Brave

Chapter Eight

Image by Elentori

Author's Note: Hello my charming critters! This chapter will be in Will's point of view. Remember when Bill assigned him to distract Stanford. Yep! This is the chapter. Our sweet baby boy will try to have a calm conversation with him. Hope you enjoy this chapter! If you don't Bill is gonna kill you for hurting Will's feelings. Nah! I'm just kidding... I hope. Love - Charm

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The royal family sat on some kind of patio at the edge of the tournament. Stanford sat at one edge while Mabel sat on the other with Ariel in the middle. I stood beside Stanford fumbling with my spear. I know how to handle a spear, I'm not that weak. I was just nervous about having a conversation... with Stanford.

Stupid brother. Stupid shyness. How in the world am I supposed to distract Stanford when I can't even say hi without dying on the inside.

In addition to that, I get ten times more nervous with Stanford. I mean have you seen him! He's so strict and has a scary vibe around him. There's always a look of disappointment on his eyes. Imagine the disappointment he'll have once he learns about my hobby. A man who enjoys baking and doesn't enjoy fighting. Such a tragedy. Go ahead and ditch me! I dare you. Wait- never mind I enjoy the safety of the castle, food, friends, and brother.

I was snapped out of my thoughts when I heard a trumpet announcing the start of the game. I calm myself and clear my throat before speaking.

"Who do you- do you think will w-win Stanford?"

Stanford seemed to be thinking before he spoke, "Well, all of them seem to be scrawny-"

"Stanford!" Ariel smacked his arm, "What really matters is what's in their heart. How they treat their people. How they treat and respect everyone."

"Tsk. Ariel, what truly matters is the amount of power they have."

"P-power?" I squeaked out worried about his motives.

"Of course! We are the strongest and most powerful kingdom with the Northwest coming in second. As soon as Mason marries her, we'll be even stronger!"

Everyone was silent and watched a group of men shooting arrows, trying to impress the women in the crowd or Mabel. Mabel only awkwardly waved back because the men were ugly. I'm sorry but it's true. If only Dipper were here, he'd kill those men for looking at his sister like that.

"Why don't the- why don't the other princes b-battle for Mabel or- or Pacifica? Why immediately m-marry Pacifica off to- off to Dipper?" I blurted out of nowhere.

"Like I said before, we're the most powerful kingdom. Once Mason marries Pacifica we'll be even stronger."

"But what if- what if Pacifica doesn't want to- want to marry Dipper?" Shoot! You're gonna make him mad. Fall back! Fall back!

He looked at me annoyed, "Obviously she wants to marry Mason to grow their kingdom. It's what's best for the kingdom."

"But is it- is it what's best for them? Does the kingdom really want a sad ruler?" I lost my stutter suddenly feeling brave. It's too late to fall back!

"Yeah," Mabel suddenly spoke up ignoring men trying to impress her, "Why do we have to sacrifice our happiness for the kingdom!"

"Mabel, dear, please calm down." Ariel held Mabel's hand but she retracted herself from Ariel.

"Don't defend Great Uncle Stanford, mom! Haven't you seen how many times Dipper sacrificed his happiness for mine and the kingdom's? Surely you see how uncomfortable Dipper is about all this!"

Nobody replied and only watched Mermando showing off his muscles causing many girls to shriek with excitement. He looked over to Mabel and blew a kiss towards her but Mabel was too frustrated to give any reaction.

There were three targets for each prince to shoot. He set his arrow on the bow and shot at the targets. Two of them missed while one hit the edge of a target. He let out his frustration by whacking the bow on the ground and eventually threw it towards the crowd. One lucky girl caught it and shrieked with delight. How charming.

"W-why are there- are there so many rules?" I didn't even notice I whispered it out loud before seeing the confusing glances towards me.

"What do you mean, Will?" Ariel calmly asked me.

I freaked out a little. This wasn't the best conversation I've had but then again it's definitely the longest.

"I-i mean, like, you know, like why are men supposed to be so m-masculine and women p-pick flowers or clean the- clean the house. You- you know what I m-mean, right?"

Both Mabel and Ariel nodded solemnly at my statement but Stanford was annoyed.

"Boy, these social rules make sure everyone's in place! Men are supposed to fight in war to impress women while women bake to please the tired men. It'll be stupid if it were the other way around!"

I was boiling angry at this statement. How could we let stereotypes control our lives!? The group was quiet and watched Gideon prepare to shoot. I was not gonna stay quiet.

"How could you let stereotypes control us!!! Why is baking a girly thing when you're the one making it girly! The only reason people do what's socially acceptable is because they're afraid of what people will think of them. Dipper will surely be a better king without you because he understands that stereotypes don't tell the whole picture. He understands that women shouldn't be treated like candy. He fully supports my dream of being the best pastry chef in the kingdom. He fully supports that I don't wanna go to war or reproduce with anyone. He sacrifices everything just to make others happy! Now he's trying to make you proud because you are never satisfied with him! Because you don't support new ideas or people! You don't care about people's happiness!"

I was closing my eyes while shouting all this to him. Tears were flowing down my cheeks and my stutter seemed to disappear. I opened my eyes to see Stanford towering over me with the angriest expression possible. His eyebrows were scrunched together and his fists were at his side. I could see veins on his forehead, I was surprised they didn't pop.

I gulped, "I mean- i mean you're an incre-incredible captain. You w-work so hard for this- for this kingdom. Hehehe..."

"Stanford, calm-"

Ariel was cut off by a cheering in the background. We turned to see Gideon cheering and being lifted by Bud Gleeful. He missed the first target, hit the edge of the second target, and managed to hit the middle of the final target.

"Well, at least we know who to invite to dinner," Stanford grumbled looking over at the cheering crowd. He turned back to me, "We'll discuss your stupid bakery fantasy after dinner."

Shoot. He was actually listening.

I nodded, afraid of what he'd do if I didn't agree. I sighed but stiffened when he grumbled confused about something. That's when it hit me. I looked towards the field and saw the kingdom's flag being carried over to the field. Bill followed a hooded figure who carried a bow and some arrows.

Everyone stood quietly as the figures walked to the position to shoot arrows. I needed to distract Stanford when Dipper came, not during the game. I groaned in frustration at my mistake.

"William, do you know what's going on?" Before I could pretend to know nothing, I was interrupted, thankfully, by the new competitor. The new competitor let down his hood causing collective gasps and murmurs from the crowd.

"I am Mason "Dipper" Pines, twin of Mabel Pines, firstborn descendant of Clan Pines!" He paused and looked over to Stanford with determination in his eyes, "And I'll be shooting for my own hand!"