Chapter Text
Crystal had a bad feeling.
Not the fleeting kind that melts away after a night’s sleep, but a cold gnawing dread that had taken root in his heart and was festering for weeks now.
The heavy snow and howling winds carried a hope for warmer seasons.
It was the middle of January and Illian was making her fourth trip to the royal city that month. Each time she returned, the tension in her shoulders grew heavier and heavier.
A rebel faction, calling themselves the Marqui, had issued a bloody threat: to overthrow King Avery’s reign, annihilate the monarchy’s bloodline, and sentence to death all who stood in allegiance. They claimed that their noble cause would bring freedom and inflict punishments on those who opposed the interests of the poor.
Rumors of war soon trickled its way down from the royal court to the cities, towns and small villages. Horror stories of pillaged towns, nobles and their families dragged from their homes and publicly executed in the town square spread like wildfire.
Crystal waited anxiously by the window inside Illian’s office, praying for his wife’s safety. Meanwhile, he watched eight year old Andra play with her toy sword.
“Father? I want to play knights and dragons. You’ll have to be the dragon and the prince this time.” Andra said as she draped a blanket over her shoulders for a makeshift cape.
“We can play! But… how can I be both? Doesn’t the dragon kidnap the prince? I can’t kidnap myself, you know.” Crystal giggled.
Andra tapped her chin.
“Yes… that’s true… but there’s no one else to be the dragon… Milo and Jenny are always busy… and Damien and Mel never want to play with me. Plus…” she pouted as she spun around, her cloak trailing behind her. “Mother plays the dragon the best! I wish she were here. I miss her. When will she be back?”
Crystal sighed mournfully.
“I know, darling. She will be home soon. Alright then, I’ll try to play the dragon also.”
“Yay!” Andra readied her sword.
Crystal got into a fighting stance, his hands raised.
“Be gone, knight!” he deepened his voice to sound threatening.
“Now say where the prince is.” Andra prodded.
“Ah! The prince is sleeping peacefully in the tower waiting for you to rescue him.” Crystal shared with a gentle tone.
“No!” Andra protested. “Say he’s locked away in the tower and that you will tear him apart with your teeth if I don’t rescue him!”
Crystal grimaced.
“Isn’t that a bit too gruesome, darling?”
“It’s supposed to be!” Andra argued. “It’s knights and dragons! Please say it, Father.”
“Fine.” he rolled his eyes. “If you fail to rescue the prince, then I shall eat him!”
“And crush him with your teeth!” Andra added with an evil grin.
“With my teeth…” Crystal cringed.
“No, no, no!” she stomped her foot. “You have to say it like you mean it! More mean and scary!”
“I thought that did sound mean…?” Crystal huffed in frustration.
“No, Father… let me show you…” Andra shook her head. “Your supposed to say it like-“
Suddenly, the office door was forced open with a violent shove, causing both Andra and Crystal to jump from fright. A loud booming voice echoed throughout the room.
“If you fail in your epic quest to save the prince from certain death, then I, the ferocious dragon, will grind the prince’s bones with my razor sharp teeth!” Illian proclaimed, emerging from behind the door, her voice deep and menacing.
“Mother! You’re home!” Andra gasped with glee, throwing off her cloak and abandoning her sword to greet her.
Illian laughed as she picked Andra up and threw her up in the air.
“How’s my girl? Did you miss me?”
“Mmmhmm!”Andra nodded, smiling ear to ear, nuzzling her head in her mother’s neck.
Crystal too was smiling brightly from happiness and felt relief wash over him from his wife‘s safe return.
“We were just in the middle of playing knights and dragons! Want to play? Please, Mother?” Andra inquired joyfully.
“Why of course I do! I wouldn’t miss it!” Illian agreed.
“Yay!” Andra exclaimed, running to put on her cloak and pick up her sword.
Meanwhile, Illian and Crystal embraced each other.
She held him close, her hands slid around his waist. He closed his eyes and buried his face into her shoulder, both savoring the blissful feelings of reunion and each other’s contact.
“I missed you.” she spoke softly, grasping his hand and brought it to her lips.
“I missed you too, my darling. I’m so thankful you’re safe. How was the meeting? Any news on the rebellion-?” he asked with concern.
“Come on everyone!” Andra interrupted with giddiness. “Let’s play! Father will be the prince and Mother will be the dragon!”
Before Crystal could scold Andra for interrupting, he noticed Illian give him a devious smirk before she swiftly scooped him up and threw him over her shoulder. He gasped from the sudden movement.
“Alas! I have kidnapped the fair prince and shall imprison him in my lair forever!” Illian proclaimed with a deep, malevolent tone.
Crystal beamed with excitement.
“Oh! Save me! Help me! Please!” he dramatically swooned, trying to conceal his blushing from being carried on his wife’s shoulder, momentarily abandoning all of his worries and allowing himself to be completely immersed in the game.
He was soon gently placed on the desk to sit for the duration of the game.
As Illian pulled back, she stared deeply into his eyes, causing him to blush all the more.
“Do not fear, fair prince! For I shall save you! I shall storm the castle gates, fight the dragon, and rescue you!” Andra called out from behind and posed heroically, drawing her wooden sword.
Illian quickly turned around and unfurled her own cape to resemble wings.
“I think not! For I am a dragon! Ferocious and mighty!” she growled. “You, however, are just an ordinary knight!”
“I am not an ordinary knight!” Andra retorted as she lifted her wooden blade. “For my sword is magical!”
Illian folded her arms and tilted her head to the side.
“Oh? And how so? What’s so special about it? Hmm?”
Andra was at a loss for words and stammered, staring at the wooden sword in her hand.
“U-Uh, it can… um….”
“It can slay dragons.” Crystal whispered from behind.
“It can slay dragons!” Andra repeated confidently.
Illian malevolently laughed with a theatric flare.
“So you dare challenge me? Very well, brave knight. Do your worst… for I shall do mine…” Illian threatened with a sinister grin.
Andra gulped and readied her sword. When she lunged forward to attack, her mother quickly picked up tiny cushions from the nearby chairs and launched them in her direction.
Andra deflected each projectile, ducking and dodging. She managed to hit one cushion with her sword.
“Please! Save me, O valiant knight!” Crystal called out again.
Andra sprinted towards her father, but was instead yanked up into her mother’s arms and dropped on the nearby couch. Andra laughed hard as she felt her ribs mercilessly tickled as she laid on the soft cushions.
“See, you’re no match for me!” Illian declared as she let up on her tickle attack and strode over to where Crystal was sitting.
“Now, the prince will be forever mine!” she grasped his chin and tilted his head up, forcing his eyes on hers.
Crystal swallowed gently, his face flushing a bright pink. He could see a faint blush spread across her features as well.
“Fear not, my prince! For I shall never give up! I will save you!” Andra mustered her courage and struck back.
Illian quickly grabbed the sword and tucked in between her side and arm, pretending to be stabbed. She let out a bone chilling hiss and collapsed to the floor.
“Ah… you got me… you bested me… oh, I’m dying…” she muttered out before closing her eyes and ceasing all movements.
Andra’s triumphant smile turned into a worried gasp.
“Mother! Are you alright?! D-Did I hurt you?” Andra knelt beside Illian.
“No…”Illian whispered as she squinted her eyes open. “This is the part where you rescue the fair prince.”
Crystal giggled silently into his hand.
Andra nodded and stood up.
“The dragon is slayed and you are saved, fair prince!” she proclaimed to Crystal and posed heroically.
“Oh my brave knight, you were so valiant!” Crystal praised as he pulled her into an embrace and kissed her cheek.
Meanwhile, Illian slowly got up from the floor.
“That’s was so much fun! Again!” Andra shouted.
“This dragon is tired from a lengthy journey and requires rest. Plus, I have a ton of paperwork to catch up on.” Illian chuckled.
“Besides, it’s time for you to get ready for bed.” Crystal stated.
“Aww…” Andra pouted and felt herself lifted up into her mother’s arms. A gentle kiss was pressed against her temple.
“Goodnight, my brave knight. I’m so proud of you. I love you dearly.”
Andra nuzzled her head against her mother’s shoulder.
“I love you too, Mother. Goodnight.”
Once Andra was fast asleep in bed, Crystal returned to the study. When he opened the door, he caught a glimpse of Illian’s somber expression as she scanned through the letters.
“How did your trip go?” Crystal softly inquired as he approached her desk.
“Hmm?” She jolted slightly and lifted her head. “Oh… it was fine…“
He nervously played with his hair.
“Any word on the rebellion? Is it really all true? What did King Avery say?” he asked.
She sighed.
“Yes… unfortunately it is true. While we aren’t certain who the puppet master is behind all this, Her Majesty doesn’t seem to concerned by it.” she shrugged her shoulders, feigning indifference.
“Are you worried?” he timidly asked.
She hesitated, her upper lip twitched slightly.
“No. I am not.” she replied with a hollow smile. “I do not doubt that Avery will be triumphant against her foes, as usual.”
He nodded skeptically continuing to fidget with his hair.
“Please don’t fret over this nonsense, my love. It will pass like all things do.” she assured. “I’m sure of it.”
His mind began to drift, wondering what would truly come of all this.
What would happen if Avery’s kingdom did fall?
What would become of them and their way of life?
What if-
“So…” she peered at him with a playful glint in her eyes. “How did you like my impersonation of the dragon?”
Crystal snapped back to reality.
“It was quite the show…” he remarked, noticing the mischievous smirk on her face.
“Want to see what would had happened if the knight failed to rescue you?” she rasped, sliding her hands around his waist, pulling him into her lap.
He bit his lip as he planted his knees on both sides of her thighs, running his hands across her broad shoulders, unbuttoning the top portion of her shirt.
“I did wonder what the dragon would had done to the prince… when alone.” he teased. “Perhaps, we could play out that scene, my love?”
Arousal pooled in her core, heat rose to her cheeks. Her eyes traced his silhouette with desire, her hands shifting around his waist.
“Mmm… let’s.” she lifted him up into her arms and carried him to the bedroom, abandoning the mountain of work on her desk and the worries of her heart for tomorrow’s burden.
-
Many days passed and on one snowy evening, Illian and Crystal lay in bed reading their books under the faint candlelight. Previously that morning, a letter had been delivered detailing that a significant portion of Avery’s army had been deployed to fight against the growing numbers of the rebellion.
“Illian?” Crystal finally looked up from his book, unable to get control of his growing fear.
“Hmm?” Illian hummed.
“I-I’m sorry…” he stuttered. “I just have a bad feeling… I’ve tried to push those thoughts away… but I can’t help it.”
He snuggled up close to her, his head on her shoulder, seeking comfort
“Please, my love. Don’t worry. It won’t come to be. Avery is strong and so is her army… it’s… impossible for her to lose.” she stated, however the tremor in her voice betrayed her.
Before he could reply, they heard the sound of the door opening.
“Mother? Father?” a little voice whispered through the darkness.
“Andra! What’s wrong, darling?” Crystal sat up.
A tiny figure hovered in the doorway.
“I-I had a bad dream…” her little voice broke and erupted into tears.
Within a matter of seconds, Crystal had leapt out of the bed and was scooping his daughter into the safety of his arms.
“Shh, shh it’s alright, my love. You can sleep here tonight.”
Andra cuddled into her father’s chest as she was laid in the middle of the bed. In preparation, Illian moved the extra pillows aside to accommodate for an extra person.
“What was your dream about?” he inquired gently.
“T-There was a monster and… it took you and Mother away! It wanted to take me too!” Andra shivered, eyes wide.
Crystal’s breath caught. He glanced at his wife whose knuckles whitened against the blankets.
“There was a rope around my neck… and the monster said when I fell, I would sleep forever!”Andra explained.
Illian’s composure cracked and gathered Andra into her arms, pressing a firm kiss on her brow.
“There is no monster, Andra.” she interrupted, her voice sharp but soothing. “That will never happen. Nothing can hurt you while I’m here. Now rest.”
Andra nodded weakly, cuddling into her mother, savoring the warmth and protection, and fell asleep.
Crystal watched her breathing steady, then glanced at his wife.
“Illian… what if..?”
“Enough, Crystal.” Illian whispered as she closed her eyes.
“It’s not going to happen. It can’t.”
-
The next few weeks crawled by as each day bled into the next with heavy silence and unease. Crystal scarcely slept worrying himself sick. He busied himself with chores that did not need doing, just to stop his hands from trembling.
“Father! May I ask mother if we can go into town today?” Andra asked as she played in the backyard, swinging her toy sword around with unrestrained energy.
“No, darling. We aren’t able to leave the estate right now.” Crystal forced a weary smile that barely met his eyes.
Andra frowned, her brow furrowed.
“But why?”
“It’s just not safe. Perhaps another time.” he replied softly.
She pouted, nodding reluctantly before returning to her imaginary battle, swinging her sword at invisible foes, while her father tried not to think about the real ones outside their gate.
Inside the manor’s study, the atmosphere was far colder. Illian sat behind her desk, her posture poor and stiff, as she poured over official documents with the royal seal detailing the rebellion’s influence. Every new report spoke of the same thing: uprisings, villages overturned, the Marqui’s influence spreading like a disease over the land.
“Your grace… do you perceive this will come to anything?” Damien asked, his voice thin and trembling, his face as pale as a ghost.
She didn’t respond at first, her eyes narrowed on the fine print, her jaw tight.
“But… what if they win?” he continued.“What if they overthrow the government? What will come of the kingdom? Your position? Your livelihood? Your-“
“It doesn’t do any good to dwell on the what ifs.” she muttered, cutting him off, her tone dismissive.
“I-I understand. But, what if they come looking for you? Your family? What will you do against an entire army? They are killing childr-“
“Enough, Damien!”
The sharpness of her voice silenced him. She stood abruptly, her shoulders tense, her breath shallow.
“Forgive me…” he bowed his head.
She exhaled through her nose and turned toward the window.
Below, she spotted Andra in the garden waving with her toy sword, and Crystal watching from a bench, his tired smile faintly visible.
Her heart twisted, a deep penetrating ache bloomed in her chest.
The fear for her family’s lives pooled behind her ribs.
“Illian…” he spoke softly.
“I understand your concern.” she interrupted again, her tone clipped while she mustered a fragile confidence. “But, it won’t come to be.”
Even as the words left her lips, she felt doubt sting her tongue.
-
After weeks of no correspondence from the royal city, tension and restlessness in the Pentrine estate grew all the more.
Until one fateful day.
A royal courier arrived near dusk, her cloak torn and mud-stained, eyes wild with exhaustion.
“Please! I must request the presence of the master of the house and her family! It is of utmost importance!”
Everyone gathered in the study to hear the grim news.
“King Avery’s kingdom has fallen! The Marqui have seized the royal city. They have decreed that King Avery and her heirs and all nobles loyal to the crown—along with their spouses and children—are to be executed!” her voice was hoarse and full of fear.
Silence fell.
Crystal gasped in horror, feeling his blood turn ice cold as he clutched Andra to his chest, his eyes searching for his wife’s for reassurance.
However, there was none to be found.
“Avery… was defeated?” Illian muttered out in disbelief, her mind disengaging. Her unwavering faith and certainty in her King and country she had built her life upon crumbled in an instant.
“They’ve begun already!” the courier said hoarsely. “Families in the city have been slaughtered and those living in the countryside are being rounded up for public hanging.”
“E-Even the children?” Crystal’s fear stricken voice filled the room.
A suffocating dread settled over the room. Illian’s thoughts raced—routes, allies, the faces of those she could not save. For the first time in her time, she felt genuine fear and terror. Even guilt creeped into her heart. A spark of anger and dread welled in her chest from the blind faith she had in her King.
“Yes!” the courier turned toward Illian. “Run, Your Grace! Take your husband and child and flee while you still can!”
“How long before they reach us?” Illian demanded.
“A day… at most.”
Her breath hitched.
A day? Just a day?
She violently pushed those feelings away.
Time was of essence.
She straightened, masking her terror behind cold resolve, her decision immediate.
“You are relieved of duty. Go. Hide yourself if you value your life.”
“There are some…” the courier added, her eyes haunting and voice dark. “…who have already betrayed and abandoned their families to save themselves—”
“That’s enough!” Illian’s tone cut the air like steel. The courier bowed low and departed quickly.
Crystal’s stomach churned from the couriers last statement. The couriers final words lingered in the air like poison.
A tiny seed of doubt had been planted.
Silence followed, heavy and unbroken.
No one dared speak until at last, Illian spoke, her voice low but resolute.
“As of this moment, My family and I are fugitives on the run. I cannot ask any of you to remain here.”
“I am loyal until the end, Duke Pentrine.” Damien swore with unwavering resolve.
“As am I.” Jenny chimed in.
“Illian, my brother and I both love you as a sister. We owe you our lives. We stay.” Milo expressed with tears in her eyes. Mel nodded in tandem as he whipped his face with his sleeve.
Illian’s heart swelled with both gratitude and grief for the people she called family.
“I thank you all… for everything…” her composure faltering slightly.
“Your grace, what are your orders?” Damien asked.
“We flee into the mountains. From there, we will attempt to cross the southern border into the nearby country. The estate will be entrusted to you all. When the rebels arrive, however, do not resist. Do not throw your lives away for my sake.” she commanded.
One by one, everyone nodded.
“Milo.” Illian beckoned. “I need a potion. Something that will be able to change hair color. It may buy us some time and help conceal our identity.”
Milo nodded and dashed away.
“Everyone, prepare for our departure. We leave in the next hour.” she spoke swiftly.
The rest of the family scrambled to accomplish their tasks with haste.
After everyone else left, Crystal remained, still holding Andra in his arms, his eyes dark with fear. Deafening silence filled the room. The child looked up at him, frightened, and confused.
“W-What’s happening, Father?” Andra muttered softly.
Illian stumbled to her knees beside them, her composure breaking, her face was awash with sorrow and guilt.
“I-I should had seen this coming… I was a fool. Blind. I-”
Crystal brushed his thumb across her cheek.
“It isn’t your fault.” he murmured as faint tears brimmed in his eyes.
She leaned into his hand, kissing his palm, her eyes gazing up into his.
“I swear to you all… I‘ll protect us. We will survive this… I promise!” Illian vowed.
Andra felt the uncertainty and fear in her mother’s voice and clung to both her parents, her young mind struggling to grasp the weight of her parent’s sorrow.
Dread surrounded and loomed over them like a dark mist.
No longer were they the rich and powerful family favored by the King.
No longer nobles.
No longer safe.
Now, they were wanted fugitives, running from a country devouring itself.
-
After an hour of preparation, Milo returned with three small vials.
“Here is the potion! It will only last six months… I tried to make it stronger, but I-“
“Thank you, Milo.” Illian expressed as she pulled her into a fierce embrace. “Look after everyone.”
“I-I will.” Milo melted into the hug as her many tears dampened Illian’s cloak.
Illian held a small vial, filled with red liquid, and drank first. Upon swallowing the potion, her short raven black hair instantly turned into an auburn color.
Crystal and Andra silently drank afterwards. His long golden locks darkened to an earthy brown. Andra giggled with curiosity watching in the hallway mirror as her cropped blonde hair shifted to match her Father’s.
“It suits you.” Illian expressed to Crystal, a soft smile spread across her face.
He stretched his hand out and tucked a stray strand of auburn behind his wife’s ear.
“Likewise, my love.”
“What about me, Father?” Andra interjected as she innocently beamed with excitement.
“Yes, my darling. Yours looks dashing too.” he smiled weakly.
“Your grace!” Jenny entered. “The wagon is ready.” Her eyes widened at their new hair color. “Wow! You all look like completely different people!”
“I pray it’s enough.” Illian replied as she took Andra’s hand and offered her arm to Crystal.
The bitter cold bit at their faces as they all stepped outside. The northern wind howled across the fields. Snow crunched underneath their boots.
An unsuspecting covered wagon with Illian’s horse hitched to the front was waiting outside to take them far away from their home.
Crystal silently cried as he turned to their loyal friends.
“Goodbye… I will miss you all.” he expressed lovingly.
Everyone expressed their warm goodbyes and best wishes.
“Keep everyone in line, Damien.” Illian mustered a hollow chuckle through a forced smile, her voice breaking slightly. “Try not to miss me.”
Without hesitation, the old man pulled her into a tight embrace.
“Godspeed, Duke Pentrine.” he choked out a sob as he buried his head into her shoulder.
Illian held him against her, tightening her grip around the man she had known since childhood.
Meanwhile, Andra watched as her parents bid farewell to everyone and felt her short brown hair ruffled by Jenny.
“Chin up, kid. It will be okay. Your Aunt Jenny promises we will reunite one day!”
Andra only nodded, utterly confused from the odd words and saddened expressions.
After goodbyes were said, Illian and Jenny loaded the last bit of cargo into the wagon.
“Lay down and try to go to sleep.” Crystal softly spoke to Andra as he lifted her into the back of the wagon and wrapped a thick blanket over her.
“W-Where are we going?” she rubbed her hands, shivering from the icy wind.
“You’ll see! It’s a surprise!” Crystal attempted to be upbeat, concealing his crippling fear.
“I-I’m cold.” Andra whimpered, shivering as she laid down, watching as her mother secured the last load inside the wagon.
“I-I know, but it will be just for a little while… alright?” he assured.
“Andra.” Illian approached with a stern, but grim look it in her eyes. “Throughout the duration of the trip, do not move from your spot or speak a word. No matter what happens, you stay hidden unless your father or I say otherwise. Do you understand?”
Andra nodded with furrowed brows.
“B-But, why-?”
“Crystal, we need to leave now.” Illian urged, her arm wrapped around his waist and ushered him to the front. After assisting Crystal on the seat, Illian mounted and grabbed the reins.
“Farewell.” she called, voice breaking against the wind. With a final glance at the home that had once been their sanctuary, she snapped the reins, riding away as fast as possible.
Both Milo and Mel cried into Jenny’s shoulder while Damien clutched his chest, all watching as the Pentrine family fled for their lives.