king of slowburns and cliffhangers

“What the hell are you?” The princess’ shriek was swallowed by the thunderstorm that wasn’t so outside anymore. Knights were scattering to close the windows to no avail as most of the glass was cracked and broken anyway. They were only making it worse.

Ace slowly lowered his hands, blinking a few times for his vision to come back. What was that light? Were you okay? He looked to where you had been standing and you weren't there. A small panic settled into his chest before he realized something. 

The princess was looking up.

He followed her gaze, his eyes immediately widening as his mouth fell open. 

Before him was you; floating midair with glowing eyes. Your hair and saggier parts of your clothing seemed to also float around you as if you were in water or if they had their own sentience. Even the talisman he had given you was floating and glowing the same color that your eyes were. It seemed to be some kind of white-green. 

Instinctually, he took a step towards you but a hand clasped his shoulder. He rounded, assuming it was one of the guards but it was none other than the last man he thought it would be. 

His father, King Roger. 

“Dad?” His eyes bulged out of his head. What was his father doing here? 

“Never thought you'd find them, but here you are.” 

Everything was so confusing. The King didn't look mad at him for literally blowing up his engagement right now. He looked in awe as he looked up at you. Like he'd been waiting for this moment. Did his father know you? He followed his father's gaze back to you. 

“Find who?” he asked over his shoulder. 

“I'll explain everything later. For now-”

As if on cue, you lifted your hand over your head. 

Behind the three of you, two portals opened up. They were a cool, mute green color with white swirling on the inside. It looked like something straight out of a movie. Hell, all of this looked like something out of a movie. You were fucking floating! The storm raging outside as well? Movie type shit.

Ace was internally freaking out because what the fuck was happening? Why were you in the air? Why was his father here? Why did he look so…serene? Did he know this would happen? Again, just what was happening? His head was spinning and he felt like he needed to sit down. However, he would do just the opposite of that.

Gunshots began to ring and Ace panicked. Again, he was about to go towards you but Roger stopped him by the scruff of his collar. “L-Let me go! I have to!”

“Do what? You can’t reach them up there. Besides, you’ll end up more holey than swiss cheese.”

“So will-”

Roger jerked on his collar, stopping his speech midsentence and he pointed up at you. Ace stopped moving and looked up at you. It was true. He wouldn’t be even able to reach you if he jumped. He just wanted you safe.

“Sit and quiet. Pay attention.”

He looked at his father like he had grown another head. How could he be so calm right now?! He did what he asked anyway, knowing resistance and questions were futile. 

The first thing he noticed was that none of the hundreds of bullets being shot at you hit you. At first he thought these knights were just really bad at shooting when he realized; none of them were ricocheting either. They were disintegrating once they even flew close to you.

Slowly, one by one, the knights realized their bullets weren’t working. Each one that realized dropped their gun and hightailed it out of there, leaving their royal family deserted. Some loyalty they had.

“J-Just who the hell- No. What the hell are you?” The neighboring King shouted at you once the shooting stopped. The king and princess were now cowering behind their thrones.

You didn’t answer them. Slowly, you brought your hand down. With the same speed of your movements, two large dragons slithered their way out of the portals, moving as if they were waves themselves. The portals closed behind them. They looked as if they were made of pure jade, but they moved like snakes. Fluid and smooth were their movements. They floated around you as if awaiting your command.

“P-Please!” The king fell to his knees. The princess watched her father with large eyes. “Father!”

“Spare us! We have seen the errors of our ways! If you spare us we shall-”

“You cannot throw gasoline on a fire and say you tried to put it out.” Your voice boomed around the room. Your voice was there, but there was another, more ethereal and louder voice layered on top. The remaining windows shattered, the relentless wind making the room its new home, bringing the rain with it.

“That glass has long gone broken.” Your voice boomed again, knocking out what small amount of light was remaining. 

“Your highness,” King Roger’s voice called over the howling wind and chaos around. Ace immediately looked at him. Your highness? But that was his father. What was he doing saying that?

Slowly, you turned to look at him. The angry look you had while looking at the enemies softened to that of a neutral one. As if you had recognized him as a subject, waiting for his request.

“It would prove much easier to clean up the aftermath if you did not kill the both of them.”

Without any acknowledgement, you turned your head back to the two below you. Your angry expression returned, but there was still a regality to it. You really looked like royalty to him. Were you royalty? Apparently so since his father, the king, called you ‘your highness.’

The princess screamed, covering her head as you brought your hand back up and bringing it down in one quick motion.

The two dragons spiraled up and twisted around each other before coming down in a corkscrew-like motion, straight for the dais where the two were cowering down, screaming and yelling as the dragons drove right through them and into the floor.

The two of them looked confused for a moment, looking at each other then down at their bodies, confused. Then the king slowly began to turn to ash, blowing away right before the princess’ eyes. She screamed, crying tears of devastation.

“Please! Bring him back! Surely you-” She looked up at your unforgiving expression, her cries cutting short. She knew she was pleading on deaf ears. She had kept you trapped for weeks, starving you and beating you. She was going to kill you. Kill Ace. This was mercy.

A mercy that his own father had pleaded for and you listened. 

The princess turned her attention back to the crumpled clothes that once covered her father, crying and sobbing. “Leave! Just leave my kingdom! I will never bother you again! Everything is null and void. Just please!” Her voice grew more and more unstable with every scream, slowly breaking down.

The dragons slowly came out of the floor once more. They flew in loose waves and spirals towards you, disappearing as they reached you. As if they were disappearing inside of you. As Ace looked a little closer, they seemed to be going back inside the pendant. Just what the hell was that thing and why did his mother have it? Could she do that?

The glowing from your eyes and the pendant began to die down. As if on a string, you were lowered down. Steady and gently, you descended. Ace ran towards you, Roger letting him go this time.

He stood under you, ready to catch you if you dropped but also afraid to touch you while you descended. He didn’t want to mess anything up. Was that how it worked? He wasn’t sure, so he would just-

You landed on your feet only for them to immediately give out and Ace caught you easily. Considering how close he was, it would’ve been embarrassing if he hadn’t. 

Ace studied you, noticing all your previous injuries were gone. You no longer looked malnourished. It seemed that whatever happened to you restored you. Even the scars on your feet and legs were gone. You were back at full capacity…maybe. He wasn’t sure.

“Let’s get them home. I have much to explain,” Roger said, looking at the two of you. Still, there was that expression on his face. As if recalling a softer memory. Ace had never seen that softness in his father’s face. Not ever since his mother died. 

“O-Okay.”

With that, the three of you headed back for the kingdom.

--

“You have been chosen. Use your newfound power wisely.”

You had a dream once.

All by yourself, no one else.

You thought you’d died then went to heaven.

Then you woke up.

You had a dream once.

You didn’t know in that moment;

The world was perfect in that moment.

Then you woke up.

Bright white lights. This again? Is this death? Is this rebirth? You didn’t know. Perhaps the hands of time turned back. It sure would suck if this was rebirth and you remembered everything. Plagued by the memories of your past. Or maybe your memories of your old life would fade with time. Like how some kids seemed to recall being on the Titanic while it was sinking when they clearly were not drowning out at sea.

As the seconds ticked by, your senses slowly came back to you. Not death. Well, maybe that was good. Your vision was blotchy at first, hearing mumbles around you. It took several blinks for everything to come into focus. You’re surrounded, eyes like frozen planets. It was almost enough to make you jump.

You still couldn’t quite make out what they were saying for a moment then a familiar voice cut through.

“Enough. Let them breathe. I know we’re all excited for them to wake up.” 

By the sounds of that, you were probably out for quite a while. Was that Marco? It sounded like him but you couldn’t really move to look. Every molecule in your body felt like it was being weighed down by lead. You felt like you were underwater. 

You closed your eyes for a long moment, taking a deep breath. Nothing hurt too much, you just felt the most tired you’d felt in your entire life. Moreso than when you ran across those coals. Man, that felt like a lifetime ago. 

“I didn’t think you would ever wake up.” A voice came from next to you, soft and strained. It was full of emotion. Was that Ace? You opened your eyes and looked over, tears were falling down his cheeks. You immediately wanted to panic, but Ace settled you down. “I’m okay, I’m just happy.”

You went to speak, but nothing came out. Your mouth was so incredibly dry and it felt like sandpaper was shoved down your throat. It felt like it was shriveled up and torn to shreds. 

“Alright, let me do my job,” Marco said, walking over and taking a look at you. As he checked your vitals, Ace went to grab a glass of water. When he was handing it to you, your doctor spoke. “Slowly. Don’t want to drown yourself.” You nodded, drinking just enough to wet your whistle. It kind of hurt to get it down anyway, so you couldn't imagine downing anymore than the small sip. 

Once the cup was handed back, Marco had finished up taking a look over you. “Looks like you’re perfectly fine,” he said with a large smile. “Figured you would be, but you were out for a month so…yeah…” He shrugged, heading over to the computer in the corner of the room.

A month?! Your mouth dropped open. How the hell were you out a month? The last thing you remembered was being in that throne room and passing out. Though, you did have a strange dream. You opened your mouth again and Marco made a noise. “I need you to not speak for a while,” he said, looking at you with a stern look on his face. You clamped your mouth shut and nodded. 

Ace sighed. “So, I’ll explain everything that happened once we get you…back…home…my home…” It seemed he wasn’t sure how much you remembered. 

You just stared at him and he fidgeted. “Let’s just say we have to go back to the palace and also your throat is kind of torn to shreds thanks to the disappeared Jade Dragon Ruler.” 

Again, your mouth dropped open. What the hell was happening? 

“Yes, yes. I’ll get you all checked out and you can leave by this afternoon. Give your throat a couple more days as it’s still at the end of the mend. Just to be safe. Once you regularly have water and are eating again, then it should all be fine.” Marco nodded, dipping out to go do whatever it was doctors did. You had no idea.

Your gaze turned back to Ace. “Banshee is already on the way to the palace. I had Deuce go and fetch her the second you began to stir. I was going to send a car but then I realized she probably would’ve hated all that attention.”

You nodded, he was correct. If he sent some kind of fancy ass chauffeur, she would’ve kicked his ass more than likely.

“Yamato is-”

“Y/N!!!!!!!” His voice rang through the, now you were noticing, large room. He ran over, throwing his arms around you. 

“I am s-so sorry,” he cried, tears falling down his face. “I-”

You just patted his head, smiling to yourself. You didn’t blame him for what happened. You had done this to yourself. He was the one who had been adamant on sticking with you and you had insisted on him not having to do that.

Then look what happened.

“Alright, big lug,” Ace said with a small smile. “Don’t hang on them, they’re recovering.”

Yamato pulled away, sniffling and wiping his tears away on his sleeve.

You looked up at him and patted his hand, hoping that it would be enough.

He cried harder. “You’re too n-niiiiice.” He sobbed again before blubbering on about things. You sighed, squeezing his hand with all the strength you could muster and he paused, looking at you.

You stared at him intently and he nodded. “O-Okay,” he mumbled. “If you say so…”

Maybe this whole not being able to talk thing wasn’t going to be too bad. “I-I’m going to grab some food for everyone,” he said, quickly leaving the room. Poor guy. 

Ace sighed heavily. “Sorry,” he mumbled. 

Now, it was just the two of you. He stared at you for a long time, enough to make you start fidgeting. “I didn’t think you were ever going to wake up.” Tears once again formed in his eyes and you reached up, wiping them away. He turned into your hand, kissing your palm.

Your face felt white hot, unsure of what to do. He had never acted this…intimately with you before. You had a feeling the two of you harbored feelings for each other, but now that it was confirmed, you couldn’t process it.

He sat there for a beat more before he looked at you. “What was the last thing you remember?”

You stared at him for a moment, trying to think of how to explain.

“Was it up until you passed out?” 

You nodded.

“Okay, well. So, I’m sure you were able to make the conclusion that I am the prince.”

You nodded again.

“My late mother’s wish was to keep me out of the limelight so that I may have a chance to have somewhat of a normal childhood should I please. That was something I obviously didn’t take for granted.” He let out a long sigh. “Royalty was never something I wanted. I wasn’t interested in all the finest things. I hated how fake everyone was. It’s like when money became involved or they figured out who I am, they completely changed. They wanted to use my title, my wealth. I just…I hated all of it. Deuce, Yamato, and Marco are the only ones that never did, which is why they’re my friends…obviously.”

You just stared at him, letting him vent it all out. Honestly, you thought he'd start with what happened after you blacked out but you let him continue. You took his hand gently in yours, squeezing it in reassurance.

“I was actually set on running away from it all. There was nothing that I could gain from being royal except for a lifetime of living under a microscope. Without a moment of peace. Once I became king, everyone in the kingdom would know who I was and I hated that thought. I wouldn’t be able to just go out and be myself anymore. Whatever friends I do have as just Ace and not the prince would just be gone. I know the moment they figure out who I am, they’ll switch their tunes. Kiss ass so they can get whatever they want.”

He frowned, thinking about all the friends he would lose. He enjoyed sneaking out and such, but now there was more important things in his life.

“My dad hit me with an arranged marriage and I was kind of…whatever about it. I didn’t plan on sticking around, so why care? I didn’t want anything to do with royal life. I didn’t have a reason for it. Nothing worth staying for.”

He paused, looking to you in earnest.

“Then, I saw you at a ball.” 

You blinked, racking your brain. You didn’t recall ever meeting Ace before. Well, other than your dream, but that was it. You never met him in the physical world. Surely, you would’ve remembered.

“You didn’t see me though.” He could tell that you were trying to remember. “It was a ball at Deuce’s family’s estate. We were upstairs. I saw you from up there and knew I needed to meet you but the time I reached you, you were gone. That’s when Deuce told me about you.”

Deuce knew you? Again, you tried to remember meeting him but didn’t recall.

“Deuce was with me most of the time, so he didn’t go to events often. However, he’s very informed on the noble houses unlike me. He told me you were one not very well known either. That you hated everything to do with nobility so it made me want to meet you even more. Another noble that was like me? Of course I had to meet you.”

Ah, that made sense. If Deuce was kind of like Ace’s advisor, it would check out that he was knowledgeable on the families. And you weren’t one for the parties anyway. Once you were there, all the faces blurred into the same featureless face. If you ever saw Deuce, he probably would’ve faded in with the others. 

“You plagued my mind after that. You were all I thought about. I told my father about you but my engagement had already been solidified, so I was stuck. I overheard the plan about my assassination. Tried to tell my dad, but with the timing of everything, he thought I was making it up. ‘Trying to weasel out of my responsibilities’ he said or whatever.” 

Ace frowned deeply as he recalled the memory. 

“So, I decided, I would prove that I was right. Then I would pursue you.” He shrugged as if it was the most obvious answer in the world. Your cheeks heated up. “Then I saw that damned ad in the paper. The one announcing the toss.”

You flinched at the mention of the toss. You hated every aspect of that event - except that it brought you and Ace together.

“I decided to go. I wanted to watch and see who you ended up with. I was devastated. It was supposed to be me. Then…then it was.”

There was a fond smile on his face and you squeezed his hand gently. He chuckled, shaking his head.

“Honestly, I thought your parents would make you toss it again. Or that you would end up being the worst person in the world because of how I had put you on a pedestal in my mind. But then you were perfect and you sister, in an attempt to sabotage you, ended up doing us a favor.” He winked.

Your shoulders shook as you silently laughed. It was funny to think about now. Your entire family was so against you that they ended up helping you. 

“It did somewhat put a wrench into things. I hadn’t planned on associating with you until after this was over, but the universe had different plans.” He chuckled, bringing your hand up and idly kissing your knuckles then he frowned.

“Then I lied. It hurt. It hurt so much to lie to you. There were many times I wanted to tell you everything but…I just…I couldn’t. I felt like you would’ve been even more in danger if I did. Or that you would hate me. That you wouldn’t trust me.” His voice had grown softer.

That explained a lot. There were many times where you could tell that he wanted to tell you something, but always bit his tongue. Honestly, you understood it. You understood why he never told you. As long as he didn’t lie anymore, you were willing to move on from everything. He was willing to throw his life and his kingdom away for you, after all. You could forgive him a little.

Besides, you never told him about your dream. That you had seen him. Even though it wasn’t exactly the same, it was enough. You tapped on him, signalling for a pen and paper.

He blinked, staring at your motions. Then it finally hit him what you were asking and he looked around, going over to the cabinets and such. Eventually, he found a pad and pen, handing it to you. 

Then you spilled your secret. The dream you had. The one where you saw him and what happened in it. That you knew the fates gave you the dream for a reason and that the universe brought you together for the same reason.

Ace was quiet as you wrote down your own story, explaining it. He read the whole thing, blinking. “Oh wow…” He looked at you. “So, you only said yes because of the dream?”

Your cheeks warmed and you wrote, ‘Initially, yes.’

He nodded, thinking for a moment before chuckling. “Well, I’m glad you had the dream then. What about now?”

You blinked, tilting your head to the side. What did he mean? 

He cleared his throat. “I mean, it’s all over. What about now?” He shifted uncomfortably and you were trying to-

Oh. 

Again, your shoulders shook as you silently laughed. He was asking if you were actually into him. Not just saying yes for a dream. Did he really think you would’ve went through all of that just to tell him no? If you weren’t about it, you wouldn’t have talked to him the moment you opened your eyes. You would’ve freaked out and got him away from you.

You didn’t know how to put your feelings into written words, however. Instead, you grabbed him by the collar of his shirt, pulling him in for a kiss.

“You sure this isn't just cause you feel bad for what happened in your dream? A pity kiss?” he mumbled against you with a slight smirk. 

Every day with you felt like a dream. He wanted nothing more than to just orbit around you all day, but he had a lot of work to do if he was ever going to be able to fully be yours. He made sure to keep all the bills paid up, even though you were desperate to help. He thought it was too cute. You were determined to help someone with your hard earned money even though you had been raised to come by it easily. You seemed to understand the actual value of money and hard work, something many nobles were ignorant to. He even gave you his spare bank card. You were smart with money and knew you wouldn’t go on a spending spree. Hell, he doubted you would use it at all.

He was right.

The day he came home to you cooking was something out of a dream. It was the domestic dream he always had. Coming back to a humble home to someone who loved you, cooking and waiting for your return…though…you weren’t in love with him. This was just an arrangement. He had to remind himself but…he would win over your heart when he was finally able to tell you the truth. He planned on officially courting you the moment this was all over.

It made him absolutely overjoyed when you made it a habit to have dinner done by the time he made it home. He enjoyed being able to taste the progression of your skill in the dishes you created.

He also enjoyed watching the hollow home slowly turn into a warm one. Now it had personality and evidence people lived here. No longer just an empty shell that did nothing but hold parties. It had purpose.

Then came that day. The day he almost threw everything down the drain just to make sure you were safe again.

It was homecoming. He knew you had been a nervous wreck about it. He had offered to pay for a good, expensive gift for your parents, but you kept insisting to save money - that it would be okay. He accepted after a few failed attempts. He trusted your judgement.

Right before leaving though, his guards just had to show up to bring him to the castle. He had specifically told them not to do that. To send word through Deuce, but even he seemed thrown off guard about it all. It took everything in him to keep his cool. Livid didn’t even begin to describe the rage he felt. They almost ruined everything.

Even though it looked weird and Deuce made a piss poor attempt to cover it up, you went with it. You seemed to be the no questions type. Or maybe you were just going along with it for the love of the game - he didn’t understand, but he was grateful for it either way. You had a trust in him despite him being a stranger.

Though, he was nervous leaving you alone with your family. The entire air from the two times he met them was absolutely god awful and the thought of leaving you alone with them made him sick to his stomach. He almost wanted to talk you into staying but he knew you were determined. This was your closure, so he let you go.

When Deuce called him to fill him in on what happened, he immediately left the palace with little to no explanation. In the middle of his meetings and work, he just left. He was the prince, so he could do whatever for the most part. His father would ream him later but that was the least of his worries. He had you to take care of right now.

When he arrived to the mass chaos and seeing you in the state you were in, he had completely forgotten he was playing a role. All he saw was red, ready to absolutely decimate the entirety of your family. Both physically and financially. He wanted to strip away their titles and leave them out on the streets. 

You were on the verge of passing out and he made a beeline towards you. He took you in his arms, opening his mouth to bark orders when you spoke.

Your voice was like a wave of calm washing over him. He didn’t want to upset you in any way. He had to be smart about this. When you went limp in his arms, he did his best to keep his composure. He made a mental note to send a royal threat to them later. One that would take them out of their lives forever.

From the corner of his eye, he noticed his talisman in your sister’s hands. Rage flared in his chest again. What the hell was she doing with that? He knew you would never give that away. Is this why you were in the state you were in? “Deuce.” 

The man nodded, needing nothing more to be said as he walked over to your sister. Guards came in from all angles to stop them but he put them down so quickly and efficiently, no one had any idea what happened. Ace was glad Deuce took all those classes. He was an excellent fighter. One of the best in the kingdom.

She guffawed. “Just who-”

He held up a hand, shaking his head. “Doesn’t belong to you. We will be taking your sibling now. You will be hearing from the crown.”

At the mention of the crown, everyone stopped in their movements. Your family, the servants, the guards - everyone was stone still. “How do you know-”

“Come along, Deuce. We have things to do.” Ace then made his way out of the estate with you, not looking back once. He knew if he did, he wouldn’t be able to hold anything back. Anger would fully consume him.

“You know! Without us, you will fall and fade away!” your mother shouted after them. Boy howdy, they really had no idea.

--

The entire time you were in the hospital, he was stressed out and pacing. He called in a favor from his friend, Marco. He knew the doctor would keep his secret. Of course, he was going to be in for a world of teasing, but that was a small price to pay for the best care in the kingdom and you kept safe.

“Dude, I told you that they’re going to be fine. Just chill out. You’re annoying me.” Marco groaned and rolled his eyes as he pinched the bridge of his nose. He honestly didn’t know why he was sitting in here with Ace. It’s been the same for a while.

Ace stopped his pacing to glare at him. “Asking me to ‘chill out’ is crazy of you.”

His friend sat back in the chair. “I know. I know. ‘But mother, I love them.’ Or whatever. I’m the doctor. Listen to me. It’s fine. They’re just exhausted. Sleeping is good. They’ll heal faster.”

“The fact that they haven’t even stirred is alarming.”

“Who is the doctor? You or me?”

Ace glared at him again, making Marco laugh. He was gladMarco was having a grand old time because he certainly was not. He was worried you’d never wake up. Even though Marco said otherwise, he couldn’t help but be worried. Until you opened your eyes, he was going to be stressed out every moment.

He stayed by your side the entire time, not caring that he was ignoring his other duties. All that mattered right now was you. And being there when you woke up. To hell with the plot right now. To hell with figuring that out. To hell with all of his other princely duties. If you didn’t pull through this, then there wasn’t a point in trying to fight the entire assassination plan. He would accept death faster than anyone could blink.

Though, he knew you would find him in the afterlife and kick his ass if he did that.

The amount of relief he felt when you woke up was intense. He felt like he could pass out with the way every single molecule in his body finally relaxed the second you stirred. Everything hit him all at once and the overwhelming emotion caused tears to prick the corners of his eyes, but he didn’t even care.

You were still so kind to him, making sure he was okay when you were the one in the hospital bed. Then you started apologizing. He was honestly baffled. What was there for you, of all people, to be sorry for? For existing? It wasn’t your fault that your family happened to be absolutely insane. He could only imagine everything they had put you through for you to apologize in a situation like this.

Then you started stressing about bills and he was quick to put your worries to rest. Currently, Marco was working for free. He couldn’t spend any money on medical expenses right now because that would definitely raise eyebrows. He told his friend that he would pay him back as soon as everything was over.

As much shit as Marco gives him, he did trust him to stick to his word. He wasn’t worried about Ace paying him back in the slightest. They were childhood friends. Besides, he knew the prince’s secret now.

--

Ace wanted so much to do nothing but stay by your side until you were up and walking around again. He would’ve too, but you insisted that he work and do what he needed to do. You were worried about bills and such. Every time you brought up money, he ached to tell you that he had more money than he knew what to do with. That you would never have to worry again, but he also didn’t want to get your hopes up just in case this all didn’t work out. 

He couldn’t wait to be able to tell you that you would never have to stress about anything ever again.

At this point, Ace had been away from the castle for far too long. Too neglectful of his duties, so his father wanted to keep a more keen eye on him, which is why he was ‘taking a work trip’. At least he would still be in town. He could come if really needed to. That’s also why he had phoned a friend. Called in another favor. From his friend Yamato.

Then came the attack. Yamato had filled him in on what happened and he left the castle immediately. Apparently his own threat wasn’t enough to make your parents back off. He’d have to send another one. 

Unless…it wasn’t your parents. 

He sent people to keep an eye on your family to confirm whether or not this was the case. Unfortunately, evidence came back pointing away from your family. It wasn’t them who sent the assassins. Fear started to encroach in his mind. Who would have known about you? Did someone see him?

For both of your safeties, he’d have to stay away even longer and that crushed him.

Not as crushing as your disappearance. Ace felt like his entire world was falling apart. Yamato was a blubbering mess - he had grown quite fond of you. He was trying to explain that you had insisted and he believed him. He knew how you were, determined to be independent. You didn’t like people fretting over you. You’d looked out for yourself for so long that help from an outside source was foreign to you.

He left no stone unturned trying to find you. He was ready to completely tear apart the kingdom. To hell with his plan. New plan: Find you.

Only he wouldn’t get very far. Not when he received a letter that revealed exactly where you were. The neighboring kingdom had you. That fuckass princess and her fuckass dad. What the hell did they want with you? How the hell did they find you? They must have been the ones who sent the assassins. Everything was making sense now.

He dropped everything he was doing, going straight to you. King Roger tried to demand to know where he was going, threatened to lock up and freeze his accounts. Ace didn’t care. It was clear that money and status or no, the one person he wanted wouldn’t even care about all that. He didn’t need any of it to have what he truly wanted.

--

Ace had no plan. He marched straight in the throne room with only one thought on his mind: to save you. The rest would work itself out, right?. He had to believe it. He wasn’t sure what he was going to do, but he was sure it would all be fine. He was immediately detained.

Then he saw the state of you, the gun pointed at your head. His heart shattered into a million pieces. You had clearly lost weight, your face hollowed out for lack of nutrition. There were bruises all over your body and he could see bloodstains on your clothes. It didn’t take a genius to realize what they had been doing to you.

Everything suddenly shot into perspective. This was all his fault. You could’ve been married to a nice noble right now. Away from this kind of drama and harm. You wouldn’t be beaten and starved. You would be full and as happy as you could be.

How could he be so selfish? So…so foolish. 

Maybe he should’ve let Deuce catch the marriage ball. Then at least you could’ve been safe while he was trying to figure out everything at the castle. You would’ve been closer and it wouldn’t be weird for him to be at Deuce’s estate. There were a million better ways he could’ve done this.

No. He couldn’t think like that. What’s done is done. He needed to keep you safe. He needed to make it all up to you somehow. 

When you noticed him, he watched as you connected all the dots. He had expected hatred and betrayal to fill your eyes, but there was none of that. There was only relief and understanding; somehow that hurt even worse. Hell, he even saw worry and concern in your eyes - for him! You really were too good for him. He should’ve let you go a long time ago. 

Then at least you wouldn’t be like this.

The guards let you go and you ran to him. He was surprised you could in this state, but adrenaline worked insane wonders. His emotions were high; the look of desperation and helplessness in your eyes didn’t help. He had to get you out of this, no matter the cost.

He was ready to throw away the entire kingdom - his life - just to see you were safe and taken care of. You’d lived such a rough life that you deserved a break. You deserved to live however you wanted - free of worry. Deuce would be able to make sure of that after he was long gone. He trusted that his best friend would keep an eye on you once he was six feet under. Not to mention Marco and Yamato as well. They would all make sure you would be just fine.

He honestly didn’t know how you did it. To be torn down again and again only to lift yourself back up again, still finding it in you to be kind to others. Fuck, he loved you so much that it hurt. He looked into your eyes, knowing this would be the last time he would be able to do so. He saw something in them.

That calmness was gone. You usually had this unreadable look to you, a calm one. A look where he could never guess what you were thinking. Now, it looked like there was a raging storm behind it. What were you thinking? Surely, you didn’t think you’d somehow pull something to get everyone out of thi-

The two of you were ripped apart and you screamed. Screamed. It bounced off the walls, sounding strangled and reverbed. The raging thunderstorm outside grew worse. The large windows crashed open, letting in the wind and rain. The lights were flickering. He noticed something glowing on your chest. The pendant? All this time, you still had it? He thought they would’ve taken it from you.

Just what the fuck was happening?

He didn’t think about it long because the grip from the guards laxed on him a bit and he was able to wiggle out of their grip. He started to sprint to you, noticing you beginning to fall to the ground. No doubt from all the stress and commotion. Not to mention the state you were in. Maybe the chaos was a blessing. He’d be able to reach you and run out of here with you.

However, before he could reach you, he was blinded by a white light.