Y/N - your name
E/C - eye color
H/C - hair color
H/L - hair length
S/C - skin color
F/C - favorite color

(Y/n's POV)

I looked at the friendship bracelet I had made for myself and thought about the others, wondering how they're holding up. Just then I hear a knock coming from my door and I got up to open it, only to find Gerard in front of me. "His Royalness would like to see you in the main court." I nodded my head as he left. I still couldn't get over what Scarlemagne did to Ratland, but I couldn't let that stop me from wanting to face him.

(***Cue Music***)

Taking a deep inhale and exhale I straightened out my dress and began walking out and closing my door. I held onto my bracelet tightly.

Lord...give me strength

I walk down the stairs to see Lemieux watching Scarlemagne...paint? Yes, paint himself. I wondered what he wanted to see me for. Once I made it at the bottom he quickly turned his head to me and greeted. "Ah! My dear, (Y/n). I'm glad you're here!" He handed his paintbrush and pallet for Lemieux to hold as he came up to me with a hug. He then whispered,

"I heard from Lemieux how melancholy you were when I left. That place must've meant a lot to you. And I'm sure the mutes who worked there, too?" I gave him a quiet yes. He unwrapped himself from me as he placed his hands on my shoulders. "Well, I just wanted say that no harm was done to them. They're very much alive and well. And....another thing I wanted to say.."

I stared at his eyes who looked back in mine and I could see he looked truly sad. "I really am sorry for yelling at you, and for making you cry like that." My mouth was partially open, eyes widened at my shock.

He's...actually apologizing??

He let go of me and clasped his hands together. "My temper can get out of hand sometimes...it's been like this for a long while, (Y/n)." He took something from behind him and held it out to me. It was a beautiful flower that was (f/c), my favorite color. He gently placed the flower in my hair. Cupping my cheek while he softly rubbed it with his thumb. "Forgive me, (Y/n). I can't do this without you."

Man...

He's really making it hard for me to be mad him

"I do.." I said to him with a faint smile. And I truly meant it. Scarlemagne is many things but to me he's no liar. Not once has he ever lied to me and I've never lied to him. We were always so truthful with each other it's almost bittersweet.

"Thank you."

He soon let go of me and turned back walking to Lemieux and grabbed his art pallet and paintbrush. "Do you consider yourself a painter, (Y/n)?" I walked up to Lemieux as we both stood next to him and his portrait. "I've never painted anything before. Is that what you're doing?" He nodded his head eagerly.

He then began finishing up his painting with a few strokes of red paint for his torso and it's no surprise it's a painting of himself with a big furry robe covering him. "Yes! I'm visualizing what I'll become in the future. Just look at this masterpiece!" I began clapping, got to hand it to him, he did have talent.

"Tell me, (Y/n). Which one of us is more handsome?" I gave it some thought as I examined both him and his portrait self and said "The answer is simple. Your both are because you are one and the same. Your painting resembles that what you long to be, how you vision yourself. While you resemble all you have worked up to become. The painting is because of you as you are because of the painting."

Both Lemieux and Scarlemagne stared at me wide-eyed as I finish up. "That painting is your dream, what you hope to become. It's part of you. And if it weren't for those dreams you never would have drawn it in the first place. Therefore, needing one another. The same." I smiled at myself as I stared at his painting.

Wow...didn't think I'd say all of that

"Um..sir? Your face is a bit..red." Lemieux said to him as he suddenly snapped out of his trance. He cleared his throat, "Right, right." We had a moment were we glanced at each other and I didn't know if it was just me, but I felt that little tingly feeling in my stomach again. I wonder if he felt the same because soon enough we were smiling at each other again.

"What about you, Lemieux? Who do you think is more handsome?" He gestured to the painting. I looked at her as she started fumbling with her words. "Uh...I, uh...You, sir!" I smiled nervously at her and then at Scarlemagne. "So, you find my painting subpar?" He said to her seriously.

Oh, boy...

She shook her head, "No, no, no! It's exquisite! It makes you look...dignified?" She didn't sound so sure of that statement. I felt bad for her, since I gave my big emotional speech it seemed she couldn't do the same. "You don't find me dignified in real life?" I couldn't tell if he was getting upset about this or not. So, I decided to come in until he put a hand up to me.

Oh..

He wanted Lemieux to finish what she was going to say, without interruption. "I...I...Uh...I..." She grew more nervous and scared by the second.

C'mon Lemieux...anything?!

All of a sudden Scarlemagne began what I think was crying (but he could be faking it) and held on to his painting. "It's terrible!" He yelled out as he started ripping the painting to shreds, grunting and making all that noise. I saw this coming. I understood now how he said his emotions can be a little out of control sometimes. It's almost kind of cute to watch.

"Ah, look at you Lio." I turned to see Gerard push Lio towards us. He too, was wearing nobleman clothes. "You could almost be mistaken for an actual noble. Isn't that right, (Y/n), dear?" I nodded as I gave an "mhm" and waved to Lio as he waved back. "All that's missing is..." Scarlemagne had those horrible wigs in his hands as he placed it on Lio's head. It's a good thing he loves my hair or I'd be forced to wear those dastardly wigs.

Lio moved his hands away and made a stern face. "I'd prefer an outfit from this century." Scarlemagne looked like he didn't have time for his crap and brushed it off. "Hm. Rude." He wrapped his arm around Lio "Now, come along!" He gestured for me to come as well which I did and walked on his left side.

Moments later we were outside and we all stopped as he showed us what he was building. "What you see out there are the future foundations of my new city, Aurum." I looked at the site bewildered.

He's actually making a city..?!

So...this was why he destroyed Ratland and the stuff they're building with are...parts from them

He turned to Lio "Your people have the privilege of building it for me." We walked a little behind him before he stopped in front of a human. Lio quickly turned to me and whispered "I don't like where this is headed. Do you have any idea what his plans are..?" I shook my head at him as I whispered back "Not yet...but Lio, I wanna know why he brought you with us."

Just then we separated when we heard from Scarlemagne talking to the human "That's the spirit! Back on your feet! Don't stop lifting until the very last beam is in place!" He then turned to us and held his pheromone bottle in front of Lio. "But you see, I'm running low on pheromones." He looked to me "There's only so much one mandrill can sweat." He gave me a wink and wrapped his arm around Lio.

"So, you want him to make you more because his occupation in the past is what'll help?" I asked him as he beamed me with a cheery smile. "Correct you are, my dear! And that, dear Lio, is why I am so glad we are reunited." Both Lio and I made a worrisome face as we knew what trouble would come to us.

We then start heading inside and made our way to this one store that was blocked with a gate. Scarlemagne slid it open, it was dark and damp. The place looked ruined, but I'm assuming this is where he wants Lio to work. "I'd like you to reproduce my pheromones." He said to Lio as he walked in and we followed.

"You are a chemist, after all." He leaned on the table. "I even got you chemistry sets from an old toy store. Aren't I so generous, (Y/n)?" "That you are, Scarley." I attempted a smile as I nervously looked at Lio. "Another brilliant idea of mine." He chuckled at himself as Lio walked around the table staring at the set. I walked up next to him.

"If you think I'd help you do that to my own people...you're insane." He said calmly and I turned to him, gesturing to Scarlemagne. "Tell him something he doesn't know, Lio. Scarlemagne squinted his eyes at him as he suddenly boomed with laughter. "She's right, Lio! I'm unhinged!" He continued to laugh maniacally as he climbed upside down from the ceiling, dropping glasses everywhere.

In all honesty, this would've scared me with his behavior and all if this was my first day here. But I got used to it and now his eccentric behavior is nothing but a faze to me.

As he dropped from the ceiling landing on the ground from which he stood he said coldly to Lio "I wonder who made me that way.." I looked at the two of them, obviously sensing there's some sort of thing going on with them. I then start to think of something that's been bottling my mind.

How long has Scarlemagne known about Lio..?

And...what he said to him just now really confused me

Did Lio do something to him...?

"It doesn't have to be this way." Lio stated, he's trying to change his mind but I know it's not going to work if he has some sort of hate towards him for some reason. "There's an amazing world out there, and if we took a different path, we could work together to~" "Pass." Scarlemagne said as he dosed him with his pheromone bottle.

And just like that, Lio was now under his control. I felt bad for him, but I couldn't do anything for him now. "Now get to work!" "I should get to work!" Scarlemagne walked around him "And shower me with praise as you do." He giggled to himself as he placed a hand on my lower back. "Shall we go have supper now, (Y/n)?" I nodded at him, I was starting to get a bit hungry. "Yes, please."

As we were about to leave Lio continued to praise him until he spoke of something Scarlemagne wasn't supposed to hear. "You are the epitome of of class, style and might. My daughter doesn't stand a chance against you even with her powers." I closed my eyes as I groaned silently.

Oh no..

Scarlemagne turned around "Powers, you say..?" This wasn't good. This was bad. Like, really really bad. Lio began telling him everything. And I mean, EVERYTHING. How she's the burrow girl everyone is after, she was the one who got past his guards and attempted to rescue him and that she's immune to his pheromones.

Lio was almost done making his batch of pheromones. "So, the girl with the purple jaguar paw who got past my guards, and is immune to my pheromones, is actually your daughter." He then turned to me "So, the girl you've been traveling with, who also happens to be part mute is her, yes?" I nodded at him as I slowly bent my head down. " I only ever found out recently about what she is, but I didn't know when we first met."

He hummed at me "Fascinating." He said as he walked behind Lio. "At first, I was going to eliminate her." I quickly turned my head, panic on my face. "Although, if she could control her inner beastie, and I could make her sympathetic to my cause..." I give a quick silent sigh of relief. I'm glad he decided to change plans. I turn to Lio who seemed to be fidgeting while pouring the beaker of pheromones into the bottle.

"Why, I'd be unstoppable! Imagine your little science experiment was my pet!" All of a sudden Lio came back to his senses as he gasped and dropped the beaker, but still held onto the bottle. Lio shook his head as he backed up into the gate. "Good luck. You don't know Kipo." I turn to Scarlemagne "He's right, though. Kipo is tougher than she looks and has more heart than anyone.."

I watched as Scarlemagne walked up to Lio who didn't want to let go of the bottle. He held onto Lio's wrist tighter until he had to let go. "Careful now. Don't want to spill a drop." Catching the bottle and placing it on a shelf. "Thank you, Lio." He turned to the tub of pheromones being produced. "Now I have my army, an endless supply of pheromones, my dear, sweet (Y/n)..."

He glanced at us "All I'm missing is Kipo." He giggled out loud as Lio had fear written on his face.

Kipo, I hope you're ready for whats to come..