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“Pardon the intrusion, there’s a letter for you, my prince.” Someone knocks on the door but Kunikuzushi doesn’t pay it any mind. As expected, a boy leaps up from where he was sitting next to Kunikuzushi and rushes over to answer the door. He returns with a sealed envelope in his hands, which Kunikuzushi glances over at.
“Should I open it for you?” Sethos asks as he draws near.
Kunikuzushi recognizes the wax seal on the letter and quickly snatches it from the hands of his assistant. Sethos lets out a surprised chuckle which Kunikuzushi chooses to ignore as he turns back to his desk. The papers he was looking through could wait, this letter was of far more importance.
The prince carefully removes the seal before unfolding the paper he finds inside. He can feel Sethos trying to discreetly peer over his shoulder and he quickly shoves him away. “Fuck off.”
“Ok, ok, ok.” Comes Sethos’ reply as he sits back down, though Kunikuzushi can see out of the corner of his eye that the other man was not continuing his work.
He quickly redirects his attention to the paper in his hands as he starts to read the beautiful writing scrawled upon it. At the bottom is the initial ‘K’.
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Prince Kunikuzushi visited the kingdom of Watatsumi often as a child, coming along with his aunt Queen Makoto. Some found this strange but the queen was very fond of him and treated him as her own son, despite her never marrying nor wanting for children of her own. She would also often tease that she needed a ‘big strong man’ to help protect her and Kunikuzushi’s mother, the then-princess Ei.
Ei would always roll her eyes but Kunikuzushi was consistently spurred on by the encouragement and would puff out his chest, standing up a little straighter. However, he did a very subpar job as a bodyguard, constantly wandering off as children tend to do. During his first visit, it wasn’t long before he was completely and utterly lost in the sprawling gardens of the palace.
“Are you lost? Do you need help?” A voice gentle as the breeze called out to him. When Kunikuzushi turned to look for the source, he found a boy who looked to be about his age and just a centimeter or two taller than him. He extended one bandaged hand towards him.
Kunikuzushi normally would’ve declined and avoided interaction with a stranger like he had been taught to do so, but there was something about the other boy that drew him forward like a magnet. He was… really pretty, maybe even the prettiest person Kunikuzushi had ever seen. Quickly abandoning caution, he accepted the hand and the other boy quickly interlocked their fingers.
The little future prince felt his heart skip a beat as he finally replied, “I’ve never been here before. I’m Raiden Kunikuzushi, what’s your name?”
The other boy smiled at him and replied in a polite tone unusual for someone so young, “I’m Kaedehara Kazuha, nice to meet you. Where are you from?”
“Inazuma, you?”
A look of recognition crosses Kazuha’s face before he responds, “I’m from here in Watatsumi. …Are you from the Inazuman royal family?”
“I am, my mother is a princess and my aunt is the queen. Are you royal, too?” Kunikuzushi asks, tilting his head to the side in curiosity.
“No, I’m just a knight-in-training, no one important like you.” Kazuha says dismissively with a self-deprecating chuckle.
Kunikuzushi furrows his brow, his face flushing slightly as he insists, “You’re important to me. I don’t care if you’re royalty like me, we can still be friends.” He’s not entirely sure why he blurted out that first part but the words felt like they needed to be said.
Kazuha’s eyes widen a little and his face colors as he replies, “Friends it is.”
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The fifth time Kunikuzushi visited, he had changed a lot. When he and his mother arrived at the palace, their introduction weighed on his shoulders. ‘Queen Ei and Prince Kunikuzushi of Inazuma have arrived!’
Kunikuzushi was quick to escape the elegant halls, which all felt as if they were pressing in on him with the intent to suffocate. He wandered through the palace gardens without a destination in mind, just going wherever his feet took him. Hours passed before he finally sat down on a bench, his feet and heart aching for very different reasons.
Queen Makoto had died and left the kingdom to be inherited by Kunikuzushi’s mother. The death caused a shockwave through their small family and he and his mother grew distant from one another. Ei greatly withdrew into herself, putting on a perfectly stone-cold exterior whenever her presence was needed. Kunikuzushi, on the other hand, had turned rather mean and was determined to shut out everyone else who pretended to care for him.
When a familiar streak of red caught his eye, it felt like his heart melted from the warmth that flooded him. Kazuha approached in his slow, calm manner, taking a seat beside him quietly. Then he felt warm fingers gently trace over his hand, hesitant. Kunikuzushi quickly locked their fingers together as his vision blurred with unshed tears that had been welling up inside him.
Kazuha used the leverage of their connected hands to pull Kunikuzushi close, wrapping him into a comforting embrace. Kunikuzushi buried his face into the fabric of Kazuha’s tunic, quietly sobbing against him. They remained in that position for a long time until the young prince’s tears finally dried up.
There was no need for words to be exchanged between them, instead Kazuha began to sing softly, his voice just loud enough for Kunikuzushi’s ears to be enveloped in the sweet melody. Kunikuzushi believes it was just the previous visit when he found out about the other’s breathtaking singing capabilities.
Kunikuzushi didn’t understand the lyrics, presumably in the native tongue of Watatsumi rather than the more generalized language used across Teyvat. Despite this, he couldn’t help but get lost in the music, which felt like a warm cup of tea on a cold, stormy day.
Kazuha paused to take a sip from his waterskin. “Thank you.” Kunikuzushi said, his voice quiet but brimming with fondness. Kazuha simply gave him one of his beautiful smiles, the one that always took Kunikuzushi’s breath away.
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By the time of his last visit, Kunikuzushi lost count of how many times he had traveled to Watatsumi palace. Ei didn’t even bother to ask where he was going when he automatically made a beeline for the nearest door leading to the gardens. She knew of Kazuha but recently she had ominously warned Kunikuzushi to not get too attached. A bad feeling twisted in his gut as he wandered through the slightly-overgrown but well-maintained scenery.
It didn’t take long for him to stumble across Kazuha, who wasn’t actually in the gardens but in the knights’ training area a short distance away. Kunikuzushi walked over, admiring Kazuha’s swordwork as he sparred with the empty air in front of him. He was shirtless, his tunic laying in the grass a couple meters away from him. Kunikuzushi tried not to stare as his bare torso glistened with sweat, but it was hard to tear his eyes away from the familiar figure.
Kazuha paused and turned towards him suddenly, catching Kunikuzushi red-handed. The prince could feel his face flush with embarrassment but the other man just smiled at him in greeting. Any trace of unease that Kunikuzushi had felt before vanished in the brilliance of that grin.
The knight walked over, retrieving a waterskin that had been obscured by his discarded tunic. As he took a sip, he wiped the sweat off his brow with his free hand—which Kunikuzushi now realized was unbandaged. He decided not to ask but Kazuha already noticed him looking.
“If I get too hot when training, the bandages can get damp and make the sword slip so I usually remove them.” He offered as explanation before tossing his waterskin back down and taking a seat on the soft grass next to where Kunikuzushi was standing. The prince immediately followed suit, his heart skipping multiple beats at the feeling of their bare shoulders brushing. “You can look at my hand, if you like.”
Kazuha offered his hand to Kunikuzushi and for some reason it felt a lot more intimate this time. Kunikuzushi gently took his hand and couldn't help tracing the smattering of raised scars with one hand. “What happened?” He asked, though his voice was filled with hesitation.
The other man takes a deep breath and for a moment Kunikuzushi regretted asking. “I got pulled into a battle as a child, a year or so before I met you.” Kazuha started, his voice calm but carrying a hint of sorrow. “There was a war and I had a dear friend who wanted more than anything to be a knight. We were naïve and didn’t understand the conflict that was happening around us until it was right in front of us.
“We were playing outside one day when we heard a scream. I wanted to run but my friend insisted on trying to play hero so all I could do was follow after him. Our village was being attacked and burned but still my friend pushed forward, picking up a discarded sword he found that was far too big for him.
“He tried to help, but one of the enemy soldiers found him first and killed him without hesitation right before my eyes. I couldn’t help but run to his side, reaching forward to try and pick him up and carry him away. The same soldier spotted me and struck my extended hand with a mace, though looking back I think he may have hesitated upon noticing just how young my friend and I were.
“There was a split second in which he paused and so I took the opportunity to stab him in the thigh with the sword my friend had been holding. He struck me again with the mace, this time getting the other side of my arm and hand. It was a miracle I was able to land that first hit seeing as I could barely grip the sword properly from the pain I was in.
“The soldier didn’t attack me any more, quickly falling over onto his knees as he tried to pull the sword out. I took the opportunity and somehow managed to lift my friend onto my back, carrying him as far as I could go.
“I would later learn that my family was also killed in the attack, but the king took pity on me and placed me under the care of the palace. It was then that I swore to become a knight in order to carry on my friend’s dream.” Kazuha finally finished his story, taking another swig of water before staring off into the distance.
Kunikuzushi wasn’t sure what to say, so instead he pulled the other man into a hug. Kazuha’s skin felt slightly sticky under his touch, the sweat from earlier almost dry by now, but Kunikuzushi couldn’t find it within himself to mind. Especially not when he could feel Kazuha’s breath fanning over his neck and the bare skin of the knight’s back beneath his hands.
When they finally pull away from each other, Kazuha echoed words Kunikuzushi had given him several years ago, “Thank you.” The white-haired man then pushed himself up to his feet, extending a hand to the prince. Kunikuzushi easily accepted and was pulled with a gentle but firm strength into a standing position.
Kazuha then looked down at himself and chuckled, “I should really go shower, apologies, I must’ve gotten you dirty.” Kunikuzushi waved him off.
“Just hurry up and meet me at the pond.” He said before taking off in the direction of the gardens.
It didn’t take very long for Kazuha to return, making his presence known as he settled on the grass beside Kunikuzushi. The two sat at the edge of a medium-sized pond filled with large lily pads and colorful koi fish. They watched the fish swim by in a comfortable silence, though Kunikuzushi felt like there was something missing.
“Would you sing for me?” He asked a question Kazuha never seemed to tire of judging by his ready acceptance each time it was asked.
“Of course. Do you have a request?” Came the usual reply.
“You know I’m not good with music…” Kunikuzushi complained lightly, to which Kazuha chuckled.
“Alright, how about I sing a song about you?” Kunikuzushi could swear his heart stopped altogether at those sweet words, his face burning. He nodded despite himself, ducking his head away so Kazuha couldn't see his expression.
The knight began to sing, but this time it was a song that Kunikuzushi could understand the meaning of very clearly.
It was a song from Inazuma that was originally written in the native Inazuman language before being translated into the common language of Teyvat due to its popularity. Kunikuzushi could feel his brain overload not only because Kazuha was singing the original version, but because the song itself was about a budding romantic love between two friends.
Kunikuzushi’s heart was hammering in his chest but all he could hear was Kazuha’s radiant voice singing just for him. When Kazuha finally finished singing, Kunikuzushi couldn't help pulling him into a kiss. It was hesitant and careful but oh–so–perfect. Kazuha’s lips were just as soft as Kunikuzushi had imagined and the feeling of those lips pressing against his own was addicting.
The two eventually had to pull away to catch their breaths and Kunikuzushi found he could no longer bear to look at Kazuha, his whole body feeling as if it were set alight. Before he could wonder if he misread the signals, Kazuha filled the silence, “I love you, Kuni, I knew when I first saw you that you would change my entire world forever and I’m glad I met you that day. Being by your side is as if I found what I had been looking for even though I never knew what I had been missing.”
As he spoke, a warm hand gently grasped Kunikuzushi’s chin, softly guiding him to face Kazuha. The prince had only one response he could possibly give, “I love you too.”
Before he could say any more, the slamming of a door startled the two and they quickly pulled away from each other. Kunikuzushi turned and spotted a short servant followed by an Ei who looked like she was absolutely seething—or at least, Kunikuzushi picked up on the subtle changes in expression that would indicate as much. They seemed to be headed right for him and Kazuha so Kunikuzushi quickly turned back to the man next to him.
“Promise you’ll write to me?” He asked, his tone giving away the fear creeping in.
Kazuha almost looked heartbroken at the hidden meaning behind his words; I don’t think I will be able to come back but please don’t leave me. His eyes poured into Kunikuzushi’s as he swore, “I promise.”
Kunikuzushi took one last look at the love of his life before he quickly dashed over to meet his mother.
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Prince Kunikuzushi hadn’t seen a glimpse of Kazuha for 5 years now, but their love is still very much alive. The knight ultimately kept his promise to the prince, the two of them exchanging countless letters on a regular basis. Kazuha seemed to have a way to avoid suspicion by concealing the origin of his letters, the only identifiable trait being the wax seal design his family had once used.
Kunikuzushi participated in his own amount of subterfuge in order to get his letters past the scrutinizing eye of the queen. Namely, his assistant being sworn to absolute secrecy and being in charge of smuggling the letters out of the palace, where they could easily be sent out. As an additional layer of security, they used initials and fake names in their correspondence, perfectly hiding their tracks.
The reason for all this caution was also the reason why Ei had been so enraged that fateful day. Something happened between the current queen of Watatsumi and the queen of Inazuma, something that caused a war to break out. In the span of only a few hours, the two nations which were once close became outright enemies.
The prince never told his mother anything else about his relationship with Kazuha, and he’s sure the queen doesn’t think of it as anything more than a juvenile fling from long ago. The truth is that Kunikuzushi’s heart has no place for anyone but Kazuha, to his family’s unknowing vexation.
Kunikuzushi was so lost in thought and nostalgia that he didn’t notice Sethos once again leaning over his shoulder. “Would you give it a fucking rest? You know who it is anyways.”
“Hey, hey! I’m allowed to be curious when you’re making me go through all this effort to help you with these letters.” Kunikuzushi rolls his eyes at the tired excuse Sethos always uses to try and snoop on his love life. He dodges the punch Kunikuzushi throws at him but backs off. “So do you want me to invite your ‘love consultants’ over?”
Kunikuzushi resists smacking him, instead snapping, “Just shut the fuck up and do it already.” At last, the prince returns to the piles of papers on his desk with a drawn-out sigh. He tucks the newest letter away in a locked drawer, the key to which he keeps in a hidden pocket of his tunic that rests over his heart.
Only an hour passes before he’s interrupted again by knocking at the doors to his study. He clenches a fist in irritation and Sethos quickly gets up to answer it. Quiet words are exchanged for a moment before he’s closing the doors once more, “It’s dinnertime, your family are asking for you.”
The prince gives up on his work entirely, getting up and making his way out the door. Sethos trails behind him, eventually bidding him a quick goodbye before disappearing into the servants’ quarters for his own meal. Kunikuzushi heaves a sigh before entering the grand dining room where his mother always insists they gather to eat.
The long table seats up to 24 guests and almost fills up the entire room with its impressive size. However, when Kunikuzushi sits down, only 4 seats are filled and it makes the room feel disconcertingly large and empty. At the very least, his mother has the awareness to let them gather at one end of the table rather than trying to spread out.
To Kunikuzushi’s right is his mother, head of the table as always and her chair just a bit more ornate than the others to subtly reinforce her position of power. Across from him is his mother’s new wife Yae Miko, who he refers to by her full name and nothing else. She gets under his skin in the worst way possible and he swears she’s purposefully trying to get on his nerves.
In stark contrast, to the left of the prince sits his caretaker Nahida. Normally she wouldn’t be allowed to sit with them, but shortly after Makoto had died Kunikuzushi blew up at the idea that he couldn’t have Nahida with him for dinner. Even though that was a decade ago by now, her presence was never questioned since and still serves as a small comfort.
The four of them eat in silence, the air charged with an unacknowledged, unspoken tension. Nahida was the first to break it with her clear, calm voice, “I will be sure to give my compliments to the chef tonight. Dinner is lovely as it always is.” It was almost as if a spell was broken as Yae Miko quickly voiced her agreement, Ei and Kunikuzushi following with a quiet nod.
Lighthearted chatter fills the air, though the conversation is really only held up by Nahida and Yae Miko. Somehow the subject turns to marriage and everyone’s attention shifts to Kunikuzushi. Yae Miko asks the question the prince had been evading for a while now, a scheming look on her face, “So, has anyone caught your eye lately?”
Kunikuzushi gives his usual ‘no’ but suddenly Ei chimes in, “It’s about time you get married. Maybe I should arrange a suitor for you.” Last he checked, Ei didn’t give a rat’s ass about the marriage status of her son.
Before the prince can protest this abhorrent idea, Nahida also joins in, “It is getting to be about that time, but why don’t we give our Kuni some grace? Perhaps he does have someone in mind but doesn’t want to declare it when he’s unsure his feelings will be reciprocated. After all, love is a very delicate matter for young people.”
Ei draws in a breath but just nods. Yae Miko fills in for her, “You’re probably right,” she starts but Kunikuzushi’s heart sinks a bit at her next words, “But I believe we should try to give him a deadline, at least to attempt to seriously court someone.” Ei nods again.
“That seems reasonable.” Nahida agrees; though it feels like Kunikuzushi is just being glossed over, he knows she’s simply trying to keep the balance between keeping the peace and his best interests.
Kunikuzushi can’t help but sink in his chair slightly, defeated. He pays close attention as Ei flatly states, “Two months.”
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“What on Teyvat do I do? At this rate I’ll be married to a complete stranger and will never be able to see Kazuha again.” Kunikuzushi flopped backwards onto his bed, having just finished a recounting of what had occurred the day prior.
“Wow. That is complicated.” His friend, Prince Aether, supplied unhelpfully. Kunikuzushi debated whether or not to throw a pillow at him.
“I’m afraid I cannot offer you any advice.” Comes the guarded voice of Aether’s beloved, Prince Xiao.
Kunikuzushi groans and turns his head towards the final friend gathered, “Layla, can’t I just fake-propose to you or some shit so they’ll back off?”
Princess Layla looked half-asleep as she softly replied, “No thank you. I don’t think I could handle the aftermath of our ‘breakup’. I’m not giving your mother any reason to be upset with me.”
Kunikuzushi sighed. “I don’t know how I’ll be able to tell Kazuha about this.”
Suddenly, Aether blurted out an idea, “What if you just announce your intent to marry Kazuha?” This time Kunikuzushi doesn’t think twice before nailing him in the face with a pillow. Xiao’s lips quirk up into a half smile as Layla giggles softly. Aether sets the pillow down, a determined look on his face that always spelled trouble.
“Hear me out, what if you hold a ball to commemorate your decision and then announce it there? Keep it a secret from everyone until the last moment. Lots of people host balls like that in order to deliver news of courting and it would be impossible to take it back after. Your mother would just have to concede at that point.”
The other three are silent for a moment, thinking it through; or at least two of them are, seeing as Layla is starting to doze off. Xiao is the first to agree, “That would work.”
Kunikuzushi is hesitant but can admit it’s his only real option, “Fine, but this better not end like some of your other plans have.”
Aether gives him an innocent look, batting his eyelashes, “Who, me? My plans are always successful.” This time, Xiao takes the liberty of flicking his forehead.
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It’s scarily easy for Kunikuzushi to tell Yae Miko and Ei that he has officially chosen someone to marry. He waits a couple of weeks in order to avoid suspicion but the two don’t seem to suspect a thing. Even Yae Miko didn’t give him any trouble with him wanting to keep who it is secret. She just made a little comment about ‘young love’ being ‘overly dramatic’ or whatever.
Of course, his lie doesn’t fool Nahida but she easily agrees to play along for the sake of the plan. She warns him about the potential consequences but when Kunikuzushi firmly states that he’ll face any consequences necessary she seems to find something in his words that settles her concern. Once upon a time, her ability to see through him so well would have made him uncomfortable but by now he’s come to expect it.
With everyone on board, a royal ball was arranged for a month later. The one glaring issue: a month was not sufficient time to guarantee that Kazuha would receive a letter explaining everything. On top of that, Kunikuzushi was swamped with all the work that came along with planning an engagement announcement.
That last part was partially his own fault, but he needed everything to be perfect even if the idea of the ball wasn’t initially intended to be a grand romantic gesture. Throwing himself into all the intricate planning also allowed for him to infinitely check that everything should go smoothly. This is one task Kunikuzushi cannot leave to Sethos, he’d have to do it himself.
Invitations are made and as Kunikuzushi is sorting through them he finds a blank one. He’s sure whoever was meant to be written there is of significantly less importance than the person whose name he writes down. Kaedehara Kazuha. He’s unsure how to get it to him in time, though. The other invitations were going to be given priority so that they would arrive promptly but there were obviously no invitations allowed for Watatsumi.
As Kunikuzushi ponders this issue, Sethos bursts into his study, full of energy as always despite the pile of various supplies in his arms. The prince barely pays him any mind as the man sets down what he had been carrying and wanders over. “What’re you up to now?”
“Invitations. I need to send one to Kazuha but it won’t possibly get there in time if it has to go through the normal mail process. Fucking hell, I didn’t plan this very well.” Kunikuzushi holds the invitation in his hand up for Sethos to see from over his shoulder, to which the other man hums.
“That’s quite the predicament. But… I think I can do it.” Kunikuzushi whips around to look at Sethos incredulously. “Really, really! Trust me, I’ll work my magic.”
Kunikuzushi sighs but hands over the invitation. “Don’t fuck this up.” He warns.
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The ballroom is filled with various influential people, royals and non-royals alike. Prince Kunikuzushi is busy trying to keep up appearances and hide his constant frantic glances towards the entrance. So far, he hasn’t seen Kazuha at all, even though Sethos swore up and down just the day before that he had successfully delivered the invitation.
The people Kunikuzushi was talking to finally walk off and he takes another sip of his grape juice. He doesn’t really care for alcohol and regardless he cannot afford to have a clouded mind during such an important event. Kunikuzushi glances once more at the doors before someone approaches him, “I see you looking at the entrance, were you looking for me by any chance?”
The charismatic voice is annoyingly familiar to Kunikuzushi and he turns to see Prince Tartaglia standing before him. His glass is half-full of a clear drink Kunikuzushi believes is called ‘firewater’, originating from his kingdom of Snezhnaya. “I was not.” Kunikuzushi replies shortly.
Tartaglia seems to take this in stride as he continues, “I figure one last try is worth a shot. Would you let me court you? I can give you so much more than whoever your mother set you up with.”
Kunikuzushi rolls his eyes. He’s lost count of how many times Tartaglia tried to get a courtship out of him. Every single time Kunikuzushi rejected him, but the man was persistent. Kunikuzushi can’t cause a scene, though, especially not here of all places so he tries his best to remain civil.
“No, I am quite happy with my future husband but thanks for offering.” On the surface, the words were straight to the point but polite. However, Kunikuzushi delivered them in such a way where there could be no doubt that he meant no part of that thank-you.
Tartaglia just flashed him a smile before finally walking off. Kunikuzushi scanned the room again but still couldn’t find any glimpse of Kazuha. He checked the large, ornate clock above the doorway and recognized that it unfortunately was already showtime.
The prince ascended the grand staircase at the back of the room, stopping in the center where he looked out over the crowd. The room instantly quieted to murmurs and hushed whispers as Kunikuzushi took a deep breath. “Thank you to everyone here for joining me in this celebration of true love. Without further ado, I would like to announce my intention to marry…”
He paused for a split second as his eyes locked onto a familiar figure in the center of the room. The figure was watching him and Kunikuzushi held eye contact as he said those fateful words, “...Kaedehara Kazuha.” The crowd seemed confused and it was quiet until Kunikuzushi’s friends—and weirdly enough Tartaglia as well—started to applaud loudly.
The room quickly followed suit as one sole figure weaved its way through the people gathered on the ballroom floor. They seemed to hesitate for a moment before finally setting foot onto the steps and Kunikuzushi meets them in the middle. The prince immediately wraps Kazuha into a warm embrace, one that helps communicate all the years of longing he’s felt.
Right before they part, they whisper to one another. “I hope you’ll say yes.” Kunikuzushi whispers, a hint of actual anxiety making itself known.
Kazuha quickly responds, “I could never say no to you. Although, I am quite out of my depth here.”
Kunikuzushi can’t resist a smile, “All you have to do is tell them your decision and then follow my lead.” He gives Kazuha a wink before they move to stand next to each other, hand in hand.
In a surprisingly loud and clear voice, Kazuha declares, “I accept.”
Kunikuzushi then pulls Kazuha into a short and sweet kiss to which the crowd applauds once more. The prince flashes the knight the brightest smile he’s had in literal decades as they descend the stairs together. Kunikuzushi usually doesn’t dance but when Kazuha asks, he can’t possibly refuse.
As they dance, Kunikuzushi swears he can feel eyes piercing him and he can already sense the seething rage behind that stare. But as Kazuha spins him around, Kunikuzushi finds that he can’t really bring himself to care when he’s finally been properly reunited with the love of his life.
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The ballroom is almost completely empty as the prince stands near the large doors leading outside, preparing to bid his betrothed farewell. Kunikuzushi is suddenly filled with a sense of dread as he hears the click of heels against the tile behind them. A sharp voice follows, “Kaedehara Kazuha.”
The pair turn and find themselves face-to-face with the queen, who seems almost as enraged as she was 5 years ago. Kunikuzushi’s heart is pounding as he steps in front of Kazuha. “Is there a problem? Last I checked, you wanted to marry me off to someone of your choosing but determined you’d rather I choose for myself. He is my choice.”
Ei pauses for a moment. “I should’ve known you’d be too weak to let him go, even if he’s an enemy.” She states, her voice laced with disappointment.
“‘Let him go’? Mother, I love him and you can’t change that, I don’t care about the fucking war, we didn’t choose to be caught up in your conflict.” Kunikuzushi protests, finally able to let loose all the hidden resentment he had carried for his mother.
Ei is about to respond when she’s interrupted by someone else walking up to them. Yae Miko quickly reaches Ei’s side, laying one hand on her shoulder. “So this is the boy I heard about? Kuni, be a dear and let me see him.” She said, her voice sweet but not underlined with any malice.
Kunikuzushi reluctantly stepped aside and Kazuha gave a polite bow. Yae Miko waved him off, continuing, “Oh dear, there’s no need for that from my future son-in-law. You must be quite special if Kuni here is willing to defend you like this.” She pauses for a moment, giving him a scrutinous look. She then turns to Ei, “Right, my love?”
When Kunikuzushi looks once more at his mother, he finds that her anger looks to have faded, now replaced by careful contemplation. “I suppose.” She reluctantly agrees before directing her words to Kazuha himself, “Make him happy.”
Kunikuzushi is absolutely stunned, to say the least. He has to concede that perhaps Yae Miko can be helpful when she chooses to be. Kazuha places one hand over his heart, a determined look on his face as he replies, “I will.”
Ei fixes Kunikuzushi with a look that he hesitates to label as fond, but it’s definitely not cold or distant. The two queens then finally leave the room, but not before Yae Miko calls over her shoulder, “You’re more than welcome to stay here with us, dear. Kuni can help you get settled, I’m sure.” She gives him a wink at the word ‘settled’ to which Kunikuzushi rolls his eyes, his face flushing.
Kazuha turns to Kunikuzushi when the doors shut again. “Well that sure was something.” He says, his voice light though he’s clearly at a loss for words.
“You could say that again.” Kunikuzushi sighs, his voice tired.
“I suppose I could stay the night, but I really need to tell the queen about my change in plans.” Kazuha plants a soft kiss on the crease between Kunikuzushi’s eyebrows. “Don’t worry love, she’s very understanding and I’ll be back before you know it.”
“If you say so.” Kunikuzushi intertwines their hands and leads Kazuha upstairs in the direction of his bedroom. When they enter, they find Sethos waiting for Kunikuzushi inside. Sethos immediately perks up and practically bounds over in excitement.
“How did it go? How did it go?” Kazuha chuckles at his enthusiasm but Kunikuzushi just scowls.
“It went fine, now get out of my room, idiot.” Kunikuzushi snaps, but it has no real bite. Sethos gives a playful pout but heads to the door anyways. As the assistant passes, Kunikuzushi murmurs a quick ‘thank you’, to which Sethos beams.
“Have fun!” He says before shutting the door behind him. Kunikuzushi quickly moves to flop onto his bed face-up, Kazuha following and taking a seat beside him. The events of the day really drained the prince but it was all worth it in the end.
Kazuha suddenly speaks up softly, “You really scared me there, Kuni. From the invitation… I thought you had found someone else.”
Kunikuzushi quickly sits up and turns to face the other man, taking one of his hands in his own. “I’m sorry, I really didn’t have much time to prepare and to let you in on the plan, everything was happening so fast. But I want you to know that I was always thinking of you and no one else.”
Kazuha nods, cracking a soft smile. “Me too, I always saw you in my dreams and it almost felt as if you lived inside of my mind. No matter how tantalizing those dreams were, they could never compare to how it feels to have you here with me now.” Kazuha lifts their hands and places a kiss on the back of one of Kunikuzushi’s.
The prince can feel his heart soar at the gesture, suddenly hit with how deeply he missed feeling Kazuha’s lips pressed against his own. “What did you dream about me that was so tantalizing?” Kunikuzushi asks with a mischievous lilt to his voice.
The knight’s face flushes beautifully and Kunikuzushi can’t help laughing a little. His heart feels so warm and full; he hasn’t felt this happy and content since before his aunt’s passing. It’s a feeling Kunikuzushi could get used to, especially when Kazuha lets out a laugh of his own and it’s one of the most lovely sounds the prince has ever heard.
How could Kunikuzushi ever let go of him?