Fallen for the Crown - // tntduo royal au \\

1 - Open Window

<^^^>

"Stupid Tyrants." Puffy cursed, folding the flyer up and tossing it to the side. The Court had just passed a new law; any children officially declared outlaws by the court will be imprisoned from today onwards.

Even the mere crime of stealing some bread will get a child a flogging. Which didn't seem fair, the kingdom was in shambles. Everyone was impoverished, what's a king and his snobby politicians to know about that?

Niki sighed as she read over the poster, biting her cheek. "Puffs, it'll be fine." For a 15 year old, Niki was pretty mature. She'd help Puffy in the kitchen every day, making sales and cooking food. I mean, what else is there to do? They worked in the castle kitchen, after all.

She had 2 apprentices, Quackity, and Charlie Aged 12, and 6. But she saw them as her brothers. Niki could recognise why Puffy had slandered the Court and Royals, she was worried about the two youngest.

Quackity had gotten into a bad habit of sneaking about, and 'borrowing' things that he had no intention to give back. For example, the crossbow that sat above his bed, or the sword he'd stolen from the blacksmiths shed. And Charlie, well, he's Charlie. He'd just accompany Quackity in his crimes, or even imitate them if he felt particularly stealthy.

Puffy hissed as she burnt her hand on the cobblestone furnace. "God knows what those rascals will get up to. Stupid boy, he'll be nicked before he even makes it to next year!"

"Speak of the Devil." Niki laughed as her apprentice strided into the bakery, his cheeks dusted with soot. His satchel practically brimming with basic things Quackity referred to as 'his treasures.'

He unbuttoned his bag and emptied it out onto the wooden table, revealing his 'treasures' in question; a bag of cold coins, 2 apples, and a strange looking stone tied to a piece of string.

"Ay, Quackity. Go to the Enquiry room and ask whoever's there when the next flour load is." Puffy chimed, sending the boy on his feet down the castle halls towards the enquiry room.

The walls were adorned with painting of past and current royals. Quackity ran his fingers across the rims of their frames, staining the dust with his fingerprints.

"Little boy," The governor called. "What're you doing in the halls?"

Quackity spun around to face him, and smiled. "Schlatt! Oh- Puffy sent me to ask- ask uhh.. I forgot."

Schlatt grinned and ruffled his hand in Quackitys hair, to his disapproval. "When the next flour load is, right?"

Quackity nodded and followed Schlatt down the halls. "Yes, yes that's the one."

He swivelled around and raised an eyebrow at the boy, looking him up and down. "Straighten up, I can tell you and Charlie have been out Galavanting." he dusted the flour off of his waistcoat and continued walking. "The prince has been asking of you again."

Prince Wilbur was 14, only 2 years older than Quackity, making them best friends by default. They'd been inseparable since Puffy started working at the castle. In Quackitys words, 'since the begging of time.' Implying Puffy was ancient.

Besides the point, the Prince had been punished for sneaking to the pantry past his curfew, to hang around with the servant boy.
"Is he still punished?" Quackity sighed, hopping slightly to keep up with Schlatts pace.

"Yes, he is. But I'm sure I can speak to the king.. just promise me to not get prince Wilbur in trouble again." The man spoke, brushing his moustache as they entered the enquiry room. Schlatt handed the boy a note for Puffy which he slid into his pocket.

Quackity skipped back down the halls, once again admiring the painting that sat on the wall. They never got old to him. Before he could turn away, he slammed into what felt like a brick wall. He looked up. "Oh my! Your highness-!"

Prince Technoblade snorted and pulled Quackity to his feet. "Please, Quackity. I've told you a million times, just call me Techno."

"Right, sorry. Um. Is it possible for you to pass on a message to Wilbur?"

Techno sighed and rolled his eyes, before nodding. "What is it?"

"Just tell him my windows open!" Quackity smiled and skipped away back to the pantry.

<^^^>

Evening dawned upon the castle, and everyone but the palace guards were sent to their quarters. Quackity's was on the 3rd floor, and consisted of a small room with a bed, a closet and a dresser. He'd much preferred to have a bit more variety, but that wasn't really an option.

Just as he had told techno, his window was open. Even in the pouring rain, leaving the edge of the carpet wet.

He collapsed into his bed, pulling the sheets over his shoulders and getting ready to finally rest-

"hey, you." A voice sung. And quackity sat up.

"Wilbur! You came!"

His hair was dripping wet as were his clothes, but the boy was smiling either way. "Of course I came. I brought you something." Wilbur pulled a glowing green emerald ring from his pocket, and handed it to his friend. "I thought you'd like it."

Quackitys face lit up, as he slid the ring onto his finger. "I do like it. It's nice. Did you bring cards?"

It had become part of Wilbur's routine, to sneak into Quackitys room every night through the window to come and see him. He'd bring something every time, a map, a book, a script, or a deck of cards.

Sophisticated for a 14 year old, I know. But that's irrelevant.

Wilbur pulled the deck of cards from his pocket and placed it down on the bed. "I did, your majesty." He bowed, and Quackity snorted.

"Where's your crown gone?" He muttered blatantly. Wilbur raised an eyebrow and felt for his crown, his face dropping when he realised it wasn't there." "Uh. Shit"

Quackity laughed and pulled the crown out from under his pillow, handing it to Wilbur who giggled lightly. "Thank you, pantry boy." He mocked, pretending to wipe off any grub on his crown.

"Did you want to play a game of cards then?" Quackity leant against the wooden headboard of his bed and pulled his knees to his chest.

"I had a better idea." Wilbur smirked smugly and held out his hand to Quackity, gesturing to the window.

He huffed, before sliding off of his mattress and pulling on his boots, laughing at the glint of victory in Wilbur's eyes.

<^^^>