The face of deceit
is a mask of smiles.
~Unknown
***
"Let her go,"
The salvation from that voice fetched a breath of instant relief, as light coursed through the darkest depth of fear through Ravenna's veins and she gasped, dragging in air.
Lady Alethea and Princess Sophia turned at the demand, and their gaze collided with an imposing figure approaching.
It was Crown Prince Edmund Ashwraithe accompanied by a few guards. Unlike Princess Sophia, he was dark-haired, acquired sharp features, a refined jawline, and a perfect body build. There were a bit similarities in their features but they differed in that sense.
As he sauntered forward, he emanated an intimidating aura fit for a ruler, wearing his usual unsmiling face. Dressed in his finely tailored robe, its embroidery conveyed wealth and power. He was tall, although, not as tall as Lord Archibald, who rose upon his presence.
"Prince Edmund," he greeted, offering a curt nod which the man before him reciprocated.
"Lord Archibald," There was no friendliness in his tone, and the utmost seriousness mastered his uncracking expression. "I might have interrupted an eventful morning, haven't I?"
"An eventful one, indeed," Princess Sophia answered, mastering irritation on her gaze. "Which you're welcome to join if it pleases you,"
Crown Prince Edmund merely gave a reaction at her invitation, as he looked behind, catching a glimpse of the giant who paused upon his master's signal, holding the unwilling figure on his shoulder. "I'm afraid I have better things to do than to misuse the power of authority for recognition of power,"
The tone of his voice never failed to tick the edge of the strongest heart, releasing annoyance on the face of the Princess.
"Well then," she said. "As you can see, my guest and I were on the verge of an entertainment. Now, you wouldn't mind stepping away, would you?" She carried an ounce of irritation in her tone, yet her facade was calmer than the explosion within.
"Not at all," His eyes fell on Princess Sophia's for the first time, and he smiled. Cold-smiled. "My involvement in your entertainment is only temporary after I inquire reason for the sudden drama,"
Instead of Princess Sophia's response, Lady Alethea answered, her words clipped in authority. "Finding displeasure in showing servants their place and position when they happen to misplace such knowledge,"
Pursing his lips in a thin line, his eyes met hers. "If I may recall, shouldn't that be Ruben's duty?" He questioned, probing with a curious gaze. "Only if I'm unaware of the switch of positions, I suppose?" He passed a look at the lady who stood at a corner.
Madame Ruby lowered her gaze, hands folded behind, conveying an answer to the question that hung in the air like ashes to a burning home.
Only that the home was long burnt.
Lady Alethea forced an expression and said, "Sometimes, punishments aren't just scrubbing and cleaning. And servants tend to retain tardiness rather than consistency and deserve much suitable discipline,"
"Mm," He responded with a nod. "I agree. Then why not punish the offender the common way,"
"This is the common way," Princess Sophia's reaction was firm. "If you're to become King someday, such proficiency must be strictly adhered to. I trust you lead by father's example, but I suppose you're just a piece of replacement,"
"And you say that leading is punishment?" There was false intrigue in his tone, and he drew his expression in curiosity.
"By showing an example," She retorted in the same manner. "Perhaps if you renounce what doesn't belong to you, you'd be given a fair time exploring,"
"That sounds like a goal, Sophia, one I'd love to consider, however, I'm in a better mood not to," His tone sliced through the thickest barrier of gentleness, filling the space with the iciness of his tone. "Let the servant go,"
"And who are you to demand such?" Princess Sophia retorted in the same manner, challenging his cold gaze.
Lord Archibald moved uncomfortably, sharing looks between the Princess and the Crown Prince. "I-I think I should be-" she stuttered, unable to complete his sentence when a voice interrupted.
"And what is going on here?"
Oh no…
It was Prince Frederic Ashwraithe, dressed in a golden-tailored robe adorned with silver chains, the hilt of a beautifully crafted sword peeking from his black pants, and the emblem of Vladoryn draped at the left side of his coat.
One could notice the striking resemblance between him and Princess Sophia. Clean blond-haired, high cheekbone, refined jawline, and a lean physique, their features quite the exchange of one another. It was a story evolved by looks.
His polished shoe glistened against the striking sunlight as he marched forward, holding an expression of what could be considered as 'of no good', and the tension seemed to double a bit.
Servants remained fixed, his presence eliciting barely audible gossips, and the guards slightly shifted, also affected by the drama extending into a family dispute that they could only hope that this time, the Queen wouldn't emerge, creating another volcanic madness.
"Edmund here," Princess Sophia bit down the words in venom. "… demands I let go of a servant he desires," She enunciated the words in such disgust that could be considered as blasphemy.
Prince Frederic raised a brow, his eyes flicking toward his older brother, then at Ravenna, whose frame trembled upon the giant's shoulder. The sight struck a nerve he did not acknowledge.
"A servant he desires?" Frederic echoed with amusement, glancing sidelong at Prince Edmund. "That would be a curious development."
Edmund didn't move, didn't flinch, nor did he glance at Ravenna. His eyes remained locked on Sophia's, steady and unrelenting, but his unnerving smile was all it took to understand his unaffection. "Not desire, brother," he said coolly, "but rather, I demand justice. There is a difference."
Frederic chuckled under his breath. "Is there? And what wrong has been committed that deserves your attention in the matters of… servants?"
"A misappropriation of power," Edmund replied. "And a misuse of station."
Sophia scoffed. "You speak as though you are king already."
"No," Edmund said, his unharmed approval receiving looks that were too good to be approving. "But I am the Crown Prince. And while I am yet uncrowned, I am empowered to intervene when nobility forgets the difference between discipline and sadism."
"Sadism?" Alethea gasped in outrage, eyes flashing as well as the Princess's.
Prince Fredrick's jaw ticked when he said, "And what's your definition of sadism, little brother?"
Seemingly unaffected by the disdain in that title, his eyes met his once more. "I watched from the western terrace," Edmund continued, ignoring their reactions. "I witnessed Sophia order the girl to clean the dirt on Lord Archibald's shoe, however, it seems Lord Archibald couldn't keep his eyes to himself and tolerate it wandering in places which spiked Sophia's jealousy, therefore instructing her Dog to strip the servants' shame just to restore the attention she never had."
Princess Sophia's face burned red in anger and bitterness, when she opened her mouth to spit the words in venom, "How dare you?"
Meanwhile, Lord Archibald's face burned in embarrassment when the Crown Prince revealed his earlier action, stealing a glimpse at the Princess who looked as red as a tomato ready to erupt.
While he was ashamed, a part of him felt satisfied mainly by her reaction. Jealous? He recalled, a faint smile ghosting his lips. Does that imply she harbors deeper feelings for him?
With a voice low and dark, "Perhaps if you consider adding more weight, Lord Archibald wouldn't find pleasure staring in places that could one day sever his head," Just as he said, his eyes swept to the man lost in his reverie, causing the man to react with his sudden stiff spine.
Clearing his throat with a flushed face, "I deeply apologize—"
"You shouldn't," Prince Edmund objected, cutting him off. "It's not your fault my dear sister has bones," he deadpanned.
Princess Sophia opened her mouth, ready to explode again when Fredrick raised his hand, stopping her.
He blinked, his eyes narrowing when warning, "Careful, little brother,"
Prince Edmund remained unaffected, meeting his gaze. "Only when you teach your sister what's a must for her to understand then I won't have to,"
Matching his energy, "You can choose to become her governess if you wish, and I'm pretty sure Mother would see to it you get paid handsomely,"
With a scoff, "I would rather not," he said. "Irene has seen worse than prisoners locked up in the dungeon for a day and I don't wish to encounter delirium in human clothing."
Sophia fumed, advancing towards him. "You will watch how you talk-"
She was stopped when Prince Fredrick stepped in, and she gritted, glaring at the unaffected figure at his distance with a look as if to say 'you see?'.
"I also don't need to acquaint you that when servants misbehave, it's our duty to teach them a lesson so as not to reiterate the incident. From what I've seen here, this is upon the interest of your feelings, isn't it, little brother?"
Ravenna's heart thundered against her chest as, watched the dispute between relatives. There were hushed conversations between loitering servants, and most eyes lingered on her.
Perhaps because the controversy resulted from her situation or the Crown Prince's intervention allegedly linked to an unknown affection between the two.
Ravenna knew how things like this worked, and she could beat herself to it that from now on, things would get even tougher for her, exactly what she'd been preventing for a while now.
"No," Prince Edmund deadpanned.
"And what would Father say when he learns that his Bastard, whom he crowns heir, cannot handle the activity of a minor situation. Is this how you wish to handle the court in the future?"
Prince Edmund tucked his hand into his pocket, seemingly detached from the plot to rile his feelings. "When there's a misappropriation of station, I don't intend to stand and battle words. I'm merely offering pedagogy to a sister who cannot differentiate the discrepancy between retribution and madness,"
Sophia's nostrils flared. "It's called discipline, dear brother. And if she had not broken the rules, none of this would've happened."
"She missed duty," he said flatly.
"She abandoned her duty," Sophia snapped. "For a week and another two days! Tardiness is a punishable offense. Servants must know their place!"
"They must," Edmund agreed. "But perhaps it is you who should learn yours."
A sharp gasp echoed around the courtyard. Even the guards exchanged uncertain glances and the lingering maids whispered among each other, convinced the tension would result in something bad.
***