Chapter 32. What Makeup Do You Use?

The Royal Palace was truly humongous up close.

Its pointy towers climbed beyond the milky white clouds, which were like silk threads spindling in the plain blue skies. The beige-coloured walls were rooted deeply on the threshold, standing mightily and guarding the abode within. Patterns engraved the several balconies, spiralling past every nook and cranny of the tower's radius.

On the top of the tower is a flag. Stripes of azure blue, mahogany red, and lilac purple colours had donned the fabric. The flag was blown rapidly by the winding winds.

"How luxurious..." Lucilline eyed the entrance.

Behind him, Augustine sighed silently. His cold and indifferent face perfectly hid his emotions. But such a big palace like this is quite scary to live in. If Duke Rubius' manor was big, then the Royal Palace was comparable to Jupiter.

Willow had left to go check up on Daphnne and Azalea.

Gradually, a servant from the Royal Palace let Lucilline and Augustine inside. Both master and butler had to reel in a breath while digesting what they saw.

Inside the Royal Palace were lily white walls polished and embellished in jewels. The golden engravings and golden-framed portraits situated on the surfaces, appearing especially blinding. Lucilline estimated that at least two hundred silvers were spent to purchase such fine items.

The white pillars served as a threshold, balancing the parabolic ceiling and garnished chandelier. A large red carpet led from the entrance to deep within the palace.

"His Highness the Crown Prince will be coming shortly to meet you, Young Master Rubius." The servant bowed then left in a hurry.

Augustine's body was oddly tense.

A few months ago, he was in his original world—working hard to earn scrubs and feed himself, with what little he had. He was surrounded by poverty, pennies that were discarded because they became unusable on the market, and uncleanliness.

Now, he was inside the richest place of Lydia Kingdom!

All of a sudden, a small gentle poke came from his right side. Augustine turned to look at the great villain—he meant Lucilline.

The black-haired nobleman lifted a corner of his mouth, "You look like as if you're about to start a bloodbath. Are you nervous?" His voice was quiet, but close enough for the butler to hear.

"I'm not nervous." Augustine lied without batting an eye.

Lucilline was not tricked, and just clicked his tongue at the roof of his mouth. He was bored, and looked away, with his golden eyes scavenging for things to satisfy his curiosity.

"Apologies for being late." A familiar voice came from above. It was gentlemanly, yet withhold a strange danger lurking nearby. Two pairs of eyes looked upwards—one golden and delicate, while the other was grey and domineering.

A lean yet masculine figure trudged down the hundred-step staircase. Dimitri was dressed in a white suit, adorned in sewn jewels, gems, and threaded designs. His daisy white boots clicked upon every step he took, and the boots reached up high to his thighs. He wore white trousers, with a belt ornamented in badges and gold wrapped comfortably around his waist.

On his shoulders was a red and white fox coat, dragging unhurriedly on the steps.

Dimitri ruffled his golden locks of curly hair, revealing his gentle hazel eyes. If Lucilline hadn't seen him back during the battle against the demons, he would've been deceived and thought that the Crown Prince was a warm-hearted person.

"Shall we talk inside?" Dimitri finally landed on the final step. Through the glass tinted windows, a beam of sunlight traversed past and glowed on his handsome face. His eyes curved upwards.

Lucilline held his breath.

Now that he was in unfamiliar territory, he didn't dare to overstep boundaries. "Naturally. Thank you for inviting me over, Your Highness the Crown Prince." Lucilline nodded.

"Hmm." Dimitri's gaze passed onto the butler next to the black-haired nobleman. For a second there, his eyes revealed a sharp glare—before retracting instantaneously.

He smiled gently, "Then I'll have my servants accommodate your butler. Let's go talk inside, Young Master Rubius."

Lucilline nodded.

Servants led Augustine to a separate path—probably to the kitchen or some other place. The butler kept tossing looks back at Lucilline, as if worried for him. The latter just smiled harmlessly, trying to reassure the former and hush his concerns.

"Now that we're alone," Dimitri revealed his rows of fine white teeth, "Follow me?" Behind his gentlemanly mask, he thought to himself: The nuisances are finally gone.

Lucilline nodded slowly.

He took a few steps forward, then halted. An eyebrow arched on his pale and delicate face, as he sceptically looked at the Crown Prince.

Dimitri had extended out his white gloved hand, with his palm facing upwards. He smiled, "Won't you take my hand?"

Immediately, the black-haired nobleman was on his guard. Why do I need to take his hand? Is there a trap lying around for me? Is he trying to test me? What? Could it be on strength? Or maybe reflexes? Or is there even a test at all?

He pressed down his caution, and lifted his black-gloved hand.

Gradually, Lucilline placed his hand in the Crown Prince's spare one. Their gloved hands touched one another. Dimitri's smile grew, with his lips widening in a handsome curve.

"Thank you." He whispered.

For some reason, the black-haired nobleman felt like the Crown Prince was more different than usual. His eyes were no longer calculating and hiding the indifference beneath. Instead, his hazel brown eyes shone with sincerity and softness, as if the lenses were thawing from the warmth.

Lucilline was sceptical, but did not think more about it.

He was led around in the Royal Palace by Dimitri. They bypassed an arsenal of close-combat and melee weapons, armour, and shields. The gold and jewelry decorating the palace had blinded Lucilline, despite the latter seeing his own fair share of jewelry (ahem, Duke Rubius' jewelry collection).

"Would you like to see my bed chamber?" Dimitri's face betrayed no emotions.

Lucilline stiffened. He blurted out on the spot, "Why would I need to see your bed chamber?"

Dimitri paused.

He puffed out his chest, and exaggeratedly stated, "For something important, obviously." He continued leading the way. "What we'll be discussing is confidential information. I don't want anyone to hear what we'll be talking about."

Lucilline drifted along. Is that so...

He wondered how confidential the information will be. It shouldn't be life-threatening... After all, he is just the third son of Duke Rubius. It's not like he's an important asset to the Crown Prince.

They went up spirals of the stair. Finally, they reached to a large double door painted in luxurious white.

Dimitri stopped holding Lucilline's hand, letting it drop to the latter's own side.

The Crown Prince's cloak draped along the cobblestone floor, just scraping a few inches away from Lucilline's leather soled boots. Dimitri gently turned the door knob, and pushed the door open. The bed chamber was big enough to hold at least twenty carriages (including the horses). Several bookshelves had aligned the walls, bringing forth a fragrance of sandalwood.

Situated on the bookshelves were books. Many cabinets and desks were placed along the walls, making the bedroom appear like an imitation of a library almost.

In the centre was a large king-sized bed, with canopies made of luxurious velvet red sash, draping gently over top. It resembled of a mountain's peak, lightly touching the body of the sky. Many large mirrors donned the walls, not a single speck of dust on the surface. The carpet had radial patterns sewn on the expensive fabric.

Dimitri domineeringly stepped over.

He looked behind at Lucilline, who held his breath to avoid being intimidated. "Come inside? I have many exciting things to discuss with you."

They both took a seat before a desk.

Dimitri began to unfasten his fox fur cloak, letting it drop to the soft carpet. He also began to unbutton his cuffs, and loosen his collar—revealing his lean and fine skin.

Lucilline, "..." Why are you undressing?

Dimitri could tell his thoughts. He smiled—not out of compassion but out of disregard. "In order for us to discuss the following topics, we might get a little... heated and might be moving around. I'm merely undressing for the purpose of better mobility."

His hazel brown eyes flashed. "Would you also like to undress with me—"

"No thank you," Lucilline cut him off before he could finish. "I'm already well-dressed and do not find any purpose in undressing."

He'd worn a fine black suit, with the sleeves nicely fitting his pale and delicate wrists. The belt wrapped around his slender waist, nestling with comfort. His black trousers were lean, showing off his long yet slim and elegant legs. The copper bell hung around his wrist rung twice.

"Mhm, I can see that you're well-dressed." Dimitri teased.

He ran a white gloved hand through his locks of golden hair, messing up the strands and making them fall unto his fair unblemished forehead. Dimitri revealed his sharp chin and handsome cheekbones, with his eyebrows raised up with expectations.

"To be honest, I've wanted to ask this question from the moment I laid eyes on you." His tone was deep and domineering, long since abandoning his earlier gentleman-like demeanour.

Lucilline tensed up. You wanted to ask this question from the moment you saw me...? What kind of question could it possibly be?

His thumbs fiddled with one another, as he looked up at the Crown Prince expectantly...

All of a sudden, Dimitri leaned closer to Lucilline—close enough to touch noses. The black-haired nobleman almost jumped in surprise. He gained a close view of the Crown Prince's hazel brown eyes, which seemed to spiral his heart into the abyss.

"What makeup do you use?" Dimitri asked with vigour.

Lucilline, "..." Pardon?

Unmistakable confusion fell into his golden eyes. The momentary panic had stretched his eyes far and wide, with his pupils dilating.

The look on his beautiful face made Dimitri let out a small snort.

The Crown Prince gave an amusing smile, clearly enjoying the panic and puzzlement on Lucilline's face. The black-haired nobleman had a strand of black hair laid across his forehead, dangling between his two eyes, which added more points to the incredulity written across his face.

"I'm interested in your skincare routine," Dimitri's eyes flashed a glint of curiosity. "What kind of product do you use? What about your makeup?"

Lucilline pressed his lips into a thin line.

He quickly brushed the strand of hair out from his sight, with his eyebrows furrowed—cutting a pitiful and yet beautiful sight. "I don't use makeup."

The air stagnated.

Dimitri blinked once... then twice. His eyes squinted, taking a better look at the black-haired nobleman's face. It was as if carved from pure jade, with the surface smooth and delicate to touch.

All of a sudden, he leaned back, "You really don't use makeup?"

Lucilline quickly nodded, a determined look on his face. "I really don't use makeup."

The Crown Prince was stunned.

"Can I feel?" His eyes darkened, brewing into a hue of sweet caramel brown, mixed with a bitter taste of sandalwood. He watched intently at Lucilline's face, looking for any changes in expression.

Lucilline just smiled gently. "Do you think I can refuse to you, Your Highness the Crown Prince?"

Dimitri didn't expect such an answer. He laughed freely, "That's true." As swift as a swallow, he bit onto his white gloves, pulling them off his big calloused hands in an instant. His actions were fast and handsome, flashing a glimpse of his princely charms.

Curious and expectant, he lightly pressed a finger onto the black-haired nobleman's cheek.

It felt soft like the petals of flower, and cool like the dew raining on early mornings. Dimitri studied the skin. After a while, he gasped, "There really is no makeup."

"Of course." Lucilline remarked.

He wanted to incite a laugh or two, but all he saw was jealousy and envy brewing in the Crown Prince's eyes. "Say," Dimitri growled, "How can I also achieve the same effect on my face?"

Lucilline blinked. His curtain of eyelashes swept away the confusion in his golden eyes, "But I think that Your Highness the Crown Prince is already perfect the way you are-"

Dimitri deadpanned, "Do not lie. Do not try to get yourself out of this."

Lucilline: ...yes, sir

There was a strange urge to submit and give up himself to the Crown Prince, especially whenever the latter wears that deadpanned expression. It highlighted his handsome features, and sharpened his look. Although it didn't carry the cold look of Augustine, it did appear like the tyrannical look of a striking king.

One glare could make a servant shake in their knees, and immediately bow down for forgiveness.

"What cream do you use?" Dimitri asked in a low interrogating voice.

If Lucilline didn't know any better, he would've thought he'd be under arrest at any moment. "I use the one that is scented of mixed vanilla and lavender... but sometimes I would use the almond scented ones... and citric... umm..."

Dimitri noted everything down with vigour.

When he noticed that Lucilline stopped listing the options, Dimitri looked back up from his paper (who-knows-where-he-got-it-from).

"Is that it?" He asked.

Lucilline obediently nodded.

Dimitri sighed. His tense body relaxed, and his shoulders hunched. He placed the paper listed of scented cream aside, tucking it inside a cabinet to remain unseen. "Many thanks, Young Master Rubius. You have truly helped me out big time."

His hazel brown eyes flickered, "As thanks, I can borrow you some of my personal makeup products."

In an instant, he pulled out the fifty boxes of different powder. "These powders help hide any kind of bump on your face—no matter it is an old pimple, acne, a red itch, or swollen area. You can choose any powder from these boxes... I actually have even more in my collection. It is just bothersome to take them all out..."

Dark lines ran down Lucilline's face. Who knew that the Crown Prince was a makeup maniac!

"You're free to try them on right now, if you'd like." Dimitri pressed a box of powder into Lucilline's spare hands. "I've matched this one according to your skin colour. Here is a brush... no worries, I've washed it plenty of times already."

Lucilline was forced to click open a box, brushing a brush through the powder.

His eyes darkened. He pulled off his left black glove, revealing the hideous and ugly scars across the slender and tender hands. Those scars looked like they came from decades ago...

Dimitri leaned back. His eyes flashed a look of surprise, before disintegrating to nothingness.

"Can your powder cover up scars as well?" Lucilline asked, his voice hushed almost to a whisper.

Dimitri's chest heaved, as he took a deep breath. "Yes," he stated in a light yet raspy tone. "I can guarantee that they can cover up scars—especially those from a long time ago."

His hazel brown eyes flashed.

He watched intently. Lucilline brushed the powder onto his left hand—perfectly covering up the remnants of the scars. His golden eyes seemed to brighten, while his copper bell rung to his every movement. His wrist anchored down low, then lifted back up.

"You're right, Your Highness the Crown Prince." Lucilline smiled. "This is truly a miraculous product. I thank you for borrowing me this."

Dimitri paid no heed to his thanks.

His eyelids drooped, with his curtain of eyelashes draping a shadow across his pupils. After some time, he unhurriedly raised his eyes. "I won't ask about your injury." Dimitri slowly said. His throat rumbled, as if trying to force a knot down. "Don't worry."