Chapter Text
The knight Mafuyu was known to all as the perfect soldier, who always had his place at prince Yoisaki's side. Many women approached him in the hope of becoming his wife. Not only did he have an attractive personality, his appearance also gave a boost to his popularity. Often, while patrolling the streets or accompanying Mizuki, these women would try to make advances to the knight, who would reject them with a smile. Likewise, they kept trying in every way to win Mafuyu's heart until one day he dropped the bombshell that upset all the rumor mongers.
"Sorry, I already have a fiancée" said Mafuyu with a soft smile very different from usual.
Mizuki opened her mouth in surprise. Everyone present carefully watched that expression of really genuine happiness. Since then, many newspapers published rumors of the knight being forced to marry some noble or about the Empire's black business.
"So, is Mafuyu going to get married?" Kanade took a sip of her tea, careful not to burn her tongue. Sitting across from her was the knight, who nodded in response, taking his cup. "Do you have any plans for the wedding yet? I can help you if you need it, don't hold back on asking."
"I'm sorry to have caused trouble, but I found it necessary to stop the women following me in the streets."
When the news reached the castle, Kanade was surprised to learn that her knight was engaged and suspicious of her options. She also felt somewhat sad to think that Mizuki might be the one to whom Mafuyu was betrothed. The two have been best friends since childhood. However, she would support her two friends, even if it meant giving up her platonic love. She didn't have time to concentrate as well. She had to deal with meetings of aristocrats asking for explanations, as many of their daughters were going to attend a party next spring to try to get engaged to Mafuyu. It was a week full of chaos.
"As for the wedding, I want to keep it simple so that Ena can enjoy the surroundings without so much commotion. Mizuki and the prince are invited, I hope they can attend."
"What is she like?"
"Ena is..." Mafuyu looked around to ensure the privacy of the conversation. "She is a mermaid, we were seeing each other for a year on the eastern shores and decided to get married. She has the charm of a mermaid and the warmth of the prince's songs."
Kanade smiled for her friend. Still, she feared the mermaid was just manipulating her to eat her later. The stories always warned explorers to beware of the sea dwellers. They were so dangerous that they could sink a troop of ships to devour the crews. Mermaids were not exempt. Beings endowed with beauty that lured with their hypnotic song to eat their victims alive. However, she knew that Mafuyu was not so weak as to fall easily into the clutches of one of these creatures, but there was always a chance no matter how slim.
"May I meet her?" The knight looked surprised. "I want to meet the person my army captain is to marry. It is my duty as heir to the throne."
"All right.”
.
Sneaking a prince through the streets of the Empire was no easy task, even at night. Her appearance was striking even with a robe on.
"Wait a moment."
Mafuyu untied from his belt the wrapped object he always carried. He unwrapped the bandages around, revealing a mirror that Kanade felt familiar with. Her eyes widened as she remembered it. It was similar to the magic item Mizuki told her that all the pirates and merchants were fighting to get. A mirror lost many moons ago in a sunken ship that fulfilled people's wishes.
"Is that the mirror of The Heralds?"
"No. Both are made by marine materials, but this one has a jewel made by Abyssal blood."
He touched the jewel with his finger muttering the name of his betrothed. He pointed the mirror at the sea and a beam of light shot out of the jewel and directly into the water. The waves became a little turbulent for a few minutes, Kanade wasn’t going to deny that she was a little afraid, but also curious about sea creatures. Being a prince, she doesn't have much of a chance to leave the castle unless it's for political issues with other nations.
"Mafuyu!"
A voice came out over the tide. A long-haired woman with only a pair of shells covering her chest stepped out with an animated smile. She stopped as she exchanged glances with Kanade and the prince couldn't help but blush. She was the second most attractive woman she had ever seen. The first would always be Mizuki.
"Did you bring your friend?" she asked, moving closer to the shore. "Or have you already decided to sell my scales?"
"Ena, meet my saviour. He is Prince Yoisaki Kanade."
"Ah, the little prince I've heard so much about."
"Nice to meet you Ena, I wanted to see my right hand's fiancée so I could give her my sincerest gratitude for taking care of her all this time." Kanade approached carefully, giving a short bow. "You are much more beautiful than I expected, Mafuyu sure is lucky to have you by her side."
When she opened her eyes, she could see the blush in the mermaid's ears spreading to her cheeks. She spluttered as she wagged her tail from side to side making a splash. Wasn't this mermaid very harmless? Adorable, she thought. She turned to tell that to Mafuyu, but was startled to see a shadowy aura on his knight, who seemed to be threatening him with death.
"Don't scare the prince like that, you fool!" Ena used her tail to throw water straight at his face, Mafuyu frowned, arranging his soaked hair. Then, she grabbed Kanade's face. "I thank you for saving Mafuyu, he always tells me how kind and warm you are to those around you. I'm glad to meet such a charming prince."
Kanade stared into those grayish orbs full of sincerity. Perhaps she understood her suspicions and was trying to soothe her. She could also be trying to deceive her, but she felt no suspicion after seeing her eyes so closely. Her knight was in good hands to take care of him until the end of his life. She shrieked in surprise when someone pulled her collar back. She raised his gaze to see Mizuki's mocking expression looking at him. Her eyes were beautiful in the moonlight.
"The prince always courts me, but he finds a prettier woman and promptly forgets me. I am hurt, Prince Yoisaki."
She turned his gaze to Mafuyu who approached the mermaid to cup her face and kiss her. When they parted, the knight took the mermaid's chin looking at her with that shadowy aura.
"Don't do that with other people, Ena. The prince is already in a relationship with Mizuki and you have me."
Both Kanade and Ena exploded in red. Mizuki laughed at the never-before-seen expression on her childhood friend. They talked until dawn learning more about the mermaid and ended the meeting with a promise that Ena will visit the palace before their wedding. Mizuki wanted to take care of both their attire and Kanade wanted to spend time learning about the marine world.
Mafuyu stayed longer leaving the escort job to Mizuki. Ena smiled tenderly to see him in a bad mood trying to draw a seagull in the sand with a stick. She climbed into his lap and slipped her arms behind his neck, caressing the back of his neck as she left kisses on his neck.
"You know I can only see Mafuyu that way, as charming as the prince is, I only have eyes for my knight in dark armor."
The knight settled her better in his lap and returned the embrace by pulling the mermaid closer. He wanted to get married as soon as possible.
"Ena, let's hurry the wedding."
"Huh?"
"Let's get married next month, I don't want to wait that long to have Ena every day in my house." He kissed her hair.
Ena smiled feeling the same.