“Then I will ask for your removal from your duties. You are to leave this dreadful occupation. Perform for your own love of performance.”
“Your majesty, you’ve always had such a way of making the impossible seem so simple.”
Edward leans back in his chair, cowl jingling as his head hits the carved stone. Steven approaches the chair wearily, leaning against it as he speaks. “I mean it, Edward. You will be freed.” He offers Edward a look of certainty. The look he gives when he commands his subjects.
“I am tethered to this wretched place, Steven,” Eddie says, voice breaking. “My fathers curses fall upon me so cruelly. For his sins against your family, I will forever be tethered to this place- to this role. I will forever be your fool. Your family’s entertainment- their payback for my father’s wrongdoings. If I were to leave this place-…” He trails off, imagining the outside air- the sunshine, and the subsequent torture that would ensue as the bindings of the curse suddenly wrapped tighter around Edward’s soul. “Well if I were to leave this place, Steven, I fear there would be more than the King and Queen’s disdain I would have to face.”
“That is why you will be leaving with me.” Steven says. Oh, how he says things so simply. How it rolls off of his tongue and hits Edward’s ears like music!
“Your majesty..” Edward mutters, a somber tone echoing his empty chamber.
“You mustn’t call me that,” Steven says, leaning closer to explore Edward’s downward gaze. “Not anymore. At dusk, I will retrieve you. You will shed that cowl once and for all- you will explore every possible realm beyond your wildest dreams. I will escape my duties as prince, and you will escape your curse. I promise you, Edward. Please.”
Edward mulls the idea over in his head, mouth slightly agape as he fumbles through his racing thoughts to form one- just one- cohesive response. Freedom would taste sweet. Especially sweet if Steven had anything to do with it.
“Yes,” Steven replies with a nod, reaching to grasp Edward’s hand in his. “We will slip into the night together. Just you and I. We both have something to escape, Edward. I’d want nobody else by my side but you.”
Edward sighs, a small chill running through his body as he imagined the carnage that could follow their sudden disappearances. But the look in Steven’s eyes eases it all- convinces him, somehow, they will find a way. He brings Steven’s hand to his lips, pressing them against his knuckles before pulling away.
“Your wish is my command.”
Silly Fantasy Steddie art (+ a little writing to go with it!) for the Steddie Winter Exchange! @arelliann , I hope you enjoy! <33
andulkaphoto
snowghoul
janainaart
yousharknotpass
