-----
Elizabeth Prince deftly brushed her silver white hair as she analysed her work through her mirror. The brush moved effortlessly in her waist-length silvery white hair, letting it splay across her back in smooth layers. She had a simple white gown on, its colour matching her hair perfectly.
When she felt she was done, she set the brush down on her makeup table before she stared into the mirror. The girl staring back at her regarded the reflection's owner through a pair of golden eyes that were rimmed with a faint crimson at the edges.
A maid walked up to her, standing diligently behind Elizabeth.
"My young lady's beauty is unrivaled across the entire region, "the maid told her,"you truly are the Silver Mane of the Price line."
"You're exaggerating again, Ophelia."
"Not at all."
Ophelia smiled innocently.
"Though seeing you flustered is certainly a rare treat."
Elizabeth just rolled her eyes as she stood up, stretching a bit as she stared out through her window.
Her gaze drifted over the sprawling Prince estate.
Marble courtyards.
Endless gardens.
Towering training halls.
Somewhere beyond them, hidden behind the eastern wing of the manor, lay the training grounds.
Arthur was probably there already.
He always was.
Thinking of her distant cousin, Elizabeth suddenly got an idea.
"Hey, Ophelia, am I free today?"
"Yes, young lady. You have no training slotted in for the day, and your duties at the academy have been put on hold for the time being."
Ophelia paused for a moment.
"Why ask?"
To that question, Elizabeth simply smiled.
"Cool. I'm going to meet Arthur today! I've got a good reason to now, since I'm free."
At those words, Ophelia practically paled to a near perfect white. She should have known he was the reason she'd ask a question like that. Usually, when her young lady went to visit Arthur, it almost always ended in disaster. That disaster usually meant someone from the direct line being beaten half to death...
"A-Are you sure you wish to visit Arthur, young lady?" Ophelia asked her, "I mean, something could always pop up-"
"If something does pop up, I'll handle it then," Elizabeth's mind was fully made up. "Besides, I miss Arthur. Haven't seen him for so long, y'know?"
Elizabeth's maid just sighed. There was nothing she could do to dissuade her young lady from doing what she planned. The best she could hope for was that there were no members of the direct line when Elizabeth finally got to Arthur.
-----
Arthur was doing some basic workout in the training field. This time, he had a pair of white sweatpants on and a black tank top that clung to his athletic frame. After he finished those, he'd move on to his own combat practice. Not like it'd help with anything, the combat style of the Prince bloodline could only be used by direct line members who possessed Erd-cells, but he preferred to at least know how to fight, in case he ran into someone who could use Erd-cells but was a complete dumbass.
Vesper stood silently at his side, watching him do his thing. She'd assigned herself as Arthur's personal maid, and since none of the other maids wanted to be tied to the 'defect', nobody opposed her choice.
"Some refreshments, young master?"
She was carrying a tray with a single glass of what Arthur hoped was lemonade instead of some poisoned drink. His family had a tendency of trying to send him to the afterlife earlier than he wanted.
"Thanks,"
He accepted the glass before eyeing it suspiciously
"This isn't poisoned, is it?"
Vesper froze.
"W-What?! Of course not!"
As if to prove her point, Vesper shook her head furiously for a few seconds.
Arthur just shrugged and took the drink. It was nice.
"Relax, I was joking."
Then, as he finished, he suddenly had the feeling that someone was closeby. Someone other than Vesper. It was an odd feeling to have, considering the Prince estate had roughly four hundred staff alone.
'Why the hell would someone else come here this early? It's six in the morning...'
Well, realistically, the only person who'd do that was Elizabeth, but she was probably busy. No way she'd go for him that early...right?
CRASH!
A door somewhere behind him slammed open with enough force to rattle the windows.
"ARTHUUUUR!"
Arthur closed his eyes.
"..."
"...Of course."
Before he could even turn—
THUMP.
Someone landed squarely on his back.
"How've you been~" Elizabeth asked him.
"Liz, get off my back."
"You're mean! We haven't seen each other in over a year and this is how you treat me? Truly heartless."
Vesper silently started to walk back. She was new, but even she knew Elizabeth. Especially when she was with Arthur.
"C'mon! Let's go!" Elizabeth said, "We've got the whole day, and I don't wanna waste it."
Despite all Arthur's protests, he made no real attempt to get her off his back and just walked off to wherever she was leading him to. Vesper just sighed and went back to the main manor.
-----
Ashley sat silently, staring out towards the rest of the estate through her window.
After a while, her fist clenched as her eyes narrowed.
She was waiting for someone, and that 'someone' was taking more time than she had for him.
Luckily, before her patience finally ran out, Marcus stepped into her room.
"You sure took your sweet time, Marcus," Ashley smiled softly, "I hope you're aware of the fact that, unlike you, I have far more important things to do instead of just waiting for some basic news."
"Cut your crap for a while, will you?" Marcus said, "change of plans, Elizabeth's got him."
Ashley froze for a moment.
"What?"
"It's exactly as I said. He's with Elizabeth. Going after him now is suicide."
The space around Ashley simmered for a moment before it returned to normal. She took a deep breath, giving herself a moment to think about her next course of action.
She could wait. After all, whether it was at that moment or ten days after, Arthur would still die sooner or later.
"Unfortunate turn of events, but it shouldn't be too damning." She said, "keep a close eye on them. I'll create an opening if I have to. When I do, make sure your guys don't waste it. Am I clear?"
"Who are you to order me around, huh?" Marcus snapped back, "This is a partnership, not some agreement where you're the superior one here."
"Just do what's needed and get it over with. I couldn't care less what you call it."
He clicked his tongue and left, slamming the door behind him. Ashley didn't do as much as flinch.
'Not much longer. All I need is for Arthur to be out of the picture, and everything else will eventually fall into place...'