The Queens Deceit Ikemen Prince Fanfiction

❥︎ The Queen’s Deceit • Ikemen Prince fanfiction

DISCLAIMER;

1. I don't own any of the ikepri characters and surroundings here, just my OC whom I created just for this purpose!

2. This is my first writing here and on top of that my first English writing! It's not my first language so there could be typos, and grammatical errors (as I'm still kind of learning the language) — in case this happens please tell me, I'm quick to fix them and make better quality!

3. Last, but not least is the story itself and some characters' personalities. Since the plot doesn't follow after our MC in the game, things can be different! Also, some elements were completely invented by me, so please keep an eye out for that too! (Plus, there could be spoilers for some routes.)

• Chapter II. 

I admit, Rhodolite is pretty even in the evening when you can't see as much... But still, the scenery is better than in Obsidian at any time of the year.

Flowers - especially roses - actually bloom here! And looks like not just the royal palace, but the commoners have their own gardens too, which is again good to see. I swear, in itself, just this information lifted my mood unexpectedly. 

I wonder how far am I from the castle, or the center of the kingdom? I haven't been walking for such a long time, since the country's Western borders. And I'm sure that although it's a small nation, I won't reach the headquarters in a couple of hours, especially not on foot. 

Maybe I could sleep on the street for the time being until morning? The weather is pleasant enough, so I wouldn't have any problem freezing to death, which is a nice change. Also, the streets look friendly - the petite flowerpots on the sidewalks, illuminated buildings, houses, and some shops. I have to say Rhodolite looks much safer than Obsidian ever did. 

I was silently strolling down the streets, appreciating the undisturbed landscape and the soilless details it had to offer. I was treading on the brighter side of the road when suddenly, in front of me, a pub's door nearly slammed in my face as I was close to leaving it. 

What the heck- ?

"Ya wanna know somethin' huh? I'd love to punch you in the face right now 'cause ya askin' for it!" Okay, I might have overestimated the safety a bit.

"Let's sort this out, then!" Oh no, are they planning to have a pub wrestling? I guess I'm not going to get through them anytime soon... 

As I tried to go to the opposite side of the street to be safe from the fistfight, my attempt proved unsuccessful because they almost instantly noticed me.

"Hey, that chick is trying to get away!" Said the taller one. 

Damn, I don't want them to get to me! I don't want to be involved, especially as I'm not from here! Who knows what they would do to me...

"Get ya ass back here, woman!" Catch me if you can, Ratte! 

With that, I started running on the sidewalk, not knowing where just away from those two drunkards. 

Gosh, that's my luck, and not even a day has passed! 

I was much faster than them, but I was foreign to the area, so I had to keep my eyes open for shortcuts or hide-outs, specifically in the darkness of the night. 

In the end, after a couple of minutes, I found a lonely passage that I could hide in until I catch my breath and pull myself together. And maybe even make a useable plan.

...I'm starting to see a pattern here, I feel like these nerve-racking situations adore me. As if they'd get excited anytime they leave me in one and just be amused at my reactions and solutions. Not that I reciprocate it that much, though.

"Excuse me, Miss?" I suddenly heard a low, almost whispering voice behind me, and just seconds later, I felt a big male hand placing itself on my left shoulder. 

Okay, this guy is not with the drunkards for sure, but never mind, he seems much more dangerous than them, judging by his voice only! 

"...Yes?" I answered him in an unsure tone, a bit speechless, to see if he would do anything. 

"Were you running here, don't have a home or place to sleep?" He saw it, heard it? Damn, I hope I didn't wake up the whole neighborhood but rather the drunkards. 

"Well, you see..." I started, now in a firmer tone, still my back was facing the mysterious male, and his warm palm was still on my shoulder. I have no idea what I'm going to make out of this. "I technically have a home, but it's on the other side of the kingdom, and it is distant from here. I was supposed to be done with my business here much earlier and expected to arrive home before midnight, but things got carried away, and now I'm stuck here." I shrugged my shoulders to seem a bit uninterested but also to try, and shake off his hand from there. 

"I see, young lady. Then in this case, may I offer you someplace to stay?" He finally took his hand off my shoulder, and I turned to face him to examine his face before I declared something that I would regret later.

I woke up feeling like I'm in Heaven between the soft mattress and pillows. I slowly stretched my limbs and rolled over to the edge of the king-sized bed. I looked down, searching for my clock on the nightstand to see what time it was. But it was empty, and suddenly the reality hit me, and I was wide awake; I'm here, in the Rhodolitian castle, after that stranger found me in that alley, running from the drunkards. 

But wait, how did this happen? It was early, so I had a hard time remembering it, but I ended up putting the pieces together.

It turned out that the man who'd found me was the Palace Minister. It was odd because at first, I thought he was a priest or something, based on the clothes he wore. Sariel... that was his name, right?

After that, he called a carriage for us out of the blue, and we began traveling to the castle. There was stillness, we didn't speak to each other - as I was suspicious of him, and he was calmly reading some documents. Eventually, I fell asleep in the carriage, and he woke me up when we arrived at the palace. I remember he assigned me some sort of room, told me to take a shower, and gave me a nightgown. And here I am. I know I was thriving to investigate and sneak into the castle someday, but I would've never imagined that I pull this off on the first day! Yet, I'm fortunate, it seems!

After I had clarified my circumstances, I figured I should go to the bathroom and start the day. But before I could do anything, my door opened, and a young maid stepped in with a pile of clothes. 

"Good morning, Lady Artina!" She said enthusiastically. 

Wait, Lady-? Oh, yeah, right, okay. I have to get used to my name like that. 

"Master Sariel asked me to deliver these everyday garments to your room, seeing you had no change of clothes with you last night." 

"I see, thank you." I accepted the textiles, but she looked like she has more things to say. 

"Also, he requested you to see him in his office after you're ready. It's downstairs; you have to go down the stairs, turn right twice, cross the hallway, turn left, and you're there." She smiled, then bowed and left. 

I immediately forgot the directions she gave me for the minister's office. This will be embarrassing... hope I don't run into anyone important ahead of time. 

After I'd made myself presentable in the bathroom, I opened my room's door to begin the journey towards the minister's office, but I immediately came to a halt. The maid said I should go downstairs, but which way? This is a long aisle packed with different doors and mine was in the middle. To which staircase am I supposed to go now? I will probably make this a hundred times more problematic than it needs to be.

Nonetheless, trying to look composed, I carefully tried to investigate both ends of the corridor to see which is better - and desperately wished that I won't run into anyone who would think of me as a fool. 

Well, the left side looks brighter than the right, so I think I will go that way- 

"...And who might this be, hmm?" All of a sudden I heard a sultry male voice behind me. 

Scheisse. 

I quickly turned around, still trying to look calm and collected, but I was honestly not ready for what - or whom I was about to see. 

Wait a second, I know these two! 

"Are you a new maid, perhaps?" Asked now the lean, purple-haired one. 

Okay, he and his subordinate - the crimson-eyed and silver-haired guy - are oddly familiar since I know I've heard about them... Only suddenly I can't seem to recall their names. 

They give weird appellations in Rhodolite anyway, and I've always had trouble memorizing them while studying about their culture. 

Ach, nee... this is so frustrating, it's on the tip of my tongue! 

"Cat got your tongue, young lady? Or should I call Evie?" The shorter one smiled widely.

His eyes - he looks just like a sly fox, might be that prince who has it as his crest? On the other hand, about his brother, I don't see any resemblance to any animals. But his eyes reflect mischief, and something dangerous, could his crest be a schlange, perhaps? I know somebody has a crest like that too, which is way too specific and suspicious at once.

"No, I got my tongue, and there's no cat." I answered, stone-faced. The best thing with people like them is to prove that you're opaque to their teasing and little games, right? They all might do it for personal reasons, but I never liked human puzzles, and this hasn't changed. 

"Oh, a fierce and ruthless one, I see. Quick to turn down the fun." He laughed with a mischievous glint in his eye, maybe even more intense now. "And I was just getting started." He finished with a smirk. 

Oh, the urge to roll my eyes? Unbearable. 

But I should really start going to that office, they are holding me up, and I will get in trouble. If only I'd know their names, then I could dig up some concrete information in my head about them- 

"Prince Nokto, Prince Clavis!" Then I heard another voice behind me, approaching our trio, but this time it was familiar. 

Oh well, I guess the minister had found me instead of me, finding him. 

He seemed like he wanted to say something more but left it at that. At least their names clicked, and my brain was at peace. 

The minister obviously saw me too, and I guess he figured out why it took so long for me to arrive at his office. Definitely not because I forgot the directions the maid gave me, never. 

The two princes focused their attention on the older man after he reached us, but I was sure I wasn't off their hook. 

"I requested all of you to my office, and your brothers are already there. Please, make yourselves present too." He said strictly. At the end of his sentence, he adjusted his glasses, and they glinted dangerously in the morning light. 

"Does it have to do anything with this lady right here?" Clavis gestured towards me with a small smile. 

"Yes, certainly, but other important matters as well. The next time I return to my office, I'd like to see you there." He put a warning hand on the small of my back as if to signal me not to move and protect me from their further teasing. I assume he knows them well by now and figured out what did we converse about these past minutes. 

At the same time, his hand felt tense against my body. I guess the princes are really testing his patience, by not satisfying his request.

The royals didn't pry any longer, and they started going in that direction I was planning to go as well. My shoulders and expression visibly relaxed, since their presence when they addressed me at first genuinely caught me off-guard. Good thing I wasn't on a battlefield, it's not advantageous to be caught off-guard there.

"...I'll play with you later, then. No-fun lady." When he walked past me, Nokto managed to cause another surprise in me, at last.

He quietly told me his words, topping it off with a newly given nickname in an alluring whisper. And in addition picked up a lock of my ebony black hair, admiring it. 

He's unbelievable. 

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(Tomorrow I'm going on a 5 day holiday, but I will try to write one more chapter today, to be able to post while I'm away! Today's chapter was a bit boring, I know, but I have to settle certain things about the flow of the story, so there will be dull parts in the future too, sorry!)

Part 3 is here!

Rambling AGAIN

Currently OBSESSED with the idea of Cybird MCs who just… aren’t the MCs.

Like, one of the main staples of the game is that MC/you are dragged into a totally different world, whether literally like IkeSen, IkeRev or IkeVamp or figuratively like in MidCin or IkePri and like, that’s done for a reason but it does mean that you either have a specific role to play (MidCin’s princess select, Alice, Belle) or they’re all there for a reason and you’re a hanger-on (IkeSen, IkeVamp) and I wanna read about MCs who are already part of that world.

Like an IkeRev fic where the MC is a member of the Chosen 13, or an IkeVamp fic where MC was brought back by Vlad instead of le Comte for whatever nefarious reason, or she’s a pureblood vampire who knew Vlad and Comte ‘before’.

Does anyone have any fics like that?

Question to people whos first language isn't English, do you guys pronounce your t's? Because my friends pointed out that I always do and they assumed it was because English wasn't my first spoken language so I'm curious I guess 🤔

...Woah, okay, so my edits compared to these are child's play and a speck of dust with an ant inside it lmao.

They ACTUALLY look like themselves haha, whereas my edits are like; "Yeah, you can catch some resemblance, it's there faintly, but only because I wrote down who's who. Plus maybe the eye color, but that's it."

Now I feel like I did a really poor job, even though considering how much I struggled, still? Man, I suck at these resemblance things turns out XD.

On the other hand... At the same time I want to think of my edits are a bit more realistic versions of the princes..? If that's possible?? Like, impossible-but-still-possible that you would see them on the streets one day. As in normal human form. (This doesn't make sense anymore.)

Uhh anyway— THESE ARE AMAZING AND I'M JEALOUS BUT STARSTRUCK AT THE SAME TIME, GOOD JOB @hakuoyuki YOU'RE AMAZING TOO!

(Don't mind me please, I should be sleeping by now oof.)

After seeing @cauldroncatx attempt to create a realistic version of Ikemen Vampire suitors using ArtBreeder... my friend ask me to give it a try with Ikemen Prince suitors too!

So here it is!

Realistic Ikemen Prince Suitors

1st Prince - Jin Grandet

2nd Prince - Chevalier Michel

3rd Prince - Clavis Lelouch

4th Prince - Leon Dompteur

5th Prince - Yves Kloss

6th Prince - Licht Klein

7th Prince - Nokto Klein

8th Prince - Luke Randolph

Devil Bureaucrat - Sariel Noir

Loyal Dog Butler - Rio Ortiz

I did my best to try and get it down to the point as possible. Unfortunately, there was quite a huge limitation in terms of hairstyles when it comes to bangs so I couldn't recreate Yves', Licht's, and Nokto's hairstyle as accurately as I hope to... but at least I hopefully managed to nail down their vibe!

For Jin, Clavis, Licht, Nokto, Luke, Sariel, and Rio, I manually edit their eye colors (and beauty marks if any) to match their actual features using ibisPaint X

¿Por qué, hombre?

(This is pure nightmare fuel.)

10 different gifberts

(@vio-simps-for-purple-characters)

❥︎ The Queen’s Deceit • Ikemen Prince fanfiction

DISCLAIMER;

1. I don't own any of the ikepri characters and surroundings here, just my OC whom I created just for this purpose!

2. This is my first writing here and on top of that my first English writing! It's not my first language so there could be typos, and grammatical errors (as I'm still kind of learning the language) — in case this happens please tell me, I'm quick to fix them and make better quality!

3. Last, but not least is the story itself and some characters' personalities. Since the plot doesn't follow after our MC in the game, things can be different! Also, some elements were completely invented by me, so please keep an eye out for that too! (Plus, there could be spoilers for some routes.)

• Chapter IV.

"-So you are the attendant Sariel told me about! And he assigned me to help you, at least in the first couple of days. Welcome, Artina!" When I finally reached the other side of the palace, I quickly found the butler to whom it was recommended to enlighten me about more things regarding my newly-found job here in Rhodolite. 

It turned out that he's actually the new Belle's personal butler and hasn't been long in the palace either. But then again, he seems good at his job, seeing that the strict minister trusted him with this task.

"That must be such a challenging job, with all eight of them! Although I'm here only for a month, you can ask me too if you need any help. I'll gladly lend a hand, be it anything!" The new Belle - or Emma, as she introduced herself to me - gave me a supportive and enthusiastic smile while offering her assistance as well. 

She really does have a pure heart. I would probably never do anything favorable for another person if I'm not getting something back... Oh well, cultural differences, I guess. 

"Thank you, too. It means a lot. Only with you guys' encouragement, I'm much more confident about this job early on. Although it depends on the princes too." At my last remark, I laughed, and they chuckled too. 

"That's for sure. I've been here for almost a week now, but there are still princes I can't seem to figure out, or I only see them quite rarely throughout the day. Maybe I should accompany you at least, and I would get to see and understand all of them better." Emma added, clearly determined. 

She takes her responsibilities seriously, I see. The people can trust her then that she will choose the most fitting out of the princes, to be the king in the future. Good for them... if only it worked out like that in Obsidian too. Everything would be different. 

"Since you have a lot to catch up on about your work, why don't we go somewhere more pleasant to discuss?" Rio - the butler - suggested with a small smile and gestured to one of the staircases, cornering the corridor we were standing by. 

"Let's go to the garden! I'm sure you will like the flowers there! They bloom all year, and you can't get enough of their beauty!" Emma's eyes sparkled, and with that, they began to show me the way to the even more spacious castle gardens than ours back in Obsidian. 

Basically, after that rushed morning meeting with the minister and the princes, my day passed peacefully, and I spent it with Belle and her butler. They kept me company and didn't abandon me, and for that, I was somewhat grateful since I still needed to learn my way around the palace. 

Also, they warned me multiple times that my job won't be easy... Not that I expected it to be. 

But starting from tomorrow, serving breakfast to the royals, I'm really doing this. It's been only two days since I fled from Obsidian's walls, and I can't help but wonder what is going on at home. I wouldn't call it homesickness - for now - since it's even quite pleasant being a long distance away from the castle and even the country's borders. 

I just have this silly idea; what if, after some time, here I will forget the darker, chaotic reality of my situation and position in this world... and our empire? 

...Well, this is indeed odd. Are the others still sleeping, or are they not hungry? 

"Watch your step! You almost knocked the plate out of my hand just now!" Another attendant's voice woke me up from my daydream, while we were serving breakfast to the royals. 

Or, just only one of them, at the moment. 

Prince Yves was the only one who came down to the exquisite and commodious dining room early in the morning to eat. 

I had no clue about the others as I was genuinely surprised by their lack of presence, but the other servants didn't seem to care since they were constantly bringing tons of food to the table, restless. 

Will the others eat it later, for lunch? Do they like late breakfast, or what? 

Where I come from, food is a luxury, and even we in the castle can't and shouldn't afford such measures for a simple meal throughout the day. 

Do they not appreciate the people - including us - working for their sake? 

The more I thought about it, the more my blood was boiling, but I knew better than to cause a scene and raise suspicion. 

...You're not in Obsidian, Artina. Get used to it, and swallow it for now. 

"Prince Yves, may I ask where are your brothers and why don't they intend to come for breakfast?" On the other hand, I needed to hear some kind of answer to - one of - my burning questions. Surely he knows something since he's been living with them for years. 

Meanwhile, I put his plate in front of him, waiting for an answer before heading back. 

"Some of them eat breakfast later or oversleep and eat at lunchtime. But it does not concern me... and I told you to call me Your Highness." He said, mumbling the last part without looking at me. Then elegantly picked up the cutlery and started to eat. 

Is it because of their duties? But Yves is here, though... Or maybe it just depends on the day?

I really shouldn't think about this too much. I'm just causing a useless headache for myself and my thoughts. 

"-Why are you still standing here?" Now he looked into my eyes, seeming annoyed just by my mere presence. 

"Well, I was also going to ask if you need help with anything? Any casual matters or duties?" I said quickly, so I don't embarrass myself, clearly zoning out again. 

"...I suppose you are not as useless." He huffed, then tossed me a small piece of paper with delicate, legible handwriting.

I scanned it with my eyes for a brief moment and realized these are numerous ingredients for foods. Again, nutrition. Just when I want to erase it from my thoughts.

"Go to town and get me all of these by the afternoon. It shouldn't be too hard, so you better not mess it up." He addressed me sharply, and I only nodded, then left him alone. 

That's right, this shouldn't be too challenging; I only have to do some shopping. 

"I'm beyond flattered that you decided to join us in such early hours in the morning, Lady Artina." Clavis smiled, sitting across from me in the carriage. 

I literally didn't have a choice since you guys half-dragged me up here, but yes, I'm beyond flattered too. 

"And this maid outfit suits you and your body quite nicely- if I might add." I looked to Nokto beside the purple-haired one, rewarding me yet again with a sly smile and a flirty tone. 

...Don't even get me started on this dress; it's not even functional enough. It's only for pleasing the eyes, but wearing it gets quite the hustle. 

"Although I prefer women showing their legs more, I think this dress still covers too much." Come on, Clavis, don't play along..!

"The more skin exposed, the better for me. I think the neckline could show a little bit more." Nokto added again. 

"I don't think you should tease Artina on this." Said Luke from beside me, in a defensive tone. "Don't worry, they are not serious though." He turned to me with sincerity and kindness in his eyes and smiled. 

"-But I might add too that I like ruffles, so more of them would be kind of nice, I guess." He confessed, at last. 

"Oh, so you like the cute types then, Luke?" Nokto pushed on the topic even more. 

Never mind about defending. Also, why is Prince Chevalier's faction telling me about their ideal types of maid outfits? And where's Chevalier himself anyway? I'd like to imagine that at least he would make them quiet. 

"Might as well, don't you guys want to tell me Prince Chevalier's preference? Seeing that all of you are eager to share your own, schamlos." I blurted out, not watching the way I phrased the sentence. 

"Huh? What was that last word you said?" Luke asked, confused. 

...I know that my rule in life is that 'If nobody's going to do it, then I will.' but I didn't quite mean it to blow my cover when I thought about it at first! 

At least I'll save other people the time and energy of investigating me, as it's been proven that I'm not good at hiding my identity!

Never mind; now that my speech backfired, I might as well save myself too.

"Shameless, if you want it spelled out. I just got tongue-tied for a second because of your teasing." Yeah, it sounds like a valid excuse, way to go.

"You get tongue-tied interestingly." Clavis chuckled. 

I looked elsewhere, sighing, and finally felt the carriage take off. 

At least, that saves me from witnessing or creating more embarrassing and suspicious moments for myself, and from now on, I will be just concentrating on the scenery that is rushing past us at a fast pace. 

That way, maybe I will forget this weird exchange as soon as possible.

"By the way, we are going to the center of the town, right?" I asked hesitatingly after a couple of minutes.

"Yes, we have some business there." Nokto answered curtly, now his attention occupied by some papers lying in his hands.

I faintly nodded - not that he would see it since he was focusing on something entirely different. 

...At least I'm going where I'm supposed to. 

The sun was shining high and bright on me that forenoon, and I was having a good time shopping and navigating through the town center. 

I'm on my own in a foreign country, which is, moreover, enemy territory for me. I should be wary and uneasy, but I'm not. 

As the mighty lightning orb in the sky was hinting at everything in a pure golden glow, it hinted away my worries too for a couple of hours. 

For the first time it didn't feel like I was that much different from the ordinary townspeople. Everyone - including me too - was just enjoying the sun and good weather, it was that simple. I felt the same familiar feeling that they could be feeling as well. Ordinary... feelings that they must have felt. Yeah, it's been so long since I've felt ordinary, - or normal at all. Never before.

But as my small journey slowly came to a close, the heavy bags in my hands weren't the real things that weighed me down at that moment. Rather, they were my thoughts and my mind. 

I kept comforting myself while I traveled back to the palace, now in silence since the three princes had an entirely different business from mine in the center. But I didn't miss them; I was grateful for the peaceful silence until I was back in the lions' den. 

After I arrived safely at the palace, I immediately headed for the master kitchen to set the numerous ingredients there. 

I was sure that Prince Yves wouldn't like me to deliver the shopping bags to his room, although the face he would make might be funny and worth it. 

But I knew better than that and still chose the kitchen to safely pack away the flour, eggs, and baking oils. 

I wonder why he needed so many of these? Did he request it for the servants in secret? Because right now, I can't imagine what he, alone, would do with loads of baking supplies.

The following morning I was weirdly relieved to see more than just one royal sitting at the dining table, eating breakfast. 

Other than Prince Yves, Prince Leon and Prince Jin was also seated close to the younger, pompous prince. 

Prince Leon already had a plate in front of him, so I went to Prince Jin, hoping to serve him some real food... Seeing that he was fiddling with a lollipop's wrapping. 

"Good morning, Prince-" I quickly realized my mistake before cutting my sentence short. But I already captured his attention, and he was looking at me and listening, now with a small but pleased smile. "Sorry, I meant to say Jin. Can I serve you some breakfast?" I automatically looked down at his lollipop, which he was still fiddling with. I hope he notices my intentions.

"Morning, Artina! Yesterday I didn't even see you in your adorable maid dress! I must say it fits you well." He complimented me with a broad smile, and before speaking again, he popped the - now wrapping-free - lollipop in his mouth. "About breakfast, don't strain yourself. I rarely eat breakfast in the mornings. But I enjoy seeing my brothers get their bellies full. Why don't you too, join us instead? It's the best when everyone eats together in a lively space, don't you think?" I suddenly found myself considering his offer with a good feeling accompanying it in my stomach. Fair enough, I was indeed hungry. 

"Very well then. If that's your wish." I gave in and sat down, opposite Prince Jin and pulled a plate of food in front of me.

"Lady Artina, good morning! It's good to see you're eating with us too." Prince Leon greeted me, a couple of seats away.

Yves at the other side of the table, opposite Prince Leon, just silently grumbled something, but I took it as a greeting too. 

"Much better. See? That's what gets the people bonding." Jin laughed, still completely satisfied with his lollipop.

...He wants me to bond already?

I let him be, didn't wanted to force anything, and started to eat quietly. 

"Oh, also, I almost forgot to thank you for yesterday's feast!" Prince Leon rose from his seat a couple of minutes later, indicating that he had finished his meal. 

"Excuse me? I didn't put together any kind of feast. I just went shopping in the morning-" I was slightly confused about what he was trying to imply. 

"Well, without your shopping, Yves here probably couldn't have made his delicious desserts for us in the faction room by the evening! We were celebrating some recent accomplishments, and he was so generous that he baked for us again!" Jin exclaimed proudly, patting his brother's shoulder by stretching out over the several empty chairs separating them. 

Wait... So Prince Yves bakes? Furthermore, he bakes desserts? I admit I didn't expect that, but that's such an adorable gesture! 

"Well, I'm glad to be of help, always!" I smiled genuinely at the end.

Why do I feel giddy all of a sudden? This is just a conversation at breakfast.

"-You don't have to tell it to every single breathing creature in this castle, you know. It was just a small gesture, nothing more." Yves looked up, scolding his older brother hastily, but I saw that his ears turned a bright shade of red because of our exchange.

"Don't be shy, we enjoyed it very much. And we're always looking forward to your dainties!" Leon added, smiling at the younger one, and went to pat his head too. 

I just quietly enjoyed the brothers' interaction from my seat while munching on my breakfast. 

It was nice seeing them being friendly with each other, it lifted my mood too. It also made me suddenly remember my own family, especially my brother. 

It's not like we used to be like this... we were never that friendly around each other, it was more like respect and a strong sense of trust, but nonetheless, these were the kind of moments I appreciated with Gilbert while we were younger. 

Good memories, I suppose.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

(I feel like this is the third boring chapter in a row now. Please tell me I’m the only one who feels this way...!)