As the day continued, she was walked around by the healers, bruises and cuts, nothing but faint scars and discoloration.
When they went to rewrap her arm, the healer paused; "Wow...uh. quick healer, must've just been a little sprain..." when she could have sworn just a day and a half ago she was pushing the bone back into place.
Y/n was allowed on the porch, Yalabus, a close friend and second in command to Mythelitas. He always talked up a storm, with, well, anyone, to be quite frank- an unfortunate natural flirt as well. Yet it ate her time, so she took the time to listen with warm tea in her hand and a pot on the porch table.
"You must be glad to be home, your highness."
"Yes. I am." Y/n spoke with a smile, "I've missed you all."
"Especially Mythelitas, huh?"He tried to persuade.
"Oh yes, most definitely." Y/n answered, sipping her tea, "With his big strong arms, and his even stronger-"
"Ok, that's enough-" He cut her off. "You're definitely back to normal."
The two chuckled together, "Aren't you supposed to be, oh, I don't know, working?"
"Oh please, nothing ever happens here, it's boring, thank the heavens." Yalabus gestured, "You're the only thing keepin this place fun."
"Don't let the Captain hear you say that," Y/n said.
"Oh yeah? Why not?" His voice was laced with sarcasm.
"He's going to think you're leading on to me." Y/n leaned back.
"Yeah? And if I am?" Always playing the fool, funny, most of the time.
"Are what? Getting to work?"
Yalabus froze- his brows knitting together; "he's."
Y/n nodded, "Yep."
"Damn it-" He turned around quick, "Captain! The Princess is feeling better-"
"I see that,"
"Just. Dropping off a feel-better, you know! We all grew up together!" He tried to reason, "Right, sis!"
Y/n smiled, "Yalabus, why don't you go tend to your steed, take a little break, I'd love to see how she's doing."
"Great idea!" He cheered, backing up slowly, "So I'll."
"Clean the stables while you're at it."
"You got it, boss man."
Y/n watched him curse under his breath as he turned, rushing off to go do as told. "Don't punish him; he's just naturally friendly." She spoke.
"That's why he's still single. but seems to have so many ladies over." He recalled, as she chuckled, and he looked back and up at her from the bottom of the raised porch. "You look better."
"I feel much better." Y/n spoke, "Home heals, I suppose."
Mythelitas smiled, "The cast is off already?"
"Another thing that home heals apparently." Y/n repeated, "It's...odd."
"Someone must be afraid of you over there." He added, but Y/n grumbled. People were always fearful of resentment, yes, often what she wrote and fed on, but...this was different. "Is something the matter?"
Y/n looked away- just to look back- her mouth opened, but a loud caw replaced her words- there sat a raven, large in size, that was gaining its heft, "I suppose he has something to add," she spoke.
She pulled a candy from her plate, tossing it over to the Raven. He gladly caught it. "What a pretty marking." She added, watching him eat it, a red splotch on his back, "Are you friendly?"
Y/n held out her hand, he looked at it, before a small flight and landed on her arm, "What a pretty boy, you're big for a youngin."
"Has Procustes visited?" Mythelitas questioned, small talk.
"..." Y/n was silent, the Raven letting her rub its head, its left eye set with just the fewest feathers of red. "I'm sorry? Mythelitas, what was that?"
"Procustes." He repeated, and she hummed, "Has he visited? I know you both were good friends."
"The first night I returned, I went to visit him," Y/n answered, a small smile on her lips. She could hear the 'what!? in your condition at the time- on the rise, ' but she ignored it, "I couldn't face him."
Mythelitas joined her finally on the porch, "Im sure he'd love to see you."
"You think?" Y/n asked, how would it be when they first seen each other...after it sll.
Procustes ran towards the door, the door flew and slammed into the wall- he was in a cell- he quickly looked each way-door gone- bars locked.
In the corner sat Y/n recently pioned and bled, she wrapped up in a ball, she glancing his way- he shook the metal bars "Let me out! Let me out!"
"No ones coming..." she spoke, a grumble of words barely put together: "not even the heavens can hear you down here..they rather let you rot then come down here..."
Clunk, one bar, clunk, two, three bars, four, and there she stood in front of Procustes, bone in hand- the bone they had thrown her like a dog in a kennel, dragging across the bars of her prison.
"I was meant to be... beautiful..." she told him, "I was suppose to be married to the love of my life! Supposed to have children that would bury me! I was supposed to have a... friend at my back and mine at his..."
She lunged at him through the bars; "I never needed you!-"
"Your family!"
"Take the blame for once!" Y/n snapped, "Do it! Take it! Are you too scared to admit it? That you're wrong!? Look at me- look at me!"
Herneval came to get her in the middle of their talk- he intrested in the newest addition to the group- the raven only snapped his beak at Herneval's claws, before settling back into Y/n's lap.
She could only chuckle- she was able to return home- her only option by foot- he had offered to take her to her friend- she politely declined.
The walk on foot was interesting- she was so used to fly she forgot how much she didn't walk anywhere.
"I have a surprise for you." Herneval smiled. "That so?"
He held her hands. "It's not a party, is it?"
"i- well." He started, "Figured everyone would like to see how beautiful you look, even half beat dead."
She chuckled, squeezing his hands; "I'm more than fine with not being the belle of the ball, I never liked it anyway-"
The raven cawed at her feet; she pulled away from her brother to lean down and let him up to rest on her shoulder; "Is he going everywhere with you-"
The bird screeched at Herneval, Y/n chuckling, "I suppose he's my new bodyguard."
"Give a bird a cookie." Herneval sarcastically sighed.
"Well, I used to give you cookies all the time," Y/n commented, Herneval rolling his eyes.
"It's different." He grumbled.
"Yeah, how?"
"I'm your brother."
"All birds are my brothers." Y/n nodded, the Raven nodding in agreement.
"Anyways-" He changed the subject; "We were planning on later-"
"We?"
"My parents, of course, and I."
"Our."
"Yeah, sure, whatever-" He snarked, and Y/n shook her head, he was already going to start this-" We'll push it a day from now! Since you're better!"
"I don't need a Ball in my name."
"Yeah, but you sure need some-" He muttered.
"What was that!?" She snapped.
"We can match like old times!" He cheered, "Sashes and crowns! I am not matching outfits with you like that one time-"
"You're the one who tried to do the laundry and ended up dyeing everything white we owned pink."
"I'm a prince, not a color theorist."
"Apparently you're a dumbass too."
"Am not!"
"Oh, you are too!"
The Raven shouted, "Stay out of this," Herneval argued.
"Look-" He spoke, "Either you like it or not, you know Mom's definitely going to want a welcome home party for you- both to show you're okay and-"
"To see who gets a little too uncomfortable with my presence, yes, yes, I know her war tactics," Y/n answered.
"You don't think it was an inside job-"
"I don't wish to discuss it, I told you-"
"Handled it." Herneval answered, "I know, yes. I'll leave it."
Y/n watched as he rubbed the back of his head; "You have a question."
They continued their walk: "It's...about Dad."
"Dad?" Y/n asked, "I know the nightmares-"
"It's...not that." He spoke. "Look, I know you want to spend time on the ground- probably better than flying yourself in circles. Dad wants...uh... how do I say this-"
"He wants me to get fitted," Y/n answered.
"Well..." He started, "He wants a guard with you at all times."
"If this is another Myth-"
"It's not," He cut in, "He uh... wants you fitted, and set with a guard, but...not with Mythelitas."
"He's his Captain- I understand if we were at war, but he's his best-"
"I know, I know," Herneval started; "But uh..."
"But?" Y/n asked, her brother becoming antsy. "Herneval."
He looked at her; then looked away, "I heard him and Mom talking...they- Dad- doesn't want you with the Captain...romantically...long term...or really around. at all."
"I thought-"
"I did too." Herneval agreed, "I don't know what happened, what changed; all I know is that he was worried about you, about...something happening again."
"But you all know Mythelitas," Y/n commented, "This was Don Coco."
"I know," He agreed with you; "Look I don't want you in anything serious either, not after what happened, not, for a while, but that isn't my choice most definitely. If it's anyone I want you with, it's him. I know how he treats you- Mom's trying to reason with him that it's too early for you to do anything- even friendship with anyone- Dad's against it all."
"You think if I do the wing fitting, he'll come around?"
Herneval shrugged as they walked into the castle. "I don't know, I'm not sure, I, I don't know. I know he's worried for you. That's why he wants you to do the wing fitting- so you can fly out of danger."
"I didn't even fly to leave Don Coco." Y/n answered, "I did that for you, for our parents, for our kingdom and her people- I'd do it ten times over if it meant keeping you all safe..."
"Y/n, I know, I didn't want it to go this way- I wanted everything to go back to the way it was- wing or not-"
"Herneval." She stopped him; "Nothing will ever go back to the way it was, and that's fine. I just care about Mom and Dad, the kingdom- about you."
"It wasn't supposed to be like this-"
"Life is what happens to you when you're making other plans." She told him, taking his face into her hands: "We've both survived it separately. We can survive it together now."
"Y/n-"
"Hey." She stopped him. "Together."
He was silent for a moment. "Ok..."
"Tell Dad I'll do the wing fitting," Y/n told him; "I'll talk to Dad about it privately the other situation, okay?"
"Ok.' He nodded.
"Go, tell Dad, I'll be in my room."
Herneval nodded. "I love you?"
"I love you to Kern-eval." She spoke, hugging her brother tight.
"I'm not five anymore!" He argued, attempting to dip out of her hug. "Come on!"
She laughed as he dipped out of the way, attempting to fix his feathers and his crown, "I'll tell Dad."
"Thank you." She spoke, fixing his crown for him. "I appreciate you telling me."
"If this is what you want," He questioned.
"It is what is right." She said, a smile on her face, "Ronin and I will make it back into a room."
"Your room- I-"
"Occupy it still- keep it." Y/n offered, " I think I need something...new anyway, with all the changes."
"Ok." He nodded, as they hugged before their final separation. "Also, don't name strays."
"He's staying." Y/n told as Herneval took flight; "Lucky you."
He shook his head, yet Y/n could feel the smile on his face. He flew off to see their parents. She looked down at Ronin, who looked up at her; "It's been a while since I've been home..."
He hopped forward, leading her inside. Maids and butlers greeted her with shock, quickly bowing their heads after a minute too long of staring, a quick recovery, and a surprising survival of such a story.
"Please, my lady, if there's anything needed, this is your forever home." A man spoke, head down.
"There is something you can help me with, if you don't mind."
"Of course, we will be delighted, right ladies?"
"Yes, sir." Two women, young twins.
"I need a room- a new one," she spoke, "One that does not...require flight...everywhere."
"Of course, my lady. One of the grand guest rooms can be accommodated to your royal standard."
"No," She cut off; "Sorry- No, no thank you. Simple. please. I don't know if I'm...I would like it open if possible, a bed, a small shelf of books with a desk shall do me fine..."
"The grand rooms accommodate that in decor, my lady."
"Perfect." Y/n spoke, "It's...been a while, can you..."
Embrassing, in her home.
"Come this way, my lady; we will get you accommodated."
She followed them, the halls she was slipped and slid through with fresh waxed floors with her brother, the snacks they snuck through and spilt all over the floor making a loud thud that echo'd all the way down to there parents' room- damn silver plater.
It seemed all...odd, too much open space, she pulled her arms in, so much space- yet so little, seemed too...free?
Her friend kept at her feet, careful to not stray too far from her as her eyes went back and forth, she stopping to pause and look behind her- nothing.
"My lady?"
Her eyes squinted, nothing, "Princess-"
"Sorry?" She spoke, looking back towards him; "Your room, as requested."
Simple and plain, much like her cell, this at least had a bed, a desk with some books, and a window. "Can we help you with anything else my lady?"
Y/n shook her head, "no, no, this is fine."
"Please, rest, we'll bring some of your books if you wish-"
"No, No I have this one I'm still working on." She told, "If my Father calls..."
"Of course. We will grab you as quick as possible."
"Thank you." She nodded.
Left in her solitude, she hadn't had much of it since she had returned.
"Would you like me to read to you?" she asked Ronin, who hopped in circles, "I'll take that as a yes."
A knock on the door turned Frankelda's head. Herneval was already back from seeing his sister, which seemed quite quick- knowing him, he was probably basking in the attention she was giving him- or they were fist-fighting- who knows-
She straightened out her collar and dress, checking herself in the mirror and fixing a loose strand of hair, before rushing to the door- it was rude to keep someone waiting so long-
Her smile could blind anyone- seeing her favorite person- instead she was faced with flowers, a large bouquet, one of the eye-flowers she had seen before the centerpiece for it all- "There beatiful-"
Wrong person, they both chuckled nervously- "Sorry."
"They are beautiful, though," She commented, "I'm sure Y/n will love them."
"Oh, No- I-"
"They're not for the Princess-"
"No!-"
"There for me then?" She teased him he growing bashful, the start of an ever going tease he sure Herneval and the Batallion would join in on.
"Yes!-" he started, "No- I- ...how did you know?"
"Herneval."
"He really can't keep a secret." They both laughed at that- true.
She looked up at him; was Y/n her height? Or closer to Mythellias? Perhaps she was somewhere in the middle- how did they even meet? When they were kids? Or when they were teens? Maybe he saved her, or maybe she saved him?
He was rubbing the back of his neck, pulling at his collar- "Are you nervous?"
"What? No-"
"You are!"
"Why would I be nervous-"
Frankleda hmphed, she floating around him; "You're nervous...you were nervous even coming up to the door."
"I. I was not-"
"Oh you so were." She crossed her arms a laugh coming from her; "Is she that scary?"
"Well..." he started, yeah, she is, "no not at all,"
"How'd you meet?"
"It was... interesting." He told her, gesturing to him to come in; who didn't love a good story time?
It looked just like it had all those years ago- the portrait they had done for her 20th birthday sat covered- she never liked it, books- everywhere, statues and artifacts, scrolls, and pens, pens and every corner she always had, "Do you mind?"
Frankelda looked towards him. He gestured towards the painting. "No?"
"If I'm correct," he spoke, walking to the wall, "There's a pen here, she always forgot them on the ledges of the crowning"
He reached behind the curtain, and sure enough, an inkwell pen- somewhere from- well, he didn't know- he just knew he wasn't supposed to blab about it- which means- "I'm surprised Herneval didn't go looking for it, she wasn't supposed to have this."
"So you've known each other for a long time?" Frankleda asked. "You know all her hiding spots."
"Not long enough," he smiled down at the pen, it's once silver size dulled by years of dust.
"So..." She floated over, laid down, kicking her feet, "How'd you two meet?"
Mythellias only gave her the 'seriously?' look, "What!? Good inspiration for a new nightmare!" She cheered.
"Oh, no." Mythellias asperated, "That was the first time a nightmare ever had a dream..."
"She is good." The General spoke, a young Mythellias beside him, with the King on the other side.
"I fear not good enough," Ficturo sighed.
Mythellias watched the armoured two fight like death was the only one that would claim them- one free-winged, the other, bound, force to keep the fight on the floor.
"She will learn as she grows as sees battle Ficturo."
"I only hope you are right, my friend."
Mythellias watched as she tumbled and fell and was quick on her feet again; "Why is she bound?"
He was bumped by the General, don't ask.
"She is too dependent on her wings," Ficturo spoke
"She has them; she should use them to her advantage."
"Mythellias-"
"No, no, let the boy speak. It's alright."
"She won't be bound in a real fight- if she's planning on it- she should be practicing maneuvers around not getting her wings caught in the first place."
"Hm." Was the only answer Mythellias got back; "very well."
The King stopped the training, and they both stood to attention; "Y/n dear, unsnap the bands-"
"huh?"
"You will fight The General's newest student."
"Huh?" Both asked.
"He believes you can. Learn something."
The armour looked back towards him; no face, no skin, no feathers- just wings, and silver; "This guy? Seriously?"
"Hey!-" he snapped.
"Come on, I've fought men twice his size, all with worse feather lines, sure, but that makes it fun when I tell them to step back as far as it-"
"Y/n" her father scolded.
She sighed, a hand on her hip, "I apologize for talking about your Feather line general...again...'
Mythellias looked up at his General- aw shit...
"Then what happened?" Frankelda asked, they had migratted to the cabriole.
"Well...it ended in a tie,"
"Really?"
"no."
They stood at attention, swords up and facing each other as Mythellias brought down his helmet, "Aren't you going to remove your bands Princess?"
A sound of dissatisfaction, and a snap- aw shit- the bands fell to the floor, "done, ready, right hand?"
They braced, and he could only gulp.
"I went easy on her, of course; her father was right there," Mythellias spoke; "then I realized...she was going easy on me."
He struggled against the pressure: "Give up!?"
"Yeah, right. Princess" He spoke through gritted teeth, pushing her aside to allow him to balance, and they circled one another.
"Ficturo, she'll kill him."
"Ah," Ficturo waved off, "She's going easy."
"That's my point, what if he hits her wrong-"
Too late, a bad swing and a bad dodge- and the thud of a metal helmet, a stalemate, Mythellias was half on the floor, and she above him they paused.
"Shit- I- I'm sorry-" She turned to look at him- and his jaw dropped, quite literally- feathers white as snow, and markings still growing in of dark red, and black.
There was shouting in the background as she grabbed his arm- what had the heavens blessed his eyes with; "I-"
"Don't! Y/n, don't you dare!"- the king, her father.
He was picked up; weak in the legs; "Hi-" and over her shoulder he went, he drove into the floor, slung around like a sack of flour. He lay there, pain not registering, as he looked up at her. The sun darkened her shadow above him.
"I'm not a princess." She told him, hand on her hip, he only nodded as she cocked her head, to get a better look at him; "Better luck next time pretty boy."
"it didn't hurt that bad." He admitted to Frankelda, "not at first that is."
"So she threw you. And you fell in love?"
"Your not wrong." He chuckled, "I got...whats the word."
"Lucky?" She asked.
"No," he shook his head, pen still in armored fingers, "It was...more than that. Maybe our heavens blessed me. Maybe I did something that returned such greatness to me...I don't know...it's more than all that combined...I...got freedom."
He remembered, Y/n leaned against the ledge, hidden away from a Party, a royal party. Her own birthday party. She sat there slouched, the royal age of 18...her own annoitment day into the royal family, offical...at last...
Mythelitas looked out from the empty guest room, he unsure if he should disturb her. Flowers in hand-
"I know your there. I just dont know who." She called out, "if your a suitor. Please i only talk with suitors that are about to die in there old age."
Y/n's back still to him, "No. I uh. Happy Birthday."
She looked behind her, he quickly hiding the gift behind him, "Oh. Pretty Boy-"
"Mythelitas." He corrected, "My name. My Princess."
"I know who you are." She spoke.
"Oh?" He questioned, rocking back and forth slightly, had he fucked up that bad-
"Yalabus told me." She started, "Your good friends?"
"Yeah- Yes. Yes my lady we are well acquainted." He bowed his head in agreement.
"Why is it that your so formal?"
She turned to face him, slouching against the ledge, her chlothes dark- her nicer pair of trousers with a pink shirt tucked in- her vest somewhere thrown on the bed, along with her sash and crown.
"You are a Princess now. My lady."
"Im also just your war opponent."
"My lady i am to take orders its important that I stay honorable and loyal. Even formal."
She hummed: "Then Mythelitas, I order you to speak your words as no formality walls one off from another."
"My Lady-"
"I am a princess now you will take my order."
He nodded, "Very well."
"Y/n."
"Im sorry?" Mythelitas spoke.
"My name. It's Y/n." She smiled, "Its nice to meet you. Mythelitas."
"I've never felt so in love before." Mythelitas told Frankelda, "not that I even knew what that ment...when I was so young...Im more scared of her than ever."
"Because you love her."
"Living is not being alive." He added, "and I don't know how to live with out her."
"Then tell her! Make it known!" Frankelda complained, "You did it once. You can do it again-"
"It's different now." Mythelitas spoke, "she different now...I...I heard her scream that first night she was back....seen her...pioned...I don't know if I could ever help her through that."
Frankelda 'hmph' as she flew infront of him, arms crossed: "I'm Y/n."
"What?"
"Tell me you love me-"
"I am not doing that-"
"Tell me you love me! Think I'm Y/n! Come on! Your from someone's imagination you have to have one yourself!-"
"No-" Mythelitas laughed, he getting up to take his leave- yet she stopped him.
"You'd walk away from Y/n-"
"Never-"
"Then do it."
"No-"
"Yes-"
"No-"
"Do it-"
"Not in a million eons-"
"Come on! Come on Come on Come on!" She annoyed.
"Fine!"
"Yes!" She cheered, "okay. I'm y/n. Go."
Frankelda was imagining it'd be akward at first on his end, but after a few moments of silence she watch him physically avoid eye contact: "You never told her i love you-"
"Its. Its complicated okay!".
"Wow real lover boy there-"
"Are you here to help me or antagize me?"
"Depends."
He rolled his eyes, "sooo?" She asked, "come on."
He look towards her, floating in the air legs criss cross and her dress tucked over her knees.
"I. I love you...?"
"Wrong-"
"What?!"
"Come on you just wrote a love poem out the blue speaking on her from memory. Just to go, uh I actually hate you?"
"That is not what I said-"
"Is too." Frankelda argued, "Come on deep deep in your heart. Unlock your heart again." She demanded.
Y/n sat on the floor by the door, candlelight by her side as dusk set in the window, her newest friend snuggled up against her. She carefully put him on the pillow. Her back leaning against the bed frame- and then came a knock, "Y/n? Are you in here?"
Herneval opened the door, peeking his head in; "Hey, what's wrong?" She asked, looking over and up at him.
"Why are you in here?" he asked, "Why not your room?"
"Ah, well, I think it's yours now." Y/n answered, "No harm done, new set of eyes, new room."
Y/n waved him over, she moving the blanket off her lap: "Come on, come on."
Herneval was quick to make his way in; already dressed in his dark striped pajamas, and he took a seat in front of her. "What did Dad say?"
"Nothing much, " Herneval said, "Said the wing fitting will be tomorrow, early, and that he'd like to be with you, just you two."
Y/n grumbled, but sighed and nodded, "That's fine..."
She opened her arms up for him to climb into them, like he was little again, "What's wrong?" She asked softly.
"Will things not go back?" He asked.
"I don't know." Y/n answered.
"i don't get it,"
"Hm?"
"Why would they hurt you?" Herneval told, "you never hurt anyone."
"Power gets to everyones head." She answered, "I will take care of it."
She pulled him closer, his head rested on her shoulder: "Why do you handle everything on your own. Im old enough to help."
Y/n raked through the feathers on his head, she humming as she did, she shook her head in response. She didnt have a reason, not a valid one, 'I am your sister' didnt work as much when they're both adults.
"I know." She acknowledged, "this is what I want."
Herneval was quiet, "okay."
"I love you." She told him.
He shifted slightly, "am I going to loose you again?"
"I never truly leave you Herneval. Ever. In life. Or in death." She told him, "I am always with you."
"Thats what I told him." She recited, she standing on the raised platform, what was left of her wing being measured, "I will tell him it again. Ten fold if I must."
The King stood, hands behind his back, "you are a good sister."
Y/n nodded, "Thank you."
"You mustn't lie to your brother." He retorted, "neither your brother."
"I had it handled. I will handle it." Y/n snapped back.
"I should have never let you-"
"It was my choice."
"Not your problem to fix-"
"I fixed it!" Y/n argued, "its done. It's over."
"At what cost!" Her father raised his voice.
"At a cost deemed necessary!" She shouted back, "I did what I did for my family! For my people! I will do it over if I must!"
"Your people do not care about you!"
Y/n's face tightened; "I don't care-"
"Then what of the people who do care for you!"
"The people who care for me are nothing more than memories, if not dead, in what place I could have taken and survived!" Y/n argued back, stepping down- she face-to-face with her father, "And if that grounds me for life, so be it! If I am to never see the face in front of me again, then so be it! Take my heart from my living body, then so be it!"
The silence grew thick between them- it sapped the room of any chance. The workers stood against the wall, heads down in a bow.
"What have you done with my daughter?" Ficturo seethed.
Her nose wrinkled, brows furrowed, "What have you done with my Father-"
"I am not the one who has changed- who has no reason in his head!"
"Reason?" Y/n questioned, and an aspirated gasp came from her as she chuckled: "You, you think I went for? What? To reason!? To be reasonable?! My reason was that my family doesn't die. That's pretty fucking-"
"Do not take that tone with me-"
"-reasonable to me." Y/n talked over him, "I left everything. I left the people I love, the family that I love...I left the man that I love. That's my reason; it's pretty fucking reasonable- what are you dead if not lost memories?"
"It's a two-way road-"
"A chapter of memories holds no light to a book of them." Y/n told him, "I will be me in the only way I know to be left; I will not let you take that from me."
"It's already happened- can't you see-"
"I let myself be beaten and torn apart. I let them take me." She defended, "I will not be taken by a man again, for no purpose but to lock me up again. Strip me of my crown, of my jewels, and my status. But you will not strip me of my life without giving me a damned good reason I should give it all up."
It grew silent between the two, her glare never leaving her father- much like her mother, what she knew what she was fighting for- would be the only thing keeping her going. Fighting for every single moment left- "Finish the fiting, I want it done no later than early evening," was his last words spoken that morning.
Y/n did the fitting as he wanted: a waxed copper frame, decorated with gears and compression pumps- it was loud and heavy...it dragged on the floor like her other one did. Covered in paper thin silver feathers- an attempt to make it all normal.
He left sometime in the middle of it- the ladies having to undress her, showing how it would be strapped and laced up over a slip, and he never returned.
Y/n watched as he sat upon his throne in the ballroom- high and mighty, with her mother by his side. It was clear by the Queen's face that Ficturo had told her of the appointment.
She was displeased- something she quite rarely truly was.
This thing- for her- she sighed, pulling away from the key hole in the door, and slid down to the ground- the metal of the wing scraping like nails on a chalk board- and then some.
"You getting a lot of hands to dance down there?"
She looked up at the dimly lit hallway, her brother.
"Please, that's the last I want to see right now."
He took a quick seat next to her on the floor; "You look beautiful."
They sat there, her in her mahogany gown- accented with white and black lace, the crown of feathers in her hand- a ceremonial crown used for special events- wrapped around the eyes- and joined in the middle of gold where her nose would support it.
"Blind devotion..." Y/n muttered playing with the crown, he sat ther in his own crown, his fancy coat the same as her dress, with a white underlayer- buttoned all the way up- feathers neatly pushed back-
"Hey," he said, looking over at her. "I think it looks pretty cool, think I could borrow it."
She laughed, feeling the wing; what a fake- "50-"
"Aw, hell no." he cut her off as she laughed, her head falling onto his shoulder.
They sat in the background of the noise, Y/n eye's closed, the only clear sound the beating of her brother's heart she could hear through his shoulder.
Dragged by the one wing she had left, rocks scraped her knees and dirt crammed itself from her feathers- a failed attempt to pull away caused her wing to be pulled, and her face to stone.
"What a pathetic..."
The noise was empty- simple words she'd never fully hear. Instead, she was there, sitting with her brother, some royal party happening in the background, and him asleep in her lap, one to many sweets knocked him out cold.
"I think it's bedtime." She teased him; no protest from him.
She picked him up with ease as she started down the hall. The white noise of the party never left her ears.
"y/n." Herneval called, "Hey."
She opened her eyes halfway, "hm?"
"Not nap time yet. It's just getting started."
She, wide-eyed, sat up; "I'm up."
She yawned loudly, stretching out her arms. "ok. What now?"
"party."
"fuck." she grumbled. Herneval got up and quickly reached out his hand for her, which she gladly accepted.
They stood together; "I'll walk you in." He offered.
They quickly took position side by side, her crown coming down over her eyes, the shape giving her full view of where to walk. She put his arm in his.
A knock- and the doors creaked.
"The Return of Her Royal Majesty! Injured in the display of her faith to her people and kingdom! Princess Y/n!" The man announced.
She felt it- eyes- the woman pulled from the shore- from the ocean where Nightmares heard of siren songs that dragged you beneath the surface- of how a hand from a different world comforted you in death. Pulled from the boat- now decorated in silver and copper. Fresh as a two leaf clover- after all her wing was plugged from her back like it had been a leaf.
"she looks so old now..."
"Poor thing look at what they did."
Couldn't even say it to her face- nothing but mutters in a crowd.
"That's what happens when you date a guard."
"What?"
"Oh yeah, I heard her little guard friend was seen going into the new nightmare creator's room, that little girl. Flowers and all."
Y/n paused, her feet planted so deep into the floor it caused Herneval a jerk.
"Y/n, what happened? The wing?" He asked.
"Poor girl, she was so in love with him. All she did for the kingdom, and that's how she's repaid."
"May the heavens show her heart mercy- I heard the girl just came up pregnant not a week before she got here."
Mythelias? Yeah, right, the guy had no game. "Yeah, just got caught on the dress..." she commented, shifting the dress as they continued on.
Castle drama. Typical. She climbed the steps with her brother; they both bowed in front of their parents, and her crown was removed from her eyes to the top of her head. "Let my daughter set her eyes on home again!" Her mother announced as cheering set in.
They rose, looking back at the crowd, clapping and whistling for her return, her only response a sophisticated wave and a smile.
What a crowd. The whole kingdom, perhaps?
Mythelias stood by her Father's side, and Yalabus by her throne. The kids were taking their seats, Ronin already perched on the top of her throne.
"Looks on duty now."
"Yalabus." Y/n greeted him as he talked; she couldn't be mad, Mythelias had to move on at some point if any- it was fair. She went off and got married after all- not by her entire choice- "Yalabus-"
He paused his joke, "Here to serve."
"Wish Mythelias good fortune for me when you speak to him next, " she spoke softly, leaning over to him; "I heard he'll have someone new to take care of soon."
"Please? Callin in one of those favors now." Y/n muttered.
"Can't argue with that-"
"My dear niece and nephew!" A woman cheered- dogs barked and panted as they ran up the stairs; "And my brother and sister. Wonderful dark we're having, isn't it, my dears?"
One found its way to Y/n, barking and jumping to her lap; "Well, I'm glad someone still likes me, hm Argos?" she chuckled, petting the grey fur of the dog, which he happily barked too.
Ronin to snooty turned his tail feathers towards the beast below.
"Scylla. It is always nice to see you." Her mother commented, rising to hug the woman.
"Oh I know! It's so busy terrifying men of the sea." She snicked, "But I must say, the food tastes well, but it's been...lacking as of recent...must be out of season."
The power that her kingdom was slowly losing was all too similar. Humans had an explanation for everything: "Even my girls on the rocks have been finding hard times. Human explanation? Seagulls, they call them, mixed with Ciguatera and Dehydration..."
She snapped the dogs quick to return to her side, "Please tell me you all have some luck."
"With Y/n back, we hope she'll help our new Nightmare Creator." Herneval chimed in.
Scylla laughed loudly, "Kickin poor Procutes out finally?"
"And your human writer?'
"Oh, Homer? Please, he's been dead way longer than any of us. They've lasted us long- if they didn't lose the other what? Ten, they must play nicer with their things if you ask me...." She squabbled, her eyes glancing over at Y/n; "Enough of me and my side of the world...the girl that escaped death...I bet Mitclan's not too happy about that."
"Aunt Syclla." Y/n bowed her head. "It's always nice to know you're eating men."
"You'll love it more than ever now, child." She answered, "Now tell Aunty Scylla, did he scream?"
"Scylla," Ficturo commented.
"Oh, come on, Little Ficturo, all the ladies want to hear it back home- Medusa especially." Scylla complained, "Tell me, dear. Did you make him scream? Make him beg? What was the trophy? His head? His horns?"
She leaned down to be eye level with Y/n, her eyes piercing yellow as they glowed for an answer- similar to the torches that gave her dogs the go. The chance to eat that marked-
"Death to one." She smirked, "The other lives."
"Other?" Herneval questioned, "Y/n-"
"That's how you got so healthy so quickly." She chuckled, "Oh, you slimy, sly eel. Tell me is he here? He is isn't he?"
Y/n's stare hardened into a glare as they held eye contact; Scylla kept the thick silence heavy- just a look was enough to tell her a whole story at times.
Yet she pulled away first, looking down- it was more than just death- she had felt it herself; she hummed, and stood up; "Good luck." was her response, "I'm with you all the way."
Y/n gave a curt nod; thank you, Scylla turned back towards the rest of the family; "You all know where to find me in the crowd."
"At the seafood table, we know," Yalabus commented.
She turned around. "You're lucky you're cute, Yalabus. And that I'm not Circe."
"You're horrible," Y/n told him.
"Part of the Charm Princess."
Y/n shook her head before turning towards her family; "He's here." her mother seethed, "isn't he?"
"It is handled." Y/n answered- her father dared not speak a word to her; "Why not bring power to my family in my pain?"
The Queen turned toward Mythelias; "I want him found, tonight!"
"Y/n, you didn't tell me there was more-" Herneval told, "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I have it handled-" She stood up, "And I will continue to have it handled."
"But, Y/n, you could've told me."
"I got it."
She walked herself down the steps; her mother ordering Yalabus to follow her, if not right behind, at least near. She had a different goal now.
"I know, right? Poor girl, she's so strong."
The same voice.
"If you ask me, she could do so much better than him, I mean, look at her, even all beat."
"Who does that to a girl-"
Y/n weaved through the crowd, "I know, but did you see his second in command-"
"Oh, please, Yalabus has been in everyone's bed, that man's a walking-"
"Ladies."
The group of three paused. "Princess!" They quickly acknowledged, bowing to her, "Please excuse us!"
"No. Stay." Y/n spoke, stopping them from moving out of her way. She looked behind her; Yalabus always did get lost in crowds easily.
"What could we possibly help you with-"
"What do you know about Mythelias?" Y/n questioned.
The ladies look at one another; "Well. uh...he's your father's- the King's commander-"
"No." Y/n stopped her. "When I walked out...how..."
The ladies stopped, frowns forming on their faces. "My lady...I...Well, we..."
"We don't want you to find out this way." Another added.
"We won't talka bout 'it again." The third.
"You saw something?" Y/n asked, "Just nosey..."
The first nodded, "I was dusting round the corner and when I finished..."
"They were in the prince's room..." She sighed, "Well...flowers and all."
"Had she been sick?" Y/n asked, "Or... helped him? Taught him something?"
"My lady, we don'ta k'now." The third again, "But. That late at n'ight?"
"We do know the lady's maid who attends the New Nightmare Creator...has been sick in the mornings." The second, "She said there was a fresh bouquet in the room, with love letters written beside it, not the prince's handwriting."
"Oh." Y/n answered, "Well. I. Thank you, ladies."
"Yes, my lady."
They bowed to each other; "Y/n, come on you know I'm bad in-"
Y/n was gone again- Yalabus groaning as he attempted to follow her. She was quicker on her feet than she realized, out of the ballroom without a second thought, and down the halls, up a set of stairs that rounded towards a top tower, and out the top to a balcony.
The door had already opened; she froze. Procustes was already in the space. Too busy with his own thoughts to notice her.
"Busy?" She called out for him, and he squealed, turning around to face her.
He backed up as she walked through the doors; "I'm too busy with my own pity to bother you," she told him. Joining him in the cold air, she leaned against the stone ledge.
It was silent between the two; most of the night had been silent tension between her and another.
"I am." He started, she glaring his way; "I'm good." She told him, tears in her eyes.
"Are...You okay?" Procustes questioned.
"Am I okay?" Y/n snapped, "Is that what you have to say to me-"
She wiped her eyes with her sleeve. "Do I look okay?"
"No..." He answered, she turned away from him. "What I did-"
"I don't want to hear it." Y/n told him, "Not now, not when I'm like this..."
"Please-"
"Please!?" Y/n argued, "Please? What? Oh, forgive me! Forgive me for I know not what I ought to do! Forgive me for I am nothing but a humble Judas to your Messiah! I am but your Mother to Your Daughter and your Father to your son! I not know for what I do! For my brain eats at my heart!? Is that what you tell me? What you say as a begging of mercy for my forgiveness! Well, Procustes, I forgive you, I forgive you for it all....I thank you for all that you have lied and beaten and tortured me...and I ..."
She heaved, wiping her eyes as she turned her back to him; "I do not have anything-"
"That makes the two of us." Y/n cut him off.
This was beyond him. "What happened?"
"You wanna know what happened?" She shouted, "The man that I love, the man that I've always loved! Loves another; that's what happened. So thank you. Thank you for showing me- through thick and thin, it would've never worked out; that for sickness and health, for death do us part, it would've never worked- thank you. I thank you for that...:
Y/n held her head in her hands, elbows deep into the stone, "I should have stayed in that cell...I should have died when given the chance..."
"Mythelias...didn't wait for you?"
"No. He didn't." Y/n responded. She sat down, letting her legs hang through the pillars. "No one ever does...My mom went to war as soon as she saw me again...my father went away as soon as he saw me...my little brother grew up...my love with a new woman, their first child on the way...I would've at least thought you'd wait for me."
"I was wrong," Procsustes told her.
"So was I." She agreed.
"I am sorry."
She sat in silence as she looked at the kingdom down below; lights and dancing could be seen from this high- even if they were small as ants, joy and laughter.
"Ever since I been home. My life has been the same: the yelling, the arguing, comments I myself can tell if they're compliments or disappointment laced in a pretty bow..." She told him, "Tell me. Procustes...as an act of friendship...were we ever good friends..."
"Yes!-"
"Then what went wrong..." Y/n probed.
There was no true answer- no real answer that justified what he wanted, power? Jewels? Gold farther than what the realm could even conjure? "I knew I wasn't becoming... relevant."
Procustes sat beside her, "That I was failing... it was easier to blame you...If I overthrew a royal- controlled one..."
"You'd stay relevant," she finished for him, looking over at him; "Procustes, you are my only friend, I've never had a friend...ever had something for myself. Not like what we had...Mythelias couldn't of taken me away from you if you needed me; you were my best friend, so best that I didn't need anyone else."
"Y/n, I am sorry-"
"You were so focused on trying to be at the center of everyones world that you were too busy to realize you were the center of mine," Y/n spoke.
"I fear you more than you know it."
"I know." Y/n answered, "That's why I got better so quick, what's more power-inducing than a nightmare afraid of its own... but it's not me you fear; it's your conscience. It just holds my shape, so. I forgive you."
Y/n pulled herself away from the ledge; she stood herself up; "You're still my best friend...I can't change that. I won't ever be able to...so...excuse me...My brother will be wondering where I've gone."
She bowed her head before leaving him up there on his own, she had won, forever implanted in his cranium. His concious would eat at him forever, til the day he died. After all he's done, no punishment for his crime- and someone would still call him there best friend.
You’re a hideous, terrifying monster. One day, you meet an innocent little girl who isn’t afraid of you and treats you like anyone else. Day after day, you play together until you’re eventually separated. Many years later, you meet her again, but this time, she’s terrified of you.
Now remember, a lady rides sidesaddle, NOT astride. Your mother would be in hysterics at the very idea that a daughter of hers would ride a werewolf astride! Why, next you’ll be showing ankle…
Reader: Female| Older Sister! Reader x Younger brother! Hernevel
Note: yeah, I did it AGAIN- dare I say part 3 soon? Really like what I'm doing with this bleeding effect from the dream world to the real world. Ps. my laptop and phone are having a hard time rn handling all this
Warnings: SHE ATE THEM- no not really- she did stab someone though, also swearing and blood mentions
She sat against those cold bars- eyes barely opened- her mother would've had a fit seeing how she was- how the wedding dress that was once hers was ruined, how her knees were scraped and bruised, and how her face had sunken in- her feathers losing color, her body weakened, and a part of her stolen from her.
"How could I let a man put me here..." She muttered to herself.
She put herself here- in place of her world- in place of her brother. A deep breath exhaled as her eyes closed.
There she was back at that bridge- all pretty in white, her brother in hand, where his hand squeezed hers as she looked over at him- soon to become a young man, turned into a young boy.
Herneval looked up at her with his big yellow eyes, so much belief in her, and she paused.
This is what she was called for, to be a big sister, whether it be to Herneval or her Kingdom.
"Are you okay?"
Her eyes slowly peeled open- her brother stood there, just a small boy a hand coming to her face; "Y/n?"
"Pop-Kernel?" She questioned, as he smiled, wiping the dirt off her cheek.
"I know it's fake..." She told him, "You hate that name..."
And within a blink, he was gone. She sat in her room, reading a book. "What do you think?" Herneval asked.
"I think Mom and Dad would have your tail feathers," Y/n responded. What were they talking about?
"Yeah, but everyone else my age does it,"
She pulled the book away, his head on her lap, one of their many therapy sessions, as he liked to put it- any excuse to spend more time with her.
"I'm thinking yellow. would bring out the red in my feathers," he spoke.
"If you dye your feathers, I'm not fishing you out of that one."
"Maybe purple." He suggested.
"I don't know, it might take another part of your brain with it." Y/n teased, pinching the bridge of his nose, which he swatted away.
"I'm serious!" He defended, "What about Blue?"
Y/n snorted, a failed attempt to stay quiet, "And I'm gonna go pink soon-"
"Really?"
"No."
He rolled her eyes at her as she opened her book back up to continue reading. She slumped over against the bars.
"Are you going to die?" He asked, looking up at her fragile frame.
"No. No..." she muttered, "Don't...don't worry bout me..."
What a liar, her eyes glazed over as he became nothing but a blur of color on her lap.
"Did I do something wrong?" he asked.
"No. No, you didn't."
"Then why are you here?"
Y/n sniffled, wiping her eyes of tears as dirt smudged into her vision, he disappearing with the lack of vision.
Food and water were slid through a big enough gap, "and they called you the strongest." Don Coco.
"What an embarrassment to the Royal Family."
What was she to do? Words were often sharper than any physical injury he'd inflict upon her.
"But your wing does look pretty presented upon my wall." He mocked, "I'm looking for the other one soon- perhaps when you get your hopes up again- and I'll place your brothers beside it- maybe even your heads tonight-"
She looked towards him. "You can't hurt him."
"Says who? You?"
Y/n rolled over, she using the bars to help pick herself up to her feet, dried blood on her head as she leaned against the cold bars; one of the combs she had made of bones in her hand- she was barely holding herself up.
"You're nothing but a let down- a royal stripped of all her jewels. what are you now?"
Y/n, with closed eyes, groaned- it all hurt, everywhere- she muttered something under her breath.
"What was that my princess." He taunted, coming closer.
"I said," Y/n sighed, "That makes me a bitch!"
The sharp end she stabbed into his neck- his thick skin saving him- until she grabbed him by his coat, "A real crazy one too!"
He pulled her arm down, a loud crack coming from it as she shouted in pain, her grip not daring to loosen as she continued, her elbow rubbing against the bar as she drove her weapon deeper. He caught the bars only to crumple down them- he was busy trying to tend to his wound- there was no sense- she had hit a nerve, and he went limp- alive, his eyes watched her reach over and through his pocket to the keys. She went through three of them before finding the right one- she stumbled out of the cell with her arm in hand, a cradle to ease the pain.
Making it up the steps and out to the ever-crashing hands of white was the easy part; getting home was the hard part. She took little flight, and once she felt she got the hang of it, she took off- she barely made it past the shoreline before her fall.
Hands trapped her in there forever, a current of misery- the only thing to hold her in such a time.
Maybe this was easier...letting go- as they hugged her and held her- held her tight like her parents did, like her brother did.
Her options were few and limited- this death didn't seem too bad...it was quiet down here.
Her eyes glued themselves shut- what more could she do? Her body relaxed
Someone would hold her in this hour.
Henerval's ship took the liberty of doing so, as it's capatin would if he could. She lay on the deck, a limp body- perhaps she was dead?
"You wanna go?" Y/n asked.
"What!? Of course!" Herneval cheered, the little boy flapping around happily. "Really! I get to go!"
"You have to listen to your sister!" Their Mother ordered.
"Yep! Of course!"
"Or you'll both be grounded," Their Father chimed in.
"Okay!"
So casually said- he could only focus on leaving- he'd get to go exploring with his sister!
"be safe." Their mother pleaded.
"Of course."
Y/n hugged both of them they hugged her back. "I mean it!"
"Yes Mother I promise."
Their parents watched as Y/n quickly flew off after her brother to catch up: "Herneval, wait for, oh I don't know- The captain!"
"Come on!" He cheered, "Let's go!"
The boat crashed up on the shoreline- it grounded until the rock would wither away.
The quartz castle looks down upon its kingdom. Its people- busy in its markets, dancing and parading around in their daily life- kids- playing and running around.
"Mr! Hey, Mr. Guard!" One of the children called out to him in a hurry, "Someone's hurt!"
Some kids collecting stones nearby had heard the shipwreck- they were told they did well, and rewarded with some candy money given to them by the guard.
Yet the first sight of it caused more panic than he was already in- a royal ship wrecked. Herneval's ship.
The alarm was sounded- a call to all the guards on duty or off. It caused people to converse- they were eager to know what was so important on this ship.
Frankelda was in the room, waiting for Herneval's return from important matters as she watched out from the balcony- everyone looked like ants running and scurrying about in worry.
Mythelitas was first on scene out of all; he was calming the people down, telling them to retreat back to their homes and let them work.
"She's alive, sir!" From the ship, the man came with a woman in his arms.
He left the guarding to another and made his way over; "She needs medical attention-"
No. She should be married- with her own family- happily married- and safe. She was supposed to be safe-
"I will take her! Notify the Queen and King immediately!"
"Captain!-"
"Go now!"
"Yes, sir!"
"He's so cute, isn't he?" Y/n questioned, stroking her brother's head he fast asleep. "It gets him what he wants, for now, while he's young."
They sat in her room- a pile of blankets on the floor, cushioned them, Mythelitas sat beside her- what a perfect moment, "You're very good with him."
She chuckled, "Trust me, it's harder than it looks sometimes. He's just... so full of love and passion...at such a young age, it's hard to keep all the excitement in....I just fear he'll get in trouble one day for it."
"Not while I'm around. I will keep him safe at all times." Mythelitas swore, "I will protect him till I drop."
Y/n smiled, "Is this how you attempt to win me over, Captain-"
"No- No! It is my duty-" Y/n couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.
"I am teasing you, Captain, but..." she looked his way, he flustered by her call out, "I appreciate it either way, Mythelitas"
She leaned up- as he did down- "Don't be afraid of this as you seem of me, Captain-"
"Are you gonna kiss! That's gross!"
Herneval had interrupted them- wouldn't be the first time and wouldn't be the last; "Huh, you wanted it instead?"
"What! Ew, gross!-" he tackled him; his attempt to escape failed as she picked him up in her arms and kissed his cheek hard; "EW!!!"
It was her, the one that never wanted to get away, laid in his arms, a biological clock she had cheated.
She was supposed to be be happy, suppose to survive.
Mythelitas was at the healers before he could truly process it. She was here.
Almost dead, but here.
They took her away quicker than he could ask to come with her. They closing the door behind them: there resson? "A lady deserved privacy from everyone in their darkest hour."
"Young Prince!"
Herneval looked towards his door- he in the middle of listening to one of Frankelda's stories.
"Come in-"
Before he could finish the gaurd barged through; "My Prince- she's been found they found her, "
"Who found-" He asked- he cutting off his own sentence.
The gaurd was eager- a look of astonishment on his face. That look you can give someone when they got everything they want-
"Y/n?" He asked unsure- a single nod- "Y/n?"
"Yes My Prince."
"They Found Y/n?" Herneval questioned again, a nod.
"They Found y/n," Was this real? He then it set in- he quick to swoop Frankelda into his arms and twirl her in the air, "They Found Y/n! Haha!"
He quickly set Frankelda down- flying over to the gaurd- "Where is she?! Is she with you! I bet she gave Don Coco what he deserved! Tell me! Did she come back with his horns on her back! Maybe even his title!-"
His excitement drained seeing the Gaurds Face- "what?" He laughed, "what is wrong my sister has returned home!"
"Its her condition my prince."
"A few scraps and scars from Battle- Y/n was always a show off-"
"She returned...flightless."
Herneval landed down: "what?"
"The healers tend to her now, she-"
"What are you saying?" Herneval cut him off.
"Herneval let's go see her-" Frankelda tried to reason.
"What did they do!?" He demanded.
"She's been...pinioned my majesty." The gaurd told him, "I. Am truly sorry-"
"Where is she?! Where do they have her!?"
Y/n opened her eyes just a sliver, the low light of candle welcomed.
"My lady your awake."
She looked at the ceiling- no dark stone cell ceiling shed grow to know.
"Where..."
"Your home now...but dehydrated and..."
Y/n rolled to her side to help sit herself up as the healer talked: "no- don't try and get up-"
She did anyways- her good arm supporting what weight she had left.
"Or we can sit up..."
It felt so uneven, her arm broken on the same side they had taken there prize- and she felt to her back.
It's true, you dont miss something till its gone.
"I can discuss with a..."
And her voice fell off again, she'll never fly again.
"My father, and my mother?"
"They wait for you."
Y/n looked down and her slung arm, "my...brother?"
"Fighting to see you, his friend attempts to calm him down."
She glanced to the door, her brother, with friends? The only friend he ever had was- she paused in her thoughts.
"Does he look different. My brother..."
"He's grown into a fine young man your majesty."
"And my parents."
"Your father and mother haven't been in best health....the nightmares your majesty-"
"I understand" was her quick cut off, she wondered if she could even fix what her once friend had broken so dearly.
"I'd like to see them."
"Your majesty your barely bandaged and standing-"
"If i was to die today from my injuries I'd like to die knowing I seen my brother for a final time."
The healer grumbled, she only wanting the best, but agreed, only if Y/n' got back into bed and ate with her family- and an agreement was made.
As soon as the door was open she could hear the yelling of her brother, demanding that they get to see her, and the door closed again.
She wondered what Mythelitas would think of her, she'd understand, he had been so worsome to tell her his greatest love was her and in a matter of time she spat it back at him, and ran off- no arguement allowed from her side. Not even a tall about why.
She wondered what her parents thought, how they'd see there little girl go off and get married. To come back like this. They'd never let her out of sight again, to be locked away for her own safety. Fearful someone else would try to do the same to her once again.
What her brother was thinking...how fearful that little bird she always had at her side, wondering and dreaming.
"I wanna be like you when im big!" He would cheer at her after learning something new about her.
He'd not want to be like her anymore. She couldn't fly, apparently was on the way to no arm by the looks of it, and who knew if she could even walk a few steps without stumbling?
"You must be easy with her," the healer demanded, "She has been through quiet the bit."
Y/n could hear her from her side of the door, the knock drove her heart rate up and the door handle twist stole her breathe.
At the front of the group was her brother. Feathers ruffled through anxiety and disbelief.
They filed in like they were looking at the last of a species. Not to spook her, or she'd disappear- never truly there to begin with.
Herneval took a seat on the bed besides her hand. Y/n keeping her gaze down and away.
There mother and father sat on the opposite side of her brother.
"Hey." Herneval spoke.
"Hi..." y/n answered back softly.
"What did they do to you..." their father commented, pulling her chin up to look at him.
"I'm sorry."
"No. There is nothing for you to be sorry about."
"I should have never let you go." Their Father spoke, she leaning into his hand, "Look what they have done to my little girl..."
"They will pay for what they have done." Herneval told.
"I will handle it."
"My love." Their Mother spoke, "We are family, we help each other, you do not have to take more than you can burden."
"I can handle it-"
"Handle it?!" Herneval shouted.
Y/n pulling away from there Father, "You will not take that tone with me!"
"I will take what Tone I please!" Herneval snapped back, both there brows furrowed as he stood up, "We let you handle it! And look what has happened to you! You've been-"
"I know what happened to me!" Y/n shouted back.
Herneval shouted as his Wings flared knocking the besides chair over, their shouting match became a screaming match.
"Look it! How they have treated you! And you would do what!" Herneval objected, "forgive them! Tell me they o not know what they do!?"
Y/n followed suit- there parents trying to stop her from raising up off the bed and taking a fight so soon.
"You are but a child!" Y/n shouted back, "i know who did what and who deserves such punishment!"
"Just like you knew what you were doing leaving?! Sacerficing blood-"
"I will walk what path I am set on!" She shouted, "i will settle my debts myself! And will not drag anyone into such a mess, it is MY collection that is owed! No one elses!"
She pushed passe him and he grabbed her arm- "Dont be foolish!"
Y/n shouted yanking her good arm from her brother, "Leave!"
Herneval went to speak up- "Now! All of you! Leave!"
"My dear-" There father tried to reason with her.
"Leave! Now!" Y/n shouted, "Leave! Leave me be!-"
The healer came rushing in, another behind her, "Best to give her some space-"
Yet she lunged at her brother: "Leave! And never come back! You'll never win! I won't let you!"
They escorted the king and queen out first- Herneval was next: "You'll never win! You hear me! You'll have to beat me till i bleed the blood of my ancestors before you kill me!"
What? He didn't- "Y/n!-"
"My Prince come along-"
"You'll have to rip my head from my body to kill me!-"
"Come along now!" The healer shouted at him, dragging him along-
They dragged him out the room- she screaming as she fell to her knees, a healer catching her as she sobbed on the floor.
He could hear it through the door, her uncontrollable sob and desperate pleads.
What had he done? His parents were yelling at him- they nothing but a haze of words as the cries of his sister flooded his ears.
It could be heard from where Frankelda waited- and from where Mythelitas stood gaurd outside the building. It hard to hear. The pleads for it to stop- to switch to a Challenge, "you'll have to try harder than gut me to kill me!" "you'll have to do more than just take a wing to kill me!"- then back to sobbing. A cycle she wasn't in control of, pain and suffering was all it was.
When they settled her back down- her throat scratched from her own words they put her to bed. Where she tucked into herself.
Herneval sat outside her door for all of it- his parents getting the information on what exactly they could tell happened to her- yet he had caused such a reaction, he should have been there to help her through it.
Was pioned her not enough? They had to torture her beyond a mind could imagine and eyes could handle. A healer walked out and he was quick to stand.
"Is she-"
She put a hand up to stop him: "You disobeyed my direct orders- but. I understand...she is asleep."
"I." Herneval started, and she shook her head, "she needs her rest if you wish..."
The healer opened the door, "you may sit. Here and you may watch over her. No farther than the door way."
"Thank you- Thank you-"
"Don't Thank me. You should be doing that to your sister." She answered, "shes strong. If she wasn't you wouldnt have one."
"I know..." Herneval agreed, "i...am thankful."
"Then act like it."
She left him there in that hall, and he leaned back, arms crossed watching her.
It would be there downfall- they had grown to be much alike- too much. He would've wanted to take his own path to handle this- have a strong back bone like she did. Thing about backbones are you have to have one to move- have to have one to stand-it didnt work if you got it cut out your back. She was too stubborn, and had that strength to be stubborn.
Herneval pushed off the wall making it too the door frame.
Bad thing about them both is they werent gonna let a rule keep them from making sure the other one was alright.
He looked back and forth through the hall before walking in. He entered calmer- knowing the damage that was done already, closing the door behind him. He walked around the end of her bed, she cradling her broken arm in her other as she slept. He sighed, sitting besides her curled up knees.
"Im sorry." He apologized, moving an over grown feather out of her face, "i suppose you won the arguement...again...im not surprised."
Herneval was quiet as he watched her rise and fall with each breath, "I...dont know how to do this without you. This...anything...and I already messed up- well. I never did stop. Messing up that is- I was so excited when they said you were back."
He paused, he had always remmeber his sister behind bigger than him- not smaller- not dull of color- not broken and bled- not...flightless. He was careful in tucking his wings to lay besides her, he looking at her closed eyes.
"I know we would've had this argument if we were the other way around."Herneval commented, "I got that from you....I just know you would have given me the decency of my own choice. I...am sorry. I missed you more than I ever thought i could. That i was loosing my mind."
He sighed, he'd not get an answer back with her sleeping form.
Y/n sat on the hill, her brother beside her, no words said between them. She glanced over at him: the little boys distracted by a bug, as she smiled.
"Herneval." She called, and he looked her way, "come on over."
She looked back over at the open view, the sun just starting its slumber.
The grass shuffled beside her as he sat down, "isnt it beatiful?" She asked looking out at the sky.
"Its just color."
"Its more than just color" she told him, as he looked out at the sky.
"It looks like color to me." He spoke and she chuckled.
"You'll understand when your older." She answered.
"I'm...sorry." he spoke- she turning her head to look at him- a grown young man.
"Sorry for what?"
"For...the healer house..." he spoke a blade of grass in his fingers.
Y/n spoke not, a smile on her face as she looked at the sunset.
"I. I should've-"
"Its okay." Y/n spoke.
"No. No its not." He answered back- "I. All I do. I. I just give you a hard time."
"Your my baby brother." Y/n responded, "your suppose to."
"No. I." He started, "I really messed up."
"That's okay."
"No- Y/n- I was so worried about what they had done to you- about how I could get back- that I wasn't worried about you-"
"Hey." She grabbed his chin, her hands coming to cup his face, "Just. Do better next time. No one ever gets it right the first time or two."
"But i-"
"I forgive you."
"Why?"
"You'll know when your older."
"These two are gonna kill me." A healer spoke stood at the end of the bed- her arms crossed as Y/n had a protective arm around her brother's head, the two sleeping peacefully next to each other, "whatever gets her back to normal health the fastest I suppose."
She left them to sleep. Sometime during her sleep Herneval had woken up, and allowed her peace of quiet, returning to Frankelda to tell her the news.
Not long after she had woken up, she left alone in the candle lit room. She sat up: the window open- it was night time- or early, early morning. The ceiling above her sounded shifty, as if someone was uptop it, and walking around. She sat there in silence, before Mythelitas dropped down, he landing on a connecting roof of thr healer house and caught the wooden windows seal- flowers in hand.
Her throat ached and her voice scratched, "Can i help-"
"By Mother-" he cursed- she had startled him.
"Sorry..." Y/n apologized, as he climbed in, she coughing as he did, it hurt her chest-
"No. I should be sorry." He walked over flowers in hand and she looked down at the sheets, "How. How are you feeling."
She nodded, his eyes scanned her- what he could see- broken arm, multiple scraps and cuts patched and let to heal from the air over grown feathers ruffled together and the dull color that had set into them...and...her missing wing...he had known that feeling all to well. But to have one serve as a forever reminder.
"You look...amazing." he complimented her.
"Flattering." She spoke lowly.
"You always look-" he stopped himself, "I. Brought you these."
He put the black flowers down on the bedside table: "thank you." She hadn't even looked up at him.
The silence was thick, uncomfortable, he loved her still more than ever: "Im glad you are okay."
She kept her head away, her gaze down, "Perhaps...To pass the time i can bring some of your books for you to read."
"Perhaps Captain. The inquire is consider it of you."
So formal.
"Of course. I. Perhaps I can..."
Nothing, he couldn't say anything.
She said nothing, her back had mirageted to turn away from him as well, giving him full visual on the damage.The red markings could be seen through the white nightgown they had her in, "Did they w-"
"I appreciate the gift Captain." she quickly responded, "You must be tired...get your sleep..."
"Very well..." he spoke, bowing to her, "Your Majesty"
He'd leave the way he exited, not before stopping at looking back at her, your worth all my time, but nothing, he just sighed softly, she just...needed her own time, before he said his final farewell and left her be.
With him gone she sat in her bed for another ten mintues before she swung her claws off the bed before pushing herself up with her good arm. Her balance wiggly- she tempted to fall but held against it, pacing herself with her walk, till she reached the window looking up towards the castle
"Wait wait wait- you're already arguing with her?" Frankelda complained, "what happened to missing her dearly?"
"I do! I did!" Herneval objected: "You should of heard her! She sounds exactly how I remember her! Just as stubborn too!"
"You both are realted." Frankelda muttered as Herneval flapped around picking up books and papers for his sister.
"I'll have to bring you to see her! She'll love you!" He told.
"Herneval-"
"Im sure you'll love her too!-"
"Herneval!"
He stopped, "huh?"
"Lets...give her time to rest. You said that she had been through alot." She told him, floating her way up to him at a book shelf.
"Then I'll stay with her-"
"After that serious of an argument?" Frankelda questioned: "what...mhm...what happen if she doesnt want to see you again."
"Then I will apologize, I will apologize till she forgives me."
He flew off, "thats- not how apologies work Herneval."
"She's my sister! She knows me best!" He told, another book to the stack making three.
"I...guess?" Frankelda tried to agree, she just couldnt find reason.
"I-"
"Hey listen! We'll talk it out!"
Y/n sat on the window seal, she throwing one leg over, pulling the other over with help from her arm. She stood on the slatted roof- taking a step- she slipped, yelping as she slid down the roof- straight into the bushes below.
Life without wings would be...a challenge. She pulled herself out the bush and into the dark streets of quiet. Watching for patrols or anyone who knew who she'd be, moving past the outer town and towards the town square.
There she stopped at the fountain, and up at the house she once called on for a friend. Candle light lit the upper room.
Procustes was awake, not another story to tell-nothing of well notion. Crap after crap- led him hear- pruning over himself like he was something of worth- a bottle on his writing desk clanked- and he turned towards the bottle- ink laid out on the desk.
Old rigidity house- uneven and bland, he picked up the bottle- yellow eyes from the corner ceiling, claws deep in the wood grain holding it up in its perch.
A book fell behind him and he turned quick- nothing- eyes held heavy on his neck- but not one of his own eyes could see.
He did a spin- where-
She stood still, looking up at him-
He shouted in fear and backed up, "I-"
"Thought Don Cooc took me to bed?" She spat, turning towards the dark shadow of the wall.
"You have to understand!-"
She was calm in her stride dipping into the shadow- "Understand what?" She asked now behind him.
"Oh yes torture. Very understandable." Y/n spoke
"Your family let's us burn!"
"My family? Last I felt my stories were doing wonders." Y/n spoke, "even tried to get you a job."
She sat in his chair, spinning in it, "tell me Procustes, how does that work for you now?"
He turned towards his fireplace where she sat on its shelf.
"The audience is to blame-"
Her head tiltied- then crooked and craned as she held a deathly smile on her face, "Oh? I think your full of crap, you know me better than that Procustes come now."
All words of reason were a jumble- no true answer to her questioning.
Her head cracked back up: "My brother wants me to kill you. Take your head-"
Procustes laughed: "I know you too well-"
"Apparently not."
She grabbed onto the fireplace seal- flipping herself over and throwing herself into the fireplace-
"Where's my wing Procustes." She seethed, "Where is it?! You dont wanna loose your head do you!? Where is it!?"
He looked around for her, no where to be found- "Where is it Procustes!? Hahaha! Where is it! Dont wanna loose an eye?!"
"Maybe we'll take a leg!"
"Rip him from his abdomen!"
The ever grown laughing filled his writing room, where was she!? How'd she move so fast?!-
"I don't have it! Please! Have mercy!"
Y/n watched him plead, his shouts and begs being heard from where she stood, infront the fountain looking up at the webbed window, before closing her eyes.
Opening them again she was looking up at her ceiling only but a moment later. Back in the healer house, back in bed.
She sat up, and someone knocked on her door. "My lady?"
The healer held a tray, "I thought I heard you awake in here. You tried walking?"
"My legs are okay."
"Thats great!" She cheered, "i was hoping the early morning cravings might get you, I brought you some sweets."
Anything to keep her eating. The tray was set infront of Y/n.
"Jellied mice, chocolate covered roaches, I even found some with the jam center, candied lizards tounage-"
Yet the book on the table caught her attention more: "you read?"
"No ma'm, your Captain dropped it off. Are we feeling better from yesterday?"
Y/n nodded, picking up the book; "he suggested I bring you a book and snacks. I have one of the ladies making you tea..."
Y/n sat on her cabriole, a bowl of dried grasshoppers besides her and a book on her knees. A kiss to the back of her head- "Where are you now"
"Mhm. Human world." She explained another cricket snakced on, looking back at Mythelitas, "anything happen today?"
"Kids being kids."
He kissed the back of her head- stealing a bug in the process- "hey- that was my last one-"
"I have something better-"
"Chocolate Jam Beatles!" She cheered.
"Dont eat the whole box in one book."
"What? I never-" she tried to defend, but she had- and she didnt feel good after, "okay its a bad habit while I read."
Y/n held the book in her hand, "Thank you..." she spoke softly.
The healer smiled, "and when you finish your first one. He dropped off another one with breakfast later on."
Smartass was all she could think what a sly trick, all to get her to eat something.
"Okay," was Y/n's response.
"Great! I'll leave you to enioy and rest! You'll be on your feet in no time!"
Y/n nodded as she was left with a fresh candle. Opening the book a pressed flower sat in the cover. It still fresh with dirt on the end of the stem. She'd place it in the back of her book as she read.
Mythelitas was right; the snacks went as she read long into the sunrise. Her parents there early.
"shes doing great." The healer told, they in the door way, "Got her eating and everything, she should be gaining weight back within the next few months."
They watched as she ate calmly, like a breakfast in bed they brought her when her birthday rolled around, nose deep in a book with more at her feet.
"How is she reacting to everyone?" Her mother asked.
"That...is another woryful situation I believe-" she started, "she doesnt....come out of the book persay, her way of coping, but what we worry about is the introduction to the craftsmen on the new wing."
Herneval stood besides his parents, Frankleda had fallen asleep back at the castle and he's hate to intrupt her sleep, he slipped in as they discussed the finer details.
His own books in hand and paper for her writing. She glanced up went back to her book and paused, looking back up.
She was quiet, spoon still in her mouth, "hi.." she spoke muffled.
"I brought you some of your favorites."
Y/n removed the spoon looking at her brother, as he set the books down on the bed," I...wanted to say Im sorry, about last night. I know if we switched...we'd be on opposite sides argueing the same."
Y/n set her book down, "you don't understand."
"Thats what im saying," he agreed, "I don't understand, I know that now...I...was so worried about what had been done to you, that I forgot about you."
He held out his hand, she woryful, as he gestured for her good arm, she put her hand in his, "I was wrong, please. I cant loose you again after getting you back."
"It's been handled' Y/n told him.
"Okay." His grip tightened on her hand as she squeezed back.
He tugged on her arm carefully, pulling her into a hug, she tensing up in his arms, causing him to pull away quickly, "Are you okay?"
She looked at him; that little boy sat next to her. "What's wrong!?" He asked, worried, her hand coming up to rub across his feathered cheek.
"Look how much you've grown."
His cheek leaned into her hand. "I've missed you so much," he said.
"I've missed you too." She pulled him into a hug, his head buried into her neck as he cried; she, on her own, was trying to contain her tears.
They pulled away as Y/n wiped his tears away; "There's so much to tell you." He told her.
"Tell me about it. All of it."
Their parents watched from the door frame as the two talked hand in hand, she smiling small as he told her about everything- his new friend- "Friend," she teased him as he said that's all they were, and she laughed. Told her about the crap stories Procustes was trying to pass as great. About the town, about Mythelitas.
"You can be with him now!" He cheered for her, "So much better than that old, holey-toothed man!"
Y/n smiled small, "I don't think it'll work out."
"Are you kidding me?! You're all he talks about!" Herneval laughed, "Started to feel like you weren't gone after all."
She chuckled as he smiled at her. "I'm telling you! We can kick Procutues out of Royal Nightmare Creator and put you and Frankelda in his place! You both write nothing but masterpieces! Together! You'll both be unstoppable! I can see it now! You'll be living legends, the two of you!"
"Herneval." Y/n started, squeezing his hand, "I. think...it'll be good if I step back for a while."
"Of course! Take all the rest you need! I will be your personal pair of wings!"
"I don't know bout that." Y/n spoke, "I'd...like to stay on the ground, I think see it in the new views I have."
"That's why you're the smart one!"
They talked for the rest of the morning, back and forth, back and forth, about how things had changed in the years apart, how they had changed. Their parents had entered the conversation, making it a family ordeal. At some point, Herneval left, and both their Mother and Father filled her in on more...pressing matters.
"With Procustes' stories not up to par, the humans are just not scared of us anymore."
"I understand....and this new writer Herneval tells me about," Though it wasn't Herneval she first heard it from.
"Herneval sees potential in her; that there are great stories she writes, she's strong-hearted." Her mother explained.
"Is she up to the task?"
"I believe she is." Her Father told.
"But your Father also believed in Procustes at one point."
"I brought this problem with Procustes." Y/n cut in, "he is mine to deal with."
"He must be glad your back." Her Mother spoke, "You two were always close."
Oh, he'd be real close to her soon. With her stuck in his head, the resentment setting itself deep into his skull, where it would rot and fester, only making her stronger.
"I'll be sure to visit him when I am better," Y/n commented, drinking some of her lukewarm tea.
"And has Mythelitas come to see you?" Her Father questioned.
"Why would you ask?'
"Please, we're your parents; we're not Idiots." Her Mother added
Y/n was quiet, "Yes. Then..." She glanced over at the flowers on the beside table, where the book sat. "He has."
"I'm sure you two have had a lot to catch up on-"
"Dad!" Y/n scolded.
"What, you two were always close, he was never the same after you left-" He defended, " None of us were."
"We should have never let you leave."
"There's no war now." Y/n spoke, "I'd gladly give another wing for my kingdom."
The knock on her door frame drew her attention- Herneval poking his head inside, "Let me guess- your-"
He gave his sister a look as she scoffed, fine- "Y/n I wanted to introduce you to Frankelda, the human writer I was telling you about."
In came a young girl, maybe the same age, clouded in blue. She held a bouquet of flowers in her hand. "Your Majesty."
"So You're her?" Y/n questioned, "You look just like your mother."
Frankelda floated over. "You knew my Mother?"
Y/n nodded, "When I was still really young, resentment was a fear of all, right after you came, she never really dreamt of me anymore."
"You're...from her paintings!" She cheered, "That's how you exist! You're from her paintings!"
Y/n nodded, "She was very talented, if it's hereditary, you must be as great as Herneval speaks of."
"Not as talented as you, your majesty. I read some of your work!" Frankelda explained, "They'll go down as Classics!"
"Sit, please." Y/n said, shifting under the cover for Frankelda to have more space, "I'd love to hear a story. Books find their way to me."
It was true: a book on the bedside table and three more stacked by her side. "I don't know if they're good enough."
"You are a true writer." Y/n chuckled, Frankelda taking a seat. "Never think we're good enough, even if we write the cure for death."
"Is that why you write?" Frankelda questioned, "To find the cure for death?"
Y/n smiled, "No, I write for my people. Once I was born, I only realized I was born to be a big sister, to him, and to my kingdom."
"You write for others to live."
Y/n hummed, "I suppose I do."
"Will you continue your wiritng."
"I will. With time...will you, no matter how hard it gets?"
Frankedla nodded, "I will go down as the greatest writer of terror of all time- Human time that is."
"No. " No, please," Y/n said, "I love a little competition; it keeps the ideas coming."
She glanced at the doorway. "I'd love you to stay, but the healer is here," Y/n commented.
"I'll be here all day if you need me outside," Herneval told his sister, giving her a hug as she hugged him back.
Their parents hugged her and kissed her head, and Frankelda happily waved bye to her as the door was closed behind them.
"The winner takes it all huh?" She smiled at Y/n.
"Not without loss first," Y/n admitted.
"Let's get you changed out of these bandages and into fresh ones."
Y/n nodded, "I'm glad to have you ladies at my side during this."
"Well, we do have to stick together, men- well- boys, like to break things that aren't theirs."
Y/n chuckled, "I agree with that."
"How's our head? Have we had Phantom pains yet? Any throbbing or soreness?"
"I've been Pioned much longer than you may have thought; it...comes and it goes." Y/n explained, "Everything is... better."
"Well, better is good." The healer spoke, unwrapping her arm. "You'll be out soon, with monitoring, to go home. It must be exciting to sleep in your own bed, be with your family again."
"Yes," Y/n answered.
She looked out the window, "May I sleep after?"
"Of course, my lady. I'll finish quick."
Bandages unwrapped and cleaned wounds, and her tray of food was taken, about three-fourths of the way done, "Sleep well."
"Thank you."
The writing room was quiet. Y/n sat on the fireplace with dangling claws.
"Oh Procustes!" She shouted jumping from her spot, "Procustes, I know you're here!"
He was there, bunkered away in his room- doors blocked, windows sealed, he could hear her call from up the steps.
"Procustes!" She called, her heavy feet dragging the steps, "Where's my other wing, Procustes! Come on, we're friends! Tell me where you put it!"
It went silent, no steps or heavy voices of friendship; then a shatter and the breaking of his wooden floor; the slamming of the door blocked off in front of him- "Procustes!" The door broke off its hinges, the barricade gone.
"Come on, Procustes!" She shouted- the only thing able to fit in the room was a hand, her arm crushing the door frame- "Come on! We're friends! Don't worry!"
He backed up to the corner of the room as her arm slithered out of the room, a yellow eye coming in view, "Come on, I forgive you! Tell me where it is!" she cheered.
"I don't know!"
"Rip him in half!"
"Come on, you know where it is!"
"I'll be having spider stew for months!"
The room was filled with her laughter; "Come on! Come on!"
Her arm forced it's way into the room, grabbing him quickly. "What are you so afraid of?" She chanted, pulling him from his safety, he grasping for anything- any furniture or wall he could grasp- nothing- all but a hopeless chance-
"Please!" He pleaded- useless-
He was dragged around the room and thrown into the dark of nothing. He cried out, the only security a half-melted candle by one of his feet; he was quick to pick it up and look around.
The twitch and the crack were familiar sounds until the cry of pain pierced his ears, her pleas as bones snapped, and buckets of water hit the floor.
The fresh wing of white, black, and red thrown in front of him, blood pooling at the ripping point; as he backed up, dropping his candle- the ground shaking below him- the heavy drag of a body above him as claws came down beside him- her body overhung his, every movement shook the ground, "Where is it, Procustes! Give it to me!"
She was awoken by Herneval bringing her fresh water- it was somewhere mid-day- "morin."
"Good afternoon." He smiled and paused. "Here you rubbed off your-"
She looked over at him; "Wow.. you're looking..."
"Hm?" She asked.
Last he checked, there was a massive cut there, now just a mere scar; her eyes were sunken in, her body looking frailer than a skeleton- she looked thin- color paled from her feathers- last time he checked.
"Are you getting good sleep?" He questioned.
"Yeah." Y/n responded, "Why?"
"With how good you're looking, I'd want some of it too." He spoke, pouring her a glass of water. She took it happily. "Oh, I think someone left this for you. A guard said it was a little girl, I think."
Y/n was handed a crow. "I guess she ran out of black fabric...and then fabric at all." Herneval commented.
"Huh," Y/n spoke, looking down at the white crow; its wing clipped- a decent amount gone- with a patch of black on its stomach. "Cute."
"Healers said you can come home soon. I'll move out of your room." He told her.
"You moved into my room?"
"I was in there all the time anyway," he said, true, "I was thinking, maybe...we would talk soon. on the cabriole."
Y/n smiled, "Yeah, I'd love that."
A knock on her door- "My lady."
"Oh wow, I wonder who that is," Herneval spoke, standing up and walking over- he knew who it was- duh, he set it up.
"What-"
She was cut off by the creak of the door; "Oh wow, Captain Mythelitas-"
"Herneval!" Y/n scolded.
"What?! Frankelda! You need me-"
"Your acting is horrible," Y/n snapped at him, he smirked as he dipped out the room, pushing the Captain in.
"I'll bring back pan ducle." He said, closing the door behind him.
Mythelitas had his helmet upside down in his left arm. "I... Wow! You- wow! I mean, you look great," He said in disbelief.
He had just seen her a day ago- crippled and bruised- "I mean, you looked good- Nice! You've always looked Nice no matter what, your majesty-"
He rubbed the back of his head nervously; "Thank you for uh. the book." Y/n told him, readjusting herself in her seated position.
"The...snacks...were a thoughtful touch....smart," Y/n added.
"Well. I knew you- know- you're welcome." He stumbled over his words.
"Would you like to sit?" Y/n offered the foot of her bed.
"Oh I wouldn't- I can't I-"
There was no good excuse- he could give her, all he wanted was to say yes.
"Please. I have a lot to explain," Y/n pleaded, "even more to say sorry for."
"Your Majesty, you do not need to explain it to me- I. Well, I understand." He answered, "You did what you did for your family."
Y/n played with the end of her wing as he finally took a seat, "I suppose you know the basis of it."
Mythelitas nodded. "How. How are you doing?"
"I'm ok." Y/n responded, " Lifes a little bit different as a tore toruture guest."
He chuckled as she smiled small, "I still can't understand how he treated you in such a way."
Y/n shrugged, "Boys love destroying toys that aren't theirs...I suppose girls do too..."
She only meant to glance at him, but it was hard to look away. "I broke your heart...I am sorry."
"You didn't break my heart," He told her, which she raised a brow to, "I understand what you did, you needed to do, you didn't choose that."
He came to cup her cheek, still in his heavy metal gear, chain mail shifting at every movement, "I accept your apology."
"Thank you," Y/n spoke, her eyes closed, leaning against the cold palm of the chain.
He refrained from kissing her head, much to his dismay, and set his helmet down; "I brought you something."
Y/n's eyes fluttered open as his hand was removed; "Hm?"
She was presented with her favorite, "Fresh." He commented.
"Chocolate jam beetles." She spoke, looking down at the open books chocoate covered beatles.
"and."
She took them in hand, he pulling out a book- it wrapped in thread with a small bouquet placed in the center cover; "I know how fast you go through them."
She placed the box down and took the book. "New?" She questioned.
"From the human world."
"How'd you get it?" Y/n asked, looking down at the cover.
He chuckled, "I have my ways."
She smiled looking at the cover, "I'll have to read it tonight."
"You'll tell me all about it?"
"Of course." Y/n smiled, her eyes stuck on the book cover and the small white flowers that sat so pretty, hand-picked, like all her bouquets from him had been.
A kiss was placed on top of her head; he had, too, it felt, normal, normal that they had both missed after so long, and he watched as she bashfully kept her nose down. How he missed her.
"I'll come by later."
"Tonight," Y/n answered.
"Tonight." Mythelitas nodded as he stood up. "I will see you then."
He bid her farewell, bow and all, like some royal prince off for the day's work to his newest princess. She bowed her head back with a small laugh, and he smiled, leaving of necessity- not of want.
"And this. Is my room." Herneval smiled; the doors opened for Frankelda to explore with her heart content.
"Wow!" She cheered- happily floating around- just as she had imagined- just as she had dreamed. An otherworldly prince deserved an otherworldly room- and he got just that. "It's amazing!"
"I'm glad you like it," he said, "I spend most of my time studying our history- and about stories like yours-" he picked up one of his own open books.
Frankelda stopped; a wall closed off by the elbadorte curtains, tassels wrapped loosely around to bunch them together- "What's this?"
"I was hoping that-" He turned towards her, pulling back the curtain- "Frankelda, wait!"
She had already done it- a portrait- of a woman his age- same species- crown uptop her white feather head, a few red ones and black ones framing her head and face- she was dressed similar to him- fancier suer- same collared shirt, followed by a corset that seemed to turn into a coat- the hankerchief around Herneval's neck, around her's.
"She's beautiful," Frankelda awed, "Who is she?"
Herneval flew up beside her; "She's my sister."
"Sister?!" Frankelda questioned; she had never remembered writing Hereneval a sister before, not that it mattered. "When can I meet her? Does she like writing as well?"
Her excitement died as she watched him flutter down to the ground, "I...haven't seen her in a long time."
A saddened pain came from his voice, Frankleda joining him on the floor, "Did you guys fight? Is that why you haven't seen her?"
"No, she'd win the argument anyway," He chuckled. "She's...gone."
"Oh. I'm." Hereneval pulled back the curtains, allowing her painting to come out of the dark. "I'm so sorry, I didn't know."
"She would have loved you, Frankelda; you two are very similar with your fiery spirit," Herneval spoke with a small smile- memories are hard, even for terrors.
He walked away, arms open: "All this was hers. This room, this bed, this work." His journey ended on the balcony.
"I couldn't bring myself to lock it away; she involved me in everything."
Frankelda joined him- on the cabriole chair, she sat, looking at him look over his kingdom; "She was wise, too wise I've heard others say, say that's what got her in trouble....caused her to...leave. Others say she left because our parents.... because of...me."
"So, you don't know where she is,"
"I don't know if she's alive or dead," he complained, turning back to her, "all I know is she's gone....she...left one way or another..."
He fell down next to her on the cabriole, her hand landing on his shoulder in comfort- and then a hug- she understood losing a loved one- feeling stuck without them.
She pulled away with a smile, "Tell me about her."
"I wouldn't even know where to start there's so much!"
"Let's write her, so you will never forget." Frankelda suggested, "So everyone will know what a great sister she was- how smart and caring- and how much she loved her brother."
Herneval looked at her. "You'd do that?"
"Why wouldn't I?" Frankleda spoke. "Tell me everything. All of it."
He was under certain- this was his sister- and of course he loved Frankelda, and her writing- but knowing what Frankelda loved to write- he wouldn't want to step on her artistic time- "Are you sure?"
"Of course," Frankelda answered.
"Where do I even start?" Herneval questioned; this was his sister- someone who had always been there. Where did he even remember her the first time?
"From the beginning."
Herneval nodded before standing up; where? Where was the beginning? He rubbed the back of his neck. Where?
"Well, probably when I was young, the youngest I can remember, before I met you- yeah! I remember!"
She lay in her bed, sound asleep. "Y/n!" Herneval called, standing at the foot of her bed, still dressed for bed, "Y/n"
He shook her feet- she waking up with a groan- "Herneval, go back to bed," she rolled back over to ignore him.
The little prince shook her more before she sat up; "It's nowhere near time to get up, Pop-Kernal."
"I had a nightmare,"
Y/n rubbed her eyes before she slumped back onto her pillow. "Y/n!" he whined.
She opened her blanket- his cue; he quickly rushed into her side before she threw the covers back on herself and her baby brother, "Do you wanna hear about it?"
She hummed, eyes closed. "Sure. Sure..."
"I woke up, but couldn't find you." He answered, her eyes slowly peeling open. "I looked around the whole castle, but I couldn't find you."
"You checked my room?"
He nodded,
"The stables?"
another nod,
"With Mythelitas?"
A third.
"And-"
"Your writing room! Twice!"
She hummed, "Well, good thing I'm here, mhn- good night!"
She turned her back to him; her wings in his face as he whined, "Y/n!"
Y/n kept quiet for a moment; he continued to whine before she turned quickly and pounced on him. "And then I came from the shadows! And tickled you to death!"
"What!? No!-" His cry of fear was laughter as he was tickled furiously- she laughing with him, she picking him up by his feet as he laughed- before dropping him on the bed as he laughed- she falling beside him, their feet where their heads were.
"Think I'm here?"
He only nodded into the blankets as she chuckled, her yawn cutting her off before he laid his head on her arm; "You're always gonna be here? Right?"
"Of course. Pop-Kernel."
"That's not my name!"
"As long as I'm around." Which only earned Y/n a groan as she laughed; "Come on, bedtime."
Herneval could only smile at the memory-she had always had his back- from as young as he could remember; "And then of course! There was after I met you! She was super mad I crossed over."
"Really?" Frankelda laughed he only nodded.
"I remember clear as day!"
"What are you doing?" Y/n complained, pulling him back down by his ankle. "Do you know how Dangerous that was?"
"Y/n! Something is amazing over there!" He cheered as he watched her pinch the bridge of her nose- her feathers flared.
"You could have died!" She argued, his smile frowning, "What would have happened if you got hurt?"
"But! Y/n!-"
"Herneval!" She snapped- and he only shrank back- Herneval. "What would have happened if someone caught you? Sold you like an animal! Cut off your wings and used them as decorations!"
"I-" Herneval teared up- "I-"
Y/n sighed, "Listen- Hey, I'm sorry, I'm sorry- you had me really worried- it's not safe up there- and imagine if mom and dad caught you?"
He nodded, "Come here."
Herneval went into his sister's arms, letting his wings drop as she flew down beside her parents' throne. "You can't do that again, okay?"
Y/n's answer was a nod into her collarbone; she rubbed his back.
"My Lady!" Mythelitas.
He and the guards ran into the throne room. "Are you okay, my lady? I heard shouting!"
"I am fine, Mythelitas, thank you." She nodded. "My brother and I will be taking leave."
"Of course." He bowed his head, as did his men, as she passed- his eyes raising to steal a glance at her leaving form, "My lady-"
He was cut off by Herneval glaring at him- watery eyes sure, but he stuck his tongue out at the Captain- "MY sister." The young prince mouthed, leaving the Captain stuck and a little pissed off.
"You think Mythelitas had a crush on your sister?" Frankelda asked.
"Who didn't." Herneval complained, "Every time she's take me into town- Oh Princess for you my love! To the next beatiful queen! Oh please! My love take me to be yours!"
Frankelda laughed, "I always hated how much attention she got."
"Jealous?" She questioned.
"She seemed uncomfortable most of the time....like..she really didnt like it." Herneval commented, "I think thats why Procustes and her became good friends."
"Your sister and Procustes?" Frankelda awed, "what were they doing together ?"
"Before Procustes. Y/n was the Royal Nightmare Creator, and she was good at it- Shes what made my love for reading what it is today." Herneval informed, "He treated her like a good friend. Not something to be won over, thats why he has the Royal Nightmare Creator title. They use to work together and to preserve how my sister wrote-"
"You gave Procustes the title." Frankelda told and Herneval nodded, "I remember when she first introduced us to Procustes."
"This is my friend. And fellow author. Procustes. From time to time he assist me with my own nightmare writing." Y/n introduced to her family. "I feel like the humans are changing there tolls and I was hoping Procustes would help me with new ideas."
Procustes seemed formal enough, a bow and a honor to meet you: your daughter is very talented.
"It was short. But they were good friends." Herneval told, "Not long after we learned about Mythelitas."
"Mythelitas? What do you- Did they fall in love!?" Frankelda cheered.
"I remember how mad I was." He chuckled.
"My lady." Mythelitas spoke, her hands in his, "I. Understand how unprofessional...and perhaps...rather delicate matter this may fall under being your captian- but i-"
"Yes Mythelitas any concern of yours shall be a concern of mine." Y/n spoke.
Herneval watched from the bushes. Mythelitas' rather larger frame toppled over Y/n's. "You are free to speak; I will not take anything to too heart."
Herneval grumbled, Yeah, he better watch what he says- was Herneval's only thought.
"That is it my Lady- My Princess I wish- for you to take it, heart." Mythelitas mustered up a hot feel to his hands. "I- wish..."
"You wish?" Y/n questioned, "Is this about a day off? I told you I don't need a gaurd. You cant take whatever you need-"
"I wish for I to be yours. And you to be mine. If possible- if reasonable- If you say yes!" He stumbled over his words.
Y/n was silent, "are you asking to-"
"Court you my lady yes-"
"Marry me?-"
They had filled out the very end of the sentence very differently, and Herneval had had enough; he was quick to break their contact and stand in front of his sister. But she sighed in releif-
"Oh, thank god you don't know how many upper-class people I've met that just want to-"
"You're not taking my sister away from me!" Herneval jumped from the bushes, jumping in front of his sister.
"Herneval-"
"Young Prince I-"
"No! You can't!" Herneval objected, "No! She's my sister! If she marries you, she has to live with you, and all the time she has will be with you and not me! No!"
He was quick to hug his sister. How long had Herneval been there? "You can't leave! You can't!"
"Herneval, I'm not leaving any time soon." Y/n tried to reason, his grip on his sister's legs tightening.
"You can't!"
Y/n picked him up, hands under his arms, brought him up into her arms, "I am sorry, Captain, about-"
"Absolutely not," He brushed it off, "Family is important, It is one of the reasons I find such an-"
Herneval flared his wings, blocking his sister and Mythelitas from looking at one another, and she sighed, "Another time, Captain."
And she walked off with her brother-
"Come to think about it, I gave her more of a hard time than I did my parents." Herneval chuckled- he had sat himself next to Frankelda, a look of loathing on his face; "To think about it, that's all I gave her as I got older."
"Herneval-"
"No!" he argued, he was only sixteen- "I won't accept it!"
"Please!"
"No! I won't! I won't! He breaks your heart! And you just let him go!"
"Mythelitas has done nothing wrong!" Y/n flew up to meet her brother.
"You resigned from Royal Nightmare Maker for him, and this is how he treats you!" Herneval shouts, " Leaves you? High and Dry! For what!? Another Woman!-"
"Now you are putting words in my mouth!" She shouts, " I have said no such thing!-"
"I know how this plays out!" Herneval snapped- a finger to her chest- which she slapped away; "Why else would the relationship end between the two of you? Hidden in secret for so many years! Just for me to find you crying on your floor! You both not talking to each other! I know what happened; I talked to Procustes-"
"I ended it!" Y/n shouted at him, causing him to back up. Y/n ended it? "I ended it! Okay! It was me!"
"But I-"
"I ended it," She spoke, fluttering to the floor in front of her cabriole, just to fall into her own despair- she cried, and her brother joined her down on the floor, "I did it..."
"Why- I-"
"I can't give him what he needs," Y/n told him, arms crossed in her lap as she looked out at her balcony, "I never will be able to...not anymore."
Herneval came to hug her, but she rose and walked towards her balcony; "I'm leaving."
"What!?" He was quick to move next to her- "Leaving? Leaving where!?"
"You know the growing cracks between the seven clans-"
"Mother and Father already told us to not worry about that-"
"I talked to Dad," y/n responded, "without Mom."
That was never good- "Don Coco has made a deal I agreed to take for our Kingdom- I can no longer be with the Captain-"
"Father would never-"
"I agreed, on my terms-"
"This isn't possible! I won't allow it!- There must be-"
"Herneval." She stopped him, her arms held out for him- which he rushed into, they falling to the floor; it felt familiar- old times when they'd sit on the balcony, and she'd read him history and literature- a story to fall asleep to, and a story to wake up to.
"That was one of the worst days of my life," Herneval recited, "She...did so much for everyone- in silence, with no fight- she did what was right for people, no questions asked."
"I'm so sorry-"
"I remember how beautiful she looked in her wedding dress- I had never been so proud to be her brother- but, then so guilty"
Y/n stood in her room, some maids assisting in the last details of her dress- a loose bead, a stitch here and there. A knock on the door, and Herneval let himself in.
"I know it's bad luck for anyone to see the bride before she sets on the stairs-" Herneval tried to make the conversation light, yet Y/n avoided his gaze.
"Can. Can we have a minute, please, ladies?" He pleaded before the maids scurried off- a quick bow of their heads, leaving the two alone.
"Please, Y/n, I ask you to reconsider. We can find another way." He attempted to persuade, "We can fight! Or we can work out a truce-"Please, Y/n, I ask you to reconsider. We can find another way." He attempted to persuade, "We can fight! Or we can work out a truce-"
"This is the truce, Herneval-"
"Please-" He fluttered over, standing right behind her, "Please, I can't lose you, you're my big sister- I, I don't know what I can even do without you."
His hands grasped for the right words. How could he? His whole world was crumbling- for his and his kingdom's sake- "Please, Don Coco is nothing but a-"
"I have to do this, for our people, for our mother and father," She turned to him, a hand coming up to his feathered cheek; "For you."
"I can do this- you can be with-"
"Herneval."
"Please, I beg you- let me find another way-"
"She never let me find a way," Herneval spoke, a hand rubbing over the pillared banister- "Usually she impored me too, wanted me to be witty- self-strong she used to say- not this time. I still remember her singing to me."
Herneval turned towards Frankelda, "On that very couch, before she left me for good."
The last moments he would have with his sister, they sat on the cabriole, his head in her lap, like he was just a kid again, where she'd read to him, or sew a hole closed above it- and he'd just watch, listen to anything she said- whatever she sang to him.
Now it's been long enough to talk about it...
He felt weak as his sister brushed through his feathers with her fingers. The room would be empty in a matter of time- a clock he would rather not look at.
I've started not to doubt it...just wrap my head around it...
Herneval didn't close his eyes because maybe when he opened them again, everything he knew would be gone, all put into one person, the person who held him, rubbing through his feathers.
I remember when you told me... It's an everyday decision
He'd lose it all, all in a matter of moments.
But with my double vision, how was I supposed to see the way-
A knock on the door interrupted what was left of their time, "My Lady."
A guard, but not Mythelitas- a smart choice; he would be another obstacle Y/n would have to face, with a straight face, that this is what she needed to do. This had to happen.
Herneval sat up; Y/n rising to her feet before opening it to her guard, who only bowed his head, Y/n doing the same, "Big day..." the guard tried to ease.
"I will take my sister,"
Y/n faced forward, taking in a deep breath, "It is the...least...I can do."
His hand grabbed hers, and as she exhaled, anything to get just one more moment with her. They walked the halls in silence, hands in one another. What could she have been thinking? What was going through her mind? Whatever it was, she kept a straight face and head up. Proud of her people, proud of her family.
The doors opened, and outlaid the stretch bridge, people littered each side, and a carriage at the end. She stopped in front of her parents, the only time she'd let go of Hernevl's hand.
She lifted her skirt and bowed, "My King, and My Queen."
Rising to full stance, her parents had tears in their eyes. "You look so beautiful." Their Mother held her face, beautiful to the wrong person.
Someone like Don Coco didn't deserve someone like Y/n; no one did. Herneval didn't even think he deserved her at times, especially as a sister.
"We can still change this," Their Father told, chest tight-
"It's my time I sacrifice for this realm."
What more could she sacrifice? They hugged her tightly before she stepped away; Mythelitas at their backs- she couldn't even look at him- before they carried on, Herneval holding her hand as they walked past the people of Topus Terrenus.
"I remember the last time she looked at me." Herneval reminisced, "Like she was so proud; there was nothing to be proud of."
They stood in front of the carriage- Y/n had his hands in hers- before she hugged him in silence, "I love you."
"I love you too." He answered; his head quick to bury into her neck- his tears raining down on her, " I don't know what I am going to do without you."
She pulled away, wiping the tears from his eyes, before she pulled the red handkerchief out from her glove, its red, a striking contrast to her dark dress, where she tied it around his neck, fixing it so it looked proper.
"You're going to be smart," She started, "And you're gonna be good, and take care of mom and dad."
She continued to fix the handkerchief, no real reason behind it to stall for time, "You're going to be the greatest prince, and you're going to have joy and love, and...I'm always going to be your big sister, whenever you need it-"
He could hear it the cracking of her voice; she had held it together for so long.
"I love you." She repeated.
"I love you too," he answered. They hugged again.
"I will always be with you. Whenever you need it." She told him, and he hugged tighter- maybe if he held on tight enough, she wouldn't go.
Yet the kiss on top of his head told him otherwise, and she pulled away. "Take care of everyone for me. Pop-Keneral"
Herneval could only nod through the tears before the carriage door was opened, and she stepped inside.
She was gone. No more late-night reads with snacks, no more teasing, no more fun, no more late flights at night, no more secrerts, no more hugs, no more Y/n. No more sister.
"That...was the last time I saw my sister," Herneval cried, "Was the last time anyone did...they say she's happy, others say she's not, that she's severely ill, and...others say that she's gone, for good..."
"Have you tried questioning Don Coco?"
"Entering his part of the clan would be war. Especially with such an allegation." Herneval spoke, "If she's...gone, and I start war, everything she did is done for."
"I know she's out there," Frankelda told him, "She's strong, and fighting to be with you again. I just know it."
"I hope you are right, I miss her...so much,"
Frankelda could only hug him again; she knew when she lost her mother- that's all she wanted was a hug.
"She'll come home."
"Still being a pain in my behind?"
The figure sat on her knees; a wing cut off in a hurry, as she brushed through her feathers with a bone comb- she sat in the rags of her wedding dress- it had been so long...
"You're little...brother, has brought a human writer to take my place..."Procustes laughed, "A human writer? How low has the royal family stooped? How desperate is your brother, Y/n?"
She was quiet, brushing through her long feathers, with the lack of care, they had grown out wild.
"And she's good at that- just like you were- good- but not great- I only have a few choices here for your dear brother-"
The metal of the prison door shook as she pounced on them, he screeching in fear at the jump. "You touch my brother and I'll kill you." her eyes were tight, and her brows knitted.
"If you harm any of them, it breaks the contract, and I will be eating spider for dinner." She snarled.
"With how weak the royal family has gotten?" he laughed, "please, with the seven clans it will be easy-"
He moved closer to the bars. "Tell me, has your husband visited you anytime near?"
She snarled as he laughed- "You were supposed to be my friend."
"Oh well!" He laughed, walking away- like it was nothing- so much joy in someone's suffering.
"I will kill you, Procustes!" She threatened after him, "You hear me! Touch my brother! And I will kill you! I will be the last thing you ever see! You eight-legged freak!"
Fuck I’m at a fencing tournament and literally a minute after I reblogged this my dad told me that he talked to the point people and I’m probably going to win a medal.
I need to follow up to say I reblogged this last night, and this morning I got some of the best news of my life, like, a life dream come true news thing.
FUCK, I though it was just another lucky meme but LISTEN. Since a week ago I was waiting a phone call to confirm me if I got a job or not in my university. I reblogged this yesterday’s night “just for fun and because I don’t want any bagel to be mad with me”, and today’s afternoon, while I was losing my time as always, the professor I was supposed to work with called me and asked me for my personal information to start working with her.
Last time I reblogged this, I was complaining to my mum how I never got to go on walks alone. Then, she legit said to me, “well why don’t you go down to *censored*?” Which she’d never let me do before. I had three hours. In a place half an hour from home. It works.
here is a master list of great art tools that can make your workflow easier! 👇 (updating, please consider supporting me on kofi or check out my other works)
posemaniacs.com/en
if you want to learn human anatomy with the benefit of preset poses, this is for you! you can use it standalone, but as a bonus you can also import poses into the clip studio paint 3D models. (File -> Import -> 3D Pose (Posemaniacs)
