Charity was running them ragged. Despite Pride's offer to babysit, blessed relief from their daughter's rampant appetite and constant need for attention came few and far between. But what did Wnvy care? It meant that they were the one to praise and scold her, they were the one to teach her how to recognize authority and how to present herself as the kingdom's rightful prince. They fed her, and they groomed her, and they kept her right. If she yelled or cried or looked too tired or walked in a manner not befitting of her royal blood, then they were the one to make sure she knew. It was always the same routine.

She was, by anyone's definition, theirs.

But somehow, the way Charity squealed with joy when Pride arrived made their insides curl with upset. they longed for the day she greeted them like that when returning to relieve Pride of his fatherly duties, but as the days flashed by, blending together, she seemed only to want him more. They always greeted her with a hello and a nuzzle befitting of a loving mother, but no matter how often they scolded her for being ungrateful, she never seemed any happier to see them, and always seemed to ask for Pride.

To her, Envy mused with only half their heart, Pride was a novelty. He was mysterious and beautiful, appearing and then disappearing and returning with wondrous stories of all the things he'd done. He was something to look u to in every sense of the word- where Envy, despite their care, had quickly been outgrown and outshone.

And how was Charity to know the value of their lessons when she hated them? Perhaps one day she would understand, but they wished she'd hurry up and suck it up. They were beginning to grow frustrated, ever tightening their leash.

Charity, in her youth, didn't seem to notice. Nor did she seem to care.

Pride seemed to be the only thing she cared about.

Envy's tail flicked, scraping against the stone beneath them. Raised quills framed their emaciated frame. They watched her from where they perched, hiding the exhaustion and the envy that, more than it had before, felt like it was tearing them apart.

Speech. Thought.

Envy felt their heart sink sharply at Charity's question, and they quickly took in a breath to stop themselves spitting a response. But before they could scold her, a new scent on the air caught their attention.

With the openness of the Throne Room, it was impossible not to notice the arrival of a stranger. And as she appeared, a slinking feline, Envy stood tall, holding their head high with golden crown glistening. They straightened, skinny chest puffed out. They stared for a moment, eyes narrowed minutely; the cat was massive compared to them. They tried not to think about it too much, but sucked in their breath and prepared to speak.

"Welcome. You stand in the presence of King Envy, of the Sinful Seven. Have you come to join my kingdom?" The voice that spoke was monotone as though recited from a book, but not unhopeful. It was satisfyingly even, and unreadable, given their emotional state.


Speech. Thought.