Chapter Text
Another week had passed and Vexx was on another patrol, light diminishing to let the soft evening sky darken over the Peg’asi gardens. Something catches his eye and before he knows it, he’s stumbling upon a piece of silky, muslin-like cloth in the grass. His brows dip downwards with bemusement.
Picking the fabric up, he stretches it out in front of him, only to realize it’s a dress. An amused “huh” escapes his lips as his eyes trail on the ground to meet with a single shoe, further away. And just like that, he has an idea of who he is going to stumble upon if he follows that trail. Which he does.
Miette is lying peacefully in the damp grass, arms crossed under their head as the soft glow of the rising moon reflects on their skin.
“Dropped something?” Vexx pulls them out of their reverie, lifting the dress in on hand, cocked brow.
Miette jolts, sitting up to instinctively cover their body. They had those loose clothes you put under a dress so it’s not like they were naked, but still... The faintest hint of a blush creeps on their cheeks which seems to amuse the redhead who doesn’t even try to conceal his grin.
“Hey! You don’t get to feast your eyes on a royalty in underwear, turn around !” Miette tries to sound tough but the blush spreading on their face gives it away.
Said underwear consisted of large silky pants and an undershirt, nothing too embarrassing, really.
“This is the outfit you wear everyday before Princess Nerissa catches you and makes you wear a proper outfit... ” Vexx lifts a brow, revealing his teeth into an endearing smile.
“IT’s....” Miette blinks, dumbfounded, letting their arms fall on each side of them “true....” their gaze falters.
The guard shoots them a wink by way of an answer, to which they scoff, not as offended as they intend to be.
Miette takes the dress as they sit, a comfortable silence settling. They look into the distance for a while before Vexx’s gaze drops on Miette’s hand. Their knuckles are white from clutching their dress tightly.
“Everything alright, your highness?”
Miette is met with bold inquiring green eyes searching their face for any hint of emotion.
“I...” Miette open and closes their mouth, at loss of words. They swallow thickly, feeling the guards steady gaze burning holes through their skin. Shaking their head to regain composure, they say: “I just hate this.”
The man squints, tilting his head in a way Miette has seen him do a few times.
“Well, this dress doesn’t look half as bad on you as you think it does.” He answers, earning a bitter scoff from the youngest royalty.
The latter’s eyes dart towards his, their face warming up when they realize he’s serious. Their lips curl into a wistful smile.
“No, I mean.... All of this.” They gesture around vaguely with both arms, eyes lost on distance. The silence that had been so natural and comfortable earlier is now unbearable. Eventually, Miette goes on. “This entire royal thing, the etiquette, the behaviours, the way we have to act as if we were above everything and everyone, mightier than anybody... The king...” their voice trails off and the next words come out choked, as if they did not believe them. “... My father. I barely know him. I don’t even know if I want to get to know him, considering everything he’s done...” Another pause.
Vexx watches as their hand trembles, clutching the dress even more tightly.
“I don’t even know what I’m still doing here. There are eleven royal children and none of us is useful. We’re just supposed to obey and stay put all day, we’re soulless decoration and ornament during formal meetings or balls...” their voice is devoid of emotion, as if to illustrate their words. Miette takes in a shaky breath, closing their eyes with a bitter smile. “What’s keeping me here? Nobody would even notice if I were gone...”
This time, the red haired guard gently untangles Miette’s trembling fingers from the silky fabric to hold it in his. The royalty lifts some heavy eyelids to look his way, seeming conflicted. He offers a reassuring smile.
“I’d notice.” His voice comes out raspy, but genuine. It seems to make Miette soften slightly, their eyes reflecting the pale moonlight’s glow. They smile softly, encouraging Vexx to go on. “And I’m sure your sister would too. She may be tough towards you sometimes, but she believes it’s for your own good, and I know she cares about you more than you think she does.” His grip on their hand tightens and Miette feels their heart warm up ever so slightly.
A few seconds, an eternity, goes by before Miette unlocks their gazes, pulling their hand away from Vexx’s to rub the back of their neck with a nervous laugh.
“Look at me being all emotional. I must sound like a spoiled brat to you...” All traces of sadness fade from their features and are replaced with a mischievous lopsided smile, arching a brow as they gaze longingly at the man. “Let’s talk about you. I don’t really know much about you, Vexx Serif”.
The latter shifts awkwardly, a nascent scowl creasing his pale skin.
“There isn’t much to say. Been there, done that.” He voices coldly.
“Oh, come on. I’m sure you’re not as boring as you say you are! You can tell me.” Miette locks eyes with his earnestly. “I know how to keep a secret.” The atmosphere seem to get tenser by the second.
As if on cue, some footsteps echo nearby.
“Shit.” Vexx’s reflexes are quick and Miette has no time to think before he pulls them up. “We gotta hide.”
The teasing and amusement in his attitude is replaced with grim determination, scanning the area for a place to hide. Miette feels lightheaded looking at the glint brightening up the man’s eyes as he holds their hand. They barely have time to catch their dress before getting pulled forward, running away from what probably was a member of the royal patrol. The world swirls around them and Miette doesn’t feel gravity anymore, their legs automatically moving as they run.
Was that what having fun really felt like? They don’t have time to dwell on it as they are briskly pulled down in what seemed to be a bush.
Catching up with their breath, it takes a moment for them to realize the awkward position they’re both in, tangled legs and personal space nonexistent. They frown before Vexx gives them a smug wink.
“Hey-hmmph...” Miette is cut off short by a hand plastered on their mouth. Their widening eyes meet with Vexx’s as he brings an index to his lips, barely concealing his amusement, in a “shh”.
The heavy footsteps loom up; the two of them have to hold their breath as the neatly trimmed bush’s leaves tickle their sides.
After what seemed like an eternity, the footstep sounds have weakened and Miette pushes off the large hand covering their lips to let out a loud sigh, gasping for air. The daring grin on Vexx’s face only widens as he snickers. The sight completely blows away Miette’s anguish, and their heart races with adrenaline and excitement.
“A bush?! That’s the best hideout you found?” They tease, mimicking that Vexx signature smirk. “Gotta show you around sometime. I know the place inside out.”
“Are you asking me out on a date?” Vexx pokes fun at them, crooked grin and all.
“You wish.”
They both sit up, the redhead picking a leaf off of Miette’s shirt. The night air is freshening, only the hum of grass quivering under the soft breeze echoes.
“I’ll tell you what.” Vexx’s voice breaks the silence as he suddenly gets up on his feet, offering a hand to Miette (who declines, standing up by themself and earning a sly grin). “Meet me here tomorrow afternoon, and I’ll take you someplace out.”
“Out?”
“Out.” Vexx repeats, head tilting to the side with that unfaltering smile.
Miette’s brows knit together in confusion. It’s true they did have fun tonight, but getting out... As in Out out is pushing the boundaries.
“That’s not gonna happen. If someone finds me in this part of the gardens, I’m as good as dead, but if they hear I got out of the royal grounds...” They emphasize the words with a movement of the arms, raising in the air, before falling back down, never finishing the sentence.
The guard lets out a silent laugh.
“Do you trust me?” He asks
A pause.
“No...” Miette answers, unsure, earning once again a laugh from him.
“Your decision to take. I’ll be waiting here, your highness.” He gently taps the tip of Miette’s nose before turning around to walk away.
“Don’t let this become a habit” Miette calls out.
Both of them know Miette is going to come.