”I do hope they arrive soon, I’m ready to sink my teeth into all sorts of fun”
Claudio resisted the smirk aching to flicker across his lips. His brother Demetri was always the teasing one, and though on bad days it may have irritated him, most of the time his comments were actually appreciated.
With that, the next of the hired help strolled into the room. Ah, the Butler. Claudio’s sapphire eyes shifted briefly over to his sister, wanting to spot her reaction. A wide smile was spread across her face. Relief washed over him like a wave. So his decision had been correct after all. As long as this young man made her happy, he would be pleased.
The butler gave a rigid bow and spoke with absolute excitement, which caused Claudio’s smile to falter slightly. Hm, at least he was looking forward to serving. The optimism beaming from the young man gnawed at Claudio like an annoying animal, but he forced his focus away from it and awaited the last person. The rose-haired woman entered and bowed to them, giving the perfect greeting, even though it was tainted slightly by her obvious nervousness.
“If no one objects, I would prefer to have the one who arrived late.” Damian’s quiet voiced reached Claudio’s ears. For a brief moment, he felt a sharp twinge of…what was that? Sympathy? How odd. Maybe he actually felt a bit sorry for the lovely woman who would be subjected to the presence of his sadistic brother. The thought lasted only for a brief moment, and like a dying candle, it was gone suddenly and without a trace.
Arik had returned to his seat, and the remaining help had taken their chairs as well. Of course, one had remained standing longer than the rest. Claudio stared down at the dark-haired girl in the revealing dress. It was then that he heard the girl whisper to her identical sister next to her.
“Keep your shit together. Don't let him break you down. Fight, don't become his fucked up little doll."
The poor dear didn’t know that every single person on their throne could hear exactly what she was saying. What a bit of trouble this girl already was! If she did not go to someone that could tame her, she would wreak havoc all over the palace. Her words were already the perfect example of the fighting spirit he was sure resided within her. She would have to learn to watch that mouth of hers as well. His hand travelled up to cup the side of his face as he continued to watch her with disdain and interest. Though he wanted to, he felt that he could not trust any of his siblings enough to know that they would be able to deal with the little firecracker in the way he wanted. Claudio decided in an instant that this girl would now be his responsibility. She would learn to serve well or he would find a way to rid of her permanently.
The blond haired man pushed himself to his feet, lacing his hands together in front of him as his eyes swept along every maid and butler in front of him. Already he had forgotten most of their names. This concern did not reveal itself on his face, rather, he appeared calm and poised. In some ways, he seemed almost welcoming. His azure gaze, though intense, retained a friendly warmth. His smile, though fake, was the same one he used to charm other royals and subjects from the neighbouring continent. His whole persona glowed with charisma. His siblings knew this act all too well, but the humans in front of him had never experienced this performance before. He was confident in his act, even though he had witnessed before one or two people being able to see right through it.
“Thank you everyone for taking your seats and being patient.”
What a load of shit that was. His brother Arik had nearly pounced on one of the girl’s, and the entire time they had been seated there was nothing but bickering.
“As you all are aware, I have taken the liberty to hire some extra help. I have noticed that in the past there have been some….troubling bouts of chaos within our family.”
This was, of course, in reference to the violent feedings of most of his siblings. His vagueness was an effort to disguise the secret of the family, as he preferred that each of the hired help would learn on their own time. It would be nothing but chaos if he spilled it to everyone all at once.
“I believe that each of us having a personal aid will help dramatically. Our free time will no longer by reigned by our basic needs. Instead, we can focus on strengthening relations between the neighbouring continent, and other families of high esteem, an especially important task in our current time.”
With the address to his family finished, he began his speech to the maids and butler.
“Each of you, through one way or another, has made your way here. Upon accepting the invitation to work here, you have also accepted our rules. Not only are there regulations enacted by me, but each one of my siblings as well. It would be wise of you to follow those rules.”
Claudio began to step away from his throne, meandering slowly towards the beginning of the line of chairs. Slowly, he began down the line of humans, his eyes catching each of their gaze before moving on to the next, while he spoke at the same time.
“Do not enter rooms you are not permitted to enter. Do not touch things you are not permitted to touch. Do not open the curtains. Do whatever is asked of you, without question. I think you all are beginning to see a pattern here. Essentially, do not do anything unless you are asked or given permission to do so.”
He stopped in front of Alice and focused on her a bit longer than he had anyone else.
“Is that understood?” The rhetorical question was posed to everyone, but seemed to especially apply to the girl sitting in front of him. Claudio turned and looked at all of the new servants before returning to stand in front of his own seat.
“I will make sure myself that deviance from the house rules will be dealt with personally. As for any nonconformity of the regulations devised by your personal masters, they will have to deal with those themselves.” He glanced knowingly at his siblings behind him, before clapping his hands together.
“Now then! I have decided already which of you will be serving each of my siblings.”
Since he had forgotten most of their names already, Claudio took to referring to each of them by their most present traits.
“The excitable butler will be serving my dear sister, Maleah.
“The fuchsia haired beauty will be serving Demetri.” Claudio had noticed the way Demetri looked at her, and figured this to be the best decision.
“The quieter twin will be serving the ever-so-excited Arik.” Though he had noticed Bishop’s want for the girl, he had figured that either person he assigned the girl to, the other would have a problem with it. It was a lose-lose situation either way.
“Bishop, I am sure you will find pleasure with the young violet-haired woman serving you.
The lovely rose-haired maiden will be serving Damian, as requested.
And finally…”
He paused for a moment, his eyes settling on the last maid to be assigned.
“You will be aiding me, my dear.” He spoke to Alice, his voice taking on a newer, more serious tone. Perhaps some of his brothers were confused on why he decided to take what seemed to be the most difficult of all. It was not a sacrifice, rather, it was his own stubbornness and independent nature that had caused this.
“Your duties will start immediately. If my siblings could please run over their own personal rules with their assigned help, I would appreciate it greatly. The sooner they know the rules and structure, the better.” Claudio flashed one more weak smile to the audience. He shook his head as if to refresh himself, his blond locks shaking their way out of his vision. Sapphire orbs darted over to Alice.
"You may come with me now." He reached out his arm languidly, his hand open in an invitation to hers. He would have to go down his list of many rules for her. For now, a quick visit to his room to explain things would do.