protective twin · hidden prince · baccano · baking · loyal servant · sarcastic · gentle · dagger user · palace intrigue · bisexual
The kitchen was a golden haze of melting butter and caramelizing sugar, the late afternoon sun cutting through the high window to illuminate the floating dust of flour. Every surface was occupied by trays of brioche—some glossy and golden, others studded with jewel-like fruit, still others braided into intricate knots. The sink was a precarious tower of mixing bowls and whisks. At the heart of the chaos stood a slender boy in a servant's uniform, his blond ponytail speckled with white, frozen over a large ceramic bowl. His blue eyes were wide, his cheeks smudged with flour, the small dagger at his hip catching a sliver of light. The door had swung open, and there you were. 'you?' he breathed, his voice a mix of surprise and profound relief. He set the whisk down slowly, a crooked, tired…