Chapter Text
Under the bright sun with tea and biscuits, I thought today was just a normal day like any other. Until I heard my mothers words...
"You must dress in a more suitable fashion for his highness." In a firm, stern manner.
"W-what?" I say nervously. I haven't heard of this.
"I told you he's coming to visit today. Was your head somewhere in the skies again?"
Ah... Yeah... Probably...
She sighed. "Well now you know, go let the maids dress you up." She said, then walked away.
I'm nervous. The maids are fixing me up like they've never done before... Aaah I wish someone could save me!
Corset is fitted, hair is up, tears held back, I seem to be ready to meet his highness. I'm waiting in the garden, smelling the roses to calm my nerves. Footsteps... I hear footsteps...
Big yellow eyes look at me. "Are you lady Hanayo?" He asks me.
His eyes are... dead. He looks like a walking corpse.
"Y-yes, your highness..." I respond nervously.
We sit down to have generic small talk while sipping on tea. We talk about ourselves and yet we still have no idea who eachother are. This is all so shallow, so surface level...
Eventually, he gets down on one knee.
"I have come today to ask for your hand in marriage. Will you accept?" Even when proposing, he looks dead.
"Um... Uh... Yes..." If I refused, my family would never speak to me again. I can't turn down a prince...
"Congratulations, your grace!" The maids are happy for me, I appreciate their enthusiasm.
"You're now my fiancé and a future princess, lady Hanayo." He says, with just about zero emotion.
"Your highness..."
"Yes?"
"This is a political marriage with absolutely no love or emotion. I appreciate your efforts, but I hope we don't try to pretend we're madly in love or anything of the sort." I'm not gonna spend my days pretending to love a man, I just can't.
The look of sheer and utter shock on his face, I know I messed up.
"Uhm... I mean uh... Ah... Someone save me..." I can feel the tears welling up in my eyes.
"Calm down, lady Hanayo. Honesty is best for us long term. I appreciate your input, though a bit blunt." He says calmly.
"But you looked-"
"I was caught off guard." He cut me off. "I didn't expect such a timid girl to be so gutsy." He says, smiling.
Wow, he smiled!
"I will take my leave. I'm afraid I'm busy, but I'm glad I've met you."
Now that the nerves from being in front of royalty is gone, the nerves of marrying a man settles in... I can't do this, but I have no choice...
After a night of drowning in tears, I finally fall asleep.
"Hanayo!" Who's calling for me? I can't find them... "Hanayo! I'm right here!" I finally find her. A beautiful girl, with the smoothest orange hair, and the prettiest yellow eyes. "I can wear a dress as well!" She looks beautiful. "Hanayo... Dance with me..." She blushes. As I take her hand, I'm awoken.
"Your grace! His highness has come to visit!" The maids say as they start dressing me up.
What? Why so suddenly?! He just came yesterday!
After a rush to get ready, I go to see him. I wonder what he wants...
"Good morning." He says casually.
"Good morning, your highness-"
He stood up to tower over me. "Call my by my name." He cut me off, looking down on me.
"Rin, please don't cut me off anymore..." I'd like to finish my sentences!
"Ah, I apologize...."
"It is quite alright. Is there something you need...?"
"No, I just wanted to see you."
You've got to be kidding me... Didn't he hear what I said yesterday? But for once his eyes aren't 100% dead, I'd feel bad turning him down.
"Of course. However, my friend is coming to visit today as well. Would you like to accompany us?"
His eyes lit up. "Yes, I would."
Is he unexpectedly social? I can't tell with him.
A maid comes in. "Your grace, lady Maki has arrived."
"Rin, she's here! Lets go!" I say excitedly. He follows behind me.
"Hanayo! I heard you're now betrothed to-he's here?!" She's shocked to see him, but that's only expected.
"Nice to meet you." He extends his hand.
"Nice to meet you too, your highness." She shakes his hand.
"You can call me Rin."
"W-what? That's a bit..." she's hesitant.
"You're Hanayos friend, its only natural." Awww. That's quite touching.
"You two have gotten close. I'm happy for you!" Maki exclaims.
"Ahaha, thank you..."
We all sit down for tea and sweets.
"I honestly expected this to happen much sooner." Maki says, sipping tea.
"What?" I'm confused.
"Hanayo, you're already 15. You were much too late to get engaged!" She's right. But I never wanted to marry a man, so I kept turning others down.
"Maki, that's kind of a jab at me too." Rin says with a blank face.
Maki freezes. "Uhm.."
"It's alright. I just... Didn't want to rush life changing decisions." I'm glad to see he's responsible and patient.
"You have the responsibility of the kingdom on you as well, you can't be expected to choose a suitor hastily." I added.
"That's right. I'm glad you waited as well. I'm happy to have chose you, Hanayo." He looks at me, smiling lightly.
His slightly long hair blows in the wind, and his eyelashes fluttered, and his eyes sparkled. He looked... Kinda cute. He must take good care of himself.
"Ahem!" Ah, Maki was there... "Flirt elsewhere!"
"Ah!" something catches Rins attention.
"How did a cat get here?" Maki asks.
"A cat? You're right... I've never seen it before."
Rin is just staring at it longingly. "Why don't you go pet it?" I ask.
"I'm allergic..." he looks really sad.
"Oh, I'm sorry." I feel guilty now.
"It's OK, I can look from afar."
"I've heard that the king himself is also allergic to cats, is it true?" Maki asks.
"I don't know anything about my father." He says casually.
"Oh..." Awkwardness. "Well, I must take my leave. I have business I must attend to. I was happy to meet you, Rin."
"Me too." He says smiling.
"And Hanayo, let's meet again soon."
"Yes, of course! Let's have a pajama party soon." I wave my hand goodbye.
"Hanayo." Rin looks at me.
"Yes?"
"Can I stay here a little longer?" He asks.
"Of course, stay as long as you'd like." I can't exactly say no.
I'm conflicted. On one hand I'm happy that we're getting along but I don't want him falling for me either...
"Hanayo?"
"Yes?"
"Your nails..." he takes my hand.
"...Is there something wrong with them?" It's a weird thing to point out.
"No, they're pretty!"
"Oh, thank you!"
"..." he's looking away, but won't let go.
"Uhm..."
"Can I do it too?" He asks in a low voice
"What?"
"Can I have my nails done as well?" He looks at me and asks again.
He wants a manicure? That caught me off guard, I didn't expect a prince to enjoy such things.
"Yes. I shall do it for you!" I've always wanted to give someone a makeover. I guess this is a mini makeover.
"Really?"
"Yes! Your hands are nice and smooth and your fingers are slender. I'm sure it'll look beautiful."
He blushes. "T-thank you..."
I wipe his hand down with a damp towel, and begin painting his dainty fingernails. "I was quite shocked to see your true personality."
"My true personality?" He looks perplexed.
"Yes. You have a reputation of being very physically active and manly, and yet here you are engaging in feminine activities. Quite a gap, don't you think?" I look at him. I have to admit, I'm warming up to him as well.
"Well I am quite physically active, but all people have layers. Being partial to only one activity as long as you live just isn't possible." He looks away.
"Of course, but something about you makes this more shocking to me. You're just not manly at all!" I say smiling, before I realize just how that has come across... "I mean-"
Wait, why are his eyes glowing?
"Do you really mean that? Is it true?" He asks, looking me straight in the eye.
"Y-yes... I believe you have many feminine features... But that doesn't mean I-"
He looks away. "Eheheh." He's giggling!? "Eheheheheh." What is happening...
"Um, Rin? Perhaps I've offended you." I say, visibly confused.
"What? No- I mean, yes I'm deeply offended by your statements!" Eyes twitching, looking all over the room at everything but me, and a shaky voice... Worst liar I have ever met, I can't bring myself to believe him, not for one second.
"I believe it's alright to be flattered by unconventional compliments, Rin." I smile at him.
He blushes. "Well if you think so, then I'm quite happy you don't speak of my so called manly charm." His expression begins to darken. "I cannot stand it... Everyone in my life cheering about just how manly I am simply because I like to keep my body moving and healthy. They don't understand me."
I'm starting to pity him. "Rin... Do you not align yourself with masculinity? Why do you hate it so?"
"Because... Because it's just..."
"Perhaps you think manly men are less intelligent." I ponder.
"No, that's not it!" He looks a bit defensive.
"Uwah! I apologize... What could it be then?"
He looked down at his hands, with sorrow in his eyes. "I don't know if I can tell you, or anybody for that matter."
I'm a bit sad. I can tell this is a bigger issue, but I know I shouldn't pry. "Whenever you feel like you want to tell me, do so. I will not tell a soul." That's the best I can answer with at this time.
He smiles. "Thank you." His eyelashes are slightly wet from tears, eyes glossy and glistening from the sun, his hair is smooth and soft, and his long slender graceful hands have gotten a manicure... It's hard to believe this isn't a pretty girl.
He stands up. "I must take my leave now."
"I hope to see you again soon, Rin!" I smile and wave goodbye, and he does as well.