Chapter Text
Knock knock!
"My highness please get up, your mother is waiting." A high voice called from the other side of the door.
A groan responded. "TELL HER IM GETTING READY!" Mitsuba responded louder annoyed. He needed more rest, he looks like shit and his make up is running out to cover his eyebags and other things perceived ugly and unruly.
"Yes, sir!" Footsteps faded away.
Mitsuba carefully styled himself nitpicking his clothing and flicking off fuzzies. He thought to himself mostly about the knight who had always been assigned to him.
A Minamoto. Minamoto's unique golden blond hair with sharp canines. All he'd known had been respectful so he has no problem with one being his guard, his knight.
The two were introduced at a young age, Kou was still in training and didn't get how knights and royals can't have close relationships.
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Flashback
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"Hi! I'm Minamoto Kou I'm gonna be your knight soon!" The young blond said with a toothy smile. He held a hand out for mitsuba to shake it.
"I'm not supposed to shake your hand." Mitsuba responded to the gesture.
"Aww.. Okay!"
"Kou!" An older looking Minamoto picked Kou up.
"You can't wander around in the palace! You'll get us executed!" He scolded. The man turned to Mitsuba and looked like he'd seen a ghost.
"I am so sorry your highness! Please forgive me and my brother for the disturbance!" The brother bowed down and shoved Kou to bow down too.
"It's fine, you need to go before mother sees you she's more strict!" Mitsuba shood them off the part of the palace.
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End
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Mitsuba opened the door and went into the meeting room where his mother was waiting.
"Ah Sousuke, take a seat right here." His mother eyes a seat next to her.
Three other people were also in the room. An older man, women, and a young lady maybe a little above his age.
Mitsuba took a seat and picked his nails under the table to avoid his mother seeing. Harming skin is only things crazy commoners do!
"You see these lovely people are Mr. and Mrs. Yashiro, they are from a neighboring country(town whatever)! And this is their beautiful daughter who we arraigned and wedding for you both in a few weeks maybe a month if something comes up." His mother gave a smile.
Mitsuba could throw up at the thought of being together with this girl. The only thing going for her is her hair which is terribly styled with ugly bangs. But he said nothing, he didn't want to make enemies.
"We have let our daughter stay for a day for you to discuss future plans!" The mother of the girl said cheerfully. "Don't get too ahead of yourself Mr. Mitsuba!" The father said receiving chuckles.
"Alright thank you Yashiros." Mitsuba put on a facade and lowered his voice soft and a gentle smile that barely showed teeth.
They smiled back.
--
Mitsuba and Yashiro sat across each other in a large room full of flowers and rare stones.
"Do you want to marry me, Yashiro?" Mitsuba asked not looking at her but his nails.
"You are good looking but no not really. We have no choice so my word says nothing." The short girl wiped a tear from her eye.
"Well the same but you're not good looking." He whispered to his sleeve.
"WAAHH? THAT'S SO MEAN MITSUBA!" She squealed out now really in tears.
"It's true. Really you have thick ankles. I'm surprised you're not a witch." The pink one laughed.
"People have called me witch when I was born so hah you're not original!" She pointed and giggled.
"I have no idea why you're proud."
--
They chatted and told stories from childhood.
Mitsuba found out that Yashiro also hated being a royal because all eyes we're on her most of the time.
They had a mutual agreement that they are better friends than lovers but like Yashiro mentioned, their word means nothing compared to their parents.
--
Mitsuba sat in the balcony drinking tea looking at the moonlit night sky. It was relaxing to see moments like this. He wondered if in the future they could be such a device to capture scenes like this.
The clanging of swords was loud. Mitsuba sighed and looked down at the training field.
A bright headed boy twirled and moved swiftly knocking dummies down.
Mitsuba's eyes twinkled looking at the knight. Maybe it was the stars or maybe admiration.
--
Mitsuba said his farewells to his future planned wife. He hated being prince at these times.
Be respectful,
Nice,
Follow along.
The royal pink boy tucked an elegant bright colored rose, which strongly resembled his hair, in a small pocket on his chest to showcase its beauty. It was a gift from the Yashro parents.
Today he and his mother will go to announce publicly the wedding taken place with their ally's daughter.
Mitsuba walked along the concrete floor staring at his mother's blooming garden, he must say it's wonderful.
An older Minamoto held up a thin silk cloth for the prince to get in the carriage. The Minamoto bloodlines had always had a very dear connected to each other.
Mitsuba eyed the tall blond and proceeded to carry himself in the carriage.
The pink haired prince couldn't look at his mother in the eye.
His mother sighed and placed her both hands on each side of the younger's face. "Sousuke, I know you don't want to marry but it's for the greater good. We'll get supplies and more land, plus the young lady isn't that bad either!" She gave him a smile which wasn't returned. Might as well save the act for the speech.
--
A large crowd of people stood below the royals as his mother mad the big announcement.
"On February 27 of this year we shall have a great wedding between my son and the daughter of the Yashiro's. This event will be remembered in history as we and their nation will come together to form one..." Mitsuba couldn't care less after that point. He had a month if he wasn't mistaken, to get himself out if this situation.
He started to consider running away and starting a new life on his own but his hair wouldn't help him much as no one else had this hair color.
--
It was midnight again. He gazed apon the stars awestruck at this gorgeousness.
Clanging of swords again.
dang this kid never rests! Mitsuba thought looking down to see the same Minamoto. That dumb blond hair could be seen from a mile. The prince looked long at the boy.
What if I join?
He wasn't much of a fighter but it looks easy enough to learn the basics.
Mitsuba couldn't go though the door out since his mother had sensitive ears and could wake up fast even if a mouse ran past her bedroom.
The only other choice he had was from the balcony which was directly under the field.
He scoffed and turned to his bedroom and shut the balcony door. Maybe until tomorrow in the evening where he had some time for himself he could stir up a plan.
--
After finishing some tasks he was in charge of, (clearing up misinformed people, etc.) Mitsuba lead himself to his bedroom and began to think how he should plan out his temporary escape.
I could get the curtains down to the next floor window that is the kitchen so won't disturb mother enough to wake her. Then place a thick wood plank leading to the ground do I won't sprain an ankle or get an injury.
The prince snapped his fingers together and began to make out his plan. He got his bedroom curtains, which were make in a thick silk which is smooth and hard to tear which is perfect for what purpose Mitsuba is gonna use it for. Mitsuba tested it by cautiously sliding across it to the lower story. It worked somehow and in joy, Mitsuba gave himself a high five.
Now the wooden plank...
...
...
...
SHIT I DIDN'T PLACE THE PLANK DOWN! He screamed inwardly.
Clank clank clank!
Horse stomping. SHIT! Mitsuba was more in trouble. That's the same patterns of horses specifically trained for upper-class. He didn't know who it could be but they were heading straight for the field.
Mitsuba was doomed!
He didn't know what to do what not to do! He's a good kid he never did troubles ever. He kept to himself most if the time.
Shouldn't the prince jump off and get hurt or stay and get caught by upperclassmen. He would be reported to him mother and be severely punished for ruining her perfect son reputation!
AHH WHAT TO DO, WHAT TO DO!!
The only landing soft enough would be the bushes that were a little high up-
OH!
THE BUSHES!
He could crouch down far enough to camouflage, he just needs to put on the hood of his fancy suit.
The royal did just that and held his breath in, frightened.
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The upperclassmen walked up the the field up full knight suit ready to train to get better for his family name and his prince.
He dug his hands through a small bag, enough to be considered a purse, for keys to under the training field.
The field belongs to the ruler of this land but she let's only knights in way upper-class use them as they please but, one step out of line the whole bloodline will end. Being executed is not the best way to go out of life.
He opened it and noticed movement in a bush. A fast but slight movement. Not a regular person could tell but he had something special for noticing small things like that. Blessing like really.
"Who's there!" The boy yelled holding up his blade.
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Mitsuba starting tearing up the second he heard the gate open. He was utterly terrified. The poor boy's heart beat sped up so much he could get a heart attack.
The second the man who walked in knew there was someone with him it was over.
Hopelessness he lifted himself up from his position and glanced it who it was.
The bright hair and eyes a Minamoto. But not just one, it was his knight.
"O-oh! Please excuse me your highness!" He bowed down flustered. "May I help you?" The knight offered his prince.
"I need to get down, thank you." He said as politely as he could. I mean the boy almost killed himself in horror, give him a break.
"Yes, on it your highness!" The bright boy eyed the field in search of something to help his dear prince.
He found the very plank that Mitsuba was planned to use and straightening it to make sure it wouldn't fall and hurt the fragile boy. Mitsuba crawled down a few inches enough for the knight to take him in his arms and to the rough ground.
"If you don't mind my asking your highness, how did you find yourself in such situation?" Minamoto asked reluctantly, maybe since you're not supposed to speak to royals unless your spoken too.
The prince, still showing signs of distress, sighed and said. "You won't tell mother on me, Minamoto?"
"My lips are sealed like said." He kneeled down to physically show his word.
"Okay then, I just wanted to uhm.." SOUSUKE WHY DID YOU AGREE TO TELL HIM! Think up an excuse hmmm... "I wanted to find a way to get down and see the stars at a better view." GREAT YOU SOUND LIKE A ASTROLOGY GEEK!
"That's fine, I wouldn't understand how that's bad. I training at nights so I could be of service!" Minamoto smiled. Mitsuba was taken back. Maybe his reaction looked negative to the knight since he quickly added, "Your highness." afterwards.
--
Darkness swallowed the bright blue sky turning it a purplish black.
Mitsuba looked down from his balcony impatiently. Minamoto hasn't gotten to the field yet. Great I fell for it, he's probably gonna inform mother tomorrow in a letter. He thought miserably.
The prince brewed himself some tea, it was something he learned from his mother's old friend. He heard she disappeared during war.
He blowed cold air into his tea and waited for it to chill. Mitsuba drank the tea and closed his thoughts out to just hear nothing. Not the thoughts and not that annoying voice below him.
Wait.
What annoyed voice?
Mitsuba ran to the edge of the balcony and stared down to see this dumb idiot screaming at the top of his lungs.
Mitsuba gestured for him to shut up by pushing a finger to his own lips. He got the memo and stopped acting like a wild animal.
The prince did the thing he practiced not that much hours ago. He swiftly slid across the smooth curtains, and waited for the plank to be placed by his knight.
They did the same thing as Mitsuba slide in Minamoto's arms.
"Alright, I'm glad I could help your highness." The knight said genuine. "I'll go back to training if you'll excuse me." He eyed him and started to set up the dummies.
"Uhm," Mitsuba barely let a breath out and Minamoto immediately stopped and had all his attention on him.
"Is there anything bothering you your highness?" The blond asked.
"Well, I wanted to ask if I could join your little nightly routine of training. I thought long and hard that knowing the arts of Minamoto's blade work could maybe come in handy in the future." Mitsuba asked pulling up as confident. Growing up everything he asked was responded positively so he needn't worry much.
"Y-Yes! It would be a great honor to teach you the arts of my family." Minamoto said maybe a little embarrassed, told by his body language.(rubbing back of his head/earring, red face)
"Here I'll lend you my blade as it is one of the newest I own. I will get myself another blade from the field storage soon." The knight offered his blade to the prince.
The prince took the blade and the Minamoto began to start explaining the basics.
Keep a balanced stance and don't leave openings for the enemy to take.
Minamoto placed a dummy in front of Mitsuba and showed how to attack the enemy and how to spot openings. Mitsuba tried but failed, "It's alright not to get it right, this is your first time right your highness? So don't think down!" He cheered his prince on from afar.
Mitsuba practiced the dance and improved a bit. Not perfect but it managed.
The poor fragile royal was all exhausted after putting all efforts in listening to the Minamoto's talk and teach.
They layed in grass and Mitsuba gazed apon the night stars. So pretty lighting up the sky. Mitsuba reached a hand as to grab it but Immediately placed it down to his chest as it was all used up in training.
"This night looks rather majestic your highness." Minanoto mutter out admiring them.
Mitsuba faced the boy and he faced the other too.
It was just them beneath the moonlit night sky.
-<3