Chapter Text
“I was just wondering if you could possibly invite Cater over for the holidays.”
“...”
“Be honest with me Trey, is Cater in any trouble?”
“I am not sure.” The confession was honest and troubled. “But I do know that he does not like to visit his family over the holidays. Last year, when I brought it up, he avoided the topic. I’m just…I’m worried.”
“...”
“Then leave it to me.”
xXx
Cater rolled over and stretched on his bed, but the fogginess within his brain and joints would not abate. The temptation to press his face against his pillow and just close his eyes was strong, but he knew that falling asleep would be inevitable if he succumbed. So instead, he crossed his arms and rested his head into the crook of his elbows.
The school was abuzz with the excitable joy of the students milling around as they prepared for the upcoming break. Cater knew that almost everyone, it seemed, was going to leave and visit their families, as was the tradition. The Leech brothers and Azul were the few staying behind as usual. Vividly, Cater wondered if he could join them. It might be cool to see what campus was like without all the hustle.
But no, that wouldn’t do. First of all, Azul would work him to the bone, and Cater just might find himself under some type of contract.
Feeling his frown deepen, Cater turned his head over to glance at his phone. He could afford a few more minutes of laying around before his next class started. He could make it if he ran, despite Riddle being a stickler for the rules about proper hall decorum. However, even their dorm head seemed to be a little lax on his strict rules, contrary to his attitude a week ago when he was on edge and scolding nearly everyone for the simplest blunders. His behavior was nowhere near as bad as when he was first dorm leader though. In fact, the dorm leader’s mood seemed to have improved ever since Trey made a statement about Riddle staying over with his family for the holiday. From what Cater knew about Riddle’s mother, Trey’s invitation was his saving grace.
Cater couldn’t help but think wistfully how nice it would be to have someone like that. Though Trey had extended the same invitation to him last year, Cater saw no possible way he could visit Trey and Riddle for long periods of time to avoid his sisters. His family wouldn’t let his absence slide. Besides, it seemed rude to impose on Trey’s hospitality, especially since his attention should be focused on Riddle. He could put up with his sister’s conniving for a few weeks of break.
All too soon, he was rolling out of bed (straightening the sheets because he could just hear Riddle scolding him) and making his way to class. Placing a jovial smile on his face, he listened to the buzz of excited students as they gushed about their upcoming holiday plans, and he smoothly answered any questions about his own holiday plans.
Soon, the quiet stillness of the Music Club room left him alone with his thoughts, until Kalim excitedly entered the room.
“Not sure what else there is to say about this,” Kalim said, balancing his chair on two legs. For anyone else, the position would look precarious, but Kalim managed to pull off the appearance with ease, placing his full trust in the sturdiness of the chair and gravity itself. “I mean,” he continued, “we don’t have anything from the club to wrap up. It’s not like we’re going to conduct club activities over the break.”
“How about wishing everyone a happy holiday?” Lilia asked with a grin.
If it were possible, Kalim’s bright expression only seemed to grow. “What's everyone's plans for the holiday? All of my family members are coming over. There’s going to be a big feast! Ah, I can just imagine all of my siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, you name it! I’m forcing Jamil to hang out with us, and he’s not allowed to do any work. He’s my special guest!”
“Somehow, I can just imagine his expression at the generous offer,” Cater quipped, amused. If anything, he could envision Scarabia’s vice dorm head anxiously hovering over the meal prep, only for Kalim to continuously drag him back to enjoy the festivities. Inwardly, Cater knew it would be good for Jamil, but it wouldn’t be easy for him to hand over control of the kitchen to others.
“What about you Cater?” Kalim turned those bright eyes on him, and the story Cater constructed this morning easily rolled from his tongue.
“Well my sisters are going to be visiting, so I’ll get to see them this break.”
“Any plans with your sisters?” Lilia asked. He fixed Cater with inquisitive red eyes, head tilted as he rested his chin on the palm of his hand. A cold chill started at the back of Cater’s neck, and he had the distinct feeling that every word he was about to say would be critically analyzed, like the plants they studied in the lab under Crewel’s watchful gaze.
“Ah, probably not,” Cater said, tampering down on his unnecessary nervousness. “I mean, my sisters have their favorite shops they like to frequent, so they like to do a bit of shopping.”
“What do you shop for when you’re with them?” Kalim innocently asked.
“Oh, I don’t…shop.” He chuckled. “I carry their things. That’s what brothers are for!”
Kalim blinked, surprised. “Really? I assumed that you would be hitting all of the nice spots to spend time with your family!”
“Well, my sisters kind of like to run me ragged.” His practiced laugh filled the silence and allowed him a few precious seconds to gather his thoughts. “I mean, I’m sure you know how it is Kalim since you have a lot of siblings.”
To his relief, that seemed to satisfy Kalim. “Yeah, my younger siblings can be a lot.” He blinked. “Gah! Hold up, I just remembered something! I’ll be right back!” With that, he scampered out of the room, phone in hand. “Jamil! I forgot about your sister. So I have this idea…”
Cater could hear Jamil’s agitated voice through the phone as his exasperated words cut Kalim off. Anything Kalim was about to say faded away as he retreated down the halls. Cater shifted in his seat but disguised his nervousness as he slouched, crossing his legs. “And what about you Lilia? Any plans for the holiday?”
Lilia smiled demurely. “Well, I normally spend the holidays with Silver and Malleus.”
Cater blinked. “Really? That sounds nice.”
“Hm, yes. It’s been that way since they were little boys. Sebek and his family normally drop by for a visit as well.” He chuckled. “Sebek’s father kicks everyone out of the kitchen when that happens, and we are treated to a lovely Zigvolt styled meal. It’s a feast that even the palace staff could never hope to replicate, as Malleus once said.”
“That sounds wonderful,” Cater said, and he truly meant it. Malleus always appeared so mysterious that Cater always wondered what interesting things the Fea prince did when he had the holidays off from school. He had assumed that it had something to do with attending court or hosting a ball of some sorts. But now, based on Lilia’s words, he imagined his upperclassman sitting at a small table with a family and dining over home cooked meals for the holiday.
“Since Malleus is a prince,” he mused. “Wouldn’t he have some major gathering to attend? Like entertain magical lords and ladies?”
Lilia laughed, and Cater found himself relaxing at Lilia’s open display of amusement. “Oh Cater, yes, and how it irks him.” He wiped away an imaginary tear. “Malleus would rather stay in the little cottage with Silver and myself. Of course, he does enjoy visiting his grandmother, but her court is another matter entirely.” Lilia’s eyes lit up. “But, if there was a way for him to get out of his princely duties for the holiday, he would certainly jump at the opportunity.”
“I’m sure it’s not all bad,” Cater encouraged. Surely not, with all the finery of nobility, and Cater could just imagine what Fea nobility looked like.
“Why don’t you spend the holidays with us?”
The question was so abrupt that Cater wondered if he had imagined it. He blinked, noticing Lilia watching him. “What?”
“Visit with us for the holidays,” Lilia repeated. “Malleus has been asking about you, and after all, who am I to deny my prince’s subtle wishes?” Lilia shrugged. “Of course, I wouldn’t want to take time away from your family, and we could arrange for some transportation should the need arise. But I didn’t want to deny Malleus the opportunity to entertain another friend.”
Cater blinked. He was unaware that Malleus had thought of him that way! Of course, he had admired the prince from afar and there was that one incident when he chased Malleus around the track field for a picture (an event that left one human worn out and a prince amused, but both laughing at the excursion). But did that qualify them as friends?
His heart skipped a beat at the thought of escaping his family, his mother’s critical, cold gaze and his father ignoring everything while his sisters taunted him. No, it was too good to be true. How would he even tell them about this? Surely his absence this holiday would create a ruckus. The one time he had used his special ability to sneak away, he had received the worst punishment, a sure reminder that he would never attempt such a trick again.
But he recalled what Lilia said about his ‘prince’s subtle wishes.’
It might be stretching it, but surely his family would understand if the freaking Fea prince wanted him over for the holidays!
Swallowing, Cater attempted to keep his voice neutral. “Thank you Lilia, but I wouldn’t want to impose-”
“You wouldn’t be,” Lilia interrupted. “In fact, I’ve already been making mental preparations for your stay.”
Cater gaped. “Oh…”
“I’m just so excited for this!” He clapped his hands. “It’s been so long since Silver has had a friend stay over. We’d have to show you all of the wonderful sights, and I imagine that Malleus would give you a tour of his favorite ruins.” Seemingly catching himself in his eagerness, Lilia sighed. “Ah, but I am getting ahead of myself. The question is, Cater, would you do me the honor of hosting you this holiday?”
Stuttering, he was at a loss of words. “You don’t…have to do all of that…”
“Or we could just spend some time in the valley,” Lilia continued. “We are, after all, very flexible.”
“I mean…I wouldn’t want to disappoint…when you put it that way…”
“Marvelous!” That seemed to be all the confirmation Lilia needed, for a bright smile crossed his face.
“What’s marvelous?” Kalim asked, entering the room.
“Cater will be spending the holidays in Briar Valley!”
Kalim’s excited shouts made Cater’s head spin, and he only wondered at the message he was going to send his family.
xXx
Malleus raised an eyebrow. “It’s not that I’m against Diamond visiting us for the holiday, but why did you make it seem like this was my request?”
Lilia grinned, sipping his tea. “Well, I wanted to let him know that it wasn’t just me who was welcoming him over. Actually, I think your involvement made the offer all the more enticing.”
“But I didn’t even know that you planned to invite him.”
“Well now you know.”
Malleus huffed, rolling his eyes, but he was smiling. “I can imagine that this will be an exciting experience for him. We’ve never really had outside visitors before. I wonder if we should visit the deep forest. Or perhaps a trip to the human market? I’ve heard that Diamond likes to visit busy destinations for his Magicam account.”
Lilia smiled at Malleus’ excitement, noting how the prince’s eyes seemed to sparkle at the idea of inviting a classmate over for the holidays.
Lilia had no idea what caused Trey to approach him about his worries. Sure, Lilia and Cater were friendly because of the club, and Lilia did enjoy the company of his classmates, but they weren't exactly close, not in the way Trey and Cater were. But still, Trey’s words had bothered him about Cater’s homelife situation. Before Lilia took any action on the matter, he had wanted his suspicions confirmed.
“But what made you invite him?” Malleus asked, curious.
Lilia placed his cup down, already prepared for this conversation. “Trey had shared some worries about Cater’s family. While the true nature of his homelife is unknown, it has still caused some concerns. He made a request that I attempt to intervene, which I have done successfully.”
Malleus frowned. “Is he in any sort of trouble?”
“Hard to say. But the way he latched onto an excuse to avoid visiting his family was telling, which is why I made the statement about you as a prince requesting his presence. He took the extended offer with gladness.”
Malleus sat back. “I see. Would his family not protest? It is the holidays after all.”
“We will see what happens in a few hours. Speaking of, have you everything you might need?”
Malleus nudged at the small bag near his seat. “Only the small belongings. Everything I would need is at the palace.”
Lilia hummed. “Did the queen summon you?”
“I am permitted to assist you with airing out the cottage, but I must make a trip over to the palace to appease the court.” Malleus frowned. “Although, I will have to inform grandmother that we have an outsider as a guest, and any delays at hosting Diamond would be improper.”
“Yes of course.” Lilia smirked, knowing how Malleus felt about the court members his grandmother kept in her company.
“Have you informed Silver of Diamond’s presence?”
“We spoke about it. He didn’t seem too distressed.” He merely shrugged and said, “He stated, and I quote, ‘well, he’s more than welcome. I will just refrain from calling you ‘father’’.” Lilia sighed. “That boy, honestly, sometimes he’s entirely too dedicated to keeping up appearances about us being classmates.”
“Lilia,” Malleus’ slight exasperation in his tone caused him to grin. “You are aware of the human’s life spans and how odd it might seem for a father and son to attend the same class.”
Lilia smirked. “I know. But just imagine Cater’s face when he realizes I didn’t raise not just one, but two kids. Truly, I deserve a medal.”
xXx
Cater anxiously lingered in the Hall of the Dark Mirror, mingling with the other students. In his hand, he clutched a well-sized duffle bag. He had to pack more than usual since he was not going back home, and he didn’t want to impose on Lilia by using his things.
He bristled. This was ridiculous. Why was he nervous? He should be brimming with excitement! This was, after all, an opportunity for him to spend time with his classmates. Despite his mischievous nature and offhand comments about the most bizarre things, Lilia didn’t share much about his homelife aside from the jokes about raising Silver. He knew even less about Silver and Sebek and only knew that they were training to guard Malleus, a task they took with serious grace.
Then there was the prince himself. Despite his popularity and status as a royal, not much was known about him. He didn’t keep a social media account, and he mainly spent time with his Diasomnia classmates, and even those interactions were few.
Shoot, should he be looking up proper decorum for royalty? How about Fea royalty? Surely there was a difference between human and Fea protocols for royals. He didn’t want to accidentally offend Malleus. Was Lilia connected to royalty? If so, then it would make sense because of his apparent closeness with Malleus and how he teased him. Was he staying with a duke?! Was Lilia’s family perhaps related to Malleus? If so, what did that make Lilia?
“Cater.” The familiar, authoritative voice had Cater jumping, nearly dropping his phone in the process of looking up ‘Fea decorum: the do’s and don’ts of royalty.’
Riddle raised an unimpressed eyebrow. “You’re blocking traffic.”
Cater glanced behind him, noting the disgruntled students trying to move past him. “Sorry,” he chuckled sheepishly, moving to stand against the wall. Riddle followed him, expression slipping into neutral interest.
“Did you forget something?” Riddle asked, folding his arms. “You seemed to be pretty engrossed in your phone.”
Cater blinked, realizing that Riddle must have thought he was scanning the digital list their dorm head had prepared for the trip. He smiled. “Ah, no. I was looking up proper manners and protocols for the Fea.”
Riddle frowned, confused. “Why would you-?” His eyes widened, and a small smile crossed his face. “You’re staying with Lilia, aren’t you?”
Cater blinked. “Um, yes. He invited me. How did you know?”
“Trey mentioned something. I didn’t think much of it.” Riddle stared up at him. “I am happy for you. This will be a memorable experience for you.” His face slid back into a mask of authority. “That being said, you will be representing Hearstlybul, so I expect you to treat your hosts with the utmost respect following the rules of the Queen of Hearts.”
“Ah, yeah,” Cater tried carefully. “The rules of…hospitality?” The disappointed look Riddle shot him could have made anyone shrink back. “I don’t think there are any rules about staying with royalty, dorm head!” he rapidly defended.
Riddle sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “What I do know about Lilia is mainly from my conversations with Silver. They live a simple life, though I can’t speak for Malleus, but I doubt you’ll be going to the formal functions. There’s a…stigma between humans and Fea.”
Cater frowned. “But…I assumed Silver lived with Lilia, and Silver’s human…”
“Yes, well, as you should be aware, Lilia follows to the beat of his own drum.” He rolled his eyes. “Honestly, he has no sense for rules and regulations.”
Cater nodded. “Got it.” He figured, as the only human on the frequent trips, that he should just follow Silver’s lead.
“Hey Riddle,” Trey said, approaching them. “Ready to go?” He had his own backpack over his shoulder, and the upbeat expression on his face coupled with the bounce in his step showcased his eagerness.
Some of the tension left Riddle’s face, and he smiled. “Of course.”
Cater grinned. “Hey Trey, what did you do for Riddle to agree to stay with you?”
Trey smiled sheepishly. “He’s not entirely staying with my family, but we convinced his mother that immersing himself in our bakery’s environment would be beneficial for his dormhead duties.”
“An adequate statement,” Riddle said, though Cater could just imagine how Riddle must feel about escaping from the suffocating environment. He wondered if the conversation Riddle had with his mother about boundaries had stuck through.
Trey glanced at him. “And Cater? Are you excited to spend time with your family?”
Cater clenched his bag. “Actually, Lilia invited me to spend the holidays with him.” He shrugged. “I might pay my family a visit if I am able.”
Trey’s expression brightened. “Really? What an experience. I’m sure Riddle gave you the talk about dorm representation.”
“Cater is aware of his responsibilities,” Riddle sniffed. “He will represent us well.”
“Aw c’mon dorm head,” Cater groaned. “It’s the holiday! Can’t we loosen up?” At Riddle’s glare, he sighed. “I kid, I kid! I will not disgrace us.”
“Be aware of their customs,” Riddle said sternly. “I know that the Fea practice different customs for the winter holiday.”
Cater’s interest was piqued. “Yeah, I read something about that. Can’t wait to witness it!”
Riddle nodded. “Well, be safe, and…” a hesitant smile crossed his face. “Have fun.”
Cater felt his heart lighten. “Thank you. And same to you both!” He watched as both Trey and Riddle went through the mirror, and he was alone once more.
Well, maybe for a few seconds.
“Cater.”
“Gya!” Cater yelped, jumping back to see Silver standing behind him. Silver had the decency to look apologetic at Cater’s startelement.
“Jeez man,” Cater wheezed. “Don’t startle me.”
“Sorry,” Silver replied. He glanced upward. “Fa-, I mean, Lilia and Lord Malleus will be joining us in a moment.”
“Sure, no worries,” Cater shrugged. “Uh, thanks for having me over.”
“Of course.” However, Silver was still looking up, a look of exasperation crossing his face. Confused, Cater also looked up, only to see Lilia walking upside down on the ceiling.
The short Fea grinned. “Hello boys.”
Cater’s confusion overwrote all sense of surprise that would have been appropriate for the situation. “Ah…hi?”
“I see that we are all packed.” Lilia dropped down so effortlessly. Not even a hair was out of place.
“Old man, where are your bags?” Silver asked.
Lilia only grinned, hooking arms with Silver. “At home of course. I’ve got everything I need there.”
“SILVER!” a boisterous voice boomed through the room, and Cater saw Sebek storming forward with Malleus trailing behind. “How dare you! You weren’t present to escort Lord Malleus!!!”
“Sebek,” Silver greeted, and Cater was surprised that there was not a hint of hostility in Silver’s voice. “I am sure that Lord Malleus was well protected in your care.”
“That’s not the point!” Sebek shouted. “You are failing as his guardsman! You should be with him at all times!”
“Sebek, there’s no need for that,” Malleus soothed. “Don’t distress our eventual guest.” He gave Cater a smile. “We are glad to have you join us, Diamond.”
“We sure are!” Lilia grabbed Cater’s arm and moved him toward the Dark Mirror. “Now we’ve got a bit to do before we can settle for the holiday, so let’s move forward.”
Cater allowed himself to be moved forward, gut twisting from both anticipation and uneasiness. All that he read about the Fea protocols fled from his head, and he could not recall the advice Riddle had given him. Could he possibly be imprisoned if he accidentally insulted the Fea prince? Shouldn't Malleus be in front as he was royalty? But here he was, following Lilia through the mirror and leaving school behind before he could back out of this agreement.