Chapter Text
Grian and Gem had been the shared rulers of Thallium for as long as they could remember. Every so often a nurse or older servant would coo and giggle at them, gleefully chattering about how cute they were as children.
No one ever spoke of Grian and Gem's parents. Mostly on account of Grian's first rule as a prince in charge- no one was *allowed* to talk about their parents. They shared a mother and father, them being siblings, and whispers on the street say that their parents had attempted to abandon the kingdom when the two were young. The people were horrified and revolted, and the ex-royals ended up being taken away on counts of treason. Grian was older than Gem, and when this happened he had understood quickly how his life would change. He took the task given to him and ruled with a cold heart and iron fist. He ensured that his kingdom, and his sister, would live happiky without the burden. Gem understood that her parents were bad people, but didn't take it as harshly as Grian did. She remained kind and just, while still having the side of her that wanted to lead her armies into a bloody battle against enemies. She had her moments of ruthlessness, Grian had his moments of kindness. As most do.
The siblings balanced eachother out well.
Now, it was late at night. Grian had stepped outside for a walk, the midnight breeze brushing across his skin through the rich satin robe and the moonlight being the only thing illuminating his path. He loved walking in the crisp fall air..
Until he spotted something moving in the corner of his eye. He didn't feel entirely safe tonight, unlike every other time, and he had just found the reason. Grian scoffed. "Whoever's here, just come down and face me. My belongings nor my life shall be taken by a coward."
"Is it cowardice, or strategy?" A voice. Above him, Grian deduced, though his hearing never was the best.
"Definitely cowardice." He looked around the space, seeing nothing- until the source of the voice was standing right infront of him. It was like they came out of nowhere.
There were three men standing in a triangle formation. All of them were wearing cloaks and large black scarves to hide their features, save for the man directly in the middle. The one in the middle, infront of Grian, had the same hooded cloak but he didnt bother to hide his face. Granted, Grian had never seen the man in his life, so he supposed it worked. Still, an utterly stupid and cocky move.
This middle man was scarred all over with a head of silky brown braided hair and green eyes that unsettled Grian the moment he saw them.
"So you're assassins? Or thieves?"
"Neither," The scarred man spoke, a small lilt in his voice that Grian had felt go straight to his gut. He cleared his throat. "Okay. What do you want, then?"
"To steal from you." The scarred man spoke again, this time his smirk broadening. He made a motion to the two behind him and they darted off so fast it seemed like they had disappeared into thin air.
Grian jumped back a little before he processed the man's words. "Watcher curses-" He immediately turned towards the castle. "Guard–!!" Grian's voice stopped dead in his throat when a hand was wrapped around his waist and a knife met his neck from behind. "Call for them and I kill you here." The man's voice had dropped an octave, him speaking in Grian's ear.
He had plenty of thieves in the castle and attempts on his life, but none had caught him quite as off guard as this one. What was he supposed to do now? He knew he should fight back, he had to fight back, but.. maybe he could just talk his way out of this. "What are you taking? What are your men here for?" "Money, your highness." He mocked. "Money because your kingdom won't do anything for its poor."
"We just donated all of that gold-"
"Yeah, to your dukes and wealthy citizens. The rich just get richer. You never think about us. About the ones that live miles away- we need your help, and you forget about our existence. So, King Grian, enjoy your teaparties and balls up here. But next time you do? I hope my words haunt you." He pressed the knife closer against Grian's neck.
Grian shuddered. Not at the weapon, and the man's voice. He obviously meant it, worked for every syllable he spoke. He knew the morally correct thing would be to give them money, and he hoped it would get the knife away from his neck- or at least the man off his back.
"Listen, thief.. I'll give you money. I'll tell your men where it is. I'll let them come to the palace themselves to take it." "We don't want to be 'allowed', we wanted for you to prove to us how good of a ruler you really are. You failed, so now we take it by force. You did this, royal." He spat.
Grian sighed, the movement in his throat pressing the knife closer for a second. "..I see. Just don't kill anyone. And tell your men to stay away from my sisters room, it's not her fault. Other than that, just take what you need and be out."
The thief hummed in response, as if taking in Grian's words. He then smiled again, his voice returning back to the charismatic, playful tone. "Of course. I meant it when we said we weren't assassins. You may be a terrible king, but you aren't worth murder just yet."
"You never said that, y'know. And 'yet'- you're a charmer, aren't you?"
"I try, royal. Is it working?"
Grian scoffed, a little amused.
The scarred thief's head perked up when a low whistle sounded, almost like a bird call. He removed the stabilizing hand around Grian's waist and backed up, causing the King to fall right onto the floor with a thud. When Grian looked up, all he caught from the thief was a flash of those terrifying green eyes before he disappeared into thin air again, no smoke cloud, no anything. Grian gasped and looked around, entirely thrown off. He had neber faced thieves like this before.. so coordinated, so..
He supposed he did feel slightly afraid, under his layers of masks. What was happening.?
Dawn came quickly after. Grian hadn't slept a wink, due only to that thief last night plaguing his thoughts. He was so utterly disgusted with himself. He didn't fight back- why didn't he fight back? He rolled over and showed the man his stomach, and they would certainly be back tonight because of how easy Grian made it. Most certainly, it was the least kingly thing he's done in a very long time.
Grian stepped out of his room and into the chaotic hallway of his castle, hearing the giggles of his sister and that insane apothecary she spent so much time with. The next thing was all the servants and maids, already starting to bombard him with their carts and bags of make-up and clothes. He sighed, certainly not in the mood for anything after last night's fiasco.
At breakfast, Grian and Gem sat on opposite sides of a great table, having to almost raise their voice to hear eachother. Usually Gem or himself would end up moving to be next to eachother, but today, Gem invited her apothecary friend to eat with them. He had learned her name before, when he first called her down here all these years ago, but he couldn't quite remember it now..
"Grian?" Gem called. "Are you okay? You look really tired and upset." "A long night, Gem. That's all." He mumbled. The apothecary said something to Gem, then turned to Grian. "G- er- my lord, I've got an herb you can put over your eyes to help you wake up." She smiled. Grian appreciated it, her tone was certainly genuine, but the last this he wanted at that moment was a herb.