Chapter Text
It's been a while since December last worked a night shift. He prefers to schedule himself for meals, making sure everything comes out excellent. And there hasn't been much incentive to work night shifts since Anxiety started avoiding the staff like the plague.
December doesn't know how to feel about Anxiety. He knows what Grand Prince Roman told the staff - that Anxiety is a monster hunter here to learn the royal family's secrets and manipulate them - but that's just Grand Prince Roman. The rest of the princes seem to have forgiven Anxiety for his transgressions and have accepted him as one of their own. Even King Rainbow had that meeting the other day and canceled his orders for the staff to chaperone and tattle on Prince Janus and Anxiety. It's no secret they've been sleeping together again (seriously, by now half the forest has either heard or heard about their first date).
All of that's not even getting into the fact that Prince Janus claimed Anxiety and just a couple of hours ago they got back from their date laughing and holding hands.
So, Anxiety. Former fae hunter. Currently Prince Janus's claimed. May or may not be a spy, depending on who you believe.
Personally, December trusts King Thomas's judgment. If the king hasn't kicked Anxiety out or locked him up then December doesn't see what the problem is. Grand Prince Roman has always been one for dramatics anyway.
The head cook knows several servants agree with him, but many are still wary. There is the fact that Anxiety did stop talking to them immediately after the grand prince got back. Some find that suspicious. December doesn't have an explanation. Who knows what's going on in that monster-hybrid's head?
He liked Anxiety before all of this drama started and if he just knew why the human-drider started avoiding them then maybe he could like him again. Anxiety certainly did wonders for staff morale when he was interacting with them. He's like Remy in some ways.
December's musings are interrupted by the kitchen doors flying open and Remy barging in with Anxiety in tow.
"December, why was Anxiety kicked out of the kitchen?" Remy all but yells.
The head cook takes offense to the question. He would never allow a royal or royal adjacent to feel unwelcome in the royal kitchen much less kick them out! The audacity! He says as much.
"Well, Anxiety's saying he doesn't talk to the staff anymore because he was kicked out of the kitchen," Remy shrugs. "Figured it must be some sort of misunderstanding 'cause I know you wouldn't let something like that fly."
"I most certainly wouldn't!" huffs December. For a moment he entertains the idea that Anxiety is making things up, but he quickly scraps that thought. For one, it isn't his place to accuse a prince's claimed of lying. For another, Anxiety looks legitimately freaked out about being in the kitchen. He looks like he's expecting to be scolded any second.
A misunderstanding, then. It must be since December knows no one would dare disrespect the royal family's claimed in his kitchen. They better not have or so help him he may just strangle someone.
He has Remy coax the story out of Anxiety and listens to Remy's rather colorful translations. Any faerie would translate word-for-word to the best of their abilities. Remy re-words everything to fit his own vernacular. Even so, December understands the story and is livid.
The worst part is, he has no trouble believing Anxiety's story. August and June are very devoted to Prince Roman and have never been quite as professional as December would like them to be. They're good at their jobs, but they are rumor-mongers with fiery attitudes who aren't afraid to voice their opinions even when it isn't strictly appropriate. Sometimes they need to be reminded that they are staff and should take care what they say.
This, though? This is going too far. It's completely out of line. December doesn't give a damn what their opinions on Anxiety are. He is an adjacent member of the royal family and therefore deserving of respect. December says so to Remy. He also tells him that, though it doesn't really matter, Anxiety might like to know that December quite likes him. He's had such a positive impact on staff morale and the head cook appreciates that.
December watches Remy translate all of this for a wide-eyed Anxiety who looks absolutely flabbergasted. He just seems so confused. Hesitantly, he asks if December is sure he isn't mad at him.
December, Remy, and April (tonight's kitchen servant) all exchange looks. It speaks volumes about Anxiety that he's more worried about their anger than angry at the people who wronged him. That he can't seem to wrap his head around the fact that they aren't mad at him. They don't know much about his past but they do know that the younger princes said he's been mistreated. In moments like this, looking him in the eye, it's not hard to believe.
"I'm going to apologize," December says rolling up his sleeves. "for my cook's disgusting behavior. Let it be known that I do not tolerate such disgraceful conduct in my kitchen."
He sets about making a midnight snack and fae cocoa to apologize with and make up for the abomination that August gave Anxiety. He shudders just at the thought of something like that being served in his kitchen. Anxiety insists that he really doesn't have to, but this is more than just being sorry, this is a matter of pride. The standard he sets for his cooks has intentionally been undermined and he must set it right.
He pulls out all the stops, making one of the finest midnight snacks of his career using everything he knows about the flavor profiles Anxiety likes. (He keeps track of the royals' and royal adjacents' food and drink preferences.) He also strives to make the best damn cocoa Anxiety has ever had.
Anxiety looks uncomfortable when December places the food and drink in front of him while voicing an apology that has magic settling in the two of them. Remy informs December that this is the first time Anxiety's ever received a proper faerie apology and that it's different from how humans do things. Even so, Anxiety takes a bite of the food and his face lights up. He enthusiastically accepts the apology and the magic fades.
December smiles as he watches the younger human-drider enjoy the food and drink. Food has a way of mending relationships and bringing people together. lt should never be used to tear someone down. His mood sours at the thought. He's going to have to do something about this to make sure it doesn't happen again.
For now, though, he watches Remy nag a blushing Anxiety no doubt harassing him for details about his date. Anxiety pokes the older human-drider, administering a very mild electric shock. Remy yelps before quickly recovering and proceeding into what looks like a very dramatic woe-is-me monolog. December wishes he could understand what they are saying. It might be worth learning English now that it seems like it'll be frequently spoken among the royals for the foreseeable future. He doubts they'll stop speaking it altogether even when Anxiety does learn Fae.
After his shift, December knocks on January (head of kitchen staff) and Anton's (head of general staff) door requesting they join him for a head of staff meeting. Yes, he knows it's early and their time off but this is important.
He explains what happened to them. January doesn't particularly like Anxiety anymore and Anton has shown no strong opinion of the younger human-drider but they both agree that what happened is unacceptable. They call every member of staff - even the ones currently working - for an emergency meeting.
December lays into the staff. He gives them a refresher course on the rules and ethics of being a royal servant and lets them all know that if he finds out about someone disrespecting Anxiety again he'll be taking the matter to the king with a request to fire the involved staff. He really drills it into them that the kitchen is open to anyone living in the royal quarters at any time. No exceptions.
He points out that on top of that, Anxiety is claimed by a member of the royal family and that makes him royal adjacent. He is to be treated with the utmost respect. Personal opinions do not matter. It isn't the staff's place to get involved in royal disputes.
And make no mistake - this is a royal dispute and nothing more, as far as the staff is concerned. It's the word of the crown prince against four princes and the king. Four out of five princes agree that Anxiety isn't a threat as does the king to whom their loyalties should primarily belong. King Thomas has the final say and he has made his decision.
January and Anton back December up on this. This is a matter of professionalism. Gossip is a fun way to pass the time, but it should never get in the way of their work.
January puts her two cents in saying that the staff shouldn't show animosity towards a resident of the royal quarters for any reason. They didn't do it in the past to a certain royal who shall not be named (cough King Consort Nico cough) and they won't do it now. That being said, none of the staff have to be friends with Anxiety. They just have to be professionally pleasant.
Anton adds that who Anxiety used to be is none of their business. They are all professionals hand-picked by the royal family and they need to act like it. There's no excuse for this sort of behavior. It's not like Anxiety is the only one here with a dark past and just like with Anton, what Anxiety did before he came here is none of their business. Period.
August and June are given tedious and undesirable jobs for the foreseeable future as punishment and told they better hope no one mentions this to Prince Janus who would surely seek retribution.