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The kingdom of Holtz was as lovely as its princess. Its waters poured crystalline and shimmering as the hair cascading from her head. People bustled to the rapid beat of her heart. Birdsong was as gentle and tranquil as she trained her voice. An abundant land, ripe and fresh and flowering.
Ast’s own prince, Kurt, was as drawn to Princess Rose as he was to the idyllic scenery of her kingdom. Rose was well aware of such stories where princesses are betrothed to a contemptuous wretch of a prince. Her mother and lady-in-waiting had mentioned things like that many times. Cruel princes whose mistreatment must be endured for the sake of peace. Money-grubbing, desperate buffoons who would squander all else to maintain their hold of the wealth of the kingdom they were marrying into. To say that she had steeled herself for the worst was more than true. Princess Rose had prepared to endure hell for the sake of these peaceful moments..
Though she didn’t look like a woman with resolve to that degree, still a young girl with round features, her heart was her weapon. Winged creatures are oft seen as the epitome of purity and innocence. Instead of seeing a wilting cygnet, her prince saw she had everything to lose, unwilling to give any of it up.
He saw her in the Holtz Castle courtyard. She was sunbathing beside the gazebo. Her legs were wound over the railing, and her lower body managed to keep her hanging without falling into the water below. Rose didn’t see Prince Kurt until she opened her eyes at the sound of his voice.
“So this is where you are,” he said, voice tight like he was forcing himself. “I mean, salutations, Princess Rose…”
“You’re the prince of Ast, right?” asked Rose, swaying a bit to see his reaction. “I’m Rose.”
He didn’t reply just then, but she heard him gasp as she swung herself up and over the railing. When her feet planted on the gazebo, she heard him sigh softly as if in relief. She smiled, though her heart was racing in her chest.
“Um, yes.” The prince faltered when Rose walked up to him, a stride as keen as the rushing waters around them.
Her eyes looked like the little gemstones Kurt had seen embedded on many of the ornate antiques within the castle halls. They had a twinkle to them, like a jewel about to be pilfered.
“I’m Prince Kurt,” he said quickly, avoiding her gaze with a swooping bow. “I’m your betrothed, and--”
“And you’re a girl, aren’t you?”
Prince Kurt paused in her bowing position. She looked up, back still horizontal. “N-no!”
And Rose laughed. She didn’t push it beyond that, taking a fondness to her betrothed prince at once.