Ivan's personal maid, a lovely woman with long brown hair braided back, rouses them. She makes no question to the blond stranger, only notifying that it is morning and they should greet the day. Ivan gets up, willingly but Alfred remains in the warm bed, too tired to move. Despite his occupation, the young man is quite the lazy one and would rather sleep in to late mornings, sometimes afternoons, much to his sister's chagrin.

The dagger sits on the nightstand, and he watches through a sleepy-haze as Ivan gets dressed. Scars litter his bulky body, and Alfred wonders if they're all from assassination attempts. Most of them have whitened or are starting to fade more, though there's deeper ones, that never quite healed properly. He wonders if his maid knows. He wonders if his sisters know.

"You should get up! We have a long day ahead of us." Ivan remarks, odd violet eyes on Alfred. That childish smile is still there, and Alfred can detect a hint of excitement.

"What will your workers think? A stranger exiting your room."

Ivan shrugs. "They won't question it. They never talk to me, anyways."

Probably 'cause you're kind of intimidating, dude. "Shitty." He doesn't mean it. "I'll prefer to stay in here, thanks. Rather not get the second degree from any knights."

"Won't you get hungry? Sore? Bored?"

"I'm warm." Alfred sits up. "Besides, I don't trust you. How do I know, if I leave this room with you, that you won't immediately alert the guards? Or point out that I'm an assassin?"

"I would have done that last night!" Ivan exclaims. "I like you, Alfred. It gets quite lonely in this place."

–

Nobody gave them second glances, and Alfred finds himself feeling so relived for that. He shoves his hands into the pockets of his pants, and slouches as he walks. In comparison to Ivan, who stands tall with his head held high and a smile on his face.

"You should stand up straight, friend Alfred,"

Alfred scowls. He remembers someone that he doesn't want to think about, making the same remarks. Yet, he does so anyways, only to resume slouching a few minutes later. It isn't that he lacks confidence (Arthur would always bemoan how overconfident Alfred is), it's more or less, he doesn't care how he comes across just so long as people leave him alone. And nobody is trying to kill him.

They eventually reach their destination, after taking a few turns and heading down a long flight of stairs. Alfred wonders if this is the only work out royalty actually ever gets, considering how fucking large the entire palace is. With a sigh, he follows the king in past double doors and is greeted by the sight of a woman with short blonde hair that's just a few colors darker than Ivan's own. She greets Ivan with a loud cry, crushing him into her body as she hugs him and cries.

"I've missed you my little brother!"

This must be Yekaterina, Alfred thinks. She lives up the tales he's heard about her: big, beautiful and kind of a crybaby. At least, so far from what he's seen.

"Yes, yes, big sister. I've missed you too." Ivan awkwardly pats her on the back. "I did not know you were returning so soon."

Yekaterina sniffles and snuggles Ivan as close as possible. "Well, it was pointed out to me by Toris that I hardly ever see you! I decided to come home as soon as possible! Natalia should be here tonight!"

Alfred has only heard of Toris by ear, that he's Ivan's most trusted adviser and a pretty big push-over. As Ivan remains distracted by his older sister, Alfred takes the time to slip out of the room. He walks away as quickly as he could, and tries to follow the path they took to get to the great hall, and finds himself getting more and more lost as he walks.

"Like, can I help you?" The annoyed voice catches Alfred off guard and he spins around to see a man smaller than him standing there, arms crossed over his chest and a scowl on his face.

"Er," He wasn't prepared for this. "I-I was wondering where Ivan's room is?"

"Why do you want to know?" The man presses.

"W-well, I'm a uh," Alfred swallows. He's not good at making up lies on the spot. "Err, a friend? Of his. Yeah. I'm a friend of his."

"Uh-huh. What's your name?"

"Uhhh, A-Alfred...?"

The blond male narrows his eyes and leans in close, even though he only reaches to about Alfred's chest, Alfred still has to take an awkward step back and feels like the boy is towering over him. "When did you get here?"

"Earlyyy this morning?"

"How'd you guys meet?"

Alfred shrugs. "By accident." He doesn't need to elaborate, right? The stare forces him to continue. "His elder sister invited me over for tea or whatever, and we ran into each other. Happy?"

"His sisters have been out."

"A long time ago." Finally, the guy relents and his face goes red, he lets out a soft 'eep', ducks into one of the rooms and peeks out around the corner. Alfred quirks a brow. "Riiight. Well. I'm going to keep searching for Ivan's room."

"It's one more floor up." The now suddenly shy male replies. "Third door on the left." The door slams shut.

Alfred remains standing there, for a moment, staring at the now shut door, baffled. The door cracks open. "Yep. I'm still here, dude." The door quickly shuts and Alfred rolls his eyes. Strange people live in this place, indeed. He follows the weird guy's directions, and quietly opens the door, slipping in.

The bed had been made, but his dagger remains right in plain sight. Alfred quickly grabs it and hooks it on the back of his pants, in his belt and tugs his shirt over it, to conceal it. Maybe he can make his move today.

Though with Yekaterina here, Alfred wonders if it would be a wise move, plus that one weird guy knows who he is. If he kills Ivan and disappears, they know his name. That could be a problem, especially if he remains in this kingdom.

"Excuse me?"

Alfred jumps and turns around. Does everyone just sneak up on everyone in this place? "Yes?"

"Are you Alfred?" He nods. "I'm Toris. Ivan sent me to look for you."

Alfred stares at the other man for a moment, they're around the same height. "Uh. Okay," Alfred finally speaks. "Where is he?"

"The Great Hall, sir." Perhaps during lunch, he could take the time to poison the king. Normally, that's off limits during low-key assassinations but he may have to do that. A servant would be framed, of course, and executed but it's probably for the better. He allows Toris to lead him, both silent. When they reach the room, after what felt like forever, Toris turns around. "I know why you're here. Ivan told me."

A chill runs down his spine. "You gonna kill me?"

"Under his request, no." Toris draws in a deep breath. "However, I don't promise not to retaliate if you do go through with it."

Alfred grins. "You'd be doing me a favor."

–

Not a good start to a relationship, for sure, but Alfred doesn't care. Throughout breakfast (after awkward introductions) Alfred had remained silent but had scarfed down the food without a second thought. In the back of his mind, he can hear Arthur lecturing him on table manners.

Ivan tells him a little later that he has some work to do, so Alfred is welcome to do whatever he wants. With this bid, he leaves Ivan to do whatever he has to do and avoids Yekaterina as best as he can. From exploring the library lined with books of old, the musky smell that brings him back to a certain point of childhood that he tries to ignore to the barracks of the soldiers.

"Can I help you with anything?" Toris sounds annoyed as he sees Alfred peeking over the corner, into the armory.

"Just looking around." Alfred replies, just as annoyed. "I hear you're the best Ivan has."

"You've heard right." Toris goes back to whatever it is he's doing, which seems to be polishing the swords. "Why do you ask?"

"Just repeating the rumors."

Toris sighs, "Why are you here?"

"Because I made a deal with Ivan. I thought he told you that."

"Yet, you haven't killed him yet." Alfred shrugs. "Do you even want to?"

"It's what I'm gettin' paid to do." There's a long pause and Alfred finally enters into the armory, and picks up a sword, swinging it around. "The person who paid me is anonymous, so I can't disclose who it is that ordered it."

"Ivan has many enemies."

"I've noticed."

Toris rubs harder on the silver metal. "This has been going on since he was little," Alfred puts the sword down.

"I knew he wasn't very much favored, because of the legacy his father left behind but, since he was a kid? Who'd want to off an innocent child?"

"You should leave." Toris advises. "Actually, just leave the castle and don't return, if you know what's good for you."

"When I get a job, Toris, I don't back down."

"Then leave the armory." His green eyes are narrowed, a frown on his tan face. "Though, if you know what's best for you, leaving the castle would be a better idea."

"Have a good day, Toris."

Alfred heads back inside, casually strolling across the large snowy courtyard, stopping momentarily to pet a cat that has seemed to make it's home there. With that, he heads inside, and back up to Ivan's room, where he throws himself onto the bed. If he could, he'd leave but then, he'd have a target on his back and lose the money that could help Amelia. As he mulls over this, Alfred eventually falls asleep.

"Master Alfred, please wake up." The maid from this morning is back, gently shaking him. "Master Ivan is looking for you."

"I'll play later," he mumbles as he turns over.

"It's rude to ignore the request of the king."

Alfred groans and sits up. "Hey, what's your name?"

The woman blinks and frowns. "I do not think that matters, young sir."

"C'mon, I hate referring to people as 'hey you'."

"Anya," she replies, after a moment of thought. It strikes him somewhere, a cold feeling that seems to shrivel his heart and a ghost wraps its hands around his throat, constricting him of air. "Sir?"

Alfred coughs, clearing his throat. "Sorry. Beautiful name," He compliments. "I knew an Anya, she was a nice girl. Shy, though." Anya says nothing. "Hey, could you perhaps tell me a little more about Ivan?"

She shakes her head. "Now, get going, Master Alfred."

A moments of hesitation, but Alfred climbs out of bed, thanks her again and leaves. When he does manage to track down Ivan, he's in the courtyard, playing with the cat Alfred had pet earlier. "Aren't you cold?"

"I like the cold!" Ivan cheerily responds. "It reminds me of childhood!"

Alfred rolls his eyes. "Right. It's fuckin' cold out here, let's go back in." Ivan looks crestfallen and looks at the cat. "Take the cat, too." The crestfallen look is replaced by a large smile and he scoops up the cat, who lets out a protesting yowl. "Don't hug it too tightly."

"Oh. Sorry, kitty." Ivan still hugs the black cat and keeps kissing it's head. "So, I heard you met Toris!"

"Yeah."

"He'll warm up to you, eventually! He's been my friend since we were kids."

Alfred isn't so sure that there will be enough time for that.

After lunch, with Alfred dodging Yekaterina's questions as best he can and unable to keep his story straight, she pulls him aside. Her grip is surprisingly tight and from what he has heard about her, he finds is the completely opposite.

"Do not hurt my brother." Her voice is low. "Seeing him sad is the last thing I want as his big sister."

"Yeah, yeah. Toris already went through the whole threatening me thing. Don't worry, I won't." Just yet. He draws in a breath. "However, could you tell me more about Ivan's childhood?"

Yekaterina releases him and he stumbles back a bit. "No. You can ask him yourself."

A long, tense moment and Alfred shakes his head. "You guys are full of secrets."

"Do you like sweets?"

"Eh?"

"I do not wish to cause a tense air, it will bother little brother," she explains. "And he quite likes you, so I will try to like you as well."

"In that case, yes, I do like sweets." She smiles, and it's a warm, genuine smile, unlike Ivan's. She tells him to wait for a moment, disappearing into the kitchens, and returns moments later with a handful of hard candy and sets them into his outstretched hands.

"Be sure to share with Ivan."

"I dunno. I hate sharing my food."

She only pats him on the head and he thanks her, hurrying to catch up with Ivan. He throws one into his mouth, the flavor reminds him of blueberries and that satisfies him. When he finds Ivan, it's in his room, with the cat that he's feeding milk to.

"Your sister gave me these," Alfred says, handing him half of the candy. "They're good."

"I'm glad you liked them!" Ivan exclaims. "I helped make them."

"You cook?"

Ivan nods. "Toris and sister got me into it. I'm told that a king should know how to take care of himself, and that includes cooking. So I'll understand the labors of my people."

That isn't a very laborious job unless you're cooking for a party, Alfred thinks but decides not to say anything. They talk, but it isn't about much. Ivan presses for information about Alfred, about his family (if he has any), what he likes to do and Alfred tries to keep his answers short and concise, tries to make it lack in interest.

"I do have a sister," Alfred says. "We're twins."

"Do you get along with her?"

He nods. "We have our fights, but in the end, we only have each other. Is it the same with you and your sisters?"

"I never get to see them," Ivan says, quietly. "They're always gone. Big sister has orphanages to run, and with the war going on right now, they've gotten packed. She's really nice, though a bit too emotional at times." He pets the cat, thoughtfully. The purr is loud. "My little sister is a bit weird, but she can be nice at times. Toris likes hers. Does your sister like anyone, Alfred?"

"Uh, she did have someone."

"What happened?"

Alfred curls his hands into fists and he shifts, "Just stuff."

"Do you like anyone?"

"I did."

"And I'm guessing something happened to her?"

"Y-yeah," Alfred had always hated the feel of a knife or dagger or sword stabbing through a person, the way it breaks against the bones, the way the pain isn't instant if something goes wrong, the way their eyes tear up. The way blood seeps out and the look of betrayal, pain and a wish to fight for their given right to live. The ghost constricts around his throat again. "Uh, do you like anyone?"

"Well, I like Toris. I also like you, and Feliks, and Eduard and Anya. I like my sisters."

"Romantically, I mean."

Ivan thinks for a moment, and shakes his head. "Nope!"

–

Alfred feels like a kid again, as him and Ivan slip out of the bedroom that night, the cat at their heels. It's as if he's back at Arthur's large estate, with Amelia, and sneaking through the halls and down to the kitchens to sneak food or to go outside to play some more.

When they reach the kitchens, it's empty and dark, ominous feeling. Empty milk bottles line the back door, a sign for the boy who delivers fresh milk to them. Ivan grabs the bowl of hard candy, and a bottle of alcohol. He giggles a little.

"This is fun!"

Just like a child.

Alfred's mouth feels dry.