Painted Roses

Father's Words

Luka travelled to town with her, personally seeing her home - with the intent of seeing her off and getting away before her father saw him.

"You didn't need to come all the way," Rosalia said as she took his hand and stepped down from the carriage.

"I'd rather see that all is well," Luka replied, adjusting a creasing in her cape before stepping back.

"You and Beldon, really," she said, shaking her head.

He smiled and bowed over her hand. "I'll see you soon," he said as she curtsied.

"Lord Luka."

Luka's entire body went rigid and he slowly straightened up, looking around as Rosalia's father appeared through the towering front doors, looking between them, a strange glint in his eyes as he watched them.

Luka dropped Rosalia's hand and bowed to him. "Good morning, Sir, I was just leaving."

"No, it's alright, come inside," her father said and Rosalia and Luka glanced at each other. "I'd like to speak to you, man to man, nothing to worry about, I assure you."

Luka's mouth hardened and he let out a slow breath through his nose, before gesturing for Rosalia to go first before he followed her.

"Hello, Father," she said, kissing his cheek as she passed.

"Hello, my love. Constantine is in the Blue Parlour if you wished to join him, the others are out," her father said, kissing her back.

She nodded and headed inside, handing her cape and gloves over to a maid before sweeping away towards the Blue Parlour, glancing back to watch Luka and her father disappear into her father's office, Luka didn't remove his hat or cape.

Constantine was sprawled out on one of the chaise lounges, a book in his hands as he skimmed the pages, glancing up when she entered. "Hello, little sister," he said, smiling at her, "Enjoy your holiday?"

"Hello, big brother, I did," she replied, ringing for tea and taking a seat.

Constantine chucked his book onto another seat and swung around, setting his feet on the floor as he looked at her. "Did you hear about the ball? Cliffwood set a theme for the costumes."

"He's leaving it very last minute," Rosalia said, raising an eyebrow as a maid came in and prepared the tea. "What's the theme? Leave the door open, Annie."

"Beauty," Constantine said as the maid exited, leaving the door open behind her.

Rosalia raised an eyebrow at him. "Beauty?"

"So it seems, shame Beldon won't be attending," he said with a grin and Rosalia shook her head at him, grinning in return.

"He wouldn't like you teasing him like that."

"He's my baby brother, I can tease him all I want," Constantine said, leaning back, throwing his arms over the backrest of the chaise lounge. "Shame you weren't Beauty, this ball would be most fitting."

"Con," she said, her voice low, "Luka is here."

Constantine raised an eyebrow. "He is? Why? Bel's gone back to university."

"He's speaking to Father."

Constantine was quiet for a moment, then grimaced, tipping his head back to look at the ceiling. "That can't mean anything good," he muttered.

"What will you be attending the ball as?" Rosalia asked, steering the conversation away from their brother and his troubles.

"Narcissus," Constantine replied, then looked at her again with a huge grin. "Whose face is better to fall in love with then my own?"