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Lucifer picked up another cookie and examined it. This one had pink frosting and white swirls around the edges and smelled faintly of vanilla. He weighed it in his hand a moment and could tell it was different. Special. He hesitated a moment but then took a small bite and suddenly everything clicked into place.
“Raspberry?”
“Yes!” Luke yelled excitedly and everyone else at the table groaned.
“Lucifer, you’re too good at this game.” Simeon said breaking his cookie in half and placing the broken piece on Luke’s plate.
“Yeah, I don’t think you should be allowed to play anymore. You’re banned from the next round.” Solomon said, but Luke shook his head.
“No! I like that he gets them right! I worked so hard on them. It’s nice to know you can tell what they are.” Luke was beaming with pride. He was a rising star when it came to baking any dessert item. He was even taking special classes for them and spent as much time as humanly possible in the kitchens learning and practicing and perfecting his techniques and recipes.
Lucifer finished his cookie and wiped off his hands. “Well, as fun as this always is Luke I’m afraid I might have to chase you out soon.”
“Oh, but I can stay! I need to learn about the Realms too right? If I’m going to help rule the Kingdoms someday.” Luke said and sat up in his chair straighter. Luke was only 10 and was a good kid. He was technically Simeon’s nephew, but when Simeon had taken him in as an infant and raised him as his own son, it had just been understood then, as well as now that Luke was the crowned prince of the Celestial Realm. Simeon had put it in writing too just in case anyone ever dared question it. He couldn’t love Luke more if he were his blood child. Luke would become King someday, but not today. And not for a good long while, so he could enjoy being a kid for a while longer at least.
“Actually, I do have a huge favor that I need to ask of you.” Lucifer said and leaned down and pulled up Beel’s bag. “My brother asked me to bring him back sweets from your Kingdom if I could find any, so if you might be able to spare any leftovers you made? Or if you have time to make some before I leave? If it’s not to much trouble of course. I know he would love them.”
Luke still looked hesitant to go, looking at Simeon like he really did want to stay with the grown ups as if he’d be missing something fun.
“I know Beel would really appreciate it. He loves your home cooked desserts.” Lucifer tried again.
Luke whipped his head up. THAT got his attention. “They’re for Beel? And Beel said that about MY food?” Luke asked excitedly, then coughed and collected himself. “I mean, I guess if it’s for your brother there’s no helping it. I’ll take care of it for you. You can count on me.” He jumped off his chair and took the offered bag. “I wish I’d known in advance; I’d have made something special for you to take home with you!”
“You don’t have to do anything like that. Please, this is an imposition as it is. A selfish request on my part. I appreciate whatever you can do.” Lucifer said but Luke shook his head.
“I’ll still find something really good to send. Beel is so amazing, he deserves it. Next time you come to visit bring him too! I have a new recipe for a cake I’ve been dying to show him.”
Lucifer smiled, “I’m sure we can work that out.”
“Okay good.” Luke smiled and took the bag and practically ran out of the room leaving the 3 of them alone.
Solomon took a sip from his tea smirking, “Well aren’t you the little smooth talker?”
“He just has a lot of practice with kids. He knows how to deal with them.” Simeon said, then smiled. “And it doesn’t hurt that he mentioned Beel, you know that’s Luke’s weakness. When are you going to just give in and give him to me Lucifer?”
“That would be never sir, you are a happily married man.” Lucifer laughed and took another bite of his cookie.
“I’ll just adopt Beel and we can have a strong alliance like with that whole….marraige thing you were talking about. Come on, what’s a brother between friends? You have a few to spare. Don’t be so stingy. Luke could really do with a big brother.”
“And you want the easiest one? If I’d give any of them away, I’d give up Mammon.”
Simeon picked up his tea cup and blew on it, “Hmmm.”
“What?”
“Oh, come now, we all know Mammon is your favorite.”
Lucifer recoiled, “You, bite your tongue!”
“No, he’s right.” Solomon agreed. Now they were ganging up on him. Lovely.
“Absolutely untrue. These falsehoods are slander and I’m getting you both arrested.” He glared at each of them in turn but they just ignored him.
Simeon added another spoonful of sugar to his tea grinning. “I might believe you if you didn’t tell us all the time how PROUD you are of him.”
“He’s a HEADACHE.” Lucifer countered.
“You’re right of course.” Solomon said then looked to Simeon, “So should we just lock him in a sound proof chamber? Clearly he’s just the worst. We should do Lucifer a favor and silence the noise forever.”
“If only I could put you two in a soundproof chamber.”
They laughed again and Lucifer couldn’t help joining in this time. As annoying as they could be, he was glad he had friends like them. People he didn’t always have to be on guard around. If he heard those comments from anyone else he’d be locking his brothers away for fear of their safety. But, he knew he could trust these guys, they could be themselves together. And that meant saying whatever they wanted. They weren’t just Kings; they were friends first.
“But honestly Lucifer about that whole Marriage thing, do you really think it’s a good idea?” Simeon asked.
“What do you mean? Isn’t that just understood at this point? Every royal marries for status or connections. Well, except you apparently.”
“That’s not what I meant. WE all know they’re going to get married eventually. But, well. You ARE a bit over-protective of them. And I’m worried that if you’re the one picking the marriage prospects you may end up alienating your potential candidates instead of getting the bonds you’re looking for.” Simeon said finally looking up at him and Lucifer sat up straighter.
“You think I can’t control my emotions?”
Solomon shook his head, “When it comes to your brothers, we think it blinds you more then you realize. Is anyone ever going to be truly worthy enough? Declining one or two is fine, but if you continuously decline suitor after suitor, they’ll take it personally and you may have a war on your hand and that’s the opposite of what you’re looking for.”
“Before you start this for real we just want to make sure that you are really ready to let them go.” Simeon said putting his hand on Lucifer’s arm gently.
He had known Simeon since they’d gone to boarding school together when they were kids, and they’d been best friends ever since. He was his oldest friend and knew him the best of anyone. Simeon was the one person who would tell him whatever he was thinking, whether he wanted to hear it or not. But never in a harsh way. Simeon was always tactful, and usually delicate about things, especially important ones, he would make sure Lucifer heard what he had to say and he would make sure his point was made before he’d let Lucifer leave.
Solomon on the other hand was more direct and would just come right out and say whatever it was he was thinking. But that didn’t mean he was impulsive. When he said what was on his mind, you knew he’d already given everything he was about to say a lot of thought. Solomon was always thinking. He was constantly thinking about situations that may happen, had already happened, or would happen, it was like he never turned off his brain.
And apparently since he’d spoken to the two of them about his plan to marry off his brother’s they’d been talking to each other about him and his ability to even put it into practice. He wanted to be furious at them for conspiring against him. He wanted to storm out and prove he could control everything just fine. He wanted to feel angry, and he was. But at himself. Because they were RIGHT. And he could acknowledge that.
“I’m not ready to let them go yet. I know that. I did tell them about the plan so they have some warning and some time to get used to the idea, but it’s not happening any time soon. We actually turned the tables. So, congratulate me. I’m going to be married instead.”
The look on both of their faces was worth the knot in his stomach it took to say that sentence again. Simeon almost dropped his teacup and Solomon’s mouth was actually open. The pause of silence went on a comically long time.
Finally Simeon broke it, “I beg your pardon? To whom?” Simeon asked confused, then started frowning, “And why weren’t we told you were even courting?”
“Calm down Sim, I think he means they just decided Lucifer would get married first instead of one of his brothers. Am I right?”
Lucifer laughed, “Come on Solomon, you could have let me enjoy tormenting him for a little bit before giving up the plan. It’s about the only thing about this whole situation that’s funny.”
“So, you’re not seeing anyone?” Simeon asked skeptically.
“I promise I’ll tell you when I do. You really think I’d bind myself to another Kingdom, bind my brother’s futures to someone without asking for your opinions first?”
“True, you wouldn’t rush into something like that.” Solomon agreed.
Lucifer sighed, “Asmo is planning a ball so expect an invitation at some point, you can help me eye up the prospects then. But for now, I’d love to just stop talking about this.” Because anymore talk about him getting married and he would break out in hives.
“Fine, but we reserve the right to make fun of you for HOURS at the ball when we see everyone you’ll have to dance and flirt with.” Solomon said and Simeon nodded in agreement.
Oh heavens, flirting. He hadn’t done that in….well, really ever. He’d always been so focused on his brothers and making sure they didn’t get themselves into trouble to ever be worried about that. The closest he’d come was helping Simeon, but that hadn’t even required much help since Simeon had married his childhood sweetheart and if such a thing as true love existed, they were it. So…Lucifer had no idea where to even start with the whole, courting thing. That was a problem he would push off to another day.
“Let’s let him off the hook for now.” Simeon said and Lucifer was grateful. “We can get started on the actual work if you’d like.”
Lucifer reached over and dug around for his notebook in his satchel. “So, I notice as usual, it’s just us again and a certain King has decided not to join?”
“Oh, that’s right! I didn’t get the chance to tell you because Luke was here.” Simeon rusted around and produced a small note and passed it to Lucifer who quickly read it.
“He thanks you for your gracious offer but will unfortunately have to decline due to previous commitments?” He handed the missive to Solomon.
“He sent almost the exact same note when he declined the meeting at my house.” He said and Lucifer wondered once again they continued to even bother.
Simeon started stacking plates and moved the cups off to one side and spread out some of his papers so they could see a bit better, “Some day we will get this elusive King pinned down, it’s only a matter of time.”
“I really doubt that. No one has managed to do it yet.” Solomon said picking up some papers of his own.
“And if he didn’t want to come to dinner at your house, then he’s not coming to anything.” Lucifer said and Simeon smiled at the compliment. He took great pleasure in knowing that his Kingdom was prized for their food and baked goods.
“Well, we can’t give up on him. It would be rude.”
“He’s rude! You don’t say no to more then 20 invites in a row. People only invite him to things at this point because they know he won’t come, and it would seem rude if he was the only one left out and he found out about it. But at this point, if we only invited him to public events that should be fine. He clearly has no intention of ever coming to our meetings. He rejects people even when they travel to HIS house.” Lucifer said but Simeon tsked.
“Well, showing up uninvited is clearly a breech of propriety, he can hardly be asked to entertain without notice.”
Solomon and Lucifer shared a look. Now he was just making excuses for the reclusive King. Then again Simeon always was the bleeding heart of their group. Always wanting to make everything better, to fix things, give everyone a second, third, or even fourth chance.
“Maybe someone should knock him off his high horse. He thinks he’s to good to slum it down here with the rest of us? Who made him God.” Solomon asked and Lucifer agreed, but there wasn’t really a way to do that since as far as Lucifer knew he never left his house, or if he did no one knew when or where or who he went with.
“Stop, I’m sure he’s a perfectly good guy.”
“Perfectly snobby.” Lucifer countered.
Simeon huffed, “Alright alright, let’s do some actual work. We can always debate the character of a man we’ve never even met another day.”
“If he’d just come meet us, we wouldn’t have to speculate.” Solomon said,
“Maybe he’s unfortunate looking? If he’s hideous and embarrassed to show his face in public that could explain why no one has ever seen him.” Lucifer mussed.
“Now we’re just making up baseless rumors?” Simeon asked.
Solomon tapped his pen, “Oh come on now, It’s just good fun. Lucifer’s is a good theory you have to admit. If he’s ugly then-” he held up his hands in surrender when Simeon glared at him. “Okay sorry, it was Lucifer’s theory don’t get mad at me. Work it is.”
They started working and dropped all talk about the fourth King but Lucifer still couldn’t help but wonder if they were even close. Why was he never seen? Why didn’t ANYONE know what he looked like? He never went to any public affairs, why not? He supposed it would only ever be speculation because he didn’t seem inclined to ever answer their summons to meet, but perhaps someday in Simeon prayed hard enough he could make it happen.
Hours later once they’d packed all of their work away and he was getting ready to leave Luke came rushing back into the room, “I made it! I thought you left and forgot!”
“Luke? What are you still doing awake my love?” Simeon asked, and that was a valid question, they had worked longer than they’d originally planned and it was creeping up on midnight at this point.
“I wanted to make something special, so I started on just making brownies but that wasn’t special enough. So they I made a pie, with a light crust, but that still didn’t seem like enough. So then I made an Angel cake with filling layers and frosting! But, well. Then I remembered that you rode here so you wouldn’t be able to transport it back… So we can just pack up whatever you think Beel will like the best to put in your bag.” Luke said embarrassed and Simeon looked at him but he’d already known what he was going to say the second he saw Luke walk through the door still covered in flour and orange frosting.
“Actually, it’s quite late, I don’t know if I can make it home riding myself. Simeon, could I trouble you to lend me a carriage to take back tonight? I’ll let the driver stay the night at my place of course and send them back in the morning?”
Luke’s whole face lit up, “Then you could take the cake too!”
“That does solve both problems.” Simeon said, “Go have the cooks get everything together while we finish up here, okay?” He said rubbing a bit of frosting off Luke’s cheek.
“Alright, just give us a few minutes!” Luke bound out of the room again and Lucifer looked guiltily over at Simeon.
“I am so sorry.”
Simeon waved his concern away. “It’s fine. He doesn’t have school tomorrow, so he can sleep in. Plus, he had fun which he needs, especially during the summer when he’s away from all of his friends.”
“They can’t meet up? Surely there’s more time to do that now?” Solomon asked
“They would but most of the children are away on Holiday right now. Or, their parents sent them off to a summer boarding school. Some parents really prefer not to have their children home.”
Lucifer laughed, “Unlike some, who would keep them at home every day given half the chance.”
Solomon raised his book he was putting away and pointed it at him, “Hey Pot, you don’t get to comment on the Kettle.”
Lucifer shrugged and swung his bag over his shoulder, that was true enough. He and his brothers had always spent the summers together. Hell, they’d even spent a lot of the school years together for some of them. Since half of his brothers had not gone to the school he and Simeon had when he was growing up, as that school was for the heirs and therefore was very exclusive. Only Lucifer, Mammon and Levi had been allowed in. His other brothers had gone to schools more local and had commuted daily. That was also because Lucifer didn’t like them being so far from home where he couldn’t keep an eye on them. He liked them closer, so he knew what they were up to, and he knew they were safe.
But they’d at least had each other to play with even if they were home. Luke was all by himself right now. Maybe he’d see if one of his brothers would be willing to come back and spend some time with Luke. Or have Simeon bring Luke to his house, because he was right, he had a few brothers to spare. At least one of them would be free to spend some time with Luke.
They walked out into the foyer and Luke was hopping on his toes with an older woman trying, unsuccessfully, to wipe his face. He burst into another smile when he saw them and pushed her hands away, gently, but ran up to them again. “So, we packed everything up for you and put it in the carriage, Marcus is going to drive slow so nothing gets bounced on the way so it can all make it and be perfect for everyone when it gets there.”
The woman came up behind him and sneak attacked him when his guard was down and wiped his cheek, getting the goo off him once and for all. “And we put a pillow and blanket in case you want to sleep on the way back home as well.”
“Thank you Amelia.” Simeon said smiling.
“We also have a bath prepared for his highness as soon as the guests depart.”
Luke groaned, “Do I have to?”
“Yes, now say goodbye, and then go take your bath. I’ll come say goodnight to you when you finish.”
“Okay, Goodnight then gentlemen.” Luke said bowing slightly as was polite, but then he straightened and reached out and grabbed Lucifers hand. “Make sure and have Beel write me to tell me what he thinks of the cakes okay?”
Lucifer squeezed his hand back, “I promise.”
Luke smiled then waved at Solomon one last time and ran up the stairs toward his room. Solomon came up beside lucifer and mumbled, “You think he wants to BE Beel when he grows up?”
Lucifer laughed. Suddenly the maid gasped, “Oh your hand!” He looked down and there was frosting and flour on him from where Luke had grabbed him.
“Don’t worry about it.” He said but she pulled out another handkerchief and cleaned him off just as she had done to Luke. Once he was clean again she bowed and followed where her ward had taken off up the stairs. Lucifer just stared down at his hand. “Did she think I’m also 10?”
Simeon laughed, “Don’t mind her, she has a good heart. She’s just used to taking care of him, so it was probably second nature just to do it for you.”
Simeon walked them both out. He gave them each a quick hug, before Solomon mounted his horse and took off first. Lucifer climbed into the carriage and Simeon leaned into the window.
“You know I appreciate this. I know you’d prefer to ride.”
“Anything for Luke. You know that. Plus, Beel would probably lock me out of the house if he found out I could have brought back Angel cake and didn’t. So, it’s partly selfish if I want to sleep in my own bed.”
Simeon reached in and clasped Lucifers hand in another handshake. “Whatever the reason, I appreciate it again. Stop by again soon. Don’t be a stranger.”
“I won’t. Next time we’ll get everyone together and it can be all the chaos of family, just like you like.”
“I’ll hold you to that.” Simeon stepped back from the carriage and tapped the roof and it started off to take him home. He knew it wouldn’t take that long to get there, it would take longer then it would by horseback, that was for sure, but still just a few hours. He closed his eyes as the gentle sway lulled him in and he felt himself slipping. Hours of paperwork was mentally taxing, piled on all the stress with everything he’d been thinking about lately and he was exhausted. It didn’t take long for him to fall asleep. He could almost pinpoint the second he’d fallen asleep, it was quiet all he heard was the chirping of the evening bugs and the wheels of the carriage and the horses shoes on the road.
He also knew exactly the moment they arrived home. Because just as suddenly as he was asleep with the peaceful quiet of the country, now he was wide awake from whatever loud Crash he’d just heard as the carriage came to a stop. He sat up quickly and looked around, there were still lights coming from inside, which at this time of night, everyone SHOULD be sleeping. He rubbed his eyes and climbed out of the carriage and gave quick instructions for the driver to pull around to the back and he could unload the food with the help of the kitchen staff, they would show him where to sleep and get him something to eat. He’d also give them all something extra for working so late tonight, and for also apparently putting up with whatever it was he was about to break up.
He walked up and pushed the front door open and heard it before he saw it.
“-ANNOT believe it! You’re going to be in so much trouble!” This from Asmo who was yelling from somewhere on the second floor.
“I Didn’t do nuthin! That was ALL Satan!” Mammon protested.
“But YOU are in charge.”
Another crash. “Why’m I always the one in trouble! You should respect your big brother!”
“Everyone stop yelling. I’m trying to sleep.” Belphie now from somewhere else, although Lucifer couldn’t say where exactly.
“When AREN’T ya trying to sleep? Whatever! Someone just help me!” Mammon yelled, and Lucifer had had enough. He took the stairs two at a time and reached the landing. When he got there he just stopped. Mammon was straddling a suit of armor, Asmo was holding it’s head and was fixing his hair in the reflection, Belphie was asleep standing against the wall and Satan, the apparent culprit was nowhere to be seen. Mammon saw him first as he yanked the suits shoulders up so now it just looked like Mammon was sitting it a headless man’s lap. “Luci! Yer back! I can explain!”
Lucifer just turned on his heel and walked away. It was to late and he was to tired for this right now. Let them stew on this overnight, wondering what he’d do. That would serve as punishment, until he heard what it was they’d done, then maybe there would be more. He thought back again on the conversation from earlier and how everyone thought Mammon was his favorite. Yes, because this kind of thing that he needed from a favorite sibling. He’d tell the guys about this little stunt later, but for now, he just wanted his bed.