Note: I apologise in advance for the fairytale-style writing. This is set in a fairytale kingdom, after all; no modern technology, no modern lingo.
"Before the Ball"
Prince Phillip, of the kingdom of Shield, was a Beta. He was a born a Beta, difficult news to keep under wraps, and yet necessary. King Robert and Queen Julie had no other children before him, and none after.
There was no shame in being a Beta. In truth, those who were born so were considered both blessed and cursed; for a Beta would only become an Alpha or an Omega when they found their true match. Then their classification would manifest as a complement to their mate. Yet if they could not find their true match, they would never know true happiness, nor procreate.
There were magicians and men of science who were known to dabble in such black arts to manipulate someone's scent into triggering a Beta's change. As the royal family could not risk such a danger, Phillip, or Phil as he was known to his friends, remained an enigma to the populace. Galas and balls were held in his honour, ostensibly to find a potential mate, and really to find his one true match.
"I do not wish to travel this year," he said quietly, gazing out the window over the kingdom. His parents heard him all the same.
"You have passed your thirtieth year, Phillip," the queen said. "You must soon find a mate."
"You do not allow me to wander our very own kingdom," he said, gesturing to the outside world. "What if my mate is right under our very noses? What if, all these years we have traversed to a different part of the world in search of my match, we ought to have stayed put?"
"We threw a ball here for you ten years ago," the king reminded him.
"Yes, Father," Phil said. "Many people have come and gone from Shield in that time. Perhaps my mate was among them? What if…" He turned back to the window, and swallowed. "What if I missed them because I did not allow fate to take its course?"
"We move as fate dictates. If you do not seek, how will you find?"
Phil gripped the window ledge. "Please indulge me? As you have pointed out, I am in my fourth decade, at the age of thirty-three. Time is slipping by so quickly; we are all aware of this. But I grow weary of being away from home for my birthday. I will… I will go where you wish next year, if you allow me respite this time?"
The king sighed. "Very well, Phillip. We shall hold a ball here, and invite everyone in the kingdom."
"Servants included," he said.
"If a servant is indeed your match, we will give it no mind," the queen said. "Whomever it may be, we shall welcome with open arms."
Phil nodded. "Thank you, Mother. If you will excuse me, I must attend practise with Sir Nicholas. He has said some very unsavoury things about my form, although I believe he does it merely to goad me."
"No doubt," the queen replied, smiling. Phil bowed to both of them, and left the room, wondering how soon the invitations would be released.
Leopold, known to his friends as Leo, adjusted the new jacket on his master's shoulders.
"Thank you, Turbo," Mack said, attending to the buttons himself, while Leo picked out appropriate neckwear. "You certainly are the best of valets."
"Thank you, sir," Leo said. He chose the two most appropriate cravats, and held them out for Mack to inspect. It was important to give any master the impression of choice, or at least a limited choice. As he suspected, knowing Mack's preferences, the dark blue was selected. He tied it swiftly around the man's neck, almost going on to tiptoe. The Alpha smiled down at him.
"How does your family fare across the seas?" he asked.
"Very well, thank you, sir," Leo replied. "My mother has long recovered from her fever, if the last missive from my sister is to be believed. My sister expects another pair of twins in the spring."
Mack nodded. He was a kind master, although very quiet about his name and his mysterious past. Leo had known him some months, first only as a footman, and now as his valet. The Avengers Manor, owned by Lord Anthony and Lady Virginia, hosted many travellers without family. Mack was only supposed to be passing through Shield, but he chose to remain until his valet could recover from an unexpected illness. Leo was promoted to valet on a temporary basis, and performed his tasks so swiftly that Mack had given him the perplexing moniker of Turbo.
"Prince Phillip's birthday is approaching," Mack said. Leo hummed as he attached a brooch to the cravat, tongue poking out between his lips as he concentrated on getting it just right.
"That it is," Leo said. "The past three years I have been in service in Shield, the royal family has celebrated it away from the kingdom."
"Where do you suppose it will be held this year?" Mack asked, pointing to the cufflinks of his choosing. Leo nodded in approval, and slipped them on swiftly.
"I've not seen much of the world, so I could not guess," he said. "It must be near, as the date is soon." He tugged Mack's cuffs into place, tidying the seams of the sleeves as he went. "Yes. You look very fine today, sir."
Mack chuckled. "A hat, and then I must leave. Skye is awaiting further instructions in driving a horse and carriage."
"For a housemaid, she has mighty high ideals," Leo said, tutting disapprovingly. "I cannot see that such skills would serve her well."
"Best to be prepared, Turbo," Mack said, clapping him on the shoulder. Leo handed him a hat, fully aware that his master would otherwise be forced to stoop, which was unbefitting a man of his station… whatever that station may be.
"As you say, sir," Leo said, subtly ushering the man out of the room. "Enjoy your lessons."
"I will. Until later, Turbo."
Leo set the room to rights, and had just closed the wardrobe doors when he heard excited chatter outside Mack's quarters. He hurriedly finished, and then went to enquire as to the nature of the tittering.
"Leo!" Jemma exclaimed. "Such news!"
"So I had gathered," he said, nervously adjusting his waistcoat as he walked up to the maids. "Why are you not below stairs?"
"The invitation is extended to us as well," Darcy said. Nonetheless, at Leo's stern frown, they retreated to the lower levels of Avengers Manor, using the back stairs so that they would not be seen, and poured into the busy kitchen.
"If you intend to stand around gossiping, do it elsewhere," Mrs. Banner said, pointing towards the door by which they had only just entered. Giggling again, Darcy and Jemma dragged Leo away. Elizabeth Banner was the manor's head cook, and her word was obeyed. There was also the fact that her quick-tempered but amiable mate was Lord Anthony's best friend. However, she was a formidable woman in her own right, and no one wished to cross the woman who prepared their meals.
"Here it is, here it is," Jemma said, opening a scroll of parchment. "To the servants of Avengers Manor."
"The servants?" Leo said.
"We are invited as well as the residents," Darcy explained.
"Invited to what?"
"Prince Phillip's birthday ball," Jemma said, showing Leo the fancy script. "It is being held in Shield this year, and everyone in the kingdom is invited. It is a masquerade ball, and there will be scent-disguisers, and everyone is to dance with the prince… Is it not the most exciting news you have heard all day?"
"As it is morning, perhaps 'Or the rest of the day' is appropriate?" he said.
"Leo! You are not taking the matter seriously."
"It is not required that we attend the ball?"
"Well… no…"
"Then I believe it is more necessary for me to stay behind."
"What? No!" Darcy said. "You must come with us, Leo. I was too young to attend the ball last time, and I wish the first time to be with my friends."
"Triplett is still recovering. Someone must stay with him."
"He is nearly well," Jemma said. "He may even be well enough to join us at the castle, should he continue to heal this quickly."
"But I do not wish to dance," Leo said.
"At least you would not need to wear scent-disguiser," Darcy said. "I have heard that it itches dreadfully." She scratched her neck as though imagining the itch made it real.
"Thank you, Darcy," he muttered. "I needed to be reminded that I am only a Beta."
"Oh, Leo," Jemma said, cupping his face. "You know the legends."
"Of a true mate, yes, I know," he said, pushing her hands down. "It does not change the fact that I cannot dance, not well enough to dance with a prince."
"Then do not dance with him," Darcy said. "I am sure they would not force you."
"Please give some thought to it," Jemma said. He sighed.
"I will consider it," he said. Darcy and Jemma squealed, and hugged him from both sides.
The evening of the ball approached. Phil was fitted until he had fabrics and needles coming out of every orifice, as he complained to his friend Sir Nicholas, head of the royal guard.
"That does indeed sound painful," Nicholas said. He smirked as Phil attempted to shove him off the fence and into the pig pen. Nicholas was solid as a rock, and waited until Phil gave up and slumped beside him.
"I despise these fittings," he said. "Mother will not allow my existing clothes to be altered, despite the coins it would save."
"She wants you in the finest arraignment. You are the prince of Shield, after all."
"I am aware," Phil said, tracing patterns in the dirt with the tip of his sword. "And I am also aware that the freshest clothes possible will be best, to ensure a successful scenting, if… if it occurs." His head drooped in a manner not befitting the crown prince.
"It will happen," Nicholas said.
"It does not always happen. You know the lore."
"I am somewhat familiar with it. But I also know that you are a lucky man."
"Why?" Phil asked, and he snorted as he looked up at Nicholas. "Because I am a prince? I am also a Beta, and growing older."
"That is true," Nicholas said, hopping down from the fence. "But you are also friends with me, which makes you a lucky man." Phil laughed. "See? I have cheered you already. Now let us spar, and see who may still be laughing by the end."
Upon the night of the ball, Triplett was well enough at least to drive one of the carriages to the castle, and wait in the servants hall. The night air was not clement for anyone less than perfectly healthy to endure for the duration of the dance.
"Show us your ensemble, Leo," Lady Virginia said. To Leo's embarrassment, everyone in the household had heard of his reluctance to go to the ball; and while the servants were ruled by kindly folk, Leo was sure that everyone wished to humiliate him by compliments alone. There was no other explanation for everyone's presence in the foyer, waiting for him to emerge from the coat room, where he had tried to hide. For a Beta, it was quite distressing to be scented when he least wished to be found.
"Very well, your ladyship," he said, and he opened the door. He stepped out, eyes lowered to the floor, as he clutched his mask tightly in his hands.
"You look wonderful," Jemma said. He glanced up, and saw that everyone was beaming in apparent approval. "When you wear the mask, no one will know that it is you."
"Rather the idea of a masked ball," he sniped back. But he grudgingly pulled on his green-and-black moulded mask with upturned ends, enhanced with tiny beads he had attached with an adhesive of his own devising. He tied the strap firmly, hoping that it would remain, and straightened the green and black jacket with gold brocade. He refused to dress any more extravagantly; the coat itself was a cast-off of Lord Anthony, and Leo had thoroughly washed it until no lingering scent remained.
"Come, let us depart," Lady Virginia said. She smiled at Leo. "It is a lovely costume, and fits you well. Do enjoy yourself tonight, Leo."
"I will try, your ladyship," he said, bowing. The servants followed their masters and mistresses out the door, leaving the household empty, and departed for the ball.
Hello! In one of my chapters of '25 Days of Phil', I had suggested the idea of a Leo/Phil fairytale-type story involving true love's kiss. Well, here's the fairytale story, which is sort of a mash-up of Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, except everyone's nice. And Omegaverse is involved. Erm, yes.
Please review!
