Franz's Promise

"Sis- Your highness." Franz greeted from the door before walking into the drawing room. He took his usual seat opposite her. The tea table was already prepared as everyone knew just how unrelenting the young second prince was. Coming and going as he pleased.

"Hello." Lily passed a light greeting and his eyes lightened up.

"Yes, hello." He shyly replied, lowering his eyes like he always did.

"Lucas." Unbothered by his familiar actions, Lily glanced at Lucas and gestured at the seat beside her.

"...?" Lucas who stood by her side had a look of suprise on his face. She had gifted him desserts more times than once but never had she gone through the trouble of having him sit with her.

Lily tilted at the child who was looking at her in confusion, "Sit." She ordered once more, glaring straight into his eyes.

Unable to refuse her order, he sat on the chair and turned his eyes to the third party who was glaring at him intensely, his eyes devoid of any positive emotions.

"Sister."

"Your highness." Lily corrected as soon as Franz spoke.

He took a deep breath and raised his head up fully, "I do not think a servant should sit with his masters."

"Master." Lily said.

"Pardon?"

"I said master, he has just one master." She explained, her gaze focused on him. Weren't illegitimate children supposed to understand servants better? Or did having a right to the throne flare his mind?

"And as his master, I decide what to do with him. If you do not accept it then leaving would not be a too terrible option."

* ~ *

Franz walked through the hallway of his first sister's palace. Peeking through a small crack on the door, he could see her already sitted, she had a cookie in her mouth as she lazily stirred her cup of tea. Just like always, two cups were already set.

He had once thought that she would be a difficult person to get along with, however, after a few rebellious moments and meek acts, she finally gave in, though, she still hated being called intimately by him.

"Sis-" He called subconsciously but stopped midway, changing his words, "Your highness."

"Hello." She replied, barely looking his way, however, it was one of the few times where she answered him.

Contrary to most days, she shifted her attention to her servant.

Franz remembered him, he started showing his face around her three months ago. His face was a true work of art, hence, he had thought that it was something that noble young ladies did these days - keeping young good-looking lads around. However, his red eyes were ominous, it wasn't what young noble ladies would want around them, hence, Franz became suspicious of their relationship. Though, he kept mum so as to not get on her nerve.

"Sit." A single word from her jolted him out of his reverie. He glanced up at them and the scene in front of him made him gulp in stupefaction.

The red-eyed servant sat and stared away from her, gazing up at Franz.

"Sister."

"Your highness." She corrected him. That well-known distance and the line that she wasted no time to draw. He clenched via fist and gritted his teeth, "I do not think a servant should sit with his masters."

"Master." She traced the rim of the teacup with her fingers.

"Pardon?" Franz squinted.

"I said master. He has just one master and as his master, I decide what to do with him. If you do not accept it then leaving would not be a too terrible option." Her eyes were cold as she gazed at him.

"I..." His response was slow, hence Lily had already shifted her attention from him.

* ~ *

Lily grabbed her teacup and scowled at its content. She knew she gave the order but seeing that liquid in her cup made her sigh. However, she still picked the cup of hot milk and sipped from it.

Lily had decided to stop taking tea until her debutante, partly for herself and also to ward off some evil spirits who came under the guise of tea. No matter how much she liked tea, she had to sacrifice, her teeth were already darkening after all.

She then shoved another cookie into her mouth, gulping it down with hot milk.

Placing her hand on her chin, she caught sight of Lucas from the corner of her eyes. He had already finished the milk in his cup and was already re-filling his cup.

The corner of her lips stretched up at how he shoved cookies into his mouth, not even bothered by the people before him.

"Your highness." Franz called, earning Lily's attention.

"Hmm?" She answered lightly, still impressed at how cutely Lucas ate.

"I brought you a gift." He pushed a small rectangular box towards her.

Lily hesitantly reached towards it and opened it: a black hairpin sat inside the box. The black flower was made with silk and the light transparent gem in the middle reflected the rays of sunlight, painting rainbow colours on the wall.

"Oh, wow." She exclaimed with the least bit interest. The hair clip was oddly familiar, no - it was a little bit too familiar.

Camille wore this hair clip all throughout her younger years.

Lily scoffed and pushed the clip back to him. She had no idea what he was up to and she had no will to know.

"I have too much hairpins already." She smiled lightly.

"Then, w-what do you want?" He stuttered.

"Isn't it obvious? Of course, I want the throne." She tapped her fingers on the table.

"The throne?" He squinted, raising his head up.

"Uh-huh. But you won't give that up, will you?" Lily smirked.

"I will."

"Can you?" She asked, pushing him further.

"I can!" He said with as much strength as he could muster.

"Oh, I see." Lily looked away with uninterest.

"I swear to make you queen."

"Hmm?" Lily glared at the little child, whose greed knew no bounds. There's no way he would let someone else sit on the throne, especially the second queen, she'll rather kill him and adopt another child.

"I will hold you for your word, brother."