Chapter Text
Tommy can't quite believe the day he's had. His future looked a lot more different then he had thought it would be.
Because he's in the castle. He's in the palace of the Antarctic Empire kingdom.
Why you may ask?
Because apparently he's the long lost son of Emperor Philza Craft. He still doesn't quite believe it.
It started yesterday, Tommy had just been at the orphanage as per usual sitting at breakfast with his two best friends. Just one bread and a cup of milk sat before him as his meal as it had been for the majority of his life.
He isn't complaining, he knows the orphanage has a low income from the village. Said village just sitting in the borders of the large kingdom of the Antarctic kingdom.
They are lucky to get any income at all.
Even so, doesn't mean Tommy hasn't partaken in thievery. Everyone had to as a way to survive.
He's 14 years old, he's a malnourished, thieving orphaned child.
So it was an incredible shock when guards from the palace arrived at the village and stopped at their orphanage.
Accompanying them was a noblesse with blonde hair tied in an intricate braid. She bowed to them gracefully before rising and gently smiling at them all.
Her eyes skim over all the orphans that had been placed in a line from oldest to youngest. Tommy, having to stand straight, felt his wings pressed to his back twitch.
"Hello everyone, I am sorry to bother you all but I mean no ill will. My name is Nikiesha Nihachu of the Noble house of Nihachu." She had introduced and all the kids murmured and whispered to each other.
She was an incredibly important person since the noble house Nihachu was very close to the king.
What she was doing here, no one knew. Until she had explained.
"I am under orders from the king himself to find someone that has been missing for quite some time now. You see a seer had come to the castle and foretold a vague location of the missing person and we believe they reside in one of the villages that border our kingdom."
People were shocked to hear this, including Tommy. Seers were powerful but rare.
As rare as hybrids were.
They were mysterious people with powers no one could understand. For one to visit the kingdom and tell them of a fortune was shocking.
"The person missing is the youngest son of our Emperor Philza that had gone missing 10 years ago. We were given his current name, a description and a vague location that he lived in an orphanage bordering the kingdom such as this one."
Everyone was now nervous, the air tense in anticipation for who could be the missing son to the king of all people. Tommy had even heard about it, people whispering of a missing prince but had paid no attention.
Maybe he should have. His wings twitch again on his back from the anticipation.
"We know he has blonde hair and blue eyes. And his name… is Tommy Innit."
Heads shot to Tommy in a flash, eyes came down upon him in equal amounts of shock and awe. Tommy himself was wide eyed about the news, it took everything in him not to let his wings flare from the surprise.
This wasn't… that wasn't possible.
There was no way he was…
The lady noble walked to Tommy, a gentle smile on her face as the lady stood before him. She was his height but that could easily change if she wasn't wearing heels.
"Hello, I'm guessing you are Tommy Innit?"
Tommy gulped but slowly nodded, his breath stuttering as she smiled wider before bowing her head.
Not only that but the guards behind her bowed to their knees. Weapons placed before them.
"It is wonderful to finally meet you, my prince. We shall leave soon enough." She rose again, and gave another gentle smile as her brown eyes met his blue ones.
"Your father will be overjoyed to meet you." Tommy blinked and suddenly he's being pulled away. Into his room, his best friends Ranboo and Tubbo looking at Tommy with complete shock.
"You're a prince." Tubbo stated helpfully whilst Ranboo was fidgeting at his side.
"I'm a prince." Tommy said unbelievably, staring at the wooden flooring of his room he's lived in for 10 years. That's apparently going to change.
There was a knock at the door before it opened a moment later. The head caretaker, Miss Ann, entered with a smile on her face.
"How are you holding up Tommy?" She questioned softly, closing the door behind her. Tommy fell on his bed, sitting on the rough and scratchy blanket, his head in his hands.
"I… this has to be a joke right? There is no way that I'm… I couldn't be." He said, looking up to gauge the reactions of his friend and head caretaker.
They all looked sad and thoughtful.
"Seers don't lie Tommy, nor are they wrong. If a seer foretold you were the missing prince of the king, then it is no joke or lie." Miss Ann said gently, before walking forward and placing a hand on his shoulder. He has the urge to lift his wings closer to that hand, knowing it's of comfort but holds himself back.
"I know you'll be okay, you are strong, you are such a brave boy. I know we'll miss you but if you ever want to return, you'll always have a home here." And didn't that just choke him up.
The orphanage may have been poor but it was a home. Everyone was a family even when they left or adopted which was rare in a poor village.
Tommy sniffled and stood, wrapping the lady he saw close to a mother in a hug. She hugged back and rubbed his back, just in between the space of his wings, as he let silent tears fall. His two best friends joined not moments later.
Afterwards, he'd pack his minimal belongings he had, hugged friends and other caretakers, quickly ran and said goodbye to the old people that owned the flower shop, the couple that owned the bakery he helped from time to time. Waved at the marketers he stole from with a cheeky smile who'd roll their eyes fondly but waved.
He said goodbye to as many people as possible before he stood before a large carriage where Lady Nikiesha Nihachu stood.
He took a deep breath, and entered. He looked out the window as he sat on comfortable cushioned seats with lady Nihachu sitting across from him and watched his friends, his family wave and call loudly their goodbyes and see you laters.
Tommy waved back, smiling and laughing a little as Tubbo screamed the loudest, telling him he better visit or he's breaking into the castle to see him. Ranboo by his side, waving meekly but not at all calling loudly like Tubbo but Tommy doesn't mind. His eyes say enough about what he means and he seems to agree with Tubbo.
And soon, they are off, towards the castle.
Lady Nihachu staying silent for most of the ride. Except for once…
"I know you may be nervous but there is nothing to be afraid of. The king and his sons were devastated when you went missing, they loved you then and will love you now. I promise Tommy, you'll be okay."
She sounded so genuine that Tommy felt a little hope and ease, climbing within him. He was still anxious. Of course anyone would be if they were thrown into this situation. But Tommy still couldn't quite believe it.
He was a prince and heading towards the castle.
Which brings us to now, Tommy in his old room apparently, lying in a too comfortable bed. With too soft sheets, pillows and blankets. Nothing at all like the scratchy blankets he had back in the orphanage or the stiff mattresses.
The room was large and currently dark as he had closed the blinds and blew out the candles.
It was the next morning, the day after he had arrived. Lady Nihachu had been told the king had been busy and the prince's were not home yet so Tommy had to wait the next day to meet his "family".
He was a little disappointed but had been told his "brothers" were out looking for him and his "father" had to attend a meeting of political importance.
Right, royal stuff he didn't understand, great.
Still, it's now morning and Tommy is lying in bed thinking. On his stomach so his wings can be free from being squished behind him. He still hasn't thought of taking them out.
He had a shower the day before, which now makes him smell like roses and strawberries. He had tried his best to preen himself afterwards but without his friends or caretakers, no one was able to help him. He made due though. He's also wearing a soft white long sleeping dress with socks underneath.
Apparently old clothes that had belonged to the prince's. Which is fine, he's used to hand-me-downs. The thing is though, these are very soft and belong to princes.
But right now Tommy's entire mindset is on the fact he'll be meeting the Emperor, aka his father.
He is not at all prepared for this.
He sits up, part of him sad he'll be leaving the warm and comfortable bed. Another part of him is cheering because he is not at all going to get used to that any time soon if he's living here.
Who knows, maybe they'll send him back. He won't complain.
He shuffles off the bed and his sock covered feet touch the soft rug below. He spots new clothes that had been left on the drawer across from his bed. He approaches and finds a soft blue tunic and a black pants.
What surprises him however is the silver circlet and golden chained necklace with a green emerald at the end.
A note is left beside the items.
'Dear Prince Tommy
We have left clothes for you to wear and a necklace and circlet. The Emperor has requested you wear both. Of course he said you didn't have to if you were not comfortable with it but it is advised as so you will not be bothered by people not aware of your arrival and identity. The King is currently in the Throne room. Ask any servant or staff for directions and you will be led there immediately.
Of course you are free to explore the castle and its grounds if you so wish. Whenever you are ready to meet the king, he will be waiting for you in the throne room.
Kind regards, Nikiesha Nihachu.
P.S
Do not worry, his majesty is just worried you are too overwhelmed and wants you to come to him first. He'll wait for you when you are ready.'
And… Tommy finds that rather considerate. He's not being forced to go to the king immediately. He can take his time if he wishes. He just has to wear a circlet and necklace if he doesn't want to be bothered.
He can do that, he's sure.
His wings slightly relax from his shoulders.
So Tommy changes in the clothes, noticing they don't have slits for his wings so he once again has them pressed to his back. Hesitantly, he puts on the golden necklace that feels strange on his skin. He's never worn flashy necklaces or jewellery before. He guesses it's the norm for royals though.
He stares at the circlet in his hands. Even though it's made of silver and only has three small blue jewels embedded in it. It feels heavy in his hands.
He thinks that if he puts this on, he's officially accepting the position of prince. To a kingdom who has not done him any favours. He was a poor orphan who stole on occasion to have food. The orphanage was nice but very poor.
Is he able to make changes as a prince? Will he have any power or say if he does become one?
He's the youngest so does that mean it accounts to nothing?
He isn't sure.
Maybe he'll find out.
Maybe he'll be able to change things like let the villages on the borders have better income. Maybe he'll be able to give back everything he has taken in his time at the orphanage. Maybe he'll be able to give his friends and family a better life.
And maybe, just maybe, he wants to have this. A family. A father and brothers.
He knows deep down, behind the doubts and fears. He feels warmth and excitement knowing he's got an actual family here.
In the same castle he's in, all he has to do is ask someone where his- the king is and he'll find out. He'll meet them.
It's so much, it's almost too much.
Just with this circlet in hand, placed on his head. He can make changes and be accepted.
Well, Tommy has always been one to challenge himself and life.
Tommy slowly, hesitantly places the silver circlet on his head that feels as heavy as it did when he held it.
Even if the feeling is light on his head, in other ways, it's heavier than the weight of a mountain.
He takes another deep breath and makes his way out of the room he was in. Immediately he winces at the brightness of the morning light. Remembering he made his room really dark, this is the first time he has left the room since he first arrived.
He didn't get much of a look around when he first arrived. Too busy in his own head, freaking out over the implications of what his life will be like further in time.
Now he sees the details of the walls and tall halls, carpeted floors, large windows showing the vast world below, the city he had glimpsed while riding in the carriage. People peeked into the carriage to see who was important enough to ride in an obviously noble or royal carriage.
At least Lady Nihachu wasn't bothered. Even waving to a few of the residents. Tommy meanwhile just got more anxious.
Tommy however, was just a ratty orphan hybrid kid wearing nothing but rags and had a small torn bag with the little belongings he had inside. Sitting across a well respected Noblesse must be a shock for the everyday people who saw them.
News has probably spread of him as well.
Doesn't make the butterflies in Tommy's stomach any lighter as he walks through the halls, wings tense on his back.
Each servant he passes bow as he walks by, each making him more uncomfortable then the last. He's never gonna get used to this.
It's maybe ten minutes of wondering, he finds something interesting. An open glass door leads to something that leaves him wide eyed.
A garden.
A large gazebo sits at the centre surrounded by garden beds of flowers and plants. Another open glass door on the other side. It seems like this place is the heart of the castle, with the way the flowers shine in the light for the sun and the leaves rustle satisfyingly under his feet, his heart feels light, as bright as the sun beaming from above.
Not a single cloud floats in the sky. The sight of it makes him want to free his wings and soar through the sky. Riding the clouds and letting the sun warm his feathers.
He looks at the flowers, spotting a few he knows and a few he doesn't know. He smiles wider when he sees the alliums among the many flora. That's Ranboos favourite flower and the one he gave Tommy when they first met.
He still has that flower, pressed in a little diary he took with him.
The place is beautiful and both expected and not expected for royals to have. But still, it helps. Tommy feels his anxieties and stress drain away while standing within the gardens aura, slowly approaching the gazebo at its centre.
Vines creep up the gazebos poles, beautiful pink flowers grow within the hundreds across the roof, making it all the more serene.
Every moment calming, every moment almost magical, every moment almost… nostalgic.
The moment stops when new sounds of feet crunching on grass makes Tommy turn to the door he had entered the garden through.
Two men, tall and wearing blue, gold and white royal clothing. One with brown curly hair that cascades over the right side of his face, partially covering his eye and the golden wire glasses perched on his nose.
And the other beside him, with white hair, streaks of pink mixed within, one scar over his right eye and left side of his chin. He wears the same as the first guy but has a long blue coat on his shoulders with fur lining the edges.
Tommy blinks at the pair that stare at him wide eyed and mouths agape. The brown haired one especially, looks close to tears. But somewhere deep down inside, Tommy feels a pull, a warmth, something familiar rises within him.
The curly haired man steps forward, a hand stretched out.
"Theseus?"