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Mizuki, the famous knight of the kingdom. The future heir to the throne. Mizuki was strict, their heart ran cold as they endured scrutiny of the nobles for years as heir.
“How annoying,” Mizuki thought to themself, rolling their eyes. These pests would go about greeting the ‘Great Heir to the Throne’, yet they go about talking with their filthy mouths about them. They would suck up to them to gain power. It was draining.
“I wish I could get out of here,” They think to themself as they interact with some of the nobles.
They finally decide to act on something, “Please excuse me for a moment,” They run off to the royal garden.
Meanwhile, Ena was a mere daughter of a duke, referred to as princess Ena. A common title for a daughter of a duke.
Some noblewomen are conversing with Ena. The girls say sweet nothings with a smile—yet their smile could easily be recognised as a fake.
She’s tired of them. Of their pretty words. She needs a small break.
“Excuse me, I had a wonderful chat with you all, but I shall be taking a stroll.”
She quickly leaves, looking up at the bright stars in the sky.
“Who's there?” A husky voice calls out. And Ena trembles at the voice. Until she is met face to face with a beautiful person. Soft, long pink hair, and matching pink eyes. Their looks were enchanting, but she couldn't be so quick—she knew exactly who this was. “Why are you following me?”
“I wasn't following you, your highness. I apologise deeply if I startled you,” She says calmly, her voice slightly shaking.
“Ah, Shinonome Ena. Well, I guess you're no threat.” No threat?
“Excuse me, ‘No threat?’ What do you mean by that?” She repeats, asking in her nicest tone—she had to be careful with her words.
They quickly turn away, avoiding the question, they reply with another, “Why are you here?”
“I was taking a stroll.”
“And you coincidentally managed to follow my pathway?” They ask, suspicious of her intent.
“Believe it or not, I was.”
“You're not some weird stalker or spy for someone, are you?” The question was absurd to Ena; but, this person was someone who held quite a bit of power, it wouldn't be uncommon for people to try and use them for their own political needs.
“That's absurd! Even if I were, I wouldn't be acting like I am now.”
“So you agree that you're quite arrogant?” Mizuki asks, a small smirk on their face. Their long hair is in a messy ponytail.
“If I was the arrogant one, all the other nobles would be hypocrites. Well, they are, but they're even worse than I am,” The words made Mizuki feel strange. They liked her company, and liked her straightforward personality. It was quite different from the flowery and cryptic words of the nobles.
Mizuki laughs softly, “You are quite right about that. Those nobles would get on their knees to gain some sort of power. They judge your every move in the shadows, yet when faced with the consequences, they whine and whine. Isn't it quite annoying?”
“Your language is quite harsh, but I have to agree,” Her hair is long and down, the moonlight making it look like strands of pure metal. Her hair shined bright like her smile. It was a full moon.
“Never have I met someone like you, princess. It makes me quite pleased. I like you, we should talk more like this.” They smile. Their pristine white and blue uniform and polished steel armour shined in the moonlight. Their smile is genuine and soft.
Ena has never seen them smile like this. It was different from the smile that they had when talking to others. It was a smile just for her, Ena. She goes back to the party after saying goodbyes, a soft blush on her face. The heir was quite similar to her, she thought.
“Your highness, her highness, your mother, wants you to look for a partner soon, you know…” Mizuki is sitting on a soft couch in the library, reading a popular literature series. It's a fantasy novel that they've been following.
“A partner to marry?” They look up from their book. Despite their cold nature and high status, they enjoyed normal things, they were a normal human like every other.
“Yes, do you have anyone in mind?” His voice is trembling. Mizuki saw his legs shaking, yet chose to not act on it.
“There is one person I have in mind. She caught my eyes a while back,” They smirk, her name stuck on their mind. She was quite intelligent, honest and extremely beautiful.
“Ah… Well, who is it?”
“Shinonome Ena, she's quite interesting, don't you think?” They smile proudly.
“Shinonome… Ena? Are you sure…” The little servant stutters softly, “You found her… interesting?”
“I like her, I'd like to invite her over to the palace to talk for a bit.”
“Invite… her? To the palace?” He exclaimed loudly in shock, his eyes were wide and small droplets of sweat started appearing.
“Yes, is there something wrong?” They grab a pen and paper. “I shall write a letter, she won't be able to reject me, I am sure of it.”
“But uhm, your highness, your mother might not allow this, not to mention… the Duke, you-”
“It doesn't matter, she should be able to choose who she wants to marry, it is her marriage, not the Duke’s,” Mizuki says proudly, writing quickly. “Send this to the Duke’s estate, addressed to Shinonome Ena.”
“Yes! I will!” His voice is still shaky and reluctant.
“Princess, there's a letter from the royal palace addressed to you!” A maid yelled loudly from the other side of the door.
The royal palace? No way… did that… Was it from… them? No way, no way. Ena is quick to yell back, “What? Come in, quickly.”
“It's for you princess! A letter!” Ena opens the envelope quickly yet carefully at her bed, she unfolds the paper, reading the words in her head.
[Dear Shinonome Ena,
Ever since we met on that moonlit day of the party, I've been thinking about you. Your brown hair shined like gold in the moonlight. Your eyes were like stars that guided me to you. You glowed like the sun to my moon. It’s you that I want.
And the words that you said, it made me interested in you. So, there are some important words I wish to say to you in person.
This letter is an invitation for you, Ena, to the royal palace. We have much to discuss.
Everything is already planned, Princess, so get ready tomorrow afternoon. I'll be sending a carriage for you, my dear.
Signed, Mizuki Akiyama]
What was this? A threat using pretty words? Why would the future ruler of the empire be interested in Ena? Questions ran through her mind, however, someone was at her door, watching her expression at the letter.
“Akito. What are you doing? Isn't it rude to go into a woman's room uninvited?” She says confidently.
“Not like you're any better, I was honestly expecting the letter to be addressed to me, rather than… you,” He says annoyed. “What’s that letter about? I want to see. Is it a love letter?” His expression whilst saying the last part is sly.
“Hey! You never let me see your letters, why should I show you mine?”
“I just want to know what's it about, it's also most likely that our father would be asking you what the royal family wants from you. You can't hide the contents,” He crosses his arms as his eyes shift to the letter for a split moment.
“It's an invitation to stay there for 3 days, there's some business I have there, supposedly,” She admits. “I'm leaving tomorrow afternoon, no negotiations; a carriage will be arriving.”
“Don't come back. I don't wish to deal with people like you,” He chuckles at Ena’s silence.
“A trip to the royal palace on such short notice, do you have any idea why that is? What does the royal family want with you?” Her mother asks.
“I have no idea. I got a personal letter from Mizuki.”
A white carriage starts approaching, you could easily tell it was expensive; a perfect fit for a royal. Ena couldn't believe she would be going to the palace again on such short notice. As the carriage rolls to a stop, the door opens from the inside.
“Your highness?” Ena asks in disbelief.
“Greetings to you too, Princess,” She didn't expect for them to go here personally. “Are you ready?”
“I guess so…”
Mizuki’s hand is reached out. She grabs it as she steps onto the carriage, Mizuki following behind, closing the door. “Shall we go?” They ask with a soft smile.
“Wait! How about my stuff?” Ena asks.
“You'll be fine without it, you could always just ask the servants at the palace if you need anything; It'll be more convenient,” Ena can't help but smile softly. It was strange—Ena had never felt like this.
“You royals…”
“What was that? I could throw you in prison for besmirching the royal family,” Mizuki teases.
“Nothing! Don’t dwell on that.”
Ena is conflicted. She stares into Mizuki’s eyes. A small sparkle and look of hope in them. “So… you want to court me…?”
“I like you more than the rest, of course I do,” They were in the garden they met, a table set with some of the most exquisite food Ena had seen in her life.
Ena stutters, “But why me? I don't want to.”
“You're insightful and a good candidate, of course I like you, why don’t you like this? Most nobles would accept this offer despite my reputation.”
The words almost move Ena. I mean Mizuki was beautiful, smart and understanding. Their hair is soft and fluffy, their eyes are deep, easy to get lost in. She’s lost for Mizuki’s pure beauty. Their personality may appear cold, but they’re warm and caring underneath all those layers.
“I want to lead my own family. I don't wish to sit and watch, looking pretty. I want to live selfishly for myself, I don't want to be a pushover all my life,” She looks at the plate in front of her, unsure of what to start eating.
“Then accept my offer, I'd give you the whole state treasury if it means I'd be with you. I want to be there with you. You cross my mind constantly, you’re beautiful and kind. I’ve only met you once, and I’m already so smitten with you… you don’t understand the things I’d do for you.”
“That's a tempting offer, but I can tell that it is a lie,” There was no way Mizuki would want Ena that badly.
“What would you do with the money? There's so much you could do.”
“Spend it all, I'm not sure.”
Ena looks up at Mizuki; they stare straight back—have they been watching her this whole time? They continue speaking, “Then how about me?”
She chuckles softly, “Maybe I would like you for that… Maybe I liked you before. There’s no need for you to give me the whole state treasury.”
“Then you should marry me.”
Ena laughs. “You’re crazy. We’ve only met just once.”
“And that one meeting changed me,” Their raspy voice is desperate. “We don’t have to get married immediately, it can be after I become crowned, I just want you to know I love you.”
“Gosh, your words are moving,” Ena says out loud.
“Then, what are you waiting for?”
“I’ll… consider it,” She smiles, “But that does not mean we will get married in the end.”
[“Do you remember when I asked you to marry me?” Mizuki says, lying down next to their beloved wife, Ena. They loved waking up next to her. They chose her, and they never regret it once.
“Why are you being sappy? It’s so late,” Ena complains. She wanted to sleep, but the memory of their first ever interactions made her flush pink softly. She’s glad it’s dark and the lights are completely off, only the moonlight lighting up the room. Mizuki is her moonlight.
“Thinking about that, when we first ever met in that garden, It was a full moon like this as well.”
“I told you to stop being sappy, I want to sleep.”
“You remember it as well, don’t you? The moonlight that made you look ethereal. It made you look beautiful,” Mizuki’s eyes are closed, imagining that same day. “I’m so happy you chose to marry me. I love you a lot. We went through so much together.”
“Considering your personality now, it’s surprising someone like you asked me to marry you so quickly,” Ena is still blushing, her cheeks are burning up.
“Do I have to say it over and over? I love you. Nothing changed that. I love you and your little quirks, everything about you fills me with joy. I can’t stop thinking about you. Every little thing can remind me of the moments we share together.” Mizuki’s arm looks around, searching for Ena’s hand to hold.
“You’re so stupid…” Ena finds their hand in the darkness, grabbing it firmly. Every touch just made her want to give them her heart. They were her moon, Ena was their sun.
“And you love me for that,” Mizuki kisses the back of her hand. It was a true heart to heart moment. It was relaxing. Reminiscing all the times they were together. Together. They’re glad everything worked out in the end, because they love Ena so much. So, so much.]