A Woven Attachment
Chapter 14
The prince and princess rose to their feet and greeted the monarchs as they paraded into the room, though they offered no greeting. Catching Celia’s eyes, Yuki nodded his head ever so slightly in solidarity and as he did Celia straightened her back and lifted her chin. The king and queen, at length, sat down and Yuki and Celia were allowed to return to their seats.
A deafening silence filled the room, making even the servants fidget in discomfort.
Yuki drummed his fingers on the mahogany table as he fixed his attention on Celia’s untouched fruit across the table, his eyes glazing as more time passed. It was customary to wait to speak until they were addressed by one of the monarchs, but instead of speaking to their children they squabbled with the servants over the overbearing amount of sunlight in the room and how their fresh pot of tea had a dull, stale taste reminiscent of week-old bread.
By the time they were, at last, content with their accommodation, Yuki was brimming with agitation. But he would play the chipper fool, and play it willingly, as long as Celia was present. He’d shield her from their parents with his smile drawn as a weapon.
Can they not bear to bestow a lowly greeting on their children?
He was done with this game, whatever it was. The sooner they speak, the sooner they leave.
“Good morning, Your Majesties, to what do we owe this unexpected delight?” Yuki asked with a pretense of cheerfulness, resting his right ankle atop his left knee.
“Don’t irritate me on the eve before my trip, crown prince,” King Clarion barked and paused ceremoniously. “There is to be a ball in the coming weeks or months. I have been corresponding with King Gregory Ranu and the princess, Isabetta Ranu, will be our special guest to represent the bond of our countries. Once her travel accommodations are set, we will set the day of the ball. Be prepared with your finest apparel, Yuki. I won’t have you shaming my name.”
Yuki’s mask of indifference faltered. He knew his father was busy scheming, but this was beyond his expectations, or fears. If Falworth had bad blood with any of the surrounding kingdoms, it was Suram, the bordering kingdom to the south. Their lands were as dry as their people were fierce. Their bitter history with Falworth was legendary and resulted in Falworth forfeiting half of the Astonsia mine’s gems in an effort to avoid war they were far from prepared for.
“Bond?” Yuki scoffed. “Here I was thinking it was mere pretense.”
History recorded Yuki and Celia’s grandfather, King Yuren Clarion as a generous ruler who helped Falworth avoid war with Suram, though to the Clarion siblings, he was their last foggy reminder of familial warmth. King Yuren’s daughter, the reigning queen, married their father quite young and detached herself from any duties of the title as princess and later, queen. Since then, their father’s rule was absolute.
In their former, somewhat happier years of childhood, Yuki recalled her mother saying they married for love, though Yuki was skeptical if his father would claim the same sentimentality. To Yuki’s eyes, the only affection he ever had was a love of self. And he was confident this ball was derived for the same self-serving end.
“Do not speak to me like we are equals.”
“Equals?” Yuki laughed and grinned unnaturally. “If we are equals I’d have to stoop to your level.”
King Clarion ground his teeth before roaring for everyone to leave at once. Terrified servants frantically scurried away from the king and out the door, though the queen clutched his thick robe. Without a thought he yanked his arm from her grasp and glared at her until she silently turned to leave.
Blast, I took it too far.
“Out!” he shouted at Celia who was standing with her arms crossed.
She remained deadly still, adding to his fury. “Leave” he screamed, hurling the china plate into the wall, smashing it into pieces.
“Go, please, Celia,” Yuki said softly. Only at his words did she gather her skirts and escape through the door.
The crazed king huffed as he circled around the table, eyes never leaving Yuki, like a vulture circling prey. Yuki crossed his arms and leaned casually against the wall.
“You will do as I tell you.”
He took off his coat and flung it across the table like a child throwing a tantrum. “Your mother, your sister, they’re useless to me, but you, you will prove valuable to me if you stay in line. Isn’t that what you want?” the king laughed maniacally, “You’re always asking for more responsibility, so do what I say. You will propose to Princess Ranu the night of the ball and you will resc—” he faltered.
“Are you so hysterical you cannot finish your sentences, father?” Yuki asked mockingly. “No matter,” Yuki’s palms erupted in flames as he drew closer and closer to his magicless father who stumbled back.
The king shrieked as Yuki raised his hand and shot fire over the king's shoulder and into the fireplace, sizzling the stray hairs on his head. “You’re a lunatic,” the king screeched.
Yuki eyed his disheveled attire, placed his hand on his shoulder and whispered, “Look at yourself, father. The only lunatic here… is you.”
* * *
Several days passed since their encounter with their parents, but Celia didn’t come down for breakfast even once. Yuki glumly wallowed in his worries as he plodded up the staircase to the family quarters. Theo, Celia, and even Albert seemed unusually busy or absent.
Celia has all but disappeared from the castle these days.
In fact, she had not.
Yuki had only attempted to seek his sister out during the earlier part of the day—the part when she was happily holed up in the Golden Threads workshop with Emaline. The time she arrived back at the palace was coincidentally the same time he retired to his study or took his black steed for a ride. Nevertheless, he was determined to spend some time with his sister, whether she wanted to or not!
“Celia, I’m coming in,” Yuki called to her from outside her parlor door. It was about time he saw his sister, considering she was one of his two total friends. As he pushed open the door her voice rang out.
“Too bad, I’m going out.”
Striding into the room, he saw Celia toss a fine maroon shawl across her shoulders. She was indeed too well dressed for staying holed up in her parlor.
“Going out? To where? What have you been up to these days?”
Celia looked up at him devoid of expression, but Yuki detected a hint of mischief in her blank gaze. She cocked her head and said thoughtfully, “I require bread.”
Yuki threw his head back aghast. Of all the reasons she could have contrived, this one seemed to be the most ridiculous.
Bread? I’m now booted to the side for mere bread?
“I have something to discuss with you, please CeCe.”
“So long, brother.” She tossed her hair out of her shawl, her black tresses falling beautifully around her serene face.
“Oh, come on. Don’t go without—”
Celia’s snap resounded in the room as she teleported out of the room, leaving Yuki alone once again.
“Blast! That’s my move,” Yuki pouted, though no one was there to see it. Taking his disappointment in stride he smiled and snapped as he was absorbed in a blue light.
“Theo! Theodore! I’m coming in.” While his sister left him with the snap of her fingers, surely he could lean on his oldest friend. And maybe this time he’d tell him about the contents of Miss Emaline’s letter. Yuki couldn’t understand it. If he was seeing someone as lovely as her, he’d surely boast about it to his friend.
“You wouldn’t believe it, my sister…” Pushing open the door to Theo’s quarters he was met with a still room.
“Et tu, Theo?” he said aloud. He’d read it in an odd book in the forgotten library and kept the phrase handy for moments such as these. Not that anyone was around to appreciate his literary fervor.
“Well, now I’m beginning to take this personally,” he said with a wry lilt in his voice.
As he glanced about the overly-tidy room he noted a green paisley handkerchief strewn on his desk, alongside several unaddressed letters.
Curious. Theo was hardly the kind to leave anything or any sort out of place. Guess he likes it that much, he grinned.
It appeared he’d have to give up on his quest for companionship for the day. Afterall, he still had stacks of paperwork to attend to. And surely, he’d be able to see his friend soon. Surely…
With this optimistic thought, he threw the door open with flair.
“Oof!”
He threw the door open right into Turrin’s face and threw him to the floor. Realizing what had occurred, Yuki flapped his arms about wildly, providing a spot-on imitation of a bird in distress. He quickly bent down to help the young knight to his feet.
“Your Highness!” Turrin screeched as he registered the crown prince's face. “Forgive me.”
“Goodness, are you alright there?” Yuki awkwardly patted his shoulder. “I thought I’d find Theo here, but it appears not. I’ve only caused you trouble. Sorry, chap.”
“The Royal Commander?” Turrin asked, surprised. “Oh, I’m afraid he isn’t here right now.”
Yuki’s silvery eyebrows darted up. Theo rarely left the palace unless required to, or dragged along on one of Yuki’s infamous schemes.
“I see. Do you know where he went?”
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