Chapter Text
The market was buzzing with shouting vendors and customers, who roamed through the lines of booths. The air was filled with the scent of spices, fruits and fish.
The excitement was unlike any other that day, everyone knew something was just around the corner. And that something was none other than the ball hosted by the royal family in order to celebrate Princess Luna and find a suitable match for her —who would be the future king. Well, it will be three balls, to be exact. More time to get to know everyone on the list. But who exactly will be on the guest list? That is left for the Princess to decide, since she took the responsibility of the preparations on herself to ensure everything will proceed just as she imagined it.
Being invited to a royal event such as this was considered a great honor, and even though the invitations only extended to nobility, one couldn’t help but to be excited and curious. There have been instances, where guests were allowed to bring their housekeepers or most trusted servants as well, which means there was still some hope for common folk to get a rare chance of visiting the palace in such a way.
While some servants were hopeful, others felt that the forthcoming event would only make their lives more stressful, because of the high expectations coming from their noble employer, who wished everything to be perfect: from the new paint of the carriage all the way down to the cleanliness of their ball shoes.
A young woman who was walking through the busy market certainly looked like she belonged to the latter. Her dark brows were furrowed as she was balancing a heavy, weaved basket in her arms, hugging it closely to her chest. She was tasked with the shopping as always, receiving just enough money to buy the essentials on the list, but nothing more for herself.
Her name was Akane, a modest girl coming from an impoverished noble family, residing on the outskirts of the Wright kingdom. Her title meant nothing today, since both of her parents passed away, meaning she was forced to live her life in the shadow of her stepmother and her two daughters, working as their maid. Because of the family’s financial problems, the number of servants they could afford to hire wasn’t an appropriate amount in contrast to the size of their mansion. Cutting corners where she could, the stepmother had Akane working for free. Or as the widowed Lady Tanaka liked to phrase it: her stepdaughter was working for food and roof over her head.
Suddenly, someone bumped into Akane from the back, which resulted in her losing balance and trip forward, colliding with a tall man who was unable to step out of her way in time. The simple accident’s biggest victim was the stranger’s loose, cream white pirate shirt that was now decorated with a loud red stain because an overripe tomato that had fallen out of the woman’s basket. Akane looked up in horror as she met the young man’s irritated blue eyes.
“Ah damn it— I just bought this shirt!” He murmured angrily, mostly to himself in that lower tone of voice. He was almost a head taller than Akane, with warm brown skin, deep brown curls, a strong nose and dark blue eyes, that held the depth of the ocean within, now rumbling like waves clashing into a cliff.
“I am so sorry!” Akane stood frozen in the middle of the market, looking down at his tainted shirt again to observe the damage. It wasn’t even a small stain, looked more like a fatal wound… and the way the young man was reacting to it, it might have been just that. She gulped. “I can pay for it,” Akane blurted it out without even giving it a second thought.
The young man looked up at her, quirking an eyebrow while looking her up and down. Akane had a simple, brown dress, with a stained apron and worn shoes. Her corset was old, laced up at the front instead of the back, and she wore a deep dandelion yellow headscarf, while her jet black hair was tucked under it in a low bun, only her bangs and two shorter strands of hair peaking out from underneath, to frame her face. Akane’s skin was pale and rosy with some beauty marks here and there, but even that was covered with sweat and dust that clinged to her uncomfortably.
“…No offense, Miss, but I doubt that,” his voice didn’t sound cruel… but there was an air of superiority laced in there somewhere, which made Akane tense up.
Yes, of course she couldn’t pay. She knew it sounded stupid, the moment she offered it to him. Her face grew red, such a similar shade to the stain on his shirt.
Paying wasn’t an option, she didn’t receive any money for her services at home and her stepmother was always very careful to give her just enough sum for the groceries, nothing more, nothing less. Besides that, Akane had a sneaking suspicion that his shirt cost more than her own modest wardrobe altogether. The man didn’t appear to be a noble— I mean, why would he even be here if he was one? Still, something about that tone he questioned her with felt as if he was more than what he appeared to be... That’s really not important now! Akane reminded herself.
“Maybe,” Akane admitted, embarrassed. “But I’m certain I could get the stain out, if you’d lend it to me,” she added.
“No need,” the man sighed, as if accepting defeat. He seemed a bit uncomfortable, fidgeting with one of his small, golden hoop earrings Akane didn’t even pay attention to before. “Are you alright?” His question surprised her, but she hesitantly nodded.
“Are you sure you don’t need help with—“
“Yes, I’m sure. Didn’t plan on taking off my shirt in the middle of the market if that’s what you’re asking,” he cut into her sentence. The implication made her blush again. It seems she just keeps mumbling stupid things to this stranger. “Just be more careful next time, not everyone would let you off the hook this easily,” he sighed and shot her a glance which was both warning and pitying, before he passed her by and disappeared into the busy street. Before he left, Akane swore she could hear him muttering “clumsy peasant girl” under his breath.
She felt embarrassed and angry by his degrading voice, but most of all she was relieved. He was right, not everyone would’ve let her walk away from it without paying for the damages. Akane couldn’t even imagine her stepmother’s face if she needed to ask for extra money to make it right for him. That would’ve probably cost her at least a few meals.
He was still a bit of a jerk about it. Akane concluded it in herself, rolling her heterochrome eyes. It was only an accident, and not even her fault, she was pushed! But overthinking wouldn’t make any difference, so she tried to stop.
After separating herself from the crowd, Akane walked back home, kicking a small rock in front of her, out of frustration.
Cursing under his breath, Carlos stepped inside the palace, trying his best not to pay attention to the judgemental looks from the guards, because of his ruined shirt. He walked up the stairs, his steps heavy and a bit frustrated under his boots, until he reached a familiar room. He politely knocked on the door with his fingers before casually stepping in, after hearing a “come in”.
“What the hell happened to you?” A shorter man with dirty blonde, curly hair and thick glasses snorted, as he noticed Carlos. He wore the uniform of the royal guards, without the armour, which indicated he was on his break.
“Good day to you too, Max,” he scoffed in response, rolling his eyes. Carlos really didn’t have the patience for his friend’s snarky comments now.
“Is that to—“ Max started with surprised eyes and a grin that couldn’t be wiped from his face.
“Tomato, yes,” Carlos finished his question with a direct answer. “Or what’s left of it.”
“Well that’s unfortunate,” a young woman with short, strawberry pink hair looked up at the damaged shirt. She was sitting in front of her vanity, trying on various jewelry, while wearing a comfortable, but beautiful dress with white lace. “I’ll ask a maid, maybe it can be removed.”
“Probably not without damaging the fabric,” Carlos murmured, but he quickly tossed the shirt over his head to give it to a helpful staff member, with a quiet “thank you” and a small smile. The maid took it out of his hands right away and bolted out of the room with a slight blush on her face. Carlos was lean and muscular with callous hands that indicated he had his fair share of experience with manual labor; he was the stable boy after all. He did various jobs throughout his life, but mostly took care of horses and also functioned as a carter, driving around in a carriage, mainly to transport people, instead of goods. Still, he was standing in the middle of the princess’ room, while sliding into a clean shirt, with the other two being completely unbothered by it.
Most people would definitely find it odd, and there were some royal guards who still looked at him with stern eyes, but his position was more than secured by his good friend, Princess Luna herself. Max was also part of their unlikely friend group, being a royal guard himself, and one Luna trusted the most. They met when the princess was only a little girl, both boys were very dedicated to care for her from the beginning, treating her more like a sister than a job. And Luna probably needed that badly. The life of a royal can be awfully lonely and having the two of them around, who are not only loyal but also honest with her… it was a cherished bond.
“Who did you anger that they threw it at you?” Max grinned, still biting back a laugh, to which Carlos just rolled his eyes.
“No one, some peasant girl just bumped into me,” he lied. The truth was, Carlos had noticed her stumbling ahead and instead of stepping back, he made sure to catch her, by being in the way. It was more of a reflexive movement than a deliberate one, and naturally he didn’t calculate the tomato’s role in the accident. Still, it was her fault. Why carry so many things at once, anyway? The basket was practically overflowing.
“You sure it wasn’t just some revenge on her part?” Max kept teasing with an unserious tone.
“Of course not, this was the first time we’ve met,” Carlos thought back to her face again, mainly to those concerned, mismatched eyes —one dark brown, the other a faint blue, almost white— and rosy lips, parted in shock. “..She looked odd,” he quietly murmured to himself. He possibly has never seen a person with heterochrome eyes, he’d remembered that. He has only seen this trait on cats before, like that one long-haired calico stray who’s always lingering around the stables, asking for food.
“It’s not polite to call a lady odd!” Luna corrected him with a righteous, but joking voice. “…You’re acting rather odd, if you ask me,” her grin was way too nosy for his liking.
“It’s not polite to call a gentleman odd,” Carlos shot back with a smirk.
“In what world are you a gentleman?” Max snorted, using every opportunity to call out Carlos on his “free spirited” lifestyle.
“Ask the ladies, they’ll tell you,” Carlos shrugged, clearly finding enjoyment in annoying his coworker.
“Those you don’t call odd, I presume,” Luna added jokingly, but then sighed. “As much as I would prefer chatting with you two, I still have some work to do,” she got up from the chair, to walk over to her desk, where long scrolls of papers were laid down, waiting for her.
“Oh yes, very important royal duties,” Carlos smirked as he followed her.
“You know they are! These three nights have to be perfect. And I want to contribute to the planning as much as I can. Because I am a strong and capable woman!” Luna’s deep ruby eyes glowed with determination.
“Sure you are, Luna,” Max chuckled with a warm smile on his face. “But you know your most important duty will be to smile and look pretty during them, right?”
“And needless to say, you will excel in those,” Carlos added casually.
“Stop buttering me up, I’m nervous as it is,” she rolled her eyes. “And no, that’s not the most important thing! I mean— it is important if I want to find my future husband. And I do! But there is so much more at stake. I want it to be perfect,” Luna focused her attention on the longest scroll. “First of all, a well-made guest list is essential.”
“Meaning you need to invite a bunch of troublemaker nobles in order to keep the peace between kingdoms,” Carlos crossed his muscular arms with a soft sigh, sensing the trouble already.
“Usually yes, but after what happened on the last ball my mother hosted two years ago…” Luna frowned and with a quick motion of her wrist crossed out King Ibara’s name from the list with a feather pen in hand.
“I would be honored to toss him out again,” Max commented, while looking at her list. “But not sending an invitation entirely… wouldn’t that insult him?”
“Oh he would be insulted, allright. Not getting the chance to mingle around young ladies all night, must break his heart,” Carlos groaned sarcastically.
“King Ibara has a big mouth but empty threats… I think. Our Kingdom is way more powerful now that my father has allied with King Xeno, and Ibara knows it. That old geezer is too careful, he won’t risk it,” Luna explained. “Besides, this will be my “matchmaking” ball, it’s only logical that I’d mostly invite guests, who are closer to age.”
“…Than what about Lord Moz?” Carlos asked, which made Luna sigh. Moz was a young man from Ibara’s court, his right hand, to be exact.
“A hard no from me, but not inviting him would be too suspicious… He’s annoying, but not as big of a troublemaker as Ibara, he won’t bother guests who don’t want his company… I hope,” Luna didn’t sound so certain about her prediction, but she had to compromise in some way. Although she wasn’t sure which option seemed more insulting to King Ibara: not inviting anyone from his court, or inviting Moz, but not him…
“Alright, then I’ll keep an eye out for him, just in case,” sighed Max, preparing himself for the duty.
“You won’t need to, because you will attend as a guest too. Both of you,” Luna reminded them with a smile.
“Are you sure about this? People will talk,” Carlos frowned, not wanting to cause a scene, certainly not one that could taint Luna’s reputation.
“Let them talk, it’s what makes it interesting,” the princess shrugged with a grin, even though she was actually nervous about the decision, but trying her best to hide this from her friends. Max and Carlos has been there for her and the least she could give back is to ensure that they have a good time on her ball, and not working! ..Besides that, Luna will need their support on this important event. “…You know what? I have an even better idea,” Luna suddenly declared, as she sat down to the desk to correct something in her notes. Carlos and Max loomed over her in order to read the added lines.
“Princess Luna of the Wright dynasty hereby invites every eligible maiden to her coming-of-age celebration, regardless of title or rank,” Carlos’ eyes grew larger in disbelief.
“There,” Luna looked at the paper proudly.
“I doubt your parents will be happy about this,” Carlos noted, a sly smirk playing on his full lips.
“And why only the maidens?” Max asked jokingly, while still being stunned by the princess’ impulsive decision.
“Well I need to marry a prince, naturally,” Luna grinned at them. “Buuut for you two…”
“You can’t be serious,” Carlos let out a laugh. “You’re not the one who should be playing matchmaker in this ball.”
“Maybe I’m serious, maybe I’m not. But either way, I know as much, that ladies appreciate these social events more than men. So as the future queen I would like to give everyone an opportunity to experience it. Simple as that. Because I’m a capable princess who understands the wishes of her dear subjects,” Luna explained.
“You’re really something else, Luna,” Max sighed with a nervous but kind smile on his face. “I’m sure they will appreciate your gesture if your parents truly let you commit to it…”
“They gave me the responsibility to plan everything, it will be alright,” Luna insisted with a determined look in her eyes. At least I really hope so. “Oh and we should invite the Varma sisters too,” she continued down the list in order to switch the topic. “They were lovely conversation partners last time. And if I remember correctly, the eldest has been of age for a few years now, but she’s still unmarried…” Luna hummed to herself. “Sir Matsukaze should be invited too, yes, he’s a very respectable young man. Might just fit Princess Priya’s taste.”
“She’s back at it again with the matchmaking,” Carlos pointed it out, grinning.
“Shush!” Luna silenced him with the wave of her hand, before going back to the preparations, clearly enjoying it.
**************************
It was a cooling afternoon with mist lingering at the horizon when Akane decided to take her horse out for a run. Well, he wasn’t her horse, but she took care of the few that belonged to her family. And Akane needed a bit of free time for herself to unwind, so after she finished with all the cleaning and laundry, she decided to take Berthold for a little exercise, before her stepmother could even realise she’s gone.
The woman took in the cooling, fresh air, letting her hair get messed up by the incoming wind. She missed this dearly, not having to worry about chores, and focusing on herself for a while. Ever since her mother passed away and her father remarried, there has always been a knot forming in her stomach because of her stepmother’s presence. At first Akane tried to deny it with grief and resentment, she wanted to give the woman a chance. But deep down she knew something was unnerving her, as there were a couple of judgemental eyes always looming over her, inspecting every wrong movement she did. It felt heavy, and now, without her father, it felt suffocating.
Akane snapped back into reality, when another rider appeared from behind a tree, scaring Berthold so much he jumped up and threw her off his back. She landed in the mud, still fresh after the rain from last night. Her eyes widened in shock as she heard a laugh from above her, uncontrollably bursting out from someone’s mouth. Looking up at the stranger, who got off from his horse already, she saw the same man she bumped into at the market a few days ago. He stopped laughing, but there was still a gloating smirk he tried to hide, at the corner of his mouth.
“Seems like Karma reached you, Señorita,” he noted mockingly. He reached out, offering his hand to Akane, to help her up from the ground. Her cheeks grew red. She felt frustrated, embarrassed and helpless. Why is he here? Why did he have to disturb that fleeting, blissful moment? The knot was back in her stomach, and it was possibly worse now than at home. She was already used to that kind of humiliation, but not this one.
Without even thinking, Akane suddenly grabbed his hand and with a deliberate tug, pulled him down next to her, into the mud. Carlos’ eyes grew wide as he yelped and landed face first into it.
“Oh my, I apologise for my clumsiness, my Lord,” Akane quickly got up, her voice sounding more sarcastic than she intended it to.
“You—“ Carlos looked up at her, covered in mud, maybe even more, than Akane. His face was shocked, eyes wide and fixated on the young woman. It was truly hard to take him as a serious threat in this position.
“No, you listen,” Akane’s voice was stern, even though she was backing away from him out of self-defense and fear, while she talked. “I don’t know who you think you are, but that is no way to treat someone you just caused great discomfort. At least I apologised to you! But it looks like the only thing on your mind was to get back at me. ..Perhaps you even did it on purpose,” she grumbled at the end of it, hopping back onto the horse. “I hope it was entertaining for you.”
“What— No, I didn’t!” Carlos protested with a stunned expression on his face. Instead of the anger Akane was expecting from him, Carlos was experiencing signs of guilt.
“Forget it!” Akane cut into his words, her voice sounding rather nervous. “Again, I apologise for dirtying up your clothes.” She murmured, before tugging at the reins, urging Berthold to run home with her.
“Hey, wait!” Before Carlos could get up, she was already out of reach. With a bewildered look, he started laughing in a soft voice, while shaking off some excess mud from his arms. “Ahw man, I really messed this up…”
Akane could feel her heart pounding in her chest with fear, as her face went pale. What the hell was I thinking?!
Akane fled the crime scene, after realising what she had done. She was scared to stay and hear what he had to say. And now the possible consequences of her actions just reached her brain and she was mortified at the thought of meeting him again.
Yes, she was right! He was in the wrong this time! But pulling him into the mud was such an impulsive act, she regretted it greatly. What if he holds a grudge against her now? What if they meet again in town? Or worse, what if he tracks her down and makes her regret ever daring to act out?
She called him “Lord”, but he must not be one… right? No, that’s really not possible, he surely wouldn’t even attempt to help her up from the mud in that case. Or maybe she’s just misjudging his title based on appearances? If anyone, Akane knew that was not a wise thing to do.
“Oh dear…” Akane sighed deeply, letting her head fall down onto Berthold’s neck as she was praying for her own safety. “Why am I always asking for trouble? This will slap me in the face one day…”
Trying not to think of the worst, Akane got off the horse when she reached the mansion. She unsaddled Berthold, gave him fresh water, fed him, and then went to the backdoor to clean herself up. Her skirt was still dripping a bit from mud, her shoes were completely soaked and cold, and even her face and upper body got smaller specks of dirt splattered across it.
“Oh wow, you look like a pig,” her stepsister voiced Akane’s inner thoughts, when she noticed the maid stepping into the mansion. “It suits you,” her grin was sharp, her eyes pitying, but not so much as to ask her if she was alright. Akane just averted her eyes and quickly went to the servants’ quarters to wash up all the dirt. “You better clean up after your muddy footsteps! And don’t you dare step on mother’s carpets with those!” She shouted after her, while the other stepsister, sitting next to her on the couch, just kept quiet and proceeded to continue reading, though her expression was slightly disapproving.
Akane managed to remove all of the mud from her and her clothes and slipped into a clean maid uniform. She was still a bit cold, her hands slightly trembling, but she needed to get back to work anyway. Nothing will make her warm up more than chores. Just as she wanted to go help out in the kitchen, a sharp knock came from the front door.
“Akane, open it,” her stepmother ordered, sipping tea in the livingroom with her daughters.
Akane took a shaking breath and stepped to the door. It must be someone else. There’s no way he followed me. She opened it, and to her surprise and relief, instead of the rude gentleman, she found a royal messenger standing in front of the mansion. His face was emotionless and unreedable.
“..Can I help you?” Akane asked quietly.
“Invitation from the palace,” he declared shortly and handed her the letter. Akane looked down at the shiny paper, sealed with golden wax, stamped with the crest of the royal family, with the Evergrowing Tree of Fortune. Obeying her stepmother’s wishes, Akane stepped inside, broke the wax to unfold the letter, and started reading it aloud to the three women listening.