summary: when the princess of france is arraigned to marry the prince of england to help the financial front, zendaya and her sister come to stay at the castle. you make an odd first impression with the royal family, causing the prince to take a certain interest in you. with a heart of gold, you put up with being in your sister’s shadow. but with newfound interest in the prince, how far can you take your curiousities?
warnings: drinking, like two curse words
author’s note: fuck i am sO late on this. i’m really sorry??? i dunno, i got lazy and then got guilty and it was a vicious cycle but here’s part 2! i’m really excited to share it with you guys! i’ve got a lil baby tag list at the bottom so either comment or send me an ask to be added! ily all :)
When it was finally time to see where the both of you were staying, your tea was untouched and cold. The simple chat was quiet, awkward almost, but definitely tense. It was a constant back and forth from the queen to your sister, and not that you minded, never a question to you. The queen spent the entire time trying to analyze Zendaya, probably see if she would be fit to rule, while Zendaya spent her time kissing the queen’s ass. The boys had gotten to go off elsewhere, while you had been stuck, silently sticking small things in and out of your tea, fiddling around with spoons and napkins to entertain yourself.
You were the first to leave once the queen had excused you, Zendaya deciding she still had somewhere to stick her nose. You walked behind a maid with doe eyes and hair that was messily strewn upon her head. You noticed the scars and scabs on her hands, your breath hitching at the knowing thought of how she had received them. You had heard the royal family, the king and queen in general, had not been the kindest to their servants. Word does travel fast through villages, no matter how far you seem to be.
You reached the room in a few minutes, your legs starting to hurt from the tension of elevated heels clicking against the tile. You were excited to get out and stretch your legs after the long ride. The maid pushed the door open for you, standing by it and averting her eyes from you. You hated that, turning simply to look at the girl.
“What’s your name?” You could see the girl flinch when you spoke, your gaze softening slightly.
“Anastasia, princess.” She mumbled softly as you nodded your head. You had to admit, it was a very pretty name.
“It’s very nice to meet you, Anastasia. And you don’t have to call my princess or look at the ground when we speak. Simply call me (Y/N). I like to have conversations where I can look my speaker in the eye.” You said with a smile in your voice as the timid girl moved to perk her head up a smidge. When she looked to you, she starred with grey eyes, soft bags hanging under them. She offered you a smile, with a nod of her head.
“As you wish prin-” She cut herself off as you gave a smirk. “(Y/N).” You nodded your head as you looked around the room.
It was large, the ceilings stretching tall as a small chandelier hung over the small sitting area. A window spread across the north wall, stretching the span to let natural light settle in the room nicely. The bed was lined with white sheets that shimmered slightly in the sun, you could guess that they were silk just from that. The duvet that sat on top was a pale blue color, complementing the walls. It didn’t much feel like home without your books, or your drawings hung against the walls, but you had to remind yourself that it was not yet time for that. You still had a life back in France, you were just on a vacation.
“Anastasia, all my clothes have been put away already?” You turned back to the girl with auburn hair as she gave you a nod. It was a shame, you could’ve done it yourself. But it was shrugged off quickly as you moved to give another task. “My horse, I had him brought here. Could you wait outside a moment while I change, and then show me to the stables where he would be kept? I’m itching to stretch my legs.” Anastasia nodded as she walked outside obediently, shutting the door behind her. It was odd.
Sure, back home you had maids and butlers, servants and such. But never did you have them wait so heavily, seen so many people expected to be waited on hand and foot. You didn’t much like that aspect, considering the people in the castle your friends. You would frequently have lunch with them to make up for lost time. Maybe it was because that’s what you liked to do, or maybe it made up for the fact that after a certain point, your mother no longer bothered to call you to eat with her and your sister.
You changed out of the heels, the silk dress, throwing off that ungodly corset as you slipped into something comfortable for riding. A riding skirt, with a white blouse, tucked in that tied at the chest. You gave a sigh of relief as you slipped your boots, broken in and worn, onto your aching feet. It felt like you were walking on clouds. Your hair was hastily pulled down, falling over your shoulders as you took the top half and tied it into a small ponytail, just to keep it from your face. You stepped out of your room, into the hall and turned to Anastasia, who stood patiently.
“Okay, lead the way.” You said with a smile, excitement coursing through your veins as you followed Ana out the way you came. You passed by dining and dancing halls, the doors to the throne room, the kitchen, the gardens, endless amounts of doors just to get to where you wanted to badly to be.
Ana took you outside, and for the first time, your eyes met the rolling green. It was astonishing really. Autumn was just settling in, finally, the time to wear sleeves but not have to bulk up to stay warm. Mist wavered in the air as clouds covered the sun. To you, it was perfect riding weather.
“Horses kept by the guards and by visitors are held at the second stable, on the west part of the property. You can access it through the west hall, through the servant’s kitchen. There is a longer way that doesn’t require you going through the servant’s kitchen if you’d prefer I tell you that?” You scoffed at the question, waving the question away as you walked around the barn, trying to find the face of your horse. You dismissed Ana once you found him, giving him a few pets on his neck before you watched the girl walk away.
You began to busy yourself with brushing and tacking up, missing the fact that you were no longer alone in the large stable. One of the guards stood outside of the stall, across the way with his back leaned against the stall of what could’ve been his own horse’s stall.
“You know, a princess should never go unguarded.” An unfamiliar voice made you jump, casting your eyes onto the man’s own blueish grey ones. You rose a brow, no longer too afraid that you were about to be murdered, but then again, not so sure you wouldn’t meet your untimely end at that moment.
“I may be a princess, but I am a princess capable of many things. One of those being gutting you like a fish if needed.” You said with a threatening tone, casting a look across to him, only to see him smile as a laugh bubbled from his throat.
“Stand down soldier. I’m one of the head guards at the palace. I was just about to do my rounds along the castle walls when I see a princess avoiding the royal pleasantries.” Wincing as he spoke, you turned to the man with your hands clasped tightly behind your back.
“I’ll pay you whatever you wish if you don’t bring me back, but even better, take me along with you?” You asked with a pleading smile. “I’m very capable of riding on my own, and I wish to see the city that surrounds the castle. I hear your new clock, Big Ben a merchant called it, is amazing to see in person.” The soldier, once again, laughed.
“The Elizabeth Tower. Your traveling merchants call it Big Ben?” You nodded your head with a shrug of your shoulders as you slipped your horse’s bridle on. “That’s gold. Okay, I’ll take you with me. What is my princess’s name?” He asked as he pulled his horse out of its stall, putting his foot in one of the stirrups and throwing his other leg over.
“(Y/N). No formal titles please.” You spoke with a slight smile, leading your own horse out into the wide space so you could throw yourself over. “And who is the soldier who travels with me?” You asked as you gaited your horse into a walk.
“Harrison, my lady. It is a pleasure to accompany you.” He began to lead you out of the stables, onto a trail that eventually led you to the palace gates. You could feel excitement in the pit of your stomach as your smile grew even wider.
Outside the walls of the palace, trees really did roll over the green hills, the occasional body of water by the side of the trails you rode on. The sound of hooves hitting against the dirt brough peace to your stressed mind, whoever said that some fresh air was good for the soul was definatley spot on. Harrison led you to the final gate and suddenly, you could hear the bustling of the city. Merchants moving fast, wagons fillling the road, conversations from men and women, and children playing in the streets.
You saw the large city, stretching to the seas, and you felt the awe, the feeling of goosebumps and a chill, spread through your body. Wind touched your face, causing a chill to fall over your skin. You weren’t expecting the temperature change, but the sea wind enveloped you like winter. You walked to a street before Harrison stopped his horse. Looking over to him, you struggled to pull your curious eyes away from the bustling area.
“As much as I would like to accompany you, I have to walk the walls. Feel free to walk the central streets, but I will meet you by the Tower after two bells. You can see the clock, but if you have trouble finding the base, ask around. The people will guide you.” You nodded, giving Harrison a wave before you turned your horse and continued to walk down the street.
The city, though larger than the one you usually visted at home, felt welcoming and familiar. You looked at all the shops, seeing that London was truly a wealthy city. Men and women walked in fancy clothes. Men in their suits and hats, while women had their large dresses and some obscure item in their hair. It made you want to laugh, but you substained. Seeing a small bar, you had your interest piqued. You led your horse over, tying him out front before entering the pub.
The atmosphere was rowdy and carefree. It was loud, men yelling and laughing over the sound of someone playing some kind of riff on the piano. Women walked around in simple clothing, serving food and drinks to the men who came to drink their troubles away. It made you thirsty. You walked up to the bar, ignoring the calls of drunk men, and ordered an ale as you heard the first bell. You had time. And being at the palace was stressful. You just needed to unwind a bit before you went back and really got into the whole ‘royal family’ thing. And so, you strike up a conversation with the man next to you, and the drinking song begins.
Six bells later, you are cursing as you try your best to stay on your horse and race back to the palace. You had forgotten about Harrison, the two bells, and the fact that you had the first dinner with everyone from the Holland family that night. The guards, with some recognition and the French emblem wrapped around your neck, finally let you through the gates as you finally made it back to the stables.
You quickly climbed down, stumbling as you leaned against your steed, thanking the horse for being so patient with you. You quickly took everything off of his back and put him into his stall. You set the things into the tack room and quickly raced to the entrance to the servants kitchen.
“Princess?” A familiar voice caught your attention as you stopped, wobbing for a second before pushing your hair out of your face and turning around to face the source. You could feel something like embarassment bubble in your chest as you faced the king-to-be.
“Ah. Your highness. Funny seeing you in this um, perticular spot.” You hoped to the gods your words weren’t slurred as you pushed a nervous smile. “I was just getting back from the um, the stables. I spent the day there. With my horse. In the stall.” Tom raised a brow, about to say something before another voice broke the silence.
“(Y/N)! I mean- Princess!” Harrison called as he ran up behind you, setting a hand on your shoulder. “I was about to send the guards into the city to find you, but they told me you made it through the gates.” Your face lit up with blood as you were sure you smelled like the pub you had so recently stumbled out of.
“Well… Well, shit.” You mumbled as you turned back to Tom. “Your highness, Sir Harrison, if you’d excuse me.” You pardoned yourself with a nervous laugh, stumbling back to the door of the kitchen. You could hear a quiet conversation going on between the two men behind you before Tom cleared his throat and jogged up to you, gently grabbing your elbow and leading you a different direction.
“Princess, please. Let me escort you back to your room. I’ll fetch maids to get you cleaned up for dinner.” You could hear him chuckle to himself and you looked up with a glare. Why was he chuckling? What about this was funny? You didn’t understand.
“Your highness, do pardon my words, but it is rude to laugh at someone without their knowledge of what is so humorous.” You said with a sarcastic sophistication, crossing your arms over your chest. You weren’t too far gone, sobriety still an option for the dinner with a cold bath and some water. But you were just drunk enough to lose coordination and have a sad sense of humor. And it made the prince laugh, to both your relief and horror.
“Do excuse me princess, but it’s not everyday we have a guest who, on the first day, stumbles back to the palace drunk. Not to mention someone who is becoming part of the Holland family. It’s enjoyable to know that my mother would have a heart attack if she knew. It’s also nice to know that you are the fun one in your family.” You scoffed, a laugh pushing through your throat. It was so stupid but nice enough to make you feel better.
Tom weaved you through the halls, and after telling a man to go get some maids to help you, he led you into your room. Once the door was closed, Tom finally let you go and you tried to walk without stumbling over to one of the chairs that sat in the main area of the room. You looked up to Tom to find him already staring at you. A smile crossed his lips as he shook his head, leaning against the wall.
“Thank you.” You said with your smile still stuck to your face. Tom nodded, his eyes staying trained on you. You could help the flush of pink that ghosted your cheeks once again, and you would swear that it was just the alcohol, not the fact that a very attractive man was staring at you.
“I look forward to spending more time with you since you’re here in the castle.” He said, forgetting for a moment that he was supposed to be spending time with your sister. And you would bring it up, though you knew that she would be too busy being up the Queen’s ass to actually spend time with Tom outside of events and dinners.
“You’re supposed to spend time with Zendaya, are you not?” You asked with a raised brow, before Tom shrugged his shoulders, a knowing looks crossing over his features.
“I will. But that doesn’t mean we can’t get to know each other. It doesn’t mean I can’t have a friend in the castle.” The thought of having someone in the royal family on your side, a friend no less, warmed your heart. Finally, there was a clearing in the haze over your head. You were going to be able to step out of the shadows. So it would only be with Tom. That was more than you have ever been able to do.
“Well then. No need for formalities. You can call me (Y/N). If we’re going to be friends, then I don’t want to hear a title I resent every time someone says my name.” You said with a shrug of your shoulders as you slowly began to peel off your boots, covered in mud and the filth of the city. You looked back up to Tom to see his eyes shift to meet yours.
“Then you may call me the same. Just Tom. As you could probably confer, I don’t enjoy the full extent of my name.” You chuckled at the memory of the subtle cringe he gave as his mother, proudly, announced his whole name.
“See, I can understand that. I would cringe too if my middle name was Stanley.” You said with a laugh as Tom chimed in as well. You were astounded at how beautiful a laugh could sound, the sound so full and pure. Like something you would hear in a home, in a bar, not in a castle.
The two of you were interrupted as a group of maids bustled into the room. You were the first to break eye contact, looking over as the girls moved to stand in a line, their gazes towards the floor. You sighed, standing up as Tom moved to help you. You looked towards him, his touch on your arm making you arm again before you stepped back. He walked over to the door and gave you a smile.
“I’ll see you at dinner.” He said as you waved to him. He walked out and you took a breath, turning to the maids. They slowly began to help you bathe, and you sunk down into the water. This would be interesting.
her shadow tags: @greenarrowhead @voidtrixie @racewife2004 @technolilly @andreuskystuff @jadav5 @aelin-firehearts-court @spideybitey18 @choke-me-sweet-pea @loxbbg
