"Iris Evangeline Nightshade"
Leander's temper flared as he slammed his fist onto the table. "You said what?!" His voice resonated with anger. "How could they just disappear overnight? Where did they go?"
"Their location is still unknown right now," the man kneeling before Leander began, but before he could continue, Leander hurled a cup in his direction. It shattered against the wall, emphasizing his frustration. "Find them! Track them down! Search everywhere! Leave no stone unturned!" Leander's fury was palpable. "How could all those nobles stay idle when I'm at a crisis here?! Didn't they say they fully supported me? But then why!? Why did they all stay silent as my father announced Nikolai as the-"
"His Highness the Crown Prince is here!"
Leander annoyingly gestured for the man to stand up and collected himself, preparing for the impending presence about to confront him. "I'm already angry, and this one's here to piss me off even more."
"Leander!" Nikolai entered, royal guards holding the door for him. "How dare you abuse your power like this?" His voice held a tone of admonishment. "It seems the younger brother is finally here to reprimand the older brother," Leander blandly stated, catching Nikolai off guard for a moment.
Nikolai composed himself and sneered back at Leander, his tone filled with simmering annoyance. "The older brother wouldn't need to be scolded if he would just act as he is supposed to." "Like how, brother?" Leander's eyes widened as if gone mad. He bowed lowly and stared up at Nikolai. "Obedient and respectful to the almighty crown prince like a dog—oh wait—I'm a duke too!"
Leander laughed and brushed his hand through his hair in obvious frustration. "You don't understand a thing yet you claim to know better—" "No!" Nikolai stepped closer to Leander. "You're just all stressed for nothing! You've lost control of a lot of things, and you're angry! Your influence on the Emperor, nobles, and even Aria!"
"Aria? Did you just call her Aria? Has it all been about her?" Leander paced quickly towards Nikolai and grabbed him by the collar. "You hypocrite! It was all for her, eh? I wondered how she knew so much about— No! She's mine! She's under my control—" "Leander!" Nikolai tore himself from Leander's grip. "What's gotten into you? Are you mad? Lady Ariana is not a toy, neither an object!"
"Is it any of your business? All you have to do is act innocent and let everything fall into place!" Leander stepped back in rage. "You're just a lazy and shameless being—"
"Hahahahahaha." The two guys paused at the sound of loud laughter and turned to the door, only to be met with a lady. "You guys sure know how to crack a person up, you know?" The lady walked in, her crimson hair slightly bouncing as she moved. "You boys are fighting again. I'm guessing it's either because of the throne or that moon girl. Which is it?" A smile grew on the lady's face as she sat on Leander's desk and smirked visibly with her icy blue eyes literally piercing their souls.
"I-Iris?" Nikolai stared at her in disbelief. "I thought you were abroad for your studies and wouldn't be back until next week?" "Nikolai Nikolai. It seems you've grown little aware of the difference between us. You even seem to think I wouldn't succeed faster than expected."
Iris sighed sarcastically before smiling darkly. "You both seem to have forgotten! Look how much you guys have grown! You're not just picking fights with each other but seem to even forget to respect me." "Huh?" Leander and Nikolai both stared at each other before going on their knees. "We're sorry." Iris stepped her heel on Nikolai's hand, making him stare up into her ominous eyes. "It seems the power of the crown prince has already and quickly gone to your head." They both shivered beneath her icy glare. "Assholes. Both of you... get up."
The two brothers stood up and composed themselves before Nikolai asked, "What did you want to do so badly that you had to rush here?" "Well, I had the best and most fun idea and just had to put it into action!" Iris chirped, her expression and demeanor quickly changing to a cheerful one. "And what might this idea be?" Leander asked annoyingly before Iris' dark eyes returned, and she answered, "A Dynasty Union."
Shock, terror, and bewilderment filled both Nikolai and Leander as their faces turned sheet white. "You've got to be joking," they both said simultaneously. Iris Evangeline Nightshade—a lady of an oddly high status, her ambition surpassing any other. Someone people called so cruel and twisted that she'd even burn down a whole village just for her amusement. To her, her amusement mattered more than the lives and properties of millions when compared.
"I got bored, so I went to Drakoria and asked the Emperor for a dynasty union last night." Iris said with dull eyes before whispering, with a smile. "Get this. The Emperor of Drakoria is a tiny." Iris used her fingers to gesture before she burst into laughter as the two guys stared at her in terror. "What the hell, Iris?! You wanna get our kingdom destroyed by Drakorian people?! And... why did it have to be Drakoria of all kingdoms?" Iris' smile quickly faded as Leander reprimanded her in pure rage. "Drakoria is the most powerful of the three nations, well known for its extreme military strength and strategic mindset. I think that can answer all the questions you asked me because I don't have the strength to talk to the nagging replica of late Princess Leah." Iris said dismissively as Leander began to flare at the mention of his late mother's name.
"Who the hell—" Nikolai stretched out a hand to stop Leander and began to address Iris. "Entertainment and amusement aside, what could you possibly gain from this?" "Well..." Iris jumped off Leander's desk and grabbed Nikolai by the collar, their faces inches apart yet he didn't flinch. "I get to watch all the brotherly interactions you two had, while I was gone, to win the throne."
"Huh?" "Well, if this dynasty union is signed, then there will be a fight for power and dominance, bringing Leander back into the picture. And get this! Not only will I watch the two of you bicker like children but I'll get to watch the war hero of Drakoria and crown prince." Iris said with the biggest and brightest smile ever. "So really just did all this for fun..." Nikolai said, backing up. "I-Iris. Why?" "Why? There isn't really much time to answer this because the Emperor is already planning a ball in honor of my return. He's even giving out invitations." Iris ominously said as Leander and Nikolai stared in astonishment. Iris. Iris Evangeline Nightshade.