A long awaited update! Bless you all. 3
[][][][][]
Rap, rap, rap.
Sutton blinked awake at the same time the door to her suite was forced open and a team of women marched in. Sprinkles cracked an eye open and yawned, but refused to otherwise move despite the intruders.
"Um." Said Sutton.
A plump woman, well in her forties, cast a cheery look her way as she filled a basin with water from a pitcher she brought with her.
"Morning, my lady. My apologies for waking you, but we need to start getting you ready now if you mean to break fast with His Majesty."
Sutton had no idea what time it actually was. She only knew she'd rather be sleeping. Her mind was still slow and she stayed sitting under the blankets as the wheel in her head churned.
Had she agreed to eat breakfast with Steve? She didn't remember doing that.
But the woman clapped her hands together before Sutton could think to voice her question.
"Now, if you would get up, my lady. We have much to do before the hour. Would you, perchance, like a coffee or tea?"
Another of the women brought in a tray with a typical tea set along with a taller kettle. Sutton eyed the selection as she tossed the blanket over a grumbling Sprinkles and swung her feet over the edge of the bed.
"Coffee?" She hedged.
Someone immediately began to pour her a china cup full and their leader led her stubbornly to a vanity at the other end of the room.
"Your wardrobe is still in the works, of course, but we were able to procure a few gowns that I hope shall be adequate for your person."
Sutton took a moment to accept the delicate cup and savor the first, nearly scorching, sip of coffee. It wasn't as bitter as the coffee she bought at home, nor as burnt tasting.
"Anything is fine," she finally said. "But I'm assuming you mean something fancy and I'm not going to be allowed to wear normal clothes."
"It can be more casual, of course. As it's only breakfast, my lady."
Somehow Sutton highly doubted that their definitions of "casual" lined up.
But they swarmed her before she could think to protest, and Sutton figured she'd have to get used to them treating her like that while she lived in the guest suites. They all moved quickly, each person obviously well seasoned with their own line of work and used to working together. Her hair was smoothed of any flying frizz and curled nicely where it needed the help, then pinned back while another woman worked to rouge her face with whatever sort of make up they used.
It was honestly probably more work than Sutton used to go through on her own, and she'd at least attempted to look pulled together and professional before.
"We were able to find three dresses for you to choose from, if you would."
Out of the drawing room, one of the ladies pushed a clothing cart into view.
Fabric, fabric, fabric.
Sutton wasn't sure if it had actually hit her that she'd never see Earth again. She didn't even know if she'd miss it. But she suddenly had the strong feeling that Earth had cheated her concerning clothing.
There was a soft pastel dress with plenty of sheer layers and ruffled straps, another in that same deep royal blue color with bell sleeves, but the one that caught Sutton's eye was comparatively plain color-wise.
It was solely white or, perhaps, if one looked at it in the right light, the barest of lavender, with lace fitted sleeves that started nearly off the shoulder, and decorated with what looked like white butterflies pinned all over the chiffon skirt.
"Are they real butterflies?" Sutton tentatively asked. Because they were so delicate looking and detailed and it wouldn't exactly shock her if they collected dead magic bugs to put on their clothes.
The main woman let out a bark of a laugh.
"Oh no, my lady! But they are all handcrafted. Would you like to wear that one, then?"
"It's really pretty." Sutton looked up and smiled. "You don't mind?"
"My dear, even if I did, it wouldn't be my place to say. The dresses aren't mine, afterall."
By the time they'd helped her into the dress and matching shoes, Sprinkles finally sat up in bed and watched with patient disinterest. While Sutton examined their finished work in a full length mirror, Sprinkles chewed the bottom of her paw.
"You look like snow," she said.
Sutton turned with an amused glimmer to her eye.
"Is that good?"
Sprinkles chuffed mid lick.
"Yes. Snow means you stay home."
Of course the vague compliment would be rooted in what made Sprinkles, herself, happy. Sutton grinned regardless.
They led her down in a procession to breakfast. A few of the girls broke off as they journeyed, Sutton assumed, to do other tasks. Only the main woman was left as they arrived at a large door. Nothing imposing and arching like the doors to the banquet hall had been, but they were carved with enough scenes of birds and faerie creatures for her to know that they weren't doors to a common kitchen.
The door was pushed open and smells of coffee and tea and cooked meats wafted out to meet them. The table was already nearly full. Steve sat at the head with Bucky at his left and another slightly younger man in the next seat down. The two immediate seats to Steve's right were empty, but Tony and Pepper were both in the next two over. It looked like they were waiting for her to arrive and Sutton flushed.
"Sorry, you could've started without me!"
A murmur of laughter surged through the room, and it only served to make Sutton feel even more common.
"His majesty will only eat when he has accounted for all his guests, and they have plenty." The woman who'd led her helpfully whispered. "And the guests will only eat when he takes his first bite."
"I see."
Sutton didn't mention how she'd never noticed him doing that while he'd been living in her apartment. She looked over to Steve to find he was already looking at her. He wasn't in the regalia like he'd worn at the banquet. Now he was wearing clothes in a softer, almost pastel, color palette and it looked like his shirt was tied as a sort of wrap rather than a stiff coat.
Picking a white dress for breakfast? For eating? Why was she so dumb? And a dress like this? She probably looked so overdressed and that's another reason why everyone was staring at her.
She hurried over to the table and took the seat directly next to Steve before he could pull it out for her. She assumed he wouldn't want a dog smacking food right next to his face. Although, Tony probably wouldn't appreciate it either. Ah well.
"Sorry to keep everyone waiting," she said. As a distraction, she smoothed out her dress and offered Steve a nervous smile. "You really could have started without me."
"Of course not." Steve said, sounding mildly aghast at the idea. "What would that say of me if I broke fast without my-"
"What are those?"
Sprinkles interrupted Steve forcefully. Both he and Sutton stopped to see what she was referring to. Her eyes were set with laser focus on a platter filled with a powdered pastry that, to Sutton, resembled a beignet.
"That's a pastry." Bucky supplied. "It's dough fried in oil with sugar on top."
"Right," said Sutton. "Donuts. We have those. Lots of kinds, actually."
A peculiar look came over Steve's face. Like he was amused and feeling fond at the same time.
"Sir Barnes favors a particular bakery in town," he said. "He fetched this batch himself this morning."
Bucky sent him a less than amused glance and if Sutton didn't know better, she might've thought a hint of a blush bloomed over his face.
"She has the best bakery within city walls, and you know that."
Sutton arched a brow.
"She?"
He sent a scathing look her way and Sutton's face broke into a glorious smile. Oh, ho. So he could dish it out but he couldn't take it? She leaned forward over the table with the grin still on her face.
"Is she pretty?"
"She's one of the beautiful ones." Tony commented in a sly tone.
Pepper sent him a bland look and he gave her a peck on the corner of her lip.
"But you, dear wife, are radiant beyond measure, of course."
She rolled her eyes, her lip twisting upward marginally.
"Quite the save, dear husband."
"Besides, I'm sure Sir Barnes is already catching notes."
Sutton squinted at the phrase and felt she was missing something. The term must be a colloquialism from this world she'd yet to learn. Still, they were obviously familiar with it, given the way that Bucky refused to comment and chose only to glare in irritation at the obvious teasing.
Steve reached to the nearest bowl, one with strawberries in it, and took a bite of fruit as the conversation lulled. And that was enough for everyone else to start helping themselves to the food set before them. He smiled at her through his chewing when she looked back at him and the sight made her face grow hot.
"This is a strawberry." He said after swallowing. His grin widened. "It's a small, sweet berry that pairs nicely with a multitude of flavors."
Sutton clicked her tongue on the roof of her mouth.
"Are you mocking me? When I was being kind to you? You're the one that had no idea what a movie or a hamburger was."
"Just wanted to be sure," he replied. "So much is different here, you never know."
He was grinning so widely at her and Sutton bit her lip despite his goading.
"You know," she prompted, "that no matter what I can always use your position against you and win."
Bucky raised his brows and Tony paused in taking a drink of coffee to fully listen in. Steve continued to look nothing less than fully engaged and delighted, and Sutton wondered if maybe people just didn't talk like this towards him most of the time. At least, people out of his immediate group. Because Bucky didn't seem too wary to tease him.
"How so?"
He at least wasn't offended so far.
"Well, it just doesn't seem very princely of you, does it? Taunting a commoner when you have so much."
"You're hardly a commoner."
"And you're giving the politically correct answer."
Tony put down his coffee and directed his gaze at Bucky. There was a brief moment of nothing, or something unsaid, and Tony canted his head to the side.
"Are we getting jokes at breakfast? Is that happening? From His Majesty?"
Bucky speared a sausage onto his plate.
"I believe the term used was 'taunting' or 'mocking'."
There was a scoff then Sprinkles nudged Sutton's arm with a low whine. And just like that, once again the focus was back on actual food.
Sutton fixed Sprinkles a plate of dog safe food before getting anything for herself. She wondered if the fact that Sprinkles could talk meant she didn't need kibble anymore. It was something she'd have to look into.
The food was leagues above her usual cooking and Sutton savored every bite. It was another reminder that she was being catered to with repayment that she certainly didn't deserve. She would have to find a way to bring up more permanent accommodations after breakfast. Maybe she'd even be able to scope out a place near that bakery they'd mentioned, because the beignets were divine. Magical even.
Bits of conversation floated around the room even as people focused most of their energy on eating. Sutton listened as she ate. It was nice to still have people to sit with at a table. To eat with. She smiled without thinking as she took a sip of a suspiciously still hot cup of coffee.
Her gaze flickered upwards as someone mentioned those hunting hounds again to
Sprinkles, but her attention was drawn passed them and to the large window overlooking the mountain range. She frowned.
"Is it… snowing?"
Everyone turned to look.
The flakes weren't large by any means. But there were enough falling in spurts to have caught her eye and it was weird to see them with the backdrop of a clear blue sky.
"I thought it was spring or summer right now?"
"It is." Steve said. His voice was solemn and disturbed.
He shared a look with Bucky, and Bucky gave a short nod before pushing out of his chair and hurrying from the room.
"Looks like Winter is on it's way."
Tony sounded almost serious and Sutton frowned.
"Is it Loki?" She asked.
Pepper nodded, and with the revelation of snow, breakfast wrapped up. Sprinkles made sure to snap up the last few bites and lick the plate before leaving the table.
Steve held out a hand to Sutton as they rounded the table near the doors, and she hesitated as she processed what he wanted. After a moment she placed her hand in his and he directed her to his side and further from the windows. She liked the way it felt, walking next to him with her hand around his elbow, more than it did with the others, but it was something she'd keep, wisely, to herself.
Tony and Pepper fell in place next to them as Sprinkles trotted blithely behind and licked her lips.
"I told you he's grown in power," Tony said.
"He still wouldn't dare leave the mountain, would he?" Pepper asked. "That would be inviting full war instead of just these skirmishes."
Steve's face grew ever more solemn.
"Let's hope that isn't exactly what he wants."
They moved from the breakfast room and out into the hall. Bucky was nowhere to be seen, already off on his mission. Whether it was to rally more guards or actually move soldiers out, she didn't know.
Part of her wondered if she should be more concerned than she was, but no one seemed terrified at the moment, so she assumed things were mostly fine. And it still felt silly to her, to be afraid of anything here. Of course she knew that wasn't a good mindset, but still.
Between the weird singing and the fairytale castle and the ornate clothes, it didn't feel like bad things were capable of happening. Or, even if they did, they wouldn't be truly threatening. What was a villain going to do? Cackle and sing a tune and try to get someone to prick their finger on a spinning wheel?
She could handle that.
Steve still held her arm in his as they walked and no one in the halls made a fuss about it, and she was glad. It must have been something he did regularly, or surely it would have drawn more attention. She was a commoner to them, after all, and Steve was set to be king.
Those thoughts didn't settle comfortably for her, and Sutton tried to shove the reasons why away.
Was their moment in her kitchen really a moment? Or was she so desperate for human companionship that she was reading too much into every interaction?
Sutton grimaced slightly.
Probably that.
They swept through the castle halls as murmurs began to fill the corridors at the sight of snowflakes. Sprinkles trotted up to Sutton's side as she tilted her head at the whispers, then looked out a window with delight instead of dread.
"See!" She exclaimed. "You get to stay home!"
Sutton hushed her but softened the command with a pat on the head.
"I don't have a job right now anyway, Sprinkles."
Tony took the lead, and they wound through the castle until they reached an octagonal room. Inside a large table sat in the middle of the floor. It was ornate, with gold filigree and an inset top. Tony brushed his hand over a gemstone set in the top of the table and then flicked his hand upwards. There were several other gemstones around the table, and a gold light sprung up from them to join in the center. When the light settled, it formed what looked like a map of, Sutton assumed, the kingdom.
"My barriers are still in place," Tony said. He nodded at the image as if pleased with whatever it showed him. "But I still haven't heard back if he's collecting anything from the mountain. If he's building up his magic arsenal, we could have problems in the future."
Steve studied the map briefly and then set his gaze on Tony.
"You dispatched scouts?"
"Me? No. The Order did. The assassins who fetched the Tesseract were supposed to join a few others who went out for more information."
Steve nodded, looking serious and concerned.
"Majesty," said a voice from behind them.
Sutton startled slightly and she turned at the same time as Steve to find his-, was it advisor? Coulson stood looking just as prim and somber as the rest of the room.
"I'm afraid this event will have to push the coronation date even sooner, Sire. If we must go to war, we'll need a true king."
Steve didn't look surprised by the statement, something like acceptance showing in his eyes. He straightened his shoulders even more, if that were possible, and held his head high. It was easy to see the leader in him, then. The way he listened with concentrated attention to the experts around him and welcomed their advice.
"Of course," Steve said. "You're right. And it's been too long already. Please start the arrangements as soon as possible, Coulson."
Coulson looked pleased by the answer, his lips pressed together in a small smile.
"It will be done, Your Majesty. Page." He snapped his fingers and a young boy ran over to his side. Sutton was actually surprised by how young the boy looked.
Coulson quickly wrote something on some parchment and pressed a ring on his finger against the paper. A marking in ink appeared under the ring, and Sutton swore there hadn't been ink on the silver ring before.
"Mister Parker please deliver this to the Head of House."
The boy eagerly grabbed the note and scampered off as everyone else remained focused on the issue at hand.
Sutton removed her hand from Steve's arm and took a small step back. This seemed like it should be a private meeting, need-to-know. She wondered if Steve forgot she was there and didn't realize he'd dragged her into a political thing.
He turned his head to look at her and he frowned slightly in confusion at her withdrawal before she gave him an encouraging smile, which he returned.
So? He didn't openly care that she was listening in on what could possibly turn into a discussion about Andolasia's security?
Perhaps they had different standards for what was considered classified information.
"If you ask me, it's about time." Tony said. He shot a sharp grin at Steve even as he continued to move about and check on various maps at his magic table. "I thought I was never going to get to display my power before the kingdom."
Steve turned to him, his face impassive, and Tony's grin widened.
"And witness you come into your full potential, of course. But speaking of kings and wars."
He touched another gem and the image shifted from being focused on Andolasia to a nearby mountain range. It was hard to tell, because it only showed up in gold, but it looked like it might have been depicting the mountain with snow trailing down getting closer to its base.
"His boundaries have expanded. Clearly he isn't content to just remain on the mountain top. At this rate he'll be at our borders in a few months, at most."
Sutton shifted again as Steve began discussing the protection of outside villages and farmland. She made eye contact with Coulson and he met her as she attempted to step back towards him.
"My lady?" He questioned quietly.
Sutton wrung her hands.
"Hi, yeah. Um. Should I be here? Things kind of happened fast, maybe Steve- This seems like a council thing."
"His Majesty allowed you in; you cannot be intruding."
"But I'm-" She hesitated, but decided to settle on the honest, "a peasant. I don't exactly belong here. Especially if things are serious."
Coulson looked at her with a soft sort of endearment. As if she'd said something admirable but wrong.
"My lady, I think you'll find you very much belong here."
He was wrong, of course. Sutton didn't know the first things about running or protecting an entire kingdom. And she certainly had no place in a war room next to the future king as he doled out orders. But everyone in Andolasia was over the top in their manners, and Coulson was probably honor bound to be nothing but positive to honored guests.
She glanced back at the group around the table and knew she was out of her depth. She didn't even have a full grasp on how everyday life was supposed to operate.
It shouldn't have bothered her so much that she didn't know any of this stuff, really. It was only her second day in this world. Of course she wouldn't.
And yet it did. She didn't like not knowing things. Or being helpless. Or a burden.
Dang it, now she felt even worse for making fun of Steve and Bucky when they first showed up.
Sprinkles licked her hand. A few people looked around the room, and Steve turned and faced her suddenly. She blinked and jerked back as he took her hand and lowered his head to make eye contact.
"Are you alright?"
Sutton blinked again.
"I- I'm fine. Why would you ask that?"
Steve let out a breath of air.
"I can tell the music is coming from you," he said. "It's part of the-"
Both Bucky and Coulson stiffened but Sutton interrupted before either of them said anything.
"Music?" She laughed lightly. "What music?"
The room went uncomfortably quiet. Everyone simply watched their interaction with various degrees of pity and distress. Steve's face went through phases. Confusion, a squint of denial, devastation, before it shuttered into disappointment.
Sutton shifted and suddenly couldn't quite meet his eyes.
"You- you can't hear it?"
She dared to look back as her brows raised and she tried to figure out if this was another joke. Like with the strawberry. Something in her gut, though, told her Steve wasn't that good of an actor.
"There's no music? Who'd even be playing it; there are no instruments in here."
Tony winced at her statement and Bucky looked like he was stopping himself from saying anything despite desperately wanting to.
Steve stepped back away from her and his gaze turned inward, as if all this shocked him. Sprinkles whined quietly and trotted over to nose at his hand.
"She's not listening right now." She said. "But she will."
"You can't hear it." He said again. It sounded like less of a question.
Sutton wasn't sure what to do. There was no music playing. And even if there was, what would that have to do with him asking about her feelings?
Steve swallowed visibly and blinked rapidly a few times.
Weren't they supposed to be discussing a war?
Sutton took a breath.
"I'm sorry?"
Her face grew hotter as everyone continued to stare. She wished they'd go back to discussing classified information in front of her instead.
"No," Steve said. "No, you've nothing to apologize for."
But his tone was obviously tightly controlled and she could see the tension in his face and body. He was clearly upset. Clearly he expected her to know something, but for the life of her she couldn't think of what it could be.
How was she supposed to hear music that didn't exist? And why did it matter to him so much if she couldn't?
Steve gave a shallow bow to the room as he stepped further away from her and addressed everyone.
"If you'll all excuse me for just one moment."
Sutton's stomach dropped and her teeth clenched together. She wanted the floor to open up and swallow her whole.
Whatever she'd failed at, it upset him enough to leave an important meeting and everyone in the room knew about it.
Sprinkles paced around and whined again as she came back to Sutton's side.
"It's okay! It's okay; you're a good girl." She reassured.
Sutton decided the ground didn't have to swallow her whole as long as it swallowed enough of her to stop her from experiencing embarrassment.
"Lady Sutton-" Coulson started.
"I'm sorry." Sutton's voice was tight and her smile stretched too far. "I shouldn't be distracting all of you during a time like this. Coulson," she turned to him, "do you think I could- uh, see the gardens again?"
Coulson hesitated, but ultimately he bowed his head slightly and acquiesced.
"Of course, my lady."
Sprinkles followed dutifully after her, and Sutton sent a short wave back to the room as she exited out the doorway right behind Coulson.
Day two. Day two and she'd already greatly upset their soon-to-be king.
Wasn't that just her luck.
[][][][][]
"Steve."
Bucky's lack of formal title told him they were alone in the hall. Steve let his shoulders slump as he leaned against the windowsill and ran both his hands through his hair as Bucky came alongside him.
"She doesn't know we're True Loves." The tremble in his voice only came through because there were no witnesses. "She doesn't even suspect."
Bucky sighed as he leaned forward to look out the window over the courtyard below.
"You have to give her time, Steve. She didn't believe in magic a week ago."
Steve lifted his head and the muscles in his jaw were still tight.
"What if she never hears it?"
"Perhaps she needs to adjust. To learn to accept it first."
It wasn't exactly what Steve wanted to hear, even if Bucky was being rational. She'd agreed to come to his world with him, and he'd hoped that once she did that she would- well, that she'd know.
During their stay in her home, he'd found himself attracted to her. He admired her willingness to help them even if it was a strain and a risk to herself. Her laugh was a song in itself and the way she smiled….
He'd found himself wondering, and hoping for more. So when they appeared in Tony's workshop and she swooned in his arms and he could hear music? Could feel it swell as he looked upon her gentle face? It all made sense.
"She said she believed in magic." He rebutted lamely.
Bucky let out a huff.
"You know even here there are those who struggle with True Love, Steve. It does not come easy for all." He swiveled and stood to make eye contact. "Perhaps you may use this opportunity to truly woo her. After all, what does a prince, or a king, really have to do besides romance a beautiful woman?"
Steve shot him a weak glare and Bucky grinned. With a sniff, Steve straightened his stance and rolled back his shoulders.
"Alright," he said. "So be it. I am not opposed to putting effort into courtship."
"Can you not even say it? Would it pain you so greatly to say that I am right?"
Steve's countenance lightened as he looked at Bucky from the corner of his eye and smirked.
"I might, but I fear your head would grow too large to fit through bakery doors. And then you would truly never forgive me."
The look Bucky cast him was entirely unamused, though he made no denial of visiting the bakery.
"One more piece of advice, if I may." Bucky continued on. "Ease her into the idea of courtship. I fear if you assault her with finery and personal gardens too quickly, she'll flee."
"Am I so repulsive?"
Bucky pushed off the wall and started back down the hall in the direction of Tony's survey chamber, and he shot another sharp grin back with a tick of his head.
"You might find a better answer from some maiden." He said. "But please, think of me. I have enough on my plate at the moment without adding a runaway future queen."