Snow is falling on the old kingdom of Riya. The peasants all huddle close together in order to keep eachother warm. The middle class have the minor setbacks of the cheap wood, thus the fire going out every hours or so, and the loose fleece The upper class have no problem, wearing their long coats made of the finest animal pelts money can ever buy, and they huddle themselves around the marble-etched fireplace, the wood of high quality keeping them warm for a long period of time. Yes, they are lucky. They certainly feel lucky. There is ONE thing these people ache and aspire to become. The Royal Family. The family that controls the kingdome. The family that is richer than any of those so-called aristocrats of high class and blue blood. The Royal Family, indeed, holds the bluest of the blue bloods.
The kingdom is decaying slowly. The King, Alex, was once a grand ruler, and there once was a time where the kingdom prospered wonderfully under his rule. But after the death of Queen Elizabeth at the hands of a crazed assassin, the King has changed. His aspect has decayed from a healthy tan, to a horrid pale color, even his once vivid eyes dimming down with the passage of time within his grief. His personality had changed. From humble, he turned to arrogant. From kind, he turned to cruelty. He does not hesitate to execute anyone. The servants havel learned to do as he said without question, because they know of his new short temper, and they know that not doing as he said could mean certain doom. He treats everyone equally. He cannot even take care of his own daughter, assigning her a Knight to protect her and a butler to fulfill her every whim. Thomas, or so the Knight goes by, and the butler goes by Faust. He couldn't care less if they fulfill their duties or not, and they know this. But they are quite content with seving their Princess.
Thomas is his name, the Knight. Glorious in his silver armor that shines so readily in the sun. An orphan he was, losing his parents to a flock of angry demons. Angry, he'll never know why. Taken in by the Knights of the Castle, he is what many would call a prodigy. He is an example of a fine leader and an even better fighter, wielding his sword as if it was a literal extension of his own arm. He is a fine man, attractive with an elegant, elongated face and light brown eyes with pitch-black hair. His bangs framed his face and his hair was tied back. He was a tall man, adding more to his imposing look. He's more of a sweetheart however. He doesn't know what to think of the King, he admired the Queen and his purpose in life consists of keeping the Princess out of harm. He is well liked and likes many people, but... Faust was never his friend. A deep loathing of Faust is evident in his eyes.
Faust. He is a mystery in and of himself. He is tall with an elegant and masculine face, a bang covered the entire right side of his face, and his eyes had a green-yellow tint to them. He was pale, paler than the king. Almost snow pale, but not nearly there. He wore a usual butler garb, always standing erect and tall, ready to perform any of the Princess' desires. Any. He holds the Princess in high regard and his eyes always show such affection towards her it is hard to describe what his real feelings for his Princess are. His origins are blurry as well. No one knows who he is exactly, and that scares many. Perhaps that is one of the reasons Thomas does not get along well with Faust.
Giggling in the backyard. The Princess stands in the middle, laughing as she looked up at the sky, the snow falling around her and on her nose, cheeks, shoulders. She closes her bright green eyes with a large smile on her lips, her hands extended as the snow fell on her hands. She looked at the palm of her hands and watched as the snow dissolved into water. She was as pale as Faustus, and her hair as black as the feather's of a raven, long and slightly wavy as it cascaded down to just the middle of her back. Her fur coat placed delicately over her shoulders. She looked nothing like her father, King Alex.
"Jade!!" She turns at the familiar voice and smiles wide. Thomas walks out into the large patio, dressed in his fur armor, shimmering sword stuck tightly to his hip. His smile also grows wide. "There you are, Jade..." "Did I worry you again...?" "Yes, you did." He admits with a laugh and walks towards her, treading through the calf-high snow. He cups his face in her hands and presses his lips against hers, leaning away gently. "You had me worried." "Don't I always?" He rolled his eyes with a slight grin, "you're an expert at it." He admits sheepishly and she chuckles lowly. They both sit under a large tree, so the snow wouldn't land on their heads. "Where were you...?" "Slaying wolves for the pelts. This year's winter is going to be very rough on all of us. I figured we may need more pelts to keep us warm." He wrapped an around her and pulled her close to him, keeping her warm. She looked up at his face and twitched, "Thomas... your face..." She ran her cold fingertips along a fresh cut that soiled his face. He hissed gently, "ah... please don't touch it, my Princess. A wolf jumped up on me and scratched my face." She sighed and shook her head, laughing. "You're always getting hurt somehow. You're a Knight and you're clutzier than I am." "Oh shut up. I risked my skin out there to give you a good coat for this atrocious winter. Appreciate me a little more, my Princess." She laughed and laid down on his lap. "You look good with it..." He laughed gently, stroking her hair back, "hmm... anything to look good for my Princess." She smiled and he smiled back, both in perfect harmony.
She twitched when a shadow loomed over them. Faust stood there, a silver platter in his hand with tea. "My Princess... I thought you could use some warm tea, since you've been out here so long." He grinned at her, never breaking a smile in front of Thomas. He would never dare allow Thomas to see something as ghastly as his own weakness. Jade lifted herself up softly and crossed her legs in a lotus, taking the teacup from Faust's hands and into her own. She sipped at it slowly, shivering as the warm, honey-flavored liquid ran down her body, warming her insides with delicacy. "Thomas, would you like some?" "Forgive me, but I only make tea for humans, not dogs." He smiled this time, gleefully. Thomas frowned and glared at him, "fine. I don't drink tea made with the hand's of a milk-drinker." He said rather arrogantly, making Faust shoot a death glare at him. His eyes held a powerful ability to cast fear upon anyone, and yet Thomas glared back with defiance, both of them having deep growls emanating from their chests. "Enough. Fine, I get it." Jade commanded, not in the mood for a discussion between the two. "Faust. Sit. Please." She smiled at him and he smiled back warmly, the glare and clear disgust of Thomas melting away, replaced by a gentle and loving smile. Thomas' hand around her shoulder gripped it tighter, making her twitch. Faust sat down, but with his back to the bark, his back to Thomas, but his hand placed firmly over Jade's. His skin was warm, and his touch was tender. Jade sighed gently.
The snow that falls in the castle paints the golden and silver castle a pure white color. The windows the only way to see outside. The servants run around with the wood and the coats, making sure to light every lamp so the Royal Family, and of course the servants, would not die of cold this winter, for it was a rough winter and it would surely ruin the crops and kill off some of the less fortunate peasants. Or should it be most fortunate? No one knows.
The kingdom is decaying slowly. The King, Alex, was once a grand ruler, and there once was a time where the kingdom prospered wonderfully under his rule. But after the death of Queen Elizabeth at the hands of a crazed assassin, the King has changed. His aspect has decayed from a healthy tan, to a horrid pale color, even his once vivid eyes dimming down with the passage of time within his grief. His personality had changed. From humble, he turned to arrogant. From kind, he turned to cruelty. He does not hesitate to execute anyone. The servants havel learned to do as he said without question, because they know of his new short temper, and they know that not doing as he said could mean certain doom. He treats everyone equally. He cannot even take care of his own daughter, assigning her a Knight to protect her and a butler to fulfill her every whim. Thomas, or so the Knight goes by, and the butler goes by Faust. He couldn't care less if they fulfill their duties or not, and they know this. But they are quite content with seving their Princess.
Thomas is his name, the Knight. Glorious in his silver armor that shines so readily in the sun. An orphan he was, losing his parents to a flock of angry demons. Angry, he'll never know why. Taken in by the Knights of the Castle, he is what many would call a prodigy. He is an example of a fine leader and an even better fighter, wielding his sword as if it was a literal extension of his own arm. He is a fine man, attractive with an elegant, elongated face and light brown eyes with pitch-black hair. His bangs framed his face and his hair was tied back. He was a tall man, adding more to his imposing look. He's more of a sweetheart however. He doesn't know what to think of the King, he admired the Queen and his purpose in life consists of keeping the Princess out of harm. He is well liked and likes many people, but... Faust was never his friend. A deep loathing of Faust is evident in his eyes.
Faust. He is a mystery in and of himself. He is tall with an elegant and masculine face, a bang covered the entire right side of his face, and his eyes had a green-yellow tint to them. He was pale, paler than the king. Almost snow pale, but not nearly there. He wore a usual butler garb, always standing erect and tall, ready to perform any of the Princess' desires. Any. He holds the Princess in high regard and his eyes always show such affection towards her it is hard to describe what his real feelings for his Princess are. His origins are blurry as well. No one knows who he is exactly, and that scares many. Perhaps that is one of the reasons Thomas does not get along well with Faust.
Giggling in the backyard. The Princess stands in the middle, laughing as she looked up at the sky, the snow falling around her and on her nose, cheeks, shoulders. She closes her bright green eyes with a large smile on her lips, her hands extended as the snow fell on her hands. She looked at the palm of her hands and watched as the snow dissolved into water. She was as pale as Faustus, and her hair as black as the feather's of a raven, long and slightly wavy as it cascaded down to just the middle of her back. Her fur coat placed delicately over her shoulders. She looked nothing like her father, King Alex.
"Jade!!" She turns at the familiar voice and smiles wide. Thomas walks out into the large patio, dressed in his fur armor, shimmering sword stuck tightly to his hip. His smile also grows wide. "There you are, Jade..." "Did I worry you again...?" "Yes, you did." He admits with a laugh and walks towards her, treading through the calf-high snow. He cups his face in her hands and presses his lips against hers, leaning away gently. "You had me worried." "Don't I always?" He rolled his eyes with a slight grin, "you're an expert at it." He admits sheepishly and she chuckles lowly. They both sit under a large tree, so the snow wouldn't land on their heads. "Where were you...?" "Slaying wolves for the pelts. This year's winter is going to be very rough on all of us. I figured we may need more pelts to keep us warm." He wrapped an around her and pulled her close to him, keeping her warm. She looked up at his face and twitched, "Thomas... your face..." She ran her cold fingertips along a fresh cut that soiled his face. He hissed gently, "ah... please don't touch it, my Princess. A wolf jumped up on me and scratched my face." She sighed and shook her head, laughing. "You're always getting hurt somehow. You're a Knight and you're clutzier than I am." "Oh shut up. I risked my skin out there to give you a good coat for this atrocious winter. Appreciate me a little more, my Princess." She laughed and laid down on his lap. "You look good with it..." He laughed gently, stroking her hair back, "hmm... anything to look good for my Princess." She smiled and he smiled back, both in perfect harmony.
She twitched when a shadow loomed over them. Faust stood there, a silver platter in his hand with tea. "My Princess... I thought you could use some warm tea, since you've been out here so long." He grinned at her, never breaking a smile in front of Thomas. He would never dare allow Thomas to see something as ghastly as his own weakness. Jade lifted herself up softly and crossed her legs in a lotus, taking the teacup from Faust's hands and into her own. She sipped at it slowly, shivering as the warm, honey-flavored liquid ran down her body, warming her insides with delicacy. "Thomas, would you like some?" "Forgive me, but I only make tea for humans, not dogs." He smiled this time, gleefully. Thomas frowned and glared at him, "fine. I don't drink tea made with the hand's of a milk-drinker." He said rather arrogantly, making Faust shoot a death glare at him. His eyes held a powerful ability to cast fear upon anyone, and yet Thomas glared back with defiance, both of them having deep growls emanating from their chests. "Enough. Fine, I get it." Jade commanded, not in the mood for a discussion between the two. "Faust. Sit. Please." She smiled at him and he smiled back warmly, the glare and clear disgust of Thomas melting away, replaced by a gentle and loving smile. Thomas' hand around her shoulder gripped it tighter, making her twitch. Faust sat down, but with his back to the bark, his back to Thomas, but his hand placed firmly over Jade's. His skin was warm, and his touch was tender. Jade sighed gently.
She looked up as she saw the servants run back and forth in a fluster, some with tears in their eyes, others screaming and flailing about their arms. "Ah!! There you are! Princess Jade, Princess Jade!" One of the women spoke aloud, running towards her. Her accent was scottish. She tried not to fall in the snow and Thomas stood up and helped her walk. Jade stood up, placing the teacup in the tray. Faust stood as well, staring at her, his face an emotionless slab. "The King is holding an audience in the Throne room and... well I feel you should probably go." Jade went slightly wide eyed and her hand shook in fear. She knew that her father's audiences meant nothing well. "Right. Thank you!" She ran past the servant, with Faust and Thomas in tow.
The Throne Room was large, and it was red and gold, decorated with only the best fabrics. In the middle was the large Throne made out of gold, and there in the purple and silver robes was King Alex, his legs crossed, his head leaned on his hand. The guards held tight within their grasp a peasant, who was crying and pleading, "you can't do this to us!" Jade looked over at Thomas. Thomas shrugged and Faust's eyes were devoid of any emotion, but still curious. Jade walked towards the Throne, looking at Alex with wide, questioning eyes. "Father...! What's going on? Why is this man like this...?" "Do not interrupt, Jade." The beggar looked up at her from under his eyelashes, face covered in dirt, "PRINCESS! Yes! Surely YOU can convince your father to change his mind!" "What's going on? Explain!" She commanded. He nodded, "your father! Your father wants to destroy our orphanage and open up a silk factory, putting our children to work!" Jade's eyes widened, "what...? No, Father, you can't! Child labour is wrong, and you know it!" "I'm giving them the ability to work and to own money for food." "What money? Three gold per hour?! That is not enough for them to actually buy even a WEEK'S supply of food! This is wrong and YOU KNOW IT!" Thomas and Faust both stared at Jade. Their eyes then shifted to Alex, who stood up. They knew she was right.
His voice was sharp and cool, "you're questioning my judgment? I am the King. I know what is best for my Kingdom and I AM the ultimate authority in this," he spoke as he walked towards her slowly, making her twitch with nervous eyes as he walked towards her, "are you really saying, Jade, that YOU know better than me? You, a mere Princess with no authority whatsoever above me? DO you know better than me?" Her eyes widened a bit more and she gulped. He made a low growl and looked at the peasant, "my decree STANDS. You have 24 hours to clear out your people. Feel honored, beggar. I am letting you and your crowd of brats live and serve in a factory." He gestured for the guards to escort him out and they did just that, the man screaming and crying as he was kicked out of the Throne room and escorted out of the castle, the doos closing before he could return and bang his fists on the door.
Alex turned to Jade and raised his hand, slamming it right across Jade's cheek, making her fall to the side. Faust and Thomas both gasped and rushed forward, Faust catching her and Thomas kneeling besides her. She held onto her cheek with wide eyes, tears running down her cheeks. The salt in her tears stung her already pained cheeks, adding more pain to it. Her lips were parted slightly; she was in much too shock to even speak. "THAT will teach you your place, Jade. That goes for you two as well. Now begone. I tire of seeing your faces." He turned and walked out of the room. Faust held onto Jade, burying her face in his chest. Thomas growled and stood up, "I'll be back..." he ran off behind the King. "Thomas don't..." Jade whispers in tears but Faust picks her up, comforting her as he walks to her room, his eyebrows arched deeply in worry.
"My Lord!" Alex stopped and, with a frustrated groan, turned to look at Thomas. "WHAT? Did I NOT order you to leave?" Thomas stood firmly, his eyes staring straight into the eyes of King Alex. "With all due respect, your Highness, that was uncalled for. I do not agree with your decree... but I am not King. I have no high status in society and no say in what you decree or not, which is why I didn't step in with the Princess against your decree. But slapping the Princess...! That was NOT necessary. The Princess didn't deserve that." Alex began to laugh. His laugh was cracked and frightening, like the laugh of a man who is starting to lose it. "This is rich. My Knight is now telling me how to discipline my daughter." "With respect, I am NOT your Knight. I am Jade's." "Does it matter? You are under my rule anyway, Knight. I reign higher than Jade and I will do with my daughter as I see fit. And you can't say a word about it." Thomas gulped and his eyes widened he saw that frightening, devilish grin on Alex's face; his eyes took a strange red hue, "you amuse me greatly, Thomas. You're GALL is humurous." He yanked on his bangs and whispered in his ear, "now leave, before I have the mind to use your sword against you... and kill you!" He said with a sweet voice and a bright smile as he turned around and kept walking. Thomas' eyes were wide and his hand shook. "The King... he's..." he whispered and turned around, making his way to Jade's room.
Faust had just finished putting Jade in her night clothes, now tending to her wounded cheek. He sighed with deep worry, "goodness... not only will this bruise, the cut was rather deep. The King really should cut his nails." He whispered, but there was fury in his voice. An indescribeable fury. He put some alcohol on her cut, making her yelp and cry out. "Sssshhh... it's just Alcohol, my Princess." He pressed a finger on her lips and placed a bandage over her cut. "I'm so sorry my Princess... I should have stopped him sooner." She shook her head, "no... no! If you had intervened, who knows what he would have done with you." Faust sighed and hugged her tight, stroking the back of her head lovingly. Her scent, cinammon with vanilla, killed him. He took it in and let out a low gasp, the hairs on the back of his neck raising. The princess, for now, was all his. She whimpered, fear coating her eyes. The door opened and Thomas walked in slowly, "how is she?" "It will bruise," Faust answered without even looking at him, "and she was cut, but nothing too serious. It'll heal." Thomas looked down and sat next to her.
Jade looked at him and shivered. "What did my father say...?" "Nothing... important. Nothing." He shook his head and patted her head. "Go to bed, Jade. You must be exhausted." He spoke, absent-minded. Faust laid her down and tucked her in, kissing the top of her head. "Do try and get some sleep tonight, my Princess. Tomorrow is a new day." He smiled warmly and Thomas nodded, kissing her tear-stained lips with delicacy, as if she was a silk glove, "indeed. Tomorrow will be better. You'll see." She nodded and closed her eyes as they walked out the door, closing it. Jade whimpered and let out more tears fall, hiding under the covers. It was the first time her father had ever laid a hand on her. What happened to him? How did he change so much?
Thomas sighed and Faust glared at him. "What DID he say to you?" "He threatened to kill me. And that he could do whatever he liked with Jade..." "Pfft. Insane old fool." Thomas covered Faust's mouth suddenly, "SSSH!! Don't say that out loud!" Faust flustered and flailed his arms, ripping off Thomas' hands from his mouth. "Argh! Don't do that! And I can say what I wish. The King is NOT in his right mind. He hurt Jade. And I won't live well with that." He spoke with a glare. His glare conveyed blood and death, and for the first time, it sent shivers up Thomas' spine. He looked away and scratched the back of his head. "Anyway. Let's go to bed. I am tired, Knight." Thomas nodded, "um.... yeah. Let's go. Have a good night, Fau--" the moment he turned around to wave at Faust, he wasn't there. Not even walking down the hallway, his figure disappearing, did he see him. "Weird..." he walked off silently.
He walked down to the butler's room. He undressed and stayed naked under the covers, letting out a pleasured, low moan at the thought of Jade's scent. He licked his fingers, and looked to the side, smirking. Then he remembered the King's hand upon Jade's cheek and frowned. "Hmph. Old piece of shit... cross the line once more. Just once. And we'll see where you end up in... my 'King'." He smirked again and blew the fire of the candle away, his eyes dimming down, as they closed.
~To be Continued in Chapter 2. Not the Father Anymore~
Songs I listened to while writing this:
"Bittersweet" by Apocalyptica feat. Ville Valo and Lauri Ylonen
Nothing Else Matters by Metallica
For You by HIM
Forbidden Act - Vampire Knight OST
God Bless You by Black Veil Brides
Hell-bent for Leather by Judas Priest
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