The sun had crept over the marble balconies of Lysaria when a sealed letter arrived, sunlight passing by the stained glass to the floor, coloring the pristine white in many shades.
Renat didn't open the letter immediately.
Instead, he twirled it between his fingers, eyes glazed in thought while reclining lazily on his throne, not the official one, but the one in his private chamber, where roses lined the walls of his open balcony and silence reigned supreme. The wax bore Veynard's seal: a lion clawing at a crown, as if trying to wear what it couldn't quite grasp 'A boar would suit him better.' Renat evaluated, his demeanor unamused by the planned delivery of the letter just an hour after Andrés reported the news to him; Bandits had struck before dawn.
They rode in horses, faces masked by tattered scarves as they descended on Eldermere, a border village of Lysaria. By the time the sun crested over the horizon, granaries were looted, livestock was slaughtered, ten farmers injured gravely, and three lay dead in the mud.
The unharmed villagers were quick to report this raid to the royal guards, speaking of the bandits' accent, their rusted sigil, and faded crests on the saddles, all pointing to the kingdom beyond Lysaria's mountains. When the news reached Renat's ivory palace, the emperor was lounging in his solarium, peeling an orange with his dagger in a bored daze, a stack of signed documents on the side.
"Varysian bandits?" He flicked a rind into a gilded spittoon, his voice matching the collected demeanor "How tedious, Veynard's negligence is as predictable as his terrible wine." Andrés had long grown used to his sire's behavior, his gaze not tearing from scroll he was reading to the emperor.
"They killed three of your subjects, your majesty. Then stole enough grain to feed Eldermere for a month."
"And?" Renat tossed the sharp blade on the table close by, sucking the dripped juice from his thumb, his emerald eyes, half lidded, unfocused "Shall I declare war over a few sacks of wheat? Send Veynard a sternly worded letter about the killing of my subjects from such a carefully crafted coincidence?"
Andrés hesitated. He'd served Renat since the man was titled heir to the empire, and an additional 10 years after being crowned monarch, so he knew that behavior. It meant boredom. And Renat's boredom was deadlier than any army. No minor problem would snap him out of it.
"The villagers demand justice," Delivering the message was one of his jobs, he must persist "They say King Veynard turns a blind eye to bandits who cross into our lands. That he encourages it."
Renat's lips curled upwards. Veynard, the brash, boar-headed king of Varys, had always been a thorn in his side. Not for his cunning smarts, as he had none, but for his tedious predictability. Last summer, he'd sent Renat a cask of wine laced with honeysuckle poison. The winter before, he'd blockaded a trade route with a man made rockslide. Each time, Renat had retaliated with such meticulous cruelty that even his advisors shuddered. But respond to this? A bandit raid? It was almost… beneath him.
Almost.
Now, with the king's letter in hand, where delivering a letter in one hour was impossible, curiosity sparked in his chest, if there was an opportunity to play, Renat would lay the pieces out for them 'I hope the queen was the one who wrote this, her schemes are at least worth a jester joke.' He broke the official seal from the letter, waving Andrés off when his left hand man began approaching, he'd read this one himself.
As usual, the letter was written with false pleasantries, as if syrup could mask poison, Renat had no doubt the queen had grasped Veynard's hand to guide his writing. Carefully chosen words apologized for the "incident", a mere misunderstanding, really! It involved a group of rogue guards "allegedly" tied to Varys' military, they had escaped punishment by crossing into Lysaria's borders and robbing Eldermere in the process. A "tragedy," the king followed on, "but one we hope will not sour relations between our noble kingdoms"
Then, as if it were a punchline to the joke, the last lines read:
"To mend our unfortunate misstep, I invite you and your family to a grand ball held in Varys' honor. It would be a joy to finally meet your famed siblings."
Renat's fingers tightened on the letter, the smile on his lips twitching, as if citrus had too suddenly spread on his tongue, far from his liking.
'Ah' he thought, the sour taste already growing sweet 'So it was never about me.'
Veynard had always been loud. He flaunted his throne, bloated his words, and filled his halls with yes-men who feared silence more than failure. But to send men into Renat's kingdom, to raid his land, and then send this; an invitation disguised as a peace offering… That was laughable.
Or it would've been, if he hadn't dared to mention them.
Rudian and Rubina.
The only two people in this world who made Renat's mask drop.
There was something in him, somewhere between a thread and a chain, that always snapped when they were touched, even in thought, even in word. Veynard, his wife, hadn't even seen them yet, and already their fingers were curling where they shouldn't.
Renat leaned back, running a thumb across his lip, eyes flicking toward the open balcony allowing him total view of the grand garden, the one his siblings slipped off to read or nap when bored of the court.
'These Varys pigs are going to try something.' Renat thought, not in fear, but delight.
They always tried.
Paid assassins. Bribes to betray. Poisons in Renat's wine. It was a game to him.
Varys' diplomats being killed. Delivering the heads of traitors to their chambers. Their only daughter dying from a poisoned wine. One Renat always wins.
But this time… Oh, this time would be different.
'You want to see them?' Renat folded the letter back with surgical precision. 'Then you'll have your wish, and may you rot with it.' He stood up from his throne, his steps silent as he walked to the balcony, already noting the missing figures.
The idea his siblings were too bored to even go out left a bad taste in his mouth, Renat would never allow them to wilt in such a manner.
"Fetch the twins to the garden." Renat ordered Andrés "And ready my scribe, we're sending Veynard a reply."
---
The twins were easy to find, residing in their rooms when maids delivered the emperor's message.
After arriving to the garden, Ruby nestled close to the fountain by sitting on the cleanly paved ground, one of her arms resting on the base of the fountain. Her head laying on her forearm, lazy demeanor evident as the white layered dress pooled around her form, diamonds on the skirt's fabric glistening with the sun's light adorned her. The running water was a welcomed noise, dainty hand carefully flipping the pages of the book and pressing them to stay in place. Being told Renat would arrive a little later, she had taken blank paper with her to draw on, residing them on her lap atop another book for stability, doodling constellations the book's contents described and sketching myths from her interpretation.
Rudy sat not too far from her, his back against a column that provided some shadow from the sun, his focused expression betraying nothing but his shoulders were slumped, he was bored, knowing he'd have no say in the situation. A map in his hands, the latest installment of their kingdom's border accompanied by a small piece of paper on his lap, the news of the raid having reached him by now. Stray hair gently brushed his forehead, having slipped the hairclip's restraints that held his bangs back, a gift from Renat with a match set earring. His gloved fingers lightly brushed over the map as he sighed, averting his attention to Ruby.
"Are you still bored?"
Ruby finally lifted her head, nodding "Isn't the end of summer always uneventful? Everyone is busy and Renat limits our visits outside the palace." The pencil she held moved aimlessly, drawing swirls and stars. Rudy stood up from his spot, careful to not drop his papers before walking over to the fountain, his earring and hair clips reflecting light once hit by the sunlight.
Rudy sat down next to her, opening the parchment map over their lap to point at the eastern borderland, circled with red ink "I received news that Varysian bandits struck Eldermere." Ruby's gaze softened, a sympathetic look directed to the circled spot "Were people hurt?"
The older twin placed the piece of paper over the map, and Ruby's eyes scanned the contents; Three dead, ten wounded, and resources stolen. Rudy watched how his sister's expression turned pained from the news, she raised a hand to idly twist strands of her hair, a nervous habit "What of the bandits? Were they spotted anywhere afterwards?"
Rudy shook his head "No, they escaped back into Varys, but Andrés said Renat will focus on making the Varys king pay instead." Of course he didn't say that, but Rudy knew how to read between the lines of "His Majesty will make sure that king apologizes properly for this misstep."
The twins fell silent. For Ruby, a prayer to the departed souls, hoping the wounded got better in health as soon as possible, her hands gently clasped together. While Rudy was racking his brain for what Renat could be planning. Rudy grew restless when it came to understanding Renat's schemes before they happened, naturally, all of them led to the betterment of their empire and people, even if it shrouded their subjects in lies as of the true reason.
Rudy knew that for him and his sister, the deaths would be enough of a reason to pressure Veynard for compensation. Especially a genuine apology. But to Renat, they posed no significance to anything other than his already perfect monarch image, he could lie his way out of it when asked for justice by his subjects. So to attack Veynard directly for this? Bandits? It felt small. Unworthy of his theater.
'Is he bored?' Rudy lightly clenched the small piece of paper, boredom was dangerous.
Both looked up once hearing footsteps approaching, Ruby's somber expression shifted into a lighter smile "Ah, brother! You finally arrived." She greeted sweetly as the older twin merely nodded, his eyes veiled in suspicion "We heard about the bandit raid, are the wounded being treated in Eldermere?" Ruby quickly conveyed her worry, her gaze nervously following Renat as he knelt down close to the two, the usual smile on his face; calculated, never reaching his eyes.
"Of course, I dispatched the medics with the investigation team as soon as Andrés told me the news. And a team to give the dead a proper burial."
Ruby's rose colored lips tilted up into a relieved smile, her tense shoulders relaxing when Renat patted her head "I'm glad then." With Rudy's stare on him, Renat chuckled and lifted a letter, the purple broken seal, a color royalty used, catching the little brother's attention immediately, making him quickly take the letter from Renat's hold.
Noticing the action, Ruby blinked in confusion before leaning towards Rudy, trying to read the letter by herself as well "A ball?" She mused, conflicted about the idea, on one hand, a ball outside of Lysaria? This will be their first! But on the other hand, her view of Varys was tainted because of the possibility that the king himself ordered the bandit raid.
Renat nodded "Yes, he'd like to meet you two." The request still amused him greatly, their audacity was impressive "You've gathered quite the reputation, everyone is starting to send me letters to let you accompany me."
"I don't like it," Rudy said flatly, his brows pinching together in irritation as he tried to close the letter, following Renat's perfect creases "This came right after that border attack. Is he trying to use the ball to cover it up?" A finger poked between Rudy's brows, making the prince stop the excessive frown "Perhaps," Renat's voice was smooth as his thumb brushed Rudy's pale brow "But I'd rather not miss an opportunity to let the world see the treasures I've kept hidden."
Ruby giggled, taking Renat's words as normal doting "We've never been outside the kingdom before, maybe the Varys king is trying to actually apologize, but if not, wouldn't it be better to discuss such a serious situation face to face? The people deserve a proper apology." Rudy gave her a side glance, quite helpless about her naive way of thinking, he knew there were possibilities Veynard had no connections with the bandits, but why else would Renat entertain the idea?
Renat gently pressed his index finger on her nose, diverting her attention back to him "Just leave the politics to me, darlings, I'm taking you two to have fun." Renat then rose to his feet, brushing off his sleeves as he took in Ruby's hesitant excitement and Rudy's acute suspicion "Now stand up, I called the tailors to prepare your wear for the ball."
---
Renat's reply arrived in Varys two days later, penned in gold ink on parchment soaked of jasmine oil.
To His Majesty, King Veynard of Varys,
It has come to my attention that certain pests from your realm have troubled my borders. While I'm certain this was a mere oversight, I propose we discuss the matter face-to-face. Join me at your upcoming Harvest Ball, I do miss your famed peacock pies. My beloved siblings, Rudian and Rubina, will accompany me as per your request. Do ensure your court dresses appropriately, vulgarity offends them.
- Renat, First of His Name, Emperor of Lysaria
Veynard was read the letter by an advisor in his feasting hall.
"That insufferable viper!" He hurled his goblet at the messenger, who ducked smoothly from the predictable reaction, such as Renat's effect was on their royalty "He mocks me! Threatens me! And dares to actually bring those creatures here?"
The "creatures" were the twins of course, Veynard had only used them as a taunt but that viper dares to overstep. The king had heard the tales; With hair like starlight spun to silk, eyes like rubies kissed by dawn, their face carved from the heaven's fairest spell, poets weaved such verses across lands after visiting Lysaria, and artists went mad with inspiration yet unable to capture their full beauty. Nonsense, he'd thought. Lysarian propaganda. Even if they had such effects, then that could only be because of sorcery. Forbidden dark magic of the devil!
But his queen, Isolde, leaned close, her breath sweet with the morning wine "Why not let them come either way. Let your court see his precious siblings for the freaks they are, darling."
Veynard grunted. Isolde's hatred of Renat was legendary. Three years prior, Renat had "gifted" her a mirror that showed her aging reflection "It was my own." He said with a delighted smile "However, I haven't aged a day ever since crowned emperor so it's useless to me, I'm sure you'll make better use of it, queen Isolde." She'd smashed it and sworn vengeance.
"And if Renat plans to sabotage us again? Our daughter died last time he visited our land." Veynard growled, the viper didn't let go after catching sight of those signs
Isolde smiled "They're in our territory, darling, not only him but those precious siblings of his, he'll be full of openings."
---
Renat's palace hummed with quiet malice whenever the emperor was planning his games. Naturally, the more fortunate, ignorant ones weren't aware, happy their dear emperor was in a good mood, which only heightened the danger for the wise group.
His hands brushed through letters, eyes on the reports from Varys while talking to the summoned tailors "The twins' attire must be... Simple." He instructed cleanly, a small pause as the tailors wrote his instructions. From what Renat's informants have told him, Varys' court dresses like peacocks, the women sparing no expense on big gems and ruffles, the men in colorful animal prints and as many rings as their fingers could fit 'I want my siblings to make those peacocks look like court jesters.' Renat mused to himself, not that it was a hard task.
He guided the crafting of their outfits personally, not lavish, but elegant. Subversive of Varys' fashion to mock it. They would stand apart not by opulence, but by taste. And Renat would watch in glee as that kingdom tried, and failed, to imitate them.
For Ruby's gown, simple but expensive silk with delicate lace, dyed the faint silver of predawn frost. Crushed diamonds threaded the bodice, the sweetheart neckline gave attention to the red ruby that hung from a silver choker, matching earrings, a silk shawl hanging from her exposed arms and a fan to match her grace. And for Rudy, they stitched an ivory colored suit, its simplicity and minimal design broken by a blood-red velvet cape pinned to one shoulder, white silk gloves on his hands in place of rings, and most scandalous of all; a ruby earring hung from Rudy's left ear. Just the sight would unsettle Varys' traditional nobles.
"Pack the clothes carefully, be careful with the jewelry, don't forget their tiaras and the pearls for Ruby's hair." He told the maids, eyes stuck on Rudy's earring, why the men of Varys had so many jewelry everywhere but none on their ears?
Renat could take a few guesses, maybe Veynard had a fear of needles he could exploit. His spies hadn't spoken of it, but it was a nice possibility to test.
Speaking of his spies.
"Veynard's heir, Cedric, is a sniveling drunk," Andrés reported, speaking freely once the twins were dismissed "His younger brothers plot to usurp him. The queen takes lovers, the current one being the captain of the guards."
Renat filed each weakness in his brain like a jeweler sorting gems, easier to arrange them beautifully for when the opportunities arose.
The loudest people were always the most fun to play with, they squealed like pests when squeezed.
---
On the day of their departure, Ruby lingered around the windows of the halls, watching servants load the carriages. Her faint reflection exposed the smile on her face, subtle excitement had been clear for the last few days, yet she was also anxious, Renat hadn't spared any details when telling them how other kingdoms could rule.
"Nervous?"
She turned when hearing the voice, watching Rudy walk closer to her, dressed in his travel coat.
"Aren't you?"
He shrugged, he didn't stop when he reached Ruby, walking past her instead and towards the stairs "It's a ball. We smile. We dance. And Renat plays with the rest." Ruby pouted, stepping away from the window and following after him, a little thankful when he slowed his pace so she could catch up "It's normal to feel like this when we're going somewhere unfamiliar, isn't it? Especially to a kingdom that might have purposely sabotaged the people." Rudy nodded as they descended down the stairs, where Renat was waiting at the bottom.
Rudy's hand was slightly trembling, their first time outside their kingdom... He was anxious yet excited, just as his twin was.
---
The journey to Varys took two days, and during the entire time, Ruby's head was turned towards the window, her lips twitching into a smile as forests gave way to Varys's rocky foothills. Excitement evident in her eyes, taking in the nature of the foreign land as much as she could with the carriage passing by.
Besides her, Rudy, arms crossed and eyes narrowed, tried his best to appear indifferent, though the edge of anticipation showed through his quick glances to the window, the heel of his foot lightly bouncing "Brother," Rudy leaned off his seat "Why are we really here?"
Renat, sitting across from them, glanced up from his book, a treatise on Varysian crop rotations "To enjoy ourselves. You've looked so bored lately." He sighed, troubled "And you're always talking about how grown you are, no?" Renat's tone was sharp as he mentioned their "growth", as if detesting the idea of his siblings growing past those dotted on and cute children "Let's see how you handle the outside world." Rudy's eyes narrowed into a glare, undermining them just as always huh...
"Then again," Renat's smile didn't reach his eyes. "You're the arrows. I'm the archer. And this week, little brother, we're hunting boar."
Ruby blinked away from her fixation on the window, looking at Renat. Then, at Rudy, who had mirrored her actions, the twins stared at each other before she mumbled "Brother always says the weirdest things."