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Learn From Your Past

Chapter 19: Chapter 14: Of Miss Chances

Summary:

Tim knows the dinner will be a disaster, but she never would have thought that it will be this much of a disaster.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Tim signs her letter and puts it in the envelope before asking Steph to deliver it to the page boy. She has been doing that a lot recently. Sending letters to all her correspondents. In the past, Tim never writes a letter to anyone other than Lady Dana. Tim never has to. All the people she associates with were within the vicinity of the Royal Palace. She only needs to send a messenger.

But now she writes almost daily.

The current project with Baroness Maleate is going smoothly. There are still some things that needed to be changed a bit but the overall project was perfect. If everything still runs as smoothly, in the next 3 months where there will be a sudden increase in textile demand then they will be ready to meet with the increase.

This is something the past Tim might not be able to know: she is really good at business.

When she was still a naive young girl living with the scraps of attention from the Waynes, Tim never thinks about doing business. It’s not something that she really needs to do as the Second Princess. She has a monthly allowance. She does not have a money problem. She has a surplus of money even. She never really host a Ball other than her birthday ball so there was never any spending.

She thought that she was living comfortably so she does not see the need to earn money. Now, she feels like she should.

Trying to come up with a business strategy, reading the reports about the current situation of the market, discussing with her partner over tea. She actually enjoying her time.

If it also gives her excuses to avoid the Waynes, well, that is just an added bonus.

She has completely avoided Jason because she never left her Palace and Jason will never step foot in her Palace. She changed routes and some of her schedule so she does not need to pass Damian on the way to the Administration Palace. She even uses the meetings with the Baroness to get out of Dick’s invitations for tea and meal. She also uses Bart and Lady Samantha a lot as an excuse.

For the last four months after the Ball, Tim has successfully lived a peaceful, Wayne-free life until Alfred comes to her study.

Tim can feel the dread creeping in when she saw Alfred’s unimpressed face. She knows her fate is sealed. She can not get away from this. She will have to agree with whatever Bruce wants because no one says no to Alfred.

Alfred even though was one of the people who did not believe Tim when she said Bruce is still alive, still was the only one who did not treat her like she was crazy. She saw a little girl mourning for his adoptive father after losing her two best friends. So, Tim still loves Alfred.

“Princess Timoti, your presence is required for tonight’s dinner with King Bruce. I hope that you will not be tardy” with that Alfred leaves the room before Tim can come up with any excuse.

Suppressing a sigh, Tim messages her temples, already feeling an oncoming headache.

She can not bear to be in the same room with the Waynes after all the things that she has to endure in her past. The fact that they did not believe her when she said Bruce was still alive was just the breaking point.

Now Tim knows that the Waynes do not really care about her. They never were. This is just another round of the same circle. The Waynes will forget about Tim after a confrontation and Bruce lectures her even though she is not the perpetrator. Then after being ignored and alone for a while, Tim will be invited to a meal by Bruce to show that he still thinks about her. And Tim forgot ever getting upset at the Waynes.

Now, Tim can not care less.

Tim really wants to bail on this dinner, but she can not bear to disappoint Alfred. Maybe that is the reason why Bruce ordered Alfred instead of sending the usual messenger. Bruce knows that Tim will come when Alfred says so.

“Oh, that is not a good expression” Tim looks up at the familiar voice coming from her door. “you look troubled, Your Highness”

Luke is standing in front of her, concern clear in his face. Tim feels a smile forming on her face at seeing him which Luke returns. He comes into the room looking more sure after knowing that Tim is okay.

Tim gets up from her seat and hugs him. Luke returns the hug eagerly. When Luke was still Tim’s personal knight, he would hug Tim whenever she woke up from a nightmare.

Tim’s old bedroom guards knew to call Luke whenever they hear Tim’s scream at night. Tim used to be so embarrassed because of that, thinking that she was a burden to Luke. She was so afraid that she was bothering Luke from his much-needed sleep. But every time it happened, Luke will just hugs her tighter and whispers reassurance to Tim.

Now Tim wondered why she was still adamant to get the affection of the Waynes when she already got the affection of Luke.

“It is so nice to see you again, Sir Luke”

Luke tightens his hold for a couple a second before releasing her, “It is nice to see you again, Babybird”

Tim feels her heart fluttering at the use of her nickname. It feels right somehow to hear Luke uses the nickname Dick gave her. It was a name a brother gave to his sister. And for the longest time, Luke was more of a brother to Tim than Dick ever was.

Tim invites Luke to have a seat and orders, Lily, to serve them tea.

Tim asks Luke about his work, his engagement with Lady Barbara, and the Fox Siblings. Lady Tam is the current Heiress to the Fox Duchy after Luke took the mantle of Captain of the Knight Order. Lady Tam’s 18 birthday is just around the corner and Luke shares how hectic the Fox estate is currently.

Tim asks about the name of the knight that finds the maid’s father so Tim could congratulate them personally and offers them a reward. Luke looks hesitant, “Ah, I can not tell you his name Your Highness”

“Belfry” Tim hopes that by calling Luke by the name she gave him that the knight will be bound by his oath to tell her but no such luck.

“Apology My Princess, but revealing the name would just complicate things. I wish you could respect this decision”

Tim reluctantly nods and tells him about how the partnership with Baroness Maleate is going, about his fast blooming friendship with Bart and Lady Samantha, and about her ongoing progress in training to fight.

“You are learning how to fight?”

Tim gives a nod after taking a sip of her tea, “Yes, I had asked Sir Bernard to assist me with it. We have been making progress, I think”

“Why haven’t I heard of this? If Your Highness wanted I could have easily taught you. We can schedule in your training session”

“Well, the key is discretion Sir Luke” Tim leans forward a little and lowers her voice, “I’m not about to broadcast the fact that I’m learning sword to the whole Kingdom. Sir Bernard and I have been doing it in secret.”

Luke’s eyes widen at that. He looks at Lily who’s pretending to not hear the conversation between them. Tim reassures Luke that no one on her staff will ever say anything about her secret training.

At her reassurance, Luke seems to be a bit more relaxed.

“Why the sudden interest in training, if you do not mind me asking? And why the secret?”

Tim thinks carefully about what she could and could not disclose to Luke. Even though she trust Luke to not making fun of her, but she still thinks saying ‘I went back in time and am trying to change the future will definitely make her look mental.

“I am planning to take over the Grand Duchy. The title of Grand Duchess is full of risk so I need to be able to defend myself.” Tim explains “Though I begin to think that there is a certain benefit of having the image of being a non-fighter. If people underestimated me then they will open up themselves for weakness”

Tim takes a little sip of her tea, “If I could make my training a secret then it will be one more trick up my sleeve, wouldn’t you think Sir Luke?”

Luke raises his left eyebrow at that, “Since when have the Babybird been thinking about taking over the Grand Duchy?”

Tim gives Luke a smile before telling him more about her training routine.


Tim knows the dinner will be a disaster, but she never would have thought that it will be this much of a disaster.

Tim tries to come as late as possible without being too late. Which is weird, she knows but Tim’s trying to spend a little time as possible with the Waynes.

If she comes the last to the dining room and leaves early then she does not need to be with them long. So, Tim tries to time her arrival really well.

She arrives with Luke who asked to be her guard exactly a minute before dinner is supposed to be served. Alfred gives her an I-am-very-disappointed-but-I-am-not-going-to-say-it glare from where he was directing the staff.

Tim gives him a sheepish smile before bowing down and greets the four Waynes. She can see Bruce’s constipated look, Dick’s flinch, Jason’s frown, and Damian’s glare at that. She chooses the seat furthest from them but still a good distance so as not to be impolite. Luke stands a good distance behind her, giving a small nod to Sir Wally and Lady Artemis.

The staff immediately brings the dishes and serves them after Tim has taken her seat.

The room is quiet for a while before Bruce breaks it to order them to eat. Like with breakfast, Tim is determined to ignore the conversation that is happening between the Princes and focus on her meal.

She is able to get a few bites in before Bruce addresses her.

“So, Tim… I see that you have been quite busy these past months”

“Yes, Your Majesty” Tim will try to answer as little as possible. They do not deserve to know what she has been up to.

“I heard that you have formed a partnership with Baroness Maleate? Isn’t that quite reckless of you, partnering with the family that almost killed you” his tone was harsh and his eyes bore to Tim. She can see disapproval and a little bit of anger in there.

She sees how Damian is openly snickering at her, happy that Tim was getting scold again. Dick is staring at her with an indescribable look. While Jason looks at Bruce with a frown. Tim does not know why Jason does not immediately jump into the opportunity to ridicule Tim but she does not really care for that.

“Yes, I suppose it is Your Majesty”

“You should cut ties with this family immediately” Bruce takes a sip of his wine, signaling the end of the conversation. But Tim will not let Bruce dictates her life again.

“I do not think I will Your Majesty”

“...Pardon?”

Tim puts down her cutlery and looks straight at Bruce, “The textile industry is one of the fast-growing industries in Gotham. The increase in demands has been going steadily and I genuinely feel that this is a golden opportunity to form a partnership considering the change in ownership. The business is going through a massive change after the new ownership, so it is quite easy for me to help shape it. I have run the number with Duke Lucius and even he agrees that the textile company will be a good asset. I have gone to him through legal action and he has approved my proposal to be in partnership with the Baroness. I will say I am quite good at this and Baroness Maleate has been a wonderful partner. I am continuing this partnership.”

“I say to cut ties immediately, Timoti” Bruce uses what is dubbed as “The Bat” voice by the people of Gotham. Much like the Drake Voice, only this is more gritty and dark. Like someone gurgling a bunch of rocks.

It uses to scare Tim so much, but now after what she has experienced and seen in that desert, it feels like nothing.

“I have said that I will not do it, Your Majesty”

“You dare defy me, Tim?”

At this point the room was tense. Jason is angling his body to attack Bruce. Dick is readying himself to prevent Jason from attacking Bruce. Damian…

Damian does try to show his smugness over how angry Bruce is getting at Tim, but Tim can see the little tremors he is hiding. He is afraid. Terrified.

Tim almost feels sorry for him until he opens his mouth, “Tt, what do you expect from a Drake? Such defiance should not be tolerated. I think punishment should be in order. Don’t you think Drake? Do you not agree that you deserve punishment?”

Tim ignores him and the rest of the Waynes by telling Alfred that she does not need to be served dessert. She will be leaving shortly after her meal.

“You may leave after I dismiss you, Tim. You are not dismissed right now”

Tim sighs audibly, “Is there anything that Your Majesty wants to ask? Other than the ridiculous notion of ending the partnership?”

“This is a serious matter, Tim! You almost got killed and you are trying to form a partnership with your killer! What were thinking?”

“Clearly she is not thinking” Damian tries to bait her, she knows this and she does not let herself fall into his traps.

“Your Majesty, the Baron was found to be the only culprit for the poisoning incidents. The rest of his family was found innocent. The Baron has been executed three weeks ago, I don’t think it is fair to still think of the Baroness as an accomplished”

“You know how people will see this Tim when they know the Second Princess has become a partner with the family of a murderer? They will mock your stupidity and deemed you gullible!”

“I say let them think that Father”

Once again Tim ignores Damian, “Perhaps the Second Princess will be mocked but the Grand Duchess certainly will not”

“...what?” this time Jason decided to join in “what are you talking about?”

“Foolish Drake, thinking that she-”

“I have been thinking about returning to the Grand Duchy for a while now. Bristol has been steadily increasing their strength, and even though Lady Dana has done an excellent job maintaining the land, I will say that the land needs its rightful Lady to lead. So, I have been thinking about stepping down as the Second Princess and go back to-”

Before Tim can even finish her sentence, she sees a glint of silverware coming her way. But because of her body’s lack of training, she was not able to fully dodge Damian’s attack whose body is more trained than hers at the moment.

He was raised by the League of Assassins, he was trained by Ra’s since he’s a toddler and Tim is nowhere near his level in her current state. So, the knife Damian used as a weapon was able to graze her upper arm.

Luke jumps into action shortly after he saw Damian gets up out of his chair. But he did not manage to prevent Damian’s attack. Although he manages to grab Damian’s collar and throws him away from Tim to avoid a second attack.

Dick jumps up to catch Damian before he hits the wall. And Jason gets up as well before Lady Artemis puts her hand into Jason and shakes her head.

Luke kneels beside her and barking for the servants to bring in Lady Leslie. Tim can feel the blood gushing out of the wound. It is a little deep but did not hit any major artery so Tim does not need to worry about bleeding out too fast.

“For fuck’s sake! Control your Demon Child Bruce! Why the fuck does he suddenly going feral like that!” Jason is struggling to get out of Lady Artemis’ hold.

“Jason, don’t call your bro-”

“How dare you call me feral Todd! That Drake deserves it! She thinks she can ignore me, the blood heir! She is just a pathetic stand-in that needs to be reminded of her place”

“Oh enough with the blood heir thing! No one care, you Demon!”

“Jason stop calling Damian a demon” Dick decides to join in, holding Damian when he is about to leap at Jason.

“He is a Demon Dickhead! No sane human being will just attack someone unprompted”

“She was ignoring me! She dares to ignore me!”

“Damian calm down-”

“ENOUGH!”

Bruce’s voice booms through the whole room. Everyone quiet down immediately.

Lady Leslie then runs into the room and quickly makes her way to Tim. She performs quick care. Examining the wound and wrap it up. Tim observes the occupants of the room. Everyone was tense.

Then her eyes met Bruce’s and he walks to her.

“Is she okay?” he asks Lady Leslie.

“Yes, the wound did not hit any major artery. She will be fine after a couple of weeks”

“Good” Bruce nods before begin lecturing Tim. Yeah, that’s right. He lectures Tim who was attacked. If this does not show how little Bruce cares about her then nothing will, “It is not nice to ignore your brother like that Tim. I expect you to apologize to him.”

“Apologize? Are you blind old man? He was the one attacking her!”

“I told you enough Jason. This is between Tim and Damian. Of course, Damian will need to apologize for the attack but Tim, you must understand that ignoring your brother is not something expected from a Princess. You hurt his feeling by doing that. I have seen that you have been doing that a lot for these past four months. Not only to Damian but to Dick and Jason as well. I have been lenient with you on that but what you did tonight, ignoring Damian talking to you has really crossed the line. You can imagine how he feels, if you ignore him he will not feel appreciated Tim. You should know better, you’re the older sibling.” he sighs “I expect better”

Something inside Tim just snaps at that.

“Better? You expect better?” Tim scoffs before laughing long and hard.

Everything is just so funny. Bruce wants Tim to apologize? To Damian? Even though he was the one attacking her. Bruce was upset because Tim has been ignoring the Waynes even though that’s what they have been doing to her.

“Your Highness?” Luke sounds so uneasy, his grip on Tim’s hands tighten.

Tim squeezes his hand once before releasing him and stands up. She might not be as tall as the others and she has to look up at Bruce but the way he flinches at Tim tells her that she can be intimidating when she wants to.

“I am never enough for you, am I?” Tim starts “You always ask me to be better but you never set that standard to your fucking feral child!”

The room went quiet at her cussing. Tim never raised her voice let alone cuss in front of people.

“You always excuse his behavior even if it was something awful because he’s ‘just a child, Tim, he knows no better'. But guess what Your Majesty, I am also just a child! I haven’t reached 16 yet you demanded me to be on my best behavior every single damn time! When Dick was 16 he was making mistakes left and right, but I am never allowed to! Because it’s always ‘I’m disappointed in you Tim’ or ‘You should not sully the Waynes’ name Tim’ or ‘You should know better Tim’. I am so sick of you putting me in such a high standard when all your assholes children can do whatever the fuck they want!

“They mock me! Ignore me! They always told me how insignificant I am in this Palace but have you ever reprimand them? Nooo! It was always me! I was the one who has to be patient with Jason because he’s healing. I was the one who has to be the bigger person with Damian because he’s learning. But don’t you realize I was healing and learning also? I am a fucking 15 years old what do you expect me to do!”

Tim can see Dick was about the retort but she cut him short.

“No! I do not want to hear your fucking excuses! Do you think you are better than them? You ignore my existence until you feel like interacting with me! You bail on me so many times that I could not even remember anymore. You think that I have been ignoring you and you think that it was unfair? Well, guess what? That was how you treat me all these years asshole!"

“And what did you just say, Your Majesty?  if you ignore him he will not feel appreciated? How do you think I feel all this time? You never appreciated me, you never even accepted me for who I am, it was always ‘be better Tim’. I am so sick of this! You defended Damian and scolded me when I am the one bleeding here! Gosh, am I that insignificant to you?” Tim presses her hands to her wound that opens up during her ranting.

There is a small puddle of her blood on the floor and upon seeing it Bruce snaps his gaze back to Tim. He pales rapidly and takes a step forward.

“Tim, I-”

“No, do not come any closer! I am tired of this! I am not doing this anymore!” Tim glares at all the Waynes whose eyes widen in shock. “I am sick of not being enough. I am stepping down as the Second Princess as of today. I am going back home to Bristol”

Bruce looks panicky. He begins to move to grab Tim before Luke intercepts. Bruce glares at him but Tim continues her rant.

“Remember what you told me, Your Majesty? When you said you want to adopt me? You said I can go back to Bristol anytime I want. So let’s do that yeah? I am going back to Bristol to take over the Grand Duchy, I am stepping down from the Second Princess position, and I am leaving the Wayne name behind. Now you do not need to worry about what other people might think about the Second Princess and your sons would not need to continue seeing this pretender”

Tim then leaves the dining room without a single glance back. She can hear a commotion. Voices raise, surprisingly Alfred’s voice could be heard among the raised voices.

But she does not care anymore. No more playing nice with the Waynes. No more going around trying to hide from the Waynes.

Now it’s time for her to cut ties. She is changing the future, might as well do something big.

Notes:

God, it is so satisfying to write this chapter... having written Tim finally done with all the bullshit the Waynes say and do... so satisfying... though I do have mixed feelings with Alfred, he's like Wally, he's Bruce's enabler... but he does treat Tim a little better than the others so Tim still think highly of him