There was never a need for Renat to be in a hurry, not when pieces granted him the pleasure of moving on their own, falling into places he wanted them to be in.
Patience is bitter but its fruit is sweet, as the saying goes.
Luckily, Renat wasn't picky with flavors, so the end result was the only thing that mattered.
Now, benevolent as ever, Renat wanted Varys' king to learn that lesson, instill it into his boar brain. He told the coachman and guards to slow the pace of the carriage once the sun began to set 'People should understand the futility of haste, especially a king. This will be an opportunity for Veynard to learn that making a fuss isn't becoming of a ruler.' Renat leaned back on his seat with an amused chuckle, crossing his leg over the other before averting his attention from the book to the twins seated across him.
Ruby had fallen asleep first, just as dusk gave way to the starry sky of the night. It had been precisely on schedule, Renat had made sure she stuck to her bedtime routine. Her head laid on Rudy's shoulder, a picture of eerie, sculpted perfection. Her expression was peaceful, breathing silent and faint. Like she was dead. The jarring thought flickered through Renat's mind, a detached acknowledgement of their shared, doll-like qualities.
Rudy, intentionally or not, had ended up mimicking Renat's pose; arms and legs crossed, but the usual tension in his body had slipped once he fell asleep. Renat began to see it as some valiant rebellion when Rudy tried his best to stay awake, as if to resist the usual routine, but alas, 30 minutes after Ruby fell asleep, the gentle rocking of the carriage and the darkness enveloping all light began taking its effect on the boy. Rudy's eyes closed as he succumbed to Renat's schedule. His head tilted to the side, leaning onto Ruby's and completing the set of deceptively fragile objects.
Renat closed his book, slow and quiet so to not disturb the arrangement 'They look like two nestlings who don't know how to fly.' The musing brought Renat a sharp satisfaction, and he allowed himself to drift off to the image.
—
A knock.
Then followed by a muffled voice.
"Your majesty."
Renat's eyes opened, being a light sleeper by necessity, the carriage's subtle halt had already roused him, the guard all but confirmed their arrival. He straightened his posture, pushing the book from his lap to the side before reaching out a hand to the window curtain, raising the velvet to meet the guard's gaze.
"We've arrived."
"Excellent." Renat smiled, expectant and pleased as he opened the carriage door and stepped outside, early dawn signaling the beginning of the day. Renat didn't even take a full breather after leaving that stuffy carriage, still rather repulsed from stepping into this land 1 year after his initial visit. He observed the entrance of the palace they had stopped by, the wood and metal were certainly changed, Veynard must have got bored.
He sighed "Noah." calling for the guard while brushing any wrinkles from his top "Wake up the twins." Unlike him, they needed to be woken up "Ensure their coats and hoods are secured, I'll order some servants to lead you to guest rooms. Tell the twins to continue their rest and not leave their rooms until I come to get them." Renat sighed, if he lets them loose with this visit, his system will be disrupted "Their sleep schedule might suffer if we let them roam around the palace." With his orders given, Noah nodded and quickly began enacting them as instructed by Renat.
Renat surveyed all he could see of the castle, other than decorative changes, which Renat didn't think were any better than before, he noticed servants standing at attention. He called one over after some evaluation, one he believed to be reliable enough to actually do her job "Are there guest rooms available?"
She nodded "Yes your majesty, our king said he has prepared the most lavish rooms for you and your family to reside in." Renat's smile was subtle but disarming as he nodded "Very well. Please lead my people towards those rooms, my siblings still need the rest."
Luckily Renat had already warned his maids that if anything unsightly was in those rooms, they ripped it off before his siblings saw it.
"Won't the king be displeased, your majesty?" Came a soft voice from besides him, just a step behind. Andrés, his right hand, tactical as ever to speak so quietly around foreign ears "Undoubtedly so," Renat spoke without looking over, his smile sarcastic more than anything "But how would it be my problem, Andrés? The king pleaded for our attendance so let him choke with his impatience. And as for my siblings…" Renat's eyes narrowed as he glanced back towards the carriage, catching a glimpse of Noah rousing the twins up from their sleep "He is no ringmaster to this circus but a clown just as the rest of the court, so he doesn't deserve an early viewing."
As Andrés responded with a quiet, humorless chuckle, Renat's eyes swept over the approaching castle guards, noting how their uniforms had become even more ostentatious than from before. After the usual greetings, Renat was ushered inside the castle and to Veynard's throne room.
Walking through the lavish halls, passing by portraits of the royal family, a chilling air began to surround Renat. His skin prickled with irritation as reality beat down the subconscious denial; He was in Varys, a disgustingly gaudy foreign kingdom, and he had brought his two prized jewels with him.
Of course, the chances of them coming to harm was ridiculous to entertain, not with him as their protector. But here, towers sheathed in stolen gold, streets glittering under wasteful glass lanterns, miniature ivory statues littering the halls. Subjecting his siblings to such an environment for even a week demanded unparalleled payback in entertainment.
He studied the portraits, five members instead of six, and it has just been a year since the princess died 'Decay drowning in cheap perfume.' Renat thought in distaste once the double doors came in his line of sight. It wasn't the suffering of the masses that revolted him, though that proved Veynard's stupidity, it was the sheer, crass inefficiency of it all. Power used on gaudy displays was power poorly wielded, a weakness Renat found increasingly frustrating.
Once the guards opened the doors for him, Renat, footsteps quiet as always, walked inside the throne room to immediately be met with the booming voice of Varys' king "Ah Renat, you've finally arrived! How long has it been since I last saw you?" It echoed around the throne room, occupied only by them and a handful of guards.
'Not long enough.' Renat placed a hand on his chest, executing a perfectly calculated bow out of usual pleasantries, the only one Renat would perform during his stay "Good morning to you as well Veynard." He straightened his posture, the politely crafted smile on display as he greeted the king, taking a brief lookover the throne room "I must say…" Renat started, rather amused by the situation of the missing hostess and heir "I'm a little disappointed I didn't get to greet the rest of your family as well, they must be… Quite occupied." With the queen who pulled the strings and the future ruler nowhere in sight, it was insulting to leave only the court jester as the host who greets Renat on arrival.
If it was intentional, Renat praised their audacity to disrespect him, but if not, then this poor presentation of the ruling family was another flaw to nitpick.
"Yes, yes, they're all quite busy during early mornings."
'Ah, so they're still sleeping.' Renat mused, his smile turning just a bit more prominent, the joke was enough for Renat to ignore Veynard's eyes, searching behind and around Renat with poorly veiled curiosity like an ant who couldn't comprehend its reflection "And what about your siblings? Where are they?"
"Sleeping." Renat answered with a tone as if it should have been obvious, why would the two with no claims or authority over the throne need to be here? "During the entire carriage ride they were unable to rest at all from excitement." Providing additional information with a slight smile, Renat's expression softened, projecting the image of the adoring older brother his empire adored so much "When I told them about your celebrations, they were unable to contain their anticipation so they barely got a wink of sleep, I hope you understand."
The famous twin doves of the viper were excited about Veynard's parties, naturally just the thought would make the king puff his chest in pride, pleasantries and manners be damned "Well nothing will disappoint your siblings tonight, I made sure everything is extra special because of your arrival."
'Of course you did.' Renat let out a small chuckle, was he trying to one up Renat by showing his wealth? 'What use is riches which didn't belong to someone to begin with.' Renat cleared his throat, crossing his arms and deciding enough spectacle was held for the guards, they had good gossip material to spread "Additionally, I appreciate the rooms you arranged before our arrival. They'll feel refreshed by the time the ball is ready to commence. Now, if you'll excuse me, I believe I should go take a rest as well." Varys' balls can be quite taxing if he had to play nice, so Renat wished for the silence of a room rather than an audience for at least a few hours beforehand.
But with loud footsteps nearing closer to him, Renat's hand twitched for a second, grip tight on his arm before releasing as Veynard arrived in front of him, at least descending the stairs from his throne made good exercise for the king "Well you can't leave now. Come, come." Veynard ushered Renat, as if the emperor would ever walk behind him, while a few butlers materialized, decanters in hand 'Quite well trained.' Renat mused in appreciation for the servants.
"I prepared some wine for us both to discuss what has happened with those bandits." Huh, that must've been a rehearsed line considering it was quite diplomatic. Renat is definitely not going to drink anything then.
"Oh I believe your letter was already quite telling." Renat reminded him with a smile, seeing the wondering expression on Veynard's face made for a good laugh, the queen had to understand she shoots herself in the foot when acting through a person who doesn't know he's a puppet "You mentioned the bandits simply stole equipment that resembled those of your guards." Any self-respecting guard would be irritated when implied they have poor management and defense just so royalty could save face "I'm sure we'll find them and put an end to it, I'd hate for your… Respectable military to be doubted by others."
"Sure sure."
'At least pretend…' Renat chided playfully in his mind once Veynard dismissed his "concerns". Maybe the king knew Renat was being sarcastic or insulting Veynard.
But the guards didn't.
"So about the wine-"
"As I said, I need to rest." The words were final, but just to sugar coat it for the audience, Renat shrugged and tilted his head with that smile "Besides, why waste your good wine on such dreary affairs." Renat sighed, helpless at the mere idea of wasting the only good product Varys was able to produce, would be a shame if those grape vines were tampered with "If you truly wish to discuss it, we can talk during the interlude of the ball. Besides, you'll be doing a favor by granting me an escape from that delightful nobility of yours." And do something useful for once by providing Renat a graceful exit from those tedious clowns.
The emperor was aware his calmness was a thorn on Veynard's side, like a barb pricking a king's fragile pride. Maybe that's why he'd braced for the hand smacking his arm in faux comradeship, the contact irksome but expectant. Veynard laughed, a booming sound forced against Renat's serene facade "Still allergic to crowds eh? When will you host a celebration of your own for heaven's sake?"
'Perhaps for your state funeral.' But knowing Veynard, Renat wouldn't be granted such delight, not in this visit at least. Despite the disappointing fact, Renat continued to smile in polite interest while enduring Veynard's tiresome chatter for minutes to come, more precisely, 34 minutes as Andrés informed him later on.
Renat had been still the entire time Veynard's rambling attempted to occupy his attention, but once he finally moved, raising a hand to indicate for Veynard to pause, the king followed suit in that silent command. Renat's facade shifted into an apologetic one, letting out a sigh "As much as I relish in your insightful discourse, I know work is difficult for people like us. Please don't feel pressured to host me with such grace when you have more pressing matters that demand your attention." Go shuffle your papers and pretend to do your job.
Renat knew it was debatable for Veynard to have any important work piled on him rather than the queen, but unless the king wanted to appear useless to foreign people, especially to Renat who's composure already hinted at judgment, he had to let the emperor go. Renat was finally able to walk out of that throne room with his sanity intact and his gloves still clean. A feat he'd be more accepting towards if the scent of wine hadn't followed him from that, at the end of the day was it really even worth it?
He stopped one of the butlers passing by, his gaze sharp but smile unmoving "Open one of the windows for me, I need some fresh air." The butler obeyed his command, his movements a little too hasty for Renat's taste but made no comment on it. However with the window opened, the gold-plated towers outside reflected sunlight, creating a blinding glare right towards Renat as if this was some sort of assassination ploy directed against him.
Renat didn't flinch, the squint of his eyes almost invisible while his pleasant smile unwavering, despite the inward recoil at the blatant waste.
"Nevermind. Close it." The butler let out a sigh of relief, Renat wondered if it was because he despised the sight just as Renat did or was under the pressure of the foreign emperor's presence. So Renat studied the servant, his smile less tight once the window closed "Good job." The sudden, unfiltered praise delivered with such calm authority stunned the young man. But Renat didn't feed his curiosity and simply walked past, Andrés falling a step behind him as usual.
Once reaching the guest wing of the palace, Renat spotted his people standing guard in front of two doors, protective and unyielding. Renat stopped by closer to Noah "Who's attending to the twins?" The scarred male was captain of the unit so it was his duty to report.
"Our people, your majesty, five maids attend to each of your siblings." Noah replied instantly, funnily enough, at ease with the emperor's presence close by "The local maids have been informed that the young master and mistress aren't feeling well after the journey and must not be disturbed." Good. The narrative still holds.
Now for the next one…
Renat took a slow breath, a subtle shift that was too noticeable. A faint tightening around his eyes, a hand rising to press his temple.
A carefully calculated display of strain.
It was rare, too unlike his usual impenetrable calmness and control, a difference that immediately stiffened his guards. Their expressions hardened with protective urgency, like dogs growling against potential threats to their master. Even after Renat recovered, it didn't ease their suspicions "I will check on my siblings then go to rest, seems like the trip has tired me out as well." The emperor smiled at his guards, while he'd love to let his dogs chase, he brought weapons for this hunt.
The reassurance of his voice momentarily comforted the worry his team was experiencing, but the shadow of weariness lingered from Renat. It was a good dog's pride to find a reason in being protective, Renat was more than generous to throw them a bone to gnaw at.
"I suggest you retire right now instead, your majesty." Andrés suggested quietly, understanding the performance and playing his part "King Veynard won't be interested in the trade agreement either way. Not as long as the nobility won't be the ones receiving all of the benefits." His distant cousin was always so useful during such moments. The message was clear, Veynard doesn't care for the people whose sweat built this monument to excess.
Renat's brow lightly twitched, signifying his distaste for the fact and strengthening his guards' growing hatred for the kingdom. Their emperor had been trying to pitch the trade agreement for three years now, so to support the common folk Varys' nobility stole from yet it was always ignored. No matter what anyone said, Lysaria's people knew their ruler best! At his core he was a soft hearted person who extended a helpful hand to anyone in need, using the excuse that they had potential and ability to become something great when in reality he just wished to help, to ignore that hand was foolishness.
Renat had picked each guard for this trip from bad alleys and impoverished streets, being in the territory of a ruler who would've thought of their worth being less than dirt must instill a primal rage Renat wouldn't personally understand, but he appreciated its existence. However, Renat could dissect that being reminded of Veynard's callous disregard for his own populace, the sheer waste that funded this obscenity, solidified the guards' simmering disdain because of their morality.
"Now Andrés, there's never harm in trying." Renat tried to sound composed but the helpless sigh was a clear indication that even their emperor was beginning to lose hope "... I believe it's best if you go rest your majesty, the young master and mistress are most likely sleeping." Andrés suggestion made the emperor pause.
That was bold.
Renat just wanted to look at them…
"... I agree, your majesty." Noah quickly spoke up, an unusual haste to his tone as his comrades sided with Andrés suggestion "We'll make sure to stand guard until you feel refreshed, and the maids always alert at the slightest discomfort his highness and her highness experience."
'Ah, I see.' Renat appeared to be pondering for a moment before ultimately agreeing "Alright, I shall leave my siblings in your capable hands, but remember to inform me immediately if anything happens." It was a sign of trust. And for the guards to be trusted with their emperor's precious siblings was better than any riches they could receive.
Renat was conflicted, he didn't trust them, he trusted no one other than himself to actually care for his siblings, but as Andrés gave him the opportunity, he wasn't a fool to let it pass by. Besides, seeing new determination arise in his guards from this sign of trust was refreshing, they don't seek to covet his siblings but act as temporary guards to his paradise. Protecting his stars from the unworthy.
'Something the leads of this circus should learn to live by as soon as tonight.' Renat thought to himself as he bid goodbye to the guards while walking to his assigned guest room.
Maybe the queen has specifically ordered for it to be less lavishly decorated to insult, but Renat was relieved he didn't need to order a reconstruction of his temporary chambers. As he undid his coat, he noticed Andrés unease from his peripheral vision.
Renat's eyes narrowed "What is it?" Displaying any sort of hesitancy was a weakness.
"... Will it be alright to mention the trade agreement, your majesty? You haven't spoken to Veynard about it at all, you just sent the proposal through a letter three years ago." Renat turned to face Andrés, one hand on hip as the other held his coat. Seeing that, the younger brunet quickly approached to take the coat off Renat's hand "The idea that you have so much faith in that boar to read any sort of business deal is insulting to me." Renat sighed, dropping the coat on Andrés hands.
"If there was a sliver of chance he'd read it, let alone take it into account, I wouldn't have sent it." He walked over to the window, grabbing the curtains and pulling it over, engulfing the room in subtle darkness "It's his whore of a wife who tends to such matters behind the scenes, and I'd drop the guillotine over my own neck if she ever did anything over the bare minimum when it comes to taking care of the common folk. She wouldn't even if it were to spite me. I bet the proposal was discarded long ago." His sharp eyes returned back at Andrés, in the falling darkness of the room and suffocating silence, his cousin clutched the coat instinctively
"Do not question me."
Shaking hands soon falling stable, Andrés let out breath and nodded, the usual expression returning to his face "Yes, your majesty."
Renat smiled, cold and shallow at the quick recovery "Good." While Andrés was from a distant branch of their Anzhelyn family line, he was still family, Renat didn't want to entertain the possibility of needing to smack sense into him again. His cousin was smart, and Renat liked smart people "Now, you can prepare me some tea, I got sick of smelling the wine everywhere." Renat instructed with a wave of his hand and Andrés obeyed, placing the coat on the hanger before taking notice of all the clothes their maids had unpacked and arranged in Renat's room, one in particular grabbing his attention.
"... I must inform you just in case." Andrés started, his attention mostly on the tea but when Renat didn't respond, an indication for the brunet to continue, he carefully straightened his posture while holding the tea "It's unbecoming of anyone to wear black in this kingdom, especially during a ball." Renat clicked his tongue while sitting down on the couch, leaning his arm on the arm rest and crossing his legs "I'm not a fool, Andrés, I brought the black suit just in case a funeral happened."
Placing his head on his hand, Renat chuckled at distant memories flooding his mind "Last time I visited their daughter died all too suddenly. Though they didn't seem that sad over that lost "opportunity"." She was to be a duke's third wife, luckily for queen Isolde, the Duke of Varys still granted them support despite the princess passing away before their marriage
"Maybe" Renat chuckled once the tea was placed in front of him, he leaned down to gracefully grab it "They'd be more shocked if a son passed this time around." He took a sip, comfortable in the eerie silence of the room after that statement.
—
Renat had been informed of Varys' customs when he first took claim to the throne; always dress to impress, never show up on time. Evolution was fascinating, as the years passed, Varys' wear became more theatrical and everyone showed up to parties later than ever.
"It's 9 o'clock." Andrés informed him as Renat observed the state of affairs at the front of the palace's gate, with the ball starting at 7 PM, only two hours later carriages began to line up in front of the entrance "People have yet to gather, let's wait a little more." Renat chuckled at the situation at hand, everyone insisted on arriving late yet the custom made it so they became a cluster of fools, unable to wait in line. Wanting to arrive first in the palace yet last in the ballroom.
Soon enough, the palace courtyard was lined with Varys' finest; nobles dressed in garish colors, necks heavy with gemstones too large to be tasteful, faces powdered into unnatural masks. The guards held spears more decorative than functional.
'How have they not been invaded yet?'
"Brother, is it time to go yet?"
He turned to look behind him, taking note that his siblings had began to grow restless while just sitting around the waiting room, neither of them used to the custom of being polite by having to arrive late. Anxiety more apparent in his little sister, her brows furrowed as she gently fixed strands of her hair, while the older twin stood seated with his arms crossed, finger tapping on his arm while watching Renat, as if knowing the emperor was contemplating war plans. Renat chuckled softly, he knew his little doves were accustomed to being surrounded by guards, but being in an unfamiliar environment, with barely any information on who they'd be meeting, it was causing side effects they weren't used to.
And in turn making Renat's servant anxious as well, worried about their well being.
'A nice cycle.' Renat mused inwardly, pleased when watching his siblings battle with the possibility that they're committing some rude gesture by showing up two hours later than the set time "I suppose we can head off now, everyone seems to be arriving." Carefully arranging your entrance to make an impact wasn't something Renat had to worry about, not when his siblings were around.
Once they stood up, a little too quickly in excitement causing the maids to wince in worry, Renat chuckled as he approached them "Remember your manners, darlings." His voice was firm, yet he lifted a hand to gently brush the knuckles of his fingers on Ruby's cheek, not wanting to ruin the hard work the maids put on her hair by patting her head "Be as polite as you can." Then gently patted Rudy's hair, subtly fixing his crown "We're visitors here, so it's only fitting we play their games." Rudy kept his gaze for a moment before slowly pushing aside Renat's hand, fixing some loose strands by himself 'Oh those rebellious streaks.' Renat let out a quiet helpless sigh, maybe his brother was actually going through a phase.
Ruby took a deep breath and nodded, her expression determined while shaking her hands a few times, ridding herself of intense emotions, or attempting to at least "Yes brother, I promise we won't bring shame to our empire." Once she leaned closer, Renat lowered his head just a little so Ruby could whisper to him properly "And please make sure King Veynard answers for what happened to Eldermere, if it was intentional I mean." Renat chuckled, and he was sure two of the guards did so as well.
Right, he nearly forgot about that.
"And Rudy?" Renat straightened his posture "Any note for me to deliver the king?" The older twin just shook his head, glancing around the room in thought before speaking, his tone quiet "No, just... Settle what we came here to do so we can leave early." Something all Renat's people were in agreement with.
"Very well, let's see if the commotion at the entrance has slowed down so we can enter."
Despite their unwillingness, Renat ordered his guards to wait outside the ballroom, the emperor didn't want to make his distaste about Veynard that known by bringing his own military to the party 'They'll go restless like that.' The blond thought in amusement as he lead his siblings towards the open double doors. The ballroom shimmered like a dream, crystal chandeliers dangled like frozen stars, and the marble floors had been polished to an almost blinding sheen. Varys had spared no expense.
Once the trumpets blared at their entrance, Renat's brow twitched at the irritating sound, he couldn't help but think Veynard had done this intentionally even if everyone's entrance was graced with being announced the same way. Whatever reason there could be to sort into why he disliked Varys, was one Renat would take into account.
Luckily for the servants on trumpet duty, Renat didn't memorize their faces, finding the reaction of the crowd much more enjoyable. The simple music in the ballroom had slowly come to a stop, the nobles slowly turning to look at the Lysaria royalty one by one as they walked to go greet their hosts. The twins, gaze set forward, posture straight, steps silent. Like they stepped out of a painting, ethereal and unreal.
And Renat walked like a man strolling through a slaughterhouse. So much was expected.
Once at the bottom of the stairs, Renat didn't bow. Rudy placed a hand on his heart, bowing his head slightly, the single earring glistening under the light, while Ruby curtsied, her smile gentle once she straightened her posture, unlike Rudy's disinterest.
"Thank you for the invite." Renat simply smiled, cutting the tension like a knife to flesh, his words setting everything back in motion.
Veynard awaited at the top of the steps, seated on his throne, his robe as wide as his eyes. Queen Isolde, draped in a red so deep it almost screamed blood, stood beside him with her hand resting delicately on his arm, her expression just as surprised before composing herself. The queen looked at Renat with the eyes of a snake sizing up another predator, then as if unable to contain her curiosity, began analyzing the twins.
With the ruler's attention on his weapons, Renat cleared his throat, holding them from looking for too long "You said you couldn't wait to meet my siblings." His voice was loud and clear, as if everyone in the ballroom had stopped to listen to him, Renat knew they had "Well here they are, my beloved siblings, my heart, my joy, and the only things I would kill for without hesitation to protect." That was a clear enough promise, he hoped everyone snapped back to reality than feed into foolish delusions of possibilities, for their own good at least.
"Good evening, your majesties." Ruby spoke first, with everyone's attention fully on her as the queen's eyes narrowed ever so subtly "Thank you for inviting us to such a beautiful celebration, it's simply astonishing." Her voice was sincere as she kept her unwavering gaze to the royalty atop the stairs "We appreciate your generosity." Rudy held back his attitude, his red irises on the couple while speaking before looking away, avoiding making eye contact with Isolde.
"... Thank you for gracing us with your presence." Verynard cleared his throat, he was taken aback, despite Renat dressing his dolls on such simple clothes, they somehow stood out even more because of it. He looked back at the crowd, growing flustered with the rare silence that befell the ballroom "What happened to the music? Why is everything so quiet?" The blond emperor smiled at the awkward tone of the instruments before they harmonized into the beautiful song before they entered, everyone was awake now. The nobles whispered like insects, the queen's eyes began to linger on Rudy longer than necessary, and close to the royal couple he spotted the group of three princes dazed.
"We shall enjoy the ball then." Renat declared smoothly "Come along you two." The audience was finally over. And though it unfolded like he had orchestrated… The heat under his skin flared of incandescent loathing.
From complete and utter disgust.
Renat watched them devour the sight of his siblings, like they had some right. He nearly forgot that not everyone understood reality like the subjects of his empire did 'Ah well.' Renat took a breath as they walked away from the stairs 'It's a ball, I can spare a couple of hours.' That's what Renat had to do when he first became emperor, he became too used to not sharing during these last few years.
Once he stopped walking, the twins mimicked him, they had expected Renat would've told them to stick closely until the ball ended "Make sure to play nicely." But his decision to allow them to make their own choices on the gilded floor was quite surprising, and Renat found it adorable "I'll be on the second floor, the balcony gives a nice view to everything." A surprised doe, that's what came to mind for Renat when looking at his siblings "You… Won't be joining us?" Rudy frowned, his brows knitted together in confusion, unfamiliar with having freedom in a place that didn't belong to Renat.
'How cute.' They looked lost and Renat found it funny. He shook his head "You two know I'm not fond of balls, and this is…" Extravagantly ornate.
"So you're letting us do all the work." Hitting it in the mark as usual, Rudy huffed in distaste, he was caught off guard by Renat's decision to leave the two in a court they knew nothing about, what if they made mistakes? They barely knew the faces of the nobility because Renat told them nothing. It was… Careless.
Ruby nudged her twin's arm, as if to chide him for being so upfront in public "While I think you should go wherever you want, you should socialize some more, brother." She took a look at Renat with a small sigh, a teasing smile on her face. If Renat didn't need to be here then that signified to Ruby nothing was too serious just yet, but she wanted them to be more careful since they were in a foreign kingdom.
"I don't need to." Not when they were here. Renat almost ruffled Ruby's hair but stopped himself in time, her hair needed to remain perfectly tied while here "I'll be going now, but if you do need something, tell one of the maids to come get me." The twins nodded, watching their brother leave for the stairs, the second floor being where more of the hidden nobility liked to reside when they had business with each other, a closed circle Renat didn't care about intruding in.
Ruby gazed at the stairs, a thump of anxiety on her chest as her hand loosened the grip on her fan, it was strange when Renat wasn't there, he'd always been there. She then took a breath, calming herself with newfound curiosity of the place "Ah right, the same advice I told Renat goes for you." Rudy sighed once her hand patted his back "You two can't always try to leave any group that surrounds you." Renat was contemplating how Renat had thrown them to the wolves, luckily Ruby had enough nerves to laugh and tease, making their situation somewhat palliatable for the older twin.
"I'll be near the balcony," He simply stated with a shrug, her words having gone in one ear and out the other. Ruby pouted at this, returning the playfulness with a glare for his 'Ignorance'. She cleared her throat, the top of her fan gently brushing across her chin "Then I shall take upon the vital investigation of taste testing the appetizers prepared." With mock solemnity, she glanced up at him "I'll come find you if I discover anything edible." Rudy nodded, offering a melancholy smile to support her 'precarious' case before they separated.
Once Renat ascended to the second floor, he took a golden goblet once a butler approached, not that he had the intent to drink it, but now none would come insist he drinks. He leaned against the railing, a picture of relaxed observation with a serene smile and cold satisfaction, keeping track of his siblings as they moved through the glittering sea of Varysian nobility, the simplicity Renat dressed them in a stark contrast to gaudy excess.
As Renat's teachings had molded her since young, Ruby walked with ethereal grace, the soft smile on her lips cast its own gentle light, but Renat never bothered to make her hide the sincerity of her person, a subtle thrum of excitement in her demeanor while passing anything of interest, her eyes darting with open curiosity towards the unfamiliar delicacies, the intricate glassware, the elaborate lace adoring clothes. A radiant star, out of place amidst beings who only knew how to covet, never able to truly appreciate her light.
Rudy was detached, lips set in a polite line but his gaze distant, wanting to remain alone. Quick glances to the people around him so he avoided contact, not wanting to bump into them and initiate conversation. Yet, paradoxically, his cool reserve served to heighten his allure, drawing attention in a way Renat considered insects attracted to pollen. Rudy carried the title of prince with effortless precision, his solitary nature only drawing in the wrong kind of interest.
Renat took a deep breath, then exhaled, people were starting to approach