Clever as the Devil & Twice as Pretty

I. The Kiss of Death

"And, after all, 'Tis but the truth in masquerade." ~Lord Byron

The cool translucent morning mist added a slight grey tint to the early French dawn, causing a certain raven haired noble to awaken. He yawned quietly as he sat up, passing a delicate ivory hand through his contradicting ebony hair. Before he could properly open his auburn eyes, he heard a gentle knock on his bedroom door, making him frown slightly. A young brunette popped her head through the door cautiously, her chestnut curls falling around her worried heart-shaped face.

"G-Good morning, young master. I see you are already awake..." she whispered in slight disappointment. "Think nothing of it Juliette...come" a small smile played his lips as he held a frail hand towards her, welcoming her uneasy state. Juliette nodded gently, her immaculate black and white maid uniform rustling a bit with her quick steps towards her master.

The Noble slipped his hand into her curly chestnut hair, holding a strand in his fingers, "I rather like your hair like this, you always have it up" a gentle pink tint colored Juliette's cheeks and she looked down shyly."Today, is after all the annual masquerade rose ball..." she whispered, almost inaudible for her master. "oh, yes, it had slipped my mind...what else do I have scheduled for today?" his hand dropped away from his maid and instead found a place on his delicate chin. Juliette, slightly disappointed from the lack of personal attention, looked towards his grand window, the asparagus green tips of trees could be seen puncturing the thick layer of mist.

"You have a fitting for your evening suit and mask as well as your dance lessons...the rest of your schedule is open." she stated bluntly and with a dull expression to match. The master looked over at his maid and stood, walking over to her and lifting her chin to look up at him, "My, my, whatever happened to that smile of yours? I quite liked it..." the pale raven haired boy pouted, causing the maid to blush and smile shyly. "That is more like it, prepare my change of clothes at once" he smiled and took a seat on his large luxurious bed once more. Juliette nodded and walked towards his wardrobe, quickly retrieving a white dress shirt and a matching gray suit.

Juliette couldn't help but blush every time she dressed him, and frankly her master was fed up with it. "Juliette? why are you always this flustered?" he asked plainly as she gently slipped on his white dress shirt. She stopped abruptly once the question registered and as if on cue her usual light pink tint darkened. "I-I...erm..." she was at a lost for words, what was she to respond with? As if noticing her uneasiness the young noble sighed and stood,

"never mind...will I be having breakfast with my parents?" the chestnut haired maid sighed in relief in the change of topic.

"yes, the duke and duchess wish to discuss some very important matters with you, master" the clad in grey noble couldn't help but sigh, did his parents only care for him for their personal gain? Juliette, sensing his closed off emotion chose to simply lead him to the dining hall where the duke and duchess of France sat eating their breakfast, patiently awaiting their son. "Good morning, son" the ebony haired duke grinned, one filled with charm. The auburn eyed duchess smiled kindly and lovingly at the sight of her son. The boy could only force a smile and take a seat on the opposite side of the grand dining table. Juliette was quick to serve him and remained standing by his side.

"What is this 'important matter' you wish to discuss with me?" he stated bluntly, not wishing to be smothered in their fake kindness. The smile belonging to the kind duke and duchess faded slightly and they sighed in unison. "Whatever has gotten you in this sour mood?" The duchess of France pouted her delicate rose lips as she passed a delicate hand through her golden wavy hair. Clearly disheveled at her precious son's sudden 'rejection'.