#spn royalty au
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Very sweet with a kickass Queen reader and a lovely Prince Sam â¤ď¸
Gentle and Kind
Title: Gentle and Kind
Pairing: Prince!Sam Winchester x Queen!Reader
Word Count: 14k
Warnings: Arranged marriage, Christmas, threats, angst, fluff, and mentions of death, wounds, war, violence, and sex (nothing happens)
Summary: Y/Nâs kingdom has been at war for a long time, and when King John offers her respite in his castle for Christmas, she eagerly agrees.
A/N: This fulfills trope #21 on my 25 Days of Tropes list! It was honestly going to be a short one shot, but it got away from me and now I think itâs the longest thing Iâve written all year. Nonetheless, I hope you enjoy and that you had a safe and happy holiday season!
Dividers by @firefly-graphics
Your muscles ache from weeks of fighting with the knights in your first garrison, and the dried blood in your hair is not likely to come out on its own, but for the first time in a long time, youâre relaxed. The carriage is driving through safe territoryâthe safest youâve been in since Crowley invaded your kingdom and declared war on you and your people. Thereâs no fear of being ambushed here.
When King John sent a messenger to your war camp, you had been surprised. He isnât known for reaching out, and to send a personal, royal messenger straight into war territory is a dangerous move. Nonetheless, the King of Ashela had invited you for a short respite in his castle, just in time for Christmas. Youâd accepted after much consultation with your closest advisor, Sir Robert.
You begin traveling east to Ashela four days before Christmas Eve. Your armies travel west, back to Athos. Newer, freshly trained knights had arrived a few hours before your departure to relieve your weary soldiers and allow them rest of their own, though Sir Robert had carefully selected four of them to travel with you as your personal guard for the journey. They ride horseback outside the carriage, and Sir Robert is in the second carriage with the gifts youâve brought for the royal family.
Charlie is resting across the carriage from you. Sheâs abandoned the formal dress that you know King John will expect of her as your lady-in-waiting, but you donât blame her, nor do you correct her. Wearing trousers is easier nowadays, and youâve done the same. Youâve gotten into the habit of wearing the traditional captainâs uniform, or even a soldierâs armor, rather than the gowns you used to wear before the war. Even as the horses carry you down the tidy forest road that leads to Ashela, youâve donned your armor. It's a habit to put it on each morning, and you wanted to display your strength and empathy for your men even as you left them behind on the battlefield.Â
You let out a restless sigh and shift in your seat, and your armor clanks as you move. You wince when something bumps into a bruise on your back. A small part of you wishes youâd chosen to wear something else, but thereâs no point in stopping to take the armor off when youâre already so far into the journey.
âDo you think Iâve made the right choice?â you ask when Charlie looks over at you, no doubt checking if thereâs something she can do to ease your discomfort. Sheâs a good friend, and youâre often grateful that you chose her to be your closest lady-in-waiting. âDo you think that leaving my men during this time is the right thing to do?â
In response, Charlie offers you a tired smile. Sheâd journeyed overnight to your castleâEryas Courtâthen back to the war camp, in order to collect the gifts for John Winchester and his two sons. Even if they were inviting you for respite during a war, you didnât dare show up empty-handed.
âMy lady, you can only do so much. You may be a queen, but you are also just a woman,â she replies.
You sigh again and look out the window at the stars as you mull over the most recent battle plans your captains had shown you before youâd left the camp. The Elciums have been encroaching slowly upon the village that surrounds Eryas Court, but youâve been able to keep them at bay since winter began. Youâve even managed to take back some of the territory theyâd taken over the hot summer months.
The carriage falls back into silence, except for the clatter of the wheels and the constant rhythm of the horsesâ hooves against the packed dirt. After a while, you find yourself nodding off with your head against the sturdy carriage wall. You donât fight it, and you let yourself be lulled to sleep for the remainder of the journey.
Charlieâs hand over yours wakes you. You startle, and she sits back in her seat as the carriage rocks with your movement. Your hand immediately flies to where your sword would be, but youâve unstrapped it from your side for the journey. Sir Robert had said it wouldnât be proper for you to show up dressed for battle, so youâd met him halfway. He would keep hold of your sword, at least for the trip to Ashela. Once you arrive, heâs to return it directly to you for safekeeping. It was your fatherâs sword before it became yours, and you donât trust many with it.
âItâs okay,â Charlie soothes, and you stare wide-eyed at her, gasping slightly for air. âWeâve arrived in Ashela. You slept all night, and for most of the morning.â
Nodding, you close your eyes. Itâs shocking that you werenât plagued with nightmares. The last time you left the war camp, you struggled to sleep, even in the chambers where youâd spent every night since birth, at least until the Elciums invaded.
Your mouth is dry and you swallow a few times to try and get the sandy feeling to abate. You wish you had some water, or at least something to drink. Thereâs a knock on the carriage window and you flinch away, sliding toward the center of the bench.
You sense Charlie shifting in her seat. âItâs one of the guards,â she says a moment later. âAre you ready to meet King John?âÂ
Youâve never been to Ashela before, nor have you met John and his sons. Theyâve been fine neighbors, however, and you have no complaints. You hear what others say about themâthe Winchester sons are strong soldiers and scholars, and King John is exacting in everything he does. Theyâd be formidable foes, and youâre here to make sure that your kingdoms are allied, if only informally.
You nod again, and you open your eyes as Charlie pushes open the carriage door. You lift your chin as the sun immediately floods in through the opening.
Charlie exits first, and she helps clear a path for your exit. A strong hand is offered and you use it to climb from the carriage. Your legs are stiff from sitting so long, especially after months of fighting, and you have to bite back a groan as your muscles stretch.
âYour Majesty,â a deep voice greets.
The winter sun is practically blinding and it takes you a second to get your wits about you. Tall, lush evergreens stand in clusters around the castle, reaching toward the bright blue sky. Theyâre interspersed by dark green bushes and several boulders. A forest continues behind the clearing you stand in, and the trees grow so closely that light canât reach through their branches. The darkness this creates is both intriguing and a bit terrifying.
Snow covers the grounds and all the trees surrounding it, except for a gray stone path that has been cleared for you. King John and his entourage stand on a larger patch of gray stone a few feet away, and you bow politely in his direction. He returns the gesture.
âKing John,â you say. âThank you for your kind invitation.â
âYouâre very welcome, Queen Y/N. I expect your journey was a pleasant one?â
âAs pleasant as can be expected.â
You can feel everyoneâs eyes on you as Charlie adjusts the chainmail hood youâve let fall from your head, revealing the blood caked in your hair and the healing cut that follows your hairline. Thereâs a sizable bruise on your temple as well, from when an Elcium knight hit you with his shield.
The man to Johnâs right clears his throat and steps forward with a small bow. âYour Majesty, Iâm Prince Dean, head of Ashelaâs royal guard. Please allow me to provide you with new armor while we repair yours, and your knightsâ,â he adds, gesturing to the four men standing near you.
Each man stands with one hand at his side and the other resting on the hilt of his sword, and though they hold their heads high, you recognize the weariness in their stance and in their taut expressions.
âThatâs very generous, Prince Dean. Thank you.â You answer with a bow of your own, and he smiles kindly before you turn your eyes to the man on the other side of the king.
Heâs tall, taller than any of the men in the Kingâs entourage and in your guard, and his hair just barely brushes over the collar of his jacket. Itâs almost chestnut in the light. When he smiles at you, the urge to smile back is so strong that you canât fight it. You meet his eyes, and you smile for the first time in a while.
âPrince Samuel, Your Majesty,â he says. He bows, short and sweet. âIf youâre ready, I can show you and your lady to your chambers. Iâm sure youâre eager to rest.â
You bow back, still smiling. âThank you, Your Highness.â You nod politely to the King and to Prince Dean, then follow Prince Samuel toward the stone castle at the end of the cleared path. Two of your men travel with you, and Charlie is close behind you to the right, but the other two knights stay with Sir Robert. You realize only as you enter the castle that youâve left your sword behind.
Samuel leads you through the halls of his home, explaining the history of various paintings and rooms, but you only catch bits and pieces. He walks quickly, and while your armor is protective, itâs made to help you fight on horseback, not take extensive walking tours through beautiful castles.
âHere are your chambers,â Samuel finally says, and you clatter to a stop.
Charlie bumps into you, and she grabs your arm for stability. You catch Samuelâs eyes flickering down to her hands on your arm before he collects himself. Your time on the battlefield has caused your decorum to slip just enough that you know youâre being much too informal for the occasion. Suddenly very conscious of your mistakes, you clear your throat and straighten your posture, fixing him with the most composed, diplomatic look you can muster.
âThank you, Your Highness.â You allow one of the guards to enter after Samuel opens the door, leaving you feeling a little more exposed. Youâve grown used to being surrounded by people fighting for your kingdomâfighting for you. âYour father was very kind to invite me here. Weâve brought gifts for him, and for you and Prince Dean.â You gesture back the way youâd come. âIâm sure that Sir Robert, my advisor, has already passed them along.â
Samuel dips his head in thanks, smiling. âWeâre happy to have you. Weâve been trying to show more diplomacy than in the past.â
You raise an eyebrow. Most kingdoms are not so open about their goals, at least in your experience.
The guard exits and nods his approval of the chambers youâve been given, and Charlie takes that as a sign to enter and make sure the room is prepared to her standards as well. You donât move.
âAshela has always been diplomatic,â you carefully reply. Youâre not sure what to make of his disclosure.Â
âBut not always welcoming. Iâm trying to change that.â
âYou? Not your father?â
Samuel lifts his chin slightly at the question. Thereâs a hint of pride in his expression, but none in his voice as he answers, âMy father has put me in charge of our relationships with neighboring kingdoms. This is one of many steps Iâmâ weâre taking,â he corrects, âto strengthen those bonds.â
âI see.â
You glance through the open doorway, where Charlie is instructing a chambermaid how warm you like your rooms and how often to tend to the fire. Mentally, you file away the information that Sam has just given you, then turn your focus on more concrete matters.
âI suppose there are festivities I should like to attend?â
He nods, and you can feel his gaze still on your face, even as you watch your friend peek out the windows to see the view from your chambers. âIndeed. Thereâs a feast tonight, shortly after sundown. I can instruct someone to fetch you.â
âI would like that very much, Prince Samuel,â you say.
You turn back to him, and he takes that as a cue to take your hand and kiss the back of your knuckles, where the skin is rough and scarred from so much fighting. The gesture is simple, but it surprises you nonetheless. Prince Samuel is gentle and chivalrous. Itâs been a long time since youâve been treated that way. Your hand seems to tremble as you pull away, and your breath catches over a lump in your throat.
âVery well. I will see you tonight, Maâam,â Samuel says. He bows low. Itâs a sign of respect heâs not obligated to, and it makes you want to cry. Maybe itâs the lack of sleep over the past few weeks or maybe itâs something else, but to be treated like a queenânot just a captainâis something you didnât know youâd missed.
âNo need for titles,â you find yourself saying, your voice thick with sudden emotion. âYou may call me Y/N, if you wish.â
If Sir Robert were here, heâd be interrupting and excusing away your brash actions, but youâre practically alone and the only remaining guard wonât speak up, even if he wanted to. Itâs up to Sam to respond, and he only stops and stares at you for a long moment. You can feel your heart pounding in your chest as you wait, desperately hoping he wonât be cruel.
âSam,â he finally replies. He offers you a small smile. âYou may call me Sam.â
You nod and smile wide, glossy-eyed as Sam turns and heads further down the hallway, opposite the direction heâd first brought you. Once heâs around the corner, you step into the warmly lit chambers, where Charlie has moved onto the wardrobe of clothes that has been prepared for you. Clearly, they hadnât expected you to show up with all of your finery, and youâre thankful that they had the forethought to provide something for you.
The other guard exits and closes the door behind him, allowing you privacy as the two knights take their places in the hallway. You stay close to the door, where you can see the whole space.
âThe Prince seems very polite,â Charlie says after a few moments. Her back is to you as she sorts through the dresses.
âVery.â You donât say anything more.
âAnd handsome, too,â she prods.
âCharlie,â you warn. âI have other, more important matters than a polite and handsome prince.â
She sighs and you can picture her rolling her eyes at you. Finally, she pulls a plain dress in your favorite color from the wardrobe, then turns and holds it up for you.
âThis will do for now,â she decides. âBut Iâll have to find you something else for the feast.â
You glance at her, not bothering to ask how she already knows about the feast, before turning in a circle to take in the enormous room that has been given to you for your respite. Itâs bigger than the counsel tent at the war camp. The bed itself could fit the entire map table, and the size of the fireplace reminds you of the enormous bonfire that the men use to cook their meals. The walls and floor are made of the same tan stone as the rest of the castle, but the stone is so smooth that it reflects the light from the flickering flames. Thereâs a dark wood door in the corner, which you guess leads to a room for Charlie, if Ashelan castles are built like your own.
Everywhere you look, there are lavish curtains, tapestries, and paintings framed in gold. Thereâs a mound of pillows to lounge on by the fire, and several dark wood chairs standing behind them in a semicircle. Their carvings are so elaborate that you hesitate to sit in them. The bed is draped with soft, plush fabrics in deep greens, reds, and a creamy white that reminds you of the milk your nursemaid brought for you as a young girl. Evergreen boughs are wound around the posts of the bed, though theyâre partially hidden by the fabric curtains that have been fastened against the wood. The whole room has been decorated with more sweet-smelling pine branches, as well as clumps of red berries that glisten in the light from the fire and the candles in the window. Itâs amazing to you that the candles are already lit, given that itâs only midday, but Ashela has many customs that youâve always found strange. For instance, Prince Dean was married several years ago in an arranged marriage. Your father had explained the ancient custom to you, explaining the benefits to each kingdom. You still remember that conversation so clearly, and even though your father has long since passed, his words are forever imprinted in your memory.
âSometimes doing whatâs best for your people isnât immediately whatâs best for you, Y/N, but if youâre lucky enough, the two will align.â
âItâs too much,â you murmur, and you escape back out into the hallway, leaving the door to your chambers wide open as you flee. Your heart is racing again and it feels like the walls are starting to close in around you. The panic is irrational. You know it is, but you canât stop it as it pushes you forward down the hallway.
The guards give you worried looks, but you ignore them as you hurry around the corner where Sam had disappeared. You walk quickly, following the sound of loud voices until you reach an open-air chamber where Sam and his brother are lounging at a table. Two gold goblets sit in front of them, and a candlelit tree has been placed in the corner of the room. An enormous dark fur blankets the floor. The fireplace here is as big as the one in your guest chambers, if not bigger.
Both men stand as soon as they see you.
âYour Majesty,â Dean greets, and he frowns slightly when he looks at you properly. âIs everything alright?â
You clear your throat in an attempt to compose yourself. âI desire a moment alone,â and then you add, âWith Sam.â
Dean raises an eyebrow and glances at his brother, who nods slightly but doesnât say a word.
âVery well,â Dean says. He picks up his goblet and drinks the last of its contents, tilting his head back to get the last drops. âIâll be in my study.â He nods politely at you before leaving through a passageway just to the right of the tree.
Sam waits until the sound of his brotherâs footsteps has disappeared completely before he speaks up.
âIs everything alright?â he asks, and you shake your head.
âI apologize, but I must ask for new chambers.â Samâs face twists in confusion and, predictably, he opens his mouth to ask why. You continue before he has the chance. âI have been fighting with my men for many moons, and the rooms you have given me are much too lavish. Iâm afraid I simply wonât be comfortable in something so big, as foolish as it sounds.â
Though your words are composed and formal, you wring your hands in front of you, hoping Sam will ignore the way you canât stop fidgeting. You feel so flighty that it makes you irritated even with yourself.
His expression turns sympathetic. âI see. There must be something I can do to convince you to stay, Y/N. Those chambers have been carefully prepared for you by some of our most trusted servants. If I were to request the change, Iâm afraid they might take offense.â
âYou care deeply for them,â you say, quieter now. Something about him and the sound of his voice calms you, and the anxiety youâd felt only moments before has started to diminish.
âI do,â he answers. âThey work hard, and they deserve to be treated with respect.â
âI agree.â You nod and fall silent, looking down at your hands. Suddenly, you feel very foolish to have searched him out to ask for something so trivial. Youâre a queen, after all. You should be used to nicer things than this. You shouldnât be so overwhelmed by a room so similar to the ones from your childhood.
âIt wouldnât be offensive, however,â Sam begins, and you look up at him, holding your breath, âto only have one Ashelan maid to assist you.â
You exhale a small sigh of relief, as small as you can manage without being completely obvious. âI suppose one would be sufficient. She could help Charlie. Lady Charlie, I mean.â
He smiles. âIâm sure Lady Charlie will grow accustomed to our castle soon enough. She seems very intelligent.â
âOh?â You canât help but ask what he means. Charlie is smart, thereâs no denying it, but many men have mistaken her for a frail, unassuming creature before. Sam would be one of the first to correctly identify her.
âShe has the same look in her eyes as you. You are not one to be underestimated. Iâve heard about the way you fight on the battlefield.â
Before you can respond, thereâs a noise in the hallway and you look over your shoulder to see what it is. One of your guards in the entrance. Your stomach sinks, knowing that heâs most likely been sent to retrieve you.
âI should allow you to get settled,â Sam says. He nods politely at the guard before looking back at you. âThough I hope you will tell us about your traditions in Athos at the feast. I am eager to learn more.â
You watch him for a moment, judging if heâs earnest in his request, and then you nod. Offering him a small smile, you follow the guard back to your guest chambers, where Charlie is waiting patiently for you, a warm bath already drawn.
The night is hard. After your bath and a meal brought up by the Ashelan maid, you try to rest before the feast, but the nightmares come quickly this time. You toss and turn, and you wake up screaming. The guards burst into your room as Charlie rushes to you from where sheâs been inspecting your armor for what needs the most care and attention.Â
Once itâs determined that you arenât in any danger, she convinces the guards to withdraw. She holds you then, letting you cry in her arms as you tremble, remembering the horrors of the dream and the reality that shapes them. You cry yourself to sleep, and youâre certain that you only stay asleep because Charlie decides to stay with you. She tucks you back under the heavy blankets and drags one of the carved chairs over to your bedside. There, she curls up with one hand holding yours and the other propping her head up so she can rest as well. You have minimal nightmares after that, though her presence beside you is reassuring enough that the few times you do wake, you arenât too afraid to fall back asleep.
You sleep through the feast, much to your dismay. John, Sam, and Dean are waiting for you when you enter the Great Hall to break your fast with them the next morning, however.
âI trust you slept well,â Dean says to you once youâre settled in the seat across from him. Charlie sits beside you, and Sir Robert is on your right, across from Prince Sam. John is at the head of the table. Thereâs another man across the table, opposite Charlie, and another on her left. You donât recognize them, but you suspect that theyâre friends of Sam and Dean, or that theyâre the lords-in-waiting. John doesnât seem to have an advisor with him, but thereâs an empty seat at the far end of the table.
âAs well as can be expected,â you reply. Your smile is strained, but you offer it anyway, then move your hands out of the way of the servant who comes to bring you your meal. âI apologize for missing the feast. I so badly wanted to come, but it was best that I stayed in my chambers last night.â
âWe understand completely,â John tells you. âWe are not strangers to war.â
You nod, and everyone goes back to eating. The Great Hall is silent. Itâs a complete change from your meals in your tent at the war camp. Though you always dined with just Charlie and Sir Robert, youâd always been able to hear what was happening outside the tent walls. Thereâd be shouting and laughter, songs and teasing. Sometimes there was crying and men groaning through their injuries, but you ate those meals quickly.
As you eat, you look around the room. The Great Hall is decorated similarly to your chambers, with evergreen boughs, red berries, and candles that burn even in daylight, but thereâs also an enormous tree at the far end of the hall. Itâs lit with candles, just like the one youâd seen when youâd searched out Sam the day before. The tree stretches dozens of feet up, and you wonder how old it must be to have grown so tall.Â
âWe do not decorate like this in Athos,â you say, and all three Winchesters look at you in mild surprise. A bit embarrassed by their eyes on you, you falter slightly, but the interest on Samâs face when you donât continue spurs you on.
âYou use plants here.â You gesture to the tree. âBut we decorate with wooden carvings of our ancestors, and woven tapestries that we hang beside every door and window.â
âWhat are the tapestries?â Sam asks. His father and brother have gone back to eating, even though they still watch and listen, but heâs set down his fork and is now giving you his full attention.
âTheyâre different for each family. My family has tapestries that show the beginnings of our kingdom and the first king of Athos, and over the years, I have created many simple ones as gifts.â
âIâm sure they were wonderful,â Sam says. He holds your gaze for a moment before he smiles, and you smile back.
Thereâs a fluttering in your stomach. The clinking of Johnâs fork on the table makes you look away. Thereâs heat in your cheeks, much to your chagrin, and you exhale shakily. Itâs strange to be so rattled. Youâre not even sure why the conversation is affecting you so much. Youâve talked about Athoan traditions countless times before today with countless royals and monarchs. Something about Sam simply shakes you to your core.
John sips from his goblet, then gestures at Sam with the cup before he sets it back on the long table. âSamuel will show you the grounds today. Iâm sure he can answer any questions you have about Ashela.â
Somewhat surprised that the King doesnât plan to meet with you himself, you nod. Itâs not atypical for kings to pass you off to one of their advisors, but you donât mind it in this instance. Youâre still weary from battle, and Sam is excellent company.
âVery well,â you reply, dipping your head just a little. You pick up your own goblet to take a sip. The drink is warm, thick, and rich, and you frown a little before peering inside the cup.
âIs everything alright?â Dean asks.
You nod and glance over at Lady Charlie. She picks up her own goblet and takes a sip as you set down yours. She pauses for a moment, her cup paused in midair, then smiles.
âHot chocolate,â she murmurs. âItâs a traditional drink here.â
Raising an eyebrow at her, you whisper, âHow do you know that?â
She gives you a sly smile and shakes her head. You know the lookâsheâll tell you later.
You sit back in your seat and turn your attention to Dean, whoâs still watching you. His father and Sam are both watching you now too, and Sam is frowning with obvious concern.
âEverything is fine,â you reassure them. âIâve never had hot chocolate before. Itâs delicious, John. You have fine cooks here in Ashela.â
He nods in response and stands. You stand as well, as does the rest of the table, and you watch as the King leaves through a door on one side of the Great Hall.Â
Dean clears his throat. âI have duties to attend to, brother.â He claps a hand on Samâs shoulder. âRemember that Father saidââ
Sam cuts him off. âI remember. Thank you, Dean.â
A moment later, Dean excuses himself, and you watch him leave, too. Sir Robert mumbles some excuse and bows to Sam before leaving as well, no doubt to study policies and look over ledgers in his own guest chambers. Heâs always been a bit of a recluse, and thereâs little privacy at the war camp. You suspect heâll spend most of his time hidden away while youâre on respite.
You turn to Charlie. âYou should rest,â you quietly tell her. âI know that you did not sleep much last nightââ
âIâm fine,â she replies.
Shaking your head, you grab her hands and squeeze. âPlease. Iâll feel better, even if you just relax by the fire. I feel awful that Iâve kept you up.â
Charlie nods, though you can tell sheâs reluctant to leave you by the way her eyes cut to Sam. Heâs pointedly staring at the candlelit evergreen and sipping his hot chocolate, giving you the semblance of privacy even though heâs mere feet away.
You squeeze her hands again and offer her an earnest smile. âIâm okay. I donât mind being with him,â you say, soft enough that youâre certain Sam canât hear from across the table. âHeâs⌠nice.â
This makes her smile wide, and you can practically see all the possibilities sheâs conjuring up in her head.
âNice?â Charlie teases.
You playfully scoff and drop her hands, smoothing your skirt. Turning to Sam, you say, âIâm finished eating, if youâre ready to begin.â
Sam hums and sets his goblet down. âWill Lady Charlie be joining us?â
She takes that as her cue to shake her head and curtsy. After years of practice, the action is smooth, despite the fact that she hasnât worn a formal gown in almost a year. Sheâd complained in private to you that morning that she wished the two of you could continue wearing trousers, and youâd agreed. The dresses that have been provided for you in Ashela are all too big, and youâd spent part of your morning being poked and prodded by the castle seamstress as she frantically altered the bodice to fit you. They mightâve fit before the war, but the fighting has given you more lean muscle than anything. Your own dresses back at Eryas Court will likely need altering when you finally return home.
âI have other things that require my attention, my Queen,â Charlie says, and she gracefully exits the Great Hall, though not before throwing you a meaningful look before the doors close behind her.
âShall we?â Sam asks.
You jump, surprised to find that heâs come around to your side of the table and stopped alongside you while you watched your friend depart. He offers his arm and after a very brief moment of hesitation, you take it.
You and Sam traverse the grounds on foot, and he shows you the snow-covered gardens, the stables, the knightsâ training field, and the arboretum where his mother is buried. Finally, he leads you to a frozen lake set far back from the castle. Itâs surrounded by the same pine trees that seem to be everywhere in Ashela, and thereâs a small wooden hut sheltered by the two largest. From inside, Sam pulls out sharpened blades with leather straps. It takes you a moment to realize that theyâre for skating on the ice.
âWould you like to skate?â he asks.
âIâve never been skating before,â you admit, and you look at the lake. Itâs smooth and glossy, with few imperfections on its icy surface. You canât help but wonder if itâs actually safe. Though ice skating has grown popular in Athos since the start of your reign, youâve never allowed your court to participate. Youâve heard too many tales of the ice breaking under the skaterâs weight. A small girl in the village had drowned just last winter.
âIâll keep you safe, Y/N. You have my word.â
Scanning Samâs face, you try to determine whether or not you can trust him, not just to lead you around and show you the castle grounds, but with your life.Â
You place your hand in his after a long moment of deliberation. âYouâll have to show me how.â
He smiles, and itâs almost as bright as the sun on the snow. You let him lead you by the hand to the edge of the lake, where a downed tree has been positioned lengthwise. Sam helps you to sit, and then he very carefully kneels in the fresh, powdery snow to help attach the blades to your boots. The knees of his trousers are soaked with snow when he stands, but he doesnât seem to care as he sits beside you and attaches the blades to his own boots. He helps you up with both hands, encouraging you as you wobble and sway in his grip.
âMove slowly,â he advises as he steps onto the lake, leading you onto the ice as he skates backwards.
It takes all your effort and concentration to stay upright at first, but with Samâs encouragement and gentle guidance, you quickly get your bearings. Youâre able to skate around the lake on your own after only an hourâs practice.
âYouâre a natural!â Sam says as he skates beside you. His pace is surely slower than it would be on his own, and you smile over at him.
âYour assistance was a great help,â you tell him. âThank you.â
He shakes his head a little. âI have the feeling that you would have been fine on your own.â
You fall into silence as you skate side by side, but a quarter hour later, you carefully stop a few feet away from the fallen tree. Sam stops as well and he holds his hands out to help you just in case something is wrong.
âY/N?â he asks.
âYouâve been skating for a long time, havenât you? For several years, at least?â
Though he seems confused by your sudden question, Sam nods. âSince I was a young boy.â
Smiling, you gesture with one hand toward the open expanse of the lake. âShow me what you can do, then. You must be very skilled.â
âI donât know if âskilledâ is the correct termâŚâ He rubs the back of his neck with his dark green mittens, and you chuckle. His nose is pink, as are his ears from where they peek out from his furry hat.
âIâm not your queen, so I canât command you, but I am your guest. Please show me?â you ask.
Heâs smiling again. âVery well. Do you want to sit?â He gestures towards the tree, the other hand already reaching for your elbow.
You shake your head. âI will stand, thank you. Now go!â You shove at him, not enough to put him off-balance, but enough that he laughs and ducks his head before he skates away.
Sam is skilled. It only takes you a minute to figure out that he had been telling the truthâheâd been skating a long, long time. He moves with great ease over the ice, and you marvel at his speed. He flies by you three times before he slows, then stops sharply. A shower of ice flies up into the air before it rains down again. His breath comes out in heavy white puffs of fog and his chest heaves with exertion, but youâre smiling wide, giddy from the show.
You clap for him. âYou underestimate yourself! Youâre very fast!â
He laughs as he catches his breath. âDean and I would race as children.â He points toward the far edge of the lake, where thereâs a large gap between two trees. âThereâs a river there, and weâd race from here to where it meets the forest road.â He pants for a second before looking back at you. âWe should return. Weâve been out in the cold for a long time.â
Nodding in agreement, you let Sam lead you off the ice and back to the log, where you clumsily unstrap your skates. He takes them and puts them away while you fix your skirts, hat, and boots. When he returns, you stand and take his arm, and the two of you head back to the castle.
You eat a small meal when you returnâmostly bread, cheese, and sausageâand itâs while youâre eating that you ask Sam for a second tour of the castle. Heâs more than happy to oblige.
âAll of these paintings,â you say as he escorts you down a long, decorated hallway, âThey have similar styles, but the others youâve shown me do not. Who painted these?â
âI did,â Sam replies.
You stop to stare at him. âYou did?â You canât hide your surprise, though you know itâs rude. âYou painted them? All of them?â There must be at least two dozen in the hall.
He nods, and his cheeks are a little pink, though the castle is much too warm for it to be from the cold. âYes, all of them.â
Turning back to the landscape heâd just named, you marvel at it. The colors are vibrant, matching the rest of the castle, and the gold details glimmer in the candlelight. Though the sun is going down outside and thereâs little light coming in from the windows, you can still see everything clearly.
âItâs beautiful.â
âWould you like to see where I paint them?â he asks.
You look away from the painting to nod. âI would like that very much, yes.â
Sam smiles and offers you his arm again, and he begins to lead you down a narrow hallway that you hadnât noticed before. You would have labeled it a servantâs passage had the lush carpet not continued down its length. There are wooden doors every few feet, but Sam ignores them and keeps walking.
After several minutes of walking, you come to the end of the hall and the last door, which is slightly higher than the rest. There are two steps leading up to it, but Sam needs neither to step into the room. You opt to take them, and he places a hand over your head so you donât hit it against the wooden beams that border the opening.
Though the door is smaller than normal, the room is not. The ceiling stretches high up into one of the castleâs towers, and windows let light in even from high above. The wooden floor is swept clean, and an easel is set up near the largest of three windows at eye level. Itâs big enough that you could sit in it and let your legs dangle outside of the tower. The window faces the arboretum, and if you squint, you can see the frozen lake in the distance.
A table with paints and brushes is set up beside the easel. Sam approaches it so naturally that youâre sure he must spend a lot of time in this room.Â
âIt reminds me of my study back home,â you quietly say, and Sam looks over at you as he picks up a brush and dips it into one of the pots of pigment.
âDo you like to paint?â
You shake your head with a small smile. âItâs not one of my talents. But I like to look at art. My castle is full of paintings, tapestries, and carvings.â You pause and watch as he adds brushstrokes to the painting on the easel, easily picking up where heâd left off. âYou must paint something for my castle before I leave.â
âWhat would you like?â he asks.
You pause and look around the room as you think. There are several paintings leaning up against the rounded walls, along with piles of supplies that look like they might topple over any second.
âCould you paint the lake? In winter?â you finally request.
The room is quiet for a moment as Sam paints. When he doesnât reply, you look over at him. Heâs staring at the canvas in front of him with his brush in mid-air, but then he turns and meets your eyes, as if he can feel you watching him.
âWhy not in summer, when the grass is green and the sunlight makes the water glow? Or in spring, when the wildflowers are blooming? Or in autumn, when the wind blows clouds through the sky?â
He describes the seasons so well that you can picture the paintings in your mind, but you shake your head, not looking away.
âNo. I want the lake in winter, so I can remember skating for the first time,â you explain.
He stares at you, and you stare back. Your heart feels like itâs out of control and you have to force yourself to break eye contact. All the while, your thoughts are scattered and though you know in your head that you should be more composed and that you shouldnât be alone with him in such a remote part of the castle where there are no guards, Sam makes you feel safe.
âWe should prepare for dinner,â he finally murmurs, breaking the spell that had fallen over the room.
You glance up at the windows to find that the sun has disappeared from the horizon. Darkness is creeping in, and shadows are stretching across the floor of Samâs tower. Have you truly been so distracted that the time flew by that quickly?
Nodding in agreement, you step back out into the hallway and make your way down the narrow passage. Once in the main hall, Sam escorts you to your room in silence. Charlie is waiting for you there, and she helps you change into a more formal gown for dinner. She doesnât utter a single word about the strange expression on your face, nor does she mention the fact that youâve been without a guard all day.
The dinner is less formal than you were anticipating, and you fall into comfortable conversation with the King. He knew your father before you were born, though the last time theyâd met was when you were a young girl. He tells you story after story of their times together, and youâre learning about their last visit when one of the Ashelan guards posted outside the Great Hall bursts in.
âYour Majesty,â he greets, hurriedly bowing to the King. âA messenger has just arrived for Queen Y/N. Itâs an urgent matter.â
âSend them in,â John replies. He gestures toward the door and you stand as a haggard soldier in your colors staggers through. Heâs supported on one side by another Ashelan guard, and your blood runs cold at the frantic look in your soldierâs eyes.
âYour Majesty.â He starts to bow but loses his balance. He only remains upright thanks to the guard beside him. Heâs gasping for air.
âPeace, soldier,â you tell him, though you feel anything but. Your heart is pounding in your chest again and your hand trembles as you place it on the back of your chair. You can feel everyoneâs eyes on you. âWhat news do you bring me?â
âA mâ message from King Crowley, Maâam. He says that if you do not surrender by Christmas, he will take Eryas Court.â
You stare at him for a moment, then scoff. âHe cannot so boldly assume I will surrender! Have our armies held the camp?â you ask.
âNo, Maâam,â the soldier replies, and it feels like the floor has fallen out from underneath you. Your stomach twists as the soldier continues, âHis men slaughtered our armies, and they have infiltrated the village. They have surrounded Eryas. The men returning to their families are at the keep, and are holding it as best as they are able, but they are tired, Maâam.â
Lady Charlie gasps beside you, and you lift your chin, silently sending up a prayer. Crowley has caught you off guard, but you canât show it.
You turn to look at John. âIs there a room I can use to speak with Sir Robert and send word to my captains?â
John nods and stands, directing his attention to the first guard. âPrepare my study for Queen Y/N and Sir Robert. Escort them there once it is ready, and have one of the servants available to fulfill any requests she might have,â he orders.
The guard nods and bows before hurrying back out into the hallway.
âAnd you,â John continues, looking at the guard supporting your weary soldier. âTake him to see the doctor. Get him a meal and fresh clothes, and prepare him a place to sleep.â
The soldier still has his eyes on you, and you quickly cross to him before the Ashelan guard can take him away. His entire body is covered with blood, sweat, and grime, and he smells like the worst parts of the battlefield. His legs shake when he struggles to stand straighter as you approach.
âYou can trust the people here,â you gently tell the man. âThank you for what you have done. You have brought your people great honor. Now, rest.â
The man salutes you and you bow your head, then watch in silence as the guard leads him out of the Great Hall and towards the servantâs door youâd passed earlier that day on your tour. Once heâs out of sight, you turn and face Sir Robert, who has moved to stand at the end of the table closest to you.
âI apologize for cutting our dinner short, John,â you say. He nods once. âCan I ask that Lady Charlie be escorted back to my chambers once she is finished dining?â
Charlie stands from her seat. âIâm already finished, my Queen, and if it pleases you, I shall stay to assist you.â
You could cry at the loyalty and care from your friend, and you almost do. You catch yourself, however, and you swallow the lump that forms in your throat. John and Dean are talking in hushed tones, but Sam is watching you. His eyes are sad and you have to look away as soon as you notice. Youâre barely holding it together as is, and youâre sure that he can tell.
The guard assigned by King John to escort you to his study appears in the doorway, and you quickly follow after him. He leads you down the main hallway and up a set of stairs to a dark wooden door that youâd glimpsed earlier. He opens it in silence, then closes it once you, Sir Robert, and Charlie are inside.Â
Almost immediately, you brace your hands on the large table in the center of the room and hang your head. A sob escapes you and Charlie places a comforting hand on your back as you let out a few more. The tears run across your cheeks to the bridge of your nose, then drip onto the table beneath you as you cry.
Sir Robert stands in silence until youâre able to compose yourself a few minutes later. Heâs watching the flames flicker in the fireplace with his back to you.
âHow many men have we lost today?â you ask, dabbing at your face with the handkerchief Charlie has somehow produced.
â There were 6,000 in the garrison when we left,â he answers. Thereâs no emotion in his voice and a small part of you feels ashamed for crying, but you push that thought away before it can fester.
âAnd how many do you think are defending the keep right now?â
Sir Robert turns. His expression is grave and the light and shadows from the fire deepen the wrinkles on his face.Â
âLess than 5,000, if I had to guess.â
You sigh heavily and look back down at the table, then straighten until youâre standing tall again. You cross the room to stare out the window. From the Kingâs study, you can see the gardens, which means youâre on the opposite side of the castle from the tower where Sam paints. Silently, you start to pace the length of the large fur covering the floor between two shelves of ancient books. Lady Charlie sits at the table while Sir Robert remains by the fireplace, and both of them watch as you walk back and forth.
Nobody speaks until you stop, but thereâs a knock at the door right before you can admit that you have no solution that wonât end in a sorrowful amount of bloodshed. You turn to look as the door opens, revealing King John.
âY/N,â he greets. âI may have something that will assist you.â
You turn to face him fully. âWhat is it?â
He walks to an elaborately carved chest on the mantle and carefully removes a rolled parchment. Itâs sealed with wax, but there are two seals. Curious, you meet John at the table. Charlie stands to make room for the two of you. It only takes a second for you to recognize the crests imprinted into the seals.
âWhat is this? Why does this hold my familyâs crest?â you question.
âAnd mine,â he adds. âThis decree was created and signed by your father and I during our last visit together. I promised to keep it safe until the right time had come.â
âThe right time had come? For what, John? How come Iâve never heard of this?â
He glances at you, then breaks the seals and unrolls the parchment. Itâs yellowed with time, but the words are written in black ink and theyâre as clear as day.
âLet it be known that on this day, Y/N Y/L/N of Athos and Samuel Winchester of Ashela are betrothed in marriage. Upon agreement from both parties or in time of need, they shall be wed and the marriage shall be consummated within a fortnight,â John reads, and you feel yourself falter. Charlie places a hand on your back to help keep you upright.
âAthos shall be ruled by Y/N as the heir apparent, and any heirs produced by Y/N and Samuel shall become the next heirs. An alliance shall be formed between Athos and Ashela at the time of marriage. This betrothal can only be broken by death or upon act of God.â
At the bottom of the parchment, there are two signatures. Only one is familiar to you, and the world tilts around you for a moment when you see it.
âI beg your pardon,â you say, your mouth suddenly very dry. âBut this cannot be true. I would know if I were already betrothed.â
John places the parchment on the table and it rolls up again. âNonetheless, your father has signed it and stamped it with his royal seal. You are betrothed to my son, and in agreement with the decree, our kingdoms will be allied after your marriage is consummated.â
A dark shadow in the doorway makes you look up. Sam ducks into the room, his eyes immediately scanning the people in the study. When he sees the distress on your face, he frowns, but he answers to his father first.
âYou called for me, Father?â he asks.
âI did.â
John picks up the parchment again and hands it to Sam, who unrolls it and reads it over. You watch his eyes scan the words once, twice, then three times before he looks up. He glances at you for a split-second.
âThis must be false,â Sam finally says. âI would know if I was betrothed! You would have told me a long time ago!â
âWhy do you think I never pressured you to marry, as I did your brother?â John asks.
Sam clearly doesnât have an answer because he turns his attention to where youâre standing behind his father. âDid you know about this?â he asks.
You shake your head, hands clasped in front of you. âI did not. Iâm just as shocked as you are.â
âI canât believe that you are treating Y/N like this! She is in the middle of trying to save her people and youâre scheming!â Sam accuses. Heâs glowering down at his father, even though heâs only a few inches taller.
John scoffs. âSamuelââ
âYou say that this was created when we were children? And yet it has remained hidden from us until now? Why wouldnât my father have told me about my own betrothal?â you ask, relieved that Sam is just as angry and surprised as you. It stings a little that he seems disinterested in marrying you, but you have more important problems than your feelings.
Sir Robert speaks up from where he still stands by the fireplace, and you whirl to face him when he says, âThe betrothal is real. I witnessed the decree when it was written.â His expression softens when you meet his eyes, shocked at his revelation. âI had just been appointed as your fatherâs advisor. It was the first decree I helped him create.â
You canât help but feel betrayed. âYou helped him? All this time, you knew about this, and yet you never said a word?â
He nods, and there seems to be genuine regret in his eyes. âYes, Your Majesty.â
âWhy now?â Sam questions. âOf all the times, Father, why would you tell us now?â
John gestures to the parchment in Samâs hands. âYouâre to marry whenever you agree thereâs an opportune time, or if thereâs ever a time of great need. If you marry, an alliance will be formed between our kingdoms. I can send our armies to help defeat Elcium and save Y/Nâs people. Your people, once the marriage is consummated. Your enemies will become my enemies.â
Torn between a mix of anger and humiliation, you turn your back on the men, taking a few steps away from the table to stare out the window. Has it really come to this? Will you really have to marry to save your people?
Thereâs a shuffling of papers behind you, and the crackle of the fire, but nobody dares to speak. You know that theyâre all waiting for you to make the decision. Though youâve only known him for a few days, youâre certain that Sam would never force you to marry him and follow through with the decree.Â
âWould you form an alliance without marriage?â you finally ask, without turning around.
A beat passes, and then John answers, âThink over what Iâve said, Y/N. I will be in the Great Hall, awaiting news.â
He leaves after that, and you hear Sir Robert and Charlie excuse themselves as well, which leaves you alone with Sam. He keeps his distance from you as you continue to stare out the window with your arms wrapped around yourself. Despite the fire, youâre cold all the way down to your bones, and you shiver.
âWhat are you thinking?â Sam finally asks. His voice is gentle, hesitant even, in the silence of the study.
âI donât know.â You shake your head. âThis isnâtâŚâ
âDid you dream of marrying someday?â
Surprised at the question, you have to stay quiet and mull it over. Then, after a few moments, you nod. âYes,â you tell him, quieter than before. âSomeday. I knew it was probably expected of me too, but then Crowley invadedâŚâ
âAnd you had to put the needs of your people before your own desires,â Sam guesses.
âItâs my duty as queen.â
Your fatherâs words return to your head, ringing loud and clear as a bell.
âSometimes doing whatâs best for your people isnât immediately whatâs best for you, Y/N, but if youâre lucky enough, the two will align.â
Turning around, you smooth your skirt and meet Samâs gaze. âAs is marrying you,â you say.
âYouâre not going to oppose the decree?â he asks. Sam sounds genuinely surprised, and he steps closer. Heâs still in his dinner clothes, though you know he had time to change.Â
âI donât have a choice,â you admit. âIf I donât marry you, your father wonât aid my men, and my people will die. My kingdom will be taken and Iâll spend the rest of my life in prison or as a servant to Crowley, unless he decides to kill me, which is unlikely. Crowley is a ruthless king, and he tortures for sport.â
Something hardens in Samâs eyes, and his jaw clenches. âYou can stay here indefinitely as my guest. I wouldnât let him do that to you.â
âAnd I wouldnât live in hiding while my people suffer,â you counter. Closing the distance between you, you reach out and grasp Samâs hands in yours. âI will understand if you choose not to marry me. It is your choice, and I will live with whatever decision is made.â
âWhy wouldnât I marry you?â he asks.Â
âI donât wish to force youââ
âYou wouldnât be,â Sam says, cutting you off. âThough I havenât known you long, Y/N, I find you wonderful company. Youâre kind, intelligent, brave, and you care deeply for your people. I could not ask for more in a wife, though I hope we can become friends first.â
You duck your head, caught off guard by his praise. Sam crooks one finger underneath your chin and lifts it until your eyes meet his again.
âYouâre beautiful, too,â he murmurs. âFar more so than any woman Iâve ever met.â
âI⌠Donât know what to say,â you admit. After months of fighting and living in the war camp, the tenderness in Samâs voice and his touch is foreign to you.
âSay that youâll marry me. Say that weâll save your people before any more harm can be done.â
Silently, you nod. You donât look away as Sam smiles wide, his eyes full of a joy so complete that it makes your chest ache just from witnessing it. He pulls you close, crushing you against him as he hugs you tightly, and you gasp in surprise.
âIâll tell my father to make the necessary arrangements,â Sam says as he pulls away. âThe sooner we are married, the sooner we can rescue your men.â
You nod again, a bit numb as Sam kisses you on the forehead, narrowly missing the bruise, and hurries out into the hallway. His footsteps are quick and the sound fades before you can even recognize that heâs truly left you alone in the study.
âY/N?â
Charlie appears in the doorway and you turn to her, trembling hands clasped in front of you.
âAre you well?â she asks. She steps into the room and you can immediately tell that sheâd heard the whole conversation between you and Sam. The walls and doors are thick here, but Charlie is an expert at eavesdropping.
âIâ Iâm getting married,â is all you can reply.
She gives you a knowing look and then carefully guides you to sit in one of the high-backed chairs near the fire. The warmth helps to soothe the shock from finding out your kingdom was most certainly doomed, then from finding out it would be safe once you were married. Your world is changing so quickly that you can hardly keep up.
âHeâs a good man,â she tells you.
âI know he is,â you reply, staring at the fire. It makes your eyes water but you canât look away. If you do, you might cry for real for the second time today. Your emotions have been twisted by so many things and people today that youâre unsure of how to feel.
âItâs okay to be scared.â
You turn your head just enough to show that youâre listening, but you donât look away from the fire.
âYouâve been through so much, Y/N, and I know you believe that queens should not show their weakness, but you forget that you are also just a woman,â Charlie continues.
This time, you turn to look at her. âBut I am not just a woman, Charlie.â
She gives you a gentle smile, then reaches out with one hand to squeeze yours. âWhen youâre with Prince Samuel, you are.â
âI donât know if I can do this,â you admit, your voice breaking. You clutch her hand with both of yours when she moves to pull away, turning in your seat so you can better face her. âWhat if he expects me to spend more time being a wife than being a queen? I cannot afford to give up who I am because of a man.â
Charlie considers your question for several long moments before she sighs and collects your hands completely in hers. She holds your gaze as she says, âYou are brave for doing this. I cannot tell you what to expect, but I can tell you that I have heard many things from the ladies and the servants here in Ashela. All of them, every single one, has told me that Prince Samuel is as wonderful as he seems. I do not think that you have very much to fear, but I will be by your side no matter what you face.â
You inhale deeply, closing your eyes, and then breathe out. Charlie waits patiently as you try to collect yourself, and her presence is enough reassurance that it doesnât take you very long.
Finally, you nod and stand.
She does the same, dropping your hands. âNow, I need to get you ready!â
âReady?â you ask, and Charlie laughs. She guides you out of the study and into the hallway.
âFor your wedding! I canât give you the prettiest dress, but Iâve asked around and weâve come up with something that I think will work.â
A spark of excitement grows inside of you as she chatters on about her plans for the impromptu wedding. Itâs amazing to you that sheâs managed to work so quickly, but you donât question it. Charlie has many ways of doing many things, some of which are better left unsaid.
Soon, you find yourself back in your guest chambers. Charlie helps you into a plain ivory dress, then fixes your hair. You sit quietly as she works, and when a handful of Ashelan maids and ladies start to swarm around you, you simply close your eyes. Itâs been a long day, and exhaustion is starting to creep in.
âThe Queen needs to rest before the ceremony,â Charlie announces, and you open your eyes just enough to see the women leaving. She starts to blow out the extra candles, until thereâs only one remaining beside your bed.
âYou only have an hour,â she murmurs as you carefully climb under the covers. She helps you arrange your dress so that it wonât become wrinkled.
Nodding tiredly, you rest your head back against the pillow she props up for you. âThank you, Charlie. For everything.â
She smooths a hand over your hair and sits in the chair beside you, closing her eyes as well. She doesnât have to say anything for you to know that sheâs staying close to help you sleep.Â
The ceremony is simple. You donât expect much, but John rouses enough servants for there to be an arch of evergreen placed at the end of the Great Hall, and thereâs a bouquet of branches and berries for you, as well. Sam dons his royal robes and a thin crown with vibrant gemstones that sparkle in the candlelight from the nearby tree. John and Dean change clothes too, and somehow Charlie finds a new dress just in the nick of time. Only you arenât wearing something elaborate. It stings a littleâyouâd once imagined your wedding day as an occasion to remember, but now you could simply melt away into the background and itâs quite possible that nobody would even notice. It gives you a miserable feeling in the pit of your stomach, and when you pass by a mirror on the way to the Great Hall, you have to look away. Tears prick at your eyes before you can stop them.Â
A priest marries you with little grandeur, and in only a few words, you find yourself bound to Sam in marriage. Itâs not even dawn on Christmas Eve when he leads you by the arm back out of the Great Hall. Charlie stays behind with Sir Robert to help prepare the carriages for travel while he advises John on where to send his armies, and when you arrive at Sam's chambers, theyâre empty. Youâre alone with him for the first time as husband and wife.
âWe should leave for Athos immediately,â Sam says, and you nod in silence. He lets go of your arm once the door shuts behind you, then hurries into a separate, adjoining room. You set your bouquet down on a nearby table.
Through the curtained archway, you can see a bed similar to the one in your guest chambers, as well as a writing desk and another easel. Samâs sword is propped up against the wall near the fireplace, and a bow and arrow are laid haphazardly on a nearby dining table. The room is decorated for Christmas, just like the rest of the castle, though the greenery here is minimal. Where you would expect to see much of his personal belongings, there are empty spaces that leave you feeling strangely out of place. His chambers are practically bare except the furniture and the decorations.
Sam goes behind a dressing screen and you look away, heat in your cheeks at the thought of being alone with him while he undresses. Itâs not the first time youâve been alone with a man in a similar state of dressâyouâve lived in a camp full of soldiers, many of whom are carelessâbut itâs the first time where something could be expected of you.
âSam?â you call out, staring at the candle on the window ledge nearest to you. Outside, the sun is just barely beginning to rise. Its rays are slowly stretching over the snowy landscape, revealing the hundreds of pine trees and the lake whose frozen surface glitters in the light.
âYes?â You hear him pause and the room falls silent. When you donât immediately answer, you hear some quick shuffling, and then heâs coming out from behind the screen and approaching you.
âY/N?â he asks.
You turn, and Sam is standing before you in plain clothes. Thereâs no trace of the robes or the crown. The only thing that would give away his royal status is the signet ring on his left pinky. Thereâs a plain gold ring on the finger beside it, which matches the one heâd given you during the ceremony.
âYour father said our kingdoms would only be allied once our marriage was⌠consummated,â you say, deciding to use the same language as John, though you know there are easier ways to say what you mean.
âI do not expect anything of you,â Sam gently replies.
âBut your fatherââ
Sam shakes his head. âHe does not need to know whatâs between you and I.â
Youâre holding your breath; you canât breathe a sigh of relief until youâre absolutely sure Sam will go along with the ruse. âYou will lie to your own father? Your king?â
Heâs quiet for only a moment before he answers, âHe is not my king any longer. I am married to you. I am your husband, and you are my queen. I will tell him whatever I must to ensure that your people are safe.â
You gingerly take his hand and allow yourself to breathe again. âOur people, Sam.â You pause to look up at him, offering him a small, grateful smile. âThank you.â
He nods and leans in to kiss you on the cheek. âWe should leave. I am ready, if you are.â
âDonât you want your things?â you ask, glancing around his chambers.Â
Sam lets go of your hand, then walks around his room. He gathers his sword, a book from beside the bed, and a small wooden case from near the easel before he returns to your side. You take the book and the case from him so he can strap the sword around his waist, then hand them back to him.
âThe servants have already brought many of my things to the carriage. The rest can be brought another time.â
Nodding, you take Samâs arm and let him lead you out of his chambers, through the castle, and to the waiting carriages. There are three of them, two of which belong to you, and another that is clearly Ashelan. It rocks as the occupants move around.
John, Dean, and two of your guards are waiting at the open door of the middle carriage when you arrive. As you walk the gray stone path leading away from the castle, you catch a glimpse of Sir Robert as he climbs into the carriage at the front of the line.
âY/N,â John greets. He nods politely to you, then to Sam. âMy men are already on the way to Athos. Sir Robert has been helpful in ensuring they will be of sufficient help to you. I have also sent word to Crowley to inform him of our newly formed alliance. I suppose everything went well after you retired to Samâs chambers?â
He raises an eyebrow at his son, who nods once. The implications of his words weigh heavily in the winter air, and you shift your weight from one foot to the other, trying not to look nervous or uncomfortable. You cannot give away the lie.
âAll is well,â Sam replies. He smiles a little and places a hand over where yours rests on his arm. âShe is ready to travel now.â
Dean hugs his brother goodbye, then leads you toward the carriage. He stops a few feet away and holds his hand out to one of your guards, who produces a familiar sword.
âI believe this is yours?â Dean asks.
You smile, relieved that youâre once reunited with your fatherâs blade. âYes, thank you.â
Taking the sword, you fasten it around your waist. The weight is comfortable, and it bumps against your thigh as Dean helps you into the carriage.
Meanwhile, Sam talks quietly with John. Youâre too anxious to eavesdrop once youâre alone, so you sit back on the seat and try to keep your breathing even as Sam finally climbs into the carriage and the door shuts behind him. He sits opposite you, where Charlie would normally sit. It feels strange to not travel with her by your side, but you remind yourself that sheâs in the next carriage, and that youâll see her again when you arrive in Athos.
Moments later, the horses lurch forward. You sway with the movement, and Sam reaches out to place a steadying hand on your arm. You offer him a small smile before you sit back once more.
The sun rises as you journey to Athos, just like it does every day, and you cling to that normalcy. Even as you wring your hands, your mind whirling with every possible outcome of the coming battle, the sun continues on its path. You find yourself glancing out the window at it more often than usual. The snow outside is beginning to melt and drip from the tree branches as the temperature warms from the light, and as the horses carry you closer to home, the snow starts to disappear entirely, replaced with mud and trampled grass left in the wake of tired soldiers and weary knights.
Suddenly, Sam shifts to sit beside you, and he takes your hand without a word. You stare at him, baffled by his strange actions, but he doesnât say anything, nor does he look at you. Finally, you look back out the window. His thumb rubs over the dry, scarred skin of your hand, and though itâs foreign to hold hands with a man you barely know, thereâs something comforting about his presence. Itâs soothing enough that you doze off for a while, grasping at what little rest youâre allowed during the journey. He holds your hand the entire time.
After the half-day ride, the carriages arrive in the village that surrounds Eryas Court. You release Samâs hand and sit forward on the bench to give yourself a better view through the window.Â
The houses and shops that youâve grown up around have been burnt and destroyed, and thereâs rubble lining the cobblestone paths. Wooden stalls and stables have been smashed into splinters, and stone buildings have begun to cave in on themselves. Your breath hitches when you see blood staining a wall.
âWhere are the people?â you ask, your voice cracking. âWhere are my people?â The question is desperate, meant for nobody but the world, and you feel Sam pulling you away from the window a few seconds later.
âLet me go!â you bark at him.
He pulls you back a second time, and you twist in your seat, angry and aching with grief, but you stop when you see him.
Samâs expression is grave. âWe donât know whoâs out there. You are not dressed in your armor, and you are giving Crowleyâs archers an easy shot. Until we know whatâs happening, you need to stay hidden,â he advises.
You stare at him for a moment, then nod mutely. All the anger drains out of you, because heâs right, and youâre no use to your people if youâre dead.
While leaning back against the wall of the carriage, you can still see enough through the window to tell that the destruction starts to lessen as you near the keep. The pressure in your chest starts to ease when the noise of villagers and soldiers talking reaches you, and you exhale shakily when you hear someone call out,
âMake way! The Queen is here!â
Thereâs a commotion outside the carriage. Cheering erupts as soon as the first person spies you through the windows. Samâs hand finds yours again. He squeezes, and you squeeze back even harder, clutching his hand as the carriage moves through the crowd and into the guarded castle.
When the carriage stops, you and Sam wait until the door is opened by guard. They help Sam out first, then you. You donât know what to expect as you exit, but youâre relieved to find that most of your castle is still intact.
âEryas Court lives on, Your Majesty,â someone says, and you turn to find Sir Robert walking from his own carriage. Charlie is close behind, and you start to smile.
âIndeed, Sir Robert,â you tell him. âIt seems the battle was over before we even arrived.â
After a moment, you laugh and pull him into a hug. Itâs improper, but you find tears brimming in your eyes when he murmurs in your ear, reminding you that your father would be proud of how youâd handled the invasion.
âWelcome to Athos, Your Majesty,â Charlie says.
You release Sir Robert and turn to where Sam and Charlie stand off to one side. He gives her a short bow as she dips into a curtsy. An Ashelan man is standing on the other side of Sam. You recognize him as one of the men from your breakfast the day before. There are several Ashelan servants helping yours unload the carriages, as well.
âItâs a beautiful kingdom,â Sam says to you. âHow long has Eryas Court been standing?â
âFour generations,â you proudly reply. âWould you like a tour?â
He opens his mouth to answer, but the conversation is put to a halt when the captain of the guard approaches and bows in your direction.Â
âYour Majesty,â he greets. He does the same for Sam before turning back to you. âI bring word from the fields.â
âHow are my men?â you ask. Your expression grows serious as you focus on the matter at hand. Sam stays silent, allowing you to do your job without interference.
âWe have lost many, but we have made it through the darkest nights. Elcium has retreated, and they have dropped their banners. They stand with white flags now.â
You raise your eyebrows, unable to keep your expression neutral. âThey have surrendered?â
He nods. âYes, Maâam.â
âThatâs very good news, Captain,â you tell him, smiling. âTell them that we will negotiate terms after Christmas. I will expect a full report then, but I have other matters to attend to tonight. I will also expect to see your wounded, and I would like a full list of the dead. Please ensure that any news about the Ashelan soldiers is sent to King John, and also reported to King Sam.â You gesture to Sam without looking his way.
Your captain bows to both of you, then heads back the way he had come. Satisfied with the news, you turn back to Sam with a wide smile.
âLet me show you my home.â
Sam smiles back at you, then offers you his arm. Before you leave with him, you instruct Charlie to make sure everything is in order after the maids unpack your and Samâs belongings in your chambers. She agrees with a smile brighter than youâd seen on her in a long time.
You and Sam walk the castle grounds most of the afternoon, stopping only to have tea. You show him your favorite spots, tell him stories of your childhood, and you show him the study youâd abandoned after inheriting your fatherâs. The windows there overlook the wildflower fields, and the river beyond. Though thereâs no flowers in bloom now, he assures you that the frozen river is subject enough for his paintings.
As the sun begins to set, you and Sam retire to your chambers. Theyâre smaller than you remember, and it feels cramped as the two of you prepare for sleep. Youâd never opted to take on your fatherâs chambers when he passed, instead choosing to stay in the rooms youâd had your whole life.
Charlie helps you change into a sleeping gown, and behind an opposite dressing screen, you hear Sam and the Ashelan lordâCastielâtalking quietly. When the two of you emerge, you share nervous smiles as Castiel and Charlie leave to go to their own quarters.
âIâm not quite ready to sleep,â you say after the door finally closes behind them. You keep your distance, unsure of how to act now that youâre alone.
Sam nods. âIâll try to keep to myself, so thereâs room when you are ready to retire.â
You glance at the bed, then back at him. âPerhaps I will go to bed early then.â
He frowns a little and searches your face for something, clearly trying to figure out why youâve changed your plans. Truthfully, you donât want him to have to try and make himself small. Youâre already feeling too many emotions; you donât want to add guilt into the mix.Â
You smile as if you donât know what heâs thinking, then head to the bed and climb under the covers on one side. Charlie has warmed the heavy blankets with irons, and the furs from last yearâs hunts still provide you with plenty of warmth.Â
Sam watches, still standing in place, until finally you let out a sigh.
âIâm perfectly okay sharing a bed with you,â you tell him. âWe are husband and wife. If we donât lie together, it will raise suspicions.â
âAnd I am prepared to face them.â
âDo you really not want to share a bed with me?â you ask, a little hurt by his resistance.
His eyes widen slightly and he shakes his head. âI do not want you to be afraid of me, nor of expectation that I mightââ
âI am not afraid of you.â You sit up in the bed, suddenly aware of the nighttime chill in your chambers as the blankets fall from your chest. âI have fought in many battles, and I have seen many horrible things. Sharing a bed with a kind, gentle man who is now my husband is not a fear that I possess, Sam Winchester. Even so, I am capable of much more than you may realize, and I am not afraid of anything you could possibly do to me.â
He stares at you for a moment, and then a small smile appears on his face. âVery well.â
You lay back as Sam crosses the room and climbs into bed beside you. Both of you lay on your backs, staring up at the fabric canopy. You want to talkâyou feel like you should, anywayâbut the events of the past few days start to catch up with you, and you find your thoughts beginning to wander as Samâs breathing grows slower on the other side of the bed. He falls asleep before you, but not by much.
When you wake, thereâs a heavy weight over your waist and hot breath against the back of your neck. Your legs are intertwined with Samâs and your back is pressed up against his chest. Itâs not uncomfortable, but you lie and stare at the wall, trying to figure out how you and Sam have become so entangled. Surely, you would have kicked him during your nightmares.
âAre you awake?â
His question is barely a whisper, but then Sam shifts and you feel him raise himself up on his elbow to look down at you. Heâs checking to see if youâre asleep, you realize.
You turn your head to meet his eyes in the darkness. âYes,â you answer. âIâm awake.â
He sighs softly and lays back down, resuming the close contact from before. You wonder if you should push away. Is it improper to sleep like this if you donât know each other, even if youâre married? Does it matter?
âCan I askâŚâ You finally begin, breaking the silence that had fallen over the room again. âWhen we went to sleep, we were not touching.â
âNo,â Sam answers. His breath tickles the hairs at the nape of your neck and you fidget under the covers, but you donât pull away. âYou were dreaming. It was a nightmare.â
âOh.â
You can imagine why heâs pulled you close now. Without Charlie sitting by your bedside, there had been some anxiety over if youâd sleep through the night, but Samâs comforting touch seems to have soothed you. For the first time in weeks, you feel well-rested.
âItâs Christmas,â you say after another minute has passed.
Sam yawns and his thumb strokes against your stomach. His voice is drowsy in your ear.
âSo it is,â he replies.
âMerry Christmas, Sam.â
âMerry Christmas, Y/N.â
You turn in his arms until youâre facing him, and you carefully place one hand on his chest. It feels natural to be this close and to lean against him, and Sam watches you with half-mast eyes as you get comfortable. When you do, however, you donât know what to say. You stare at each other, listening to the castle stir awake. Finally, you lay your head down on him. He helps you get comfortable, and then you close your eyes. You can hear Samâs heartbeat.
âWeâre married,â you murmur.
He hums. âSo we are.â
âWhat do we do now?â
âCelebrate Christmas, I suppose.â
You move your hand, unconsciously fidgeting with the tie on Samâs sleep shirt. âCan we stay here for a while first?â
Sam presses a kiss to the top of your head and you smile to yourself, even though you know he could probably see.
âYes, Y/N. We certainly can,â he answers.
Thank you for reading! If you liked this, please consider reblogging my work so that others can enjoy it too.
I do not consent to have my work posted, translated, or published to any third party site or app. If anyone sees my work anywhere other than my personal tumblr, Patreon, or ao3 accounts, it has been reposted without my permission.
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If you would like to be added to my tags, please send me a message or an ask! I tag for Everything, Sam Winchester, Dean Winchester, and Castiel.
Forever: @mrswhozeewhatsis @alexwinchester23 @shaelyn102 @lyarr24 @supermoonpanda @ultimatecin73 @musiclovinchic93 @shamelesslydean @mlovesstories @ellie-andthemachine
Sam: @fandomoniumflurry
#fic recs#sam winchester x reader#royalty au#sam winchster fluff#prince sam winchester#queen!reader#spn royalty au
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by SamandDean76
Iâll Show You Heaven If You Let Me | Mature | 11.3k words (Mafia AU)
Omega Dean Winchester just wanted to take out his recycling in peace. But he finds a mystery Alpha unconscious on the ground, stashed behind the bins. Dean gets him inside, but then work calls. Once Dean returns home, he finds that the mystery Alpha Castiel is recovered, and he's waiting to claim the Omega that saved him.
The only problem? They're on opposite sides of the law. Now Dean has to risk all to earn back his freedom. But will he lose his true mate along the way?
Entirely Unacceptable | Mature | 10.7k words (Royalty AU)
Alpha Castiel has unexpectedly acquired a very well-trained Omega Dean when he escorted his brother Gabriel to a public auction house. But the Omega he brought home harbors not only secrets, but enemies as well. Will they survive long enough to reach their happy ending? And can they really be true mates if neither is sure that they even believe in such a thing?
Love, rescue, and some revenge in a modern day A/B/O setting.
Alpha Seeking Omega | Mature | 66.6k words (Dystopian AU)
Omega Dean has lived a harsh life prior to being selected to be a demonstration model at a party unveiling the latest product that Morningstar Enterprises is set to produce. Alphas Castiel and Jimmy Novak are guests of honor at the event, but when they lay eyes on the Omega that is clearly at the center of something that was not a part of the party, the twins leap into action. Unfortunately, they are separated. Now Jimmy must keep Dean safe until Castiel can be rescued.
But the more that Jimmy learns about this very well-trained Omega, the more he questions what was really going on that night. The problem is will he be able to figure out the puzzle and still rescue his brother?
Letting Fate Decide | Mature | 14.6k words (A/B/O AU)
Castiel is a new Omega in the big city. He meets the Alpha for him in the form of a fry-cook named Dean Winchester. But a military commander pulls Dean in for a mission and as Castiel waits he is taken by Lucifer to be added to one of his many Omega brothels. There he meets an Omega named Gabriel who helps him to survive. Little does he know that Gabriel is longing to be reunited with his one true Alpha, Sam Winchester.
The Spirited Sprite | Explicit | 8.1k words (Fantasy AU)
Alpha Castiel is the destined true mate of Sprite Dean. But an ancient curse and an unjust punishment threatened to keep them apart. As Dean heals Castiel, will the secret Dean keeps hidden lead to their happy ending, or their being torn apart once more?
How To Accidentally Create Soulmates | General | 2k words (Just Fun AU)
Gabriel was given a brand-new and very important responsibility by Chuck. To oversee the soul nurseries in heaven. Well, Gabriel delegated this boring task to Castiel.
I mean, what's the worst that could happen?
To Know Him Is To Love Him | Explicit | 6.5k words (Hunter Corp AU)
John Winchester is very concerned. On what should be one of the happiest days of his life, the wedding of his oldest child Dean to the absolute love of his life Castiel, both grooms and Sam are missing. John calls upon Gabriel, a Supernatural Consultant for Hunter Corp, and then sets out to find the missing men. Just hoping that heâs not too late to walk his son down the aisle.
A Valentineâs Day adventure with a little peril, a lot of love, and quite the happy ending!
Well, I Never Been To Heaven | Mature | 23,654 words (Season 4 AU)
Dean Winchester is living a plain, ordinary, and boring life. Until one day a new student shows up in the little town of Spain, SD. Itâs love at first sight, but then an unimaginable tragedy happens, and Dean is left alone in his misery. Or is he a student attending Oxford University on a full athletic scholarship who finds a familiar face in his coxswain? Or is he hiking in the desert and attempting to save a known stranger? Or is he a traveler who stops for the night at a cheap motel and finds the pizza man of his dreams? Or is he none of those things? Just an unwitting victim of fate and destiny?
Castiel had led the assault on hell, in order to save the righteous man and prevent the first seal of the apocalypse from being broken, lest hell should be allowed to reign on earth. In the aftermath of his disastrous mission, he is being held captive by Alastair, and his image is being used in a final, determined attempt to break Dean.
But the profound bond that Castiel feels towards the pure soul wonât allow him to go down without a fight, and he makes a desperate prayer to his very old friend to set in motion a chain of events that might save him and his beloved mortal, or possibly, doom them for all eternity.
Love You With All My Heart | Explicit | 15,469 words (Beatles AU)
Dean is an up-and-coming musician, who along with his brother Sam, has finally started to make waves with their band, The Quarrymen. Little does he know that the perfectly innocent Omega sitting in the front row of The Cavern Club, watching him perform with an enchanting smile, is the True Mate he has been longing for his entire life.
Castiel can hardly believe his luck, when he and Gabriel are invited backstage after the show. Once Gabriel slips away with Sam, Castiel is left alone with the incredibly handsome Alpha who spent the entire show singing every single song to him. But the club is raided before they can cement their bond, and Castiel is forced to flee into the night.
Whisked away by an overprotective mother, Castiel doesnât know if he will ever see Dean again. He seeks solace in writing his poems, and fervently wishes that one day he will be reunited with the man he loves, not knowing that destiny and fate are working to bring the separated mates back together.
Betting Against The House | Explicit | 15,805 words (Mob AU)
What started as nothing more than a quest to avenge the death of his brother Gabriel, led Castiel to become the most prolific assassin to have ever lived. After he succeeded in taking out the head of the Winchester Crime Family, he was taken in by the Novak Syndicate. But Michael began to fear the monster heâd helped create and betrayed Castiel.
Dean knew he held all the power, in possession of a secret that would level the playing field. He knew that toying with the captured assassin might not end well, but he found that he simply couldnât help himself.
Simple and straightforward went right out the window when Lady Luck got her hands on the brand-new deck of cards. Stacking them, so her favorite Alpha and Omega would have a chance to make all their dreams come true.
More coming soonâŚ
#destiel#dean/cas#cas/dean#alpha castiel#omega dean#omega castiel#alpha dean#angel castiel#human castiel#mafia au#royalty au#dystopian au#a/b/o au#omegaverse#fantasy au#just fun au#hunter corp au#beatles au#mob au#season 4 au#gabriel#spn#supernatural#ao3#ao3 fanfic
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The Royally Unexpected Jollification of Two Princes by thefandomsinhalor
6K | Royalty AU | Fluff | Friends to Lovers |
Summary: Prince Dean has a lot of feelings to sort out when he hears the unexpected news that best friend Prince Castiel is engaged. Unsure if heâs upset about not having been told the news by his own friendâor perhaps because of another elusive reasonâhe plans on clarifying the situation. Good thing his friend is set to arrive at the castle on that very afternoon, unaware that an important discussion is awaiting him.
Written for the Profound Bond Gift Exchange ;) Read here on AO3!
(want more spn reading material? Here's my work list on AO3 :D)
#destiel fic#spnfam#spn fandom#my fic#royalty au#friends to lovers#destiel fluff#fluff#castiel#dean winchester
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Title: In True Love's Shadow Rating: Teen Word count: 38K (at this time)
Tags: John/Kate Milligan, Adam/Male OC, established John/Mary, Fantasy, Royalty AU, First Love, Angst and Tragedy, Magic
Author's note: This was written for the 2023 round of the SPN Pro Ship Bang. @spnproshipbang
Story on AO3:
Wonderful art by OopsImFade at this link below:
https://www.tumblr.com/oopsimfade/741089637336006656/my-work-for-in-true-loves-shadow-by?source=share
Summary:
A Fantasy Royalty! AU weaving through Adam Milliganâs family history on his Mother's side. From his great grandparents accepting the Archangel Michael's help down to Adam's mother working at the palace, catching King John Winchester's eye and then Adam's life as a prince â involving him being at odds with his eldest half-brother Dean and falling in love with someone unexpected.
Adam is the youngest Prince of the most powerful kingdom in all the realms, Exalos. The Mainland continent of Wislira depends on Exalos's strength through the certainty of male heirs.
Prince Adam is the illegitimate third son of King John. Adam's maternal grandfather, Noah Milligan, is wildly famous on Exalos. Many would be just fine with his grandson becoming King.
At twenty, Prince Adam is faced with being the next King of Exalos. Although he may die before he is ever crowned King.
The Archangel Michael is at the center of a secret that leaves Adam at Death's door. Adam needs to make a life-changing decision.
#my fanfic tag#adam milligan#john winchester x kate milligan#Supernatural AU#Royalty x SPN#Hero!Adam#Villain!Dean#Romance#coming of age#Caught in the middle!Sam#Arthurian legend#Morgana has issues
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I love that we're all in agreement that in every universe Lestat falls in love with Louis from the moment he first sees him
#loustat#i don't make the facts#human au royalty au fairytale au doesn't matter lestat sees louis and is heart eyes#can't blame him though#non spn#random loustat thing is random#mine
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Does anyone have any good spn/destiel fantasy AU fic recs? Royalty, magic, high fantasy, Pirate, etc. Preferably longfic
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Hi. Help me choose please.
*Yes I am being deliberately vague just in case I ever want to use this as a bang story at some point after all
** Prince Adam is sent to the kingdom of the Angels as collateral. He thinks he's going to be held prisoner and potentially tortured. The Angels are just confused why they got a person when they wanted, like, an heirloom or something. Prince Michael and Prince Adam learn that while cultural differences can be difficult to overcome, talking generally helps. Prince Raphael is only scary until you get to know him.
I can't promise that my muse will cooperate with whatever you choose. But I'd like to know what y'all think. Also I finally wanted to make a poll, lol.
#Also why can I only make this poll last a day or a week why are those the only options#Rude#Midam#Quick writing#<- Not really but you know. It's about that.
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i donât often read non-canon fics, but iâve been consuming other media and naturally connecting it to spn. so in a destiel royal au, who would be more likely to be the royalty
#watching too much young royals and rwrb#and this is what happens#i wouldnât be surprised if there are fics like this out there#i just havenât personally read them#and iâm curious#because i donât know my own answer
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As the next (and only) heir of the Rakuzan kingdom, SeijĹŤrĹ must find a bride before his upcoming 25th birthday, where he'll be officially crowned as the new King - otherwise he'd be considered ineligible. So when he visits a local diner belonging to the neighboring country of Seirin and meets a plain-looking brown-haired waiter who, for some reason, catches SeijĹŤrĹ's attention, he might finally have a chance to qualify.
KĹki is a waiter at a small diner in the country of Seirin. For him, his current life is just fine...or at least that's what he keeps telling himself. But after he serves a customer who wishes to maintain their anonymity, KĹki finds his life is turning upside down. The unexpected part? He gets thrown into the lavish, glittering, and glamorous world of the royal Akashi family, where millions of people are now watching his every move. In order to survive, he must learn how to fit in and act like royalty because not everyone who smiles at him has the best of intentions and will stand by his side to support him.
Will the pressure of long-time tradition get to them and crumble their spirits? Or will they rise to the throne as Rakuzan's first two Kings in history and rewrite the laws?
I love a royalty au!!!
Okay, uh, this is my fault but what era are we talking about? Is this like classic nobility/medieval/european? Is this like modern? Slightly futuristic? Because it changes the vibe so much!
Medieval - Akashi coming into a tavern, cloak pulled high to hide the royal red hair which has become synonymous with the crown, his hands just a little too clean (a fact Furi notices when refilling his mug).
Modern (which from the word diner got me wondering about this in the first place) - Akashi's wearing sunglasses (indoors!? Only blind people and assholes wear sunglasses indoors! Excuse the spn reference agshhs) a cap pulled low- yes Akashi soooo inconspicuous đ. The low light in the diner at 1 am as Furi pours him coffee, a partly stained half apron around his waist, the flash of his teeth when he smiles like he genuinely cares about his customers??? , the slim slenderness of his wrists. When he sees Akashi rubbing his eyes in frustration and exhaustion he sidles over and asks what his favorite pie/cake is and gives it to him, "on the house", says he is "paying forward kindness" and "I can tell from your accent that are a long way from home." AND THEN THE MEDIA!!! GOD THE WAY I WANT THE MEDIA TO RIP INTO FURIHATA, DIVING INTO HIS PAST, TEAR HIM TO PIECES- WHO IS HE TO HAVE WON THE LOVE AND ATTENTION OF THE MOST ELIGIBLE BACHELOR IN RAKUZAN? HOW WILL PARLAMENT/THE SENATE REACT TO AKASHI'S CHOICE OF SPOUSE!?
Futuristic - god... the possibilities with this one.... like. The diner could be one of the last diners with actual waiters/waitresses and just- imagine Akashi going in with the latest technological device that projects a digital mask infront of his face?? The flickering of an old television blurring his facial characteristics, microcosmically shifting the projected blue- now green- black eyes- Furihata stopping in hesitation before his table "uh... are you here to rob us?" "No, my apologies. My device seems to have malfunctioned" please don't ask him to take it off, please don't ask him to take it off "oh- alright. Sorry about that. Hopefully you can get it fixed soon." And when they move in together I'm just imagining that the palace has all these cameras around constantly recording them and spreading their "happily married bliss" as national patriotic propaganda and Furihata isn't sure if Akashi means it when he kisses him or says I love you gahhhhhh
Which did you have in mind?
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#GUNCHAMBER â rp blog for SPN character KRISSY CHAMBERS . FUTURE/DIVERGENT . headcanon based & original background story . divergent , au & crossover friendly . rated 21+ . low-medium activity . A STUDY IN - the desperation to not only SURVIVE but to actually live , being daddy's good little girl , relearning how to trust . est. 2014 / rebooted 2023 . written by r.z. [ she/her , 25+ ] . [ DOC ] [ HEADCANONS ] [ ASKBOX PROMPTS ] [ INTEREST TRACKER ] * lovely banners are made by my wonderful angel : @multi-royalty
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The Mark Of The Gods
By: SamandDean76
Ship: J2 | Rating: Mature | Word Count: 17K
Tags: Alternate Universe - Royalty, Bottom Jensen Ackles/Top Jared Padalecki, Jensen is 19 - Jared is 24, Consensual Sex, Will Get Schmoopy, Happy Ending, Freckles Save Lives, Mystery to be solved, God Like Powers, Hurt Jensen Ackles, Protective Jared Padalecki, Canon-Typical Violence, Non-Graphic Violence, First Time, public bedding
âInto this land will be born a peacemaker this day. He himself will not know peace in this time, but his actions will guarantee it for the prosperity of the Kingdom. But for the mercy of the Gods, he will know death on the day he reads this scroll.â
Jensen had been born under a prophecy into a shattered kingdom. He knew death could be waiting for him, unless the Gods showed him mercy.
Jared had been working towards peace between the two kingdoms when his life is saved by a mysterious stranger. But the manner in which he was rescued has only one consequence - death. Unless the Gods showed mercy.
Excerpt from story:
Pain. Jensen was to know pain, and then he would know the peace that came with death.
Not a quick death. No, never that. He would be made to suffer for his transgressions and sins.
The old crone had told him he would know nothing but brutality. It was to be the one constant in his short and miserable existence, up until the moment that he ceased to be useful to the Gods and he was snuffed out.
Jensenâs birth had been heralded with prophecy. And tragedy. The death of his life-giver as she had slowly bled out. The old crone had never told Jensen her name, only that she was beautiful, loved, and that Jensen looked like her. The grief his father had felt then manifested in Jensen being wrapped in swaddling and left on the steps of the temple.Â
Unwanted. Unloved. A burden that would be carried by someone willing to court the anger of the Gods for even daring to care for him. The old crone had watched the seal of the scroll being broken.  Had heard the ancient words spoken and then waited. The crowds had departed but the baby had remained. No one had dared to invoke the anger of the Gods. The child was both an offering and a sacrifice. To appease those same Gods who had failed to save the beloved Queen.
The old crone walked closer and watched for a moment before she bent down to scoop up the innocent babe. She had never been given the gift of children. She could never bring herself to suffer the touch of a man long enough to catch from their seed. So instead, she had lived a life of solitude. Deep in the woods. Far from the castle and the protection it offered to the people of the kingdom.
Jensen realized as he looked at her lifeless body that she had never told him her name. In all of the years that she had cared for him, he had never uttered a name or endearment towards her. She had sheltered him, fed him, clothed him, taught him all of her knowledge of herbs and healing, and yet, the one thing he did not know was her name. He had only ever heard anyone address her as the Crone.
Jensen had awoken late and realized that the fire had died down in the night and that no food waited for him for the breaking of his fast. He had dressed and approached her mat on the floor. At first, he had thought she was still asleep, but there was no rise of her chest or slight wheeze as had become common when she tried to draw breath. The only person he had ever really known was dead. And Jensen was alone.
Jensen found the scroll on the table along with the note in the croneâs handwriting. He drew a deep breath as he let the scroll unfurl to reveal his destiny.
âInto this land will be born a peacemaker this day. He himself will not know peace in this time, but his actions will guarantee it for the prosperity of the Kingdom. But for the mercy of the Gods, he will know death on the day he reads this scroll.â
Jensen dropped the scroll as though burned. He saw the second scroll then. It was worn more than his own. He picked it up and watched it unfurl with bated breath.
âA life of solitude will greet the mother of peace. She will raise up the greatest peacemaker to ever dwell in this land. But she will not live to see the peace and prosperity her selflessness ensured. She will be condemned to greet death on the day that war and pestilence is conquered.â
Jensen again dropped the scroll as soon as he was done reading it. The old crone had always told him to go to the market if anything happened to her. That he would see a great danger and he would prevent a greater tragedy. But the cost for his actions would be his life. Unless, unless the Gods were feeling merciful that day.
Jensen packed quickly. The market was a half days walk from the old croneâs hut. He would need to hurry. He picked up both scrolls and wrapped them in a ragged piece of cloth.  He also folded the old croneâs note and placed it in his pack. Jensen pulled the blanket up and over her body as he left the hut to fulfil his destiny.
#jared padalecki#jensen ackles#misha collins#spn#ao3#archive of our own#fanfiction#j2#supernatural rpf#AU - Royalty#God Like Powers#freckles#Freckles Save Lives
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                  CURRENT MUSE LIST  ...
ORIGINALÂ MUSE Â LIST.
*   AMRISH  PATEKAR  ⢠ TWENTY8  ⢠ SLICE  OF  LIFE   [  ...  ]   GREYâS  ANATOMY  INSPIRED.  NEUROLOGY  RESIDENT.  [  ...  ]   ANIRUDH  PISHARODY. *   ANTHONY  KING  ⢠ TWENTY2  ⢠ SLICE  OF  LIFE   [  ...  ]   AWKWARD  UNIVERSITY  STUDENT  +  RELIABLE  TECH  GUY.  [  ...  ]   ZETHPHAN  SMITH-GNEIST. *   CORDELIA  APPLETON  ⢠ TWENTY3  ⢠ MODERN  ROYALTY   [  ...  ]   AFF.  WITH  VERSUSLIGHT.  MODERN  DAY  PRINCESS  +  PR  NIGHTMARE  [  ...  ]   LILY  ROSE-DEPP. *   DEON ABALOS  ⢠ THIRTY6  ⢠ AU VERSES AVAIL.   [  ...  ]   POLICE DETECTIVE + WORKAHOLIC. TEMPORARILY DIED ONCE + CAN SEE GHOSTS NOW.   [  ...  ]   CHARLES MICHAEL DAVIS. *   GRIM REAPER  ⢠ UNKNOWN  ⢠ SPN   [  ...  ]   ALIAS CHANGES EVERY COUPLE YEARS. BECAME A GRIM REAPER AFTER DYING + NOW WORKS ODD JOBS TO COVER HIM GUIDING SOULS TO THE AFTERLIFE.  [  ...  ]   LEE JAEWOOK. *   LIGAYA  CASTILLO  ⢠ TWENTY6  ⢠ SLICE  OF  LIVE   [  ...  ]   HAPPY  GO  LUCKY  BAKER.  AFF  WITH  A  GROUP  VERSE.  [  ...  ]   KATHRYN  BERNARDO. *   MARCO TORRES  ⢠ TWENTY  ⢠ SPN   [  ...  ]  AFF WITH INKâS MUSE. ANGEL REINCARNATE + STUDENT.   [  ...  ]  OMAR RUDBERG. *   MISUN  KIM  ⢠ TWENTY6  ⢠ SLICE  OF  LIFE   [  ...  ]   PUBLIC  RELATIONS  MANAGER. AFF WITH GROUP VERSE.   [  ...  ]   MOON GAYOUNG. *   MIYEON GO  ⢠ TWENTY3  ⢠ SLICE OF LIFE   [  ... ��]  TWI/TCH STREAMER + ANIMATIONS STUDENT.   [  ...  ]   KANG HYEWON. *   NARI YOON  ⢠ TWENTY6  ⢠ CELEB   [  ...  ]   AUSTRALIAN BORN POP STAR.   [  ...  ]   IM NAYEON + CHOI JISU. *   NOVA PRICE  ⢠ TWENTY3  ⢠ CELEB + SPN   [  ...  ]   WITCH + CURRENT ROCKSTAR. INSPIRED BY HEX GIRLS.   [  ...  ]   MAGGIE LINDEMANN. *   NINA SIN  ⢠ TWENTY5  â˘Â  CELEB + SPN   [  ...  ]   INSPIRED BY JENNIFERâS BODY + HELTER SKELTER. SHARING BODY WITH A DEMON AFTER BEING SACRIFICED UNSUCCESSFULLY. CURRENTLY A FAMOUS MODEL.    [  ...  ]   PARK SOOYOUNG. *   PAVISHA  ⢠ UNKNOWN  ⢠ SPN   [  ...  ]   FORGOTTEN DEITY OF ART + CREATIVITY. HAS ANONYMOUSLY RUN A FAMOUS ART GALLERY FOR CENTURIES.   [  ...  ]   SIMONE ASHLEY. *   RANDALL BAEK  ⢠ TWENTY6  ⢠ SPN + MULT VERSES AVAIL.   [  ...  ]   HALF DEMON DRUMMER IN A BAND. ONLY ANSWERS TO THE NAME JINX.   [  ...  ]   JUNG JAEWON. *   ROSETTE HARRISON  ⢠ TWENTY4  ⢠ CELEB   [  ...  ]   DAUGHTER OF CELEBRITIES. TRYING TO MAKE HER OWN NAME AS AN ACTRESS.  [  ...  ]   MADELYN CLINE. *   SAIRA JOSHI  ⢠ TWENT9  ⢠ CELEB   [  ...  ]  EMPLOYED AT RESEARCH INSTITUTE. AFFILIATED WITH GROUP VERSE.  [  ...  ]   PARVEEN KAUR. *   PAXTON  HILL  ⢠ TWENT4  ⢠ HORROR?   [  ...  ]   CAREFREE  ACTOR  +  MODEL.  [  ...  ]   AUBREY  JOSEPH. *   TANVI GOWDA  ⢠ VERSE DEPENDENT  ⢠ MULT VERSES AVAIL.   [  ...  ]   SNARKY LAW ATTORNEY WITH A STRONG PERSONALITY.  [  ...  ]   POOJA HEDGE. *   VANESSA  THOMAS  ⢠ THIRTY6  ⢠ CRIME   [  ...  ]   CRIMINAL  MINDS  BASED.  FBI  PROFILER.  [  ...  ]   JESSICA  LUCAS. *   WINNIE  SOWE  ⢠ TWENTY1  ⢠ HORROR ,  AU  VERSES  AVAIL.   [  ...  ]  INSPIRED  BY  THE  FINAL  GIRL  CONCEPT.  INFO  DEPENDS  ON  VERSE  /  UNIVERSE  SHEâS  PLACED  IN.  [  ...  ]   YANDEH  SALLAH. *   ZION JONES  â˘Â  TWENTY2  ⢠ SLICE OF LIFE   [  ...  ]   MED SCHOOL STUDENT TRYING TO FIND HIMSELF. AFF WITH GROUP VERSE.  [  ...  ]   JONATHAN DAVISS.
CANONÂ MUSE Â LIST.
*   BETTY COOPER  ⢠ ARCHIE COMICS  ⢠ HC BASED   [  ...  ]   MULT VERSES AVAIL. WRITTEN FROM SENIOR YEAR HIGH SCHOOL - UNIVERSITY LIFE.  [  ...  ]   SAMANTHA LOGAN. *   BUFFY SUMMERS  ⢠ BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER  â˘Â  TESTING   [  ...  ]   PRIMARILY BASED IN EARLY SEASONS. MULT VERSES AVAIL.   [  ...  ]   SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR. *   CHOYEON JIN  ⢠ ALCHEMY OF SOULS  ⢠ TESTING   [  ...  ]   MODERN VERSE AVAIL. PRIMARILY FOLLOWS EVENTS OF THE SHOW.   [  ...  ]   CHOI YAEWON. *   DAWN SUMMERS  ⢠ BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER  ⢠ HC BASED   [  ...  ]   MULT VERSES AVAIL. PRIMARILY SET IN AU VERSES.   [  ...  ]   MICHELLE TRACHTENBERG + DANIELLE ROSE RUSSELL. *   DANG-GU PARK  ⢠ ALCHEMY OF SOULS  ⢠ TESTING   [  ...  ]   MODERN  VERSE  AVAIL.  PRIMARILY  FOLLOWS  EVENTS  OF  THE  SHOW.   [  ...  ]   YOO INSOO. *   KATE BISHOP  ⢠ HAWKEYE  ⢠ TESTING   [  ...  ]   PRIMARILY BASED ON THE MARVEL SHOW.   [  ...  ]   KAYLEE BRYANT. *   IRIS WEST  ⢠ THE FLASH  ⢠ HC BASED   [  ...  ]   STOPPED WATCHING THE SHOW FOREVER AGO SO PRIMARILY HC BASED.  [  ...  ]   CANDICE PATTON. *   RAPUNZEL  ⢠ TANGLED + FAIRYTALES  ⢠ TESTING   [  ...  ]   PRIMARILY BASED AROUND MOVIE + HEADCANONS.   [  ...  ]  CHARITHRA CHANDRAN. *   SABRINA SPELLMAN  â˘Â  SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH + COMICS  ⢠ HC BASED   [  ...  ]   MULT VERSES AVAIL. INSPIRED BY THE SITCOM + VARIOUS COMICS.   [  ...  ]   EMILY ALYN LIND + SABRINA CARPENTER. *   NORVILLE ROGERS  ⢠ SCOOBY DOO  ⢠ HC BASED   [  ...  ]   INSPIRED BY THE MOVIES + HEAVILY HC BASED.  [  ...  ]   FELIX MALLARD. *   TALIA BURNS  ⢠ FIRST KILL  â˘Â  TESTING   [  ...  ]   PRIMARILY BASED IN AU UNIVERSES.  [  ...  ]   AUBIN WISE. *   TANDY BOWEN  ⢠ CLOAK & DAGGER  ⢠ HC BASED   [  ...  ]   HEAVILY BASED AROUND THE SHOW. AVAIL. FOR AU VERSES.   [  ...  ]   OLIVIA HOLT + MADELYN LCINE. *   YUL SEO  ⢠ ALCHEMY OF SOULS  ⢠ TESTING   [  ...  ]   MODERN  VERSE  AVAIL.  PRIMARILY  FOLLOWS  EVENTS  OF  THE  SHOW.   [  ...  ]   HWANG MINHYUN.
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Indie highly-selective RP Blog for Faith Lehane originally of BtVS/AtS (25+++)
multimuse blog | CARRD | my manips | rp memes | rules | Desktop Site
Discord available by request
Faith is Heavily Crossover and AU Based and will bring her Slayer skills to RP in your world. Many alternate verses including, TVD/TO, SPN and Stranger Things New verse coming soon: The Boys
OC's and different fandoms welcomed. AUs adored.
21+ Over Only as this blog may contain adult subject matter.
Please see Carrd for more information
*Blog and Caard are updated as of 04/22/2024
Follows from Irreparably Broken Souls Multimuse Blog come from @faiththesinfulslayer
Highly Affiliated with:
@malka-lisitsa, @multi-royalty @reformed-serial-killer
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I've abandoned stories before, but mostly because of loss of interest or I moved on to another Fandom.
But I've decided to abandon my spn pro ship bang story. It was going too slowly. I feel like it's a sign that I can't finish the story like I hoped for.
I wrote 38.7K of story and no; it wasn't close to the ending. There is no audience for it.
It wouldn't matter either way. So my SPN Royalty AU, In True Love's Shadow, is abandoned... with the smallest potential that I'll return to it. But I'm still upset about it and I don't want to work on it and feel like I'm rubbing salt into a wound. It hurts too much now.
I love the story, but I just... got so overwhelmed and my desire to complete the story has vanished pretty much.
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#IFTTT#AO3 works tagged 'Castiel/Dean Winchester'#Destiel#ao3feed#ao3feed Destiel#Destiel fanfic#Dean Winchester/Castiel#Castiel/Dean Winchester#Dean x Castiel#Castiel x Dean
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God, the look on everyone's faces here tho speaks volumes! Seriously consider the fact that out of all 5 of them there, John is the only one saying and thinking this and he's also the only one who's actually not had any real experience with the damage that monsters can have on your life. Realistically, he here has no true personal stake or motivation that would get him this black and white about hunting monsters. Henry is dead sure, but at this point it's be a life time and also it's still unsure how he died so for John to immediately make the decision that all monster, no matter what kind or what they do are just evil and irredeemable is telling to me. It means he already has this black and white mentality instilled in him, he already opperates on a us vs them mentality, and that is very dangerous. This scene also makes something else clear for me. If a hunting royalty like the Campbell's (aka Mary here) is this disturbed by John's reaction, then it further makes sense why SPN!John isolates both his kids and himself from other hunters. And that's still only a tiny percentage of them really, because the hunting generation SPN!John is a part of very much operates itself with an us vs them mentality. But we see that this older, more nuanced view of monsters isn't a spnwin AU only thing, because SPN!Samuel, for all his maaaany flaws, still had this sort of disturbed reaction to some of Sam's more black and white, cold decisions.
Anyways, my point here is, John and the hunters that SPN!John hunts with, that generation after Azazel gets rid of the Campbell's and others like them, have a veeery different approach to hunting that is far more dangerous. Like I genuinely think if season 3 Sam was living in the hunting sphere of like spnwin then he wouldn't have had other hunters tracking him down and trying to kill him juat because of rumors. But he didn't have that, he had hunters from SPN!John's generations and with John's (spn and spnwin) attitude toward the supernatural.
Anyways this is part 1 of ? of my "BMOL and hunters are really the same problem and that made s12 a chore to watch". I will at some point do more of this.
Well, I'm guessing whatever the Akrida's doing to lure monsters to Lawrence is bringing [Tony] here.
#spnwin#john#john meta#i guess#more so the state of hunting#son#i still hate john winchester#but this new fella can maybe learn to do better#we hope
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