(Friday: This would be an easy yandere fic but I ain't an easy person but idk which direction I'm gonna go with this; cute or psychotic? Actually It's been two seconds since I typed that sentence and I'm listening to the song and I decided Yandere. I mean come on listen to it and how the tempo gets faster and faster like she's getting more desperate and desperate.

Monday: I went both cute AND psychotic hahaha

Me, texting my friend at like 10 pm: A silencer servant purposely ruining the queenstrial bc she doesn't want Maven to be impressed by any of them

Friend: That's you

Me: Tbh-

I FUCKING LOVE THIS FIC AND IT'S ENDING!!! THIS IS PROBABLY MY FAVORITE ONE!!! I LOVE IT SO MUCH!!)

A simple choice, nothing more

You stand with your leg bouncing as you pick at your cuticles, waiting for your service to be needed. Your heart pounds at the thought of walking down the halls with Silvers, seeing all the different faces and complexities. There's one of them you like more than the others. 

Prince Maven.

You love walking down the halls and seeing his handsome face. It is the only thing good from this job.

His smile gives you hope, the small times you see it. You make sure not to stare. But sometimes you can't help it. 

It's so innocent that you can't help but flush in embarrassment at the thought of your feelings for him.

Sometimes you'd wonder the halls just to run into him. It's just the way his eyes take your breathe away.

Marry well, social whirl, businessman, clever girl

Late at night when you are in the land between liveness and sleep, you come up with scenarios in your head. Scenarios of you being a Silver, being one of Maven's friends. Talking to him every day about the simplest things. God, what do Silver's even talk about? 

And imagining him smiling at something you say, or even reacting in the slightest, gives you the utmost happiness. Imagine being one of his best companions, someone he always thinks of. Or, lord have mercy, being his girlfriend.

You giggle into your pillow at the thought. Maven touching your arm, rubbing your back, or even kissing you. So scandalous, your mind tells you. 

What kind of life am I dreaming of?

You know you want it more than anything. To be a Silver. To be acceptable in Maven's court. To be around him, be allowed to look at him without being dismissed. You love it in the Whitefire Palace. You love it more than anything. 

"It's truly fun here, I promise," you smile while giving the new girl her uniform. 

Her brown hair is parted to one side, swooping over her face so elegantly. 

You add, "And you'll have to tie that up. They don't like messy hair."

She laughs, tilting her head in confusion. Her big brown eyes look up at you with curiosity. 

"I'm Mare." She introduces as you lead her into the servant's corner. 

"I'm (Y/N)," you haven't said your name in a while. You purse your lips together as you stop in front of her room, "Oh, dear, and you've come in at quite the wrong time. I'm afraid the Queenstrial is in a couple of days. I've heard it's quite overwhelming."

She just nods her head in an almost understanding way. "I'll prepare myself."

You chuckle at her words. She must be a good friend. Her humor is outstanding. You haven't heard a good tone in years. Maybe it's something the castle does to people. You hope it doesn't ruin her, she seems like a nice person. 

I say gimme, gimme ... gimme, gimme

You walk down the halls again, Mare walking in front of you. You make sure she can navigate herself in these halls, that she doesn't get lost. It's what friends do.

As you round a corner, your heart stops in your chest. Maven is there. You see a familiar sparkle in his eyes. He doesn't pay attention to you, or any of you. But you notice something that gives you a bitter feeling.

You see Mare, her head tilting as she eyes Maven. 

Strike.

You shake your head, looking down in embarrassment. He isn't yours. He isn't hers either. You are just a servant with a crush, you have no need to get jealous. 

She was just looking at him.

You chuckle under your breath, smiling when Mare turns around to look at you. You roll your eyes. You're being so silly. So stupid. 

Gimme, gimme that thing called love

You feel the tingling of your fingers as you walk into Maven's room, the selection of other servants following behind you. Your heart raced as you smelled his presence, seeing him sitting comfortably in his chair. His wrists dangle off of the ends, his fingers brushing against the bracelet around his hands.

You immediately take your spot by his side, heart beating in your ears. You've done this a million of times before. But somehow, today, it feels special. The Queenstrial. That has to be it, right? Today Maven will choose his bride, and she will be by his side. Be his closest companion. Be the one he smiles at and reacts to. And you'll be forced to watch every day.

You alter a bit, fingers slipping as the comb in your hand drops to the floor. Your stomach threatens to jump from your body as you pick it up, standing only to make eye contact with Maven. 

As quickly as it happens, his eyes shift back to his reflection. You can feel your cheeks flushing that stupid Red color as you inspect his face. His beautiful sharp cheeks, bright yet menacing eyes. You lick your lips under the pressure of his perfect hair under your fingers. 

You run your hand through it, parting it in the perfect place so his curly bangs shadow over his temples. You swear you can almost see the corner of his lips raise. 

I want it

You make eye contact with another servant as you walk out the door, left hand gripping right. They give you a small smirk before turning back to the corners, followed by a crowd of servants. It's time to change into more 'presentable clothes', as Queen Elara calls it. Your chest still is warm and pulsating with your breaths. Just being that close to him, touching his hair and skin like that. You desire the thought. 

After the change of uniform, you see Mare walking around again. You smile as you see her, but you decay when you remember how she looked at him the day before. She takes notice of your face but doesn't question it as she takes your side.

"Who is here today?" She asks as you both begin walking to Spiral Garden.

"Welle, Osanos, Samos, Haven, Iral," you trail off as the last of your knowledge gets exposed. 

Imagine Maven getting betrothed to a Nymph, but not you. 

A dangerous Nymph being with him? Your blood chills at the thought. Maven could be put in danger. How much safer he would be if he was just with you. 

I need it

If he was with you...

You would be able to touch his hair every day. You'd be the perfect bride. You'd be nice to everybody. You'd be grateful every day. But there's no such thing as a Red Queen, right?

"Is it bad I'm excited?" Mare whispers under her breathe. You glance down at her, squinting before playing on a smirk.

"Don't get yourself distracted. They hate when we bring attention to ourselves."

Your mind reminds you of when you dropped the comb. You brush away the memory.

The ding of a light on a table signals a servant. You turn, but see Mare already jumping into position. You almost smile. 

You don't focus on her anymore as more drinks need to get poured. You move like a fox, swift and cunning as you dodge people with every turn. You would call yourself an outstanding servant. Maybe even the best. If only Maven could notice that. 

"The Prince Maven, of House Calore and Merandus, son of my royal wife, the Queen Elara."

You turn your head towards Tiberias, almost dropping a glass as you grab it out of a Silver's hand. You blush as you turn away, trying not to get distracted again. Of course, he would be here, so why were you surprised? 

He looks beautiful with his parted hair. 

Again, you try to brush away the thought.

And as Rohr, of House Rhambos, gets announced you can't help but take a peak.

Highs and lows, tears and laughter

As you dance around the arena, you can't help but glance down at all of the contestants. As each girl makes their traits apparent, you get more and more reckless. One of these girls can be the one to marry your perfect Maven Calore. They can take his hand. They can take his hand, and not you. 

You can only find yourself grinning at the thousands of doves diving for their deaths. Imagine that being the girls, you tell yourself.

With the claps and cheers of everyone, you look down at the arena one last time, confused about how many people are amused when the show hasn't even started. But then you realize who it is.

Evangeline Samos walks around in her little area, her body covered in iron and leather as she scans the crowd. She has on a smirk, one that matched yours only seconds ago.

You grip onto a glass, almost shattering it as you can't find yourself breaking away from the beautiful maiden trying to take your Prince's heart. Imagine her with her hands around him. A wicked smile on her face as she looks down at you, kissing him right before your eyes.

Evangeline lifts her hands, brow furrowed in focus. Focusing on ruining your life, probably. She lifts the boxes one by one, showing off her strength.

You can almost swear she looks at you, her eyes feeling like a predator glaring at its prey. 

Your vision grows red. The cup in your hand breaks, digging shards of glass into your skin. You don't care. 

You don't know what you're doing as you walk up to the end of the podium, almost touching the purple and white lightning.

I just want her to stop, your brain screams, MAKE IT STOP, MAKE IT STOP, MAKE IT STOP!

Gimme happy ever after

Evangeline gasps for a second, her leg giving in as her whole body tilts to one side, her magic altering. She looks like she can't breathe but she quickly regains herself.

One of the boxes tips over as an effect of her reconstruct. 

You turn away from the commotion, coughing into your sleeve. Red blood. It drips from your nose, too, dripping onto your crimson vest. 

What did I do? Is the only thing you can think.

Me? How could that be me? You look down at the red blood in your hand, sleeve, and vest. 

Gimme, gimme that thing called love

At the sounds of screams, you turn back to the arena. You see Mare, her hand extending to the world as Evangeline tries to seize her with her metal. 

The hair of your arms stands on end as lightning erupts from Mare's hands. You gasp, the feeling of sedition digging into your guts. You turn away, unable to see such a betrayal.

But, you breathe, if she can do it.

Your eyes widen. All the noise around you fades away. And suddenly, you're the only person in the world. If she can do it...? 

You look down at your hands, the red blood dripping onto the floor. You can feel the glass digging deeper into your skin, reminding you that you are still alive. 

Can you, too?

Gimme, gimme that thing called love

Your fingers shake as you prepare Mare for the marriage announcement. You work quickly, wanting to leave the room and forget she ever existed. They are trying to pay her off as a Silver, proven by the thick white makeup you cover her face in. 

There are so many things you want to say. So many insults and jabs. Why not me? You want to prey. 

Your favorite part was fitting her into a gown. You dream of tightening her insides together to the point of her unable to breathe. 

Why not me? The question raises in your throat, threatening to come out. Why did she have to fall? Why couldn't you be standing there? Wouldn't it be way easier? Why did it have to be the short, idiotic, naive girl? You are way smarter. You are charming, easily acceptable for Maven's side. 

Why her? Why not me?

Mare clears her throat, a wave of confusion coming over her as she tries to hide it. She clenches her chest, almost taken aback. Like she couldn't breathe.

Again, you cough into your sleeve. Red. The blood drips onto the floor and you hope no one notices.

A red blush comes across your face as you see Cal enter the room. Of course, you bow, like you are supposed. You hope he comes baring hatred and curses. 

I crave it

"Did Evangeline win?" You ask, folding sheets and cleaning mirrors in the guest rooms. Lipstick disappears from under your wet towel as you try your hardest to make the rooms at least presentable.

"Obviously," your friend breathes out in a sigh. You try to hide a smile, but then the thought of Maven creeps into your mind. You gulp down an alter as you try your best to maintain yourself.

"Who did Maven end up picking?"

Your friend looks at you, a big smile on his face.

"He didn't."

"Ex-Excuse me?" 

The bitter feeling in your mouth returns as your chest begins to pound. At least he wouldn't prefer her, you try to convince yourself, if he didn't choose.

"Mareena Titanos," your friend chants, "'diamond in the rough', or whatever that means."

You grunt, fists clenching. You feel a strange pulse traveling down your arms to your fists. You have to physically fight the urge to punch a wall or make a hole in the mirror. You just stare into your reflection, face completely red and teeth clench. 

Of course, it was her, the little Red they are trying to hide. Who else would it be? Who else would it ever be?

"Poor him."

I'll brave it

You keep your chin up over the weeks with Mareena. You don't glance at her, not even when she's wondering the halls like she used to before when she was Mare. When she was almost your friend. 

Your rage has pent up over weeks, you know? You may not give her a glance, but you love giving her a scare. Every time you walk past her you channel your anger, stopping her breathing even for a second.

You're a smart servant, smarter than her. You hide in crowds. Never when walking alone. 

If only Maven knew how smart you were. Certainly, he'd love you. He prefers you. He'd pick you.

And his long, white fingers would run through your hair as he kisses you not her. 

Thick 'n thin, rich or poor time

"(Y/N)!" Your friend ran into your room, slowly shutting the door behind him. You get broken from your fantasy world as you look into his eyes. He has the widest smile on his face. He continues,

"Guess who I saw getting arrested!"

"Uhm, good news or bad news?"

His face drops, "well, I guess a little of both."

You pause, mind already predicting who he was going to say. But why, you reckon.

"Mareena Titanos, isn't that interesting? Maybe she really was one of us." One of us.

"And Maven?" You guess, voice barely above a whisper. Your friend bites the corner of his lip with a sheepish smile. 

"But he's a prince, nothing bad is going to happen to him."

You turn your head towards your window, running the tips of your fingers through your edges. You know your friend is right. You understand that. But something deep inside troubles you. Something is wrong. Something is unnatural. Something tells you not everything is going to be alright.

Until you hear about the execution.

Gimme years and I'll want more time

A servant tries to rush to Maven's side as he sits in his chair, watching over the way Mare and Cal fight off their executioners. You physically shove your way past them, hand already holding a full glass of wine before taking one from him. You linger by his side for a second, pretending to be the new princess watching the execution with him. 

You smile as you glance down. An Arven, you identify first. Silencing Mare. Silencing her cursed powers. 

Ptolemus and Evangeline attack Cal, tearing up the flesh on his back as Mare gets doused in the sand. You try not to smile at the sight. And for once, you are actually indulged in the battle.

Elara glances at you, squinting. She can see the pink in your mind as your chest raises from standing next to Maven. She smiles when that pink is replaced with red at the sight of Mare tossing out of the way of her enemy. Red fills your head at the sight of the Arven collapsing. 

"Oh dear," Elara says forcibly, keeping her eyes on you. Something about your mind is different. She sensed the same thing around Mare. She feels something buried deep inside of you, something strong with the texture of liquid metal.

Mare lifts her hands, a spark of lighting erupting from her fingers. The empty glass falls from your fingers as you take a step forward. You don't care who sees you. You don't care if Elara will execute you, or if Maven will fear you forever. All you want is Mare dead. She took your spotlight. She stole him from you. She stole your dreams. 

She stole your life.

You deserve to steal hers.

Gimme, gimme that thing called love

Maven stands up, almost taking your side as you lean down. Elara leans in in excitement. Not at Mare. But at you. She watches as your heartbeat increases, almost drowning out all other noise. You raise your fingers, keeping them just barely at your side as you twist them around. Drowning out her senses. No sight, no hearing. 

You don't know what you're doing or how. But it feels so right.

You feel satisfied watching her clench her throat, trying to grasp her senses. Cal rushes to her side, fighting of Ptolemus as he tries to see what's wrong. 

You smile. Look at the little lightning girl getting defeated but just a normal Red servant. How pathetic of her. How superior of you.

Evangeline lifts up her hands, sending daggers towards the trickster. And for once, they hit. Coming through one side of her skull and out the others. 

You drop your hand, glancing down at the glass you had broken.

You face the queen, seeing her blue eyes scanning your every being.

"I apologize, my lady," you bow. No talking. You feel like you deserve the world. 

Maven plops down in his seat, his eyes scanning you as you crouch and bring the glass shards into your hands, making sure to noticeably draw Red blood. 

He looks at his mother, cheeks flaring white. She only smiles.

In my heart, he'll be a somebody 

Somebody to love me!

"I've never seen such a brave Red before, revealing yourself right before our eyes." Elara sits on her Queen's throne, crossing her legs as she looks down at you. Maven sits by her side with the composer of his father. You can't help but blush at his long legs and sharp eyes.

"I fight for justice," you look up at Maven, "and I know that lightning girl didn't deserve all she got."

You chose your words carefully to not reveal too much about your true attention. Elara only laughs, the sound like falling glass.

"Red," Elara calls to your attention. You gaze at her, your smile matching hers. "Would you like to match that lightning girl in taking Maven's side," she pauses as she leans in, "because I'm sure you are perfectly fit to protecting my son."

You tilt your head, "are you really giving me the offer? Or have you already planned my life in your head?"

She smiles as she leans back in her chair. She looks at Maven, and he looks back. 

He stands, walking to offer his hand to you. He has a warm smile on his face, something you've never seen before.

"What is your name?"

"(Y/N), (Y/N)," you hesitate, "Arven."

His smile only widens.

"In the eyes of my royal mother, I will ask for your hand in marriage. I pledge myself to you, (Y/N) Arven. Will you accept?"

You get a sugary taste in your mouth, leaving behind all the bitterness in your life.

"I pledge myself to you, Maven Calore."