Chapter Text
The Duke of Flappington, Vincent. A charming yet polite Duke or at least how he showed himself to the world. People alike easily fall for his charms, and he twisted it to his desires. Not caring who will get hurt or betrayed in the process. As long he can control Barkingburg, nothing else matter to him.
All though, the Paw Patrol always get in the way. They save the day in the end, no matter how hard he tried to get away from his crimes. They'll get him one way or another, it pisses him off. Not to mention that spiky hair boy... Ryder, he always get on his nerves one way or another without trying.
He get punishments from the Princess of Barkingburg, that naive cousin of his. From time to time, no matter how severe the situation he cause, she always forgive him though he end up facing lenient punishments from her. Which he give her that, at least she is merciful compared to their grandmother.
But the handwork which he had to deal with, which is can be quite the opposite. He had to keep an eye on Barkingburg and make sure everything went smoothly, no one asked why a teenager in his age is left to do a task like this. Surrounded with paperworks and deadline on his desk while his cousin visit adventure bay as if she wasn't the princess here!
Another day passed by, a sigh escaped his lips before he checked another paper with a resignation yet frustrated expression on his face. "This is a pain in the butt, why am I still trapped in this chair while she can hangout there like whatever she wanted to! If she can do that, at least give me a day-off or a vacation day." But then he paused. "Oh wait...
I'm the Duke of Flappington, I can do whatever I want!"
He pushed himself off his seat and whistled his eagle to follow him, he stretches his arms and let out a sigh of relief. A taste of freedom, something he hasn't feel it ever since he stay in that empty office. He walked across the hallway, servants and maids passed by when he noticed a pair of maids whispering into each other's ear.
It piqued his interest so he decided to get closer to them.
"Have you heard about Ryder?" The first maid whispered to the other maid's ear.
"Huh? Ryder? You mean that kid who owned 6 pups, is richer than any of us and always save the day?" The second maid muttered, gripping her broom while unaware the young duke is listening.
"Yeah, I heard he went missing on the other day."
Vincent raised his eyebrows, Ryder? The leader of the Paw Patrol went missing out of nowhere? That's odd, though he continued to eardrop in case if he missed some details.
"Missing? Wait, you meant it?" The second maid whispered.
The first maid nodded and continued. "I know it's crazy, but this morning. He was found missing when Chase is looking for him in his bedroom, not a single trace of him left behind."
He hummed to himself and walked away. "Not my problem, thank god he's gone for good." He said, Jean-Claude let out a cackle and close his eyes. "Now, I can finally began my plans to have Barkingburg all for myself."
As he finally take a step outside, the sunlight shined down upon him and he cover his eyes with his arm. He doesn't want to get blinded by the sun the moment he can finally be free from the paperworks and the Earl keeping an eye on him.
"Finally... free from the paperworks, and I can breathe without feeling I'm being watched by that Earl." He said and cracked his neck to ease himself. "I swear, I feel like grandma after being trapped in there," he shook his head. "I'm literally a teenager and these adults just tossed the paperworks on my desk, then expect me to finish it in one week? Unbelievable."
He paused when he noticed the Earl of Barkingburg standing there in the garden by himself, which piqued his curiosity. He walk up to him and strike up a conversation with a charming smile on his lips, he waved his hand. "Earl, didn't expect to see you at the time like this. Usually you're with the princess most of the time."
The Earl of Barkingburg raise his head and look at the charming noble before him. "Vincent, didn't expect to see you here." He said, nodding his head. "Did you finished the paperwork that I give you?"
"I'm wondering the same thing." Vincent replied and cross his arms against his chest. "As for the question you ask, let's say it's tiring for me and it's hurting my physical, mental and my sanity." He shook his head and lowered his hand. "I need to light up a little, you know? Can someone charming and polite as me need a break?"
The Earl narrow his eyebrows. "That's odd coming from you, Vincent." He said with skepticism in his voice.
"Yet you let our precious princess visit Adventure bay as she wished." Vincent countered and crossed his arms against his chest. "How come I'm not allow to have some free time while my cousin allow do whatever as she pleased?"
"Well that's because she's a princess." The Earl stated firmly.
"And I'm the Duke of Flappington." Vincent replied and narrow his eyebrows. "I know everytime I appeared, I always cause problems in Barkingburg. But right now, I'm not planning for that. I have too much problems to deal with, and this double standards you putting me and her is absolute unbelievable."
He relaxed his expression and lowered his arms. "Now if you excused me, I shall prepared my first trip to the Adventure bay. Tell the adults that the duke is taking a break from the paperworks."
He didn't let the Earl continue as he already planned to visit Adventure bay with Jean-Claude perched on his shoulder, a hum escaped his lips before a smile appeared on his lips.
"Adventure bay, here I come." He muttered to himself as he pass by a garden of Namophila, though he catch a glance before he look away and continued walking.