I'll Be Your Safety (You'll Be My Lady) - Chapter 6
Title: I'll Be Your Safety (You'll Be My Lady) Chapter 6
Summary: Soon to be Queen, Quinn Fabray is set into an arranged marriage with Brittany S. Pierce. Little does her public know, she is not in love with Brittany, but is in love with her handmaiden Rachel Berry as Brittany is with hers, Santana Lopez. Faberry with side Brittana and Quitt.
Pairings: Rachel/Quinn, Brittany/Santana, Quinn/Brittany
Word Count: 2524
Rating: M
She hasn’t even been back in her room for five minutes when Tina the servant comes bursting in, red faced and panting, “Y-your fiancée” Tina gasps, a hand clutched to her side, “She’s gone mad!”
Quinn’s about to ask what on earth she’s talking about when she hears a scream, loud and shrill, and definitely belonging to Brittany. She hurries down the staircase, Rachel and Tina in tow and finds herself in the middle of a scene in the foyer, five servants trying to hold Brittany back.
“Let me see her!” Brittany screams, thrashing about wildly, “I need to see her”
Quinn’s never seen her like this; the bright, bubbly girl she knows is long gone. Her hair is tangled and messy, her clothes ripped and her eyes wild and red-rimmed. Her gaze locks onto Quinn and immediately she rips herself out of the servants’ grip, throwing herself at Quinn’s knees.
“P-please my p-princess” She sobs, clutching at the bottom of Quinn’s dress, “She didn’t mean to hurt you, I promise. Please l-let me see her” Disgusted, Quinn tears her dress out of Brittany’s hands, “Stand up,” She orders, “You look pathetic”
She can’t have this, Brittany embarrassing her in front of all these servants. “Shoo,” She says to all servants but Rachel, “Go back to your quarters”
They bow and obey, leaving Brittany bawling on the floor. She lets Rachel fall to the floor and hush her, bringing her to stand. Brittany clings to Rachel’s shoulder, tears still pouring down her face, “She wouldn’t hurt you,” Brittany asserts again, eyes falling upon Quinn’s wound, “Not unless she thought she needed to protect herself”
Quinn hears the accusation in her tone and straightens, ignoring Rachel’s sharp look of disapproval, “Protect herself?” Quinn says sharply, “Are you suggesting it was my own fault?”
Brittany’s head shakes wildly, her messy locks flinging back and forth, “No!” Brittany cries, “Of course not, princess. Just that Santana may have thought...” She trails off and bursts into tears again. Quinn rolls her eyes. “You may see her,” Quinn grants and Brittany stops crying for the moment, “After I have”
Brittany’s face brightens slightly and she throws her arms around Quinn’s shoulders, “Thank you” She says, squeezing an uncomfortable Quinn tightly, “Thank you, Princess”
-
Santana’s not moving when she arrives.
She’s strung up in chains that attach to the ceiling, her hands and feet clamped in tightly. She’s covered in dirt and blood, blood Quinn would think was her own if there wasn’t a large gash on the side of Santana’s cheek. It seemed someone had got here before her.
Quinn walks lightly, glancing around the filthy room with distaste. It reeks of urine and vomit, the walls plastered with thick layers of grime. She doesn’t plan on being here any longer than she has to be.
She takes three steps forward, tilts her head to watch Santana’s seemingly unconscious body and purses her lips, “Santana,” She says loudly, “Santana Lopez”
Santana’s eyes shoot open, startled, and she takes in the sight of Quinn standing before her, blinking furiously. Her chains clang noisily as her body moves, feet finding purchase on the ground. Her eyes red, her face covered in grime she looks at Quinn vacantly, body shaking slightly.
Quinn says nothing, but waits for Santana to throw herself at Quinn’s feet. To beg and plead for her life, to welcome her as Queen. To pledge allegiance to her rule. It never comes. Santana just stares at her through bloodshot eyes, as if patiently waiting for Quinn to get to the point of her visit and leave.
It enrages her.
“Have you nothing to say?” She says angrily, “No apologies for your crime?”
Santana’s jaw twitches, her eyes darkening. She leans forward slightly, adjusting her shackles, “Sorry” She says simply. There’s no malice in her voice, but no meaning either. Quinn launches forward, gripping Santana’s chin and forcing her head up, “I could have your head for this,” Quinn growls, pointing at her swollen nose, “You struck royalty. You hit the face of your future Queen!”
Santana whimpers slightly as Quinn’s hands grasp at the edges of her cut, sending a trickle of blood down her cheek. Quinn releases her with disgust.
“I am truly sorry about your nose, princess,” Santana says, her breathing shallow. Her face twists in pain at her open wound, “It was never my intention to harm you”
Quinn doesn’t question the sincerity this time; she knows that Santana never meant to break her nose. It didn’t change the fact that it was broken.
“You made me look like a fool,” She says, turning her back on Santana and pacing the room quietly, “Can you imagine what the people will think when word gets out that a servant struck the future Queen?”
She spins to face Santana, who is staring at the floor, “Can you imagine how weak they will think I am?” Quinn glares at her, willing her to look up, to look her straight in the eye and give her a reason why she shouldn’t be sentenced to death, right here. Santana shifts and looks up slowly, her eyes misty. It throws Quinn off completely; in the short time she’s known Santana, she had never seen her without fire in her eyes.
She stares at Quinn tiredly, her lip trembling, looking as though she’s about to collapse. Quinn’s never been put in chains, but judging by the blood caking Santana’s wrists and ankles, the shackles burden Santana to the point of defeat, “Will you hang me?” She asks quietly, “Or take my head?”
Shockwaves crash through Quinn at her question. Her stern face wavers as she takes in Santana’s hopeless tone, her body sagging to the ground. She stammers slightly, her mouth caught open because this was the last thing she expected; where was fiery Santana fighting for her life? Kicking and screaming and begging Quinn to save her?
Santana seems to catch that she’s taken back, and hurriedly speaks again, hoping Quinn’s sudden softness lasts long enough to grant her one final plea, “Please,” She croaks, her eyes watering, “Don’t let Brittany see”
Quinn’s throat is dry, palms sweating. Her brain races; Santana’s made this easy. Far too easy. She’s sentenced herself and without thinking, Quinn runs with it. She swallows harshly, nodding her head. Santana’s lips crinkle into a weak and watery smile, as if Quinn’s just granted her all the riches in the world.
There’s a cough at the door and Quinn whirls around to see Jacob Ben-Israel, the chamber minder waiting for her. Quinn’s only met him once before; greasy, curly hair coming from his head at all angles, crazy wide eyes and a permanent perverted smile etched upon his acne ridden face, he gestures outside, “Miss Pierce is here,” Jacob says, slimily, “Shall I send her in?”
Her mind still blank, Quinn attempts to say yes, but is cut off before she can start.
“No,” Santana croaks, her eyes widening in panic, “No, no, no. Not here, not like this, please”
Jacob looks between them as Santana stares at Quinn pleadingly. Quinn tears her gaze away from Santana’s bruised face and swallows, her voice thick, “I promised she could,” She asserts more to Santana than to Jacob, “Send her in”
Santana’s body crumples again, and Quinn watches as Jacob leads Brittany in. Her face is red and tear-stained, but she seems to have pulled herself together. Until she sets eyes on Santana’s limp body. She crumples to the floor at Santana’s feet, a loud wave of sobs emitting from her body. Santana looks over agonizingly at Quinn as if to say, I told you not to.
As Brittany reaches forward, Jacob smacks her arm back, “No touching the prisoner,” He says sharply, then looks over at Quinn as if she’ll praise him for a job well done. Paralyzed, Quinn watches as Brittany cries at Santana feet, mumbling words desperately to Santana that Quinn can’t quite make out.
She hears Santana shush her gently and then a quiet promise of love through Santana’s own silent tears and Brittany’s reaching for her again, cut off by Jacob, “No touching the prisoner!” He barks again, looking all too self-important in his role.
“Let her,” Quinn says suddenly, drawing looks of astonishment from both Santana and Jacob.
Brittany doesn’t hesitate at the permission, just stands up hurriedly and as gently as she can, scoops Santana’s battered body up, and presses her against herself. It’s just about the most awkward thing Quinn’s ever seen because Santana’s arms and legs are encased, almost as if Brittany were trying to hug a starfish. Santana’s head rests in the crook of Brittany’s neck, and Quinn can’t see her face but she can hear muffled sobs that don’t belong to Brittany and suddenly she feels light-headed, as if she’s about to collapse.
“Let her go,” She says desperately, tears welling in her eyes, “Release her,”
Jacob’s head shoots to her disbelievingly, “Princess, surely you don’t-“
“Let her go!” Quinn says firmly, hands shaking, “Release her now!”
Her heart thrumming madly, she presses herself against the grimy wall. Even Brittany stops crying long enough to give her a stunned stare. Hands at his side, Jacob moves forward dumbfounded, keys jingling in his palm. He unlocks Santana’s feet hesitantly, glancing back over at Quinn for conformation to continue.
“Do it!” She snaps, nausea over taking her, “Hurry up!”
A slight click and Santana’s hands are free and Brittany’s sobs start over her again. She launches herself against Santana holds her close, encasing her fully. Santana, however, keeps her eyes on Quinn’s frail form.
“Take her to your bedroom,” Quinn orders Brittany weakly, “I’ll have the healer check in on her soon”
Brittany doesn’t wait for another word; she scoops Santana’s body up into her arms and carries her out as hurriedly as she can, as if afraid Quinn would change her mind at any minute. Jacob stares at her. Pushing up off the wall, Quinn wills her limp body out of the dungeons and onto the staircase, head still spinning. She feels exhausted, a scream ready at the back of her throat. Tiredly, she wills herself up to her bedroom.
Her mind flashes back to Santana in chains, hanging limply from the ceiling as Brittany sobbed at her feet in a desperate plea for her lover’s life. She thinks to the gash on Santana’s cheek, the way she had tearfully insisted Brittany not be there to witness her death. In a final flashback, Santana’s face morphs to Rachel’s, haunted and beautiful before Quinn leans forward and vomits all over the staircase.
--
“I’ve decided to spare the girl”
The reaction is instantaneous. Her mother shrieks out in displeasure, eyes bulging from her head. She paces as she yells, screaming about weaknesses and the chain of command and how easy a target rebels will find her. Quinn doesn’t even spare her a glance, just keeps her eyes on her father. Russell watches her closely, his expression blank. For almost an entire minute he says nothing, stoic and calm. And then he smiles.
“A good leader knows when to use force,” He says, trying to suppress a grin, “And when to show mercy. Well done, Quinn”
As Judy whirls around to berate him, Quinn sees the opportunity to slip out. She mouths a ‘good luck’ to her father and slips out the bedroom door, echo’s of Judy’s scolding bouncing all the way down the corridor.
She stops outside Brittany’s door, momentarily contemplating entering. After her collapse in the hall and the embarrassing amount of tears shed into Rachel’s shoulder that followed, she likes to think she’s got a slightly better grasp of her emotions. She chews her lip nervously and knocks three times.
“Come in,” Brittany says softly, and Quinn opens the door and slips inside.
Santana’s perched in the middle of the bed, mountains of pillows stacked up behind her. The dried blood from her cheek has been washed off, but the gash, open and deep gives away her state. She’s pale and looks exhausted, mustering a thin smile when she lays eyes on Quinn, “Hello, Princess”
Before Quinn can respond, Brittany’s arm wrap around her neck in a tight hug, “Thank you,” Brittany says quietly into her ear, “Thank you”
With a weak nod and an awkward pat on the back, Quinn pulls away, lacing her hands together in front of her body. “Has the healer seen her?” She asks Brittany, glancing at Santana’s wrists. Brittany nods happily, “He said she’ll be fine,” Brittany beams, “She just needs a few days to rest”
Quinn chews at her lip.
“Thank you for your mercy, Princess” Santana says suddenly, her voice heavy, “I would curtsey-“
“I provoked you” Quinn says abruptly, cutting Santana off, “Rachel said you reacted strangely when snuck up on, so I did it on purpose”
Santana’s mouth falls shut, and if possible, pales even further.
Quinn pauses and looks between them; Brittany’s cherry smile has vanished, replaced by a wary frown. The room thickens with tense silence.
“You have my apologies, Santana,” Quinn continues, “I’m sorry for any harm or distress I may have caused”
She shifts on her feet awkwardly, looking more out of place than a princess should in her own castle. Doing her best to avoid Brittany’s piercing stare, Quinn nods uncomfortably at Santana’s frozen stare and turns to back away, fisting her hands at the bottom of her dress to walk faster.
“Princess,” Santana says suddenly, and Quinn’s head whirls around, “I pledge loyalty to your house, will recognize your ruler ship when the time comes”
Confused, Quinn sneaks a glance at Brittany, who is staring at Santana sharply.
“But there are two things I must ask of you,” Quinn’s eyes dart back to Santana, eyebrows furrowing. “The first is that you never startle me as you did” She can almost hear her mother’s indignant voice telling her to put this servant in her place. Servant did not give her commands.
“The second,” Santana says slowly, “Is that you never ask me why”
Brittany’s shoulders visibly relax, and she slips into the seat next to Santana’s bedside, reaching out to grasp a hold of Santana’s hand. Quinn stares at her for a long while, disbelievingly. What was it about this servant, that she had the audacity to give a princess commands? Or that the commands in question were so strange?
She licks her lips, glances between Brittany and Santana quickly before nodding her head curtly, “And you will understand, that if I grant you these wishes, you shall never give me commands ever again,” She says solemnly. Santana’s lips curl into what looks suspiciously like a small smirk and she nods, “Of course, Princess”
She shoots a small smile to them both and turns to leave, Santana’s smirk playing through her mind. Had a servant just got the better of her? She ought to turn around and set the girl in her place while she still had a shred of authority over her. Instead, she continues down the hallway and smiles.
Summary: Soon to be Queen, Quinn Fabray is set into an arranged marriage with Brittany S. Pierce. Little does her public know, she is not in love with Brittany, but is in love with her handmaiden Rachel Berry as Brittany is with hers, Santana Lopez. Faberry with side Brittana and Quitt.
Pairings: Rachel/Quinn, Brittany/Santana, Quinn/Brittany
Word Count: 2524
Rating: M
She hasn’t even been back in her room for five minutes when Tina the servant comes bursting in, red faced and panting, “Y-your fiancée” Tina gasps, a hand clutched to her side, “She’s gone mad!”
Quinn’s about to ask what on earth she’s talking about when she hears a scream, loud and shrill, and definitely belonging to Brittany. She hurries down the staircase, Rachel and Tina in tow and finds herself in the middle of a scene in the foyer, five servants trying to hold Brittany back.
“Let me see her!” Brittany screams, thrashing about wildly, “I need to see her”
Quinn’s never seen her like this; the bright, bubbly girl she knows is long gone. Her hair is tangled and messy, her clothes ripped and her eyes wild and red-rimmed. Her gaze locks onto Quinn and immediately she rips herself out of the servants’ grip, throwing herself at Quinn’s knees.
“P-please my p-princess” She sobs, clutching at the bottom of Quinn’s dress, “She didn’t mean to hurt you, I promise. Please l-let me see her” Disgusted, Quinn tears her dress out of Brittany’s hands, “Stand up,” She orders, “You look pathetic”
She can’t have this, Brittany embarrassing her in front of all these servants. “Shoo,” She says to all servants but Rachel, “Go back to your quarters”
They bow and obey, leaving Brittany bawling on the floor. She lets Rachel fall to the floor and hush her, bringing her to stand. Brittany clings to Rachel’s shoulder, tears still pouring down her face, “She wouldn’t hurt you,” Brittany asserts again, eyes falling upon Quinn’s wound, “Not unless she thought she needed to protect herself”
Quinn hears the accusation in her tone and straightens, ignoring Rachel’s sharp look of disapproval, “Protect herself?” Quinn says sharply, “Are you suggesting it was my own fault?”
Brittany’s head shakes wildly, her messy locks flinging back and forth, “No!” Brittany cries, “Of course not, princess. Just that Santana may have thought...” She trails off and bursts into tears again. Quinn rolls her eyes. “You may see her,” Quinn grants and Brittany stops crying for the moment, “After I have”
Brittany’s face brightens slightly and she throws her arms around Quinn’s shoulders, “Thank you” She says, squeezing an uncomfortable Quinn tightly, “Thank you, Princess”
-
Santana’s not moving when she arrives.
She’s strung up in chains that attach to the ceiling, her hands and feet clamped in tightly. She’s covered in dirt and blood, blood Quinn would think was her own if there wasn’t a large gash on the side of Santana’s cheek. It seemed someone had got here before her.
Quinn walks lightly, glancing around the filthy room with distaste. It reeks of urine and vomit, the walls plastered with thick layers of grime. She doesn’t plan on being here any longer than she has to be.
She takes three steps forward, tilts her head to watch Santana’s seemingly unconscious body and purses her lips, “Santana,” She says loudly, “Santana Lopez”
Santana’s eyes shoot open, startled, and she takes in the sight of Quinn standing before her, blinking furiously. Her chains clang noisily as her body moves, feet finding purchase on the ground. Her eyes red, her face covered in grime she looks at Quinn vacantly, body shaking slightly.
Quinn says nothing, but waits for Santana to throw herself at Quinn’s feet. To beg and plead for her life, to welcome her as Queen. To pledge allegiance to her rule. It never comes. Santana just stares at her through bloodshot eyes, as if patiently waiting for Quinn to get to the point of her visit and leave.
It enrages her.
“Have you nothing to say?” She says angrily, “No apologies for your crime?”
Santana’s jaw twitches, her eyes darkening. She leans forward slightly, adjusting her shackles, “Sorry” She says simply. There’s no malice in her voice, but no meaning either. Quinn launches forward, gripping Santana’s chin and forcing her head up, “I could have your head for this,” Quinn growls, pointing at her swollen nose, “You struck royalty. You hit the face of your future Queen!”
Santana whimpers slightly as Quinn’s hands grasp at the edges of her cut, sending a trickle of blood down her cheek. Quinn releases her with disgust.
“I am truly sorry about your nose, princess,” Santana says, her breathing shallow. Her face twists in pain at her open wound, “It was never my intention to harm you”
Quinn doesn’t question the sincerity this time; she knows that Santana never meant to break her nose. It didn’t change the fact that it was broken.
“You made me look like a fool,” She says, turning her back on Santana and pacing the room quietly, “Can you imagine what the people will think when word gets out that a servant struck the future Queen?”
She spins to face Santana, who is staring at the floor, “Can you imagine how weak they will think I am?” Quinn glares at her, willing her to look up, to look her straight in the eye and give her a reason why she shouldn’t be sentenced to death, right here. Santana shifts and looks up slowly, her eyes misty. It throws Quinn off completely; in the short time she’s known Santana, she had never seen her without fire in her eyes.
She stares at Quinn tiredly, her lip trembling, looking as though she’s about to collapse. Quinn’s never been put in chains, but judging by the blood caking Santana’s wrists and ankles, the shackles burden Santana to the point of defeat, “Will you hang me?” She asks quietly, “Or take my head?”
Shockwaves crash through Quinn at her question. Her stern face wavers as she takes in Santana’s hopeless tone, her body sagging to the ground. She stammers slightly, her mouth caught open because this was the last thing she expected; where was fiery Santana fighting for her life? Kicking and screaming and begging Quinn to save her?
Santana seems to catch that she’s taken back, and hurriedly speaks again, hoping Quinn’s sudden softness lasts long enough to grant her one final plea, “Please,” She croaks, her eyes watering, “Don’t let Brittany see”
Quinn’s throat is dry, palms sweating. Her brain races; Santana’s made this easy. Far too easy. She’s sentenced herself and without thinking, Quinn runs with it. She swallows harshly, nodding her head. Santana’s lips crinkle into a weak and watery smile, as if Quinn’s just granted her all the riches in the world.
There’s a cough at the door and Quinn whirls around to see Jacob Ben-Israel, the chamber minder waiting for her. Quinn’s only met him once before; greasy, curly hair coming from his head at all angles, crazy wide eyes and a permanent perverted smile etched upon his acne ridden face, he gestures outside, “Miss Pierce is here,” Jacob says, slimily, “Shall I send her in?”
Her mind still blank, Quinn attempts to say yes, but is cut off before she can start.
“No,” Santana croaks, her eyes widening in panic, “No, no, no. Not here, not like this, please”
Jacob looks between them as Santana stares at Quinn pleadingly. Quinn tears her gaze away from Santana’s bruised face and swallows, her voice thick, “I promised she could,” She asserts more to Santana than to Jacob, “Send her in”
Santana’s body crumples again, and Quinn watches as Jacob leads Brittany in. Her face is red and tear-stained, but she seems to have pulled herself together. Until she sets eyes on Santana’s limp body. She crumples to the floor at Santana’s feet, a loud wave of sobs emitting from her body. Santana looks over agonizingly at Quinn as if to say, I told you not to.
As Brittany reaches forward, Jacob smacks her arm back, “No touching the prisoner,” He says sharply, then looks over at Quinn as if she’ll praise him for a job well done. Paralyzed, Quinn watches as Brittany cries at Santana feet, mumbling words desperately to Santana that Quinn can’t quite make out.
She hears Santana shush her gently and then a quiet promise of love through Santana’s own silent tears and Brittany’s reaching for her again, cut off by Jacob, “No touching the prisoner!” He barks again, looking all too self-important in his role.
“Let her,” Quinn says suddenly, drawing looks of astonishment from both Santana and Jacob.
Brittany doesn’t hesitate at the permission, just stands up hurriedly and as gently as she can, scoops Santana’s battered body up, and presses her against herself. It’s just about the most awkward thing Quinn’s ever seen because Santana’s arms and legs are encased, almost as if Brittany were trying to hug a starfish. Santana’s head rests in the crook of Brittany’s neck, and Quinn can’t see her face but she can hear muffled sobs that don’t belong to Brittany and suddenly she feels light-headed, as if she’s about to collapse.
“Let her go,” She says desperately, tears welling in her eyes, “Release her,”
Jacob’s head shoots to her disbelievingly, “Princess, surely you don’t-“
“Let her go!” Quinn says firmly, hands shaking, “Release her now!”
Her heart thrumming madly, she presses herself against the grimy wall. Even Brittany stops crying long enough to give her a stunned stare. Hands at his side, Jacob moves forward dumbfounded, keys jingling in his palm. He unlocks Santana’s feet hesitantly, glancing back over at Quinn for conformation to continue.
“Do it!” She snaps, nausea over taking her, “Hurry up!”
A slight click and Santana’s hands are free and Brittany’s sobs start over her again. She launches herself against Santana holds her close, encasing her fully. Santana, however, keeps her eyes on Quinn’s frail form.
“Take her to your bedroom,” Quinn orders Brittany weakly, “I’ll have the healer check in on her soon”
Brittany doesn’t wait for another word; she scoops Santana’s body up into her arms and carries her out as hurriedly as she can, as if afraid Quinn would change her mind at any minute. Jacob stares at her. Pushing up off the wall, Quinn wills her limp body out of the dungeons and onto the staircase, head still spinning. She feels exhausted, a scream ready at the back of her throat. Tiredly, she wills herself up to her bedroom.
Her mind flashes back to Santana in chains, hanging limply from the ceiling as Brittany sobbed at her feet in a desperate plea for her lover’s life. She thinks to the gash on Santana’s cheek, the way she had tearfully insisted Brittany not be there to witness her death. In a final flashback, Santana’s face morphs to Rachel’s, haunted and beautiful before Quinn leans forward and vomits all over the staircase.
--
“I’ve decided to spare the girl”
The reaction is instantaneous. Her mother shrieks out in displeasure, eyes bulging from her head. She paces as she yells, screaming about weaknesses and the chain of command and how easy a target rebels will find her. Quinn doesn’t even spare her a glance, just keeps her eyes on her father. Russell watches her closely, his expression blank. For almost an entire minute he says nothing, stoic and calm. And then he smiles.
“A good leader knows when to use force,” He says, trying to suppress a grin, “And when to show mercy. Well done, Quinn”
As Judy whirls around to berate him, Quinn sees the opportunity to slip out. She mouths a ‘good luck’ to her father and slips out the bedroom door, echo’s of Judy’s scolding bouncing all the way down the corridor.
She stops outside Brittany’s door, momentarily contemplating entering. After her collapse in the hall and the embarrassing amount of tears shed into Rachel’s shoulder that followed, she likes to think she’s got a slightly better grasp of her emotions. She chews her lip nervously and knocks three times.
“Come in,” Brittany says softly, and Quinn opens the door and slips inside.
Santana’s perched in the middle of the bed, mountains of pillows stacked up behind her. The dried blood from her cheek has been washed off, but the gash, open and deep gives away her state. She’s pale and looks exhausted, mustering a thin smile when she lays eyes on Quinn, “Hello, Princess”
Before Quinn can respond, Brittany’s arm wrap around her neck in a tight hug, “Thank you,” Brittany says quietly into her ear, “Thank you”
With a weak nod and an awkward pat on the back, Quinn pulls away, lacing her hands together in front of her body. “Has the healer seen her?” She asks Brittany, glancing at Santana’s wrists. Brittany nods happily, “He said she’ll be fine,” Brittany beams, “She just needs a few days to rest”
Quinn chews at her lip.
“Thank you for your mercy, Princess” Santana says suddenly, her voice heavy, “I would curtsey-“
“I provoked you” Quinn says abruptly, cutting Santana off, “Rachel said you reacted strangely when snuck up on, so I did it on purpose”
Santana’s mouth falls shut, and if possible, pales even further.
Quinn pauses and looks between them; Brittany’s cherry smile has vanished, replaced by a wary frown. The room thickens with tense silence.
“You have my apologies, Santana,” Quinn continues, “I’m sorry for any harm or distress I may have caused”
She shifts on her feet awkwardly, looking more out of place than a princess should in her own castle. Doing her best to avoid Brittany’s piercing stare, Quinn nods uncomfortably at Santana’s frozen stare and turns to back away, fisting her hands at the bottom of her dress to walk faster.
“Princess,” Santana says suddenly, and Quinn’s head whirls around, “I pledge loyalty to your house, will recognize your ruler ship when the time comes”
Confused, Quinn sneaks a glance at Brittany, who is staring at Santana sharply.
“But there are two things I must ask of you,” Quinn’s eyes dart back to Santana, eyebrows furrowing. “The first is that you never startle me as you did” She can almost hear her mother’s indignant voice telling her to put this servant in her place. Servant did not give her commands.
“The second,” Santana says slowly, “Is that you never ask me why”
Brittany’s shoulders visibly relax, and she slips into the seat next to Santana’s bedside, reaching out to grasp a hold of Santana’s hand. Quinn stares at her for a long while, disbelievingly. What was it about this servant, that she had the audacity to give a princess commands? Or that the commands in question were so strange?
She licks her lips, glances between Brittany and Santana quickly before nodding her head curtly, “And you will understand, that if I grant you these wishes, you shall never give me commands ever again,” She says solemnly. Santana’s lips curl into what looks suspiciously like a small smirk and she nods, “Of course, Princess”
She shoots a small smile to them both and turns to leave, Santana’s smirk playing through her mind. Had a servant just got the better of her? She ought to turn around and set the girl in her place while she still had a shred of authority over her. Instead, she continues down the hallway and smiles.