Butch's POV, two days later
If there was one thing that I couldn't stand is liars...and execution, especially on something as uncertain as this case. I read the case, it seems that Del Copper was the Ring Leader of a group who were training, so they could over throw the King, the interesting thing was, My Dad wasn't inform of this and no Fauna was allowed to enter into the courtroom which was wrong. Faunas had the ability to read people and their instinct, they can tell if the criminal is truly guilty or not.
I went into my Dad's conference room, he seemed to have just gotten the news himself. My dad hated executions just has much as I did, but he found them neccessary only in extreme measure, and right now, he was trying to make it seem like it was an extreme measure.
"Dad," I looked at him seriously, I wanted to make this short and quick to the point, "Dad, I think it's time that we put our plans for Knoght Constables into plan immediately."
My Dad stood up, and royally accepted, "You realized a lot of people may be angry."
"You mean the nobles...Dad, at least 20 men are being interrogated and a very good man was executed." I didn't mean to say that but when I heard his name, I was shocked...especially when I saw this man's head. I saw him, back at New Town Shire before I met the Countess, he was a nice man, and I couldn't believe it. The man had children...when I heard they were taken to the Orphange, the minute I heard that, I ordered a maid to accompany me to find these kids...I was shocked by the state of the Orphange...but I found the kids...a very sickly little girl and her twin, a strong little boy. The little girl is being taken care of now, I just hope it wasn't bad. But the little boy with those big gray eyes was healthy as possible, but he just wouldn't speak. His sickly sister, her name was Cornelia and her brother was Cornelius.
My Dad looked at me, stunned, "Dear God boy, such passion...I cannot wait to meet and thank the girl who brought this up."
Brick and Boomer were standing close by, looking at plans to send funds for the Orphanages in Asheia.
I blushed thinking about Countess, I still had to find out about her, but something tells me that...It was funny how someone so, exhausting and infuriating could make my heart leap into the skies. As ordered, the Knights that Beast picked, those who couldn't be bribed and uphold justice, fairness and equality will have the job of constable. But that wasn't the only reason...
"Sire," A very familiar voice stood behind me, I half smiled to see that it was Bardock, He bowed. Bardock had guarded us since we were babies, but as we grew older, he soon became our fencing tutor but then he was sent away to be a guard of the mines for the new prisoners.
"Bardock, how are you?" I asked.
"Very glad to be back home, sire and with another job."
"Good, you'll take Constable Grim's place then. You'll have good pay and hopefully for your age, no too much fighting."
"Sire, you hurt me. But I heard from Your Father that soon there shall be Princesses and a future Queen in our presence. The King and Queen are very excited about the ball."
I flinched as he looked at me, trying to hide my blush, "You've heard. Well, now I'm really uncomfortable but...yes...there is one serious 'candidate'...Problem is, I can't seem to pin her down long enough to find out where she lives or her cousin."
"Interesting, you are chasing after a girl, this is serious."
"Yes...and I'm guessing she won't come to the ball, and Now...I have a 'date' with her, but only if I can find her."
"Now...this is getting more and more interesting by the minute. A girl who actually makes you run after her."
"Her name is Countess Black Rose de la Quell, she has been seen in New Town Shire or Clint Town...I was hoping you could keep an eye out and an ear opened."
"How shall I know?"
"Trust me, she sticks out." I sighed, lovingly but quickly hid my expression as Mom Sarah came along.
"Oh Butch, I have a letter from Lady Morbucks herself...she said she was so moved by your actions to help the orphans that she's having a charity market, at an old market stall on their estate. You have to go."
"What?"
"Well, I was invited but I have some work to do...in preparation for the Ball...that you have...you almost have a week left."
"I know but I don't have time-"
"Please my dear, the Morbucks are very generous people, they did give me back my necklace. Which is kinda strange because I don't remember Alice putting it on me...of course I wasn't paying much attention. Oh and that also reminds me, give Lady Morbucks this invitation. Thank you so much dearest."
I looked at Bardock, "And now if you excuse me, I'm being force to be tortured," I wanted to cry now, and not even Boomer wants to go. He started freaking out and ran off. But I was able to force the rest of my brothers and my cousin. Well not forced, more like lying, there was no way I'm going to the lion's cage by myself.
I was able to get Brick, Beast and Blitz, Brick wanted to race across the grounds, giving the grounds a hard time to chase him.
"This is quite exciting, Big Brother, a charity market, how very kind of these people...but you have not told us a name yet."Beast shyly looked at me, as the guards slowly followed with something that we brought to this damn charity market thing. I will say this, the Morbucks did have some good land, it was enough for me wanting to paint this landscape. The sun shining on the grassy hills, you could see the hay stacks and the enchanted woods from this hill and also the market...it was an old torn down castle, there was no roof just surrounding stone walls.
Just as we were finally, and I could have laughed at each of their facial expressions, Brick was pure anger, Beast's shy shock and Blitz...Blitz's 'pay back' smile just as Lady Morbucks greeted us, in the ugliest dress ever.
"Bastard!" Brick yelled, putting me in a head lock, as he got off the horse, the same time I did, "I cancelled my fencing lesson for this shit. I rather have that psycho girl chasing me than this!"
"Oh you would, wouldn't you?" Blitz laughed.
"What does that mean?" Brick stomped.
"Just that you, Eldest Brother, like her. I can not blame you, she is quite an interesting creature. You love the fact that she can pin you down, and you find it fun to argue with her but yet, you wish not to hurt her feelings too much." Beast smiled, and Brick was glowing red.
"Shut up all of you." Brick let go and stormed right passed Lady Morbucks, she tried speaking to him but he had his hand up.
"I apologize for his behavior, "Beast bowed and Lady Morbucks was just happy again.
"Oh my word...Never in my...wildest dreams...Oh your highnesses, you grace us with your presence."
3...2...1
And on cue, Duchess and Princess greeted us right at the entrance. At least they were wearing simple stuff now.
"Oh your highness...I was hoping that your mother was coming along, but that is indeed a surprise."
"Well...yes, My goodness, I fear you may make the sun jealous of your brillance." I really had no patience to deal with this or her but it would look bad and I'll be impressing Black Rose, the only person I see worth impressing. Plus, Duchess might have heard something about her...I just discovered that Lady Lilac Morbucks was of the Quall family. There had to be a connection. That's when...this lovely blonde came to the entrance, she had a blue simple gown. She had this surprised look on her face but she automatically bowed.
"Oh you're majesties...I'm so glad you could come. We could use the extra help." She smiled, now she seemed sweetest itself, too sweet for my taste but...Boomer could use a nice girl and she was a noble. Damn, where was Boomer when it counts?"
Lady Morbucks gasped and stood in front of her, "Forgive her, Sire. This is my youngest, Countess or Bubbles as most called her," she smiled at this Bubbles, "Darlibg the Princes and the Duke aren't here to help-"
"Actually, I would love to help." I bowed, and she smiled, and bowed again. She quickly ran off and I whispered to Beast, "What do you think?"
"I like her...quite different from her family, she does not even have the Morbucks' eyes."
Lady Morbucks must have over heard us, "Oh no, she quite favors Marigold De La Quell, both with their hair of gold and those blue eyes. My sweet Bubbles is the constant reminder of my home in Flora(hint hint). Now, your majesties, would you like to take a tour. Duchess...would you like to show our Royal guests around."
"Why yes, of course." Duchess let us walk into the busy market area, as there were stalls everywhere and the buyers hardly paid us any mind, "As you can see, we were so moved by your generosity to your new charges...that we thought we could have what I call a Money Raiser. In fact, one of our 'darling' servants called it a Fund raiser. She is a 'interesting' character. How are your sweet little charges?"
"Cornelia is very sick, I just hope she can recover but the shock of her father's fate...But Cornelius is a quiet boy, stays in the room with her...hardly says a word."
"I'm sorry to say but he should be grateful...he should be happy. To be in a castle and acceptd into the Royals' care."
Normally I would have agreed, but...because of Her...lately I just see things differently...
"Duchess, they have lost their father, he was branded as a traitor and given a traitor's death which I myself don't believe. I'm sure they believe that we failed them and in a way, we have. Their lives will never be the same."
"You're right, I believe it'll be for the better."
"Or maybe they thought their lives couldn't be any better until it just went worse."'I walked on, already exhausted by Duchess, but she caught up to my pace. Princess was trying to talk to Beast, both he just shyly nodded. She got bored with him real and tried talking to Blitz. It showed that he wanted nothing to do with her, but she happily ignored it and kept talking.
"These are all of our servants...or more like they live on our estate. We actually told them no taxes for two months and this is how they repaid us when we told them of our idea."
"That is fantastic. I would love to meet some of your servants."Blitz said, "One with white hair especially."
What was Blitz up to? Wait a minute, wasn't there a servant girl...with short white hair...of course...she had short white hair when we first met her, freeing her from the Auction...but at the Circus, her hair was a little longer and braided...but most important, Black Rose was with her.
An idea flashed into my head, if I could talk to that girl, Br...Br...Damn, I can't even think of her name. She could tell me something about Black Rose. Anything...but there was a connection.
"Oh yes, I would glad to meet some of your servants as well. Especially the one who creamed me with the apples too. Have you found her yet? I hope you gave her the good news and didn't fire her." I looked behind me at Lady Morbucks but she just smiled uncomfortably.
"Oh Cinderella? No she's not here at the moment your grace...but she was happy to be glad you wasn't to become a thief." Duchess smiled.
I hid my disappointment, "Oh yes, that reminded me, "I signaled to one of the guards that was close by, and he gave me one of the boxes I brought, "For your Money Raiser. You should try one, you've never tasted anything so delicious, my mother actually eats them with strawberries." I handed her a piece but she had her mouth open. I was taken back, but I just put it in her mouth and she was just...acting weird...as if savoring the taste and licking her lips.
"You are correct your highness, I've never tasted anything so...so wicked." The way she said that last word sent shivers down my spine. I looked over and saw the Ig brawny man wih a black mask on his face.
"Oh it's chocolate, the Kansaian make brick loads of them." I looked towards the stall, and greeted the man who was selling fish and the freshest vegetables I ever saw.
"I hope you like what you see? Just pulled them up yesterday, well my kids did."
"Tony, how dare you greet our guest-" Duchess tried to say but I interrupted her.
"Now now Duchess, I believe I shall buy some, "I pulled my bag out and gave him the money. The man was pretty nice, even gave us extra fish, "Your kids helped you picked these."
"Oh yes, my son Dave is a vey good farmer, and my daughter Buttercup strongest girl on the block, works as well as any man." He laughed, and that laugh...it sounded familiar...he laughed...and the way he smiled. But those green eyes...reminded me of something.
"I'm sure you're proud of them."
"As any father could be. I hope you enjoy those." The man or this Tony warmly smiled at me. I saw that Danny was there, and that masked guy was looking right at him. I wanted to ask Danny about his father, Lord Daniel and Constable Grim but he quickly walked out.
As I continue to pretend to listen to Duchess idle chatter, I stopped as a figure with black hair came from out of a stall, I...I was sure that..I saw...but it was only a second and then a chicken was flew right into my face. I was taken back and Blitz was behind me to keep me from falling back.
Lady Morbucks stood in front with these two older ladies.
"What are trying to do, scare the life out of the Prince?"
I pushed her back, "It's ok...I'm sure it was an accident...but were there two of you standing here, "I was almost sure of what I saw...almost bit I have been thinking about her a lot.
"Oh yes...and the chicken." One of the older women said.
"Oh...Oh yeah. Oh Lady Morbucks, the Queen wanted to give you this." I handed her the invite.
Buttercup's POV
I was hiding behind the wall outside of the market fund raiser as Belle was calling it, gasping for air...What the hell was he doing here? I can't stay here, not when he was here...making me feel so sick. What if he saw me? I just left...
Later on, I was being punished for leaving, even though I said I was feeling sick...which was true but I think it was because now the entire estate knows that our family is related to the Morbucks. I had to stay longer, preparing Lady Morbucks. She was lying on her bed, excited about the Prince and Duchess.
"You should have seen the two, quite a lovely pair...can you imagine? Duchess a Princess, and then Queen. Princess...she might have better luck with Prince Brick or Prince Boomer. But Duchess and Prince Butch, couldn't count on a better match than that." I could feel Lady Morbucks' eyes on me, and I just turned around, and she just glared at me, "Can you imagine, my relatives learning that the Lowly Quall family has a Queen for a daughter...it will teach them. Now, we have that Knight Constable, who just arrived. I only hope he is polite as Constable Grim was and knows his place. We don't need any trouble."
I wonder if they really did hit it off? Maybe...he would be better off with her than...than...I was a commoner anyways.
"Don't you have a run down house to get back to?"
"Yes...see you tomorrow." I was so lost in my thought, when I passed by Lord Morbucks, that's when I heard a pssst! Sound. It was Lord Morbucks, "Yes?"
"I was wondering if you could fix my fireplace really quick, my fire is going out and no matter what I do...it won't stop back up again."
"I'm sorry but I really gotta go home. It's really late and Dad will bust down the door if I'm not home soon."
"Just real quick." He urged her as she was about arm's length for a grabbed when...Belle and Brianna were calling my name. Belle's teddy bear Mina and her other doll Pumpkin Head Jack came out of no where and was pushing and pulling me by the legs, to insist that I need to hurry up and Fang was helping them.
"I'm sorry but I really have to go. Maybe next time, ouch!" I said reacting to Mina's claws pinching me. Belle and Brianna were out the door waiting for me.
"Cupie, you're late...now c'mon on." Belle giggled.
(Sorry got carried away again)