Part One: Chapter Four

The following week gave Lukas plenty of time to assess his new manservant. The Vampire's mannerisms were not out of the ordinary for his kind. Sensitive to light, a bit rough around the edges and silent in his footfalls. As much as the Prince wanted to deny it, Vladimir was starting to grow on him. Animated, yes. Attentive? Absolutely. Charming? Lukas scrunched his nose up in distaste at the thought of thinking of his servant, for Ettu's sake, as charming. He bit his lip before opening his study's door to find Vladimir waiting a few paces outside.

"Good day, Your Highness." Vladimir bowed, his calm voice sincere. Lukas gave him a nod in acknowledgement before heading down the corridor with haste. He turned right and down a flight of marble stairs, newly polished he remembered, before entering one of the outer courtyards. He could sense Vladimir's presence behind him, ever loyal. Previous manservants had always been older Elves who rarely smiled or engaged in a battle of wits. Vladimir was a gust of fresh air.

Heads turned as their Crown Prince swept across the main floor and some could only marvel at him, considering that they had never seen him in person before. Lukas caught a whiff of the Vampiric scent as the pair ascended a winding staircase. He turned to face him when they reached the top.

"We are at the Floor of Literature. If you would like to accompany me inside the library, you may." He instructed. Part of him wanted to wait to see how the other would react to this given choice, but Lukas moved on, the frosted-glass doors opening for him. He headed to the fantasy section that had grown immensely ever since the Elf had acquired a taste for fiction. He glanced through the rows to find that most of the titles were recognisable and for some, the plots could be recited on the spot. When he came to the third fantasy aisle, he stopped to find a new book, bound with gold and aniline leather. The book was in Denovrish, Lukas could tell by the cover and he smiled.

"A romantic tragedy. How fitting." He muttered to himself before taking the book up to the front desk. Due to his birthrights, he wouldn't be stopped if he were to take a novel or two without checking them out, but liked to stop by and see the librarian. She reminded him of what he imagined his mother would have been like. Today, her long, greying hair was braided in a thick tail behind her and her wispy bangs ended just above her brows.

"Good day, Lukas." Hrafnhild Asvardottir greeted him, the warm smile on her face widening. It had taken him years to assure her that just "Lukas" was fine.

"Hello, Miss Asvardottir." Lukas returned the smile as he placed the book on the table.

"A Denovrish script this time?" Miss Asvardottir opened the book's respective scroll, dipping her griffin quill in ink.

"Yes. I figured I might as well practise my tongues." The prince nodded. Over the years, they had come to a mutual understanding that they need not to use such formal language and instead, simply enjoy the mundane interactions between them. It was one of the only times Lukas was allowed this behaviour.

Miss Asvardottir chuckled before handing the book back over after recording it. "I haven't read this one yet so you will have to tell me if it is worth my time." She told him, folding her hands together.

"Of course. It won't be long," He promised before bidding farewell and walking out. As he stepped into stride with Vladimir again, he recalled what else he wanted to accomplish. "Have you ever ridden a wyvern?"

"I haven't even ridden a horse."

"Well, I believe it is time you ought to know how."

Leon's work never seemed to be done, but that didn't mean it was difficult. No, it just meant that he had more than enough time to his own thoughts. It was his job to focus on the minuscule details he seemed to find in every room and motion, but concerns about Kiku circulated day-in and day-out.

Ever since his family had been shattered by war and prejudice, holding onto this last bit of home (whatever that was) was like clinging to a fishing line, trying to stay under. If he were to break the surface, he would be exposed and most likely, killed. Eaten, he doubted, but that wasn't relevant.

Gossip amongst the royal staff let Leon know that his brother had indeed found a place alongside of the head physician, Magnus Ellestad. The elderly doctor and Kiku seemed to be getting along. At least Sadiq would be satisfied with Kiku's placement as access to medicine and the like had proven to be advantageous in the past. Leon cracked his knuckles as he stood up from scrubbing the lavatory floor and taking the form of a serving girl. His destination, the medical ward.

After making it there without being stopped or question, Leon slipped into one of the rooms, pretending to deliver fresh water. He looked to the healers out of the corner of his eye, noticing how they huddled around the table studying what he assumed were medical documents or charts. Emptying the water into the bin, he looked to the other part of room, noticing that without as much sunlight coming from the numerous bay windows, it appeared to look like an abandoned attic space. Damn. He thought as he turned on his heel and moved on to the next room. This one was more occupied, but alas, no sign of a dark head. Leon repeated the duty and stopped by to collect soiled laundry. He figured that Kiku must be in the last room. To his dismay, he was wrong and he groaned inwardly.

He decided to check in with Emil following a trip to the washroom and finding a vacant place to morph back into his Elven form. Leon discovered the younger prince on his bed, flipping through a refined-looking book. Emil's ivory feathered wings wrapped around him like a hug as his eyes scanned the words with mild interest. As not to startle him, the "Elf" knocked on the wall when he approached the chambers.

"Come in." Came the soft reply and Leon entered with confidence.

"Everything you have asked of me has been completed, Your Highness," Leon began. Even after a month of employment at the palace, he was still amazed by the sheer beauty of its design. The high-arching rooms with silver and icy blue accents contrasted well with the navy blue carpets and marble flooring.

"Thank you. You can do as you like, I suppose." Emil shrugged, looking up to his manservant. It still came to Leon's surprise that the work he had to do for the prince was minimal (for his standards), but as part of the Noble Staff, he would be given a list of chores nonetheless. He quietly bid Emil a "good afternoon" and parted from the room. Down the corridor and to the left he nearly ran face first into Vladimir Popescu.

"Oh, hey," The vampire grinned. He was empty-handed, as far as Leon could tell, so he hoped he had a few moments to spare. "How's your day going?"

"Kiku wasn't in the medical ward." He hissed, keeping his voice down and being grateful that any servant or guard passing by was too pre-occupied to consider eavesdropping.

Vladimir frowned at this. "Perhaps he is somewhere else? He could very well be handling something in another part of the palace."

"Perhaps...I hope so."

"You needn't worry. I'm sure he is fine." Vladimir patted the other's shoulder in an attempt for comfort.

"How long does Adnan want me here?" Leon went on in a whisper. His orders had been straight-forward. Analyse as much information as possible about the royal family and report back when he was summoned. So far, he concluded that Lukas and his stepmother didn't get along in the slightest, Emil needed to work on his self-confidence and the King...the King was as doting as a father could be. Leon hadn't witnessed any political or militant meetings that the King would be a part of so he was unsure how to read him quite yet.

"Until the month is over," Vladimir responded. "And I have until next week to complete my task." There was something about his tone that Leon suspected that there was something holding him back from

"Are you serious? Well...this will be lovely." Leon almost laughed.

References:

Hrafnhild Asvardottir - the elderly Elven librarian of Eindrine Palace; how Lukas imagines his mother would be.

Magnus Ellestad - an esteemed physician with a shrouded history; sincere and empathetic.

Sadiq Adnan - the minotaur head of the Rebellion; vengeful and cruel.

Ettu - the Norskan King of the Gods; highly respected and worshipped.

Wyvern - a two-footed dragon native to Norska; the Bondeviks are notorious for keeping the very few domesticated ones in their possession.

Author's Note:

Wow, I did not expect to go on hiatus for quite some time. Life tends to get busy that way. I hope y'all enjoyed this newest addition and feedback is always welcome! The next chapter will have some fascinating revelations.