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Once upon a time, there was a princess called Hazuki Cion. Well, technically ex-princess. Our dear Cion has been living as a normal person in the forest since an accident when he was a child- his princess title was no more than a fragment of the past.
He has been living peacefully in the forest, with a nice little hut and everything needed to keep him company, from an assortment of books to coffee beans. Not until a terrible curse had befell upon him, causing him to be frozen in time.
Cion could move his body no more. He could perceive, but living alone in the forest meant he was as good as dead. By some sort of luck, a traveler passing by was intrigued by his natural beauty, and held a memorial for the mysterious fellow, placing him in a glass casket before moving on.
There, Cion laid in silence.
—
How long has it passed? Days? Months? Cion had slowly lost count. His only companions were the round glasses that remained next to him, and the sounds of the nature.
Sounds of the nature, huh… Cion thought. Certainly, it doesn't include yelling right. Like, yelling that is straight up headache inducing.
“A glass casket!! Finally found you!!!"
What???
“UUUUWWOHH!!!! Climbing up this is NOTHING for Jintaro-samaaaa even in this worm bodyyyy-!!!!!!”
What?????
That can't be, Cion thought. A worm?? And since when can a worm yell that loud?
The worm, or Jintaro-sama, slowly crawled into the glass casket. Cion was not thrilled to have his personal space invaded by a yelling worm.
After a bit of work, Jintaworm-sama finally arrived at his destination: Cion’s face. For him, this is going to be on the list of the most distressful events in his entire life aside from that incident he will vaguepost about.
“Man, I’M SORRY!! BUT I REALLY NEED THIS!!!!!” Jintaworm yelled, and pressed his little worm mouth on Cion’s. In other words, they kissed.
POOF!!!
A cloud of smoke sent Cion into a fit of coughing. Wait, what? Cion was confused. His curse broke? By the worm kissing him? This doesn't really make sense.
As the smoke dissipated, Cion was absolutely flabbergasted at the fact the worm was no longer a worm, but instead a rather handsome young man wearing princely attire, looking dazed as he got used to his human body, seemingly pleasant to be with.
Until he opened his mouth.
“WOAHHH!!!! I TURNED BACK INTO A HUMAN!!!!! PRINCE JINTARO-SAMA IS BAAACKK!!!!!!” exclaimed self-proclaimed Jintaro-sama. Which very much hurt Cion’s ears.
“Stop yelling,” Cion said weakly, his voice hoarse from his long slumber. “Tone your voice down.”
“UWWAAAAHHHH!!!!!! IT REVIVED!!!!! IT WENT BACK TO LIFE!!!?!!!???! GWAAAHH!!!!!” Jintaro shrieked. Guess he wasn't expecting this turn of events either.
“I wasn't even dead from the very beginning,” Cion shakes his head and puts on his glasses that were laid neatly next to him. Maybe he's a bit tired of this already. “I am a living human being.”
“Are you sure?!”
“Yes, I am sure. Let’s start over. What's your name? I’m Hazuki Cion.”
“Takeaki Jintaro!! Prince of the North Kingdom, that's me alright! Nice to meet you, marumegane!!!” Jintaro beamed.
“Maru… No…” Cion sighs.
Jintaro shrugs. “But seriously, thank you, marumegane!!! You broke my curse!!!”
“Your curse of… turning into a worm?”
“Yes!! Don't worry, Jintaro-sama has all the time to tell you about it!!”
—
It was a sunny afternoon in the North Kingdom, where Jintaro was having his daily stroll in the towns.
“Apples~ Sweet and juicy apples~” came a soft and alluring voice down the alley.
Apples that are sweet and juicy?! Count me in!! Thought Jintaro. And without a second thought, he ran to the source of the sound.
“Oh? Young man, are you here for some apple?” questioned the person, who looked like a nice old lady.
“Yes!! If you don't mind, that is.”
“Ohoho, I don't mind one bit,” the lady said, and handed out a shiny red apple. “Here, have this for free.”
“Thank you!!” Jintaro was overjoyed. A beautiful and delectable apple! He bit into it, savouring the taste, and swallowed it.
POOF!!!
Lo and behold, Jintaro was no more, only an ugly little earthworm in his place.
“Ahahahaha!!!! I can't believe it worked!!!!” cackled the old lady.
“W-WHAT!! WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!! WHY AM I A WORM????”
“Because I cursed you!! Have fun breaking the spell with your true love’s kiss, if you can even find them.”
And with that, the old lady disappeared.
My true love’s kiss?? How can I possibly find them?!!? Jintaro was very confused.
“Hey, behind you…” spoke another voice. Jintaro wiggled his little worm body to see a hooded figure, the local fortune teller, Mio. “Uhm, so, I can help you read what direction you have to take to find your true love…”
“REALLY?!?? THANK YOU!!!!”
Mio picked out some cards, then explained, “... Ah. The cards say your true love, they're in a forest in the south, frozen in place… They're… laying in a glass casket.”
“Huhh??!!”
“That's all I have for you…! Uhm… Maybe–”
“It's alright!!! Nothing is too hard for Jintaro-sama, even in a measly worm body!!”
And thus, Jintaworm embarked on the journey to break his worm curse.
—
“So you're saying you came all the way here to break your curse in a worm body?” Cion questioned. This doesn't even make sense.
“Yes! And since you broke my curse, it means you're my one true love!” Jintaro hugged Cion tightly. “Hey, marumegane. Why were you in a glass casket anyway?”
Cion hesitated. It's not exactly a good choice to tell someone you just met too much, but again, he DID awaken him (albeit with his first kiss.)
“I was frozen in time by a curse, didn't the fortune teller say that? Someone then put me in a glass casket.”
“OHHHHH that makes sense!!”
The songbirds’ call interrupts their conversation. Cion glanced towards the sky, which was turning to muted shades of blue and violet. “It’s getting dark,” he notes.
“I guess it's time for me to head back then! Nothing Jintaro-sama can't handle!”
“Right now?”
Jintaro looks at Cion confusedly. “It's going to be dark, and you haven't brought anything with you.” he continues. “You should stay for the night.”
“Really?! Oh thank you, my marumegane!!” Jintaro exclaims and gives Cion another soul-crushing hug.
“Le–Let go… I can't breathe…”
—
The very next morning, Jintaro and Cion began their trek to the North Kingdom. It’s not exactly very far away, but they are indeed walking there on foot. Eh. It just means they get more time to know more about each other.
Truth to be told, Cion might not have considered going along with Jintaro at first, but it would be a lie if he said he wasn't worried about him if he ended up going back alone.
It is said that traveling together with someone can very much closen the distance with your travel partner, which is exactly the case here. Cion found Jintaro’s behavior increasingly endearing, even if it may be rash at times. Man, he's really falling for the worm prince.
Anyway, the two eventually arrive at a small village near the outskirts of the North Kingdom. The sky was the same beautiful shades of the day (night?) they met, and they had found an inn to rest at.
“I’m SPENT!!!”
“Jintaro, take off your shoes.”
“Alright…!! Hey, mind if I go shower first?”
“Sure, go ahead.”
As Jintaro hurries to the shower, Cion finally gets to have a moment of silence. A prince huh, he thought. Certainly his behavior did not have the gracefulness and composure of one, but there was something so undeniably princely about it. Was it his kindness to help out anyone and anything in need along the way? His energy could be slightly overbearing at times, but Cion didn't hate it. Maybe Jintaro really was worthy of his prince title. Come to think of it, Jintaro broke Cion’s curse too. How, exactly?
“Oiii–! I'm done! Marumegane, it's your turn!”
The thinking can continue in the shower, I guess.
—
A young child once stood in front of a mirror hanging on the wall. His eyes gazed at the mirror curiously, examining the beautifully carved details of the mirror's frame, the clear reflection of his own face.
“Mirror, mirror, on the wall. When will I meet my true love?”
“When you fall, when you play pretend, when you hide,” the mirror answers.
The child tilted his head at the mirror, puzzled. Clearly, the answer was not what he had been seeking for.
…
“Mirror, mirror, on the wall. I want to make people happy as a princess! How do I make them happy?”
“If you wound, if you infect, as a poison not belonging to this world,” the mirror answers.
The child widened his eyes, surprised. Clearly, the answer was not what he had been seeking for.
…
“Mirror, mirror, on the wall! Please, my friend is hurt! What can I do to save him?!”
“...”
No response.
“Please!! Please… I want to help, but I don't know how!
“... Of course you don't know how.”
“...?”
“Powerless. You made a mistake, yet could not revert it to just the way it was.”
“...! You're… You're not the mirror…”
“Your title is just as unworthy as yourself. Disposable. Replaceable.”
“No…!” The child cowered in fear. As much as the mirror was cryptic and perhaps horrid in its answers, never once did it truly repeat such cruel words over and over again.
“It's all your fault. It's all your fault things turned out like this.”
The helpless child whimpered. Peering upwards, the pathetic reflection of his vulnerability only stared back at him. He jerked his head to the other side, to only find yet another mirror, another reflection staring right back at him.
“You can't escape your past.”
No matter which way the young child turned, he would always find a mirror in place, peering into the deepest secret he held. He had nowhere to escape to.
…
…
“....egane—!!!! …umegane—!!!!!! MARUMEGANE—!!!!!!!”
Cion jolted awake, panting hard. What was that?
“UWAAAHGH!!!! MARUMEGANE—!!!! I WAS SO WORRIED!!!!! YOUR FACE WAS SO WHITE AND YOU WERE SWEATING REAAAALLLLL BAD!!!!!” Jintaro wailed and squeezed Cion with extreme strength.
Ah, a nightmare. Right, just a nightmare.
“I'm okay, Jintaro… I’m okay. Don't worry.” Coming back to his senses, Cion reciprocated Jintaro's hug. The force was realistic, it was comforting. It was everything Cion needed, his prince, his saviour.
The room was slowly brightening up, the ray of sunlight shining into the room washed away the darkness. It was warm, unlike the coldness of mirrors and glass.
“Thank you.” Cion mumbled.
“Huh? Whaddya just say?”
Cion chuckled. “It's nothing.” He tightened their embrace ever so slightly, yet his companion remained oblivious to the tenderness of his voice.
—
On the very afternoon of the same day, Cion and Jintaro finally arrive at the North Kingdom. Cion has never been there before (obviously) and while he looked around at the brand new environment, Jintaro gave him really entertaining commentary.
“This store has the best pies— and that shop has REALLY good karaage y’know!!! Ah, right! Have I ever told you I'm good with kids? Whenever I have a walk around the town, the children all flock up to me and say, Jintaro-sama Jintaro-sama you're so cool!!”
“Really?” replied Cion, amused.
“Really!! And then, I play games like tag with them. Of course, none of them can ever beat me at them!! Fuhahaha!!”
“I'm sure they still had fun with you.”
“That’s of course—!!”
As soon as he finished his sentence, a whole bunch of kids and grannies appeared right in front of them.
“Jintaro-sama!! You've came! Jintaro-sama, welcome, welcome…” They chirped. So Jintaro really wasn't bluffing at all. Good for him.
“Who is this?” Asked one of the kids, pointing at Cion. “I've never seen him before! Is he your new friend?” “Don't point at people,” said one of the grannies. “But I am curious too, Jintaro-sama. Care to tell us?”
“Ah, marumegane right here is me, the almighty Jinta-sama’s one and only true love!!” Jintaro exclaimed proudly, pulling Cion close with clearly no sense of personal space. Cion blushed a little, slightly embarrassed by the very public claim of affection, yet this was Jintaro, Jintaro who always made his feelings clear, even if it was blunt or a bit clumsy. Cion couldn't help but adore it somehow.
“Oh? Young one, you're acting all shy... Young love is beautiful, yes, yes…”
Cion sighed. “Please excuse him. My name is Hazuki Cion, not marumegane.” He glanced towards Jintaro, who was grinning dumbly like usual. He seemed to notice Cion’s gaze, and turned his head, their eyes meeting.
“Whatcha lookin’ at me for, marumegane?”
Cion giggled. “It's nothing, Jintaro.”
Hearing Cion’s laugh, Jintaro suddenly became dumbstruck. Did he always have such a sweet laugh like that?! The way his smile was bright but not blinding, as gentle as the radiance from the moon — in Jintaneese however, it would just be “beautiful”.
“Huh? Jintaro, are you okay?” asked Cion, towards Jintaro who straight up froze, face redder than a tomato.
“N–NOTHING!!! I'M OKAY AS I CAN BE!!!!”
The old ladies grinned. “We'll leave you two to it. Kids, let's not bother Jintaro-sama and Cion-kun anymore.”
And so, the two boys continued their walk to the castle, where Jintaro lived.
—
Soon after, the two arrive at the huge ass castle of the kingdom. They were promptly invited in, obviously because Jintaro lives here. Following Jintaro, Cion was then led to the gardens, which grew foliage and flowers with the colors of bibaren characters (rainbow ok. because of their image colors and they are all homos) You know what just imagine a very fancy and royal prestigious garden. I can't write this in English.
Anyway, in a nearby pavilion there were two other people talking and laughing. Jintaro seemed to spot and recognize them, judging by his deafening call…
“SAKUYAAAA—!!!! AUGUURIIIIIII—!!!!”
“EHHH?! Jintaro!! You're back!!!!”
“Jintaro-kun!! Really, I'd say stop running off to nowhere out of a sudden, but you're off to break your curse right?”
“HOWDYA KNOW!!?”
“Ah, Mio-kun told us eventually. He wanted to at least try getting someone to help you find the person who could break your curse, but you ran off before he could even propose it.”
“W– HEY!! AT LEAST I DID MANAGE TO PULL IT OFF!!!”
“But Jintaro~! That's really dangerous. You were a worm afterall! If something like this happens again, you should come to us first before doing anything else!”
“Nonono, Auguri-chan, nothing like that is going to happen again.”
Well, during the conversation, Cion just stood there kinda awkwardly somewhat. Good thing the others remembered he was also there.
“Anyway! This guy right there, he's the one who broke your curse right? Nice to meetcha, I’m Sakuya~ One of the chefs here.”
“I’m Auguri! I’m currently helping out as a gardener, something like that!”
“I’m Hazuki Cion. It's a pleasure to meet you two.”
“Ahaha, same here same here. Thank you for looking after Jintaro-kun for us.”
Jintaro grins. Must be a good thing to see your close friends and future husband get along.
“So, Cion, how was Jintaro as a worm~? I didn't get to see it at all… I would've liked to dress him up a bit, you know?”
This question released the war flashbacks in Cion’s mind. As much as he currently fancied Jintaro, the first impression of him was pretty… y’know. Especially when he was a worm. Not sure if Jintaro being a human would've given him a better first impression, but let's not think about that.
“Well, I actually didn't get to see him. I was sleeping in a casket, so…”
He received a cacophony of “ahh”s.
“It's all thanks to marumegane for breaking my curse!! He's my one and only true love, y’know?! I'm going to marry him!”
“That's so sweet, Jintaro!! I’ll support you two.”
“Jintaro-kun and Cion-kun, you have my blessings as well… But before you actually get married, shouldn't you tell your parents about that first?”
“!!!! I COMPLETELY FORGOT ABOUT THAT! C'MON MARUMEGANE, LET'S TELL MY PARENTS ABOUT OUR MARRIAGE!!!”
“WAIT WAIT WAIT Jintaro-kun. Calm down, they're not in the North Kingdom right now. They'll be back a few days later.”
“Really?! Thank you, Sakuya, Auguri!”
Jintaro then drags Cion off to somewhere else. Auguri giggles, while Sakuya sighs.
“I feel like they're a good match already~ Right, Sakuya?”
“Well, Cion-kun seems like a good kid after all…”
—
For the next few days, Jintaro brought Cion touring around the towns and the huge ass castle. Genuinely a great way to pass time, and probably everyone now knows of their relationship. Of course, they also visited the castle’s library.
…
Cion looked around the library, browsing the vast amount of books that simply existed in it. Jintaro followed him like a puppy, and it was pretty obvious he hasn't really been to the library much either. Coincidentally, Cion spotted a book that was very conveniently placed on one of the racks— “List of Documented Curses” …and naturally, he picked it out.
“Woah, what's this?” Jintaro peeks over Cion's shoulder.
“ ‘Lists of Documented Curses’, it's in the name, Jintaro.”
“Right, right. So can you find out whatever curses me and you got infected with?”
“Yes, I believe so. Also, it's inflicted, not infected.”
“Yeah yeah similar thing! Open the book, marumegane.”
So Cion flips open the book and they skim the table of contents.
“Turning into a worm–?! Hey, that one! Read that one!”
“Mhm, alright…”
Turning into a worm curse. Turns the subject into a worm. It may be inflicted by a variety of ways, including using food as a medium, or directly casting a spell on the subject. It is noted that the subject that has been turned into a worm still has the lifespan of a human. However, they are extremely unlikely to be able to retain the ability to see and create vocal noises like a human does. The curse is broken by a true love’s kiss. There are recorded cases such that the curse is not broken and the subject has to live as a worm for their remaining life.
Wait a minute, Cion thought. Jintaworm very much yelled out loud, and it seemed like he could perceive the glass casket he was laying in with a very human way. Even if it did say unlikely, it was simply quite bizarre. He turned his head to stare at the now-human prince in disbelief.
“Whatcha lookin' at, marumegane! C'mon, just try to find your curse next!”
So Cion wordlessly flipped through the pages until he found the “frozen in time curse”.
Frozen in time curse. The subject under this curse will remain paralyzed, unable to respond to outside stimulus or the sort. The subject is still somewhat able to perceive their surroundings. To an outsider, it is as if they are asleep. The subjects of the few recorded cases of this curse are princesses of royal blood. With investigation of prior events, it is speculated the curses are self-inflicted by the subject themselves. In the recorded cases, this curse is lifted when the subjects are kissed by a prince of royal blood.
Cion widened his eyes. He knew this curse was pretty much the one he was under, specific wording and circumstances and all. However Jintaro didn't notice his reaction.
“Wow. That's weird,” Jintaro commented. “You're not even a princess. I guess this part doesn't apply to you!!”
However they never found any other curse documented with that specific wording.
—
It was a sunny afternoon of the following day when the king and queen came back. Upon hearing the news, Jintaro pulled Cion towards the throne room to meet his parents.
“DAD!!!! MOM!!!! YOU'RE BACK!!!!”
“Oh, it's you, Jintaro. How have you been?” The queen asked, with a tinge of worry.
“I've been great!! Been alright, no problem at all.”
“That's good,” the king responded briefly.
So they don't know huh, about Jintaro turning into a worm, Cion thought. The subjects didn't seem to know of it either. Maybe only Mio, Sakuya and Auguri knew about it, and it was because Mio was there to witness it. Upon the idea, he slightly furrowed his brows. This doesn't exactly sound good.
“A–Anyway—!! I want to introduce to you here, marumegane–”
“It's Hazuki Cion, your highnesses.”
“R–Right! I'm going to marry him.”
The king and queen stared at each other, then at Cion, then at each other again.
The queen cleared her throat awkwardly, then asked, “Jintaro, are–are you sure about this?”
“Very much!!! Marumegane is my one true love, I know it!!!”
The king sighed. “Jintaro. You know there are better people to marry, right? Not with someone of… that background.”
“IT DOESN'T MATTER!!! MARUMEGANE IS A GOOD PERSON!!!”
“It DOES matter. You're a prince, Jintaro–”
“Wait, wait, calm down, you two. Can't we talk things out smoothly?” Interrupted the queen. Cion agreed so in his mind.
“Let me finish. Jintaro, you are a prince. You have to bind with someone that can continue the prosperity of this kingdom, and someone worthy of the title of royalty.”
Cion’s eyes darted elsewhere upon the king’s words. If his words were swords, then poor Cion’s body would've been stabbed ten times over. It was WAY too personal, and he could catch on both the king and queen had already realized exactly who he was. But Jintaro didn't. Jintaro never did. He had always trusted him almost blindly, never doubted exactly what had happened to Cion and never tried to pry. To Jintaro, Cion was always his Cion– or marumegane, in his words, that he trusted unconditionally.
“YOU– YOU GUYS DON'T EVEN UNDERSTAND! MARUMEGANE IS SMART!! AND ACTS LIKE A PRINCELY PRINCE!! HE'S MORE THAN WORTHY FOR ME TO MARRY!!!”
Nearly having to stifle a giggle, it didn't change the fact Cion was moved to heaven and back. To defend him in front of his parents, not ever once doubting him, truly, that was his Jintaro.
“W-Well, if Jintaro is saying so, can't you give him a chance?” The queen asked meekly. “We still have time to know… Cion-san before we go, isn't that right?”
“...”
At this moment, Jintaro turned his head to look at Cion firmly, as if promising that he would not leave him no matter what, even if his parents forbade it. To their luck however, the king reluctantly agreed.
“Just this once.”
“REALLY?!?? THANK YOU DAD, THANK YOU MOM!!!”
“Your highnesses, I hold utmost gratitude as well.”
“Is that all? If so, please excuse us. We have other matters to attend to.”
“Yes, Jintaro… Help Cion-san settle down in the meantime, won't you?”
“ON IT!! C'MON, MARUMEGANE!!”
—
Soon enough, Cion settled down in the huge ass castle (meaning he got his belongings eventually moved there) and Jintaro's parents eventually agreed to their marriage. Good for them. So now, Jintaro and Cion are finally getting married.
“Jintaro-kun is finally getting married… Oniichan is so proud of you~” Sakuya pats Jintaro on the shoulder.
“Uwei uwei!!!! Keep the compliments rollin’, Sakuya!!”
“Yeah, yeah, now walk down to the altar. There's plenty of time for that.”
…
“And… there! You look perfect, Cion!”
“Thank you, Auguri. You're really good at this.”
“Ehehe~ You're welcome. Are you ready to head down the aisle?”
“Mhm. I’ll be going.”
…
And so they meet at the aisle. Jintaro and Cion exchange their eternal vows, Jintaro's loud and bold, Cion's calm and firm. Everything went smoothly, and soon enough, that one line we are all waiting for arrived.
“You may now seal this union with a kiss.”
The two took a step towards each other, and Cion gazed at Jintaro, taking note of the prince’s eyes that only held his reflection. One that smiled so sweetly, without worry, confusion or fear. The prince on the other hand was so flustered by his partner’s gaze that he once again froze on the spot, steam almost coming out of his head.
“Hmm? What is it, Jintaro? Are you not going to kiss me?”
“A–A–ABSOLUTELY!!!!! I WAS JUST, ER—”
Without waiting for him to finish his sentence, Cion cupped Jintaro’s face and pressed his lips against Jintaro’s. It was soft and gentle, nothing like that stupid little worm kiss they had on their first meeting. If you told Cion he would fall in love and get married with a prince who kissed him as a worm before all this, he would not believe you. But it did happen, and they lived happily ever after.
The End.