Part One: Chapter Two

Emil stood quietly by his brother's side, waiting for something to happen. Unlike Lukas, he rarely knew what was going on, and he often resorted to asking the older of the two about the newest gossip. His partial blindness wasn't to blame for his lack of knowledge - it was simply no one else bothered to inform him.

"What are we going to do now?" Emil asked, resting his chin on his hands.

Lukas lounged on his thrones, legs crossed and eyes narrowed in bleak contentment. "Wait. Father is to meet the trainees in one of the parlours before the Conference and then he'll arrive." He described his father's vague explanation as best as he could and suppressed a yawn. It took all he could not to get up and simply leave already but orders were orders no matter how royal you were.

"Do you think the trainees are nice?" Emil said. His wings were ruffled from the breeze that came from the open windows. "Summer living" in winter never seemed to bother anyone except for Emil and his mother.

Lukas glanced over at him for the first time since he had sat down. "We'll see. The Vampire seems the most intriguing."

"You think so? Is he cute?" Emil revealed a small smirk. "Do you find him cute?"

Lukas shrugged, replying shortly: "I haven't met him yet."

"You don't need to meet someone to think that they're cute, Lukas. Just looking at them can make you say, 'oh, they look handsome' or 'Gods, what a sight'. If I was talking personality-wise, then I'd understand," Emil started before sighing. "I'm excited but also worried about how this might go..."

A few moments of silence passed between the pair before the doors were opened and the King of Norska walked in, followed by a mass of guards. A single-file line of trainees followed after and Lukas sat up straighter, observing each one as they came closer. His gaze lingered on the Vampire a bit longer. Only out of curiosity. He told himself silently. Beside him, Emil watched them, levelling his back and folding his wings as they entered.

All eyes landed on Bernard as he assumed the throne before the trainees, who were now formed in a horizontal line, bowing to the royals.

"Arise," The King said after they held their bows for a moment. They did as told in unison. "Welcome to Eindrine. I appreciate your willingness to serve as part of the Royal Staff on such short notice. There is no need to feel tense, for this is a casual gathering. As you may have been informed beforehand, you are to introduce yourselves with a brief summary of your upbringing and experience in noble employment." He looked to the far-right trainee and nodded for him to go ahead.

Lukas listened to this Elven man who stated he had grown up in the Outer Territories but served the Abendroths for twelve years before having to move to the capital due to labour opportunities. After that, another Elf proclaimed that he had been raised just outside of Eindrine, being the grandson of a knight, and wished to serve the royal family as his grandfather had.

Emil's interest grew as an accented voice spoke next.

"My name is Edmund Kirkland. I hail from the Endelave Isles and I have been employed around Denovier from various noble houses including the House of Castex and the House of Vang. I now live here with my wife's family."

Lukas couldn't help but be impressed by "Edmund"'s presentation. The Vangs were linked directly to the House of Køhler as Denovier's queen was one.

"Impressive, boy. It will be a pleasure to have you here considering your extensive knowledge of the healing arts." Bernard smiled a bit and "Edmund"'s face reddened ever so slightly at the shoutout.

"It is my pleasure, Your Majesty," Kiku replied politely as he bowed.

Concurrently, Leon was seething, thinking of all the things he could use against Kiku now. He did not have to include a wife, Gods above. He thought, knowing that if it ever came to the King or essentially anyone asking to see "her", he'd have to step in. Leon bet that as Kiku's head was down, he had the smuggest look on his rutting face.

He had to stop himself from tapping his foot, a habit sparked by boredom, and when it got to him, he cleared his throat before speaking. "I am Leon Kirkland, brother of Edmund Kirkland. We both served in the same Houses and..." He went on, giving a detailed list of his experiences and good qualities.

Emil listened intently, the only thing he was able to judge was his voice. He enjoyed the fact that this one sounded calm and not much older than him so he squinted to try and get a better look at him.

"It would be an honour to serve you all, Your Majesty and Your Highnesses," Leon said, concluding his introduction.

Right after Leon came the Vampire Lukas was so fixated on, though he wouldn't admit it out loud. Every childhood story of Vampires included murder without mercy to feed the growing darkness within. Lukas, as all young Elves did, believed that until he saw the oppression the Vampires in his own country faced and how they never resisted against the government. From that point, he felt a sense of empathy towards them and hoped old laws would change. When I'm King.

Emil was just as interested as he minded Vladimir's presentation and wasn't surprised to learn that he had worked night shifts at different estates. What unsettled him though was the fact that the Vampire spoke very little of his family life.

"Have you any manservant experience?" The King asked after he was done, voice unrevealing. Lukas's heart skipped a beat when he caught onto what his father's possible intentions were.

Vladimir nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty. I was sent to Denovier to serve an Elf from the House of Auclair for almost a year." Too bad he met death early. "I've also served a few nobles in the North." The last part was honest. He had served many people, but only to complete certain tasks. Tasks that built him a high bounty on his head. How unfortunate they had no information about him.

Bernard nodded before listening to the last few trainees. Afterwards, he made up his mind and called his scribe to the forefront. He spoke to her in the "Royal" dialect that was difficult for even Lukas to understand. The scribe cut off a sheet of parchment, mindful of the fresh ink, and held it in front of her, reading aloud.

"His Majesty has requested that whoever is listed here shall be tasked with a specific duty and to that duty only upon retirement or disbandment. It goes as follows..." The scribe began running through the names and Lukas coughed quietly to mask a choke when he heard that the Vampire was chosen to be his manservant. He looked to his father, a look of silent betrayal on his face. I thought we could choose.

Vladimir's mind triumphed as his name was called to be Lukas's manservant. Wonderful. Just as planned.

"Before you are dismissed, know that you are expected to be the utmost punctual and attentive on duty, starting now. Your final evaluations and proceedings shall commence tomorrow at dawn," The King explained. "Good luck, you are dismissed."

References:

Denovier - a mountainous country bordering Norska; ruled by King Nicolaus from the House of Køhler and Queen Catharina.

Eindrine - the frozen capital of Norska; twin cities with Zanandore, Denovier's capital.

Hello! After about a year and a half of working on this, my girlfriend and I have decided to publish it. Our original idea was to have some sort of RomNor story (with HongIce and other ships "rare" ships) including magic, royalty and rebellion so that's what this has become. Many chapters have already been written so depending on the reviews/attention (which we are both very thankful and appreciative of), more chapters will be published. I hope you enjoy and feel free to share any constructive criticism/compliments/questions you may have.

Thanks!

- Ru