Chapter Text
The heavy doors of the throne room creaked shut behind you as the guards escorted you back to the prince’s chamber.
Your mind raced, the king’s requisition echoing in your mind:
'uncover the secret of the princes’ nightly escapades or face execution.'
The weight of the task pressed down on you, but the thought of being forced into marriage with one of the twelve brothers, if you succeeded, felt just as suffocating.
You clutched the tattered edges of your clothes, your heart pounding as the guards pushed you into the familiar room with twelve beds.
The princes were already there, lounging in various states of casual disarray.
Imagine having a huge castle only to have your twelve children in one chamber.
No wonder, why the princes sneak out at night.
Some sprawled across their beds, others leaned against the walls, and a few whispered among themselves.
Their eyes snapped to you the moment you entered; their stares were a mix of curiosity, amusement, and something predatory, flickering in their gazes.
The youngest, the golden-curled prince, sat up, his pillow still clutched tightly as he blinked at you.
Caspian, the dark-haired prince with the sly smirk, was the first to move, sauntering toward you with a lazy grace.
"Well, well, our little intruder returns," Caspian drawled, his green eyes glinting with mischief.
He stopped a mere step away, close enough that you could feel the warmth of his presence.
"Father's given you a job, has he not? To spy on us?" You stiffen, forcing your expression to remain neutral.
"I'm not spying," you said carefully, meeting his gaze.
"I'm just…here to observe. The king wants to know where you go at night."
A ripple of laughter spread through the room. The broad-shouldered Prince Reginald, still gripping the candelabra like a weapon, snorted.
"Observe? That’s a polite way of saying you’re his newest hound, sniffing after our secrets."
"Reginald, don’t scare her," said a softer voice. A prince with auburn hair and kind hazel eyes stepped forward, offering you a gentle smile.
"I'm Leopold, by the way. Don’t mind my brothers. They are not used to guests."
He extended a hand, and you hesitated before shaking it, his grip warm and steady.
"You must be exhausted after whatever brought you here. Sit, please." He gestured to a plush chair near one of the beds, and you sat cautiously, hyper-aware of the twelve pairs of eyes watching your every move.
The youngest prince, shuffled closer, his wide blue eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"I'm Felix," he chirped.
"Nice to meet you, Felix, I'm (Y/n)." You say, making him blush and hide his face in the pillow.
"Running from something?" Caspian leaned against the bedpost nearest you, crossing his arms, his smirk widening.
"A girl like you, tumbling into strange places sounds like quite a story. Care to share it with us?"
You shifted uncomfortably, unsure how much to reveal.
"It's complicated. I just need to figure out what's going on here and stay alive."
Leopold tilted his head, his expression softening.
"You don’t need to worry about that. We won’t let Father hurt you."
He shot a glance at his brothers, some of whom nodded, while others like Reginald scoffed.
"Speak for yourself, Leopold," Reginald grunted, setting the candelabra down with a clank.
"She’s here to rat us out. Why should we trust her?" He stepped closer, towering over you, his broad frame intimidating.
But then he crouched, bringing his face level with yours, his dark eyes searching.
"Unless, you would rather be on our side, huh? Ignore Father’s little mission and be with us?"
"I will help you," you said, your voice firm despite the nervous flutter in your chest.
Opinions swam through the princes, surprise, intrigue, and a few skeptical grunts.
You raised a hand to silence them, your resolve hardening. "But on one condition," Alfred smirks, his blue eyes glinting with amusement as he leans closer, his elbow still propped against the bedpost.
"A condition, huh? I like a girl with a spine. Go on, (Y/n), and name your price."
You swallowed, glancing from Alfred’s teasing grin to Leopold’s gentle, encouraging nod.
Even Reginald, still crouched before you, arched a brow, his intimidating presence softening slightly with interest.
You took a deep breath, steadying yourself.
"My condition is simple," you said, your tone unwavering.
"You tell me the truth, where you go at night, why your shoes are worn through by morning, what you’re hiding from your father. No lies, no half-answers. If I'm risking my life to help you, I need to know exactly what I’m getting into."
You thought you would get a long complicated story.
But their answer is shocking.
"We slip away at night to an enchanted underground palace, where we dance with twelve princesses under the weight of a curse."
You lean back in your chair, sighing softly.
"If only I could break curses, I would have broken yours."
While making that wish, you don't know that there is someone who is spying on you.
🎠🎠🎠
"Isn't that Maleficent's little bride?"
"Indeed, she is, I must say, Maleficent's taste in women has surely changed."
"I would say she is too much for him."
The young, handsome fairy dressed in blue jokes before he and the fairy in red laugh in a rich, haughty manner.
"Now, now, there's no time for jokes, Weatherly, Florian, we need to focus on helping the poor thing."
The male versions of the three fairy godmothers 'from Sleeping Beauty' turn to each other.
"I think the only help we could give her is keeping her away from her psycho father and Maleficent."
"Her father, Alexander Liddell, is no small threat," Faune murmured.
"And Maleficent’s obsession with her is... troubling. She's caught in a web of curses and dangerous men."
Weatherly, the blue-clad fairy, twirled a strand of his dark hair, his lips curling into a mischievous grin.
"Then let's pluck her from that web, shall we? A damsel like her deserves a proper rescue, and I would wager we're the dashing heroes for the job."
Florian, draped in red, rolled his eyes but nodded.
"Agreed, but we must tread carefully. She's no ordinary girl"