Chapter Text
Two servants, both serving the ever noble house of Castillo, find their way in the square of the Encanto. They discuss the happenings of the day until the topic of the Madrigals comes up.
“Oh, those Madrigals!” One says, clearly annoyed by their mere mention. “I’d impale them if given a chance, I’d take their heads!” He continues. “Oh please, Santiago, you couldn’t take a maid’s head, let alone Madrigal’s. Hell, you couldn’t even take a guard’s.” His friend joked along, teasing his friend. They had a hearty laugh together, until Santiago tapped his fellow servant and pointed to the passing attendant of the Madrigals’. His name was Aaron , if he remembered correctly. An idea passed through his head as he considered his options. Ultimately, he decided to indulge his disdain for the servant’s house, and bumped his shoulder as he passed. The man turned around.
“Are you upset with me, Santiago ?” He asked with clear antagonism.
“I am upset, yes.” Santiago responded.
“Are you upset with me ?”
He thinks on his words, whether the truthfulness was worth the trouble.
“No, I am not upset with you,” He decides. His friend, Gabriel, decides to add, “Are you looking for a fight, sir?”
“No, no of course not,”
“Well, if you are looking for a fight, we’re your guys. Your lord is as good as ours,” Santiago states smugly.
“Ah, but is he better?” Aaron says, just as smug.
“Yes, sir, he is,”
And with that, they drew their weapons. and started to fight. That is, until a certain golden child came.
“Alright, alright break it up,” Isabela Madrigal yelled, getting everyone’s attention. This caused Aaron to, albeit hesitantly, put down his sword.
Another voice calls out,
“And why should they do that? C’mon Isabela, if you’re going to fight anyone, let it not be these worthless servants, but a real fighter.”
In comes Castillo's own Maria. A fiery girl, always looking for a fight, and always winning. She cares deeply for her family, and will do anything to defend them, whether that means killing a man, or just severely injuring him.
Isabela rolled her eyes at the dramatic entrance Maria made. “Either help me break them up, or put away your weapon,
Maria scoffed at this. “You talk of peace? I hate peace, just like I hate all Madrigals, especially you,” Isabela sighed.
“Fine. A fight you want? A fight I will give,” she pulled out a sword from the sheath around her waist.
They fought, swords clashing against each other, and citizens cheering them on.
“Down with the Madrigals” some screamed.
“Down with the Castillos” others declared.
As Maria went to land a blow upon Isabela, which she skillfully dodged, A voice called out.
“What is this? Pass me my sword, dear,”
The voice was (F/N) Castillo, Lord of the House of Castillo, and long time enemy of Felix Madrigal. Like his niece, he is a fiery soul when provoked. He also loves his family dearly, holding his daughter close, and while he might not understand her completely, he does try to take her into account.
“Amor, you need a crutch, not a sword,” Lady Castillo whispered harshly. Her husband peered over and saw the aforementioned Madrigal approaching.
“Madrigal is here, and he is taunting me, flaunting his sword just to spite me,”
At this, Felix scoffed.
“Castillo, you fool!” At his eruption his wife, Lady Pepa Madrigal, holds him back, ensuring he doesn’t start any unnecessary fights. “Let me go, mi vida, I must fight!”
“You will not take one more step towards your rival,”
Before anything more can happen, their ruler stands before them.
Enter, Prince Elonzo, a man who is, frankly, sick of the rivalry between the two houses. All he wants is peace in the Encanto , and for some reason he cannot get it.
“Silence! I am sick and tired of your petty rivalry. The next person who causes a commotion in our streets will be eliminated!” With his angry declaration, everyone dropped their weapons.
“You, Castillo, come with me,” He then pointed at Madrigal “And you, come this afternoon,” with that, he moved away and out of sight, Castillo following behind.
With a final glare, Maria picks up her sword, glares at Isabela, and makes her way home.
Once the crowd had dispersed, Felix turned to his niece.
“Who started this? Was it you? Were you here when it began?”
“I was only here for a short while, our servants were fighting theirs, and then that fiery Maria showed up with her sword at the ready. She ridiculed me and displayed her sword. We started fighting, and people kept joining in until the Prince broke us up,”
“Where’s Camilo? Have you seen Camilo? Thank Christ he wasn’t here for this fight.” Lady Pepa clamored.
“Well, I went on a stroll this morning, and I saw him. I walked towards him, but it seems he saw me coming, as he hid in the woods. I assumed he just wanted to be alone and was avoiding me, and I was fine to leave him be,”
“Ah, many people have reported seeing him there, crying and sulking. As soon as the sun rises, my boy comes back, too scared of the sun. He locks himself up in his room and turns out all the lights. He must get better soon soon, or bad things will happen,”
“Do you know what's bothering him?” Isabela asks.
“No, and I’ve tried everything. Even our friends have tried but he doesn’t seem to want to tell anyone.”
At this point, Camilo is seen walking aimlessly in the square and, as expected, moping.
“Go, Tia Pepa, I’ve got this,” Isabela mutters, already stalking off after waving off her aunt and uncle.
“Oh Camilo!” Isabela calls, as she runs up to him. “Good morning, mi primo,” she says in a faux, teasing voice, trying to get him to warm up to her. They were never that close, but with her cousin so upset, she felt compelled to help him.
“Is it still morning?” He said, melancholy in his tone.
“Yep, about nine,” She replied.
“Time passes bitterly when you’re depressed,” He then adds, “Was that Papa that left so soon?”
Isabela answers, “Yes, now what made you so ‘depressed’, Camilo? Why are your hours long?”
“I don't have what makes time go,”
“Ah, you’re in love?” she guesses
“Out.” he retorts simply.
“Of love?”
“Of my love’s approval, she doesn’t love me back,”
Isabela thinks about this. How sad her cousin must be, and how sad his predicament is.
“Love seems nice, but it is very difficult once you experience it, I would not wish it on anyone,”
At her statement, Camilo looks at his feet. In doing so, he sees the blood staining the streets, in confusion, he asks,
“Was there a fight? You know what, nevermind, I already know. There's so much fighting these days I believe we’ve begun to love brawling, to love hate. Love is so complex, so contradictory. It is both heavy and light, hot and cold, sad and happy! It is everything, except what it really is. I feel this love, although I have no one to share it with— I’m sorry, is something funny?” He quickly goes from monologuing to deadpan at the sound of his cousin’s laughter.
“I’m sorry Cami, but you need to get over her! She’s not interested, but other girls are! C’mon, we can find you a beautiful woman who will care for you like you care for her,”
“There is no one who is more beautiful than her,” he contested, fully convinced.
“Forget about her, she doesn’t deserve your adoration!” Isabela counters.
“You cannot make me forget her, there’s no way I could,” he says dismissively, and before his cousin can disagree, he makes his exit.
“I must go home for breakfast, but I’ll see you soon Isa,”
She lets him go with a dissapointed sigh, and in a few moments she also departs heading to their shared Casita.