed and tried to sleep.
The best you can do when a creepy woman stares at you like she's trying to kill you in your sleep, is to close your eyes for the day and pray you can open your eyes for the next.