#sister krone
TPN concept where Norman’s a royal tutor, Emma’s the commander Yuugo’s daughter, Ray is the prince and the Queen Isabella is waging war against the demons. On the side, she runs the tributary system where people from the Gracefield kingdom get presented to demons on a platter to limit the casualties inside the castle. Ray knows the truth but Norman and Emma don’t suspect anything until Yuugo is “killed” on the battlefield and sends Emma a coded letter in his will. All the smaller kingdoms (the farms) are ruled by the Ratri Clan, which Regent Peter Ratri heads after the assassination of his brother, King James.
Bonus: Norman speaks like that mf in Princess Bride “as you wish.” Nat’s a bard-in-training, Don’s a stable-boy, Ayshe’s a beast-keeper, and Gilda’s an armorer (she wants to be a seamstress but she and Emma are close because of how often Yuugo needs new armor)
I had this concept for a TPN royal AU a while back and I decided to write a little something for it:
“I should hand in my resignation right this instant,” Sister Krone would say, but the trio had seen enough of their tutor to take her threats seriously.
At 8-years-old, their tutor’s ward, the Commander’s daughter and Her Majesty’s son were thick as thieves, having grown up together within Gracefield castle.
As the war against the Demons raged on beyond their walls, the three children were content to spend their days studying together, their evenings sparring, and their nights dining at the Queen’s table.
“So then that’s Mars isn’t it, Sister Krone?” asked Norman, pointing at a single speck barely visible from their astronomy tower.
“Very good, Norman,” said the tutor appraisingly.
“And when Mars isn’t at the right spot, the kingdom loses battles, doesn’t it?” asked Emma, thinking of her father who would be off somewhere bloodying his sword again.
Sister Krone nodded gravely.
“Is that why you broke your bow sparring me, Emma?” jested Ray.
“I’ll break your arm next,” frowned Emma, never having been one to pay regard to her companion’s royal lineage.
“Norman will sooner throw a spear, than you can manage,” smirked the prince.
“Norman shall throw a spear, then,” declared Emma, “Won’t you, Norman?”
“As you wish,” agreed Norman, smiling.
Ray laughed derisively, “And who’s going to train him? You, whose frame doesn’t even reach half of the spear?”
Emma responded by aiming at a blow at his head, her astronomy book in hand, while Norman yelped, Ray snickered (and ducked), and Sister Krone sighed, smiling.
“Terrorizing your friends again, are we, Emma?” chuckled a voice behind them, and the children turned to face Sir Yuugo, still donning his armor (though, mercifully blood-less).
“Dad!” yelled the Commander’s daughter, launching herself at the formidable-looking man.
Crouching to receive her, Yuugo lifted Emma by the waist, holding her up with her arms hooked around his neck.
“You’re back early,” exclaimed Krone, mirroring Norman and Ray’s surprise (and relief).
“Did the demons surrender Golden Waters, Sir Yuugo?” asked Norman intently.
“You’ve been reading your strategy,” laughed Yuugo, setting Emma down, “But you’re close. That demon stronghold…may be salvageable.”
Ray felt his heart leap in his chest, as Norman, Emma and Krone cheered.
“All thanks to our excellent cavalry, of course,” said a grandly-dressed woman stepping behind Yuugo.
“Queen Isabella!” gasped Emma, and together, everyone in the room bowed, their right hands wrapped in a fist at their hearts.
Ray, who had made no such motion, felt his lip curl, as it always did at the sight of the Queen.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, and then, remembering his company, added hastily, “Mother.”
“To invite you all to celebrate, of course,” said Isabella, her smile serene, though Ray was certain she had noted his impudence, “the children can retire early this one night, can’t they, Sister Krone?”
“Of course, Your Majesty,” said Krone, bowing again.
As Norman and Emma chattered excitedly, bounding towards the dining hall, Ray let himself fall back, if only to hear Sir Yuugo and Sister Krone’s conversation.
“What was the toll this time?” asked his tutor heavily.
“150,” responded Emma’s father grimly.
“I see. And were you able to recover the -,” but what they had wanted to recover Ray was unable to catch, because Isabella had placed a cold hand on his tunic.
“Walk with me, Prince Ray,” said his mother softly.
“Of course, Mother,” said Ray somberly, following her into the hallway leading to her chambers.
“The General’s news didn’t seem to please you much,” remarked Isabella, once Yuugo and Krone were out of earshot, “Does it wound you to see your military successful?”
“It wounds me,” began Ray, dropping all pretense, “to know a hundred-and-fifty men and women died without knowing than two-hundred more will be sent as tribute in their wake without any fight.”
The Queen’s smile had slid off her face.
During the first face-off between Krone and Isabella, the theme that plays is a piano version of Ray’s Theme, which plays pretty soon after during Ray and Norman’s standoff
I like that the anime subtly hints at how similar mother and son are just with the musical motifs. No matter how much Ray despised Isabella, ultimately, he is her son, and everything he learnt was at her knee. It’s no wonder that manipulation comes effortlessly to him - it’s what Isabella had been doing to him for years after all.
