Chapter Text
"How many times must I tell you? That clown is absolutely no fit for you, who is heir to the crown!"
"Wataru is no clown. He is a jester."
"I care not for the intricacies of the comedic field," his father, the emperor, waved his hand dismissively, "you will marry a refined noble woman, understood? and do not approach me about such absurdity ever again. Oh, and do consider using tonight's ball as an opportunity for mingling—it is in honour of your twentieth birthday, is it not? Then this is the perfect time for you to consider marriage."
Eichi bit back a vile response. Instead, he simply bowed his head and stormed out of the throne room all the way down the hall to his bedroom, in which he slammed the door and sat on the floor, hugging his knees.
Before a single frustrated tear could threaten to spill, a soft knocking noise began to sound. He lifted his head and could not help his smile upon seeing a flying dove incessantly pecking at his tall window. With a quiet huff, Eichi promptly stood to his feet and opened the window, giggling as the bird immediately flew to his arms.
"Why hello there… Jeanne, was it?" it cooed in response, and Eichi gingerly stroked its head, "whatever is the reason for your journey? Has your owner sent you?"
It was only after he'd said this that he noticed the tiny rolled up piece of paper tied around the dove's leg. Blinking, he pulled it out and unravelled it. It read:
My dearest,
It is a delightfully sunny day! During bright winter days, we must remember to keep a smile upon our faces, lest cloud of rain burst from our minds and spread to the skies!
Speaking of, I await you just below with the brightest of smiles! you need only look down…✰
Eichi jolted as the dove on his shoulder flapped its wings, and he leaned over, looking down at the faraway trees with a racing, hopeful heart.
And there he was. Leaning against a tree, its shade was his very own accessory, the way it accentuated his effortless beauty. He then stepped into the light with indeed the brightest of smiles, waving. The sunlight highlighted his most stunning of features, and caused his silver hair to sparkle.
Eichi could not fathom how he had been so upset just moments ago. Overwhelmed by joy, he waved back, and opened the window wider—an invitation.
Upon receiving a nod in response, he cautiously stepped back, carrying Jeanne in his hands as he did so, and eagerly waited.
In but seconds, the room was flooded with petals of rose, all smoothly falling to the ground, landing on each and every surface of the room.
Yet Eichi’s attention was solely reserved for Wataru, as he seemingly appeared from within the petals and materialised into his person in a deep bow. He only lifted his head when applause began to sound, his hair bouncing atop his shoulders.
“Incredible. No matter what tricks you show me, I cannot help but be enamoured by each and every one,” Eichi praised with a wide smile, “I haven’t the slightest clue behind how you manage to do them. I still find it hard to believe this isn’t real magic.”
Wataru straightened his posture and returned the smile. He then approached Eichi, pulling out a single petal from his hair, “you flatter me. I’m sure true wizards and witches are far more capable than I. These tricks, after all…” he snapped his fingers, and the petal turned into a pearl, “… are but illusions.”
Eichi gasped and gingerly held the pearl in both hands, “incredible.”
“Yes, indeed. Is it not amazing ?”
“… Amazing…!”
Wataru laughed, tucking a strand of hair behind Eichi’s ear, “adorable. But let’s get right into business, shall we? I take it you received my letter?”
“Ah, yes—” Eichi turned to face the dove that had since escaped his grasp and rested by the window—”how could you possibly know I was feeling down?”
To that, Wataru simply shook his head, “that is because our hearts have been tied as one. No matter, though! Do tell me what has occurred to upset you so.”
Remembering his father, Eichi scowled at the floor, “it’s nothing, really. Nothing you should worry yourself over.”
“Hoh? Even though my gut tells me the situation might have something to do with this humble fool…? Perhaps something that may explain my sudden forced departure from my position as His Majesty’s court jester?”
Dropping the pearl, Eichi hid his face in his hands, “I’m so sorry, Wataru… I—I don’t know how he found out about us—”
—Wataru silenced him with a finger to his lips. He then sighed, “it’s as much my fault as it is yours. I should have been more careful; it is likely that castle staff witnessed me exit your room last night.”
Eichi groaned, voice muffled by the press of his palms, “still, I’m sorry. My father took away your work, and you’re likely to be chased away the next time you’re seen on castle grounds.”
“Hmm? But my dearest, you forget! I am a master of disguise~!” Wataru barked out a laugh before gently taking Eichi’s hands from his face so that their eyes could meet.
Immediately, Eichi jumped upon seeing what seemed to be… his own reflection? Only it grinned, wider than he believed was possible for him. He snorted, and then exploded into joy, giggling and laughing all over the place.
His reflection—or rather, Wataru —pouted, squeezing his hands, “oh dear,” he then cleared his throat, and perfectly emulated Eichi’s voice, “ oh dear, is my face so amusing to you? Though it is yours, as well. ”
“My goodness—” Eichi gasped in between giggles—”how is that even possible? I can’t—I can’t comprehend it!”
“ What don’t you understand, Eichi? Shall I explain the physics behind mirrors? ”
“Stop, stop!” Eichi chortled, “ah… no matter how amusing this is… I do miss your lovely boisterous voice, Wataru.”
“Ah, is that so?” Wataru immediately switched back to his usual tone, and with a swing of his arm, uncovered his face back to its actual visage, “I shan’t fail to fulfil your wishes! Here is your very own Hibiki Wataru, back to normal…”
Eichi coughed as he calmed from his outburst, “thank you… ah, all this surprise is leaving me light-headed…” he stumbled a bit, then allowed himself to be led to the edge of his bed by his lover. As they sat side by side, he leant his head against his shoulder, “as I thought, there is no other I’d rather have by my side but you, my dear Wataru.”
“How charming! I feel the same way!”
Eichi closed his eyes with a smile, content for only a few seconds before that joy was interrupted by an abrupt realisation. He jumped, startling even Wataru, and his eyes widened in alarm, "the ball tonight! my birthday! you'll be forced to miss it!" he shook his head with a groan, "I was looking forward to dancing with you…"
Suddenly, a simple kiss was pressed to his forehead, and he blinked, cheeks dusted with pink. Once they made eye contact once more, Wataru smiled sweetly, "would you have been allowed to dance with me in the first place?"
"Well, no… not only were you an employee of ours, but also not your typical refined noble lady…"
"Indeed! So I ask, what has really changed?"
"Well I…" Eichi lowered his head, and from that angle Wataru could see his ears burn a deep red. He mumbled, "I thought I could discreetly steal you away from the ballroom whenever attention was to be pulled away from me. but now, I doubt they'd even let you enter the room in the first place."
Wataru felt a flutter in his chest, and could not help the giddy chuckle that escaped his throat as he pulled the prince close, "how romantic. Now you've made me disappointed as well! I too wish we could have experienced that," he sighed, "but alas, you will have to make do with my womanly half."
"Womanly—whatever do you mean?"
"Ah, you see," Wataru released him and instead pinched his cheek, "since I am banned from entering castle grounds, I will be sending a faraway relative to wish you a happy birthday in my stead!"
Eichi frowned, "what? but I don't care about that. I want you."
Giggling, Wataru finally let go and stood to his feet, "you might find that we are more similar than you may think! who knows, you might end up falling for her instead…?"
"Don't be ridiculous!" Eichi gasped, standing as well with such agitation it sent his head spinning, "you… I don't want anyone but you."
Wataru chuckled once more, and took Eichi's hand in his own, leaving upon it a light kiss, "I was only teasing. Of course, there is none other in this world that could steal your heart from me; it belongs to me now, and I'm not one to treat my precious belongings with such little care."
Eichi huffed, "of course."
"Then if you wish for me to relay my message to my relative before sundown, I must make haste now, as unfortunate as our parting sounds." he squeezed his hand once before letting go, heading towards the window.
"But—" Eichi clung to his arm by the windowsill—"I'll be so lonely—no, miserable without you."
They were silent for a few moments, simply revelling in each other's warmth beneath the sparkling sun.
When Wataru turned around, his silver hair was glowing—nay, glistening with light. He was simply far too beautiful to describe with words alone.
"Eichi," Wataru gasped out as if his breath had caught, "oh dear. How heavenly; the sunlight has turned your hair to bright, bright gold. I am so completely… bewitched."
Caught off guard by the weight of such a compliment, Eichi pulled at his hair with an awkward frown (though his eyes wrinkled as though holding back a smile). "How can you say that? I've got an angel standing right before my eyes, and yet he gazes upon me as if I am the loveliest thing in the world."
Wataru grinned, puffing out his newly-rosy cheeks, "that is because you are! Ah, how I wish to remain here as we continue our back-and-forth of love… but I digress! Though I may not appear physically tonight, trust that you'll find traces of me scattered throughout the hall! In the meantime, I leave Jeanne d'Arc in your care. Well, then…"
"Wataru, wait—" he was cut off as a cloud of smoke erupted before his eyes, and he coughed, waving it away, only to reveal a dainty, but fully-bloomed rose—a rarity in the middle of winter. Smiling slightly, Eichi picked it up and allowed its scent to overwhelm him.
It was then that a knock sounded on his door, followed by speech, "your highness, the seamstress has just completed adjustments to your outfit for tonight's ball! she asks that you try it on as soon as you are free!"
Eichi sighed, adjusting his appearance before his mirror for a moment before approaching the door, “yes, yes…”
. . .
The wide, packed golden ballroom did little to cover the nightly chill that winter brought upon their land. Eichi pulled on the sleeves of his jewel-adorned coat in an attempt to keep his dried hands warm, simultaneously suffocating from the clamminess of the crowd. He politely nodded when people approached, and accepted cups of wine, only to discard when eyes were away. Now finally alone, he sighed, accidentally meeting his father's irritated gaze. With a scowl, he turned around. It wasn't his fault that the ladies preferred to watch from afar and were too cowardly to approach him first!
"My prince, that is because they expect you to invite them to dance, as a gentleman would."
He jumped at the sound of a, though slightly husky, mostly smooth and pleasantly high voice. Blinking, he turned around, and his breath immediately caught.
With eye-catching silver hair tied into a braided chignon, deep lavender eyes, and overall regal presentation expressed in the choice of an elegant wine-red dress that starkly contrasted Eichi's deep blue, how could she not have caught his eye earlier? What beauty.
“Ah, that’s right,” she hurriedly curtsied, “happy birthday, Your Highness.”
But of course, such beauty was only recognisable to him by comparison to the one thing he knew as the most beautiful in the world.
"Oh? Your eyes have begun to sparkle with recognition despite our having never met. Has my cousin told His Royal Highness about me?"
Eichi simply smiled, reaching out, "it would be a great honour if you were to accept this dance with me, my lady."
She smiled, and her eyes narrowed in a familiar manner, "with pleasure." she took his hand, and they began to sway to the rhythm of the faraway string quartet.
As they danced, Eichi’s gaze was torn away from the angel for just a moment to meet his father’s—seemingly pleased to see his son finally socialising with a refined woman his age. Eichi scoffed, heart healed upon hearing a light chuckle from his dance partner, he resolved to look her in the eyes (an easy task due to their similar height) with a true smile. “What is your name?” he asked.
“As you may have found out from my cousin, I am also ‘Hibiki’…”
Shaking his head, Eichi pressed on, “of course, I could figure that out alone. I am asking for your first, given name.”
To that, she hummed thoughtfully, and then carefully answered, “then… How does ‘Gardenia’ sound?” she winked playfully, and spun gracefully.
Eichi laughed in response, squeezing their joined hands a little tighter, and swaying with a little more mirth, “Gardenia it is, then? Like the flower?”
“Exactly. You understand me completely, Your Highness.”
“Yes, I understand.”
And together they continued to dance, whispering jokes and flirtatious words, hidden by the overwhelming music. With most guests having only ever seen the prince at his most-annoyed and fatigued, seeing him so full of life was truly a sight for sore eyes. Witnessing his delight as he danced with who was possibly the tallest, most attractive woman in the room, many abandoned their dreams of marrying into royalty.
But as joyful as the scene was, the prince truly was as frail as they say. After one too many dances, his legs began to slow, and his breathing uneven. It all accumulated to the point where he stumbled, head falling onto his partner’s shoulder.
“Ah… I’m sorry—my apologies, my lady… I seem to have grown fatigued,” he panted against the fabric of her dress, knees and hands trembling.
“With all due respect, I believe a short rest is in order.” she hummed, rubbing his back, “do you know of a nearby room in which we could peacefully pass time as you catch your breath?” her voice cracked slightly on the last word, but she recovered gracefully.
Eichi raised his head with a small smile, “follow me,” he then grabbed her hand and began to limp his way across the wavering ballroom that was still ever so full of an energy he could not begin to understand.
After walking for some time—speeding past hallways and windows, they arrived at a small tearoom. Eichi locked the door behind them, and stood with his forehead against the door, hand still enclosed around the knob, “if those guests have any sense, they’ll know to leave us to our privacy. Having anyone walk in would be catastrophic. Right, Wataru?”
An innocent hum sounded behind him, and he turned around, leaning back against the door with a shaky smile, “I must say, I did not expect you to pull such a trick; much less successfully. You even had my father fooled!”
And finally, Wataru laughed—in his grand, boisterous, natural tone. It warmed Eichi’s heart. Approaching him, Wataru grinned and lifted his chin with a single finger before connecting their lips for only a few seconds.
“How did you do it?” Eichi breathed against his mouth, entranced by the glee in his lover’s eyes.
“Well—” he finally spoke, and Eichi could not imagine any other voice coming from him; all memories of Gardenia’s pitch faded from his mind with just one word—“it is my duty. That is all! If his highness Eichi wishes for the impossible, then this humble jester shall make even the impossible possible! It is my duty as your loyal servant.”
“And as my lover?”
“And as your one and only lover!” he twirled, his dress spinning along with him as Eichi watched, enthralled by the whirl of the fabric.
Eichi hummed, “you look delightful in that dress. And the hairstyle… and the makeup, even. You truly make anything look stunning, my dearest. Perhaps you should dress like this more often.”
“What an honour! I feel truly humbled to be praised so! My heart is dancing beneath the tight confines of my corset!”
Eichi snickered, and then giggled, and then fell into a coughing fit, knees failing him; and they would have made harsh contact with the floor if not for Wataru’s speed in catching him and lowering them both gently to the ground, where he lay Eichi’s head in his lap, nimble fingers stroking his golden hair.
After his coughs subsided, Eichi remained still for so long that Wataru began to believe he had fallen asleep. But soon he spoke up, voice rough and coarse, “I love you, Wataru.”
“Oh? How sudden! Though of course, I love you, too!”
Eichi nuzzled into his dress, arms reaching out and weakly wrapping themselves around his beloved’s waist, “if only we hadn’t gotten caught… I can’t ask you to disguise yourself every time we wish to meet…” he rasped.
Wataru began to braid his hair, humming a distant tune, “we’ve already discussed this, haven’t we? I promise that pretending to be Gardenia is no issue at all for me! I would be willing to move the very sun in the sky if you so wished for it!”
“… Somehow, I have the feeling that if it’s you, you could truly manage to do such a thing.”
“You… overestimate my abilities, my dear! If I had such power, then I would not allow for any predicaments to befall you! But alas, we are only human.”
Contemplating his words for a moment, Eichi mused, “I am no mere human. I am the crown prince of the grandest empire in the continent—the heir to the most powerful throne this generation has ever witnessed. I have so much power, and yet… and yet…!”
“It’s alright.” Wataru leaned down, leaving a small kiss in his hair, “once you are crowned emperor, no one will be able to stop you from your heart’s greatest desires.”
“But that may be years, or even decades from now!” Eichi swiftly sat up, eyes anxious as he looked at Wataru, “I cannot wait such a long time! Not when I don’t know how much time I have left—”
Wataru shushed him with a glare and a finger to his lips. Eichi’s jaw obediently snapped shut, and he listened as he was scolded; “won’t you please quit saying such depressing things? My heart aches every time you bring up this point. If you’ll only give me some time, I’ll think of a solution, alright? A way for us to stay together in peace, without needing to hide in secrecy.”
Eichi nodded silently, and the hand at his lips unfurled to cradle his face ever-so-gently—as if he were built from the very porcelain his skin is said to resemble. Precious, translucent much in the way he wore his heart on his sleeve.
“Do you love me, Eichi?”
“Of course.”
“Then entrust this all to me! I’ll be sure to write a happy ending that will certainly satisfy us both.”
And Eichi smiled, placing his hand atop Wataru’s, “I’ll await it with great enthusiasm.”