#ikemen prince vernard

[ikeprinces-stuff]

Event: Falling For Fall Hosted by: @violettduchess & @lorei-writes Prompt: Cinnamon (fluff)

WC: 954 Previous prompt: Rain. Foraging. Moon. Gold. Gossamer Characters: Yves Kloss & Prince OC [Vernard Mürrisch] A/N: I love Yves so much! 😭🩷

🍁[𝐀 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐥𝐞 𝐎𝐟 𝐂𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧]🥞

As the leaves turned to vibrant hues of gold and crimson, the palace buzzed with preparations for the grand Fall Feast. The scent of cinnamon wafted through the air, mingling with the crisp autumn breeze. In the kitchen, Yves was busy, his hands moves gracefully with the soft flour while his honey-like blonde hair falling into his bright blue eyes as he carefully arranged his ingredients on the counter.

“Vernard!” he called, his tone light but commanding, “I need your help!”

Vernard, burdened by the weight of expectations and his younger brother’s insistence, hesitated in the doorway. He ran a hand through his hair, jade eyes matching the autumn-purposed decor. “Help with what exactly? Aren’t you already a master at this?”

Yves smirked, folding his arms as he leaned against the counter. “You know none of the others can be trusted not to gobble everything down before it’s even finished. This is where you come in. Have the honor of becoming my official taste taster.”

Despite his weak hearing, his ear picked up what Yves said, a lump formed in Vernard’s throat. He knew he was bad at dealing with sweet things, but the thought of disappointing Yves was worse. “I don’t think I’m the right candidate for that, Yves…” he murmured, anxiety tugging at him.

“Why not? You’re the only one I can count on to be disciplined,” Yves replied, a slight playful glint sparking in his eyes. “I'm in need for an honest critic, not a greedy goblin.”

Vernard swallowed hard and forced a smile, masking his true predicament. “I suppose... I can manage that.” But deep down, he felt a pang of dread. What if Yves noticed?

As he stepped closer, the kitchen filled with the mingled scents of spices and the soft crackle of pastries baking in the oven, all coated with a sweet promise of autumn delight. “What are you making anyway?” Vernard inquired, hoping to divert his brother’s attention.

“I’m experimenting with cinnamon pastries, inspired by the season.” Yves beamed, his pride evident. “I heard it’s a favorite.”

Vernard nodded, though the thought of pastries left him conflicted. “It sounds... delightful.”

“Delightful?” Yves echoed, an annoyance lilt in his voice. “You sound like you’d rather be anywhere but here.”

“Not at all!” Vernard’s heart raced. “I’m, uh, just focused! Really!”

Yves rolled his eyes. “Calm down, You’ll want to have some, trust me. Also, this time, I want honest feedback. No sugarcoating it… literally!”

“I understand,” Vernard replied, steeling himself. “I’ll do my best.”

Hours passed in a whirlwind of flour, sugar, and laughter. Yves was in his element, practically dancing around the kitchen as he pulled tray after tray of beautifully crafted pastries from the oven. But every time Vernard was offered a taste, his heart would stutter. If only Yves knew…

Eventually, Yves placed a steaming pastry shaped like a maple leaf in front of Vernard, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Ready?”

“Uh—sure!” Vernard picked it up, forcing himself to ignore the burning heaviness in his chest. He took a bite, the sweet scent washing over him as he tried to convince himself that he was tasting it.

But instead, all he felt was a dull echo of flavor on his tongue.

Yves leaned in, eagerness written across his face. “What do you think?”

“It’s… it’s very… autumn...” Vernard stammered, summoning every ounce of creativity he had to interpret the moment. “The cinnamon feels right. And… the texture is especially lovely!”

Yves narrowed his eyes, a hint of suspicion playing on his lips. “You’re dodging the question. You know you could just admit you don’t like my baking.”

“No! I mean, yes! Well—” Vernard fumbled over his words, the truth nearly slipping out. “It’s not that. I just, um, really enjoy watching you bake.”

“Nice try.” Yves said, “But you never join me at tea parties. Why is that? Is my baking really so terrible that it scares you? Is it as bad as Clavis's cooking?”

Deep down, Vernard was wrestling with his fears. “No, it’s just—”

“Just what?” Yves pressed, unapologetically curious.

“It’s that—” Vernard quickly backpedaled, trying to maintain his composure. “I just… have other things to do. You know how it is.”

Yves rolled his eyes, the pride of a brother aware of the cracks in Vernard’s facade. “You’re just making excuses. You must have some reason. Tell me, what’s going on?”

Vernard opened his mouth, the urge to confess nearly overwhelming him, but he watched as Yves's blue eyes sparkled with determination and genuine care. He couldn’t burden him with his problem, not when he was so determined to share his talent. “Really, Yves. You don’t need me to taste your cooking. I know you don’t need the validation.”

Yves folded his arms, leaning against the counter as he regarded his older brother. “Oh, but I do.” He narrowed his eyes playfully. “This time, I’m baking for the feast, It’s special. And if you don't want to taste it, well, I’ll just have to make you a few batches until you find something you do like.”

“That sounds…” Vernard started, skin tinged with embarrassment, “like you’re treating me like a child.”

“Perhaps you need a little pampering!” Yves shot back, mischief dancing in his tone. “Now, come here and help me roll this dough.”

As Vernard stepped forward, he felt the heaviness of his secrets pressing inwardly, but in the midst of flour fights and laughter that echoed against the walls, he found comfort in their shared moments. Perhaps today wouldn’t be the day he revealed his taste for bittersweetness. Instead, he would embrace the warmth of the season and the joy of brotherhood that cinnamon rolls and laughter could conjure.

[vernys-atelier]

It's my birthday...

*runs and hides in his room like every year*

[ikeprinces-stuff]

Vernard 🎨🖌️

Time travel. I think Vernard can be somewhat a nostalgic person who lives in the past and yearns to relive it or change it.

Romarin 🎻����

Flying. She has a free spirit and refuses to be confined or restricted, and because she loves to travel and wander, she dreams of roaming the entire continent.

Based on your OC's personality (and not what they would want), what kind of magical power would they have?

Check pinned post for event details.

[violettduchess]

Masterlist 🍁🍂

It has been a delight to see all the entries for our event! @lorei-writes and I would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated and shared your OCs with us! You are all amazing!!

Ikemen Prince

Foraging for Mischief- @wistfulwanderingone (Clavis x OC Cassandra)

Cinnamon Spice- @wistfulwanderingone (Clavis x OC Cassandra)

The Alchemy of Gold -@wistfulwanderingone (Clavis x OC Cassandra)

Whispers in the Harvest Breeze- @wistfulwanderingone (Clavis x OC Cassandra)

Beauty in the Moonlight -@wistfulwanderingone (Clavis x OC Cassandra)

Gossamer Dream -@wistfulwanderingone (Clavis x OC Cassandra)

When Rain Calls the Heart - @wistfulwanderingone (Clavis x OC Cassandra)

Two Falling Leaves - @wistfulwanderingone (Clavis x OC Cassandra)

Gossamer - @violettduchess (Silvio x OC Leyla)

Rain -@violettduchess (Clavis x OC Marigold)

Autumn's Golden Lament -@ikeprinces-stuff (Jin, Licht, OC Vernard)

The Moon's Gaze- @ikeprinces-stuff (Leon x OC Vernard)

Gossamer -@ikeprinces-stuff (Nokto x OC Vernard)

Feasts and Facade -@ikeprinces-stuff (Sariel, Luke, OC Vernard)

Beneath the Autumn Rain - @ikeprinces-stuff (Reader x OC Vernard)

Leaves of Change - @ikeprinces-stuff (Chevalier, Clavis, OC Vernard)

A Sprinkle of Cinnamon - @ikeprinces-stuff (Yves x OC Vernard)

November 1st -@lorei-writes (Chevalier x OC Esther, Leon x OC Viva)

Betelgeuse -@lorei-writes (Chevalier x OC Esther)

Ikemen Villains

Sweets Made with Love -@queengiuliettafirstlady (Elbert x OC July)

Ikemen Sengoku

The Silence of Broken Trust- @silkkorchid (Ranmaru x OC Amaryllis, Part 1)

The Silence of Broken Trust - @silkkorchid (Ranmaru x OC Amaryllis, Part 2)

Rain -@fighting-and-drawing (Yukimura x OC Thai)

Foraging - @fighting-and-drawing (Shingen x OC Thai, Yukimura x MC Mai)

Please contact the hosts if a submitted work of yours was not included!

[ikeprinces-stuff]

Finally

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗰 :

"𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞, 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐦𝐞 ... 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐚 𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬."

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤, 𝘖𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘥 𝘎𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘯

✨𝖵𝖾𝗋𝗇𝖺𝗋𝖽 𝖬ü𝗋𝗋𝗂𝗌𝖼𝗁(?)✨

✼ᴛʜᴇ ᴜɴʀ���ɴᴋᴇᴅ ᴘʀɪɴᴄᴇ ᴏғ ʀʜᴏᴅᴏʟɪᴛᴇ✼

Name : Vernard, Verny, Vern, White, Dear Vernard, stick-in-the-mud and so much more...

Age : Same as Leon

Hair colour : Snow-white

Eye colour : Jadean green

Height : 182 cm

Blood type : O

Crest : Lynx (White Eurasian)

“Without my status as a chess piece in someone's scheme, I would not have evolved into the person that I am at present.”

Upon your arrival at the palace, he took on the role of a guardian, and prioritizing your safety, well-being and your progress to choose the next king became one of his most important duties. A complex and multi-dimensional personality, you constantly discover new aspects of him, making him more intriguing and sparking your desire to delve deeper. His self-sufficiency, refusal to be associated with any particular faction, and commitment to fulfilling his duties to the best of his abilities mask a dark and painful past that haunts him like a ghost. The shadow of his birth, the darkness that has always controlled him, rears its head, representing him as a mere pawn, and only...one decision from you will set him free.

❥ 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 :

One could say that Vernard's existence was the result of a mistake made by not only his mother, but also Rhodolite's previous king. His mother, driven by the need to survive, worked as a prostitute, while the former king (The Fallen Beast) sought solace and validation in the arms of various women. It was their intersection that ultimately brought Vernard into this world.

Attempts were made to make Vernard's mother abandon her unborn child, but her inexplicable connection to the fetus led her to resist this decision. Rather than kill her unborn child and live with the guilt, she decided to take her own life by slitting her veins with a broken glass shard.

Desperate to save both her life and her unborn child by orders of a certain someone, the physicians worked to deliver the baby prematurely. However, the toll on her already fragile body was too great, and she sadly passed away shortly after giving birth, due to complications from the premature delivery and the attempt at suicide.

❥ 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱 :

Due to a forbidden interaction, Vernard faced harsh criticism, disapproval, and shame from the royal court. However, his status as a pawn helped shield him from complete rejection, allowing him to be recognized as a prince, if only in the minds of some. He's the only prince who wasn't granted a rank, as the court deemed him unworthy due to his mother's disgraceful past. Even from the outset, giving Vernard the title of prince was a difficult pill for the court to swallow.

Whenever Vernard makes a small error or oversight, he's judged and his actions are linked to his mother's past as a prostitute, causing him to isolate himself and fear making mistakes again, and closeness to one of the princes used to keep him in check, preventing criticism or judgment, but something happened, widening the distance between them.

Because of his mother's shameful past, it was believed that Vernard lacked a proper lineage and was unworthy of one, so his "fake" caretaker intervened and the "Mürrisch" name was given to him, from that day on, the prince stuck to this name even after he reached puberty.

❥ 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 :

The princes were confused by Vernard's varied and strange behaviors. They used the word "eccentric" to describe his mysterious personality, which can be open and active or closed and dull, depending on the situation. He can be obedient at times and rebellious at others, but all of this is connected to the circumstances he's in.

Vernard adamantly refused to affiliate with a faction, but he handled faction business smoothly as if he was a recognized member, because he believed that joining a faction would limit his duties and restrictions would go against his belief that he could maintain multiple ventures.

✦"𝐼 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑓𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑣𝑜𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑡, 𝑎𝑠 𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑎𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑛 𝑖𝑡 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑔 ��𝑟𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑐𝑦𝑐𝑙𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑠. 𝐵𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑒, 𝐼 𝑎𝑠𝑘 𝑜𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝐼 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑚𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟... 𝐶𝑎𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑚𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑖𝑠?"✦

[ikeprinces-stuff]

Event: Falling For Fall CC

Hosted by: @violettduchess & @lorei-writes

Prompt: Rain (fluff)

Words: 638

Pairing: Reader x Prince OC [Vernard Mürrisch(?)]

A/N: first entry before posting the birthday fanfic! Ofc gonna start with my lovely white-haired prince 🤍

🍁[𝖡𝖾𝗇𝖾𝖺𝗍𝗁 𝖳𝗁𝖾 𝖠𝗎𝗍𝗎𝗆𝗇 𝖱𝖺𝗂𝗇]🌧️

The streets of Rhodolite shimmered with the glow of amber leaves, and you felt the thrill of freedom as you wandered through the autumn-themed shops. You twirled, delighting in the cool breeze that tangled your hair, but as dark clouds rolled in, your heart sank.

“Oh no, not now!” you exclaimed, glancing up. The first drops of rain fell, and chaos ensued. Shoppers dashed for cover, and you cursed your luck, seeking shelter beneath a modest awning.

“Of all the days…” you muttered to yourself, shaking your head, when suddenly you felt something heavy draped around your shoulders.

“Here, take this,” a voice, cool yet familiar, cut through your surprise.

As you turned, your eyes widening. Prince Vernard stood behind you, his own clothes drenched and clinging to him. “You?” you gasped. “How did you…?”

“You have a knack for ending up in trouble, lady,” he said, his usual cold demeanor softened by a hint of warmth. “I saw you were out and figured I should keep an eye on you.”

“Are you following me?” you asked, half amused, half incredulous.

“Just being a good guardian.” His tone was serious, but the corners of his lips quirked slightly. “You’re my responsibility, after all.”

You felt a flush of guilt as you two began to walk through the rain, your body shielded by his robe while he experienced the full effect of the downpour. “You’re getting soaked, Vernard,” you said, urgency creeping into your voice. “I can’t let you—”

“Do you see me complaining?” He interrupted, as he adjusting the robe to cover you more securely. “I finally found something useful for this garment,” he said with a lightness that surprised you. “Turns out it’s good for things beyond just looking princely.”

You couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. “It’s beautiful.” you teased. “But it won’t protect you if you’re waterlogged.”

“I can handle it,” he replied with an air of confidence that made you wonder. How could he remain so calm?

“Are you really okay with this?” you asked, peering up at him.

“Call it exaggerating but... I grew up in the rain,” he said, his voice steady. “It was a sort of… training, if you will. I learned to manage difficult situations and circumstances.”

You could hear the underlying weight in his tone, the bitter twist of memories. “But it’s more than that, isn’t it?” you pressed gently. “You don’t just treat it as training.”

Vernard shifted, his gaze fixed straight ahead. “It’s my duty,” he finally said, his expression hardening. “A guardian must put the safety of others before their own desires, to be prepared for any difficult situation to perform their duty to the fullest.”

“You shouldn’t have to…” your heart ached for him.

“I’m used to it,” he said, his voice swallowing your words. “Keeping you safe has become my purpose, however noble or sacrificial.”

You glanced up at him, searching for signs of the boy you'd seen behind the fortress walls. There was so much more depth to him than the aloof prince you had first met.

“Then… promise me you won’t always do this alone.”

Vernard paused, perhaps taken off guard. “You—”

“I care about you, Vernard,” you clarified, feeling a warmth spread through your own heart. “You don’t always have to bear the weight of the world by yourself. We’re in this together.”

He looked down at you, water mingling with the autumn leaves that danced around you. For a moment, the rain fell softly around you, wrapping you in a cocoon of shared responsibility, guardian and subject—friendship blossoming in stormy weather.

“Together then,” he said, a rare smile breaking through his stoic mask.

Together. As the rain continued to fall, your heart felt light, and for the first time, autumn didn’t seem so lonely after all.

OC TAGLIST : @aquagirl1978 @the-bird-and-the-flute @fang-and-feather @citrusmornings @wistfulwanderingone @keithsandwich @bicayaya @kissmetwicekissmedeadly

[ikeprinces-stuff]

The only legitimates are:

Chevalier (not surprised), Leon (the REAL leon), and Yves (sweet little meow meow)

Ooooh ikepri lore!

[vernys-atelier]

Profile : Vernard Mürrisch (?)

Image :

Occupation : prince, contributor

Crest : White Lynx

Love interests : can be paired with Emma or any other (female) OC or non-OC

Likes : Arts, books, painting, Contribute to help in any way regarding Rhodolite and the Domestic and Political Factions.

Dislikes : Alcohol, sugary foods, having a close brothers publicly insulted because he becomes hostile then.

Incest TW

Vernard is described as an eccentric, and sometimes unpredictable person. His most famous self-description is that he is the guardian and responsible for his wards. He was born from an incestuous relationship between his mother, who was said to be a prostitute, and the former king... and he was forced to bear the responsibility for what they did, especially since his mother died shortly after giving birth to him due to complications from premature birth and the effects of her previous failed suicide attempt.

[ikeprinces-stuff]

~𝑳𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝑴𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔, 𝑩𝒊𝒈 𝑬𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒔~

Words count : 1812

Warning : No warning

Characters : Luke Randolph & My Ikeprince OC

A/N : Yo! Now that Vernard has come to light, his personality may become somewhat clear in upcoming fics, so look forward to it, my sweet potatoes. 💖❤️💖

Previous short stories :

Reading Between The Lines

Sweetness Of Understanding

The White Tiger And The White Lynx

The Night Wanderer

Unspoken Agreement

There's a certain twinkle in his eye that only shines when he's interacting with children. As a prince, the pressure of the palace and the official duties that come with his title can be exhausting at times. And as a non-affiliated individual, he faces some pushback and challenges because of this. Despite all this, he's managed to find moments where he can step out of the restrictive world of royalty.

Kneeling by the town's fountain, he playfully twirls his digits as if he's a pro at what he's doing. On him, a tiny figure sits, gazing at him with wide eyes and a childlike innocence. Once he's done tying the shoelace, he looks up at the figure's owner, his smile widening even more as his eyes shine brighter. "Ta-da," he says softly, "did you really need to call your Uncle Verny for such a simple task? Or did you just want his attention?" His voice is filled with fondness and jest as he rubs the soft, little cheeks with affection, much like a parent might for their child.

The cheerful child with rosy cheeks gives her uncle Vernard a tight hug, saying, "Thank you, Uncle Verny." Vernard returns the hug and watches as the child waves goodbye and leaves with a happy smile. He takes a deep breath and lets out a contented sigh.

"Yo, Verny!" At the sound of the familiar voice, Vernard's ear perks up and he turns around to find Luke, whose eyes are the same shade of green as his. The surprise in his own voice is evident as he greets the other boy, "Luke," Vernard scanned the immediate area before Luke does the same, their movements in sync with each other's.

Vernard exhaled once more, causing Luke to raise an eyebrow, but he chose not to inquire about it and spoke instead, "Don't sweat it, man. I managed to pull a fast one like I always do," Luke says with a playful grin, and Vernard replied with a soft and concerned expression, "I sure hope no problems arise," To which Luke responded with a nonchalant attitude, "Meh, I don't mind if anything happens," followed by a shrug. Vernard shook his head with disapproval of Luke's careless attitude.

"I'm speaking from personal perspective," Vernard said as he raised his index finger and pointed it at himself to emphasize that he was talking about himself and not Luke. Luke let out a hearty laugh and said, "Oh, got it. Haha, knowing you, Sariel won't catch you as the mastermind behind my escape, so you're in the clear."

Vernard chuckled and agreed with Luke, his expression hinting that he knew Luke was spot on. Vernard often had the reputation of being mature and responsible. He was so dependable and trustworthy that if he decided to have a bit of fun and act childish, it was easy for him to get away with it, as Luke insinuated.

"Seems like you got a soft spot for kids, eh? I was curious to know who this brat was," Luke said with a playful smirk that caused Vernard's smile to vanish. Vernard had hoped that Luke had not witnessed him interacting with the little girl, but his hopes were quickly dashed when he realized that he had been caught.

"As you said, I have soft spot for kids, full stop," Vernard stated, trying to return to his smiley face, and Luke fell silent in response, shrugging his shoulders and muttering, "Well, if you don't wanna tell me, that's on you." Vernard realized his efforts to convey his concerns fell on deaf ears, and Luke, quickly picking up on Vernard's reluctance to divulge, stopped pressing the matter, much to Vernard's relief.

"Hungry again, huh?" Vernard tried to shift the conversation, with Luke responding with annoyed eyes and stating, "I was out and about getting some honey for myself 'cause the servants in the palace are hiding it from me." Vernard continued on a random tangent, suggesting, "You could've had Yves whip up something with honey for you?" Luke replied matter-of-factly, "Nah, couldn't find him. Yves and the gang aren't in the palace, apparently." Luke then recalled something important, "Now that I think about it, they went outside the palace while you are here."

"What're you getting at?" Vernard inquired, to which Luke responded with a knowing grin. "I know you're not too keen on associating with any of the factions, but you often hang out with Leon's crew. So I'm confused as to why you're not with them today, man. Ain't you a fan of their company?" However, Luke didn't pick up on the frostiness that had crept into Vernard's jade-hued irises a moment ago.

Yes, Vernard finds the company of Leon's faction enjoyable, even though he doesn't officially affiliate himself with any faction. What irks Vernard is the possibility that Luke may have picked up on the false impression that Vernard was hanging around them regularly, when the reality is that it is simply a case of him enjoying their company on a personal level, and not for any other reason.

Vernard changed gears when he offered Luke, "I know of a bakery that sells mouthwatering honey cakes. Would you like for us to go there?" Luke seemed pleased with the proposition, replying, "I'd love to! Let's hit it!" And the two princes then began to stroll together.

Vernard guided Luke to the bakery, promising that he could buy anything he wants. As soon as they arrived, Luke eagerly perused the selection, as if the bakery were his own personal candy store.

Vernard couldn't help but crack a small smile as he watched Luke indulge in all the sweet treats on display, despite their being in a public place. It was as though Luke were a kid in a candy store, with no cares in the world and all the desserts at his fingertips. Despite the obvious age difference between the two princes, there was no question of who was in charge when it came to sweets.

As Luke munches the last bite of his honey cake, muttering, "Wish I'd discovered this place sooner." Vernard chimes in, "So that you can keep sneaking out of the palace just to come here, ain't it?" Luke responds jokingly, "Yeah, I wouldn't think twice about it!" as a devious smile spreads across his features.

"You got friendly with the bakery owner, eh? Otherwise, they wouldn't have recognized you right away." Luke said as he addressed Vernard's relationship with the sweet shop's owner. Vernard then went on to explain, "It's a great setup, where we exchange experiences and knowledge."

Luke seems surprised by Vernard's revelation, "You tryna learn how to bake? even though you know Yves is there, not to mention servants who can whip up whatever you fancy?" Vernard averts his gaze and mutters cryptically, "One day, there may be a need for me to cater to my own requirements." Luke's eyes are quizzical as he responds, "Huh? You mean you'll be able'ta cook by yourself, right?" Vernard paused, that wasn't the thing he wanted Luke to realise but he simply sighs and nods in confirmation.

Luke asks in disbelief, "I didn't know you were into sweets, 'cause you've always refused Yves' sweet treats." Vernard responds nonchalantly with a shrug, "I got reasons to do so."

Luke giggles as he taunts, "Aw man, imagine Yves' face when he finds out you prefer someone else's sweets over his!" Vernard responds in a playful tone with a hint of amusement, "So you're accusing me of cheating on Yves' sweets, huh?" Luke bursts into laughter and follows up with a light-hearted, "Yeah, I am!" Vernard, in the same light-hearted tone, responds, "I told you, I got my reasons."

"Are these the reasons for you sneaking out without Sariel knowing? You know, I see a huge resemblance between you and Leon sometimes. You both look alike, especially when you pull off these sudden palace escapes. Do you catch the resemblance?"

Vernand is silent, his features now cold and emotionless. Luke notices that he has seemingly said something that has upset Vernand, but he's not sure what it was. The two remain quiet for a while, their only company being the lingering silence between them. Vernand then begins to look around and notices the stares and glances directed towards Luke and himself, which draws his attention to their surroundings.

"Hey, Luke?" Vernand whispers faintly, in an attempt to grab his younger brother's attention. "How about we split up now?" Luke raises a bemused eyebrow, "Huh? You mean to tell me you didn't like what I said earlier?"

As Vernand looks at Luke, his previously cold demeanor disappears, giving way to a gentle expression. He waves his hand dismissively and says, "No, that ain't the issue." Luke casts a cursory glance around, noticing the attention of the crowd as people cast curious glances their way.

"Oh, I gotchu, I'll let you be for now." Luke then flashed a friendly smile, "I'll see you at the palace, yeah? And no joke, thanks for the new sweet spot hook-up!" He said with a playful smirk, before turning around and departing. Vernand exhales a deep breath, those words "You both look alike" still lingering in his mind like vultures circling around their prey.

Vernand struggled to put the words out of his mind, not because he disliked them, but because they had been said to him multiple times before. He wished that he had been more prepared and had been able to close his ears so as not to hear them. But it was too late, they had been spoken, and he had given his typical response. Vernand let out another sigh and began walking in the opposite direction, trying to distract himself from the conversation and the memory of the words. However, he abruptly stopped in his tracks the moment he turned his back, the words playing in his mind like a broken record.

Luke didn't wander far after he parted ways with Vernand. He was certain that something had upset Vernand, which led him to request that Luke leave him in peace. However, before Luke had the opportunity to ponder the reason, he heard a voice calling out to him. "Luke, wait up!" Luke turns around and realizes that Vernand is standing next to him once more. "What's up with you, Verny? I thought ya needed some alone time?"

"Let's split up... But not in the center of the city, let's go somewhere else instead," Vernand requests, standing next to Luke again. "Hah? I ain't catchin' ya," Luke responds, raising a curious eyebrow. Without another word, Vernand begins guiding Luke down the street. Luke notices that Vernand's features have returned to normal and he decides against dwelling on it any further. He's just happy to continue walking by Vernand's side.

Luke was not particularly invested in the goings-on of the palace, but that didn't stop him from feeling a curiosity towards getting to know the princes who turned out to be his brothers. Vernand in particular captured his attention, and he couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to the older brother than first met the eye.

𝑬𝑵𝑫 ~

[vernys-atelier]

Prince Vernard tell me, what's your favorite sweet?

Oh, uh... sweets?

Well, I've heard good things about a lot of them, haven't really had the chance to explore that much. There's so many different kinds, isn't it fascinating how people enjoy them so much?

[vernys-atelier]

[ Daily Shenanigans ]

One of the soldiers rushed over and told me that my special forces challenged Leon's forces to a duel and the winner would be the one in charge of the forces who is stronger...

Now to clarify, I don't have special forces. If these are the same people who formed forces in my name, then I disavow what they do...

*whispering to himself*

I hope they win...

[vernys-atelier]

Out of curiosity, Do you have a close brother among the eight princes? And if so, why him?

I don't like to play favorites, they are my brothers and I care about them just as much, even those I can't see eye to eye with aka Chevalier

And I don't think it's a good idea to go ask them themselves because they'll either vote for themselves or unify their choices, and I hate that, because I know who they'll say if they unify their choices

[vernys-atelier]

Hello there Prince Vernard, I've heard a lot about you and you seem interesting to me, can I ask which faction you belong to?

Hello, I'm honored that my reputation reached wider feilds than I expected

I don't belong to any faction, neither the domestic nor the political. I believe in my abilities and expanding what I excel at when it comes to what both factions focus on, of course I got the approval to middle in these matters from the factions leaders (Leon & Chevalier)

[vernys-atelier]

One of the soldiers came running to me tells me that Prince Leon is panicking, saying that Prince Keith has passed out in the palace's garden during reading session...

...

...

...

Something is entirely wrong here...

[vernys-atelier]

Thank you, Verny!

-🧺

☺️

[vernys-atelier]

Vernard!! Greetings! *Bows*

(Can I be 🧺 anon?)

Hello, you don't have to bow to me my friend *smiles*

If you want to be basket then I don't mind, only if you call me Verny, no official titles. Okay?