Leofric Cyneheard Wymane

When his younger sister was born, Leofric was only three years old.

His first thought upon seeing his younger sister was...

Adorable.

...but he should have known.

It was all a farce.

When she tipped over her bowl of baby food onto the head maid, causing the head maid to bump into the butler, which then resulted in the butler clashing into the maid behind him who was carrying a tray full of desserts.

The whole dining area was in utter chaos, because of a single baby.

He really should have known.

His younger sister.

Zelene Cyneheard Wymane.

At that time, she simply giggled at the scene she caused. Her amethyst eyes, eyes that all nobles knew belonged to the Wymane family, twinkled in delight.

Even as a baby, she was still a hazard.

The pair of siblings grew up.

Zelene was five years old, and Leofric was eight.

Leofric lost count the number of times Zelene had landed herself into trouble. However, they weren't all too big, so he wasn't too worried.

...he should have been worried then.

When they were in the garden, Zelene miraculously found the beehive the servants had been searching for high and low.

The five year old Zelene climbed the tree and poked it with a stick.

Yes, Leofric should have known by then too, but again...

He didn't.

The bees came rushing at them, and the pair of siblings screamed at the top of their lungs, along with the servants. They appeared before their parents with swollen faces and arms.

The Duke and the Duchess were horrified.

"Ho-how did you end up this way?! Oh my goodness, look at your faces..."

"Where's the doctor?!"

Leofric merely lifted his sore arm and pointed it at Zelene beside him.

Zelene showed them a toothy grin, waving it off.

"It's okay, it's okay!"

"..."

There was clearly nothing "okay" about it.

. . . . .

Leofric was now fourteen years old.

He hurried to the guestroom after seeing a maid dashing out from it.

He furrowed his eyebrows, observing the baffling scene before him. He shouldn't feel indifferent, but he was.

The son of the Marquess, who was the same age as Zelene, was bawling his eyes out.

He had lost count the number of times someone cried due to Zelene, whether it was due to frustration or other reasons.

Zelene had her arms behind her head, whistling away as she looked away guiltily.

"Zele."

His younger sister flinched, looking at Leofric.

He could see it.

The same spark of delight in her amethyst eyes, when she caused a ruckus.

Leofric let out a sigh, his palm on his head. Unlike her lively amethyst eyes, his amethyst eyes reflected exhaustion.

"What have you done now?"

"It's okay, it's okay!"

"..."

What was okay about this?

"Sh-she slapped me!"

"Hey! I didn't slap you, I just...patted you to warn you! How could you grab someone so roughly like that!"

Leofric noticed the red fingerprint marks around his sister's wrist, frowning even more.

A fingerprint mark was also seen on the bawling young Marquess' face.

Zelene twirled her long, platinum blonde hair around her fingers. The colour of her hair was also the same as Leofric.

Leofric sighed again.

Yes, now he finally knew.

However, this time, he would overlook it.

"Zele."

"Mhmm..."

"Next time, if someone grabs you like that, don't just slap them."

"What?"

"Punch or kick them," Leofric narrowed his eyes at the bawling kid, making him flinch back in fear. "You are the Princess of the Taiwisha Kingdom, you can afford to do that."

"But...I don't know how to throw a proper punch."

Leofric glanced away from the bawling kid, grinning at his younger sister.

"I'll teach you."

That was another mistake Leofric made.

. . . . .

Leofric's breaths came out in pants, swinging his sword around adeptly, his refined eyebrows furrowed in concentration. He was only dressed in a pair of black pants, his lean and muscular chest glistening in the sunlight due to his sweat.

He is eighteen years old now.

His platinum blonde hair was messy from his intense swordsmanship training, barely reaching down his neck.

"Your Highness! Young Duke!"

A manservant called out from behind, carrying a shirt with buttons and a towel in his hands.

Leofric glanced back, ruffling his hair with his hand to get rid of any excess sweat.

"What is it?"

His voice was low and clear, not a ripple in his amethyst eyes. He straightened himself, his expression appearing tranquil despite the intense training he had.

"That is--Her Highness, the Lady, the Princess--she--I--them--"

"Calm down, breathe and then speak," Leofric sheathed his sword at his hip, a tiny smile on his lips. "So tell me slowly, what has my free-spirited sister done now?"

"She punched the Viscountess' daughter in the face!"

The smile dropped from Leofric's face.

"This tea party was supposed to prepare her for her debutante next year," Leofric sighed, snatching his shirt and towel from the manservant. "Why is she going around and punching people these days?"

Just the other day, she punched a commoner for touching her the wrong way.

Well, he did deserve it.

"Your Highness..."

"Yes, yes, I understand. It must have been tough on all of you."

The manservant bowed his head. "No, no. Not at all."

"Now, let's go," Leofric buttoned his shirt swiftly, leaving a few upper buttons open, running a hand through his hair. "Or my dearest sister would unintentionally end up committing a crime."

"A crime..." the manservant said nervously. "That is a little too..."

"Am I wrong? I don't think my sister is incapable of that."

The manservant recalled the memories he experienced with the Princess, shuddering visibly.

"Yo-you are right, Your Highness. The Princess is definitely capable of that."

Leofric chuckled, grinning. "Right?"

The manservant seemed to realise what he said, covering his mouth.

"Don't worry, I'll keep this conversation between the two of us." Leofric continued grinning.

. . . . .

When Leofric intruded on the tea party, the ladies were stunned by his messy yet roguish appearance. It was unlike his neat and attractive appearance they were used to seeing.

At least, he helped to ease the situation.

Apparently, the daughter of the Viscountess was being obnoxious and rude to everyone, excluding Zelene. No one would dare to insult the Wymane family.

Unable to tolerate it, Zelene threw a punch straight to her face. It knocked her out in an instant and Zelene dusted her hands.

"It's not like I could stand aside and listen to her annoying screeching. If she has the guts to insult people, she should at least learn how to take a punch!"

Leofric sighed in resignation. "I shouldn't have taught you how to punch."

"It's okay, it's okay!"

"What exactly about this situation is okay?"

"I...I mean...I exacted justice. You didn't see how rude she was..."

Zelene twirled her hair, whistling softly to herself. She was wearing a maroon, off-shoulder dress that had a simple design, but it clearly did not suit her demeanor, especially today.

Leofric disregarded the fawning ladies, closing his eyes. The daughter of the Viscountess was long forgotten as she laid on a makeshift mattress, completely knocked out.

He ran a hand through his hair, sighing.

"The entire Wymane family will be moaning about headaches."

. . . . .

Leofric escorted his younger sister to her debutante a year later. The nobles were amazed by the beautiful appearance of the Wymane siblings.

Their soft and dazzling platinum blonde hair, their mesmerizing amethyst eyes, along with unblemished faces that seemed to be sculpted with the utmost care.

It was difficult not to admire their stunning mien.

One wore an extravagant white, off-shoulder dress that had touches of brilliant gold scattered across the dress, along with her stark white gloves. The jewelleries she wore were glittering underneath the lights, and everyone found it hard to look away.

Her platinum blonde hair cascaded down her back, and her beatific smile was captivating.

The other wore an outfit that was equally astonishing. His shirt, just like his sister, has golden patterns on it with another layer of black, which matched his black pants. He wore black gloves, and his fringe was swept to the side. On his left side hung a red cape, hanging off his shoulder like a shoulder pad. His sword hung at the side of his hip.

His expression was lukewarm. There was a tiny smile on his lips as he greeted a few nobles that went out of the way to greet him.

The nobles fawned over the beautiful pair of siblings, showering them with compliments.

Their father, Duke Wymane, was a Prince, someone in-line for the throne. However, he never saw himself as a ruler, and neither did he have interest in it. He forfeited his rights to the throne to his younger brother, and was granted the title of a Duke instead.

Despite that, the Wymane family was still of royal bloodline.

Even if they were no longer eligible for the throne, they were still treated as royalty. It was because Duke Wymane was close to his younger brother, the King of Taiwisha Kingdom.

"My Lady, will you honour me with your first dance?"

"Oh, I apologise. You are not my type of man." Zelene said, rejecting him without a second thought.

The noble could feel something cracking apart inside him.

"Maybe when I'm in the mood, you can try asking me again!" Zelene smiled, waving at him and strolling away in a graceful manner.

The nobleman cracked even further.

Leofric was sipping away at his wine, snickering to himself as he overheard the conversation.

He ignored the desirous looks from the noble ladies. Other than his sister and mother, he had never danced with any other noble lady.

He wanted to keep it that way.

"Zele is free-spirited as always. Look at that poor soul, he's withering away."

Leofric paused, lowering his head. "I greet His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince."

The Crown Prince of the Taiwisha Kingdom had a bedazzling appearance himself. His fiery red hair that shone like his smiling eyes, and a resplendent outfit similar to Leofric, the two stood side by side.

It was a feast for anyone's eyes.

Some ladies found themselves swooning over the two utterly handsome men.

The two men continued sipping at their wine, conversing like no one existed.

"At ease, Leo. There's no need to greet me like that. We've known each other since birth."

"How dare I treat the Crown Prince so nonchalantly."

"You do that on a daily basis, my dear cousin--or brother."

"Oh no, how could I?"

"There you go, like now."

Leofric grinned.

The two of them chatted idly, and he noticed the Crown Prince's straying gaze.

Leofric placed the cup on his lips, tilting his head and swallowing the remnants of the wine.

"There's no point looking, Edric. She isn't here." Leofric stated.

Edric, the Crown Prince, sighed as his shoulders slumped.

"I came here solely to meet Rowena," Edric grumbled, narrowing his eyes at Leofric. "How could you not escort your own fiancé to your sister's debutante?"

"She refused."

"What?"

"She insisted on me escorting Zele instead, she wanted to sneak in on her own."

"Sneak...sneak in?"

Leofric shrugged. "That's what she told me."

"Why would she..."

Leofric looked towards Zelene's direction and he was rendered speechless. A few seconds passed before a laugh escaped his lips.

"What? What's so amusing?"

"There's your answer, Edric."

"...?"

Edric turned to look, seeing Zelene dancing with another lady who was dressed like a male noble.

It was the Earl's beloved daughter, Rowena Everly Fairburne, who was also Leofric's unofficial fiancé.

Someone Leofric only treated like another sister.

The two ladies were giggling at one another, and the entire ballroom was clamorous.

Leofric never once expected this debutante to be a normal one, since the star of this debutante was his sister.

"What in the world..." Edric said before smiling. "...she still looks beautiful dressed like that."

"You are hopeless," Leofric continued laughing, his shoulders shaking with mirth. "Look at the faces of the nobles, Edric. Really, Zele and Rowena truly outdid themselves this time."

"Indeed--wait a moment!" Edric blurted out.

Leofric looked at Edric with a questioning glance.

"Her first dance!" Edric muttered out, crestfallen and heartbroken. "Rowena, her first dance...!"

Leofric raised his eyebrows. "That's what your focus is on?"

"You don't know how long I've been waiting for this!" Edric barked out, looking at Leofric with wide eyes.

"Don't take your agony out on me," Leofric raised his arms. "Take it out on Rowena."

"You are asking for the impossible," Edric sighed. "Oh, my dear Rowena..."

Leofric shook his head and extended his hand out, patting Edric on the shoulder. "Once our unofficial engagement is broken off, you can dance with Rowena all you want."

"Her first dance..."

Leofric sighed. "Seriously, you are a hopeless case."

"Rowena...but...your first dance...is supposed to be me."

Leofric nodded his head with exaggerated sympathy. "Yes, yes. What a pitiful soul you are, Your Royal Highness."

. . . . .

It was just like Leofric had expected, the debutante was not a normal one.

Certainly, not a normal one.

He watched as his younger sister twirled around the balcony, a red hue on her cheeks. Her amethyst eyes appeared dazed and she giggled profusely. Her slim body swayed as she tottered side to side.

"Your Highness!"

"Princess!"

"My Lady!"

"Lady Wymane!"

The menservants and maidservants, along with nobles and friends were exclaiming to Zelene.

"It's okay! It's okay!"

She hiccupped, her body tilting over with her glass, the wine spilling over the fence.

"Oh, oh oh oh!"

The crowd shouted out, their hands stretching out gingerly.

Zelene balanced herself in time just as another hiccup escaped her lips Her long, slightly wavy platinum blonde hair that cascaded down her waist swished along to her abrupt movements.

"It's okay! I'm okay!"

"You are not okay! Zele!" Rowena panicked.

She was Zelene's best friend and a beautiful brunette.

"You are drunk out of your mind! Like a...like a headless chicken!"

Her outfit that was supposed to make her appear suave, was now a complete mess. She was going crazy trying to save her reckless friend. Her brunette bun was loosened, a few strands of hair framing her small, delicate face.

Leofric buried his face in his hand.

"Leo, do something! She's your sister!" Edric shouted.

"It's because she's my sister that I'm not doing anything."

"What do you mean?! She'll fall off the balcony at any second!"

Leofric heaved a sigh, taking a step forward. "It's too late."

"Use your magic!"

"Your Royal Highness, in case you've forgotten, the only magic allowed in the royal palace grounds for now is something as small as a ball of light."

"Well, I--aren't you a little too unconcerned?!"

Leofric looked at his sister.

Unconcerned?

It was the opposite of that.

However, the moment he would reach out to stop her, she would dodge it and choose to fly free.

"I can jump to this tree right here! Just look carefully!" Zelene laughed joyfully, the tips of her fingers brushing against the leaves of the tree. "My tree, my love! Wait for me!"

Everyone was going mad trying to get her down from the balcony.

"Young Lady Wymane!"

"No, no, don't stop me! Don't stop my love!"

Zelene stood up on the balcony.

"Oh my goodness!"

"Zel! Get down!"

"And up we go...hehe...!"

Leofric gestured to his sister, looking at Edric. "Let me officially introduce you, my sister. Zelene Cyneheard Wymane. Now, you see her for what she actually is, not the lies my mother used over the years."

"Are you serious? This isn't the time to..."

"I'm heading down," Leofric walked towards the balcony, gripping at his sword. "She'll jump any moment now."

"Any moment now?! Aren't you going to stop your sister?" Edric questioned in alarm.

"No, like I said. It's too--"

Zelene leapt off the balcony at that second, her high-pitched shrieks piercing through the air. She laughed excitedly, her amethyst eyes twinkling in delight.

"Wooohooo!"

"...late."

- END OF CHAPTER 1 -

. . . . .

Tales of the Cross-dressing Young Duke presents...

The Stars of the Debutante

Leofric, the undeniably handsome Young Duke.
"The entire Wymane family will be moaning about headaches."

Zelene, the breath-taking Princess that drives you nuts.
"My tree! My love! Wait for me!"

Edric, the handsome and self-proclaimed righteous Crown Prince.
"Rowena...but...your first dance...is supposed to be me."

Rowena, the eternal crush of the Crown Prince and the "nobleman" who stole Zelene's first dance.
"You are drunk out of your mind! Like a...like a headless chicken!"

?????, the gloomy stray...uh, something. Sorry, treat them as unknown.
"..."

. . . . .

Author's Note: Hello, everyone, I'll be busy during Christmas, hence, I will update most books leading up to Christmas Eve. To celebrate the joyous occasion, I'll update two chapters for most books.

Have a Merry, Merry Christmas everyone!

Also, welcome to my new book. I hope it'll be a enjoyable ride for you. Once again, don't hold too high of an expectation for this book.