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If you know what to look for, rumours will find you.
Gossip follows people wherever they go and within the kingdom of Hermithia, people thrive on it.
From the recent affair between the baker's wife and the blacksmith to the lovers of nobles, Hermithia and its people are always in the know.
Well, they like to think they are.
Because if you know not only what you seek in the rumour mill, but who exactly to speak with, then you, my friend, are in.
Scar Goodtimes, local flirt, beloved cat owner, and most importantly, the royal wizard has the privilege of being the first to know the news of the castle.
Mr Goodtimes has been close to the castle for years, learning all there is to know about what happens within its walls.
He can tell you about the recent rendezvous between Princess Gem and her Lady in Waiting, Pearl.
He can tell you about Prince Beef and his interest in courting a potential wife this season.
There's plenty more but only the juiciest and most scandalous rumours spread around and stay around.
This is why, when his majesty, the King of Hermithia himself, King Etho Slab, requests his services he’s there in a heartbeat.
In all the years Scar has been providing services to the castle King Etho has not once requested his time. So the unexpected appointment is not only shocking but incredibly intriguing.
In the days leading up to it, he finds himself antsy, checking and rechecking his pouch to ensure he has every possible thing he could need for whatever the King may request of him.
The morning of, he’s up with the sun. Making sure his appearance is up to par and within the royal standards. He’s never been one to mind how he looks when entering the castle, the people there have become regulars within his register.
He’s grown to even consider a few of them as close friends.
For example, Princess Gem and Scar have had many gossip sessions. They’ve grown to have quite the rapport.
Going as far as to inquire to the young princess about what her older brother could possibly need him for.
“I don't know Scar, Etho's weird, doesn't tell me much.”
“It's just so strange.”
“I wouldn't worry about it, he probably just needs you for some royal thingy.”
Did not help him much with his racing mind.
It's not like they've never spoken.
Of course, Scar and Etho have had conversations before.
Quick exchanges, usually formal and work-related most likely about payment or if a service went well.
They are friendly, the King doesn’t have a reputation for harshness so Scar had never been worried around him.
Though these exchanges may come off as curt to some, Scar knows better.
The King does however have a reputation of not being very… social.
Gem has told Scar on many occasions that her older brother is what you would describe as “socially inept.”
“He’s really a huge loser. It’s shocking that he manages to intimidate some people.”
Scar may have laughed at that.
Non-negotiable appearances, meetings and events are the very few times the King is seen throughout the year. Leaving many people of the Kingdom to make up theories about what his majesty does when he isn’t in public.
Commoners across town fill in their own blanks about their ruler's life outside of the spotlight. Some rumours are so outlandish and insane that even Scar, resident gossip, draws the line.
(One that comes to mind is the time a tavern patron tried to convince Scar that King Etho isn't real, that when he is seen, it is some kind of mass hysteria spread throughout the nation.
“They poison the water! It’s the council! I'm telling ya!”
Scar secretly changed the man’s ale to water the remainder of the evening.)
Scar believes that it isn’t King Etho's personality but rather his appearance that intimidates people.
He isn’t exactly the warmest-looking gentleman.
From his near-permanent frown to the scar running down one side of his face, anyone who doesn't know King Etho personally most definitely feels he gives off a Scary vibe.
Beef once told him that during a council meeting, a man from a kingdom nearby, sent to try and form some kind of peace treaty with Hermithia, got big-headed and tried talking back to Etho before he was fixed with a scowl so nasty he fled the castle immediately apologising profusely on his way out.
“He rolled his eyes so hard after I thought they'd get stuck that way.”
Knowing all of this, he goes into today's meeting with an open mind.
He enters the castle with his usual confidence, nodding or waving to whoever he may see as he passes them by.
Making it through the familiar halls, he stops in front of the door he was looking for.
The Office of King Etho is foreign to him. Very few have been inside, mostly for having zero reason for entrance though most have refrained due to fear.
Raising his hand he knocks twice.
A gruff voice speaks up.
“Enter.”
Concise and to the point, Etho doesn't mess around.
Opening the door slowly, Scar takes in the room.
The decor of the room resembles that of every other room in the castle, stone walls with banners hanging from ornate hooks, wooden flooring and a few windows. The main difference between the rooms Scar notices is the balcony that opens up to a view of the town square. The door is open and a slight breeze blows the curtains gently. King Etho stands just before the threshold as if wanting to look out to the Kingdom without wanting to be seen. His arms are crossed against his chest, he wears his usual get-up consisting of royal colours and armour.
Taking a cautious step forward and shutting the door behind himself, Scar bows his head before his King.
“Your Majesty.”
Etho turns from his place by the balcony door and regards Scar with a nod before gesturing to the desk on the other side of the room.
Scar takes a seat in the ornate chair opposite the one his King sits in.
Etho sits with a sigh, clasping his hands together on top of the desk before finally speaking.
‘Thank you for agreeing to meet with me, Mr Goodtimes.”
“Of course your Majesty, I am always free for you and your needs.”
Another nod is sent his way as the King adjusts his posture, and it's now that Scar can see just how nervous Etho is. An unusual feeling for his King to emanate, his curiosity peaks.
At least he's not the only one feeling uneasy.
Etho lets out a breath to steel himself before speaking once again.
“I will cut right to the chase. I am to be wed in the coming weeks.”
This startled Scar, of all the things he thought were about to leave his King's mouth this was not even a consideration. Does the King have a secret lover? Is this some sort of arranged marriage? He must find out more. He waits to see if the King has more to say but he doesn't speak again.
Scar puts on his brightest smile before speaking.
“Your majesty, that is fantastic news! You and your future wife must be very happy.”
Etho leans back in his chair, looking Scar in the eye.
“I’m afraid I do not have a wife, Mr. Goodtimes, but I will let my future husband know of your well wishes.”
Scar's eyes widen so much he's worried they might pop out of their sockets.
The King, for the first time since he got here, smiles, a small shy little thing but oh so very genuine.
“I understand this may be alarming for you, I am fully aware of the absurdity of what I have just revealed, but I need you to compose yourself while I explain what I need you for.”
Scar clears his throat, and nods, a little frantic but he quickly recovers.
“Yes of course Your Majesty, whatever you need I can provide.”
“I need you to go and retrieve my fiance from his kingdom.”
Scar furrows his brow. A pick-up service? That is most certainly not on his resume.
“Retrieve him? Your Majesty with all due respect, why can't members of the guard retrieve him for you? Why me?”
Etho unclasps his hands and brings them below the table, now resting on his thighs.
“I hand-selected you for this job as I trust you to be discreet. I am sure you understand how delicate of a matter this is and I plan on having it remain under wraps. I am not going to have a grand affair of a wedding. I refuse. My fiance agrees and has decided with me that it would be for the best for us to marry in private.”
That actually makes a lot of sense. Scar retrieving the King's fiance wouldn’t raise suspicion, if guards were to be missing for an extended period people would talk. And it’s clear to Scar that the King doesn’t like talk.
Scar respects that.
“I understand you probably have questions. Feel free to ask.”
Scar is grateful for the green light to ask away, his mind admittedly had not stopped racing since Etho dropped the bomb.
“I appreciate that your Majesty. I do have a few.”
Etho huffs a laugh and gestures for Scar to continue.
“Who is your fiance? Where does he live? How long have you been together? Is he a commoner? Is that why it’s a secret?”
Taken aback by the onslaught, Etho straightens up in his chair, clearing his throat before answering.
“My fiance is King BdoubleO of Galdoria, he and I have known each other since we were both young Princes, he and I began courting when we turned 18 years of age. I hope that answers your questions well enough.”
Scar is once again rendered speechless by Etho.
His fiance is a fellow King! Scar may have to lie down if his King keeps blowing his mind.
“Yes. My questions have been answered sufficiently, your Majesty, thank you.”
“Now, onto formalities. I assume you accept my wishes to retrieve Bdubs for our nuptials?”
Scar nods. He hasn’t really been given the choice, but he would’ve accepted no matter what.
“Alright then, you are to meet Beef and Gem out by the barn two evenings from tonight where they will be waiting with your horse and carriage, from there you will make your way to Galdoria. Further instruction will be provided in a scroll, as well as a map and all other necessities. Is all of that clear?”
Scar needs to lie down after this.
“All is clear in terms of the journey, though I have one more question.”
“Go on.”
“Are your siblings aware of your relationship with King BdoubleO? Because if so, Gem and I need to be having a very serious discussion.”
Etho gives him that small smile once again,
“My siblings are the only other two people in the kingdom who are aware of my relationship with Bdubs. They have known about it for many years now.”
“I see. Thank you for trusting me with the information, your majesty. I promise not to let you down.”
“I appreciate this Mr Goodtimes, I trust you understand should anything go wrong, or this information be revealed, that you will be punished accordingly. My siblings trust you so that means I trust you.”
There's the King everyone knows, as he speaks Ethos' gaze turns serious, cementing in Scar's mind what he has just been tasked with, the importance of secrecy.
Scar nods yet again.
“Well, if that is clear my siblings will see you in two evenings. Do not let me down.”
He rises from his chair and Scar follows.
Bowing his head once again, before walking towards the door, Scar turns to leave.
“Of course your Majesty, it has been a pleasure.”
“Likewise Mr Goodtimes.”
Scar smiles at him and opens the door, leaving the castle quickly.
He needs to process everything he has just been told.
Arriving back home he places his pouch on his own desk, before immediately collapsing into his bed.
A nap. He needs a nap before he can think about anything else.
-
-
The next few days Scar spent in a bit of a daze.
He was lucky he didn’t have any more appointments in the books as he was not focused enough to carry out any kind of service.
The trip to Galdoria takes two days.
One full day there One full day back.
When the evening he is set to leave rolls around Scar dresses himself as inconspicuous as possible, choosing to forgo his usual colourful array and opting for plain black robes accompanied by a hood to conceal himself from any wandering eyes.
The royal bar is an extravagant piece of architecture. Not your typical wooden stables but a rather grand hall filled with horses as far as the eye can see. (Not really but there truly are a lot of horses in there.)
Scar rounds the back of the building, pulling his pouch closer to his body, he spots the carriage fit with a horse all prepared for him.
As he gets closer he sees two people emerge from inside.
Princess Gem and Prince Beef.
Gem spots him and waves him over.
“Scar! There you are!”
Beef puts a hand on Gem's arm, lowering it, she turns to him offended.
“Shhh Gem. We have to keep this quiet. Etho will kill us if this goes wrong.”
“Right! Of course! It's just so exciting! A wedding!”
She stage whispers her excitement, Beef gives her a fond eye roll.
Scar had finally made it to the carriage, stopping in front of the prince and princess.
“Good evening, your Highnesses.”
They both smile at him before Beef turns his attention towards the open carriage door.
“Okay Scar, inside is everything you need. Etho made sure you had food, water, bedding, everything. Now, if you look at this crate here…”
He pulls aside a small crate lifting the lid to show Scar its contents.
“Here is your map, letter of instruction for when you arrive in Galdoria and as well as that Etho has written a personal letter for his fiance. you are under no circumstances to open the letter and read what it says. that is private and between the Kings. understood?”
Scar nods at the Prince.
“Of course of course! I understand this task and its significance. You guys have nothing to worry about.”
Gem chimes in again,
“Great awesome all is good! let’s get you going okay !”
Scar laughs a little at Gem's excitement, Scar can clearly see how excited she is for her brother's marriage.
“Okay okay, I'm going I'm going. but before I do, you two know I'm gonna be talking to you about all of this when I'm back.”
The siblings give him matching grins. the little shits.
Taking a deep breath he mounts the front of the carriage, taking his place at the horse's reins.
He gives one final goodbye to the siblings before he sets off.
He rides away from the barn and towards the forest that lines the back perimeter of the kingdom, a worn pathway guiding his path with ease.
Settling in for a long night, Scar makes himself comfortable, leaning back against the carriage, still holding the reins but allowing the horse to do most of the work.
Being familiar with the outskirts of the kingdom, Scar is confident enough to follow the path for a good chunk of his journey.
The map is still tucked away in the crate, ready for him when he needs it. For now, he zones out slightly, finally giving himself a minute to process what exactly he is doing.
Currently, Scar is on a secret mission. Retrieving the King's secret fiance for their private marriage. Said fiance the king of a neighbouring kingdom. Scar can’t help but chuckle to himself at the absurdity, wondering how on earth he got to where he is now.
He feels lucky and grateful that his majesty trusted him enough with this task. He understands his siblings had a lot of say in who would carry out the retrieval. He is thankful they believe him to be good.
Scar doesn’t realise it until now but several hours have passed since he left Hermithia, and the sun now shines down on him. He yawns, the lack of sleep catching up on him. Considering he hadn’t slept last night he pulls over to the side of the path, hitching the reins back on the carriage, he stretches his arms above his head, yawning once again.
Sluggishly, Scar makes his way off of the carriage, his feet touch the ground after a small drop, jostling him awake slightly more. Shaking out his arms, Scar walks over to the side door of the carriage, climbing inside, he gathers the bedding that was provided for him.
A makeshift bed is constructed in the back of the carriage, the seats themselves are comfy enough on their own but Scar in gratitude for the blankets, he lays down and shuts his eyes, ready to catch up on some of the sleep he lost.
-
-
A loud chuff wakes Scar from his sleep.
The horse has obviously grown impatient of waiting, eager to keep moving.
Scar chuckles slightly before grabbing an apple from his crate of food, he also grabs out the map, noticing an absence of path ahead, he leaves the carriage, walks over to the horse, he holds out the apple in front of it.
“You want this buddy? you want the apple?”
Chuffing once more Scar relents and feeds the stallion. Patting him on the head before resuming his position on the carriage.
He sets off once again, map by his side.
Scar is grateful his parents had him in cartography classes when he was young as following the map comes with ease.
Before he knows it, Galdoria appears ahead of him, from the hill he rests upon the expanse of the Kingdom looks grand.
“Wow.”
It leaves him involuntary, the view one of magnificence. Before he proceeds, he jumps off the carriage once again, opting to now check the further instructions given to him by the King.
Grabbing out the paper, Scar begins to read.
“Dear Scar,
I begin by thanking you once again for carrying out this delicate mission. Bdubs and I are in your debt.
Secondly, you have to follow my next instructions very closely to make sure your task succeeds.
Once you arrive at the perimeter of Galdoria, before entering, travel east of the Kingdom walls, you will come across a gate leading into the royal garden, leaving your carriage hidden within the trees before entering the grounds in the late evening.
There shouldn’t be anyone outside of the walls. Galdorian gardeners being the only few who utilise this gate and its access to certain foliage, their annual flower festival is not happening for another few weeks.
Once you are inside, head west around the outskirts, being careful not to disrupt any of the gardens. I would never hear the end of it if one of Bdubs precious flowers were to be trampled, after you head west you will come across the greenhouse. Bdubs will be there waiting for you.
He may have some of his own belongings, carry them for him and treat him with the same respect you treat me. I understand the informality of the meeting but he is of course the King of Galdoria.
Bdubs has informed me his closest confidant and friend, Impulse will be helping him with his departure. Regard him with the same respect.
Head back the way you came through the garden, have Bdubs lead you, and remain several paces behind him. His cloak is rather long and he refuses to leave it behind. If you stand on it he will NOT be happy with you.
From here the journey becomes a lot less stressful, I assume you can figure out that you must load Bdubs into the back of the carriage and set off back to Hermithia.
I trust you to use your smarts in aiding the safe arrival of my fiance. Guide your horse properly and steadily. Bdubs hates a bumpy ride.
That should be all, please listen if Bdubs has any more to add, he of course knows Galdoria the best.
Good luck Scar, and thank you once again. I will see you back here in Hermithia very soon.
Ah, I nearly forgot, please give Bdubs the letter I wrote for him, I presume Beef told you about it but if not it should be in the crate you retrieved this one from.
Signed,
King Etho Slab”
Letting out a long breath, Scar skims back over the letter, making sure he commits everything his King has said. He appreciates the effort his King took to provide him with clear and detailed instructions.
Rolling the paper back up he goes to place it into his pouch, to refer back to if need be.
The letter stated that Bdubs would be waiting for him in the evening. This means Scar has to wait around for at least three to four hours before he enters the royal garden.
He decides to park his carriage within the trees as instructed and kill his time by getting some sleep, as tonight will be one of very little yet again.
Entering the back of the carriage once again Scar sits on the chairs with a sigh. Grabbing a quick meal before relaxing back into the comfy cushions.
He quickly becomes bored.
Scar has never been one to enjoy solitude. Always busy and moving. Always doing something with his hands or out and about whether with a client or simply spending time with friends Scar Goodtimes never sits still.
His gaze turns to the crate that carries his map and letter. He notices the sealed parchment he is meant to give to King Bdubs upon returning to the carriage.
His curiosity peaks.
Who can blame him? A letter written by the Ming for his secret fiance who happens to be a King himself. It's rather intriguing.
Sitting up, Scar picks up the letter from the crate. He holds it in his lap, not opening it but observing it.
It’s ornate, sealed with wax of a gold colour, the emblem one Scar recognises as the King's personal mark. A mark reserved for very few people, hand-selected by the King. A mark meaning that under no circumstance should anyone other than the intended recipient open the letter.
Scar understands this and he usually respects it. But you have got to realise how much he really wants to know what it says.
Contemplating the letter once again, Scar does something he isn’t very proud of.
He carefully peels away the wax seal.
Opening the letter Scar notices immediately the sheer length of it is rather vast.
He really shouldn’t be surprised as Scar's own letter had also been rather lengthy.
Before he can read a word, he snaps his head up, looking out the window.
“Am I really going to read this?”
He questions aloud. His morals are not entirely gone but rather redundant at this moment.
Looking back down at the letter he sighs.
“Yeah, I’m going to read this.”
It’s decided and so he begins.
“To my beloved,
Bdubs. I am still not entirely convinced that it is finally happening. Our marriage has been a long awaited affair and it is often hard for me to find the words to describe the way I feel about you, our nuptials making that task all the more difficult.
As I informed you in my last letter I have sent our royal wizard Scar Goodtimes to retrieve you and bring you here.
I am sure you have met him before you read this so you should know by now how he is. My siblings have assured me he is a trusted person who will do everything within his power to bring you to me safe and sound. Through my limited interactions with the man, I am inclined to agree.
You know how much I love you and you know how elated I am for you to finally be here with me once again.
If all goes to plan on your end as well as mine, we are to be wed within the next two weeks.
I have been preparing a few things for our private ceremony. They will remain a surprise as you should see it all in person rather than me trying to describe it in writing. Just know that I smile whenever I see them, as they make me think of you.
I can not wait to finally have you in my arms. It has been entirely too long this time around my love, I'm sure you agree.
When you are with me I become a better man. You fill me with the utmost happiness and I shine with my love for you every second of every day. You are my beacon, my reason for waking every day, my soulmate.
I hope your journey here is smooth. Though I am sure if anything goes amiss you will be quick to let me know upon your arrival. I assure you any punishment will be given where needed.
I sound like a lovesick fool when I write to you. I can not help the way you make me feel. Everything about you is truly magnificent.
How when you smile you show your teeth.
How you refuse to go anywhere without your beloved moss cloak.
How you cherish every flower and plant within your garden as if they are your children.
How when you wake up in the morning, your face is fixed with a scowl aimed towards the sun.
How the scowl melts away when your eyes find mine.
How you feel when I touch you.
How you make the most beautiful sounds.
How you blush.
Everything. It's all perfect. As you are the most perfect man to ever walk the earth. You are my everything.
I shall end my words here as I wish to tell you everything else in person. I am growing more impatient as the day gets closer, my composure getting harder to remain stoic in front of others.
I shall remain composed for you.
Bdubs my love, I can not wait to be your husband.
With all my love and affection,
King Etho Slab.”
Putting the letter down with an exhale, Scar quickly uses his magic to seal it back up. Bdubs will never know he had read it.
He really should have put it down after the first paragraph, the letter was incredibly private. Scar's curiosity got the better of him, this is a side of the King only Bdubs gets to see. Forgive him for being interested.
Of course, there’s a little bit of guilt for reading something so private, but Scar is sure he’ll contemplate it all some other time. For now, he needs to lock in and focus.
The letter revealed to him just how important Bdubs is to Etho. If he messes anything up and jeopardises Bdubs' safety he’s sure Etho will see to it that he himself is the one to execute Scar.
For now, with time to kill still, Scar puts the letter back in the crate and lies down to rest.
-
-
Scar wakes to the sound of an owl in a nearby tree.
He is quick to get up and exit the carriage. Looking around to double-check that no one is around, he makes his way over to the gate.
An ornate lock slides open with ease and Scar comes face to face with a rather lavish garden.
It may be rapidly getting darker but Scar can see clear as day how many flowers and plants line the grounds.
He snaps himself out of the daze, the beautiful garden is the last of his priorities right now, looking west Scar spots the greenhouse easily as a light shines through one side, a candle.
Quickly making his way through the maze of florals, Scar approaches the door to the greenhouse and opens it, stepping inside.
The humidity of the greenhouse is foreign to him, Hermithia not being the greenest kingdom there is. He finds himself transfixed on the plants around him, many of which he has never seen before.
A hand on his shoulder startled him and he turns around quickly to face the culprit.
A short man stands before him, he is dressed rather casually for someone of nobility, with a long beard decorating his face, and pointed ears are also visible through his long hair.
This must be Impulse.
“I take it you’re Scar then?”
Scar straightens up, remembering Ethos's words in his letter.
“Treat him with the same respect.”
“Yes sir, I am Scar Goodtimes, a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
He bows down as much as he can without knocking a plant over, it is jam-packed in here.
“I’m Impulse, Bdubs personal guard, follow me.”
Without waiting for a response Impulse turns and heads towards the back of the greenhouse, Scar is quick to follow him.
As they get closer to the end of the greenhouse Scar notices a third person. Another short individual stands before him, Scar wonders to himself if Galdoria is a kingdom of people who are below average height. He quickly forgets that as he realises, this man is King BdoubleO.
Bowing his head, Scar addresses the King.
“Your majesty, it is a pleasure and an honour to meet you, I am Scar Goodtimes, King Etho sent me to retrieve you and bring you back to Hermithia for your impending nuptials.”
He rises from his bow and takes in the expression of the King. He speaks then.
“Yeah yeah okay, let’s go then alright, I have been waiting for FOREVER.”
Taken aback by the lack of formality with this King, something he isn’t used to with King Etho, Scar is quick to grab the bag he sees on the ground next to him. He gestures back towards the entrance of the greenhouse.
“Right this way your majesty, our carriage awaits.”
Bdubs turns to Impulse then, hugging him, they whisper quiet words to each other before breaking apart. Bdubs then turns and leaves, Scar a few metres behind him.
They leave the greenhouse and make their way back towards the gate, Scar realises now Etho must have informed Bdubs of the same plan he gave Scar.
Reaching the gate and making sure to shut it behind them, Scar points the King towards the place where he parked the carriage.
Once they reach the carriage, Scar opens the side door, Bdubs climbs inside and Scar follows once again, depositing the bag with the others inside.
“Your majesty, you are welcome to sleep on our journey back to Hermithia, there is food and water in this crate and the bedding over there is all yours. As well as that King Etho has written you a letter.”
He grabs the letter, swallowing before he hands it over, King Bdubs perks up with excitement, happily snatching the paper from Scar's hands.
“Thank you Scar, you’ve been a big help, now let’s head off. I'm gonna read this, then I got to shweep as it’s already well past my bedtime.”
Scar nods at the King before exiting the carriage.
He once again takes his place at the front of the carriage, setting off on the long journey back to Hermithia.
About twenty minutes into the journey Scar begins hearing a noise, he thinks at first that it’s maybe his stomach growling but he doesn’t feel hungry, he hones in on the noise trying to pinpoint where it’s coming from, he presses his ear to the wall of the carriage and his eyes widen in realisation.
King Bdubs is snoring!
Chuckling to himself Scar straightens up before focusing on the path in front of him yet again.
At least one of them is getting rest.
Scar opts to not take any breaks that aren’t unavoidable on this journey back. Meaning he isn’t getting any sleep until he is back in Hermithia.
The journey somehow feels shorter this time around, Scar is grateful for that.
It’s evening yet again as he approaches the outskirts of Hermithia, he wonders if King BdoubleO is awake, his suspicions are quickly answered as Scar hears him speak out of the side window.
“Scar? Are we approaching the Kingdom?”
“Yes Your Majesty, I would say we are maybe 20 minutes away from our final stop.”
Scar doesn’t get a spoken response but he hears what he assumes is an excited noise escaping the King.
Scar smiles, he is happy for him. He must be itching to see his fiance.
Arriving back at the barn he first set off from, Scar is surprised to see only one person waiting for them.
Having expected the Prince and Princess again, Scar stops the horse in front of none other than King Etho.
Before he can think about stepping down and opening the door, King Etho rushes to the side, throwing the door open with all his might.
A blur of movement startles Scar as King Bdubs throws himself at King Etho, Wrapping his arms and legs around him, Etho is quick to catch him, holding him close to his chest with ease. Bdubs face is buried into Ethos neck and Etho buries his own into Bdubs hair.
Scar can hear them talking to each other but decides to look away giving them privacy for their reunion when they pull back from each other slightly and join their lips in a rather heated kiss.
It’s about ten minutes later when Scar is startled awake, he must have dozed off while waiting.
Both Kings now stand before him, their hands clasped between them, wide smiles on their faces. Bdubs bag is slung over Ethos free arm.
“Thank you Scar, you have done an incredible job bringing my fiance to me. You can go home now and rest, I would like to see you in two days to discuss payment. Does that work for you?”
Scar nods at his King.
“Of course your majesty, I shall see you in two days.”
Etho nods before turning to face Bdubs, they then head off back to the castle.
Scar hops down from the carriage for the last time, retrieving his own bag before making his way back to his home.
He collapses into his bed upon his arrival, before he passes out his beloved cat Jellie, jumps onto the bed with him, she rubs her head up against his before he turns onto his back, and she is quick to curl herself up on his chest.
Scar falls asleep with a smile on his face.
-
-
It’s two weeks later, and Scar finds himself standing in front of an arch decorated with an assortment of colourful flowers.
They are in a part of the royal grounds no one bothers to visit, King Bdubs and King Etho stand before him, framed perfectly in the beautiful array, they have both just shared sentiments that left all three guests misty-eyed and emotional.
As they pronounce themselves as one, King Etho cups King Bdubs face carefully before bringing their lips together in a deep embrace. Bdubs’ own arms come to loop around his husband's shoulders.
Two days after Scar brought King Bdubs to Hermithia, he sat with his King and his fiance, they thanked him profusely before Etho offered him his payment, which was equivalent to one whole year of wages. He was extremely grateful.
Before he could leave that meeting Bdubs stopped him and extended an invitation to their private ceremony.
“We would like you there, another reward for your service.”
He had agreed in a heartbeat.
Now, as he watches the Kings gaze lovingly at each other, he focuses his gaze towards his friend, Princess Gem.
She is a mess of tears, Scar doesn’t blame her it was rather beautiful. She meets his eyes and they smile at each other.
Looking back at the couple, the Kings have now both turned towards their guests, and all three of them clap for the newlyweds.
Scar can’t help but feel a pang of jealousy in his chest.
The love shared between the two is so genuine and raw. He wishes for a love like that for himself one day.
He thinks of a curly-haired boy who runs the bakery in town, he and his two best friends always bickering over something, how he always makes sure to be the one to serve Scar his weekly treats.
Scar believes that kind of love might come for him sooner rather than later.
He can’t wait.