The White Knight.
He was a scared boy. He was brother's precious cat. And he was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.
-Fourth Imperial Princess Uni, upon her introduction to the White Knight-
"When I ordered Yamamoto to get you in here, I expect you to be here in the duration of 30 minutes after your summon, not in the middle of the night like this. Are you doing this to just to spite me, Kozato?"
The brunet actually had the nerve to laugh. Kozato stood as pale as usual, covered in bandages everywhere except his face. He was clad in a strange mix of white boxer (with blood splatter motives too, very creative. Or was that really a blood splatter?) and the white with blue rims military jacket of Magnostadt invasion. He was barefooted too. Damn him.
A Cheshire grin made its way to his face as he walked seductively to Giotto's desk and silently wipe all of Giotto's paper works and stationery away from his table, cluttering some of his pens and quills onto the floor. It was a relief that Giotto had the precaution to put his ink inside the drawer at all times. The White Knight of Holy Millefiore Empire climbed to his table and tilted Giotto's chin upwards. "Please don't flatter yourself, minister." He spoke what that certain devilishness Giotto had always found attractive.
"Tell your best friend to tighten the military training," he ordered nonchalantly as he planted fleeting butterfly kisses onto Giotto's temple, making a trail of kisses down to the minister's jaw. "They're all bunch of idiots. Can't even take down somebody half their size..." Giotto had to restrain himself from flinching as Kozato's breath lingered on his neck. It was warm, unusually so. It contrasted the other parts of Kozato's body.
The Knight was now leaning forward, chest to chest with Giotto as he seemed to slink down with his kisses. Delicate fingers unbuttoned Giotto's dress shirt one by one, enjoying every moment it took to get the blond minister hot and bothered.
"I have the perfect knowledge on how to undress myself." Giotto spoke, his voice betraying the rising libido and blood rushing to his cheeks. "Of course, of course," the blond shuddered when Kozato's tongue trailed on his collarbone. "I just do it better than you." The kid was now half sitting on his lap and Giotto could smell the odd smell of blood and orchids mixing together. It was an odd, yet fitting combination for the Empire's beloved cat.
"Kiss me on the lips, minister." He whispered breathily as his delicate fingers reached the end of Giotto's dress shirt. Pale, cold hands trailed on top of Giotto's sun-kissed chest, making indiscernible patterns in a way Giotto could only say erotic. Blasted cat. How can he be such a damaged little thing and be perfect at the very same time?
"Heh, you never ask before this." Giotto finally put his idle hands around Kozato's waist, trapping the little Knight on top of him his other hand snaked its way to Giotto's neck and forced the child to face him in not so gentle motion. "Ugh!"
Giotto kissed him. Hard, raw, demanding, domineering. Oh how he wanted to laugh at the days he would stare at the newspaper donning the White Knight's picture and whisper to himself about how attractive the Insane Knight would be if he wasn't such a crazy bastard. But now he was proven wrong.
Kozato was attractive in all his madness. A wonderfully damaged man with a history darker than the entire Empire put together. A boy who managed to charm the entire nation with sheer cruelness and brutality. And he was within Giotto's arms now. "I wasn't asking." Kozato whispered breathily. "I was ordering you to kiss me."
Now if there was anything Giotto hated, it was when anyone aside of the Emperor treat him like he was their underling. Giotto abruptly stood from his armchair, dropping the Knight on the floor with a loud 'thud'.
Kozato didn't look surprised.
"Nice carpet. I don't think I've ever seen it before."
"Thank you, I got it last night."
The White Knight smirked and kicked the behind of Giotto's knees, forcing him to fall on top of the brunet. "Orange suits you, minister. It compliments your sun-kissed skin." He practically yanked Giotto's clothes off of his body and threw them across the room. "We are going to do this my way, Kozato." Giotto practically seethed as he tore open the military jacket off of the brunet. "These bandages are so unsightly."
"You don't fucking need to see what's underneath them." Kozato snapped defensively as his eyes found Giotto's, malice and irritation apparent on his chocolate brown eyes. "I wasn't going to anyway." He tore open Kozato's boxers, revealing a perfectly erect member emerging from the Knight underneath him. "Whoa, I haven't even prep you yet. Shall we just go on without prepping?"
"Don't care either ways. Hurry up and be inside me, minister."
And that, Giotto did. They went on a couple of rounds, Kozato moaning and mewling and screaming and practically begging Giotto for mercy. He pounded on the little kid's ass until nearly dawn, going on in an excruciatingly slow pace just so Kozato couldn't come before him. He always liked watching his bed partners red-faced, panting tiredly while covered up in his essence, writhing and begging to be allowed to come.
"C-commander..." Kozato whispered lowly. "I am not your commander, Kozato. Call my name." Giotto stared down to him, already sitting on his arm chair as the Knight was still on the carpet on all fours (or all two? His hands had been tied at some point of their encounter and now he's practically on his knees with his head on the floor), looking up to him with eyes so full of lust and wanton as he panted miserably.
"G-Giotto! Fuck!" And he came on Giotto's carpet, screaming with a high-pitched voice the minister had never ever heard from the White Knight before. The room fell into a comfortable silence as Kozato tried to catch his own breath.
"Put your head on my lap, Kozato. I'll reward you." Mustering all the strength he has, Kozato rose up from the carpet without using his tied hands and put his head on top of Giotto's lap. "You've done extremely well. You're such a good boy, Kozato. Good boy..." And Giotto caressed him as if he was a cat after doing a good job. Kozato purred contently before finally surrendering to his sleepy daze.
"Adorable little shit..." Giotto chuckled as he caressed Kozato's hair for the rest of the morning.
Fuuta de la Stella smiled at the beautiful lady before him. A pleasant smile he would only reserve to the special one of his life. After all, he had worked hard to get her see his way and not that stupid travelling magician. "Thank you for coming all the way to Zizhendarin for me, Lord Fuuta. I am happy." The braided girl smiled as she received the flower with a decent blush coloring her pale face.
"It is no big deal. I had business with House Xiaorei anyways. Some errands my Lord uncle couldn't handle himself. It was no trouble at all, really." Lady I-Pin of the ancient and noble House of Xiaorei giggled gracefully, exerting an innocent charm that really made Fuuta feel bad for chasing her love away from Vindice.
You had no choice, Fuuta his lord uncle had spoken with such a sharp tone of authority. You are to be wed with the heiress of House Xiaorei. Since my betrothal with Luce fell through, our House Altaria must establish a treaty with another House to gain even more power. And as the proper heir of House Altaria, Fuuta honestly had no objection to his lord uncle's order.
You have to charm her. Make her fall in love with you. When you are wed, make it so her first allegiance will be to you and you alone. You have the potential, Fuuta. You are a true man of House Altaria, after all.
Fuuta knew that his lord uncle had high expectations for him and his ability to charm the Lady heiress of House Xiaorei. Especially when Lady Luce of House Rayluca had left his lord uncle all by his lonesome, throwing his perfect plan of uniting the House that represents the Commonfolk and theirs to a jeopardy. If House Altaria managed to gain a footing in other House's say, they would be even more powerful than before, after all.
With a light, chaste kiss on the back of the Lady's hand, Fuuta ended the evening of their date like a perfect gentleman. Lady I-Pin smiled graciously before retiring to the Zen Manor.
The calm and tranquil Zizhendarin was a perfect contrast of the lively Ralsverige. The evening here was full of the sound of forest leaves bristling with one another as the mountains overlook the entire region like a protective father whereas evening in Ralsverige was full of parties and gatherings. They shared this traits with other regions nearing the Namivoru capital such as House Rayluca's Ralgyarzorzag. The cities that never sleep, that was what they were.
Fuuta went over to the nearest teleport service, obviously feeling too tired to take on normal means of transport back to the Golden Palace. And paid the fastest non-transit journey back to the massive wooden doors of the Golden Palace.
Time to retire for the night, but some white-robed ladies came over to him with a panicked look across their faces.
"Lord Fuuta! Summons from the Vendicare Castle has been sent out for the acting head of House Altaria! An urgent meeting of the Council of Colors is being held."
Oh god no.
"Very well, let me change from my travelling clothes." He spoke as he strode over to his room. "Any particular matter that requires this much urgency?" He asked to the handmaidens, who looked at one another and answered in sync.
"House Rayluca has chosen an heir of their own."
"That's impossible. House Rayluca is governed by the Democratic Council of Rayluca since Lady Luce defected."
"Precisely, sir. This is why all the heads of the Noble Houses are called upon."
Damn. House Rayluca has been quiet about their affairs ever since Lady Luce defected, and in order for his lord uncle's plan to work, it needed to remain that way until Fuuta and Lady I-Pin are wed. People of Ralgyarzorzag had been quiet for almost three decades anyways. Why now?
"Do we have any information about the heir?"
"Yes sir. The heiress is a maid of 20 to your 19. She is born in Ralgyarzorzag, but was raised by one of the cadet branches of House Rayluca in Prussavon along with her brother."
"And her name?"
"Lady Kyoko of the ancient and most noble House of Rayluca."
Fuuta stopped in his tracks and let out an extremely irritated hiss.
The Raylucas sure know how to play their mind games and thwart House Altaria's plans. Damn them all to hell.
Of all places in Laem, Uni loved Heliona the most. It was her dear mother's birthplace and it was a beautiful southern paradise. Aunt Shizuka was really cool and kind and really strong.
She would really visit the Heliohapt, which was where her father and mother first met. But Verde was really skeptical about visiting a village full of half-naked men and women exchanging blows in martial combat so Uni really had to follow her chaperone in this one.
So she got to visit Mron Nerva instead.
The place was still desolate, though, she remembered when she was just a little child and Byakuran had taken her here to sightsee their neighboring Empire. Mron Nerva used to be so cheerful and full of life, with people going down on their knees to pray twice a day regardless of their activity while facing the beautiful white palace of Parthenon.
Now, it was nothing but mere rubbles.
It put a big smile on Uni's face, though. She sat down at a waterless fountain and sketched the scenery of the despaired faces of Laem citizens. This was hers now. All hers. All hers and her brother's. Despite the despair, despite the desolation, this was all hers and Uni loved everything that was hers.
She had seen those brown eyes before, back when they air their victory over Laem Empire on the television. Uni had been extremely obsessed and revolted at the sight of those hateful brown eyes that was filled with so much defiance against her older brother. Silly little sillies who thought that they can actually win from her brother's cat.
Imagine how pleased she had been when those eyes were now dulled with faked respects and false obedience to her brother's dominance.
She dangled her feet, laughing to herself as she did so, that was before a man with fedora grabbed her wrist tightly, ruining her beautiful sketch. Uni pouted.
"L-Luce...? Why are you here?!"
"You ruined my sketch!" Uni tore her wrist away from the man and frowned at her ruined sketch. The Laemian smile ended up with a smile of all things. Unacceptable.
"You're not... Luce." Uni could hear both sadness and relief at the man's voice and she stared up to him. "Mister, are you okay?"
He shook his head and put on a smirk that somehow suited him more than his earlier sad look. "Sorry, I thought you were someone else. What's your name?"
"I'm Uni Mill-nero! Uni Millnero!" Verde had thought her to never admit that she was a royalty whenever she was out in street clothing. It was good to maintain her reputation as the sheltered precious princess after all.
"Uni, huh? That's a fitting name." There was a glimmer of nostalgia, pride, and sadness mixed into an unreadable obsidian. "I really did ruin your sketch, didn't I?" He glanced at Uni's picture of smiling Laemian and then back to her sky-blue eyes.
"Let me treat you to a coffee to make up for it, okay?"
"Yeaaaay!"
Vindice Kingdom - Noble Houses of Vindice Kingdom - House of Rayluca
Official name: House of Rayluca, the ancient and most noble
Alias: House Rayluca, the Commonfolk, House of the Orange Badger
Crest: An orange badger on top of a white field holding a white ribbon of 'Bene vale vobis'
Motto: May You Prosper
Current Lord: None (House of Rayluca is governed by a democratic council by, for, and to the people of Ralgyarzorzag shortly after Lady Luce's defection)
Seat: Sunset Castle
Region: The Ralgyarzorzag
The House of Rayluca is the House that represents all civilians that does not serve any of the other Houses. It represents the color Orange of the national seven-colored insignia. Everyone civilian-born is automatically recognized as a ward to House Rayluca and shall remain so unless they decide to serve another House. This was also one of the reasons why many civilian-born took on the name of Rayspia- signaling their pride for being a ward of a House. Children who are given this name and turned to serve another House usually sheds this name.
House Rayluca has large influence all over the kingdom, even after its lady defected. Many still refused to acknowledge the fact that Lady Luce has betrayed their nation and stubbornly kept the House in order to wait for her return. Due to a rebellion by people of Ralgyarzorzag the moment the Council decided to abolish House Rayluca's seat within the Council, the King and House Vicken intervened and made the Democratic Council of Rayluca.
Every meeting, a different person of the council will come as representative of House Rayluca, but as meetings are often held in the presence of other Houses, councilmen of Rayluca often doesn't come unless the matter of importance concerns direct orders for the civilians.
.
.
Vindice Kingdom - Noble Houses of Vindice Kingdom - House of Xiaorei
Official name: House of Xiaorei, the ancient and noble
Alias: House Xiaorei, the Wise, House of the Red Dragon
Crest: A black steel shield with a red dragon standing proudly, on his feet a ribbon with 'Diem vesper commendat' lays peacefully
Motto: Celebrate the Day when it is Evening
Current Lord: Lord Fong of the ancient and noble House of Xiaorei
Seat: Zen Manor
Region: The Zizhendarin
The House of Xiaorei is the House that represents war heroes and wisemen of all sorts. It represents the color Red of the national seven-colored insignia. Many martial artists came from this House because successive Lords of House Xiaorei is a master martial artist. Those of House Xiaorei are typically wise, calm, and is a man or woman of honor. They are honest, kind, and tend to be hard workers. And they are also extremely dangerous when provoked. It is open to public with no age restriction.
Because the Zizhendarin is a mountain region, those who are born in the mountain are typically sworn to House Xiaorei instead of House Rayluca. It is not uncommon for people of Zizhendarin to never step a foot outside of their own region, and thus they are usually politically indifferent to everything that does not directly affect them.
Next: Chaos started to brew in Vindice Kingdom as the new heir of House Rayluca showed up with a preposterous idea. And the Martial Arts Tournament are finally going to start, along with Laem's rebellion.
A/N: For those of you who had been asking where Fuuta is, here he is! And since I probably won't elaborate on I-Pin's story (PROBABLY), the wandering magician Fuuta exiled from Vindice is Lambo, who ended up in Lancaster instead. And also, in which nation would you guys prefer Hibari in? Millefiore Empire or Vindice Kingdom?
And we really haven't explore much of Lancaster, have we? It ended up being the Laem saga first even though I had planned for Lancaster saga first XDD
And a question I would like my readers to answer! Out of all Houses in Vindice, which one of them you would like to swear to?