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The sun washed over the palace grounds and the gardens surrounding them. The Princess’ Garden remained a pleasantly shadowy place, thanks to thick canopy of maples and plums, leaves and flowers glistening in the sunlight and swaying on the breeze with a gentle
rustle. Rarely a sunbeam, like a radiant spear of the gods, pierced this covering to reach the ground and undergrowth of bushes and flowers that thrived in half-sunlight and shadow. Here and there a small fountain or a winding trickling stream added to the rustling with the sweet bubbling of flowing water, otherwise the area was peacefully quiet, even birds taking a reprieve from singing in the branches overhead.
The garden was unlike many that ladies preferred to reside in with its shadowy depths. Ivy climbed up the tree trunks and arches wrought above comfortable benches spread over the area, no dainty tea pavilions adoring the space for there was no need for an enclosure of such variety when the whole place looked like an arbor created by nature Rose bushes seemed to gleam among the other plants, the various colors of their petals like precious gems..
Princess Eri of Musutafu seemed to glow as she made her way down a mossy path, a smile spread over her pale lips. Her red eyes took in the beauty of her most favorite place and her white hair and skin gave her an ethereal quality. In her gauzy green pink skirts adorned with little crystals like dewdrops she looked like a forest fairy wrapped in flower petals. She was eternally grateful for this space where she could enjoy the outdoors despite her peculiar nature, her skin too delicate to withstand the rash sunlight, her eyes too sensitive to the brilliance of the direct light. Here she could relax and enjoy herself.
She was also grateful for her two knights, for they were an endless source of entertainment, far better than chittering maids or ladies in waiting. Oh, she enjoyed spending time with her ladies, playing and learning from her skills of a noble lady, but there was nothing as amusing as Sir Midoriya and Sir Bakugo.
She steadied her steps and smiled a tad mischievously as she shifted towards the darker part of the path, closer to the impressive trunk of an old maple. Carefully she stepped around it and peered behind to a small natural alcove created by a circle of plums, their branches intertwined overhead a small table and benches around it, all carved from stone. There she had left her sewing project in search of a lavatory and small stretching of her limbs. There her knights had been ordered to await her return.
A dainty hand lifted to press over smiling lips, else a giggle would escape and shatter the moment. Red eyes twinkled with joy and fondness as she took in the sight hidden from prying eyes.
There, under an arc covered by white roses, sat her Rose Knights. One For All and Dynamight rested near them, where they could easily grab and draw them, the famous swords sharp and deadly in the hands of their owners.
The Ruby Rose was Sir Katsuki Bakugo, son of the marquis overseeing an arid land to the south, an indomitable force in battle that drew attention to himself by his loud demeanor and brash words, He would lay his life to protect those he had sworn to defend.Rumor had it that his family descended from dragons and could command the beasts. Golden crown of hair and carmin eyes gave him a striking appeal that made many court ladies swoon.
Yet none of them caught his attention and affection, for there, next to him and practically in his lap was the Jade Rose, Sir IzukuMidoriya, the son of the ambassador sent to the kingdom of Endeavor. He was practically raised by the court and the barracks. It was rumored he knew nine fighting styles and was a formidable tactician, but his innocent looks made people doubt his prowess until it Mellow and cheerful, he was often likened to a forest spirit, one after whom many sought after in vain.was too late.
Together, the two men in front of her were the most skilled knights of the realm, inferior only to the Crown Prince Mirio and his personal guard, the last line of defense of the White Rose Princess, the treasure of Musutafu. Scary they were in battle, fierce and ferocious, but in time of peace they seemed to be at each other’s throat more often than not. For when Sir Bakugo raged and cursed Sir Midoriya opposed him, with a serene smile placating the tall and temperamental blonde to comply with the rules of the royal court. Princess Eri knew their secret though, for she was a smart girl who saw those stolen glances and hands brushing against each other in the shadows, she heard snippets of words sweeter than any poetry.
And she had sneaked on them kissing before, too.
Sir Bakugo’s long fingers tangled in Sir Midoriya’s curls, the scarred hands of the other gripping at the folds of his white mantle on his shoulders to anchor him above the other where they lay across the stone bench. Eyes closed and cheeks flushed, both men seemed lost to the world, submerged in the feeling of the other’s touch and the lip lock. The Princess was not a child anymore and she knew she should avert her eyes from the intimate scene, but she indulged in seeing her favorite knights so unguarded and happy together. She wished that one day she too could enjoy such passionate, tender love, a bond so deep that it rooted in the soul and seemed to overflow in any action they took.
After a minute she turned away and pressed her back against the maple tree, placing her hand over her heart, a wistful smile on her face as she imagined her future beloved looking at her with the same devotion Sir Bakugo looked at Sir Midoriya, the same understanding Sir Midoria seemed to have for his lover.
She almost giggled when the wind brought to her ears a soft moan.
“Kac-chan, the princess is bound to come back any time now,” she heard.
“Then move your ass off of me, Deku,”” gruffed the other man, affection blunting the sharp edges of his words.
She emerged from behind the tree, smiling as she saw them shifting on the bench, sitting a small distance apart now and trying in vain to look neutral. Sir Bakugo’s eyes sparkled like candlelight and Sir Midoriya’s lips quivered in a tiny smile, his hair as tangled and unruly as when he came back from a horse race last week, bringing his prize to lay at her feet.While Sir Bakugo sat still and stiff the other knight fiddled with the green rose broach holding his white cape closed around his neck.
“I’m back,” she said happily and sat between them, glancing first at one, then at the other. “Did you miss me?”
“You went to piss, not for a week-long quest,” the blonde shrugged.
“Kac-chan!” gasped the other man in abject mortification. “Don’t speak like that!”
The princess felt her cheeks flaming at the crass words, but she giggled at the glare Sir Midoriya sent his companion’s way. She looked up at the red-eyed man and a flash of something caught her attention. There, nearly covered by the collar of his robe, stark red against his pale skin was a mark. Oh, she could have her revenge for him embarrassing her, and such a good one at that.
“What’s this, Sir Bakugo?” she asked, schooling her face to look innocent and concerned. She reached a hand as if to brush her fingertips against the fresh mark. He blinked and covered his neck with his own hand before she could do that. “Did something bite you?”
His face went in flames, but she knew that the flush of his skin was not due to anger. A small sharp intake of air behind her back alerted her to the attention of the other man, she guessed his face was as scarlet as the blonde’s.
“Yeah,” he grumbled. “A bug.”
“A bug!” Sir Midoriya gasped in barely veiled annoyance. Then he scowled. “”I’ll make sure no bugs will bite you again, you'll see.”
Princess Eri snickered when she saw the pout on Sir Bakugo’s face before he hid it behind his own scowl. She reached for her sewing project, fully entertained and pretending not to notice the meaningful glances the two knights cast each other.
Soon, she knew, soon she would be invited to a wedding and she already had perfect wedding gifts prepared for this occasion.
Until then, she resigned herself to practicing her stitches and observing her knights miserably failing at hiding their love.