@blutopaz15 said Rapunzel au and my whole brain lit up like a Christmas tree
Claudia hears about it in passing.
She supposes should be a bigger deal but it's not like she makes a point of listening to current affairs these days. She's been rather single-minded about her goals, and soon the gossip will be the least of everyone's concerns, but this one piques her attention because, well.
An heir to the Katolan throne has been born.
At first, Claudia does a double-take because Ezran can't be of age already, can he? She does the math in her head and is suitably shocked to know he is, but no, it's not him—it's Callum, which means—
Claudia wrinkles her nose in distaste. It's Callum and Rayla, which shouldn't surprise her in the least, but even the thought of it makes her scowl. She doesn't think about once-upon-a-times anynore, but this one drags up bitter memories and petty grudges, because once upon a time, that might have been her, and she can't decide which is worse: the thought of living an idle noble life, or the thought of Rayla living one in her place.
She shudders, trying to put it out of her mind, trying to let the news roll off her like water off a duck, and yet—
They don't deserve it, she decides vindictively. Why should they be granted happiness after everything they've done? After everything they've stolen from her? Why should she have to hide her face and scrounge for food while they get to live the life she was promised, the life she deserves?
And the common folk are happy for them! They're not even mad about having an elven princess or a halfling heir! Claudia can see the pride in their faces like the child is just as much theirs which only rubs salt into an already festering wound.
She stalks away from the happy gossip, from the smiling faces and cheerful toasts to go sulk in the shadows.
The thought that follows is intrusive. Claudia almost dismisses it entirely, and yet—
She shakes her head. She wouldn't. She couldn't. She's not so shallow that she would resort to that. She's not so petty that she would find a way to sneak back into the castle to steal—
No, she tells herself. No.
titsay
yousharknotpass
janainaart
romaincrisis
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