Muggle!AU || Royal!AU

~ For Elaine ~

She was infatuated with him, with his words, his eloquency, his mannerisms. Everything about him was almost ethereal. Like he shouldn't exist, not in this world. The letters he wrote to her were like poetry, as if he was an architect and the words were his creations. Every paragraph was like he was creating an elaborate and elegant palace. He went out of his way to help her fight and become stronger. And she would be eternally grateful for that. But no one could know.

Marvolo was this hybrid, a mix. He was electric, and magnetic. And she was sure everyone knew that. He was a man who was torn between doing what was right, and experiencing all the things life could offer someone as magnificent as him. And perhaps in that way she understood him. Understood the struggles and the mental turmoil he was facing. He wanted to explore every kingdom with her, wanted to be able to fight valiantly in battles that she was sure he would win. But they were royalty, and there were certain things they just couldn't do.

Harriet watched him turn into a stranger, though they were to be married shortly, and he was still so deeply in love with her, he was growing farther and farther away. Power Hungry, that's what her advisors called him when they thought she wasn't listening. He just wants her for her throne, one had whispered a little too loud. She'd brushed that comment off, tried to ignore them and their cruel words. Marvolo said they were most likely born from jealousy and nothing more, and that she should pay them no mind. And naively, she listened.

But then she caught him quite literally red handed, and there was no mistaking that the red substance was blood. He held a dagger, the sword at his hip surprisingly clean. She'd watched him storm right past her, paying her no mind. Wailing was heard from where he'd come from, and she couldn't help but doubt everything. Were they right? Was he a monster? Was he only after her for her throne and to gain more power. The questions swirled through her mind almost constantly, making it hard to concentrate on the most mundane of tasks. But even if she didn't know the answers now.

She was sure to find out soon.