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Chapter Text

“Now don’t forget to smile.” Her mom says with her hand on her back and is shoving her forward “And stop slouching, you must present yourself well.”

They finally reached the front of the line that went on for miles right on the outskirts of the kingdom, they had been standing here for hours already and as each minute had passed the more nervous she became.

She stood before a table, two men sitting behind it and they looked her up and down. Her skin crawls under their stare “Name.” One demands while the other looks down to his paper and pen in his hand.

Another shove from her mom and she straightens her back “Enid Sinclair, Sir.”

“How old are you?”

She opens her mouth but her mom speaks for her, giving a forced smile “She’s thirteen.”

The man looks displeased to hear and he hand signals for his companion to stop writing. “She doesn’t look strong enough for heavy loading and too young to be of any help. Next.”

Enid takes a step to the side, relieved before her mother holds her in place by her shoulders. Hands gripping a little tighter to keep her still “She doesn’t look like much but she’s a werewolf and holds promise to assist any needs for the kingdom.”

The men look at each other and perk up in their seats, the same man puts his elbow on the table looking intrigued by this sudden development “A werewolf you say.” He gives her another look over “Can you prove it?”

Her mom grabs her arm and thrusts it forward “Show them, honey.”

Enid looks up to them, nervously making eye contact. She was still new to it, only able to make them come out at random times of the day. She concentrates and there’s a couple seconds of awkward anticipation. They start to look annoyed, muttering what a waste of time when nothing happens until her claws extend out and their faces brighten up.

“She hasn’t reached puberty yet so she isn’t able to fully wolf out yet. We’re expecting it to happen when she reaches the age of sixteen.” Her mother explains, looking pleased that Enid followed directions well.

The man leans over and covers his mouth with his hand, whispering as the other wrote whatever he was telling him. “Fill out some additional paperwork and we’ll be reaching out to you soon.”

Enid develops a gut wrenching feeling in her stomach, creeping up to her throat and she tries to swallow it down. Her mom was scribbling on their paper what felt like forever.

Her mom gives another polite smile before pulling Enid to start walking home. Enid looks down to try to keep anything from spilling over, her tears slowly forming and she swallows hard again. 

She thought she had more time. Her brothers weren’t sent away until they were seventeen, she still had three older brothers at home right now. She was the youngest and the only girl so why was she being sent away so early.

“I-“ she chokes out and arm shoots up to cover her eyes, not wanting anyone passing by to see how red she knows they were getting “I promise I’ll stop complaining about cleaning and cooking. I- I’ll do the laundry and I’ll, I’ll gather all the wood and I’ll- please don’t make me go.”

“Enid Sinclair.” Her mom says in hushed whispers while the younger wipes away her tears. “Stop your crying. This will be good for you. Now when we get home you are to pack your bag, I will cook you your favorite meal while we wait for those nice men to come for you.”

She’s numb but full when the men come for her, her remaining brothers lining up one by one and giving her hugs while her father watched from afar before turning away. Her mom was the last to give her a hug, fixing her hair and running both hands across her shoulders “Be good and listen well. We’ll come back for you one day.”

Please be soon.

“We have to get going.” A man in dark, gothic style clothing approaches them.

Enid gives one last longing stare, holding out in the hopes that her family won’t go through with this. Won’t let her leave. They wave her goodbye instead and she feels the tears build up in her eyes again.

She walks in between the two men and tries to silently cry but it doesn’t work out for her. Her shoulders are shaking, breath hitching between every silent sob and nose starting to get stuffed. 

“You will be treated well there, do not worry.” There’s an attempt at comforting but it’s all she gets before she gets into the carriage.

-

She works for the Addams Kingdom, a servant inside their castle. She’s never thought she’d get close enough to touch these walls but now she lives in them.

She hasn’t seen any of the Royals yet. King Gomez and Queen Morticia are ruthless leaders to the outside kingdoms but to the people under their rule they are compassionate and empowering. Enid agrees. She has also heard the rumors of the King and how much he dotes on his wife. The Queen was said to be rather alluring and strikingly beautiful.

They have one son, a young Prince named Pugsley.

She will probably never be able to meet them up close. Her job consists of waking up early to gather water from the well, bake some bread and she’s moving up to learning how to make pastries before ending the day by scrubbing the floors of the castle.

It isn’t bad. She gets to eat bigger portions than what she had at home and the older women are nice to her because she’s the youngest. Sometimes the kitchen ladies will feed her sweet bread if she gives them her puppy dog look.

It does get a little lonely sometimes.

She plays by herself most of the time. The other women were old enough to think playing was a bit childish and all they liked to talk about was how handsome the stable boys and Royal knights were. 

So she roams the castle a lot and usually avoids the inner walls of the castle. She did it once and got a scolding from one of the head servants, Miss Thornhill. She stated that the Royals have more important things to do than worry about a young girl running through their halls.

Enid gets hungry late at night and she goes from staring at the ceiling to staring at the other sleeping girls. She wonders if there’s any leftover bread. She sits up slowly, eyes adjusting to the darkness and making sure everyone was really sleeping.

She sneaks out of her bed and stops when she steps on a particularly creaky floorboard. The young wolf stops breathing and looks around to see if anyone has awoken.

When she gets to the kitchen she notices another figure eating. A whole roll of bread out and jar of honey sitting on the table. “We’re not allowed to eat that.” Enid says and snitches on herself along with her announcement.

She tried eating it once but her hand was swatted away, one of the kitchen ladies informed her that only the Royals were allowed to eat it. It was hard enough to gather enough honey to fill a jar without being attacked by the bees.

She was told the Prince quite fancied honey.

The figure turned around, her skin was pale with pigtails running down her shoulders and wearing a black dress that was the same color as her eyes. She was young, maybe around the same age as Enid if not, younger. 

The girl glares at her and it scares Enid. She’s never had anyone look at her like this. Not even her mom when she would get in trouble. 

Enid clears her throat and tries to appear more firm “We’re not allowed to eat that. Only the Royals can.” She repeats with her back straightening. 

The girl stares at her with a blank face before turning around to ignore her. Slowly spreading more honey on her cut piece of bread and then putting away the unused roll and jar. 

Enid puts her hands behind her back and looks down at her torn shoes, intimidated by the silent girl. She holds her breath until the girl leaves and she isn’t hungry anymore.

The next day, she fetches a bucket of water and asks Miss Thornhill if there’s another servant girl who works at the castle. 

Miss Thornhill looks at her confused when she takes the handle “Of course not. The castle doesn’t hire help below the age of sixteen with the exception of you. Now hurry off to get another bucket, we must prepare for the Prince’s birthday breakfast.”

Today was the busiest day she’s ever worked since being here. Every servant was running around every hour of the day to prepare for Prince Pugsley's birthday breakfast. After his breakfast they were running around to prepare for his birthday lunch and after that they quickly rushed to start on his birthday dinner.

It felt like an endless cycle of running around the castle like a chicken with its head cut off.

It was tiring to say the least and the very least she can do is reward herself for all of her hard work. She sneaks into the kitchen late at night again. She doesn’t dare to think of eating any of the leftover desserts made for the Prince, scared that someone might notice one missing.

When she reached the kitchen, the same girl as the night before was there. She was looking over the tarts that were displayed neatly on a plate in decoration. Enid had drooled once she got a whiff of it but she was only allowed to look and not touch.

The girl looks up, eyes flickering up and down taking in the wolf’s appearance. She rolls her eyes in annoyance “What? Are you going to command me not to eat this too?”

Enid has half the mind to reply back with a snarky comment when she remembers her conversation with the head servant. Given her appearance and the fact that no one else her age works here, Enid concludes she must be a ghost. 

A scary one.

“Who are you?”

“It is only proper to introduce yourself before asking questions.”

Enid fidgets where she’s standing, worried that she might start to get haunted after giving the ghost her name. She hears her mother’s voice in the back of her head, a disappointing remark by how she was acting. She’s a werewolf, she must be brave.

“My name is Enid.” She puffs out her chest and puts on a courageous face. “And now yours?”

The girl looks down, reaching to grab a tart and Enid watches her take a bite. Her eyes follow the delicious treat the whole time and she swallows her saliva.

“I do not take orders from those appointed below me.” 

Enid frowns at being duped while simultaneously getting looked down upon. Who was she to disrespect her like that? 

“It seems the three of us all had the same idea, though I am inclined to say I don’t recognize such a nice young face.” The two young girls snap their heads in the direction of the other entrance, a woman’s voice distracting them from their little bickering.

She’s never seen the Queen before but even Enid can put two together. She commanded the room in a way that none of the head servants could even dream to hold a candle to. And the rumors were right. She’s so beautiful.

“Your Majesty!” Enid squeaks nervously. She is so done for. 

The Queen gives a kind smile to her until her eyes start to drift to the other. She gives a knowing look with her head tilted down and the girl drops her unfinished tart back on her plate.

Queen Morticia looks back at the wolf and practically glides closer to her “Are you a worker here?”

Enid furiously nods her head and fiddles with her fingers. She doesn’t know what kind of punishment she’s going to be receiving after this. The King and Queen were typically kind but they were also known for their tortures and public humiliation when needed. 

Her hands start to shake when the Queen puts a hand over both of hers “Apologies, I was unaware we had hired someone so….young.”

She could tell the Queen was trying to calm her down before she could even think about freaking out. She was trying to comfort her and Enid doesn’t know if she has the honor to even make eye contact with someone as prestigious as her. “They have made an exception for me, your honor. I am a werewolf.”

“A werewolf you say.” 

“Yes, your majesty.” 

She gives a tight squeeze over Enid’s hands and softly asks “What do your daily chores consist of, my dear.”

Enid blushes a soft pink, her mother has never said a term of endearment like this. “I um gather water and I-I um.” Another soft squeeze of encouragement “Clean. I clean. Sometimes I get to help make bread if I’m lucky but I also um run other requests when needed.”

Queen Morticia stands up straight and gives another soft smile “Sounds like your days must be busy.”

Enid quickly shakes her head “No, I am not. I’m happy to serve.”

The Queen hums in thought and it was long enough to make Enid’s hands shake a bit, thinking it was something bad “How old did you say you were?”

“Thirteen.” The Queen’s eyes trail to the right, thinking to herself as she gazes upon the other girl. Enid is quick to add “I am expected to wolf out once I turn sixteen.” She says this hoping it might make a difference.

Queen Morticia walks to the table and grabs a tart before walking back to the young wolf. She does a half squat, hand sliding down to her knee while leaning forward and she holds out the tart “It’ll be our little secret.” She adds a wink.

Enid hesitantly reaches to grab it the more the Queen encourages. She can’t believe what’s happening and the smell instantly reaches her nose. She doesn’t think it’ll be polite to eat in front of Royalty and does a quick bow “Thank you, your honor. I will take my leave.”

Enid hurried out of the kitchen and once she’s out the big, wide doors the Queen makes her way to the other girl “You know you aren’t to be seen.”

The girl grumbles and looks down at the plate of pastries “I was hungry.”

The Queen seems to be in deeper thought, hand raising to her face and she puts a finger on her lip. She looks back at the door the young wolf just departed from. A werewolf. They were rare to come across in this region, mighty warriors to many kingdoms indeed. 

“If you wish for a late night snack, you can always ask me my little storm cloud.”

The girl frowns and pushes the plate away from “I can do it myself, mother.” She turns to walk out the room.

A young werewolf.

-

“Come.” Miss Thornhill stops Enid and takes the bucket out of her hand and passes it to another girl. “You have been summoned by the Queen and King.” 

“I didn’t do anything.” Enid rushes to say and her claws extend out before retracting back in. Now she just seems guilty. It hasn’t even been six hours since she met the Queen and Enid thought maybe she was kind enough to be forgiven for sneaking in to eat their snacks.

The rest of the girls looked at the young wolf, curious on why she of all people has been summoned. Miss Thornhill’s lips thin in a disapproving frown and shakes her head “I don’t know the reason. You must follow me quickly. We mustn’t keep them waiting.”

She follows the older woman, hands clasped in front of her skirt and her head is down. They pass further into the inner doors of the castle and she’s never been in this area. It was a lot fancier, hallways were wider and many family heirlooms littering down the sides.

There is an extremely big portrait of the Royal family on the wall. King Gomez was an intimidating man, stare serious, wearing his ceremonial gothic style robe and shiny crown sitting on his head with his hand on his son’s shoulder. 

On the other side was Queen Morticia, her own hand on the Prince’s other shoulder. She was wearing a dark dress that trailed beautifully down her arms and her lips curved into a smile as she wore the eye popping, red lipstick that Enid got to witness in person.

Prince Pugsley was sitting in the middle, wearing a black and white striped shirt with a broach on his chest. He had his hands crossed over his lap and he was awkwardly cheesing hard in front of the painter.

They reach the entrance of the throne and Miss Thornhill steps to the side with her hand on the knocker. “You are to go alone and I’ll be out here waiting for you to return so I can escort you back, do you understand?”

She tentatively nods her head and her nerves start creeping back up. She feels tingling starting on her back and runs up to her head to the point where she feels a cold sweat. “Are you ready?”

She nods again and tries to dust off her skirt. Miss Thornhill slams the knocker against the door and they both hear it echo down the hall.

“You may enter!” A booming voice comes from the inside.

Miss Thornhill pushes the door open and Enid takes a deep breath before walking in. The door closes behind her as she walks forward. The King and Queen were sitting at their respective thrones.

Enid bows before kneeling in front of them, both knees on the floor and head lowered in respect. “Enid of the Sinclair family, is that correct?” King Gomez asks and it makes her flinch at the sudden abruptness. His voice was rather loud as opposed to the empty room.

How did they know her name so quickly? Oh no! Her family was going to be punished for her own wrongdoings! Her breathing picks up and she tries to calm herself down before answering “Yes, your majesty.” She’s happy by how steady she made her voice come out.

The King and Queen exchange a look amongst themselves, a silent agreement. “You may stand.” The Queen commands softly. 

Enid stands up, hands finding their way back in front of her skirt and she balls it up between her fingers. She watches as King Gomez reaches for his wife’s hand and applies multiple kisses to the back of it.

“Would you say you serve your kingdom loyally?” Queen Morticia asks.

The werewolf doesn’t know what kind of question this was. She knows it’s an obvious answer but she doesn’t know if it’s the one they’re looking for. “Of course, your honor.”

There’s a soft hum and Enid grows anxious under her calculating eyes. Her hands are starting to sweat, she can feel it. The way the fabric of her skirt was starting to feel moist and cold under her hands. “What do you think, my dear.” Queen Morticia turns her head, asking her other half.

He keeps his lips on the back of her hand a couple of seconds longer, eyes closed and replies back against the softness of her hand “I think you always make the right choices, my darling.”

There’s another hum, satisfied by his answer and she turns back to the young girl “Are you good at keeping secrets, my dear? Ones that will save the livelihood of this very kingdom?”

Well, when she puts it that way. 

No. 

No, she is not.

In fact, she loves the late night gossip sessions with the rest of the older servants. It made her feel like she was a part of the group even though she could tell they wanted her out of the room for more grown up talk.

“Of course, your honor.” She lies instead

“I have a proposition for you.”

“I accept, your honor!” Enid squeaks out and King Gomez lets out another booming laugh.

“You have yet to hear it.” The Queen smiles and Enid blushes a bright red. She’d be a fool to decline whatever order she was given from the Royals. The rulers of the kingdom she was here to serve. “The girl you met yesterday in the kitchen.” Enid grows redder, ashamed that she was caught “Her name is Wednesday. You are to serve- you are to be her friend. If you can manage it.”

Her name was Wednesday.

Finally! A name to a freakin face!

“You are to keep this information to yourself and let no one know of your whereabouts, do you understand?” The Queen sits up and King Gomez drops her hand. The two seemed deadly serious about this request once the command was directed.

“Yes, of course. Um- I um about my other chores-“ Enid is cut off before she finishes what she wants to say.

“Ah yes.” The King claps and his cold demeanor was suddenly flipped. He seemed to be in a good mood again. “It has been decided that you will continue your daily tasks in the morning and after lunch we will escort you to her chambers.”

“Wednesday.” The Queen looks a bit apprehensive, maybe it was her worrying about how they might play out “She’s lovable if I must say. She just doesn’t easily trust but really, all we can ask is that you stay with her regardless of the difficulty.”

“Nonsense.” The King waves her off with one motion “My little storm cloud is the definition of a death trap, so lovable indeed!”

Enid has whiplash from his…compliment? Insult? She really couldn’t tell what he meant by that. His words contradict his joyful tone.

She fidgets in her place, eyes looking up and then back to her feet. “I will be honored to be a companion of…Wednesday, should you allow it.”

Both the King's and Queen’s face brightens up at the promise. Queen Morticia reaches over to Squeeze her husband’s hand in reassurance, perhaps this will be a good thing.

An Addams and a werewolf, what could go wrong?

Chapter Text

She’s questioned immediately when she comes back, the other servants flocking to her side and putting a comforting hand on her arm “Are you okay? What did they want with you?”

Enid stiffens and she pushes the hand slowly off her. She hates lying. She’s a terrible one. “They have requested me to start cleaning the inner walls.” She tries to sound convincing. She had tried coming up with a couple of reasonable explanations on the walk back. None seemed plausible if she were being honest.

The group of girls start whispering to each other, probably thinking that it was odd that Enid was requested specifically. She holds in a face, it wasn’t really a practical explanation. There were girls here that have been here longer and are more experienced than she was when it came to housekeeping chores.

“Starting today I will be attending my new duties after lunch.” She weakly says and there’s more whispering. 

It kind of felt like she was being judged a little and she can’t blame them, not really. It would be an honor to receive a promotion of some kind like this and the Royals have blessed her with it.

She hurries off to her living quarters, changing out her dirty work attire and slightly embarrassed that this was how she looked this whole time. She must present herself better this time.

Enid eats by herself under a tree that was furthest away on the grounds. She had often eaten with a group of girls that she tried to act older than she actually was with. It seems that today felt…different. There was news going around about her new tasking and she couldn’t eat comfortably with so many stares and obvious gossip.

She finishes her food and quickly makes her way to the meeting point the King and Queen designated her to. She doesn’t know exactly what time after lunch was for them but all she knows is that she mustn’t be the one keeping them waiting.

Enid is the first to get there and she picks a spot to wait at the corner of the hall. She fixes her skirt and then runs her fingers down her blonde hair to untangle it. 

She waited for what felt like another forty minutes or so. Her slouching starts to ache uncomfortably before she straightens her back and the cycle repeats. 

There’s loud clacking sounds coming from a pair of footsteps as they round the corner. The King and Queen approach her and Enid bows once they are within the perfect amount of distance away. 

“I trust that no one knows of your whereabouts?” The King clears his throat and his wife runs her hand down his back. Enid tries not to watch this act of affection, it seemed too personal to be caught looking at something so intimate.

“The other servants were curious but I stated that I have been reassigned new cleaning duties for the time being.” She promises. 

They hum in delight and the King claps, it startles her again. She must get used to this, it seems like this was often an act that King used when he was satisfied. “You have done well!”

The Queen reaches over to put a hand on her shoulder and swipes her thumb down once. The action makes her freeze, not knowing what she should do in this type of situation. The Queen was touching her! A servant! “We would like to discuss a few things before you go in.”

She stays silent, waiting for them to direct her orders “Wednesday hasn’t had the most conventional childhood so to speak. We only wish for you to be friends of some sort.” The Queen walks past Enid to put her hand on the door “It will not be easy.” Queen Morticia smiles “She is our little storm cloud after all.”

There’s another clearing of the throat from the King “This wing is restricted from everyone else so there shouldn’t be any interference. If you notice anything odd then you should report it immediately.” 

Enid nods her head and King Gomez continues his instructions “You will gather dinner for her when the time comes and you will be granted to eat the same snacks in the privacy of this room.”

She will get to eat the Royal snacks!

This day keeps getting better and better!

The Queen pushes the door open and Enid takes it as her queue to enter “Goodluck.” She softly says before closing the door.

Enid looks around the dark room, the only light peeking from the crack of the windows. The biggest bed Enid has ever seen in her life was centered against the wall, black curtains draped from the ceiling with the same colored sheets. There’s scratching from the corner and she snaps her head in that direction.

The girl- Wednesday was sitting in front of her desk, pen dragging loudly against paper and then dipping it in ink. 

Enid digs her toe into the floor and sways her body back and forth “Hi, um we already met but-“

“If this is father and mother’s doing, your presence is not wanted nor needed. I wish to be alone.”

Father?

Mother?!

Princess Wednesday.

It was said they only had one child, Prince Pugsley. If this is true then would this mean that Wednesday was an illegitimate daughter of the King? Perhaps even the Queen? The portrait she saw in the hall was also some type of proof.

Enid frowns at her attitude and tries to hold in an eye roll. She was still aggravating to talk to as the first time but she intends to follow through with her orders “Well, I mean yeah but I also wish to be frien-“

“I already have a companion.”

Enid huffs and she feels her claws slowly sliding out but she clenches her fist to hold it in. Her claws dug slightly into her palm, creating half moons across it “The more the merrier.” She bounces on her feet.

Wednesday stops writing and turns her head “I don’t need more.”

There’s a tap on Enid’s shoulder and she turns around to no one there. Confused and surprised, Enid’s eyebrows furrow before turning back to the other girl. There’s a tug on the back of her hair and she fully turns around to tell them to stop bothering her. There is still no one there and this makes her half angry and half scared.

Wednesday is already smirking when she turns around “Stop doing that!” The wolf accuses with the point of her finger. She quickly brings it back in panic, the other girl was still royalty after all. The Princess of the Addams Kingdom.

Wednesday turns back to her table, dipping her pen again and removing the excess ink on the rim of the bottle “It would be best that you excuse yourself out.”

“But-“ There’s another tug but this time with enough force that has her reeling back to the door. She’s a bit freaked out, she doesn’t know how the girl is doing it and she doesn’t want to stick around to find out. 

She can take a hint. Enid practically flies out of the room but quite literally runs into a brick wall. No, wait. It was the front torso of King Gomez. 

Enid looks a bit frazzled and tries to explain herself “She kicked me out of the room, your honor!”

The King and Queen exchange a look before laughing. The King letting out a hearty laugh and the Queen hiding hers behind her hand “We expected no less!” He says.

“Enid, darling.” Queen Morticia calls out and fixes her hair, twirling her ends around her finger. The lycan gives her puppy dog eyes, hoping they would just call this off “Please do not give up. We were hoping that this wouldn’t be a mistake.”

A mistake.

Enid Sinclair was not a mistake.

She blinks away her frustrations. It was a phrase her mother often used when referring to her. She was born a girl, a mistake. She didn’t wolf out when she was thirteen like her brothers did, a mistake.

A mistake that was sent away. 

She tries to compose herself to the best of her abilities. Miss Thornhill would scold her for acting so childish in front of the King and Queen. She was no child! She is an adult! She is a teenager now!

“What if she kicks me out again?”

“Then you shall try again.” She winks at the young girl “I believe in you, my dear.”

Enid puffs her chest out in fake confidence and turns back around to push through the door. Wednesday stops writing and looks back, her calculating eyes looking her up and down.

“I’m not leaving!” Enid stomps, all her timid, respectful gestures out the window. She will not take this…this bullying any longer!

Wednesday lets out a small tsk and ignores her to continue what she was doing prior to getting interrupted. She slid her pen in an abrupt motion after being surprised by the other barging in. She messed up halfway and now she must re-write what she already had.

The werewolf loudly makes her way to the empty decorated chair and sits down with her arms crossed. She was putting her foot down.

She feels something crawling up her back and she shrieks, quickly standing up to sweep whatever was on her off. 

She looks up to see Wednesday amused and Enid stomps again in frustration.

It had only been five minutes into this long afternoon.

-

Today was awful.

They didn’t talk and somehow Wednesday still found a way to bother her. She can’t figure out how she does it when she isn’t even five feet close to her. She had Enid jumping in her seat every ten minutes.

What made matters worse was Enid could deal with the main problem of not getting along. They didn’t have to talk and sure her days went by a lot slower but it was still doable. Instead, she was too busy surviving being in the same room as what was the saying they liked to use again? A death trap? Quite fitting.

No, the problem was that she was looking forward to eating the Royals snacks prepared for this evening’s dinner. But she wasn’t allowed to eat any of it!

Wednesday took the plate out of her hands and stated everything here was for her. She had to watch Wednesday eat her fancy dinner, with her fancy fork and eat her fancy rare honey right in front of her!

She dismissed herself to go eat with the other servants who clearly weren’t happy to see her so she ate alone again as she did earlier in the day. 

Enid knew they weren’t going to be happy about her newly promoted situation but she didn’t know it would be to this extent. It wasn’t like she had a choice, she wasn’t going to reject what the Royals asked of her but if she did she would say no. She was beginning to have no friends and stuck with a mean Princess!

When she returned to the Princess’s room she wasn’t able to get in. She had been locked out. Enid bangs against the door a couple of times but it was clear that she was not welcomed.

It’ll be an early night for her she decides. 

When she gets to her shared living quarters she doesn’t have a pillow. The pillow didn’t have much use as it was basically featherless and had no real support but it was something. Something that she no longer had. 

She looks around the room, trying to make sure it wasn’t just her that got her pillow stolen but it seemed to be that way. 

A theft had taken her pillow which was added to the list of an already horrible day. Great! 

Enid crawls into her bed and under her thin blanket. She lays on her back and stares up. 

What has she gotten herself into?

Hell, probably.

Chapter Text

They make it work somehow.

And by making it work meaning coexisting in their own personal space then yeah, making it work.

It has been a month starting today and they haven’t made any progress on becoming real companions. Enid doesn’t know if she even has the honor of considering herself as the companion of someone so prestigious.

The Princess also doesn’t seem like she wants her companionship at all. She made it seem like Enid was a nuisance to her. Like a fly she can’t swat away. 

In fact, they don’t do much talking. The Princess preferred to read and if she wasn’t reading she was writing. Enid has also never seen a personal library as big as Princess Wednesday’s. Her books took up an entire wall! 

She even had such a pretty view if she decided to read in her closed off garden. She was told it was Queen Morticia’s. When the queen wanted some alone time she would quietly tend to her flowers. A hat to block off any sunlight and she typically wore her black dress even in the hot weather.

It definitely added some color to her already depressing room. Princess Wednesday often called it an atrocious sight but Enid thought it looked pretty.

And to the Princess’s annoyance, the Queen often tried to show her affection to the young Royal in her own way. 

The Princess also had some odd moments. Like how the Princess says her thoughts aloud as if she wanted some feedback but apparently not Enid’s. “I wasn’t speaking to you.” She says harshly.

It always confuses her. Especially when the Princess was actually asking her a question. She treats her like she should know when she’s talking to her. Demanding her. 

“Was there any honey in the kitchen?” She asks when Enid sets a tray of bread down on the table closet to the door. 

She frowns when Enid doesn’t answer her “Dog.” Enid burns in embarrassment when she reacts to being called “Is there any honey? I don’t see any.”

Her face starts to redden, the heat creeping up her neck “No, Princess. The kitchen maids informed me that they are rather low in honey. There hasn’t been a shipment in weeks.”

The Princess hums to herself before turning away “I do not wish to eat any bread if there isn’t any honey. Return it.”

“Yes, Princess.”

It goes to say that the Princess still absolutely drives her insane

-

Enid is excited for her day off, they are given one day out of the month for some personal time off. They typically got to choose which day in advance with the exception of castle festivities, holidays and the Royals’ birthday.

Home is a far trip to travel by foot but she still makes the time to do it anyway. She wakes up early to hear the bugs chirp in places she can’t pinpoint, packs a bag with extra clothes and sets out by sunrise. 

She makes a stop by the kitchen and begs the baker to give her something before she goes. Her puppy dog eyes work once more and the lady mutters fondly “You’re going to get me in trouble one day.”

The walk to her home doesn’t ever feel better no matter how many times she does it. There’s high grass that scratches at her skin, the pebbled roads that dig in the bottom of her feet turn to dirt turns to woods. 

She walks for hours when she hears an ouch coming from further down the woods. Enid makes a half jog and grips onto the strap of her bag to keep it in place better as it bounced against her back.

She sees a boy. A curly haired boy, waving his right hand up and down furiously in pain. His face scrunches up and he lets out another ow. 

“Are you okay?” She asks as she steps closer, leaves and sticks breaking underneath her foot with each step.

He stares up quickly, wiping his tears from his eyes with his other hand before straightening up “Yes. I’m fine.”

Enid looks down at his hand and he hides it behind his body “What were you doing?” She asks curiously.

His hand slackens and it’s then that she notices he has a bag with him as well. “I have been accepted as a scholar for the kingdom and I was studying the wildlife out here for some research.”

“A scholar.” Enid exclaimed. Such a prestigious role to have. She doesn’t know much about them really. But her mother has always strived for Enid to marry one. She said that they lived well and could take care of their family as well. “You seem a bit young.”

He smiles and blinks, eyes trying to focus on her face “My moms told me I got accepted at a young age. My name is Eugene.” He waves and then winces in pain.

Enid smiles and waves back. She does a small bounce and places her hands behind her back, locking her fingers together. “My name is Enid. What happened to your hand?”

Eugene holds his hand out so they could both look at it. It was swollen in between his thumb and index finger, particularly puffy in the middle. “I’ve been pricked by a bug and now it’s stinging.”

She’s never seen this kind of wound before so she grabs his hand to turn it. She rotates his hand around “Looks like it hurts.”

He nods before pulling his hand back “Are you headed somewhere?” He glances at her packed bag.

“Yeah. I’m going to visit home. I’m a palace maid.”

Eugene looks confused for a moment, his eyes unashamedly looking her up and down and furrows his eyebrows “You seem a bit young for that as well.”

Enid laughs, a giggle. “I’m also an exception.” She looked up at the sun as it was getting hotter with the sun rising “I should go before the sun reaches its peak. I hope to see you again in the near future.” 

She smiles at him and he blushes, looks down at his hand before nodding “Yes. I do as well.”

The wolf sets out on her journey, picking up her pace to make up some time from her short encounter. The boy had seemed nice, a little shy but he must’ve been really smart to be a scholar.

She’s drenched in sweat and was dirtied with mud by the time she made it home. She could smell her mom making food from a closer distance. Her mouth watered and stomach grumbled at the thought of eating a home cooked meal. 

Sure she received bigger portions at the castle, maybe even nicer meals than what her family could afford but mom’s cooking was her favorite.

She enters her house and her mom crinkles her nose, Enid’s smell overwhelming her “Shoo, go take a shower. You smell horrible.” Her mom waves her off with her spoon, towards the nearby river that her family often cleaned themselves off with.

Enid turns back outside and runs off to the river. This needed to be quick or else her brothers would eat her portion! 

When she returns, the water on her hair drips down into her blouse and her feet dirty again on the walk back. 

Her mother served her father his plate first as he sat at the head of the table. Her brothers were arguing with each other on who was next when she took a seat. 

“Enid is home!” Her youngest brother Sam hops out of his seat before being pushed by her other brother.

Her mother starts setting plates of food down before setting a bowl in front of Enid last. She frowns when she notices she had the smallest portion before looking up as her mother starts to talk “How is the castle, dear? Have you stopped throwing a fit about working there, yet?”

Enid’s eyes flicker down and she picks up her spoon, rubbing her thumb on the handle. She doesn’t know why she gets excited to come home when her mother always says something to upset her every time. “I’ve been promoted to cleaning inside of the castle now.” She says quietly.

Her father hums at the news and her mother claps excitedly “Inside the castle? Already! That’s wonderful news, isn’t that wonderful news?” She looks at her husband and he hums again. 

“What are your duties now? Have you met the King or Queen yet?”

Enid stiffens at the questioning. “I um just clean the hallways and stuff.” She awkwardly says, a lie that she can’t even trust her family not to tell the village. “I met them….once, only briefly.” She’s quick to add at the end.

Her mother starts to ramble about how good this was for the family, how she can start bragging to the Smith family because Mrs. Smith also has a daughter that’s been working there for a couple years and Enid got a promotion before her. 

Enid grimaces the more her mother talks, her brothers arguments get louder and her soup was cold now.

-

Her feet were still hurting from her trip home. The back of her knees were hurting and there was a throbbing pain on her heels. She’s exhausted and doesn’t have the mental capability to deal with Wednesday today.

She was in a grumpy mood again but when was the Princess ever in a good one. 

Wednesday was sitting in the chair that Enid usually sat at, the princess’s chair that sat in front of her desk gone. “Where’s your chair?” Enid asks.

Wednesday doesn’t lift her gaze from her book, fingers pinched at the corner to turn to the next page “There was an infuriating creaking coming from the left leg. It was becoming quite maddening so I had it sent for repairs.”

Enid gives a small nod, eyes roaming the room trying to find somewhere new to sit. She settles for the floor and leans against the wall, pulling her knees to her chest “So what’s the plan for today?”

“The plan is for you to stay quiet while I finish my book.”

There’s a small pause, only a couple of seconds of silence before Enid has to say something “I went to go visit my family yesterday.”

Wednesday glares at her “Must you talk to me everyday?”

Enid rolls her eyes and pulls her knees even closer to her chest “How else am I supposed to pass time? Anyway, my mom made me soup.”

Wednesday furrows her eyebrows, eyes burning holes through her book and ignores her. “I’m pretty sure my feet are like still swollen and I swear the walk felt like it was forever but it was nice being home.”

The princess doesn’t reply, she never does when Enid relays a story to her. The wolf has gotten used to it but it was really the only time she got to talk to anyone.

The other palace maids have started leaving her out ever since she got this promotion. It was hard enough not being in the same age group with any of them but now they were starting to dislike her, finding reasons not to include her.

Princess Wednesday is the only one who’s around to gossip with her now as crazy as that sounds. 

Gossiping with the Princess, such a privately disgraceful thing to do.

“On the walk there I saw the boy. I think he got attacked by a bug or something.” Enid’s eyes flicker in surprise when Princess Wednesday smirks, like Enid said something funny. “His hand looked weird.”

There’s tapping coming from the bookshelf that makes her look up. There must be a rat in here. There were often noises that came from that direction. Tapping, thumps, shifting of the books and sometimes even rattles. Maybe if her sense of smell was a little better she’d be able to track that rat down.

“Also, I won't be coming in tomorrow.”

“Delightful.”

“Aren't you going to ask me why?”

Wednesday doesn’t budge, her focus purely on her book but Enid answers her anyway “I’ll be going through my first shift. You know, werewolf thing.”

She’s excited this time around. She wasn’t able to shift last summer so she’s confident it’ll happen this time. She often thinks this was also the reason why her mother had sent her away. She probably didn’t want the pack to know she had a daughter who couldn’t even turn. It was uncommon but there’s never been a case where someone couldn’t turn before the age of fourteen so things were looking good!

Her mother had added a couple years of promise when selling her off. 

Just in case.

Call it hopeful thinking but she really thinks she’s gonna be able to do it. Something feels different. 

Her nails were sharper. She grew three inches since last year. She was able to see more from a farther distance. So she must be shifting tomorrow.

The Princess seems to be fighting her curiosity and eventually gives in by acting uninterested. She doesn’t put her book away but rather acts like she’s still reading. Her eyes no longer follow the pages when she asks “What happens when you shift? Is it disgustingly gory? Do your bones snap?”

Enid makes a scrunched up face, sinking into herself. The Princess had an odd, disturbing way of looking into a werewolf’s shift. She does make a point of asking these questions. Enid can’t say she exactly knows what’s going to happen when it happens but maybe it isn’t as fun as she thinks it’s going to be.

“I don’t know.” She shrugs “I’ve never turned so I guess I’ll find out tomorrow. Why?”

The Princess looks up at the bookshelf and Enid almost follows her gaze until she looks back down to her book “Werewolves are fascinating to gain knowledge about. The Addams kingdom isn’t known to have many of them. A rarity of some sort. Why is it that your pack has settled here?”

“I couldn’t answer your question, Princess.” The Princess scowls at the title, she never did like Enid calling her this unless she wanted a power dynamic when commanding her “My pack had settled here far before I was born. My oldest brother was a baby and I have six older brothers.”

Princess Wednesday doesn’t say anything, clearly not satisfied with her answer but Enid has nothing else to give her. 

There goes that stupid tapping from the bookshelf again and she feels her chest start to rumble. A growl builds up to her throat before she stops herself. The Princess eyes her down before setting her book aside and walks to desk.

She pulls out a clothed paper, grabs her pen before dipping it into her black ink. She was writing something down and she caught Enid’s stare with a glare.

“What are you writing?”

“It is not of your concern.”

Enid huffs. She doesn’t understand why she had to be so difficult. Maybe she just fantasized too much on how the Royals acted on their free time. The King and Queen seemed as nice as Royalty could be. She hasn’t met the Prince yet but she imagined him having the same mannerism as his parents.

Princess Wednesday was….well mean. 

She ignored Enid. Often belittled her. And never shares her snacks. 

This isn’t what she imagined a princess would be like towards her people. She thought of someone caring. Nice. Charming even. 

Princess Wednesday was anything but that.

“Go fetch me some snacks.”

Still, she is here to serve her. 

“Yes, Princess.”

Chapter Text

Enid looked up at the blue sky, it was still bright out. The sun was still up but the moon was somehow visible. She doesn’t know how it’s possible, maybe it was something only scholars could answer. 

Her heart is beating fast at the moment and has been the whole day since the moment she woke up. It was the last full moon of the Summer. It was the day when werewolves would go through their first shift and will continue to shift many moons after that. 

She was going to shift today. 

Her heart starts speeding again at the thought before her lips uncontrollably curve at the ends. She’s practically skipping around the castle when Miss Thornhill gives her a pointed look.

“Now Enid, I know you have the day off but please be wary of others.” She wipes her hands with a cloth before sticking it into the pocket of her skirt “When will you be departing?”

Enid’s smile grows wider “I’m leaving right now! I was just checking out with you.”

Miss Thornhill nods and looks away without another look. Enid always thought she was really strict and never really stuck around to talk but she was good at her job. “I’ll see you tomorrow!” Enid excitingly waves before skipping towards the gate.

She walked out of the castle walls, giving another happy wave to the guards who just ignored her. But who cares! Because Enid was going to shift today! Don’t you know that? 

Enid walks west of the woods that surround the Addams Kingdom. She had decided that she would shift here instead of going back home with her pack. She only had today off and it was a long trip. She doesn’t know exactly how her body is going to react but she knows that the members of her pack are typically exhausted the next day so she decided it would be best to stay close.

She was happy to hear that she was granted the day off since it was a life changing event for a werewolf. She could also tell that many of the higher ups were excited to have a shifted werewolf in their possession. She slept in until lunch and she had the small bath house to herself.

Plus it was a day away from the Princess.

Enid frowns at the thought of Princess Wednesday. She had never met anyone as un-likable as her. She was stupid enough to think that she’d be able to be something to the Princess. She had proved herself to do the exact opposite, the other girl disliked her very much.

Maybe she should just call it quits. She doesn’t think she could do anything to make the Princess like her. The Princess already made up her mind on despising her for some reason and- ugh enough of thinking of her.

The thought was causing her unnecessary stress and anger.

Time drags once she reaches her destination. Her excitement got the best of her and now she anxiously waits for it to get darker. 

She kicks rocks as the sun goes down and the moon rises. She hears howling in the far distance, it must’ve been her pack preparing themselves. Enid’s howl gets caught in her throat and she embarrassingly clears out the lump. Her nerves had gotten the best of her. 

When the sun is completely gone, Enid takes her clothes off and places it near a wooden log. She can’t afford to destroy the only dress that properly fits her. She was starting to outgrow most of them.

Her skin starts to tingle under the glow of the moon and she feels a small rumble growing from her stomach to her throat. It vibrates, waiting to howl her devotion. 

It’s happening. It just needs time. 

She waits. 

And waits.

And nothing happens.

-

Something is wrong. 

Something is not right.

Enid sobs into both her hands, her face burning red as she claws into her cheeks like she feels something crawling under her skin. She didn’t turn. How did she not shift?

How would she tell her pack?

How would she tell the Royals ?

They were promised a capable werewolf. A werewolf that showed promise to serve in any way possible. What is she to do when she wasn’t even capable of doing that ? A capability that took no work due to her biology. How was that even possible?

She whines out another cry in anger, frustration. Her tears were hot as they ran down her cheeks and pooled at the bottom of her palms. 

Did this mean she would never shift? It’s unheard of. But how do you explain this? She was a werewolf, a werewolf who couldn’t shift at her deadline. Oh my god, she was the first werewolf that wasn’t able to shift. 

Shame quickly replaces her anger, disintegrating under the light of the rising sun creeping over trees and she sobs harder. With shaking hands, Enid puts her clothes back on. 

She stares numbly on her way back to the castle. She knows she must be a sight to look at when passes through the gates, different knights guarding the entrance and they stare straight ahead. Enid’s eyes must be bloodshot, swollen and puffed. She drags her feet with each step.

She goes to the bathhouse first, it was still early enough that there shouldn’t be anyone there. When she washes her body she feels her eyes start to water again and she scrunches her face, trying to hold in her tears because if she starts now then there was no stopping. 

When she’s finished, Enid crawls back into her bed right before the other girls start to wake. She was given the rest of the morning to recover after experiencing her first shift.

A shift that didn’t happen.

Great. 

Here comes the tears again.

-

Given the morning off to recover was absolutely the worst thing that could’ve happened to her. She knows she should be grateful. It was a day and a half off from tending to her duties. 

But it was a whole day to think. She had many thoughts swirling into her head as she laid in bed all day. She replayed the night before in her head many times as she stared at the ceiling. What she could have done differently, if there was anything she could do or if it was merely Enid herself.

What was wrong with her?

“Enid.” Miss Thornhill clears her throat and Enid timidly looks up at the two women towering over her. “This is Miss Weems, she is the instructor for the Royal knights.”

Miss Weems was a tall, blonde woman. She was intimidating even when she tried to appear warm with a smile. She wasn’t wearing any of the noisy metal armor that she’s used to seeing other knights wear but she did have a sword strapped to her waist.  “You are the wolf, yes?”

“I um.” Miss Thornhill throws her a look “Yes.”

Miss Weems looks her up and down, she was thinking to herself as she sized Enid up. “It was discussed yesterday on how we should move forward in regards to your ability to shift. We think it’s best to start your training now in hopes to quickly develop more hands on skills for the future.”

Enid’s face drops and she’s mortified. She had to tell this scary lady that could stab her on the spot if she wanted to that she didn’t shift. Couldn’t shift. Wouldn’t shift. 

Her lower lip trembles and she looks down, not able to meet her eyes. “I.” She takes a shaky breath “I did not shift last night.”

The silence is loud and uncomfortable. She doesn’t have to look up to know that she’s being looked at, inspected. Enid tries to muster enough courage to look back but she ends up making herself look small.

Instead Miss Weems just nods “Very well, we shall prepare until the next summer.” She looks at Miss Thornhill “I will have to inform the rest on this new development and how it will affect Enid’s schedule from here on.”

She directs her attention to the younger, Enid’s slumped shoulders doesn’t escape her line of sight but chooses not to acknowledge it “We will be in touch again soon.”

“Yes, of course.” Enid looks back down when Miss Weems takes her departure and she feels the head maid’s eyes on her. There isn’t any judgment really but the stare doesn’t do anything to make her feel any better. 

“I’m just gonna….” She closes her fist and points with her thumb “Tend to my duties….”

She waits for Miss Thornhill to give a nod before she books it out of there. Her stomach hurts at the thought of everyone giving her the same looks. Most wouldn't understand the process of a werewolf hitting puberty but Enid does. She knows it’s never gonna come if it didn’t happen last night.

They are to think she has at least two more years. 

She swings by the kitchen to fetch Princess Wednesday’s lunch for the day and she grumbles to herself when the kitchen ladies inform her once again that there is no honey. 

Enid walks to the Princess’s chambers sluggishly, her heart still hurts from the very fresh wound that she was a failed werewolf. She can’t wrap her head around on what went wrong. 

It was a surprise when she didn’t shift last summer and now it happened again this year.

Now she can’t ever show her face in front of her pack. 

Her breathing starts to pick up and she tries to steady it before she knocks. She was already starting to get emotional again at the thought.

When she walks in she’s grateful that Wednesday doesn’t acknowledge her setting the tray on her writing table. This behavior normally irked her but today it was a blessing in disguise.

It seemed her chair was still out for repairs so she goes to sit outside. She needed the fresh air, hoping the sun will swallow her whole as she sat in the prickly grass.

She stares at the Queen's flowers, finding comfort in them. Trying to find comfort in anything really. She unconsciously pulls at the grass and plays with it by tearing it apart. 

The sun burned her scalp from sitting out there for so long but it kinda felt good. The sun embraced her when the moon threw her away. 

Ugh.

Tears started to build back into her eyes. She was doing so good not thinking about it but how could she not? She breathes in heavily before pushing herself off the ground, staying outside was not doing her any good.

It must’ve been an hour or two, or maybe even more when she goes inside the chambers. She notices the Princess has yet to touch her food, totally enamored by what she was reading.

Researching, the Princess would have corrected her again.

“There is no honey.” Princess Wednesday states and pushes the tray to the side. 

“We haven’t received a shipment, Princess.” Enid sits down by her bed, the black curtains brushing against her arm. She isn’t in the mood to deal with Princess Wednesday’s food tantrum. She’s ready to get into her bed and pray that this past day has been a nightmare.

The Princess ignores her but Enid gets the hint, she will not eat what was given and request her to get her something else. 

Enid was in a mood herself and had decided mentally that she would clock out. She would give her the same treatment by ignoring her unspoken demand. She didn’t have the time to deal with the snobby Princess today. 

She pulls her knees to her chest and curls her head into them, hiding her face from the breakdown that has been brewing inside of her. 

“I do not wish to eat this.”

Enid replies with a muffled “Okay.” She makes no movement to actually do anything about it.

There’s a deafening silence and Enid thought it would be the last of that. 

She doesn’t know what she’s going to do now. The Royals were one thing but how was she going to deal with her pack? There was absolutely no way they would still welcome her with open arms when they found out. She doesn’t even think her own family would accept her. 

This was bad. So so so bad.

She anxiously rubs her thumb on her knee. She hears Princess Wednesday shift in her chair but Enid refuses to pick her head up. Her breath stutters and she’s trying her best not to cry again, her eyes are starting to hurt from all the crying she’s done already. 

“Go get me something else.” There’s more shifting, a pop of the ink bottle. 

Enid pulls her knees even closer, her claws extending out a tad and digging into her legs. Princess Wednesday was writing until she wasn’t. “Is this what happens when a werewolf shifts? Are they less obedient?” She’s writing again and Enid feels her face go hot “Tell me, were you in your right mind?”

Enid picks her head up in anger, a little frustration and glares at the Princess “ I wouldn’t know .” She snaps and stands up, charging at the other girl “I didn’t shift.”

She has angry tears rolling down her cheeks, her claws were fully extended and she’s baring her clenched teeth with a growl at the Princess.  

Enid is furious with the Princess, with herself and the moon. She’s sad, resentful, disappointed and everything in between. 

Her eyebrows furrow more and the only thing the Princess is looking at is her lips. 

No.

Her teeth. 

“Just.” Enid closes her eyes and turns her body away. Her hands bunch up the fabric of her dress “Leave me alone.”

She storms out of the room and that stupid thumping from the shelves echoes in her ears as she closes the door behind her. 

Stupid rat. Stupid Princess.

Stupid Enid Sinclair.

Chapter Text

After a night of self loathing and reflection from everything that’s happened within these past 48 hours, Enid is absolutely horrified by the consequences of her actions that are going to be put upon herself for how she treated the Princess.

Now, she doesn’t regret it.

It wasn’t the smartest thing to do, she disrespected someone from the Royal family and there’s bound to be some type of punishment. It’ll probably go as far as cutting off her tongue so she won’t have any other words to talk back to with. She might even go in the dungeon for the rest of her life which doesn’t sound too bad of an idea considering she definitely can’t go back home anymore. 

And there was only so much patience she could possibly have left with the Princess. Yeah, the dungeon sounded like a good choice right now. 

Enid actually feels a little better now all things considered. The Princess definitely wasn’t the right person to direct her anger to but she was the best person Enid had any built up anger with. 

Still, she’s a little nervous as she walks towards the kitchen the next day. She’s done a lot of thinking, mainly crying, the night before. At first, she tried to convince herself that it might happen next year before crying again because she has to come to terms that it was not gonna happen.

Then she felt bad about how she treated the Prince until the other side of her head barked back, she deserved it . 

The kitchen lady is smiling at her like she had been expecting her to come in. She looks at the corner of the tray before handing it to Enid. “We were able to get some honey today.” She states with a proud smile.

Well, at least this might soften the blow a little. 

She walks to the room with shaky hands holding the tray and her anxiety is through the roof right now. What was going to happen to her? Will the King and Queen already be waiting for her when she gets there? Or will the Princess personally deal with her?

She adjusts the tray to knock on the door and walks in. 

Princess Wednesday had just finished braiding her hair, fingers still on the ribbon she used to tie it off. She ignores Enid’s presence and the werewolf is actually happy about it for once. 

She sets the tray down next to her desk and doesn’t say anything as the Princess keeps her back turned. The silence is loud between the two, awkwardly so. 

Enid should’ve known that the Princess would save her words, maybe she was brewing insults in her mind as of right now so she can spit them out when she least expected it.

Princess Wednesday makes her way to her desk when she spots the small dish of honey. Her finger trails the side of the dish and her eyes flicker to the werewolf. “Perhaps you can do things right around here, who would’ve thought.”

Enid frowns and looks down, of course it was coming. 

Princess Wednesday keeps her gaze and Enid thinks she might be waiting for a reply, an apology even. But she would not do it, she will not apologize for how mean the Princess had treated her yesterday.

She wasn’t going to ever get an apology out of the Princess so why should she be the one to say it? She breathes hard through her nose and turns to walk into the gardens. 

She doesn’t stomp out of there, of course not. She isn’t that crazy but she thinks she gets the message across when she leaves the Princess alone in her room.

-

“Enid.” She looks up from the floor, on her knees and hands wet from the rag she was scrubbing with. “A word.” Miss Thornhill gestures beside her. Dame Larissa Weems was patiently waiting beside her, hand resting on the butt of her sword. 

Enid stands up, wipes her hands on her dress and fixes herself as she walks closer. Dame Weems smiles with her mouth closed “Come, let’s take a walk. You are to be relieved of your household duties for the day.”

Enid looks back to the bucket filled with water and her dirty cloth laying on the floor. “I’ll just clean up-“

“No.” The Dame gestures to another maid. “You no longer have duties concerning cleaning. Your companions can clean up once they are done. You are needed elsewhere.”

Enid quickly glanced at the other girls, their mouths were tight but continued to scrub the floor. Great, if they didn’t already hate her this would definitely add in more to the pot. 

She quietly walks beside the knight as they take a stroll outside. It was only the two of them, Miss Thornhill excused herself to her own assignments. 

“I have discussed with the councilmen on how we will move forward.” Enid looks down, knowing the words were really you didn’t shift so we needed a new plan . “We thought it was in the best interest of the kingdom that we start your training while we wait.”

Enid was silent for a moment, confusion racing through her mind “You mean, like, I’ll be doing house chores and doing knight training?” And whatever it was she does with the Princess. 

She finally realized where they were walking to, the training grounds. She’s never been past the low fence but the older servants would always try to find a reason to be in the nearby area. They gushed about how handsome the knights in training were. 

“No, you are to devote your time here.”

“Oh.” She furrowed her eyebrows. “Okay.”

Dame Weems smiles again and nods her head in the direction of one of three shacks in the training ground. “Today we will give you training clothes to try on and that will be your working uniform from here on. After that we will start with some basics.” They walk to the shack “Your new schedule will be from sunrise until we decide to let you go. Now don’t be startled, it can be anywhere from after lunch through dinner. You will be given enough rest time so do not fret.”

That was a long time to train but Enid could only hope that they weren’t actually doing anything too hard on the body the whole time. 

They enter the small shack, a man with a sewing needle in his mouth and a thin thread of black in his hand. He was sewing up a hole in a pair of trousers. “Now let’s get you sized up.” She says and Enid nervously stands in the middle as the man looks her up and down. 

He looks through some boxes and Enid awkwardly waits as he puts more boxes to the side. He glances at her again before pulling some trousers out of the box. The man holds it up to her body before shaking his head and starts digging into the box. 

He huffs before grabbing the same trousers he compared with earlier. “I’m sorry, we don’t usually have knights come in as small as you. This is the smallest size I have. I have some rope we can use to tighten it at your waist and I can cut the legs to shorten the length. That’s the best I can do.”

Enid looks at Dame Weems for approval. She doesn’t really know what to say, usually her mother picks out her clothes. The knight nodded her head as she looked around the room before her eyes landed on Enid “We will make do. What about a blouse?”

He shakes his head “It will swallow her whole but it will do as intended.”

She’s given two pairs of each and holds it to her chest, her grip loosens as it was a little too much to carry at once. “Thank you.” she says shyly.

The older woman puts a hand on her back, gently pushing her to follow her out of the shack and into another. “This is where the women change, the men change in the other across the field. Go ahead and put on your new uniform. You will meet me outside and I will introduce you to the other trainees.”

Enid blinks and pulls the clothes closer to her body. “I um okay, I’ll be out there.”

“I hope you’re ready to be a warrior.” Dame Weems smiles and this time Enid doesn’t feel any comfort from it this time. 

“Ready as I’ll ever be.”

-

It’s been almost a month before anyone has noticed. Or at least anyone as important such as the Queen herself.

Enid’s body has been sore almost every day now and the fact is, she hasn’t done much. She’s mainly done a lot of running and she doesn’t even have a real sword yet. She was given a wooden stick, going through proper motions and basic commands when in ranks. 

It isn’t a lot, she’s aware. They’re taking it slow with her mainly due to her age. They tell her there is no rush to quickly learn but Enid makes the effort to be useful. When they realize she cannot shift, maybe she could convince them to keep her as a knight. She’d be properly trained by then before going through a knight ini- ini-something, initiation test. 

She’s having a hard time understanding some of the words they use so she decides to stay quiet most of the time and listen.

Most of the knights in training raised eyebrows when Dame Weems introduced her. They didn’t voice their displeasure when seeing her but they didn’t have to. Enid was the smallest and youngest in the training group of men and women who trained most of their lives to have an honorable position like this. The group was mostly young men, a couple of women and then there was Enid. 

When Dame Weems mentions her being a werewolf, the knights in training whisper amongst themselves in curiosity and amazement. 

Enid knows it comes as a surprise for most in the Addams Kingdom, she’s used to the stares and the soft murmurs once they find out. It wasn’t a new thing but it still makes her feel a little weird about it. She used to feel proud that werewolves were wanted amongst all kingdoms but now that she cannot shift she feels nervous.

It wasn’t until she was ten when her mother boasted about how sought out werewolves were during her afternoon tea with the ladies of their pack. She bragged about what great warriors they were compared to the humans. They were taller and the muscles of a wolf were incomparable, they were natural predators with a kill drive to get the job done. 

Needless to say, werewolves are wanted but hard to obtain. Werewolves rarely ever leave their packs, they had no loyalty to a Kingdom when they could just pack up and move. 

The Addams Kingdom had ever changing seasons compared to the Kingdoms up north. Enid doesn’t understand why their pack had left the colder climate lands, summers here were the worst. 

It was a hot topic spreading amongst the castle that the Addams Kingdom was able to obtain a willing werewolf. Willing being a vague word when it was Enid’s mother herself that was trying to get rid of the problem child of their pack.

They were in ranks, the hot sun hurting the top of Enid's head, discussing what the plans for training were when the Queen had made her entrance. She came in with a smile and Dame Weems looked surprised and bowed her head. The knights in training quickly drop down to one knee and bow their heads. 

Enid quickly copies them but her eyes flicker up to watch Queen Morticia walk closer, she was wearing her long sleeve black dress again and Enid has no idea how she isn’t dying under all that. The Queen looks at them, eyes searching before she stops in front of the Dame. “Larissa, a word if you will.” 

“Of course, your majesty.” They step off to the side to have a private conversation.

They awkwardly shift on their knee with their heads down, glancing to their left and right. Thankfully she wasn’t waiting long when Dame Weems comes back, obviously in a bad mood when she calls for her “Enid, you’re relieved of duties for today.” A pause to fix her tone. “To my confusion, the Queen has specifically requested you to continue your cleaning duties after lunch. I couldn’t tell you why but we must not question the Queen.”

Enid stands up and doesn’t really know what to do from here. She waves a quick bye to everyone watching her leave training early before realizing where she’s supposed to go. 

To attend her….cleaning duties.

She doesn’t have the time to go shower as she makes her way straight to the Princess’s room. The Queen was patiently waiting in the hall. 

Enid is quick to pat herself down before greeting her. Queen Morticia puts a hand on her shoulder and squeezes. “Apologies Enid, I was unaware that you’ve been placed elsewhere. Fret not, I have informed Larissa that you must report here after lunch. I’m sorry if this has caused you any inconvenience.”

Her ?

Being inconvenienced by them ?

There was no such thing, Enid will serve however the Queen wants to make herself useful.

She shakes her head “No, your majesty. I am…happy to be back.”

Queen Morticia cracks a smile and gives another squeeze before pulling back. “I know Wednesday can be shy but I appreciate you being here always, darling.”

Enid blushes and looks down. “I’m sure the Princess doesn’t miss me very much.”

“I think you would be very surprised. Now I must leave you to attend to some duties. Wednesday already has her lunch so do not worry about that.” Crap, she already forgot. The Queen nods goodbye, leaving Enid to look at the big, black doors. 

It felt a bit odd being back after being gone for almost a month. If she’s being honest, although the training had been harsh on her body, she was feeling mentally well after everything that’s happened. She worked out most of her stress and there really wasn’t much time to think of her situation.

But now she’s back to her biggest headache, dealing with Princess Wednesday. She sighs before knocking and pushing the door open. 

When she walked in the Princess was sitting at her usual desk, with stacks of books on her desk and she was writing her notes down. 

She makes her announcement of her arrival. “My apologies, Princess. I wasn’t able to say goodbye because of my sudden new assignments. Is there anything you wish for me to do?”

There’s tapping coming from the bookshelf and Enid waits uncomfortably as Wednesday scowls to herself. “I will not.” She hears the Princess answer but her reply confuses Enid. She doesn’t understand what part of the question she was referring to.

“You…will not?” Enid repeats. 

“I wasn’t talking to you.” Princess Wednesday’s voice snaps in her direction and closes the book she was reading. 

There’s more tapping and Enid has just about had enough of it. “Would you like for me to capture the rat for you? It must be distracting to your research.”

She can only see the side of the Princess’s face but she had a small smirk of amusement as she stared up at her bookshelf. “Perhaps the rat will learn to not be so meddlesome in my affairs if you maul it enough.” The Princess then drops her smile before shaking her head. “But no, it is not needed.”

Princess Wednesday turns her head and furrows her eyebrows as she looked Enid up and down. “You are not wearing your normal clothes, why is that?”

Enid looks down at her blouse tucked into her trousers and her leather boots that still gave her blisters. “I have assumed knightly training.” She says quieter than normal like she was talking to herself. She clears her throat to speak up. “The Dame had pulled me aside to start with my training.”

The Princess goes deep into thought and frowns with a quirk of her eyebrow. “You have not shifted and yet they still went ahead with your training?”

The werewolf thins her lips and fights the urge to roll her eyes. She doesn’t know how the Princess does it, how she always knows what to say to put her in a bad mood. Enid likes to think that she was rarely upset and it somehow stays her mood after lunch.

“Yes.”

Princess Wednesday doesn’t say anything as she turns back around to her desk and pulls out another book to read.

Enid doesn’t ever know what to do with all her time here especially when the Princess doesn’t task her to anything like making food runs. 

Although the Princess hasn’t brought up their confrontation last month, Enid does still feel weird about it. A little ashamed even. The way she talked to the Princess of her Kingdom was enough to get her head cut off no matter how upset she was.

So she walks back outside and lays on her back. Her body was still aching from the training for that morning. She didn’t know her body could ache in certain places. 

An hour must’ve gone by when Enid turns to her body to check on the Princess. Princess was acting a little strange, she looked angry almost as she stared at the bookshelf and seemed like she was talking to herself. 

She can’t really hear anything but the Princess’s behavior was odd and Enid doesn’t know if this is something she must report to the King or Queen. 

Enid feels her breath catch in her throat when the Princess directs her face toward her. Dark eyes piercing into her own and all she can think of is oh no, what’s wrong now . 

Chapter Text

Enid’s body tells her not to get up. The hairs in the back of her neck stand up and she feels a chill crawl up her spine. Her nails dig into the dirt and feels clumps of dirt under her nails. Maybe the Princess’s anger has finally caught up to her. 

She knows not to get up. To turn her neck back around and pretend that she didn’t see anything. Yet, her mind tickles the back of her head with the urge to get this over with.

The werewolf stands up, nails picking out the dirt as she walks back inside the room. 

“Did you need something Princess?” Enid asks with her hands clasped in front of her legs. 

“No.” She says harshly. There’s fast paced thumping behind a book on the top shelf that makes both of them look up. 

Enid looks back at the Princess to make sure she isn’t needed but the Princess’s gaze is still looking up. She watches her eyebrows soften from the frown she had before a devilish look burns into the wood of the shelf. “Tell me wolf, are your hunting abilities as good as how fast you escaped my room the first day you were spooked.” 

It wasn’t a question, not really. It was a jab at how frightened she was the first day, even Enid could tell how backhanded it was. She doesn’t know how to answer this. Saying yes would be admitting that she was a coward. Saying no is doubting how well she’d be able to sniff anything out and any werewolf with a nose could do that.

“Would you like me to get rid of the rat?” She asks again while gesturing to her books. 

Princess Wednesday looks up again, eyes darkening with the tilt of her head. “Yes.”

Finally .

Enid looks the bookshelf up and down, trying to figure out how exactly she wants to go about doing this. The Princess had an impressive collection of books, Enid has never been to the local bookstore but she knows it would be stupid to compare. The villagers with money are the only ones who aren’t shooed away from the shack and get the opportunity to look around. 

Still, she thinks the Princess has way more books than anyone in the Kingdom.

She breathes in heavily with her nose and catches the scent immediately. It’s a horrible smell, it’s the first thing she notices when she walks into the Princess’s chambers. The rat smells rotten, almost like the same smell of death when she passes the newly buried. There are often times when she holds her breath when she walks through the door.

At some point in the afternoon, she becomes nose blind to the smell if she isn’t focused on it so it doesn’t really bother her most of the time. It’s the tapping and shuffling that drives her absolutely mad once she picks up the sound. 

She tiptoes to the highest shelf she’s able to get a grip on before lifting her leg to step on the lowest. “I might knock over a few books.” She says but doesn’t get a reply back. 

She pushes herself up and is in an awkward position where she can’t go up any higher but isn’t reaching the top. Her face is leveled with the books and she struggles to reach the books she needs to get to. 

The tip of her fingers barely tips the books towards her when something pounces at her face. It grasps her whole face and she leans back with a yelp. Enid loses her grip and falls back, a couple of books falling on top of her.

She doesn’t notice the books, even when the corners hit her thigh instead she screams and swipes at her face. She grabs a hold of whatever is on her face and feels like throwing up when she doesn’t feel any fur, it feels like flesh . 

Enid hears the Princess click her tongue in disappointment but she has no time to think about why, when this thing still won’t let go . Her claws come out and they dig into the pest until its grip loosens and she quite literally throws it to the wall. 

She’s breathing heavily and a little shaken up when the Princess comments “Perhaps your hunting skills could use some work but I believe you got my message across.”

Enid is too busy calming herself down that she doesn’t even register what the Princess had said. The comment would’ve made her upset again but she isn’t paying attention, instead her focus is on a hand crawling back onto its fingertips.

She might be crazy. Delusional. She must have hit her head too hard because that’s an actual hand, a hand separated from its body . 

The hand points a finger to the Princess and Enid pinches herself because she feels like she understands the emotion this hand is trying to show. The hand looks like it’s scolding the Princess. 

A hand scolding Princess Wednesday. 

She’s going insane, if not already.

It taps onto the floor and points angrily again. The Princess smirks at one corner of her lips and shuts her book “Stop with the dramatics. Should the next occasion present itself, maybe next time you would be wise to stay out of my business.”

Enid lays flat on the cold floor and puts a hand to her head in disbelief. The Princess was talking to a hand. A hand. She doesn’t even know what’s going on anymore. 

“I will not apologize, I have done nothing ill towards you. It is you that should be mindful of me.” This is the most she’s ever heard Princess Wednesday consecutively talk and it was to a hand.

A hand that smells foul in the same way a dead body that’s been sitting under the sun for too long smells. Flesh that’s rough and cold and has been on her face longer than what was appropriate. Enid audibly gags when she thinks about the lingering smell that must be on her face, her nose and her mouth.

“I will not do that either. In fact, she has failed to devour you as I had wished.” There’s more tapping and Enid closes her eyes. This was weird even to her. “If you’re that worried, perhaps I would consider lending a helping hand.”

She hears scurrying on the wooden floor before she feels something crawling up her arm. Enid immediately sits up and shakes her arm. “Oh my god, what is that!” She shrieks.

Her head snaps in the direction of the Princess, demanding some type of explanation. This could not be real. 

“Thing. He insists on helping you.” Princess Wednesday says off handedly as she turns back to face her book. 

“Thing.” She repeats stupidly.

“Do you lack the ability to understand what I just said?” The Princess shakes her head. “Or do you just have the habit of stealing my words?”

Thing points his finger at the Princess again and it makes Princess Wednesday roll her eyes to herself. She ignores him and continues reading her book.

It leaves an uncomfortable silence between the two- three. Enid stares at the hand and she jumps when it turns to face her. Face her? She wants to laugh at the absurdity of it. 

She feels her stomach pull to her throat and she gags again.

Enid draws in the dirt with a stick in her hand, her back starting to hurt from how long she’s been sitting hunched over. 

It’s her day off again and she doesn’t know what to do with it. She knows what not to do. She can’t go home and show her face to her pack- old pack? She doesn’t really know. She’ll save herself and her family the embarrassment and harassment by not showing up. 

She’s sure her family will get the hint when she doesn’t show up like she usually does. She blows a raspberry from her lips, it’s not like they’ll miss her much. 

But really, what is she supposed to do with all this time in her hands? She’s already slept in and that never happens. She’s walked around the village twice after looking at a few shops, she’s even treated herself to some sweet bread with a coin. 

Enid usually sends money home but she doesn’t know if she should anymore, she’s practically a lone wolf at this point.

She feels like she’s done so much and it’s barely lunch. Still, Enid doesn’t want to waste the day sitting around so she’s decided to go outside the kingdom for a small walk around the forest. 

She doesn’t venture far before she meets a familiar sight. It was the same scholar she had met last month and as she got closer she noticed his puffed up cheek and right hand. 

“Hi.” She says once she is close enough. 

The boy quickly turns around and brightens up. “Hey! Didn’t think I’d see you again.”

Enid smiles and nods before pointing out. “What happened to you?” She gestures to the odd spots surrounding his injuries. 

He nervously smiles and fixes the way he was holding his notebook. He bends over to the ground to pick up a medium sized dish with a cloth folded over it. He lifts the cloth and Enid chokes on her gasp.

It was an impressive serving of honey.

“Remember how I got pricked last time? Well I found some bugs and I did some research on them.” He puts the cloth back over the dish. “They make honey.” He smiles brightly.

“How’d you find out?” Enid asks curiously, she hasn’t seen this much honey in a while. She hasn’t seen this much honey on one dish either and she feels her mouth water, building on the sides of her cheeks before she swallows it down.

Eugene is the boy’s name, she remembers now.

Eugene sets the dish down and opens his book, pointing at his page with a drawing of a bug with wings. “They’re called bees and the more I read into them I found out they produce honey.”

He closes his book and puts it in his bag. “My moms love honey and since we haven’t had a shipment in weeks I knew I had to try.” He grimaced and held his hand up “But I can see why, it's so dangerous to even attempt.”

Enid is still looking at his dish when he asks “Do you like honey?”

She shakes her head in embarrassment and looks at her feet. “I’ve never tried it.”

Eugene is quiet for a moment before asking “Well, do you want to?”

Enid shyly looks up and a smile grows on her face, she’s never had someone her own age be this nice to her. Her brothers are kind of mean, not to mention the kids in their pack didn’t want to hang out with someone who couldn’t shift and Princess Wednesday is meaner than all of them combined. Plus, he was offering her honey . 

She nods her head and Eugene sets her book bag down. “I’m sorry to ask but can you run fast? I’m afraid I won’t survive trying to sneak some more out of their home.”

Eugene explains that he cannot give up his share but he would help her get some of her own. He tells her his plan which includes grabbing a stick to anger the bees enough to chase her, that if she makes it to the river fast enough the bees will not follow her into the water. 

Enid doesn’t think it’s a good idea, not at all. But she believes that it will work because Eugene has already honey and he was able to do it on his own.

She nods her head determinedly and finds a stick long enough to do the job. They look at each other nervously before Eugene gives her a nod and Enid knocks the round shaped object hanging from the tree down with one swoop.

She hears the buzzing first before she realizes, oh no I should run . So she runs, absolutely terrified of how many bees there were buzzing around whatever she just knocked out.

The buzzing is closer the faster she runs, almost hears it next to her ears when she takes a deep breath, holds it and jumps into the river.

It isn’t deep, but it is deep enough to dunk her head along with her body. She can hear the buzzing from under the water and she closes her eyes to stop herself from thinking about how much she needs air.

She comes up, she gets stung on her cheek, and gives a small ouch before going back down underwater. She does it a couple more times before she decides it’s safe to get out.

She soaking wet when she meets up with Eugene, who gives her a big smile. “You did great! I was able to get so much and I only got stung twice!”

Enid touches her face where she knows a bee got her and Eugene shows her all the honey he managed to get. “So I wouldn’t eat it right away, I noticed that it tastes better if you give it a day or two.”

He hands her a smaller dish than the one he had. “Sorry, I didn’t bring any extra of the one I had.”

Enid’s eyes widen at the sight, the gooey, yellow- almost brown delicacy. “No. No, this is perfect.”

She should’ve known something was off when she walked into the Princess’s chambers and Princess Wednesday didn’t make a snarky remark about the food she brought in. 

Don’t get her wrong, the Princess is normally quiet. She keeps to herself most of the time. She’ll make a comment here and there that annoys Enid but there was just something in the air that didn’t feel right when she didn't start the day off by expressing Enid’s ability to never do anything right for once. 

“Your food, Princess.” Enid sets the tray down and waits for it to happen.

Princess Wednesday is quiet, she puts a hand to her head to lean on before motioning Enid to leave her.

She initially thought that maybe the Princess was simply just not in the mood and it stays like that until she hears the Princess mutter. “Stop.”

She must be talking to Thing and Enid’s eyes flicker to the bookshelf. It was the severed hand’s favorite place to be. Enid still gets a little skirmish at the thought of the Princess’s true companion.

The Princess glares at Thing before waving him off as well. 

Enid shifts uncomfortably on the floor, she wasn’t really in the mood to go outside today. It had rained earlier that day so she doesn’t want to sit on wet grass after being poured on during her knight training. Her clothes have barely dried with the exception of the cuffs on her trousers that she untucked from her boots.

Enid’s eyes follow the way the Princess closes her book before laying her head on the desk. Thing jumps onto the table and Enid stands up to walk to the desk. 

“Princess.” Enid timidly calls out. “Are you, are you okay?”

Princess Wednesday doesn’t answer and it’s then that Enid notices her wet bangs and how flushed the Princess looked. Was she feeling ill?

“Are you feeling sick?” She reaches out to touch her, to check if she was feeling as warm as she looked. 

“ Don’t touch me.” The Princess harshly says and glares at her. Enid pulls her hand back like she did something wrong and feels her own body burn, tingles running up her face.

Enid glances at the bookshelf, worried. The Princess refused to be touched by her but maybe she’d let her best friend check up on her. 

Princess Wednesday looked concerningly ill, her face was paler than normal with the exception of her pink cheeks, dark under her eyes and simply weak. She knows the Princess made unusually no progress in her research by the lack of writing she didn’t hear going on.

Thing crawls close enough to put himself over the Princess’s forehead and the Princess glares at him but makes no further comment. He points towards the bed but Princess Wednesday disagrees. “I will not.”

He points again and the Princess argues with him as he points to Enid, curling his finger for her to come over. He points to the Princess and then points to her bed. 

Enid is at a standstill, not knowing if she should follow the Princess’s order or to do the right thing. She bites her lip before nodding her head.

“Absolutely not.” She ignores the Princess’s words, placing one hand under her arm to place over Enid’s neck while the other grips Princess Wednesday’s hip.

The Princess doesn’t put up much of a fight and on the walk to her bed, the Princess coughs horrendously into her hand. Enid gives her a moment and Thing jumps on her bed. 

Princess Wednesday suddenly drops to her knees, coughing loudly into her and as she pulls back Enid’s eyes widen at the crimson puddle in the palm on the Princess’s hand. 

“Get out.” Princess Wednesday says once she collects herself enough to say.

“But Prince-“

“I said, get out .”

Chapter Text

Enid is frozen in place, her hands beginning to shake slightly without her doing from the sudden rush of nerves. She’s scared. Really scared because she doesn’t know what to do.

Princess Wednesday keeps her glare until she can no longer keep her head up and coughs in her hand to clear her throat.

Enid knows, she knows she’s supposed to follow the direct order of the Princess. She’s half freaked out and half nervous because what are you supposed to do in this situation? Princess Wednesday looked ill in the way that wasn’t normal.

She quickly glances at Thing, the hand pointing at the bed again. Enid timidly nods her head in agreement and tries to steady her hands when she goes to grab the Princess’s arm and waist.

Princess Wednesday tries to jerk away but she tightens her hold and pulls the Princess up as gently as she could without escalating any more damage to her health.

“I do not wish for any help.” The Princess hisses weakly and tries to push away once again. Enid mumbles an apology as they step towards her bed, Thing then begins to pull her blanket to leave an empty space for her to lay on and then fluffs her pillow. 

She sets the Princess down slowly on her bed. Princess Wednesday sits on the bed and she grips the edge of it as she slowly exhales out of her nose. “Leave me.” She says.

Enid awkwardly stands in front of her. “I’m worried about-“

Princess Wednesday slowly turns fully on her bed and lays on her back. “I am fine. I wish to be left alone.”

Enid’s nerves will simply not allow that. The Princess displayed an uncommon look of exhaustion on her face. Cheeks slightly more defined from a sudden weight loss that she now recently noticed after being away for that short period. There was clearly something wrong, especially with how pink her face had gotten in this short period of time.

Princess Wednesday crosses her hands oddly across her chest and closes her eyes, this was the end of this discussion. It sends tingles down Enid’s back again and her hair stands up, Princess Wednesday looked, well she looked like she was preparing for death .

Thing crawls from her pillow, down to her head. Fingers pushing the Princess’s sweaty bangs out of the way once more and lays flat on her forehead. The hand pauses, stands on his fingers and shoos her away.

Enid is stunned at how fast it was at getting her kicked out. The Princess was deathly sick in her eyes. She’s never seen anyone in this kind of state before. She was coughing, well, blood. Nothing was normal about this. 

She squeezes both her hands into a fist, one bounce on her toes in determination before swiftly turning to walk out the door. She slowly closes the door behind her to not make enough noise to disturb them. 

The wolf rushes to the kitchen as fast as she could, quickly passing the other maids complaining about her disrupting their work. She’s breathing heavily when she enters the kitchen and tries to ignore the looks she’s getting. It doesn’t work. She follows their stare down and then clears her throat at what caught their attention.

She looked like a wreck. Her shirt was crinkled, as well as dirty from her training during the rainy morning. Her trousers had still been untucked from her boots and her hair was awfully tangled by her running. This was not how a knight in training should present themselves.

This was no time to worry about what the other maids think of her. She grabs a fresh bucket of water and lifts it by the handle with both hands “I’m just going to borrow this for um, a couple hours.” 

She averts her eyes from their judging stare, she’s aware of what a jerk move this was. Stealing water that they needed for either food or to clean up. “I’ll return the favor tomorrow.” She grunts and waddles out of there, careful not to spill any water and create more problems. 

She waddles faster and she flushes her own shade of red from making another brisk round across the castle. A drop of sweat rolls uncomfortably down her back by the time she sets the bucket down, needing a quick, four second break before she pushes the Princess’s chamber open.

She’s supposed to knock, she knows she’s supposed to but this was not a time to follow her orders. If anything, making sure the Princess was fine was her main priority.

Thing is surprised to see her burst through the door and Enid doesn’t know how to describe how she determined that. He was a hand for moon's sake! She brings the buckets over beside her bed and Enid pauses in her mistake.

She looks around the room in hopes to find some type of cloth to use for the Princess. She looks down at her blouse before gripping the bottom of her shirt and does a swift tear. 

It’s sloppy, barely enough material to be of use but Enid still dips it in the bucket of water. She’s seen her mother do this once for her brother. She doesn’t know if she’s exactly doing anything right but this will have to make do.

She squeezes a little bit of the water out of the rag and places it gently on the Princess’s forehead. A bead of water drips from the end of the rag, down her hair and Enid scolds herself. Maybe she should’ve taken more water out. 

She presses it down and she gives a quick glance at the hand who had been suspiciously quiet. Enid gives a quick glance to the hand before flickering back down the sleeping Princess. 

The Princess was sleeping, or at least her eyes were closed. She had kicked off the blanket Thing must’ve attempted to put on her. She doesn’t look any better than she did a couple of minutes ago. She looked worse.

Enid anxiously looks down at her and rubs the side of her leg. Thing makes himself comfortable on the other pillow before laying down. She feels like she’s been staring at him too long when she feels like he’s staring back.

Her face grows hot as she looks back at the Princess. She feels useless and stressed to the point where there are tears building up because what was she supposed to do? 

Her eyes flicker in thought but she doesn’t know how she would go about the idea in her head. She stands up slowly to excuse herself and waits for Thing to acknowledge her before she blinks, why was she getting permission from a hand?

This counts as an emergency right? It seemed like it was. Was Princess Wednesday going to die? She’s never seen someone get that sick in such a short period of time. 

She quickly walks to the only place she could think the King and Queen would be. The Royal Hall. Where their thrones sat in such an intimidating way and she shakes her head. It was not a good time to think about how scary it was talking to them. 

She pushes through the large doors and interrupts someone on his knees, begging to be spared and she tenses up. Maybe she should’ve waited, knocked or perhaps introduced herself before barging in so abruptly. 

But there must be something on her face that makes the Queen squeeze King Gomez’s arm and whisper before she stands up. Enid fidgets and stands up straighter, she doesn’t even know what to say!

“Darling.” The Queen smiles, puts a hand on her arm and pulls her to the side. “Why do you look like.” A hum and her lips curl “You’ve seen a ghost? Ghosts are good luck you know.”

“I-“ now that she’s here she can’t even say anything. She feels like she really has seen a ghost after seeing the Princess practically laying in her deathbed. She whispers 

“The Princess.” Something catches in her throat and the tears start building back up again. “She- there was-“ she swallows and the only word she’s able to get out is “Blood-“

She sees the Queen's face drop and she stops talking. She’s never seen Queen Morticia not smiling and this only proves her worriedness.

“She looks like she’s dying.” Enid blurts out.

Enid picks at the ground, pulling random weeds out before tearing them into tiny pieces. She’s been out in the woods the past couple of days during the times she’s supposed to be visiting the Princess.

She hasn’t seen Princess Wednesday this whole week after the Queen practically forbids her from coming over. Enid should probably be grateful that she doesn’t have to deal with it anymore but her guilt eats her up for even thinking that.

She pulls more grass out, she hopes the Princess is okay. Enid wouldn’t wish whatever sickness she had on her worst enemy. It scared her to death just watching her suffer. 

Surely the Princess wasn’t…. dead, right? 

Enid stands up and wipes her dirty hands on her trousers. No, the Princess would be alright. She starts to walk further into the woods but doesn’t get very far. 

Training had been exhausting today in particular. They ran what had to be miles today and it didn’t help that she hadn’t slept well last night. 

Enid had tried to not let it bother her but she had been tossing and turning all night. When she closes her eyes… she just sees the Princess. How sickly she looked and- enough of this. She can’t keep replaying on how she would have acted differently that day. 

She hears a faint buzz and she looks up. It was a hive.

Or, at least that’s what that boy had told her. The scholar boy, she hadn’t seen him in a while since he had helped her. She was also running out of honey but it wasn’t like she gathered a lot anyway. 

Enid reaches her destination when she sees a river. It probably wasn’t the best place to bathe considering how close it was to the castle but she likes to think everyone would be too busy at this time of day to be over here.

She’s been coming over here after her training, mainly to avoid seeing anyone inside the castle. Her duties were only to the Princess during this time and she didn’t want the chance that someone would see she wasn’t doing anything and assign her chores.

Enid looks around before she starts to take off her clothes and she stares at her blouse for too long. The uneven tear at the bottom of her shirt and there she goes again, thinking about the Princess. 

She sighs before placing it down on a dry rock and undresses the rest. The water is cold when she dips her toes in first and every hair on her body stands straight.

She clenched her body when she’s fully in and then relaxed. God, she needed this shower so badly. Her sense of smell has heightened a bit and now she smells even more gross. 

Still, she smells better than the boys and their spicy scent of body odor. 

She washes her body underneath the water before she hears the cracking of a tree branch from a distance. She doesn’t think anything of it until the steps get closer and she gets a bad feeling. 

She glided closer to where her clothes are and tries her best to be as silent as she could be when she stands up from the water. 

Her heart is thumping hard against her chest as she quickly puts on her clothes. Her gut tells her something is wrong and she stands perfectly still, waiting for whatever it was to come closer.

She’s a werewolf. Kinda. 

She can take them. Maybe.

Enid just needs the advantage. Catch them off guard. She hides behind a tree and it feels like forever waiting. She almost gives up, thinking it was a false alarm until the steps get closer.

She extends her claws, another branch snaps and she pounces on a surprisingly small body. There’s a scream and her hand is raised for a sweeping motion before she recognizes the screaming boy.

“Eugene?”

Chapter Text

Eugene still has his eyes scrunched shut, hands waving in front of his face and lets out a scream even when Enid called out his name. 

She drops her arm and looks at him curiously. His hair grew longer since she had last seen him. The tips of his hair were even curlier and he looked more tan, probably from all the time he spent out in the sun. 

He still looks terrified when he opens an eye before he blushes and lowers his hands in relief. He mumbles a soft prayer and wipes his face with his hand. 

Enid cocks her head in observation and he flinches “You’re kind of dripping on me.”

She gives him a sheepish smile, pulls her wet hair back and stands up. She moves back and offers him a hand that he takes. “Sorry, I was bathing and you really gave me a scare.” She gestures to the river and then tucks in her blouse. 

Enid leans her head slightly to the side and squeezes the water out of her hair. The shoulders of her blouse were uncomfortably wet and sticking to her skin. “What are you up to now?”

He pats his body down to get rid of the dirt and pebbles. “We are doing some self study research.”

“By yourself?”

He gives an embarrassed smile. “Everyone is into learning about stars but it isn’t my thing. No one really wants to study insects.” Enid blinks “Bugs. No one wants to study about bugs so I just explore on my own.”

Enid walks toward a log and offers him a seat next to her. He fixes his bag on his shoulder and takes a seat. “How have you been? Still got any honey left?”

Enid shrugs her shoulders and starts to pick at the wood “I could be better. The honey was really good but I think I’m pretty much out. Oh!” She turns to face him. “I started my knight training!”

“Knight training…” he repeats back and then furrows his eyebrows in confusion “I thought you said, didn’t you say you were a palace maid?”

She nods her head furiously “I still am! But I got a promotion, I guess.” Her excitement dies down a bit towards the end. She almost blurts out it was because she was a werewolf, it was something proud to announce. She supposes she should stop telling people that considering she….might not ever shift.

Eugene sets his bag on his lap, opens it by pulling the tied string and digs in it. He pulls out something bundled in cloth and then he opens it, offering it in her direction “To celebrate. I mean, this is a good thing right?”

Enid gives him a grateful smile and takes the bread out of his hand. She tears it in half and gives one side to him. “Yeah, I think so. It is a bit tiring though.” She grimaces at the thought of training this morning. She can’t say she’s catching up on the technique as fast as others and sometimes she feels like everyone expects more out of her. Not to mention she falls behind every day because of her commitment to the Princess during half their training hours.

He nods his head in agreement but doesn’t quite understand her struggles. He never had been athletic in any sort of way and it was a little embarrassing to say the least. He knows scholars were very respected but….he knows the girls fancy knights more. 

“How have you been?”

He tears his bread, taking a bite as he collects his thoughts. “I’ve been good. I’ve taken too many stings from bees than what I think is normal but I’m still having fun. My moms say they’re really proud of me.”

Enid blankly looks at the river and she drags her foot across the dirt. She hasn’t thought much of her family as much as she thought she would. It still hurts, knowing how they’d shun her if she ever showed her face around.

Eugene doesn’t take notice of her behavior and she’s more than happy to avoid thinking about this again. “They’ve been visiting a close friend of one of my moms. He’s a blacksmith and has kids our age. They’re twins. You could play with us if you’re free.” He trails off in his sentence. “I don’t really know what your training schedule is…”

Enid shrugs her shoulders “I don’t really know either. Sometimes I have the evenings free but it depends on the day. I would love the play! All the other maids are older and never want to play with me anymore.”

Eugene points in the direction of the town. “I live by the old Nevermore bar, closet house on the right. If I’m not there then we’re normally at their blacksmith shop, you’ll know which one. Can’t miss it.”

Enid promises to make a trip down there soon. She’s never really been into the town all too much and doesn’t know exactly where he’s talking about but she thinks she can figure it out.

“You said you’re running out of honey, right?” Eugene asks.

“Yeah, I ate it pretty fast.” She laughs.

“If you’re free right now then we can help each other get more.” He offers.

Enid shoots up from her seat “You had me at honey.”

Another week had passed and sometimes it slips her mind that she hadn’t heard any news of the Princess. Which was a good thing, right? Maybe?  Would there be any news in the first place? To everyone in the Kingdom, she didn’t exist. 

Enid puts a finger to her lips, rubbing the dirt off. She was someone important enough to shut down the castle for the week but, she bites her bottom lip and lowers her hand. Princess Wednesday was too important to be a ghost to practically everyone else in the Kingdom. If she had died, Enid makes a face, would it really make a difference?

Enid has to remind herself to pay attention to Dame Weems. She was demonstrating how to go through the motion of blocking and then attacking with your sword. They were going to partner up later to practice these movements.

Her mind drifts back to the Queen. There had been mumbles from the Knights about how Queen Morticia had been absent from the King’s side and that was unheard of. The two were often seen together and it was very rare not to see one without the other. 

Was the Queen mourning?

Enid shakes her head for even thinking that. She should make a visit for her own peace of mind. 

She is finally caught by the head kitchen maid.

Enid had just finished her knight training for the morning, making her way to her living quarters when she’s stopped in the middle of the hallway. 

“Enid, honey.” She says and Enid stops, giving her an awkward smile. The head maid doesn’t even know her situation on no longer tending to the Queen’s special request but the wolf’s stomach twists at the thought of getting caught. It’s not like she’s gonna tell the whole Kingdom that she’s available to do chores!

“Hi.” She gives another fast wave. 

The head maid gives her a smile and holds up the tray of food in her hands. “Abigail is out sick today and she normally delivers to the Prince’s room. Do you mind giving me a hand if you’re not too busy?”

She nods, taking the tray out of her hands. She was still feeling bad about stealing their water a little while ago. She came back the next day to go back with some fresh water but she felt terrible that they really did need it. 

The head kitchen maid tried to not make her feel too bad about it but she knew the other young maids were giving her looks. Enid can’t exactly get mad at them for this, she’d agree that it would be annoying if someone took the last bucket. The watering well was a distance away from the main kitchen and someone was going to have to make that trip.

“Of course.” She says and motions the tray up.

Enid doesn’t know what to expect from getting to meet the young Prince. Her mind used to wander on what he was like but after meeting the Princess she doesn’t want to get her hopes up. She can only imagine the boy being more mean and maybe rotten. 

He was a boy, after all.

A boy who was to inherit the whole Kingdom, groomed to be merciless and cruel to those who opposed him. Enid shivers at the thought. If she thought Princess Wednesday was bad then she can only imagine what kind of person Princess Pugsley was.

She reaches the Prince’s room, takes a deep breath and knocks on his door. 

“Come in.” She hears a muffled voice from the other side of the door. 

She yelps and nearly drops the tray in her hands when something hits her leg.

“You’re not Abigail.” She hears him say and she looks down at the crumpled up, ball of paper cloth. Enid looks back up, Prince Pugsley hiding behind his bed with a hand made slingshot. 

Enid stiffly smiles and holds up the tray “No, um she’s out sick today so I came to bring your lunch today. Where would you like this place?”

Prince Pugsley stands up, places his slingshot on the bed and gestures to the small table next to the table. He blushes a soft pink in his pale face and walks towards her. 

Enid places the tray down and it’s then she notices just how tall the Prince was. She knows he’s quite young and doesn’t remember his exact age but he was already at her chest. He looks up at her and caves into himself, there is innocence behind his eyes even with having the same dark circles as his sister. 

She wonders if he’s aware of having a sister…no, that would be too crazy. She doesn’t think the King and Queen would hide having a sibling from him, she thinks. 

“I’m sorry.” He says quietly and looks at his feet, embarrassed that he got the wrong person. “Abigail usually expects that. Thank you for bringing my food.”

Enid smiles, this is how she thought the Royal Addams would treat their people. She doesn’t know where Princess Wednesday got that from. The King was a powerful but joyful leader. The Queen was kind and had intent behind every choice she made. Prince Pugsley took great traits after his parents and was kind. Princess Wednesday was, well. There weren't any nice words she could think of when thinking how to describe the Princess.

Pretty, that’s a nice word to describe the Princess. 

“The honor is mine, Prince Pugsley.” She does a courtesy and he shyly looks down. 

Enid exits out of his room, and mutters a small huh . That went better than she thought.

She was on her way back to the kitchen to let the head maid know she did what was asked when she walked on the opposite side across from King and Queen. Miss Thornhill was trailing closely behind them, reading something off as the King nodded at her words.

King Gomez brings his wife’s hand to his lips, kisses her knuckles before giving it an affectionate pat. The other maids bowed their heads as they passed them and the Royals were quickly approaching Enid. 

They were going to pass her but Enid makes eye contact with Queen Morticia and her mouth opens but she quickly shuts it. She was in no position to ask something so personal.

The Queen places her hand on King Gomez’s arm to stop him. Miss Thornhill looks at Enid like she’s stupid and she feels it. Who was she to take up their time? 

“Enid.” The Queen is the first to acknowledge her. 

Enid gives a courtesy and nervously smiles. “How is training coming along? I had meant to ask Larissa, my apologies.”

Enid looks down at her uniform, she definitely looked worn out. “It's been fun so far!”

“Fun!” The King repeats with a loud laugh “I think the Dame has gotten too soft these days.” There wasn’t anything negative in his voice but Enid somehow feels like she shouldn’t have described their training as fun. It was hard but she didn’t want to complain at the opportunity she was given.

Queen Morticia gives him a loving look before directing her attention back to Enid. “I’m delighted to see that you’re enjoying it, my dear.”

Miss Thornhill is giving her a pointed look, wanting her to move on and dismiss herself. It seems that she didn’t need to be the one to do it. “My apologies, we’re due for some council meetings but would you meet after dinner? We have something that we must discuss.”

Enid keeps her stare on the Queen, a knowing look that only she shared with the King and Queen. It wasn’t like she didn’t notice it immediately. How weary they both looked and maybe it was because she had more interactions with the Queen but she notices more to a degree. How the Queen didn’t greet her with her normally charming smile. Her sluggish posture and eyes that didn’t hold the emotion as before.

“Yes, your Majesty.”

Chapter Text

Enid doesn’t know what to expect from her meeting with the Queen and possibly the King. She doesn’t know! She serves them under the castle but she never expected to be on a name basis with them. They knew her name and typically they would only know the names of people important to them so this was sort of a big thing for her.

She has waited a while, in her own thoughts most of the time. Enid had even arrived extra early because she couldn’t wait until they could give her an update.

Miss Thornhil scolded her afterwards but maybe she was too busy at the moment to really let Enid know how she felt. The head maid seemed displeased by the attention Enid was getting but brushed it off. She couldn’t argue that the Queen requested Enid’s presence.

She’s so in her thoughts that she doesn’t hear them approaching her. They’re practically in front of her when she takes notice, straightening her back and she fiddles with her hands. She doesn’t really know how to greet them. What if she sounds too cheerful when they’re devastated by whatever news she’s going to be told?

They have their arms crossed with one another and the Queen is the first to speak. “I’m sorry for the delay, darling. We had a setback in the meeting that prolonged it.”

The King grunts in agreement and Enid awkwardly smiles. She doesn’t really know why they felt they needed to excuse their tardiness. They don’t owe her any type of explanation, they were the King and Queen! If they were two hours late then that just meant Enid was two hours early!

Queen Morticia's eyes trailed past Enid’s head, to the Princess’s chambers and the werewolf caught her eyes again. “Pardon if I’m overstepping, your Majesty.” Enid fidgets some more “Is….is she okay?”

Enid purposefully avoided saying the title, Princess. It somehow felt like a dirty secret to say aloud. She had addressed her as the Princess last time and she should’ve been mindful if there were others in the room close enough to hear their conversation. 

The Queen smiles and nods, she puts a hand on the King and he returns the gesture by placing his hand on hers. “She is in better condition since you’ve last seen her. She’s too stubborn a girl to let death take her that easily.” She shakes her head but the smile is still there. “Though, it was quite the fright.”

Enid looks down with an uncomfortable expression. “Yeah, it was really scary.”

The King clears his throat and it makes her look back up to see what he had to say. “Thank you.” His voice is loud and Enid could only imagine it when he’s angry. “You have done more for this Kingdom than you realize. More for us .” He expresses.

King Gomez reaches into his pocket and pulls out a gold necklace. He raises his hand up, the necklace dangling from his fingertips as he shows it off. It was thin with an oval, green emerald. “An Addams family heirloom with great history passed down with each holder. It will never scratch and would take much force to break. We would like to gift this to you for everything you’ve done for us.”

Enid’s mouth drops in a slight part of her lips, neck sticking out and her eyes widen. This couldn’t- they possibly couldn’t be- was this real? 

“Your Majesty!” She yelps and her breath hitches. “Surely this is too much. Pardon my rejection but I couldn’t possibly take this- I.” Her face grew red and she could feel the heat quickly. “I just wanted to make sure she was okay!”

The King laughs with his head thrown back, pulling the necklace to his chest and he clutches it hard in his grip. Queen Morticia reaches for her hand, thumb rubbing the back of Enid’s. “This necklace is nothing compared to your courageous act of selflessness, my dear. You’re a hero to us.”

Enid bites her bottom lip and tries to blink away the fast approaching tears. She was so scared, there was nothing heroic about that. Princess Wednesday looked so sick and she thought she was dying. She had gone weeks thinking perhaps the Princess was dead. 

She was ready to reject the heirloom again when the Queen turned her palm up. She looks back at her husband, giving him a look to pass the necklace to her and Queen Morticia places it in Enid’s hand. She closes her hand for Enid and gives her a warm smile. “I only ask that you don’t sell it, although I can’t force you not to. I would hate to see it on someone less deserving than yourself.”

The Queen slowly stands, taking a step back to stand next to the King. Enid furiously nods her head. “I would never.” She says in a soft whisper. 

King Gomez seems to do some type of self realization and he pats his other pocket. There’s jingling and the Queen rubs his arm. “I had almost forgotten!” He takes his hand out, closed fist and he extends it out for Enid to take.

Enid doesn’t know what else they had for her but she opens her free hand out. Five gold coins drop from his hand and they almost fall out of Enid’s own. 

FIVE GOLD COINS?!

For her?!

“For your troubles as well.”

She could do a lot with this. She was ten gold coins away from owning her own land, fifteen if she wanted a house to come with it. Forget the house! She could buy twenty COWS. Her mouth salivates and she swallows it down.

“Thank you! Thank you so much!” Enid says in appreciation.

“It is us that should be thanking you, darling.”

Enid beams at them. This was the greatest thing that’s ever happened to her. She almost feels bad about asking because maybe she isn’t that far into recovery but she couldn’t stop her mouth. “Will I be reporting back here again?”

Queen Morticia hums and Enid quietly waits for her to collect her thoughts. “Not today.” She puts a finger next to her mouth. “Next week starting from today should be more than enough time for you to continue your duties. I’m sure Wednesday has missed you dearly.”

Enid snorts at the comment before she could think about it, gasps loudly at her mistake and slaps her hand over her mouth. She looks terrified of their reactions but the King gives a boisterous laugh and it echoes into the hall. 

She drops her hand and timidly smiles.

Enid gives a curtsy when they finish their talk. The Royals dismiss themselves and start to walk away. Queen Morticia stops in her steps and she turns to face Enid once again with the King patiently following her actions. 

The Queen takes a moment to address whatever she wants to relay to Enid. “Wednesday has always been-“ she shares a look with King Gomez and he nods his head in support “-a sick child since birth. We’d appreciate it if you could be more aware of her condition and report anything out of the normal. Just like how you did previously. It was a tremendous amount of help.”

Enid doesn’t really know what’s out of the normal, there wasn’t really anything normal about the Princess in the first place. “Of course, your Majesty.”

“Thank you.”

Enid had been looking forward to seeing the Princess. Sure she was mean. Often made fun of her. And kind of bossed her around a bit but she did sort of miss it.

It’s annoying at the time but she often wants to laugh at how ridiculous their interactions are at times. She can’t help but miss the insults. She’d take that over a sick Princess any day. 

She’d probably regret not having the free time anymore, actually having to attend her duties after lunch. It’s not like she had anyone to hang out with during those times anyway. The knights were still training, maids were doing their chores and Eugene was out doing whatever scholars do.

Her heart rate started to pick up and she had no idea why she was nervous standing outside Princess Wednesday’s chambers. She had gotten rid of that feeling after the first month of serving her. Enid might be a little out of touch now. 

She grips the handles of the tray tighter and she burns holes into the door. She doesn’t know why it feels different than other times. Even more odd than when they had their first disagreement. She hadn’t seen the Princess in almost a month.

She knocks before entering, Princess Wednesday had ordered her to stop announcing herself before she entered. The Princess grew annoyed by how often she would have to give permission so she decided Enid should just enter. She was the only person really expected with the exception of her parents during this time anyway, it wasn’t like she didn’t know it would be the werewolf.

When she enters, Enid automatically notices that the Princess isn’t seated in her usual chair. She steps in, closing the door behind her and looks around. Everything was exactly how it normally is as Enid looked around. She starts searching for the Princess but there were only so many places she could be at.

Her chambers or outside.

She walks towards the entrance leading to the small garden. It wasn’t a large garden by all means. It was surrounded by high bricks, a tree in one corner, bushes and some flowers that the Queen often looked over. The Princess’s chamber was huge and the open area outside equaled in space. 

The Princess was seated outside, book in hand as she sat on a stoned bench. Enid watched from a distance, the Princess wearing a frown on her face as she turned a page. She looked better, a lot better . She didn’t look pale anymore, skin tanned and freckles a little darker. She did look like she didn’t put anymore weight that she previously loss.

She doesn’t see Thing but she knows he’s somewhere out there. She can smell him and almost forgets how disgusting he smells.

Enid doesn’t know if Princess Wednesday notices her yet but she makes her announcement when she walks outside. “Princess.” Enid says and it still comes out weird. “I have brought your food.”

She holds the tray up with a smile that soon drops when the Princess doesn’t say anything. No snarky comment and not a ‘place it on the table’. Sometimes the Princess would acknowledge her, especially if she felt the need to torment her. 

She was moody and Enid cracks a smile at it. Never would she have thought that she’d missed that. 

There’s enough room on the bench to place the tray next to the Princess so she does exactly that. She untucks her blouse and lays out on her back, the sun kissing her cheeks in a way that feels like a great burn. It was a good type of heat. 

Enid hears shuffling in the bush beside the roses and she figures out where Thing is. Thing was…well…odd. She doesn’t exactly have an opinion on the hand but she does know the Princess is willing to hear his, at least when they agree on something. 

She doesn’t like the silence between them at the moment and Princess Wednesday might like that more but Enid feels like there’s much to catch up on. 

“It’s good to see you well, Princess.” Enid glances at her and Princess Wednesday finally picks up her gaze, eyes showing disinterest in Enid’s comment. She looks back down to her book and Enid didn’t think she’d get a response back.

“You took the opportunity away from myself having a tragic demise and yet I’m sitting here weeks after desiring it after hearing you trying to socialize.”

“Okay.” Enid says slowly and then blinks. “Whatever that means.” She sees the Princess roll her eyes and turns the next page of her book. “Anyway, I have so much to catch you up on! I don’t even know where to start!”

“I’m yearning to know.”

“Yeah, exactly.” She nods her head. “You know, you’re really different from your brother. I met him recently. Prince Pugsley.”

There’s a reaction from her face and it makes Enid more curious. “Yes, Pugsley has the same instincts to survive as a fish out of water. He flounders.”

“I don’t even know what you mean by that.” Was that a compliment? Enid couldn’t tell. She has to ask, it’s been eating her alive at this point “Does he know you exist?” She blurts out.

Princess Wednesday pauses and then frowns “What kind of question is that?”

Enid freezes and realizes she has to explain her thought process on how she got to that. “I don’t know, I was just thinking how no one really knows about you. I don’t even know who knows about you so it kind of really wouldn’t surprise me if he wasn’t in the.” She makes a gesture with her hand, finger pointing up and she makes a circle “Loop.”

“I’m fond of my brother although he has failed me by not having a treacherous bone in his frail body. He visits me in the morning and we have discussions on many matters.”

Enid makes an ‘O’ with her mouth. Now it sounds like she just asked a stupid question, well she kind of did. 

Thing comes out, points at Enid and makes a motion with his hand. He drags a finger from the bottom, across until he reaches the top. He starts tapping and Princess Wednesday trails her eyes from Enid’s shoulders to the bottom of her blouse.

Geez, if she knew she was going to be judged for what type of clothes she was wearing she would’ve changed. She looked beat up from her training earlier that day and was wearing her worst blouse. It was stained with dirt and had that tear from where she ripped it from the bottom.

Princess Wednesday doesn’t say anything and when her eyes reach Enid’s gaze, she looks back down to her book. She starts to pick up where she left out in her book but Enid wasn’t going to allow it. 

“When we were practicing early with our wooden swords I got a splinter.”

“I have my day off next week and I don’t know what I want to do with it yet.” 

“I’ve been hanging out with that scholar boy I was telling you about.” Enid runs her hand through the grass. “Oh yeah, speaking of him. We’ve been helping each other out on getting honey. I wanted to bring you a gift but I forgot to grab it before I came.”

“How have you been obtaining honey?”

“Eugene taught me. He’s studying bugs so he figured out where honey came from.” She blows air out of her lips. “Now I know why it’s so hard to get. I’ve been stung like six times.”

Enid lazily looks at the Princess “I knew you like it and I always said that I’d give it to you because I didn’t know if I’d ever see you again.” It was a scary thought that crept up in the back of her mind. It was crazy to think that Princess Wednesday could have not been in front of her at this moment. And even if the Princess didn’t see her this way, Enid feels like they’re companions in a way. 

Wednesday shuts her books. “Tell me, how badly did it hurt? Did you swell up like a bloated frog? What bug was it.”

“Bad for the first couple of minutes but then it starts to go away. I don’t know what a bloated frog looks like and a bee.”

“A bee. How fascinating.”

Enid huffs and puffs. She puts her hands on her knees and bends over, trying to catch her breath. 

“Sinclair, stand up straight and breathe through your nose.

Enid straightens out and her heart felt like it was out to beat out of her chest. Her face was hot and sweat was dripping just about everywhere. Breathing in and out of her nose was easier said than done, especially after running two miles. 

She was improving in her running, staying with the first few people and they were the older kids. Most of them complained about her having an advantage with her werewolf genes and she can’t exactly disagree with that.

Her blouse felt absolutely soaked, the off white looking more brown than anything and it was starting to stick to her skin. 

Someone is wheezing beside her and Enid self consciously tries to even her breathing. She knows she’s struggling but she doesn’t want anyone to hear her struggling. She puts her hands on her hips and walks around with her eyes closed, it was taking everything in her power to not sit on the ground. 

“You’re finished with your training today, go attend your duties for the Queen.” Dame Weems says to her before turning around to wait for the other knights to finish their laps. 

Enid gives a thumbs up, not trusting herself to not sound like a dying idiot.

She’s a little late going to collect the Princess’s food today, her training taking up more time than usual. Or maybe she should’ve ran faster so she wouldn’t have been. 

“You look a little worn for wear.” The head kitchen maid says as she passes the tray into Enid’s. “Are you missing just having your cleaning duties?”

Enid’s face is still red, hair frizzed up a little and her hair was still sticking to her neck. “On days like this I do.”

The head maid licks her thumb and rubs some dirt off her cheek. “Be sure to come earlier for a snack. You need some more energy to keep up.”

Enid smiles and nods her head. She had been growing a little taller and was losing some weight. She could feel the difference with how loose the already huge shirt was getting. 

She makes her way to the room and she’s sluggish getting there. “Good afternoon, Princess.” Enid says and sets her food next to her. 

As soon as she does that she walks to the middle of the room and lays out. She’s tired and her legs were starting to feel like they weren’t going to listen to her. 

It’s quiet and for once, Enid didn’t have the energy to make small talk. Would it be bad if she took a nap? It’s not like the Princess really cares what she does. They don’t talk, only the sound the Princess eating was heard faintly from the spoon hitting her bowl.

There’s tapping. 

“Not at this moment. I’m eating.”

More tapping.

“No.”

There’s some shuffling and then more tapping.

“If you’re so concerned then you do it.”

Enid keeps her eyes closed and puts both her hands on her stomach. She’s used to this now, Thing and the Princess were always bickering about something. She can hear Thing jump on the table and Princess Wednesday tries to stab him with the end of her spoon.

There’s more bickering before the Princess stands up, the legs of her chair dragging harshly on the floor. Enid squeezes her eyes shut, trying to ignore all the sounds that are going on around her.

A couple of minutes go by and something is thrown on her head. “You smell like dog.” She hears the Princess say and Enid grabs the cloth from her face.

She sits up and holds the cloth out. It was a blouse. A creamy colored blouse made out of better and softer material. Enid looks at Princess Wednesday who took her seat back in her chair, ears turning an obvious pink in her deathly pale skin.

The Princess had given her a blouse.

Enid looks back at it and then to her own. “Don’t look.” She mutters and then quickly pulls the one she’s wearing over her head. When she puts the blouse that the Princess gave her on she notices a difference right away. It fit her better, not too snug and with plenty of room to grow in. The sleeves fit at her forearms where she previously had to roll up and it was thin enough material where she wouldn’t get too hot.

“It fits perfectly.” Enid balls up her old blouse and sets it on the floor. “Thank you.”

The Princess doesn’t give a response and there isn’t one for a long time. They go about their day separately for most of their time together. Princess Wednesday is engrossed with what she’s reading and Enid trying to survive on the floor. 

“Enid, fetch me a book. The second shelf on the bottom. Botanical Poisons.”

Enid crawls on her knees to the bookshelf that the Princess had pointed at. Her eyes roamed each book “What did you say it was called again?” 

“Botanical Poisons.”

She looks over the books again, all the words looking both similar and entirely different at the same time. Her toes curl inside her boots and she nervously picks at her pants. Botanical Poisons. Botanical Poisons, she sounds out in her head. 

Two words. All she’s looking for is two words. She reaches and pulls out a book with the tip of her fingers. She turns, walks to the Princess and hands her the book.

Princess Wednesday grabs the book dismissively, setting it down before looking quizzically. She picks it and hands it back to Enid. “You have brought me the wrong one. I said Botanical Poisons. The green one.”

Enid turns pink, and apologizes while taking the book in her hands. She puts the book back and searches for a green book. She can feel the Princess’s eyes on her and it makes her feel more nervous. Looking for a green book would be easier if there weren't three other green shaded books on the same shelf. 

Her eyes go back and forth between her top two before deciding to go for the one on the right. Her fingers barely touch the top of a corner when the Princess questions her. “Do you know how to read?”

Enid pulls her hand back in embarrassment, her body sharply turning cold before the heat washes over her. She plays with her hands not knowing what to do with them. “I- um.” Her eyes flicker to Princess Wednesday’s calculating gaze before dropping her head down. “No.”

The Princess stands up and walks until she’s standing next to her. She bends over slightly and pulls out the book she was asking for. She makes eye contact with Enid and tears her gaze away almost as quickly.

She takes her seat again and clears her throat. “Apologies, Enid. It wasn’t my intention to-“ belittle me? “-put you in this predicament.” She says instead. 

The Princess has said a lot more harsher things to her with ill intentions but Enid can’t help but feel like this hurts more. It made her feel dumb. Small. She’s an idiot who doesn’t know how to read. It wasn’t like literature was a rich person thing nowadays but there wasn’t a reason for her to learn. She wouldn’t have the need to read, she just had the need to work. 

“If you desire it.” The Princess says and it makes Enid look back up. “I shall teach you.”

“You’ll teach me how to read?”

“And write.”

“Are you still going to make fun of me?”

“Occasionally, yes.”

“Okay.”

Chapter Text

Seasons have passed throughout the year. Everyone had been sneezing a lot when the flowers grew back and Eugene thinks it’s from the plants. Enid thinks he doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

The weather wasn’t the only thing that changed. Enid grew two more inches, she lost most of her adolescent weight on both her stomach and face. She was more fit from all her knightly training and she was starting to grow out of her clothes. 

A lot has happened in the past year. She plays with Eugene when she can in her free time. He had introduced her to the local blacksmith’s kids. Kent and Divina were both kind to her when Eugene introduced them. She could definitely tell they were siblings, it had nothing to do with the fact that they were literal twins but more on how much they fought with each other.

They were the same age as Enid and she learned that Kent was expected to take over the shop when their dad grew older. Divina, well, she could do whatever she wanted. Their father didn’t force a decision on them but he wanted at least one of them to take over the shop. 

She doesn’t get to hang out with them as much as she would like to. Sometimes if she’s not too tired she’ll give them a visit in town but for the most part she spends her day off with their little group.

Princess Wednesday is both different and not. Physically, she hasn’t changed much. She hasn’t grown any or maybe Enid just hasn’t noticed. Or better yet, maybe she spends so much time with the Princess that she gradually got used to the change. Princess Wednesday is still moody and she likes to argue with her and Thing. It can be fun sometimes except for the times where they’re genuinely arguing about something stupid.

But, there is a difference in their friendship dynamic. The Princess would deny it to her face but she knows that she considers them as friends now. They’re more comfortable with each other’s presence but Enid knows she can annoy the Princess a lot.

Queen Morticia visits the most out of the two rulers, not to say that King Gomez doesn’t. She checks up on them, brings them pastries or tends to the garden. Enid doesn’t stick around when King Gomez is there and she always awkwardly dismisses herself. She isn’t uncomfortable at all with the King, rather she feels weird when the King and Princess discuss their matters.

The Princess appears to have taken more of a liking to her father. When Enid looks through the glass and sees them sit beside each other they always seem…not emotional but something similar, she can’t think of the word. It always feels personal and Enid knows when it’s not her business to intrude. 

She’s run into Prince Pugsley handful of times now, sometimes he lingers until it’s lunch or he’ll come back after dinner. 

How the Princess acts around Prince Pugsley makes Enid see her in a different light. She bullies him a lot and he doesn’t take offense to it. Her words are harsh but her actions speak differently. She dotes on him in her own way. Tells him he looks stupidly indecent but cleans him up. Rolls her eyes when he complains about his classes and then takes the time to teach him. She’s rough when they play together but he laughs and there’s this excitement behind her eyes that Enid never sees except with him. 

She thinks the Prince enjoys her company too. He’s still nice but started doing a lot of pranks on her the moment he got comfortable. Enid can’t remember exactly what happened to lead to this but Princess Wednesday threatened the Prince by using Enid. Enid was flabbergasted the first time she had asked her to roughen up the Prince of all people. There was a lot of back and forth of, I’m not doing that to eventually a fine .

Prince Pugsley is oddly terrified and entertained by being chased by her. Enid only prays the Queen doesn’t walk in on them one day.

It’s been exactly a year today since she was assigned this duty. 

Princess Wednesday is standing with a book in her hand and looks over her shoulder. “You’re doing exceptionally well, Enid.”

Enid looks up and grins while bouncing in her seat. She grips the feather in her hand before dipping it in the ink. It’s been close to a year since she started learning how to read and write. 

“Try spelling exceptionally.”

Enid juts out her bottom lip in a frustrated pout “That’s just mean.” The Princess knows she isn’t that far advanced into her spelling. Enid could pretty much read or sound out words but she doesn’t fully know the meaning of them. 

Writing was a whole other beast.

“Just like a werewolf, never one to commit to anything challenging.” There isn’t any correlation to that of a werewolf and she knows the Princess is baiting her. 

And she takes it every time. 

Enid frowns, mumbling the word over and over. “Ex.” She writes down “Cep.” The ink bleeds through the paper “Tion.” And she finishes at the end “Nally.”

Princess Wednesday is putting away her book before grabbing another off the shelf. Enid patiently waits for her to look her way and give a response. Her patience is running thin the longer she waits, eager to please the Princess with her progress. 

She’s looking at the cover of the book over and then looks to see Enid waiting. She looks over the werewolf’s shoulder again and Enid tries to read her expression. 

Axsepcionally

Enid could see the Princess’s eye twitch slightly, hardly even noticeable but that was all she needed to know before throwing her hands over her face. She groans into them knowing that she’s probably laughing at how dumb she is.

“I have yet to give a response.” The Princess says.

“You didn’t need to.”

Princess Wednesday straightens up and walks around to her chair. She takes the seat next to Enid’s and sets her book down. She takes the feather and writes the word out. “You weren’t far off. You’re learning at an impressive rate. My brother still doesn’t know how to spell brittleness and he has years over you.”

The Princess was actually a pretty good teacher and opposite of what was promised, she never made fun of her during this process. Not to say she doesn’t make fun of her for other things. Her current fixation is how she growled at a baby squirrel in the garden and Enid would ridiculously not let this go. She had no control on why the small animal was threatening to her.

Princess Wednesday will always somehow bring it up in conversation to embarrass her. Enid still somehow lets the teasing get to her, her face blushes a deep pink and she stutters to defend herself every time.

Enid enjoys reading the fairytale books Prince Pugsley reads, Princess Wednesday’s books are well above her vocabulary or are typically research books that she has no interest in. 

She isn’t always studying when she’s with the Princess, Enid enjoys being out in the garden the most. She likes laying in the grass and loves staring at the Queen’s flowers, you couldn’t see them outside these castle walls.

She’s also come to like Thing as weird as the whole situation was. She’s learned to observe his body language to half understand what he’s saying. Enid has also picked up on a little bit of his hand signals but she honestly guesses what the other half is.

She’s asked the Princess about him once but she had been vague. Only that he had been a family friend for generations and that was all she gave her. 

It wasn’t easy getting to this point with the Princess but it was easier once Enid got used to reading her mood swings and learned when the fight wasn’t worth it. It was a hard line to figure out when exactly she was a friend and servant to Princess Wednesday.

They’ve gotten into arguments plenty of times with it mainly being Enid getting her feelings hurt but the Princess never held any punishments towards her for talking back. She never apologizes to Enid either, instead she broads in her seat while Enid sits in frustration in the garden. This got awkward when winter came because then she sat in anger inside her room instead.

She grew to understand that the Princess would never apologize and it made it easier to get over it instead of overthinking the issue.

Princess Wednesday’s health was also another issue. She was capable in every way with the way she hunts her brother down the restricted wing of the castle. She doesn’t know what triggers the Princess to fall ill. She’s fallen ill five more times within the year but none coming close as that first scare. 

Small fevers, sweats or maybe a headache. But they were manageable. 

Enid copies the word that Princess wrote out for her, her hand writing not nearly as neat and quite frankly looks like chicken scratches. 

“Spell atrocious.”

Enid groans.

-

Enid stood in ranks with her training group, the sun creeping up higher the longer into the morning. Dame Weems walks in front of them, a group of twenty new knights in training following closely behind her. 

Dame Weems clears her throat and stands tall amongst them. “Good morning, as you all know we are approaching our annual knight initiative test and with that being said I would like us to welcome our new recruits.”

Everyone welcomes them with clapping and hollering. Enid cheers loudly along in the crowd but was truthfully a little bummed about this announcement, she had made friends with her other peers and now they were graduating without her. She was too young to attempt her initiation test, you had to be between seventeen and eighteen years old depending on what month your birthday landed on. 

Her fifteenth birthday was approaching soon and even then she was younger than the new knights in training were. She couldn’t wait to be a knight! Sure the first couple of years would just be her standing guard in front of the castle or doing patrols throughout the town. New knights under the age of twenty hardly left outside of the kingdom, both the Royals and the Dame not wanting to risk the next generation in petty deaths.

The new recruits all introduce themselves one by one. Some looked nervous, shy, faking it and a couple who Enid truly believed were confident.

The knights that Enid trained with were pulled to the side, preparing for their test while Enid had to stay behind with the new kids. It made her even more sad that she wouldn’t be training with them anymore. 

The Dame puts everyone in sparring groups to see the new talents and where she needs to start everyone at. Everyone in her group looked like they were familiar with each other already. Most kids trained together before they made it to this stage.

Enid reaches for her wooden sword and they all look at her funny. They were all holding real swords and expected her to do so as well. Enid drops the sword out of her hand and mutters sorry. She hadn’t moved up to a real sword yet, Dame Weems said it was important to get the basics down first, she was behind but it was okay because it takes time. 

She grabs a regular sword and it feels awkward in her hands. The sword is heavy and it takes more strength to hold it up. She can tell that she doesn’t look right holding it. 

“They must let anyone in these days.”

Enid’s face burns in embarrassment and she can’t deny it. She wasn’t trained like everyone else was growing up. At least with her last training group they knew her situation so they didn’t make any mean comments. 

“Just a little heavy is all.” She says, trying to play it off.

“Maybe if you whined less and practiced more, you wouldn’t suck.” Enid is taken aback by the comment and she frowns at the person who said it. It was said by a pretty girl, one of the ones Enid thought wasn’t faking it. Bianca. She doesn’t remember her last name but that doesn’t really matter.  

Enid opens her mouth but is cut off by the Dame clapping while passing through the groups. “Alright, everyone pair up and get at it.”

Her group laughs and Enid frowns when they turn their back towards her.

-

“ Maybe if you whined less and practiced more, you wouldn’t suck .” Enid mocks in a sarcastic tone, her shoulders rise and she clenches both her fists beside her pants. “Can you believe she said that?” She snaps her head at the sitting figure

“I can not believe it.” The Princess deadpans and doesn’t even look at her. 

Not liking the reaction she got from Princess Wednesday, Enid turns her body to Thing. “Can you believe she said that?”

Thing starts to make hand signals at an alarmingly fast pace and the only thing she can really make out is him pointing his index finger and shaking it up and down. Enid thinks he might either be agreeing or defending her. “Exactly!” She says anyway.

“She’s just so ugh ! And she embarrassed me in front of all the new people!”

“Shall I send her to the dungeon then? Father has recently replaced the spikes on the Iron Maiden. They have gotten rather dull after the last prisoner. I would quite enjoy hearing her pleads before her execution.”

“You can’t just threaten to send anyone to the dungeon, especially when you threaten to send me there every other day.”

“Then why are you informing me of your problems if you do not require me to provide solutions? You are making very ill of your time spent in my presence.” Princess Wednesday throws a hand up and shoos her away.

“I don’t need solutions.” Enid huffs and roughly sits her bottom on the chair next to the Princess. She lazily rolls her head to her shoulder “I just needed to vent.”

The Princess tsks beside her and Enid leans back into her seat while crossing her arms. “Besides, as much as I hate to admit it, she’s good. Like, really good.”

“She’d be begging for mercy if we were to spar in battle.” Princess Wednesday offhandedly replies.

Enid laughs beside her and her grin widens the more she thought of the two in the sparing field. A heavy sword in the hands of the frail Princess’s hands. She can imagine the siren towering over her in height alone and it was enough to force another giggle out of Enid’s mouth.

“Why do you find amusement in that? I’m rather exceptional at dueling.”

“When have you ever dueled?” Enid questions with a playful smile.

Princess Wednesday turns her head and frowns. “I am disappointed that you would question my abilities in swordsmanship.”

Enid sits up, her face heating up and she waves her hands around. “That’s not it.” She tries to save. “It’s not that I don’t think you can do it, I’ve just never seen it.”

Princess Wednesday relaxes her face and hums in response. “Yes, I suppose you haven’t. Father and I spar when he is available. I started partaking in it since I was seven.”

“Seven.” The werewolf repeats in shock. The thought of an even smaller Princess holding a sword flabbergasted her. She tries to rack her brain around her imagination. She’s heard of the other knights starting around that age in hopes for a spot in the Royal Guards, the most respected knights in the kingdom and just below the promotion to General. She didn’t think that the Princess would ever need to learn it as well.

“My brother also started at the same age but he has the arm and feet coordination of a child failing to utilize its limbs in order to crawl.” She shakes her head with a blank look. “His survival instincts are minimal at best. But do not fret, I will get him caught up so he’ll at least make it to age twenty.”

Enid still hasn’t moved on from the first revelation. Seven. The Princess must be very good, she couldn’t see her not being good. In all this time she’s known her, the Princess was a perfectionist. She obsesses over something until she’s the best at it and it’s only then she’d be satisfied.

If it ever came down to it, Enid ashamedly looks down at the situational thought, she doesn’t think she’d be able to protect her in battle. She had the advantage of her werewolf genes and yet she couldn’t wolf out. She would only have the advantage for so long until the other knights caught up to her. Bianca was a testament to that. Bianca was ahead of her. She’d be useless to the Princess. God, what if the Princess had to save her .

“Your mood has changed, why is that?” Princess Wednesday studies her.

“It’s nothing.” She’s quick to reply.

Princess Wednesday keeps her gaze and it makes her uncomfortable. She hates it when she does that. She always cracks under the pressure and the Princess wasn’t one to let things go if she wanted an answer. 

Enid hears Thing climbing up the bookshelf and she looks at him settle in his normal resting spot. It’s an excuse to avoid the Princess’s stare and she licks her lips. “I worry that I won’t be strong enough to protect you if anything happens and it upsets me.”

“Worriedness does not suit you. I can defend myself.” Enid nods at her response and swallows. At the corner of her eye she can see the Princess direct her attention back to her book. She thumbs the corner of the page “I also do not doubt that in the event of something hypothetically happening that you would be courageous enough to overcome it.”

“I don’t think courage would be enough.”

“Courage can also be foolishness, I agree with that.” That’s not really what Enid meant and she flips the page over. “Although, I also think you’re foolish and it will come back to you one day, I think it’s one of your greater qualities.”

This was as close as a compliment Enid has ever gotten from her. Well, she thinks it’s a compliment. 

“Thanks. I think.”

-

“Is he new?” Enid hears them loudly whisper as she passes the horse barn after her training. This wasn’t anything new to her, the maids were always gushing about the knights for as long as she could remember. You could be ugly and as long as you were a knight, you were well sought after. The stable boys were in the same boat if they were handsome enough.

“I think so.” There were four maids squeezing in together to look through the barn window. One slaps her friend on the arm excitedly “I think Julie knows him. She said that he is the Petropoluses boy.”

“Two mom’s?” She whispers back with a squeal “Ugh, I just know he treats women good.”

“Do you think he’d let us see his snakes?”

“Are you an idiot?” The other harshly whispers back. “Do you want to get stoned?”

“I’m just saying!”

Enid doesn’t stick around for the rest of their conversation. She doesn’t venture far around the barn because her presence always ends up riling up the horses for some reason. She had been excited before when they were going to be given horse riding training but she didn’t even make it to the saddle. She gave up after the fourth time and Dame Weems pitied her enough to try again at a later date, it’s not like she doesn’t have the time.

She was sad in the moment, she really wanted to be able to ride a horse. It would definitely save her from walking with all the heavy armor on her when she does her roams in the future. She kind of got over it now. Who cares if a dumb horse wouldn’t let her ride. 

Enid makes her way to the Princess’s room, quickly grabbing lunch on the way there. Everyone had been busy today preparing for the Kingdom festival. There were three average ones and four extravagant ones. Today was an average one and she’s been looking forward to this because she feels like she can actually afford to eat at many shops and buy a nice dress. 

She’s been saving most of her money for events like this and she’s agreed to meet up with her three friends. 

“I can’t wait for later.” She says immediately when she walks into the chamber. She sets the tray down and then sits next to Princess Wednesday. “The festival is gonna have such yummy foods and it’s going to be so much fun! I think I heard they were going to do fireworks this year. I mean I don’t know what that is but Eugene says they’re cool.” Enid rambles and she waves her hands slightly as she’s talking. “Do you plan on going?”

Princess Wednesday is re-stitching the thread on Thing, him flinching with each needle going through his rough skin. “No.”

“What! Come on, you need to go. It’ll be so much fun.”

“I don’t need to go, Enid. I don’t want to be social with such brainless individuals around me.”

“You won’t be with brainless people! You’ll be with me .”

Princess Wednesday pauses and Enid gasps beside her. “Stop! You don’t mean that about me. Anyway, when’s the last time you’ve been out? Come on, let’s go.”

“I go out plenty. I enjoy spending my time in the hedge maze at night.” The Princess resumes her stitching.

“I meant outside the castle!”

Princess Wednesday is quiet and Enid’s eyes bug out of her head when she knows she isn't going to get a response. She has to be pulling her leg, there’s no way the thought she has in her head is true. “You’ve been….outside of the castle, right?”

The Princess snaps her head to her and glares “Is that a problem.”

Enid backtracks and waves her hands in front of her chest in defense. Princess Wednesday roams the halls at night, she knows this. It’s how they met the first time but she can’t wrap her head around never leaving the castle. She could see why, though. The Princess had everything she needed here and they could always send someone else out if they wanted something.

Enid puts both her elbows on the table and leans into Princess Wednesday’s space. The Princess doesn’t move but her eyes calculate Enid’s body language in suspicion. “Well, do you want to?”

Princess Wednesday looks fully at her and Enid doesn’t know what she's thinking. But she does know it was enough time to know that she was considering. The Princess shakes her head in the end. “No, my parents would know if the castle guards saw me.”

Enid leans away and taps on the table anxiously at the wild idea in her head. It would be risky and she’d probably get in a lot of trouble if the Royals found out. She looks at the Princess up and down, it was possible and she thinks it would be a lot of fun. 

“Would you go if I helped sneak you out?”

There’s a long silence between the two and Enid was getting ready to take back her offer. Yeah, it must’ve been crazy after all. 

“I would be dishonest if I said I wasn’t curious.”

Enid sits up in her seat in excitement, her smile widening enough to show a grin. “That’s a yes, right? I’m taking that as a yes! I’ll come by after dinner and I’ll have something figured out by then.” She looks down at the hand “You’re invited too, Thing!”

Thing shows a thumbs up and Enid is ready to start rambling again but stops herself when she stares back at the Princess. 

She looked like she was looking forward to it too.

Chapter Text

Enid is running, hair flying into the warm wind and she’s holding a brown, clothed bag close to her chest. She passes castle maids who were laughing and talking in excitement for the festival and she smiles to herself in her own excitement.

They throw her quick looks, probably wondering why she was running away instead of towards the castle gates. Her steps echo loudly in the scarce halls and she abruptly makes her entrance.

Princess Wednesday looks curiously at the bag Enid holds up. The werewolf pulls out some crumpled clothes and drops the bag. She holds the dress out in front of the scowling Princess and makes a contemplative face. “This is my old cleaning dress but I think it’ll fit.”

“I will not wear this.”

Enid pulls the dress towards her “You will if you want to go out tonight.”

The Princess turns away from her, Thing gives her a look that makes Princess Wednesday roll her eyes. “Do you honestly expect me to stoop so lowly as to wear a servant’s dress?” She scoffs at the mere thought. “A Princess as a maid.”

“And that’s what makes it genius! No one would ever expect it. Now stop throwing a fit and put this on. We’re going to be late meeting up with my friends.” She pushes the dress into her arms and walks away to give the Princess some privacy.

She tucks her blouse into the waist of her trousers and then out and then in again, undecided which would look better. She had put on a cleaner one, one that the Princess gifted her which is why the material was nicer. It was almost silk like but nothing dressy. Enid doesn’t like to wear it much because it’s probably the nicest cream colored blouse she had. There’s some ruffling in the background and the way Thing taps rapidly on the desk makes Enid turn around. 

She does her best to hold in her smile as she watches the Princess angrily stand with her face darkened in front of her. The length of the dress stopped at her shin and the sleeves were too long so she had to roll them once over. 

“If you mutter one word dog, I will be sure to request a new rug in the shape of you .”

Enid doesn’t even try to fight it as she throws hands up and gestures towards her outfit. “You look adorable!”

Princess Wednesday scowls at the insult and turns to walk to her closet with silent stomps. She pulls out a black cloak and wraps it around her shoulders, it covers most of the dress with the exception of the slit in the middle. 

“We should make our departure, come Thing.” The severed hand crawls up the cloak and settles himself on the inside pocket of it. 

“I can’t wait for you to meet my friends.” Enid jumps right next to her as they walk. The Princess pulls the hood over head as soon as they make it to the main hall. Enid looks at her before leaning in, shoulders just barely brushing. “Um and I’m not trying to come across as disrespectful but I don’t think it would be a good idea to call you Princess now that we’re out here.

Princess Wednesday hums and nods once in agreement. “I don’t know why you kept up with my title. In fact, you’re the only person that still uses it. You will address me by name only.”

Huh.

Well, she guesses that’s true. Was Enid the only one who needed to? She doesn’t think she’s ever heard any of the Royals address her as such and Thing was a different conversation. The Princess did tell her before that she found the title annoying and only really used her rank when she tried to force Enid to do something.

“Okay.” Enid leans in closer to be annoying. “Wednesday.”

The Princess rolls her eyes and stays quiet when they pass the Royal castle guards. Enid doesn’t know why she’s so nervous to pass through them, they didn’t know anything so she needed to stop being so obvious that they were trying to be sneaky. 

She relaxes when they’re far away enough and squeals in excitement. “I can’t wait! We’re gonna have so much fun and eat so many great things, we need to try the new potato stand. Apparently they’re doing this thing where they mash it or something.”

Wednesday was looking around, unfamiliar with the town and she does everything she can to avoid being brushed by the flowing crowd. 

“Come on, this way.” Enid grabs her by the wrist and easily drags the Princess through the crowd. She leads them to the black smith shop. Divina, Kent and Eugene were standing, waiting for them as they talked over what they wanted to do. 

“Hey!” Enid yells and waves at them. She lets go of Wednesday’s arm and the girl instantly pulls her hand out of sight. She stands in front of them and gestures to the Princess. “This is Wednesday, a friend that works at the castle with me.” Then points to the other three. “Eugene. Kent and Divina.”

Princess Wednesday only reacts to Eugene’s name, she looks at him and noticeably smirks at the bee sting on his cheek. “Eugene, the scholar. You assist Enid with obtaining honey.”

Eugene perks up and blushes at her acknowledgment. Enid frowns at this, makes sure she has his attention before shaking her head in disapproval. Eugene did not need to have a crush on the Princess. Firstly, she was the Princess . Secondly, she would destroy his self esteem and she liked the boy too much for that.

He blushes redder and avoids her look, instead he pulls the sleeve of the girl next to him. A pale girl with long black hair, eyes blood red and taller than any of them. She was wearing the same formal scholar robe as Eugene. “This is Yoko! She’s in the scholar program with me and she’s a vampire.”

The vampire gives a confident closed smile, the tip of her fangs slightly making an appearance. “A pleasure to meet you two.” She says to the duo, she seemingly already knew the black smith’s kids.

Enid smiles and gives a quick look to Wednesday and was disappointed with her reaction. There was a gleam to her eyes, a look of interest once she knew the girl was a vampire. She wants to know why she seemed to take a liking to Eugene and Yoko when she already hated Enid before she even knew her. Yoko gives Enid a look of amusement, enjoying whatever face the werewolf was giving. 

“Do you guys want to look around? I heard the fireworks are supposed to go off in two hours.” Kent says putting his weight on his sister and Divina shoved him off her.

They all agree and walk as a group around the town, sometimes breaking away when a stand catches their interest. The first stop they made was for food, a grilled shrimp stand that made Enid’s mouth water once she got a whiff of it. 

Wednesday grabs two for herself and the man at the stand tries to grab at her when she walks away. “Kid! You need to pay for that!”

Enid is taken aback when Wednesday gives a pointed stare, like she is waiting for her to do something about it. To deal with the burly man working the stand. “You didn’t bring any coins?!” She whispers harshly at the Princess. 

Princess Wednesday frowns and looks at her like she’s stupid. She scoffs at Enid’s idiotic questioning, as if Enid should’ve known she had no money. The werewolf stares wide eyed at the man, quickly apologizing before digging in her coin bag. 

They walk away from the seafood stand and Enid leans in to question her again. “Did you seriously not bring any money?”

“I have no reason to carry any given my situation.” Wednesday states as if this was the most obvious answer she could say. Enid thinks to herself and goes through a fake scenario, she doesn’t think anyone in their right mind would charge the Royals if they wanted anything. 

Enid makes sure to keep Princess Wednesday close to her at any given time, not wanting to take the chance of anything happening to her. She would die if she brought back a less than healthy girl back to the castle. 

Wednesday slips away from her when another stand gets her attention, Enid quickly follows behind her and makes a stop when the Princess does. What a nerd , she laughs to herself in front of the book stand. 

Wednesday obsessively looks through each book and it was kind of cute to her. Enid opens her coin bag and uses a finger to move some coins around, she doesn’t think she has enough bronze coins to buy a book but she could if she breaks a gold one.

Enid leans over the Princess, who was looking through the pages of one. “You can pick one out. I’ll buy one for you.”

Wednesday’s eyes flicker up to her, an uncomfortable look as she looks back down. Enid encourages her to look at more and she’s satisfied when she could figure out which one Wednesday wanted by how often she went back to it. She grabs it out of the girl’s hand, holding it up to the lady at the stand and hands her a gold coin. She waits for her change and tries to hand the book to the Princess.

Wednesday pushes it back into Enid’s arms. “I’m tired.”

Enid playfully rolls her eyes and holds the book. 

“I didn’t expect to see such a familiar face so quickly into the festival.” She hears a voice say from behind them. Enid stills and then rolls her eyes, this time in annoyance. 

She turns and is met with Bianca and some of the girls from their training group. Bianca looks over Enid’s shoulder, eyes looking back at the wolf and smirks. Enid feels a rumble in her chest, not liking the look Bianca gives Wednesday.

“Oh, how interesting. I was starting to disbelieve the rumors of a werewolf serving the Kingdom. Did we get the runt of the pack?” Enid starts growling at the insult, she tries to pull Wednesday closer to her but the smaller doesn’t budge. 

She steps past Enid, Bianca’s height causing her to look up at her. “You’re a siren.” She points out.

“Bianca Barclay.” She says as if her full name held any weight. And it probably did because Wednesday seemed to recognize it. 

“Barclay.” Wednesday repeats. “Do you have any relation to the Barclay serving the Royal advisors?”

Bianca has this stupid, confident, charming smile and she’s directing it to Wednesday. The back of Enid’s hair stands up and she huffs audibly. What did Bianca think she was doing? She was flirting with Wednesday like it was nothing. Was it working?

“You know, if you ever decide to ditch Sinclair. I’m always free.” The siren leans closer to Wednesday’s face and the girl doesn’t move away.

It’s quiet as they wait for Wednesday to respond except for the sound of the busy crowd and they focus on her when she does. “Tell me, has it ever occurred to you the relationship between a werewolf and fish?” Princess Wednesday haughtily crosses her arms and cocks her head with a tilt as if she’s bored of the conversation. “The hunt comes quite easily for them.”

Bianca’s smile drops and she leans back. She lets out an airy, fake laugh and motions the girls behind her to get going. “Whatever, stay with this loser.” She walks past the two but makes sure to shoulder check Enid. 

Enid stumbles back and tries to catch herself from falling over Wednesday. The Princess pushes Enid off from her before she stiffens, head snapping up and then freezes in place.

Enid panics as she watches the girl go limp and pulls Wednesday into her arms before she hits the ground. The Princess is unresponsive and her eyes gloss over but are still wide open. 

“Hey.” Enid calls out and runs a hand over her face, thumb brushing over her cheek “Wednesday, are you okay? Hey!”

Tears form in her eyes and she doesn’t know what to do. What was going on?! They were fine thirty seconds ago! She blinks and the Princess grips hard on Enid’s blouse. “Wednesday.” She pleads.

Wednesday scrunches her face and breathes a sigh of relief when she’s done with her episode. Enid’s tears drop on her face and her fingers touch them, making sure it wasn’t slobber. 

“I wish.” Enid sucks in a breath when the Princess finally speaks “To go home now. I do not feel well.”

Enid does not argue with her, she was going to suggest it even if the girl didn’t want this night to end. She feels relieved that Wednesday seemed better, a little shaken up but better. 

She helped the girl up but the Princess’s legs were shaking too much to hold her straight. Wednesday was in no condition to walk as much as the girl would try to deny. Enid bends and offers her back to ride. 

Wednesday must really be feeling it as she silently approaches her and wraps her arms around Enid’s neck. Enid grabs her from the back of her thighs, stands up and then hops to get a better grip. 

She walks then back to the castle and Wednesday leans her head in an uncomfortable position in between Enid’s neck and shoulder. “I think I had my first vision.” She says quietly. 

A vision.

Princess Wednesday was a seer just like her mother. Enid’s heard of the Queen’s visions, it was said if she granted you a vision it was good luck. 

“I think it was of you.”

Enid does another hop and grips the back of her legs tighter. “Well that’s good! What was it about?”

She feels Wednesday frown in her neck before picking her head up slightly. “It’s what I’m confused about. It wasn’t good.” She shakes her head. “I didn’t see it all, bits and pieces of it. Blurry even.”

Enid greets the castle guards awkwardly when they pass. “That’s weird.” She says when they make it far enough. 

“If you can.” She hears the Princess say. “Stay away from the horse's stable.”

-

Enid is shaking her leg up and down as she blanks out in thought on the garden bench. She had a lot on her mind and it ate at her as she dreaded tomorrow. She was sick to her stomach and she rubs her hands across her stomach in hopes to calm her nerves. 

She hasn’t brought it up to Princess Wednesday yet and she feels like it would be bad timing if she did. The Princess had fallen ill again. Nothing severe enough that she needed to call the Royals but enough to where the Princess spent the day in bed. 

She had tried not to bother her too much today since the girl had mentioned her having a brain pounding headache. Sometimes when the Princess got like that she’d prepare a bucket just in case she got sick .

But she had to get this over with before she left for the day and it was close to that.

Enid creeps into the room, still wary of making too much noise. She makes her way to Wednesday’s bedside and kneels on both her knees. Her two arms rest on the bed and Enid lays her cheek against the back of her right hand.

The Princess doesn’t make a comment on the added weight but she does drowsily open her eyes before closing them again. Enid stares at her worryingly, she doesn’t like seeing Wednesday in this state even if it is only a headache. 

“Wednesday.” She whispers. 

Princess Wednesday doesn’t say anything but Enid knows that she’s still listening by the way her eyelid twitches whilst trying to keep them shut. “I’m not coming in tomorrow. It’s the last full moon of the summer.” She whispers again, cautious not to let her voice raise louder than that. “I have to prepare for tomorrow night.” She says reluctantly.

She doesn’t want to leave her friend alone for the rest of the night, okay she wasn’t alone. She has more trust in Thing than herself when it comes to Princess Wednesday’s care but she still worries. 

And her other worries consist of how to make sure she does the impossible and wolf out. She’s lost hope for the most part but there’s still a tiny part of her that craves her moon’s acknowledgment. When her poor planning of plan A goes to absolute crap then she at least has to start thinking of a good enough excuse to explain why she didn’t shift again. 

They were keeping an eye out for this for a whole year, of course they would question her first thing in the afternoon. They were accepting the first time and Enid doesn’t know if they’ll give her a second one without starting to be at least a little suspicious. Her body flushes hot and then cold when her anxiety spikes up, tiny prickles beading up her arms.

She doesn’t think her swordsmanship is good enough to squeeze through the cracks again. Her inexperience was a good enough excuse the first year but she doesn’t think this would fly by again. She wasn’t bad at it, she was great actually. For a beginner. There was just too much catching up to do in such a short time. If she could have one more year then she could be decent enough to just get by.

Princess Wednesday turns to her side, back facing Enid and she’s quiet. The werewolf tries not to take it to heart, it wasn’t like she was expecting her to say anything and she tries to be understanding of the Princess’s mood. She was sick and it would make sense why the normally quiet girl was even more silent.

Enid stands up and she waves goodbye to Thing, who wiggles his fingers back. She hears Wednesday clear her throat softly and she pulls the blanket closer to her shoulder. “I wish you well on your transformation tomorrow.”

Enid smiles and lies straight through it “I’ll let you know how it feels.”

When Enid walks out of her chambers she’s surprised to see the Queen standing right in front of her with a tray of tea in her hands. 

“You’re departing a little later than usual. Is my little raven keeping you hostage?” Queen Morticia asks with a quirk of her lips and for the first time ever, it makes Enid feel uneasy. There was a certain type of strangeness to the Queen that has been showing more often than not. 

There was this ghost of a smile that didn’t feel right laying on the Queen’s face. It was unusual to see her like this. Queen Morticia looked tired, worn or perhaps it was stress. She had the slight tint of purple in her grayish dark circles and there was this sluggish slump of her shoulders in her normally perfect posture. 

Enid doesn’t think it’s her place to worry so she cracks a smile instead to ignore the obvious. “No, your Highness. I was making sure the Princess was well before I left for the day.”

“Ah, yes. Tomorrow’s the full moon, is that correct?” Enid nervously smiles at her questioning. “Is there anything we can do to ensure a successful transformation, dear? Are there any food customs that you partake in? I could ensure that it would be prepared for you.”

Gosh, she already feels bad about lying and she feels like she'd feel even worse by asking that of the Queen’s caring nature. 

Enid shakes her head and the Queen nods her head with a smile. “Get some rest then and we will discuss another day. Stay safe.”

-

When Enid had woken up the next day she instantly had a bad feeling in her chest and she thought she could at least have the first five minutes to not think about it. 

She tosses and turns for a couple of hours before she gets up and goes to get something to eat. 

Her day feels off when it shouldn’t, a feeling in the back of her head that makes her feel restless. She takes her time taking a bath and it’s the evening when she decides to make her way to the woods. 

The sun was barely setting when she made it out. Enid made herself comfortable on some soft grass and lays out with her arms spread out. 

She couldn’t wait for today to be over so she could stop stressing about it, get it over with. She wonders what everyone else is doing with their day right now. How practice went with the knights. If Eugene was out doing his research or if he was spending the rest of his day with his moms. Was Divina and Kent’s dad still working them? She even thought about her new vampire friend Yoko.

Most importantly, if Princess Wednesday was doing okay. She’s thought about the Princess more often than not today. The smaller girl usually bounced back to good health the next day but because Enid’s not there to see it she can’t help but worry. 

It’s stupid and she knows she’s not being reasonable when she thinks she should just go and see for herself. It’s not like she could do anything even if the Princess was still sick. She has to remind herself that Thing is there if anything ever goes wrong.

She digs her fingers into the dirt and starts to play with it, would it be too much to go? She huffs and shakes her head to herself, no she has no reason to go. She should just wait this day out, get some sleep and prepare to disappoint the higher ups tomorrow. 

Okay , she barks in her head and gets up. She can’t do it. She can’t stay calm without knowing and she knows she’s being overbearing but she still has time!

She rushes to get to Princess Wednesday’s chambers, she’ll be in and out. She has an hour to burn before the moon starts to creep out and then another hour before the start of some werewolves transformations. Most don’t wolf out until much later into the night and it wasn’t like Enid herself was going to wolf out anyway.

The buzzing in her head lightens once she’s in front of the large doors and she quietly makes her way in just in case the Princess still has a headache. She feels herself stalk towards the bed Wednesday was laying in, Thing on the pillow next to her. They must both be sleeping by the way they haven’t reacted to her yet.

She looks around the room and her eyes focus on warm tea sitting on the table. She sniffs the air once and she concludes that she must’ve missed the Queen. 

Enid hovers over the Princess and inspects her. Wednesday’s ears were pink with a slight flush of her cheeks. Enid places a hand on her forehead and moves her bangs out of her face in the process. She was warm and slightly damp. 

Wednesday’s face scrunches before opening her eyes slowly. She looks confused for a moment and Enid feels the need to explain herself. “Hey.” She says softly instead. 

“Why are you here.” Princess Wednesday demands more than asks. 

“I just wanted to check up on you.” Enid moves around the room to find some cloth to wipe Wednesday’s face and neck with. 

“It’s almost time for you to wolf out.”

“I have time.”

It’s quiet as Enid shuffles through the room and then comes back. Wednesday stares hard at her and Enid ignores it. Or at least tries to ignore it, she does a bad job at it and deflects it by starting a conversation. “I needed to make sure you were okay because I thought I was going crazy if I didn’t know.”

“You complain about staying and now you’re coming back on your day off. There must be something wrong in your werewolf brain.”

Enid snorts and pulls away. She sits down and leans against the walls. She extends her claws out and pokes random holes in the cloth she used to pat the Princess down with. “Is it bad that I don’t want to leave?”

She doesn’t. When she’s by herself she thinks too much and she doesn’t want to do that anymore. She had too much time to think. 

She feels awkward when Wednesday doesn’t say anything back. Best case scenario, she fell back asleep. She’s poked enough holes in the cloth to easily rip it in half so she does. 

“If you wish to stay then stay.”

Enid pauses what she’s doing and pulls her knees to her chest. “I’m not going to wolf out.” She confesses. “Or at least, I doubt I will.” She hides her face in her legs and this time she doesn’t get a response from the girl. It was hard for her to admit this, come to terms that she had to leave her pack and possibly get demoted to a cleaning maid if she’s lucky.

“Were you being serious about the offer? Me staying.” She picks her head back up after a couple minutes, she doesn’t know why she’s considering Wednesday’s maybe offer. She can’t say that she was ready to leave if she wasn’t serious about it.

“If you prefer it, yes.” The Princess says and she kicks the blanket off of her, feeling too hot under it. She moves her hair to the side to get some kind of breeze under her neck and Thing helps her by replacing her hand.

Enid looks outside, the sun is already gone and if she didn’t leave now then she must prepare for the night. “Can I borrow a sheet?” The Princess hums a response and Thing points to a cabinet.

Enid goes through the different colored sheets and decides on the darkest one they had. She didn’t want it to be see through enough once she took off her clothes. “Don’t peek.” She turns and once she knows the duo isn’t looking she undresses. Enid quickly wraps the sheet around her and kicks her clothes to the side. 

“I’m going to spend the rest of the night in the garden. If you need me for anything important then call for me.” Enid shyly says, embarrassed that she was in this state in front of the Princess and Thing. She knows that they weren’t looking but they all knew she wasn’t wearing anything under this.

Enid sits on the bench, flinching at how cold the initial touch was. Her leg starts bouncing again, mind still restless at the thought of a long night. She thought she’d feel better being by here, that her nerves would go away knowing Wednesday was okay and she does feel better but doesn’t completely go away. Except now the moon was up and mocking her, she felt tears swelling into her eyes when she remembered how the moon abandoned her. 

She whimpers and then growls, then she’s confused on why she even did that. 

Another hour or two passes by achingly slow, her leg bounces harder and she grips the sheet, wrapping it closer to her body. She feels the Princess’s gaze on her and she avoids the look, she doesn’t want to know what Wednesday must think of her. 

Probably waiting in anticipation for her to hurry the hell up and wolf out. She’s startled when hears the other wolves start the first round of howls and Enid swallows. She refused to participate this time, ashamed of how she choked when she attempted last time. 

She doesn’t need to embarrass herself in front of the Princess and Thing. 

She whimpers again for some reason and she flushes at how pathetic she’s acting. She feels like her emotions are all over the place and it’s hard for her to stop acting like this. God, she was acting like such a newbie. Her hormones frazzled like when she hit her first puberty. 

Her claws extended and Enid kept herself in check. She needed to calm down. She was starting to feel overwhelmed. She breathes in and out, trying to maintain a steady breath. 

She flinches when she hears the Princess sharply sit up and she snaps her head to watch Princess Wednesday. Wednesday leans over to grab the bucket next to her bed and starts gagging over it. 

Enid quickly stands up, the need to do whatever she could to protect her friend clouding her mind and hunches over in pain the moment she does. She kneels down on the grass and her breath picks up again. She grips the grass and wants to throw up herself. 

It was a mistake to try to stand up again, a sharp pain in her chest that stabbed every time she inhaled. Her gums hurt, nails fully extend and she grunts. She looks over to the Princess again, Thing holding her hair back as she spills into the bucket. Enid feels herself blurt out a growl and she swallows hard when another creeps up her throat. 

She whimpers in pain, bed sheet flowing straight to the ground as it drapes over her and she tries to ask Wednesday if she was okay but her tongue feels too weird to talk. 

The first time the bone in her shoulder snaps is the worst, needles pinned all over her body and Enid could no longer hold herself up. The rest of her bones snap in pain just as bad as the initial and Enid really thinks she’s going to throw up.

Instead, she howls and can no longer recognize the hands in front of her.

Chapter Text

Wednesday couldn’t catch a breath before she’s spilling water out of her mouth and into the bucket. She hadn’t been able to eat much today and now she’s gagging into the bucket, stomach not having anything else to give.

Even when she’s vomiting she’s aware that there’s something going on around her. She hears Enid crying out in pain and Wednesday is only given a quick second to look before she’s forced to place her face over the bucket again. 

She hears more groaning coming from the werewolf, feels Thing readjusting himself to hold more of her hair back and her throat tightens as she gags again. She had been feeling ill the past two days but after releasing the contents in her stomach she feels the best she ever has. 

She’s sweating, her throat hurts from all the straining and her hands are shaking uncontrollably. She puts a hand on her face, pinches her nose to squeeze the vomit that somehow ended up there and then she wipes her mouth.

She doesn’t think she needs to throw up anymore, not that there was much to give, so she placed the bucket down. The headache is almost gone now, the pressure on the top of her head dissipating and she lets out a breath.

Wednesday’s eyes flicker to the garden, wanting to confirm that Enid was well but her friend was no longer visible. The bed sheet given to the girl laid on the grass but the girl was not within sight.

There’s creaking in the far corner of her room and Wednesday focuses her sight in the dark corner. It only takes a moment for her eyes to adjust and she could see a beast slowly stalk towards her. The beast steps closer to her and out of the shadows, eyes trained on Wednesday and it's at this moment that it clicks into the Princess’s bedridden brain that this was no beast.

It was Enid.

Enid’s enticing blue eyes. Her thick, strawberry blonde fur and nails that scratched against the wood of her floor. The broad shoulders of her wolf form and the added height to the already growing girl. Standing on all fours, Wednesday would guess that she was seven feet tall. She couldn’t give an accurate guess if the girl stood only on her hind legs.

Enid was a magnificent beast who was leering at her like she was her prey.

She wasn't terrified of her situation, not at all, she was in what you could say a defenseless state. Yes, this was the first time she’s ever seen a werewolf but she has some type of awareness to not stimulate the wolf’s aggression.

She doesn’t know how much Enid has control of her second form, if Enid was in her right mind the closer she stalked closer. If she was aware just how intimidating she was creeping towards Wednesday.

The wolf is four steps away from Wednesday’s bed before it stops in her tracks. Wednesday stills, trying to calculate what options she had if Enid was feral. She should’ve been more cautious when extending her invitation to stay. 

Enid seemed uncharacteristically frazzled earlier. She was different on her approach of wolfing out than she was last year. She had been annoying, always yapping her ear before but now she was anxious and the look on her face didn’t sit quite right. She had been excited before the last time but this week the girl had dreaded this day to come.

There was an urge to improve Enid’s worries and it did ease her behavior slightly. She did have underlying, ulterior motives when offering her room. She wanted to witness exactly what a wolf undergoes in order to reach their second form. She had only gotten a glimpse and it satisfied her enough.

Now, to deal the problem at hand. She feels herself twitch slightly, a nerve she pathetically couldn’t command and her eyes flicker to see the wolf’s reaction. Enid raises her head, a sniff and then cocks her her to one side. 

Enid walks forward and Wednesday realizes that she has been holding her breath all this time. Enid’s eyes never leave her own as she creeps toward her. 

Wednesday let’s out her breath when she observes that Enid isn’t hostile. The wolf snoops around, nose bumping into anything and everything. Wednesday takes a chance, it wasn’t like she had much options, she holds a hand out to the wolf. 

Wolves relied heavily on smell and she could only hope that Enid would recognize hers. Enid immediately bumps her nose against the back of her hand, not having an unfavorable reaction to it, she lets Enid sniff the rest of her body. 

When Enid gets to her face, nose bumping her cheek, the wolf steps back. Enid huffs, paws her nose at something she didn’t like. Wednesday brings a hand to her face, wiping at her mouth and feels the remnants of vomit on her face. 

She could assumed she looked and smelled as gross as she felt. “Thing.” She calls out, throat stick scratchy and she has to swallow the throw up stuck in her throat down. “Fetch me some water.”

Thing crawls across the bed and doesn’t make it far when Enid leans over the bed and bites over him. The Princess could no longer see her companion, the hand falling victim to the wolf’s teeth. 

“Enid.” Wednesday hisses. “Release him.” She doesn’t. “Now.” She demands with a point of her finger.

They’re having a stare off and the Princess has to repeat herself. “Now.”

Enid drops him, Thing looking discombobulated and covered in slobber as he sways around on the floor. He finds his bearings, stares at the wolf in suspicion if she’ll try to eat him again. 

Wednesday looked at the wolf’s form again, getting a better look at her now that she was more into the moonlight. It was truly fascinating to see in person. It was strange to see the wolf behave so differently yet the same as her human body. She reaches out to run her hand through the girl’s fur. Enid leans into her touch but kept her eyes on Thing.

“Go, Thing. I will keep her occupied.” Thing doesn’t know if she will but he will just have to take her word.

“Enid.” She says and she rubs her thumb on her forehead. Enid closes her eyes and moves her head in the direction of the Princess. Thing scurries off when the attention is no longer on him. “Are you aware of everything you’re doing?”

Enid doesn’t react to what she just asked and Wednesday hums to herself in thought.

Wednesday moves her hand towards Enid’s snout, rubs just above her mouth before using her thumb to pull her top lip up. Everything about the wolf was interesting to her, Enid’s canines were bigger than her hand and she could only imagine what they could do to other creatures who dared challenged the wolf.

Enid had been her greatest asset, both physically and mentally. It had taken some time but she doesn’t have to think so much around her, Enid learned how to read her well, when she wanted to interact or be left alone. She knows when she wants her tea without having to ask and often brings her honey whether the kitchen has it available or not. She was also a great caretaker when she was feeling sick.

She was forced to do some reflecting any time she’d upset the girl. Thing was convinced that Wednesday needed to treat the wolf better if she wanted to keep her as a companion. Wednesday would argue that the girl should always have undying and dying loyalty to her regardless. 

Enid stiffens, head raising up and her ears flicker. She snaps her head towards the garden. Wednesday sees the squirrel that always riled up Enid run across and the wolf was quick to leave her side. Enid swiftly turns, tail hitting the side of her bed with a loud thwack against the wood.

Thing drags the cup of water close to her bedside and Wednesday leans over to grab it. Thing uses her arm to climb onto the bed and Wednesday smirks in amusement at the sight of Enid catching the rodent. 

Enid plops on her stomach with the squirrel in her mouth and chews on it. Wednesday is going to have so much fun when she relays this information to Enid later. Wednesday brings the cup to her lips and drinks out of it. She pours a little on her hand and uses it to wash her face. 

Wednesday’s head feels heavy so she leans back into her pillow. She slowly closes her droopy eyes before forcing them back open. “Go.” She says to Enid who was staring deeply at the bricks of the garden wall. She would assume the wolf needed to stretch her legs out and do whatever wolves do in the forest.

Enid looks back at her before howling, head thrown up into the sky and then she jumps over the wall. 

Wednesday had felt exhausted and she accomplished more than she thought she would tonight. She had let the night consume her as it lulled her to sleep. 

She half wakes up in the middle of the night, her wolf returning to her and there’s the random body of a dead deer in the garden. She doesn’t think anything of it and she closes her eyes again.

Wednesday feels the other side of her bed dip and her only thought was that Enid’s weight was concerning. Any more movement from the wolf and she was sure the bed would come apart. She ignores the way her fur tickles the side of her arm and falls back asleep.

-

Enid feels confused when she awakens. The room was spinning, her head feeling way too lightheaded and the bed felt way too comfortable than what she was used to. She isn’t in the woods or the shared cabin that she sleeps in with the other castle servants like she expected to end her night. 

Her body is sore and her mouth feels so dry that it was hard to swallow. She palms through the soft blanket that she was under and knows she still isn’t wearing any clothes. She starts to breath hard and swallows again. 

Her breath is shaky even though she wasn’t even trying to talk in the first place. She doesn’t remember what happened anymore but she does know that she knew in the moment of it. She couldn’t control what she was doing but it was like an out of body experience. But she was in her body. It was strange. 

She wolfed out.

Enid blinks, her lips thin and she rolls them in. Her brows furrow and she swallows hard again. Her chest feels hot and she puts her face in her hands. She doesn’t know why she does it but she immediately starts crying into them. 

She feels so so so relieved right now. 

She wolfed out. She could stay.

She’s bawling, hot tears rolling down her cheeks and her crying and shaking must be waking up the Princess. Wednesday stirs, eyes blinking open and she uncrosses her arms. 

Enid doesn’t say anything to her, she doesn’t think she can form a single sentence at the moment. She rubs over her cheeks and pulls the sheet closer to her body, suddenly embarrassed that she was laying naked beside a fully clothed Princess.

Wednesday must be feeling her own type of insecurities as the first thing that comes out of her mouth was an apology. “I apologize for the state I’m in and for having to share a bed with someone so….filthy. I was unable to wash after feeling ill.”

Enid gives a watery laugh, she doesn’t know why Wednesday was apologizing. She was the one who stayed behind, moon knows what she did in her wolf form and then slept in her bed. 

“No, I’m the one who should apologize. I’m sorry for overstepping and thank you for looking after me.” She rubs at her cheeks again.

Wednesday averts her eyes “I couldn’t tell you confidently that I achieved that.”

Enid’s eyes flicker to meet Wednesday’s. “Still. Thank you.”

Wednesday just gives her a nod. Enid wraps the blanket over her and stands up to look for her clothes. She’s only able to stand up when there’s a knock at the door. Enid freezes and gives Wednesday a panicked look and the Princess shares her own. 

Enid quickly looks around the room before diving under the bed when there no other place that she could successfully hide behind. She pulls the blanket as close to her body as she could, making sure that there was no way you could see it under the bed. Wednesday makes herself seemed unbothered on the bed, clears her throat and announces them to come in. 

Enid could see the the door open and instantly recognizes the Queen’s black shoes. She walks gracefully, black robe trailing behind her as she walks across the room. “You like you’ve recovered well, my little raven. It brings me joy to see you so healthy.”

She could hear the Queen set something on the table, it was the Princess’s breakfast and oh my it smelled so good. A pile of clothes in the far corner catches her attention and Enid prays that the Queen doesn’t notice it. It would be such a bad look and it had her sweating at the thought.

Queen Morticia makes a noise of satisfaction. “I can assume that our darling wolf was successful in her ability to wolf out?” She hears the Queen sit down on the corner of the bed and Enid scrunches her eyes closed, she was so screwed.

“Pray tell why you would make such assumptions.”

“The deer out in the garden couldn’t have been you, correct?” She asks with a smart laugh and shifts on the bed. “As much as I don’t doubt Thing’s determination, it would be rather difficult for him to pull an adult deer over that wall.”

Enid is shocked, pupils shaking back and forth hearing the Queen point out the dead animal. She had brought a deer back?! What was she thinking!? On the other hand, she was impressed with herself. She had hunted a deer her first night!

Pride swells in her chest and she can’t the goofy smile that plastered her face. She tried to fight it but the corner of her mouth kept curling.

Wednesday doesn’t reply for a moment before she finally acknowledged her mother’s inquiry. “Yes. She’s a rather ferocious beast in her other form.”

The Princess was hard to impress and it made it all that much meaningful. 

“That’s wonderful news.” Queen Morticia says lovingly and then redirects the topic. “How are you feeling? Truly?”

“I am well and do not need to be cared for so childishly.” Wednesday retorts and all of a sudden Enid feels awkward listening to their conversation. She’s never heard anyone talk to the Queen in this manner and didn’t think she’d let her kids of all people do it.

There’s fondness in the Queen’s voice and more shifting “I would never.” She stands up. “I know you enjoy eating your breakfast in solitude so I will leave you be. We will continue your lessons tomorrow to give you ample time on your recovery.” She turns and Enid clenches the sheet in her hand.

The Queen is directly in the line of sight of her clothes but she doesn’t know if she even saw it. “I’ll be bringing your lunch. Enid must be exhausted so I will have someone notify her if she needs any additional recovery time.”

Princess Wednesday doesn’t say anything and the Queen must be used to it as she says another goodbye while closing the door behind. Enid gives it a couple more seconds, making sure the Queen doesn’t come back last minute before she crawls out.

“I don’t know why I was so scared.” She says immediately and walks towards her clothes. “I felt like I was so wrong if I were to be caught here.” 

Wednesday doesn’t say anything and diverts her attention to the tray of food. She had been rather hungry after not being able to stomach anything. Enid takes this time to quickly change. She looks around for her belt once she puts her trousers on and spots it beside the desk.

“Hey, Thing. Mind giving me a hand?” Enid points it out while trying to put her boots on.

Enid doesn’t hear his tiny finger steps and she looks up. Thing was looking at her, turns his body and ignores her request. Enid was flabbergasted by the normally helpful hand and wants to question why he acting that way towards her.

“He’s crossed with you after you tried devouring him.” Wednesday says offhandedly while bringing a pastry to her mouth.

“You’re kidding .” Enid shrieks in horror.

“I am not in a joking mood. Yes. You tried swallowing him whole.”

Enid immediately drops to her knees and starts begging for his forgiveness. She could not believe that she did that. Thing was so nice and she tried eating him! 

“You also ate that squirrel.”

No .

-

It was the third evening that they’ve snuck out of the castle to hang out with their group of friends. Well, Enid’s friends. Wednesday doesn’t claim but Enid knows that she tolerates them enough. 

Today was a special occasion so the group had planned to meet up. It was Enid’s fifteenth birthday and she was excited that she had a big enough friend group to celebrate it with this year. 

Wednesday had given her a gift before they came out. Some new leather training boots because she had worn out the ones she normally wears to the point where they had holes now. She needed new shoes anyway but was too cheap to go and buy them herself. 

She was so happy with the gift that she took off her boots on the spot and put her new ones on. She models in them for Wednesday and the shorter rolled her eyes. 

It would take a while to comfortably break them in so she needed to start now! 

The evening went great until it wasn’t . They were eating at Eugene’s family diner. She sat directly next to the Princess and Enid had been trying to get her attention this whole time. Wednesday was knee deep into a conversation that she was having with Eugene that she was too dumb to give her input. 

“You should take the initial test to get into the scholarship program.” Eugene smiles as he plays with the rim of his mug. 

Enid grumbles and looks away, not wanting to be clingy because she didn’t want to annoy the girl. Wednesday was her friend. She brought her here to celebrate her birthday and she was spending all her time with Eugene.

Yoko is giving her a stupidly charming smile and she leans in closer to Enid. “Calm down, pup. No one’s going to take your girl.”

Enid’s face blushes a hot red, she feels tingles ride up her spine and she’s mad that couldn’t play it off as unbothered. Her head reels back and she laughs. “She’s my best friend!” She squeaks and Enid doesn’t know why she’s being so defensive. She knows that Yoko isn’t making them out to be more than that but she can’t help the way she slumps back into the chair. “It’s my birthday.”

Yoko lazily puts an arm behind Enid’s chair. “Then let’s make it about you.”

Enid feels a little guilty by how she’s treated the vampire the first couple times they’ve hung out. She tried not liking the girl for no reason. It was dumb. Yoko had been nothing but nice to her even when she noticed Enid being off around her. 

Even now, she was giving her attention when no one else was. 

Yoko had been great at conversation, she made sure to include the others. Eugene’s mom had come out with a cake for her and they sang her happy birthday. Enid grinned and she didn’t know what to do with her hands as they sang. Was this supposed to be awkward?

She laughs when Divina reaches across the table to smudge cake frosting on the tip of her nose.

This had been her best birthday yet.

-

Ever since she wolfed out, Enid knew she felt differently. She walked straight, chest puffed out a little and her strides were more confident.

But it was strange to see that others had noticed as well. Enid had been walking back from her training, blouse half tucked and sweaty hair sticking to her skin. 

She passes a group of maids and they instantly start whispering about her. “Oh em gee, who is that?”

Enid flushes, thinking they were talking bad about her. It wouldn’t be the first time, she hadn’t made many friends with other servants last year because they still held a weird grudge against her. She didn’t recognize the group that was talking about her.

They must be new or something. They were still older than her by at least a year.

“She’s so hot and a girl knight?” Enid stutters in her step at the obvious gushing. “Do you think she likes women?”

Enid tries to slow her steps, getting a further distance but could still hear them thanks to her unnatural hearing. 

This was new. Enid had never been popular even with her knightly status and it was nice that she was talked about in an embarrassingly positive manner.

She walks to Wednesday’s chambers with a pep in her step and dramatically sits next to the girl. Wednesday had been obsessing over a book they got at the book stand the other day. She had been reading it every second she had.

It wasn’t normally her taste, a story made up of fake people and a mystery. Wednesday surprisingly took a liking to it and buys a new book every time they go into town.

Enid rolls her head and intensely looks at the distracted Princess. She looks the girl up and down. She hadn’t been able to stop herself from doing it and she had been doing it more often than not.

Wednesday’s actions had been more adorable to her for some reason. Enid tilts her head and exhales, eyes flickering back to stare at the freckles on her face. She doesn’t remember her having so many.

Enid has to stop the smile that threatened to grow. Wednesday looked cute with her body hunched over as she picked at her lips, obviously into whatever she was reading.

Enid finds herself absently playing with the tip of Wednesday’s braid and she feels a rumble in her chest when Thing loudly jumps into the table from the bookshelf.

She stares at Thing and he stares back, she thinks. 

Chapter Text

“Yeah and then my sword slipped out of my hand. I thought it was totally over for me and somehow only the handle hit my boot.” Enid says, laying on her stomach on Wednesday’s bed. She’s kicking her feet in the air while writing down the practice words Wednesday is having her learn.

Wednesday was laying on her back, both hands resting on her stomach as she stared blankly at the ceiling. “My father is missing two toes from his left foot.” Then replies “Confusion.”

Enid furrows her eyebrows at the new word she has to spell out and kicks her feet around again. Wednesday had been giving her hard words this whole time! So unfair. “Would you rather have all five of your toes missing or your fingers?” She replied back as she wrote out the first three letters.

Wednesday is silent, taking the question very seriously as she thought of her answer. The girl wiggles her toes to test it out before doing the same with one of her hands. “Does your hypothetical scenario include missing your limbs on one foot only or can it be two on one and the rest on the other?”

After Wednesday explains what hypothetical means, and also what a scenario was, she grins “All on one foot.”

Wednesday clenches her fingers to her palm before dropping her hand back on her stomach. “Foot. I quite enjoy utilizing both my hands.”

Enid’s nods in agreement. “No, yeah. Same.” She hands the paper to the Princess once she’s done and the girl holds it up to look it over. 

“It’s an S not a C.” She flicks her wrist for Enid to take it back. Ugh. She always does that. She doesn’t understand why she couldn’t use that letter if it also sounds the same. At this point, she’s okay with not learning.

Enid’s brain hurts, she rubs at her eye and pushes the paper away from her. She almost mistakenly does it with the pen and ink but catches herself. She places it onto the table next to the bed. She’s done learning for the day because she doesn’t think she could take anymore.

“Kent got something sticky in Divina’s hair last night so me and Yoko had to cut it off so her hair is like super short.”

“I would presume he is deceased.” Wednesday doesn’t blink when she replies.

Enid laughs, “She just about killed him.” Enid brings a hand to her hair and rubs at her ends. “I need a haircut too. My mom always used to cut it for me but now it’s getting to the point where it’s been bothering me.”

Wednesday looks her over, Enid’s hair grew past her shoulder blades and she had almost forgotten what it looked like when her hair was shoulder length. “I’m quite skilled with a blade.” She remarks.

Enid lays her cheek on the pillow and stares at her friend. She gives a half cocked smile “You gonna cut it for me?”

Wednesday turns to look up at Thing sitting on her bookshelf. “Thing, fetch me my blade.” She faced the werewolf “Go sit on the chair.”

Enid clumsily rolls off the bed and makes her way to the seat. She sits down, a slight shiver rolls down her back from how cold the seat was once she made contact with it. The weather had gotten cold as of recently and it was a little cold everywhere else in the castle. Maybe she should ask the Princess about using her personal fireplace to bring some kind of warmth in here. 

She feels Wednesday run her fingers down her hair, making sure to untangle as much as she could on the way down. She does this for a moment while Thing drags a sharp blade across the desk. Wednesday puts both hands on her head, turning it slightly to even her out and straight that it makes Enid sit up even more. 

“What is the length you desire?” Wednesday questions as she reaches for the blade, one hand still running her fingers down.

Enid pinched her hair half an inch above her shoulders. “I think right here is fine.” She had preferred having shorter hair, especially when she attended her training. She couldn’t tie the ribbon holding her hair up good enough that it wouldn’t go loose. Then her long hair starts sticking everywhere when she sweats or just gets in the way. 

At least with her short hair she’s able to pin her hair up halfway and it gets the job done. 

Wednesday replaces her fingers and confirms with her she has the right length. When the Princess starts to cut her hair off slowly she voices what Enid had brought up earlier. “Your mother.” Enid tingles cold to the point where she feels it go through her hands to her fingertips. “You stated that she cut your hair and yet you have not received one for quite some time.”

Enid doesn’t exactly know what to say at the observation that must have been brewing in Wednesday’s head since she mentioned it. She never could understand her thought process once she spoke. She must’ve been quiet for too long that the Princess stops midway on cutting. “You have not talked about going home or perhaps you do not wish to share the adventures you partake with your pack with me.”

Enid visibly tenses at her words, her shoulders rise only slightly and her face blushes a soft pink. She’s flustered by her questioning, more specifically mentioning the pack she no longer had. 

“I just.” Enid feels sweaty on her neck for some reason and it’s uncomfortably cold. “I just haven’t been home in a while.” She sits up to fix her posture. 

“Yes, I have been rather curious on why you had not used your day off to visit your pack as you previously did. Instead you go into town or spend it with Eugene.”

Sometimes Enid had grown to feel frustrated at Princess Wednesday’s curiosity. Why did she have to bring this up now when she felt like she had gotten over it. It’s a simple question. An innocent one and yet it makes her upset.

Enid rubs a thumb in circles on her trousers. “The truth is, I abandoned them when I didn’t wolf out last year.”

Wednesday fixes Enid’s head again and resumes her cutting. She hates how calm the Princess seemed when Enid herself felt like her brain was bouncing around in her head. She couldn’t contain her word vomit once she got started. “They wouldn’t have wanted to see me anyway. I would’ve brought a lot of shame to my parents so,” she shrugs just to do something with her body “The best thing I could do for them is not show up at all.”

Enid feels more of her hair falling on the floor, some staying on her neck and it starts to itch. She feels like she’s sweating so much right now for no reason. 

“I- you’re not gonna tell on me right?”

The Princess is almost done cutting her hair. “I’m not disloyal.”

The wolf feels herself blushing again and she honestly couldn’t tell why she was blurting out anything that came to mind right. “When I was brought in my mother lied about a werewolf’s second puberty.” Enid picks at her trousers. “When I didn’t wolf out when I turned twelve she knew something was wrong with me. My brothers wolfed out when they were eleven and thirteen was really pushing it. So when I didn’t.” She makes a gesture with her hand “You know. I wasn’t supposed to wolf out when I did. I wasn’t supposed to wolf out at all. I’ve heard stories about it before- I didn’t know what I thought.”

“And your pack will still not accept you back even if you can prove yourself?”

Enid looks down and the Princess makes no effort to fix her head this time. She grips the fabric of her trousers and her face is burning. She inhaled once and it came in shaky. This is so stupid. She was over it. She accepted it. And she was ready to be done with it. 

“No. I left them and embarrassed my family. My mom sent me here to save face within the pack.”

Enid feels a hand on hers and she surprisingly lets go of her grip. She looks up to Wednesday’s piercing gaze and she blinks away the frown scrunched on her face. Enid’s face relaxes and Wednesday was quick to pull her hand away. 

“Do not speak ill of yourself, Enid. You’re neither shameful nor embarrassing.” Wednesday looks obviously unlike herself trying to comfort her. She shifted her eyes slightly to not make direct eye contact with her, hid both her hands behind her body and leaned to one side of her body more.

“You’re my best friend.” Enid blurts out and turns her body to face the Princess. She was done cutting her hair and she felt more weightless. The hair she previously had was heavier than she noticed. 

Wednesday’s ears turn an immediate pink and tries to hide her reaction by frowning away from her. She faces Thing and gives her blade back to him for cleaning. 

Enid grins and Wednesday reaches for her hand mirror. She holds it up to the sitting girl and waits for a reaction. “Oh wow, you really are good with a blade.”

The two walk out of the castle gates and it’s always the most stressful part of sneaking out for Enid. What if someone else somehow recognizes the Princess? Who all knew? She didn’t know. 

Wednesday would always duck her head slightly and it makes her even more stressed out because wouldn’t that look suspicious?! Oh my gosh, she cannot keep going through this.

They walk through the town to eat some delicious food at the stands and they always head to the same store every time. It was Wednesday’s favorite place in town and she always made sure to buy something from there.

Wednesday talks to the bookkeeper, questioning him if he had the next book that she’s currently reading. Enid knew it had to be her favorite with how often she reread it again. 

Enid looks through the other books but not keeping special attention to any of them. She wouldn’t normally buy anything from here but she tries to keep busy because the Princess liked to spend plenty of time going through all the new books that came in with the past shipment. 

She hovers over Wednesday as soon as she’s done talking, feeling the need to stand as close as possible to her. The Princess used to give her strange looks the first couple of times she’s done it but Enid always felt restless when they went into town. 

She didn’t know any of these people and she wasn’t going to let anyone step closer to them. 

Sometimes the Princess talks to her, sometimes she doesn’t. It doesn’t deter her from sticking close anyway. “Did they have the book you were looking for?” She asks.

Wednesday gives only one shake of her head and replies with a no. She is still going through every new book, fingers grazing through each spine and she quietly hums to herself. Enid watches carefully, eyes never leaving wherever Wednesday’s hands are on.

“Are you still gonna buy something?”

“Perhaps.” Wednesday keeps her answers short but Enid doesn’t think it’s odd. She knows that the Princess is way too focused on looking for something new to read rather than talking. 

She ends up buying one book, a gift for Prince Pugsley. The Prince never really questions the new books Wednesday has and that made Enid so relieved. They could come up with any excuse but she’s so bad at lying that she relies on Wednesday to talk to her brother. 

They mindlessly wander around the town, stopping at other stands that catch their attention. They stop at a clothing shed, Wednesday holding up a dark navy shirt against Enid with a thoughtful expression. 

The dark shirt was as close as you could get to black without it actually being black. There wasn’t a law saying you couldn’t wear that color but the citizens knew better than to even think about wearing the Royal’s signature color.

“You would look quite exceptional in this shirt.” the Princess says thoughtfully. 

Enid blushes a deep red before pulling the shirt down. “Not really my color.”

Wednesday puts the shirt back in the box and eyes her up and down. “I disagree.”

“I like color.” Enid argues with a laugh. She loved wearing more colorful clothing but never really had the chance to. For most of her day she wears her training clothes and doesn’t switch out of them until she does her nightly bath. Depending what she’s doing on her day off she’ll wear a dress. 

Wednesday hums to herself as she looks around the shop and Enid didn’t stay too close around as she dug through the boxes. She was in the mood to shop, needing some new clothes that she either grew out of or wore them out. 

It didn’t mean that she wasn’t watching, her eyes trailed back up every fifteen seconds to watch the Princess.

Wednesday wordlessly walked up to her to hold up another dress, it was violet, long sleeve with small ruffles at the shoulders. “What is your opinion on this?” Wednesday questions while looking her up and down. 

“It’s pretty!” It was pretty. It was so beautiful but it looked expensive. Dresses like this would cost her four months of non stop saving. Wednesday hums again in agreement and pushes it in Enid’s arms. 

“Hold this for me.” 

Enid slings it over her shoulder so she could use both her hands to finish up her shopping. She finds another cute dress, a more affordable one and Enid calls the owner over so they could pay for their items. 

She was an older woman, with gray streaks down the side of her hair. “Those are marvelous choices! Will you be paying separately or together?”

Enid opens her mouth to answer but Wednesday was quick to beat her. “Together.” Enid’s eyes feel like they’re going to pop out of her head. She couldn’t afford to pay for both the dresses. Her heart starts to pound and she turns her head to the Princess, she only hopes that Wednesday could read her facial expression. 

This is so embarrassing. She didn’t bring enough coins, not that she had saved much anyway! 

Wednesday calmly reaches into her inner pocket, gives one gold coin and doesn’t wait around for the change. “Let us take our leave, it’s getting rather late.” She starts to walk away and Enid rushes to gather the dresses, thanks the owner and runs out next to the Princess. 

Enid walks closely beside her, smiles and purposely bumps into her shoulder. Wednesday holds up her book for Enid to carry and the wolf leans even closer. “Thank you.”

Wednesday gives a nod of acknowledgment and it has Enid smiling the whole way back.

She messed up. 

She really messed up. 

She was such an idiot who couldn’t control her emotions. Why did she even do that?

Enid buried her face in her hands

The start of all of this was the fact that she couldn’t stop hovering over anything the Princess did. It was annoying and she knew it was annoying. Wednesday liked her space, often had to remind her of needing her to step out of her bubble so she doesn’t understand why she had a hard time listening.

But that wasn’t really what the problem was. 

Enid grimaced at her own actions and she owed everyone an apology. This was so embarrassing and now Wednesday was going to hate her. She’s so dumb.

Wednesday had even kicked her out of her chambers. 

She groans again before standing up in determination. She needed to go apologize to both her and Thing before she starts to chicken out. 

She goes through everything in her head that must’ve gone wrong with what happened. There wasn’t anything different that they were doing as any other day. Wednesday was helping Enid with some new words, silently sitting next to her while working on something the Queen had assigned her to do. 

Enid had been eager to show how well she was doing but got uncharacteristically jealous of how much attention the Princess wasn’t giving her. She doesn’t know why she was acting like that but she knew it crept up on her the longer it went on. 

The first time it happened was when Enid’s eyes kept flickering up to see her reaction when showing her paper. The second was the way her stomach dropped when Wednesday gave her a curt nod and nothing else. 

The third was when she huffed because Wednesday had gotten too distracted by what she was doing and had Enid waiting only a couple minutes. 

The fourth and final mistake was when she shot up from her seat, visibly upset and snapped at both the Princess and Thing for no reason. Her face burns as she walks outside the court and her chest hurts by how she reacted. 

She had gotten irritated for no reason and felt so so so embarrassed by everything she did. She felt like she had water dumped over her head when Wednesday grew angry herself, how the girl’s face sharpened, and exchanged a few disappointing words at her before asking her to leave. 

Enid walked with her shoulders slumped and heart pounding every time she flared up at overthinking the situation. 

“Enid.” She picks her head up and is met with Dame Weems. The Dame looked to be busy and almost relieved that she had come across her. “Are you busy at the moment? Could you assist me with a task?”

Well. She was a little busy but she doesn’t think she could come up with a better excuse to reject her. “What can I help you with?”

Dame Weems looked more relieved and smiled at how helpful the wolf was. “I must attend a meeting with the council and forgot some layouts. I’m running a little behind so I must get ready. Would you stop by the training grounds and fetch them for me?”

It wasn’t a hard task at all and seemed quick enough to make it back fast. “Is it anywhere specifically?”

“I remember having it last in the woman’s dressing room. It should be somewhere. Thank you so much.” The older woman gives one more smile before dismissing Enid. 

Enid does a half jog to get there and realizes how not out of breath she felt. Her training had made a difference and she could tell. She sweeps the room once she gets there and rushes more when she couldn’t find it. There was no way that it was here. 

Enid inhales and sighs it out, she needed to hurry so that she didn’t make the Dame late. She gives up looking in the shed and looks around the training ground. Her eyes stopped at the stables and made the decision to search there. The Dame often stops there after training to check on the horses.

The barn door creaked when she opened it and it was still early enough where the sun brought in light. She looked around the floor and as she walked around she startled some of the horses. 

She bends over to move some hay around. “Hey.” She hears a boy say and she looks up. She’s seen him around, the stable boy that the maids always gushed about and she could see why. He was handsome, a boyish smile that was charming and he also had a politeness to him. 

He had some clothes wrapped around his head and he leaned closer to her. “Can I help you look for something?”

Enid clears her throat and stands up, dusting the dirt off her clothes. He was cute, really cute. “Did the Dame come in today? She asked me to grab her layouts around here but I haven’t been able to find them.”

He gives her a lazy smile. “Uh yeah. She stopped by but I can’t remember if she had anything in her hands. I’ll give you a hand in looking.”

Enid thanked him and she felt self conscious of how she looked. It wasn’t like she was going to go for it but she didn’t want to look bad in front of one of the more popular stable boys. Enid got what made him likable. 

She was losing time when the boy announced that he found them. Enid perks up and makes her way to him, he leans against one of the horses, one hand petting it and the other holding the rolled papers in his hand. 

“You are such a life saver.” Enid smiles and takes it from him. “My name is Enid.” She introduces herself. 

He pats the horse a little harder but it didn’t disturb the horse at all. “I know.” And it catches her off guard. He knows? He knows of her? This handsome boy knew her but she doesn’t know him? “I’ve seen you around. You seem pretty cool. You don’t see a lot of women knights.”

Enid blushes and gives a small shy smile. “I couldn’t do what you do. Seems way too hard for me besides I love being out here with the animals. My name is Ajax.”

Enid gives a shrug and awkwardly points to the horse with her thumb. “I think you have the hard job. I can never get near these guys without them freaking out on me.”

He blinks slowly, stands straighter and offers the horse. “Do you want to try petting him? He’s really friendly. I promise.” He encourages her to pet the horse and Enid thinks hard about it. It had been a while since she’s attempted to even set foot in here. She’s been doing great so far.

“I don’t know. I never really have any luck.”

“I can help you if you want? He’s a really calm horse.”

“I’d like that.” 

Ajax goes to the horse's head, petting him and giving him a sugar cube. He gives Enid an encouraging look and she timidly reaches a hand out to pet the backside of the horse. 

The horse immediately tenses when Enid places a hand on him. He perks up, head swiveling around to see who was petting him with his ears pinned back. The horse leans away from Ajax, neighs so loudly that it startled the both of them.

Just as Enid was backing away the horse leans all the way forward and kicks back at her. She gets the air knocked out of her chest and she flies a foot back. Her chest hurts and there’s a stabbing pain every time she breathes. 

Ajax comes rushing to her, she doesn’t understand what he’s saying. All she could do is remind herself to breathe. She thinks he’s trying to apologize to her but Enid is just looking up, body feeling frozen and she just wants to cry. 

She never should’ve said yes to Dame Weems' request.

Should’ve rejected Ajax’s offer.

She wanted to see Wednesday.

The doctors tell her to stay in bed for the time being, that she was lucky that she didn’t die and to thank her wolf genes for making her bones harder and heal faster. 

She still had some broken bones and Enid couldn’t remember the names of them. The first person to visit her was the Dame, apologizing profusely to her and personally bringing her lunch. 

Ajax visited once and he looked remorseful by everything that happened. He blamed himself and brought a fruit basket. Enid didn’t really eat much of it, it still hurt to eat a lot of solid foods. 

The most surprising visit she gets is from Thing. He’s sweating, tired and flops right on her bed when he gets there. He brought along a letter tied to his wrist and Enid didn't open it until she apologized to him. She wipes the sweat off him and gently places him beside her the best way she could without hurting herself. 

He takes her apology surprisingly well and she’s always so grateful for how forgiving he is. 

Princess Wednesday had written her a letter and it made her want to cry. The girl had first scolded her, reminded her of the vision she had at the festival about staying away from the stables and asked if she was looking for trouble. It was a short scold, just making sure she got her point across before asking if she was well. 

Enid was not well. She was in pain. She could only eat soft foods and needed help getting up to use the restroom. She wanted to talk to people. Wanted to go to training. She missed having her mom take care of her. And most importantly missed being beside Wednesday. 

She still felt immensely guilty and the Princess still reached out to check up on her even though Enid knew she was still mad at her. Asked her if she was okay and all Enid wanted to know if she was. She asks Thing to help her grab an inked feather and paper. He was able to find one after she pointed it out and she began writing a reply back to the Princess.

Dear Wednesday,

Words cannot describe how sorry I am and regretful on how we left off. You have tolerated how overbearing I’ve become recently and I can’t believe how I treated both you and Thing. I hope you can find it in you’re your heart to forgive me. I’m really sorry for how I acted!!! 

The doctor told me to expect at least a month to recover but he isn’t certain because werewolves heal differently than humans. I won’t be able to visit you until then so please stay safe and healthy until I see you again. 

I would be lying if I said I wasn’t in pain but I think everything will be okay. I miss you already and can’t wait to see you again. 

Love 

Enid

Two weeks have passed and Enid grew anxious the longer she stayed in bed. She could move around fine, it didn’t struggle as much putting on a shirt by herself but she was aware that she wasn’t all the way healthy.

Her body still aches, she’s sore but it doesn’t hurt to breathe anymore. 

The Princess still sent her a letter everyday and it was what Enid looked forward to. They wrote a lot of nonsense really. What else could Enid say if she was stuck in bed all day? There wasn’t anything new to say. 

Enid often got frustrated with herself because of her limited vocabulary. She doesn’t feel like her feelings really get across by using words like really before each word.

Today was special and Enid would never forgive herself if she didn’t at least try to do something for Wednesday’s birthday. It was still early, the afternoon she thinks. So Enid puts on one of the dresses she bought the other time with Wednesday. Not the one the Princess picked out for her because it was a more fitted dress that would be harder to dress into. 

She keeps a slow pace when she walks into town so she doesn’t tire herself out quickly. The first place she walks to is the bookstore of course. Would she really not know Wednesday if she didn’t get her something from here? 

The hard part was finding a book that Wednesday didn’t already have and actually liked. 

“Dear!” The bookkeeper looks excited to see her and Enid gives a polite smile back. “If you see your little friend again let her know the book she’s been asking for came in! I’ve been holding it for her since I got it.”

Great! She didn’t have to think too much about the perfect thing to give her. “I’ll go ahead and get it for her. Thank you.” Wednesday would be happy to receive this as a present. 

Enid pays for it, hangs around to talk to the owner for a little bit longer before heading out. Her next stop is Eugene’s family diner. Wednesday liked their honey filled cookies and Enid would make sure she had them.

Eugeune wasn’t there when she walks in, his mom tells her that he’s in class and gives Enid the cookies for free when she mentions it being Wednesday’s birthday. They didn't have any made so she had to wait another hour for them to make another batch. She thanks her and promises to tell Wednesday that the cookies came from them. 

It’s late when she walks back to the castle, it was dark and a lot more chilly than she thought it would be. It was warm during the day but once the sun went away it got cold. She regretted not wearing something warmer but it would’ve hurt more if she did. 

She knocks softly before going in, not wanting to startle anyone because she knew her visit must’ve been a surprise. She hopes that no one else is in the room with her because it would raise eyebrows.

“I told you I wish to be alone for the remainder of the night.” Wednesday doesn’t pick her head up from her book and dismisses her before she could even say hi.

“Oh. I can just drop this off and I’ll leave.” Enid says awkwardly.

Wednesday picks her head up at the sound of Enid’s voice, partly confused on why she was here. “I wanted to see you on your birthday, um happy birthday!”

Wednesday stands up from her seat and walks toward her. She looks the wolf up and down “Are you well? You shouldn’t be out of bed.”

Enid playfully rolls her eyes and smiles “I’m tired of laying in bed all day and I wanted to see you. Are you not happy to see me?”

“I only wished to make sure you are well.” The stuff in Enid’s hands catches her attention and it makes her hold them out to Wednesday.

“I got you some gifts. The cookies are a gift from Eugene’s moms.” 

Enid watched the Princess get visibly excited and it was the first time in a while since she’s seen her make that kind of face. Wednesday was very hard to impress, to make her show any other expression than her normally flat one. 

She must know what book is in her hand because it was the first thing she grabbed out of Enid’s hands. She tells Enid to go lay down on her bed and request Thing to ready some plates.

When Enid makes her way to the bed she could see all the pastries and gifts that the Royals must’ve given her. She deflates, knowing just how extravagant their presents are and compares how insignificant hers must be. 

Wednesday grabs a plate and places a couple different ones on the plate before bringing it for them to share on the bed. 

Wednesday places her book on her lap once she sits on the bed, offers Enid the snacks and asks her once again if she was okay. Enid laughs, wanting the Princess to believe her when she tries to reassure the girl. 

They talk for a minute and Enid plays close attention to Wednesday’s hands. The way they pinched the corner of the book and how her eyes would drop down to it before looking back at Enid holding the conversation. 

“You know you can read it now. I won’t mind. I just want to be beside you even if we’re not doing anything.” 

Wednesday doesn’t deny wanting to read her new book and Enid makes herself more comfortable. She felt so much more relieved now that she was able to make the Princess happy on her special day. 

She was hungry but was also too tired to eat, today had felt so long with all the traveling she’d done. She still forced herself to eat two cookies and they absolutely melted in her mouth. 

Enid blinks slowly, eyes feeling heavy before asking Wednesday if she was going to eat anymore before she puts the plate aside. Wednesday shakes her head no and quietly continues reading. 

Enid lays fully on her back, bringing the blanket closer to her and the action makes the Princess look down to her. “You’re still bruised.” 

Enid gives a tired “Yeah.” And pulls the blanket over her chest. She wasn’t hiding it or anything, just a bit cold. Her bruise was a nasty yellow and part of it was visible from the low neckline of her dress. 

Wednesday doesn’t give a reply about how dismissive she was about it and continued where she left off in her book.

Enid doesn’t notice that she was falling asleep and it was only when she woke up in the middle of the night that she half realized what she had done. It was dark and quiet in the room. It's a little cold and she doesn’t know how Wednesday does it sleeping by herself. 

She doesn’t know what time it is but knows that it’s late enough that Wednesday had put away her book. That she was laying beside her and was facing her.

Enid somehow rolled over to her side while she was asleep and she sleepily pushed her face into her pillow. She took a deep breath of it and instantly felt relaxed. 

She blinks until she wakes up and groggily looks at the sleeping Princess. She flared up, a burning sensation shooting up her spine and she frowns at herself. Her guilt had been eating her up and she never got to apologize to Wednesday like she practiced in her head.

Her face grew hot and her head was starting to hurt from holding in her tears. Even now, Wednesday didn’t give her the cold shoulder like she should’ve. She doesn’t know why the Princess is tolerating her behavior that she said she wouldn’t do again. 

She was currently doing what she apologized for. She wanted to see Wednesday so bad that she did. Now she’s sleeping in the girl’s bed uninvited and she breathes heavier. 

Wednesday suddenly opens her eyes and Enid’s are watery when they make eye contact. 

“I’m sorry!” Enid immediately blurts out. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to fall asleep. I’m still doing the thing that I said I wouldn’t do anymore. I’m in your bubble and you’re being too nice by not kicking me out-“

Wednesday blinks, her brain trying to catch up with whatever is happening. Enid is still rambling, looks like she’s about to have a breakdown and it makes Wednesday frown.

“I’m not angry that you’re in my bed. You were tired after all the traveling you did while you’re still recovering. If you’re still tired then you should go back to sleep.” Wednesday dumbly says. 

“It isn’t just about now.” Enid wipes the tears off her scrunched up face “I’m sorry for how I’ve been acting these past couple of weeks. For being in your business. For annoying you.”

Wednesday is quiet, trying to fight her sleep while the girl across from her was crying her eyes out. “I assume your behavior is caused by your second puberty. It’s not that I haven’t noticed it once you wolfed out.” Enid sniffs and it makes Wednesday sigh out. “I don’t dislike it, Enid. I only disliked your outburst. It was unlike you but I don’t put blame on you for it.”

“I don’t know how to control it.” Enid meekly replies.

“I know.”

They’re quiet and Enid had finally stopped crying, her head was still pounding and she couldn’t breathe out of her nose. Wednesday turns around to where her back is facing Enid. The wolf thinks the Princess is over the conversation but is wrong when Wednesday continues to talk. “I also want to apologize for my reaction. I could have handled it better knowing what you were going through and instead sent you out to get harmed.”

“I was being dumb and you told me not to go in there. I just forgot. That was on me, not you.” 

Wednesday is quiet and Enid really knows that they were done talking for the rest of the night. 

She closes her eyes and falls back asleep soon after. When she wakes up in the morning, her chest is pressed against Wednesday’s back and face is buried into her neck and deeply inhales. She could hardly breathe, fighting Wednesday’s hair, she stays like that for a few more minutes and leaves before anyone else awakens.

Chapter Text

There’s a quick knock to the door and with it walked in Queen Morticia holding a tray of tea in her hands. She smiles with her mouth closed and gives a slight tilt of her head in greeting. 

All Enid could think was, thank moon they didn’t sneak out into town like she almost brought up doing today. Instead they were sharpening Wednesday’s blades with some stones while Enid caught her up on the latest news in their friend group. The news was Kent had a new girlfriend, hasn’t told anyone who it is and now they’re trying to figure it out. 

“Good evening.” Queen Morticia says. “Enid, do you fancy some tea? I’ve been working up a new recipe.” 

Tea wasn’t really her thing but she could drink it if she wanted to. She could lie to the Queen if it was bad. She doesn’t think it would be. Everyone in the castle was aware of how much the Queen tried coming up with new tea flavors. 

“I would love some, Your Majesty.” Enid stands up, partially offering her seat next to Wednesday and offering to take the tray out of her hands to serve them. 

Queen Morticia puts a hand on Enid’s. “It’s okay. I have a handle on this.” She gestures for Enid to sit back down, placing one cup in front of the wolf. “You work entirely too hard and you must rest for the next full moon.”

Enid gives a small smile and shyly sits in her seat. She thought the Queen was the coolest person she’s ever met. She hopes she looks like that when she’s older. It was no wonder the King fought wars for her because wow. She wonders if that’s how Wednesday was going to look like when she was in her forties.

She takes one sip out of her cup and burns her tongue. She feels embarrassed that she spluttered her drink a little and gives Wednesday a look not to say anything about it. 

Enid is surprised to hear the Queen laugh and awkwardly smiles when she realizes that she was the reason why. The Queen must’ve seen the look she gave her daughter and she’s glad that she didn’t make it a big deal. 

Queen Morticia is still smiling as she hands Wednesday her cup and their fingers barely brush when Wednesday stiffens, neck snapping up and eyes gloss over as she stares straight up at the ceiling. 

Enid is quick to hold her and the Queen jerks her hand away Wednesday. She hadn’t expected her to have a vision all of a sudden. The Queen brushes Wednesday’s bangs out of her face and murmurs her apologies. 

They waited only twenty seconds but it was also twenty seconds too long. Wednesday doesn’t have very much visions around her and it freaks her out every time it happens.

It worries her. Did anyone not come back from being in that state? She doesn’t like how limp the girl felt in her arms, it wasn’t Wednesday.

She felt the Princess stir in her arms, blinking to get her vision back and she looked confused from what she had seen. 

“Enid, darling. Will you give us a minute.” Queen Morticia give her a sad smile.

Wednesday leans away from her touch, gives a hard look to her mother. “No. You will leave.” She says. 

Enid shifts her eyes to not look at them. She feels like she should listen to the Queen but on the other hand she doesn’t want to leave Wednesday in such a vulnerable situation.

She holds Wednesday closer to her chest and dared to look at the Queen. The Queen was quiet, watchful to the position both girls were in and honestly looked hurt by Wednesday kicking her out. Still, she gets up and pulls her dress down. “Be sure to drink your tea.” She says before leaving.

“Are you okay?” Enid asks as soon as the doors closed.

Wednesday looks confused, trying to piece together what she saw in her vision. She relaxes in Enid’s arms and the wolf goes to brush away the sweat on her forehead. “What was you vision about?”

“I don’t know. It was an argument of some sort. A big one.” She frowns “I seemed older, not much but I was crossed with my mother.” 

Enid doesn’t know what to say to that. It wasn’t her place to say anything about her relationship with her parents. She doesn’t like sitting here in silence especially with something as tense as kicking the Queen out of the room. 

“Do you want to go lay down?” She softly asks. 

Wednesday hums and Enid snakes her left arm under Wednesday’s leg. She pulls her closer to her chest before standing up. “You look tired. Do you want to sleep?” There was always this drowsiness from the Princess after she has a vision. She’s sluggish and sometimes looks sick.

Enid puts her on the bed and hovers over her “Can I stay?”

Wednesday doesn’t say anything but opens the blanket for the wolf to get in.

-

Enid laughed and leaned in Yoko’s body, wrapping one arm around the vampire's shoulders and wiggles at the joke she had made. She had grown rather fond of the older girl and once she got rid of whatever one sided beef she had with her they clicked instantly. 

They were all walking to Eugene’s diner and Enid loves it when they get invited over because his moms always serves them a free plate. 

Wednesday was walking beside her quietly and Enid looked beside her to see if she thought Yoko’s joke was funny too. The Princess was looking straight ahead with her arms crossed and gave no reaction. Well, she thought it was funny.

“So did Kent ever say who he was dating or are we all still guessing?” Enid asks. 

Yoko sticks her hands in her robe pockets and rolls her eyes “He still hasn’t said who and I can’t believe he hasn’t told Divina yet. Especially with how bad he is at keeping secrets.”

“It’s his first girlfriend right?”

Yoko squinted at the boy walking ahead of them “Yeah, I think so.”

Enid drops her arm and thinks to herself, gosh she wants to know so bad. The main problem is that she doesn’t know who he even talks to on a normal basis. What was his type? She has to know!

Eugene opens the door for them and greets his mom when they walk in. They walk in loudly, taking their usual seat at the corner of the diner and Enid already knows what she wants. She pulls a seat out for the Princess then sits in between Wednesday and Yoko.

“And you’re completely sure that Divina has no clue?” She immediately leans in again and asks the vampire in a half whisper. 

Yoko looks up at the twins interacting with each other, like it was going to help her with her answer. “No way.” Her eyes shift around then she suddenly nudges Enid with her elbow and tilts her head in Enid’s direction.

“What?” She asks.

Yoko does another head tilt, eyes staring behind Enid to get her point across. “Your girlfriend is mad over there.”

Enid turns around to Wednesday who was frowning, with her body slightly turned away from Enid’s and was sulking. The wolf furrows her eyebrows in confusion, she doesn’t know why Wednesday was suddenly acting like this. She had been fine not even an hour ago. 

She places an arm behind Wednesday’s chair and quietly asks to not bring any attention to them. “Are you okay? What’s wrong?” 

Wednesday stares straight ahead and blatantly ignores her, turning her body even more away from her. Enid frowns before moving her face closer to Wednesday’s. “Are you feeling sick? Want to go home, because we can go home early if you want.”

“I don’t wish to go home.” Wednesday reluctantly gives her a reply.

Enid grabs one corner of the chair and pulls it towards her, forcing Wednesday’s body to face her. The action doesn’t surprise the Princess and Enid would’ve found the lack of reaction amusing if she wasn’t so worried about what was bothering the girl. “Tell me what’s wrong, please?”

Wednesday shifts her eyes opposite of Enid, her crossed arms loosening before she answers. “You said I was your best friend.”

Enid is definitely confused about what is happening right now. Of course she was her best friend, she had told her before that she considered the girl her best friend. She doesn’t really know what’s going on but the only thing she could say was, “You are.”

Wednesday almost silently exhales out of nose, like she was sighing angrily. “If I am your best friend then why are you placing your arm around her.”

Enid reels her head back, taken aback on how this was the reason why the Princess was in a foul mood. She doesn’t understand why Wednesday would get upset that she loosely hung her arm around Yoko’s shoulder. Was that even what Wednesday was sulking over? She has no idea. Enid furrows her eyebrows even more, had she been neglecting how much attention she was giving her?

Enid scoots closer to her and puts her arm where it had previously been resting on the girl’s chair, making sure to make contact with Wednesday’s back. She looked across the table to see if anyone was looking at them or maybe they were being polite by not engaging with them, continuing whatever topic they were on. 

She drags her eyes back to Wednesday, who was still looking away from her and she leans slightly closer. “You are my best friend.” And when the Princess still doesn’t budge, Enid uses her fingers to pull Wednesday closer by her shoulder to make the girl look at her. “You’re my favorite person ever.”

Wednesday hums to that and finally turns to face Enid. Enid cracks a small smile, happy that she put Wednesday in a better mood. Maybe the Princess was just fishing for a compliment or however that saying goes, she thinks that’s how Divina said it once. She continued to sit close to Wednesday, giving her input on if she thought chicken or pork was better when the table started arguing about it. 

Eugene’s mom came to give them water and take their orders, his mom lingering a little longer to talk to them before she went back to the kitchen. 

“So, Wednesday.” Eugene asks with an eager smile that rubs Enid the wrong way. She pulls Wednesday closer to her body and she doesn’t know why she gets irritated by how nice the scholar was. It was dumb. It was Eugene for moon’s sake. Enid sits up straighter and Eugene pays no mind to how she was acting. “You said you had a brother, why don’t you invite him over next time?”

“He’d be eaten by a bear.”

Eugene looks puzzled but somehow accepts her answer like it made total sense. Enid nods her head like she agrees, a little smug on how she knew Wednesday better than the whole group. Wednesday never really talks about herself all too much with their group and she knew they were all super curious about her. Enid was happy that she was the only one who knew her as good as anyone. 

Enid turns her head to Yoko’s direction, about to ask her if she had any more bookmarks from her class that she could have. Yoko had given Wednesday one as an on the spot birthday present when Enid mentioned her birthday in passing. 

She was opening her mouth when she noticed the expression on the vampire’s face. Yoko was staring so intently ahead of her, eyes flickering up and down before making a face towards Divina direction. Now Enid doesn’t have much experience on something like this but even she could tell that Yoko was looking at the siren like she had a cru- “Oh my moon.”

The whole table looks at Enid’s dumbfounded face and her face turns an immediate pink when everyone’s head snaps toward her. “Nothing!” She squeaks and ushers them to continue whatever they were saying. 

After a minute, Enid tugs the sleeve of Yoko’s robe in one downward motion trying to get her attention. Yoko gives her a weird look, probably wondering why she was bothering her. 

Enid tries to whisper the best she could, “Do you like like Divina?”

Yoko stares hard at her and it feels like forever that she did anything. Yoko had always been very collected and Enid thinks that’s what she had most in common with Wednesday. They took the time to think before reacting. The vampire blinks once, slumps her shoulder and thins her lips “It was the haircut.”

Enid makes an ‘o’ with her mouth and nods her head quickly “The haircut, right.” No, she totally did get it. Kent getting something stuck in his sister’s hair was probably the best thing he could’ve done for her. Divina was always pretty but she looked amazing with her short hair and she wasn’t the only one who stared at the siren a little too long. It was in passing, of course. 

She didn’t find Divina attractive in that way but she had eyes and she could see why anyone would be crushing on her. Plus, she was super nice.

“You can’t tell anyone.” Yoko says demandingly.

Enid gives a reassuring smile and bumps her shoulder slightly with her own. “Don't worry, it’ll be our secret.” She gives a wink and she thinks Yoko trusts her with this-

“Yoko likes Divina.” Enid immediately tells Wednesday when they were far enough away from the group. They were walking home together, the rest of their friends splitting away towards their own homes. 

Wednesday pulls the hood over head, ears getting cold from the wind and her nose starting to get pink. Enid moves closer to her as they walk, knowingly sharing her higher than normal body heat with the girl. “Did you only figure that out now?”

Enid makes a noise. Hurtful! She had been proud to share the news with her best friend, proud that she could piece Yoko’s crush together. “There’s no way you knew before me!” She argues and makes a gesture with her hands.

“I presume she started having romantic feelings towards her after she received her haircut.”

Another noise of protest. “That's not fair! You’re a seer! You can literally see into the future.”

“I do not have to rely on my abilities to make this conclusion when my eyes are plenty.” Wednesday looks satisfied with her answer and it makes Enid grumble beside her. How come she didn’t share the news with her? What if she wanted to know this? 

Wednesday holds an arm out to her side, dismissively looking straight ahead when she says, “Hold my hand.”

Enid blushes a deep red, it doesn’t even take a second for all the heat to flow from her neck up. She doesn’t know why Wednesday has recently been accepting of her affection and she will absolutely not complain about it.

Enid slides her hand into Wednesday’s, fingers running from her palm to her fingers and she interlocks them. Wednesday’s hand was really cold and she hopes her hands will warm them up soon. 

Holding hands with the Princess makes her feel giddy and she could tell it was annoying for Wednesday to see just how happy she was about it. Enid doesn’t fight very hard to stop her smile and maybe even teases her a little by squeezing their hands. 

Wednesday lets her hold her hand until they get closer to the castle gates. She was quick to pull her arm away and back under her cloak when they were within sight. Enid is practically skipping as she walks her back to her chambers, having to slow down when she gets a little too ahead of the Princess. 

Wednesday takes extremely small but brisk strides. Enid thinks it’s both adorable and hilarious sometimes but she would probably die if she ever said that aloud. 

Enid waves her goodnight before Wednesday slips into her room.

-

Enid was red in the face as well as her peers standing in ranks with her. Today’s training had been brutal and she doesn’t remember it being this hard last year. Maybe she was being a wimp because wow she really feels like she’s about to die. 

Her heart is pounding in her ears and she tries to slow down her breathing, not wanting the others to know she struggled quite heavily with today. The Dame was holding a scroll in her hand, reading something on there as her students were trying to not pass out. 

“I want Bianca, Luke, Alex and Enid to stay behind. Everyone else is dismissed.” Dame Weems says standing straight and pulling her arms behind her back as she watches the knights in training make their way out of the training grounds. 

Enid looks back and forth between the other three that had been requested to stay behind. She doesn’t know what’s going on but she hopes it wasn’t anything bad. 

They stand in a line beside one another to present themselves to the Dame, who took her time looking over each of them. “You must be wondering why I have asked you to stay behind.” She makes sure to make eye contact with everyone “An opportunity has presented itself this year. The Addams Kingdom will be participating in a joint training camp with other countries that we have good relations with.”

Enid feels sweat rolling down her forehead and she tries not to make a face. Her feet were aching and now her shoulder was killing her! Her heels are throbbing painfully and she wants her to get to the point before her knees start shaking. 

“You four are our best candidates. Not only would this be considered your initiation test but there are more benefits when participating in this program. If completed, you will be awarded an honorary medal from the King and should you be placed in the top five.” The Dame pauses, wanting all four to listen very well. “You will be rewarded with twenty gold coins.”

They all bristle at the news. You could do plenty with all that money. Holy cow! One hundred cows to be exact! Enid tries to calm herself, trying to make herself look less excited than she actually was. “The catch.” Of course there was a catch, it sounded way too good to be true. “The training will be an additional eight months. You will not graduate with your class and it will be vigorous training. We will give you a week to decide before we consider other candidates. You are dismissed.”

Enid bites her lip in thought as she walks away. This was a huge opportunity for her. She’d graduate early, receive honors and there’s a chance that she might come into some life changing money. She shakes her head to herself. No, she has other things to consider. Would the Royals even approve of this? She already made commitments to them in regards to the Princess.

Wednesday.

She shakes her head, she couldn’t fathom being away from her for that long. She’d miss her too much that it wouldn’t feel right at all. Eight months is entirely too long to spend apart from her.

“Enid.” Miss Thornhill says, stopping her mid walk and Enid looks down at her. “You have a guest at the entrance.”

Guest? What guest? She doesn’t have anyone who’d visit her during working hours. It was a little strange and she could feel her chest going fuzzy with anxiety. Her head goes straight to something must be wrong. 

She makes it outside the castle gates and was surprised to see who made the trip to see her. “Mom?”

Her mother only has to pick her head up slightly, one sniff and Enid knows she got caught. “Did you wolf out?” Her mom questions first instead of saying hi. 

Enid flushes, looks down at her toes, the grass, anything in order to not make eye contact with her mom. She had honestly thought she’d run into them maybe once into town but she wasn’t expecting her mother to reach out to her first. 

“And you didn’t come home after?” 

Enid looks up only once to read her mother’s face and she feels bad when she does. She’s never seen her mother look upset before and it’s worse when she knows that she was the reason for it. “It’s only a recent development. You know I couldn’t go back after being away for so long.” She says weakly. 

It’s quiet and her sweat was making her uncomfortably cold. 

“Why are you here, mom?” She knows it’s probably a stupid thing to ask, her mom wouldn’t be coming here if there wasn’t a reason for it. 

Her mother steps closer to her, hands reaching up to smooth Enid’s hair before trailing down her neck to her shoulders. She holds Enid still, getting one good look at her and it makes the bottom of Enid’s lip quiver. 

“The pack is moving.”

Enid tenses, her breath catches and she feels her mother squeeze both her shoulders. Her family was moving. Moving far away from her. She knows that she hasn’t seen her pack in forever but knowing that they’d be further apart from her broke her heart. 

Enid eyes water, hot tears pooling at the bottom of her eyelid and she knows if she blinks then they’ll start rolling. Her mother gives her another squeeze before pulling away and Enid uses this chance to wipe at her eyes. 

“There had been talks for years now about moving further south but I think it’s finally going to happen this time around. They’ve been making preparations for it as of recently.” Her mother looks her up and down again. “I’ve set up a meeting with Sheriff Walker, he has a boy around your age. He will take car-“

“I don’t want to get married yet!” Enid argues with a waver in her voice. Her voice was cracking and she scrunched her face at the offer. 

“Who will take care of you when we’re gone, Enid?! I have set you up with a job and now a husband! I can only do so much for you while I’m still here!” Her mother grew frustrated with her, pointing down the road that led into town. “He is a scholar. He will inherit land. He will provide for you, do you not understand what I went through to make this happen?”

“And what? Give him babies when he requests it? I don’t want to live that way mom! Can’t you see I’m doing well for myself already?.” She pleads for her mother to take another look at her. “I’m training to be a knight! I don’t need a man to support me when I’m already doing it for myself!”

Her mother huffs, stares her down and Enid puffs her chest out as best she could to seem more confident. Her mother waves her off with one flick, dismissively, not wanting to hear any more of this. 

“Consider the offer, go to the meeting. Please, Enid. There isn’t anything else I can do for you.”

Enid’s face is red and splotchy when she walks to Wednesday’s chamber. She was late picking up her lunch and now her food was cold. She laughs to herself, why did she get both the best and worst news of her life. If you could say they were bad. 

Being set up with a young boy and not an old man was good. He was going to have a good career and a nice house. This all sounded great, actually. The only problem was that she wasn’t ready for any of that. 

What age was considered too old to marry as a woman? Was this the prime time to get married? Some of her brothers were married the last time she was aware.  

She doesn’t even know if she wants to go to the training camp, either. There wouldn’t be anything bad about going. I mean, there’s definitely a lot of good things. She doesn’t understand why she’s having a hard time jumping at the opportunity. 

She doesn’t knock when she comes in and Wednesday was squatting, pulling a book out of the shelf. She stands up when she sees Enid’s tear stained face. 

Enid doesn’t make it far before she starts crying again. She puts the tray down because she’s worried that she’s going to drop it. “My mom came to talk to me. She said that the pack is moving.” 

Thing places his hand on hers and she gives him a watery smile. She feels like it kind of makes her feel worse even though she knows he has good intentions. 

She has to take a seat because she thinks her knees might give out from the news and the training she had today. Her body is sore and she’s tired and she’s sweating and now she’s so sad. 

Wednesday takes a seat next to her and stays quiet. Enid wasn’t expecting her to be comforting. She knows Wednesday isn’t good with things like this but just being next to her made Enid feel a hundred times better.

Wednesday rubs the spine of her book and Enid could see her brain panicking to come up with something to say. “Will you be leaving with them?” She finally asks.

Enid shakes her head and wipes her cheeks. “No, I’m not with them anymore. Not considered part of the pack.” She hiccups and breathes heavily “She’s trying to set me up with the sheriff’s boy before she leaves.”

Wednesday is even more quiet and Enid felt like she said something wrong. It was weird talking about her love life because they never talk about things like this. It wasn’t like she had anything to talk about in the first place and she doubts Wednesday had any suitors. 

She hopes that Wednesday wasn’t interested in Eugene or Kent. She doesn’t know what other boy that might possibly spark her interest. Enid doesn’t even know what her type would be.

“Are you going to marry him?” Wednesday turns her body only slightly away and Enid doesn’t like it one bit. She doesn’t like it when Wednesday does this, it was her way of shutting her out from seeing her face. 

Her chest grows hot, anxious about Wednesday's body language and grabs at the girl’s dress. The fabric felt rough against her fingers but she still grips it.  

“I’m not going to meet him but-“ she grips harder and shuts her eyes. “My family is leaving. I’m not going to see them again.”

Wednesday takes a deep breath, fully turning her body and pulls Enid into her arms. Enid could hear Wednesday’s heart beating fast against her chest, the Princess was uncomfortable. She doesn’t like to cling, she doesn’t like to touch and yet she did it to make Enid feel better.

Enid digs her face closer to Wednesday’s chest and cries.

Chapter Text

Enid had come dressed presentable. She had agreed to meet the Walker boy just for a meeting. Enid had already made up her mind of rejecting their kind offer but would address it in person. 

She wore the casual dress that Wednesday had bought her the last time they went shopping. It was one of her nicer dresses that she owned and Enid felt pretty in it. Wednesday had once commented that she fit the dress well and it had her smiling all day in it. 

She enters the small pub, some day drinkers already sitting at the bar and she spots the only teenage boy. He was sitting at a table in the corner, tugging on the collar of his shirt that was too close to his neck. He was dressed nice and Enid had appreciated the effort to make a good impression.

She thinks he guesses it's her by the way he stands up and smiles at her. He pulls out a chair for her and it makes Enid shyly smile. Maybe her mom did something right setting her up with him after all.

His smile widens when he takes her in, taking his seat across from her and gestures at her. “You’re.” He laughs to himself “Really pretty.” He compliments before introducing himself. “My name is Lucas. Walker.” He adds his last name. “Enid, right?”

“Right.” She confirms. 

“Do you want anything to eat? I think they only have three things on the menu that isn’t beer.” He pours Enid a glass of water. 

Enid doesn’t want to waste his time or money so she gets straight to the point. “Lucas.” She says and does her best to keep eye contact with him, she feels bad. He seemed like a genuinely nice guy so far but she doesn’t want to make any of this more than what it is. She bites her lip. “Truthfully, I really appreciate the offer and how kind you’ve been up to this point but I’m going to have to decline this marriage offer.”

“I apologize for the planning and arrangements that our parents made but I have priorities and obligations elsewhere.” Enid looks down, unable to meet his gaze. She did feel bad. She knows how much work her mother must’ve gone through to appeal Enid herself to the young scholar’s father. She doesn’t know what she said but she figures that her mother must’ve named dropped werewolf to him.

He sinks into his seat and leans back. He blows air out of his mouth and looks up at the ceiling. “Man.” He says. “I honestly didn’t want to get married either but the moment I saw you I wasn’t opposed to it.” Enid blushes again and she shrugged her shoulders to do something with her body. 

“I’m training to be a knight.” Enid explains “I’ve been offered an opportunity to train somewhere else but I’m not sure if I’m going to do it yet. I have to talk to a close friend about it first.” Enid drinks from her water, trying to stop herself from over explaining again. “I can’t offer you the loyalty of a wife but I can as a friend.” 

He smiles, still a little bummed about the rejection. He was dreading this meeting. He was worried what type of woman his dad was setting him up with and he was expecting a lot worse. Enid seemed nice, was beautiful and carried an air around her that immediately caught your attention. He missed out big time.

“I can do that.” He says. Who knows, maybe one day he’ll be able to impress the girl into marriage in the future.

Enid nods with a smile and stands up, the chair scratching the floor beneath her and tells him she’ll see him again.

That went a lot better than she thought it would. She half expected to meet his father in that meeting as well. It was probably a good thing he wasn’t there.

Now she needed to talk to the Princess to see what she thought about the offer. She’s expected to give an answer in two days and she could not hold it off any longer. 

It didn’t help that she was a little stressed about the arrangement made between her and Lucas. She was taking one problem at a time but now she needs an answer.

She pushes the door open and comes in like she normally does except this time she walks into an argument midway. “You send her away knowing it would displease me.”  She hears frustration in Wednesday’s tone, an angry expression directed at the Queen. 

Queen Morticia stood calmly, not trying to escalate the conversation and make her daughter more upset with the news she shared. Enid freezes on the spot as she looks between the two, she has never seen Wednesday’s face get this expressive before and it wasn’t good. 

Wednesday’s face had grown red, her eyebrows were slanted down in a frown and she was clenching her jaw. Her face hardened and somehow darkened more when she noticed Enid in the room. 

Enid doesn’t say anything, not really knowing what to say. She shrinks into herself, shoulders rising, chin tucking in and she turns her body back around to excuse herself out of the room.

“Enid, there is no reason to leave.” The Queen calls out to her and Enid dislikes the welcoming tone used for her. She didn’t want to be here, especially since something personal and hostile was going on right now. “We were just discussing the camp you will be attending should you agree to participate in. I was informing Wednesday,” she throws a look to the Princess “What a great opportunity this will be for you.”

Wednesday mutters something under her breath and Enid shuts the door behind her. Not taking another step from the door because she really didn’t want to get in the middle of this but this conversation was about her so she had to stay. 

It seemed good enough for Queen Morticia as she composed herself and replied gently “You misunderstand, my little storm cloud. I am not sending her away just for the sake of it.” She calmly says and makes eye contact with Enid to ensure they both understand. “My intentions are to give Enid the opportunity to finish her knightly training early. If she were to excel in this joint installation then she would not have to wait another two years to graduate. I’m not forcing her, darling.”

Wednesday looks away and crosses her arms to her chest. The air had been tense, so quiet that Enid could hear herself swallow and her own heart beating wildly against her chest. 

“If Enid would be interested, perhaps she could join you as your personal guard. it won’t happen immediately.” Queen Morticia offers in an effort to satisfy the Princess. She didn't realize just how opposed Wednesday would be when she relayed the good news. Because this is a good opportunity for the girl. “She would need to do the grunt work as other newly initiated knights for at least a year so that no one would question her position.”

“You are the Queen. No one should question your authority.” Wednesday is quick to remark. 

Queen Morticia gives a soft smile and tilts her head. “You’re correct but that would put Enid in an uncomfortable position with her peers.” She places one hand over the other as she rests them on her lower stomach. “It would be difficult to explain why she isn’t attending her other duties.”

“Her duties are to me.” 

Queen Morticia gives her another look, giving her a moment to reflect on what she had just said. When the Princess doesn’t budge, she sighs out “You don’t comprehend what a difference this would make for Enid. You should be happ-“

“I comprehend plenty.” Wednesday childishly grumbles.

Queen Morticia looks at Enid, the wolf going completely still under her gaze as she looks down to avoid eye contact. Enid figures this was her chance to speak up but she’s honestly too chicken to say anything. 

The Queen’s look softens tremendously and she walks towards Enid, crouching down just slightly she puts her hands on Enid’s shoulders. “It’s okay to be selfish, darling. It’s okay to want this if you do. If you don’t, then that’s perfectly fine too.”

One hand is placed on Enid’s head, caressing her hair. “Don’t let anyone influence your decision.” She gave one last look to Wednesday, who was stewing in her place. She had been rather disappointed by her daughter’s strong, disapproving reaction. She should’ve been happy for her friend. Enid had worked hard in her knightly training even when she was given the disadvantage of not being able to attend the full training. 

The Queen departs after giving Enid a comforting smile, unintentionally leaving her with the aftermath of Wednesday’s wrath. Enid nervously looks back down to the floor, she picks at her fingers and she couldn’t believe she got put on the spot like that.

She had practiced her speech on how she was going to bring up the training camp to Wednesday. At the moment her head is blank and she has nothing to say, she doesn’t know where to go from here. Especially with the obviously negative attitude given from the Princess. She didn’t know what Wednesday would think when she brought it up but she didn’t think it would be this.

Seeing how cowardly Enid was acting, Wednesday scoffs loudly and grumpily goes to lay on her bed. She pulls the blanket over her and spitefully says “You can leave now, that’s what you were going to do anyway.”

This saddens Enid immediately, she didn’t want to leave her Princess. This had been the hardest decision to make up to this point. She hadn’t thought twice about denying the marriage proposal but this had been racing in her mind even when she tried to not actively think about it. It should’ve been easy to accept the opportunity, everyone else had. They had been waiting on her answer. 

She timidly walks to Wednesday’s bedside, kneels on both her knees and leans closer to the girl. Not wanting to look at the expression Enid wore on her face, Wednesday turns her body to face away from her. 

Enid’s breath comes out shaky and she still couldn’t think of anything to say. She couldn’t get any words out and now her stomach was starting to feel heavy. Her chest felt like it had a ton of weight and like her heart was about to jump out of her throat.

“Were you even planning on telling me or was I just going to wake up with you gone?”

Enid swallows, one hand reaching out to rub her fingers on the edge of Wednesday’s blanket. “You were the first person I wanted to tell.” She says honestly.

“And was I?”

“No.” Enid admits with guilt. If she were being honest. She didn’t think her being the first one she told was a big deal. She had planned on telling Wednesday literally ten minutes ago before she walked into all this. 

But now that she’s here she feels bad about how upset the girl was. She never wants to see Wednesday this upset ever again, especially because of her. Enid bites her lip in thought, she then tries her luck in reaching out to touch Wednesday. 

The Princess shrugs her off and Enid drops her hand with a thud on the bed.

It’s quiet again and Enid comes up with her decision right then and there. “If you tell me not to go, I won’t.”

And she would. She thinks she’d go crazy if they left off in a bad place. She couldn’t go there in good conscience if she left Wednesday like this. It wasn’t like she needed to go anyway. She liked being here. She liked getting to see Wednesday after her training. She liked getting Wednesday to hang out with their friends in town. She liked when Wednesday read to her. When she lets her hold her hand. When she gets to do sleepovers with her. She wouldn’t be able to do any of that if she leaves.

“I request you to stay.”

“Okay” she agrees softly, like it wasn’t hard for her to do at all. Because it wasn’t, because it was for Wednesday. 

There’s still silence as Enid continues to rub the blanket “Are you still mad at me?” She asks, hand trailing to rub her thumb on Wednesday’s back.

“Are you certain that you will stay?”

“Yeah, I’m going to stay.”

The Princess hums to that, not moving away from Enid’s touch so she presses into her back a little firmer. Drawing all sorts of shapes on Wednesday’s body, there was a relief in being able to touch her and the girl no longer being as mad as before. 

“Can I go up there with you?” Enid asks with some hope in her voice. 

The Princess shuffles forward to give her some room, still refusing to face her but Enid could tell that space was for her. She slides under the blanket with her but not daring to place her hands anywhere on the Princess while under these sheets. She doesn’t think the shorter was in the mood to cuddle. 

“I was going to tell you today, you know.” Enid says, feeling the need to explain herself. She didn’t want her to think she was really going to up and go. “I went to visit the Sheriff's boy. To reject his offer.” She clarifies “And then I was coming straight here to tell you about the camp.”

Enid scoots in closer to rest her head on the pillow, the front of her body almost touching Wednesday’s. She could feel the heat radiating through her clothes. “I hadn’t made a decision yet. I wanted to talk to you about it and see what I should do.”

“Did you want to go?” Wednesday asks. 

Not being able to stand the taunting distance anymore, Enid closes it. Her body was flush against Wednesday’s back and she wraps her arm across the girl’s waist. She pushes her forehead against Wednesday’s shoulder blades and huffs a small laugh “Not if it means leaving you. I don’t think I could go months without seeing you. I’d miss you too much.”

Wednesday presses herself against Enid more, Enid instantly tightening her grip and pulling her in. The wolf inhales, finding comfort in Wednesday’s presence. 

“My mother mentioned your knightley status if you were to participate.”

“Yeah, an automatic promotion and honorable medals.” She mumbles and closes her eyes. “And gold. We’d be rewarded gold if we placed high in the rankings.”

Wednesday scoffs at the mention of money. “You will not have a need to worry about such trivial items such as gold when you’re with me, Enid.”

Enid smiles against her dress. “Be careful Princess. People will think you’re playing favorites.”

“I’m not.” Wednesday replies monotoned “You are my only servant.” 

This gets a laugh out of Enid, this is why she couldn’t leave. 

There’s another round of silence but it’s not uncomfortable. In fact, it was great. Enid got the hard part out of the way. There was no need to go through the dilemma that had plagued her mind these past couple days. She’s finally getting her cuddle session that she so greatly needed. Wednesday was in a better mood than she was seven minutes ago. And-

“You should go.” 

Enid loosens her arm and sits up, confused. She should go where? Did she want her to leave the room? She hovers slightly over Wednesday, trying to understand what she meant by that. 

Wednesday looks up to meet her eyes, suddenly looking serious and Enid’s eyes flicker down. Firstly it was her eyes. Then her freckles. Her eyes again. Her nose. Her lips. Then she looks back to meet her gaze. “What.” She says dumbly, brain trying to remember why she even got up.

“My mother was right. It would be selfish of me to demand that you stay.”

“You can ask anything of me.” Enid says in a half whisper half regular voice. She had meant what she said earlier. She’d do anything to make Wednesday happy.

“I know.” Wednesday looks away “Now I’m asking you to go.”

Enid feels hurt. Did she not prove that she would be loyal to her? That she could listen well? That she’d do anything that she wanted whenever she wanted? She could be useful to her. Why did she want her gone?

“Why?” Enid questions breathlessly. “Why don’t you want me here?”

Wednesday looks away and Enid was too busy trying to make eye contact to notice the Princess swallowing. “Why?” She asks again.

“Because you deserve to be recognized for all the hard work you put in and I shouldn’t get in the way of that. I know you will excel in anything you do.” Wednesday’s eyes looked down and Enid chased after that gaze. 

“So you should go because you will be a remarkable knight and I wish to see that instead.”

Enid looks at her for a couple more seconds, giving her the option to either take it back or say something different. 

She doesn’t and Enid flops on her back, letting her head hit the pillow while staring at the ceiling. “Are you sure?”

“No but it will be the most suitable option for you.”

They’re both staring up, the realization marinating in the both of them. This was it. Enid would be going to the camp and she can only hope she comes back with enough marks to make it worth it. 

“I’ll be gone for eight months.”

“It will be agonizing.”

They’re quiet again and Enid blinks. “Earlier. With your mom.” She pulls the blanket over her again. “When you were arguing….was that the vision you saw that one time?”

Wednesday doesn’t move as she’s in thought before replying with “No. It was different.”

Enid leaves it at that but wanting to liven the mood she says “You know; once I leave you won’t be able to spend anymore gold on me.”

“I don’t know how I’ll live.” Wednesday deadpans.

-

Wednesday runs her hand through Enid’s fur, the texture was a unique feeling that she could never get used to. She was soft but individually her fur would poke her palm. The prickly needles were her favorite.

It was the last full moon of the winter, the air itself was chilly but there was no wind accompanying it. The weather had felt perfect to her. They had decided to spend Enid’s wolfing out in the woods this time. They’ve only ever done this once before. 

A dreadful night to a lackluster morning. 

She runs her thumb across Enid’s snout and hums when the wolf snuggles closer to her stomach.

If she thought Enid was clingy then her wolf had her beat ten folds. There was no personal space when it came to the wolf and Wednesday entertained it enough. There was an inkling feeling in her brain that was satisfied with a werewolf attaching itself to her.

Wednesday blankly looks at the tree across from her in thought. Tonight was her last day with Enid before she went off to her training camp. The months had passed quickly and Wednesday was starting to feel as if there was not enough time with the girl.

Eight months was a significant amount of time away from each other and Wednesday was having a hard time remembering what she did before meeting the girl. Perhaps she could spend more time torturing her brother. Spar with her father or perhaps tend to the garden with her mother, it seems she’s going to need to pick up on a new activity.

She feels Enid huff, hot air seeping through her blouse and it tickles her. Enid’s body temperature was keeping her warm, it wasn’t as if she really needed the help. Enid’s big, blue eyes were staring up at her “What do you want.” Wednesday demands an answer.

The wolf raises her head and Wednesday backs her head away, already knowing what was to come. She is stuck under the weight of the wolf and Enid licks her face with her rough tongue.

Wednesday dislikes the feeling of it, the wet, almost sticky residue left behind and she never has anything to wipe it off with. Enid loves it, she knows she does. The way the wolf perks up, tail swifting side to side and nuzzles under her chin. 

Wednesday goes back to petting the wolf, debating in her head if she should call it a night and sneak back into her room. It was getting rather late and it was getting more difficult to stay awake. 

But she’s comfortable under the bone crushing weight of Enid. If she pressed hard enough it would be difficult to move and she liked the challenge in that.

“Should we go back inside?” Wednesday questions.

Enid whines and huffs. Of course not. No, Wednesday doesn’t think the wolf would like to be confined in the castle. She watched Enid run around the woods for hours already, she still has the bark that the wolf had used to scratch her nails on. 

“I’m tired.” 

Enid lowers her and gives her these sad eyes. Wednesday scoffs, rubbing her ear instead and shakes her head. “Then you shall stay. I’m going to lay in my bed.” She pushes the wolf away and Enid lets her. 

Enid’s sad puppy eyes are still on her and she rolls her eyes. She couldn’t let this trick work on her again . She had already extended an hour and she was extremely tired. 

Wednesday wordlessly walks out of the woods and to the outside walls of her room. Enid stalks behind her and there was a thrill that excited Wednesday every time she did it. To think this intimidating wolf was her best friend. 

She steps on the brick that was slightly jutted out and pushes her weight on it. She has to stretch her arm out to get a good grip but she’s able to pull herself up and over.

She doesn’t say anything, knowing Enid would jump over the wall. She changes out of the clothes that she wore, not wanting to make her bed filthy from the dirt. She sluggishly slips into her bed, leaving just enough room for her friend and crosses her arms across her chest to sleep.

Wednesday closes her eyes and can hear Enid’s nails on her floor as she makes her way towards her. A jolt of electricity shoots down her spine when Enid’s wet nose tickles her neck again. Being tickled was her worse torture. 

She pushes Enid’s snout away from her. “If you’re going to get in then get in otherwise spend your time elsewhere.”

Enid gives her a lopsided smile before dramatically dropping onto her bed. The wolf makes herself comfortable, scooting as close as she could to Wednesday and the girl doesn’t say anything about it. 

The night consumes them as they sleep and Enid is the first to wake as she always does after wolfing out. You would think after experiencing something so exhausting she’d be the last to awaken.

She thinks it's the anxiety of being caught in bed with the Princess. She doesn’t know what time someone comes to bring Wednesday her breakfast but once the sun starts to peak out Enid knows it’s her time to go.

Waking up naked isn’t weird anymore, she’s relieved by how normal they make it out to be because it was. She got over the shyness recently and she stretches her body out, just enough where the movement wouldn’t wake Wednesday up. 

She pulls the sheet over her body, enough to cover her chest and she turns her body to face Wednesday. Enid doesn’t have much time to spend with the Princess before she leaves and it makes her sad.

She can’t believe the time had come. She would depart with everyone else in a couple hours and thankfully she would be riding in the carriage. She doesn’t know if she’d make it if she had to walk the whole way there, it would be a two to three day trip by foot. 

Enid stares at the Princess and brings a hand to move her hair out of her face. She thinks of her other friends, Eugene and his moms. Kent and his girlfriend that she’s probably not going to meet in a while now. Yoko and Divina. Now that was a thought.

She thinks they’d be a super cute couple. The scholar and the blacksmith’s daughter. The vampire and siren. How romantic is that! Enid furrows her eyebrows, did Divina even like anyone? She doesn’t think she’s ever asked, what kind of friend was she! She should’ve gain this knowledge to pass on to Yoko, ugh.

Her eyes shift to Wednesday’s lips and then flicker up to see if she was somehow awake. Did Wednesday like anyone? She thinks Wednesday would be a great girlfriend and the thought makes her face blush a soft pink. Wednesday was actually really caring and often noticed the smallest things. She was also giving in a way that would take her by surprise. The Princess was also really pretty.

Like a beautiful type of pretty. 

Enid doesn’t know when she noticed it but now that has , Enid can’t stop looking at her in some type of way. Wednesday was seriously too attractive for her own good. From her button nose, long lashes, chocolate brown eyes and cute freckles. From head to toe, she was beautiful. In Enid’s opinion, no one would be good enough for her best friend. 

Someday someone else is going to hold her hand. Go to the bookstore with her. Eat dinner with her. Kiss her and take her on dates. It’ll probably be some Prince and the thought makes her grimace. 

Even a Prince wouldn’t be good enough for her. 

Is it weird that Enid was kind of crushing on Wednesday? That wouldn’t be weird, right? They’ve known each other forever so Enid was bound to think of Wednesday in that way, once or twice was harmless. 

It wasn’t like she’d have a chance, anyway. It was innocent! Gosh, she can’t believe she had to tell herself that. 

She needs to go, she’s spent too much time here but she doesn’t want to leave before saying goodbye. 

Enid nudges her slightly, knowing Wednesday was easy to wake and the Princess groggily opens her eyes after only getting a couple hours of sleep. “Hey.” Enid says softly “I’m about to leave.”

Wednesday rolls to her side, uncharacteristically throws an arm around her to give her a parting hug. “Stay safe or I’ll kill you.”

Enid brings her closer “I will.”

-

Arriving at the camp had been an experience. There were many tents already set up. Horses tied to trees. People moving boxes around and others setting up training dummies. There had to be at least twenty other people doing something already and Enid had thought they came early.

Her group is separated between the boys and girls, each shown where they were to sleep and where they could place their items at. They were to sleep in cots, under a tent specifically for women. Enid counted only five other cots here.

She tiredly sets her bag down and lays in her bed for the next eight months. She’s so tired she doesn’t think she’s going to wake up until tomorrow.

And that’s exactly what she does. It’s already the next morning and Enid is half thankful that she got some good sleep. The other half is cursing herself because she wasted yesterday sleeping instead of exploring. She doesn’t know where everything is.

She gets up, eyes both puffy and stinging and she sees the other girls asleep. Bianca is sleeping in the cot next to hers and she’s surprised that the siren didn’t choose the bed farthest away from her.

She gets up, swinging her legs over and gives herself another minute to wake up. She digs through her bag, finding some new clothes to change into and heads out the tent. 

She walks around at first before finding the tent where they were about to serve breakfast. She sits at a table and doesn’t get awkward until more people show up thirty minutes later. 

Eating alone was always weird for her, it wasn’t weird seeing other people do it but she was a little insecure about it. It wasn’t like she had a ton of friends and it showed.

She gets up and waits in line with the others. When she gets her food she avoids sitting with the guys, you never know what kind of weirdo they were until you’re the only girl in the room. 

She’s almost done with her food when there’s a tray set on the table and Enid looks up. Bianca gives her a look “What?” and sits down.

Enid stays quiet, not really sure why Bianca was sitting with her. They never got along and Bianca spent any time she could get to make fun of her. “Well, we’re not really friends.” She points out.

Bianca nods, grabs a fork to pick into her fruit “Yeah but we’re also the only two girls representing the Addams Kingdom.” She takes a bite from her sliced apple and gives Enid the time to answer. The wolf doesn’t. “I don’t trust anyone else here but you so I’d like to get over whatever we have going on.”

“What we have going on, is you thinking you’re better than me.”

“I don’t think I’m better than you, I think I’m better than everyone.” Bianca says and gosh, this is exactly why she could never be friends with her. The siren had a huge superiority complex and it drove her insane. “But the point I’m trying to make is that, everyone here isn’t your friend. They want to prove that they’re better than us and if I were to choose anyone else to be an ally then it’s you.”

Bianca waits for an answer but doesn’t get one. She puts her fork down and leans closer. “Look, I’m sorry for everything. I don’t actually think I’m better than everyone, you just need the confidence to help back it up. You’re good and I’m good. And we can’t let these other guys here think we’re beneath them. So truce?”

Ugh. She hates it when she’s right. It was true. None of these people were here to make friends. They were here to prove that their country was the best and Enid doesn’t think she could go eight months here without making at least one friend.

They don’t have to be great friends but good enough to get them through this. 

Enid nods and holds eye contact with the siren “Fine. Truce.”

-

She was fixing the shoelaces of her boots, relacing them on the floor when Bianca dropped a letter next to her. Enid immediately stops what she’s doing, snatches the letter off the floor and throws herself onto her cot. 

She can’t stop the smile forming on her face, not like she tried to fight it in the first place and kicks her feet in the air as she opens it. The siren rolls her eyes and crosses her arms across her chest “You and your girlfriend make me sick.”

Enid never corrects her, she shamelessly liked being called Wednesday’s girlfriend. It was a good feeling even if it wasn’t true. Bianca actually figured out that it was Wednesday who was sending her letters the first time she got one. 

The girl you were at the festival with , is what Bianca had called her. And Enid smugly brought up, yeah the one who rejected you .

Bianca had thought it was a funny comeback. She had agreed that Wednesday was ruthless about it and asked how they met. Enid had to come up with a white lie, she had said they met when they were younger and were friends. That was the story and she’s sticking to it.

Five months have gone by since she left the kingdom and every Sunday since she’s received a letter from the Princess. It was honestly keeping her going, helping her to push through it. The training was intense and there were a lot of jerks here too. Mainly boys with egos so high it could pass the sky. 

Others haven taken notice of all the letters she receives, hard not to get noticed when she was literally the first to receive one.

Call her delusion but Enid thinks it’s a little romantic. You know, that Princess Wednesday thought of her everyday just like she does. That she missed Enid so much that she couldn’t wait even a week to write her a letter. That she must cross Wednesday’s thoughts on a normal basis. 

Her chest feels weird and her face blushes at the thought. Yeah, maybe she is delusional and it isn’t as serious as she’s making it to be.

Still, she’s grateful that Wednesday sends her letters to get through the week. It’s exciting for her to hear about her week, what foods she eats, what seeds she plants, how Thing is doing or how idiotic the Prince was. She loved reading all of that. 

Wednesday just wrote her back, asking questions on what she’s done. The training she mentioned doing and about the guy from the Galpin Kingdom who Enid hated. 

Enid smiles and holds back a laugh when Wednesday mentions flaying him like a fish and feeding it to the bear that would be Prince Pugsley’s demise. That guy was the worst and Enid thinks she intimidates him for some reason.

Whatever, Wednesday’s letter still has her kicking her feet and Bianca gags from her cot. “Whatever, you’re just jealous that I have a pretty girl writing me letters.” 

Bianca makes a noise. “Please, I have ten pretty girls writing me letters.”

Ten was a lot but Enid was no loser because “Well, I have the prettiest girl writing me letters and I don’t need other girls writing to me.” She pulls out a blank sheet and thinks what else she should catch Wednesday up to.

“You’re unbearable.”

“Yeah, she calls me that too.” Enid dumbly says but she thinks it’s a compliment when Wednesday says it. 

She thinks.

-

It was the last week of training and it all came down to their final test. Both Enid and Bianca had kept high scores throughout their training.

Everything that included stamina, archery, tactical ability, horseback riding which was totally unfair for Enid by the way and most importantly, sparring with a blade. 

It was intense, so intense that Enid definitely grew out of any remaining baby fat. She lost the fat but gained the muscle, she felt the difference mainly in her thighs and arms. She was toned in what Enid thinks is in all the right places.

She grew out her hair, mainly because she didn’t trust Bianca cutting her hair like she would Wednesday. It wasn’t insanely long, below her shoulder blades but one of the other girls taught her a trick to tie her hair better.

She was to spar Carter as her final test. Carter was the boy who went out of his way to make Enid’s week terrible. If she wasn’t arguing with him Bianca was. He was bulky, she would describe him as a meat head. A meat head that was all muscle but no brain. Okay, she stole that from the siren.

Enid was placed second in the rankings and he was sixth, she thinks. She can’t ever remember. Sixth was a really good place to be sitting at. Being in the top ten alone was tough already. 

She’s hot under her plated vest, the shoulders were still a little big on her but she’s able to tighten the straps enough to make it work.

Carter is standing in front of her, sword hilt in both their hands at a standoff. He smirks his stupid smile and she thinks he looks goofy doing it. 

Enid has a serious look, one she’d laugh at if she saw herself. He makes the first move, a step and he extends his arm to hit her shoulder. 

She maneuvers her body in two easy steps but is still taken off guard by his bold thrust. She stands her ground, adjusting her body weight before she makes her attempt. 

He blocks her sword, stepping forward and shoulder bumps her into the ground. What an ass. 

Enid has to roll her body in order to not take a hit. Dirt gets on her face and she’s trying to blink it away. She gets on her feet as fast as she can and has to lean away when he swings again. 

She stiffens her grip, both swords clanging against each other and staying there. He’s immensely strong and uses his body weight to press his sword down harder.

Her wrist is at an awkward angle and it hurts too much to keep it there. She reluctantly lets go of her sword, squats before he has any time to react and reaches for his shoulder. 

She extends her claws out and swipes to his right, the sound of metal screeching loudly and he pushes her off him. 

“That was such a cheap shot.” He complains as he looks at the instructor to say anything about that.

“Your shoulder bump was a cheap shot.” She argues back and flicks the metal under her nails out. 

He gets in her face and the instructor steps in between them. “Enid utilized her body just as you had.” He explains, not needing any more words to announce Enid as the winner.

Enid wipes the sweat and dirt from her face and walks back to her tent. It was a rough fight and her eyes were still stinging.

Enid’s ability to wolf out didn’t give her an advantage, no, it put her on even playing field compared to the other knights who’ve had years of training. She thinks that she’s even impressed Bianca with how much she’s improved in such a short time period.

She needed to pack now because they were to set out to the Addams Kingdom tomorrow. She could not wait! She was finally going to see Wednesday in moon knows how long and she was ready to show her just how much she’s improved.

She hadn’t received a letter last week but she thinks it’s because Wednesday knows she’s about to come home and there’s no way her letter would reach her in time. Enid wants to take her out in town so they could go eat dinner at Eugene’s place and they could catch up with their other friends.

There were a lot of things that Enid wanted to do with the Princess and she’s the first person she wants to see when she gets home. 

Enid even goes to bed early so she can see her faster.

-

It’s late when they arrive at the Kingdom, the moon glowing heavenly and cicadas chirping as they reach the Kingdom walls. Everyone was tired but pushed through the journey so they could get home and meet their families. 

Enid wants to drop everything she’s doing and go straight to Wednesday’s chambers to surprise her but she’s too tired and too dirty to try to slip under her sheets. 

Plus, their accolade was tomorrow and she’d rather the Princess see her in her new robes and medals on her chest. 

When she gets to her old room everyone was still asleep and her bed remained untouched. 

Enid goes to bed and wakes up early to bathe herself in the river, taking her time to get extra clean but enough time for her hair to dry. She wanted to put it half up because that was the only fancy way she knew how. 

The whole castle was in moving parts, all the servants preparing everything for the ceremony in the afternoon, the kitchen staff making a feast for hundreds and Enid didn’t have to be a part of any of that. 

One of the maids drops off her attire for the day. It was a dark navy trouser that was fitted to her size a week ago along with new boots. A steel plated vest with an Addams crest on it and Enid’s relieved that she wasn’t required to wear the full body armor. She wore a cape that circled her neck like a scarf and a long dark navy shirt underneath. 

It was such a huge honor to wear such colors but Enid doesn’t think she looks good in it. She hopes Wednesday likes seeing her wear it if anything. Wednesday mentioned before that she liked seeing her in these types of colors so she hopes it’ll surprise her. 

She feels confident in her clothing, taking her time to meet up with the other three knights that went with her to that camp. They were supposed to meet with Dame Weems so she could run them through the process. 

Where to stand, what the que was for them to go up there and to make sure they looked presentable enough to personally meet the King and Queen. 

They stand in ranks, arms resting at the small of their backs as everyone else attending the ceremony comes trailing in small groups. 

Enid stands tall, moving her shoulders slightly back and she felt confident as she stared ahead of her. She could see Bianca do the same next to her and the back of her knees were starting to hurt so she bent them slightly. 

Everyone settles, all awaiting the Royal family. 

The horns sound, signifying the Royals making their entrance and the crowd roars for them as they stand on their stage. Queen Morticia is waving her hand in greeting to everyone as the King smirks. Enid wants to laugh at Prince Pugsley, who honestly just looks lost. 

“Good afternoon!” King Gomez’s voice is still very loud that Enid was sure that rows behind her could still hear very clearly. “Thank you all for being here.”

“Eight months ago we sent four talented knights in training to attend a joint training out in the west. Two of which placed both first and second!” The King boasted and more cheers erupted. 

Queen Morticia claps beside him and he laughs. “Yes, yes. The Addams Kingdom has the very best citizens indeed!”

“We are here to honor them and host a feast fit for future heroes such as themselves but first we would like to make an important announcement beforehand!”

The crowd cheers some more and King Gomez nods his head as he waits for it to die down. “We thought it was time to announce a special someone after all these years.”

Enid feels a catch in her throat. 

Surely it isn’t?

“You see, Prince Pugsley isn’t the only child we bear!” King Gomez looks to his wife, the Queen tightening her smile and gives him a nod. He gestures to the opening door and out comes Wednesday. “We have a daughter and heir to the throne, Princess Wednesday!”

Chapter Text

Queen Morticia walked the halls with soft steps that echoed loudly in the quiet hall. Her dress flew behind her as she walked and she stood in place once she reached the door. 

She stared at the dark door, giving herself a moment to collect herself before making her entrance. She placed a finger to her mouth, gnawing at her thumb and her lipstick stains it. She doesn’t want to give in to defeat, she had promised herself that it would never come to that but she feels like she’s at a loss.

Morticia shakes her head and drops her hand. No, she isn’t giving up. Of course she would never do that, she’s simply at a pause . 

She had given this much thought, it had been eating at her mentally and physically for years now and she had come to the conclusion that perhaps this wasn’t the way to go about this. As much as she would like to keep her tucked away safely, this wasn’t the way and she knows this. 

She’s worn herself out, a deep anxiety fluttering in her chest each morning she wakes. Her husband rubs her back in faint strokes, half awake and it’s muscle memory at this point. When she gets in these types of episodes there isn’t anything else she can do to help her fall back asleep so she gets up and studies what she can. 

She fears that she’s reviewed every book in their library thrice and she’s run out of different herbal remedies that she could possibly try. 

She sighs heavily, she feels like this is admitting failure. She twitches her hand uncontrollably, nonetheless she thinks she’s done wrong for all the right reasons. 

She knocks on the heavy door and waits for her daughter to welcome her in. Wednesday always did like her privacy despite Thing making his presence known, she appreciates the hand’s devotion to their raven.

“Come in.”

She walks in and Wednesday greets her with a small nod, the same book in her hand as the day before resting in them. A gift from the young wolf. 

Enid Sinclair. 

Their friendship has come a long way from when she first introduced the two. Enid was a force to be reckoned with. A teenage girl who didn’t take Wednesday’s words as the final say. She always knew when they fought because her daughter would tense and scowl when she brought the wolf up. She would be unfocused the whole morning that Morticia would have to take pity and end their lessons early and it would make Wednesday furious when she’d do this. 

Enid was a gift to their kingdom whether she realized it or not. No, she was not referring to her ability to wolf out although that was a gift in itself. Enid’s character was a blessing. The girl was kind, hardworking and ferocious when she needed to be. She was protective of Wednesday and that was exactly the person she needed around her daughter. 

Wednesday would never admit it but she knows that her daughter misses her friend. It was written on her stoic face when she’d passed along the letter Enid sent to her and how’d she’d immediately get to working on her reply back. 

“Mother.” Wednesday says, eyes flickering down when she notices there was a lack of study material, letter or tray of tea. 

Morticia hums, slowly walks to Wednesday’s bed and sits down on it. She runs her hand along the black bed sheets in thought, she still didn’t know how she would go about doing this but this could wait no more.

“Wednesday.” She calls out before trying to ease into this conversation “What are your thoughts on expanding your personal space?”

Her daughter looks puzzled for a quick moment, probably not fully understanding what brought this on. “What is the meaning of your question?” She demands and Morticia didn’t know why she had gone this route for this, knowing how straight forward Wednesday was. 

“I’ve been thinking and would like your input on this.” She stops her hand and wants to make sure that Wednesday has her attention. “Do you see it fit to claim what is rightfully yours? The throne, I mean. I’ve been discussing it with you father and we would like your opinion on going public despite our…situation.”

“You never gave me the choice before, what has changed.” Wednesday puts her book down and Thing shrinks himself into the corner of the bookshelf, not wanting to impose himself in this conversation.

Nothing has changed and that was exactly what was wrong with this. She had no answers she could give in order to move forward. She’s tired of acting okay with whatever this was. 

Hiding Wednesday behind these walls was no way to live regardless of what may come. 

“I have reached a stopping point in regards to your health.” She admits, trying hard to not look away. There was always this guilt she had seeing Wednesday in this room and not knowing how to change it. Watching Wednesday spend her youth in this small bubble because of fear.

“ You had placed this wretched curse on me and now you have given up? What is the meaning of this?” Wednesday abruptly stands up, a creased line in the middle of her eyebrows from her frown and she points an accusatory finger at her. 

“I fear I have no other options in finding a cure.”

Wednesday throws her arms up in an uncharacteristically Wednesday way that makes Morticia’s heart clench painfully. She swallows deeply and has to look away from her daughter.

“Are you telling me that I will have to live this way forever? Sick . Bedridden . Indisposed .” 

Morticia couldn’t stop the noise coming from the back of her throat if she wanted to. She cries out, placing her face in both her hands to hide her face. She doesn’t want Wednesday to see her like this even when she knows she’d gain no sympathy from the girl. 

She tries to even her breathing so she could get her words out. “I haven’t received a vision of you past the age of thirteen.” She confesses. 

Wednesday is quiet and Morticia doesn’t have the heart to look her way. Wednesday was on a time constraint and they’d never know when the end was. She hopes that she’d outlive their expectations. Morticia doesn’t know what she’d do if she somehow outlived her own child. She used to think that Wednesday was okay with death, waited for it to take her and it was the reason why she pushed so hard for the girl to form a bond with the young wolf. 

“I hate you.” 

“I know.” She says, she’s always known. She knew that she’d never receive any ounce of her daughter’s affection. Wednesday had always been her husband’s girl and she’d never want to ruin that. 

On the other hand, she was tired of holding this burden by herself. Wednesday knows that she was cursed before she was put into this world. That Morticia had a bad run in with a witch that she had taken no special interest at the time. Wednesday would remain ill for the rest of her life because of a bad decision that was made and that was the extent of it. 

She worried that exposing Wednesday would be her end but she’s seen the longing looks when Wednesday would describe the adventures Enid goes on. And if Morticia couldn’t offer her a cure then she could offer a fulfilled life, whatever that may be.

Morticia knows that she’s overstayed her welcome from the daggers Wednesday throws at her with her eyes. She sluggishly stands up in both sorrow and relief to get this off her chest but the burden still remains on her shoulders. 

“If you wish to stay in the comfort of your own peace then we shall allow it but the choices you make remain yours.”

-

Enid swallows and clenches her jaw uncomfortably. Her eyes stare straight ahead to Wednesday standing right next to her father, who proudly puts his hand on her back to show her off.  

Wednesday who was wearing a royal, gothic style dress, gold jewelry on both her neck and hands. Her hair was in some kind of fancy bun and she looked effortlessly beautiful. She looks so small standing in the middle of her parents, even Pugsley looks like he’s catching up to her height despite the age difference. 

Enid doesn’t know if Wednesday just doesn’t see her or is avoiding making eye contact and Enid doesn’t know if she even wants her to. 

Why hadn’t Wednesday told her about this in her letters? 

In the corner of her eye, she could see Bianca squint her eyes and Enid felt mortified. Surely she didn’t recognize her after meeting once for two minutes. Something flashes across Bianca’s expression and Enid looks away just as the girl snaps her head in Enid’s direction.

Oh no .

Enid keeps her eyes straight, not budging on looking the siren’s way. There’s hushed whispers across the crowd, everyone taking in with what the King just announced with many opinions. 

Who’s affair child was she? Surely, not the Queen’s. What a scandal would that be! 

More obscure rumors spread amongst the crowd and Enid doesn’t think the Royal’s could hear any of them. The King’s smile grows and gestures to his daughter “Princess Wednesday will be awarding these young men and women their medals in place of myself! What an honor, indeed!”

There’s still loud cheering despite the sudden reveal and Enid doesn’t know why she feels sweaty all of a sudden. She stiffens when they get ready to announce them to come forward and she has to mentally prepare herself to face Wednesday after not seeing her in so long.

She feels like she’s being dramatic. Eight months wasn’t a ridiculously long time, yet she feels like a different person anyway. 

Enid is the third person called up and her feet feel heavy as she walks up the stairs. She takes in Wednesday’s appearance, eyes moving up and down with each step she takes. 

She didn’t know it was possible for Wednesday to get any prettier but she stands corrected. She loves the way Wednesday has to tilt her head up to look her in her eyes. Enid doesn’t know if this was the right word but her lipstick was like a maroon-ish color and she looked so good with it. 

It’s hard for her not to smile, she doesn’t know if she’s ever had to be this serious around the girl. She keeps it in, not wanting to appear inappropriate with the Princess in front of the kingdom but gosh does Wednesday make it hard. 

Wednesday gives her a once over while King Gomez announces her name and what award she was presented with. Enid stands proud, hoping she would come across as someone more dependable. That she was capable of protecting Wednesday after all this time spent away from each other. 

She wants to prove that the time spent away from each other was worth it.

Enid’s not really paying attention to what the King was saying and she doesn’t think Wednesday was either by the way the Princess held her gaze. 

Enid quirks an eyebrow, wanting to be playful in a non obvious way. Wednesday rolls her eyes and reaches for the small medal sitting on a black cushion held by the Queen. Huh, maybe Wednesday was paying attention. 

Wednesday thumbs at the neck of Enid’s cape, waiting for King Gomez to finish his speech. Enid wished so badly that she could have a moment to talk with her alone. She hadn’t expected their reunion to be so soon, she had wanted to prepare better than this. 

Enid had it in her mind to wash her sweat off to make sure she didn’t stink when she hugs her butt off. She also wanted to fix her hair up a little because Wednesday hadn’t seen her hair this long in a long time. And then she was going to end the night with a sleepover if Wednesday was down to cuddle. 

This. This threw all her plans out. 

She’s hot and sweaty, cheeks a little flushed from standing under the sun for so long. Her hair feels slightly frizzy from the humidity and she overall doesn’t feel attractive at the moment.

Cheers erupt and it makes her flinch, she had forgotten where she was for a moment. Wednesday fixes her scarf, straightening it slightly before pinning the purple and black medal on the edge of the fabric. 

They make eye contact just as Wednesday clasps the back of the pendant and Enid gives her a small smile. 

She steps away and makes her way back to standing next to Bianca, who she still wouldn’t make eye contact with. She doesn’t know how she’s going to talk her way out of this one.

She feels her spine tingle cold and her face flushes deeper, oh my, how was she going to explain this to the rest of her friends? How she casually brought over the crown Princess to hang out when they should’ve been groveling the very steps she takes. 

She groans silently to herself, she doesn’t know how she could show her face to them. Maybe they won’t even notice! Maybe they’ll just hear about there being a crown Princess but not match a face to a name. There’s a small ounce of hope!

The final knight makes his way up there and when he gets pinned the King claps his hands loudly. Everyone else follows behind him as they give one final congratulations to the four. 

Enid notices that Wednesday is looking at her and this time Enid is the one that has to look up to her. She thinks that Wednesday looks pretty from this angle too. Enid didn’t know that realizing her crush on the Princess would make act this way, it’s embarrassing for her. That anything that Wednesday does and doesn’t do would still make her stomach feel funny. 

She finds herself trying to fight off any romantic thoughts, quickly taking them back in shame before letting them take over again. She hopes it won’t always be like this but as of right now Enid has to be okay finding anything Wednesday does as attractive. 

“Tonight we feast for both the Princess and our knights that have made it home!” The King announces, taking his wife’s hand and waves a final goodbye before they depart. 

As soon as they break ranks Enid high tails out of there. She doesn’t have the answers for questions she knows Bianca is going to drill her on. She gives polite smiles to random strangers who congratulate her as she walks out of there. 

It was strange that she’s someone that other people look up to now. Being a knight was one thing but being a decorated knight was a different level. That they had done something worthy enough for the King to personally pin you but Enid doesn’t think she’s done anything special, all she did was go to a camp. 

Enid makes her way to the castle’s ballroom, trying to see if she could catch Wednesday before the crowd rushes in. Her cape feels like it’s choking her with how fast she’s walking and now she understands why this was a ceremonial cape only. 

Wednesday isn’t the first Royal she comes across, she meets the Queen and Prince Pugsley by the dessert table. Queen Morticia was wiping the corner of Prince Pugsley’s face with a cloth as he stood perfectly still. 

His face brightens up once he sees her and Enid offers a smile back with a slight bow. The boy had shot up in height since the last time she saw him. 

“Hi!” He greets her and pushes away his mother’s hand. “You look really cool now!” 

“Thank you.” She laughs “I’m not sure if I feel really cool right now but I am happy to be home.”

The Queen hands the cloth to one of the knights, asking him to throw it away and she takes Enid in. “You certainly made all of us feel proud. We’re happy that you made it back home safely.”

Enid smiles, she looks around and steps closer to have a somewhat more private conversation. “Pardon if I’m over stepping but…” she hesitates to say this aloud “I didn’t know you were planning to…you know.”

The Queen straightens up but not in a way that was intimidating but she keeps her voice low as Prince Pugsley grabs at more pastries. “It was a last minute decision, I apologize for keeping you in the dark.”

Enid wants to deny the apology, she didn’t have any say on what they do. Instead she says “Does that mean that I will no longer accompany Wednesday in the afternoons?”

The Queen cracks a smile and toys with her necklace between her fingers. “I’m afraid I won’t be necessarily in charge of your new schedule. I have great trust in the Dame to place you where you’re needed.” She goes to stop Pugsley from overeating again and then continues what she was saying. “Wednesday will have other knights assisting her needs while we catch you up.”

Enid visibly deflates at the news. She doesn’t know what she was honestly expecting. She now had other responsibilities that she wouldn’t be able to get out of so easily. And now Princess Wednesday had responsibilities of her own.

On one hand she understands but on the other she wishes they could be like how they were before. Being a knight was her goal but now that she was here she doesn’t know if this was the right decision. 

“I think…” she confesses “I’m going to miss it a lot.”

Queen Morticia places a hand on her shoulder and gives her another tired smile “I know it will be a big change but I hardly doubt that Wednesday will let you escape her grip so easily. I can tell she cares deeply about you.”

Enid blushes, she knows the Queen means it in a friendly way but she can’t help the way she feels after confirming that Wednesday had cared for her from an outside observer. 

“I don’t know if this is inappropriate to say but….she’s my best friend.”

The Queen’s nose crinkles in an actual smile this time and she nods “I think you’re her best friend too.” She backs away and smooths out her dress. “Don’t let Thing know I said that. He’ll be upset.” 

Enid laughs and shakes her head “I think he already knows.” She looks around the room, looking for a specific dark haired girl “Have you seen the Princess?”

“I have not, no. But Wednesday was never one for crowds.” 

Enid hangs around for a couple more minutes to be polite and when she’s had enough of that she makes her rounds to look for the Princess. She circled the spacious room two times, greeting people as she went before she gave up and decided to head towards Wednesday’s chambers.

If the Princess wasn’t out there then maybe she’d rather be in the comfort of her own room. 

She doesn’t find Wednesday there, she doesn’t have to. She finds the Princess alone in one of the halls, the one leading to the Royal Hall. Enid finds it strange that there is no one overlooking her safety but doesn’t think too much about it. Enid thinks it’s pretty safe with all these knights in the building regardless of this celebration.

Wednesday is standing in front of the wall and as Enid walks closer behind her she knows what had caught her attention. She was staring at the family portrait of the Royal family that she had seen previously before. Enid wonders if the girl has ever seen it before. 

“Will your family have to sit through another session to add you in it?” She asks, wanting Wednesday to know of her presence. 

Enid leans and cocks her head at her while Wednesday folds her arms across her chest. “I will not entertain the thought.”

The wolf smiles and steps closer to her so they’re touching when standing. “I missed you. Did you miss me?”

Wednesday turns and gives her a lazy look “Thing missed you.”

Enid playfully huffs, the Princess will always be a brat no matter how much time they’ve spent apart. Whatever, Enid knows that she was missed by both parties. 

Wednesday turns to face her and has to take a small step back so their chest doesn't meet each other. When she sees Wednesday looking her up and down Enid stands tall, stretching herself out to make herself look better. “You look…bigger.” The Princess remarks. 

“I told you in the letters that a lot has been going on.” It was good getting this confirmation, that it wasn’t in Enid’s head that she looked as different as she felt. 

Wednesday nods to herself, looking Enid in her eyes after inspecting her. “Yes but I didn’t know the changes would be drastic.”

Wednesday gets this weird look on her face before she extends a hand to touch the metal plate on Enid’s chest. Her hand caresses the Addams crest engraved on there and Enid stops breathing, scared that Wednesday would take her hand back if she made any sudden movements.

“I was correct. You do look exceptional in this color.” 

Wednesday starts to pull her hand away but Enid was quick to keep it there. It wasn’t like she could necessarily feel her touch but there was something about having Wednesday’s full attention that did it for her.

The Princess doesn’t fight the grip that Enid has on her but does stare at her curiously. “You didn’t tell me that you were going to come forward to the public.” Enid says, lowering her voice for some reason. Okay, she was still a little hurt by being kept under the loop. 

“It was a last minute decision.”

“How last minute was this? Your mother told me the same thing.” This makes the Princess pull her hand away and Enid chases after her hand. 

“Last week, a letter wouldn’t have made it in time.” Wednesday turns her body back to the painting. “Do you disagree with my choices?”

Enid shakes her head and her face scrunches awkwardly. She isn’t really mad or upset about not knowing. This was just sudden. This was a big change and she doesn’t know how this will affect their future. A low ranking knight being in the same room as the heir of the Addams kingdom? That would be unheard of and she’d definitely get weird looks if the Queen pulled some strings. 

“We aren’t going to be able to see each other as often anymore.”

“You are speaking nonsense, I will be sure to still make time for us to continue activities.”

“Wednesday.” Enid shakes her head, wanting to get this through her stubborn mindset. “You don’t get it. You’re the crown Princess . Everyone knows this now. We can’t just- we can’t just hang out like we used to.” 

“I can do whatever pleases me.”

“It’ll be a bad look.” She looks away and bites the bottom of her lip. She feels like a lot of things have happened in such a short time. 

Wednesday doesn’t say anything and Enid doesn’t want to make this into a small- no, argument wasn’t the right word for this. But she did get home after spending so much time away that she doesn’t want to think about this anymore.

“Do you want to ditch this party? We can go back to your room.” Enid offers, trying to appeal the idea to the girl. Just because it was getting late didn’t mean that she wanted to end the night early with the Princess. There was no way she was going to leave when she spent so much time looking for the girl. She feels like there’s still so much to go over. 

Wednesday turns on her heels, walks before looking back. She raises an eyebrow, waiting for Enid to hurry up and follow her. 

Enid clumsily makes her way over, noticing that they were heading in the direction of the party. “I will be notifying my father that I will be retiring for the night.” Wednesday explains. 

“Oh.” Enid feels dumb by how smart that idea was. She feels guilty that she’s leaving the party that was put together for her. Well, she was one of five people that this was put together for. It wasn’t as if anyone would really notice her gone if they weren’t already drunk with wine or beer.

They walk together at first before Enid creates some distance between them. When they reach the door she says “I’ll wait here for you to come back.”

Wednesday nods and walks into the party, seemingly knowing where she’d find her father at. Enid leans on the door, eyes watching her as she makes her way through the crowd. 

“So, are you going to tell me what that’s all about?”

Enid jumps, her body physically recoiling and she holds her hand to her chest. She turns to face the last person she wants to talk to tonight. 

Bianca walks calmly next to her with her arms crossing, her own eyes following the Princess. She then turns her head, waiting for Enid to give her an explanation that she didn’t have.

Ah shoot.

Chapter Text

Ah shoot. 

There was no way that she was going to get out of this one. She couldn’t necessarily make a smooth escape knowing that Wednesday would come back here searching for her. Why did the siren have to be so good at sneaking around?

Noticing her lack of words, Bianca looks around the hallway with a slight tilt of her head and then steps closer to the wolf. With a quiet voice, she leans in with an accusingly whisper. “I can’t say that I knew you had it in you but man you sly wolf, canoodling with the Princess?”

Enid turns an immediate red, instantly regretting how she never denied that Wednesday was her girlfriend at camp. How was she supposed to know that they were going to announce her to the world?! Embarrassment sits on her chest heavily and she can feel her eyes widen, arms moving up to try to explain with her hands. “I’m not canoodling with the Princess.”

“Well, it certainly looked like you were. But now it’s killing me to know.” Bianca has a slight smirk on her face, making another flush of color rush to Enid’s cheeks. “How did you manage to romance the Crown Princess of all people?”

Enid sputters out words that her brain hadn’t even processed through her head yet. She was just trying to come up with anything to try to save her from this situation but she’s only somehow made herself look stupid. 

She thinks that maybe it’s time to swallow her pride because she couldn’t come up with a lie to save her life. She throws both her hands over her face, groans loudly in them before dropping her arms back to her sides. “I lied!” Enid squeaks out. Another groan. “We were never dating. Just close friends.” She finally admits.

It felt both terrible and a relief to set the record straight. Did she feel a little like a loser for day dreaming about Wednesday so much that Bianca thought they were dating, only a little. Did she feel like a bigger loser for being caught fake dating the Princess, absolutely.

Bianca stares at her like she is pulling a joke on her, a stare that pierced Enid enough to make her squirm uncomfortably. 

“You’re kidding me.”

Enid pulls her hands closer to her chest, slightly fiddling with them before she bites the bottom of her lip and shakes her head. 

Bianca looks her up and down, analyzing if the girl was telling the truth. She really couldn’t tell if they were just trying to hide their relationship from her or if she really was telling the truth. Enid did look genuinely guilty but from what? Not dating the Princess or because she was dating her.

It takes the siren a couple more seconds to decide to play dumb for their sake. If they didn’t want anyone to know then she could act the part too. There was too much chemistry between the two for them to not be dating. 

“Fine.”

“Fine?” Enid repeats back, a little confused on why Bianca dropped it so easily. She thought this conversation was going to spiral down so fast and then become a ten minute talk of how much of a loser she was. 

Bianca gives her a quick nod and drops the arms she had across her chest down. Bianca’s eyes darted to the family portrait hung on the wall before falling back on Enid’s nervous twitching. Wanting to embarrass the girl just a little more, she comments “But you like her, right?”

Enid chokes on nothing, the heat on her face intensifies. She thinks she might be sweating now. She has to pull the scarf around her neck out a little to let some cool air in to help make her feel like she wasn’t about to suffocate. 

She knows what she wants to say but she doesn’t know how she should say it. There was honestly no point in lying about it, especially from Bianca. The siren was there to witness just how much her crush on Wednesday affected her when she got her letters. She’s a little scared to admit it out loud. If it was only Enid herself who was aware of the crush then she could play it off as never liking the Princess when Wednesday eventually marries someone else. 

She doesn’t know why she admits it anyway. “I do. A lot.” 

Enid receives a look from Bianca that she doesn’t ever want to find out what it means. She has a feeling that she almost looks sorry for her. 

The door opens, the loud cheering and laughs slipping into the quiet hall as Wednesday makes her way back in. She closes the door behind her, eyes flickering between the two knights who were standing entirely too close to each other. 

Wednesday stares Bianca down, not forgetting how she had treated Enid in the past. Her intention was to make her quiver and her anger only grows when she doesn’t have her desired effect. Bianca doesn’t seem intimidated by the look but has enough respect for the Royal family and the couple to excuse herself out. She mutters a goodbye to Enid and bows slightly to the Princess as she walks back out to the celebration. 

Wednesday doesn’t watch her leave and Enid shakes her collar to create some kind of breeze. “I see that you are on friendly terms with your enemy.” The Princess says once Bianca is out of the room. 

Enemy was a bit of a stretch. Yeah, they didn’t like each other at first but Bianca really did grow on her. Their personalities weren’t exactly compatible but she was able to adapt. Bianca did help her out a lot with the things she lacked during their training sessions and it was nice that the girl really took having her back seriously.

Enid shrugs, turns her body to the left and offers her arm for Wednesday to take. “I told you in my letter that we became better friends.” She says when Wednesday slides her arm through and lightly grips on her bicep. 

Wanting to be a little more bold, Enid reaches over with her other hand to place her hand over Wednesday’s. She’s relieved when Wednesday doesn’t pull away, she thinks her feelings would be hurt if she did. Enid oftened tiptoed around Wednesday’s boundaries with personal touch. She learned when her touches were not welcomed but she had hoped that Wednesday missed it, even a little.

They walked and Wednesday hummed. “How’s Thing been?”

“Thing has proved himself most irritating as of recently, partially due to his excitement to meet you again.”

Enid smiles and squeezes her hand “I missed him too. Both of you.” She feels the need to emphasize. 

Enid’s really glad that she doesn’t feel too awkward around Wednesday. They hadn’t seen each other in so long that she worried that it would be weird once they picked things up again. She doesn’t know why she thought it would be any different but she was a little worried that she’d be the one too different. That Wednesday would be able to pick up the crush she had on her. 

Wednesday’s hand squeezes back on her arm and Enid thinks she might die from how affectionate the smaller had been with her. She had always been in her own ways… affectionate, but Enid feels butterflies at the thought of Wednesday being more physically acceptable with her. 

Enid keeps her yapping to a low voice, not wanting to bring any attention just in case someone else was creeping in the halls. Wednesday does what she does best, intently listening to Enid talk about how camp went. 

Enid rubs a thumb across Wednesday’s hand once they reach her chambers. She lets go of the hold and she pushes the doors open to let the Princess in. 

Maybe it’s because she wasn’t really expecting a change but she is surprised to see a variety of flowers scattered across the room. She knows that Wednesday had taken up gardening the past year but she figured they would all stay out in the garden. Wednesday was particular in keeping outside items…. outside. 

“Did you grow those?” 

Wednesday nods before turning around to lock the doors behind them. “Yes, I have taken on the challenge of growing various plants. I enjoy scraping the thorns out in my free time.”

“They’re really pretty.” Enid is quick to compliment and she looks down at the door. Weird. They’ve never locked the doors before. She must have an odd look on her face because Wednesday quirks an eyebrow at her. 

“My father informed me that there will be knights guarding the door sometime during the night. I do not wish to be disturbed.” Wednesday stares at the crest on Enid’s amor plate with an unreadable expression again. 

Enid knows she’ll blush if she acknowledges her look so instead she makes herself look busy by tilting her head towards the bookshelf. “What about Thing? How’s he going to get in? Unless he's already here?”

“Thing will find an alternative route. He is too busy enjoying the festivities with my father at the moment.” 

Enid mouths an ‘o’ and still tries to avoid looking at her. Ugh, she doesn’t know why she’s being so awkward about this now. It wasn’t like they’ve never had sleep overs before. It just felt different now. She was both aware of how attractive she found Wednesday and how much they’ve both physically changed. It was safe to say they both hit puberty in different aspects. 

She fiddles with her cape before ultimately deciding to get this over with. She could be normal about possibly cuddling with Wednesday. She pulls her cape over her head, careful not to get her medal snagged on her hair before gently laying it over the chair.

The Princess looks at her curiously and Enid picks her head up only slightly before struggling to take off her chest piece. She doesn’t know how she managed to put this on as easily as she did the first time. Once she successfully takes it off she’s left in her under shirt, trousers and boots.

“I require assistance.” Wednesday turns around, back facing towards her and Enid slowly walks to her. This looked difficult and she knew it wouldn’t be fancy if it wasn’t difficult to put on. The smaller looked really beautiful in this dress, Enid never really had the opportunity to see her dress so formally before and Wednesday pulled it off really well.

It takes her a moment to actually figure out how to loosen the backside but when she does she works quickly. She turns around to give Wednesday some privacy when the back of the dress is opened up enough and makes herself busy by slowly taking off her boots.

She could hear fabric shifting and doors open then closing, she only turns around when she hears Wednesday make herself comfortable on her bed. 

Enid immediately slides in under the blanket, slamming the side of her head on the pillow and she blinks at Wednesday until the smaller looks at her. 

“You’re maddening.”

“But in a good way, right?”

Wednesday doesn’t say anything, she places the blanket over her chest and she places both her hands on her stomach.

“Can we cuddle?” Enid cutely asks and Wednesday gives a curt nod. She shuffles over and grabs her waist, maneuvering her in a way that she could feel Wednesday’s back against her chest.

The wolf buries her face in the back of Wednesday’s neck, basically eating a lot of her hair but she doesn’t complain about it. “Are you reading anything interesting? I know you said you finished your book two weeks ago.”

“No but I wish to visit the bookstore again as well as to see if there’s any more seeds I could buy. I want to take the challenge of growing cucumbers next.”

Enid murmurs something but the Princess still manages to hear her. She feels Wednesday place a hand over hers and Enid replaces her own hand on top, wanting to be the one to hold Wednesday. 

“I wish to see you again tomorrow.” The Princess says.

This had been in the back of her mind since Wednesday had been presented. She doesn’t know exactly how they’re going to make this friendship work now. Wednesday was the Princess, she has bigger responsibilities now and doesn’t need to worry about having Enid around anymore. 

She doesn’t know what Wednesday’s schedule is going to be like now, heck, she doesn’t even know what her own schedule was going to be like. She wants to still be able to make this work like how they used to but she isn’t certain it’ll be possible. 

She pulls Wednesday closer “I’ll try to figure something out soon, I promise”

They continue to talk for the rest of the night. Enid only says goodbye once the sun comes up and the Princess can no longer keep her eyes open. She sneaks out over garden bricks and furrows her eyes at the door before she hops over. 

The knights did come to guard her door, Enid would know. She practically growled at the sudden movement behind those doors and it took Wednesday having to calm her down for her to stop her rumbling.

This was going to be hard.

Enid tries to spend her week off as wisely as she could. There were many things she’d like to get done before she gets thrown into the workforce and even then she wasn’t sure what her daily schedule was going to consist of. 

Firstly, she needs new clothes, badly. A whole new wardrobe to replace her old clothes. She’s been wearing underwear with holes for months now and it was starting to feel flimsy. Maybe buy a couple blouses, trousers and some casual dresses that she couldn’t afford to buy previously. She had received her payment for the eight months she was gone and the gold coins that were promised if she ranked high enough at the camp. 

Secondly, as much as she hates herself for doing this to herself, she needs to make her rounds on visiting her group of friends. She’s both excited and equally terrified of how that’s going to go. Her anxiety grew with each passing flier of Wednesday being announced as the Princess that was posted on the walls.

Thirdly and most importantly, she wants to look at houses to buy. Sure she could live with the other knights who choose to stay in their dorms but after spending most of life not having any privacy she’d like to take the opportunity of having her own space as soon as possible. Plus if she doesn’t buy now who’s to say that land won’t be hard to buy in the future. 

She is going to blow through her money fast but she thinks this is the best idea in the long run. 

The first place she stops by is Kent and Divina’s blacksmith shop. The shop had always been the first place she saw, now that she thinks about it, it would make sense to own a weapon forging shop closest to the castle. It would bring in more business from the knights. 

She thinks she sees Divina, the siren’s body facing away from her. Hair was still kept short and just from looking far away, she grew only a few inches. Divina was organizing her tools, talking to her father who then disappeared to the back. She doesn’t see Kent and Enid figures that he must be in the back too. 

Wanting to surprise the girl, she doesn’t say anything as she quietly makes her way to the shed. She leans on the counter with both her arms laying flat and she puts her body weight forward. She knocks on the counter twice to get her attention and gives a lopsided smile once Divina turns around.

“Hi.”

Divina’s eyes widen before she drops her tools and throws her body halfway over the counter to give Enid a tight hug. “Oh my gosh, I was wondering when I was going to see you!” She pulls back with a wide smile and Enid tries to give her a quick hug back. 

“I know, it feels like forever.” Enid looks around to see if she could spot her brother in the back “Is Kent around?”

Divina gets out of the hug and shakes her head “Dad has him running around town to get some supplies. You might see him around if you go into town. He’ll be upset once he finds out he missed you.” The siren looks her up and down. “You look really great, that camp surely did something to you.”

Enid laughs and then gestures to Divina’s hair “Me?” Another laugh “You! Kept the same haircut, huh? I like it.”

Divina grabs the ends of her hair, combing through it with her fingers and gives a shy smile “Yeah, I really like it. Yoko helps me cut it every once in a while.”

“Is Yoko and Eugene in class right now?”

Divina gives a small shrug “They might be getting out of class right now. I’m not sure, their schedules have always been weird.” Divina cocks her head to the side, looking at something past Enid’s head so she turns to see what she  was looking at.

It was a poster of Wednesday. 

Divina doesn’t have to say anything for Enid to know that she was waiting for an explanation. “I bet you were surprised.” Enid bites her bottom lip nervously. 

Divina thins her lips and leans on the counter before gesturing her head towards the poster. “Yeah, it was crazy. You’re crazy.” She keeps her voice to a half whisper “The Princess? You were just letting us mingle with the Princess?”

Enid gives her a guilty look but tries to half make up for it “Wednesday does really enjoy your company.”

The siren playfully scoffs, scratching her nail idly on the wood. “I just want to know how you personally knew her. We talked about this yesterday, the group. How did you casually bring out someone from the Royal family.”

Enid’s face contorts into a thinking expression, she never could figure out what she would say when they asked her about it. She made up ten different half lies or a full on white lie of what she was going to say. She didn’t want to put the King and Queen’s business out there but it also felt wrong not telling her friends everything. She concluded that she had more loyalty to Wednesday’s safety than she did anyone else.

“I didn’t know she was the Princess at first.” Which was true! “We didn’t even get along at first. She was mean and I tried hard to be her friend in the beginning.” Enid takes a breath, a huff at the thought of how Wednesday used to treat her. Being a little older now, she thinks she understands why. “I think we became better friends once I stopped trying so hard.”

Divina laughs a little “Yeah but I can’t believe you brought her out here with us. Us, of all people.”

Being defensive, Enid replies “What’s wrong with us! I like us a lot!” There was no real bite to what was said. “It wasn’t easy, you know, we did a lot to make sure no one recognized her. She wouldn’t admit it to anyone but we’re definitely the closest friends she has, she cares a lot about all of us.” She should feel more embarrassed about flaunting how close she was with Wednesday but she wasn’t. She was proud. “She became my best friend.”

Divina scrunches her face, shooting Enid a quick as she leans slightly back “Friends? I thought you guys were dating.”

There was an awkward pause between them as Enid stared at Divina and Divina staring back. She doesn’t know how Divina got the idea that they were dating. They never acted more than friends and it wasn’t like Enid was even aware of her romantic feelings for Wednesday back then. 

“Um, no. Why would you think that?” Enid is taken aback and tries little to hide her own confusion. 

Divina looks flustered and it makes the werewolf think, shouldn’t I be the one embarrassed here??

“You guys just seemed so close. I asked Yoko about it before and.” She looks embarrassed at her explanation “She said it was an unspoken thing that you guys were together together.” 

Wait.

Did all their friends think they were dating? Together? Girlfriends? 

Enid puffs her chest out a bit, her own excitement getting ahead of her brain. After a quick reality check she deflates and pushes herself away from the counter, she needed to make her other stops before it got too late.

She waves the girl off “No, we’re just friends. I think? I don’t really know how our friendship will change with her being… you know.”

Divina gives a nod and reads her body language that she’s about to leave. Divina reaches over, a small squeeze to her forearm. “I’m sure we’ll all plan to hang out together but stop by again and I’ll personally fix a sword up for you. Congratulations on becoming a knight.” 

When Enid stops by Eugene’s diner, his moms inform her that their class is on a two day trip outside the kingdom and this somehow stresses Enid out even more.

Enid still felt out of place when she wore her new uniform. She didn’t have to wear it today because she was still off but she did want to show it off a bit. She just didn’t realize how weird it felt wearing it when you’re not on the job.

It isn’t odd for knights to still wear their uniform on their days off so maybe it took some time getting used to. She didn’t feel the part. 

She felt self conscious in the beginning and her mom would be ashamed of her if she saw her like this. Werewolves were prideful and it took so many years of not being able to wolf out for Enid to try to build her confidence back up again. 

She’s aware of the looks the maids give her and it’s always shocking to her that they’re not negative ones. The older maids that used to bully her send her flirty looks too so that was new. 

She strolls through the courtyard, walking to no place in particular. She hadn’t had the chance to walk around the castle and she doubts much has changed but she was still curious. 

Enid blushes when a group of maids wave at her so she wiggles her fingers back to be nice. They squeal, hitting each other in excitement but rushing off to their assignments.

“Enid.” She turns her head and is greeted by Miss Thornhill, who was standing with her arms behind her back. “It’s good to see you back.”

“Hi.” Enid gives a dimpled smile. “It’s good to be back, it feels like forever if I’m being honest.”

“Yes, you have certainly outgrown most here. Be nice to these young boys and girls. You seem to have gotten yourself a little fan club.” The head maid doesn’t elaborate on that, she walks away when something else catches her attention.

Ah man, now she just made this embarrassing. 

She doesn’t have to make it too much further to run into another familiar face. Ajax, the stable boy that she stopped talking to after the incident at the barn. He was dirty, a shovel in his hand from moving what had to be horse poop. He grew to be more handsome in this short period of being away. 

He stops mid shovel when he notices her, stands up straighter as he gives her a lazy smile. “Hey.” He says and leans on the handle.

“Hey. How have you been?” She asks as she makes her way over. 

He shrugs his shoulders “I’ve been good and I see that you’ve been doing better? I went to see you get initiated the other day, you seemed really cool.”

Enid smiles, she still hasn’t gotten used to being a knight and getting compliments for being one. “Honestly, if you would have told me five years ago that this is what I’d be doing now then I would have called you crazy. It's good being home, though.”

“No, yeah I get it. You must’ve been homesick after being gone for so long. I don’t know how you did it.”

There’s a small commotion amongst the servants and Enid side eyes them, they were pretending to be busy and she knows what’s happening. There must be someone from the Royal family nearby. She knows this because she also used to be this way. Her go to was to make herself out of the way by fetching some buckets of water because none of the other maids liked to do it.

Ajax, looks to the side before continuing to shovel some more but not necessarily ending their conversation. Enid herself doesn’t react to the commotion. Feels like she’s more comfortable with speaking with the King and Queen now. Besides, it wasn’t like they didn’t know that she was on a break.

“How’s the horses been treating you?”

He snorts “Better than you.” He pauses, “That was supposed to be a joke.”

Enid laughs “We so don’t need to talk about that again. I don’t think I have it in me to go back in the barn after all that.” She waves her hand in the direction of the barn.

“Yeah, sorry about that. I guess I should’ve listened when you said that you weren’t good with them.” He takes another pause, stopping his shoveling before picking his head up to look at her. “I’ve been meaning to ask for like… forever now.”

Enid feels the hair on her neck stand, someone is near and she can’t tell if she enjoys the feeling or not. She thinks she knows who’s near but her senses are clouded by the smell. She’s only half listening to Ajax right, doing everything she can to not move or turn her neck. 

“Could I take you on a date?” He asks. 

This is what gets her attention. A date, huh. She never imagined going on a date with Ajax but he was handsome. She blinks at him, not fully knowing what kind of answer she was going to give him.

“Enid.” The wolf snaps her head to the voice almost behind her. 

Princess Wednesday stands proudly, her arms crossed over her chest with her chin slightly tilted up. She has a more experienced knight escorting her and Enid doesn’t like that she isn’t the one who is doing it instead. “Come, I have made some time to spend together.”

Chapter Text

It isn’t difficult for her to know Enid is nearby. The girl-ish squeals from the maids pierce into her ears sharply, a quick flicker of annoyance passing through the Princess’s expression by the screeching. 

She tries to ignore them, her attention firmly looking blankly ahead as one of the advisors her mother had appointed her read through her schedule. 

“After we observe the farms located inside the castle grounds, we will gather together with the Prince to continue your lessons from this morning-“ Wednesday rolled her eyes, her lessons with her brother were rather….dull. There wasn’t any additional information she hadn’t already known from the self studying she had done over the past couple years.

Thing had found them boring as well, making himself scarce as a way to avoid attending them with her. He had no loyalty.

A traitor.

Her gaze unintentionally trails back to the wolf, sheepishly talking to the gorgon stable boy. Another look of annoyance stays on her face, she had met him briefly when making her introductions to different areas inside of the castle walls. Instantly taking a disliking to him, it wasn’t hard for her to make the connections of this boy being the one who had put Enid in that situation where she was injured. She would never forget an incident like that, especially when it pertained to the wolf. 

The siren was still on her list.

She made her dislike for him in rather obvious ways, the boy quickly avoided her gaze unknowing why the Princess of all people hated him specifically. He had seen the way she interacted with the other servants, she wasn’t particularly friendly with them but treated him rather intensely. 

Wednesday frowns, watching from afar at the shy smile that gorgon boy was giving her wolf.

This was unacceptable.

She hears her advisor choke on his words and then rush to catch up with her which was rather pathetic because she wasn’t walking fast. 

Her strides were quite short.

She can see Enid unknowingly tense up, looking more and more stiff the closer she gets. This makes Wednesday smirk, the wolf still had the same habits even after being away from each other for so long. 

She hears the gorgon boy asks Enid on a date and she’s disgusted for Enid. The wolf must need her help in escaping from the boy who hurt her. 

“Enid.” The wolf snaps her head towards her and her reaction satisfies her. Enid’s eagerness to always please her was satisfying enough. 

The Princess crosses her arms over her chest and doesn’t hide the distaste in her mouth when ushering Enid away from the stable boy. How dare he think he was worthy of her wolf. 

Enid was rather appealing to look at and he, on the other hand, was reason enough to keep away in the horse stables. “Come, I have made some time to spend together.”

The wolf stiffens and awkwardly looks at the gorgon boy and then back to the knight her mother had appointed to her. He was tall, built very sturdy but she knew Enid could rip him apart if she wanted to. 

The Princess doesn’t wait for the girl to answer, instead she makes way to her mothers garden. She already had it in mind to invite Enid to enjoy pastries that the kitchen had prepared for them moments ago. 

Enid had a sweet tooth and Wednesday was ready to appease that hunger of hers. 

She hears Enid stumble to follow after her and it makes the corner of Wednesday’s mouth quirk up. She knew the wolf would not deny her request. 

The wolf doesn’t walk too close to her and Wednesday has to remind herself that Enid is only trying to keep it a respectable distance away. She’s not used to Enid avoiding physical contact with her. 

When they get to the garden, there is a table and two chairs set up for them. The maid beside it, rushing to go into the kitchen to bring out their pastries and tea. 

The Princess is the first to sit and Enid still looks too awkward to sit down across from her. The situation with Enid being a knight and her coming out from the shadows as the Princess has changed the dynamic between the two. 

She doesn’t understand why Enid cannot act like she does when they’re alone. She has not changed but she feels as if the wolf is avoiding her. She does not wish for Enid to keep acting this way so she must take matters into her own hands. 

“Sit.” She gestures to the seat in front of her as she takes her own. “I have made sure they prepared your favorites.”

Enid sits stiffly across from her and it doesn’t take long for Wednesday to conclude that the knight walking around with her is what’s making Enid so uncomfortable. 

“Malik.”

“Yes, Princess.” 

“Make yourself scarce.”

“I cannot leave your presence, Princess.”

Wednesday glares at him. She is the one making orders around here. She doesn’t know who he thinks he serves but she would make it difficult for him if he doesn’t listen to her orders. 

“I am safe with Enid. She is a knight of this kingdom, is she not?”

“But Princess-“

“I will not repeat this again. You will leave Enid and I, now.” She glares again and this time she knows she got her message across by the slight tremble of his armor. 

“Yes, Princess.”

They wait for him to leave and Enid makes sure that he did actually leave. They wait another moment, for the kitchen maids to set their food and drinks down. It was only then that Enid finally relaxed into her seat once they left as well. 

“I apologize for not making time for you. My father has made it his priority to make me do his list that I know he was trying to get out of.” Wednesday is first to speak again, wanting to encourage Enid to act as usual.

The wolf is unusually quiet and Wednesday is patient in waiting for a response. “I um-“ the wolf taps on the table “I don’t think I know how to act around you when we’re um out here.” She makes her hands busy by grabbing a piece of bread “It’s just different, you know.”

“Explain.”

“Come on, you know what I’m trying to get at.” Enid points towards her and then herself “You’re Royalty and I’m just me. I don’t think we can act like how we used to. It would make the both of us look bad and I don’t want to ruin your image.”

“I fail to understand how you would ruin my image. I would send anyone to the torture chamber if they think otherwise.”

“Oh my gosh, you can’t just send people to the torture table for that.” Enid says half seriously before breaking out into a smile. Enid looks around to make sure nobody was close enough to be listening to their conversation. “I really miss you, seriously.”

The Princess nods, she knows that Enid gets what she is also trying to say. She wouldn’t admit it out loud of course. She did….miss the wolf being by her side. They have spent too much time away from each other to still be separated. 

“I ask that you come tonight.”

“To your-“ Enid catches herself and whispers the rest “Chambers.”

Wednesday nods again “Yes.” She raises an eyebrow “Unless, you have plans to spend the rest of your nights with the gorgon boy.”

Enid turns an immediate red, she leans back into her seat and waves her hands in front of her. “Absolutely not.” She blows her lips “Besides, your body is always super cold so it makes it so much better on hot nights.”

“I could say the opposite for you.”

“You know you love it.” Enid stuffs her face with a cookie. “How’s it going being the Princess? With actual duties?”

“Torturous. They have placed me in the same classes as my brother and he still doesn’t know the difference between a frog and a toad. I should’ve let that bear eat him as a child.”

Enid laughs and the Princess feels joy that she got that reaction out of the wolf. She hadn’t realized just how dull her days have been without the chaotic wolf. She does have a sense of pride in the girl. She became quite the ferocious beast. 

Her mood is ruined at a passing thought “Do you plan on dating the stable boy?”

She sees Enid turn red again and this reaction greatly disappoints her. Did the wolf like him that much? She thinks Enid deserves much better. She deserves someone who can feed her any time of the day. To go on late night runs when she wolfs out. Someone who can keep her safe by poisoning any of her enemies.

“I don’t know.” Enid answers honestly “He’s nice and everything but not really my type.”

“I was unaware you had a type.”

Enid turns a deeper shade of red and tries to save herself from this conversation “What about you? I’m sure you’re gonna have a ton of guys wanting your hand.”

“I will die before I let that happen.”

Enid smiles again, curse her. 

“What time do you want me over?”

The Princess looks up at the sky, the sun shining directly above her head. It would be hours before the sun would set and that was far too long for her to be wandering the kingdom. She was getting irritated by how many servants had greeted her and was ready to retreat back into her room. “Now, preferably.”

Enid knew she couldn’t avoid the situation for long, she honestly dreaded the conversation but she was tired of the anxiety that came with the… lack of information with everyone. She wanted to get it out of the way so she could go back to hanging out with her friends.

She wasn’t running away from them, she had made her way into town a couple times and wasn’t able to catch any of friends except Divina, who promised they weren’t avoiding her just super busy with their lives. 

There was always a little bit of relief after not being able to confront her friends. It gave her an extra day to not have to talk about it but it only added to her stress not to get it out of the way. 

She tries her luck and visits Eugene’s restaurant on a Friday, they used to get together on that day to catch up every week. She doesn’t even know if they even do that anymore with how busy everyone has been.

She’s wearing her under shirt and trousers that hide under her armor. She had gone back to new duties as a knight a couple of days ago and didn’t want to deal with more clothes to wash after switching into something more casual. And Enid wouldn’t admit to anyone else, she still liked the looks she got from random people just for being a knight. It definitely gave her a confidence boost.

She takes a deep breath and pushes through the restaurant doors, eyes searching for her group of friends. She finds them sitting at the same spot they normally were at, tucked in a corner and chatting amongst themselves.

Her hands get a little clammy and she clears her throat as she walks to them, practicing what she’s going to say in hopes to clear the air. Her heart picks up a beat at the thought of talking about the whole Wednesday situation.

No one seems to notice her, deep into their own conversations to pay her any mind. “Hey.” She greets, her voice almost cracking and it makes her clear her throat once more. They turn their heads, eyes looking only at her. 

“Hey.” She greets once more, hoping to sound at least somewhat normal. 

Yoko is the first to say something. “Oh my gosh, sit down right now.”

Divina scoots over and makes space between her and Yoko, calling her over by patting the seat between them. Enid sits down and gives everyone a sheepish smile.

“Enid.” Eugene perks up in his seat. “It’s so great to see you.” He pushes the plate of rolls closer to her, insisting she grab one and Enid appreciates his warm welcome. “How was camp?”

Enid appreciates this question even more, thanking moon that Eugene hasn’t asked what everyone is really wanting to know. “It was so hard!” She whined and flops down on the table dramatically. It was nice hanging out with her friends with no expectations. She didn’t realize how exhausting it was to put up a front of being all cool. She doesn’t know if she’s even pulling off the knightly status.

“What were they even feeding you over there? You look fit.” Yoko pokes her arm, her finger not feeling any squishy spots. 

Enid sits up, grabbing a piece of bread “I ate a ton, the training was just intense.” She feels a squeeze on her arm and she looks at the siren.

“I literally told her the same thing, like you were pretty fit before but now you must be crazy strong.”

“Flex for us.” Kent says excitingly, holding his own arm up to flex himself, wanting to compare muscles. Forging weapons was a lot of labor too.

Enid raises her arm up and gives them a show. She hears them make noises and she shyly brings her arm back down. She doesn’t know why the action makes her feel so embarrassed.

“Honestly, I struggled a lot and the only thing that really motivated me to keep going was Wedn-“ she stops herself and her throat drops to her stomach. Seriously? She might’ve just shit the bed on this one.

Everyone is quiet, Enid looking like she wants to jump out of her seat and say goodbye to everyone already.

“Okay, I’m tired of acting stupid. Will you please just tell us what the hell is going on with….that.” Yoko motions her finger in a circle. “Why were you bringing….” She lowers her voice “Her around us?”

Enid forgets what she memorized to say, avoiding all eye contact with her friends. She briefly makes eye contact with Eugene before she averts her eyes elsewhere. She taps her finger on the table before she takes a deep breath. Just get it over with.

“Um, well I guess for starters….no I didn’t know she was the Princess at first. Yes I found out soon after. And I brought her around you guys because you guys are all good people.”

“Were you ever going to tell us?” Eugene timidly asks.

Enid gives him a soft look, her smiles fading as she shakes her head. “Honestly, no. I also didn’t know they were even planning on announcing her to the public so I was just as shocked as everyone else.” Enid pauses for a moment, wondering if her next sentence would come out insensitive. “Would you guys be mad if I said that keeping Wednesday’s identity a secret would’ve been my priority?” 

Eugene is the first to answer. “Of course not.” 

Yoko makes a confused face “Wait, I think you’re skipping over so much information. How did you even meet her?”

Enid tears a piece of her bread out, playing with the small piece with her fingers “A couple years ago I snuck into the kitchen and I met her there after trying to steal the leftover snacks. We sorta became friends after that.” Enid doesn’t think she has enough brain power to go into deeper detail on how she met the Queen that night with the deal they made and she doesn’t want to give away any more Royal secrets.

“And you guys have been dating for how long?” Kent bluntly asks. 

She sees Eugene’s face turn pink and Enid’s eyes widened in surprise. She feels her face flush, her temperature rising at alarming rates and she waves her hands around rapidly “We’re not dating!” She squeaks “We’re really not! Just best friends!”

“We won’t tell anyone-“ Eugene tries to comfort her and it only stresses herself out even more.

“No, really!” She emphasizes. “We’ve never been dating!”

“I literally called her your girlfriend a hundred times.”

“I thought you were kidding!”

Eugene puts a hand to his face and furrows his eyes. “Okay I’m so confused right now.” He gives a confused look “So you’re not dating Wednesday?”

Enid shakes her head, she hopes at least one person believes her. It blows her mind that her close friends thought they were dating this whole time. She could understand why Bianca thought they were dating because of the lie she told her but her friends? That’s so silly! 

Wednesday was super pretty and beautiful and gorgeous and breathtaking and- and she was just Enid! Sure she’s a knight now but she honestly doesn’t feel that different than nine months ago. She was still the outcast wolf who could barely wolf out! Besides, even if they were dating they’d probably get looks on how someone as beautiful as Wednesday ended up with that. 

“So what’s going to happen now?” Divina asks. 

Enid deflates, her shoulders slump down “I don’t really know. I haven’t been able to see her and when I do, she always has someone following her every move. It’s been hard for me after seeing her practically everyday to not being able to talk to her without it being really formal.” 

“Does she treat you any differently?”

“No and it’s also a little weird. She tries to treat me normal and I think I’m the problem. I don’t know how to talk to her without it seeming like I’m not respecting the Royal family. I think it’s bothering her but I’m not sure how I’m supposed to talk to her without it raising questions.”

She feels Yoko put a hand on her shoulder and a squeeze follows after. “That’s rough buddy.”

Everyone at the table agrees and Eugene waves his mom over. It doesn’t take long for his mom to set a hot plate in front of Enid. 

“It’s so nice to have you back, dear.”

“Did you know there’s a rumor that the Princess fancy’s you?”

Enid sputters her food back into her bowl of soup while Bianca smirks at making her so easily flustered. The two were eating their lunch, a small break of standing their watch in front of the castle gates. 

Standing guard had to be the most boring job of being a knight. They just stand there for eight hours, only being able to talk when no one is around before they get relieved of their watch. 

She guessed it could be worse. She’s on the same watch shift with Bianca which was both relieving and not. They talk a ton and she gets embarrassed when Bianca even mentions anything about the Princess. 

She knows that Bianca is teasing her to get a reaction. 

“I’m being serious.” Bianca takes a sip out of her mug. “I heard some of the maids gossiping about it yesterday.” Enid doesn’t know if she takes anything that Bianca is saying seriously. There’s no way that there are already rumors about the two of them. She doesn’t think she has acted anything but respectful when talking to the Princess. 

“What were they saying?” Enid wipes her mouth with her arms.

“That it’s so obvious that the Princess has a crush on you because who wouldn’t.” Bianca mimics a high pitch voice “But don’t worry because someone from the Royal family could never court a commoner.” 

Enid pauses and she feels an unsettling pit anchoring down into her stomach. She knows it would never happen but it doesn’t stop her from wanting it. She had thought about it a lot and she thought she could settle with just being close to the Princess. Her right arm. 

Her protector. 

But maybe she’s just being dumb about this. She does want a family in the future and she knows it could never be with Wednesday. She doesn’t know if the Princess is going to claim the throne or if it’s going to be the Prince but she knows that Wednesday would have her own responsibilities to the Kingdom. Responsibilities that don’t include Enid. 

It hurts her a lot to think about but she can’t help but still have a crush on Wednesday. Maybe it’ll go away one day but Enid will accept the fact that today isn’t that day. 

“Hey, I didn’t mean to step on toes.” Bianca reaches over but pulls away, feeling awkward about comforting the wolf. “For what it’s worth, I can still see it working from behind closed doors. If that’s something you want.”

Yes. Absolutely yes. Enid would take anything if it meant being in Wednesday’s life in that way.

“I think you’re forgetting that she has to like me back.”

Bianca looks at her like she’s dumb before gesturing to go. She would make sure that they didn’t get caught up in their little talk and be late to their shift. Enid gets away with entirely too much from the Royal family and she knows that she would not get that same treatment if she were to be late. 

They dump the rest of their trash, put their shoulder armor on and head to the front of the castle. 

“Hey, Berg. Ready to be relieved?” Enid said once they reach the front of the gates. She taps on his shoulder, the claw on her finger clanging against the metal. 

He looks relieved and shuffles in his steps. She knows he’s trying to keep off his feet, they must be so sore from standing up for so long. That’ll be Enid in a couple hours. There’s just something different about standing in the same spot that just makes her feet hurt so much.

They exchange the same information, that nothing much has been going on. None of the Royals have left the castle grounds and to make sure they stayed hydrated out here. 

Enid groans when it’s just the two of them. Did she mention how boring this watch was? Thank moon she’s with Bianca but sometimes even they run out of things to talk about to pass time. 

“Have you been seeing anyone?” Enid asks.

The siren rolls her eyes “No, my mother insists I meet a boy she wants to set me up with but my loyalty lies with the kingdom. I also have professional goals that I would like to meet before settling down.”

Enid nods her head understandingly “Yeah, I get it. My mom did the same thing to me right before we left for our training. I don’t think she thought I would amount to anything so she tried marrying me off.”

Bianca places a hand on the handle of her sword, resting it there. “It would be a shame for you to settle as a housewife.”

Enid nods her head and looks ahead of her. She can’t say she doesn’t miss her family. It keeps her up at night sometimes, wondering what everyone has been up to since the last time she’s seen them. She wonders if any of her brothers found their mates yet. They were at the age where they should be actively trying to seek one out. 

Enid stiffens and Bianca notices her body language, straightening out her own back and looks straight ahead. Multiple footsteps come closer and it’s hard for Enid to not look back. 

She ducks her head in a quick bow. “Princess.”

Princess Wednesday was accompanied by the knight appointed to protect her. Enid tries not to make her annoyance obvious but she is jealous that he gets to follow the Princess around as his job. 

“Enid.” The Princess acknowledges her and gives a look to Bianca. Enid feels bad that she somehow made the Princess not like her, especially because they’re good friends now. 

“Heading into town?” Enid not so professionally asks. The Knight appointed over Wednesday shoots her a look. The knights should not question any of the Royals of their whereabouts. 

The Princess slips a paper into her sleeve, Enid could only assume it’s her list of things to buy while out into town.

Princess Wednesday nods “Yes. I would like to see if the next addition to the book I was previously reading last summer has come out.”

“The one with the poisonous frog?”

“Yes.”

Enid looks back at the other knight and finally lets up from asking the Princess too many questions. “I’ll leave you to it. Have a nice evening, Princess.”

Wednesday nods and doesn’t wait to tell the other knight that it was time to go. He seems to not need the announcement and it makes Enid want to roll her eyes. Gosh, when did he get so good at reading Wednesday's signs.

“You know, you’re going to get in trouble for how friendly you are with the Princess.” Bianca points out when they’re far enough out not to hear. 

Enid deflates “I know I know. I don’t think we really know how to not be friendly around each other. I mean, I’ve tried talking to her about it before but I don’t think she understands.”

Bianca nods, her eyes not leaving the two figures walking further away from them. “Maybe she just isn’t ashamed to show everyone how much she cares about you.”

“Maybe.”