Royals and Rule-breakers

Mystery and Misconduct

The Baudelaire siblings are the children of  monarchs who were assassinated five years ago by Count Olaf; as far as we are concerned, he is locked away, and the young royals are under the supervision of their advisor, Mr. Poe.

***

Klaus glanced up from his book at the slight rustle of the leaves on a nearby rose hedge; a young lady around his age, who had been inhaling the roses' scent, opened her eyes and squealed with horror when she saw him, then quickly sprinted away.

"Wait! Hello Ma'am! Who are..." Klaus watched her disappear behind the continuous maze of bushes, voice trailing off as he frowned a little. There was absolutely no way just anyone could roam the palace grounds, nor was it possible for anyone to sneak in. Klaus shook his head, deciding to put off the matter until dinner.

***

"Klaus? Klaus!"

"Shh, Violet, I'm here, I'm here!" Klaus hushed his older sister as he set down a stack of books on his desk.

"Well, don't just stand around, we're supposed to greet our new painter in three minutes!" Violet huffed, taking his hand and the hand of their younger sister, Sunny, who was following her, dragging the two out of the room.

"Not another portrait..." Klaus groaned, straightening out his necktie.

"No portraits!" Sunny echoed, and Violet sighed and shook her head.

"I don't think he's here for portraits. I think he's been commissioned to do a mural on the ceiling of one of the ballrooms. Finest in the world, supposedly."

"Well, I suppose a new mural would be quite nice." Klaus mused, and Violet hushed him as they made their way to the thrones in the center of the entry hall.

"Finally! Almost late, per usual." The familiar voice of their advisor scolded as they sat down.

"But not actually late, per usual Mr. Poe." Violet retorted, straightening her shoulders.

The front doors ceremoniously flung open, and a haughty man strode into the room as the guards on either side announced, "Vincent D'Angelo!"

The man took an overdramatic bow that seemed to be more out of self importance and mockery than respect.

"Welcome, Mr. D'Angelo." Violet greeted politely. "I trust you've settled into your room already?"

The painter looked disappointed for a moment. "Beg pardon, but I was under the assumption that I would be talking to a man... perhaps an older one... you there, boy." He pointed at Klaus.

Klaus, however, had his attention focused on the somewhat small figure behind the man: the girl from the garden. She glanced up for a moment, but as soon as she saw Klaus gazing at her, she quickly returned her own gaze to the floor. She seemed to shrink away from everything around her, especially the painter.

"Klaus? Klaus! Ah, you must forgive him, he is but a child still." Mr. Poe cleared his throat in annoyance, and Klaus looked at him, raising an eyebrow.

"Sir?"

"Ah, you, young man. Are you in charge here?" D'Angelo pressed, and Klaus turned to him and shook his head, gesturing to Violet.

"No sir, my sister is."

The painter frowned, and Mr. Poe quickly spoke up.

"Well, technically, she is somewhat of a figurehead. She cannot officially rule until she marries, and if she does not find a husband, Klaus here is to take her spot once he turns eighteen in a few months."

"Ah, I see. So who am I to see about my newest project?"

"I, sir, am their advisor." Mr. Poe piped up smugly. "Everything shall go through me."

"Perfect! I shall begin work tomorrow morning. You can expect it done in six months time."

Klaus glanced at the girl again, noticing her eyes widen with panic as her face glowed red.

"Really?" Violet quizzically raised her eyebrow. "Most of the murals we have commissioned take up to a year or more to complete."

"Ah, I shall get it done in no time." The painter finally acknowledged the presence of the girl beside him. "Won't I little lamb?"

"Yes sir." She responded shakily, and the siblings exchanged concerned glances.

"And you're his assistant, correct? Y/N L/N, is it?"

"Oh yes, yes, this is little Y/N." D'Angelo spoke up for her. "But I prefer to call her little lamb, for she is like a little sheep. Wherever I go, she follows, eh?"

Y/N did not seem pleased with this comparison, and Violet creased her brow slightly. "I assume you have settled into your room as well, Ms. L/N?"

"She has, she has, no need to worry about her." The painter quickly responded in her place once more.

"Well then." Mr. Poe cleared his throat once more. "It appears everything is settled then! You will be escorted back to your rooms. Dinner will be at five o' clock sharp. I trust we shall see you then, then you may begin work as soon as you can tomorrow."

"As soon as the sun rises!" D'Angelo promised, waving dramatically before exiting the hall, Y/N hesitantly following his confident strides.

"Well that was... an experience." Violet mused with annoyance, Sunny nodding.

"What a funny man. Funny man."

"His poor assistant." Klaus mumbled, but Mr. Poe still heard him.

"Poor? Certainly not! She must be living a most lavish life to be traveling with such a man."

Klaus sighed and rolled her eyes, following his sisters out of the hall.

"Remember, dinner at five!"

"We know, Mr. Poe." Violet called back tiredly. "It's the same every time."

***