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It was the fourth suitor to drop dead in the mansion, the same sudden curse that came over any potential mate which tried to catch the eye of the princess. It had become a ritual Charlie had become all to familiar with as the handmaid to the belle.They had been sat, as per their highness's request, beside the princess when it had happened. The Prince of Duke, or whatever he was- Charlie had given up keeping track due to the mortality rate- had begun foaming at the mouth. Before long, the man had passed out, dead, on the floor. The princess sighed in response, inspecting a nail as she spoke, an even, tired tone swept through the air. She'd grown all to used to this."A shame, I suppose. Daddy liked this one too."It was the same cause of death, the same comment, and the same response. Even Charlie had grown cold to these suitors deaths too. It was no secret the beauty before them was cursed, every man that had came before her had fallen the same fate; to come was suicide; and yet they came in hopes of the beauty's curse making it's exception.And, frankly, Charlie couldn't even blame them at times. Princess Elizabeth was beautiful, the favorite of the Afton children, though not the one destined for the crown, she was the one Charlie served, and she was a beauty unlike any other Charlie had seen, even as they whom accompanied the princess to galas. Her hair like fire tearing wood apart, green eyes sharp enough to cut skin just by looking at you. Her skin was the only part not violently beautiful, indeed it was fair enough you may forget for a moment that Elizabeth gazed upon everyone as a hunter gazes upon dear.Everyone except Charlie.Charlie's father had been close with King Afton, having been brothers of wars in the army, the right hand man to the future King. Upon his death, King Afton had honoured his friend in the highest way allowed by tradition. He'd taken the infant Charlie in, and had them raised to be the handmaid of his own daughter. The continuation of the connection between her father's and Elizabeth's lived on between the girls.It was an arrangement Charlie couldn't nor wouldn't change, though many assumed they would if they could. Maybe she would feel different if she had known more than this life, but Elizabeth and them were best friends, and actually so. Elizabeth cared for them almost as if it were her job, the way it was Charlie's job to care for her. Certainly, it was not in the same way, but many times the princess made specific demands so as to please Charlie. Indeed, Charlie lived well. A bedroom connected to her best friend's, and Charlie looked forward to spending the time with her, even when Elizabeth got her to try on her royal dresses. Elizabeth loved putting Charlie in the dresses her father bought for her, spending the time discussing what happened in the times they were apart. Charlie felt equal parts the best friend and the diary. If one were to have questions on the life or feelings of Elizabeth, Charlie felt certain she could answer almost as well as the princess herself. Though, to be fair, the same could be said in reverse.Elizabeth sighed again, sliding her chair back and standing. "Let us go then Charlie. Maybe this time father will stop allowing these men to come to their deaths."•••••••The conversation had gone as Charlie expected, Elizabeth's father had insisted that this course would break, and that the greatest mystics of the land would figure it out; his daughter would not go uncoupled.A part of Charlie could feel a twisting in their gut whenever these suitors were mentioned. They weren't sure what to think of it. It had always been Elizabeth and them, sure friends had come and gone, and other handmaids helped, but Charlie was the one sleeping next to Elizabeth's door. The idea of a body laying between the princess and the door to Charlie's room felt wrong to them.Elizabeth led Charlie back to the safety of her room, swinging the door open to Charlie's as she settled into the room. It was an action Elizabeth always did, Charlie wasn't completely certain why. One of the small mysteries Charlie rather thought about than ask about.Elizabeth fell onto her bed, gesturing for her friend to come close, any signs of the earlier death gone from her fascade; now this was just their friend.Elizabeth patted the space infront of her on her bed and Charlie jumped up onto the bed, facing Elizabeth, meeting the disarmed eyes of the girl. For a brief moment Charlie forgot much more than to think about those eyes, how true the green was, how big Elizabeth's pupils were, how beautiful her eyes were, how light they felt every time they saw Elizabeth's eyes had shifted from spears to a soft gaze whenever they were alone."So. What did you think of that one, Charlie?""... He was... Ok, I suppose."Elizabeth nodded, looking away and down at her necklace as she played with it."... You don't think he could have been "the one?"" Charlie asked, watching every detail of how her princess moved. Her hands wrapped delicately around the chains of the necklace as she spun it above the bed. Blood red nails matching the woman's dress."No. He was old, and annoying. Blond too... Don't like that. I don't think this is particularly how you find, "the one," Charlie. I think I'd have far better luck if father gave up and you and I had a say."Charlie smiled, the twist in their stomach undoing itself, "me?"Liz looked up, meeting her eyes again, a smile forming from her lips, "yeah Charlie... I mean... You're gonna be with them too. Not the same way but... I'm not rushing to find some prick just for you to be miserable about him."Charlie smiled, "you don't have to fir me Liz... I'll be here either way.""No, but I do for me, Charlie." She responded, pulling the girl closer till Elizabeth fell backwards, letting Charlie land next to her. Charlie watched as Elizabeth fixed their hair, smiling at the touches."I have to make sure for me Charlie. Call me selfish if you want but I'll keep this before trading it for anyone like him."Charlie stared at the girl. Oh their stomach, their stomach felt weird. They eventually remembered how to smile, well lost in the comfort of the princess, "Thank you Elizabeth..."Charlie felt her hand stop for a moment, resting on Charlie's cheek as they lay side by side, facing eachother. The warmth of the hand felt so sweet to them, the smiled, staring at Elizabeth. Their hand moved, catching a few stray sparks of hair and arranging them back into the fire of her hair.They laid a while, smiling silently until they heard footsteps approaching. Strong, steady, a clear heel to each step. Charlie jumped up from where they laid, the small flash of disappointment on Elizabeth's face barely registering in that moment. They knew not why, but they did not want to be seen like this when whichever of Elizabeth's family came through. Not that they were wrong, just... It felt wrong to be seen.They stood, at attention, fixing the last of their hair, as the door to Elizabeth's room swung open. In walked the prince and future King of the lands, Elizabeth's brother Micheal.Charlie like Micheal, he was nice to them. Certainly not as Elizabeth was to them, but certainly he took care to be nice. Today though, as with many others, Micheal had come to check on his little sister. Charlie always thought Elizabeth's looks were funny, she took after her mother's looks, not her father's. And so to see her next to Micheal, her brother, one would be forgiven if they thought they were not blood. But siblings they were, and Micheal always made sure to check on Elizabeth.Charlie stood to the side, listening and watching. The spot of their cheek Elizabeth had rested her hand on felt cold now. Charlie held no hate for Micheal; but Elizabeth was used to these beaurocrats and lords dying. Let them be the one caring after her; not him. She didn't need her brother right now.But Charlie waited. They knew all to well that to disrupt the future King would be unwise and uncaring, but some deep part of Charlie noticed Elizabeth's glances at them as she talked to her brother.They kept talking, Micheal had come expecting tears, and seemed worried by their absence. It was all Charlie could do to not let out a sigh. Their feet didn't enjoy standing at attention, even after all this time. Elizabeth liked to have Charlie sat next to her, Charlie didn't dare break now though from the customs trained into them."But you promise you'll talk to me when you're ready, Elizabeth.""Yes brother. But right now, I'm fine. It's happened all to often for me to be surprised. Tell daddy he's ought to tell them to go away.""He's working on a cure to the curse, Elizabeth. He'll figure it out.""Well till then they should bugger off! I don't need another corpse's mouth foam on my carpet, poor Charlie has had to watch to many men die.""Elizabeth, maybe if Charlie wasn't always...""Maybe if daddy didn't send men to their death, Micheal. Maybe if."Charlie's heart churned. They had thought of Micheal as friendly, surely not a friend, but friendly all the same. Don't split them and Elizabeth up. This was their life, don't take it away."Fine. But I don't think there's much I can do, dad is dead set on finding you someone.""And if all of them die?""There will always be suitors for you Elizabeth, do not fear. You won't be alone."That, Charlie swore under their breath, would never be the problem Elizabeth faced.Eventually, Micheal stood and left, and Charlie barely let the door clasp before returning to sit on the bed before Elizabeth. If anything, the visit had brought up the biliousness of the belle. She face screwed up before Charlie sat themself down on the bed once more."Well... Load of good he did, huh?" They said, breaking the silence."Why'd he have to show up." Elizabeth huffed, her anger fading into a simmer below the surface. "He didn't help and all he did was say you shouldn't be here... I don't care what he thinks. We aren't seperating. ... Unless... You know...""I don't want to either Liz."Elizabeth smiled, falling her body into Charlie's lap, rolling herself over to stare up, "promise me?""I promise, Lizzie. I promise."•••••••The night came and the night passed, and so came the sun once more. Charlie woke with it, the opening they left in their blinds there for the exact reason. They liked to get up before Elizabeth, the princess made it easy with how late she could slumber, but still, Charlie always made sure. They had always been an early bird anyway, the sunrise was a beautiful way to wake up each morning.Charlie got dressed, grabbing a uniform and their green cloak their father used to wear, now a part of their everyday attire. They had a few trinkets King Afton was able to find, but this was by far the most significant, it was something they could have day by day to remember him by.They left their room quietly by the main entrance to the hallway, avoiding Elizabeth's room so as to let her sleep. They crept down the halls of the manor, stepping and leaping carefully do as to dodge any creaks in the floor on their way down to the kitchen below.The kitchen was already bustling as the other help busied themselves with making food. The smells of onion and bacon wafted over to Charlie, their stomach growling already. A final third scent finally came forward as they moved through the kitchen, and they followed it to the coffee, already a brew, for them and Elizabeth.They waited, half watching the coffee pull and drip into the first mug, theirs so Elizabeth could have the slightly warmer one. They looked around the kitchen, breakfast was preparing in one spot, the beginnings of lunch, tea, and supper in others. With the tea, they noticed it was arranged oddly; a set of two portions of whatever sweet they were having in one pan, another with enough for three people, and then a lone, single serving all on its own. Charlie knew how many were needed. It was the four Aftons, plus Elizabeth insisted on Charlie having portion. That left them with questions, why were they portioned oddly? Surely they could make it all in one batch and not this odd three batch system, no?A cook noticed, coming to check in, "All good Charlie?""The tea treats, Jermey, why do you portion it like this?"Jermey silenced for a second, evidently trying to figure out how to force out words that didn't want to see the morning light. "It's... To do with the curse of her highness..."Charlie cocked thehr head, confused."It uh..." He pointed to each of the pans, "the set of three are for the king and princess, seperated incase the curse is contagious. Then the single serving is for the suitor of that day. Isolated even more carefully."Charlie nodded, unsure how to feel about what that left. "So her and I have the same batch?""... Yeah."Charlie nodded. The precautions avoiding them scared them, to some degree. But, what would this curse even want with them? They were no suitor.They turned, grabbing the coffee and preparing a second just as Elizabeth liked hers. The knew Jermey was expecting some continuation but, right now, they couldn't talk more about it. They just focused on the coffee, grabbing the surgars and cream for Liz."I'll see you around later Jermey."They took the coffees back up to the rooms above, opening the door to Elizabeth's room and slipping in. They took their time, stepping carefully up to Elizabeth in her bed, lowering the girl's cup to her nose like smelling salts for returning from the land on Nod.Elizabeth was graceful even in sleep to Charlie. She took up no space, every limb laid like she'd been posed for a portrait. The small rises of the woman's chest..."Hey Charlie... Morning."They almost threw the coffee. What was wrong with them, this wasn't the first time they'd gotten her coffee, it wasn't the first time they'd gotten lost like this."I... Hi. Sorry, I got lost in my head."Elizabeth hummed in acknowledgement, taking the coffee and sipping slowly, eyes closed, letting the smell find its way to her. "How'd you sleep, Charlie?"Charlie smiled, standing up and sitting next to Elizabeth on the bed, sipping their coffee, maybe leaning into her just a bit."Good. Someone's made sure I have a good bed, really sweet of them."Charlie could see a grin spread on Elizabeth's face from the corner of their eyes. God, it was as infectious, their smile grew with Elizabeth's, they couldn't help it."I'm glad you're comfy Charlie... You deserve it. You deserve a lot more.""What do you mean?""I wish I could give you more Charlie. I want to do more."Charlie leant into the girl, trying to comfort her, "You do so much, Elizabeth.""You dedicate your life to me Charlie...""Yeah but..""But I..." Elizabeth said shifting to face Charlie, setting down her coffee, already so close to being finished. "I know it's you're job I just... I appreciate it... ... You're... So much to me, Charlie. If I had my way you'd..." She sighed, "You'd be free of this... You'd have the choice to be here or not. You'd be able to choose to be here or... Or..." She was crying. Not a lot, but there was a moisture to Elizabeth's eyes. Charlie felt that same lump form in their throat, they hated seeing her sad.""I would, Liz. If I had the choice, I'd stay here.""You... You would..?"Charlie nodded, taking her friend's hand, squeezing, "Where else would I have you, Liz? Where else?"The tears started stronger now, and it was now Charlie's time to set their coffee down, pulling Elizabeth in for a hug in exchange. The girl hurried her face into Charlie, the tears going straight from eyes to cloth. Charlie held her close, resolving to let go only when Elizabeth stopped sobbing. They ran their hands over their friend's back, feeling the spine of the woman as their hands tried to comfort. Each breath they felt, shaky and shallow. A murmur came from the princess, lost to their tear stained shoulder."What was that, Liz..? You ok?""I... I don't want these suitors... I want this... Forever...""I'll be here forever Liz. I'll do anything you know that."Elizabeth nodded, quieting. Charlie knew they'd missed something, but they didn't know how to figure out what. So they stayed there, holding the girl close and praying that everything would be all right. They stayed there, so close with Elizabeth, the warmth of the woman never turning uncomfortable. They could have stayed there forever with her in their arms. It felt so right to hold the woman, to support her, to make sure she knew she was safe. Whatever Charlie had missed, they'd figure it out later. For now, they stayed, letting Elizabeth press her tears on Charlie's soul.The sun continued to rise, and the tears eventually subsided. Charlie watched Elizabeth crawl her way back to reality, slowly removing her face from the safety of Charlie. The girl sat up, rubbing her eyes before staring at the quilt they both sat upon."I'm sorry Charlie...""Don't be... Please... I'm your friend. It's what I should do, to heck with if it's my job as your handmaid."Elizabeth smiled, still not looking up. Charlie saw her lips move, but no sound came out. They pulled the girl back in once more, smiling, "Feel better?""Always with you..."Elizabeth turned her head to Charlie, the warmth of her breath playing across Charlie's cheek. Charlie turned to face her, their nose meeting hers, and for a brief, heart racing moment, they thought they knew what they had missed.But then Elizabeth turned away, letting go and standing up. "What day is today, Charlie?"They felt disappointed, and they weren't even sure what for. It would be a fever dream to expect that to have been something with meaning. It was an accident, it was not what the woman had meant. Surely.But god, the comfort of seeing her stretch away the last of her sleep from her bones, not for any desire of what was underneath, but for the intimacy of being there in these fragile hours. The joy of trust."It's Saturday. You have horse back riding and, it appears, a suitor coming today.""Already? Does father just line them up at this point? How many suicidal men are there that think I'm worth the risk."A stray thought snuck in through the backdoor of Charlie's conscious mind from the backstreets connecting it to the subconscious. Four simple words Charlie had to hold back, despite their own confusion at their existence. "At least one more."
"Which is first...""You ride at thirteen hundred, the suitor... God knows. I only found out by the baked goods downstairs.""The goods..?""Yeah... I suppose that means it will be around tea time."Charlie saw the dread drape itself over Elizabeth, the weight almost to heavy for the girl."I'm sorry Liz..."Elizabeth sat on the floor, silent."I... I'm really sorry...""Must I keep doing this...""It's not your fault.""It is Charlie it... It is.""Liz...""Charlie..." Elizabeth stood up, squaring her shoulders and drying her eyes, "I'm sorry. I need a second. I'll be right back..."Charlie watched the girl slip behind the Japanese blinds in her room and change into her horse back attire before slipping out the door. They should follow. They knew they should. But they didn't think Elizabeth wanted that now. Still, they felt their body rise, their feet swing, and their soul leave to watch them from the third person. It was them moving, yes, but the conscious of Charlie wanted to scream "No." They followed Elizabeth out the door, a couple moments behind. The girl didn't notice as they caught the door behind her, her eyes to trained on path ahead. It was a quiet determination, the type Elizabeth rarely released for anything but matching Charlie's needs - or at least what she perceived as needs.The girl moved with a practiced flow, it was odd, it was the same precision of those dances King Afton trained Elizabeth and, by extension, Charlie in. It wasn't some basic movement, it was new but usual to the girl to be walking up to a specific painting, to be shifting it aside, to be slipping her hand in behind for something. On return, Charlie watched Elizabeth pull a vial left marked but full of some strange liquid. Had Charlie been fully present, their stomach surely would have dropped. But here, now, they did not fully understand what they were seeing.Elizabeth slipped the vial underneath her clothes, moving again. The building was quiet, no nobels but her awake yet, and the other helps all taking a small break between the prep for the day, and the true beginning. Elizabeth knew this, Lords sake she was friends with some of the help beyond Charlie. Charlie always did love her for that.They followed silently as Elizabeth continued, they traced the path back to where which they were earlier; the kitchen, now empty bar the pastries and foods, sat silent for the two friends. Charlie watched quietly from the exit, ready to run at a moment's notice. They watched in shock, the understanding only now hitting them like a slap to the face. The pastry left out for the suitor, so alone, isolated, was the one Elizabeth targetted. Her dainty, fair hands taking the bottle out and flipping the pastry over. The nails of the woman poked through the crust, allowing the dripping of the liquid into the innards of the delicacy.Charlie turned, they had seen enough and knew it was time they hurried back to Elizabeth's room. Their experience in this path would give them the advantage. Elizabeth would never know.And so they went, swiftly stealthing back to the room of the woman they spend their life with. All forms of emotions played through their head; confusion, shock, understanding, denial. Their Elizabeth, the woman they lived for, killed.A voice slipped in their mind as they slipped back into her bedroom, "Killed for you."They sat, they waited, they worried. What if Elizabeth had seen them? What if Elizabeth had stayed, poisoned a few others. How many others? Elizabeth would never hurt them or her family, but Charlie had never thought her the type to kill a man either. But they waited, in their mind they said that if they were to go, at least to go by the hand of Elizabeth was fitting. Their heart shouted instead that Elizabeth would never hurt Charlie, that Elizabeth would sooner hurt herself than them, and their brain quieted in agreement.Elizabeth re-entered not long after, a shallow look to her eyes, the signs of tears gone, but the sign of what she did evident to Charlie from her face alone. Elizabeth sat next to Charlie, dropping instead of slowly lowering as was lady like, and typical, of Elizabeth. All thoughts of what had occurred vanished from Charlie, instead replaced by thoughts of what their princess needed.Before a word could leave their mouth though, Elizabeth had already decided what she needed. She pressed herself back into Charlie, burying her face right back where it belonged and holding tight once more."Hey Liz... Feeling better?"The girl shook her head, not moving nor speaking. So Charlie started to rub the girls back, feeling every short, hyper breath Elizabeth pulled."How... How do you love me... Charlie..?"Charlie stopped rubbing her back, squeezing her closer,
they tried to decode the question, figure out if she meant mechanically or emotionally. They loved this woman. In what way, they were quickly becoming unsure, but mechanically? How they found it in them? It was always there, it was the easy thing to do to love the one they spent so much time with so much."The same way you do me, however it is you do, Elizabeth. Whatever way you find in yourself to love me."Elizabeth clutched Charlie close in response, holding on as if Charlie may die if she did not, "you mean it?""I promise."Elizabeth looked up, her face so close, do tantalizingly near, those same gentle brushes of her breath playing now across Charlie's chin. In that moment, Charlie understood why these men where dying. Why Elizabeth would do such a thing. Why they had been feeling so odd around Elizabeth for so long.But the moment broke once more, perhaps it had only been a fleeting second, perhaps a minute. Charlie was unsure. But Elizabeth smiled and removed herself from her place interlocking with Charlie. Charlie just about pulled her in, just about wanted to make the move, but they refused themselves the joy. If they were wrong... Lord above have mercy, for they would ruin Elizabeth's trust, the relationship they had. Forget what King Afton may do.So they waited, and smiled back at Elizabeth, an easy task."I'm sorry Charlie... I'm being a mess lately.""That's why I'm here, so you can be in safety.""You make me feel safer. A lot.""You do too." Charlie said, and Elizabeth smiled, but Charlie could all but hear her internal dialog say "I shouldn't.""I know you'd do anything to keep me safe, Elizabeth. You already do so much to make sure I live... Lord... Almost as good as you...'"I would you could live as good as me. Were it not my brother, I would the moment I became queen."Charlie flushed, staring at the woman before them as she continued,"I'd like it if...""If?"Elizabeth shut her mouth, dropping her eyes and raising a flush in her cheeks, "If you would come... To the gardens with me. I feel like some fresh air would do me good."Charlie nodded, disappointed but happy. They'd figure out the emotions for what they saw earlier, later. For now, they got to spend time with Elizabeth, and maybe that's all that mattered.•••••The gardens were especially beautiful this year, they were specially pomped up for the beginning of Elizabeth's eligibility to be suitored after, a display to attract those who may wish to wed, and here Charlie was, the only one to succeed in coming to these gardens with Elizabeth. If nothing else, that fact brought some pride to Charlie.The two stayed silent, Elizabeth kept her distance after the intimacy of the bedroom. Charlie wasn't sure what they expected, really. This seemed reasonable they supposed, but their hand craved the warmth of the other woman's hands.The hands that killed five men.Their mind swung back to that; the curse, the murders. The bedroom had knocked the memory of the plot behind the veil shielding their active mind from what lied beneath. They knew how wrong what they'd seen was, yet, what could they do? Tell someone and betray Elizabeth? Elizabeth was doing this for them, she was doing this to not have anything between them.Charlie's stomach churned, but they knew their answer. They always put Elizabeth before anyone else, this would be no different. That was that, if these men came expecting a curse to take them, let Elizabeth take them instead; she was a far more beautiful way to go.Charlie checked the sundial in the garden; and it was almost time for Elizabeth's lesson. Then the suitor, and this mess would all unfold once more.•••••A suitor, a death, and a return to the room, Charlie and Elizabeth both sat on her bed. The princess sat, distant, across from Charlie. And Charlie, in turn, sat close to her, knees almost touching, the warmth of their bodies meeting through the air.Charlie placed a hand on the woman's shoulder, squeezing ever so slightly before tugging lightly towards themself. Elizabeth obliged, allowing Charlie to pull her into a hug, laying down with the girl in their arms."You ok, Elizabeth?"Elizabeth shook her head, her arms draped across Charlie's torso. "Is it to simple to just want to stay like this, Charlie? Nothing more nothing less, just continuing as that Issac chap said, like inertia. I don't want interruptions I want to just be laying like this forever...""Elizabeth...""I... I mean it Charlie. Forever. Maybe those men were the lucky ones; who ever gets me will get some broken wreck of me at this rate..."Charlie squeezed her, "I won't. I'll still have my Elizabeth. My best friend."Elizabeth nodded into Charlie, "Charlie I... I need to talk to you about something.""Then tell. You know I shut up.""The... The curse...""It's you."Elizabeth gasped, staring up at their handmaid in horror, "was.... Was it so obvious?""Not to anyone else... I followed you this morning, Elizabeth. I saw you prepare his dessert with that poison. I know you're the killer.""Charlie i-"Charlie hushed her, tempted to pull the kiss stunt they'd seen so often in books they'd read, to quiet her and make themself heard in one motion. "It's fine, Elizabeth. It's not my job to tell on you it's my job to look after you. And your dad expects me to do something to but I don't know what, I haven't done this for him ever so I forgot. I want you to know I know, not worry that I might tell.""Oh... Charlie...""I'm here because... I love you. Whatever way you love me, I love you back.""I... I did do it. Every single one Charlie...I poisoned them all." Elizabeth whispered, her words almost lost into the cloths of Charlie's robes, "I... I don't... I want them Charlie... I don't want anything but us... Nothing between us."Charlie met her eyes, Elizabeth's green irises growing hidden for her pupils. Charlie took one hand and brushes some hair out of the girl's face, trying to speak, but Elizabeth was faster, pressing a small peck to Charlie's lips, as soft as it was fast."I'd rule with you if I could Charlie.""We'll carry this curse on between us. I promise."Elizabeth leaned into them, resting her head on their shoulde, "Can you stay here tonight, Charlie? Just to sleep?"Charlie smiled, "However long you like."