Work Text:
Eiden couldn’t believe what he was hearing. No respect for the king? Or the guardsmen?! Well Eiden couldn’t really complain though. He didn’t know much about that side of things. Even if he was, well… an alleged prince. ‘Yeah that's a can of worms I don’t want to open or think about right now.’ Eiden thought. It was something Eiden didn’t like to remember, being a prince. But after all the things Aster and Morvey told him about Huey. It was like being in the palace all over again. The lessons, the faking, the speeches, the paperwork. ‘Feels like I never left…’, He thought to himself.
Then the whole thing with Yakumo happened, and Eiden was raging. If this was how all the “knights” acted in this world. Then he wasn’t surprised that people had revolted against the knights. So, when the head knight, or Vice-Captain (Eiden didn’t care, he had a bone to pick with this guy.) came to them. He was ready to tear into the guy. Regardless of his possibility of being a clan member. Eiden might not have paid much attention in his lessons. But he at least knew that real knights didn’t act like the way those thugs had. And as much as Eiden hated to go back into that role.
This guy needed to be knocked down a peg. So with a deep breath, he stepped back into the role of Prince Blankenheim.
-~~======{+}======~~-
Edmond has met many nobles in his life. He knows how to see and read between the lines. So when word reached him of the supposed “successor” to the late Grand Sorcerer. He was irked and very annoyed with this new development. They had no need for a new sorcerer. That much was apparent, the reliance of magic was weak. They could find other ways to regulate the altars just fine without this fraud. As he waited for the fool to come back with the “new” Grand Sorcerer. He found himself thinking of what the imposter looked of. He did have some thoughts in mind, but they vanished when the vampire came back.
“Our apologies, Master has a difficult time getting out of bed at this time of the day.” Aster, he thinks his name is. Then he turns to see the successor, and is thrown into a loop. Because he knows that pose, that look. He’s seen it before on many nobles and visiting royals. There is confidence, and a sort of grace that the stranger has. He may have a smile on, but his eyes tell of something else. Displeasure, and shock, but their is a hint of something else in those eyes. It’s gone before he can see and read more of it. The smile tightens, and Edmond knows he has failed something.
It doesn’t matter anyway, he’s here to do his duty. Then he is cut off again by the vampire. Edmond is use to this, perhaps the familiar is the negotiator. Yet, just when he is about to explain his business to him. The mysterious successor raises a hand to silent Aster. “Aster, while I would love to see you work your magic on our guest. I would like to have some words with the… Vice-Captain was it?” He looks to Edmond as if to check, he nods in reply. He’s not the only one who seems to be thrown by this. The duo famileries seemed to be shocked by this as well.
Aster however recovered fast and chuckled “M-master Eiden I have to remind you that-” “Aster, are you disobeying an order from me? I said that I would like to talk to the Vice-Captain.” As the sorcerer restated his words, His gaze turned to the familiar. Edmond could hear the hidden order that the words carried. He had to give the stranger credit, he cut right to business. He was soon under those eye’s gaze. “I apologize for Aster, he likes to be a little forward. Now your name was?” He holds out a hand as if to receive something from him. “Edmond is my name, and you will use it as such.”
The other man nods and puts his hand on his chin, as if in thought. The other hand is placed behind his back. “Well Edmond, I’m Eiden, Eiden Blankenheim. I would say that it’s nice to meet you, but it’s not.” The smile was gone, now a stone face was what the successor showed to Edmond. It was going to be hard reading him, but that did tell something else about him. He was used to being obeyed without question. He was very good at playing politics and getting under peoples skin. He needed to tread carefully with this man, Edmond wasn’t sure what kind of tricks he had.
“So Vice-Captain, is there any reason that your Head Captain isn’t here? I just need to know for my curiosity.” ‘Do I need to deal with you?’ Was the message Eiden asked. But Edmond had a reply, “He is busy with other duties. I am here under the orders of His Royal Highness.” The stranger, Eiden, he needed to remember that, was still unfazed. “I see…” He said, then turned to the two families. “Aster, Morvay, leave us…” He dismissed them with a wave of his hand. The two of them gave a nod and left, but not before hesitating to do so. “Oh! Morvay, bring Yakumo. I'll let you know when to bring him in.”
Morvay nods and leaves with Aster. The two mean now stand alone in the room. Edmond decides to take the first move. “I have heard that you are the successor to the Grand Sorcerer, is this true?” He asked. Eiden’s face doesn’t change, “Maybe I am, maybe I’m not. I don’t really care either way.” He waves the air away, then gives Edmon a good look over. “Now Vice-Captain, I am curious as to why you have come to my house. I can guess that this isn’t a social call.” He smiles a little as he chuckles at some unknown joke he told. Though Edmond doesn't know what joke he told.
“I have come here to tell you of a favor that his highness requests of you.” “Oh? And I’m sure that his “favor” is to do with an altar?” Edmond nods. This makes Eiden chuckle in some way. A way that is almost mocking. “Of course, because that’s all I have running for me. The one useful thing I’m good for. Well let me tell you something Vice-Captain. After the rather pitiful show of knighthood, I find myself questioning if I should even help. How the king, and even you are aware of me, is suspicious. Though that is a matter I will be fixing on my own. If my thoughts are correct.”
Eiden’s smile grew more wicked. Edmond knew that could not mean good things. He needed to get this fool to understand that this was serious. “Are you saying that the lives of people are nothing to you?!” Eiden chuckled and came closer to Edmond. “Oh I do care Edmond, but my question is… do you?” He was so close to Edmond, then he grabbed his hand. All at once, astrang feeling overcame Edmon. It was a heat he never felt before in his life. He was forced to his knees by the other mans grip. A knock came from the door, and Edmond struggled with getting up.
But Eiden smirked, “Bring him in Morvay…” He cooed. “Mr. Eiden-” Edmond turned to see who had come in. But a hard squeeze of his hand had him turning back to those glaring brown eyes. “Keep those pretty little jems on me Vice-Captain. I have more to say, and I want to see you face to see those faces you make.” The man was the devil, Edmond decided. Then he heard the hissing coming from the man that had just come in. “Now, now Yakumo… Be nice.” Eiden purred to him. “Now look me in the eyes, Vice-Captain. I owe you and the crown nothing. And so, when this whole thing is over.”
“The only payment I will get is you. Yakumo, be a dear and bite him good and hard. Make sure it hurts.” The moment that Edmond heard that, he struggled to get out. But something else was holding him down. Then the bite, the pain, and the feeling of something entering his body. His vision started to get fuzzy, and his limbs getting heavy. “Good… Now you will return to the king with what I have told you. And if that isn’t enough, Then I will personally show your king why the Blankenheim name is feared.” Eiden let go of his hand, a bruise had started to form from the hold.
“That venom will take a day to set in, so I suggest you hurry along. You can see yourself out I hope.” When the room stopped spinning, he saw Eiden leading Yakumo out. He casted one last look at Edmond. He grinned with sharp teeth and glowing eyes.
-~~======{+}======~~-
“How did you do that master?!” Aster asked as Eiden and Yakumo retold how everything went to the familiars. Eiden just chuckled, “Well I’m used to all that political stuff back at the palace so it was no problem to show the Vice-Captain I wasn’t going to be used as a pawn.” Eiden took a bite of the food Aster and Morvay had set up for them. However, when he looked back up at the group. They all had this dumbfounded look on their faces. “The… The palace?” asked Yakumo. “Oh yeah…” Eiden sighed. He had meant to keep it a secret for a little longer. But he might as well tell them now he guesses.
“So… Yeah I’m the prince to the throne of Sloth, Prince Eiden Blankenheim. Don’t worry, you guys don’t have to treat me like royalty or something. It's just a title I used to have from my old world.” Eiden shrugged and went back to eating as if he had just been talking about the weather. “But your a prince! Royalty in the flesh! And even though I’ve never heard of this throne of Sloth, It sounds pretty important!~” Aster swooned. Eiden sighed “Look, I don't want you guys to see me any different, ok? I’m still me, just… you know… a Prince.” He looks over to Yakumo who nods in understanding.
“Plus… I’m kinda on vacation anyway with being here. I’m sure it[‘s no problem at all.” He laughs. “Sure… but just one more thing I wanted to know. Yakumo, your bites aren’t really poisonous right?” Morvay asked. Yakumo shook his head violently. “No of course not!” “Then what did you poison the Vice-Captain with, master?” Morvay looks to Eiden with a curious look in his eyes. The other two look to him as well, wanting to understand that as well. Eiden doesn’t answer at first, but then he takes a sip of his drink. “Have you ever heard of the Greeonian Plateau Roses?”
Needless to say that after that. Aster made sure to have a new flower bed added in the garden. It was full of beautiful pale emerald green roses. That only few knew the real reasons for being in the garden besides being pretty. Aster also had a personal chemistry lab added in the basement for Eiden.