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"Your highness, please wake up" One of the maid's voice rang through the room as she closed the doors behind her. Her kind eyes watching the princess slowly waking up.
"Okay, okay, give me five more minutes" Minori turned on the other side. Even if half-asleep, she still made sure to not disrupt her dog's sleep. Samo-chan slept with the princess since it was a kid.
"All right, but only five" The maid laughed slightly and opened the closet and dug for the clothes. Normal yellow dress that the closet was full of. The woman placed it on the chair and then quickly looked at the clock "Five minutes passed, Hanasato. Don't make your father wait. Especially before your birthday party"
"Huh... It's today!?" The princess quickly sat up from her bed, almost kicking the dog off the pink blanket she slept under. "I completely forgot! Let's get dressed then!"
Minori stood up from her bed and walked to the maid. The younger one was wearing pink shirt and short blue pants. Her hair was pretty tangled and messy, nothing new for both her and her maids. The woman helped her take off her clothes and then put on another pair. They went straight to brushing Minori's hair.
"How do you feel right now, your highness? Stressed out before your birthday party?" The woman started the conversation while she was moving the brush through girl's hair. Trying to take care of this hairy monster on her head.
"Just a little. Many other kingdoms will arrive and I must be at my best! Who knows, maybe I will find my future partner, everything depends on my father" Minori sighed and looked at the mirror before her. She saw how one of her caretakers was calmly taking her hair.
"Don't worry, Hanasato-san. I know you will do perfectly well, just like you do everytime" The maid patted Minori's hair and took last brushes in silence before pulling back her hands. "Here! Perfectly straight!"
"Thank you! You are a true magician!" Minori's eyes glimmered sightly as she touched her hair. Just a moment ago they were a hug storm yet now they are perfect. Magic of her caretakers, the explained to herself.
"You're welcome, you're welcome!" The woman laughed and brushed the situation with her small hand. A ring on her finger glimmered in a soft sunlight coming out of the big window she had in her room. "Now please, head to the kitchen. Breakfast is waiting for you, Hanasato-san"
"Understood. And thank you again" Minori looked at her in the mirror for the last time and walked out of her room. So many rich hallways around were something she got used to years ago. She was raised around those walls after all. Young her ran through them and now she was learning to become next ruler of the kingdom.
Minori finally arrived at the cafeteria and pushed a golden doors open. Big dining hall revealed to her eyes and made her look around. Her family was already eating everything that the cooks put on their plates. Minori felt a big embarrassed that she was a bit late but nonetheless she sat down next to her mother that was slowly eating boiled eggs.
"You're late again, Minori" Her father pointed out. He wasn't angry but he wasn't all optimistic either. It was safe to say he was something between those two feelings.
"I know, Im sorry father" She was still a bit sleepy but still reached for the toast anyway. Before the king could even open his mouth, she already knew what was coming next...
"I hope you're sorry. Future ruler cannot be late, never" He lectured her and then took a sip of his dark as the night coffee. Her head couldn't understand how her dad could drink that without cringing on every side. One time she accidentally took a sip of his coffee and almost died from the taste.
Minori didn't answer her father's lesson and just started eating. Her eyes scanning the waiters that waited for them to finish eating and were ready to bring more food if needed. She felt a bit watched as she took every bite but what could she do? Tell them to go away? That would be too mean and that "doesn't suit next ruler"! The princess only took a deep breathe in and out.
Minori finally came back to her room after the breakfast and all she wanted to do is lay with her stomach up. She closed the golden doors behind her and noticed Samo-chan still sleeping on the pink blanket. This silly dog!
"Samo-chaaan! Wake up already" The girl walked to the dog and playfully hit his chest. Of course she didn't do it to cause harm but to wake up the dog. The dog looked at her and jumped down on the ground. "Good. Now you will help me choose my dress for upcoming ball!"
The princess ran to the closet and opened it widely. She noticed that the dog ran to her and sat on the ground, waiting for her next move. Minori put her hand on her chin and hummed. Her grey eyes moved around and trying to spot the perfect dress.
"This is so hard... Please help me samo-chan!" Minori squeezed out and started digging deeper into the closet.
After ten minutes of talking to herself and to her puppy, she found her favorites. Yes favorites. She pulled the best five dresses and put it on the chair. The girl paced around the room, tried to try them all on, but in the end she couldn't choose the best one. Every dress screamed to be put on and loved for this night.
"Ughhh, why is it so hard!" Minori threw herself onto the bed and moved her hand on the sides. Her dog jumped on the bed as well and laid beside her. "At least I have you, Samo-chan.
Hanasato turned on the side and started patting her best friend. His soft fur made her relax and close her eyes for a moment. Her hand rested on her pup until she felt a cold air entering through the big window. She shivered and sat up to see the wind source. Minori didn't remember opening the window so it must've been her maid that did it.
Gently, to not scare Samo, she approached the window and looked outside. Immediately she noticed the garden full of orange trees. Now many people gets confused how can trees like these grow in the spring. Well her mom loves fall with her entire soul, that's why the king ordered mages to keep the trees perfectly orange every season except of harsh winters.
Minori also spotted blue hair walking around the garden, it was Haruka! Of course she recognized her without any troubles. She comes from Kiritani's family, one of the richest families in the kingdom. They are in good touch with the royal family so the girls knew each other pretty well. Now what was Haruka doing there!? Time to ask her.
Shaking the blush off her face, she quickly ran out of her room leaving the doors open so her dog can leave anytime he wants. Of course running through the hallways was forbidden, she just limited herself to walking quickly. She kept her back straight to look professional while her heart beated like crazy.
Finally she arrived to the garden and started searching around the garden. She saw many various flowers and some gardeners working on watering the plants around. Minori passed by them and kept seeking her... best friend. Her grey eyes scanning the surrounding when she saw those beautiful blue hair. Legs under her felt much weaker when she approached Haruka.
"Heeey!" Minori half screamed and waved at the girl. Loud noise made Haruka jump a bit and look at the princess. She looked as beautiful as she does always.
"Oh, nice to see you, Minori. I was actually seeking for you but I can't help but get impressed by those trees. They are so beautiful no matter when I enter this garden" Haruka hummed and looked at the leaf in her hand. Gorgeous orange color that held onto the leaf so well.
"I understand what you mean" Minori moved closer to the thing Haruka was holding and then looked up at the large tree before them. "I can understand why my mother loves the autumn so much... It's so mesmerizing!"
"Hehe, I always forget that your mom is a queen... Same with you being a princess. Please forgive me, your highness" Haruka put the leaf back on the ground and then put her hand on Minori's head, making the other one blush even more than she used to.
"Eeeh! No need to apologize! I don't expect you to be nicer to me just because Im a princess!" Minori waved her hands feverishly and panicked slightly. Those silly movements made Haruka giggle.
"Understood, Minori" Haruka slowly removed her hand from Hanasato's head, making the place feel empty and cold to Minori. The other pulled a gift and handed it to the princess. "Happy birthday, Minori!"
"Huh?" Minori stopped waving her hands around and looked at the wrapping. She gently took it and studied it. Small but richly decorated box. "Thank you!"
"Unwrap it" Haruka nodded and watched Minori's reaction. She felt happy that she could give the gift but at the same time she stressed out about the reaction Minori might give.
Minori noticed those emotions and unwrapped the present with a big smile on her face. After a short moment of struggling with the paper, she finally managed to open it. Inside she found a sliver necklace with small Haruka. Minori gasped and her heart beated quicker as she saw that.
"Oh my god... That's so cute!!!" Minori couldn't fight the urge and threw herself at the other girl. She tightly hugged Haruka, almost cutting her air source. It's not like she wanted to kill her, she was genuinely too happy to control herself.
"That's good, Im happy with you" Haruka only laughed it off and pat Minori's head from behind. She winced a bit with lack of air she felt from the hug. It was a moment when Minori noticed that she held a bit too strongly.
"Im so so so so so sorry!" Minori jumped back and bowed low from embarrassment. She let her emotions get better of her again. Oh if just her father saw what she was doing right now.
"It's okay. Im glad that you like the gift I gave you. Do you want me to help you with the jewelry, your highness?" Haruka teased the girl and looked at the box in her hand.
"Of course!" She pushed the box into Haruka's hand, still blushing a bit from the situation that just happened. Haruka brushed it off and helped Minori put on the necklace.
"Here you go, you look gorgeous with it, your highness" The girl moved back and took a full look at the princess before her. She looked as cute as she does all the time, this time nothing changed.
"Please stop with those formalities! I told you that you can call me Minori!"
"I know that... But your highness sound much cuter, don't you think?" Haruka send Minori a big smile, almost overwhelming the girl with her idol-like aura. Maybe it was the magic behind the fact that everyone just gushed over that girl, including Minori of course.
"Quit itttt!" Minori waved her hands and took a deep breath. She already felt her father's gaze over her, reminding her that she was a future ruler and she needs to be responsible. "Anyway, Im having problems with choosing my dress for today's ball, can you help me?"
"Oh but of course! Lead the way, your highness"
"QUIT ITTT!!!!"
They finally arrived into Minori's room. The door was closed so it means that one of the maids had to close it while she was out. Haruka entered the rich room and sat on the comfortable bed, noticing that the dog was missing, probably running outside. Five dresses also didn't escape her blue eyes at all.
Minori grabbed them by two and started showing everything to Haruka. She watched both of them and hummed. It was pretty hard choice for both of them. Princess's problems... Too many dresses to choose one. In the end they choosed a long white dress with a white bow on her back and her chest.
"Yes it will look good on you, Minori" Haruka complemented as she put the last dress back into the closet then closed it, making sure to not make much noise with it.
"Thank you. Now, which earrings should I choose?" Minori looked pretty confused as she watched her jewelry box on the table. She took many earrings and tried them on.
"You will look stunning in every earrings you put on" Haruka playfully complimented the princess and grabbed pretty pearl earrings and tried it on the other girl. "Those will be the best"
"A-ah..." Minori was a bit taken off guard by the sudden complement but it felt... Nice to hear that from someone, especially from Haruka. Was it just because she was future ruler or she truly thought like that.
Haruka looked at Minori's hand and quickly grabbed a rich decorated tiara from her jewelry box. She gently put it on Minori's head and looked at the girl in the mirror. "I knew you will ask about it as well so... This one is the best for you"
"Thank you" Minori looked closer into the mirror, watching her smooth hair and skin on her face. Days of doing many routines to keep her in the best state she could.
"Youre welcome! I think its time to call your hairdresser, don't you think? The ball starts in the afternoon" Haruka pointed that out as she looked at her rich watch that she carried on her right wrist.
"That's right. Let's call her then. I think she should be taking care of my mom's hair for now" Minori hummed and looked back on the mirror, admiring her cute face in the glass.
Everything was ready for guest's arrival. Minori stood outside with her parents and waited for everyone to start coming through the gates. Their best guards stood tall and checked the billets. Minori already saw many royal families and overall rich people entering. The Otori family, Megurine family, Hinomori family and more. Everyone was so perfectly dressed, making her feel a bit poor even if she wore many gems and pearls that cost more than worth of many villages in their kingdom.
Hanasato waved her hand with a huge smile on her face. She stood still and proud as everyone passed by, entering the ball room. It was full of food, wine and expensive decorations. Well we need to show everyone that this kingdom isn't a weak and small kingdom some might think.
She noticed Kiratani's family walking by the gate as well. Miss. Kiritani, Mr. Kiritani and their beautiful daughter walking by their side. Minori noticed them and winked at the blue haired girl. Haruka looked at Minori and waved back at the positive girl. That short interaction made Minori almost jump in happiness.
Soon they all arrived into the ball room. Adults sat in one chair and teenagers/young adults sat by the other table. Their topics will definitely be completely different so they separated them into two groups. Minori was surrendered by people she knew or at least recognized. The closest to her was Princess Ena, Shizuku, Ena, Nene and most importantly... Haruka! She took a deep breath in and out before she sat by the table.
"The ball room looks so beautiful..." Princess Ena complemented it as she looked around the big room. Her eyes glimmered as she did. Minori noticed that and chuckled making sure to hide her mouth like her father taught her.
"Thank you for the compliment, Shinonome-sama!" Minori quickly came out with formalities just like she was taught to be around people that weren't her close friends. Ena heard that and laughed.
"Just Shinonome will be fine" She shock her head gently and looked at the table full of delicious food, her mouth watering a bit at the sign.
"Hehe, I must agree with Shinonome tho. The ball room looks stunning" Princess Shizuku came back to the topic and took a better look around. Oh this will be very interesting day.
Their conversation continued as they were talking about the most random things ever. Minori didn't even know what they were truly discussing about but as long as everyone was happy, then she had no reason to complain. The conversation was pleasant but it got killed by an announcement.
"Ladies and gentlemen, time for the first dance has arrived. Please gather in a circle around the dancing floor. Princess Hanasato Minori will choose her partner to dance"
Every pair of eyes turned at Minori, making her flinch a bit. She looked around the table and noticed Haruka watching her. Their eyes met for a short while and they immediately knew what to do. Minori didn't have any boyfriend so the only option was her. They nodded at each other and entered the dancing floor.
Everyone gathered in circle as they were asked to and soon the music started playing. Their eyes met and then Haruka grabbed Minori's hand and started leading Minori. None of the girls could understand quiet whispers but by reading their lips Minori could decode that they said something about them being cute friends together.
"Don't worry about them. Let's dance" Haruka gripped her hand a bit tighter and that made Minori look back at her. Their gaze met and soon they began to dance.
Minori looked at her legs and tried to not step on Haruka's feet. Of course she took many dancing lessons as a kid but it was always to be careful. Even professionalist can make a mistake and destroy everything. That's why it's better to be careful with every step.
Haruka was master at guiding her while dancing. The music was loud yet so quiet as they danced. Minori started between her steps and Haruka's pretty blue eyes. The air was so hot that it was hard to breath. The princess hold the other girl as they let themselves dance without caring about what others might think. Unfortunately for them, the song started to fade and the duo was forced to stop.
"It was a pleasure to dance with you, your highness" Haruka said quietly to Minori's ear and bowed before the girl. Everyone around started to clap for them and all Minori could do was smile and bow as well.
Everyone entered the dance floor with either their partners or best friends. Minori watched how people started dance around and just enjoy the night. Seeing so many people smile and laugh at the same time was truly heart warming experience. She put her hand on her chest and watched how everyone around danced to the music. Then she felt a soft tap on her shoulder. She turned around and saw a prince standing behind with his hand moved toward her.
"Mind having a dance?" He moved forward and tried to look as charming as he could. Proud body movement, hand reached forward with no fear... Well it definitely didn't reach Minori but she would never reject someone's dancing offert. She adored dancing a bit too much to disagree.
How long has she been dancing? Two hours? Four? Well the time seems to slow down as she was dancing with everyone that approached her. Well she was highly respected royalty that seeked for partner so of course many princes were trying to make her inlove with them... None of them successed so far but it was fun to watch them try.
Minori finished dancing with another prince and finally went to the table. She poured herself a cup of fresh water and drank it like she just walked through entire Sahara. Well the maids opened most of the windows but it was still pretty warm because of how many people there was. Maybe going on a balcony wasn't a bad idea.
She put down the cup and headed toward the balcony. When she opened the window she was met with pretty cold air. She quickly seek for the thermometer that was on the wall. Only 14° and she already felt like freezing. Well the dancing floor was definitely very hot place so there's no surprise that the temperature difference was something shocking for her body.
The princess noticed some royals talking about the most random things and she didn't pay much attention to them. She immediately noticed Haruka standing on the balcony and watching the city around the castle.
"Surprise, surprise!" Minori approached and stood next to Haruka. She hummed and looked at the city as well. It was already after sunset so the city light started to get brighter with every next star appearing on the sky. "Do you enjoy this party so far?"
"Yes I do. The food is delicious and people are very nice. I came here to rest for a moment. Inside is Insufferablly hot, you probably understand what I mean. You're very warm" Haruka pointed out as her blue eyes slowly left the city and looked at the princess beside her.
"Yea I get what you mean. I've been dancing for a loong time and Im falling from exhaustion" She hummed and met Haruka's gaze. It was nice to drop her royal mask and stop speaking with strict formalities. So sad that she has to follow them around most of the people inside.
"Yeah I saw that. So many princes are fighting over your heart. Do you feel something toward any of them?" She titled her head and made a question that hand in the air for a short moment. Minori looked around and made sure nobody was listening to them.
"Nope, at least not yet. It was nice to dance with someone but other than that I don't feel any attraction towards them" Minori sighed and looked at the stars. Short conversation with Haruka made her feel more feelings that dancing with those bots did... Weird.
"Awh, unfortunate. At least you had fun, didn't you?" Haruka followed Minori's grey eyes and looked at the stars above them. So many brightly shinning spots on the sky... Woah.
"Yeah true. I had fun" Minori smiled and keep looking at the stars in the sky. Someone in the background opened the doors of the balcony and made the music a bit louder. "The stars always fascinated me. I used to spend so many nights by sitting and watching them glimmer"
"Hm... Stargazing with a castle window sounds very poetic, don't you think?"
"Poetic? It's pretty normal in my eyes" Minori looked at the girl and slowly titled her head to the side. Her face looked very similar to a confused dog.
"Well of course, you're a princess that lives in a castle her entire life. Of course it will be something completely normal. But think about a normies like me. No castle, no big windows to star glaze..." Haruka sighed and looked back at the city, more houses decided to finally turn on the light.
"Hey, you're still have a noble blood, remember? Maybe not a royal one but still, your family is pretty rich. If you'd be a normal person, you wouldn't be on this party!" Minori quickly pointed out and tried to hype Haruka up with her kind words.
"Yeah you're right" Haruka giggled and then the door to the balcony opened again. It was random prince that didn't even look at them and approached his friend. Haruka looked at them and then back at Minori. "How about we come back and dance? Why waste so much time on the balcony? It's your birthday party after all!"
"Your offer is very tempting, you know?" Minori giggled and looked at the girl that moved her hand toward the princess. Just by looking at her, Hanasato's heart started beating waster and her face blushed a bit. She had to be a mage and she definitely casted a spell on her.
"Of course it is tempting. Now let's go, your highness!" Haruka gently touched Minori's wrist and pulled her closer to herself. The princess couldn't react and let herself be pushed even closer. Oh her head started to spin. "Let's go and have fun, should we?"
"O-of course! Let's go then... And stop calling me your highness!" Minori said and then got pushed closer to the ball room's doors. She didn't fight it and followed Haruka. Oh this will be a night full of heart attacks and Haruka will be the reason it happens. But well dying because of Haruka might be the best death ever.