The Villainess Wants More

Part 61

The palace was hectic. It had become busier than ever before. Lucienne, against her wishes, was still confined to her room and she had spent all her time attending to the new baby. Though the maids insisted they take care of the princess so she could rest, Lucienne had been attached to the child at all times and Erno seemed to be just as attached to his wife. He spent all his time in the same room that he requested that all his work be done in there. The maids and butlers were constantly rushing up and down the halls to help with as much as they could. As Solette and Nenet stood in front of the door, they watched silently as the baby cooed. Nenet wasn't allowed entry to the room as Erno was overly worried that he might track in something from outside but Solette was free to enter as he pleased. Yet he found himself faltering in the doorway. As Erno lifted his head from his pen, he caught glimpse of the child. "Solette." He called out to him. "What are you doing loitering around the doorway." He placed the paper he was holding down. Solette seemed shocked to have been realized but he quickly entered and scurried over. He peeked over the desk to see the work before being picked up and placed on Erno's lap. "One day you'll be emperor Solette. You know this right?" Erno scanned the boy with his eyes. Solette nodded. "You'll have to take care of your sister. And when you marry, you'll have to care for your partner." He continued. "You are a strong boy. I don't doubt you." He had a soft smile on his face as he patted the boys head. Solette smiled and nodded. Erno looked at a letter on the desk and grabbed it. "Oh, speaking of partners. They say the best relationships start from friendships. Me and your mother would know." He smugly smiled as he handed the letter to Solette. "Why don't you make some friends? Don't tell your mother I've said this but I think she worries that you're lonely." He watched as the child opened the letter and began to read. It was an invitation to a children's tea party hosted by a young noble couple with a son of the same age as Solette. Solette smiled and nodded. "Ok! I'll go!" He looked up at Erno. Erno patted the boy's head before lifting him into his arms as he stood. "Unfortunately I cannot attend with you as I have far too much work. We'll send your maid with you as a chaperone and a knight." He walked over and stood beside the bed before setting the child down. They both stared at the sleeping empress and the soft baby on her chest. As Erno looked at all three, the empress, the baby, and the child, he could feel a sense of peace.

Solette twiddled his fingers as he waited. Sarah, his maid, stood behind him and next to her stood a knight. "Are you ready your highness?" Sarah smiled. Solette nodded. The doors opened and the prince entered the hall. It was prettily decorated and well lit. Everyone bowed as he entered. Seeing the amount of people did nothing for his nerves as he walked towards the two party hosts. He greeted the viscount and his wife. They bowed and greeted him back. That's when he caught sight of their children. The daughter looked about 3 years older than Solette. She had black hair and green eyes. The son looked Solette's age. He had almost no hair as his black buzz cut was barely visible. He had dark brown eyes. Both of them had sienna colored skin that complemented them perfectly. "Your highness, this is my daughter Nia and her brother Dallin. They were both very excited when you agreed to come." The viscountess placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "It's an honor to have been invited." Solette tried to sound as proper as possible. Nia curtsied primly before holding her hand out to the prince. "Your highness, I told all my friends that you were going to be here. I think that you should come see them. Even though we're older than you, we think we can be your friends." She sounded very confident and she had a cocky smirk on her face. Solette hesitantly grabbed her hand. He was thinking how she wasn't even that much older than him so she had no right to act like she's better but he would never say that. As she hurriedly pulled him away from her parents, he could feel a lingering gaze and as he looked behind him he saw the son shyly hiding behind his father's leg, staring at him.

Solette quietly looked around the ballroom as he wandered around. He had sat with Nia and her friends but after a while of that he deduced that older kids talk about boring things and that they try much too hard to be like their parents. He slipped away easily as they had seemingly forgotten he was even there. He was deep in thought which caused him to accidentally bump into a very pretty woman. He tipped over and ended up on the ground. As he looked up, the woman held out her hand towards him. "My, my, little prince. You ought to watch where you're going next time." She helped him up and dusted off his shoulder. As she closely inspected his face she got her friend's attention. The friend had ginger hair and she was slightly less pretty than the first woman. "Oh isn't he just adorable?" The blonde woman said to her friend. Solette blushed. The ginger woman nodded. "Oh yes. He looks just like his majesty." She noted the white hair. "Yes I suppose that's only natural seeing as though he was born from the Emperor's brother-" The woman gasped. "Oh I guess I shouldn't bring that up. Sorry sweetie." She looked back down at the prince. "I-I'm okay!" Solette tried to reassure both himself and the woman. The ginger woman put her hand above her heart. "Oh he must be shy. I guess they haven't started the proper training for the heir." She tilted her head. "Oh don't be silly." The blonde woman faced her friend. "Why would they? There's a new heir now." She smirked. Solette's eyes widened at this remark. "What?" He quietly asked. The blonde woman put her hand over her mouth to pretend as if she was shocked. "Oops! Guess I said too much. But I wouldn't dare keep secrets from the prince." She frowned. "Well you see, prince Solette, the empress is a very kind woman." The ginger woman perked up. "She took in a small frail boy wasn't her own and she made him her heir." She smiled. The blonde woman nodded. "Yes shes truly a godsend. But now she has her real baby! And a real heir!" She smirked. Solette felt her harsh gaze. He wanted to run and cry.