Let me know if the formatting on this chapter is weird and I'll fix it. My laptop broke so I'm trying this with the app, but the settings seem strange.

"Hey."

Bleary-eyed, you look to see who it is. "Jack," You lift your head off the ground. Unlike you, Grim is peacefully snoozing away in the shade of the tree you're both under. He barely stirs as you move him aside, simply rolling over and curling up again. "What's the matter?"

Jack frowns. "What are you two doing?"

"Sleeping. Or at least, I was trying to."

He furrows his brow as if concerned, but doesn't dwell on it. "Leona wants to see you."

"What?" You blink, your tired brain scrambling to find the pieces to put together. "Why?"

"I don't ask questions." Jack tells you and crosses his arms. "But I wouldn't keep him waiting."

"Oh." You rub your face, regretting it almost immediately. There's more dirt on your fingers than sleep in your eyes. Your hair feels horrible against your scalp, and you lament for Grim's fur. Gently, you shake the little monster. "Rise and shine, Sparky."

Grim whines sleepily. ""Myah? Whasgoin' on?"

"No," Jack shakes his head. "Just you."

"What?" You look up and tilt your head. "Why?"

He shrugs. "How would I know? Leona specified."

"You gonna be okay?" You look back at Grim, reluctant to go.

He yawns. "Myeah-huh."

You do not want to leave the tiny terror alone, but don't see another option. "Stay out of trouble."

He huffs. "I don't cause trouble!"

Sure.

You sigh and stand, stifling another yawn. "Okay then, Jack. Lead the way."

It takes about ten minutes of being left alone for Grim to almost die.

Grim decides to roll over and catch a few more minutes of sleep out in the open. It's cool, but his fur keeps him warm. Still, he moves out from under the tree and into the sun's rays, curling into a sleepy ball and shutting his eyes.

He's startled awake by the sound of flapping wings and squawking. Opening his eyes, he sees a flock of vultures descending from above. Grim scrambles to his feet and runs back under the tree for cover.

Thankfully, the vultures leave, uninterested in a meal that's alive. Grim pants, trying to catch his breath. At least I know I can run away from enemies.

His stomach growls. Being afraid always seems to make him hungry. So does most other things, but especially fear. Looking around, he notices a dark, shiny rock lying on the ground nearby and sniffs it.

It smells... rich and sweet, but a little bitter. He eats it, and is immediately disappointed. It's bland and flavourless, like a regular rock.

His stomach rumbles again, and he soon finds himself daydreaming of food.

The tuna cans Crowley had... and the tea... and the tuna... and that tart from Riddle... and tuna... and those red bananas...

Hadn't Ruggie said he delivered those bananas straight to the palace? Grim's attention turns towards the building. Those people are just hogging all the food. Surely they wouldn't miss it if some things went missing...

And even if they did, he is clearly an experienced escape artist. Ramshackle, the King Of Heart's castle... those vultures alone prove his skill and cunning. Besides, you have probably made it to Leona's room by now, and he knows his Henchhuman would feel safer with the Great Grim nearby to protect you.

With this concluded, he scampers his way toward finding a royal kitchen.

"Come in."

You step inside, Leona gesturing toward the table set up in the middle of his room. "Take a seat."

Morning light streams in from the open balcony, illuminating the table and chairs while leaving the rest of the room shrouded in shadow. A cold breeze drifts across your skin, sending a shiver through you and raising goosebumps as you sit in your chair. You hear a vulture squawk outside.

"Is this chess?" You ask him, staring at the checkerboard game on the table. He grins, giving you a view of his fangs.

"You've played?"

"No." You know chess as a pastime for nobles, but you've never been granted an opportunity.

The Prince nods. "I see." He throws an arm over the back of his seat. "What do you already know?"

You become very aware of a clock ticking in the background.

"...Nothing." You admit. He raises his eyebrows.

"Oh really? Funny." He cocks his head. "I was under the impression you knew a lot."

You shift uncomfortably under his venom gaze. He picks up the smallest piece. "This is a pawn. There's a lot of them, and they're pretty powerless. They only have one goal- to get to the end. It's the bigger, more important pieces that give them purpose. They can only move one space at a time- two at the beginning if they're lucky. But ultimately, they have a slow, agonising journey across the board."

You watch him pick up the second piece. "The knight. They're reliable, and move in an L shape." He makes eye contact with you. "It's funny how players become dependent on using sneaky little strategies. Unfortunately for them, knights aren't that strong."

The clock ticks loudly.

"The bishop..." He lethargically sets the last piece down and picks up the next one, tail swishing rhythmically behind him. "This one's interesting." He says this as if noticing for the first time. "It travels diagonally, constantly steering clear of facing its opponent head-on. It's almost as if it wants to go unnoticed." He looks right at you. A smile breaks out across his face when you make eye contact. It looks unnatural and forced, as if his face doesn't know how to do it. "Isn't that interesting?"

"Yeah." You nod, shifting in your seat. You look at the pieces back on the board to avoid eye contact, and try repeating the information in your head. Unfortunately, it's all jumbling together.

Pawns are powerless.
Knights are sneaky.
Bishops try to stay unnoticed.

"Are you following?" Leona ask. You muster a smile to keep your mask.

"I think so."

"Good. Shall we continue?"

"Yes."

Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick.

"The rook," he picks up a piece resembling a part of Riddle's castle. The sight sends your reeling back, his angry voice filling your head.

"Rule breakers must be punished."
"I doubt anyone would be so foolish."
"Do you seriously expect me to believe this nonsense?"
"OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!"

"The rook moves boldly in straight lines. It never seems to shy away from the other pieces, and is always there. That tends to be why people forget it's danger- if they look too hard for something else they might miss what's right in front of them. You really have to be careful who you trust, don't you?"

Why is he telling you this? Do you have another royal after you?

Forget you- what about Crowley? Are you foolish to think you're equal in this arrangement? Are you the one being conned for once, instead of the other way around? You know he's suspicious, and there's clear warning signs you're still opting to ignore. Why are you doing that? Is it because it's easier? Is it really easier to be sitting at a table with a predator watching your every move? Is your freedom worth the consequences of whatever Crowley intends to do? Was your life really worth the future of the entire Kingdom?

Is deceit the only way you're equal to Crowley?

"The queen can move as far as it wants in any direction, so long as nothing is in its way." Leona's voice brings you out of your thoughts, but your heart beats wildly. A breeze comes in through the window, feeling particularly cold against your skin. "Because of that, people think she's the most powerful piece on the board. But that's not the truth."

Leona picks up the last piece and holds it in front of you. "Without the King, the Queen is nothing. She's strong, but the King controls the game. If you lose it, the game is over."

He lets the piece drop to the table, the sound echoing throughout the room.

Yensid.

You look up and meet Leona's eyes. He's stopped smiling- you hadn't noticed until now. Venom green eyes bore into your e/c ones.

"So?" He asks, voice deep and powerful. "Shall we play?"

Tick. Tick. Tick.

The room is almost silent. The sound of the clock and pieces moving across the board have been the only sounds for a few minutes- something you wish you were comforted by. However, the silence is stifling, and you still have yet to know the reason for all this. Anxiety clings to you like the heat of the savannah.

"You're hands are trembling." Leona notes, breaking the oppressive silence. Are they? You hadn't noticed. "Are you worried about losing? Or is it something more... personal?"

You feel like you're being toyed with.

"I- you make me anxious." You respond carefully, lacing a lie with a truth. "I don't want to disappoint you."

"Oh?" He raises his eyebrows. "Is that so?"

You don't know how to answer, choosing to focus on the board. You capture a pawn, and he hums.

Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick.

"You took that piece quickly." He remarks. "Does that make you feel strong? Or are you worried about what I'll do next?"

You're becoming increasingly aware you're playing with a tamed lion. It's fun and games until he decides he's hungry.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

"Do you feel like you're making good choices lately?" The Prince askes.

Your heart pounds. "What do you mean?"

"Well, I would hate to see you try something foolish." Leona says, moving a piece. "After all, you work for me now. Don't you?" He looks at you.

"Of course I do." You answer quickly, trying to clear any doubt. "I told you I would do anything for you, after all. I want to build a better life."

"You did say that, didn't you." He muses. "Tell me. What part of that did you mean more?"

"What?"

Leona leans forward and closes the distance between you. "You said you would do anything for me, and that you would do anything to build a better life. Which did you mean."

"Oh, no." You backtrack. "I meant I would do anything for you to get me a better life. This is an exchange, remember?"

"You're avoiding the question." Leona notes. "Which do you mean more?"

How do you answer this? Yesterday he had scoffed at your declaration of undying loyalty. However, will he take your willingness to get to a higher standing as potential for a traitor? Which is the right answer?

Is there a third option you haven't considered? There has to be- there always is in situations like these. It won't be the royal family- he wants his brother dead. His followers?- no, Scar had left them to fend for themselves after he became King. A nap? He could have that if he just kicks you out.

Why did he bring you here?

What did he want?

What did you want?

Why are you doing this?

What are the answers?

Leona's venom green eyes bore into you. Suddenly, you hear footsteps in the hall.

They seem to be coming closer.

Closer...

Are those guards?

There was a knock at the door. Your blood runs cold as he looks towards it, expressionless.

"Prince Leona?"

"Yes?"

"There's a thief in the palace!"

Leona raises his eyebrows at the news and looks in your direction. Your heart stops.

"You don't say."

"Please stay in your room until we give the all clear."

"Whatever."

The footsteps fade away.

Leona leans back in his chair, his gaze fixed on you. "Looks like you're stuck in here with me, Herbivore."

You feel like you're coming down from a heart attack, mind racing so fast it takes you a moment to realise what he said.

"What?" Your eyes grow wide.

Herbivore? Did he mean something by that?

Are you overthinking this?

"Don't play pretend." He growls. "You're not one of us."

"What- what do you mean?" Your voice trembles.

He rolls his eyes. "You came in here yesterday smelling unlike anything I've ever smelt before." He begins. "You're not from here, are you? Nor are you a vulture, or I'd smell that too. You dress in strange clothes and appear with what you claim is a mutant honey badger." He laughs dryly. "The story is so crazy most would actually believe it. Still, that doesn't change the truth." He leans closer. "You're nothing but a weak little herbivore parading around with lions."

You're frozen into place. You couldn't think of an excuse, reason, or lie to tell. All you could do was sit there, a scavenger silently staring into the venom green eyes of the Prince of the Pridelands.

Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick.

"People say that people do dangerous things because they're very brave or very stupid." Leona utters. "But there's a third option: they're desperate. So tell me, little Herbivore." He stands from his seat and leans over the table, coming close enough that your noses almost touch. All you can see is green. "Which one is it?"

You sit there, gaping at him for what feels like forever. How do you play this?

You're powerless, completely cornered and at his mercy. Your mind can't come up with a way out of this. Is it over? Is this how it all ends?

Leona speaks again after a moment of silence.

"Why are you here." It isn't a question; it's a demand. One you can't think of a way around. Lying is pointless when he already knows so much. Could you have stopped this? Would he have still found out in the end?

"I... want your necklace." You admit shakily. You stare deep into his eyes, uncomfortable yet unable to look away. The tension can be cut with a knife.

He furrows his brow. "Why? To sell it? To win a bet? To boast you took it from the prince himself?"

You swallow, but remain silent. You are both so close you can feel his breath on your face and his hair tickling on your skin.

After a moment, he leans back. He's silent for a moment.

"You want me to give it to you?"

You jerk. "What?"

Was this a trick? Was he just pranking you? Or would he actually help?

You can't stop the hope welling up in your chest.

"Do you want me to give it to you?" He repeats, waiting for a response.

"Yes!" You answer after a moment. "Would you-"

"Too bad." He smirks. You deflate upon realising you have been toyed with. You feel like crying at this point: sadness, stress, anger, frustration, fear, guilt, and exhaustion all weighing down upon you. Leona continues, unbothered by your anguish.

"You came here to steal my necklace, didn't you?" He throws his arm back over the chair again. "I'm not sure why, but whatever the reason, you've gone to great lengths to try."

"I-"

"Well, little Herbivore." There's a glint in his eye. "I say if someone's got the guts to steal from me, they can go right ahead."

You blink, trying to digest his words. "What?"

"You're not the quickest gazelle in the herd, are you?" He rolls his eyes. "I said if you can take it, you can keep it. I don't care about the necklace anyway."
You hesitate, studying him closely. "So you're saying... if I manage to steal the beads, I can keep them?"

"You have to get them away too." Leona corrects. "These beads are pretty important to the royal staff, and I can't have you getting away with it in front of my followers."

You stare at him in awe, unable to believe what you heard.

"Just remember." The atmosphere grows cold again. Leona gazes intensely into your eyes as he utters his next words. "If you're caught, the consequences will be merciless."

He looks back down at the forgotten chess game and moves a piece, knocking over your King. "Checkmate."

Crowley stares at the mirror in horror. He's studied it from every possible angle, but the problem remains. The exact reason eludes him, but that makes it worse. Far worse.
He swallows hard, thoughts scrambling. His stomach churns. He knows what it was, but that doesn't make the situation any better. However, he knows what caused this.
What had you done?

Y/n: If I had a nickel for every time I was arrested by a royal family, I would have two nickels.
Y/n: Which isn't a lot, but it's weird it's happened twice.
Y/n: So you can't blame me for having trust issues.
Leona: