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Tsukasa is bored. So, so bored. Bored in a conference of boring nobles that just want to worm their way into an arranged marriage with either him, Saki, or maybe even Toya. It’s ridiculous! So many families that just want their money.
If that’s the case, Tsukasa might be able to convince (read: force) some of them to pay more taxes. Just so he could use the money to fund more support for the lower class. See how they like that! Tsukasa is full of good ideas.
That’s why he’s the king of this kingdom. Because as egotistical as he might be, he really does have everyone’s best interests in mind. And that he inherited the throne from his parents, that as well. He was raised well, what can he say?
So that is the reason why he is so unbelievably bored, hearing all these adults that think they know what’s best for him, bugging him about political marriages. Why did he agree to do this? He doesn’t remember.
He shifts in his seat, and his servant looks at him with worry. Ah, Rui. He can probably tell Tsukasa is bored. And uncomfortable with all this marriage talk, he fully knows Tsukasa’s preferences. And those also include not getting married at 19, thank you.
And even if he did want to get married, it’s certainly not going to be into any of the families seated at this table.
There’s a knock on the room door, interrupting whoever is even talking at this point. Tsukasa can’t tell you who, he’s barely paying attention.
“I’ll get it,” Rui says with a bow, departing from Tsukasa side to open the door slightly. It would be rude for Tsukasa to turn backwards to see, so he fidgets with his hands in his lap, steadfastly facing forward. Rui returns to his side with a letter. “It’s addressed to you, Your Majesty. From the Otori kingdom.”
Tsukasa is going to personally thank Emu for her incessant letters that she sends every two days, they come in handy at times.
He takes the letter with a polite excuse to the rest of the table, immediately noticing that it is not in fact, from Emu. The only way he can tell is because Emu signs all of her nonsensical letters with exclamation marks dotted with hearts. And if she sent a sensical letter for once, it’d most definitely be addressed to “King Tenma Tsukasa” and not “Tsukasa-kun!!!!!” (Yes, with 5 exclamation points. He counts it every time. They all have hearts on them.)
Rui hands him a letter opener, he always has the weirdest things on his person, and Tsukasa gratefully takes it.
To my dearest, Tsukasa,
I’m getting you out of this mess. I know you hate these meetings, so I’ve gracefully forged (Don’t get yourself in a frenzy, all I did was sign it by Emu. It wasn’t mailed, don’t fret, I gave it to Miku a few days ago after you told me what you agreed to.) this letter to get you out!
Just say something about Emu needing your immediate attention, and we can both go. I have something planned~
With love,
Kamishiro Rui.
PS–If you’ve forgotten why you’re even here, it’s to “Pacify the kingdom’s nobility.” I, for one, think meetings like this are ridiculous. Alas, a commoner like me knows very little of politics, other than they are utterly exhausting and accomplish relatively nothing.
Tsukasa has to bite his tongue to not laugh. He pretends to read more lines as he thinks of what to say.
He lowers the letter with a sigh, neatly folding it and handing it back to Rui. “My apologies, it seems Otori is requesting me for something in need of my immediate attention. Perhaps we can sum up this meeting quickly?” A warm smile, and the nobles bend over backwards to shorten the paragraph monologues they planned to tell him to short sentences.
Five minutes of him nodding thoughtfully while his thoughts are another but the people in front of him, and he and Rui are already walking the halls of the castle. Kaito will escort the nuisances out. Perhaps that was a bit rude. Deserving of it, though.
Rui chuckles, “You sure got them to speed up. And here I thought we’d be stuck for another 2 hours if Miku didn’t arrive.” He sways his hand back and forth with exaggerated movements, so Tsukasa ignores him for that. They’re in public in the middle of the day, Tsukasa isn’t going to risk it with something as simple as hand-holding.
“We would have been, if you didn’t plan that letter. When did you even have the time to write it?” Rui just gives him a mysterious smile. Tsukasa sighs, he won’t be getting an answer out of him. “Be that way. What do you have planned?”
“I’m so glad you asked, my lord,” Rui says, speeding up his pace and beelining for Tsukasa’s personal bedroom. “You see, I noticed Mizuki happened to be the one guarding your room today, so I figured…” Ah, that’s right, Mizuki and Rui are friends, aren’t they?
That means… “Rui, what did you do?”
“Let’s just say they’ll turn a blind eye to a sudden disappearance today…” Rui has his maniacal smile on his face.
“Rui, I swear if you’re planning to assassinate me, it’s not going to go well for you–” And here he thought Rui loved him for him, and not his money! Not that it would matter, Rui isn’t married to him and thus killing Tsukasa accomplishes nothing. If he was planning that, Tsukasa has to applaud him in 5 years on his deathbed for successfully fooling him for 8.
“Relax, relax! I just mean that we’re having a relaxing day today! For everyone else, well, you’ve just decided to have a private interaction with Emu-kun.”
“In my bedroom ?” Tsukasa asks incredulously. Whatever ‘relaxing day’ means aside, because he’s talking to Rui here, he doesn’t need unnecessary rumors about him and Emu! There’s always enough just from their correspondence letters! And ugh, it’s not going to get any better now that Emu’s recently turned 18.
“Perhaps I didn’t think that far ahead.” Before Tsukasa can scold him, Rui continues, “But it was just a precaution anyways, I don’t think anyone will ask Mizuki about you. It’s not like you have anything else planned today, and you’ve finished all the recent paperwork.”
He must have been planning this for Tsukasa for quite some time, and that does not make him embarrassed, absolutely not! Tsukasa is simply… grateful. Yes, grateful. Hardly even that, because Rui is ridiculous and seems out to get him today! Whether in the murder or shameful way or the other way, who knows?
“Doesn’t dinner count as something planned today?” Tsukasa asks. If Rui wants to whisk him away somewhere for the day, because that’s what Tsukasa hopes he’s suggesting anyway, they would need to return by supper.
“Miku will give it to Mizuki to give to you, of course.” Rui says with a smile. “Don’t worry, anything you can think of I have covered.” He pauses, “Except for an adequate excuse for Mizuki to give, I will admit I couldn’t really think of anything that fit the current narrative I’ve made.”
Tsukasa sighs, “I suppose I just have to trust you.” Sadly. He doesn’t say that last word in case Rui is planning on assassinating him.
Rui glances around the empty halls. “I suppose you will.” And he ducks down to kiss Tsukasa on the lips. Tsukasa reddens immediately, what is he–?! In the middle of the halls, for heaven’s sake what if someone turned a corner?!
He pushes Rui off after less than a few seconds, expecting him to start pouting immediately. Rui just gives him a cheshire smile, “My king is so cute as always~”
Tsukasa has to restrain himself from screaming. “You can’t just kiss me in the halls, Rui! Ugh…” He doesn’t have any useful retort or followup sentence, which is not really considered a problem considering Rui hardly listens to his complaints anyways.
Rui chuckles and Tsukasa resists the urge to fire him. That would probably get him murdered. Possibly by Mizuki, possibly by Rui, possibly by just some random person now that he doesn’t have a witness by his side at all times.
Tsukasa is going to cut the thoughts about murder and assassination here now, thank you.
The two finally walk up to Tsukasa’s room, and Mizuki gives a smirk as soon as they see them. “Ohoho, so Rui’s plan worked out after all?” Tsukasa rolls his eyes, ignoring the knight stationed at his door and instead walking straight in. “Is this the man ruling our kingdom?!” Mizuki gasps in exaggerated shock, “Won’t even say ‘Hi’ to his loyal guards!”
“Tsukasa-kun’s just a bit fussy now, don’t mind him. You know how he can be~ Ah, and thank you for the cover, Mizuki,” Rui says. Tsukasa glances back at the lack of a verbal response, seeing Mizuki give Rui a thumbs-up with a knowing look. He doesn’t want to deal with that, ignoring it is.
Rui briskly walks into Tsukasa’s room, letting Mizuki shut the door behind him. “Now then, shall we get started, Tsukasa-kun?” He walks over to his wardrobe without any prompt from the king, picking out the more subtle outfits he keeps near the back.
Typically, a king has no need for such basic clothing. However, it seems his servant has taken it upon himself to gift clothing he is ‘too tall for’, meaning Tsukasa has a bunch of unnecessary items that he wears as nightwear.
It’s not even very good, considering he can personally order nightwear of the highest quality from anywhere in the world. The one plus side is that despite Rui commenting he’s outgrown them, the clothes still carry his–
“Found it~” Rui chirps, handing some clothing to Tsukasa. “With this, no one will be any the wiser!” Tsukasa checks over the articles, it really is just a simple outfit. Aside from a cloak, nothing is even remotely standing out.
Tsukasa supposes that’s the point.
Rui fetches himself a similar outfit, before heading to Tsukasa’s private bathroom to change. Tsukasa stares at the clothing in his arms.
“You still haven’t told me what exactly we’re doing!” Tsukasa calls, but it falls on deaf ears. He sighs.
Might as well get changed.
Rui returns before he even manages to get completely undressed, so Tsukasa has to suffer through the mortification that is his personal servant-slash-lover helping him remove all his layers. Yes, it’s in the job description, but that doesn’t make it any less embarrassing!
Rui flips the cloak over his head, taking a step back to check over Tsukasa’s appearance. “Yes, this will do just fine, so long no one looks too close…”
“You still haven’t told me what we’re doing!”
“Fufu, all in due time Your Majesty…” Rui puts on a similar hood, checking himself over in Tsukasa’s mirror. “I think we’re all set!”
“For what, exactly?” Tsukasa drones.
“Why, visiting the town of course! What better for a break from needlessly tiring nobility drama than a stroll through the market streets?” Rui says with a cheery voice, turning back to face him. “I think you’re in desperate need of a break, you see.”
“I think you’re overexaggerating. I’ve been doing perfectly fine lately! Incredible, even,” Tsukasa retorts, settling down on his bed. Rui sits next to him, opting to collapse backwards onto the blankets.
… If this were anyone else, Tsukasa would have them tried for disrespect. But it’s Rui, so he can let it slide.
“Yes, because that’s why Tsukasa-kun has been so tired lately, don’t think I haven’t noticed.” Tsukasa curses Rui’s observation skills, even if it turns out to be useful. He doesn’t appreciate himself being called out like this!
“Everyone has been doing great lately!” Tsukasa counters. A little tiredness compared to his citizens’ and workers’ happiness is nothing! He’ll gladly work extra every day if it means–
“You’re doing it again,” Rui murmurs, and when did he get up?! A hand raises to cup Tsukasa’s face, and he can feel the heat of his skin against Rui’s natural cold. “While it’s admirable how you prioritize the well-being of everyone as a king, as Tsukasa-kun I think you can be a little selfish.”
Tsukasa huffs at the unexpected comfort, grabbing Rui’s wrist and pulling his hand off. He turns to look at the other side of the room, “Really, it’s no big deal like you’re making it out to be–”
He turns back as he starts talking, and Rui takes the opportunity to hold the back of his neck and bring him in for a kiss. Ah.
Despite how cold Rui’s hands are, his lips are always pleasantly warm. And considering they’re alone, and Tsukasa really wants to avoid this conversation, he likes being kissed right now. He hums into it softly, bringing his arms to wrap Rui into a hug as they lean closer together.
Rui breaks off the kiss for air, using their position to shift himself sideways and lay completely on the bed, dragging Tsukasa down with him. Tsukasa sighs, accepting his fate and using Rui’s chest as a pillow.
The hand that rested on his neck shifts up to bury itself in his hair, Rui lightly massaging his head just because. Didn’t they have something planned to do?
“You know, my star,” and that’s only a nickname he uses when he gets serious, so Tsukasa calms himself down to listen, “if you don’t want to go out we don’t have to. I just thought it would be nice, and it’d make me happy.”
Tsukasa frees an arm and drums his fingers against the blankets. He’s not… opposed to it. The idea sounds rather nice, but… Oh, forget it. Tsukasa has let Rui drag him this far into the plan, it’s clear that he wants it on some subconscious level.
“We can go,” Tsukasa says softly, “Just to have fun?” He asks to confirm.
“Just to have fun,” Rui echoes. Rui heaves them both back up, back into a sitting position with Tsukasa on his lap. “I really love you, my king.”
Tsukasa buries himself into Rui’s neck. “Don’t make me say it… Ahh. I love you too, Rui. A lot.”
Rui moves to peck Tsukasa’s nose, shifting the royal off of him to stand up and stretch out. Tsukasa lays in the bed for a moment, staring at the ceiling littered with painted stars.
Rui walks to the end of Tsukasa’s room, tracing a hand over the books in his bookcase. Tsukasa watches him from the bed, still trying to recollect himself. How Rui manages to do it so quickly after he does stunts like that never fails to confuse him.
“His Majesty does know of the castle’s secret escape routes, yes?”
Of course he does, exploring them was one of his favorite games with Saki as a child.
Tsukasa breathes in, breathes out. Don’t pretend the past few minutes didn’t happen, just recover and act normally. And not become a flustered mess as soon as Rui looks at him a certain way.
“Of course I do!” Tsukasa voices, finally getting up and walking over to Rui. “If you’re looking for the switch, it’s actually,” he reaches for a music box kept on the highest shelf, winding it once, twice, thrice, “right there!” There’s a soft click and Rui moves to shift the bookcase open, watching lanterns light in the stone tunnel.
Rui makes a bow. “After you, Tsukasa-kun.” Tsukasa chuckles in fond annoyance, letting Rui shut the entranceway behind him. He has faith that Rui would never leave him alone, after all.
Just act normal, that’s all he has to do until everything smoothes out.
After 20 minutes of navigation and about 15 minutes of getting lost, Tsukasa sees the sun again. This particular exit is one-way, so they’ll need to find a different one to return to the castle. It will work for now.
Rui hums, surveying the area. “You’ve brought us just to the right place, Tsukasa-kun! I believe I know exactly where we are.” Rui peeks around a building corner. “Why don’t we visit an old friend of mine?”
Tsukasa follows him out into the open street, tugging down his hood more as a precaution. “Why do I get a bad feeling about that?” he sighs, scanning the streets.
People walk through the streets casually, chatting with one another and joking, children rush past playing their games.
“Tsukasa-kun? You’re smiling,” Rui notes with a bit of fondness.
“I’m just happy everything seems to be going well here.”
Rui looks around them, seeing everything Tsukasa appreciates so deeply. A king that truly cares for his subjects, this kingdom is quite lucky. “And so am I.”
Tsukasa snaps out his thoughts, “What was it you mentioned about your friend?”
Rui’s friend is a nice older woman by the name of Meiko, who apparently runs a famous bakery. Tsukasa scans over the glass cases, wondering if he’s ever seen them in his castle before. Most of their food is made by hired chefs, but he does like a nice treat from outside occasionally.
He half listens to Rui’s conversation with Meiko, mostly catching up and explaining the circumstances. Tsukasa watches Meiko do a double take from his peripheral.
“Your Majesty! Apologies, if I knew…” Tsukasa waves her off, isn’t the point of this is that he isn’t recognized? That just proves the disguise worked. “Rui-kun! When you told me that you were hired by the castle a few years ago, you never mentioned that you were the personal servant of the king!”
Rui chuckles in his typical way, “But that would ruin the surprise, no?” Meiko sighs in the way only a person used to Rui’s shenanigans could accomplish. Tsukasa meanders back to Rui’s side. This place really smells amazing, he should see if he could get a perfumer to replicate it.
Thinking about a certain princess… maybe not.
“Well, I can’t let you two leave empty-handed, can I? Especially not in the presence of royalty, oh my!” Tsukasa smiles at her teasing kindness, she reminds him of his mother when she was the ruling queen.
Meiko picks out a few treats, bagging them and handing them to Rui. “You two enjoy your day off, alright?” Tsukasa eagerly wishes her similar, and they head off.
Rui hands him a sugar cookie, and Tsukasa takes it with a thanks. “What’s next on the itinerary, Tsukasa-kun?”
Tsukasa gives him a look, savoring the taste of the pastry. “I thought you had this entire day planned?” His partner shrugs indecisively.
“I have the day’s start and end planned, but I figured it wouldn’t be a day for you unless you decided what we would do. So, any suggestions?” Tsukasa hums, thinking in place.
“You mentioned the market before, didn’t you? Even though we didn’t bring any money, I’d still like to enjoy the atmosphere.” Rui nods in agreement, but he pauses.
Tsukasa waits for him to speak up. He does not. “Rui?”
“I… forgot to bring money with us.” He sounds like a defeated cat. Rui pouts, shoulders slumping as he realizes his mistake. Oh, um, what can Tsukasa do?
Tsukasa claps his hand onto Rui’s shoulder, nudging him to stand up straight again. “Rui! We are going to have an enjoyable outing, regardless if we have coins on us or not! As your boyfriend, I demand it!”
Rui giggles a little behind his hand, “Well if His Majesty commands it, it shall be.” Tsukasa glances around, thankfully no one seems interested in their conversation in the middle of the street. Even so, Tsukasa scolds him for his carelessness, that’s twice in one day with this! And however many points this entire thing counts as!
“Fine, fine,” Rui says with a fake frown. It turns smug as he leans in close to Tsukasa, whispering in his ear. “As My Majesty commands it.”
While Tsukasa trips over his own words, Rui steals the last bite of his sugar cookie. The nerve of that–?!