RussiaAmerica - AU - Fifteen Years - [2/??]
For purposes of storytelling I'd rather just say the main pairing. Separated into two parts again.
Pairing(s): RussiaAmerica
Rating: Let's just stick to T.
Genre: ... Really, really lame attempt at humor, general stuff.
Notes: Uh. Light violence. Ongoing. Stupidity. xD Usage of human names, since it's a weirdo fantasy!AU and all. Dragons, swords, magic all that.
Summary: Once upon a time, there was a Totally Awesome Badass Hero. Cursed by his own Dad, Absolute Ruler of the Britannia Kingdom, he goes off on an Epic Adventure with a Stupid Evil Sorcerer - the only one able to break that Freaking Curse. Fantasy!AU, RussiaAmerica.
A/N: Thanks again for the reviews! Wow, guys. xD; Anyway, um, yeah, I'm probably supposed to be studying for my exams. It's history. I can't get anything into my head, but still it's no excuse... Actually no, I've been fooling around playing casual games.
A lot. Of flash games.
Please save me. I'm obsessed with collecting achievement badges, and I really like this one badge with a green smiley cube on it and it says Закончено which supposedly means 'finished'; it's so cute, okay I admit I only got it because of the Cyrillic letters -
Right.
More character interaction! Probably one or two things will be revealed in the next chapter. You never know.
Love you guys! Read and review, please.
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Fifteen Years, by Impervious Marr
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Chapter Two - Alliance
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"... You know, it sucks not getting to touch anything," Alfred complained offhandedly.
An odd frown crossed Ivan's features for a moment, eyes darkening in thought.
"... Actually, I have been perusing through this collection of ancient elven spells concerning the mechanics of the Otherworld - there is a way to modify the spell and let you touch things without having to constantly enchant them..."
"You're kidding me."
Ivan smiled serenely. "No, little prince. Certain Masters have been given the duty to constantly perfect and better previous spells. I am one of them, and as you might probably be guessing I specialise in Dark Arts - I have been entrusted with the tomes to complete my work."
"I've never seen Dad do any of that before."
"As I say, certain Masters. Your father is an exception - for he is, after all, the sovereign of a kingdom. There are also other Masters who take up apprentices and act as teachers."
"Like Mattie?"
"Like Matthew, yes. Nevertheless, we all report to the same Grand Council."
"Man, I'm glad I didn't decide to be a warlock or anything. Too much stuff to think about. All right, back to that touching things stuff."
Ivan chuckled in amusement, but humoured the prince anyway.
"The extent of intangibility in the Phasma Phasmatis curse has constantly been an issue; I have not gotten around to it lately because of a lack of research materials," he murmured meaningfully, and he felt Alfred's breath close to his neck and he was not thinking about it, "And also because I have been too busy, always being summoned to take care of clumsy royals."
Alfred snorted. "Like I said, it's not my fault. The Princess just whipped out a marriage contract out of nowhere and told me we're gonna get hitched right then and there. How the hell am I supposed to react?"
"I'm sure without having to spit on her face, rytsar."
"I didn't mean it." But by the subtle mischievious tone in his voice, Ivan was inclined to believe otherwise. "I've only met the Princess two times before that Summer Festival. She said she was in love with me - of course, who wouldn't fall in love with a handsome, charming knight like me?" he declared proudly, puffing out his chest and Ivan thwacked him on the knee. "Hey!"
"Oh, I wonder," Ivan said sarcastically, shooting a Look when Beef - Ailel - wanted to be a smartass about it. "And keep quiet."
"Oh, right. Anyway, she was just at the wrong place at the wrong time, 's all. Even if she didn't go around with it like that, I didn't wanna get married 'cause I'm already..." Alfred trailed off, looking at Ivan for a second before shaking his head, laughing awkwardly and keeping his gaze in front. "And I told Dad that I'll be fine even without the spell but he did it anyway and now I'm stuck like this."
"Patience, prince." Ivan patted Alfred's knee, making the young man behind him jump. "I'm very sure he had his own reasons, one of them being your running off here and there."
"But I don't want to be stuck in my room all day long - it's bad enough I don't get to leave the kingdom but in one confined space? I don't think so. Anyway, it's probably better if I was all over the place since if I'm stuck in my room, they're more likely to succeed in kidnapping me since I'm always there, don'tcha think?" Alfred asked, and Ivan blinked.
Interesting point.
"Still, I'm pretty sure there were other ways than resorting to turning me into a ghost, but Dad always went all out for me." Alfred's lips quirked. "Matthew and me. It's always been like that ever since..." He frowned suddenly, and kept quiet.
Ivan did not press on for further details, because he had the feeling that Alfred would not budge.
"Anyway, enough about me. Do you think she's okay?" he asked, keeping his hold on the straps beside him, with Ivan sitting right in front as the wizard had the girl leaning against him.
Liechtenstein was exhausted, that much he could see. After taking off from their spot earlier she easily fell into a deep sleep - first they thought that it was the spell's effects catching up to her but fortunately it was because of lack of energy - especially having to fly nonstop towards the Deutsch without taking so much as a break along the way.
And Alfred didn't blame her for thinking Ivan comfortable. The man really was a mobile pillow.
"After a good rest, she will be. And another two hours we should reach the Grand Duke's castle."
"I didn't say anything."
"You were about to."
Alfred stuck out his tongue, and at the same time Ivan thwacked him on the knee again.
"And don't think I can't see what you're doing."
"Do all grown-ups have eyes at the back of their heads?" Alfred whined as best as he could without being too loud. "Or it's just you who can read people's minds?"
Ivan smiled. "I wonder."
The evening sky was turning into goldens, and browns, beautiful deep purples with a little bit of blue if he squinted carefully. Alfred could already see most of the greenery making way for more agriculture and the odd village here and there; the Blue Eagle Tower an imposing presence in the distance. Ivan explained earlier that the mountains would give way to a valley where the City of the Steinadler was located, and from here it was already obvious where the grand roads were leading to.
"What does Steinalder mean?"
"Steinadler, prince. It is the capital of griffons, City of the Golden Eagle," Ivan replied, and at this Alfred squawked.
"Griffons?"
Ivan didn't even hesitate this time in smacking him at the knee again. "The fair lady, prince, hush."
"And you really have to stop that," Alfred grumbled, rubbing his abused knee, then his head, thumping it against the nearest available surface - Ivan's back. "Are you sure the Grand Duke's castle is there -"
"Did you get into trouble with one of their kind?" Ivan cut in, though from the tone of his voice he expected as much.
"No! I mean, it wasn't really - well - um. Not really. I guess." Alfred mumbled incomprehensibly before making a frustrated noise at the back of his throat. "I might've pissed some people off. In the past. A few people. Well, really, only one guy. Or maybe he forgot, I don't really know. That's one thing, and another is because for some reason I don't really get along with stuffy pompous cat-birds, you understand."
"... I see. Well, this is your idea in the first place, so we would have to go through with it nevertheless."
"Yeah, yeah... So we're going to the city of cat-bird people? I didn't know Britannia bordered cat-bird people territory."
"Well, if you put it that way... Yes."
"That's funny. I mean, I would've known about it - but then again." Alfred coughed, fidgeting guiltily. "I kinda avoided griffons ever since... That Incident, never really wanted to know anything about them after that in case the guy started chasing me again, um."
"Do I need to know?"
"You'll find out eventually."
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Steinadler shone like a bright star against the night - the lights from the city lit up each of the buildings and Alfred had the distinct impression of a city made out of warmth. Earthy tones dominated the city and for some reason, its position looked odd from this angle. For some reason it seemed as if the city proper wasn't even touching the valley floor -
"Is it floating?" he asked in amazement, peering over Ivan's shoulder before settling his chin there, hands on the wizard's shoulders. "Wow..."
"City of the Golden Eagle. A fitting name, don't you think so?" Ivan asked as how he would do it if he was teaching, and he felt the prince behind him nod, still too absorbed in the sight to reply properly.
"It's pretty."
Ivan turned his head to look at the prince before forcing himself to pay attention to Ailel's flight path. The image of Alfred's face being lit up by the Steinadler's lights would be forever engrained into his mind.
It isn't a crime to admire beauty now, is it?
"How're we gonna land?"
"I wonder."
"You have got to stop answering my questions like that," Alfred retorted, frowning. Ivan chuckled, before gently shaking Liechtenstein awake.
"Mm? Oh -" She jerked but Ivan kept a steady hold of her before she could fall. "I'm sorry for falling asleep."
"No need to apologize. Now brace yourself to land, we'll get you into a proper bed soon. I would say the front courtyard would be the most fitting place to land," Ivan intoned, and Alfred squinted downwards, cocking an eyebrow. "Ailel, you know what to do."
"That looks way too small for Beef to land."
"I'm aware of that. Fair lady, if you would excuse us," Ivan motioned, before he got up, startling the both of them.
"Where're you going? You wanna fall or something?" Alfred asked, eyebrows shooting up to hide in his fringe, own eyes wide in alarm. "Ivan?"
"Come, prince. You said to land?" Ivan asked, amused, holding out a hand to pull the confused prince up.
"What the hell are we doing? You're not saying we have to -"
Ivan jumped forward, pulling the prince with him.
"OH MY GOD!" Alfred started screaming loud and high as his feet left Beef's back. "AHHHHHHH -" He held on tightly to Ivan's hand, and even went one step further by pulling himself to hug the man like he would die if he let go. (Technically, he would, though since he was a ghost and everything would he actually die from falling to the ground? It'll probably hurt like a bitch -) "Why'd you have to go do that for and if you wanted to be suicidal there are other ways to go about on it I don't wanna die this is the easy way out are you sure wuh - wuh -"
Ivan said something but since they were diving head first, Alfred could only hear the way the wind whipped past his face.
So he bellowed in response. "I can't hear you -"
"Just hold on to me, prince," Ivan repeated loudly, and Alfred shot him a disbelieving look.
"Isn't that what I'm doing!?"
Ivan winked then, sneaking a hand around Alfred's waist and started muttering. Alfred stared, slack-jawed. The nerve of him - muttering when they were about to die!? He saw the ground coming up fast, how some of the inhabitants in the distance pointing up at him, the wind and the noise and Alfred buried his face in the crook of Ivan's neck, knuckles going white as he clutched as tightly as he could.
Then he felt the thrum of magic against his skin, the way the wind was gradually slowing down, the noise getting quieter and Alfred abruptly realised what Ivan was doing when he felt gravity change and another hand sneak under his legs, securing him in a hold that was usually associated with newly wedded couples.
Then suddenly the sound of the wind changed to the sounds of a city - he felt Ivan hit the ground.
He looked up, and saw the brightly lit courtyard of the Grand Duke's castle, the way the people stopped at stared at him and the way Ivan smirked.
Alfred snapped.
"I can't believe you just -" Alfred hit him hard, on the chest, and Ivan remained the Unmovable Object, still smirking, definitely going to get his ass whooped in the next second. "You're such a bastard put me down!"
Ivan laughed, tightening his hold on the prince in his arms. "Say please, prince."
Alfred cursed up a storm.
Liechtenstein floated gracefully beside them, settling delicately to the floor. She looked a bit ruffled but other wise fine. In the distance Alfred noted that Ailel was already flying off somewhere - maybe to hunt for cows, you never know... "Are you alright, your Highness?"
"I will be after he puts me down and I give him a good kick on the shins!"
"So violent," Ivan murmured. He smiled at the faerie, remarkably calm even with the struggling bundle in his arms as he nonchalantly made his way towards the palace steps. "I hope I did not scare you too badly, fair lady."
"It took me by surprise, yes, but I'm alright," Liechtenstein replied, concern taking over her features. "Though I could not say the same for the prince, he looks ready to choke you given the chance..."
"You bet I will! Sorry, sweetheart, but this is personal - Ivan!" the prince yelped, immediately going to wrap his arms around Ivan when he swung his load merrily without a care in the world. When they were climbing the stairs. "I'll fall, goddamn it!"
"I thought you wanted to be put down."
"Yeah but this isn't putting me down this is -" The sorcerer did another dangerous swing. "Ivan!"
He felt his feet hit the ground when they reached the top of the steps. Alfred blinked owlishly, releasing his hold as if by reflex.
"Huh?"
"Just having a bit of harmless fun, little prince." Ivan laughed softly, hand going up to brush Alfred's golden bangs aside before he dropped it and strode towards the wide bridge connecting the main palace building where it was surrounded mostly by a body of water. The style was very different from the buildings Alfred was used to at home, with more wood rather than stone making up most of it, and again he had the distinct impression of warmth.
But he wasn't actually really paying attention.
Alfred stared out blankly, cheeks heating up before he snapped, running up in front of the sorcerer - and then kicking him hard on the shins.
Ivan grunted, but he expected such a reaction, so he simply smiled.
"You suck," Alfred declared loud and clear, then turned around swiftly, stalking towards the palace himself where the griffon guards keeping watch near the entrance of the residence looked at the three newcomers as if they were some otherworldly beings.
Then Alfred realised belatedly that they weren't too far off the mark. He was still a ghost - being able to touch Ivan made him forget about that, most of the time.
Griffons were notoriously proud creatures, which probably came from the leonine part of their blood. They were a mixture of lion and eagle, made up of mostly warm colours - skin like velvet, covered in short, fine hair, while their forearms and legs were covered by the strange skin found on birds, fingers and toes ending in sharp talons. Not so fine as demon claws but definitely more vicious. On their back were powerful wings meant for flight, and feathers covered a great deal of their backs, especially where the wings met. Topping it off was an elegant lion's tail, always ending just before they touched the ground.
"Um -"
"State your business," one of them demanded, stretching their claws none too friendly as their eyes glinted and their faces tensed with that pride. Alfred's shoulders squared as well, because it reminded him of all the times people didn't believe he was slated to be the next ruler of Britannia, back in his younger days. Arthur made sure it never happened in his presence, but even that wasn't enough when Alfred could hear them talking behind his back.
Old memories stung, but it wasn't time to dwell on them.
"We're here to -" Alfred cut himself off, flushing. He was never really good at all this styles and honorifics they had to use, how to speak prettily in the court and all that. Give him wyrms to fight any day, this was hell when compared. "We're here to request audience with Lord Roderich?"
"The Lord isn't in at the moment," the guard nearest to him barked, "Least of all to a bunch of riff-raffs looking as if they were dragged through the mud. Do you honestly think the Lord would appreciate being summoned by peasants at this time of the hour?"
Alfred held himself from flinching - he glared. Sure, they could call him a peasant and all that since he was arguably dressed simply compared to other royals - but even though Liechtenstein might look a bit ruffled from all her running, anyone could see that she held the grace of a noble, her slightly dirty dress made out of finer materials than most people could afford.
"Talk about the fair damsel again like that and I'll beat you up from head to toe until you're covered in nothing but bruises," Alfred snapped, eyes narrowed.
The rude griffon bared his teeth at the challenge. "As if a ghost can do anything -"
"Come back tomorrow," another intervened, from inside the entrace hall, and he looked nicer than the four griffon guards - he smiled amiably, uncomfortable with the way the guards were so antagonistic towards the guests. "The Lord would be in court earliest at eight, and I'm sure he would be more inclined to hear about your plight then?" he suggested politely. This griffon was dressed in normal court attire, probably somre manner of high ranking staff.
Before Alfred could say anything, Ivan's steel-silk voice cut through the air like a blade. "If you hadn't heard it properly earlier, we are requesting an audience with the Lord Roderich Edelstein of the House of Österreich," he spoke in his normal tone, but for some reason it held a harder, more authoritative edge. His hand came up on the small of Alfred's back for two seconds - as comfort, he realised - before it dropped, while Liechtenstein stood on Alfred's other side.
"Who are you to demand such a thing?" the first guard spoke, affronted by the blatant disregard for proper courtesy. "Especially at a time like this?"
Ivan smiled dangerously. "I would go into the full titles if time so permits, but we all aren't so fortunate, da? You are currently showing your claws to Crown Prince Alfred Fay Jones Kirkland, as well as Princess Liechtenstein Zwingli. I won't even bother to delve into the proper styles in which you should choose to address us three, griffon."
Alfred squawked, turning towards Liechtenstein. "You're a princess?" he whispered furiously, eyes wide and Ivan barely kept from sighing, busy intimidating the guards.
The friendly griffon from earlier straightened up immediately like a stick, falling over himself to right the wrongs done. "Please accept my humblest apologies on behalf of my comrades, your Highnesses. We recieved no word of your arrival from the Lord himself, and so assumed -"
"They were only doing their required duty," Liechtenstein cut in as politely as she could, returning a smile of her own. "Our matter is of the outmost urgency. We are very sorry for the trouble caused, but this concerns many of my people." Her stance changed as she assumed the firm demeanour of a proper, capable royal commanding respect. "Would you kindly send a missive to the Lord? If not then at least for us to speak to a representative?"
Alfred watched, awed and slightly envious. He could never do that, no matter how hard he tried - his mouth only ever tripped him up, better suited to saying what he felt like saying and not the things he should. Never pretty court speech or things princes were supposed to say.
So he simply kept quiet, hands fisting at his sides.
"Of course, your Highness. Barett, get the Lord Chamberlain down, you know he's usually up at around this time -"
"Not until you tell me who are they to comandeer such respect, Karl -"
The griffon named Karl hissed. "Do not embarrass our kind by acting so foolishly in front of Britannia's Crown Prince, and the Faerie Princess of Helvetica. Now go!" he barked, pointing into the palace and Barett scrambled to do as he was told.
The other three unnamed griffons straightened in shock, looking contrite. Ivan looked satisfied at the proceedings, nodding his approval at Karl.
"I hoped we haven't terribly offended you, Master...?"
"Ivan."
"Master Ivan, then. Please follow me, standing outside in the cold brings nothing good." He turned swiftly and they all followed after, some of the servants who stopped to look earlier scrambling to get back to their jobs. At least a great deal of them looked at Alfred curiously, the way his edges blurred and how his body was translucent and he grinned at them, some of them returning the smile and most of them snubbing him off - well. What's to be done? "I'm sure Barett would be down with the Lord Chamberlain soon. I'll summon someone to bring up a light meal for your Highnesses, um..."
He clearly didn't know how to go about on Alfred's case - how do you feed a ghost? But Ivan waved it aside, smiling serenely. "Do not worry about it, serve him as you would other royals - though forgo the meal for me, please."
"Very well." Karl spoke to a passing maid who nodded immediately before he continued, finally stopping in front of two double doors. "Please make yourself comfortable in the Red Room, just ring the bell if you need anything," he explained, before bowing and making his exit.
Alfred opened the doors, blinking at the way all the furniture seemed so spread out, chairs low-backed - maybe to accomodate for the wings... "Cool, they look really comfortable!" he exclaimed, grinning, coming up to one of them and sitting down - before he went completely through, hitting the floor hard. "Ow!"
"Prince!" Liechtenstein exlaimed, concerned. "Are you okay?"
Ivan chuckled, holding out his hand to help up the fallen prince. "Be careful next time, rytsar."
"I keep on forgetting..." Alfred accepted the hand, pulling himself up. Ivan moved behind him, touching the seat briefly, eyes flashing. "Whatcha doing?"
"Try it now."
"Right..." Alfred trailed off warily, but sat down anyway, then whistled. "They really are comfortable! Sweetheart, try it!"
"Alright."
There was a knock on the door and soon it admitted a pair of maids, bringing two trays of a light meal inside, settling them down onto the table, then leaving without a word. That done, Ivan waved his hand over Alfred's tray. The prince frowned.
"Don't you ever get tired from casting that? You don't have to, you know..."
"It is only mildly complicated, and you are speaking to a master in the arts, prince," Ivan explained patiently, before ruffling his hair. "It is no bother. Now please excuse me."
"Where are you going?"
"I'll be back soon, little prince."
"Hey, you didn't answer my -" Ivan disappeared into the hallway, shutting the door behind him. Alfred slumped. "- question... Well, whatever. At least he left us with food."
Liechtenstein smiled. "It shouldn't be too long, Highness."
"Yeah, well - in case someone comes by and starts talking in court speech, sweetheart, you're on your own. I have no idea how to deal with that. And what did I tell you about calling me Highness? Shouldn't that be the other way 'round?" Alfred asked teasingly, before sighing. "I really should've figured it out sooner you're a princess and all, especially when you kept on referring to your brother and 'his people' and all that. Man, I suck."
"No, prince. I could demand no formality especially from the one who saved my life." Liechtenstein frowned. "And what do you mean by that?"
"Exactly what I mean. I don't act like how a crown prince should be, I don't talk pretty and stuff and formality for me is like, trying to feed a dragon rocks. It doesn't end well." Alfred shrugged. "Dad tried to beat some sense into me but, well, look at me now. I'd really rather be the heroic knight off to save off pretty damsels like yourself, I don't wanna deal with the stuffiness of the court."
"You are incredibly charismatic, prince, in your own way," she said wisely. "Pretty manners don't make up for one's courage, knowledge or benovelence, so it shouldn't be used to judge a person. You shine, prince. At least I think so. Your words, even if they are as rough as other people might seem to think, are filled with the sort of conviction and honesty that cannot be fabricated. You are able to give hope and reason, persuade people to follow you in your stead."
Liechtenstein went to touch him on the shoulder, but it went through as if there was nothing but air - she drew up short.
"You speak your words and you mean them without caring what others might say. It is an admirable trait. You will make a good king one day."
Alfred smiled - slow and sweet.
"... Thank you, sweetheart."
They started on their food, still steaming - and swapped stories of their childhood, Alfred driven to disbelief when Liechtenstein explained how old she was.
"Mm, thirty-four this year? Give or take..."
Alfred choked on the bread he was wolfing down, hitting his chest hard and he coughed noisily.
"Prince -"
"Thirty-four!? Can't we just have normal people looking like their age around here or something?" he asked, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "Am I the only one around here who looks like twenty-one and is twenty-one!?"
Liechtenstein smiled sheepishly. "Well, magic does slow our development rates down..."
"Yeah. Right. I have magic just like my twin and you don't see us still looking like five year olds. Maybe it's 'cause you're a faerie. But Ivan's human too, I think..." Alfred pouted. "That means I'm the youngest, then."
"Don't feel so bad, prince. It's not a terrible thing to be young."
"But it's weird calling a thirty-four year old like a younger sister. No offense."
"None taken, and I like being referred to as a younger sister."
"Oh." Alfred blinked, then grinned widely. "Well then. Okay. You still look seventeen so -"
The sound of the door being opened jerked them out of conversation.
"You two went through a tumbler or something?" a rough voice asked.
Both the prince and the princess looked up at the newcomer standing at the doorway. Alfred might have not seen many griffons in his life - they mainly kept to themselves - but he was sure none of them had the kind of plumage this one had. His wings were pure black at the start, before they lightened sharply into stark white at the tips. His short hair was as white as freshly fallen snow and his eyes were a deep red-violet.
Even though he wore a strict-looking, deep blue uniform, his eyes held a spark of mischief, a smirk always playing at his lips. Alfred was reminded of a fox instead of a lion, but he definitely looked less stuffy than the rest of the griffons he met so far.
"Yeah well, it's not easy stopping by to clean ourselves up when we're on a dragon."
The man whistled. "Rode a dragon here? You have my respect, kid."
Alfred grinned.
"Yeah. So um, who're you?"
"Lord Chamberlain of the Household at your service. Actually, that pretty much sounds as if I have a really lame job," the griffon said lightheartedly, settling into the couch opposite both of the royals. He looked more sprawled than seated. "Full name's Gilbert Beilschmidt. Call me Gilbert. You must be Princess Liechtenstein, and Crown Prince - you're dead!?"
Alfred jumped. "What? Oh - wait, wait! No! I'm not dead, I'm just - it's a spell. Seriously."
Gilbert cocked an eyebrow. "Funny, I didn't know ghosts could sit. So anyway, you must be Crown Prince Alfred. So what brings you here to see old Rodeprick? I called him earlier but he's cleaning himself up, the stuffy bastard, so you'll just have to deal with me. Forgive my language, Princess, I ain't as nicely mannered like my brother."
Liechtenstein shook her head. "It's all right. I'm sure if you met my brother you would know I'm quite used to it."
"Faerie King Vash Zwingli. That's the one, violent with a crazy trigger finger if I remember correctly. And aren't there supposed to be the three of you?"
"Ivan went out to look for something," Alfred explained, noticing the way Gilbert frowned. "He said he'll be back soon."
"He better be. Ivan, huh..."
"You don't look like a Lord Chamberlain."
Alfred shut his mouth, but it was too late.
Gilbert, instead of taking offense, laughed. "It's cool, kid. I know I don't look like one. But I like the job, it's like plotting out war strategies without having to account for the losses of men. Just the occassional plate or two when the maids aren't careful or when they start panicking. New challenges everyday, I'm glad West put me up for this thing."
"West?"
"My brother, he should be here in a while too. Mostly because we've got two royal representatives from neighbouring kingdoms to see one of the Lords. It's not often that kind of thing happens, especially without some sort of word in advance. And at this hour, too." Gilbert grinned.
"Yeah, sorry about that -"
The door opened, admitting a man who looked to be the very definition of stern - slicked back blond hair, piercing pale blue eyes with chiseled features, looking remarkably similar to Gilbert. His wings were pure black. The clothes he wore were free of any creases, obviously pressed to perfection as they bore the designs of a high-ranking noble, materials of different shades of deep green.
Alfred paled.
"Apologies for the delay," he started, standing a few paces away from the door and straightening his clothes. "I am Ludwig Beilschmidt, Grand Duke of the Steinadler and I welcome you to our palace."
Alfred couldn't shut his trap on time again. "Oh shit."
Liechtenstein and Gilbert looked at him strangely, before the man spoke again.
"You look familiar," Ludwig murmured, before his eyes narrowed dangerously. "You!"
Alfred laughed nervously. "Me."
Gilbert straightened in his seat and blinked. "West? You know this kid?"
"Of course I would know him. Fifteen years or not, I would still remember him, come hell or high water." Ludwig frowned severely, crossing his arms. "Why exactly is this brat here?"
"I would also ask you why you are here, Ludwig, maligning my ward, but then again it would not be courteous as a guest," Ivan interjected icily, right behind Ludwig as he entered the room - and Gilbert visibly tensed, wings fluttering restlessly on his back.
Ivan smiled wryly at this, nodding at the griffon.
"Beilschmidt."
"Winter," Gilbert almost spat, but obviously forcing himself to retain some form of decorum. His claws twitched before Gilbert settled into his seat, struggling to show that he wasn't poised to strike. "You the one takin' care of the kid?"
"Yes. Glad to see both of you are getting along."
Gilbert grunted. Both Liechtenstein and Alfred shared a look at the strange interaction, then Alfred remembered about his current situation. So he turned to Ludwig, who stared at him warily - he inhaled.
"I'm really, really sorry," he started, fidgeting.
"You -" Ludwig cut himself off, staring at him strangely. "You are a ghost? I hadn't recieved word that Crown Prince is -"
"Not dead, thanks," Alfred cut in, annoyed. "It's just a spell, temporary stuff, long story, will get to that later."
"Very well. You were seven summers old at the time, were you not?"
"Yeah, and I'm all grown up now so I'm not really a brat, you know, and that was stupid. Yeah. I wasn't really thinking." Alfred's eyes darted at Ivan who cocked his eyebrow in return, then shrugged helplessly. "I was seven! How was I supposed to know there was a really important thing going down at the valley?"
Ludwig's expression went dry.
"Right. Okay. Fine, there was a lot of people. But I didn't know about the treaty you two were gonna sign -"
It went drier.
"I didn't mean to do it!"
"It does not change the fact that it was a cause for great embarassment to my people," Ludwig said, wings twitching before they settled. "It caused a great deal of trouble for your father because the griffons considered it a great insult for you to do such a thing. I could not help but assume the same thing before your father explained about your outrageous behaviour."
Alfred pouted.
"Embarrassment? Again? What exactly did you do, rytsar?"
"Maybe you should enlighten some people here about your deed that day?" Ludwig suggested, face stern and Alfred was reminded of one of his stuffy tutors back at home when he didn't know the difference between the fork for the salad and the one for the fish. Honestly. Who needed to know all that? Food was food, no matter what you use to eat them with.
Alfred shifted guiltily. "Well... Fifteen years ago..."
--
To the Part Two!
Pairing(s): RussiaAmerica
Rating: Let's just stick to T.
Genre: ... Really, really lame attempt at humor, general stuff.
Notes: Uh. Light violence. Ongoing. Stupidity. xD Usage of human names, since it's a weirdo fantasy!AU and all. Dragons, swords, magic all that.
Summary: Once upon a time, there was a Totally Awesome Badass Hero. Cursed by his own Dad, Absolute Ruler of the Britannia Kingdom, he goes off on an Epic Adventure with a Stupid Evil Sorcerer - the only one able to break that Freaking Curse. Fantasy!AU, RussiaAmerica.
A/N: Thanks again for the reviews! Wow, guys. xD; Anyway, um, yeah, I'm probably supposed to be studying for my exams. It's history. I can't get anything into my head, but still it's no excuse... Actually no, I've been fooling around playing casual games.
A lot. Of flash games.
Please save me. I'm obsessed with collecting achievement badges, and I really like this one badge with a green smiley cube on it and it says Закончено which supposedly means 'finished'; it's so cute, okay I admit I only got it because of the Cyrillic letters -
Right.
More character interaction! Probably one or two things will be revealed in the next chapter. You never know.
Love you guys! Read and review, please.
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Fifteen Years, by Impervious Marr
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Chapter Two - Alliance
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"... You know, it sucks not getting to touch anything," Alfred complained offhandedly.
An odd frown crossed Ivan's features for a moment, eyes darkening in thought.
"... Actually, I have been perusing through this collection of ancient elven spells concerning the mechanics of the Otherworld - there is a way to modify the spell and let you touch things without having to constantly enchant them..."
"You're kidding me."
Ivan smiled serenely. "No, little prince. Certain Masters have been given the duty to constantly perfect and better previous spells. I am one of them, and as you might probably be guessing I specialise in Dark Arts - I have been entrusted with the tomes to complete my work."
"I've never seen Dad do any of that before."
"As I say, certain Masters. Your father is an exception - for he is, after all, the sovereign of a kingdom. There are also other Masters who take up apprentices and act as teachers."
"Like Mattie?"
"Like Matthew, yes. Nevertheless, we all report to the same Grand Council."
"Man, I'm glad I didn't decide to be a warlock or anything. Too much stuff to think about. All right, back to that touching things stuff."
Ivan chuckled in amusement, but humoured the prince anyway.
"The extent of intangibility in the Phasma Phasmatis curse has constantly been an issue; I have not gotten around to it lately because of a lack of research materials," he murmured meaningfully, and he felt Alfred's breath close to his neck and he was not thinking about it, "And also because I have been too busy, always being summoned to take care of clumsy royals."
Alfred snorted. "Like I said, it's not my fault. The Princess just whipped out a marriage contract out of nowhere and told me we're gonna get hitched right then and there. How the hell am I supposed to react?"
"I'm sure without having to spit on her face, rytsar."
"I didn't mean it." But by the subtle mischievious tone in his voice, Ivan was inclined to believe otherwise. "I've only met the Princess two times before that Summer Festival. She said she was in love with me - of course, who wouldn't fall in love with a handsome, charming knight like me?" he declared proudly, puffing out his chest and Ivan thwacked him on the knee. "Hey!"
"Oh, I wonder," Ivan said sarcastically, shooting a Look when Beef - Ailel - wanted to be a smartass about it. "And keep quiet."
"Oh, right. Anyway, she was just at the wrong place at the wrong time, 's all. Even if she didn't go around with it like that, I didn't wanna get married 'cause I'm already..." Alfred trailed off, looking at Ivan for a second before shaking his head, laughing awkwardly and keeping his gaze in front. "And I told Dad that I'll be fine even without the spell but he did it anyway and now I'm stuck like this."
"Patience, prince." Ivan patted Alfred's knee, making the young man behind him jump. "I'm very sure he had his own reasons, one of them being your running off here and there."
"But I don't want to be stuck in my room all day long - it's bad enough I don't get to leave the kingdom but in one confined space? I don't think so. Anyway, it's probably better if I was all over the place since if I'm stuck in my room, they're more likely to succeed in kidnapping me since I'm always there, don'tcha think?" Alfred asked, and Ivan blinked.
Interesting point.
"Still, I'm pretty sure there were other ways than resorting to turning me into a ghost, but Dad always went all out for me." Alfred's lips quirked. "Matthew and me. It's always been like that ever since..." He frowned suddenly, and kept quiet.
Ivan did not press on for further details, because he had the feeling that Alfred would not budge.
"Anyway, enough about me. Do you think she's okay?" he asked, keeping his hold on the straps beside him, with Ivan sitting right in front as the wizard had the girl leaning against him.
Liechtenstein was exhausted, that much he could see. After taking off from their spot earlier she easily fell into a deep sleep - first they thought that it was the spell's effects catching up to her but fortunately it was because of lack of energy - especially having to fly nonstop towards the Deutsch without taking so much as a break along the way.
And Alfred didn't blame her for thinking Ivan comfortable. The man really was a mobile pillow.
"After a good rest, she will be. And another two hours we should reach the Grand Duke's castle."
"I didn't say anything."
"You were about to."
Alfred stuck out his tongue, and at the same time Ivan thwacked him on the knee again.
"And don't think I can't see what you're doing."
"Do all grown-ups have eyes at the back of their heads?" Alfred whined as best as he could without being too loud. "Or it's just you who can read people's minds?"
Ivan smiled. "I wonder."
The evening sky was turning into goldens, and browns, beautiful deep purples with a little bit of blue if he squinted carefully. Alfred could already see most of the greenery making way for more agriculture and the odd village here and there; the Blue Eagle Tower an imposing presence in the distance. Ivan explained earlier that the mountains would give way to a valley where the City of the Steinadler was located, and from here it was already obvious where the grand roads were leading to.
"What does Steinalder mean?"
"Steinadler, prince. It is the capital of griffons, City of the Golden Eagle," Ivan replied, and at this Alfred squawked.
"Griffons?"
Ivan didn't even hesitate this time in smacking him at the knee again. "The fair lady, prince, hush."
"And you really have to stop that," Alfred grumbled, rubbing his abused knee, then his head, thumping it against the nearest available surface - Ivan's back. "Are you sure the Grand Duke's castle is there -"
"Did you get into trouble with one of their kind?" Ivan cut in, though from the tone of his voice he expected as much.
"No! I mean, it wasn't really - well - um. Not really. I guess." Alfred mumbled incomprehensibly before making a frustrated noise at the back of his throat. "I might've pissed some people off. In the past. A few people. Well, really, only one guy. Or maybe he forgot, I don't really know. That's one thing, and another is because for some reason I don't really get along with stuffy pompous cat-birds, you understand."
"... I see. Well, this is your idea in the first place, so we would have to go through with it nevertheless."
"Yeah, yeah... So we're going to the city of cat-bird people? I didn't know Britannia bordered cat-bird people territory."
"Well, if you put it that way... Yes."
"That's funny. I mean, I would've known about it - but then again." Alfred coughed, fidgeting guiltily. "I kinda avoided griffons ever since... That Incident, never really wanted to know anything about them after that in case the guy started chasing me again, um."
"Do I need to know?"
"You'll find out eventually."
--
--
Steinadler shone like a bright star against the night - the lights from the city lit up each of the buildings and Alfred had the distinct impression of a city made out of warmth. Earthy tones dominated the city and for some reason, its position looked odd from this angle. For some reason it seemed as if the city proper wasn't even touching the valley floor -
"Is it floating?" he asked in amazement, peering over Ivan's shoulder before settling his chin there, hands on the wizard's shoulders. "Wow..."
"City of the Golden Eagle. A fitting name, don't you think so?" Ivan asked as how he would do it if he was teaching, and he felt the prince behind him nod, still too absorbed in the sight to reply properly.
"It's pretty."
Ivan turned his head to look at the prince before forcing himself to pay attention to Ailel's flight path. The image of Alfred's face being lit up by the Steinadler's lights would be forever engrained into his mind.
It isn't a crime to admire beauty now, is it?
"How're we gonna land?"
"I wonder."
"You have got to stop answering my questions like that," Alfred retorted, frowning. Ivan chuckled, before gently shaking Liechtenstein awake.
"Mm? Oh -" She jerked but Ivan kept a steady hold of her before she could fall. "I'm sorry for falling asleep."
"No need to apologize. Now brace yourself to land, we'll get you into a proper bed soon. I would say the front courtyard would be the most fitting place to land," Ivan intoned, and Alfred squinted downwards, cocking an eyebrow. "Ailel, you know what to do."
"That looks way too small for Beef to land."
"I'm aware of that. Fair lady, if you would excuse us," Ivan motioned, before he got up, startling the both of them.
"Where're you going? You wanna fall or something?" Alfred asked, eyebrows shooting up to hide in his fringe, own eyes wide in alarm. "Ivan?"
"Come, prince. You said to land?" Ivan asked, amused, holding out a hand to pull the confused prince up.
"What the hell are we doing? You're not saying we have to -"
Ivan jumped forward, pulling the prince with him.
"OH MY GOD!" Alfred started screaming loud and high as his feet left Beef's back. "AHHHHHHH -" He held on tightly to Ivan's hand, and even went one step further by pulling himself to hug the man like he would die if he let go. (Technically, he would, though since he was a ghost and everything would he actually die from falling to the ground? It'll probably hurt like a bitch -) "Why'd you have to go do that for and if you wanted to be suicidal there are other ways to go about on it I don't wanna die this is the easy way out are you sure wuh - wuh -"
Ivan said something but since they were diving head first, Alfred could only hear the way the wind whipped past his face.
So he bellowed in response. "I can't hear you -"
"Just hold on to me, prince," Ivan repeated loudly, and Alfred shot him a disbelieving look.
"Isn't that what I'm doing!?"
Ivan winked then, sneaking a hand around Alfred's waist and started muttering. Alfred stared, slack-jawed. The nerve of him - muttering when they were about to die!? He saw the ground coming up fast, how some of the inhabitants in the distance pointing up at him, the wind and the noise and Alfred buried his face in the crook of Ivan's neck, knuckles going white as he clutched as tightly as he could.
Then he felt the thrum of magic against his skin, the way the wind was gradually slowing down, the noise getting quieter and Alfred abruptly realised what Ivan was doing when he felt gravity change and another hand sneak under his legs, securing him in a hold that was usually associated with newly wedded couples.
Then suddenly the sound of the wind changed to the sounds of a city - he felt Ivan hit the ground.
He looked up, and saw the brightly lit courtyard of the Grand Duke's castle, the way the people stopped at stared at him and the way Ivan smirked.
Alfred snapped.
"I can't believe you just -" Alfred hit him hard, on the chest, and Ivan remained the Unmovable Object, still smirking, definitely going to get his ass whooped in the next second. "You're such a bastard put me down!"
Ivan laughed, tightening his hold on the prince in his arms. "Say please, prince."
Alfred cursed up a storm.
Liechtenstein floated gracefully beside them, settling delicately to the floor. She looked a bit ruffled but other wise fine. In the distance Alfred noted that Ailel was already flying off somewhere - maybe to hunt for cows, you never know... "Are you alright, your Highness?"
"I will be after he puts me down and I give him a good kick on the shins!"
"So violent," Ivan murmured. He smiled at the faerie, remarkably calm even with the struggling bundle in his arms as he nonchalantly made his way towards the palace steps. "I hope I did not scare you too badly, fair lady."
"It took me by surprise, yes, but I'm alright," Liechtenstein replied, concern taking over her features. "Though I could not say the same for the prince, he looks ready to choke you given the chance..."
"You bet I will! Sorry, sweetheart, but this is personal - Ivan!" the prince yelped, immediately going to wrap his arms around Ivan when he swung his load merrily without a care in the world. When they were climbing the stairs. "I'll fall, goddamn it!"
"I thought you wanted to be put down."
"Yeah but this isn't putting me down this is -" The sorcerer did another dangerous swing. "Ivan!"
He felt his feet hit the ground when they reached the top of the steps. Alfred blinked owlishly, releasing his hold as if by reflex.
"Huh?"
"Just having a bit of harmless fun, little prince." Ivan laughed softly, hand going up to brush Alfred's golden bangs aside before he dropped it and strode towards the wide bridge connecting the main palace building where it was surrounded mostly by a body of water. The style was very different from the buildings Alfred was used to at home, with more wood rather than stone making up most of it, and again he had the distinct impression of warmth.
But he wasn't actually really paying attention.
Alfred stared out blankly, cheeks heating up before he snapped, running up in front of the sorcerer - and then kicking him hard on the shins.
Ivan grunted, but he expected such a reaction, so he simply smiled.
"You suck," Alfred declared loud and clear, then turned around swiftly, stalking towards the palace himself where the griffon guards keeping watch near the entrance of the residence looked at the three newcomers as if they were some otherworldly beings.
Then Alfred realised belatedly that they weren't too far off the mark. He was still a ghost - being able to touch Ivan made him forget about that, most of the time.
Griffons were notoriously proud creatures, which probably came from the leonine part of their blood. They were a mixture of lion and eagle, made up of mostly warm colours - skin like velvet, covered in short, fine hair, while their forearms and legs were covered by the strange skin found on birds, fingers and toes ending in sharp talons. Not so fine as demon claws but definitely more vicious. On their back were powerful wings meant for flight, and feathers covered a great deal of their backs, especially where the wings met. Topping it off was an elegant lion's tail, always ending just before they touched the ground.
"Um -"
"State your business," one of them demanded, stretching their claws none too friendly as their eyes glinted and their faces tensed with that pride. Alfred's shoulders squared as well, because it reminded him of all the times people didn't believe he was slated to be the next ruler of Britannia, back in his younger days. Arthur made sure it never happened in his presence, but even that wasn't enough when Alfred could hear them talking behind his back.
Old memories stung, but it wasn't time to dwell on them.
"We're here to -" Alfred cut himself off, flushing. He was never really good at all this styles and honorifics they had to use, how to speak prettily in the court and all that. Give him wyrms to fight any day, this was hell when compared. "We're here to request audience with Lord Roderich?"
"The Lord isn't in at the moment," the guard nearest to him barked, "Least of all to a bunch of riff-raffs looking as if they were dragged through the mud. Do you honestly think the Lord would appreciate being summoned by peasants at this time of the hour?"
Alfred held himself from flinching - he glared. Sure, they could call him a peasant and all that since he was arguably dressed simply compared to other royals - but even though Liechtenstein might look a bit ruffled from all her running, anyone could see that she held the grace of a noble, her slightly dirty dress made out of finer materials than most people could afford.
"Talk about the fair damsel again like that and I'll beat you up from head to toe until you're covered in nothing but bruises," Alfred snapped, eyes narrowed.
The rude griffon bared his teeth at the challenge. "As if a ghost can do anything -"
"Come back tomorrow," another intervened, from inside the entrace hall, and he looked nicer than the four griffon guards - he smiled amiably, uncomfortable with the way the guards were so antagonistic towards the guests. "The Lord would be in court earliest at eight, and I'm sure he would be more inclined to hear about your plight then?" he suggested politely. This griffon was dressed in normal court attire, probably somre manner of high ranking staff.
Before Alfred could say anything, Ivan's steel-silk voice cut through the air like a blade. "If you hadn't heard it properly earlier, we are requesting an audience with the Lord Roderich Edelstein of the House of Österreich," he spoke in his normal tone, but for some reason it held a harder, more authoritative edge. His hand came up on the small of Alfred's back for two seconds - as comfort, he realised - before it dropped, while Liechtenstein stood on Alfred's other side.
"Who are you to demand such a thing?" the first guard spoke, affronted by the blatant disregard for proper courtesy. "Especially at a time like this?"
Ivan smiled dangerously. "I would go into the full titles if time so permits, but we all aren't so fortunate, da? You are currently showing your claws to Crown Prince Alfred Fay Jones Kirkland, as well as Princess Liechtenstein Zwingli. I won't even bother to delve into the proper styles in which you should choose to address us three, griffon."
Alfred squawked, turning towards Liechtenstein. "You're a princess?" he whispered furiously, eyes wide and Ivan barely kept from sighing, busy intimidating the guards.
The friendly griffon from earlier straightened up immediately like a stick, falling over himself to right the wrongs done. "Please accept my humblest apologies on behalf of my comrades, your Highnesses. We recieved no word of your arrival from the Lord himself, and so assumed -"
"They were only doing their required duty," Liechtenstein cut in as politely as she could, returning a smile of her own. "Our matter is of the outmost urgency. We are very sorry for the trouble caused, but this concerns many of my people." Her stance changed as she assumed the firm demeanour of a proper, capable royal commanding respect. "Would you kindly send a missive to the Lord? If not then at least for us to speak to a representative?"
Alfred watched, awed and slightly envious. He could never do that, no matter how hard he tried - his mouth only ever tripped him up, better suited to saying what he felt like saying and not the things he should. Never pretty court speech or things princes were supposed to say.
So he simply kept quiet, hands fisting at his sides.
"Of course, your Highness. Barett, get the Lord Chamberlain down, you know he's usually up at around this time -"
"Not until you tell me who are they to comandeer such respect, Karl -"
The griffon named Karl hissed. "Do not embarrass our kind by acting so foolishly in front of Britannia's Crown Prince, and the Faerie Princess of Helvetica. Now go!" he barked, pointing into the palace and Barett scrambled to do as he was told.
The other three unnamed griffons straightened in shock, looking contrite. Ivan looked satisfied at the proceedings, nodding his approval at Karl.
"I hoped we haven't terribly offended you, Master...?"
"Ivan."
"Master Ivan, then. Please follow me, standing outside in the cold brings nothing good." He turned swiftly and they all followed after, some of the servants who stopped to look earlier scrambling to get back to their jobs. At least a great deal of them looked at Alfred curiously, the way his edges blurred and how his body was translucent and he grinned at them, some of them returning the smile and most of them snubbing him off - well. What's to be done? "I'm sure Barett would be down with the Lord Chamberlain soon. I'll summon someone to bring up a light meal for your Highnesses, um..."
He clearly didn't know how to go about on Alfred's case - how do you feed a ghost? But Ivan waved it aside, smiling serenely. "Do not worry about it, serve him as you would other royals - though forgo the meal for me, please."
"Very well." Karl spoke to a passing maid who nodded immediately before he continued, finally stopping in front of two double doors. "Please make yourself comfortable in the Red Room, just ring the bell if you need anything," he explained, before bowing and making his exit.
Alfred opened the doors, blinking at the way all the furniture seemed so spread out, chairs low-backed - maybe to accomodate for the wings... "Cool, they look really comfortable!" he exclaimed, grinning, coming up to one of them and sitting down - before he went completely through, hitting the floor hard. "Ow!"
"Prince!" Liechtenstein exlaimed, concerned. "Are you okay?"
Ivan chuckled, holding out his hand to help up the fallen prince. "Be careful next time, rytsar."
"I keep on forgetting..." Alfred accepted the hand, pulling himself up. Ivan moved behind him, touching the seat briefly, eyes flashing. "Whatcha doing?"
"Try it now."
"Right..." Alfred trailed off warily, but sat down anyway, then whistled. "They really are comfortable! Sweetheart, try it!"
"Alright."
There was a knock on the door and soon it admitted a pair of maids, bringing two trays of a light meal inside, settling them down onto the table, then leaving without a word. That done, Ivan waved his hand over Alfred's tray. The prince frowned.
"Don't you ever get tired from casting that? You don't have to, you know..."
"It is only mildly complicated, and you are speaking to a master in the arts, prince," Ivan explained patiently, before ruffling his hair. "It is no bother. Now please excuse me."
"Where are you going?"
"I'll be back soon, little prince."
"Hey, you didn't answer my -" Ivan disappeared into the hallway, shutting the door behind him. Alfred slumped. "- question... Well, whatever. At least he left us with food."
Liechtenstein smiled. "It shouldn't be too long, Highness."
"Yeah, well - in case someone comes by and starts talking in court speech, sweetheart, you're on your own. I have no idea how to deal with that. And what did I tell you about calling me Highness? Shouldn't that be the other way 'round?" Alfred asked teasingly, before sighing. "I really should've figured it out sooner you're a princess and all, especially when you kept on referring to your brother and 'his people' and all that. Man, I suck."
"No, prince. I could demand no formality especially from the one who saved my life." Liechtenstein frowned. "And what do you mean by that?"
"Exactly what I mean. I don't act like how a crown prince should be, I don't talk pretty and stuff and formality for me is like, trying to feed a dragon rocks. It doesn't end well." Alfred shrugged. "Dad tried to beat some sense into me but, well, look at me now. I'd really rather be the heroic knight off to save off pretty damsels like yourself, I don't wanna deal with the stuffiness of the court."
"You are incredibly charismatic, prince, in your own way," she said wisely. "Pretty manners don't make up for one's courage, knowledge or benovelence, so it shouldn't be used to judge a person. You shine, prince. At least I think so. Your words, even if they are as rough as other people might seem to think, are filled with the sort of conviction and honesty that cannot be fabricated. You are able to give hope and reason, persuade people to follow you in your stead."
Liechtenstein went to touch him on the shoulder, but it went through as if there was nothing but air - she drew up short.
"You speak your words and you mean them without caring what others might say. It is an admirable trait. You will make a good king one day."
Alfred smiled - slow and sweet.
"... Thank you, sweetheart."
They started on their food, still steaming - and swapped stories of their childhood, Alfred driven to disbelief when Liechtenstein explained how old she was.
"Mm, thirty-four this year? Give or take..."
Alfred choked on the bread he was wolfing down, hitting his chest hard and he coughed noisily.
"Prince -"
"Thirty-four!? Can't we just have normal people looking like their age around here or something?" he asked, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "Am I the only one around here who looks like twenty-one and is twenty-one!?"
Liechtenstein smiled sheepishly. "Well, magic does slow our development rates down..."
"Yeah. Right. I have magic just like my twin and you don't see us still looking like five year olds. Maybe it's 'cause you're a faerie. But Ivan's human too, I think..." Alfred pouted. "That means I'm the youngest, then."
"Don't feel so bad, prince. It's not a terrible thing to be young."
"But it's weird calling a thirty-four year old like a younger sister. No offense."
"None taken, and I like being referred to as a younger sister."
"Oh." Alfred blinked, then grinned widely. "Well then. Okay. You still look seventeen so -"
The sound of the door being opened jerked them out of conversation.
"You two went through a tumbler or something?" a rough voice asked.
Both the prince and the princess looked up at the newcomer standing at the doorway. Alfred might have not seen many griffons in his life - they mainly kept to themselves - but he was sure none of them had the kind of plumage this one had. His wings were pure black at the start, before they lightened sharply into stark white at the tips. His short hair was as white as freshly fallen snow and his eyes were a deep red-violet.
Even though he wore a strict-looking, deep blue uniform, his eyes held a spark of mischief, a smirk always playing at his lips. Alfred was reminded of a fox instead of a lion, but he definitely looked less stuffy than the rest of the griffons he met so far.
"Yeah well, it's not easy stopping by to clean ourselves up when we're on a dragon."
The man whistled. "Rode a dragon here? You have my respect, kid."
Alfred grinned.
"Yeah. So um, who're you?"
"Lord Chamberlain of the Household at your service. Actually, that pretty much sounds as if I have a really lame job," the griffon said lightheartedly, settling into the couch opposite both of the royals. He looked more sprawled than seated. "Full name's Gilbert Beilschmidt. Call me Gilbert. You must be Princess Liechtenstein, and Crown Prince - you're dead!?"
Alfred jumped. "What? Oh - wait, wait! No! I'm not dead, I'm just - it's a spell. Seriously."
Gilbert cocked an eyebrow. "Funny, I didn't know ghosts could sit. So anyway, you must be Crown Prince Alfred. So what brings you here to see old Rodeprick? I called him earlier but he's cleaning himself up, the stuffy bastard, so you'll just have to deal with me. Forgive my language, Princess, I ain't as nicely mannered like my brother."
Liechtenstein shook her head. "It's all right. I'm sure if you met my brother you would know I'm quite used to it."
"Faerie King Vash Zwingli. That's the one, violent with a crazy trigger finger if I remember correctly. And aren't there supposed to be the three of you?"
"Ivan went out to look for something," Alfred explained, noticing the way Gilbert frowned. "He said he'll be back soon."
"He better be. Ivan, huh..."
"You don't look like a Lord Chamberlain."
Alfred shut his mouth, but it was too late.
Gilbert, instead of taking offense, laughed. "It's cool, kid. I know I don't look like one. But I like the job, it's like plotting out war strategies without having to account for the losses of men. Just the occassional plate or two when the maids aren't careful or when they start panicking. New challenges everyday, I'm glad West put me up for this thing."
"West?"
"My brother, he should be here in a while too. Mostly because we've got two royal representatives from neighbouring kingdoms to see one of the Lords. It's not often that kind of thing happens, especially without some sort of word in advance. And at this hour, too." Gilbert grinned.
"Yeah, sorry about that -"
The door opened, admitting a man who looked to be the very definition of stern - slicked back blond hair, piercing pale blue eyes with chiseled features, looking remarkably similar to Gilbert. His wings were pure black. The clothes he wore were free of any creases, obviously pressed to perfection as they bore the designs of a high-ranking noble, materials of different shades of deep green.
Alfred paled.
"Apologies for the delay," he started, standing a few paces away from the door and straightening his clothes. "I am Ludwig Beilschmidt, Grand Duke of the Steinadler and I welcome you to our palace."
Alfred couldn't shut his trap on time again. "Oh shit."
Liechtenstein and Gilbert looked at him strangely, before the man spoke again.
"You look familiar," Ludwig murmured, before his eyes narrowed dangerously. "You!"
Alfred laughed nervously. "Me."
Gilbert straightened in his seat and blinked. "West? You know this kid?"
"Of course I would know him. Fifteen years or not, I would still remember him, come hell or high water." Ludwig frowned severely, crossing his arms. "Why exactly is this brat here?"
"I would also ask you why you are here, Ludwig, maligning my ward, but then again it would not be courteous as a guest," Ivan interjected icily, right behind Ludwig as he entered the room - and Gilbert visibly tensed, wings fluttering restlessly on his back.
Ivan smiled wryly at this, nodding at the griffon.
"Beilschmidt."
"Winter," Gilbert almost spat, but obviously forcing himself to retain some form of decorum. His claws twitched before Gilbert settled into his seat, struggling to show that he wasn't poised to strike. "You the one takin' care of the kid?"
"Yes. Glad to see both of you are getting along."
Gilbert grunted. Both Liechtenstein and Alfred shared a look at the strange interaction, then Alfred remembered about his current situation. So he turned to Ludwig, who stared at him warily - he inhaled.
"I'm really, really sorry," he started, fidgeting.
"You -" Ludwig cut himself off, staring at him strangely. "You are a ghost? I hadn't recieved word that Crown Prince is -"
"Not dead, thanks," Alfred cut in, annoyed. "It's just a spell, temporary stuff, long story, will get to that later."
"Very well. You were seven summers old at the time, were you not?"
"Yeah, and I'm all grown up now so I'm not really a brat, you know, and that was stupid. Yeah. I wasn't really thinking." Alfred's eyes darted at Ivan who cocked his eyebrow in return, then shrugged helplessly. "I was seven! How was I supposed to know there was a really important thing going down at the valley?"
Ludwig's expression went dry.
"Right. Okay. Fine, there was a lot of people. But I didn't know about the treaty you two were gonna sign -"
It went drier.
"I didn't mean to do it!"
"It does not change the fact that it was a cause for great embarassment to my people," Ludwig said, wings twitching before they settled. "It caused a great deal of trouble for your father because the griffons considered it a great insult for you to do such a thing. I could not help but assume the same thing before your father explained about your outrageous behaviour."
Alfred pouted.
"Embarrassment? Again? What exactly did you do, rytsar?"
"Maybe you should enlighten some people here about your deed that day?" Ludwig suggested, face stern and Alfred was reminded of one of his stuffy tutors back at home when he didn't know the difference between the fork for the salad and the one for the fish. Honestly. Who needed to know all that? Food was food, no matter what you use to eat them with.
Alfred shifted guiltily. "Well... Fifteen years ago..."
--
To the Part Two!