Snow's White | ✓

4. Almost Brothers

"Ah, my future daughter-in-law has arrived. Her brother too, excellent, excellent," King Cedric announced, his voice reverberating off the high walls of the dining hall. The walls were adorned with mirrors encased in cold frames, the light from the numerous chandeliers reflecting off the polished surfaces. Though dozens of chairs lined the large dining table in the centre of the room, only the seats at the eastern end held expensive sets of porcelain and gold tableware, complete with napkins folded into the shape of swans.

The King gestured to the empty seats in front of him, Rose dragging Keir by the hand to sit next to her. Lowering himself into the chair, Keir averted his eyes as his father entered the room. His father's shoulders noticeably slumped in disappointment as he looked at his son, weakly grasping Cedric's hand as the two kings sat next to each other, followed by Lucas's mother who took the chair next to her husband. The only chair left was the one to Keir's left.

"Where is Lucas?" Cedric grumbled, glancing at the empty seat beside Keir. 

"Apologies for the delay," a voice behind him spoke, as Lucas entered the room. His steps faltered as he noticed that the only seat available was beside Keir, who peered up at him with an amused smile on his lips. Rose hadn't noticed his hesitation as she chatted animatedly with her father, but Keir had picked up on his faltering gait. 

'Interesting,' Keir thought to himself, grinning to himself. As his eyes met Lucas's own, the small smirk gracing his lips not being missed by the blonde Prince, Keir felt something stir inside him. Lucas really was quite attractive.

"The seat next to me is empty," Keir detailed loudly, patting the seat next to him with large, exaggerated movements. 

"Thank you," Lucas replied stiffly, a servant pulling the chair out for him to fumble onto. As the serviette was unfurled and placed over his lap, Lucas cleared his throat and adamantly ignored Keir's heated gaze, which sent prickles sizzling down his skin. 

"No need to be nervous. We're almost family," Keir laughed, raising his glass towards Lucas, who turned his head to blink blankly at the outstretched hand. Cedric laughed at the comment, raising his glass as well. Frederic hesitated before following suit, watching his son with careful eyes. Looking up at Keir, Lucas almost felt bad for being so jumpy around him. His earlier  seemingly smug face had turned soft, his smirk sinking into a relaxed smile. "To my soon-to-be brother," Keir continued, nudging his head towards Lucas's glass. As Lucas picked up his glass, bubbling liquid rippling, Lucas heard Keir's voice quietly lower to his ear.

"Thank you for saving my sister," Keir whispered, his voice barely a breath. "I would not give her away to any other man. I mean it." Pulling back, Keir clinked his glass with Lucas's, the tension between them dissipating as the sound hit their ears. Lucas cracked a smile at Keir's words, heart swelling, his thanks muffled by the sound of waiters entering the room with their first course. 

"Ooh, my favourite!" Rose exclaimed, her eyes sparkling as the immaculately decorated dish was placed in front of her, her dainty hands wafting the rich scent of the braised duck into her face. Keir and Lucas shared an amused look as Rose all but drooled into her napkin, Keir stifling his snort with a hand as Lucas choked on his wine.

Keir smiled to himself as he placed a neat morsel on his tongue, eyes closing as he savoured the flavour. Lucas watched as Keir's throat bobbed as the bolus travelled down his throat, ignoring the churning in his stomach. 

"Do you not have an appetite, Lucas?" Eveline sighed, worried. Lucas shook his head as he forced a laugh through his lips.

"I just got distracted by Snow's... enthusiastic reaction to the food," Lucas quickly mentioned, earning a laugh from the parents at the table, Rose's cheeks reddening as she hastily swallowed her food, washing it down with a sip of wine.