Chapter Text
Hatchetfield. While not an amazing kingdom, it was still the one the Lauters ruled over. Or, more accurately, Stephanie Lauter. Her parents had once been responsible for the well-being of the kingdom, but both of them had died, leaving Steph, a small child when originally stepping into her role, to take over everything. She had a very caring staff to help her, but not even they could prevent the decline in her mental health. Once kind, bubbly, and sweet, the girl began isolating herself from others, becoming short and snippy with everyone, and often angry towards everyone she interacted with.
One such night, someone knocked on the door of the castle. For the first time in months, Steph found herself opening the large wooden doors of the Lauter Castle. A man awaited her. He was clothed in all green, and even his hair appeared to be green.
“Good evening, madam. Do you think you could let me in?” His voice was accented and strangely formal, yet had a childish air about it. His hands rested just under his chest, not quite folded. Steph raised an eyebrow. She didn’t know him, and if her parents and castle staff had taught her anything, it was not to let anyone into the castle without learning if they were trustworthy or not.
“Um, no. I don’t know you.”
“Oh, but I’m sure you do, Miss Steph-a-nie.” Okay, this was getting weird.
“How do you know my name?” She asked.
“Everyone knows your namey-wame, Stephie. The most popular princess in all the land.” She didn’t like him at all. Only the most trusted members of her staff (the closest thing she had to friends) called her Steph, and no one called her Stephie. Ever.
“Okay, this chat has been really nice, but I really need to go, so…”
“What, the leader of this great kingdom doesn’t wish to hear what I want? So unprofessional.” Careful, Stephanie. Possible uprising on your hands here. Her parents had always been terrified that the people of Hatchetfield would revolt and take their precious monarchy away from them. She took a deep breath.
“Fine. What do you want, sir?”
“Oh, nothing of consequence. Just the thing you desire most.” Wait, what? This conversation couldn’t continue.
“Okay, I don’t know why you’re really here, but you’re no longer welcome, so goodbye.” Steph announced. She tried to close the door, but the figure finally moved his hands and prevented her from keeping herself safe from this intruder.
“Sounds like someone needs to be taught a lesson.”
“What does that even mean?!” She raised her voice, she was almost yelling, in the hopes that someone would hear her and stop this madness.
“You can’t lie to us, Steph. You can lie to yourself, but not to me. I know deep down that you want to be loved, and I know deep down that you’ll never receive it, unless you learn how to change your ways.”
“Wha—What?”
“And Hatchetfield has always been our domain. So, I’ll make you a little deal, Princess. You let me and my brothers have free reign and I’ll give you the opportunity to fall in love.”
“Are you joking? No!” She tried to back up, he stepped in further.
“Come on, Steph-a-nie, I know that’s what you want. And I can make that happen. All you need to do is take the little wager.” He had a point, she had to admit it. She was terribly lonely in this castle, the staff weren’t really close to her. She had no one to talk to, no one she truly loved. And this man was right, she did want that more than anything.
“What’s your name?” It wouldn’t be right to make a deal with a stranger. “You may call me Wiggly. It’s what all of my followers refer to me as. It seems to be easier for their human minds to comprehend.” The man, Wiggly, explained.
“Okay, Wiggly. I’ll take your deal.” “Oh, what wonders await you now, Princess Steph-a-nie!” He kept pronouncing her name wrong. It was strange, but she assumed it was just part of his accent. He held out a long hand for her to shake, which she returned. His smile only grew wider. She could have sworn she heard laughter. Evil laughter. Coming from all around her. It was everywhere. A rose spontaneously appeared in his hand. He was a magic user this whole time?
“When this last petal-wetal falls, you will have run out of time. My brothers and I will remain in the woods for now, as the rest of them will need time to gain both strength and a form like mine. But, if that rose dies, we will really and truly take over. Good lucky-wuck.”
“No. No, I didn’t want this. Please, no.” She just made a deal without thinking about the good of the kingdom! How could she?
“Oh, didn’t you know? No magic, no deal we make, comes for free. Now, pay the price, or fuck off.” Wiggly snapped his fingers, and disappeared. The rose fell to the ground, Steph grabbed ahold of it. She wasn’t going to lose precious time just because she couldn’t keep a plant safe. Suddenly, her whole body convulsed in pain. She screamed out in pure terror. Were other voices joining her? Everything hurt too much for her to be able to tell. Something was happening…