Son of the Branwen

Chapter 97: Rude, Red, and Royal

Team RWBY, Summer, Spring (in disguise), and Autumn were being escorted to the Crimson Castle by several toy soldiers, a drummer leading the group to announce their arrival. Yang examined the large castle, leaning forward to whisper to Ruby while looking at the surrounding soldiers.

Yang: "Uh, are we sure we should do this?"

Ruby: "Well, the Red King helped Alyx."

Weiss: "We aren't Alyx."

Weiss hissed under her breath, making Ruby start second guessing the decision. Spring was making worried whimpers as they kept going closer to the castle, Summer and Autumn gently taking her hands to ease her worries.

Spring: "Please be careful everyone. I still have no idea why they attacked me."

Blake: "We will. But make sure you keep your disguise, at least until we leave the castle."

Spring wordlessly nodded, audibly gulping as the group passed the large entry gate that led to the central courtyard. A large number of guards were lined up along a crimson red pathway, blocking their line of sight to the entrance of the castle. Each guard carried what appeared to be long handled axes with horns attached on the opposite end of the blades. They all suddenly begun to blow an extravagant fanfare as a drumroll rumbled.

Pair by pair, the soldiers stepped backwards; making way for a short-statured, bearing a crown far too large for his own head, and dressed in royal red garments, toy child. The royal child proudly strutted down the path towards the group. When he was close enough, he struck a overly dramatic pose, fireworks firing up from either side of the castle's entrance doors. Nobody from the group could process what they were looking at.

Ruby: "You're the Red King?"

The toy child's eyes widened at the insinuation, before his temper suddenly exploded.

Red Prince: "How dare you! There is no King! I'm the Red Prince. Hmph! Why, I never! Coming to someone's castle without even knowing who they are, and on my birthday!"

The Prince stomped his foot with a tantrum, prompting all of the soldiers to stomp with him while they proudly declared.

Toy Guards: "Happy Birthday, Your Majesty!"

The Prince's gaze snapped towards one specific guard that hadn't wished him a happy birthday. Said guard had been distracted by a blue butterfly, and only realized his error when a fellow soldier elbowed him.

Toy Guard: "H-Happy Birthday, Your Majesty!"

The Prince kept his glare on the soldier for another moment, before calming down and waving off the praise.

Red Prince: "Yes, yes. A joyous occasion, thank you very much."

The girls all exchanged confused looks, watching as the Prince continued to be praised again and again by other guards for his birthday. Blake leaned over to whisper to Ruby, keeping her eyes on the Prince.

Blake: "Red Prince?"

Ruby could only shrug with a confused look.

Yang: "The King wasn't nearly as rude, or small, or loud."

Summer: "Or a spoilt brat."

Spring and Autumn slapped their hands over Summer's mouth, giving her a warning look as many of the guards glared daggers at them. One guard decided to speak up.

Toy Guard: "Well, if it hadn't been for your kind, the King would still be here!"

The other Toy Guards quickly shushed him, before returning to attention. Ruby sighed but and stepped forward. Putting on a small smile, she did a quick curtsy.