A/N: Finally Spyware is gone! Thank you for being patient! And if you weren't patient I apologize.
Chapter 9
"How could this happen?" asked Jesse with disbelief. Rebecca gave a sympathtic look. Prince Nicholas and Alexander stopped talking.
"That road on Vienna."
Vicky walked up to the five of them, "Your Majesties, perhaps we should go inside and resume your chat. I have oredered tea to be served in your study."
"Thank you, Lady Vicky." nodded Daniel.
"Yes, let's go inside. It's awfully windy out here. Why do you choose Vienna for Easter holidays?" shivered Rebecca.
Daniel shrugged, "I just do. But worry not! Since Easter is now over we will go back to another Palace."
"Next year I suggest Aurelie Couture." spoke Alexander.
"Wonderful Idea my boy! In fact, how about we go there when we're ready to go again?" said Daniel.
"That would be lovely." smiled Rebecca.
"May we go inside now? I'm started to freeze!" yelled the Emperor of Katsopolis.
"Yes, let us go."
The study was warm from the fire set by a servant. Curtains drawn giving a depressing effect. No light came from candles nor the sun besides the flames. On the table were five teacups. Several cakes and pastries. Everything smaller than a hand. Most cooks don't expect much to be consumed by the Royal Family during important conversations. So why waste so much?
"That cursed road on Vienna." said Daniel taking a seat.
"This is why at first I refused to come while you and your family were in Vienna. But my sister insisted." scoffed Jesse popping a cake in his mouth.
"She just wanted to see you. I've never really met your sister but I know she cares about family." said Rebecca.
"Great! Now we'll never have a chance to meet our aunt," Nicholas grumbled bitterly.
"Why do you care so much?" asked Alexander, picking out the biggest pastry.
"Because unlike you I actually care."
"You saying I don't!"
"Well let's list all the reasons shall we?"
"And they are?"
"You only care about eating!"
"I thought you said reasons!"
Rebecca clapped her hands, "Boys! Do you really think we're going to leave the crown for Princes that bicker all day? No! Now behave like a future Emperor and sit down!"
"Listen to your mother." Jesse said absently.
"Future Emperors don't take command from their mothers!" shouted the Royal Twins.
The Empress gave them a warning look, "Guess again."
They quickly obeyed and sat down listening.
"I think we should just have a conversation adult to adult. So children, out!" shooed Jesse.
"Father, we aren't children! We're sixteen!"
"Fine, fine! Young adults. Now go."
"Yes boys, go find your cousins." suggested Rebecca.
Nicholas and Alexander sighed and left the room.
"We're always getting kicked out!" complained Alexander while strolling around the Palace.
"Maybe cause you're always snacking instead of listening." smirked Nicholas.
"Hey! I need my energy and anything to keep me awake for studying." countered his brother.
Around a corner.
"It's times like these I wish I could have been born a Princess instead of a Prince. Lessons are so much easier and you're not expected to rule." said Nicholas.
Down a fleet of stairs.
"I guess the pressure of being Father's heir has finally gotten to your thick skull!" joked the younger Prince.
Corridor leading to Stephanie's room.
"Too bad isn't it?"
"Halt! Who goes there?" demanded the guard.
"Uh...we're the two Princes of Katsopolis and would like to see our cousin, Princess...whoever lives here!" Alexander replied hastily.
"Whoever lives here!" hissed Nicholas.
The guard bowed, letting them in.
"The Princes of Katsopolis!"
"Shush! The Princess is sleeping!" shrieked Mickey.
"So be quiet or we'll have you beheaded!" said Gia, sliding the side of her hand across her throat.
"What is all the noise?" Came a sleepy voice from behind the canopy's curtains.
"I believe you're the ones who have awoken the Princess." said Alexander smugly.
"Alex! Nicky!" cried Stephanie contently.
"I envy you sometimes." said Nicholas. "With a nickname like 'Alex' I mean. How did I get stuck with Nicky!"
"Hush!" laughed Alex.
Stephanie got out of bed and sat down in the closest chair.
"Sorry, but Nicky is much better than Nicholas. It's easier to say and it's adorable!"
"She even talks like a grown up now!" whispered Nicky to Alex.
"I heard that!" Stephanie snapped playfully.
Alex let out a sigh, "I just wish you and your sisters were a bit younger so you'll understand us."
"You know, a woman can take that as an insult. If you want a wife in the future you would have to be more sensitive."
"Well we don't! Cause we're Princes!"
Nicky nudged his brother, "Believe me, she's right. No King would want their beloved Princess married to someone so crude and barbaric."
"I only wish I could marry for love instead of alliance." said Stephanie sadly.
"The world's not perfect...just like what happened to your mother, our aunt."
The Princess bowed her head down and started crying.
"There there! We didn't mean to bring it up!" said an alarmed Alex.
"Nice job, moron!" yelled Nicky.
Mickey flicked her finger at Alex's temple.
"For a Prince you sure are loony."
"You imbecile!" added Gia.
Alex pointed an accusing finger at Mickey, "You dare touch the Prince of Katsopolis! Heir to the Katsopolis Throne!"
Nicky cleared his throat, "Um...I'm the Heir to the throne...not you..."
"Not if I poison you!" Alex growled.
"How dare you talk to the Heir like that!" shouted Nicky.
"Yea, I know how dare you." Gia and Mickey crossed their arms. They seem to take Nicky's side over Alex's.
"You have no right to speak!" Alex thundered.
"Don't talk to them like that! They have done nothing wrong." Nicky rushed to the rescue.
"Except take your side!"
"Why are you acting so childish all of a sudden!" demanded Nicky.
"I am not!"
"Will you shut up!" demanded Gia.
"Yes," said Mickey trying to calm Stephanie down, "You're only making everything worse."
"I will not stand for this!" Alex stomped out of the room infuriated.
"I must apologize...he isn't always like this." Nicky's voice was full of guilt as if it were all his fault.
"Do not worry, dear cousin of mine, we shall figure out what is bothering him soon. But first! I would like to see my dear Uncle Jesse and Aunt Becky!" Stephanie exclaimed contently.
"Might have to wait. They're having an "Adult Chat". " The Prince pouted, "Hmph! As if we're not adults. I'm sixteen for god's sake!"
Stephanie laughed at that, "Well, adults don't pout when they don't get the things they want. I do sometimes but as the future Emperor you shouldn't."
"Now you sound like Mother."
"Doesn't Uncle Jesse say that also?"
"No, he just agrees with whatever Mother says...I guess that means he does think so."
"But if he never pays much attention to anything I doubt that's his opinion of things." Stephanie pointed out.
"True enough."
They sat in silence for a while thinking. Mickey and Gia each stood by Stephanie's side with a blank expression. No emotion in their eyes. Very unlike them to do so. The two Ladies consider that to be what the 'old' Ladies-In-Waiting do. But for such occasions, it is wise to keep your mouth shut.
Stephanie unceremoniously stood up, putting Nicky's hand in her's.
"Come! There is someone I would like you to meet."
The cousins walked down long and endless corridors with doors here and there, fleets of stairs and large windows.
"Oh no! Not more stairs!" complained Nicky.
His cousin giggled softly, "Oh that's very mature!" Taking a turn. "A Princess doesn't complain about a few steps. And here a future Emperor does."
"This is part of your father's Kingdom! Of course you're used to this."
"You have no stairs?" Stephanie asked, curious about her cousin's home. Which, by the way, her father has never really allowed them to go to. "It's far too dangerous!" he says.
"No," Nicky replied simply, "Unlike you, dear cousin, we do not have multiple palaces at which we spend during different parts of the year. But most importantly our palace is spread far across our land with only one floor to it."
"So basically it's like our palaces but all smushed into one flat one?"
Nicky shrugged, "If you prefer that term."
"Wow...I can't imagine not climbing stairs and and looking down from my window!" Stephanie said more to herself really.
"You're so fortunate! I look out my window and all I get is a random servant sweeping dust my way!"
"Oh you poor baby!" Stephanie said sarcastically, but happily.
"Don't call me that!"
