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From his tower, Prince Hanako could see nearly all of the castle grounds. From the gate that welcomed guests, standing tall and triumphant, to the stables in the shadowed corner of the courtyard. On clear nights, he could watch the moonlight dance in glimmers on the fountain waters and fall asleep against the stone ledge of the window as he counted the stars.
On regular days, he could also watch the castle staff work diligently as the day progressed. Couriers would rush in and out with deliveries and messages; knights would hone their skills in the training grounds; and maids would hang out fabrics and silks for cleaning on sunny days.
This was not a regular day, however. Just the amount of bustling staff running around was evidence enough of that. The prince watched as stakes and poles were struck into the ground and large but simple tarps spread over them to create canopies and tents. Other workers dotted the grounds with tables and chairs, empty for now but soon to be stacked with hors d'oeuvres, spirits, and sweets. And of course, decorations of all sorts were pinned and hung wherever they could tastefully be placed. String lights and lanterns, garlands and ribbons. Even a large running red carpet was laid out at the castle entrance, making Hanako raise a brow and sigh. He could hardly see the point in laying out such a thing at a garden party. Wasn’t the point to appreciate the outdoors, not hide it under frivolous tapestries?
Not that he particularly cared in any case. Festivities such as these were nothing more than public relation stunts and diplomatic charades for members of royalty such as himself. Just a night of discussing politics with dukes he knew of only by name and throwing less than genuine charm at duchesses whose names he knew even less. These events were more of a chore than anything else. But he supposed commiting to them every once in a while wasn't the worst fate.
Pulling Hanako out of his thoughts, a large crashing sound caught his attention. He scanned the campus for the source and when he found a head of creamy locks in the middle of the commotion he couldn't hold back a chuckle.
Nene Yashiro stood aghast at the fallen wheelbarrow, its contents of various vegetables and herbs spilling over onto the ground. After a moment of stuttering and panic, she rushed to her knees to collect the produce as nearby gardeners returned to their own tasks, looking relatively unsurprised at the culprit.
Resting his chin on the heel of his hand, Prince Hanako smiled fondly as he continued watching the royal gardener clean up her mess. He had long favored this little radish that had worked her way to a prominent position on the castle's gardening staff. It was a joy to observe her overreactions from afar and even more of a joy to be the one to set them off himself.
A few haughty flirtations here and there and she became redder than the tomatoes she so expertly harvested every summer.
A few more and he could watch the steam roll off her skin in clouds.
And just a few more whispered into her ear and he knew he would be looking forward to a night of having her all to himself.
Another chortle escaped the prince as he rose to his feet, watching the gardener rush off with her wheelbarrow of crops. He figured it was about time to stretch his legs, perhaps take a relaxing stroll around the courtyard before he was forced to occupy himself with his own festivity preparations.
Besides, it never hurt to check in on his staff every now and then.
If there was one thing to be said about Nene Yashiro, it was that she had a large capacity for perseverance. One or two spills of a wheelbarrow was hardly enough to keep her down. She would be willing to run back and forth with the vehicle as many times as it took to complete her task.
However, her team was less keen on waiting for Nene to recover from her falls and unanimously decided she would be more helpful tending to the gardens instead. Pride injured and wheelbarrow confiscated, she couldn't deny the slight sting of betrayal. And were it not for the rush of tonight's ball hanging over their heads, she might have made more of an effort to stand her ground. But in the end, she supposed as long as tasks were being done, that's what was important.
Gradually, Nene made her way to the farthest corner of the gardens, spreading compost from the kitchens across open stretches of soil. There was a solitude in her work that brought about a merry moment of peace. With the impending deadline of the party lifted from her shoulders, she found herself humming carefree melodies as she moved along.
Perhaps that was why she didn't notice the looming figure behind her until she turned and was already colliding into the prince who was quick to loop his arms around her, his mantle hiding her from any prying eyes. “Y-Your Highness?!” Nene hissed, muffled into his shirt.
The low rumble of Hanako’s snicker vibrated in his chest. “What’s a little daikon doing in the cucumber patch, hm? Even I know that’s some messy planting.” Voice descending into a whisper, he firmed his embrace around her. “Maybe I should help the gardeners out and pick you a little early. Have a little afternoon daikon snack?”
Creeping heat flooded Nene’s face and she wasn’t sure if it was from the too-obvious invitation or from being wrapped in Hanako’s cloak with him. Either way, the grin in his voice was enough to set her down that familiar struggling path between knowing she should push him away and wanting to remain in his hold. “Surely, you have personal preparations to attend to before tonight,” she offered, deciding that the garden ball was of more importance than Prince Hanako’s impulses.
“I could say the same for you,” Hanako countered. “Yet here you toil in the fields.”
Confused, Nene pulled her head out of his shawl to look up at the prince. “The crops are my preparations. The kitchen requested fresh produce for tonight.”
Hanako clicked his tongue as if chiding a young child. “Ah, but those are not your personal preparations, are they? What of your dress? Your transport from your lodgings?” He looked down at her expectantly and when she returned his stare without an answer, his expression fell. “You… are attending tonight… aren’t you, Yashiro?”
At the look of disappointment that dawned on Hanako’s face, Nene felt another wave of warmth cross her cheeks. Would her absence really be so upsetting? It wasn’t as if they could exactly spend time together at such a public event. The logical portion of her mind reminded her of the scandal that would take place should their licentious relationship be revealed… However, the dismay that sat on Hanako’s face fought back until she sighed, leaning her forehead against his chest with a simple nod to signal her defeat.
Almost immediately, the arms around her squeezed happily, almost lifting her from the ground before relaxing and stepping back with a flourish of his cloak. He chuckled at the ruffled state he left her in, a bright grin back on his face. With a wave of his hand, he pivoted on his heel, suddenly striding back toward the courtyard as he instructed, "Then you'd do good to go procure your attire for the evening! I'll leave you to it!"
Before Nene could protest, Hanako had already made substantial headway across the yard, the subtle bounce in his step not going unnoticed by the gardener. She sighed as she returned to the furrows that stretched across the gardens, fully intending to put her full focus toward the rest of the cultivation of her vegetables.
Still, she'd be lying if she'd said she hadn't caught herself daydreaming a few times about what kind of dress she'd like to wear to the ball that night.
Of course, the dress she arrived in was nothing like the gowns of her imagination. There were no sparkling embellishments or beaded stitching. No delicate lace accents or flowing skirt. Just a simple and tasteful thing, almost professional in its modest style. A solid burgundy from the sleeves to the hem just below her knees and almost stiff as far as textile went, it was a fine event outfit. And with the charming accessories around her neck and wrists, Nene looked far from out of place as she settled herself near one of the many flower bushes that dotted the courtyard.
Esteemed guests strode through the gardens admiring the floriculture of the campus and chatting amongst themselves of both large and small topics. Nene enjoyed people watching from her small corner. She hummed curiously at the folks who spoke of complicated business matters, giggled at the jokes she heard in passing, and sighed dreamily at the sweet courting that played out in front of her.
Another version of herself might have dreamed of such fairy tales. A moonlit night, surrounded by beautiful flowers, strolling along on the arm of a man with a kind smile as he threw flustering words her way…
But she supposed that getting to observe such happenings up close would be the next best thing instead.
“And now they’re planting daikons next to the azaleas? I really am going to have to have a chat with someone about this.” At the familiar voice, Nene twisted to find a rather stately Hanako beside her, grin plastered to his face all the same. “Glad you could make it, princess.”
A tiny sputter of a laugh escaped Nene’s lips as she pinched the sides of her skirt. “I’d hardly be calling anybody dressed in this plain fashion a princess.” She shifted her weight between her feet, displaying all sides of her outfit.
“Nonsense,” Hanako responded. He placed a gentle hand on Nene’s shoulder, prompting her to look up at his warm expression. “You look wonderful, Yashiro.”
For a moment she lost herself in his charms, speechless at his sweet smile and taken aback at his completely appropriate unsuggestive touch, but managed to jump back to herself quickly enough. "You don't think it's too boring…?" Her voice was small, as she fidgeted bashfully, picking a nondescript rock on the ground to study.
Slowly, she felt his hand drift from the top of her shoulder down her sleeve as he took a step closer. "I think it looks great," he said before lowering his voice to a whisper. "But I think it'll look even better when I toss it to the floor later tonigh--"
They both jumped at the sudden loud crash that cut off Hanako's thought, Nene even letting out a startled yelp. Though they spun in circles to search for the source, it didn't take long for them to hear shouts and scoldings over the tell-tale laughter that they both recognized as belonging to the younger of the royal twins.
Nene giggled at the grumbling emanating from Hanako. Some quiet complaints about having to constantly be a babysitter at these events fumed under his breath before he took a deep exhale.
In just a moment, his usual acting debonair smile was back on his face as he bowed to Nene. "I'm terribly sorry, miss, but I'm afraid I'll have to be cutting our conversation short as it appears my attention is needed elsewhere." With princely grace, he took her hand in his to lay a kiss on the back of her wrist. "It was a pleasure getting to spend this time with you," he continued, eyeing her with a coy smile.
The tickle of his lips pulled a giggle from Nene and she bent at her knee in a curtsy, playing along with his game. "The pleasure was all mine, Your Highness."
Knowing smiles played across their faces, their affair seeming more of an inside joke than the explosive danger that it could be.
Before Nene could step away, the prince threw his arm, flourishing his cape to hide the small peck he placed to her cheek. "I'll come find you later, Yashiro," he whispered as he stepped past her, leaving Nene to desperately try to dispel the blush that appeared across her face.
She should have known better than to partake in his little acting game. He never played fair, after all.
Several minutes passed with background commotion providing an unusual soundtrack to the festivities. However, once word had spread that there had been an incident involving His Highness Tsukasa, a tray of donuts, and one of the courtyard's stray cats, the worry that had run rampant quickly died down and the clamor became nothing more than a slight nuisance as guests continued their mingling.
Unable to listen in on any more passing chats, Nene found herself wandering the grounds, eventually arriving at a large spread of refreshments. And not a moment too soon if the growl in her belly was anything to go by.
Perusing the options was more work than it seemed. The variety of appetizers, drinks, pastries, and other selections was overwhelming. That was a Yugi royal garden ball for you, she supposed. Delightful company with even better food. Or so they said.
Just when Nene thought her skull was about to burst from the sheer amount of options, she spotted a set of tea sandwiches cutely stacked in such a way that they looked less intimidating than the neighboring displays. A small card sat proudly on the tray and she couldn't hold back a chuckle as she read the, "Cucumber Daikon Sandwiches," label, followed by the, "Special Request of Prince Hanako," notation.
Her mind wandered back to earlier in the day when she had been wrapped in his arms as they stood in the cucumber patch together and she rolled her eyes as she picked a sandwich from the table. Truly he had a penchant for the oddest hints of affection.
Like any other meal she'd had the pleasure of enjoying from the castle kitchens, the unassuming sandwich was delightful. Cucumber and daikon were, of course, the prominent flavors but the chefs had taken their own creative liberties to enhance what seemed on the surface to be a relatively unexciting dish. Perhaps if she could discern the additional condiments or sauces, she might be able to recreate the admittedly flattering menu item for herself…
Taking another bite, Nene turned to venture elsewhere but was abruptly halted by a light bump followed by a splash of something soaking over her.
"Oh dear me! I'm terribly sorry! I didn't expect you to turn so suddenly!"
Nene flashed an embarrassed smile at the guest, recognizing her from her people watching earlier. "It's perfectly alright! I should apologize for not being more aware of my surroundings," she suggested, attempting to wring the moisture from her dress.
"Well, it could be much worse," the woman began. "My friend here is much clumsier than me." Gesturing beside her stood another woman. "I swear sometimes it's as if she just tosses drinks onto poor girls like you."
Stepping forward, the second woman exclaimed with a smile, “Indeed! It tends to look somewhat like this…”
Almost rehearsed in her movements, the second woman tipped her wine glass over Nene's head, letting the dark red liquid wash through her hair and stain the fabric over her shoulders. The acrid scent of alcohol snuck through Nene’s nostrils as she stared in disbelief at the now sneering and snickering women.
Lowering her voice to a whisper, one of the guests leaned in and hissed, “This wine doesn’t pair well with daikon. It’s a lot like Prince Hanako in that way.”
Ah… So that was it…
Finally recognizing the two as the final set of people she saw before Hanako appeared at her side earlier, Nene took a step back. With trembling hands, she gripped at her damp skirt as she forced tears back.
Playground bullies… They were nothing more than playground bullies… So why was she on the verge of crying? Maybe it was the humiliation of being soaked in stains, ruining the dress she had mulled over for so long? Was she afraid that her and Hanako’s private relationship was about to be found out?
Or did the mere suggestion that the gardener was not enough of a proper match to even so much as have a cordial conversation with him at a party strike something within her?
“Are we making friends over here, ladies?”
The three snapped their attention to the voice off to the side, finding Hanako and his suave grin.
He faltered for only a moment when he observed the disheveled sight of Nene, her watery eyes pulling at a tight knot in his stomach. But he knew better. Any remote hint of his association with Nene could end in disaster. When witnesses were present, she was a stranger to him. That was the way it had to be. For both of their sakes.
A mild confusion suddenly on his face, Hanako stepped forward and looked between the other three. “Oh my, what’s happened here?”
“Your Highness!” one of the women jumped in right away. “Thank goodness! This poor girl has drunk herself into hysteria!”
Nene kept her eyes on the ground as Hanako raised a brow at her while the other women joined her companion. “The poor thing just began dumping wine over her head as if to bathe in it!”
All three sets of eyes were on her now: one soft, amber, and concerned; two pointed, cruel, and expectant. There was a pause as they waited for Nene to react. She could deny the women’s claims, try to fight for herself, but would that really be the best option? Stirring up a conflict that Hanako would need to settle? No. That wouldn’t do at all.
Hiccup !
She forced a drunken hiccup from her chest, appeasing the women’s obvious glares that were screaming at her to play along. After a moment she released another. But this one was followed by the break of tears from her eyes as her face dyed red.
One of the women took to the prince’s side and placed her hand on his arm, almost making him recoil. “She needs to be escorted out of the castle grounds or she may cause harm to someone.”
“I agree,” chimed the other, mirroring her friend’s position on the other side of Hanako. “I’m afraid of what she’ll do if we just let her roam around the ball like this.”
Another choked hiccup.
Every one of them hurt more and more.
Not just Nene, but Hanako as well.
The urge to wipe away those tears falling from her cheeks was nearly impossible to ignore. The intense desire to shove these witches from his arms so that he could take Nene into them screamed in his muscles. Even just to whisper a single word of comfort to her…
Despite the smolders burning within him, Hanako calmly thought the situation through. And coming to a decision, he spoke up. “Indeed, it would seem that way.” A broken hiccup combined with a sob forced its way from Nene as Hanako stepped away from the space. “I shall go arrange for a guard to take care of her. You ladies just continue on to another area for your safety,” he instructed.
Of course, the two followed behind Hanako as he made his way to speak with a guard.
The last thing he heard as he left Nene was a whimper desperately trying, but failing, to disguise itself as a hiccup.
The guard came for Nene within minutes and she easily complied with her blunt instruction to follow her. As they walked through the gardens, Nene felt eyes landing on her and though she attempted to ignore them, she couldn’t help the drowning humiliation that welled up from her mind. Soaked in wine and being escorted off castle grounds… She was sure to be the unfortunate centerpiece of aristocratic gossip for the next week. If it wasn’t for her job, she would have planned on locking herself away until she could be forgotten and replaced with whatever new entertaining topic the people would find.
But as troubling as becoming the town laughing stock was, it wasn’t what worried her most. She could worry over strangers she didn’t know all she wanted, but they would never cause her nearly as much dread as the thought of facing Prince Hanako again.
Surely he would refuse to see her again. A social embarrassment like her had no business tainting the view of a royal like him. She may not even be fit to warm his bed anymore now that he’s seen her in this disgusting state.
And shouldn’t she be glad of that? If he no longer bothered whisking her away to lay with him then she could get much more work done. Not having to interact with Hanako would also mean not having to scramble to keep their affair out of sight. Nene’s whole life could be much easier without him. But easier didn’t always mean happier.
Continuing to wallow in her doomed thoughts, Nene followed the guard through hedged aisles and cobbled paths. Only when they arrived at an inconspicuous entrance to a rear turret was she pulled from her gloom. The guard unlatched the door and held it open for Nene, but she only blinked at her in confusion.
An awkward few moments of silence passed before the guard tentatively gestured toward the entrance. “After you…?” she attempted.
Nene blinked once more. “You’re… not ejecting me from the premises?”
Still holding her gesture to the door, the guard slowly shook her head.
“...The dungeon?!” Nene shouted in shock.
“N-No!” Flustered, the guard waved her hands in the air emphatically. “You’re to see one of the prince’s maids!”
Working to still her heart from the brief scare, Nene sighed. Once she had recomposed herself a bit, another wave of confusion fell over her. “M-Maids…?” The guard subtly reinforced her gesture and Nene quickly strode forward, regretful about making her hold the door for so long.
After closing and locking the door behind them, the guard began to lead Nene up a twisting set of worn stone stairs. A set of stairs she was unfamiliar with. However, the hatch at the top revealed a room she was very well acquainted with.
Red drapes hung over the large windows, matching the sheer scarlet canopy above the luxurious bed. Mountains of scrolls detailing theories and stories of the stars lay scattered around the room. And a large mantle that she had been wrapped in countless times hung ready by the grand doors leading out of the cushy room. There was no doubt in her mind. Nene had been escorted to Prince Hanako’s chambers.
Off to the side of the room, a maid stepped forward and Nene almost startled at her movement. “If you’ll follow me,” she began in a sweet dulcet, “your bath has been drawn.”
Again, Nene felt frozen in her confusion. She looked back at the guard who stood atop the tower hatch and was met with yet another gesture to move along. Turning back to the maid, she nodded slowly in understanding and followed after the staff into what she recognized as Hanako’s personal washroom.
She was by no means a stranger to these facilities. Hanako showed his moments of tenderness and care in many different ways, but none manifested more clearly than when he would carry Nene into the tub after he’d wracked her body to sweet exhaustion. Shamefully enough, she’d fallen asleep against his bare chest on several occasions, surrendering to the soothing warmth of the water, the smooth glide of his hands across her skin as he held and washed her, and the soft reverberation of a slow melody he quietly hummed to himself.
However, the baths he drew for them looked nothing like what lay before her eyes. Accumulations of suds floated atop the water as steam seeped from the bubbles. Some even flowed over the edge, landing at the gilded clawfeet on the ground. And were those… flower petals in the water as well?
The maid approached Nene and gently began unbuttoning her dress and if it weren’t for the careful and soft manner in which she unfastened them, Nene might have jumped away. “Our lord terribly regrets the accident he’s caused and wishes for your forgiveness, my lady.”
Accident…? Ah...
Nene relaxed at the explanation. Being so accustomed to hiding her presence from Hanako’s staff, especially in his bedroom, she had found herself guarded. Prepared to flee at any sign that she might be endangering the prince’s secret. But under the guise of a wronged partygoer, she suddenly felt more at ease.
After the maid popped the final button on Nene’s dress free, she began peeling the fabric off of her. The sticky sensation of dried wine hit her all at once as the dress caught at patches of her skin and her locks of hair crunched in stiff sections as the maid lifted strands out of her way.
Standing bare with her dress puddled at her feet, Nene shied at the woman who stood before her. “I’m sorry. Dealing with my filth shouldn’t be required of you,” she mumbled bashfully as she was led toward the tub.
“Nonsense,” the maid responded, holding out a hand to help Nene into the water. “I’ve seen much worse than spilled wine, my dear.”
With the stories she had heard of Prince Tsukasa, Nene believed her.
Stepping into the bath, Nene thanked the maid for her assistance, assuming she would be left to wash herself. She was mildly surprised at the water that poured over the back of her head, soaking her hair before gentle hands began to massage a lather against her scalp. Sighing at the feeling of the shampoo being run through her ends, Nene found the urge to sink into the water almost impossible to avoid. Warmth and trickling sounds of water bounced off the walls, the reverb lulling her as she nonchalantly scrubbed at the spots of alcohol that had stuck to her body.
In actuality, it took no more than a mere few minutes for Nene to get properly clean. However, she felt as if time moved by at an absolutely lackadaisical pace as she relaxed in the soak.
When she lifted herself over the edge of the tub, the maid presented her with a towel and robe and Nene felt engulfed in the luxurious plush of both.
She took her time pressing the towel to her hair, drying it as best she could before she noticed something had gone missing. “Um, e-excuse me,” she called to the maid. “Where have my clothes gone?”
The maid simply nodded once before instructing, “Follow me, if you will,” and opening the door back to the prince’s chambers.
Ensuring the robe had been adequately secured around her, Nene bashfully walked out of the washroom. And when she looked upon the bed, her eyes blew wide open and her fingers gripped at the hem of her robe, unsure of what to make of what lay before her.
“ Oh …”
Hanako sat on the edge of the fountain, leaning back on the heels of his palms as he gazed at the night sky.
The area was secluded, hidden away and blocked off to party guests. It was his little oasis where he could decompress from the barrage of niceties and political discussion he had endured thus far.
It was also where he could hide away to avoid having to clean up any mess Tsukasa was going to leave as he dealt with those two dreadful women.
Frustrated, he furrowed his brow and clenched both his fists and jaw. What he wouldn't have given to be able to get his own revenge. To be able to tell those two off for bringing a member of his staff to tears. And not just any member of his staff. Her .
Oh, how he wished he could have stood at her side instead of distancing himself as a stranger. In fact, he had been so painfully close to doing just that, the only thing pulling him back to reality being Nene's embarrassed hiccups.
She had sacrificed her pride to two undeserving wretches all for him, humiliating herself irreparably so.
What kind of man was he if he couldn't even protect her from scum like them?
Honestly, anything Tsukasa unleashed upon them would never be enough to appease the rage that burned from his chest out to every limb. But it would have to suffice, lest he waste the effort Nene had struggled through just for him.
Suddenly, a small voice piped up from just behind him.
“Your highness…?”
Hanako twisted to his side and felt a harsh blow to his chest as he laid his eyes on Nene.
Her hair was pulled up and twisted into an elegant bun against her head, two loose and wispy sections left hanging to frame her face. Every step she took sounded like his heart beating out of his chest as her heels clacked against the stone. And, oh, her dress. Midnight navy was dotted with delicate drops of diamonds sewn throughout her skirt and bodice. A sleeveless sweetheart neckline formed perfectly against her bosom, leaving her shoulders bared in curves that begged him to trace her outline. And as she stood above him, his eyes sparkling in dazed reverence, she almost blended into the starry sky to become what he knew would be his favorite constellation.
Nene’s face flushed pink as the prince stood from his fountain seat, the sounds of night not nearly enough to fill the awkward silence. “Th-they didn’t kick me out of the party,” she explained shyly.
“Of course not,” Hanako breathed as he set his hands around her waist. “How could they throw out the most beautiful girl in attendance?” In an instant, Nene leapt forward, burying her face against Hanako’s chest as she fell into his arms. He held her strongly and securely, one hand on the small of her back and the other resting on the back of her head. “You didn’t have to go to such lengths, Yashiro. Why didn’t you deny their accusations?” he asked.
Still set against his jacket, her words were muffled but clear enough to be heard. “It was easier for a peasant girl to take the blame silently than to create a scene for you to repai--”
“Easier for who?!” Hanako’s voice was desperate as he pulled them apart to look into her eyes and Nene couldn’t find it in herself to answer. “For me? Do you think it was easy to take the side of those awful women who dared to hurt you? Do you think it was easy to send you away when I’d spent only a measly couple moments with you? Do you think it was easy for me to stand there and watch you cry, unable to catch those tears before they could fall?” Exasperated, he sighed and cast a disheartened stare at the cobble below. “Didn’t you want to be with me tonight, Yashiro?”
Eyes shooting wide open, Nene couldn’t help the volume of her voice. “Of course I did! I wanted to talk with you while we wandered the gardens! I wanted to sample those stupid sandwiches you requested! I wanted to dance in your arm--”
Sly golden eyes cut her off as a just as sly grin flashed up at her. “Hmm?” Hanako hummed, pleased. “Go on~”
Red painted her face as an embarrassed heat bubbled within her. “You idiot!” Nene shouted, trying to pull away and beating at his chest with her fists.
Hanako just laughed at her attempt before pulling her close and rendering her frozen as he pressed a kiss to her lips. After a moment, Nene reluctantly surrendered, letting her eyelids flutter closed and reaching up to caress the sides of Hanako’s face. She sighed contentedly, the tiniest of mewls escaping her throat as they lingered together.
When they parted, they did so slowly. Hanako’s once coy grin had melted into a loving warmth and Nene found herself lost in his charm once again.
Only a moment passed before Hanako pulled one of Nene’s hands to rest on his upper arm, following up by lacing the fingers of her free hand in his. “You wanted to dance, princess?”
“There’s no music,” she pointed out as he started leading her in a waltz.
“Little picky, aren’t we?” Hanako joked. But despite the jab, he began to hum a sweet melody. Something barely familiar that edged at Nene’s memory, though she couldn’t quite place it.
They stared into each other’s eyes, Hanako never faltering in his tune as he smiled down at her. And as they danced, eventually they pulled each other closer so that their waltz became more of a tender rocking, Nene’s ear resting against his chest as Hanako’s cheek laid atop the crown of her head.
She listened to Hanako’s heartbeat, a soothing metronome that accompanied his song, and somewhere along the line it had turned into her lullaby. Her body slowly went limp as sleep took her and Hanako chuckled, keeping tabs on her fading ability to stand before finally scooping her under her back and knees.
Pressing a kiss to her forehead as it rested against his shoulder, Hanako took slow and measured steps, careful to keep the gardener from waking. “Let’s get you to bed, my love,” he whispered before continuing his song to her in a low voice.
Lavender’s blue, dilly dilly, lavender’s green
When I am king, dilly dilly, you shall be queen
Lavender’s green, dilly dilly, lavender’s blue
You must love me, dilly dilly, ‘cause I love you