Royal~AU

——

For a while now, a thief had been loose around the merchant’s market. He has never been caught, only once or twice had he come close to being so, nor has anyone ever got a good look at him.

Food, clothing, sometimes even jewelry that would later be found having been sold on the black market for a decent price of gold, all those the thief would steal; such swift and stealth, some had said, that one couldn’t afford other than to sing his praises.

Those stolen from reported to the royal guards, and while little could be done, more patrols and guards had been stationed around the market to put a stop to this thievery.

Two months had gone by until the thief had finally been caught, with great effort from the patrol guards.

A great chase it was, those who witnessed it remarked, and it surprised only those who had hope in the guards that it took six of them to tackle one thief.

——

In usual circumstances, the thief would’ve simply been thrown into a cell to await trial for a more permanent solution, but these circumstances were not usual, as the merchants who had been robbed demanded the crown pick the punishment instead of some loose judge.

And so, here you sat on your throne, boredom ruling your emotions as the thief-now-prisoner was to be brought in soon enough for the royal audience he did not request.

In fact, as you’ve been told, the thief had yet to have spoken more than a sentence to his captors.

Even his name was not yet known, despite being in custody for some week now, as scheduling an audience with you wasn’t as simple—being the one who wears the crown comes with an overwhelming schedule.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of silence—even if it had been only a mere few minutes—surrounded by incompetent guards who were all too afraid or anxious to speak a word to you unless spoken to, the prisoner was brought in.

Two guards, one on either side of him, dragged him into the throne room, dropping him directly in front of your throne, separated by the three carpeted steps that led up to the seat you so graciously sat upon.

His dark eyes were cast downward, not even sparing a glance in your direction, as though he were the king and you were the thief he had no time for.

“The kingdom’s thief, brought to your feet to be fitted with proper punishment, the floor is yours, your majesty.” Says the knight on the left of the thief, before the room dropped back into silence again.