Thank you so, SO much to everyone who reviewed! It seriously made my day, and those reviews were my whole motivation to write this chapter.
Sistersgrimmfan101: I love blueberry pancakes too! I'm glad you thought the thing with Sabrina's dress worked!
Guest: That's so cool that Sabrina was acting like you!
Jo (guest): I usually get super impatient when they don't get together until the last chapter, so I wanted Puckabrina early on. I'm glad you like it! ;)
To the other Guests who reviewed: There wasn't really any way to tell you all apart, but I still want you to know how thankful I am for your reviews! They made me so happy!
Also, I think the website is being weird because I've been getting notifications for your reviews, follows, and favorites, but they aren't actually showing up on the story. Idk what that is. PM me if you know how to fix it! This is a really long author's note. Sorry about that! You can read the story now!
When Sabrina made it back to her room, she was relieved to find that her maids hadn't noticed anything amiss. For all they knew, she had come straight from the ball to her room. And, she had had Puck tighten her corset before she left, so it looked like nothing happened. But what had happened? As she hopped into bed, Sabrina brought her fingers to her lips and held back a smile.
That kiss had meant everything. She didn't know if they were officially dating yet, but she was pretty sure that Puck did like her that way, and that was the last thought she had before she drifted off to sleep.
Little did Sabrina and Puck know that after his conversation with them, Mustardseed left the ball early. He was greatly confused, and more than a little suspicious of Puck and that girl, Sabrina Grimm. Puck had just been so polite to him, even when they were arguing. He had known Puck for thousands of years, but never in his life would have pictured him acting like an actual prince, and he especially never would have thought that he would want to grow up. In fact, Puck was acting like a different person.
Then it struck him. Was it possible that this was not actually the Puck that he knew? What if he was an imposter? What if he had come to spy on the royal family or assassinate the king? Mustardseed knew he had to tell his parents about his realization, and immediately rushed back to the ball.
"Father!" He called. "I have just thought of something, and we need to discuss it urgently, and in private!" Oberon seemed to sense the distress in his son, and they immediately went to his office.
"What is it, Son? What is so urgent that you would have to drag me out of my own ball?" Mustardseed took in a breath.
"I think Puck is an imposter."
"Pardon?" The King looked taken aback.
"I think that the Puck who has just come home is not the real Puck, and that something dreadful has happened to my real brother," Mustardseed repeated. Oberon looked at him, considering.
"I don't see how that could be possible. He knows too much. He knows his way around the castle, how everything works. When he came to a meeting with me earlier today, he knew exactly what was going on." Mustardseed started to realize that his claim was a bit far-fetched, but he barreled on.
"But he's not acting like himself! He would never grow up, much less start courting a girl!"
"He's been gone for years," Oberon's voice was soft. "I think that he simply decided to grow up, nothing more."
"But-", Mustardseed started, and his father's face hardened.
"I don't want to hear of this again! Do you understand?" Mustardseed nodded. "I know it must be hard to see Puck finally acting like your older brother, but don't forget that he is the first in line for the throne. He needed to grow up eventually." Mustardseed was hurt. He was a better fit for the throne, and his father knew it! He knew it was Puck's birthright, and Mustardseed respected that, but Oberon didn't have to rub it in!
Silently, Mustardseed stood up and rudely exited the office, not turning back. If his father wouldn't believe him, he would just have to take matters into his own hands!
Late that night, when Mustardseed was back in his room, he took out a piece of paper and scrawled a quick note. Then, he took a small jar of magical powder out of its hiding place. This powder was his and Puck's means of emergency communication. It would make any letter Mustardseed sent get to Puck immediately, wherever he was, and Puck could do the same to him. He took a deep breath, and sprinkled the powder over the letter.
An instant later, it had disappeared. With that, Mustardseed prepared for bed. By tomorrow, he would know if the Puck that had come home was his real brother or an imposter.
The next morning, Sabrina awoke to the sound of maids bustling in and preparing her clothes for the day. But, the first thing that she noticed, before she had even opened her eyes, was that she was incredibly happy. At first she didn't know why, but then she remembered the events of the previous night, after the ball. She sighed happily, and flopped back in bed. Today, she and Puck would find the ring, get back to the present, and then confront their shared feelings for each other. Today would be a good day.
However, Sabrina lost her good outlook as soon as she was laced back into her corset. The dress she was wearing today was a lot less ruffled, but still had a wide, long skirt and was very uncomfortable. There was no way she was going to be able to sneak around anywhere wearing it.
Once she was ready, one of the maids led her to a small parlor for breakfast. To her surprise, it contained the whole royal family. As soon as she stepped through the door, Puck jumped to his feet and offered her his arm. She took it, and he led her to a chair.
"Good morning," He said, smiling at her. She smiled back.
"Good morning." She lowered her voice. " Are we going to look for it today?" Puck looked momentarily confused, but then seemed to remember that they still had to find the ring
"Yeah, I have a few ideas. I'll tell you later." Then, Sabrina remembered that they were not the only ones in the room. Titania was looking at them with a small, knowing smile on her face, and Oberon looked as impassive as usual. But Mustardseed looked troubled. Sabrina made a mental note to ask him what was wrong if she talked to him anytime soon.
They sat in awkward silence for a few moments, and Sabrina shifted uncomfortably. She was pretty sure that she wasn't supposed to speak first, what with royal etiquette and all, but it didn't look like the King or Queen was going to say anything.
"So," Mustardseed's voice rang out in the otherwise silent room. "Did you enjoy the ball?" He directed the question at Sabrina.
"It was lovely," she answered stiffly. That seemed like the kind of reply an 1800s girl would use. Not that it really mattered what she said to Mustardseed after yelling at him the previous night. But she had to keep up appearances in front of the King and Queen.
"How did you enjoy the ball? We didn't see you at all towards the end," Puck asked his brother.
"Oh, I started to feel a bit under the weather, so I left early. I also had to write a letter." Puck looked at Mustardseed with what Sabrina knew was his attempt at a polite, inquisitive expression.
"Who were you writing to?"
"Oh, just a… distant family member." An unreadable expression passed over Mustardseed's face. Puck seemed to miss it, but Sabrina didn't. She narrowed her eyes. It seemed like Mustardseed was hiding something.
Before Sabrina could question him, a few maids walked in carrying trays piled high with croissants, doughnuts, fruit, and the same type of muffin that Sabrina and Puck had eaten the previous night. They exchanged a glance, and Sabrina smiled. She could tell that he was remembering it too.
Pretty soon, Sabrina was stuffed. The food literally tasted like magic, and she had been starving. It was so much better than Granny Relda's weird cooking! Eventually, Sabrina and Puck excused themselves. Curtsying to the King and Queen, Sabrina followed Puck out the door.
"What was up with your brother?" Sabrina asked him. He looked surprised at the question..
"What do you mean?"
"Mustardseed was acting… Different than yesterday. Like he was hiding something."
"I didn't notice anything." Puck shrugged. "He might have just been tired. He said that he didn't feel well after the ball."
"I guess," Sabrina replied. People did act differently when they were sick. "So, do you know where the ring is?"
"I have a few ideas." Puck stopped walking, and Sabrina did too. He grabbed her hand, and pulled her into a room. It was the same parlor they had been in the previous night when they were talking to Mustardseed.
"Not the closet this time?"
"No, but we can go back there if you really want to!" Puck said snarkily. Sabrina shoved him into a couch, but he grabbed her hand and pulled her down with him.
"There. The closet recreated." Sabrina blushed and tried to get off, but he didn't let go of her arm. In their current position, she was sitting sideways in his lap!
"Puck! Let me go!"
"Do I have to?" Puck pouted. He tilted his face up, and her gaze snagged on his lips.
"Puck…" She warned, "You know anyone could walk in on us at any time, right?" Puck snorted.
"You make it sound like we're about ot have sex." Sabrina rolled her eyes.
"You know what I mean!" Puck slid his hands onto either side of her face and started to draw her face down to his, but she put a finger on his lips.
"We have to go find that ring," She murmured.
"The ring can wait." Puck leaned down, his lips barely brushing hers… And then they were full-on kissing. The few butterflies in sabrina;s stomach seemed to explode, and a sigh escaped her lips. He chuckled and pulled her closer until she was hyper aware of every single place their bodies were touching, and every place they weren't. For a second, their lips pulled apart. Sabrina could see the roiling emotion in Puck's iridescent green eyes as they met hers, and she leaned into him again. One of Puck's hands traveled down to Sabrina's waist, and he pulled her against him as their lips met for the second time. Finally, they broke apart.
"We really should go find the ring." Sabrina said quietly. Puck nodded, but stayed where he was.
"Just a few more minutes?"
"Not a chance, faerie boy!" Sabrina hopped up and straightened her dress, blushing. Puck was a good kisser. Much better than the few boys she had experience with.
"Wait, Puck?"
"Yeah?"
"Are we dating?" Puck smirked. "What do you think, Grimm?" he asked sarcastically.
"I'm serious!" He seemed to realize she was, and his smile became genuine.
"Yeah, I think we are dating." He thought for a second. "When are you going to tell Henry?" Sabrina glared at him.
"I'll tell my family as soon as we get back, but you are not allowed to say something weird!"
"Me? Why would I say something weird?" He said in mock-confusion.
"Your Puck!"
"Don't you mean the Trickster King?" He winked, and Sabrina's heart skipped a beat. Seeing her expression, Puck laughed. "Oh, I get it now! I know you meant the Incredibly Sexy Trickster King!"
"Puck!" Sabrina shrieked. "I don't think that you are the 'Incredibly Sexy Trickster King'." But she blushed when she said the words, and Puck gasped overdramatically.
"You DO think I'm sexy!"
"I never said that!"
"But you didn't deny it!"
"You're not sexy!"
"Then why did you just make out with me?" Sabrina did not didn't even bother to grace him with a response. Puck was impossible. And sexy. Not that she would tell him that.
"I win!" Puck said at her back, and she whirled around and glared at him.
"You do not! And anyway, forget about what just happened! Focus! Where do you think the ring could be?" Puck pouted at the change in topic, but knew they had to talk about finding the ring.
"I've thought about it, and there are three places it could be, if it's even in the castle. But I think we have to assume it's here, because otherwise it'll be almost impossible to find. But that's the worst-case scenario." Sabrina gulped. If the ring wasn't in the palace… She couldn't think of a single other magical object that could take you back in time, much less forward in time. Then she had a horrible thought.
"What if the ring can't take us forward in time? What if it can only transport people back?" Puck shook his head.
"We're from the future, so it should be able to take us there because it's where we came from. To us, it's the present." Sabrina nodded.
"That's a relief. So where do you think it is?"
"Like I said, I've thought of three places. It could be in the treasury, on display in the throne room, or in one of the vaults in the dungeons."
"There are vaults in the dungeons?"
"Yeah. For really, really valuable treasure and for really powerful magical artifacts."
"Kind of like the hall of wonders?" Sabrina was thinking of the magic mirror containing a seemingly endless hallway of doors hiding magical artifacts.
"Kind of. But more like a vault. With lots of protections and guards."
"How do we get in?"
"I'm working on it. But I'm hoping it won't be there."
"So you don't know how?"
"Of course I can get in!" Puck yelled indignantly. "I'm a member of the royal family, aren't I? I can get through!"
"Good. So where do we check first?"
"I was thinking of the throne room. It should be the easiest. We can just go in, look at all the displays, then get out."
"But won't Titania and Oberon be suspicious if we're randomly interested in magical artifacts?" Puck frowned.
"Probably. I guess we should go at night then, and sneak in." Sabrina nodded.
"Sneaking is my specialty!"
"I know it is, Queen of Sneaks!" Sabrina grinned at him. She didn't think he had ever referred to her by the name her twelve-year-old self had made up.
"I had forgotten about that."
"Of course I didn't! You only made it up because you were jealous of me being the Trickster King!"
"I did not!"
"Yeah you did! But anyway, we should probably get out of here. People will start talking if no one can find either of us."
"And that would be such a bad thing," Sabrina said sarcastically, and she reached up to give him a quick kiss.
"Mmmmmm," Puck replied. Their lips were already together. Sabrina laughed as she pulled away and grabbed his hand.
"Come on! Maybe we can 'take a stroll in the garden' or do some other 1800s-appropriate couple activity.
"Grimm!" Puck said in shock. "Did you just ask me on a date?" Sabrina smiled.
"Maybe I did!" And she dragged him out the door.
Puck and Sabrina spent the rest of the morning strolling in the garden and coming up with their plan. Puck had royal duties to attend to with his father that afternoon, so Sabrina would have to obtain their supplies.
She had to find their original clothes and shoes so that they could properly sneak around, and a few other random things Puck had wanted. For some reason, he had requested raw eggs, string, peanut butter, and more of the muffins they had been eating. When she asked him what it was for, he simply said it was a secret. But Sabrina trusted him (at least a little) so she decided she would agree to find his weird items.
That night, they planned for Puck to come to her room so they could sort out the supplies, then sneak to the throne room when it was abandoned. It was a solid plan, and there wasn't that much that possibly could go wrong. Or so they thought.
Dun, dun, DUUUUUUN. Cliffhanger! I'll probably be done with the next chapter by tomorrow, or the next day. Sorry that this one was a little shorter than usual. I didn't know what I could add, and I wanted this part to be separate from what I have planned for the next chapter. Please review!