A/N: Here's the long awaited royalty!au. Originally it was going to be a long oneshot. Then all the ideas started flowing free and I got a bit carried away, so now we're here! Expect more sometime in the future!


Addison was very observant. She always was. Everyone was always watching her, and she was always watching them.

She saw the way commoners treated each other—throwing piles of dirt or taking small children's toys from them. She saw the way everyone froze once they saw her and pretending like they weren't just bullying each other. She saw how the prostitutes and gutter cleaners looked at her with disgust and envy all at once. Most of all, she saw the Zombies, almost human but still not quite, treated worse than the gutter sweeps and prostitutes, worse than the homeless or the robbers.

Addison had a tendency to stare through the window as her and her parents rode through their kingdom. On a fateful Friday late in the Summer, they were returning back from a visit to a neighboring kingdom when she saw the little Zombie.

She was small and dirty and playing with sticks for heaven's sake. There were boys with her, kicking her and pushing her around and being all around cruel. It made Addison stomach curl and twist in the nastiest way.

"Stop the carriage," she demanded.

Her mother and father glanced at her worriedly. "What's pressing you, Dear?"

"Those children out there," Addison said in a rush. She stood up from her seat and climbed out of the carriage.

"Addison," her father called. "We must be on our way. Leave them to their own accords."

Addison turned to speak to them through the open window. "I see an injustice and I act. As a queen would, I'm here to care for my people."

"They're Zombies."

"In four years, I will be crowned Queen of Seabrook. It will be my duty to do what is right for my people, and make all my decisions based off of my people. I will be a serving to my people. All my people, including the Zombies. Like it or not, I will not sit idly by while this unfairness continues in my soon-to-be kingdom. I will not allow it."

She turned on that note, marching toward the little Zombie and the three boys picking on her. Addison out on her most princess-like smile. The boys saw her and scampered a few feet away.

Addison didn't pay them any mind, instead crouching down to address the little girl. "Hi," she greeted with a smile.

The little girl looked up at her with fleeting eyes that soon turned wide was saucers. "H-hi," she stammered out. "You…you're Princess Addison."

"What's your name?"

"Zoey," she said quietly.

"Well Zoey, I couldn't help but notice how much fun you were having over here, playing with your toys."

If Zoey were human, she would have blushed. She just nodded sheepishly, casting her gaze downward. "I know it's not much," Addison went on. "But I think you might have more fun playing princess today."

"What!" one of the boys hissed.

Still, Addison didn't pay them any mind. She reached out and gently lifted Zoey's chin toward her. "I know people can be very mean, and it hurts a lot. But we can play princess today, and I can teach you how to continue with grace, and block out all the negativity they cast your way."

Zoey looked up at her with the most hopeful expression Addison had ever seen. It wasn't uncommon for the princess to show kindness toward the children within the kingdom, but no one had ever heard of her inviting anyone into the castle, especially not a Zombie.

"B-but, I'm a Zombie. I don't get to play princess." Zoey said sadly.

"No one can tell you what you can and can't be," Addison told her. "You can play princess, Zoey. The only question you have to ask yourself is if you want to play princess?"

Zoey nodded quietly, her eyes watering in happiness and excitement. "I want to play princess," she said in a voice barely above a whisper.

Addison smiled and stood up. "Let's go tell your parents," she said, offering Zoey her hand.

Zoey got out of the dirt, dusted her hands on her dress before taking the regal's hand and leading her into the small cottage.

"My father isn't home," Zoey told her. "But my bruger is. He takes care of me when Daddy's away for work."

"Will your father be back in time for dinner?" Addison asked. "I'd love to invite your entire family to join us."

Zoey gasped excitedly. "Daddy won't be back until tomorrow but Zed's gonna be so excited!"

"Zed's your brother?"

Zoey nodded. "Thank you so much! I never dreamed Princess Addison would play princess with me and let me stay at her castle for dinner!"

She opened the door and stepped inside. "Watch your step, Zed leaves his crap all over the place," Zoey Warner, before calling for her brother in Native Zombie Tongue. Addison could hear a faint response coming from deeper in the cottage.

Zoey pulled her through the main room, down a hallway before opening another door to what Addison quickly discovered was the washroom, if the Zombie in the middle, pulling up his tattered trousers and dripping water on the floor isn't obvious enough. Oddly enough, he's attractive in a way. His green hair is wet and dark, plaster against his pale forehead. He's got big, brown, kind looking eyes and a slight smile on his face. And his bare chest is tone and glistening in the water, with the candle and the small window casting beautiful shadows across his skin.

"Oh my," she find herself saying, casting her gaze to the ceiling unwillingly. He's attractive, sure, but she can't be with a Zombie. Beside the obvious reasons, she's a princess. Her parents were lenient enough to let her choose her own husband from the selection of suitable nobility they've shown her. They wouldn't even let her mingle with the commoners, let alone ogle a Zombie.

In the corner of her eye she saw the Zombie 'blush' and quickly drop to his knee. "Princess Addison," he greeted bashfully.

"At ease," Addison told him. "No need to bow to me in your own home."

"Well, you are royalty," he said with a shrug, getting back to his feet.

"So that's why there's a crown on my head, huh?"

The Zombie laughed albeit nervous and shifty. His sister spoke to him in Zombie Tongue and he blushed some more, reaching behind himself and picking up his shirt. "My apologies your Highness," he said as he redressed himself. "I wasn't expecting any visitors. Uh, my name is Zedekiah, often referred to as 'Zed'. May I ask why you're here?"

Addison gave a half smile. "I came by to invite you and your family to dinner tonight, with my own family," she offered. "I couldn't help but notice your sister playing outside alone, and figured she might have a more enjoyable time playing princess at the castle."

Zedekiah narrowed his eyes slightly. "Is…is this some ploy to exterminate all the Zombies? 'Cause that is sick."

Addison shook her head. "I would like it if you both came with my to the castle, for some fun and for supper."

"Please!" Zoey beamed from Addison's side. "I wanna play princess!"

Zoey's brother sighed and nodded slowly. He looked at Addison and asked, "Can you just give us a minute to grab a few things?"

Addison nodded and released the little girl's hand. "I'll be in the hall, whenever you're ready," she told them.

She smiled and stepped out of the room, pulling the door closed as she left. It didn't close all the way so she just left it as it was and stepped down the hall. Their cottage reeked of burning, ripe lime, crushed up leaves from medusagyne, and spoiled pig's milk, just like they did. It was the mixture a master of dark magic had created to keep Zombies 'normal' and stop them from eating brains.

It was a horrible and nasty smell. Addison had already invited them into her home though, which meant she'd have to adjust to the smell as long as they were around.


"You can climb on the back, I'll be with you in a second," Addison told them, before stepping up and into the carriage.

"What took you so long?" her mother asked.

"I've invited the little girl and her brother for dinner," Addison stated. "I will also teach the little girl a few lessons while the staff prepares for the extra mouths. In addition to this, I will ride with my guests in the back of the carriage."

She left before they could say anything.

Addison sat on the outside of the bench, with Zoey wedged between herself and Zedekiah. "Very first lesson in being a princess," Addison told Zoey, as the horse started to trot again. "People are going to stare at us. And we will smile and wave. Give them a smile, show them you care. Because you do. They can say what they want, but it won't matter. You're up here, and they're not."

Zedekiah whistled lowly. "That was a little harsh, don't you think?"

Addison shrugged. "Smile and wave, Pretty Boy."

If she hadn't turned around to smile and wave at the people they passed, she would've seen the small blush dust his cheeks.


Playing princess with Zoey was the best time Addison had in a long time. She took a long bath and put on one of Addison's old dresses. They sat in Addison's room, Addison doing the little girl's hair while also giving her a few lessons.

"Humility is key," Addison told her.

From the other side of her room, Zedekiah said, "She's seven, she doesn't know what that means."

Addison couldn't see him and knew he couldn't see her but rolled her eyes anyway.

"You have to be modest and humble," she explained to Zoey. "Keep it simple, not brag. I may be able to afford whatever I want, but I'd much rather work for it than have it handed to me."

"But I can't have whatever I wanted," Zoey pointed out.

"Then you must accept what you can get with grace," Addison conceded. "As a princess in training, you can't go about bragging and being snobby and rude. It makes others feel lesser than you, or lessens their respect toward you."

Zoey nodded. "Lots of people respect you," she said. "Just the other day Zed was talking about you nonstop."

"Zoey," her brother called warningly.

Zoey went on anyway. "He was talking to his friend, Eliza. Talking about how cool and nice you are and how you never make anyone feel like they don't belong in Seabrook. He said that you're the only human who ever says or does anything nice to Zombies."

Addison smiled and glanced at Zedekiah. His usually pale face looking almost human from blushing. Addison couldn't help but smile brighter at him.

"Your brother is very nice," Addison said, still looking at Zedekiah.

"So Zoey, what color ribbon would you like for your hair? You get to keep it, by the way."

Zoey's brother got up from the floor and walked over, kneeling down in front of his sister. "If you want my opinion, the white one looks beautiful in your hair," he said. "And it matches your dress a bit."

"White please," Zoey said cheerily.

"Excellent choice," Addison agreed, giving Zedekiah a knowing smile. "Zedekiah, could you rip off two pieces for me? About equal length."

Zedekiah nodded and took the spool. "What do you do if someone doesn't respect you?" Zoey asked.

"Well then you show them kindness and grace," Addison told her. "It is never right for anyone to pick on someone else. If it is caused by a lack of respect, it is better to continue on with your head held high."

"But…" Zoey faltered, twiddling her thumbs for a second before asking nervously, "What if they don't respect you, and they make you cry?"

"That's Why you have a big brother, to protect you," Addison said with a slight smile, making Zedekiah laugh instantly. She smiled brighter at the sound, shaking her head at her own joke. "But in all seriousness, I would recommend to try your best to show them that their words and actions don't affect you. Dust off your dress and leave before the situation escalates."

"B-but…But what if they won't let you leave?"

"Then Zoey, if that happens I want you to tell me," Addison said. "And I will take care of it. Because bullying is frowned upon in Seabrook, and if anyone attempts to bully others in my kingdom, they will be punished accordingly. No one should get away with hurting someone else."

"But—"

Addison paused her ministrations, spinning the little girl around on her chair. She looked her in the eyes and said in her most stern voice, "No one, not one person, will get away with bullying someone. Especially bullying a child. Not when I'm queen."

Zoey smiled shyly. "Thank you, your Highness." She reached forward and wrapped her arms around the princess's neck, hugging her tightly. Addison smiled gently and hugged her back.

She made eye contact with Zedekiah over his sister's shoulder, seeing him watching with a look of amazement and awe.

When Zoey pulled back Addison told her, "Now I need to finish these braids, Zoey."


Zoey had found herself learning to play croquet not long after. Addison's athletic instructor was in that day and was teaching the enthusiastic little Zombie the game.

Zedekiah didn't know how to play either, so he and Addison hung back from the others while Addison showed him the ropes.

"Why do you royals play this game? It feel pretty foolish to spend so much time hitting a ball between arches."

Addison shrugged with a smile. "It's a good way to pass time," she said. She gave him the same answer she always received whenever she'd ask. "Though if I'm being honest, I only ever play so as to not upset my parents."

"What sport would you play?" Zedekiah asked. "If you were to chose one."

"I like to ice skate during the winter," Addison said. "Occasionally when I visit the British colonies in the New World I'll partake in some leisurely Mintonette."

Zedekiah arched an eyebrow, giving her a curious smile. "Do you mean the United States?" he asked.

Addison just waved him off. "The English appreciate it when we refer to them that way. It's better to stay on everyone's good side. Just don't say it around an American, or they'll lose their mind."

"I heard a rumor that the Americans changed the name of Mintonette," Zedekiah said. "Is it true?"

Addison nodded. "They're Americans though. Very inconsistent."

Zed chuckled lightly. "I've never played croquet," he admitted. "My friends and I occasionally play some…American football, I think."

"It's such a violent game," Addison noted. "Those games make me stomach hurt."

Zedekiah nodded in agreement. "It's hard to play without any protective gear. One of my friends, Zephyr, tore an important ligament in his leg earlier today."

"I have several questions. The first, which is more of a statement than a question, is that you are very intelligent for a Zombie, especially since Zombies aren't provided educational opportunities."

Zedekiah shrugged and smiled shyly. "My friend's father was a schoolteacher before the outbreak. A lot of them were, so they pass what they can remember onto us."

Addison nodded. "Do all Zombie-names have a 'zed' in them?"

Zedekiah nodded and grinned. "Yes your Highness, it's a Zombie-thing."

"Okay, the third: How often do you play football? It was my understanding that, because you aren't in school you're out working in the mines or somewhere unpleasant."

"Oh, I can't work like others," he said. "A lot of us were born with 'draggy leg', which is like a leg deformation. I don't have it as bad as others but it definitely inables me from working in what jobs I'm offered. I mostly take care of Zoey, do the job that my mother would have done had she still been living."

Addison stopped along the course and gave him a sympathetic look. "My condolences regarding your mother."

"Thank you, your Highness."

"You know you don't have to refer to me as 'your Highness'. 'Addison' will suffice."

Zedekiah nodded knowingly.

"Are you any good at American football, Zedekiah?"

"I can hold my own, which matters most the way we play," he answered. "And 'Zed' will suffice, only my father refers to me as my given name."

Addison smiled and glanced down at the ground. "We've falling behind in croquet. I believe it's your swing."

"I still don't quite understand this game."

Addison looked up at him and declared, "Then I'll teach you. All the lesson today don't have to be reserved for Zoey."

Zed grinned at her which made her heart stutter in her chest. He was so surprisingly handsome, something she'd never have guessed could happen from a Zombie.


"This is our ballroom," Addison announced. "Here we'll be practicing good posture. Which is very important because a princess should always stand tall and proud."

"That's saying a lot from someone so short," Zed teased lightly.

Addison gave him a pointed grin. "Your being rather snotty, Zed," she pointed out. She glanced behind him and saw one of the male maids—Tracey—walking by. She called him in then said to him and Zed, "Tracey, Take Zed and make him look…presentable for dinner tonight."

Tracey blinked at her. "Um, pardon me for asking, but he's a Zombie. I was unaware of—"

Addison interrupted him. "Give him a bath, clean him up. Do his hair if you feel needed. And redress him too. I know you love all that extreme makeover stuff."

"I—"

"I'm not upset," she told him. "But I'd appreciate it if you do a wonderful job on making him pretty."

"Ouch," Zed feigned hurt.

Addison rolled her eyes fondly. "I'm literally going to punch you," she threatened. "Tracey, would you be a dear and get on with it? He's getting on my nerves."

Zed laughed and walked out of the room to Tracey, who looked at him worriedly before nodded and walking down the hall. Once they were gone, Addison turned back to Zoey, seeing the little girl smiling knowingly.

"Something on your mind, Zoey?"

"Nope," she said with a grin. "Just…you and Zed are getting awfully cozy."

"It's important to make friends and acquaintances," Addison told her.

"You know that's not what I meant."

"Hush child," Addison said in a mockingly stern voice. "Posture."

Addison demonstrated first. She stood and balanced two thick books on her head, introduced herself, then took ten steps, made a turn, and did it all again. "This took me a year to perfect," Addison told her. "So I'll start you off with just one book and see how you do."

Zoey nodded, confident and nervous all at once. They spent an hour and a half on posture before Zed and Tracey came back.

Tracey was a makeover expert. Zed's skin was cleaner than after he had washed earlier that day. He had on a white poet's blouse that was tight in all the right places, dark red trousers that matched his sister's gown and disappeared into a pair of black boots.

"I couldn't manage to get his hair to stay in place," Tracey said, shifting nervously. "He has a coat as well—"

"It's just a little warm in here," Zed finished. "I'll put it on for supper though."

Tracey looked at Addison nervously. "At ease," she told him. "Thank you, you may proceed with your chores."

Tracey bowed before rushing out. Once he was gone, Zed moved toward the two girls and asked Addison, "So what do you really think, now that you don't have to be all prim and proper?"

"A princess is always prim and proper," Zoey stated.

"You look good," Addison said. "I mean…you look clean and nice, like a proper young man."

Zed smiled a smile that made her heart stutter and her throat dry. He was more attractive now than when he was shirtless and glistening with water.

"Princess Addison, when will we be eating?" Zoey asked.

"The dinner bell rings at five-thirty." Addison glanced at the clock on the far wall. "We could start heading over, considering that's in five minutes."

Zed nodded and slipped on his dark purple coat, which tied his outfit together perfectly. Addison led the way from the ballroom to the dining hall. She waited a few minutes—after the dinner bell and then some—before asking them, "I've heard rumors that Zombies have a special diet. Are these true and should I inform the cooking staff of dietary restrictions?"

"We don't eat brains!" Zoey exclaimed with a laugh.

Addison felt herself blush. "I…I was specifically referring to eating brains."

Zed and Zoey laughed then. The latter skipped ahead of hem a few steps, grinning and singing to herself.

"I'm sorry if my inquiry was insensitive," Addison apologized.

"It was a genuine question," Zed told her with a shrug. "How often have you actually interacting with a Zombie?"

Addison couldn't help but redden even more. Zed moved around in front of her, stopping her from walking anymore. She didn't look up at him though, still embarrassed and feeling shamed from her lack of knowledge regarding Zombies.

"Don't be embarrassed," he told her, his voice soft and caring and not anything she was expecting. She couldn't help but bring her gaze up, her eyes meeting his warm brown ones. "You're the kindest human I've ever met. You're the only person who's ever…who's ever cared about Zoey. About me. Thank you, for that."

Addison felt her mouth go dry and swallowed thickly. "Zed?"

"Yes your Highness?"

"Do you…" She looked from his eyes and glanced at his lips, then back at his eyes. "Do you believe in love at first sight?"

Zed seemed reluctant to answer at first. "I…are you saying that you love me?"

"I think so," Addison said. "Do you?"

"I didn't believe in love until I met you."

Addison couldn't help herself. She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips against his in a firm but passionate kiss. Zed stood there in surprise for a second, then gingerly placed his hands on her waist.

After a minute they pulled apart, Zed resting his forehead against hers. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I…we shouldn't have done that."

"I think I might be in love with you," Addison said quietly.

"Why? Why would you love me?" Zed sighed and closed his eyes. "You…you're perfect. You're a princess, you deserve a happily ever after. You deserve a Prince Charming."

"You could be my Prince Charming," Addison told him. "Because I can't help falling more in love with you the more I get to know you."

Zed opened his eyes to look at her. "They'll never let us be together," he told her.

Addison reached up and tangled her fingers in his hair. She pulled him down and kissed him again, softer than before. Zed pulled back a second later. "Your Highness—"

"You call me Addison," she told him. "I call you Zed."

"Addison," he corrected. "I…I'm a monster. We could never work."

"You're not a monster," she told him. "You're a Zombie. A beautiful, sweet, and caring Zombie. And—"

Addison stopped when she heard a shrill scream from down the hall. Her and Zed pulled apart abruptly. A look of panic washed over the both of them, and Addison exclaimed, "Zoey!" before they look off down the hall.

They turned the corner in time to witness a castle guard forcing Zoey to the ground and draw his sword. Zed got to his sister first, shielding her with his body and screaming out as the weapon ripped through his coat and shirt and sliced across his skin, from his shoulder to his opposite armpit. Addison couldn't stop the scream from leaving her lips, only overpowered by Zed's cry of pain.

Before the guard could strike again Addison stepped between him and the two Zombies. "Are you mad!" she shouted furiously, then crouched down beside the siblings, making an effort to clear her head to inspect the damage.

"Are you hurt, Zoey?" she asked as she gently lifted the torn material of Zed's clothing up and away from the gushing wound. Zed hissed in pain.

"I-I'm fine," the little girl stammered. Zed was still hiding his sister from view.

"Zed," Addison said. She ripped his shirt to see the gash across his back. She breathed out a sigh of relief. "It's not too deep, thank God."

Two more guards and several housemaids came running around the corner and stopped short at the sight of two Zombies. Addison stood up, dusted off her dress and said to them, "Take these two to the infirmary. Make sure Zedekiah gets proper treatment for his wounds. I want them both cleaned up and cared for. See if we can push supper back another hour or so, make adjustments for our guests."

"Yes, your Highness," one of the housemaids—Stacey—said.

"And by proper, I want the best medics," Addison added. "If I learn that they were mistreated once you will receive the same punishment this gentleman is due."

The guard behind Addison gulped audibly. The housemaids helped Zed to his feet and helped him walk down the hall, the other taking Zoey by the hand and walking with her.

To the two new guards, Addison instructed, "Take this one to the dungeon while my parents and I can decide proper justice for his actions."

"Yes, your Highness."

Addison turned to he nervous guard in question. "What is your name?"

"Sir Collins."

"Well, Sir Collins," Addison said in a hard tone. "Justice is cruel and harsh. It may be several days before a ruling is decided, so I hope you get comfortable in your cell."