In the kingdom of Platia, the royal siblings spent their whole afternoon in the large garden behind their castle. The younger royal, Prince Joseph, leaned on a significantly large tree that provided the siblings shade. Just a foot away was his sister, Princess Lucinda, who sat on the grassy ground. On her lap was a medium-sized white bunny with glinting red eyes. With a low whistle, Joseph caught the attention of his lounging sister.

"My, my, skirting your duties as crown princess, Lucy?" A grin stretched widely across his face, as his eyes sparked a light shade of green.

The princess barely looked up and continued to stroke the white bunny, "What about you, James? Avoiding Edgar?"

James stiffened, glaring at his sister, "You're going to play that game, sister?"

"No, just stating facts."

"You-"

"Prince James, Princess Lucinda," A maidservant bowed low before the two, "Duke Fredrick is asking for both of your audiences at his study."

There was a pause. James stared at the woman with a scowl and Lucinda sneaked a glance at her. This caused the woman to sweat, the air feeling colder and tighter. Before she could gasp for a breath, the air loosened and Lucinda stood up. Her dull blue eyes continued to stare at the woman and her lips were pressed into a thin line.

"P-princess..."

"You are dismissed, there is no need to inform my uncle as we will immediately abide by his," Lucinda sneered, "request."

The maidservant swallowed thickly before bowing low once more and leaving the two royals.

James continued to stare at the retreating form before looking back at his sister, "Was that necessary?"

"Perhaps," Lucinda nodded, to herself mostly. She sat the rabbit down as she gave it one last pet. She smiled as she regarded her bunny, "Angela, I believe it's time for me to return to my duties."

"For once."

---Line Break---

Duke Fredrick hurriedly cleaned his desk and narrowed his eyes as some of the papers in his hands fell to the ground. As he heard footsteps approaching, he growled under his breath and shoved the papers into a nearby drawer. He had a reputation to keep and a messy desk was not part of it. Scanning the room one last time, he settled himself on his chair and straightened his back, awaiting his audience as the footsteps drew nearer.

When the door flew open, the air wrapped around the duke and it turned chilly. Frederick kept the scowl on his face as he gained eye contact with Lucinda. She smiled lucidly and entered the room and sat down, her hands on her lap with her back straight, "You called for me, dear uncle?"

"Yes," Frederick gritted his teeth at the strong pressure on his emotions, "I had just received word that you are not taking your duties seriously."

Lucinda's icy-blue eyes pierced into her uncle's darker ones, "Do you mean the duties Edgar is supposed to be doing?"

Frederick clicked his tongue, "Edgar needs his rest-"

"Now that is a lie." Lucinda mused with a small smile, "He does not work on anything at all."

"You do not have any proof about the matter." Frederick hissed and his eyes changed to a darker blue.

"Proof? I do not need any proof other than the fact you have not received anything from him, is that right... uncle dearest?" Lucinda smirked widely, her eyes changing to a very pale blue.

"Seize this, right now!" Frederick screamed as he slammed his hands on the desk. "You cannot use your powers against me like this!"

Lucinda rose from her seat and practically towered over the angered royal, "Oh? Who put you in charge?"

Frederick gritted his teeth and glared at the woman before him. He tried to use what little of his powers he had but it was squashed immediately.

Lucinda set her jaw, "It is best you just submit, uncle. It is no use either way- I will sit on that throne even if it means you and your... son should disappear."

"You cannot-"

"What royal decree states so?" Lucinda turned and made her way to the door, "You cannot control me any longer, uncle- I have outgrown your petty little statements."

Frederick gasped at the sudden disappearance of the pressure and his mental strain to not submit to it caught up to him. He breathed heavily and glared at the woman who left his door open for all to see his state. He growled under his breath and ran a hand through his hair in stress, "What will I do with the both of you?"

---Line Break---

"Oh, James?"

Said boy flinched when he heard the sickly sweet voice call out to him. He lowered his sword and turned to face the slightly younger boy with distaste in his eyes, "Yes, Edgar?"

"Father said-"

"Who cares?" James snorted before he turned back to the straw dummy he was practicing on.

Edgar growled before he stood in front of James and the dummy, "I said, father wanted to see you and-"

"Get away from here before I hit you," James stated in boredom. He swung the sword a few times before he smirked lazily at the pale boy.

"You- you wouldn't dare." Edgar stuttered out as he kept an eye on the sword.

"I could, and I would." James nodded, "So you either leave now with whatever decree your father has or you can stay and see what happens. I desperately need a moving target, you know."

Edgar scrambled to move away from the approaching sword and glared heatedly at the amused prince. He stood up and dusted himself off before he huffed and walked away.

James watched him go with amusement before he turned back to the dummy, his training fresh in his mind.

As Edgar left the training room, he almost bumped into Lucinda on his way to his father's office. When he met the icy blue eyes of his older cousin, he flinched and looked away immediately.

"Ah, Edgar... what brings you here?" Lucinda smiled at the smaller boy.

"I- uh- I was just going to visit my father." Edgar stuttered out. He never liked the older girl for the reason of her unsettling eyes and the coldness around her.

Lucinda smiled sweetly at the young boy and patted his head, "Well then, off you go. Your father must be waiting."

Edgar watched with narrowed eyes as the woman walked off. He turned away and pursed his lips with uncertainty. He wasn't quite sure why, but he could almost feel a hint of murderous intent come from her. He shivered as he recalled her cold stare and the feel of the atmosphere around her. He looked down and continued on his way to his father's study.

Once he reached the study, he looked in and noticed the worried look on his father's face. He entered the room nervously and closed the door behind him. His father looked up to meet his eyes. In that moment, he could feel all the uncertainty and nervousness from his father. With a shaky breath, he asked, "Father, what happened?"

"Do not ever speak to Lucinda ever again."