Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Notes:

Cat named Sylva, nickname Sy or sy~sy
5 sisters, 7 brothers
Gay prince name: Lucas Nurosta
Girl: Victoria Spite, Vik or Vikky
Fairy Godmother: Mackie
Jasper: mercenary love interest
Siblings in order: Edward(M), Lionel(M), Elijah, Ruby(M), Magnus, James(M), Adam(M), Rayna, Markus(M), Scarlett, Lucas, Sophia, Eloise
Ages in order: 26, 25, 24, 23, 23, 23, 21, 20, 20, 18, 16, 5, 5

Yeah, so I decided to transfer this work from Wattpad to here so more people would actually read it. Spider-Man stuff will soon follow.
This is a original story I came up with after listening to Thomas Sanders’ gay prince music video for the nth time. 🥰
Lots of love to my psychos.

Chapter Text

Far far away in a land of magic and wonder, rests a large and prosperous kingdom in a fertile valley. A kingdom of the name Noxmire, with a king and queen as gorgeous as the stars. Expanding their kingdom through the marriage of their sons, the boys went on to become great kings and knights in their own right, many married to the very princesses they rescued. But this is not your average tale, cause let’s be honest who wants to hear another story about a rich white couple getting married for individual gain and status.
No, you're here to listen about my boy Lucas, the youngest prince. Left to inherit the throne by his brothers, he lives with his sisters in the palace with his cat Sylva. Gosh, how many siblings does this kid have? Let’s see one, two, three, four… wow twelve! The parents have been busy, that's for sure!
My fabulous boy lives in the tallest tower of their esteemed castle. Sleeping soundly with his cat he awaits a new day. Oh look at the cute kitty, I think it’s an Abys? Aww— no get your act together you have a job to do as a fairy godmother/ narrator queen. Welp, that should be all for introductions right? Let’s see I covered all the basics: character, comedic relief, backstory. (Sigh, you’d think they’d teach this in narrator school. Ugh, I should have taken a dual major with so many extracurriculars.)
Ahhhh, it should be fine, what’s the worst that can happen? Oh! The scene is moving! Time to begin!

——————————————

You ever have one of those dreams where you feel like you’re suffocating. Crazy right?! Dreams can be so… crazy. Half asleep I can feel something on my face, hopefully it’s not assassins again that would just make this week so much worse.
I reach for my face and touch something fluffy as I feel claws tear into my hand.
“Shi— SY!!!”
The auburn cat crawls on my stomach looking expectantly at a bowl at the foot of my bed.
“Fine, but you don’t have to be so mean for food y’know.”
Stretching slowly I go to my door, careful to avoid several book stacks and other knick knacks lying around. I suppose I should tidy up before I leave so the maids don’t fuss at me later.
I open the door and grab a bottle of milk left by the frame. Going to the bed I pour half the bottle into the bowl scratching her ear afterwards. “There you go Sylva, drink up.”
Letting the cat lick happily away I go to my dresser and look into the mirror, my bed head out of control as always. Sigh, my blond hair never seems to stay in place, no matter what I do. It’s like it’s inclined to flip out into a mess and cover my “revolting” brown eyes.
After putting in blue contacts, I pull a tunic and dress shirt over my head and slip on a pair of trousers that match. My etiquette teacher would throw a fit if she knew I wasn’t “wearing my finest at all hours”, but I guess she hasn’t heard of comfort.
Quickly, I try to clean up as much of my room as possible, putting books on my shelf to organize later and cleaning Sylva’s litter box and climbing posts as best I can. When most of the floor is walkable, I grab a bag and head out, scratching Sy again before I leave.
“Bye Sylva, my brothers are visiting so if you need me look for the scent of roses, sweat, and large egos.”
I exit my room and begin walking down the spiral of stairs. Living in the tallest tower has its perks, I get a lot of cardio from the steps. Round and round I travel down, portraits and paintings of various family members and other menial objects filling the wall.
My steps echo off the stone floors, and all is quiet in the dark, empty tower.
I reach the second floor and walk down a grand hallway, bustling with maids and other servants. Each bow as I pass and all I can feel is a pit in my stomach, like I’m about to combust any second. I nod my head to them and they go on with their day, giggling and chatting as they get back to work. No doubt they’re talking about me.
I walk into the breakfast room and see my sisters chatting merrily as I enter, I see another seated but I am facing their back.
One of them notices me and begins to speak.
“Ah! Lucas, come sit.” My sister Rayna smiles, helping my younger twin sisters Eloise and Sophia with their food. “You’re just the person we were looking for, look Edward is here already!”
Splendid, and just when I thought things couldn’t get better. But, I can’t tell that to their faces, it wouldn’t be very princely of me.
“Brother,” I bow respectfully. My oldest brother is the king of Grateth, he looks a lot like me except with perfect uninclined hair and a big manly body and blue eyes that apparently his wife married him for. “Funny I don’t usually see you without your wife?”
He grimaces slightly but returns to a neutral face. “Yes well, Gertrude is busy bearing my future child. You should know you never take a pregnant woman on the road.”
“I shall add the information to my repertoire.” I sit down next to my half-sister Scarlett and have a cup of juice poured. My sisters go quiet as tension seems to build between my brother and I.
“I’m serious Lucas, you need to start thinking about this kind of stuff. Must I remind you that you will run this kingdom one day?”
“Mmhm,” I look at my plate and nibble away at my food, trying my best to ignore him. “Hey Scarlett, where are Mom and Dad?”
She takes a sip of water and looks at me with the corner of her eye. Out of all my siblings she’s the one I tolerate the most, aside from my two younger sisters and my half-brother Magnus.
“They’re busy preparing for the ball tomorrow,” She says, sipping away. “They want to make it ‘extra’ grand since all their children and supporting nobles will be there.”
Great, guess I’ll be wearing one of those tight, stuffy suits.
“Lucas, are you even listening to me!?” My brother leans back in her chair rubbing his temple, seeming much older than he really is. You’d think a king would take time off being an authoritative prick while visiting his family. “You are of marriageable age, soon—” The doors slam open, cutting him short and leaving him more grumpy than before.
“My beloved family, how do you fair?”
My third brother, Eli, walks through the door like a peacock, using grand gestures and a joyous tone flipping his long brown hair about. He looks at my brother and then to me and my sisters. “Sorry were you in the middle of something?”
When no one responds he simply shrugs and sits down next to Eloise, petting the two five year olds on the head and giving Rayna a kiss on the cheek.
“Well then if no one will talk to me I suppose I should tell tales of my heroic adventures with the knighthood.”
I let out a silent groan and continue to pick at my food. My brother is a knight commander of our army and always comes home with stories of his “grand adventures.” Sure it was fun when we were kids, but after hearing about all the women he hooked up with for the gazillionth time, it gets old fast.
After about ten minutes of listening to him babble on about some ogres they slayed in the forest, Edward finally snaps.
“Elijah! That’s enough!”
His voice alone is enough to snape me out of whatever bored daze I was in.
“Edward, dear brother, can’t you see I am entertaining our sweet younger siblings with stories.”
Eli seems unperturbed by the interruption as he sips some wine from a glass. “You really ought to reign your anger in before that child of yours is born.”
Edward grits his teeth but before he can open his mouth the door opens and he has to bite his tongue.
“Master Lucas, your parents are requesting your presence.” Our butler, Dundreth, enters the room beckoning me outside and I follow happily. As I close the door I hear the bickering continue and not long after my sisters come out quietly and tell the maids they’re going to the library.
“I swear sometimes I can not differ whether the masters are adults or just very old children.”
I laugh to myself and Dundreth chuckles. As we walk down the hall he asks me about my studies have been progressing and if Sylva is doing well. I ask about his son’s health, and he replies that he just came over a cold as he opens the door to my father’s office.
“Goodbye, Dundreth I hope to talk again soon, tell Hust to take care of himself.”
“Thank you for your kind words,” He bows. “And good luck.”
Before I can ask what he means the door is already closed leaving me in the large office with my parents at the desk. I look to the right and see my second brother and fifth brother, Lionel and James, and my first sister, Ruby. I stand as still as possible at the doorway, waiting to be called forward. After about five minutes my father stops signing papers, hands them to his personal servant and without looking at me says, “Come forward.”
I move until I’m about three feet away from the desk, my mother’s eyes locked on me. My father is a rather large man, his face worn from battle and ruling our kingdom, his body still tuned for war. Bearing the mark of royalty as a ring on his finger, his blue eyes and golden hair show further that he is of high blood. My mother, on the other hand, wears contacts for blue eyes, with brown hair as pure as polished wood. There is no doubt she is queen, but her eyes seem to make her somewhat disgraced in my fathers eyes, even more so for me.
“Son, am I correct in believing that you are to be king?” He says, his voice serious. I take care not to move, it is better to remain still when my father is in a mood. He looks at me and scowls, taking off a pair of reading glasses he uses for work. “Then why, child, do I not hear bells ringing in the courtyard. Why are flowers not raining from the sky!?”
I remain silent, staring at the wall behind him to make him think I’m paying attention. After a few seconds he gets impatient and asks my brother.
“Because there has not been a wedding.” Lionel says scowling at me. But who is he to speak, he’s just jealous he had to have an arranged marriage instead of marrying for “true love” love most of my other brothers, and Ruby for that matter.
“Correct!” He shouts, going back to a lower tone he continues. “There is no wedding, there is no future daughter-in-law, and there is no future heir.”
He sighs and gets up out of his chair, making my mother flinch. He walks around, hands behind his back like he’s giving a speech to his council.
“You have been of age for five months now, and I have graciously provided you with several suitable options that you have regretfully declined. I’m at my wits end!”
I look to my mother, as quiet as she eyes her eyes are begging me to just make him happy. Though I just want to shout that I’m not interested in women and that he should just make Rayna queen. Cause there’s no way Scarlett and I are suitable, and it’s not like the realm would accept us anyway.
“Speak you fool!!” He yells, but I stay quiet, it would most likely only get worse if I was to speak. He grumbles to himself and takes a book off his desk. “Tomorrow we shall announce that you will be traveling our allied kingdoms in search of a bride, do not fail me.” He looks me deep into the eyes, trying to intimidate me, to make me flinch. “And wear respectable clothing, you look like a commoner.”
He dismisses me to sword practice and I leave the room, crying to myself as Dundreth gives me a sympathetic smile. He may be the only adult I can trust right now, but I can’t take that chance. This is a palace after all, gossip can find its way from one end to another in a matter of seconds.
I walk quietly through the halls, trying to make myself feel better while thinking about what Sy is up to or if Scarlett found my note in the library to meet in our hiding spot.

I make it to the training grounds and find the knights inducting new members. Pushing the young men to the limit in order to break them and build them anew. This is one of my favorite places, here I can simply sit and watch a bunch of handsome men train and merely look like I’m observing. I spot my instructor in the corner and join him under a tree.
“Master Zerox,” I nod my head trying to look somewhat like a prince in front of the new recruits.
“Ah, my prince, so glad to see you on this lovely day!” He says enthusiastically, his peppy tone instantly makes my heart warm.
“Are we going to spar today?” I ask, genuinely hoping the answer is no, but you can never be too sure with him. His odd accent and exotic appearance throw people off at first, they think they can predict him, only to realize how wrong their assumption was. I’ve watched it happen to many knights over the years, and it never gets old.
“Come, sit, watch with me.”
I happily join him under the trunk, the late morning sun washing my face. After a while he asks, “What is wrong, the air around you is off.”
Grateful for an unbiased ear I tell him about this morning, about my parents, and about my siblings. When I finish he takes a minute to think then responds.
“People will not understand what they can’t perceive. You need to speak up, my boy.”
“But what if they lock me in a dungeon or force me to marry some random person or— oh god they could take away Sylva.” As I ramble possible scenarios he simply laughs.
“My boy, your best friend is a cat, I doubt they could do any real harm to you that you couldn’t escape. Now! Show me third position!”
He hands me a stick and I stand up moving into the stance. “Good, good. Now go through the movements, repeat number six twice.”
I go through all twelve movements of his style, doing exactly as he says. “Superb, see my boy you’re not entirely incompetent. Now, dodge!”
I move out of the way of his stick, his hair swooshing past. Every time we spar I wonder how a man as old as my eldest brother can have such speed.
“Block, block. Thrust!”
We continue doing the movements until we get out of a rhythm, following instincts instead of verbal instruction. Moving down the field we cross into the training grounds, aggressively poking and blocking eachother with sharp objects.
A few knights stop their exercises to watch, others making small bets on who will win. A few bet on me to try and win favor, but the smart ones bet on Master Zerox. He smiles at their chatter and increases the speed of our spar.
“Come prince faster, faster!” We keep going until I can’t keep up and fall back, when I open my eyes his stick is at my throat. I hear a few people clap and smile giddily.
“Good job, my prince!” He beams. “But make sure to keep your stance low.”
There it is, he would never solely give a complement. A drill sergeant yells at the knights to get back to practicing and I blush a bit as they stare at me. Nodding my head in thanks, we go back under the tree and he gives me some books about famous duels and heroic adventures masked as training manuals.
“A swordsman’s mind should be as sharp as his sword,” He says. This is the real reason he’s my favorite instructor, he lets me read. Actually read, not like the others who make me study boring etiquette books. I take them gratefully and stuff them into my bag. Only one is full of actual content but swordsmanship is pretty interesting so I don’t mind. For the rest of the time we simply sit under the tree, talking about small things like the people we’re interested in, my brothers , and how he’ll be joining my brother Magnus on an envoy mission.
Magnus is illegitimate so he doesn’t have any right to the throne, so when he turned sixteen he became an apprentice envoy to still serve in a political role.
“Your brother is so handsome, so… endearing as he works, I am rather excited for this trip.”
I can feel a pit in my stomach when he talks about my brother, part jealousy and part longing for someone of my own. “Just protect him, please.”
“Trust me, that’s not the only thing I’ll be doing with him.”
“Master!!” I say a bit too loudly, a few heads look our way but go back to their tasks when they see nothing is wrong. I blush in embarrassment as he laughs.
“Fine, fine. I shall look over my prince’s brother, I can swear that with certainty.”
I mumble thank you and leave as the bell rings for lunch. I walk down the paths making my way to the kitchen to grab a snack instead of eating with the rest of my family. I don't particularly want to see them right now.
I get a small bundle of food from the head of staff and she informs me that the rest of my brothers have arrived and are in the dining room. I tell her to inform Dundreth I will not be attending and if needed will be in the garden or library then go on my way, nibbling on an apple. I walk through the garden finding a spot to eat and read while enjoying the scenery of my mother’s flowers.
“Halt!” A voice shouts behind me and I stop in my tracks, raising my hand with the apple still in my mouth. Two young guards, no doubt new recruits, come over to me. “Where is your identification?”
This happens from time to time, I get mistaken as a servant or peasant in the private gardens and get stopped by random people before they realize it's me. The best part of my week is when they realize their mistake and start freaking out.
“I don’t have any,” I smile politely. “Why would I need identification in my own home?”
They look at me like I’m insane, any other sane person would not so lightly pretend to be royalty.
“Luther, Mart! Get back on patrol!” A familiar voice shouts.
“Just a second Jacob!” One of the two, Luther, shouts back. “We got some idiot here pretending to be royalty.”
As soon as I hear the name I know who it is, one of my brother’s knights and my childhood crush, Sir Jacob.
He comes around the corner and sighs when he looks at me. “Dumb asses, he is royalty. That’s the crown prince of this kingdom, Lucas Nurosta.”
The two men look at eachother, then at me. “He doesn’t look like a prince.” Mart says and I have to stifle a chuckle.
“Yes, well,” I say, clearing my throat. “I suppose I don’t like to flaunt my wealth like several of my siblings.”
Seeming not to be the least bit sorry they bow to me and apologize.
“No need to bow, this happens from time to time.”
They rise and breathe deeply, they must have been terrified I’d chop off their heads or something.
“You are dismissed, just remember that looks can be deceiving.”
They nod and go back on patrol, Sir Jacob slaps them on the head as they pass.
“I deeply apologize, your highness, then being new does not excuse their lack of discipline.” He bows.
“No problem,” I blush. “Just make sure to give them a good beating in sword training later and it’ll be fine.”
We both laugh and he goes on his merry way, as he leaves I try not to make it too obvious I’m watching him leave. I walk through the rest of the garden grinning like an idiot.
“What’s got you so excited?” Scarlett asks, sitting on a tree branch. “You know nevermind, I don’t care?”
“I feel so loved,” I fake cry. She hops done from the tree and puts her arm around me.
“C’mon we got to get you ready for tomorrow so dad doesn’t pop a blood vessel.”

Chapter Text

Note: So a bit of a update with the title page, I kind of had to do it myself due to some issues. Of course like the idiot I am I ended up accidentally burning my wrists so I couldn’t finish it today. Anyhow, I’m fine so here’s the chapter Psychos.

~~~~~~~~~
The next day I get woken up early in the morning by the handmaids and prepare for the day ahead. Sylva is nowhere in sight, she doesn’t really like them nor they her. My sister and I had planned three outfits to keep up with royal appearances: a red one for outdoor activities, a light green one for lunch, and a blue and gold one for the party.
For most of the day I’m supposed to host nobles that have come for the ball, mostly to talk about marriage. I come down in my red outfit and eat breakfast with my siblings. All of my brothers have arrived, the only one not present is my sister Ruby.
What first throws me off is how quiet Edward, Lionel and James are, usually they’d scold me or talk about their wives or something. Instead Eli, Magnus, Adam, and Markus are all chatting about what they’ve been up to and if we’d play our annual games or not.
Lionel just glares and calls them childish, but Markus gives my sisters and I a wink and we continue planning after they leave.
After breakfast I head to the garden, partially because I have to meet some nobles there, but mainly so I can escape and get some fresh air. As I walk through the flower garden I hear a loud croak. Excited, I look through the flowerbed, trying my best not to get covered in dirt. I pick up a frog and hold it gently in my hands. I look at it in the eyes and it croaks.
“You wouldn’t happen to be a prince,” I jokingly whispered. It croaks at me again and hops out of my hand, hearing a voice clear behind me I jump up.
“Um, hello.” A young man says, he’s quite handsome dressed in fine garb. “I’m supposed to be meeting someone here, might you know where they are?”
“Ah, yes!” I say quickly bolting. “I suppose I am he.”
I take a bow and reach out my hand.
“Prince Lucas Nurosta, eighth son of the king of Noxmire.”
“Roger Juleus, 1st son of the Lord of Gruthheim.”
We finish exchanging formalities and I lead him further into the garden where we meet up with a few other nobles. They all try to sell me on marrying one of their daughters or sisters, only a few stay quiet, I politely say “I will consider.”
After a while, I get a bit fed up with their constant bickering over whom I should wed and abruptly stand up.
“If all you are here to do is bicker and waste my time I must excuse myself to my other duties that, if I must remind you, are of great importance. If you have a matter of importance please speak now.”
Simultaneously they all cease their chatter, the only ones to raise their hands are those who were previously silent. I nod to one dressed in a black dress to begin and we start discussing problems with some of the harvests and how to fix them. One talks of corruption in the distribution chain, and I say I will inform the head of that department and my father. Another is having problems with theft and lacks the militaristic support to keep their region protected. I propose to send troops and begin recruitment in that area post haste, establishing a military base for management and training. Aside from the beginning the rest of the gathering goes well and we make progress. After another hour I finally excuse myself to another appointment.
“Your highness!” I hear Roger’s voice behind me and I turn around to see what he wants. “You did a marvelous job.”
“Thank you,” I turn back around and start to walk but he stops me.
“Would you like to hang out later?” He says hurriedly.
“Well see each other at the dance anyways,” I’m starting to get confused. I try to move around him but he stops me again.
“I meant,” He stops for a second, looking around. “Would you like to come with me?”
I freeze and try to keep my blushing under control. “I-I…”
I remember where I am, what my role is supposed to be. “No, I’m afraid my sister and we’re planning to go together. I don’t want to disappoint her, but thank you for the offer.”
This time he lets me through before I walk, I give him some advice. “Be careful, the maids like to gossip.”
He looks a bit dumbstruck and I laugh to myself as I finish my other duties: checking on the food preparation and decorating, doing house calls on the nobles to see how they’re settling, and finally reporting to my father after lunch. Rather happily I quickly get changed into my light green suit and rush off to the dining hall full of other nobles visiting from afar.
They crowd around me, some checking the seating to see if they had the honor of dining next to a prince. But I know something they don’t: only the nobles my father has specifically chosen will sit anywhere near me. Something about any of the others being a bad influence.
I’m cornered on all sides by ministers and blue bloods alike. They crowd me with more questions of marriage and succession which I try my best to ignore or shut down politely. Wasn’t it enough that they kicked out, no “refused to indulge” my half-siblings and separated me from the rest. In the corner of my eye I spot Roger in some heated debate about politics or whatever and we wave to each other. I can almost swear he blushed a bit. Huh.
That’s never happened before.
“Prince Lucas, I must insist you join us for a drink.” Ugh, my cousin's snobbish voice always gets on my nerves. Despite my protests I get dragged into another room pretending to laugh at awful jokes and acting impressed by girls in poofy dresses and their various “skills”. Eventually I make an excuse to leave and head to my father’s office to report to him about the day so far and the complaints and queries from the nobles.
I walk to his office but stop when I hear talking on the other side of the door. My father’s booming voice and…and the other is Roger’s?
“How goes the investigation?”
“He denied my invitation to go to the ball, but I will win him over if your suspicions are correct.”
“And if they are, punishment awaits. I will not waste my time waiting for him to marry anymore.”
My mind goes blank. I hear someone moving to the door and, hiding behind one of the window curtains, I wait for him to leave. When the coast is clear I run to the library where Scarlett is.
“Scar!!”
“SHHHHH!!”
“Lucas? I thought you of all people would know not to–”
I run into her giving her a big hug as I start to cry. “...shout in a library.” She looks at me and sits me down in our secret spot that we found when we were kids. A little nook in the back behind the history shelf. She sits me on one of the blankets and tries to calm me down.
“Shhh, what’s wrong?” She says calmly trying to soothe my violent sobbing.
“I think dad found out,” I say between breaths. She looks at me sadly.
“Magnus said this would happen, that's how he got discovered.”
“I know…I just wanted to… hope,” I curl up under a blanket, I don’t care if the maids yell at me later for wrinkling my clothes.
“Lucas, we’re royalty, it’s very hard to hide anything with all eyes on us. It would have slipped eventually.”
“Did…did I do something wrong?” She looks shocked, and pulls me into a tight hug.
“Of course not,” It's a minute before she speaks up again. “Would you like to leave?”
“What!?” Is she insane, if I was to run away it would be hell for the rest of my siblings if I left. “Scar, are you crazy!”
“Please I’m a bastard royal,” She says brushing her hand along a book of fairy tales we would read together as children. “If I wasn’t just a little bit crazy I wouldn’t be your sister.”
I sit there shocked but she just puts her finger to my lips before I can say anything. “Don’t worry about me, Magnus, and the twins. Rayna will handle it if it starts to get out of control. Now listen up, this is probably your only chance to get out of this hell hole.”
She begins to whisper her plan into my ear.
_________________
Hah! You really thought I would let you hear their plan? What kind of fairy godmother do you think I am? I have to build suspense somehow…
That being said, we have places to be and a story to continue. We fast forward to an hour before the ball, Lucas is in his room being prepared by the maids. Those fucking bitches! Not only do they despise my sweet Sy baby, but they’ve made my kid’s life hell the last few years. Ugh, it just makes my wings curl, too bad I’m forbidden to curse people.
Siggghhh…Anywho, with this setup I must say farewell, I’m afraid this is the last you will see of me for now. Some things are about to go down, and it is my duty to see them through. So I leave you in his room with his adorable cat, waiting for the anticipated ball to begin. See you at the end~!
________________

I wince as one of the maids runs a brush through my hair roughly. She scolds me for goofing off and I grimace as the brush runs through my hair again, this time harder.
Once they’re done with the hair they finish putting on my clothing, I insist I can put it on myself but they ignore me as they slip on the blue suit and do some touch up before leaving. Only when they’re gone does Sylva come out of hiding and crawl on my lap.
“So now you come to save me,” She purrs as I scratch her chin and goes off to her cat house. I hear a knock at the door and Dundreth enters.
“Master Lucas, it is time to go down.” He says with a smile. “I do hope you succeed.”
How does he– nevermind it’s Dundreth, he knows everything. I follow him down the steps and straighten out my tight clothing. How do people even move in these things, it’s like walking in a straight jacket. I follow him quietly to a back room where my siblings and I wait behind a door. I find Scarlett in the back with a red dress.
“How do people even move in these things!?”
“Why are you complaining? You’re not the one with a corset and a puffy ass dress.”
“Well, you’re not the one with a million eyes watching your every move, waiting like sharks until you screw up and disappoint your entire family.” I half-joke. If I don’t get out of here soon I think I actually might die inside. I trip out on that for a few seconds until Scarlett speaks up again.
“Touche.” She switches her voice to a low toned whisper. “Have you got everything settled?”
“Yep,” I whisper back. “I just need to get this part over with.”
“Will both of you be quiet!” Lionel glares. “We’re about to go on.” Like clockwork the door opens and light pours in. They call out my eldest brother and he walks out with Rayna, due to his wife being absent. Heck, the whole reason she couldn’t be here is probably so it would look even. (It hasn’t been the first time, the last party it was Magnus missing.) Next, Lionel and his wife, Lucile. Then one by one Ruby, James, Adam, and Markus all with their respective partners. After that it’s Elijah and my younger sister Eloise who is wearing matching dresses with Sophia. Magnus and the other twin follow next, and chatter immediately follows. Fucking blue blood snarks. So what if he’s a bastard, he’s a much better brother than most of my older siblings.
“You ready,” Scarlett looks at me worriedly.
“I’ll be fine.” I say looking forward to the ballroom. “I’m more worried about you.” She chuckles to herself quietly as we step forward, arm in arm.
“Now, what kind of big sister would I be to make my little brother worry?” She leans into my ear and smiles. “Don’t worry I’ve got everything covered.”
I look at her quizzically but am soon pulled away by the hoards of nobles who want to get close to me once more. I get dragged into dance after dance, proposal after proposal. You’d think I was the last man on earth with how desperate they seem. After a while I can’t take it anymore and excuse myself for a drink. I walk to the table and pour myself a glass of non-alcoholic juice. I swear I can smell the stench of nepotism from here.
I watch the crowd for a while and notice Scarlett, Elijah, Master Zerox, and Magnus talking separately from the rest with hidden concern on their faces. Eli spots me watching them and smiles at me, catching their attention. I watch them in the corner of my eye as I return to the center of the room to indulge my loving subjects. A few more minutes of socializing pass and one of the servers directs me to my father with a cold glare.
“Why didn’t you report back to me?” He suspiciously asks, his tone cold.
“Dundreth said you were unavailable,” I reply, keeping a straight face. He looks to the butler and turns back to me when the old man confirms with a nod.
“So then have you made your decision?” He stares deep into my soul, seeming to look for any flaw. I want to run to my sister and brothers, even Eli would do right about now to fulfill my urge for a bear hug. But I have to stay strong, Scarlett was really risking her neck for me.
“I have.” I say boldly, making my father raise his eyebrows and my mother looks at me with slight shock. “I choose to go onto a quest.”
He looks like he’s about to burst, huh is that a blood vessel I see. Wow. I can hear a small giggle in the back of the room and see my older siblings struggling to hold back laughter in the unnervingly quiet room.
“My brothers all had the option to find true love, why can’t I? I certainly have no interest in the women you’ve tried to set me up with in the last few months.”
What I wanted to shout was: I have no interest in women bitch!!! But that wouldn’t be very princely and probably would have ended with a trip to the dungeons.
“Why you little… son of a—”
“Robert!!” I flinch, I haven’t heard my mother speak in ages. The room becomes dead silent, not even my rowdy siblings speak.
“Fine if the boy wants to go on some useless quest, let him. But I swear if you end up ruling some other kingdom or become a knight to escape your duties, I will make your life a living hell.”
Huh, guess royals do learn from past mistakes. He motions to some people behind me, most likely servants to prepare and just continues to glare at me. Minutes pass before he dismisses me and the party resumes, more strained than before with a much staler air. When the night is nearly over my sister approaches me for the final dance. The crowd is much smaller as people begin to leave for their rooms and a nice, soft bed.
“So you’re finally getting out of here,” She smiles as the music begins. I follow the steps pretending to be the lead when it’s really my sister.
“Scarlett, are you jealous?” I act shocked.
“Maybe a little,” She fake whispers to me, trying “not to raise suspicion”. That’s sarcasm, we’re definitely playing these fools. “You get to go see the world, find love. While I waste away here, set to be betrothed to some dimwitted noble.”
I hear a couple next to us giggle, waltzing through the motions until the final beat of the song. The room erupts in a round of applause as the crowd slowly fizzles away. In the blink of an eye the entire room fills with maids and servers cleaning anything that needs immediate attention. One by one butlers escort the royal family to their rooms and I find Dundreth waiting for me by the door.
“Her highness told me to warn you,” Dundreth speaks in a low tone as soon as we’re away from everyone else and almost back to my room. “Your father insists that you be accompanied by an entourage of knights and the journey takes not more than five months at the most. You leave tomorrow, I suggest you pack your things quickly.”
“What is her warning then?” I ask with confusion and concern, if my mother has something to say on this matter it must be important.
“Don’t get caught.”
He smiles and closes my bedroom door behind me. I lie down on my bed, still clothed in my ball attire after a long night. I feel a change in weight on my bed as Sy comes and sits on my stomach. The little furball seems to sense my agony.
“What have we gotten ourselves into Sy Sy~.” I scratch her chin and she lets out a small meow. I laugh to myself, neither do I. I quickly change and take out a pre-packed bag from behind a curtain next to Sylva’s cat scratch. I’ve never been so glad my maids hate cats. Something about how Sy’s always leaving dead mice around the palace and will give everyone fleas. I think they're just bitter.
I add a book and some snacks Eli and Scarlett swiped for me into a pack and make sure there’s enough room for Sylva in my satchel. I lie back down and notice Sy playing with something.
“What ya got there silly?” I get up and fight to take the object away from her. When I finally give in I trade her three treats for the thing. Man, cats can drive a really hard bargain.
It appears to be a letter. I look at the front and back and there appears to be no sender.
The letter reads:
Dear Brother,
Don’t worry about any of us stuck here. We’ll be fine, and if Eli gets in trouble he always has me to sucker punch the fuck out of whomever dares cross my brothers. I’ll explain to Sophia and Eloise why you had to leave when they’re older, I’m sure they’ll understand. Magnus and Zerox will be with you tomorrow, so they’ll give you more instructions. Who knows, maybe I’ll send a little help of my own.
Love you,
Scar
P.S. Also, burn this when you're done reading.

I crumble up the letter and throw it into the fireplace without a second thought. I wonder what she means by help? Maybe she–*CRASH*
“Sylva! What did I say about playing on the shelves!” Leaving my thoughts I pick up the wreckage of the beast, cutting my hand on the glass. I wince as blood starts the pool in my hand. “Hey Sylva, could you get the bandages under my desk, please?” No clue if she can really understand me, but she seems to know what to do. She pulls the little box of medical supplies I keep in my room to me and meows demandingly.
“Fine I’ll give you a treat, but the bandages first.” I try to bargain, sneakily trying to reach for the box. But she just moves it further out of my reach. “Sigh, fine, treat first then bandages.”
I walk to the tin of cat treats and pull one out for the swap. Sitting back down I stare into her soulless eyes, she’s like a giant predator who’s finally ready to pounce on their prey. I hold out the treat and prepare to throw it. “I want a fair trade, no foul play.” She flicks her tail and crouches down. “One. Two. Three!”
I throw the treat to the opposite side of the room, as she pounces I make a move for the box and quickly snatch it. After disinfecting my hand and wrapping it I turn to see she has already devoured the snack. Geez, I’m raising a devilish merchant. I walk back to bed and curl up into the sheets, who knows the next time I’ll have a real bed again. My eyes get heavy as I drift away into the realm of dreams, where only night terrors await.

Chapter Text

Note: This took soo long to write 😅. The transition was really weird the first time so I had to rewrite it and do some planning before I continued. Hope you enjoy psychos.

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My dreams aren't usually blank, sometimes they're filled with adventure. Like after reading a good book, I'll imagine I'm a pirate sailing the open seas or a doormouse trying to survive in the world of men. But tonight is different, tonight I can't seem to escape the nagging feeling that something is off as I rest in darkness. It might just be my nerves, but I can't seem to dream.
When the sun finally rises in the sky I'm more tired than when I went to bed and my ribs hurt from Sylva lying on my chest.
I quickly get dressed, something light but presentable so no one will fuss at me. After double checking my bags again, I stuff Sylva into one of them and start the long, quiet walk downstairs. In all honesty, I appreciate the silence, a quiet before the storm. When I enter the main hallways everywhere is a bustle with maids and other servants. I walk right past the breakfast room, it was over anyways, I had to make sure to avoid any confrontation with my siblings today. Instead, I walk to my father's office, where his personal butler glares at me as I enter.
"Son," He calls and I step forward. The study is completely empty aside from him, no siblings to judge me this time. He gestures to a seat in front of him and I reluctantly sit, putting my pack to the side and keeping my posture straight.
"This is your last chance to call this off," He stares, the blue eyes staring at my contacts. First thing I'm doing when I leave is crushing my fake blue eyes. When I don't move for several minutes he dismisses me and I head down to the courtyard. At least I've passed this part.
Outside, a small entourage of knights await, my brother Magnus and Zerox leading them all. I put my pack in a small carriage, going on a quick walk when I finish.
"Your highness!!" I hear someone shout excitedly behind me. I turn around and see Jacob running energetically towards me in his armour. I almost think it's a dream until he shouts again. "Your highness!!!"
I snap out of my daydream as he comes up to me. "Sir Jacob, why are you here?"
"I'm on escort duty," He smiles enthusiastically. "Isn't that great?"
I nod quickly at his bright smile. Shit, this isn't good, I think as I suppress a blush.
"Lucas?" I look behind me as Roger walks up and puts his arm around me, making both me and the knight flinch. "Why are you speaking to this plebeian?" Seriously, the dude can't seduce me so he becomes an asshole. Just my luck. "Come, let us go back. The carriage is going to leave soon."
I pull away from him and walk back to the carriage, giving an apologetic smile to the knight as I leave. I give an innocent smile to Roger and ask sweetly, "Why are you here, Roger? I thought you were heading home with the other nobles?"
He looks at me and grins, changing back to the attitude he used when we first met. "Your father asked me to help lead the expedition since I'm familiar with the areas we will be traveling through." Great so that makes a squad of knights, a spy, and terrain I'll be unfamiliar with.
We walk through the knights to the carriage and my brother stops Roger.
"Sorry, Lord Roger. I'm afraid I can't let you go beyond this point." He says, giving me a wink. Thank goodness for tough older knight brothers.
"Sir Magnus, I'm sure you've been informed that I am joining you on this expedition." He glares, grabbing my shoulder and making me wince.
"I'm aware," He fake smiles, signaling Zerox that something is wrong. "But the security of the prince comes first." The master swordsman puts his sword above the arm Roger is holding me with and he lets go. I stumble forward, falling into a hug with my brother.
"Thank you, your horse is over there." The noble begrudgingly walks away and I hold back a cry. The two look at me with pity and my brother gives me a big hug, though it is uncomfortable due to his armour. He holds my hand and pushes a note into it.
"I think you should go inside," He says softly. "We're leaving soon."
I nod and hurry into the carriage taking Sylva out and hugging her tightly. I cry into her soft fur as the vehicle surges forward, the rhythmic sound of clicking hooves lulling me into another dreamless sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~
I can feel someone shaking my shoulders, my eyes starting to slowly open. My master looks at me worriedly, my eyes are probably still red from tears.
"My Prince," He says softly. "We have arrived at the first campsite."
I nod to him and put Sylva back in the back, much to her disappointment. I follow him out and remember the note from yesterday. I completely forgot to read it amongst my tired sorrow. I clutch the note as I step into the afternoon sun, the light feeling warm against my skin. I walk through the small campsite being built with tents being pitched. Everyone was busy, the perfect time to escape. But just the same, it wasn't meant to be. Quickly, I find my tent and gently put down my supplies. I find the note once more and begin to read.

Dear Lucas,
I know you may be eager to flee, but bide your time. Wait just a few more weeks and gain allies. I'll give you more instructions when the time comes.
Love,
Marcus and Zerox

My heart tightens, I don't want to be here any more than necessary, but if this is what my brother thinks is best I will comply to the best of my ability. I wait for days, building trust with the other knights. Practicing swordplay with them in the morning, eating with them in the afternoon. Through the day we travel, visiting villages that have been given word of my quest for marriage. It makes me sick to my stomach. Each day they dress up their eligible girls and send them to greet me, trying to sway me with their beauty and talent. I turn them down of course, always ending in a strict lecture from Roger who completely gave up on outing me after the first week. Some are so determined they try to drug me, others more meek and retiring to their homes to weep. I mean them no offense, I'm simply not interested. Yet everytime I see a girl go home crying to her family that she wasn't chosen and must be vile and ugly. A part of me dies inside.

Almost three and a half weeks later, I returned back to the camp one night, feeling particularly down. We are only a few leagues away from our kingdom's border, in a forest that has been derived from any demonic monsters years earlier. In the village, I turned down a lovely girl who seemed like this was what her entire life was riding on, her entire future. She had gotten so hysterical, taking a knight's sword as she passed and stabbing herself only a few feet away. Zerox had covered my eyes as soon as he noticed, but it didn't stop me from glimpsing the scene. It didn't stop drops of blood from splattering on my tunic.
Of course my brother had us leave immediately after, but that got him in trouble with Father when he found out. He and Roger are in a huge fight in the main tent as I sit outside in the dark. I tricked the guards outside, pretending to still be in bed with a pillow, and escaped to hear the heated conversation.
"My Lord, with all due respect, the only authority you have here is as a guide and envoy." I can hear my brother speak sternly from the other end of the tent. "Nothing more, nothing less."
"And must I remind you, knight." Roger spits. "Your father put me in charge of guaranteeing the crown prince finds a bride. Not you."
The argument continues as I stare off at the dirt, blocking out their continuous stream of cussing. Hugging my legs I remember the girl, I remember all the girls. How desperate most of them were, how dejected they looked.
A rustle in the bushes breaks my stare, a few tears sprinkling down my face. I wipe my eyes and creep forward grabbing a long twig near me. I move the bush with it... nothing. Clumps of bushes start to rustle in a path, and idiotically I follow. Anything must be better than spiraling back into the void.
I follow the noise into a clearing, holding the stick like a sword in a defensive stance. Sure, Lucas, I can definitely defeat a possible threat with a flimsy twig. I hear a rustle behind me and flinch, turning slowly as I hear a twig snap.
I look around and see nothing, no intruder, no bandit... nothing.
"Cough, cough." I hear a small voice and I look around, still nothing. "Geez, Lucas, I'm right here."
I adjust my eyes to the direction of the noise and see a small figure in front of me, a fairy. He's so small I almost didn't notice him at first, at a glance he is but a speck of light. When I look closer he looks like a young man, with dark skin and green wings. He flys up to my face, his bright eyes staring straight into mine excitedly.
"It sooo nice to meet you," He zooms around my head quickly, looking at my face in confusion. "Hmm, that's strange–" He looks at my eyes, opening my eyelids wide. "– I thought your eyes were brown?"
I lightly brush him away, making him tumble back in the air.
"They are." I grumble. "I just wear contacts." I think for a minute before speaking again, trying to rationalize the events proceeding in front of me. "Why are you here?"
"OH!" He gasps, buzzing around in a panic. "Right, first rule of god-mothering!"
He clears his throat and poofs into a human-like form, except with pointy ears, and gives me a deep bow. "I, Mackante Huggintine Macarthy, am your fairy godmother, but you can just call me Mackie."
All I do is gape, my mouth hanging open and my stick on the ground. I had a fairy godmother. Me! The wannabe runaway who doesn't even know if he wants to fall in love. Then it all dawns on me, this must be a mistake. There's no way someone like me would have a fairy.
"Sir, um, Mackie, this has got to be a mistake...." I look away shyly, feeling stupid for what I was about to say next. "Plus, you don't exactly look like a fairy godmother."
He raises an eyebrow and crosses his arms. "What did you think I would be, some old hag who casts half assed magic. Yeah! Fuck you Carroll! My senior thesis was a masterpiece!" He shouts the last bit to the sky, making me flinch.
"Um... no offense but yes, I guess?" I shift uncomfortably. "Look this is all really sudden and I already have a lot on my plate and–"
"Oh honey, I know." I look at him in confusion, while he simply walks around getting used to the larger form. His dark hair and skin contrast the light colors of his tunic, bangs covering one of his bright green eyes. "Did you really think I would come here without reading your file?"
"But, why–"
"Your sister sent me," He says plainly, straightening out a pale green tunic lined with gold. He gives me a soft smile and put his hands on his waist. "She wished with all her heart to send you some help, so her fairy recommended me. And as for my appearance, well let's just say godmother doesn't even begin to cover it sweety. I don't even know why they kept that old name, it's so sexist."
I look at him in curiosity, aside from the fact I had literally just seen him as a 8 inch creature with wings only moments ago, he seems so human.
"But, I don't even like girls." I say looking away in shame. "Hell, I don't even know if I still want to fall in love."
He lets out a loud gasp, his eyes almost seem to burst out of his head. "Blasphemy!! How could you not want to fall in love? The entire point of my job as a fairy is to make sure main characters like you get a happy ending!"
"I'm the main character!?" I say confused and giddy, deciding not to let it get to my head for too long.
"That's not the point," He huffs, checking my temperature. He clearly doesn't believe I'm sane right now. "It doesn't matter who you find attractive, if they're man or woman or something else entirely. All that matters is that you find happiness, and may I just say your fate is not to be alone, Lucas. Sure that is the fate of some, but not you. It is your fate to fall in love and lead a strong and good life." He puffs up his chest and stands straight. "So buck it up buttercup, you're stuck with me. I have a thesis to prove after all."
I stand in shock, no one had ever told me that before. Mostly, people told me I had to give up my happiness for the benefit of others. He poofs back to his fairy form, resting on my shoulder with a tired sigh. "Now giddyup, I'm hungry."
I do as he says, not out of fear or anything...okay maybe a little bit of fear, and take him back to the camp. Quietly squealing to myself that I'm the main character and that this is actually happening. Squeee, this is just like in the books!
When we reach the camp I silence him and sneak through the shadows to my tent. I peek inside before entering, my room is still pitch dark and I can hear the soft snore of the guards outside. Slipping inside I can feel Sylva brush up against me, and I silently tiptoe to my bed, trying not to trip over her. The light from torches slipping in through the cracks leads my way to my little bundle of cloth.
I section off a small portion for Mackie so I won't crush him with my twisting and turning and pull out a bit of cheese I kept leftover from dinner.
His green glow stands out in the darkness as I navigate the tent. It kinda reminds me of these magical little nightlights I would use when I was younger. Getting a closer look, his wings are like a butterfly's. I wonder how that works.
"Here you go," I whisper, setting him down on the cloth with the snack. He takes it gratefully and snuggles up under the blanket, munching happily away at the small portion.
"Thank you," He says with a full mouth. "You have no idea how tiring it is traveling by wing from the fairy realm to here."
I stare at him for a minute lying down on my bed as I make sure Sylva doesn't attack him. It doesn't seem like she will though, she looks more curious than anything.
"How exactly are you going to help me fall in love?" I whisper, yawning as my eyes start to drift to sleep and I'm forced to take out my contacts.
"You leave that to me, Lucas." He finishes off the cheese and flies up to my face, sprinkling some dust over my eye. They feel heavier than before and I'm defenseless when Sylva climbs onto my chest. I drift to sleep, images of adventure and chaos from one of my favorite books filling my head. "Sweet dreams."