Chapter Text
Again and again, the soft but persistent wind nags at me. It plays with the end of my cloak, fluttering it and stirring it around my ankles. The constant blows make it difficult to keep my hood on despite my attempts to pull it closer around my face.
Even out here, I am suspicious of the large spruce trees lurking farther behind me. Suspicious of the occasional shadows on snow, of the clouds crowding the sky, and of white rabbits blending in and out of the powdered ground.
I fight to stay focused but my boots have been infiltrated with icy water and the frost in the air is trying to lull me into a wakeless sleep. I shake it off and continue.
I reminisce back to two days ago when I was escorted out of my palace with a band of guards, chefs, and maids in tow. Due to the secrecy of my destination they had all been instructed to break away as we got closer. And before I knew it everyone had trickled off. Only a single woman was approved to guide me into the woods. Still, she too was forced to leave me at a certain point. She gave me strict instructions on where to go and assured me it wasn’t too far off.
A steamy breath of relief leaves me when I spot the castle in the distance. It sits on the other end of the open snowy plain—at the foot of a monstrous mountain that gets lost in the overcast sky. Just the sight of it has me pick up the pace, heaving my legs one after another. The sword secured to my hip bouncing with every arduous step. My loaded backpack fastened to my waist and shoulders almost sends me crashing to the ground from exhaustion before I reach the castle door.
The manor is smaller than expected but non the less marvelous. Grey stone and bricks serve as a canvas for glass windows framed by elaborate spike, vine, bird, and weapon designs. Numerous columns and pepperpot turrets are sprinkled throughout the composition. Bundles of spotless snow loaf on the roof slowly growing bigger as fresh flakes fall from above. It's terrifying in the most grandiose way.
I take one more good look at the fortress then knocking on the door. I only have to wait a couple seconds before the massive hunk of wood is quickly opened with a loud creak.
A seemingly affable young woman looks up at me with a kind, greeting smile. She has light pink hair and wears a simple maid’s attire. The woman speaks in soft excitement, “Hello! You must be our long-awaited guest. Pardon, not guest, I should say new resident,” she beams. “In any case, welcome to the estate! Please, come inside.”
“Thank you, I appreciate it,” I say, following up by introducing myself and my name, though I’m sure she and the other two men behind her already know it by the captivated looks I receive. Their expressions feel nothing short of eager to see a new face—as I would expect when living in the middle of nowhere like this.
As I enter, I feel the warm, soporific air blanket over my body. The sudden wave of heat makes my soaking clothes all the more noticeable against my skin. The discomfort only makes me more eager to find my room and get settled.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she gushes. “My name is Nikki and I’m a servant here at the castle. The two gentlemen over there are Ranboo and Tubbo,” she gestures to the two men standing to the side. "The three of us make up the entire staff."
“Hello, I’m Ranboo, and this is Tubbo,” one of them says keenly.
I return the greeting with a civil smile.
They both wear butler's clothes and rest their hands behind their backs. Ranboo might be the tallest man I have ever seen and shows off a shy smile. Tubbo, standing next to him is a complete contrast. He's much smaller than Ranboo and is staring off into nothingness.
I’ve yet to finish reading the two of them when Nikki offers, “You must be dreary dear, let us take you to your room.”
“Ah, yes that would be wonderful,” I say relieved as Ranboo shuffles over to take my bag.
I make idle chit-chat with them while they lead me upstairs, giving loose directions to where things in the castle are as we walk.
“Down that hall is the library. To the west wing is the ballroom. The dining hall is also towards there,” Tubbo informs.
I acknowledge each direction with a courteous “Mmm,” trying my best to sound enthusiastic against the fatigue.
As I look around I notice the inside is even more magnificent than the exterior. Chandeliers branch out like ivy, lights resembling crystallized tears hanging off of them. Marble floors guide red carpets around the halls and up the stairs. On the inside, the windows are draped with thick soft crimson curtains. Walls are embellished in detailed engravings and adorned with pillars and paintings.
While we walk up the stairs I can’t help but appreciate the complexity of the marble railings. I become distracted before Mariel makes a turn and leads me down a windowed hall.
She remains talkative and I try my best to give her a sliver of my attention before focusing back in.
“Oh and try to avoid going down that corridor. It’s not very well lit so it’s easy to get lost,” Nikki motions to a desultory hall.
“Ah, I see.” After a moment I go on, “If I may ask, where is the prince?” I’d been trying not to say anything but having yet to meet the host, my curiosity refuses to back down.
“Ah, yes Technoblade thought it would best if you got some time to rest and wash up before tonight's dinner,” Ranboo chimes in.
“Mmm, understandable,” I muse. Many thoughts of what he might look or be like flood my mind. Very few people have been lucky enough to actually meet him. A very isolated and introverted person he is—at least as far as the rumors go. He was never seen in the public eye before he moved to the snowy tundra and this fact only piques my interest.
We continue until eventually she stops at a pair of larger dark doors and opens them up.
“Your chambers, princess,” Nikki presents.
Almost cringing at the title I politely plead, “Please, call me anything but that, miss or simply my name works fine.”
“Of course, miss,” she corrects.
I give her a sympathetic smile and then turn to look into the room. It has a lounging area in front of a platform that elevates the bed, a doorway that most likely leads to a closet and bathroom, and altogether it’s likely larger than my quarters back home. It’s a stunning room just like the rest of the castle, equipped with furnishings made of the finest wood, sheets, and other fabrics impossibly creamy to the touch, and a fireplace emitting warm lambent light.
I walk over to a grand window directly across from the entrance. To the left is my bed and to my right, the other doorway. Even with the grey weather, cool light manages to permeate the space. It tenderly kisses the white curtains swept to the sides and flows further into the room. In my head, I thank them for having placed me in a room abundant in natural light.
“I’ve already prepared the bath for you and laid out everything you might find yourself wanting. Even so, if you discover yourself in need of help, please don’t hesitate to call for me,” Nikki nods her head towards a chain with a large ring at the end of it, which I presume connects to a bell somewhere on the servant's floor.
“Oh, and dinner is held every night at eight,” she tags on.
I acknowledge the instruction before she adds, “One of us will come to get you beforehand to show you the way,” she smiles.
“Thank you,” I say, addressing all of them as Nikki files out of my quarters to follow the butlers into the hall. They all congregate in front of my door before Ranboo closes it behind her and I hear their voices quietly drift away.
Eight? I think to myself. It’s much later than the standard six p.m. we would eat at back at the palace. The little quirks that the castle abides by only let me in on a bit more of what Technoblade is like.
Servants here are more akin to servants of a noble, not so much of royalty. Though I have a feeling that is how he must like things. Despite it being poles apart from my home, I can’t help but enjoy the lax flow of things. I’m allowed to take a silent bath alone rather than have maids rush to scrub me clean, and so I relish in it. I feel my bones slowly strain then loosen as I submerge them in the boiling water. I lean back against the porcelain tub and close my eyes.
Despite only having been here a short amount of time I feel safe. The halls void of people and small cast of residents leaves no room for errors, for spies or kidnappers. During the long voyage, I wondered how long I would have to hide here but quickly gave up the thought. It was useless and only made my heartache. Having to leave my family in such a state of disaster was unnerving, but at least now if the kingdom is compromised the heir will be safe.
I exhale, letting my chest push forth any and all air in an attempt to clear my mind. After much sedentary rest, I check the clock on the wall and decide to get ready. With sore muscles, I finish washing myself up and dry off. Slipping on a silk robe I walk over to the closet which is a room connecting the lounge and bathroom.
The wardrobe smells of fresh linens and silks. A number of dresses hang neatly close together. Each one is pleasing to the eyes and different from the others. Unique in their own ways they showcase different shapes, colors, and themes. More practical clothes such as pants and shirts are folded into drawers below hanging coats on another wall. All kinds of jewelry are laid out on top of the dressers. Necklaces dangle from holders, earrings and rings are held in boxes, and they all seem to match a corresponding dress.
I stare at it all, overwhelmed. I’m aware my family had sent a large sum of money as compensation for my stay and things I might need, but they really did provide me with luxuries. I feel as though I will enjoy my stay here and that I have been put in good hands, despite the gruesome rumors. Nonetheless, I don’t let myself get too comfortable until I’ve seen and met everyone. Only then, I will be able to assess the situation.
Not wanting to keep one of the servants waiting when it comes time to go, I start getting dressed. I pick out a straightforward ocean blue evening gown that spills onto the ground at my feet. It’s simple but elegant. For shoes, I aim for something a little more comfortable since no one will really see them anyway. I pick out a necklace and some earrings with small gems that match the deep dusty azure I wear.
I check to make sure I look okay in the mirror before I hear a gentle knock on the door. I rush to open it, but when I do I’m surprised to find neither Mariel, Claude, nor Atticus, but rather what looks to be Technoblade himself.
He has a stoic yet somewhat awkward presence. The first thing that strikes me is his tired eyes. Narrow and piercing—they're red, laced with dark lashes. The dim cherry blossom hair is what catches my eyes next. It’s longer than his shoulders and somewhat messy in a pleasant way. Attop sits a golden crown with blue and cyan crystals embedded into it. More gold is hard to miss as it drips from his neck and oddly shaped ears. Glistening blood-red stones root themselves in the lustrous yellow. He wears a white ruffled button-up under something that resembles a scarlet mantle or cloak. His dark trousers are tucked into knee-high boots that look worn.
An unreadable expression washes his sharp features. He has a beautiful face despite the tiredness that drowns it. I notice a scar so faint it’s barely noticeable runs vertically through the side of his lips. It looks old as if it's been ages since another’s blade could lay a wound on him.
His voice is deep and monotone with an essence of sleepiness to it when he says, “Hello, Your Highness.”