Lucille was sitted In front of the window, as usual, watching the sun rise, when there was a knock on her door. "Come in." Lucille said, turning towards the door. Her cousin, the crowned prince, came in. "Oh, it's you." Lucille said, while eyeing her cousin. "Is that how you wish someone a good morning?" Regaris asked her, while pulling the chair of her dressing mirror close to her and sitting on it. "I thought you would have gotten ready by now?" He asked her, while raising a brow. "What I am putting on is good enough." Lucille said, while adjusting her emerald green dress, which greatly complemented her jade green eyes. "But it has been five years. Any other girl would dress as though they were headed to a banquet, if they hadn't seen their family for that long." Regaris told her, a frown plastered across his handsome face. "Any other girl that did not feel neglected by their family members, you mean." Lucille corrected him. "At least he did his best. You stayed with him, for six years, at most, despite aunt's strict disapproval." Regaris said, and when he noticed that his cousin was not moved, he added. "Even when Dad took you in after that, he still sent you gifts on a periodic basis, even paying visits to you when he were free." "But when his daughter was between the threshold of life and death, he did not send a single letter, not even one." She said, gripping her frock tightly. "That's alright- he has another daughter, who is currently his heir, so why should he bother about me anyway?" She said, a sarcastic smile hanging on her lips. "It was solely your decision to participate in the war, Lucille." Regaris said, his tone grave. "Even though we strongly opposed your decision. Uncle was very cross about it when he realized that you still went to the war, but nothing could be done at that point." Regaris argued. "I only went because the survival of the empire depended on It!" Lucille said, her voice rising. "Besides, mother still sent me letters least!" Regaris was interrupted a knock on the door. "Your imperial highness, are you in there?" A feminine voice called out. "What is the matter?" Regaris called out, not inviting the maid in. "Well, you see, Grand Duke Vordec has arrived, and he wants to speak to you urgently." She said. "Tell him that I will be there in a minute." Regaris said, while casting a meaningful glance at Lucille. He then stood up, and walked out. "Your father is already here." Regaris told her. "Fix up that countenance of yours and prepare to meet him. You know the kind of man he is- he doesn't like to waste his time." He said, as he stepped out, and shut the door. Lucille got up, gazing at her reflection on the mirror of her dressing table, while placing her hands on the table. Her eyes glanced to a petite flower vase, which had some lilies inside, and she picked one up. Maybe it was because of her anger, or she temporarily lost control of her powers, but the one which she picked burst into flames instantaneously, turning into ashes, not even sparing a single petal.
Regaris stared at the man sitted in front of him, from the corner of his eyes. Duke Vordec did not notice though, his crimson red eyes were busy looking at the document which he handed to him. He lightly sipped some tea, while Lucille was bidding her precious time. He thought that his uncle and his father will have a long talk, since it had been a while that both brothers had seen each other, so he was surprised that his uncle had sent for him instead. "This is quite noteworthy, with this policy, the rate of inflation will reduce to twenty five percent, making the life of the common men easier, and reducing food scarcity." Duke Vordec said. "I will send this to the minister of Financial affairs, to see if it can be adjusted. You will make quite a fine king, I am sincerely looking forward to your rule." Duke Vordec praised, with a smile. "You flatter me too much, uncle." Regaris said, while wondering while Lucille was not forthcoming. He sincerely hoped in his mind that she will not cause a scene. "You know, there are certain things that I regret." Duke Vordec suddenly began. "And one of those things is the fact that I could not be a good father to my daughter." He sighed, then continued. "I was still young, and was caught up in pleasure- both I and her mother were. We continued that shameless act, not even bothering about the consequences that were bound to occur." He continued his reverie. "Anyways, ignore this old man- how Is Lucille? I hope she didn't get any ghastly scars from the war?" He asked, breaking out of his thoughts. "No, she came back with just some light scratches, nothing serious to be bothered about." Regaris assured his uncle. "I am glad to hear that, afterall, she will still get married, and I want her untarnished. Is she interested in anyone?" He asked. Upon this question, a familiar face flashed briefly for a moment In Regaris's mind, but he shook his head. "I am not sure." He said, with a light smile on his face. "Oh, alright then." Duke Vordec said, as he relaxed himself.
The sound of heels could be heard from descending down the stairs. Both men looked up, and beheld Lucille, who had already gotten to the foot of the stairs. She courtsied. "Good day, father." She greeted. "I hope you are faring well, it has been quite a while." Her father laughed lightly. "Honorifics are not necessary." He said, as he walked up towards her, enveloping her in a hug. "I am just glad that you are safe and sound."
*********************************************** "So, how have you been these past few years?" Duke Derec asked his daughter, who sat across him from the carriage. "I have been good, thank you for your concern." Lucille coldly replied. Her father gave her a light smile. "You don't seem so happy to see me." He observed. "You are mistaken." Lucille said, as she crossed her legs. "That idiotic crown prince soured my mood this morning." She explained, while her father chuckled. "You are always bantering with your cousin." He said, but Lucille ignored him. "By the way, have you heard from your mother ever since?" He asked her. "She sent me letters during the war, so yes." Lucille replied. After that, nothing was said, the Duke couldn't think of a proper topic to bring up either, so he gave up.
Soon enough, they got to a magnificent building, whose gates were crafted with gold. The design of the building was eloquent and majestic, yet simple. The house alone spoke of immense wealth, while also proclaiming that its occupants did not spend lavishly. As she stepped in, memories began to flood into her head, both the happy ones, and the ones that made her bitter. "Welccome home, young miss." "Young Miss, you have grown to be quite a fine lady.." "Our little miss, we missed you so much.." Servants greeted from left and right. But Lucille had her eyes fixated on one elderly lady. "Nurse.." She muttered, walking up to her. The woman touched her face tenderly, a light smile on her face. "You still remember me?" She asked, tilting her head lightly. "Of course I remember you, little rascal." She said. "I haven't gotten that old for my memories to fail me drastically." Soon enough her father walked in. "Your grace." The old head maid greeted, her head bowed. The Duke nodded at her, before turning to Lucille. "I was so pre-occupied with talking to the coachman, that I didn't realise the time you went in." He said, while smiling. "Wait for me In the living room, I will go inform the duchess and your sister of your arrival."
She did not have to wait for long, though. The Duke slowly descended down the stairs, accompanied by a woman with pale blonde hair, and a lady with auburn colored hair. Immediately the younger lady laid eyes on Lucille, her eyes lit up instantly, and she hastened her pace. By the time she got to where Lucille was, she threw herself unto her. "Aurelia, you are hurting me." Lucille choked. "Be quiet, you big fool. Is that how you say hello to someone you haven't seen in five years?" She asked, releasing her younger sister, while her eyes pooled with tears. "Just look at these dainty hands, they have become rough." Aurelia said, feeling Lucille's palms. "You will have plenty of time to chat with your sister, Aurelia." Duke Derec said, with a smile. When Lucille saw the older woman, she immediately stood up. "I pay My respects to the lady of the house." She said, her head bowed. "I am glad to see that you are alive and well." The lady replied, gripping the handfan which she held more tightly, an action which did not go unnoticed by Lucille. "Sit down, Lucille." She added, while sitting down as well. The Duke sat next to his wife, while Aurelia did not hesitate to sit next to her sister. "Honestly Lucille, your presence gives me Solace. Father just keeps pushing all the work In the house to me" Aurelia immediately complained. "You make it seem like I don't work at all." Duke Derec commented. "But that doesn't change the fact that I do most of it!" Aurelia refuted, staring angrily at her father. "Well, you have become the matriarch afterall." Lucille said, as she sipped her tea, which the servants just served. "It feels like you are mocking me, though." Aurelia said, giving her sister a nasty glare. "I am not, honestly. I am just grateful that I am not you." She said. "Afterall, I don't have to do all this work." She added, with a wink. "Silly girl." Aurelia muttered. "Anyways, I am surprised that you aren't married yet." She mused, while giving her sister a meaningful look. "What happened? Haven't found the right one yet?" She asked. "You can ask father." Aurelia said, turning her face away. "He wants a son in law that will get married into the family- as in, to bear our surname." She added. "Why not? There is no law in Agerintia that goes against it." Their father mused. "You Pratically want a Vagabond to get married into your family then." Lucille began. "Because it is only a man like that I can possibly think of."
Everywhere fell silent at once. The Duke scratched his head awkwardly, while the duchess gripped her hand fan tightly. "I guess you are right." Aurelia said, breaking the silence. "Anyway, did you already have someone in mind?" Lucille asked, as she picked up her tea cup. "Hmm, maybe the crowned prince? He is dashing afterall." Lucille nearly spilled her tea over her frock, before turning to Aurelia with wide eyes. Not just her, the Duke and his wife were also staring at her weirdly. "I am just joking!" Aurelia threw her hands up. "Do you all think I am crazy enough to marry my own cousin? My gosh, I am older than him for goodness sake!" Aurelia snapped at all of them. "You and your expensive jokes." Their father muttered, while Lucille shook her head. "So at the time you get married, all the property will go to to you, right?" Lucille asked. Before Aurelia could answer their father quipped In. "What makes you to think that?" He asked. Lucille gazed at him. "The property will most definitely be split between you two, at a ratio if Sixty to forty, it says so In my will." He added. "I don't remember us discussing about this, Derec." The duchess spoke up for the first time. "Who are we splitting that forty percent with?" She asked him. "Lucille of course, who else?" The Duke responded, perplexed. "Why can't our Aurelia have it all? She is your blood, afterall." She said. "But Lucille also has my blood flowing through my veins, I am her father too." The Duke Argued. "So, you really want to split your property with this vermin? Honestly, the mere sight of her disgusts me. Especially those eyes." The Duchess said. "Mother.." Aurelia began. "Demitri, don't make a scene" The Duke warned. "Or what? So you really want to give Part of your inheritance to that whore's child, that shameless woman, that nearly broke our marriage?" The duchess continued, her voice rising. "Enough!" Lucille exclaimed, slamming her hands on the table. At the same time, the hand fan that the duchess held burst into flames, nearly burning her. She quickly flung it away, leaving the servants to attend to it. "Do you see that? She wants to burn me alive! Aurelia, do you see this darling sister of yours? Both mother and daughter planned it, yes, this is their plan!" The duchess continued to holler like a lunatic. The next thing that turned Into flames was the hat she was wearing. "Mother!" Aurelia exclaimed, flinging it off her head. "If you really wish to die by my flames, then I shall grant that wish." Lucille's voice came, cold and furious. "Just keep this in mind, duchess- Say whatever you please about me, but don't say a word against my mother, I shall not stand for it!" She exclaimed, standing up. "Besides, My mother wasn't the only one that is shameless, your husband is shameless too, although I am a product of that shamelessness." She said. "And Duke, I do not want you to be a good father to me, neither do I want your worthless property, keep it to yourself." She said, as she walked away. "Tell your wife not to come near me, or I might burn her for real. Do have a good day" But as she stepped outside, she heard someone calling her name. "Lucille!" Aurelia grabbed her hand. "Let go of me, Aurelia!" Lucille snapped. "I won't let you leave just like this!" She exclaimed. "Do you intend to take me hostage?" Lucille inquired her green eyes filled with ferocity. "Can we just talk this out?" Aurelia asked her. "There is nothing to talk about, and don't even try to apologize, it changes nothing." Lucille warned glaring at her. "This is not how I pictured our reunion to be." Aurelia muttered. "Lucille please, just Stay for the night, okay? It's getting late, what if something happens to you?" She asked. "Then I will just burn them to a crisp- be It man or beast." Lucille said. "I won't let you go unless you hear me out." Aurelia demanded. Just Gazing at those crimson eyes calmed her down a little, and she didn't have bad blood with either one of her sisters, anyway. Besides, Aurelia didn't have a hand In what transpired. "Alright." Lucille muttered.