I Renounce You Part 2
A/N: I realized about halfway through copying this over that it wasn’t going to fit...thankfully it’s completed so I can just make however many drafts and post it all in order. It’s 13 pages, 6,680 words, and 36,191 characters.
Inspired by @tuesday-teyz ‘s Butterfly Reign if anyone forgot, totally not canon as the series is still ongoing and this was written after Theseus destroyed a chair over Technoblade’s back.
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“Prince Theseus, this is a horrible idea.” Tubbo pinched his nose and covered his eyes with his palm. “You can’t just leave! And to involve Ranboo in this scheme could be treason!”
“And why would that be? Because he’ll be crown prince once it’s done and I will have no place in the kingdom.” Tommy protested.
“Who’s to say he even WANTS to be crown prince?! It drove Wilbur to run away and you want to practically destroy your own family!” Tubbo glared at Tommy and Tommy glared at Tubbo.
“The crown did not do that, Emperor Philza did this. He left us both to rot under the pressure.” Tommy spat.
“And who’s to say he won’t do that to Ranboo?”
“Oh please, His Majesty has treated Ranboo more like a son than he ever has me or Wilbur!”
“That’s not true! You don’t know what Emperor Philza has done for you both.”
“Oh and you do?!” Tommy snapped and Tubbo recoiled.
“Hey, is everything alright?” Ranboo poked his head into the study the two had retreated to and Tommy drew his shoulders back.
“Everything is fine, Ranboo. How would you like to be crown prince?”
Everything was set. Ranboo knew his role and no matter how many times Tommy tried to fix his acting abilities but the poor boy was hardly mediocre at best.
“Are you sure this is what you want?” Ranboo asked Tommy long after Tubbo had given up on trying to convince Tommy of back thwarting his plan.
“Ranboo I’ve sacrificed more than enough for this so-called family and I’d be lying if I said I won’t regret this even a little,” Tommy had responded, “But yes I am sure. It’s time I tasted the freedom I deserve and I can’t thank you enough for your part in this.”
“Why would you thank me?” Ranboo had asked and Tommy paused on his words.
“Maybe you’ll know one day.” Tommy had decided to be vague instead. Honesty would be saved for the grand reveal Tommy predicted to happen within two days.
“Are you sure this is what you want?” Lady Beau asked and set her fan on the lap of her dress. Tommy sat across from her at his desk filing paperwork and dipping quill into ink and pressing it onto paper in a cycle of boredom and sleep deprivation.
“I can’t say I have much other choice if I want to stay above insanity.” Tommy joked.
“Everyone will think you're not right in the head.” She pointed out.
“Then maybe I’ll live the rest of my life truly with only the people I can really trust. No one tip-toeing around me and second glances at everything I do. They’ll just accept my actions because I won’t be considered ‘right in the head.’” Tommy sighed and fell back in his chair. His head pounded and the crown prince became suddenly aware of how crazy his plan was.
“Will you be alright Theseus?” Lady Beau asked and Tommy paused his breath. That name. It didn’t sound right to him anymore.
“I’ll be fine Beau, and please,” Tommy sat up and folded his arms across his chest. “Call me Tommy.”
The garden was buzzing with people and Tommy bit his tongue till it practically bled. He couldn’t say anything as himself here. He was surrounded by people who were watching his very breathing pattern. Beau had floated the rumor and increased it tenfold. At this point most assumed it to be true now that the Emperor was going to adopt Ranboo and replace the Crown Prince. It was only a matter of time before some noble tried a crack at Tommy’s frail demeanor, all that was left was to put on a show.
“Prince Theseus, may I speak with you?” Duke Sam approached and startled the prince.
“Sam, I thought you returned to The Badlands already.” Tommy picked the pieces of his shattered soul and held them together with furious strength.
“No, I leave tomorrow.” The Grand Duke replied and led the Prince away with an arm around his upper back. “Walk with me, please.” He said gently.
“What is it you wished to discuss?” Tommy asked after they were out of earshot of his party.
“The rumor, about Ranboo and His Great Majesty.” Sam looked at Tommy with eyes that seemed to see right through it all. A looking glass placed in the pupil of the Grand Duke.
Tommy stayed quiet. Something tightened in his chest. He didn’t want Sam to be the one to try and take a shot at him. Sam who had saved him from Fran, even if it wasn’t required. Sam, who loved building things and beautiful dogs. Sam, who sacrificed his future for the Badlands.
“I know it isn’t true.” He said quietly and Tommy’s world twisted. “I’ve known your father for a long time, and he would never replace you.”
“What?” Tommy’s mouth twitched down from its regal form of neutrality just for a moment. “I’m sorry, I can’t say I believe you.” He chuckled and took a shuddering breath.
“Theseus, His Highness has never been one to cope well and losing your mother, the Empress, was enough to fully break his soul,” The Duke stepped forward to Tommy and Tommy stepped back in instinct. He was lying. He had to be.
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Part 1 | ____ | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | (Finale)