KILLBLACK

one

"Your highness, Lord Lucas is here."

The soothing voice of the beldam servant outside the Princess Seola's doors made her bombinate an almost instant response.

Seola's heart had an appetency to meet the buck who dared to take her hand in marriage, Lord Lucas of the Wong household.

Of course the monarchs of her country wouldn't allow the royal bride to wed with a baseborn carl, although Lord Lucas was no burgess they still allowed the daring young noble to be betrothed to the princess.

"Sister, are you ready to meet him?" Jungwoo's soft voice calmed the harsh banging in the young princess' chest.

"I'm... I'm afeared he will not come to like me..." Seola responded. "Do you think I need more bijoux, dear brother?"

The prince eyed her excessive sparkling trinkets, and chuckled lightly. "You need less, Seola."

Seola smiled, assaying to remove her adornments but haply dropping a few.

"S-Sorry..." Seola apologized, making Jungwoo giggle, picking up the fallen jewellery. "It's alright, Princess."

After making sure Seola looked her best cap-a-pie, Jungwoo escorted his sister to the young swain waiting outside.

There he was, all clad in black, with dark hair and a tall physique. Seola looked at her own soft-hued clout and pressed her lips into a line. 

"Are you sure he's going to be accustomed to me, Jungwoo?" Seola furrowed her brows as her brother looked into her hazel orbs. "It seems like we aren't the same ilke." Seola eyed her brother's black suit. "Heh, it seems like the two of you will accord better."

Although Jungwoo was withal clad in black, he looked angelic compared to Lucas' devilish ambience.

"Don't fret, sister." Jungwoo held her hand, skin white as snow. "Methinks he will like you once the two of you will converse."

Lucas turned around to see the princess, along with her red-yellow haired brother.

His plump lips coiled into a sweet smile. "Your highness, it's a pleasure to finally meet you." He bowed to Jungwoo first, and turned to Seola. "Your majesty, you are just as alluring as what I have heard. At last, I have finally witnessed your beauty with my eyes."

Lucas curtsied to the princess, whose ivory skin has turned rosy after his complimentary words. Kissing her hand, he looked up and stared at her orbs as he straightened himself, not letting go of her gloved mitt.

His eyes averted their gaze from Seola to Jungwoo, who stood betwixt them. "Prince Jungwoo." He showed him a flirty smile, and Jungwoo furrowed his brows slightly before clearing his throat. "Yes, it's a pleasure finally meeting my sister's daring swain." 

"I feel the same, young Prince." Lucas smiled once more. 

"May I have a word with you, your highness?" Lucas voiced. "Just anon, I would like to query you about a few matters."

"Lief, my Lord." Jungwoo nodded in approval, and turned to Seola. "Just a brief moment, alright, Princess? Afterwards all of the lord's time is yours."

Seola smiled. "It's alright, brother. I can iwis wait a short while."

A few servants escorted the two lads to a room in the castle, with a few chairs and a warm fireplace.

"Would you like a few refreshments, your majesty?" Jungwoo was about to respond, but Lucas cut him off.

"No, just privacy." Lucas smiled, and the servants bowed and left the room, closing the oaken doors.

Jungwoo straightened up his bearing. "What would you like to discuss, my Lord?" 

Lucas clasped his hands together, resting his chin on his intertwined mitts. "Hmm, how are you, your highness?"

"I-I'm doing quite well, Lucas." Jungwoo raised a brow slightly. "Do you think you will be fit for the siege as king once you're wedded to my sister?"

Lucas purred, ruminating. "I don't want to be cozen with you, your majesty. I am nowise fit for the throne."

Jungwoo released a deep sigh, rubbing his temples. "Then that only makes you a fardel, then. If that is the case, young Lord, then I will not allow a marriage between you and my sister."

Lucas smirked, and gave Jungwoo a smile showing his pearly whites. "That's not a problem for me, your highness. I really covet to marry you instead of your sister anyways, Prince Jungwoo."

Jungwoo raised a brow. "You're satire." 

Lucas stood up, slowly perambulating towards the orange-haired prince. "I'm resolute."

"Are you that desperate for a royal status that you turn to marrying me in order to eschew the royal duties of a king?" Jungwoo scoffed. "Fie. You're distasteful, Lord Lucas."

"Oh, you've utterly misconceived my intentions, Jungwoo." Lucas compassed Jungwoo, who was tensing on his seat. 

"Dare not chicane me, you coxcomb!" Jungwoo stood up, pummeling the wooden table in front of him. "Do not mistake me for a fool, Lucas. You cannot deceive me with such bootless prattle!"

Lucas halted, and moved closer to Jungwoo's incarnadine face. "Will a buss satisfy you then, your majesty? I'm more than amenable to kiss those sweet lips of yours if it would convince you."

Jungwoo stuttered, pushing the taller male away. "D-Do not palter, Lucas! I am not dotish."

"Of course you aren't, dear Jungwoo." Lucas smiled. "I am speaking nothing but sooth, your majesty. I wish to take your hand in marriage."

"Shut it, you imbecile!" Jungwoo's soft-spoken mannerism were long forgotten. "Are you demented? It seems like you belong to a bridewell!"

"I am verily certain I'm completely fine, your highness." Lucas chuckled. "I assure you, I am speaking nothing but truth at the nonce. Please do not vacillate."

"I came to your country to marry the cadet, not the crown princess." Lucas said firmly. "It seems like the king and queen misunderstood my purpose."

"This... This is foolish nonsense." Jungwoo furrowed his brows. "Let's just move on from this, Lord Lucas. My head hurts talking about this... nonsensical balderdash."

"Oh, so do finally believe me, Prince Jungwoo?" Lucas gently grabbed Jungwoo's milky white hands. "So, what is your response, dear Jungwoo?"

Jungwoo gave him a disapproving look and got rid of his hand from Lucas' strong ones. "Are you mad? Citizens in this demesne aren't as open minded as you think, Lucas. How do you think they would react when they divulge their crown prince affianced to a nobleman? They would dispraise us."

Lucas' brows puckered into a frown, sighing as he collected his hands to his lap. 

"Let us take our leave, Lord Lucas. My sister is waiting for you."