Fairytale Love | Karlnap • Royal Au

Chapter 23

Tw— possible fluff

   His heart thundering in his ears, Karl dashed across the royal gardens, making for the servants' quarters. Even when Drizella's and Anastasia's shouts had faded, he didn't stop.

   Follow the clock tower north, Quackity had instructed him, then make a left at the purple tulips.

   Karl trained his eyes up at the clock, its iron hands ticking minutes past midnight. By the time he reached the purple tulips, he was out of breath, his lungs tight with exhaustion. The entrance to Blooms and Looms was just ahead, the sentries he'd encountered when he first arrived still standing guard.

   "Look, it's the new boy. Trying to get back before Monsieur Bad does his curfew check?"

   "Y-yes..."

   He chuckled. "You're a bit late for that, I think. Luckily, you're not the only one who snuck out-"

   Karl's eyes widened. "Did Quackity...?"

   "Got off with a warning from Bad hours ago. He's gone home already."

   "Oh." Relief swept over him.

   "Don't worry," said the guard kindly. "Bad won't discharge you for going to the ball. If he did that, he'd have not a soul left working for him. But I would expect a stiff talking-to in the morning."

   Karl offered him a faint smile.

   Shuffling into his room, he took off his borrowed suit and flung it over his chair. Then, burying his face in his hands, he collapsed onto his bed.

   The moment he'd heard his stepsisters, his first instinct had been to run away. But should he have stayed? He could have explained things to him before dashing off. Or at least told him his name.

   It doesn't matter. It's best he doesn't find out who I am... a manservant in his own home.

   And why not? he countered himself. Am I afraid he'd never want to see me again?

   Karl shook his head, hardly able to believe that he was wrestling against his own feelings. No, I'm not. Because he isn't like that.

   Sooner or later, he would find out who Karl was. For all he knew, his stepsisters had recognised him and told Sapnap already.

   Would the prince have him dismissed from the palace if he knew the truth? Would he ever want to see him again? Lady Tremaine's words rang in his head over and over.

   An orphan and a servant. Who would want you? He gritted his teeth at the memory. Knowing his stepmother, she'd tell Sapnap that Karl was a thief and a liar, a troublemaker who deserved to be sent away for good.

   No-one's come for me, he reasoned, curling up against the wall tiredly. He lifted his hand with his mother's ring, as it glittered in the moonlight. They didn't see me. They only saw the prince.

   Uncertain what tomorrow would bring, he finally closed his eyes, drifting along the edges of his dreams until sleep finally claimed him.

   "Get up, get up!" cried Monsieur Bad, rapping on his door. Karl sprang up from his bed. He quickly stuffed his mothers ring into his pocket before greeting Quackity's uncle.

   Bad looked down upon Karl. "Amelia has taken ill, so we need an extra a servant at breakfast this morning. That means you, Karl."

   Karl's gaze flew up. "Me? Serve the royal family breakfast? I couldn't. I-the duke is waiting for me-"