Odelli palace, years XX
Spring royal ball
Claude never liked Alexander, his cousin, and his sister's fiance. Nor did he care for that girl. What was her name again? Right, Olivia Grandel. That baron's daughter didn't amount much compared to Lucina.
If it were him, he would have ripped the girl's head. He only tolerates her because he needs her. She seemed stupid enough to manipulate. When, as she called it, the confrontation scene happened, Olivia seemed upset. She wished for it to be in the middle of the ball. Publicly.
"_This is a private matter; the whole kingdom doesn't need to know.
_But what she did needs to be punished!
_And she will, but it doesn't need to be in the middle of the ball.
_Claude is right, Olivia."
She looked a bit careless. It was almost like she forgot to put in her act. The girl pouted a bit and waited for the ball to start. Claude could hear her mutter about the game and public execution. He couldn't help but frown at it. He knew she was a nut case, but she sure has lost it now.
The "confrontation" came, and the prince broke his engagement. Even when she was crying, Lucina looked stunning. He had to hold himself back to not rushing to her. The silver-haired young man had a small smile. As a noble, she wouldn't have a big punishment. Confinement in their family home, at least, she was still of royal blood, after all.
"_What will be her punishment, your highness?
_She will be held in confinement in her family territory.
_Huh? No way, that's too light for a punishment!"
Claude could see Alexander frown a bit. The girl who a few minutes ago begged him to spare her bully was now demanding a heavier sentence. Alexander was naive but not that stupid. He could see something wasn't right. Not just him but the others too.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Present day
Lucina woke with a shaky breath. It's been a few days since her bird's gruesome death. She had a hard time moving out of bed, primarily because of the pair of arms around her waist. Out of fear that he would do something worse, she accepted sleeping with him once more. Looking at the window, she let a sigh. Claude was a monster from the beginning. She wondered how come she had never noticed it. She had to find a way to escape both her engagement and her brother.
The young girl turned around to meet Claude's placid stare. She jumped a bit, startled. Since when was he awake? The silver-haired boy stared silently for quite a long time. He seemed deep in his mind while looking at her. Blinking a few times, he cheerfully smiled. 'Creepy! That's creepy, creepy, creepy.'
"_Goodmorning, sister! Did you sleep well?
_Ah... Yes, good morning."
Claude crawled nearer to her before hugging her. He rubbed his nose under her ear and jaw before putting his head on her neck. Lucina shuddered at the sudden show of affection. She could feel his smile against her skin.
The young boy had a mischievous gleam when he felt her shiver. She was so cute and defenceless. If they were older, he would have gobbled her long ago. His precious little "sister". This time around, she wouldn't escape him. He will just need to take care of the unneeded pest around.
"_I love you, sister. Just stay with me forever."
The white-haired girl didn't respond back, but he didn't care. It wasn't important to him. This lack of response was just a small insignificant detail. He could only feel pure joy when he felt her hugging back. He could feel her small body trembling as a sadistic pleasure took him. As long as she stays next to him, everything would be alright.
"_It would be a pity if something terrible were to happen."
She opened her mouth to answer only to be cut off. She was scared shitless when she heard his cheerful voice.
"_I mean, you really like Mary right? I just hope she wouldn't be careless and slip down the stair you know? I heard people could break their necks."
That was how her nanny, Mary, died when she was 15. She fell down a ladder because Lucina was throwing a tantrum over a stupid ribbon stuck on the tree. The poor woman had no choice but to get up there and the ladder broke. The nanny fell head-first and twisted her neck. People said it was her fault and she was feeling guilty about that. Ever since she never put a ribbon in her hair anymore.
Cold sweat fell down her face. She had to protect her nanny. She nods and lets him hug her. Lucina was starting to think everyone she lost, was maybe Claude's fault. She could hear him laugh. He cupped her face before leaning. Too scared to do anything, she could only watch him take her lips. She was shaking just like a leaf. He saw easily and naturally took away her first kiss from her. The young boy smiled proudly before kissing her again. This time with more confidence she will not go against him.
"_What should we play today? How about we play pretend? Or maybe we should play hide and seek?"
This was when Mary knock at the door. It was time for breakfast, after both children got dressed, they sat with the parents. Claude looked at Mary who looked anxious. He smiled until he heard his parent's ominous words.
"_We have big news for you Lucina. You will soon be 13 years old, which means your and your brother's debutantes will start in two years.
_I see"
Both children knew what was coming. For Lucina this is another dreadful moment.
"_We decided to have an engagement with Prince Alexander.
_I don't think she will suit the prince, mother. He has... unique taste.
_Claude right, I don't think I'm suited for that.
_Nonsense, and it was decided by the royal."
In another word, she could only suck it up. She didn't have a choice and will have to find a way to break her engagement.
A few days after, Lucina was sitting in the carriage. She planned to wear the ugliest dress she had. Which happened to be a big pink gown with frills and ribbons everywhere that even a clown wouldn't wear it. And Claude was on board with the idea.
Of course, Mary totally disregarded it and with the grand duchess's approval took upon her to choose her dress. It was a beautiful pastel dress with just the right amount of lace and ribbon. She looked like a youthful and innocent little lady.
In the past, her first meeting with Alexander, was the same date but she did pick her dress. Unlike today, she wanted to impress him, she was trying hard to look pretty and mature but failed incredibly.
"_We are here my lady!"
Lucina looked at the palace at the end of the path. It wasn't the first time she saw it. there was a time she thought it would be hers. The most beautiful palace, Divinia Palace, is also most commonly known as the empress's palace. At the bottom of the stair, a 14-year-old teen along with maids waited for her. He had a fake smile on his face, like always.
"_Wellcome lady Lucina Valentine, I'm Alexander Acascius von Vestalis, this country's only prince and your fiance.
_It's an honour meeting you, your highness."
She tried to act like she used to, but couldn't hide the pain in her eyes. She loved him in her first life. He was her first love, the one she saved her first kiss for. Even when her brother stabbed her, her heartbreak was recent. She LOVED him.
Alexander couldn't help but notice the sadness and distance in her eyes. It was so mesmerizing that he couldn't help but be attracted to it. He wanted to see her cry, but felt a strange grudge and anger at the idea it wasn't for him. His fiance may need to learn not to look at other men.
Sitting at his desk, Alexander laughed while playing with a delicate white rose. This was undoubtedly one of the most interesting days he had. She tried so hard to hide her feeling. Sometimes it would be longing, deep melancholia, or sheer pain like a broken heart. She looked almost immersed in her thought and memories.
A few hours before
After greeting her in front of the castle, Alexander took the young girl to meet his mother. The young girl had a perfect manner. It was hard to believe that she was only 12. The rumours about how she was impeccable and the most probable candidate for his fiance were true. She looked almost familiar with the palace like it wasn't her first time here.
"_Have you come here before?
_It's my first time your highness."
Alexander could see she was trying to stay away from him. She was avoiding him, not even trying chat with him and only give short answer. His future wife was afraid of him, and he didn't know why. It was their first meeting, he didn't understand why. He checked himself discreetly before frowning. Was he this ugly? He found himself handsome, even the servant said so. He was handsome, beyond anyone's comprehension. His long silky white hair, ruby-like eyes, and elegant manner. He couldn't understand why she seemed to hate him.
When his mother saw her, she looked satisfied. Lucina was exactly what he needed. She looked demure and clever and her attitude was worthy of the royal family. The queen did ask to have any report about her and her skill. If at that age she could outmatch her teacher, then she would be even better in the future. The child was very eloquent and smart. She absorbed everything she was taught quickly. As if it wasn't enough, she had the highest and nobless peerage. The king's niece. A descendant from the royal family. Queen Margaret could see, she was the perfect candidate. Almost too perfect. If it were from another family than her brothers-in-law, she would have doubted it.
It was a miracle that the girl wasn't a spoiled child.
The queen could remember the painful moments of hearing her sister-in-law babbling about her children for hours. She thought her ears would bleed.
Margaret welcomed the young girl with a proud smile. The more she looked at her, the more she liked her. It was strange for Lucina, she remembered in the last timeline, the queen didn't like her. But her family background made her the best candidate. Now for some reason, she seemed fond of the young girl. She passed the rest of the day making light talk and trying her hardest to avoid him to no avail. After bidding her goodbyes with a beautiful white rose, he returned to his mother.
"_How do you find her? Such a beautiful lady...
_I don't think there is anyone prettier than lady Valentine.
_What else?
_She seems fond of small flowers. She has a smile that makes me want to hide it forever... So only I can see it."
That was unexpected but it was an answer, Margaret could accept. If her son like his fiance that much, she will not have to worry about promiscuity on his part. Unlike his father. This though made her frown a bit before shaking it off
Somehow she could feel like a storm was coming, her son's eyes darkened for a second before coming back to normal. She buried her concern away and smiled at her son.
"_You two would be a beautiful couple, don't you agree?
_Indeed, I don't think anyone would fit better for the role of the queen."
Alexander means it. He has never seen someone like her. She fitted everything he looked for as a consort. He didn't know why, but the idea of her beginning in love with someone else was kinda challenging to him. He felt like the hero soothing her poor heartbroken. She didn't seem to like him, but it was just a time question. Sooner or later, this beautiful maiden would be his.
Present day
The young prince laughed while remembering this day. He didn't notice the young boy, his childhood friend Felix coming in. Felix was the son of Duke Sol, just like his father he had short blond and blue eyes. He looked at the boy with a brow up. He coughed to make his presence known before walking to his friend.
"_You look happy today. Did you like your fiance?
_Hm? Oh, it's you, Felix. "
The prince hummed before putting the rose in a small pot. He was happy, very happy.
"_You should have seen her, so delicate... weak... like a small flower on a snowy mountain."
Alexander had a dreamy smile. His friend could see he fell at first sight for the famous Lucina Valentine. The grand duke's only daughter and the prince's cousin. The blond boy chuckled before talking once again.
"_Then I'm sure you wouldn't fall for my little guest. I wanted you to meet her.
_Hm? Why would you be worried? Do you love her or something?
_She is quite the lovely little lady, I have my eyes on her."
Felix opened the door and took in his hand a small delicate set of fingers. Her hand was so delicate and thin. It was soon followed by a delicate pale arm. Walking inside his study, the young girl looked at them shyly before looking the other way. Her hair and eyes were light green. She held onto Felix's sleeve like a small child. She looked childish with the bunny rabbit in her arm. For an eleven years old girl, she acted like she was five. The prince smiled but couldn't help but wonder if she had some medical reason behind it. Or maybe it was just a way to grab attention.
"_It's an honour to meet you, I'm Olivia Grandel.
_It's nice to meet you lady, I'm Alexander Acacius von Vestalis.
_It's my first time in the palace, how exciting! I heard the garden-!
_Yes, I will ask the servant to take you there."
Olivia looked a little surprised before talking once more. She didn't expect him to cut her off like that. She pouted when she saw him calling for a maid.
"_Oh... I thought your highness would be the one to take me there.
_Lady Grandel, I have a fiance and we are not that close. If anything, you should go with young lord Sol."
The young girl blushed from embarrassment before following the maid with a smile. Once outside, she frowned, her smile nowhere to be found.
"_How strange..."
Did the difficulty increase? Olivia sighed before smiling maliciously. It was becoming a little boring anyway.
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