Chapter Text
Okay... how did this escalate so quickly from trying to confess your love to your crush to you end up in a court because of a crime you didn't commit this time?!
Which is an unfortunate case for Vincent Icacus, the poor Duke who just wanted to give flowers to a certain blonde girl. Here he is, standing there with his hands cuffed while the girl he loved. Sitting there with her hand gripping her gavel and that expression on her face while witnesses have to watch this scandalous crime, he wouldn't lie to himself when that look send shivers down his spine. It reminds him... of an adorable kitten, well he could say that if weren't for that spiky hair boy.
Before the "crime" even happen, Vincent is too busy preparing the perfect bouquet for Katie with his buddy Jean-Claude in his office. Irises and Hyacinths are happen to be her favorite, especially if they're white or pink. So he had to take a note of that along with a small gift for her, which happened to be a handmade pink scarf since he overhear she prefer gifts that is made with love and thoughts into it.
Made with love and thoughts into it... he hummed to himself as he placed the pink scarf inside the box and wrapped it around with yellow paper, as a finishing touch. He put a pink ribbon around it, almost similar the shade of pink on the ribbon around her neck. He wonder how she react to it, will she love it? Likely, maybe she start gushing and ignore his rival!
"You made this for me? I'm so happy that you brought these for me, Vincent."
He has to stop daydreaming and start locking in, he can't start giggling like an idiot. Not yet anyway... he need this to be perfect, at the perfect timing and at a perfect place where it just him and her alone.
And I better not screw this up! He grumbled and shook his head, he better to make sure he didn't get caught by others. Especially when that Earl kept an eye on him like a hawk, but no duties and no papers for him to deal with! Which mean, more freedom for him and less punishments to deal with.
"And... done." Vincent hummed and wiped the sweat off his cheek, looking a bit proud of what he made. The bouquet with her favorite flowers? Check! The handmade gift for her? Check! Now he need the time and the place to do so...
But unfortunately, it was quickly ruined by a knock on his door.
"Come in." Vincent yelled, though his voice sounded a bit forced since he's annoyed that he got interrupted before the visitor entered the office.
Which happened to be the Earl, of course it's him. Who else have the guts to face him beside other nobles than him? He had to composed himself and forced a smile on his lips, while in reality he wanted that old man gone from his sight. "Oh, what brought you here, Earl?" He said with forced polite in his voice.
The Earl raised an eyebrow and cleared his throat. "Vincent," he start. "The princess wished to talk you privately—"
Vincent raised his hand. "Tell her later, I'm not in the mood to deal with her right now." He stated and narrowed his eyebrows. "Beside, you know we only exchanged few words with each other ever since that day. And lastly.. I'm busy, can you see that?"
"Busy, you say?" Earl retorted and raised an eyebrow. "You don't seem to be very busy judging by the bouquet and the gift on your desk, Vincent."
Vincent have to keep the facade, but inside he's facepalm himself for not hiding them before he crossed his arms against his chest. "And that's your only argument? Earl, have you realized I have a personal life? As for those bouquet and the gift, that is completely none of your business." He stated and close his eyes. "Now that you excused me, I shall go now. I have some important business to do." He open his eyes and lowered his arms down.
He grabbed both of the bouquet along with the gift before he left the office, with the Earl trying to reason with him and walk down the hallway. Where he is greeted by butlers and maids alike, bowing down respectfully when they see his presence. He hummed to himself while he hid the bouquet along with the gift behind his back.
The Duke of Flappington usually doesn't seemed to be a type of person who buy or give someone gifts, unless it's on rare occasions. But seeing him like this, it seemed quite off. Usually, he would planned for something devious. Either way, that's not their business. They're here to clean, not to gossip.
As he took a step outside of the Barkingburg, he had to look left and right to make sure no one is noticing before he take a deep breath to calm his nerves. "Okay, Vincent... you got this." He cheered himself up and composed himself, he pull out a comb to fix his hairstyle and make sure he didn't screw this one up.
"Vincent? Didn't expect to see you here."
His cousin, Diana who isn't supposed to be here calm out to him behind his back. He has to curse under his breath, why is everything always out of his control? Fortunately, he quickly composed himself and turn around to face the princess.
"Oh? Didn't expect to see you here either, Diana." Vincent replied though he sounded a bit annoyed and raised an eyebrow. "Okay, cut to the chase. Why did you wanted to talk to me privately?"
Diana placed her right hand on her left arm and said. "Oh, I just wanted to have a talk, that's all." She paused and raised an eyebrow. "Also, why do you have a bouquet and a gift behind your back?"
Oh god DAMN IT—
Inside, he's silently praying that she doesn't noticed it. But unfortunately she did, which make it quite hard for him to explain before he shrugged his shoulders. "Why not? Are you curious about it, dear cousin?"
Diana titled her head. "Yeah, it's not everyday you brought a bouquet. You know?" She paused. "Are you planning to give it to someone?"
"What? Of course not." Vincent quickly retorted, trying to keep his compose while he's silently panicking and screaming inside. Why does she and that Earl have to make it worse for him?! "What make you think of that, Diana?"
"Hmm.." Diana hummed and shrugged her shoulders. "I'm just curious, that's all." She paused and titled her head back. "So... who is this lucky girl who make you buy a bouquet and a gift just for her?"
"What lucky girl?" Vincent quickly retorted, trying to change the subject though it was obvious that he's getting flustered. "Are you trying to put your words into my mouth?"
Diana shook her head. "No, I'm curious what make you overworked the fact I ask you about the bouquet..." she mused. "The more you tried to deny it, the more I became curious. You know!"
Vincent has to close his eyes and composed himself, okay. This is slowly getting out of hand and he have no time for her questions. "Alright, enough asking about my personal life. Maybe you should focus on yourself and how to get it together."
Before the princess can continue, the young duke already took his chance and run off. Leaving her standing there, looking a bit surprised. "...What was that?" She ask to herself and the pup walk up next to her.
"I don't know, but it seems he has secret plans." Sweetie, who actually witnessed the whole thing decided to speak up. Though she already knew why he act like that, she wanted to rile her owner up a little. "Are you curious, princess?"
Diana look down on the pup and nodded. "Yeah... but I don't think he'll be happy if I ask more questions." She muttered and raised her head, watching his already disappear figure before she narrowed her eyebrows. "I wonder who got him overworked up like that..."