Series Warnings: swearing, smut, fluff, two endings (one sad one happy), crimes, alcoholism, drinking, slight angst, mentions of violence, some violence
Your whole body goes rigid. Did you hear him right? “I beg your pardon? You’re mistaken-”
“Don’t fret. I don’t plan on telling anyone.” He doesn’t even bat an eye at your blatant uneasiness. Out of all the possible things he could have said that was not what you were expecting.
How could he know you were the princess? You did your best to hide the fact, pulling your hair back into a braid and keeping it covered, dressing like a commoner, and wearing a traveling cloak. No one else before had questioned if you were the princess. Not even in the beginning. They accepted you as a newcomer and didn’t ask questions, which was normal for such an establishment.
Your shock became vexation at the thought that this man may try to take advantage of you. “What do you want from me?”
“Nothing at all, I assure you. When I first came here I had no idea that the princess herself was a customer. I wasn’t even sure it was you but your reaction gave it away.”
Even after his explanation you were feeling uneasy. His expression was a consistent smirk, which didn’t help his case. You weren’t able to get another word in because the innkeeper came by to drop off your things and take the man’s order.
“Here you are lass. And what can I get fer you?”
“A room please.” Even though he said it like it was nothing you gazed over at him. Who exactly was this man? You felt a strange pull towards him, a lingering feeling to learn more about this mysterious stranger. He wasn’t from your town, he had impeccable throwing skills, and he immediately picked up on the fact you were the princess.
As soon as the innkeeper walked away you rounded on the raven haired stranger. “Who are you?”
“I could ask you the same thing, princess.” His attitude is slightly infuriating yet intriguing at the same time. He was turned towards you on his stool, arm propped up on the bar.
“You know who I am. Now I think it’s fair that you tell me who you are, darling.”
He gives you a small laugh from his nose before he answers, “Loki. My name is Loki.”
“How-” you were so engrossed in the conversation you didn’t even realize that Keieran had gotten up from the table, sensing trouble.
He gently grabbed your elbow, causing you to jump, and stared Loki down.
Loki took it in stride, beaming at him. “You must be the knight then.”
Keieran’s face faltered. He was in just as much shock as you were in when Loki stated who you were, though he hid it better. Your knight whipped his head towards you, his brows creased.
“Y/N what is he going on about?”
“He knows Keieran, it’s okay.” You place your hand over the one on your elbow. Even with your gentle words he wasn’t going to drop his front, in fact he had grown even more worried. He trusted you and didn’t think you would tell a stranger. So how did this scoundrel know who you were?
“I can tell you would both like to know how exactly I figured it out. It was just a hunch. You two don’t seem like the normal type to come to such a place. You-” he motions to Keieran, “are very stiff. Most men that come here are loose and they're looking to unwind. You aren’t. And you-” he motions to you, “just have that air about you. It didn’t matter that you were dressed like everyone else, I could tell from the way you carry yourself, princess.”
“And what of you?” you ask.
“A thief.” The way he said it with such a complacent smile was unlike anything you’d seen before. He was so blunt about it took you by surprise. Keieran on the other hand was seconds away from pulling you from the conversation. He knew when he first saw Loki that he was trouble.
“Oh don’t look so aghast. Surely you knew you would be in such company when you came to this tavern.” He laughed for a minute before he set his eyes upon you again. “Your knight looks on the verge of something dangerous so I would like to end our conversation with an offer.”
“Y/N any offer from him could not mean anything good,” Keieran warned.
But despite the warning you let your interest get the better of you. “Go on.”
“I’ll be in town and staying at this very tavern for a while so if you’d like to learn more about me feel free to drop by. I look forward to talking to you, princess.” He slid off his stool and disappeared from sight when he went up the stairs next to the bar.
You stared at the stairs that Loki had just walked up. Your mind was swimming with thoughts. He offered to talk to you more. He’s a thief. He might try to take advantage of you. He’s awfully handsome.
You were drawn out of your reverie by Keieran. “I don’t trust that scoundrel for one second. He is up to something.”
“I’m not so sure.”
Your knight scoffed. “Of course you would say that Y/N. But I’m telling you now that he is nothing but trouble. You would be a fool to trust him.”
“Now I didn’t say I trusted him, but I also don’t believe he has bad intentions.”
“I guess you’ll find out then? I can tell that you want to come back and converse with the thief.” Keieran could also tell that you weren’t going to move from that spot so he took the seat that Loki had occupied and took the pie you ordered for him. He left you to your own mind as he ate and you sipped at your ale.
Neither of you spoke again until your glass was empty and Keieran’s plate was clear. “I think it’s time we head back.”
And with that you headed home, walking down the chilly streets and back to the castle. You used the back gate that the servants entered and left from and made your way to the side of the castle. You climbed onto your miniature balcony that came off the window. You pushed open said window and entered your room, Keieran following.
“Well I’m off to bed,” you said.
“Are you going back tomorrow?” Keieran stood beside your bed which you had collapsed onto with his arms crossed.
“I have to think it over. I’m not sure yet.”
“Y/N please don’t. He doesn’t seem, no he isn’t a good person. He said it himself that he was a thief.”
“I know but… there has to be more to him than that. Aren’t you at least a little curious about him?” You give Keieran an optimistic look, which does absolutely nothing to persuade him.
“No, I’m not. I don’t think you should be either. And I’m not saying that just because I’m your knight. I’m saying that as your friend. I don’t want you to get hurt, physically or mentally.”
“I can hold my own Keieran. If I start to feel unsafe you shall be the first to know. You’ll go with me won’t you?”
He sighed before answering. “Of course I will. I’m with you until the end, even when you make unwise decisions.”
You get off your bed and envelope your knight in a hug. “Thank you.”
Keieran’s muscular arms hug you back and he rests his head on your shoulder. No matter how serious he was around everyone else he had a soft spot for you. How could he not when you grew up together? You were like… a little sister to him. He would do anything for you.
“Goodnight Y/N,” he said when he pulled away.
“Goodnight Keieran.” You gave him a soft smile as he left your room. You slipped out of your commoner clothes and put on your nightgown. As you laid in bed your mind drifted to Loki. In story books the thief would be a bad guy, but he didn’t seem so bad. Yes, he had a sly demeanor, but there was more to him than meets the eye. Surely one does not automatically take to stealing.
Thoughts like that flooded your head as you imagined what Loki would tell you tomorrow.
Series Warnings: swearing, smut, fluff, two endings (one sad one happy), crimes, alcoholism, drinking, slight angst, mentions of violence, some violence
The edges of your cloak were scraping across the ground. It normally wouldn’t bother you but now that the leaves have fallen from the trees it makes an awful crinkling sound. You're walking just a few feet in front of your personal knight, Sir Keieran. When you first started sneaking out of the castle he wasn’t even aware. Then one night he called out to you and didn’t get a response so he opened the door to your room and you were gone.
When you arrived back at your windowsill hours later he was sitting at your vanity with his legs and arms crossed. “Where were you?” he asked.
“I was strolling about town if you must know Keieran.” You unfastened your cloak and tossed it over your divan.
He sighed and rubbed a gloved hand across his face. “Y/N please do me a favor and at least tell me where you’re going.”
You dropped onto your plush bed and untied the curtains that surrounded it. “The tavern.”
“The tavern?” he asked in astonishment. “Of all places, the tavern? What does a princess such as yourself see in a grubby tavern?”
You let your head fall onto your pillows. You gazed up at the mural on your ceiling. In the dim light of dark the tiny cherubs couldn’t be seen but you knew they were there, flying to the divine woman in the middle. When you were younger you always wished to be as lovely as her, her silky gold locks flowing into the clouds and her face serene as she held her children.
“It’s lively and there’s fascinating people, nothing like the people that come here. The drinks aren’t anything to scoff about either. Better than the frilly things they serve at mother’s tea parties.”
The knight was shaking his head. “The only thing fascinating about those people is that they’re low lives, criminals a lot of them. If you dare even call that ‘fascinating.’ I can see that you’re trying to hide your identity.” He motioned to the peasant clothes you were still wearing.
“You don’t like them? I made a trip to the local seamstress and had her make them. She found it quite odd but I gave her extra silver as a means to keep quiet about it. They’re very comfortable. I see the appeal.” You swayed your arms back and forth and the big cotton sleeves swung too.
“Princess, you're dressed like a man. Even down to the shoes. I’m sure I have a pair lying around my quarters.” Sir Keieran was downright astounded by your behavior. He understood how bored you were but to go to such great lengths was beyond him. He enjoyed his life as a knight and thought it was an honorable job. You however were tired of the repetitive routine that was living in the castle.
“It’s all part of my disguise. Surely you thought I was an intruder when I climbed through my window,” you spoke in a velvety voice. At this point you were sitting up now, engaged in this impromptu conversation.
“If I did not know you the way I do then yes, I suppose.” Sir Keieran was like a brother to you. He was the son of the commander of the guard and grew up with you and your brothers. They were devilish little things, all four of you were. You, your younger brother Gabriel, and Keieran straightened out eventually but your older brother Lawrence had taken to drinking in his adult years.
“Well it’s settled then. I shall continue to make these excursions and you will not tell a soul.” Before your knight could get out another word you smirked and flipped over in your bed. He knew that this was a battle he wasn’t going to win. You were always persistent and unending in your search for adventure.
“We’ll discuss this to-morrow,” he grumbled.
That exchange led to the arrangement that when you snuck out of the castle Keieran was to come with you. He promised not to inform anyone, and you trusted his word. Even though Keieran was faithful to your father he was still your childhood friend. That’s why he continued to allow you to leave.
It eased his nerves to keep an eye on you and he even dressed the part, wearing normal clothes just like you during your trips. He didn’t complain one bit. You guessed it was because he was tired of being in the castle all day too. So every few nights, sometimes even multiple nights in a row, when your household fell asleep you and Keieran would adorn your peasant clothes and sneak out the window. It wasn’t the most practical way to escape but you thought it was daring and bold, something out of a child’s fairytale.
Leaves crunched beneath your boots. It was that time of year again. The warm weather had passed and it was soon to get very cold. The sun had gone down and there was a chill in the air. A perfect night for drinking and singing by the tavern fire.
You approached the familiar building. Vines were growing on its sides and the stones were old and discolored. The sign that read, ‘The Maiden’s Inn’ creaked from its post. You pushed open the heavy oak door and were hit with the smell of mead and smoke. Keieran was close behind you, nearly on your heels.
“Back off would you?” you whispered fervently.
“Your safety is my first priority Y/N. I wish you would let me go in first so I could make sure there’s nothing- or no one- that is of danger to you.” You turned your head and saw him wearing a brooding expression. Unfortunately as you matured Keieran became very serious due to his knight training. Not much could break him of that attitude, you knew from personal experience.
“Cheer up my dear friend, tonight is the knife tossing tournament.” A group of scruff men formed a semi-circle around a wooden board that had been nailed to the wall. Paint was smeared in a rough red circle in the center with blue rings around it.
“How delightful. I imagine you’ll be joining?” He crossed his arms and looked over at you.
“Yes, I will be. Are you? I would enjoy some competition.” You had a devilish grin on your face as you looked up at Keieran.
“No I shall not. Though it’s rather tempting to beat the princess, I wouldn’t dare hurt your pride.” The corner of his mouth tugged up in a small smile.
“Oh Keieran you wound me. But I believe I’m better at throwing knives than you.” Leaving without another word you make your way to the crowd of gentlemen.
“Could I give it a go?” you ask.
“Sure lass.” The man nearest you hands the knife over and steps aside to give you a clear shot.
You aim the knife as you learned to from your brothers and threw it. It hit just off center, but still in the red circle, with a resounding thud. Every man’s eyebrows shoot up in astonishment, they never expected a woman to have such precise aim.
“Hoho, well done missy. It seems you win,” said the man who handed you the knife.
You were about to respond when someone new approached the group and spoke. “Actually may I have a try? I believe myself quite skilled in this regard.”
You take a look at the challenger. You surely hadn’t seen him before, if you had you would surely remember. He had raven hair and a tall yet lean frame. His blue eyes had a twinkle of mischief in them that enticed you beyond comparison. Noticing your stare the mysterious man looked your way and gave you a once over. Once he had finished he flashed you a smile that would make any maiden swoon.
Out of all the men in the tavern he had to be the most handsome. You couldn’t help but feel a tug of intrigue towards him. You backed off though to give your challenger room. He angled his arm back, took a step forward, and threw. You look in disbelief at the perfect bullseye he hits.
He glances at you and smirks at your parted lips and eyes that are still gazing at the board. He turns away from you and begins to talk to the organizer of the knife throwing competition. You walk over to Keieran who had taken his place at a table in the corner of the room.
When you’re close enough to see his expression you scowl at him. A small smirk is displayed on his face. “I didn’t even have to enter for you to lose. Though I am curious what that scoundrel does for a living.”
You frown as you take your seat. “How can you know that he’s a scoundrel?”
The knight gives you a skeptical look as he speaks, “How do you know he’s not? If he’s coming here then he must be.”
“We’re here and we aren’t scoundrels.”
“We just as well may be for leaving the safety of the castle and returning to such a place so often.”
“Oh you just don’t know what it’s like to thirst for adventure. You’re a knight after all. You get to slay beasts and the kingdom's enemies as your job. That’s an adventure. You may not be aware of this but I rather envy you, Keieran.”
The knight’s smirk drops and is replaced by knitted brows. “Why ever would you be envious of me? I’m positive every maiden in this country would like to be in your place.”
You and Lawrence were never keen on palace life. You were tired of being stuck there and Lawrence was tired of being expected to fill his father’s shoes and one day become king. Not many knew of your displeasure, not even your parents. Your little brother knew and it was a god send that he loved the castle and everything about it.
Growing up you were always wanting to leave the castle and do something. There was nothing wrong with mother’s tea parties. There was nothing wrong with painting, stitching, or playing piano in the parlor, other than you did it every day. You were stuck in a loop of familiarity, and you wanted to get out. You wanted to see the world and all it had to offer; the good and the bad.
“You know perfectly well why Keieran. And don’t mistake my desire for ungratefulness. I know how much privilege I have. I know there are people that have much less than me. I know perfectly well that I’m fortuitous. I cannot help that I’m…”
“Unable to do as you please,” Keieran finished. “Yes, Y/N, I know. I really truly feel for you. If it makes you feel better I pray that you’re reborn as a pirate in your next life.”
“That would be nice, wouldn’t it? It would be much more fitting to my personality. Drinking all night, sailing the seven seas… Speaking of drinking, I’m going to order some ale, would you like something?” You got up from your seat and pushed in the heavy wooden chair, which scraped across the already scuffed floor.
“Get me an ale and a pie.”
You walked to the counter and told the innkeeper your order. You took a seat on a stool as your drinks and Keieran’s pie was made. Someone slid into the spot next to yours and you glanced over to find it was the man that won the knife throwing contest. He smiled when you looked at him.
“You have very sharp skills princess,” he said coolly.
Series Warnings: swearing, smut, fluff, two endings (one sad one happy), crimes, alcoholism, drinking, slight angst, mentions of violence, some violence, love triangle
Loki was sitting there with his legs crossed at the ankles, feet propped up on the table. If someone didn’t assume he was a criminal you could tell it in his behavior. He caught sight of you and dropped his feet to the ground. At least he had some amount of decency.
Keieran scowled at him over your shoulder as Loki stood. He held his hand out and you hesitantly took it. His hand was gloved and so was yours, so neither could feel the other's actual hands.
“Princess. How lovely it is that you decided to join me,” he said with a smile.
“Thank you for inviting me,” you said.
“It was my pleasure. I would never skip the chance to speak to royalty.” Loki let go of your hand and sat back down. You and Keieran also took your seats across from him.
“Where shall we start?” he tapped his chin, “How about names? You know mine, but I know neither of yours. Awfully strange, seeing as you're the princess and I’ve no clue of your identity.”
“I wouldn’t think it strange. Not many know my name or what I look like. But my name is Y/N.”
“Ah, a beautiful name. And yours?” Loki asked.
Keieran seemed to want to stay silent, which you respected, but when Loki smirked from the expected response Keieran answered.
“Keieran Annora, Princess Y/N’s personal knight,” Keieran scowled.
“Charming. Now, you just said that many don’t know of you, why is that?” Loki leaned forward and propped his chin up on his hand.
“My father, the king, decided that he would only let the people know of my older brother, the one that is going to be king after him.” You crossed your legs under the table and Keieran glanced at you out of the corner of his eye.
“Why would he do such a thing?" Loki asked.
“To protect me and my little brother I suppose. I can understand why he did it. There wasn’t entirely a need to show off the rest of his children so he didn’t.”
“Alright, I guess that’s an answer. And what of your brothers? How many do you have?”
“I have two. One is older and one is younger.” Loki didn’t even spare a moment between his questions. You weren’t sure if it was such a good idea to give out so much personal information but there wasn’t much he could do with the fact you have a little brother. Plus, if you let him ask questions, so could you.
Before he could get out his next word you started speaking again. “Do you have siblings?”
“No, not that I know of,” he replied.
You raised your eyebrows, “Not that you know of? What does that mean?”
Loki laughed and explained, “Oh princess, it was a joke.”
“Oh. So you’re an only child?” That was a surprise to you. You originally thought that maybe he had siblings to take care of and that's why he stole.
“Yes, I am.”
“How old are you?” you asked.
“I thought it was found rude to ask someone’s age.”
“To ask a woman’s yes, but you’re not one.”
“How could you be so sure?” Loki raised his eyebrows and smirked.
“I-” you started.
“I’m teasing you princess. I’m twenty-nine, on the verge of thirty in a mere week.”
“Your birthday is in a week?” you asked.
“Yes. Now, how old are you?”
“I thought I told you it was rude to ask a woman her age."
“You’ve asked me, why can I not ask you?” he said in a matter-of-a-fact voice.
You sighed, “I’m twenty-six.”
“A splendid age indeed. And what about you?” He turned to Keieran.
“Me?” Keieran asked.
Loki nodded.
“I’m twenty-seven," your knight reluctantly answered.
“Oh! So close in age. I feel old compared to you two.” Loki dramatically put a hand to his forehead and closed his eyes. Keieran rolled his eyes from beside you. He was growing tired of Loki's eccentricities.
You thought of your brothers and the age difference between each of you. Out of everyone in the palace Keieran was closest to your age, which was why you were better friends with him than either of your brothers ever were, even I'm childhood.
“I wouldn’t think so. You’re only four years older than me and three years older than Keieran. There’s more of a gap between my brothers and I," you said in a calm voice.
Loki immediately quit with the act and looked at you. “Really? How old are they?”
“My older brother is thirty-one and my younger brother is twenty-two.”
“Very spaced out births I see," he turned to Keieran, "And do you have siblings, noble knight?”
Keieran stayed silent. You looked over at him. You knew talking about family was a sore spot for him. You were the one that aided him through those hard times with his family. You didn’t expect Keieran to answer but you weren’t wholly surprised when he did.
It was like Keieran was playing a game with Loki, or at least that’s what it seemed like to you. Keieran wasn’t going to let Loki get the best of him.
“Not anymore,” your knight said. You could tell the difference in Keieran's voice when he said that, the way that it was lower.
“Not anymore? How alluding. Would you care to elaborate?”
You were quick to interject in the conversation. “I believe it is my turn to ask a question.”
“Hmph, if you say so.” A mischievous grin spread on Loki’s face. The princess was protecting her knight.
You clasped your hands together. You were finally getting to ask the most important question you had thought of. “What made you start stealing?”
Loki’s face faltered but he immediately regained his smirk. “Why does anyone steal? It’s a means to live.”
He answered your question so vaguely you were positive he was hiding something.
“Why don’t you steal?” he asked like it was strange not to.
Keieran scoffed. “Y/N would never. Even if she was starving she would never take from someone else.”
Loki turned on Keieran, “Many are starving. And many don’t have a choice, knight.”
“Do you have a choice?” Keieran countered.
“That is none of your business.” Loki’s grin had faded and he was returning the scowl that Keieran was giving him. Both of the men were speaking with raised voices and you knew you needed to stop this before it went too far.
“I think we should call it a night,” you suggested.
Loki quickly dropped his squint and pouted at you. “But we were just getting started, princess.”
“That’s alright isn’t it? We have plenty more nights to chat. I can be back tomorrow.”
“Wonderful. Then I guess it would be fine to retire from our questions. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow, Y/N.” Loki reached over and picked up your gloved hand and pressed it to his lips.
Keieran shot up from his seat and started towards the door. He was tired of this conversation and tired of seeing Loki. If he had a say you would never see Loki again. His whole demeanor was off putting.
“Likewise. I should get going now.” You rose from your seat and followed Keieran out the door. You stepped out into the cool night air and looked to your left where he was leaning against the building.
“Keieran I’m sorry. I should have stopped him sooner. He was just trying to get under your skin. I only wanted to do this to ask him questions, not for him to invade your personal life.” You put a gloved hand against Keieran’s arm and he untensed under your touch.
“I don’t blame it on you. The slimy bastard intended on riling me up.” He let out a long breath through his nose.
The two of you headed back home in the brisk night air. As had been promised you returned to the tavern everyday for the rest of the month, even on Christmas. You had guessed that Loki would be a liar, but the truth was he was vague when it came to personal questions.
He wouldn't outright lie, at least from what you could tell. But his answers that just brushed the surface of the truth made you aware of the fact he was hiding things.
After the first meeting Loki didn't bother Keieran as much, which your knight was grateful for. Loki was usually the only one that seemed to be enjoying himself during your conversations.
That was until his birthday a week after the first night. You decided to buy the three of you drinks, which Loki appreciated. You didn't end up asking each other any questions and instead just talked, drunk, and had a good time.
You realized that Loki wasn't as bad as you first thought. There were hidden depths to him. It seemed like his dramatic exterior was in fact a front.
He could carry a conversation and had interesting stories to tell, whether they were true or not you didn't know, but they were captivating nonetheless.
Even Keieran wasn't so icy to Loki at the end of the month. You three were able to chat without all the tension in the air that was apparent before. You even thought that you could be friends with Loki. Keieran didn't share the same idea but did admit that he didn't hate Loki as much as he did in the beginning.
Series Taglist: @sxsalvatore @delightfulheartdream
Series Warnings: swearing, smut, fluff, two endings (one sad one happy), crimes, alcoholism, drinking, slight angst, mentions of violence, some violence, love triangle
“Miss Y/N? Miss Y/N!”
You only half hear your maid Lucette calling your name. You went to sleep late and all you wanted to do was stay in bed. You stretched your arms out above your head and slowly opened your eyes. The light filtering through your window was bright and you were blinded momentarily.
“Miss Y/N it’s morning. Breakfast is about to begin. You must make haste!” Lucette was an older woman. She didn’t have any kids but reminded you greatly of your grandmother. She had been working at the palace since you were a child and she had been your maid since then.
“Oh you are going to be late! Your mother will worry! Up now! Up!” Your eyelids were heavy and every time you tried to open them they seemed to close. Lucette was by your bedside with her hands on her hips. She was on top of your schedule more than you were in the mornings. Now that she was getting up there in age she went to bed early, which is why she didn’t know about your nightly excursions.
“Oh Lucette can’t I lie down for just a bit longer?”
“If you want to be late for breakfast I suppose so.” She was already rifling through your wardrobe looking for a morning tunic. You reluctantly dragged yourself out of bed and swung your legs over the edge.
Lucette grabbed your hands and pulled you up. “Hurry and undress now.” She patted your cheek and waited for you to undress. You took off your linen sleep clothes and Lucette aided you in getting on your tunic. Compared to your evening tunic, your morning tunic was much more simple. It was made of silk with fine gold threading and pearl beads adorning it.
You put on your slippers and sat at your vanity to have your hair done. Lucette pinned parts of your hair back and put on your veil. Once the final touches were done you stepped out of your chambers with Keieran in tow.
“You look as if you haven’t a wink of sleep,” he said as he surveyed your face.
“It would be true.”
“He riddled your mind that much?”
You turned the corner of the hallway and started down the stairs. Keieran held his arm out to help you step down. You took his arm and raised your gown so you wouldn’t trip.
“The prospect of meeting with him was troubling me, yes,” you finally answered.
“You’ve come to your senses about it then?” Keieran asked.
“I’m still going to talk to him. It’s not the prospect of meeting with him that is bothering me per se. It’s what I’ll find out. He mustn't have taken up thievery for no reason.”
“This world can be and is a very dark place at times. But that is the reality, is it not? You wanted to get to know the outside world and that’s a part of it. Not everyone lives like you- like us.”
You turned down the corridor that held the great hall but stopped right before the door. “Whatever he does tell me I shall be ready. I want to know what really goes on outside the castle.”
“Very well.”
Keieran stepped ahead of you and pulled the door open. You stepped into the hall and looked to the main table. You were the last to arrive. Your mother, father, and brothers were already seated.
Keieran bowed when he entered behind you. “King William.”
“Good morning Sir Annora. You may take your place.”
Once your father was done addressing Keieran he turned to you. “Ah my dear, I was wondering when you would join us.”
“I was in a deep slumber. I was unmoving in my effort to wake this morning, father.”
“Indeed. I should assume you are hungry. Hurry to your seat and the food shall be served.” Your father tipped his head down at you to dismiss you from your conversation. You glided across the floor and got seated next to your mother.
“Good morning mother,” you greeted. Your mother was a radiant woman. Even though she was fifty six she didn’t look a day over thirty. Her beauty was well preserved, a trait you hoped would be passed down to you. Between your parents your mother was the collected one. She wasn’t just a pretty face. She was calculating and knew what to do in many situations.
At the age of fifty nine and approaching sixty in a little over a month your father was a wise man. He wasn’t as level headed as your mother but he served his people well just like his father before him. However, your father was very protective of his children, sometimes overbearing. You and Gabriel were kept out of the public eye, Lawrence being the one raised in the spotlight.
He felt he knew what was best for his children and never considered what you wanted. That was the only downfall of your father’s parenting. There were other things about him that just weren’t quite right either, but they didn’t affect you.
“Good morning darling. Did you sleep well? You look tired.” Your mother examined your face, most likely noticing the circles under your eyes. Surveying the rest of the table you didn’t look the worst. Lawrence was opposite you on the table and he looked positively dead.
“It must be the effects of too much sleep, mother.”
“Ha! I remember the days when I could get too much sleep. A rarity now aren’t they dear?” she turned to your father and asked the question.
“Yes I would say so. We work from morning to night to keep this kingdom prospering. I would not dare brag, but I should say that our country is flourishing and our people are happy.” With a content smile your father picked up the bread that had been set in front of him and began to eat.
The servants had put everyones’ plates on the table. Your breakfast consisted of manchet bread, cheese, and wine. The dining hall was silent other than the occasional clink of glasses on the table or silverware on the plates.
The rest of your day up until night consisted of a visit to the chapel and returning to the main castle for a meeting with your counsellors. Even though you were kept out of the public eye you were still well versed in politics and foreign affairs. In your free time you took a walk in the courtyard but ultimately came back inside to read.
Night fell and once most of the castle had retired you changed out of your tunic and into your linen shirt, dark pants, black boots, and cloak. You unclasped the lock on your window and let Keieran out first. Once he had lowered himself to the ground you climbed out the window, stepped out onto the balcony, and dropped down to the ground below.
You stayed close to the wall and made your way to the back of the castle. The general public didn’t know of the back entrance to the castle grounds. If guests wanted to come to the castle they would have to go to the gatehouse at the front of the castle and get permission to enter. You however knew of the back way and it was much easier to slip in and out using it.
You also knew the rotations of guards and when deliveries were made thanks to Keieran. Using all that knowledge you could leave with alerting anyone.
The walk from the castle to the tavern was a long one. It would be much easier to ride a horse but to get one you would have to go to the front of the castle where the stables were. The transition from the better parts of the city to the rougher parts of the city was noticeable. It went from small castles and nice establishments to leaning wooden shacks and dark streets.
When your father said that the people in this country were happy it bothered you. Yes your country didn’t have war and was peaceful, but there were many poor people. A fourth of the town you lived in was run down. You didn’t have much say in politics and your father and his counsellors didn’t seem to acknowledge the poverty. If you were Queen one day, which was highly unlikely because Lawrence was supposed to inherit the throne, you wanted to help all these people that were cast aside.
Keieran could tell something was on your mind. “What’s wrong?”
“This whole thing started out as a way for me to be free but… what’s going on out here is real. Our people aren’t happy. They’re suffering and no one is doing anything about it.”
Keieran stayed silent beside you. He was aware of the conditions that your subjects lived in. But there truly was nothing that he could do. You and him were born into families with money. You’d never wondered whether or not you would get enough to eat that day or where your meal would come from.
The reason you wanted to talk to Loki so bad was because you wanted to help. You wanted to understand the hardships your people faced and find a way to make things right. Thieves were common in your country because there was such a great divide between rich and poor. When it came to feeding their kids and making sure they had somewhere to live, people would do anything. And you could sympathize with that.
Farther along on your walk your aggravation subsided. For now you would have to live with the fact that you weren’t in control. During your next counsellor meeting you could bring up the situation with them.
You approached the tavern and with some amount of nervousness you opened the door. Sitting at the corner table you and Keieran occupied last night was Loki.
Series Taglist: @sxsalvatore @delightfulheartdream
Thanks to Everyone that came out to the Red Ride with us! The next ride is a Halloween Ride, so get those costumes ready! Check out the details to our next ride at tohaveaheart.com. <3
