Chapter Text
In the newly planted gardens of the castle bloomed various flowers: glitchy peonies that emitted a static shock to anyone who touched their yellow petals, ‘TV time’ branded tulips and the Castle Town's beautiful, full red and black roses. Their blooms resembled enamoured hearts and daggers of spades, and their stems were guarded with slicing thorns of diamonds and clubs.
A path of chisled white and black brick lead the Duchess straight to the bush of lush, aromatic roses, her Ruddin soldiers leading the way for their commander. With the loss of her title, her former pupils still agreed to do her bidding. Maybe they did out of respect for their former mentor(who was actually good at their job), or because they were growing increasingly bored of not having anything to complain about. Either way, Blanche now has her army back, in a way, the Diamond darkners thought she was more likable and tolerable now, after spending god knows how long in a damp, old prison cell.
Blanche looked around the garden, seeing it stretch past beyond the center of the south-west wing she was currently standing. The layout of the Royal greenhouse resembled a simple square, and the checkered bricks added a feel of a board game to the simple adventure through the leafy, thorny walls of the makeshift maze.
“Vell, zoes gardens never looked any better!” – The Duchess stated, her gloves hands resting on her hips, eyes taking in the grand view before her. – “Maybe you are good for somezing ozer zan ‘oarding gold.”
The two Ruddin's cheeks were dusted with a slight pink blush, feeling appreciated by their mentor, despite her crude words. It was leagues better than the bossing around of the King of Spades, or the riddles of the Duke, or any other comment they received before that.
As the Duchess requested a tour around the maze-like greenery, her two ‘body guards’ lead the way, their small bodies shimmering in the dimness of the gardens. The small lamps in the ground followed each twist and turn, showering the blooms and buds in warm light. It was truly a romantic kind of scenery, perfect for a walk, a conversation shared with a loved one, or a place to hide from the prying eyes in need of a private moment. The gentle wind blew from the east, making Blanche's cape flow gently, small shimmers leaving the white and emerald fabric to follow the breeze. Her small heels resonated a distinct click with each step on the checkered flooring. It was the loudest sound in the gardens…
Until the team heard a peaceful humming among the lush, trimmed-up bushes of the same roses the Duchess saw in the southeast wing. How curious, the roses were untouched, no matter how they stuck out of the form. Blanche walked closer to admire the pruning work, when a familiar figure appeared by the other side of the shrubs.
”Ah, valorous morning, Duchess! Cameth to seeth the Royal Gardens for yourself?” – Roulxs, in his usual, arrogant mannerism, stood before her. He was much simply dressed, with a loose, linen shirt and dusty pants, all suited for dirty work in the gardens, and silver hair tied with a ribbon in a low ponytail. His tools were laying on the freshly cut grass within the arms reach, meaning he was still working. Well, today the Duke didn't seem as prideful and boasting as any other day, maybe even slightly humble.
With his sudden appearance, Blanche flinched away from the bush, straightening her posture. She shook off her initial surprise and got back to her usual expression of confidence, with a flicker of a curl behind her ear, where a small diamond stud gave a small sparkle.
“Yes, for I wanted to see what ‘as become of zis place during your King's reign” – Blanche stated, and a small grin flashed on her face. Her eyes were carefully inspecting the Duke's every emotion, every twitch of muscles, every. single. thing.
“As thee can seeth, the gardens has't never did look better!” – Roulxs said with a familiar lily in his smooth voice, his fake accent feeling almost genuine. – “And all the gratitude goeth to yours truly, Roulxs Kaard. Who is't else wouldst the King trusteth with the blossoms and shrubs?”
Never mind, apparently his pride was inevitable. And here Blanche thought she would have a pleasant conversation with him, for once. Her Ruddin companions had their smiles wiped, but they didn't dare to say anything in the presence of the Duke and Duchess. Roulxs, of course, was softer with discipline, but discipline was Blanche's line of work. She wouldn't let a word slip out of the soldiers mouth in a conversation between two courtiers.
Blanche's hands found their place on her hips, along her white, tight slacks, with thumbs hooking onto the belt line under the short greatcoat she wore. Her expression said it all without a word: the mood between them shifted like magnets pulling away from each other. She hated when someone was being arrogant, but oblivious to the fact that the call was coming from inside the house…
“Ah, I see ze King'z trust in your ‘artisanat’ is razer… Strong. Vat else a ‘Duc de tout commerce’ can do?” – Blanche took a step closer, her delicate heels clicking on the checkered path. The distance between them shortened, and only the elegantly shaped bush stood between the two courtiers.
Roulxs expression, unexpectedly to Blanche, gained a tone of surprise: dark eyes widened, perfectly plucked eyebrows lifted, but that stupid grin remained intact, a thin membrane connecting his lips no matter how wide he smiled.
“Thee shall beest surprised of the listeth of mine own exceptional arts and hobbies, Duchess.” – The silver headed man mumbled, before shaking off his hesitation and surprise. The Duchess was seemingly giving him a sign to try and impress her. He leaned a bit closer, his gloved hands placed on his hips, mirroring her pose. – “If 't be true only thee hadst given me a chance to showeth all of them…”
He said it with such a tone that sent an unpleasant shiver down the Duchess’ spine, making her flinch back with a hand on her chest. He even dared to add a playful wink at the end, almost like he was teasing her. The woman's cheeks unexpectedly gained a soft, néphrite hue.
“That is it. It was pleasant to see you again, Monsieur Kaard, but my tour of ze gardens is not yet finished.” – She mumbled with a fake hospitality, placing her hands back on her hips. – “Farewell, until we meet again.”
With the final goodbye, Blanche's stride seemingly increased and her Ruddin companions could barely keep up with her. Roulxs, letting out an amused chuckle, waved her goodbye.
”The most wondrous of goodbyes, mine own Duchess!” – He called out, before resuming his work…
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Blanche fled the gardens, unable to bear the words of the arrogant Duke. He was driving her insane since the moment they met, almost like he was intentionally hitting all her weak spots and filling all the necessary spaces in her mind. She didn't know what was happening to her, Roulxs was masterfully manipulating the Duchess. There was only one person she could go for a truly helpful advice: the prince of the Dark Kingdom, Ralsei.
Blanche found herself in the prince's room, awkwardly sitting on his bed, with a small teacup full of hot, herbal tea in her hand. She was looking down, at her legs and feet, clad in boots and tight slacks. Ralsei offered her a slice of vanilla cake, to which it took a bit of convincing for her to take it.
“Petit Prince, I ‘ave never in moi life felt like zis… Moi mind is all over ze place, and all I could sink about is how utterly awful that monsieur is!“ – Blanche exclaimed with a softer voice, placing a bite of cake into her mouth and washing it down with hot tea.
Ralsei sat quietly beside her, sharing a cup of tea and listening to her complaints. He was still getting used to having a more frequent company since the King of Spades was imprisoned. He didn't hear from the heart and club general-dukes, but they seemed to be doing alright on their own. The Prince was glad to have some company while his lightner friends were away.
“What about him do you find ‘awful’? I know he can be a lot to handle at once, but other than that - mr. Kaard has always been nothing but harmless” – Ralsei looked up to see Blanche's reaction more clearly, stirring his tea with a small, silver spoon.
The Duchess didn't hesitate with an answer, immediately springing into action.
“O’, Monsieur Kaard may not bring any phyzical ‘arm, but ‘e is a true intrigant! Zhust today, while I was exploring ze Royal Gardens, ‘e once again greeted moi wiz zat damn smirk and unsolicited comments!” – Blanche's whole hand gripped the dessert spoon, almost bending it with her strength and anger.
Ralsei knew about the Duke's rather clingy nature. Once the man was interested - it was hard to truly get rid of him. He'd linger, even when he has no chances.
The prince offered the Duchess a reassuring smile, his feet dangling from the bed, not reaching the floor.
“Maybe it's his way of admiration. You were, and still is, pretty important.” – The young boy mumbled, trying to lift the tense mood between them. – “I think all he needs is a friend who cares.”
Blanche thought about it for a moment. She never thought of Roulxs that way, as someone that would feel anything other than intense arrogance, but the words of the young prince somehow made sense. How did she never thought about that? And maybe, if Blanche would be convincing enough to seem like the Duke's friend, his pompous nature wouldn't seem so annoying.
“... You are right, Petite Prince, as you always are!” – Blanche really did brighten up before Ralsei's eyes. A small smile even appeared on her once angry face.
She quickly drank her tea, making sure to stick out her pinky and make no slurping noises. She was all about manners and etiquette, like she was all those years ago. Some things never change. With the final sip, the Duchess placed the half-eaten cake slice on the drawer, before leaving the prince.
“Merci bouquet, Petite Prince of Darkness. Au revoir!” – Blanche bowed gently, taking one of Ralsei's hand and pressing her forehead to it slightly as a gesture of “goodbye”. With a confident stride, she left the boy to his thoughts, but not without a gift.
Later that day, Ralsei found a small, green brooch of a diamond card, connected to a velvety ribbon. He didn't know when the Duchess snuck it into his room, but upon equipment, the prince felt more protected and… more aristocratic, if that made sense…