Chapter 4: New Fiance P.2

*this is in Ceil's point of view!*

"Your Highness, are you ready?" My personal Butler Xin appeared after I had finished the paperwork stacked on my desk. A normal child of the royal family would not be completing diplomatic documents at the age of seven, but I was not within the range of 'normal'. I never have been.

"Yes, let's go" My voice was clipped, but I did not need to put on pretenses in front of Xin. I quickly placed a smile on my face before following him and the escort knights out.

"Humans are strange... to commit so young to another" Ceil turned towards his fairy contract, Nathaniel. A unique fairy, in control of Lightning, Fire, and Ice. He was an elder fairy, alive before even the treaty in Frare was established.

"It's for the sake of the country and relations" Ceil explained,

"She is from a Dukedom that has served the crown since its founding, and is known for their accomplishments towards the economy and military of the kingdom. Please be on your best behavior" Ceil stated cooly.

"Is she cute? How old is she?" Nathaniel asked curiously, floating around Ceil in his wolf form. A large fiery red and gold wolf was circling around the small child's head as they walked towards the carriage. Only Ceil was able to see Nathaniel's presence.

"Her appearances do not matter, and she is six years old" Ceil said, ignoring the curious look of Xin who could only assume who Ceil was speaking to.

"Marrying someone you don't love. Humans are strange..." Nathaniel trailed off before becoming silent once more at the sharp look Ceil directed at him. Nathaniel wondered why he ever chose this child sometimes...

"Your Highness" Xin said calmly, opening the  door with the Royal family's crest present on both sides of the luxury carriage for Ceil. Ceil wordlessly got in before they left towards the Vermillion mansion.

As they traveled, the large marble Castle slowly drifted out of sight as they headed through the capital. Beautiful flowers lined the streets as the market place was busy with work and customers, filled with people. The healthy economy present before even Ceil was born due to good management and faithful lords towards the current King, Ceil's father. In the future, Ceil himself would need trusted aides and the ability to build faith in his people and within the Nobility. A wife from the Vermillion Dukedom would secure nearly half of the kingdom's loyalty due to the strong ties made through Duke Vermillion with the Military and Trade of Frare.

Ceil mused whether he should believe the rumors of the first daughter of the Vermillion household. That she was a prodigy, walking and talking before any normal child, and suddenly becoming well known due to her research in herbs and medicine. She created a cheaper and easier method for cold medicine, selling it to commoners and boosting moral within her fief and slowly within the neighboring territories.

Then there were rumors that she also recently recovered within the last year from a severe fall down her family mansions main stairway- this created negative gossip that the Vermillion heiress was stupid and ungraceful.

Some rumors claimed she was a kind and intelligent child, beautiful with mixed combinations of both parents.

Others said she was bratty and spoiled, abusing her power through her family's love.

Ceil could care less for any of these. He simply needed a mantle which could bare him heirs in the future and support the kingdom. He already knew this was a political marriage, and saw no need to become closer or more distant than necessary from Lady Rosalia. He was only here for means of custom as a fiancé.

In fact, he could care less about anything... nothing interested him anymore. Not even his fairy Nathaniel could keep his curiosity piqued for long due to the quickness of which he mastered his magic to aid the people. Though Nathaniel was thorough and gracious, which Ceil found calming.

He simply hoped this would pass normally and without incident.

As they arrived at the Vermillion mansion, the large miniature castle, he was greeted by the House Butler before being introduced once more to the Vermillion Duke and Duchess.

Seeing the two overly beautiful figures before him, he held slight hope that the daughter might at least somewhat compare.

His eyes peaked to the top of the stairs to see a small fluffy pink haired child descend the stairs gracefully and with a poise most children do not posses.

Her calming cream colored dress with lace and ribbon in a matching baby pink to her hair held an air of innocence but tranquility. Her catlike deep pink eyes were sharp and full of intelligence, an alertness lurking beneath.

She looked like a tiny doll. And matched perfectly with her parents.

He was impressed by her looks and manners, as she greeted him perfectly before they were escorted to her family's parlor. Though he certainly did not miss her mention of 'chamomile tea' which he had never heard of before. Ceil was aware she was interested in herbs and medicine so he did not pay too much mind to it.

When they were seated, a young maid arrived to pour the tea. It did not miss his sharp eyes that she was far too young to serve his tea, nor did he miss the slight trembling of her hands as she poured. The sound of the teapot being set down reached his ears as well... it sounded like porcelain, which was not uncommon but the lightness of the dish was noted. It was not a silver pot.

Still he found the unsubtle way that Lady Rosalia watched the maid with suspicion amusing. Her adorable face slightly scrunching up at the maid's actions.

"So Lady Rosalia, what are your hobbies?" She flinched, just slightly before turning her adorable face towards him. He will admit, she was certainly "cute".

"I am interested in medicine and herbs your Highness, may I inquire into your hobbies?" Her soft voice was like a bell chiming gently, and her nervousness was not unwarranted as he leveled a straight gaze on her.

Before he answered, Ceil stretched and went to grab the tea, as a soft aroma he'd never smelt before hit his senses. Yet a familiar smell also mingled with the tea, poison.

Lady Rosalia followed suit, excitement evident on her features before a blank face replaced it. Ceil watched in slight amazement as she sniffed the tea before taking a tentative drink before he could warn her... this was bad. Yet he couldn't find it in myself to say anything as she spoke again.

"One moment your highness, please place your tea back down."

She noticed? This was now more amusing than ever, and he decided to take a front row seat to see what this future Queen candidate would do.

He was not disappointed. Ceil also was completely confident in the rumors that said the young Vermillion Miss was insane. She turned towards the maid with a determined look in her eye and a wry smile gracing her plump little lips. And thus, she drank the entire cup which would normally kill a grown man much less a little girl no older than six.

The maid looked upon Lady Rosalia in horror. Ceil too was slightly shaken by the actions she took, but more so surprised at how she looked completely fine.

She gently cleared her throat before leveling a sharp glare upon the maid.

"Arsenic and chamomile aren't a very good combination dear servant whom I've never seen in the mansion until today. May I inquire your origins?".

Ceil was impressed. She brilliantly exposed this maid without a single flaw.

The maid attempted to leave before two knights of the Vermillion guard apprehended her. Her voice screaming hysterically at Lady Rosalia.

"What the hell are you?! That pot was FULL of poison and you just drink it?! Are you crazy?! How the hell are you alive?!!!"

...

She has a point...

Lady Rosalia paid no mind to this... as if it was the most normal occurrence in the world.

"Like I said, arsenic and chamomile aren't a good combination. I recommend black tea and arsenic, they fuse together quiet well"

... Did she... Did she just give a recommendation? As if the maid would actually be given a chance to ever poison again? The maid is dead without a doubt, she signed her will the moment she walked into this mansion. Yet Lady Rosalia just looked like a tiny disappointed mother.

She turned towards me now, which is bad because a strange humorous tremble has taken over my body. "Please forgive me and my family for such a disgrace, I should have realized and said something far sooner once I realized I didn't recognize that maid, I hope our blunder has not offended you". She's too much...

....

He had to put his head down as his arms gripped his sides to keep from laughing out. What the hell was this? A comedy? It worked. Suddenly Ceil could hear Lady Rosalia's distressed voice above him.

"Y-your Highness...?" Her cute voice stuttered out, the act of a Lady gone due to her distress. "P-please don't be frightened, I swear t-this isn't a normal occurrence at our residence"...

So cute...

She thinks I'm scared? I had been poisoned nearly one in every three meals and drinks. It was a completely normal occurrence within the palace.

At her adorable worry, I lifted my head. Her trembling eyes with slight tears in the corners looked unmistakably like a tiny frightened kitten.

Ceil put a smile on his lips to reassure her before asking.

"Lady Rosalia... are you alright?" He kept his tone soothing to not shake up the girl anymore than this. Despite her amusing act of bravery? Foolishness? She was still a lady and a child.

"Of course, are you alright your Highness? You didn't drink any did you? I have an antidote to arsenic in my study but it needs to be administered quickly after ingestion" She worriedly blurted out, slightly lifting herself from the couch as if to run and get the antidote herself. Did arsenic poisoning even have an antidote that would work in time? No, the fact that she drank an entire cup of tea mixed with it, without any backlash proves she likely made one. She's most likely the dumbest genius he met. A failure as a candidate but humorous nonetheless.

"That is not what I am referring to Lady Rosalia... I am referring to you who drank an entire cup of poisoned tea meant to kill." Ceil calmly tried to rephrase the question. Her answer was even more outrageous.

"I am a fan of poison your Highness, it goes along with my hobby... I am immune to most poisons" She said quickly,

"I have a slight... interest in trying them, of course to build immunity!" Was she doing this on purpose? Looking like an excited tiny creature after just admitting to constantly poisoning herself?

Ceil felt his mask crumble...

"I see... you are certainly a unique lady my dear fiancé" And she certainly was. Amusing and interesting... completely exceeding his expectations entirely. "Please do be cautious with such a hobby though, I would dislike my fiancé to die due to her interests" He gave a light hearted warning, knowing well that she would not heed it. Well, after the performance today, he supposed it would be boring if she did.

Ceil found himself looking forward to our next visit... not really as a fiance... but likely as a friend.