Part One
He stood at the edge of the balcony, narrow eyes carefully observing the specks of new staff, huddled together in the courtyard. Distant, he could only pick up bits and pieces of conversation with his heightened auditory range and he frowned, now realising he hadn't been formally notified about this orientation.
Turning around, Prince Lukas picked up the hem of his cloak before stepping back inside to his bedroom. He continued through the golden archway that was connected to the hardly used parlour and onto the high-raised ceiling corridor that was extended parallel to the balcony.
The second prince was sitting on said balcony quietly, legs dangling in a casual manner as he watched the new servants. His angelic wings, inherited from his mother, were folded neatly as he had recently groomed them. When he heard footsteps, Emil turned around to look at his brother.
"What's going on?" He asked, looking back to the courtyard.
Lukas's face softened as he faced his younger brother. "New staff orientation, it appears. I hadn't realised it would be today," He said, striding over to stand beside the half-Angel. At this balcony, it gave him a greater vantage point and his curiosity piqued when he laid eyes on a pale brunette. Something about the way he moved and spoke made Lukas furrow his eyebrows. "I also didn't realise we still hired vampires."
Emil cocked his head to the side. "Which one of them is a vampire?" He said, wings fluffing up.
"Farthest to the left; the one Väinämöinen is talking to," Lukas explained quietly.
The prince nodded and squinted in that direction. "The one that's wearing red...? Or at least I think it's red..." He muttered.
"Don't ask me. I can't tell either," Lukas reminded him. "It looks like he's wearing a small hat."
"Is he...? I honestly can't tell." Emil huffed, standing. If I could just fly down. He thought.
Lukas continued to study the group as they made their way underneath one of the larger stone passages below them. A few looked up but cast their gazes down when they noticed the two princes. The brunette did not look away.
"Ugh, I wish I could see them better." Emil frowned, watching them go.
Lukas only nodded to show Emil he was listening before turning halfway. He looked at his brother before gesturing silently for the other to follow him.
As they made their way down to the third level of the palace, Lukas nodded in acknowledgement to every passing servant and guard. Despite the many residents they passed, none stopped more than to give a curtsy or bow. Around this time of year, Lukas knew that the majority of the staff was busy with preparations for the King's Feast and would have little time to properly converse with their superiors. Of course, it never bothered Lukas but he sometimes missed the harmless chatter. He looked behind him to make sure Emil was still there before descending one of the winding, marble staircases.
As soon as the sentries saw Lukas and Emil approach, they opened the tungsten doors and stepped aside to let them pass into the Throne Room. "Thank you," Lukas said to them before entering, striding confidently down the velvet, sapphire carpet. Emil trailed behind them, copying his regal step.
King Bernard sat upon his throne, speaking to the chief watchman before looking up and giving a small smile to his sons. "Excuse me, sir," He regarded the watchman before he quietly exited the room and faced the princes again. "What brings you here?"
"Is there a reason as to why we are re-staffing now?" Lukas asked, folding his arms across his chest casually. His voice remained dull, even leaning toward an uninterested tone, despite his eyes showing more. His father sighed and ran a hand through his greying hair.
"We have had a few incidents regarding the welfare of some servants. They'll be replaced temporarily, if not, permanently. In the meantime, the trainees will be going through orientation and testing here for the next few days before being admitted." The older Elf explained. Unlike many members of higher society, Bernard's voice had a sort of lilt to it - a cadence that went up and down while still maintaining perfect articulation. Lukas sometimes wondered if he would sound like that someday. Like a king.
"May I see their licenses?" Lukas blurted. His father blinked a few times, his mouth opening slightly and then closing. A few moments later, he responded.
"Why does that interest you?"
"I am just curious to see who will be attending to Emil and me, that's all," Lukas replied, choosing his words thoughtfully.
"Will we have a choice as to who we receive?" Emil quipped, taking their father's attention.
"After this orientation, we shall see who would be best to fit your demands," Bernard replied. "But, yes, you have every right to choose now that you're both older."
Emil smiled slightly. "When may we see them?"
The King thought for a moment, scratching the back of his head, before answering with a smile. "We're holding an introductory meeting after repast tonight so you're welcome to attend. It's mainly to greet them personally and to hear their oral records but since there's only around twelve, it shouldn't last long."
Lukas nodded and cracked his knuckles out of habit behind his back. "That was all we needed to know. Thank you, Father. We shall see you then." He smiled back, bowing and after Bernard dismissed them, he returned to his balcony.
Leon drowned out the words he couldn't understand at such a rapid pace and instead, simply surveyed his surroundings. The courtyard was no different than the illustrations had depicted it to be and the scent of white dryas on mint wafted about their position beneath an archway. The guide seemed awfully eager to just talk rather than well, guide. Leon had to stop himself from yawning just as Sir Väinämöinen passed by.
"You'll all be staying in the South Tower tonight - which is where the Servants' Chambers are - after you attend the Preliminary Conference. Please make sure you have your licenses with you at the time of the meeting and..."
Leon blocked him out again and leaned over, whispering to his companion. "From what I can hear, he's treating this like, a holiday tour."
Vladimir smirked as he pulled an elastic out of his pocket to tie up his hair. "Hey, now, be nice. You wouldn't want one of the guards to come and snatch you up." He whispered back, his eyes sparkling with mischief and hand gripping Leon's shoulder gently.
"Well, that wouldn't happen." Leon huffed. Once their tour guide had ended his lecture, they continued on through another courtyard full of intricate and stunningly gorgeous ice figurines before stepping foot into a less extravagant entrance hall.
"You never know...just be careful," Vladimir warned quietly as he looked back in awe at the figurines. "Gods, would Sadiq love this..." He murmured. Another trainee, Hercules, scoffed as he tore his eyes away from the ice sculptures.
"Please, Sadiq is a dog. The only reason he'd like it would be to tear it apart and play with the pieces." He spat calmly.
Kiku sighed and shook his head. "Don't make a scene."
Sir Väinämöinen turned back to the group as soon as they stopped at the centre of the inner ward. "In the presence of His Majesty, Her Majesty the Queen or His Highnesses, bow upon your entrance and exit and wait to be dismissed. Do not speak unless spoken to and always use the correct honorifics. Obey any given order, and if you have a problem with that, you'll answer to me," The guard seemed to look in Vladimir's direction specifically then. "Anyways, your dining hall is down the stairs to the right. You'll know it when you see it and there will be escorts down there too."
When Leon was sure he was out of Väinämöinen's earshot, he spoke to Vladimir once more. "If all Norskans are like this, we shouldn't have a problem."
Vladimir nodded with a small smile. "Let's hope."
They followed Väinämöinen's directions and the entire descent down the stairs got Vladimir thinking. Obey. The very word made his stomach churn. Sometimes he wondered why he signed up for this. After all, he wasn't quite one to follow orders, so having to deal with a bratty prince and his child brother didn't sound too fun. Think about your purpose...if you could just kill Lukas, it'd be a huge step. Vladimir thought, shoulders relaxing.
Upon reaching the dining hall, Leon was genuinely surprised by the massive space and exquisite characteristics within. If this was what the servants' dining hall looked like, he couldn't imagine what the royal one held.
A couple of escorts led them to individual tables and Leon was seated next to Vladimir, though he was unable to see his brother.
"Holy. I want to explore every part of this place." Vladimir craned his neck to the ceiling, observing the religious scene painted on it.
"It's huge," Leon murmured, turning to look behind them at the hulking canvas depicting the royal family. "But what are we doing here? It's not like, repast yet, right?"
"I don't think so...maybe we're waiting for someone," Vladimir said quietly before sighing.
The other trainee nodded and eyed the other applicants. He noticed a group of uniformed Elves in the corner, speaking amongst themselves. He strained to eavesdrop but although he wore the "skin of an Elf", he could not hear like one.
Vladimir followed Leon's gaze and sighed again. "I'm so bored...and hungry," He whined softly. He looked to Leon. "Think this'll be over soon?"
Shrugging, Leon faced his friend again. "I hope so. I don't see why they'd like, have us wait here for a while."
When a guard looked over to the group, Vladimir dared to raise his hand. "May I ask a question?"
"You may." The guard nodded.
"Er...are we waiting for something?" Or someone?
"The kitchen maids should be out to serve you luncheon." The guard, Asmund, explained as he looked between Vladimir and Leon.
Vladimir's smile covered his cheeks at the thought of food, and an answer. "Thanks." He hummed, content. He began to wonder if they would serve anything blood-related. If not, he may not eat. Food made him...questioningly thirsty.
"Attention!" A new guard stepped into the room and strode down the middle aisle. Once all eyes were on her, she spoke more softly. "Expect to go through physical, mental and skill-oriented examinations. Not only will you be a part of the Royal Staff but you may also possibly be the last line of defence for His Majesty, Her Majesty the Queen and His Highnesses. The skill-orientated test will determine where you rise or fall."
Leon felt his body tense and for a moment, he caught his brother's eye from across the room. Kiku had paled and appeared to shrink back. Leon didn't blame him.
Kiku looked back to Leon, his eyes unreadable to most, but to his brother, they were terrified. Leon's stomach twisted at the thought of what might happen to the healer if they discovered his physical anomaly. How might suspicions be raised by that? Or would they even turn a cheek? Not knowing made Leon clench his jaw.
Vladimir set a hand on Leon's shoulder, attempting to offer some sort of comfort. "It's going to be okay."
Leon nodded and let out a breath when he realised the guard, whose name was Elsbeth, was finished speaking and the other guards had begun to roam around the room, answering individual questions. Vladimir now waited patiently and took in as much as he could, rattling his brain to remember the palace's layout so far. Escape routes and other exits were an organised mess in his head. He had also been reviewing his assassination plans though he knew he would have to be patient before acting on them.
In a few moments, a succession of tall, aproned Elves began filling the room, placing bowls of hot soup in front of each trainee before leaving as quickly as they came. Vladimir looked at the soup curiously and picked up a spoon. He dipped it in and sniffed it after raising it slightly. To save himself the trouble, Vladimir decided not to eat and instead, silently pushed the soup aside.
On the left side, Kiku took his time eating and mentally noted the contents of his meal as he consumed them. Carrot, garlic, celery, Kosher salt, lots of chicken broth, parsley leaves, black pepper I believe. He thought.
After finishing his own and Vladimir's soup, Leon watched the clouds roll by through the window. Time seemed to go slower than the Cottage here and that thought sent his heart sinking. The Cottage. Time, unfortunately, existed there and had taken everything painfully gradual. The "Elf" jumped as the double doors opened abruptly and unsure of how long he had been spacing out, he sprang to his feet along with everyone else. The regal-looking Elves that took up the doorway had uniforms that told Leon that they weren't actually royalty but of some higher status.
"Follow." One ordered. It wasn't a sharp bark or even close to a shout. Just a simple command and yet, it encouraged Leon to obey almost absent-mindedly.
They fell into lines of two. Leon partnered with Vladimir in the second to last row as they were given a brief summary of how their testing would go before being led out of the dining hall. The first test was scheduled an hour away, according to Asmund. Vladimir bit his tongue as he followed orders, knowing that the longer he was here, the more difficult restraint would be. Hell, he didn't even listen to Sadiq, so he was currently in anguish. Despite all of it, he did as he was told and stayed quiet.
At the end of the corridor, it opened up to a dome-roofed room where they were separated by race. Leon was put in with four other Elves, all whom he hadn't bothered talking to, and his brother was placed in the miscellaneous group. The Elven Evaluators - as Leon soon learnt their jobs - began taking each trainee into separate rooms throughout the domed room. Leon was guided by a younger Elf with the thinnest fingers he had ever seen.
They reached a small room with a metal table and counter full of various tools that Leon knew would be prodded and poked at him. His escort, Sieglinde, directed him to the table to sit on. As he obeyed, Leon was instructed to strip for physical assessing.
"I thought our first test was in an hour." Leon's thoughts spoke and Sieglinde shook her head.
"This is only a basic health inspection. Your physical test doesn't require nudity." She smiled.
Once unclothed, Leon was examined from his teeth to his ankles and from his eyes to his spine. Sieglinde took a fair amount of time grading and jabbing his skin occasionally. It took all of Leon's willpower not to bat her away when she examined the more private areas. He wondered if they had known he was a boy when given a female Evaluator but Sieglinde seemed unbothered.
After Vladimir asked if his Evaluator liked what he saw when he stripped, he, along with the other trainees, were asked to perform a few reflex tests before being handed servants' uniforms. He was tempted to ask what would become of their old clothes (most importantly, the weapons hidden inside them) but his Evaluator didn't make a move to collect them.
The exam ended in what Vladimir guessed was half an hour and he breathed a sigh of relief when he saw familiar faces in the dome room. Leon walked stiffly towards him, mouth in a straight line and eye twitching irritably.
"This is tight as hell," Leon whispered once he was standing next to the vampire. He didn't dare stretch out, in fear of ruining the stitching.
Vladimir nodded in agreement. "This is already turning out to be fun."
Both of them looked to Kiku when he emerged from one of the halls. Leon had to mentally check himself from running over and asking why his brother's gloves had been removed and sleeves promptly rolled up. Kiku's Evaluator guided him to the other side of the room before sliding over to Asmund and whispering something to him. The Elves began talking amongst themselves, periodically looking over at Kiku - who had put his hands in the pockets of his uniform.
'What is wrong?' Leon used the silent motion reserved for the deaf or mute discreetly. Growing up, speaking was rare and so the entire family had learnt the Signing to avoid being caught. When Kiku didn't notice, he signed again, raising his hands a bit. This time, the older of the two saw and replied with one hand.
'They want to place me in the medical ward'.
Leon let some of the tension in his body subside. 'Did they do anything to you?'
It took Kiku a moment to realise what Leon was inferring and he shook his head quickly.
Once the Evaluators were done having their "private" conversation, the group was led back up another flight of polished marble stairs and brought to a newer but duller hall. "SERVANT QUARTERS" was carved in a wooden sign on the archway leading into it and Leon nearly ran into trainee in front of him as they had stopped. Leon bit his lip as they began splitting the group in half and sorting everyone into bedrooms. His room consisted of three bunk-beds with two wardrobes. Each bunk-bed was situated to the left of a circular window overlooking the gardens and Leon claimed the top bunk of his and Vladimir's.
"You shall remain here until repast. If you need one of us, ring that bell." An unnamed Elf pointed to said bell dangling next to the door. Leon looked up at him and before he could blink, the door was closed and locked from the outside.
References:
Norska - a country ruled by King Bernard and his second wife, Queen Agatha; allies with Denovier.
Elf - an ancient and elegant being with heightened senses and occasional necromancy.
Morpher - a human able to shift into the bodies of others; incredibly rare.
Vampire - an undead former Elf or human commonly believed to be merciless in the Old Days but are now more accepted in society; relatively rare.
Angel - also known as an Avian, an Angel possesses beautiful, white wings which will become darker the more its owner sins; as rare as Morphers.
Warlock - a powerful being that is a manipulator of different aspects of magic; power varies depending on experience; the gene is not hereditary.
Prince Lukas - the 19-year-old Elven Crown Prince of Norska; son of King Bernard and Queen Alexandra; aloof yet polite to most but a loving comic to his family.
Prince Emil - the 17-year-old part-Avian Prince of Norska; son of King Bernard and Queen Agatha; quiet and reserved though has a temper.
Leon Kirkland - the 18-year-old Morpher; part of the Rebellion that opposes King Bernard's rule and is hired to help plot the assassination of Prince Lukas; sarcastic and cunning but deeply conflicted.
Vladimir Popescu - the 21-year-old Vampire; trusted to kill Prince Lukas in exchange for his brother, Ilie's, life; mischievous and intelligent but has good intentions.
Kiku Honda - the 21-year-old brother of Leon; abilities similar to that of a Warlock's but for healing purposes; polite and demure but holds fire within.
