Lose your soul.

Valentine’s Day had been an interesting one, to say the least. Kamile had spent the day saying whatever she wanted to whomever she wanted without so much as a filter. Something she usually had. For the most part, the drug had worn off over the course of the night, but there seemed to be a hint lingering as she stepped out of her room to head to breakfast the day after.

Taking her usual route, she noticed the halls to be empty for the most part; probably as a result from the brunch the day before. However, one thing she didn’t expect to see was Josie quietly trying to slip out of Mateo’s room without being noticed. Stopping and crossing her arms, a wide grin spread across Kamile’s face as she let Josie get the door closed, before actually speaking up, “Well, well looks like Little Miss Perfect does do the walk of shame. Guess Valentine’s Day wasn’t a bust for everyone. I would say I’m jealous, but it’s more pathetic if you ask me.”

“I mean vodka is a good choice.  Although I might be a bit biased being a Russian bartender and all,” he said with a slight shrug.  He figured it was probably in their blood stream as a nation to have a great love and weakness for the alcohol.  When she mentioned the throne he let out a stream of air.  “And?  Even kings and queens need to let loose sometimes.  I’ve had some of the royals in here two thirds of the way to passed out more than once.  We don’t kiss and tell here.”

Sliding the drink back towards her he frowned ever so slightly.  “It’s a big country, full of lots of shit holes like this one.  But the cities are alright,” he said.  A smile spread across his face, his eyes lighting up and and lent his arms against the bartop.  “Your Highness, are you hiding your language abilities?  Don’t worry though, my lips are sealed.”

“Well, I can see why you would be biased. I hear Russians like to drink, and I can see why considering how cold it is around here, even though alcohol actually thins your blood instead of what most people believe it does.” Kamilė was smart. She had to be. Keeping her lies straight took a lot of work, but studying had always come naturally. To be a chameleon in life, she had to know her stuff. “Ah yes, they do but I’m not one for making a huge scene. I’ve done it in the past, and my parents weren’t too proud of me. I have two younger siblings who could easily sit on the throne, if I make too big of a mistake.”

She let her hand casually slide out to meet the drink in front of her, “Shit holes? You speak so highly of your homeland.” A laugh escaped her lips while she pulled the vodka up from it’s rest place and took a small sip. Letting the cool liquid burn, she gave it a moment before speaking up again, “I might be. A girl’s got to have some secrets.” And secrets she had for sure.

“It’s one of the greatest guilty pleasures to have,” Cal admitted while a small, warm smile started on his lips. While he had rarely ventured out as of late, it was still nice to at least visit the shop now and then. A restock, he would occasionally joke, although his assistant had started to take the trips more than him. Too much to do, not enough time. “And what suggestions were those, in case I need to thank you?” A chuckle was weary and slightly dismissive at her observation, although he didn’t mean ill by it. “Oh, I’m fine. Will be fine. I think,” Cal added with a quiet laugh. “Paperwork and the business with it always make me a little tired.”

“I’ll toast to that.” She picked up the glass of wine she had been drinking and held it to the sky for a moment before taking a sip. Putting the glass back down, she resumed her meal. “More variety, for starters. It seems they only know how to cook a select few things. We have a castle vastly stocked with people from all over the world, and they seem to only like to cook the same few dishes every time.” She knew the people working at the castle had a lot on their plate, but it wasn’t any excuse for providing more options, especially when her family was probably piping out a hardy fund to whoever had the idea to stick a bunch of royal heirs and heiresses in a castle together. “Ah, yes. The responsibilities of being an adult.” She sighed. “Even being stuck in a frozen hell hole doesn’t offer much reprieve does it.”

William watched her, hiding his amusement as she sat perfectly poised on the couch. Clearly she wasn’t fond of being here, though many of the royals weren’t. He grabbed her file and opened it up, setting a pen aside before he turned to her and shook his head. A small chuckle slipped past his lips and he didn’t bother to move as he watched her. “No need to look so worried, it’s just a general check up. All the royals and staff who are here get one when they arrive. I just like to make sure everyone is healthy, check that medications are doing their jobs or if there is anything I can help with.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Any medical complaints today or ones that you deal with regularly?” 

She was already leery of this man and his motives. Kamilė didn’t trust people. To her, if she was going to make it through life, she had to watch her back and her back only. And unless she could benefit from other people, she didn’t really care for them. What was this guy going to offer? It didn’t take her long to realize that he was part of a piece in the puzzle to win the crown, “Well that’s very good to know doctor.” Kamilė thought for a moment, more so for show, about what he had asked, “Medical complaints. Hmm...I do have trouble sleeping sometimes, but that could be because I am living in a strange place with many people who like to stay up at all hours of the night.” And I would call myself a self-diagnosed sociopath. Oh, and I have been formally diagnosed with OCD. But you don’t need to know that doctor, because you’re just a pawn in my little game. “Maybe you could prescribe me something for that?” She remained poised with her false smile.

“I may have been there more times than I should’ve. But there’s no fault - no need to apologize.” An apology of his own almost followed hers, which he was thankfully able to hold back just in the nick of time. “It’s a pleasure, Kamilé,” he said, holding out his own hand in relief at the familiar gesture, clasping the woman’s in a firm grip. “How have you been keeping yourself sane, if not with frequent trips to the village? Have you found anything more-or-less exciting to do around here?”

“Well chocolate is a weakness for many; myself included.” It was one thing she could say she truly loved. It had never let her down and what she wanted, when people couldn’t be, which seemed to be most days. “Who says I’m sane?” She laughed, but soon stopped, “It’s like if prison were a frozen hell...I don’t think there is anything exciting to do around here, unless, perhaps, you’re drunk and can find someone looking for a good time.” A “good time” was definitely something Kamilė enjoyed. There was no doubt about it, “What about you? Found anything to ease your own boredom?”

“Not fond of the idea of betrothal, Princess?” Bastien asked, leaning on the counter. He couldn’t say she blamed her. It was the one aspect of royal life that he pitied- being forced into marriage for political power. He couldn’t imagine having to go through that. “Or does some prince have the wrong idea?” Was she betrothed and unhappy about it? Or was there legitimately some sort of mix-up?

Her next questions made him sputter. As far as he knew it wasn’t an official rule to not socialize too much with the royals, but he did strongly prefer to keep things professional between himself and the princes and princesses. And talking about his sex life was definitely not keeping it professional. “I- Well, I’m… I’m working today,” he said, trying to maintain some level of dignity. “So there’s not much time for sex and chocolate, even if there were someone special. It sounds like you might have someone for that, though, your highness. Considering the betrothal.”

“No, not really. And the man-child I’m stuck with, is an idiot whose only in it for the crown.” So was she, but she had been working her ass off to achieve that goal and to show she deserved it. Luka had just snaked his way into it as it seemed he normally did with things in life. “Unfortunately, I don’t think there is a mix-up. I’ve known his family since I was a child. Fate just decided to take a big shit on my life.”

Back on the subject of Valentine’s Day, and what she was offering, she noticed Bastien stutter, “All workers do get breaks you know? And I’m sure with all you’ve been doing with the brunch, you haven’t really had time for a break. Plus, there’s no one back here, and we can always lock the door...” She glanced around the massive kitchen. There were a lot of ways they could make this fun. However, when he brought up having sex with Luka, her mood shifted to anger. Snatching up the nearest knife, she stabbed a nearby wood chopping board as hard as she could, “God. Don’t ever mention sex and Luka Kovačić in the same sentence again.” She began swearing in Lithuanian.

@badforthcsoul​

He hadn’t needed to be in the room to know something was seriously weird about the brunch the royals had attended that morning. If he didn’t know any better, he’d say that some of them were acting like they’d been drugged- a ridiculous notion, with how tight security was around here, and how upright most of the future kings and queens were. But, still… things a little off. 

Bastien had tried to put it out of his mind. He’d come back to the kitchen in time to get started on dinner, a touch early- he was the only cook in the kitchen for the moment, and he was taking advantage of that, listening to music and humming along as he pulled ingredients out of the fridge. He turned around, to set the food down on the counter and start prepping, and nearly jumped out of his skin when he noticed one of the princesses standing there. “God, you scared me,” he said, exhaling heavily. “I’m sorry, your highness. Is there something I can help you with?”

Somehow Kamile had managed to shake Luka for the time being, but hiding out in a kitchen wasn’t exactly her idea of fun. Luckily for her, the cute cook was lingering nearby preparing for the next meal. It must have been hard preparing so much food for so many different people. It was a job Kamile didn’t admire, especially knowing how picky she could be, but someone had to do it. It just wasn’t ever going to be her.

“Nope. Just hiding out from some psycho who has the grand idea that we’re betrothed.” She rolled her eyes. By now, she had more than enough alcohol to knock out a horse, and while she was still feeling that spice she had felt with Luka, Bastien didn’t make her want to stab a fork into somebody’s hand, “What are you doing? Don’t have a special someone you could be having sex with right now? I mean that’s what Valentine’s Day is for, right? Sex and chocolate.” She could easily change that, if he so wished.

                   THE AMUSEMENT THAT BUBBLED IN luka’s throat was almost too much and it took him a moment to remind himself not to burst out in laughter. the blonde before him having given him an even better reaction that he imagined. “ i do believe most would call this a box, your highness. “ he gestured towards perfectly placed velvet case between them. “ traditionally said boxes hold surprises. “ which in this case wouldn’t be much a surprise but he liked the lingering effect that he knew his words would have anything to just irritate her further. “ now i’ve always known that you were blonde but… “ his voice trailed again, if nothing more than dramatic effect. 

“ but i would have figured that the color of your hair wouldn’t have damaged that allusively sharp brain of yours. “ he pouted slightly, his eyes making clear that he was mocking, only to then let a hearty laugh slip past his lips. “ this would be the part where you SMILE..” he leaned in closer so she’d be the one to hear. “ if i do re-call you’re quite talented when it comes to putting on a show, so make it a good one. “ he pulled back, a smile still plastered on his features. “ your mother said you’d love it. “ he again gestured forward. “ was she wrong? “

Boxes hold surprises? What was she? Two? “You know what else holds surprises, Luka?” She waited to see if he would catch on. “My foot...when it’s surprisingly shoved up your ass.” Looking at the box and then looking at him, she shook her head, “I’m not opening that. Knowing you, it probably contains something gross.” Like your face, you fucking twat. She wasn’t entirely sure what it was, but Kamilė was feeling extra spicy today. Everything seemed to be getting on her nerves. Before she had arrived at the brunch, she had prepared herself to be on her best behavior. Kiss as much ass as she could and by the end of the night, hopefully take home something to play with...be it guy or girl. But everything had changed once she had gotten there and started drinking.

Shifting in her seat, she looked around the room, before glaring back at him, “What do you want, Luka? I’m not in the mood for your bullshit today. It’s Valentine’s Day, and I’d rather just mingle and fuck, but not with you, because ew.” She could feel one of the cookies, she had consumed attempting to come back up in her mouth, “And quit talking about my mother. Her name needn’t come off of your vile, serpent tongue.”

She was completely ignoring the box now.

@badforthcsoul​!!

                 HIS ORIGINAL PLAN HAD BEEN to surprise lithuania’s crown princess and not out of any need to keep the ‘ special ‘ moment private, no it was simply to revel in the fact that he was going to be giving her the worst news of her life. however when the brunch had been proposed the prince couldn’t help but imagine a scenario where she was surrounded by people  –– tempted to see exactly just how his future ‘ wife ‘ would handle such news and so he waited, with the ring he’d picked with her mother and yes the comical aspect of it all wasn’t lost on him. engagement rings in his mind were a bit unnecessary considering that the act alone was meant to show someone’s undying devotion to someone else. this was simply a business transaction between two countries one that would help him meet goal he’d wanted since before he could reason. 

but regardless, he couldn’t resist the irony of getting to know his soon to be ‘ mother in law ‘ in such a way. playing with the velvet box which contained a perfectly shaped teardrop diamond ring inside the young man approached the blonde and took a seat across from her, waiting for her to honor him with her attention and once she did he laughed, pulling the small box out and placing it between them. “ i figured you’d need something to celebrate and what better way than this? “ he added with a crease of his brows. “ no greater representation of love than this. “ yes, he was laying it on thick but that was beside the point. “ don’t you agree kamilė? or perhaps  –– wife.. would be more appropriate, which do you prefer? “

When word had made it to Kamilė that Luka Kovačić would be joining his siblings at the castle, the twenty-seven year old felt her stomach churn. She had known the man since they were younger. Known of his foul personality and jealousy towards his older sibling. It wasn’t something she had wanted to surround herself with, and she had made it a point to avoid him like the plague upon his arrival at the castle. However, today’s social function, one she didn’t exactly want to miss, was proving to be a challenge, especially as she had watched him walk through the door to come and find a seat across from her. Already, she wanted to release the little bit of regurgitated heart shaped cookie, but instead sneered in his direction. It was when he pulled out a small box and placed it in front of her that she nearly choked.

The words seemed to echo through her brain loudly and annoyingly. And the once false charm that graced her face slid off like melted wax on a candle. This couldn’t be real. This had to be some kind of joke. Kamilė had made it her mission in life to not get married. To be the only one holding the thrown, at least sometime before she wed and demanded an heir. And, of course, she wanted it to be her choice who stood by her side as her incompetent other. Leaving her to make the ruling decisions. But this...this was outrageous. She was sitting across from a man-child. The Joker himself. This was bullshit. 

With bated breath, followed by a long, slow and controlled, yet slightly quivering sigh, Kamilė leaned forward across the table and spoke just loud enough so Luka could hear her, “What the fuck is this?”    

Love Potion No. 9 - Kamilė Valaitis (Crown Princess of Lithuania)

Take everything you ever knew about Kamilė and throw it out the door. The real Kamilė Valaitis is about to show her face at the Valentine’s Day brunch, and she’s definitely not someone looking to make friends. With her inhibitions down and her paranoia riding high, it might be best to avoid our sociopathic little royal, who has a thirst for blood. Someone who enjoys a good drink, Kamilė has probably taken liberties with her drinks since it is a holiday celebration. Let’s just hope she doesn’t say or do something she’s going to regret.

“You’ve never heard of a Long Island Iced Tea?  Oh man you’re missing out.  I’ll allow you to go the vodka today, but you definitely have to try one.  Tastes real nice and gets you drunk super fast,” he said, shaking his head slightly as he wiped at the counter idly.  “Oh I’ll remember, don’t you worry.”

When she pushed the glass towards him he plucked it up, moving it to the used glass side before he picked a fresh one and grabbed the bottle again.  “I don’t know how much everyone else is.  I could probably go but I’m not allowed back to St Petersburg yet and I wouldn’t bother anywhere else.”  As he poured the second vodka he let out a laugh at her slipping into his native tongue.  “Okay, I’m definitely going to have to watch what I say.  There’ll be no secrets around you.”

“I have not. And thank you. Vodka’s easily my go-to drink of choice, but new place, new experiences, right?” She did enjoy getting buzzed, but Khatanga wasn’t the place. At least not in public. If she wanted to get drunk, she would lock herself in her room for the night. Still trusting herself not to go out and do anything self-damming wouldn’t be easy, “I’m not so sure about getting drunk fast, especially when I’ll be sitting on the throne someday, but thank you...for the head’s up.”

Watching the fresh glass of vodka being poured, Kamilė continued with the conversation, “Unfortunately, I wouldn’t either. I haven’t studied a map of Russia, but that might be something to do one day. I should at least know my new residence in case something were to happen.” Kamilė followed suit and replied back to him in his native language, “Yes. For sure. But this can be our little secret, yes? No one else in here needs to know.”

   “Of course, a trait that my brother and I used to share…” he said with a small that covered a sadness that was in his heart that he sometimes forget he had because of how much he has been ignoring the pain. “Great because I never say no to chocolate of any type.”

She could tell something was off, but she didn’t question it. Instead, Kamilė remained poised with her own smile, “Good to know.” Noticing one of the wait staff coming out from the back, the young woman laid eyes on a piece of chocolate cake drizzled with chocolate syrup and topped with raspberries, “It would seem you’re out of luck tonight, Friend. At least when it comes to getting my piece of chocolate cake.” With the cake now sitting in front of her, she grabbed her fork and dug in.

William already had the princesses file out and had been reading it as he waited for her to arrive for her appointment. She was one of the royals who had been kidnapped, however there was little information about how she was when she returned home. He noted that she had been going to therapy, but there was nothing out of the normal. In fact she seemed relatively healthy compared to some who had come away with nightmares, ptsd and trouble sleeping. Of course he couldn’t have any actual opinion until he had a chance to meet her himself. 

Hearing her knock he closed her file and turned, calling to tell her that she could come in. There was a charming smile already plastered on his lips as he watched her walk in and shut the door behind her. “Princes Kamile, a pleasure to meet you. I’m William.” 

“William. It’s a pleasure to meet you as well.” Walking over to a nearby couch, Kamilė sat down. Posture nearly perfect and hands resting gently on her lap, she refused to get comfortable. She had hoped she wouldn’t be there too long, but she had known from experience, that counseling appointments generally had a set amount of time. Whether or not, she wanted to talk that was generally up to her though, and awkwardness didn’t really bother her, if it came to that, “You needed to see me, yes? I believe this was at my father’s request...” Might as well get down to business. Even from afar, her father still had control of how things in her life went, but she couldn’t really protest, if she wanted the crown someday soon.