Chapter Text
Once Upon A Time, in a kingdom far, far away, there existed a forbidden forest. It was shrouded in mystery, its depths so dark and empty that no one dared to venture inside. Rumors whispered of a dragon guarding its secrets, but why would anyone risk their life to find out? Yet, one man, with his magic, unveiled a hidden portal, revealing a magnificent home beyond the darkness.
But why?
It wasn't to keep anyone out but to keep someone inside.
🎨
The young boy hid in the forbidden forest's hidden walls. The boy's name was Silver, and he lived comfortably inside the beautiful mansion painting away. He didn't say that he wasn't Lord Crewel's child, but Silver had lived underneath his wing ever since he was a mere child, and since then, Silver had worked for him as an appreciation.
Since he was done with his chores, he could paint until his lord came back, and today, he was continuing his painting of a beautiful beach, with the sky crystal blue and clouds a beautiful pearl, and the ocean varied from blue to green. It was always in his dreams: a beautiful beach hat was on the horizon, his feet in the sand, and the wind in his long braided hair. That was a regular occurrence with Silver, painting his dreams away, just hoping he could find a place where he could call a new home.
As Silver continued to paint, a thought nagged at him. He couldn't stay with Lord Crewel forever. Their relationship, built on a foundation of obligation and gratitude, was beginning to feel suffocating. He longed for a life beyond these walls, a life where he could be his own master.
"Wow, Silver," gasped Malleus. "This painting. I can hear the waves and smell the salty sea."
"One day, I want to be in a place just like this one," Silver hummed, his voice tinged with longing. "It was such a delightful scene in my dreams. But I can't help but feel something is missing."
"Yeah, but oh, I don't think you have to worry," mumbled Yaz, a bunny hybrid. "Your paintings always have a message to them, and this one says freedom."
"Do you think?" Silver chuckled. "I feel it would be. But I don't know..."
"Don't know what?"
"If I can ever leave this place." Silver sighed.
Yaz's ear twitched, and he sprouted up. "Oh geez, he's back! Crewel's back!"
Silver and Malleus gasped as Silver began to take his apron off.
"Go," Malleus spoke. "I'll put your stuff away."
"Thank you," Silver gulped and rushed down the stairs, trying to look presentable. "Ugh, I hope I can do much better than yesterday."
Silver went towards the door, his heart pounding, watching the door open, revealing Lord Crewel.
"How was your ride today, M'Lord?" Silver asked as he carefully unrobed his lord.
"Hm, pretty usual," Crewel answered. "All of the villagers seemed very dull."
"Like yesterday," Silver muttered again.
Crewel walked up the stairs, but he turned and glared down at the boy. "I hope you know I expect you to learn your mistake from yesterday, Silver. I should have the tea come exactly at 4:00, no more, no less."
Silver tried to pay attention, but his eyes wandered towards Malleus and Yaz, who were frantically pointing at his cheek with worry in their eyes. But he managed to look back at Crewel, straightening himself up.
"Yes, M'Lord," Silver bowed in eyes.
Crewel looked behind him to see the duo, who fled the scene. As he turned back at Silver, he noticed a smudge of blue paint on his cheek, and his eyes darkened.
"What is that?"
Silver stammered, feeling the paint on his cheek.
"Painting again?" Crewel hissed. "What about your chores?"
"I finished them, My Lord," Silver answered simply.
"Hm. The dishes?"
"Washed."
"Curtains?"
"Dust all cleaned off."
"Laundry?"
"Folded and put away."
Crewel huffed to himself as he began to walk up the stairs, but a hidden creak stopped him. Silver could feel the glare that Crewel had on his face.
"Hm, all of your chores, you say?"
"But M'lord, I didn't know-"
"It is your job to know!" Crewel snapped. "I swear, I raised you all your life, and this is the thanks I get? Ungrateful, I say."
Silver sighed, not having much to say.
"You are dismissed. And I expect my tea immediently."
Silver nodded. "Yes, M'lord."
🎨
As Silver put the tea kettle over the open flame, wonderfully crafted by Malleus, Yaz munched on his cookie, very annoyed.
"What died and made him a lord anyways?" Yaz grumbled. "I mean, he's so bossy, and-"
"Let it go," Malleus sighed. "That man's shadow is even scared of him."
"Oh, stop it," Silver chuckled. "It's best we keep the gossip on the down low. You know his dogs might be listening in."
"I hope not," Yaz shuddered. "Those dogs always have a reason to try to eat me. Which is why I'm human most of the time."
"Better than be rabbit food I bet." Malleus teased. "Besides, you might taste a little too bitter for them."
Yaz glared at Malleus. "Hey, is that a gargoyal?"
Malleus turned to the direction that Yaz was pointing without much of a second thought, but unfortunately, his tail wagged down, causing the tea to try to fly into the air, along with some biscuits and fruit.
The group gasped as they went to catch the items. Yaz caught the cookies, Malleus caught the assortment of fruits, and Silver caught the tea tray before it could reach the floor.
"I hate you," Malleus glared at Yaz.
"It was a little worth it," Yaz chuckled, getting up. "...Hey, I know I'm not blind, but wasn't there a spoon?"
That aforementioned spoon twirled in the air and landed on the nose of the fireplace gargoyle. The group watched as its head lowered and stairs slowly appeared below them, revealing a secret entrance.
"Well, that's something you don't see every day," Silver chuckled, getting up. "I wonder where it leads to."
"Are you sure about that?" Yaz asked. "I mean...really?"
"Why not," Silver shrugged. "Should we?"
"Down there?" Yaz asked. "Are you sure about that?"
"Yes, I am with Yaz, are you sure about that?" Malleus added. "It could be full of many insects, webs and dust."
"And I don't want Malleus to sneeze fire on me every 3 seconds."
Silver rolled his eyes and looked down at the entrance. "Well, it's better than to wait for the tea to finish."
Malleus and Yaz looked over at each other and looked back at Silver, grabbing a nearby candle stick and walking down the stairs. The two had no choice but to follow him down.
Once they reached the bottom, they began to look around the hidden basement.
"Look at these," Silver chuckled, looking at a box filled with scrolls. "These are royal invitations. Such a strange thought, Crewel at a ball, celebrating with many others."
"I'm just surprised that many people invited him to a ball at all." Yaz chuckled, looking at a cracked mirror. "I mean, seriously, who would?"
"Hm, many are from a king," Silver read. "King Lilia of Blair Valley. Huh, that kingdom is not far from here."
"No, it isn't." Malleus agreed. "My grandmother says the place was beautiful, but she doesn't speak on it much."
Continuing to look around, Malleus saw a ripped portrait of Crewel with an unknown man whose face was ripped off. "Oh, look at this. I feel bad for that man, falling for such a cruel man."
"I don't want to be in his boots," Silver remarked.
"Or his head," Yaz added.
Silver looked over at a beautiful silver box in the corner. It was a beautifully decorated box, which clashed with the browns of the basement, and it stood out a lot.
"What is this?"
Silver looked over and grabbed the box, feeling the golden accents on it.
"I didn't think Crewel would have something this beautiful," spoke Silver.
Silver opened the box, hearing a delightful tune play in the air and inside it was a hairbrush was inside. He carefully picked it up and examined it, and he saw an engraving at the back.
"Constant as the Stars Above," he read. Always know that you are loved. For the young prince Silver on his very first birthday, love your father, Lilia."
"What? That's strange."
"It is.." Silver whispered.
"Silver! Where is my tea!" Crewel screamed from upstairs.
"Coming, M'Lord!" Silver called out and turned to the others. "Stay here, I'll be right back."
Silver rushed out and carefully set up the tea tray, grabbing the tea, pastries, honey, and sugar. He sighed to himself as he carefully walked up the stairs and knocked on the door of Crewel's room.
"M'lord?"
"Come in."
Silver opened the door and saw Crewel now resting on his bed, his dogs, Penny and Peggy, staring at him from the floor. He ignored them and set the tea up.
"May I ask why you were late again?"
"I'm sorry, I was a bit distracted." Silver explained.
"Lazy, you mean." Crewel hissed, drinking his tea. "Close the curtains for me."
Silver obeyed and closed each curtain, blocking the sunlight from inside,
"Anything else?"
"No, no, you are dismissed." Crewel rolled his eyes.
"Aw, finally," giggled Penny. "I can't wait for a nap."
"Me too," added Peggy.
Silver nodded and walked out of the room, hesitating to speak. Could he ask? Should he? But did he expect Crewel to be honest? No. It had been hidden underneath his feet for years; why would he tell the truth? Silver shook his head at the thought, closing the door.
🎨
Back in the basement, Silver stared at the brush again, his hands shaking with doubt.
"I don't understand," Silver whispered. "Crewel has always stated that I was abandoned as a baby. Why would he lie to me?"
"Now, let's be honest," Yaz coughed. "Since when was that guy honest about anything?"
"I mean it, Yaz," Silver sighed. "I can't take this truth. My head is reeling at the thought of me being a child of...of a king."
"Well, we could think about that but I could only wonder why Crewel had the nerve to take you away."
"I don't get it either," Malleus admitted. "Crewel had no reason to do these things unless to be cruel, and when was this man not."
"Oh, yeah, especially since there's a spider by your foot," Yaz chuckled.
Malleus gasped as he tried to move away, jumping slightly. But Malleus, unaware of his strength, stomped onto the ground, causing him to create a hole in the ground.
"You always fall for it," Yaz chuckled. "But I didn't expect that much of a reaction."
"Well....there was a spider on my foot." Malleus sulked.
"Now we have to fix this," Yaz groaned, looking down at the hole. "It's cold."
"It's a draft." Silver gasped. "That mean it's leads to outside."
Silver took a nearby candle and used his arm to lean down, watching the flame shiver and flicker.
"It could lead outside the barrier," Malleus gasped. "But it could be dangerous, and who knows what'll happen."
Silver looked for a moment before jumping down and landing on the hard floor underneath.
"Silver, are you nuts?" Yaz remarked.
"I have to know what's out there," Silver spoke, looking forward. "If I don't know now, I don't think I'll ever know. Yaz, Malleus, this is my only chance to learn about the outside world, without any interference. I have to do this."
"Do you want us to come with you?"
"No, just in case Crewel noticed something. But I should be back before he even wakes up."
"Alright, just please be safe," Yaz gulped. "I mean it. You better be careful out there."
"I promise I'll be careful."
Silver smiled and looked back at his friends before walking forward, letting the cold breeze lead him down the hallway. He didn't let the cobwebs and bat squeaks scare him, as he was determined to walk forward. As he continued, a rat made him jump and drop his candle, but a light flashed as he tried to pick it up, and the breeze was softer and warmer.
Was he close to the outside?
Silver gulped as he walked up the spiral stairs, feeling the vines that covered them. At the end, there was a hole, and as he walked outside the hole, there was sunlight.
He could see it all: sun, grass, and a beautiful blue sky.
Silver looked around and saw a town underneath.
This was his chance.
He can't waste it now.