Leclair Castle, Adian, Capital City of the Kingdom of Elticia, Present Time

“Truly? Not even a speck?”

“None, Your Highness. Everyone in the guest list that day is clean.”

Frequently friendly and tense-melting waft of seasonal eastern could not dispel the throbbing in my head, the partisan that had been granted to me for completing my training glistened with the warm ray of light. I often stare at it with such pride but now…

All I can think of is throwing that damnable flower vase at the stables.

Louvel, wearing a black fancy suit, cleared his throat. “Do you want me to keep looking around? One of the Queen Mother’s spy owes me a favor.” Running a finger on where my lips had previously touched the teacup with sigh and shoulders drooping. “That would be helpful. But as you know, Mother prohibited me from further investigating Father’s death. Wonderful, is it not?” Someone knocked on the door to the solar room, replying with curt, a woman within a maid’s usual sable and pearl outfit came into the room with her posture sniveling, the apron she wore had specks of dirt and her slight lilac hair protruding unruly in her headdress. “By any chance, did the head maid ordered you around ‘till you broke your back?” I inquired with a chuckle, the fair lady bolted upright and ever so fidgeted, her voice trembled like a violinist’s hand decided to betray him at the first day of performing. “M-Madam said it-it was customary for new servants.” Upon closer inspection, her hands were married with several lashes and a sore spot near her thumb, did the poor thing burn herself? “Tell me, what is your name?”

“M-My name?! I—My name is Veronique! I am honored to meet you, Your Highness!” The way she snapped forward to bend was comical, the hastily tied headdress dropped to the ground faster than you can say ‘Hopscotch’, though the glorious aspect of her lilac mane becoming undone won and stifled the laugh I was going to control. Louvel was about to strode next to her but I raised a hand and walked to where she stood instead, “Allow me.” The headgear had zero functionality other than for the aesthetic which is something I guess but how exactly is it going to protect your eyes from getting bombarded with dust? The girl stood firm with her bosom puffed out and back straight, really, it seemed more like she was a soldier rather than a maid by how similar her posture from Pons when he was listening to Rahnier’s complaints about not obtaining the blueberry pie he craved for the 13th time that day.

And then Father would postpone everything and get the pie himself.

“All done~” I hummed, stepping away with my heels clicking. Oh, how I wish I could wear my leather boots instead and just ride around the hills beyond the castle with Josephine, not that I hate heels, of course. The strings the headdress had were tied behind her neck and in between her hair with a ribbon. It is not tight but I think it will hold out if a strong breeze happened to pass through the windows.

And speaking of breezes…

“Louvel, will you follow me?”

“Of course, my Princess.”

“Um, thank you so much, Your Highness!”

She once again bowed, this time with the headdress still atop her lilac-haired head. We bid her farewell and she immediately went towards the tea set Louvel had brought me earlier that midday. “You should rest after cleaning.” Louvel nodded at her as he closed the door and I swear, the dreamy look she had on her face was adorable. “Louvel, when are you ever going to introduce me to your lover?”

“P-P-Princess?! Why are you suddenly asking me that?!” His, might I say, angelic voice broke the barrier between tenor and high-pitched maiden shrills of utter and confounding terror. I giggled at his response as we walked side by side. “Well, you are handsome and a knight to boot, such a catch should not go to waste. Tell me, is there someone~?” Poking his nose, his face heated up as rosy hues clouded his fair cheeks, his red hair nearly put to shame by how crimson his ears has gotten. His feet turned to stone as gawked at the hall with his verdant eyes all ablaze, almost like he saw a phantom. “Vivienne, you…think I’m…handsome…?” his query came out so soft, akin to a child asking his parent for a treat or 2 and promising to be a good boy.

And then misbehave.

Tilting to the side, eyes affixed on the tall gent, I grinned. “I do.” Emerald shimmering irises always a-dazzle with wonder, ever so warm as freshly baked bread and too amicable to stay angry at. A subtle hint of affection here and a speck admiration there, I swear I could stare into that for days on end. Locks as crimson as love ever so passionate and when they flow along the calming air, they danced as marvelously as a carefully and meticulously woven dress sweeping against the moonlight. Your cheekbones and jawline nigh perfect and seemingly crafted by the deities of yore and eons ago.

But most of all…

“Say my name again.” Blinking himself away from his dazed intent look, he repeated the syllables to my name, each consonant resonating with such flourish and vowels lingering. It always manages to raise my morale, how it brings back memories of those innocent days I find myself reminiscing to, how fills me with a sense of loss I can never understand, nor will I ever. Why does hearing you make me smile? Why do I feel like breaking down whenever you speak my name? Why is it filled with so much of the things I cannot grasp? Why is it so patient, calm, warm, sad…

Why do you sound so much like Father?

Taking in much needed breath, I went ahead with hurried steps, hastily wiping away tears and twisting my muscles to cull that sob of weakness and vulnerability. “Come on.” I heard him shuffling to catch up and once again he was beside me. I can feel his gaze and as much as I would like to meet them,

I would just break down in tears. Publicly, this time.

“Vivienne, your crown?”

“Hmm? Ah, right.” The hall we are in had many portraits of our family from generations ago, eyes ever azure and as chilling, hair ever golden as the unforgiving sands of time. Much of me and my brothers’ looks were from Mother’s side. None of us ever inherited Father’s forest eyes nor chocolate hair. “This will do for now.” I muttered, whipping from left to right as I moved over Grandfather’s portrait revealing the small compartment full of documents I dared not touch due to Mother’s constant insistence, lifting the golden tiara with shimmering strings of thin diamonds and sapphires weighing them down, I carefully placed the crown atop the decaying parchments and returned it all to its original state. “Won’t the Queen Mother scold you?”

“She told me to hide my tiara anywhere if I desire to venture out. I did not read those old papers so I do not see any harm in this.”

“I always did wonder what those papers contained…”

“…Mother did mention something about them being some sort of long-dead treaty but beyond that? Nothing else.”

“Shouldn’t they be hid somewhere else then? They sound important.”

“Vaults like these are safe enough, only the royal family can open them.”

Like songbird chirping at a friend, his affirmation echoed with fervor in my mind. The resonating clicks of our soles forgotten as I led ourselves out of the castle, a query of where my older brother came to float out but then I remembered Pons being with him. Gallivanting around town perhaps? We do need an heir I suppose. Halls of gray and little ray muted all life had to offer, a glance towards my knight the only thing vibrant as I smiled to myself, a newly opened restaurant from 3 days ago reported itself and an idea comes forth with its bareness, I wonder if he will accept my invitation later? I stifled a giggle and kept striding with a flame-haired gent shadowing behind, occasionally bidding a few servants and guards as we head out towards the significantly smaller back gate where the roads and even ground ended.

Having set foot outside the green blades swaying to winds whispers and soil embracing rocks was breathtaking, thousands of bodies piled on my shoulders dissipating as I all but sprinted out of the castle’s shadow and joined the greensward in their muted orchestral cavorts. A deep chuckle awoke from the prairie daydream and stole a glance towards my redheaded knight, “Will you not join me?”

“My Princess, your people might get the wrong idea.”

“Your point? I do not see anything wrong if I danced with you.”

His eyes fluttered in a fashion that made me think I said such an appalling thing, my heart sang with fervor when a hint of affection flashed through his eyes verdant than the retinue of waltzing blades I stood upon. “If you think so, then might I ask you tonight?” Roles switching but mind it not, my cheeks came aflame that mayhap rivaled with my cerise dress. I being assuaged, nigh glistened at his words.

“I’ll take you up on that.”

...

Atop the highest hill overlooking the capital city, Josephine snorted when she met my eyes all but trotting to where I and Louvel stood, the mare of frost heaving outbreaths as she stood by my side all the while nudging my hand, obliging on my faithful mare’s request, I stared back at the blond wearing a vest in hydrangea shade, shirt as pristine as Josephine, silk pants of the night and boots made from highland cow leather, dyed in shadow. “I can explain.” Defended my younger brother, locks of gold rebelling and reaching for several directions.

“No need, I know how you loathe being confined.” Dismissing his offer, came close to where he stood and run my fingers along the smooth ends of his hair ‘till it looked more presentable. “Sister, how did you know I was here?” inquired the usually spunk boy, now reduced to nothing but a blushing mess all the while he avoided his azure eyes from meeting mine. “This is where Father usually takes you.” Lucien sighed at the notion, leaning in my palm as he shut his sheening cornflower-hued orbs.

“I miss Papa.” Lucien sniffled coming nearer and hugging me, smoothing his hair down and running my other hand along his back, “We all do.” I shared his sentiment.

After moments of breaking out of our masks, Lucien vigorously wiped his eyes away and narrowed his swollen pupils. “One of Mother’s spies told me something.” His tone ventured the abyss, face darkening as he continued. “Something is going to happen tonight.” Stomach weighing down with all the world’s dread and desperation, all life drained from my fingertips as they exceeded against the actual chill of winter. Louvel shared the same sentiment, eyes dark as his brows knitted ‘till it protruded.

“Rahnier’s coronation…!” He nodded, brows growing tense as he bit his thumb.

“I’ll tell Commander Giustino to heighten security.”

“Should we? Won’t the nobles be suspicious about it?” I asked, still holding unto the child leaning against my chest. Louvel blinked at the notion, glancing away as he thought to himself.

His eyes widened at what he conjured, “The Hallowed Regime.”

“That, if she decides to listen to us.”

“Mama doesn’t want to think someone’s after Big Brother.”

“But he’s the Crown Prince! Shouldn’t Her Majesty be concerned?”

“Mother thinks everything will go smoothly, and you know how hard headed she is nowadays.”

“Big Sister!”

“Am I not correct?”

Lucien sighed with the wind, feet whispering back as he placed a finger on his fair-skinned chin. “I can lend Big Brother my knights.” He grinned, snapping crystal clear with stars in his eyes. “I suppose, how are you going to convince Mother?”

“I’m the favorite, remember?” He laughed, not all concerned on the news he relayed to us moments before.