Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The prince of Luthon wasn’t a big fan of sitting in meetings, they were always so boring and no one listened to him anyways. His mother usually got him out of the meetings, arguing that he was too young and he shouldn’t worry about it. He didn’t really pay much attention, knowing his mother would burst in the door soon and get him out of the meeting. As if on cue, his mother opened the door, her servant trailing behind her. 

“How many times will I have to come get him before you guys learn. He is a child, not the king.” His mother, Queen Kristin, held her hand out to the prince, Tommy. He smiled and took her hand, leaving the dull room. His mother led him to the gardens, where they usually went to talk. They sat in a secret portion of the garden, one only the two knew about. It was covered in beautiful flowers of many different colours. His favourite were the orange daylilies, they were the ones that grew the most and they attracted the most pretty butterflies. There were also tulips scattered around of all colours. They sat on a stone bench, surrounded by the flowers and butterflies who were picking up the pollen. Tommy’s head was in his mother's lap, her braiding the longer parts of his hair while humming.

“Hey mum?” The queen hummed in response, indicating she was listening to him, “Do you love the king?” Her movements stopped momentarily before she hummed.

“No. I was forced to marry him but I got you out of that marriage so it wasn’t all bad. Can you promise me something, Toms?” Her voice was soft, in the kind of way you’d talk to your cat when they are sleeping. “Please marry someone you love. I promise it will be so much more worth it.” She sighed at the end, as if she was thinking about who she’d loved before. Tommy gently nodded, he didn’t want to end up in the kind of relationship his parents had. He closed his eyes, just enjoying the rare serene moment with his mother. She tapped his cheek, motioning for him to get up.

“It’s dinner time Tom. Go get dressed and meet me in the dining hall.” She sent him on his way, smiling as he walked away. Tommy knew the way out of the secret garden like the back of his hand, going in between two bushes and entering the main garden. This one was much blander, the flowers only being red and green, the kingdom colours. He quickly walked to his room, not wanting to run into the king or his new adopted brother. He knew he’d see them at dinner but at least then he’d have his mother to help him if they started anything. His personal servants were waiting outside his door, just as he told them to. He liked seeing his mother alone, knowing to drop his servants off before he gets in a meeting so that they don’t ask unnecessary questions about where he’s headed. His servants haven’t changed in quite a while so they knew the routine pretty well. Tommy quickly changed, no longer needing his servants to help him anymore. He put on a simple yet elegant evening outfit, red adorned with silver details. His mother designed it for him, her having one that was similar but purple and a dress. It had become routine for them to wear these outfits to dinner every night, having multiple copies so they could wear them multiple times a week. Tommy sighed and headed towards the dining hall, mentally preparing himself to see the other half of his family. 

When Tommy arrived, it was obvious they had begun eating without him. He pulled out his silver pocket watch, noting that he wasn’t late. He sat by his mother, as he did every meal, who was waiting for him. She hadn’t touched her food, liking being able to eat with Tommy. Tommy ate the green beans on his plate, ignoring the large steak. He hated eating meat, finding it wrong. His mother was doing the same, her steak having been moved to the top of her plate. Meanwhile, both the king, Phil, and his adopted brother, Techno, were quickly eating their steak, having a conversation about the current army's progress. Prince Techno was technically the crown prince, having been given that job after the King adopted him. 

“Okay quiz time.” Tommy nodded. He and his mother would talk about flowers the whole time they were at dinner, albeit quieter than the other half of the family. “What does it mean if someone gives you Myrtle?” Kristin had almost every flower’s meaning memorised, hoping to pass that knowledge to Tommy. Tommy thought for a moment before responding, making sure he was correct.

“Luck? In marriage specifically.” He ended his statement with another green bean being popped into his mouth, his mother smiling wide.

“Exactly! When would it be appropriate to give someone Hibiscus?” She crossed her hands on the table. These questions were a little harder to answer, sometimes there were multiple answers.

“To complement them on their beauty. Such as on their wedding day or just when I think someone looks very pretty.” Tommy smiled. He had written down most of the meanings, studying them every night before he fell asleep. He loved seeing his mother smile when he got an answer right, one of the rare times she openly smiled. They finished their dinner with little arguing, only the king overhearing their quiz and berating the two of them for speaking of such nonsensical things. The queen only rolled her eyes when he turned around, sticking her tongue out which made Tommy laugh quietly. 

Tommy and his mother walked to his room hand-in-hand, their servants trailing behind them, also conversing. Tommy was picked up by his mother, gently changed and set in his bed. He heard his mother singing a slow lullaby before he dozed off, happy.

Chapter Text

Tommy woke up to the sun shining in his eyes, his servant opening his curtains. He yawned and sat up on his bed, hearing a splash of water and assuming they had drawn him a bath. He slowly got out of bed, putting his red slippers on, and headed towards the bathroom. He slowly slipped into the bathtub, the warm water clearing his mind of any stray thoughts. One of his servants walked up to him, sitting in the seat next to the tub.

“You just have lessons and meals on your schedule sir. The queen also requested your help with the upcoming spring festival.” His servant spoke quietly, not wanting to be too loud as to startle the boy. Tommy sighed, bored of his lessons. Sure, his teacher wasn’t too bad but his lessons were always boring since he already knew most of the things he was being taught. He slowly pulled himself out of the water, still very tired. He was tired enough to let his servants dress him, his usual outfit being much more complicated. When they were done, he yawned and began walking towards the dining hall. He passed by the king on the way there, standing straighter and holding his breath as they crossed paths. He had Techno in tow, passionately talking about something. Tommy could only wish to have that relationship with his father the king. Tommy was fine though. Truly! He had his mother, what else could he possibly need? Speaking of his mother, she was nowhere to be found. She was usually waiting for him at the dining hall so they could eat breakfast together. He wasn’t too worried, maybe she accidentally slept in! Tommy decided to check his parents room, assuming she was just in there. He left his servants at the door, not wanting them to be in his mother’s personal space. Opening the door he was hit with a sudden, horrible smell. He gagged, trying his hardest to not throw up. He turned a corner to find his mother, hanging there.

He stopped breathing for a moment, silent tears falling down his face. He quickly untied the rope, bringing his mother down to lay on the ground with her head in his lap.

“Mum? Please wake up.” He was begging prime to bring his mother back to him. He couldn’t lose her, she was all he had. He noticed a note next to where his mother had previously been hanging from, quickly grabbing it to read. He recognized the familiar handwriting of his mother, perfect and no stray lines. He read the note again and again, his breaths being caught in his throat. He wailed loudly, loud enough for his servants to rush in and quickly call for medical attention. He hid the note, no one else deserved to see it. She had written it specifically to him, not the rest of his so-called family. He gently held his mother’s face, kissing her forehead before she was pulled away to the medical unit. 

He left to his room, not listening to anything his servants were telling him. He ordered them to stay outside of his door, he needed some time alone. His gaze raked over the note once again, really digesting what it said.

“Dear Tommy,

I’m so sorry petal. I know you need me but I couldn’t do this anymore. For your last lesson, Daylilies are the flowers of mothers, the greatest gift prime could have given me. I still need you to plan the spring festival, please don’t let King Phil, he knows nothing of flowers. Go where the flowers bloom year round, where the Daylilies grow. There you will find my final gift to you. I love you so much my white lily.

Love, Your Mother’

Tommy wanted to break down once more but he needed to go to their secret garden, needed to get whatever his mother left him before someone else did. He exited his room, finding his servants waiting there with a sad look on their faces.

“I have to go to the gardens. You know the drill by now. I request that you stay at the entrance and let me go alone.” He left no room for arguments, not like they would anyways. The three silently walked to the gardens, the servants doing as they’re told. He practically ran to their secret entrance, finding the bench they sat on covered in flower starts and a book. He gently held the book, running his fingers over the intricate detailing of the flowers. He opened it to find his mother’s handwriting, explaining what almost every flower meant and when to use them. He moved the starts to the side, leaving the gardens to see his mother in the medical unit. He heard his servant's heels clicking behind him, not paying them much mind. Once he reached the doors, he noticed his family speaking with the doctor, practically yelling at them. Once Tommy laid eyes on his mother’s still form, he cried once more. He set the book down on the nightstand of the bed, gently holding her face.

“I got the book mum. I will plant all of those starts, I promise.” He smiled down at his mother, grabbing her hand and kissing it. He knew it would suck without his mother but he could manage. He had a festival to plan after all, he had to be okay. He took the flower bracelet his mother always wore, wanting to have part of her with him forever. He only left his mother’s side when the king pushed him aside, wanting to see the woman who was meant to be his love. It broke Tommy’s heart to see his mother gone but he knew she wasn’t bound to the castle anymore, that she could venture into the void like she always wanted to. Tommy quietly slipped away, heading back to the gardens. He left his servants at the door and went back to the secret area, kneeling on a clear patch to plant the new starts. They were labelled with their name and meaning. He planted the first one, forget-me-nots. His heart broke when he read the name, quietly promising he would never forget his mother. The next start was a white lily, meaning pure and, what his mother wrote, loving being with someone. He remembered all of the times he was called white lily, never quite understanding it but loving it nonetheless. Now that he knew the meaning, tears slowly streamed down his face. The last start, a primrose, meant that she couldn’t live without him. It hurt, it hurt so much. He wiped his eyes and stood up, not bothering to dust the dirt off of his clothes. He exited the gardens, his servants in tow.

“I need to plan the upcoming spring festival. Will you send a letter out to Sir Foolish and Lady Hannah, requesting their presence at the castle.” Foolish was good with building, so Tommy wanted his help with decorating since he had quite the eye for colours. Hannah however, was the best person he knew with plants and flowers, and he needed lots. One of his servants nodded, leaving Tommy’s side to write and send the letters. He was suddenly hit with the thought that he didn’t know either of his servant’s names, even though they had been with him for a few years now. “What’s your name? I don’t think I’ve caught it quite yet. And the other one.” The servant jumped at the sudden question, not expecting it.

“My name is Grian sir. The one who just left is Bdubs.” He bowed at his waist. Tommy hummed, committing their names to memory. He clapped his hands.

“Very well. I need to start making plans for this festival. Once Bdubs joins us again you will be dismissed.” He walked to his room, back straight. He heard Grian let out a breath behind him. He decided some conversation wouldn’t be too bad. “What brings you to the castle? My mother requested you two to take care of me specifically.” He tried to keep the conversation away from his mother but it seemed to land there anyways.

“Me and Bdubs were in a pickle and we needed the money.” It was an obvious lie but Tommy didn’t care much, he knew he would find out sooner or later. “I believe Queen Kristin requested us in particular because we had met her previously.” Grian’s tone was even, as if he had been taught how to speak to a royal by an actual tutor instead of the crappy ones they give the servants. Tommy hummed, he’d have to write that down somewhere. He held the book in his arms a bit tighter each time his mother was mentioned.

“I feel I can trust you to not gossip with others. But, first I must know your opinion on the King.” He spoke quietly, knowing that if Phil heard him speak like this to a mere servant he’d be looked down upon.

“Permission to speak freely Prince Tommy?” Tommy hummed in response, interested in what he had to say. “Well, I think he is a bad father and an even worse husband. The things I’ve seen and what Queen Kristin has told me has painted a pretty bad picture.” Grian was quiet, which Tommy didn’t blame him for whatsoever. He knew Grian could be sent to death for speaking like this about the King. They arrived at Tommy’s door.

“Please come in. I’d like your help with this festival. I’ve noticed you’re quite good at colours.” He opened his door and sat at his desk, putting the book on it before grabbing out a piece of paper. He was planning on writing the invites, wanting some specific nobles to come who were rather fond of his mother. “I wish for this to not only be a celebration of the new season, but a remembrance of my mother. She adored this festival and I want it to be with her forever.” He wrote a list of people he needed to send actual invites to, everyone else could just come as it was an open festival. He opened his book and searched for a specific flower, finding it after a couple moments. He was planning on using primroses, dark red roses, and orange daylilies. He wanted each flower to mean something to him, even if no one else knew what it meant. 

“May I ask what you are writing sir?” Grian had his hands behind his back, his stance relaxed. Tommy wasn’t too surprised as Grian seemed to have warmed up to him.

“Invites for nobles my mother liked. I want them to know that I want them to come. You can sit if you wish. I’m sure there's a spare chair somewhere.” Tommy didn’t spend a lot of time in his own room, only when he was sleeping. He spent most of his time with his mother in the gardens or her room, but he could no longer do that. He took a deep breath. He knew his mother had died so why did he still not want to think she did. 

He shook his head to clear his thoughts. He picked up his quill and kept writing the few plans he had discussed with his mother before her passing.