Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It had been nearly a year since King Schlatt had taken over. The once glorious kingdom of Lysteria was in ruins because of his rule.

Before King Schlatt, there had been King Nathan. He was a just king who ruled with dignity and grace.

But King Nathan was no more. Schlatt killed him the moment he took over Lysteria.

Prince George, son of King Nathan, was the only member of the royal family left alive to mourn the loss of his father. He was captured alive, and then imprisoned by King Schlatt.

The other six kingdoms in the land did nothing to stop the acts of violence. Although the former King Nathan was beloved and respected, Schlatt was no force to be reckoned with. When the news of the attack spread, all six kingdoms fell silent and offered no support.

—

George added another tally mark onto the stone wall. It took a few seconds with a rusted nail and his restricted movement. The result was worth it though, as he sat back down with his chains rattling.

Day 320. It was nearly summer, right? But George hadn’t seen the sunlight for months. For all he knew, it could have been snowing.

The four of Schlatt's guards watching his cell had been extra quiet today. Usually, they glared at him or mocked him. His least favorite was a tall, skinny guard whose name was Skeppy.

A few days ago, when he had last received his bread and bone broth, Skeppy purposefully splashed some of the soup onto his tunic.

“Oops, sorry your highness!” he sneered and proceeded to dump the remainder of the broth onto the ground.

Had he been his former self, George would have made sure Skeppy never walked again. It had been months though, and he had lost a lot of weight and his former muscle. It didn’t help that the guards often forgot to feed him.

For the most part of his time in the cell, George leaned against the wall with his eyes shut, trying his best to relive his best memories with his father.

“The best kings have patience, George. Violence shouldn’t ever be your first solution. Speaking should be.” King Nathan said affectionately, rubbing the fluffy brown hair of his ten-year-old son.

How George longed to go back to the times when his father was still alive and making jokes about the chef’s toffee pudding.

Instead, he was here, in the present, where he had witnessed his father’s dead body being paraded through the towns like some sort of trophy.

A rat scurried across his foot, investigating the ground where George had last relieved himself. He was reduced to living like an animal, having no toilet but the ground of the cell.

He would kill Schlatt, the next time he saw him. Even if George was tortured for the rest of his life, he wouldn’t care, so long as he got his hands around that wrinkled neck.

The door to the dungeon suddenly flung open. “King Schlatt has been overturned!” A young knight shouted. The four guards immediately looked at each other, then back towards the messenger. “Impossible!” Skeppy exclaimed.

“It’s true! The former prince has been summoned to the throne room right away.” He proclaimed.

George felt his heart beat faster. As Skeppy said, this should have been impossible. Had the other kingdoms worked together in order to take Schlatt down? It would have taken much organizing, and at least a very intelligent leader. Who was his savior?

As the guards unlocked his cuffs, George slowly exhaled. This was it. He was finally being released.

Skeppy firmly grabbed his arm, leading him outside of the cell and up the stairs.

Once they reached the hallway, George had to stop. His eyes began to water at the strange sight of sunlight shining through the windows. They passed by a window that showed a beautiful willow, its long branches gently swaying in the breeze.

The first taste of freedom was sweet on George’s tongue. As they neared the throne room, he tried to think of what he could say in order to thank the leaders of the kingdoms, and the person who organized it all. Perhaps Lysteria would forever be in debt to the others.

It didn’t matter much to George. So long as he and his people were free from Schlatt’s reign.

Skeppy paused to knock on the grand doors of the throne room. “Enter.” A voice boomed from within.

George rushed forward to catch a glimpse of the familiar place where he once spent many hours studying. He knew one day that the shining golden throne would be his, and he would be called King George. The title sounded just as grand as his father’s.

Father. Where was Schlatt? George quickly realized he needed to convince the kings and queens to host a public execution. One where Schlatt would suffer and pay dearly for his crimes.

When he got inside, George briefly took note of the fact that Schlatt’s banners no longer hung from the windows. It served as extra reassurance that the tyrant was truly dethroned. He sighed in relief. But what he saw next made his heart stop.

A man was sitting on the throne, George’s throne, his legs spread and head resting against his knuckles as though he was bored.

That wasn’t what made George so terrified, though. It was the pure, white mask covering the man’s entire face.

This wasn’t just any ruler from the seven kingdoms. He wasn’t even from the lands. He was from the north, the Empire of Vitalis. The man was Emperor Dream.

George sharply inhaled, unsure of how to react. His father’s warnings rang through his head like a siren.

“Whatever you do, no matter how desperate you are, NEVER ask for help from the Northern Empire.” King Nathan had said gravely.

“But why, Father?” Young George answered with confusion.

“Emperor Rowan is not a man to be messed with. He is cruel and resorts to evil to get what he wants. And he’s raising his sons to be the same way.”

Later, when George turned eighteen, rumors about the Empire of Vitalis made their way to Lysteria through wandering merchants. King Rowan had passed away, and his second-youngest son, Dream, became Emperor. It was said that he secured the position by murdering every last one of his six brothers.

Upon hearing the news, King Nathan went to his bedroom and drank for several days and nights. When he finally came out, he pretended the whole ordeal never happened, and his servants were wise enough to say the same.

But now, sitting in front of him, was that exact same murderer, Dream. George was sure of it, after hearing rumors of the Emperor wearing a strange white mask with a smiley face and never taking it off.

“You may go.” The authoritative voice interrupted George’s thoughts. Skeppy bowed, quickly leaving.

There was a long pause of silence.

“Emperor Dream.” George said, mustering every ounce of politeness he could.

“Prince George.” Came a coy response, with a scoff. “Or… should I even call you that?” Emperor Dream said, staring at George’s ripped tunic and ragged appearance.

George stiffened, raising his chin. “I apologize. I’ve been in captivity for over 10 months as His Majesty might already know.”

Not receiving an answer, the prince continued. “I must go re-establish the Council, and then attend to the people.” He said through clenched teeth, implying his position as rightful King and ruler of Lysteria.

“You haven’t even bothered to thank me.” Emperor Dream hissed. “Who told you that you were going to be King? I fought for this throne and rightfully conquered the man who once sat on it. And what did you do? You rotted away in that prison until I was generous enough to rescue you.”

“I do sincerely thank you for that, Emperor Dream,” George muttered, trying his best to keep his cool. “I’ll repay you in any way I can, but why save Lysteria? The Empire of Vitalis is flourishing as is.”

Dream leaned forward on the throne, digging around in his pocket for something. Once he found it, he pulled out a scroll. “Your father, King Nathan, sent for me.”

George stumbled back in shock. “What? That’s impossible!”

“It’s actually quite possible, your highness.” Dream said scornfully, unraveling the parchment.

“To Emperor Dream: I write to you in desperate times. Schlatt is close to conquering Lysteria, and the other kingdoms refuse to partake in an alliance, no matter how many times I remind them of oaths they once took.”

“I am not sure if I will even survive this. If you agree to an alliance, I promise you full control of Lysteria and anything you want with it. Perhaps a bride of your choice, and another castle with servants of your own.”

“All I ask in return is that you conquer Schlatt, aid the people of Lysteria, and protect my precious son, George.”

“Please, Emperor, on behalf of the kingdom, I plead with you to assist us.”

                                                                                                     - King Nathan

Dream finished reading, showing George the ever-so-familiar seal on the scroll before letting it snap shut.

“I didn’t come for this kingdom out of kindness, your highness. I came here to get more power and….” The Emperor paused, taking a sip of wine from his chalice. “Simply because I was bored.” He grinned.

George swallowed hard, still processing what might have been the last words from his father.

“Your father practically got on his knees and begged me to come to save him. Isn’t that silly?” Dream chuckled.

The prince looked up with a venomous glare. “Emperor or not, you will not speak of my father that way.”

“Oooh, fiery, aren’t we?” Dream cooed, crossing his legs. “You know, in the scroll, your father said I could have the pick of any person I want in the kingdom to be my partner.”

“So?” George scoffed.

“There’s no limit as to who I can pick. So, I’m going to pick you.” The blonde ran his fingers along the jewels embedded in the throne. “You’re going to be my husband.”

George’s mouth went dry, and he became speechless. “That’s…you… you can’t…”

“Oh, but I can!” Dream cackled. “You can say no, George. But if you do, then you can kiss this precious little kingdom goodbye. Everything that your father worked so hard for will be under my control.” He began to laugh sadistically.

“At least as my husband, you may have some influence in what goes on inside of this sorry-looking castle. Or I might lock you away in those chains you were just in.” The smiley face on the white mask seemed to be taunting George.

George dropped to his knees. “Please, no.” He whispered, his resolve crumbling.

“Like father, like son. You’ll do anything for a bunch of sorry people that don’t give a crap about you.” Dream snorted, rising from the throne. He strode over to where George was kneeling and bent over.

“I admire your sacrifice, no matter how pathetic, my prince.” Dream whispered, snickering before walking to the door.

“See you on our wedding day, I suppose!” He sneered, leaving George alone in the throne room.

Chapter Text

It was a relief for George to finally take off the worn prisoner tunic and have a bath. He had formed a small bond with the cotton garment, having used it as a shield against rodents and other various insects.

But, at the same time, it served as a traumatic reminder of his time in that wretched cell. After his encounter with Emperor Dream, George was feeling more and more pathetic. What exactly did he accomplish in that cell? Why didn’t Schlatt kill him where he stood as he did with George’s father?

The prince pondered all of these questions as he climbed out of the wooden tub. To his joyful surprise, one of his old formal suits was laid out for him. The familiar bright blues and golds brought a fond smile to his face.

His grandmother decades before had changed Lysteria’s colors from red and gold to blue and gold due to her colorblindness. Little did she realize it would pass on to her grandson, and he would appreciate seeing his favorite color all over the kingdom. It made six-year-old George feel like he owned the world whenever he saw those blue and gold banners hanging from shops around the kingdom.

As he was buttoning up his coat, the thought made George stop. What if Dream wanted to change the colors? Would George be able to convince the Emperor to keep them the same without revealing another one of his weaknesses?

What were Vitalis’s colors again? George had a flashback to when he accompanied his father to a summit at the Grand Hall. The Grand Hall was located in the midst of all seven kingdoms and provided the perfect place for the leaders to meet.

Although the Empire of Vitalis never attended, George recalled seeing a small red-and-black checkered flag with a manticore in the center. Dream wore a badge with a manticore on it, but instead of red and black, he wore a dark-yellow colored cloak that George could only assume was green.

An Emperor who didn’t even bother to wear his own Empire’s colors. The thought struck George as odd, or even outrageous. But then again, no one would dare speak against the terrifying Dream.

Suddenly, the door to his bedroom flew open. George whipped around, nearly shouting, “Who-?!”

Pink hair rushed towards him, and strong arms pulled him into a strangling hug. “George!” The woman screamed, sobbing.

“Niki!” George gasped, returning the hug with equal excitement. How could he have forgotten about his closest friend and advisor? “You’re alive!” He exclaimed, his eyes brimming with tears.

“I’m alive? You’re alive!” She shrieked, holding him impossibly tighter. Niki pulled back to examine her friend’s face more carefully. “You’re so skinny.” She whispered, staring at him sorrowfully.

“Who cares? Where have you been? I was certain Schlatt killed you!” George answered, brushing aside her comment.

Her eyes lit up. “I was rescued whilst being transported by a family of commoners in the north. George, you have to meet them! They’re amazing! There’s this one called Technoblade, and he-”

“What’s going on in here?” A voice interrupted the conversation.

The two looked at the door and gripped one another a little tighter.

Emperor Dream glared first at Niki, then at her arms around George. “Get your hands off of him.” He said coldly.

Niki released her best friend, dipping into a low curtsy. “Forgive me, your majesty, but I don’t take orders from you.” She answered, linking arms with the prince who smirked.

Dream’s gaze narrowed further.

George also half-bowed as a royal does to another of slightly higher rank. “Emperor Dream.” He mumbled. “With all due respect, Niki is under my custody.”

Dream scoffed. “I’ll excuse her. Your honorable loyalty beseeches you, maid.”

“Maid?!” Niki exploded. “I’ll show you maid when I use your face to wipe the dishes-!” She fumed, marching forward.

“Niki, no! You may go.” George said, quickly dismissing her before her temper got her killed.

She turned around and gave him a look as though he was crazy. “Are you sure?” She hesitated.

“You dare question your future king?” Dream taunted.

Niki rolled her eyes at him, only leaving once she got an approving nod from George.

“She has your spirit. I see why you keep her around. Is she skilled?” Emperor Dream asked, leaning against the wall.

“Skilled in what?” George wondered.

He could almost hear the smirk in the blonde’s voice when he answered, “In bed. Isn’t that why you keep her around?”

George shrunk back, staring at him with disgust. “No! She’s my dearest friend, and besides, I don’t….”

“Oh, I see.” Dream chuckled. “Not interested in women at all? Well, that will make our wedding night much more interesting.”

The prince shuddered in repulsion at the thought. The Emperor laughed in response, satisfied with the reaction. “The wedding is next week, my prince. Are you sure you absolutely want to do this?”

“For the kingdom,” George responded forcefully.

Emperor Dream seemed to find this even more amusing. “Anything for the sake of the people, hm?”

“It’s what my father would have wanted.” He retorted.


—


George stared at himself in the mirror with disbelief. The wedding suit was gorgeous, white with gold accents. But that wasn’t the issue. George never pictured himself getting married this early. And yet here he was, about to walk down the aisle in two minutes to one of his least favorite people in the world.

“We can run, George.” Niki’s voice whispered, from behind him.

“Then the people of Lysteria will be at Dream’s mercy. He’ll kill them all, I know he will.” George murmured.

“So? We can re-group, find those people that saved my life, and then call a summit meeting. Surely the kingdoms will help you now that you’re closer than ever to the throne?” She proposed.

George shook his head. “Niki. They’re kingdoms . Dream has an Empire. He’s also allied with other kingdoms we’ve never seen and merely heard of. Trying to contest him is suicide.”

“So you’re just gonna let yourself be married? George, this is permanent! Divorce is only accomplished when both sides agree!” Niki sputtered.

The prince froze. “Not unless he broke a marriage law. Specifically one of the laws states that-”

“If any, including royal, break a law defined under marriage, their partner is specifically entitled to divorce without consent of the other.” Niki finished, her eyes gleaming. “I know that one! But I’m not sure of the specific laws.”

The two shared a smile. “George, if you somehow get Dream to break one of these laws, you can divorce him and get the kingdom back! It automatically will go to you after divorce because you’re the most capable of ruling it, as the rightful heir to the crown!” She said earnestly.

“After the wedding, you research the laws and write me down an exact list of each,” George commanded.

Niki nodded. “And what are you going to do?”

George groaned. “I’m gonna spend the night with my husband.”

—

After the ceremony, all the people gathered outside for the reception. George was stuck at a table under a flowering archway with his husband.

His very weird husband. George was sure that Dream would have to take off his mask to kiss him, but the priest never said so. He had skipped over it completely, merely saying “I now pronounce you husbands.”

George had his suspicions that Dream had something to do with the priest’s odd behavior. Why was the Emperor so desperate to hide his face? Just exactly what was lying under that stupid white mask?

If George was going to have the opportunity to find out, it would be at night. A night that George was not looking forward to. If he declined, would the Emperor force him to…? No, Dream couldn’t stoop that low, could he? Then again, he killed all his brothers just for power.

The prince was eager though, to discover as many of Dream’s secrets as possible and dethrone him from Lysteria. He would do anything for his country, even if that meant sacrificing his body and self-value. Self-value which he had lost a lot of in prison, and his first night with Dream could possibly mean losing it all.

Speaking of his “husband”, he hadn’t moved from his chair ever since they sat down. George was the one doing all of the talking while the Emperor remained silent. So much for being great and powerful if he can’t even socialize.

“It is so good to see you back, Prince George.” A woman smiled. “Schlatt had forced us to pay nearly triple taxes.”

“We’ll do our best to return whatever Schlatt took, and even more, Duchess Hannah,” George answered confidently. “And I’ll try my hardest to follow in my father’s footsteps.”

“King Nathan would be so proud… so erm, how did you and His Majesty…?” Hannah nodded her head towards Dream.

George laughed uncomfortably, giving her his most convincing smile. “Well, Dream was sent by my father to save the kingdom, and upon receiving word that I was in prison, he rescued me at once. From there, it was like love at first sight… we decided it’d be a smart idea to get married as quickly as possible, for the sake of Lysteria.”

“Is that so? How sweet.” The Duchess gushed, walking away.

As soon as she was out of earshot, George groaned and reached for his wine glass.

“I don’t recall giving you permission to use my first name.” The Emperor grumbled.

“Listen, for the sake of the people, this marriage needs to be consensual,” George muttered.

Dream scoffed. “It is consensual. I gave you a clear chance to say no, not once, but twice.”

“But you knew I had no other option but prison, so technically I didn’t even get a choice.” George retorted, gulping down wine.

“That’s called logic. I knew that you were too cowardly to go to prison a second time.” The blonde smirked.

“I'd like to see you waste away in prison for over ten months, then we'll talk.” The prince snarled, rising to his feet. He stormed off in the direction of the bar so he could refill his wineglass. George was not looking forward to nighttime at all.


—


George stumbled back to his room, his feet sore from all the dancing and his voice raspy from talking for hours. It was nearly midnight and he was exhausted.

“Prince George!” Some maids said excitedly as he walked in.

“What is it?” George croaked, looking around with a dazed expression.

Immediately, they dove into action, grabbing lacey garments and massing perfumed oil into his skin. “We must prepare you.” A maid explained as she combed through his hair.

“What? Prepare me for what?” The prince exclaimed, his mind a little fuzzy from consuming too much alcohol.

“Your first night with the Emperor, of course.” Another maid answered before bursting into giggles. She quickly sobered though after receiving a glare from the woman combing George’s hair.

George had forgotten all about that. “No, I’m sure His Majesty would be far too tired….” He stammered, trying to think of other excuses.

“His Majesty is wrapping up the reception! So you must be there to surprise him when he returns.” The maid said whilst styling his dark brown locks with some oil.

A young man suddenly dashed into the room. “He’s back! The Emperor is on his way!”

The maids gasped. “Hurry, Prince George!” They all squealed, shoving him down the hall and in the direction of the royal bedroom.

George walked slowly toward the room, trying to process everything that just happened. The maids somehow managed to change him into a flimsy white gown he would hardly call clothes.

At least he planned ahead in terms of mental preparation. A sacrifice of his body in exchange for power over the people. Something George could imagine the past kings never thought they’d have to do. He could only hope that he would be the last.

Once he entered the royal bedroom, he slowly exhaled. Memories of coming to his father and mother after having a bad dream came rushing back. George remembered their gentle voices as he climbed into the bed and curled up between them.

The feeling of being protected and loved was one he hadn’t gotten in a while. Sure, Niki loved him and was just as protective, but something about it wasn’t the same.

Footsteps resounded through the halls and signaled that the Emperor was near.

George certainly wasn’t going to feel loved and protected for a long time. For now, he was on his own.

Dream staggered into the room, nearly tripping over himself in the process. In his left hand, he tightly gripped a bottle of whiskey. He unscrewed it and took a long swig before noticing the brunette. “What are you doing here?” The Emperor demanded.

“Your Majesty,” George said tightly, half-bowing. “I’ve come to… to serve you.”

Dream snickered, sliding his mask off his face and tossing it to the side.

George’s stomach lurched at the sight of dimples and glowing green eyes. Freckles danced across his cheekbones and up his nose. A very defined face with sharper features than the prince was expecting.

But the most unexpected thing was the ‘X’ shaped scar that covered Dream’s face completely. It
managed to give him a fierce look though having a neutral expression.

“You’ve come to serve me?” Dream repeated mockingly, lips sliding upwards in a cruel smile. He set the whiskey down on his desk before sauntering towards George.

The prince stiffened, bracing himself for the blonde’s next move.

Dream lurched forward, capturing a hold of his jaw with just one hand.

George gasped, pathetically wrapping his hands around Dream’s wrist and tugging. “Let go of me! Or I’ll scream.” He hissed.

“I thought you're here to 'serve me'? Besides, they’ll just think you’re having a good time.” The Emperor cooed. He leaned so close to George that the other could smell the heavy alcohol on his breath. “God, you’re pathetic,” Dream murmured.

George clenched his teeth, digging his nails into Dream’s flesh but he didn’t even blink. “Look at this pretty face and this pale skin. Lost all your color in prison, eh?” He taunted.

“Yeah, well, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows down there. I was tortured.” George spat.

This comment made the blonde fall silent. Suddenly, Dream released George and went back to his desk where the bottle of whiskey sat. “You can go.” He said quietly.

“What?” George asked, confused.

“I said, you’re dismissed, my prince.” The Emperor scowled. “You have nothing to offer me.”

Stunned yet grateful for the dismissal, George left. But as he walked towards his bedroom, he quietly pondered what the hell just happened.