Chapter Text
It’s been a few days since the boys entered a book out of guilt, also because Grandpa Ralph made them super busy. They decided to do a book when they finally had free time and Grandpa was out of the house for yoga class.
“No Dorkin! I'm not doing your cheesy grocery store romance novel.” Chase huffed.
“You hardly have to do anything, plus you’ll be alone with Buddy to talk to him and make up before he officially meets Prunella.” Deacon said with a matter-of-fact tone, “Look, I get that you don’t like my books, but we don’t have any other books to do, just this once, Chase, please.” He practically had sparkles in his eyes.
Chase looks at his cousin’s expression before finally giving in. ‘At least there aren't any boats in this one.’ He thought to himself while shaking his head. “Fine, we can do it, just this once.” He had a small smile on his face when his cousin started beaming.
So, with that, the boys look towards the keys. “Ready Silver?” Chase said as he held out a hand for the small silver woman to step on. “Oh, yes!” She nodded, then stepped on his hand while lifting the hem of her skirt.
“I wish you the best of luck on getting in Buddy’s good graces, but before you go, I have something that I’d like for you to give to Buddy so he can deliver it to Violet.” She pulls out a small letter and holds it up to him. “It does not give out our location or any information about us. I just want Violet to know we’re safe and all well.”
He grabbed the letter with his other hand, “ You bet, I'll make him take it if I have to.” He puts the letter in his pocket, then gives her his award-winning smile and a thumbs up.
Silver then turns into a key, then Chase looks at Deacon and Prunella, “You guys ready?” The two turn to face him, then at their keyple, with a ‘pop’ , they both nod.
Chase grabs the book, The Jest of Forbidden Love, then sticks his key in the book then disappears with a white flash; the other two follow shortly after.
Chase appears in a carriage with a fancy-looking man wearing a burgundy embroidered tunic, accompanied by a long flowing cloak lined with silk ornate fabric, fastened with a jeweled brooch at the shoulder. Beneath, he had on a white linen shirt with puffed sleeves, accented by a wide belt adorned with intricate metalwork. He also has on knee-length breeches and polished leather boots, along with a matching beret adorned with feathers. He is also reading a book called The Chronicles of Valor and Shadows . Chase looks at the book the man was holding and stifles his laughter ‘Sounds like something Dorkin would read.’ He glances back at the man’s hat ‘Geez, got enough feathers there, pal.’ Chase sighs, ‘At how slow this carriage is, I could probably count the feathers on that beret and still not be done when the carriage stops, that seems to boring though so imma pass.’
He looks down at his outfit to see that the ensemble features a charming light pink and cream diamond-checkered tunic with a matching jester's collar, each point adorned with fluffy white cotton balls. The cream-colored bell sleeves cinch at the wrist as well as flare out gracefully. Below, light pink pants with subtle cream stripes complete the look. Instead of a full jester hat, he sports half of one in coordinating colors, with jingling bells at the ends, adding a whimsical touch to this elegant ensemble that captures the playful spirit of a jester. To finish it off, he wears a pair of short boots with small heels that match the outfit perfectly, crafted in a soft pink hue, complementing the overall charming aesthetic. ‘Wow, Silver! I look adorable as always. I have to remember to get you some more cheese pretzels.’
He looks back at Mr. Fancy Man, “So where are we going?” Mr. Fancy Man looks up at him, away from his book, looking very grumpy. He responds, “Well, since you are so dimwitted, I guess I’ll tell you.” He looks away from Chase, who looks very offended, back to his book, “We are going to see her majesty, whom you’ll be entertaining.” He opens the book and goes back to reading.
Chase shifts his expression from offended to confused, “What about the King? Isn’t he supposed to be there too?” Mr. Fancy Man did not like that, then proceeded to snap at Chase, “You fool!” he spat, “You are not supposed to mention the late king, nor do you ever mention it around the queen.” He glared at Chase, then returned to reading his book. ‘Geez, man, I didn’t mean to offend you. Deacon didn’t give me notes for this book. OH MY GOD I JUST REALIZED I DIDN’T GET THE NOTES!! Ughhh, Chasey, you idiot.’ He mentally kicks himself for forgetting. Chase moves the curtain to look out the window to see the castle slowly approaching, but instead of the ones he’s used to, the air is thick with grayness, a twilight that suggests tears yet holds back the weeping. Dark vines twist up the decaying walls, mirroring despair. The castle looms like a specter of grief, its stones steeped in melancholy, wrapped in a mournful embrace of a long-forgotten past.
Suddenly, the carriage screeches to a halt. After a few minutes the door swings open, jolting Chase out of his thoughts. Mr. Fancy Man goes out first, then Chase follows. A maid is holding her hand out to help Chase down. Chase grabs her hand, then lets go when he’s on the last step. The castle loomed taller than Chase had imagined, its imposing silhouette cutting sharply against the murky twilight. Towering spires reached skyward like the fingers of a giant hand, their once-majestic peaks cloaked in a shroud of mist, giving them an otherworldly aura. Thick, dark vines curled around the weathered stone walls, weaving a tapestry of decay and neglect, as if nature herself were desperate to reclaim what had been lost.
Gargoyles, grim and watchful, perched on the ledges, their faces twisted in eternal disdain, as if guarding the castle from intruders—and perhaps from the sorrow that lay within. The deep-set windows, smeared with grime, reflected little light, casting eerie shadows across the ground, while the heavy iron gates, rusting yet still formidable, seemed to whisper secrets of the past with every gust of the chilly wind.
He felt the atmosphere thick with an almost palpable sadness, as if the very air was laden with unspoken stories and lingering grief. The once-vibrant colors of the castle had faded into muted tones, a palette of gray, blue, and hints of once-bright hues long gone. Crumbling battlements lined the roof, bearing the scars of time, while twisted ivy clung desperately to the stone as if seeking solace in the remnants of what was.
The courtyard before him was strewn with dry leaves, rustling softly underfoot, and the scent of damp earth mixed with the faint trace of something sweetly decayed floated around him. There was no cheerful chatter, no laughter that usually echoed in grand halls—only the haunting whisper of the wind, telling tales of a happier past that lingered like a ghost among the shadows.
Chase took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest as he stood in the foreboding light of the castle, feeling the weight of its history settle around him. He couldn't shake the sensation that the very stones held memories of what had once thrived here, and now, they awaited whatever came next—him, a jester destined to brighten a place steeped in gloom. Mr. Fancy Man snaps him out of the eerie feeling, “Come now, her majesty requests an audience with you,” he calls out while walking away. Chase scurries after him to catch up.
“So why does the whole castle look so…gloomy?” Chase questions trying to find out more about the story.
Mr. Fancy Man scoffs at him, “You imbecile, the people are still mourning the late king.” he glares at Chase again, then looks away. Chase tilts his head in confusion. “Then why did you guys hire a jester?”
The man looks at him like he had just offended his whole bloodline, “You fool, don’t question her majesty's orders.” Chase nods at him, then looks back at the castle and the surrounding flowers. He can’t help but feel… off . It seems as if he’s walking into his own grave. He brushes off the feeling, an attempt to calm down, but he still can’t help like he’s being watched . He looks around multiple times, but to no avail; it’s only him and Mr. Fancy Man.
They finally finish walking down the dim, eerie halls, where shadows flickered on the cold stone walls, towards the imposing throne room. His heart is still pounding against, but he isn’t sure why. Could it be because of how the castle makes him feel, or is it because he knows Buddy is on the other side of those doors? The guards open the doors with a loud ‘creeek’ . The air seemed only to get even more dense like it was pushing Chase down into his own grave, punishing him for something he didn’t do. Or was it the fact that he didn’t do something, and this is the book's way of telling him that? Chase looks up to see Buddy up on a throne with one of his legs crossed over the other, he doesn’t even acknowledge Chase. Even from a distance, his eyes look… so hurt, like he’s been cut so deeply and doesn't know how to come back from it. He looks as if he’s lost everything important to him, comparable to his whole world being just too far out of reach.
The room resonates with an eerie hollowness, accentuated by the towering tapestries that depict the regal lineage of past kings and queens, their embroidered faces frozen in time. Stoic guards stand sentinel along the walls, their armor glinting in the dim light. A luxurious deep red carpet, adorned with intricate gold trims, flows like a river of royal grace leading up to the imposing throne perched atop a few elegant steps. Behind the throne, heavy, dark red curtains hang heavily, their fabric suggestive of secrets lurking just out of sight, waiting to be unveiled.
Chase swallows the lump in his throat, the eerie silence feels like it will engulf him. The more he’s in this room, the more he feels like he wants to throw up; the room feels suffocating, but he doesn’t dare speak.
Mr. Fancy Man is the first to speak. He clears his throat, catching everyone's attention, “Your majesty, I have brought the jester you have asked for,” he motions to Chase. Buddy glances at Chase for a second before returning his attention to Mr. Fancy Man. Buddy opens his mouth to speak but closes it and presses his lips into a thin line. He takes a deep breath, then speaks, “Everyone out.” He speaks with a steady voice, yet beneath the clarity, there’s a haunting undertone of sorrow that colors his words.
Chase lets out a deep breath. When was he holding his breath? Then finally speaks, “Wait, please. I’d like to request a private audience with the queen.” His voice trembles with desperation, as if this moment is his last chance to pour out everything he's held inside.
Buddy sighs, turning his attention to Chase, “Fine, but it must be quick, I’m quite busy. Everyone else is dismissed.”
Chase lets out a breath of relief as everyone else walks out of the room. He slightly hears Mr. Fancy Man mutter something under his breath about “What’s so special about this jester, took me months to get an audience with the queen.” The doors crept shut, then fully closed with a ‘thud’ . Buddy sighs then spoke, “What do you wish to talk about?” His voice carries a weight of authority, yet beneath it lies a subtle tremor of sorrow.
“I-I just… I just want to say that I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have kept it a secret from you. I was going to tell you about it… and I’m really sorry I didn’t tell you about Prunella. I just- Deacon said we shouldn’t tell you because you might get in trouble with Ex Libris, and I didn’t want them to try to drag it out of you because it’s not fair to you. I didn’t wanna go along with it… But I also couldn’t bring myself to put you on the spot like that…Deacon said it was for the best, though I know that doesn’t change anything. Buddy, you can still trust me, I swear y-”
“That’s all I ever hear from you, Isn’t it” Buddy snapped, “The same old tune over and over, I’m sick of it! All I ever hear from you is “you can trust me!” “you can trust me!” “you can trust me!” His hands clench into fists so hard that his knuckles turn white, while his nails dig into the palm of his hand. “You’re so adamant that I can trust you, but you can’t even trust me ! What did you think I was going to do to a kid ?! I’m a villaness, not a monster .” He took a deep breath, then sits back down on the throne, releasing his clenched fist as he did. He hadn’t even realized that he stood up. When did he stand up?
Chase winces; he knows Buddy was right, he shouldn’t have assumed anything. “I-I’m sorry, it wasn’t my intention- I do trust you, I’ll try to make it up to you, I promise .” his voice is soft, it has an undertone of sadness and regret.
“Just leave me be, I wish to be alone.” He speaks so softly that Chase thinks it is almost a whisper, yet he hears the words so clearly, sensing the exhaustion and sorrow in his voice.
Chase nods his head then turns around to leave the room. Just as the door was about to close, he hears soft sobs coming from the raven-haired boy. Tears threaten to prick his own eyes as he hears the other boy's cries; a knot of guilt and regret twists in his stomach, making him feel nauseous, as if he might throw up right there.
Chase’s thoughts spin in a chaotic whirl as he navigates the dimly lit halls, each step weighted down by a suffocating mix of regret, sorrow, and guilt. With his head hanging low, he feels the weight of Buddy's absence like a heavy shroud. Every memory raced through his mind, each one twisted by regret, suffocating him with a sorrow that left no room for solace. The raven-haired boy’s words echo in his head like a haunting, sorrowful melody, each note tugging at his heart.
After a few minutes or hours of walking around, he can’t tell anymore, he was too caught up in his head, he hears a voice that snaps him out of his trance. He rushes over to where he hears someone, but stops once he realizes who is talking, It’s Buddy? Chase peaks around the corner, to see Buddy talking to… a raven?
“I just don’t know what to do with him, I mean, after everything, I thought he’d never show up again; part of me wished he didn’t, but another part of me was hopeful that he would. Do you think he truly meant what he said?” Buddy sighs, and the raven pats his shoulder in sympathy.
“I know I’m being stupid… It’s just- I thought I could finally trust someone again.” He pauses for a moment before continuing, “Do you think I should give him another chance? I mean, he’s given me another chance, I-I just don’t know.”
The raven responds with a soft “Caw!” Then Buddy… nods his head? Can he speak with animals now?
“Yeah, you’re right, maybe I should try to give him another chance. I’ll have to talk to him later.”
Chase takes a deep breath while trying to process what he just heard. ‘Is Buddy actually giving me another chance?’ Chase smiles softly at the thought, but quickly snaps out of it when he realizes he needs to ask where his room is. He takes a few steps back, then walks around the corner.
“Heyyyy Buddy,” Chase says nervously, “Um, so I don’t know where to go and I couldn’t find anyone…” his voice trailing off. Buddy sighs, then turns around. Finally, Chase can see what kind of outfit Buddy is wearing.
He’s dressed in a sleek black turtleneck that fits snugly, accentuating his form. Around his neck hangs a silver necklace featuring a detailed raven, glinting subtly in the light. His dangling raven earrings, also silver, sway slightly with his movements, adding to his mysterious allure. His tight black jeans hug his legs perfectly, paired with a bold statement belt that complements the outfit. Knee-high leather boots, polished to a shine, complete his look, exuding a captivating blend of elegance and darkness that makes him impossible to ignore.
Chase looks up at the raven-haired boy, his heart sinking. The boy's eyes, rimmed in red and puffy from recent tears, glistened with unshed sorrow. Chase's stomach ache of guilt twists, making him feel small.
Buddy walks closer to Chase, noticing Chase's look on his face, he cups Chase’s cheek, making him look up at him. “I’ll forgive you if you bring me more chocolate bars than last time and do the story properly.” Chase was practically beaming with how happy that sentence made him. Buddy chuckles, then lets go of the blonde’s face.
“Did you seriously not read the book?” Chase shakes his head.
“I forgot to get the notes from Deacon.” Chase laughs nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.
Buddy sighs, “Follow me, Idiot.” Chase looks back up at Buddy, beaming, smiling from ear to ear. Buddy turns around so Chase couldn’t see the slight pink hue on his face, but Chase could see it from the pink in his ears. Chase giggles, then walks up next to Buddy as he starts walking away. “Thank you,” Chase says so softly that Buddy thinks he’d imagined it.
“For what?” Buddy looks at the blonde in confusion, raising one eyebrow.
“For thinking about forgiving me, I- to be honest, I thought you wouldn’t want to see me again.” Chase chuckles, “So, thank you.” He turns his head to face the raven-haired boy, giving a soft smile.
“Y-you’re welcome, little idiot,” Buddy turns his head away from the blonde in an attempt to hide the pink hue deepening on his face.
They walk in silence for a few minutes, besides Chase’s occasional humming of random pop songs stuck in his head. Buddy finally speaks up, “So, do you know anything about this book?”
Chase stops humming, then looks at him, “No, I forgot what Deacon told me, all I know is that I’m a jester, you're the evil queen, and the king is dead.” Chase shrugs, “Is there something really important that's going to happen soon?” Chase tilts his head at Buddy.
“It was supposed to be a romance novel between the queen and the jester, but they gave up on that and instead opted for her having a long-lost son as the love interest and hero. The plot’s… strange because of that. Instead of rewriting the plot, they decided to just switch it out of nowhere. I’m telling you this because it’s plot important-(that's definitely the only reason)- but there will be some… romantic scenes between the queen and jester later on.” Chase’s face heats up, and he just nods, turning away from the goth.
They continue to walk in silence for a few more minutes before Buddy stops in front of a dark oak door.
“Well, this is your room, so I’ll go now.” But as he was walking away, he felt a tug on his arm
“Do you think we could talk tomorrow? There are a few things I want to tell you about,” Chase says in a soft voice.
Buddy nods, “Oh, sure, is it important?” Chase nods.
“It’s a few warnings about the kid and how Deacon will act. I want to talk to you about it tomorrow because the sun is setting,” he nods to the windows, “I mean, unless you want to have a sleepover.” Chase giggles
Buddy’s face went fully red, you’d think he were trying to imitate a ripe tomato. “N-no, that’s quite alright, I should get going now.” The goth rushes away in a panic, leaving the blonde hunched over, laughing.
After a few minutes, he stops laughing, wipes his eyes, and then walks inside the room to see that a soft orange glow is covering the room. As well as a bed with what looks like a million pillows. Chase takes this as an opportunity to nap; he throws off his shoes and hat, then jumps on the bed with a soft ‘thwup’. Chase wiggles around on the bed to get comfortable on the pillows then grabs one and falls into a deep sleep.
As night envelops the world, a sudden ‘crash’ echoes from the balcony, shattering the stillness. The eerie sound of breaking glass seeps into the room, wrapping the air in a chilling foreboding.