Shattering glass jarred the Prince out of his spiral of self-loathing. It also made him aware of other sounds that had escaped his attention up until now; was that screaming?
"What in the twelfth Hell is going on?"
He found Koko standing outside the bathroom door, concern pinching her elegant features.
"Why are you out here?"
"Because that girl's gotten water everywhere, my liege! It was the fight of my life just to keep these clothes dry! It's a real battle in there!"
The Prince noted the bundle cradled protectively in her arms; it appeared to be a long nightgown. The young man cleared his throat, shifting his eyes away out of decency.
"... I see that. But, I fail to see the problem with-"
The Prince stumbled upon a startling realization; he didn't even know his new knight's name!
"Is.. Is she afraid of water?"
Koko sighed, shifting uncomfortably.
"I don't think the girl is afraid of water, my Lord. I just don't think the poor thing's ever, well.. had a bath before!"
The Prince's pale skin turned an interesting side of green. The fact that a person could go years covered in caked-on grim had never occurred to him. Everything in his stomach threatened to- A yelp rung out from the other side of the door! Koko dropped everything, gripping her regent's wrist like a lifeline.
"Prince! Y-You mustn't!"
Snapping out of it, the young man snatched his hand away from the handle as if burnt. He was a gentleman. And no matter how his new knight was acting at that moment, she was still a lady.
...I would do well to remember that.
Just like he would do well to turn around and walk away. It was commonsense to let his maids handle this tiring ordeal. That's what the servants were there for, after all. To fulfill their one, true purpose; to live and die for the crown.
The royal's eye twitched with irritation. Those vulgar words rumbling through his head were spoken in a despicable tone he knew only too well. Their very presence caused a cold dread to frost up the corners of his heart. But, there was one thing hot enough to thaw it; the resolve that those words were not his own.
Blue eyes grew steely. His boots locked firmly into place. He would not be moved. Not. One. Inch. In the battle for his mind, the Prince swore daily that his brother would not win.
Speaking of battles, Chibi had landed in one of her own; literally. Stripped bare, the thrashing girl was dumped into a steaming-hot cauldron! Were they trying to cook her alive!?
Before she could make a run for it, sticks covered in strange quills raked across her skin. Were they trying to take off her skin, as well?! Her horror deepened by the appearance of the bottles; vessels bubbling with a mysterious, purple goo.
She squeaked as they were dumped right over her head! Tales of potions, wands and forbidden incantations whispered in the dark corners of the world invaded her mind. Were these maids really witches!?
"W-What'd I ever do to you!? Lemme go! Please don't eat me! I don't taste good at all! Honest!"
"Hold her still!"
"I'm trying!"
"Well, try harder- AH!"
The maids shrieked at the explosion of bubbles. They stumbled back in their shock, but no one in that room was more surprised than Chibi, who found a pair of violet eyes glaring a mere inch away from hers. Her guilty gaze shifted over to the brush she had snatched, only to see another hand holding on tight; she had accidentally pulled Kaida into the tub.
"H-Heh! Oopsie!"
Chibi managed a squeak, before hands closed over her throat!
"Kaida, no!"
The Prince narrowed his eyes, as each sound coming from behind that door was more suspicious than the last. But, he was quick to remind himself that they were all capable individuals, handpicked by himself; his interference wasn't needed.
They are handling it-
And now water was rushing out from under the door, soaking his expensive boots.
...Badly.
"That tears it. Koko, cover my eyes, we're going in!"
"C-Cover your-? Of course, my Liege!"
The chaos came to a halt, as the door slammed open. The Prince made his way over, unaware of the ridiculous scene in front of him. The maids were as still as stone, their hands latched onto Kaida, as Kaida clamped down on Chibi, whose bubbles were frantically boiling to the surface.
As the royal lectured every last one of them on their outrageous behavior, a silent conversation was had. Koko glanced from the bubbles to Kaida in alarm, only for the maid to double down, throttling even more air out of her captive. Her gaze reached for Kuma's, but the girl was more interested in watching the murder that taking place right in front of her with a concerning amount of detachment. In desperation, she locked eyes with Kami's- But, there was nothing there. Nothing, but sunny daydreams of clear skies, cute bunnies and vanilla cupcakes. Koko took a slow, deep breath.
Forgive me, my Prince.
"Stop that! You'll kill her!"
With Koko leading the charge, all hands were on deck, hauling the irate fireball off. Chibi shot up with a gasp, pawing the soap out of her eyes to rally for the next attack. But, it never came. Instead, the room went quiet. She found one face. Then another. But, every maid was frozen.
She quickly found the cause. The Prince's dignified demeanor had crumbled, giving way to the most dumbstruck expression she had ever seen.
"Pink?"
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