Chapter Text
George stared out of the window and looked down on his kingdom.
What a glorious land. The kingdom of Essempy.
“Prince?”
The bustling streets filled his heart with pride. These were his people. The blood that flowed through his veins built this place from the ground up.
“Prince?”
It couldn’t be topped. No army nor god could break down what had been so thoughtfully constructed. The kingdom’s honor in and of itself was enough to carry the weight of the world on its shoulders. Magnificent. Astounding. Indescribable.
“George!”
George whipped around at the sound of his name, only to see it came from his advisor, Sam.
“That should be Prince, not George.” The young royalty commanded, snapping out of his trance and back into reality. Sam rolled his eyes.
“It’s dinner with the king tonight. Don’t be late.” Sam said. As a toddler, George wondered why dinner with his father wasn’t every night. Now, at age 11, he was far more familiar with the concept of being king. It meant there were far more important matters to attend to. It meant there was no time for family dinners. Not that George blamed him for it, he had been trained since birth to understand his responsibilities. Dinner together more than once a month would be nice, though.
“Thank you, Sam.” George replied, and watched as his advisor quietly exited the room. His study consisted of tall, arched beams connecting each corner. Bookshelves were lined along the walls and his desk sat sturdily in front of the window George often found himself staring out of. The room was designed by his great-grandfather many years prior. It was elegant. It was quiet.
George lived a quiet life.
-
Sapnap wasn’t quiet, for one.
He wasn’t graceful, proper, organized, or anything someone like the Prince may be. Fortunately for him, he was exactly what the knight program was looking for.
Sapnap had always known what he wanted to be. He was a fighter. He was a protector. He was a knight. And everyone could tell. Growing up, Sapnap was beloved by the people of Essempy. His natural charm couldn’t be denied, and his wild nature entertained children and adults alike. He built strong relationships with many members of his community and had a positive reputation among the streets of town. He wanted to make people feel happy. Feel safe.
Sapnap’s goals came to fruition on his 10th birthday, when his father allowed him to enroll in the kingdom’s knight program. He was introduced to a built, sturdy man who explained the process of his testing. Upon entering the tall, refined gates of the castle, he and a group of young men all similar in age were led to a large and empty room in the left hall.
Sapnap stood firmly in line next to the other children. He stood up straight and balled his fists in an attempt to show his passion, before noticing a decorated young brunette with large glasses peeking through the doorway. The boy seemed to snicker at Sapnap’s premature effort. Sapnap gave him a dirty look.
“Welcome to your exams,” the man said, gaining hold of Sapnap’s attention, “Good luck.”
Sapnap smiled. This was the beginning of his life.
-
Dream was happy. He loved his mother, a retired sea captain whose stories enveloped his imagination. He loved his bakery, a place where joy bloomed and comfort resounded. He loved who he was, he loved that his mother was proud of him. Things were easy. Life was easy! And he was happy.
Then there was a fire. There was a fire and Dream hadn’t been there. His neighbors assured him he wouldn’t have been able to stop it either way. As if that made him feel any better.
He was fishing, of all things. Enjoying the camaraderie between him and the lake just past the forest. He considered the water a friend. And yet water wasn’t there to put out the fire.
The oven was left unattended downstairs in the bakery. Dream’s mother, Puffy, had fallen asleep upstairs after leaving the heat on. She was asleep as the flames began to engulf the curtains, the rugs, the wood. It was only until the fire climbed the stairs and knocked on her door that she woke up.
Dream had walked away before he could hear what happened next. Almost nothing was left of his home besides ash and the scent of tragedy.
By the time he reached the dock of the lake, he was crying. Thick tears streamed down his face and plopped into the water below him. What does a child do after losing the only support in his life? The one thing he was made to protect?
Dream let out a scream and the birds in the surrounding trees all flew out of their nests in a startled haze. He wondered if they knew how he felt.
Friends of his mother offered him places to stay left and right. Food, shelter, whatever he needed. Comfort. Dream refused it all. He would become a man his mother would be proud of. And he would do it on his own.
-
7 Years Later
-
George wasn’t a risk taker. He never saw a point in potentially endangering himself or others for an improbable outcome. This was a quality the King liked in his son- he was glad George was able to remain clear and collected with his decisions and not act hasty. It allowed George to be a much more reliable help when the King needed assistance. Sapnap always called him boring for it, but so what? It wasn’t his job to be exciting, it was his job to be smart. And he was.
“Sapnap, stop” George demanded. Sapnap was using his palace-mandated sword to sharpen a collection of knives his father had gifted him. “You’re going to dull your sword. And the sound is terrible.”
“I don’t use the sword anyways,” Sapnap replied. “If I ever need to protect you, which I never do, I’ll just chuck a dagger at them.” George rolled his eyes at his guard’s immaturity, but couldn’t bring himself to call Sapnap wrong. George never did need saving- there were no threats in Essempy. The prince almost felt bad for Sapnap, fully aware of the time he’s dedicated to become such a talented knight. He just needs a moment to prove himself.
“It’s still annoying.” George finalized, and went back to reading. His study had hardly changed since he was a child. The structural design retained its elegance and integrity. The beams had a similar wood-worked design as many other areas in the castle, though altered slightly to enhance the room’s theme. George thought highly of the technique.
“Excuse me, Prince,” Sam interrupted from a crack in the door, “The King would like a word with you.”
George looked up and nodded, “Alright, give me a moment. Thank you, sir.”
Sam smiled and exited as swiftly as he entered. George let out a heavy sigh and Sapnap glanced up at him. Knowing the question Sapnap’s eyes asked, George shook his head, opting to have this conversation on his own. He gently replaced his book on the shelf and stepped out of the heavy doors of the study. As he came upon the entrance of his father’s office, he took a moment to straighten himself up. If he was going to hear from his dad, perhaps looking presentable would soften the blow. George stepped inside.
“Son, sit down.”
George sat.
“What have you been doing lately?” The King asked.
“Reading,” George answered easily.
“And…?”
George shrugged. “Sleeping, I guess?”
“Don’t let these easy answers become expected of you, Son. Must I remind you of your position? Where is your dedication to the kingdom?!” The King interrogated.
“There’s nothing to dedicate myself to! Nothing’s wrong with the kingdom! What is there to settle? What is there to organize?” George was standing at this point, prepared to walk out as soon as he could end the conversation.
“Just because nothing is wrong doesn’t mean the proper preparations shouldn’t be made. Make yourself known, George. Allow our people to know their future king.”
George stared for a moment and nodded. He walked back to his study and rested his head on his desk. Make myself known? George thought. What does that even mean?
-
“I have an idea!”
“Sapnap, I’m trying to sleep.”
“But I know a way you can make yourself known.”
George groaned into his pillow. Ever since he told Sapnap about his father’s request, the knight had taken it upon himself to fulfill that duty. George hadn’t minded at first, figuring it gave Sap something to do besides follow him around all day, but it was getting on his nerves at this point. After hearing the options of, ‘staging a public execution,’ or ‘hosting a parade of livestock,’ George firmly decided Sapnap was not worth listening to.
Especially not while he was trying to sleep. George covered his head with his blanket and squeezed his eyes shut.
“Why don’t I give you a tour of the village?” Sapnap suggested. George opened his eyes.
“What’s the catch?” he asked hesitantly
“No catch. Why would there be a catch?”
“Because I’ve seen the village.”
“Not in the way it’s meant to be seen! You’ve seen it on your boring royal visits. I’ll give you a real tour, all the good shit you’re missing out on here on the castle.” George uncovered his head. That… didn’t seem like a bad idea. It would allow him to establish the connection with his people that his father so desperately wanted.
“I’ll think about it.” He hummed.
“Great! Goodnight Gogy.”
“It’s Prince, Sapnap.”
“…Gross. No it’s not.”
-
As hesitant as the King was about allowing his son to travel through the village alone with nothing but a single knight, George was eventually able to convince him that as his personal guard, Sapnap was more than capable of protecting him. So the King agreed.
Sapnap went as far as to write a list of the most important places to visit while the prince was in town. George couldn’t help but smile at Sapnap’s excitement, the way he was thrilled to show his (admittedly) best friend around the place he grew up.
The morning of the tour, George woke up early to give him enough time to situate himself. He wanted to wear something nice, but not too classy. An elevated casual. Red, maybe? Or blue? Red seemed aggressive. Blue was more… friendly. Which crown? Surely not a heavy one. Something that could last the day. Unless he shouldn’t wear a crown, to seem humble. Or would that be dishonorable? And jewels are important- unless they aren’t? Do his people even-
“Dude. You alright?” Sapnap asked, opening the door of George’s room to see a mess of clothing and crowns scattered about his bed and desk.
George scratched his neck.
“I just… want them to like me.” He admitted
Sapnaps mouth grew into a smile. He walked over and plucked the crown off his head, haphazardly tossing it on bed. He threw his arm around the prince’s shoulders and turned him around.
“Don’t overthink it, man. They’re just people. It’s gonna be great.”
George let out a ‘hmph,’ but allowed himself to be led out the door and down the hallway.
-
It seemed like the kingdom had been waiting for him. The sun shone brightly in the sky, peeking gently through billows of clouds. The light wind carried amiable chatter from the town into George’s ears and the smell of fresh pastries into his nose. It didn’t feel real. His trips into town usually consisted of direct focus on the destination and being surrounded by protection, unable to see anything happening around him. Now, it felt nice to be a part of something.
The first place they visited was the result of windy roads and sharp turns. Sapnap dragged George through yards, buildings, and alleyways before ending up at a modest home, clearly well-loved and aged.
“This is…” George started, “a monument?”
“More than that, my dear prince. This,” Sapnap spread his arms out wide, “is my house.”
George smacked him on the back of the head.
“I’m supposed to be establishing a connection with my people, not meeting your parents!”
“Relax, I just have to borrow something from my dad,” Sapnap responded.
“Is this the only reason you suggested we come out here?!” The prince demanded.
“I was... prompted! There’s more to see! Relax, I’ll be right back.”
George sighed as Sapnap hopped up the brick stairs to his front porch. Upon examining the yard, he noticed a swing tied to the branch of the tree, one rope snapped and laying lopsided on the ground. The porch was littered with bluebonnets and carnations, organized in tight displays that allowed the petals to flow into each other. Foam swords were scattered in the yard next door. It was charming.
George’s eyes stopped trailing when the door to Sapnap’s house reopened.
“Bye, dad. Yeah, I will. See you soon!” he called into the house before trotting back down the steps. George scanned his body for the necessity he so desperately arranged this tour for.
“You came to borrow a knife?!”
“Yeah,” Sapnap twirled the knife around his fingers and slid it into his holster. Elegant designs were carved into the metal blade and the wooden handle. George had to admit- it was beautiful. The work of someone with experience. “You can never be too careful. What are you doing standing around? Come on, we have places to be!”
“You dick,” George whispered under his breath, jogging lightly to catch up with the knight who was already a few strides ahead of him.
“Next up, the bakery.”
-
Walking along the streets of town put George’s position into perspective. As prince (and future king) he should be a well-known figure among his people. Instead, he was just… another citizen. Besides the occasional whisper, no one stared him down or called him over for a chance to meet their prince. George had expected a mob, or at least a crowd, but people were so caught up in their busy lives that no one seemed to notice him. No one even seemed to recognize him.
Upon entering the bakery, George was blasted with the smell of fruit, sugar, and gluten. Tacky colored tables and chairs sat on one side of the room, while the other had a display case and counter. A door led into what George assumed was a kitchen, and a set of stairs routed to a second floor. The furniture looked to be hand painted- a mix of purples and greens that swirled together into mesmerizing patterns. An old man sat quietly reading a book titled, “The Lost City of Mizu.” The atmosphere was comforting. It felt like a home.
“Sapnap!” A voice shouted from behind the counter. Sapnap’s mouth split into a grin and he hopped over the counter and spun the figure around in a tight hug. The figure giggled into his shoulder and pulled back. “You’re not supposed to be back here when there are customers!” He turned towards George, “I’m so sorry sir, how can I help you?” Sapnap snickered.
“He’s with me, Karl.” After whispering something into ‘Karl’s’ ear, the baker’s eyes widened and turned towards George.
“It’s- wow- it’s incredible to meet you! I’m terribly sorry for the crude introduction,” he hastily wiped off his apron, “I can’t believe the prince is in my bakery!” Sapnap elbowed him in the side.
“Keep your voice down, dude! We’re not here to cause a scene!” he said, and they all glanced towards the old man. Thankfully, he was too captivated by his book to have heard the news.
“It’s nice to meet you too-” George started,
“Uh, Karl.”
“-Karl.” He smiled softly and bowed. Karl looked towards Sapnap with wide eyes and Sapnap smirked. “You two… know each other?” George asked, gesturing towards the two men behind the counter. Sapnap hopped back over and leaned against the glass haughtily with his arms crossed.
“He was a regular for a long time, though I don’t see much of him anymore,” Karl answered with disappointment.
“What can I say,” Sapnap shrugged, “duty calls.”
George rolled his eyes. Karl seemed dazzled by the knight.
“I’m showing my buddy here the best places in town,” Sapnap announced. “Starting with you and your amazing tarts.”
“This is not the first place we came to,” George snapped, though Karl flushed at the compliment nonetheless. After some light arguing between George and Sapnap, they decide on a lemon tart and strawberry danish. Karl walked back into the kitchen and George noticed his friend’s eyes never leaving the baker until he was out of view.
“You’re such a dork,” George whispered to him.
“Oh shut up,” Sapnap retorted.
“Sapnap!” Karl gasped as he entered the main room again, this time with freshly baked sweets in his hand, “Don’t speak to him like that! So rude!”
“I can speak to him however I want, really. He doesn’t care,” Sapnap rebutted. George was amused by Karl’s high-level treatment and continued to egg Sapnap on.
“I command you to knock it off,” the Prince said in the most ostentatious voice he could manage.
“Stop it, weirdo,” Sapnap snapped and smacked him. George shook his head.
“No manners. Like you were raised by wolves.”
“Don’t call my dad a freakin’ wolf!” Sapnap flared
“He gives you knives,”
“He’s a blacksmith, dickhead!”
Karl gasped again, “Sapnap!”, and George began to laugh.
-
The bustle of the village was mesmerizing to George. Everyone knew exactly what they needed to do and where they needed to go. George felt himself reminiscing on the times he spent wandering around the castle, staring at the ceiling and imagining a life where he was just like everyone else. It felt strange to see his daydreams come to life. All of these people had such fascinating lives, and he’d never seen anything like it. As Sapnap pointed out different buildings and people, George found himself fabricating what sort of life he imagined they’d lived. They could be shopkeepers, fishermen, builders- but none of them could be a prince. That roll was already taken.
“Watch it!” A masked figure barked as he shoved past George and Sapnap. George turned his head to see the young man running through the crowd, clutching his bag like his life depended on it.
“Hm,” Sapnap grumbled as he removed his hand from where it flew to his knife holster.
“Who was that?” George asked.
“Some poor kid trying to steal dinner, probably. Don’t worry about it. He’s in the minority.” Sapnap assured him and dragged him along.
“...Alright,” George responded, though his neck was still turned as he watched the masked boy run.