Okay, so I decided to just upload short story every now and then as I think I am not meant for longer chapters.
I just hope that people are still interested in the story. Hope everyone enjoys it.
The King waited impatiently outside the room, the atmosphere was heavy and he could only heard painful wails and screams from behind the door that separated him and the Queen. He walked in circle again and again, unable to focus on anything. Roderich tried to calm the anxious King, but nothing can cease his worries and excitement at that moment.
He perked up when the wailing stopped, replaced by joyful cries. Soon, he was called in, congratulated by the women and attendants inside. He quickly made his way to the Queen who was lying down on her bed, tiny body, wrapped in a warm white blanket, could be seen resting beside her. The King smiled widely, unable to contain his joy. The Queen did the same, but there was a hint of hesitation in her eyes.
"Dear, we have a twin." she said softly as she revealed the two newborn babies sleeping under her arms.
The King was caught in surprise. Both of them knew what the twin could do to the country. No, twin was not a sign of bad omen or anything similar in the kingdom. However, having a twin as a firstborn could bring a disaster in the future. He had heard, seen with his own eyes, of kingdoms and countries that perished due to this one reason. It was dreadful, the fight for the throne.
At that moment, the King had decided. He needed to choose the righteous heir for the kingdom. He could not hesitate, for the sake of his kingdom, for the sake of his family.
It's better to save one than to lose both.
"Feli, we have something to tell you."
Feliciano who was doing his house chores stopped in his track. His mother and father stood beside each other with a serious face, but still looking at him with their usual gentle eyes. Feliciano could somewhat tell that it was going to be something important and he put aside his deck brush, stood face to face with his believed to be parents and hold her mother's hand gently.
His mother, a middle aged woman goes with the name of Elizabeta Herdevery, pulled him into a hug, "Feli, just remember that no matter what happens, you will always be our son."
Feliciano wondered about the meaning of his mother's words, but he adapted to it quickly.
"You are the son of your majesty, King Vargas and you are the legitimate sibling of the crown prince, Prince Lovino Vargas."
Lovino woke up by the sound of loud knocking on the door, but he could not bother to wake up properly this time. He had spend the whole night, trying to explain every single details about him and the castle to Feliciano . Despite his initial objection, he was determined to make sure that Feliciano could do his job properly. He yawned and he could see Feliciano looking out of the window, already properly dressed and ready.
"Good morning, Lovi." Feliciano greeted with a smile.
Lovino could not get used to someone calling him Lovi all of a sudden so he just kept quiet, until a certain idea came up in his mind. He once again gestured for Feliciano to came nearer to him and Feliciano complied to it.
"Since you're here, why don't you try replying Alfred for me?" he challenged him with a grin.
He took Feliciano by surprise, but Feliciano did not object to it. He knew that it was his role anyway and he needed to get used to it soon. He needed to be able to impersonate Lovino as an individual. He cleared his throat, trying to make his voice as deep, as powerful, as threatening as possible.
"S.. Shut up, Alfred, I am awake..."
Lovino could not contain his laugh anymore, he buried his face in a pillow, muffled laughter could be heard from beneath. He would praise Feliciano for his effort, but if he was to grade his performance, he would give him 2 out of 10. Feliciano was indeed his copy by appearance, but their personality and upbringing is the exact opposite of each other. While Lovino had a strong and demanding aura around him, one would describe Feliciano as soft and powerless.
Blood rushed to Feliciano's face as he realized the mistake he had done.
Alfred caught up to it almost immediately, he had been waking him almost every morning and never once he heard his voice becomes so soft like that. Once again, he knocked on the door, "Prince Vargas, are you alright? Your voice sounds different."
Inside the room, Lovino continued to laugh while Feliciano started to panic. He tried to think of words to say, but nothing came op to his mind. Soon realizing his distress, Lovino shouted at the door.
"I'm fine, Alfred, give me my schedule for today and you are dismissed."
Feliciano sighed in relieve and a moment of silence was observed. At last, Alfred decided that it was just his imagination and proceeded to read out his schedule for the day, returning to his post afterwards.
Lovino admitted, it had been a long time since he could laugh freely like that in front of someone. His position and social status had been preventing him from having genuine friends and companions, someone he could talk to freely without politics behind their conversations. He admitted, he was glad that Feliciano was there.
He had learned yesterday that Feliciano, goes with he full name of Feliciano Edelstein, was Roderich's adopted son. However, the more he thought about it, he wondered why his father's personal attendant were willing to adopt him. Something like, was he adopted into the royal family just to be used as body double? Or is it just a coincidence that he grew up looking very similar to himself? He could not bear to ask this question to Feliciano himself.
"That was a brilliant attempt, Feli." he retorted.
Feliciano hanged his head lowly, muttering an apology in the process.
"Well, that's fine. But I need you to do something for me today." Lovino at last got out from his bed, reaching the wardrobe and proceeded to change while continuing his sentences, "You know, there is this engagement talk going on today with the neighborhood Kingdom, Alfred mentioned it just now."
Feliciano listened to him attentively, trying to catch his way of speech.
"Well, in any case, I don't believe I have met the prince before and I just don't care. I really don't like going to this kind of stuff, anyway, most of them came because of my wealth and position. But basically, reject him for me." Lovino continued nonchalantly.
Feliciano smiled, he was glad inwardly that Lovino was not angry at him and he was glad that he was given another chance. He remembered when he first came here (which is just the day before), he was really nervous and he had expected that Prince Vargas, his brother, was going to be scary and mean. But he turned out to be a nice person, a bit rude, but nevertheless kind and caring to him. He did not regret his decision, he would not regret his decision.
The clock strikes twelve at noon and a young man, with silver hair and eyes as red as blood, arrived at the main gate of the kingdom. The guards opened the main gate for him, allowing him to trot inside with his black horse that accentuates the colour of his hair.
He left his horse in the royal stable and proceeded to walk towards the main entrance, stopping when he saw a large fountain in the middle of the garden.
"It's been 10 years..." he muttered clutching on the cross he bears on his chest as he continued his walk.
Feliciano walked towards the guest room, along with Alfred who was following him from behind. He tried his best to follow what Lovino had told him before he made his way for his appointment.
'Maintain a stern look, do not speak at all unless necessary, just reject him and return to the room immediately' he repeated those sentences in his mind over and over again.
He reached the guest room soon enough and one of the attendant proceeded to open the door, allowing him to enter the room. Inside the room was a young man with a brown and slightly disheveled hair. His green eyes quickly trailed at Feliciano as he entered the room and he stood up, bowing politely.
The man's attendant, followed his master to bow and greeted politely, "Prince Vargas, we are very pleased to meet you today. Standing here is the righteous heir of the Kingdom of Espana, Prince Antonie Fernandez Carriedo."
Feliciano just nodded, trying his best to keep frowning in the process. For Feliciano who was not used to frowning all the time, that was not an easy feat to do. He also used the chance to study the man's feature. Unlike what Lovino had explained, this man named Antonio looked gentle to him.
The prince dropped his formality almost immediately, approaching Feliciano and took his hand, just to be given a glare by Alfred who was keeping his alert. When Antonio took notice of that, he signaled for his attendant to leave the room and to give them some privacy. Feliciano followed swiftly, signaling for Alfred to leave.
After all the other attendants left, Feliciano felt more relaxed. Only Antonio and him were left in the room and since Antonio was not acquainted with Lovino, he would be less likely to be found out if he made a mistake. At least, that's what he thought.
Without any further notice, Antonio pulled Feliciano to a hug, "Lovi, it's been so long! How have you been?"
Feliciano was caught in surprise. He thought it should have been Lovino's first meeting with Antonio. He panicked and whatever Lovino said before flew out of his mind and he frantically trying to fix it.
"Ah... Yeah..."
"Oh, sorry, I got caught up in the moment." Antonio released him, still holding on to his shoulder, "But it really has been so long, Lovi, I'm really glad we could meet again."
Antonio looked at his eyes only to find the younger prince looked flustered and confused. At that moment, Feliciano could not make out anything in his state of panic. He tried to think of something to say, maybe pretending that he remember him, but the correct words just could not came out of his mouth.
"A... Antonio, I apolo..."
"Lovi!" Feliciano's words were cut by Antonio, now with a serious face. Antonio grabbed him tightly in the shoulder, his face now on eye level with Feliciano and he is staring longingly at Feliciano's eyes.
"I really don't want to see you due to the kingdom's affair like engagement and such, but I have no choice, it's the only way they will allow me to meet you personally." Antonio continued. Feliciano sighed in relieve, does that mean he did not actually need to reject the engagement formally? Antonio was there just to greet an old friend and he would leave soon after, at least that's what he thought.
"Well, I'm glad to see you again, Antonio," Feliciano, almost fully relaxed now, replied him, unaware of an uncharacteristic smile that was plastered on his face.
Antonio looked at him for awhile, before smiling back, "Ah, but... Lovi, do you remember.. You know, the promise we made like... 10 years ago?" he continued, slight pink coloration could be seen in his face.
Feliciano did not see any harm in the mention of a promise and he just nod, trying to pretend that he knew what Antonio was talking about. He was just going to tell Lovino about it later.
Antonio's face now filled with hope and expectation as he continued to ask, "So... Is it still valid?"
Again, Feliciano saw no harm in answering.
"Of course, Antonio," he replied, again with a smile.
Antonio shouted in joy upon hearing his response and pulled Feliciano to another hug, "Thank you, Lovi! I will make sure that you will become the happiest bride in the world!"
Feliciano did not expect that kind of reply at all as he tried to register what Antonio just said. Bride? What kind of promise did Lovino made with Antonio? And what worse was, did he actually just said yes to the engagement? Once again, Feliciano entered a panic mode.
Okay that's all for today. I guess people would be able to kinda guess the pairing already, but yeah.
Do review if you like it :D