Day 19: Speed/Wish
A/N: a continuation of the "Snow King" verse started in Chapter 4 (Date/Snow). This is from Kurt's POV and fits in between the events of Chapter 4 and those in Chapter 18 (Reasonable/Making Amends). You will need to have read those to understand this entry.
On the day of Prince Kurt's eighteenth birthday, King Burt of the North abdicated the throne. With his declining health, he knew there was a chance that he would not be able to rule much longer. But more than that, he knew there were those who questioned his son's ability to rule, an opinion that was based solely on their preconceptions and prejudice. Voluntarily surrendering the throne was Burt's ultimate sign to the people of his unwavering faith in Kurt as his successor.
He had begun grooming his son in earnest around the tender age of fourteen, preparing the prince for the day he would take his father's place as King. Kurt rebelled against the idea, refusing to attend lessons at first and even sometimes hiding within the palace. Finally, Burt sat his son down for a serious heart-to-heart. For once, Kurt listened, and despite his trepidation, he agreed to do everything in his power to learn. If nothing else, he would do it to honor Burt's legacy as one of the greatest rulers the North had ever known.
Burt's course of study was carefully constructed. It was not his intention to teach Kurt to be Burt's clone; rather, it was to turn Kurt to the best version of himself. The goal was to teach him to think like a king, making his own decisions based upon his own judgment. Perhaps that was why Burt's very direct statement about one subject seemed so out of the ordinary.
They were seated at a long table studying a map of the various surrounding kingdoms, alongside a large tome that detailed the history of each of the realm's rulers. Burt was peppering in a few anecdotes about his experiences with each of the current monarchs. When the subject turned to the South, Burt's face darkened.
"I have never trusted that man," Burt muttered darkly under his breath, thinking Kurt would not be able to hear him.
"What? Who?" Kurt inquired.
Burt sighed, sitting back in a rather large armchair. He seemed to be debating something internally, struggling to choose the right words.
Kurt huffed impatiently. "You can just say it, you know. As you've taught me, I'll make my own decisions," he smirked knowingly.
Burt laughed, shaking his head affectionately. Despite their wildly different personalities, Kurt really was his father's son.
xoxoxo
Kurt frowned at the paper in his hand. He shouldn't be surprised. It was precisely what he would have expected the King of the South to do, but seeing it in black and white was disheartening all the same. The real problem, in his mind, was how to tell Blaine.
How do you tell someone that his own father wants to capture him – and worse yet, likely wishes him dead?
The moment Blaine and Sebastian left Kurt's throne room that first day, he'd summoned his head of intelligence, ordering him to find out anything he could about the South King's intentions. It had taken three full days to receive any information. The brutal storm had slowed the speed of the officer's travel to the border and back. Late on the night of the third day, the man returned, a somber look in his eye.
Kurt had known – first from his father, and then from his own experience – that the King of the South was an intolerant, hateful, ignorant man. But it was still beyond his comprehension how the man could despise his own son, especially when that son was Blaine.
The bright winter sun now shone through the windows, heralding the end of the storm and the start of a fresh, new day. With a sigh, Kurt tucked the report in his pocket and rose from his chair, directing his steps toward the library, where he knew Blaine was likely to be found. Perhaps, he thought with a bittersweet smile, today could be fresh, new day for Blaine, too.
A/N: My new goal is to get my Advent fics done before the Valentine's Challenge begins. Many thanks to those of you who are still with me. I'll get there.