Reichard is now 14. René is becoming a strapping young man after coming out shortly after their twelve birthday. Of course, now that someone's become a proper successor, what's the use of keeping Reichard in training anymore? Not that they got much training, anyway. They were little more than a captive in their own home. They were stir-crazy, clinging onto the maid's legs when they entered to care for them. They wanted affection, validation, anything.
But all they got was a friend. Annabelle moved in. She was a maid that stayed and cared for Rei, and Rei sobbed when she wasn't 'really there'.
So it was surprising to hear their door open. René. They smiled softly, wrapping him into a hug.
"[W-what did I miss?]" Reichard asked softly, yet their words ached with hunger, ached to hear someone else's voice for once.
"[Inappropriate jokes, wine, and crime.]" René chuckled softly. His voice is deepening and cracking like Rei's. It hurts to listen to.
"[... They spoke about me, didn't they?]"
René pulled away "No, no! [I swear, they w… They missed you.]" He lied. They always spoke about them in jest, a freak. A failure. Not really their father's, how could they be? They were a coward. René's only option was to laugh along and suffer Alice's glares.
"[Oh, how nice.]" They play along with the lie. They both know better. Father told his underlings that Reichard had died on their first mission. Not many attended the funeral. They attended it. It hurt to see.
"[Oh, Alice brought you a gift!]" He passed over a box to change the subject. Reichard opened it curiously.
It was a brown, curly long wig. They quickly uncovered their mirror and put it on. They looked pretty. They looked… Different…
"[She always knew how to suit you best…]" He commented, admiring their new look.
"[I miss her.]" They sighed, pulling their hair into a ponytail. They let go and the curls bounced. "... René? Could you secure me a maid's uniform?"