***Hello Ladies, Lords and Noble Persons of all kinds! Welcome once again to the Hive's Fantastical Ball! I was going to post this one later after a different fic, but I want to make sure I get at least one fic out to you guys, sooo enjoy this one now! This fic was one that I was all too happy to write. It's quite short, but it's sweet and I personally love it. I hope you enjoy it!***
Summary: In honour of their hard work and loyalty in the Devildom, MC has been knighted as Layde MC of the House of Lamentation. The coronation and ball were a sweeping success, but now the real work of a noble person begins. Barbatos works with MC to try and teach them the manners and protocols of being a royal in the Devildom.
You were practically bouncing as you followed Barbatos into the royal study.
It had been a week since you were crowned Layde MC of the House of Lamentation and protector of the human world. Today your training for your new life was finally beginning.
You turned to Barbatos and beamed in excitement. "So what first? Do I learn how to pass regulations? Do I learn my duties in the Devildom court? Am I going to have to learn to ride a horse?"
Barbatos chuckles and places his hands on your shoulders as he leads you to a table that he set up and sits you down. "Those will all come shortly. For now, we focus on the basics: how to present yourself and proper manners and etiquette."
You blinked at Barbatos and frowned. "Wait. You're giving me a manners lesson?"
He sat down across from you in a fluid smooth action and raised an eyebrow at you. "Who else do you think would teach you? Lord Diavolo?" he laughed and shook his head. "I think not. I adore my Lord, however, I can barely keep him following etiquette as it is."
You snorted and hunched over as your shoulders shook with laughter.
Barbatos took in your posture and the very improper chortle that was coming from you and sighed in amusement. "I see I have my work cut out for me," he tapped the table twice to get your attention looked softly at you. "Let's begin, shall we?"
You glanced down at the teacup sitting from of you and casually lifted it with two fingers. "What are you going to teach me? How to stick out my pinky and lift my nose up at peasants?"
Barbatos raised an eyebrow at you as he stood and snapped open a book with one hand. "Oh? So you think this will be easy?" He looked down at the book, and began to read off, "No nagging, bragging, sweating, fretting, slipping, tripping, slurping, burping, twittering or frittering allowed," he smirked as he noticed your shocked expression. "Stay present, stay pleasant, stay proud."
You chuckled nervously as you set down the teacup. "Y-You're...You're joking right?"
Barbatos smiled and showed the book cover to you. "The Devildom's Guide to Royal Etiquette doesn't allow joking, Layde MC. That was only the tip of the iceberg, as you would say in the human realm." his eyes scanned over your sitting form. "For example, as you are now, your shoulders are hunched, you back is against the chair, your legs are casually spread. You are leaning on the table in embarrassment on your elbows, and the way you picked up that teacup earlier was simply disgraceful."
You winced at the blows to your ego and hunched down even more. "Geeze, way to give it to me lightly Barbs."
You jumped as his hand came to rest on top of yours. Looking up, you found the butler affectionately looking down at you. "Fortunately, you are not untrainable like Mammon, my Layde. There is hope for you."
He moved away from you once more and pulled out his chair so that you could see what he was doing. "You must sit away from the back of the chair, your back straight with pride, shoulders back and chin high. Your legs should be closed, as is proper, and tucked at an angle under your chair," you watched as he carefully demonstrated the actions as he spoke of them.
You knitted your eyebrows in concentration as you slowly mimicked his movements until you were mirroring him.
He smiled at the sight and nodded in approval. "Good. Now table manners."
He sat with you for the next two hours going over which cutlery to use when, the proper way to hold a teacup and pour tea, what it means to rest your knife and fork on a plate in different positions once finished, and how to use and lay your napkin. All the while, he kept constant surveillance on your posture and your conversation manners.
Eventually, he rose and gestured for you to do the same. He slowly began to walk around you with his hands tucked behind his back. "You did well today, Layde MC. There is still much to go over, such as you posture," you shivered as he ran a hand down your spine before placing slight pressure on the middle of your back. A second hand came just under your chin and gently lifted it. "We have covered a lot today. You can come back tomorrow and we can continue this lesson," his eyes sparkled as his hands dropped and he moved into your line of sight once more. "I must admit, my Layde, I am quite grateful for these lessons and the time that it allows us to spend together," he took your hand into his own and gently kissed the back of it as he bowed lowly. "I shall cherish this time."
Your cheeks flushed as you stared wide-eyed at the charming butler. He casually fixed his gloves, as though he hadn't just caused your brain to short circuit. You took a step towards him. "Barbatos, I-"
He chuckled and met your gaze once more. "Remember your lessons, MC. You are a noble person, and I am your butler and teacher. Although I do admittedly care for you," his expression softened to reveal a look of pure love and adoration; you felt your breath catch in your throat, "it would not be proper for us to become anything more than close friends. You are dismissed for the day, my Layde."
You could only watch as Barbatos scooped up the book from the table and left the room. You blinked at the spot where the butler once stood and rested a hand on your chest. You could feel your heart pounding within the confines of your rib cage.
The noble and their servant. A forbidden love story told throughout the ages, and yet, you had never thought that you would be able to call the story your own.
***Did I just write an entire fic based off of Barbie's The Princess and the Pauper's "To Be a Princess"? Yes. Yes I did. I hope you guys enjoyed the fic and thanks again to everyone taking part in the Ball!***
