Chapter Text
Your father gently knocked onto your door before opening it. You laid against the pillows, your hair wild and of unnatural color. He chuckled, he moved closer, moving your hair away from your mouth. “My princess, It’s time to arise.” You closed your mouth as you began to wake up from your fathers cold hands. Normally the maids wake you up since you’ve officially turned 19 but seeing your fathers face always makes you happier. “Papa!” You threw your arms around him and he smiled sweetly. “Today I've organized a nice day out for just the two of us.” Despite being so old he carried you down the stairs to grab coffee.
You were a princess with an amazing dad and loving people. Your mother was deathly ill. A sickening fact but to shield you from this discovery your father does everything in his power to make you happy. You’ve been pampered from the very beginning. He dropped you off at your chair and the maids brought you breakfast. The day went by fast, just you and your father doing fun stuff around your city and at the end he took you to a traveling circus that was in town. The circus wasn’t what the two of you thought it was. It was cruel and sickening to creatures you thought were beautiful. Your father, the King, watched as your expression grew more sorrowful. During a rather gruelling act you pulled at your father’s sleeve. “Papa.. Can we do something about this?” He looked puzzled but he sighed. Anything for his daughter.
Your father had you head home early with a guard while he stood behind and talked to the ringmaster after the show. He paid tons of money to this sick man and now he had a surprise for his daughter. Truth is, you had a harsh time making friends. The other royals didn’t see you as a royal at all and often poked fun at you. This caused you to be closed off.
Once home, you were sent off to bed with the promise of a surprise. You visited your mother as you always do before bed, you held her hand and gave her a kiss on the forehead before leaving to your chambers. The upper floor of your side of the kingdom was yours. It was decorated in a childish manner in pastels and non-royal colors. Plushies and various gifts riddled your room, along with nature. You loved nature, plants and veins were all over your side of the palace.
Your hair was pink and ridiculously long and curly. It’s been this way since you were born. It’s caused a lot of controversy for your mother. Your maids wiped off your makeup and laid out new clothes for you to wear. Out of your balcony you heard a wagon stop next to the barn down below. You figured it was new animals and went about your business. You sighed and thought about those poor creatures as you bathed.
Their ringleader had recently given them new identities after Columbina went “missing.” They all knew what truly happened to her. She was sold off to some lowlife who had the money to buy her. Their acts were harsher and crueller tonight. Right outside their tent they heard a man's voice and their ringleader. They were negotiating prices. The ringleader’s voice seemed off with a tiny hint of terror and the man’s voice was hardened. Then, the ringleader waltzed in a look of joy on his disgusting face.
“All of you disgusting, vile things have been sold..” He started. He glanced around as all the creatures' faces had changed, he chuckled. “Not to another circus but to royalty. What the King wants with you useless things isn’t my business. You all will be moved in a few minutes.” He clapped and burly men came and began picking up the cages, since they were all malnourished and weak it wasn’t as hard of a job. They were shoved into a big wagon and then sent on their way once their claws were chained.
Pierro was the first to speak, “Royalty. What is royalty?” His voice was weak, Scurra sighed. “Royalty is the top of the chain. They are to be respected.” Arlequim tapped his tail against the cage. “How much do you think the King paid for us?”
Doutor answered, “Probably not a lot.”
The others hummed. The journey to the kingdom they supposed was long. And at once they were there. They were forced out of their cages by kingdom guards and pushed into a barn made just for them. Bilheteiro looked up, just above them was a balcony streaming with pink light. They were quickly shoved into the barn and the doors closed. The troupe stayed awake, discussing amongst themselves.
It was quickly morning and you were shook awake and ushered out of bed. You rubbed your eyes as you were led out to the main hall. Your father was there, he smiled once he saw you. “Your hair is all messy again, my princess. You look as if you fought a raccoon in your sleep.” “Papa! Not funny–” He tussled your hair, ruining it more. You quickly tried to fight off his hand, the two of you laughing. “I have a surprise for you, princess.” This piqued your interest, “What is it?” He took your hand and led you outside towards a barn. Upon his request the guards opened the barn doors. He stepped into the barn and you quickly trailed behind.
You couldn't see much from behind him. “Papa!.. I can’t see!” You tried to jump to see over him but he simply chuckled. “You must be patient, my angel!” He stepped to the side and you could finally see.
You were presented with the creatures from last night. They were chained from their claws. Your brows furrowed, they were gorgeous. They stared at you and your dad as if expecting something. You looked up towards your father and got onto your tip toes to whisper something in his ear, his expression turned into surprise as he quickly nodded and clapped his hands. Two guards appeared at his side.
“My daughter has requested that they be moved into actual living quarters effective immediately.” The guards seemed nervous, “Your highness, we’ve been informed that these monsters are very dangerous.” The king raised his eyebrow, “Are you questioning my daughter?” The guards immediately backed down, “No, your highness.” “Right. Well, get to it.” The guards quickly nodded and gathered their stuff to move them.
In front of the monsters, Your father turned towards you and ruffled your hair once again. “There, are you happy now my angel?” Your smile was huge and you threw yourself at your dad in a hug. “Yesyesyes! Thank you! Ooo!! I’ll go tell the maids to get their rooms ready!” You ran off and inside one of the halls in the palace. The King sighed and turned his attention to the creatures who stared back at him. He nodded towards them and exited the barn as the guards entered.
You quickly informed the maids who started preparing a room on your side of the palace for the creatures. You ran back to your room and began getting ready for the day. Your personal maid assisted you. Your bouncy long curls were back to normal and your makeup was as soft and cute as normal. Despite your pale complexion, your curls were amazing. You looked every bit of a soft princess.
Your personal maid helped you step into one of your various gowns. It was a pastel pink wrapped with gold lacing. The sleeves were long and see through, the dress covered your ankles completely. Your corset was tight and tied with a bow. Your maid helped you slip your foot into a pretty pair of matching heels.
You were now ready for the day, your father was dressed more casual. He was in a white and gold suit with a nice matching top hat. His grey and black hair was combed back nicely, He gave you a side hug and the two of you sat down for a nice breakfast. Classical music played in the background. Your father informed you of his duties today and that you would be mostly alone aside from your mother in the palace. You wished him a good day out, kissed his cheek and he was sent off with a wave.
Being alone meant more fun for you! Well, you weren’t exactly alone. You now have friends! Well.. If they wanted to be your friend that is. You sent your personal maid to tell your guests and their caretaker that you will be seeing them. She quickly obliged and ran off. You looked through the kitchen despite the cook's words. “What do creatures eat… Should I just give them meat? I mean we have a lot of meat…” You often mumble to yourself anyways. You decided on giving them tons of meat. From the looks of it, people would’ve thought you were feeding an whole orphanage.
While being royalty you also kept a pet! It wasn’t an original pet, it was a tiny baby pig you named Chu. He followed you everywhere you went. You had a male maid wheel all the meat as you walked ahead of him.
You stopped in front of the door. You consulted their caretakers, you gave them hygiene products and asked for them to seek out clothing for the creatures. The mail maid wheeled in the meat as you did so, the creatures only caught a sliver of your being. They caught the words of the guard warning you about them, they also heard you brush off their words. Your soft laugh echoing through the walls. After you left, so did the caretakers and the guards. You had some sort of magic that made everyone bend to your will.
The palace was very empty, they could hear your singing and humming and your footsteps no matter where you were.
The troupe was unhappy, but in an unbiased position they were in a safer situation. Pierro would constantly walk around the huge room, feeling the walls and looking out the window, closing and opening the curtain. Arlequim ate what he could, he pulled Pierro with his tentacles to come eat. Doutor was full after a few bites. After being starved with food for so long, bodies can only eat so much. Scurra let everyone eat first, as a leader he has to make sure the others are well fed. Bilheteiro eats slowly, watching over the others with precision.
They did sit and have a discussion on what to do next, certainly with the amount of security there was no means for escape. However, Arlequim argued why would they want to leave? They were gifted food, a room, and not once after the King stepped in were they treated cruelly. Doutor was also in favor of this, seeing nothing that could outright harm them but habits are very hard to break and so is trauma. Yes, they were treated like equals for now but how long will it take for these “royals” to treat them like slaves. That “Princess” was terrible news. She was either naive and gullible or playing everyone like a toy.
The discussion lasted a long time, and they came to an agreement. If this palace is as good as to be believed, they’ll stay. If not they will run. There was no set timeline for now, they’d play it by ear. For now, Scurra will observe.
After eating, the wheel was taken back and shortly after the caretakers appeared. They were two ladies with gentle hands named Eliette and Poesy. They said they were appointed from the Lady herself. Caretaker Poesy clasped her hands together and sighed, “The lady is such a nice girl.. She’s decided to get you all your own separate rooms on her side of the palace!!” Caretaker Eliette agreed with her. This piqued their interests. The lady has her own side? And she wanted them over there?
The caretakers caught the worry on their faces. “Oh don’t worry! The lady is kind, she says it's so you all get the natural lighting and your own space!” Poesy added, and quickly they were led to an upper level of the palace. There on the second floor was where they'd stay. On the second floor it was decorated with glass walls and hallways covered in greenery and flowers. The caretakers noted that the greenery and the flowers were of The lady’s choosing. In this hallway lay five rooms. The hallway was big in width and length, so they weren't all bunched together. Two rooms on each side and one room at the end of the hallway. The caretakers made a note that the entire upper floor belonged to The lady.
The caretakers left them to decide rooms that will soon be decorated to their choices. The troupe felt the glass walls of the hallway. Pierro and Arlequim chose the rooms on the left side, Doutor and Bilheteiro decided to leave the bigger room to Scurra so they chose the rooms to the right. Scurra stood before his room before entering.
Scurra’s room held a bed in the middle with pastel purple curtains covering the bed from view. A chandelier was before the bed, on one side of the bed was a pristine white couch. The other side held a window into the garden. On the wall next to the couch lay a vanity. His closet was next to the door along with the bathing quarters.
The other bedrooms were also designed like this and left much room for creative freedom. To be honest and clear, they had no idea what to do with such freedom. The caretakers did come in with things for the baths and such. They informed the troupe that they would need to measure them for their sizes of clothes.
It was a fairly busy day for them. They stood uncomfortably still as stylists measured them down to the feet. It caused their anxiety levels to rise to an all time high. But sooner rather than later, it was over and it was night atlas.
You stopped by their hallway on the way back from saying goodnight to your mother. You walked to the middle of the hallway to ensure they’ll all hear you. “I know you all do not know me and I don’t know you, but I want you all to understand that you are safe and loved. Goodnight dear friends!” They heard as your flippers padded away.
Your kindness touched them in different ways, some it warmed them, the rest it frightened them.
You gave them about a week to get well-adjusted. You and your father stopped by after a week and decided that they must be very very bored. “Dear friends! We have news!” They stepped out in their new clothes and masks and looked upon you and your father. They’ve been avertly ignoring your existence, it seems now they no longer can.
You clasped your soft hands together and with a sweet smile you explained your news, “Friends! I’ve made a decision to give you all jobs to keep you from boredom!” You glanced for their reactions but it didn't seem positive, your confidence wavered. “ Please don’t fret.. I’m sure they’ll be jobs you all enjoy and you can take breaks whenever you like! Oh, and we’d like it if you join us for breakfast!” You quickly added that it was completely optional. They all stared at the two royals in front of them, dressed in their pajamas asking monsters to come eat with them.
They looked to Scurra to answer, Pierro and Arlequim showing looks of want. Scurra sighed, “We’ll be down in a few, your highness.” His words were groggy with sleep, his mask tracked whatever he said. Your eyes lit up with excitement, “Really!! Papa, did you hear that?!” Your father chuckled, “Yes I did my angel, let's go claim our seats for breakfast. I heard your mother will be joining us.” They watched as the two royals retreated. Your voice booming off the walls, “Mama too? YAY!”
Pierro was very happy, “Actual food instead of raw meat? I wonder how human food will taste!” Arlequim was also interested, “getting to sit at a dinner table does sound fun.” Doutor had doubts, “Would I even fit in such a chair? What if I break it..” Bilheteiro barely held back a snicker, “Oh, my big friend. No need to fret over such possibilities.” Scurra had a small smile on his mask watching his family bicker and laugh. It seems he made the correct choice afterall.
They kept to their words and were down in the dining hall in a matter of a few minutes. The king sat at the head of the table, the queen sat to his right and you were to his left. A whole week of staying here, they’ve never once seen the queen and for good reason. The queen looked deathly pale and skinny, though her eyes held warmth and kindness. When they stood, afraid to sit. She warmly laughed, “I didn’t know we had guests honey.. Please sit anywhere my dears.” Her voice was like honey. The king held his wife's hand, “Honey, I told you they were staying with us a week ago.. These are _____ new friend’s.”
“Oh, dear me! I must’ve forgotten.” She smiled with her eyes. “Please, come sit!” They awkwardly took seats, Bilheteiro sat beside you, Scurra sat beside the queen. The others chose seats next to Scurra and Bil. Your crazed hair shocked Doutor, it was different from both parents in texture and color. The curly hair compared to the straight hair and dark brown and black hair compared to the pink color yours was. From all the portraits in the palace he could tell you were born with it. He just had to ask. Before the food was set he cleared his throat. “Princess, I have a question.” He was the first to speak to you outright. You turned towards him with wide eyes that suddenly seemed to smile at him. “Oh my days!! You have a question?? PLEASE ASK!” Your joy shocked him.
“How come your hair is such a color and texture compared to your parents?” Your smile didn’t waiver, instead you laughed and so did your parents. You’ve gotten this question multiple times before. “It’s actually a very sweet story.” The queen spoke up, Scurra turned his attention to the frail woman beside him. “When I was pregnant with the bundle of joy in front of you, I was very ill so her father, the king, sought out remedies to heal me. There he landed on a very pink kind of flower, the last of its kind. It healed me and there came out that wild pink hair we love.”
The others made sounds of surprise, It certainly did clear up what they wondered but it's quite a mystery on how a flower managed to do that. When the food came out the others clearly struggled with learning how to eat it. Your mother wasn’t phased in the slightest, She scooched out her chair and her shaking hands guided Scurra’s. She explained to him how to use utensils the correct way just like how she did for you when you were a child. Your father stared at your mother with loving eyes.
There was a reason you invited them to sit with you guys through breakfast today, it was to break the ice and show that you were trustworthy. It proved to be working. You glanced at the others who were also following your mothers instructions. Scurra’s eyes never left your mothers hands, her hands over his made him tense with unease. It took a lot in him to just sit there and let her guide him. The rest of the breakfast went by smoothly, the creatures watched as you and your family talked amongst yourselves and to them. Moreso, it was just you talking about everything in your day you have to do and asking if they wanted to come along or explore jobs they wanted in the palace! After breakfast, the king helped his wife up the stairs back into her room. The maids took the plates and you stood from your seat.
Bilheteiro caught your wrist in a limp hold, you turned with a nice smile. “Thank you for letting us stay, princess.” This touched your hearts and your smile slowly fell. “You see, when I saw you all there performing in such harsh conditions. It just felt wrong, please don’t thank me. Thank fate for leading you to us.” You held his fingers, his hands were bigger than yours and his claws were long. You gave them one last squeeze, looking amongst the troupe before you left to get ready.