Capes and Crowns. (TomTord Royalty AU)

Chapter 3; On Purpose Accident.

Tom followed Tord up the spiral staircase and through the large, empty halls of the castle's second floor.

Tord was holding a dish, that held a lit candlestick, that held the only light source still vibrant. The large windows lining the halls leaked with moonlight and darkness, Tom cautiously glancing out the pane. Half moon tonight.

Tord eventually stopped when they reached a door within the right wall, letting out a breath. There was a generous amount of space before the next matching door on the same wall, leading to a different place.

"This is my room. Your room is the next one down," he said softly, turning to the Rocksonian, handing him the candle. "... It hasn't been used in a long time, but I'm sure the maids have dusted it off."

Tom nodded somberly. For some reason, Tord looked more sad than frustrated to give Tom a room in the castle. He was expecting some sort of witty quip or blatant insult, but wasn't receiving one.

With the warm whispering light between them in the midst of lonely darkness, Tom found himself curious by what was before him. Tord was sad about something in these halls.

"Listen, Tord. About what my mother said at the table-"

Tord's eyes found Tom's. The taller felt nervous now, squeezing the dish.

"I'm truly sorry for her insensitivity. She-" Tom took a breath, "-I could never fathom going through something like that. It was not our place to speak on that, as a family."

Tord's expression didn't change much, but his demeanor felt different. He simply hummed, looking back at the candle. "Thank you for speaking for your family, Tom. Good night." He began, reaching for his doorknob.

"Wait-" Tom's voice stopped the other's movement, a sigh leaving him. "As- As asking as me, Tom... Tord, what was the 'accident'?"

~~

Nine years ago, a private surgeon was fired from the castle's staff. He was caught stealing the family's jewelry and pawning it off in a noble's village, supposedly to help support his family. It turns out he was only using the money to fund illegal brothels.

The firing caused a big scene, and on the spot Queen Kjersti proclaimed that he would be hanged for his crimes. He was taken in custody shortly after, and at first that was that.

About two days before the surgeon was supposed to be hung, Tord's younger brother just turned 9 years old. Gunnar was a year and a handful of months younger than his brother, but a year and a handful of months older than his sister Cecile. The three siblings were in line to succeed the throne, but it wasn't the only thing they thought about.

The three kids had a routine, every night after dinner and the occasional dessert, they'd meet in their 'hideout' in Gunnar's bedroom and sneak out to the village.

Gunnar himself was a shy boy, he spent his free time studying or writing, anything he was talented at. And anything he was talented at, he was exceptional at.

He was hesitant at first when Tord convinced him it'd be fun to misbehave, but Cecile was able to push him to it.

Cecile was Gunnar's opposite. She was confident to a fault of being narcissistic, and wanted to try everything. She was never particularly skilled in any field she attempted, whether that was dancing or drawing or singing, but she loved it.

They annoyed Tord sometimes, but he didn't care. He loved his siblings, even if everyone put them into categories. Tord was going to be the king, so he was always pushed into being the perfect and responsible one, but he obviously wasn't.