Hope Falls

"Okay... you ready to go?"

He nodded as he pulled a fresh shirt on. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

"Well then, lead the way."

He walked with her and the route he took was decorated with tapestries telling stories one was about oracles that they passed. “Just so you know my dad can be a pretty big dick at times.” He told her. “He can be rude and condescending and passive aggressive.”

"Just so you know; he does that to me and I am talking back to him. I didn't save your ass for your father to treat me like dirt."

“It’s not really you he will say it to.” He told her. “Just don’t get too offended okay?”

"I'll be sticking up for everyone in that room." She shrugged. "You'll have to put up with it."

“Hey I’m used to you, I don’t mind it.”

"Good." She grinned

He smiled softly before they came to a large set of golden doors. “You ready?”

"Ready." She nodded.

He walked into the room with her and it was the same as what you would expect from a great hall in the times of the tudors. Tapestries hung on the walls, people of the royal court were dotted around talking and murmuring but that all stopped when Zero walked into the room showing an already obvious dislike for the kings eldest. Meanwhile his father was sat in his throne at the far end of the hall and next to sat Zeros mother on his left and Scarlet on his right. There was an empty seat next to Zeros mother obviously his but before he could walk to it some guards stopped him.

Florence frowned, reaching her hand forward to unterlink her fingers with Zero's. Squeezing his hand as she stepped to his side.

He squeezed her hand in comfort before they were addressed by his father. “So you’re the girl who saved my sons life?” He didn’t really phrase it as a question. “You saved the crown Prince and for that I would like to offer you a reward and a feast in your honour.”

"You needn't. I don't need ant reward, don't need any feast. Thank you for the offer though."

“I insist,” he told her. “You can have whatever you desire except my throne.” He told her not leaving any of much room for argument. “Now you,” he turned on Zero and his tone changed immediately. “You show your face here without having learnt your lesson and being half the man you are without your wings.”

"Fine, my desire is for you to treat your son with a bit of kindness after you sent him and all those that went with him to their deaths. If I had been half an hour later he would have been dead, you'd have no son to speak to right now. Back off."

Zero's father did not seem to be paying her attention his attention solely focussed on Zero. "You should have begged for death, only unworthy angels have their wings stolen whilst they lay helpless like little babes." He seethed. "No son of mine would have allowed this to happen, you're a disgrace, not worthy of the crown. Not worthy of your life!"

"I prayed that I had died," Zero told him, keeping himself calm. "I thought that I had and I was happy for it," He continued. "The pain had stopped, everything was peaceful, I thought I had been found by a fucking angel when Florence found me, but I still wish I was dead because I know that I would never be good enough for you!"

Florence narrowed her eyes at the man, stepping in front of Zero then; gently pushing him behind her almost protectively. "Only unworthy fathers say the things that are coming from your mouth, and make their children feel the way you've made Zero feel. A lot of people don't have expensive taste, that is clearly what this is; you are not good enough for him, that would be why you say you don't like him."

"Because your little friend does not know when to stop talking, it has made my decision for your punishment." Zero's father told him as he stood from his throne. "Zero, because of your failure, I hereby banish you from our court, and from our world, you have no wings and therefore no power." He spoke and he watched Zero tense. "I also take from you your lands, your titles, and your monies." He continued. "You can no longer call me your father, and you can have no contact with Scarlet and your mother for the rest of your eternal life. Now both you and your friend should leave before I change my mind not to have you executed."

"Husband, at least let them stay the night, so that they can say goodbye," She nodded to Scarlet who was staring at her brother like a deer caught in headlights, she was in shock. "It's not safe for them to leave at this time of night." When the king agreed, she looked to Zero. "Go and pack darling, I will come and see you."

Florence made a frustrated noise and stormed out, heading the way she had came back to Zero's room.

Zero soon followed her and he leant against the door once he had shut it, he truly had no idea what to do.

"Your father is a terrible one."

Zero nodded. "Yeah, I know, hence the reason I spend most of my time up on normal ground." He moved to sit on the floor, his wounds were now starting to hurt, he was angry about his father and he was starting to feel a bit almost depressed as he knew that he would not be able to see his sister after tonight.

Florence frowned, lowering herself down to place herself on his lap. Slipping her arms around his torso to hug him tightly, whispering quietly; "I've got you."