The Pendragon Palace was abuzz with preparations for the Crown Princess's return and birthday celebration. Servants darted through the halls, arranging floral decorations, setting up grand banquet tables, and ensuring the ballroom gleamed under the light of countless crystal chandeliers. Musicians tuned their instruments, practicing the pieces that they would play as the Crown Princess entered the hall later that evening. Yet, while the palace was alive with energy, their princesswas decidedly not.
In her chambers, Artizea lay sprawled across her bed, still in the attire she had worn the night before. The faint smell of wine clung to her. A familiar chirp brought a mix of warmth and frustration to her chest, which swiftly changed to annoyance at a dull repetitive sound of thunk thunk thunk, which meant the stupid bird was pecking at her window. She shuffled her way across her room, squinting in preparation for opening her curtains an inch or two so that she could open the window without blinding herself with the day's bright sun. Her hands found the windowsill, and with a tired grunt of effort, Artizea opened the window to allow Fin to hop in, his beady eyes scanning the room.
"What do you want?" she demanded, her tone sharp but not unkind.
Fin cooed and fluffed his feathers, then tilted his head to the left, a mischievous gleam shining in them. "Welcome back, your Highness! And Happy Birthday!" He flipped his head to the opposite direction, "Is your… blood pressure alright? Anger levels… below critical?" he asked hesitantly
Artizea, however, was unimpressed. She folded her arms, leaning most of her weight on her left leg, and was tapping the foot of the other. "If you only came here to harass me, then go back to your master, spy!" She spat the last word like a curse.
"Spy?" Fin squawked, clearly offended. His feathers were raised, and his wings splayed open. "I am a freelance Genius! Remember the title assigned to me by your own genius brother!" He crowed. He hopped and twirled around, stalking forward and backward in agitation.
She rolled her eyes. "What if I paid you to leave?"
"I have been paid in advance to stay!"
She sighed dramatically, plunging right back into bed, "I beg you— Go away… please." She pleaded, pressing her hands together in a prayer.
"You know, there is someone else who is really sorry—I wager if you asked him, he would beg on his knees—"
"Out—" she snapped, sitting up swiftly and throwing an arm up, pointing to the window.
Fin gave her a long, searching look before reluctantly taking off.
She flopped onto bed with a lack of grace, limbs splayed apart and hair messy, hoping to get some rest. Sadly, just when she thought she would drift back to Wonderland, a wave of nausea hit her. Shit! She cursed to herself as she carefully rolled onto her side, moving pillows around until she could recline on them in a somewhat sitting position but still feel as though she were lying down. A bloody hangover— Great! She had just gotten comfortable. She threw an arm over her eyes and a hand to rest on her rebelling stomach when her door swung open.
"Good morning!" Elaine chirped happily as she peeked into the room, her expression a mix of concern and amusement. "Good gods in hell, how much have you had other drinks…"
She groaned, rolling onto her stomach and burying her face in the pillow.
But Elaine wasn't deterred. She marched to the windows and threw the curtains open, letting in the sunlight. The sudden brightness made Artizea wince, pulling the blanket over her head.
"Come on," Elaine cooed, yanking the blanket away. "You can't sleep through your birthday. Everyone is expecting you to make an entrance that says 'Future Queen,' not 'the wicked witch of the east.' Though she will be coming as well, and I bet she will still look presentable."
Arthur appeared at the door, leaning casually against the frame with a smirk. "How's our birthday girl holding up?"
"Like a sack of potatoes…" Elaine replied, then turned around and hugged Arthur. "Happy Birthday, brother!"
Artizea groaned into a pillow. She raised her head half an inch. "Go awayyy." If she heard the word birthday one more time, she thought.
"Fine…" Elaine muttered, slowly turning to leave, though upon hearing shuffling footsteps, she tilted her head upward, only to still.
"You always did hate birthdays."
Artizea's entire body went still at the new yet familiar voice. Her eyes shot open. Her head snapped up. For a heartbeat, she did not believe it.
Standing in the doorway, wrapped in a simple cloak, eyes filled with warmth and tears—
Madeline.
The woman she once trusted more than anyone. The maid who had brushed her hair, or scolded her for skipping breakfast, who kept her secrets, and was a victim of the gods.
She remembered it like it was yesterday, the day betrayal consumed the palace.
Artizea sat up slowly, heart pounding. "Mads…?"
Madeline smiled gently. "Artizea—"
The lack of a title shattered her.
Artizea stood on shaky legs, crossed the room in three steps, and collapsed into her arms with a sob that stole the air.
They clung to each other like no time had passed. Only time had passed—months of silence, of doubt, of grief. Of thinking she'd been left by the one person who knew the real her.
"I missed you so much," Artizea whispered through fresh tears, stuttering, "I should have known better—I-i should have—"
Madeline squeezed her tighter like she used to when they were teenagers. "You did what you thought was best."
Artizea pulled back, "Were you hurt?" She managed, immediately putting a hand to her mouth, then ran to the bath, scrubbing away the vomit-stained from her mouth.
Madeline shook her head. "What did I miss?" She asked gently of Elaine.
"She fell in love with an asshole…" Elaine mumbled.
Then came a deep whistle from the corner. "Alright! That is my cue." Arthur exclaimed as he shot from lounging in a chair in haste to escape from yet another conversation; he nearly tripped Elaine, who was already halfway out the door.
Eugene stood last, watching with calm eyes. He glanced at Madeline, the two having a conversation without words. Her eyes softened, and his lips upturned in a satisfied smile. She nodded once—thank you. He inclined his head in return. His mission was complete. He had atoned for the secrecy. He brought Madeline home. The door clicked shut behind them, leaving just Artizea and Madeline.
"Oh…" Artizea muttered, sitting up slowly and rubbing her temples. "Eric is—" she began horribly.
"He is dead… I know," Madeline finished upon stepping into the room, carrying a tray with a steaming cup of tea and a bowl of soup. "Here, Eugene said it would make sure you recover in time, with your Father sparing no expense for tonight—"
"I killed someone." Artizea blurted out.
Madeline froze mid-pour, the tea still steaming between them.
"Oh—and I have these." Artizea dragged her fingers across the table. Her claws extended with a quiet, vicious scrape. "I am officially a freak of nature. And the asshole I fell in love with—who I thought loved me despite all these… implications—was secretly trying to kill me the entire time I've been fucking him. So—yeah."
Madeline did not blink. She merely set the teapot down and studied the claws as though Artizea had shown her a new pair of jewelry, speaking of jewelry, "And what is the necklace for?" she asked softly. "It is pretty."
Artizea's breath hitched. He gave it to me. She wanted to say. Instead, she swallowed hard, tugged the pendant lightly between her fingers. "It… helps. This." She had no plans of elaborating on anything further.
Madeline passed her a teacup. Artizea took it with trembling hands and sipped. The bitter herbs curled across her tongue, making her grimace.
"I was assaulted," Madeline said quietly. "By my former employer… ever since I woke up in their city with no idea how I even got there."
Artizea froze.
Madeline swallowed then continued, "All I knew was that there was no going back home. I did not understand why, but it dawned upon me, seeking the reason would not help me just as much as I knew there would be a fair trial for me. So I worked. And I worked. And I worked…Until the second prince found me," she exhaled shakily as she took a cup of tea, "I've been spending time in the library with him ever since I heard of your departure upon my return. It took me time to feel normal again," she murmured. "I'm sure it took you time, too." She finally met Artizea's eyes.
"May I ask something of you, Maddie?" Artizea finally asked.
"Anything, my lady—"
"Artizea," she corrected softly. "… Just Artizea."
Madeline nodded. "Artizea…"
"Can we be friends? Forever?"
Madeline blinked, startled, then Artizea suddenly rose and wrapped her in a tight hug, forgetting the tea.
"I would not have it any other way, Artizea," Madeline whispered into her shoulder.
Artizea pulled back, then sniffled, "What is the hour?" she asked softly.
"Half past noon," Madeline said. "Which gives you just enough time to sober up, bathe, and let the attendants fuss over you until you look like the Crown Princess again."
"Why?" She groaned.
"Because you are royalty…" she said, setting the tray down. "And because tonight is not just about you, but about the entire realm celebrating their future monarch, and their First prince, even if they don't know it." She winked, then clapped her hands, summoning the attendants waiting outside. "Let us get to work, ladies. We have got a princess to transform," she exclaimed. At once, the attendants swarmed the room.
Artizea rolled her eyes but did not argue. She knew Madeline was right, and she also knew she was in her element again.