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reifromrfa · 6 years

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Lovely Zen Week | Day 5: Princess and Knight

Hey guys! I’ll probably be in Japan right now, so I won’t be able to reply to your messages or comments ^^; But this fic is inspired by all the k-dramas I watch lmao :))

I started writing about Zen the knight but then I thought...why not make Zen into a Korean knight? ^^ This is purely a work of fiction of course, and details have been altered for the story! ^^ There’ll probably be loads of discrepancies haha but I hope you guys enjoy ♥

Moonlight Part 1

Hyun Ryu dreamed of becoming a Royal Guard

Defending their land, keeping the peace, and watching over the entire kingdom

He lived for it

His family hated it, of course

Why become a servant of the land when you could live in comfort?

His family was not nobility, but they were scholars who did not need to tend the fields or manage the stables

Not servants

Besides, they did not want the extra attention

Having a son with silver hair was embarrassing enough

Why add to their…oddness?

But Hyun saw the chaos and devastation caused by local bandits and pillagers

Saw how foreign men kept visiting their lands, as though they were interested in the prosperous kingdom

And it was one night, when Hyun was in deep sleep

That a dream —no, a nightmare —flooded his mind

Images of their people, running away in fright

Homes burning, children crying, blood staining the grass in the fields

Blood turning the rivers crimson

The blood of his family on his hands

He woke in a drenched sweat, shivering from the horrifying images

A familiar pull in his gut

And he clenched the sheets on his bed

It was no ordinary dream

In the silver-haired teenager's heart, he knew

The dream would become reality one day

So despite his family’s pleas, he enlisted in the kingdom’s army and lived in the Royal Palace

They didn’t know it yet, but he would defend them one day

He would miss them terribly, but he can’t let his dream turn into a reality

So Hyun Ryu trained every day, wanting to be the best guard in the kingdom

The moment he entered the Palace, everybody noticed his unique appearance and his handsome features

The Palace ladies would sneak glances at the young boy who trained with the Imperial Army, trading giggles and exchanging longing sighs

But the ladies’ attention only earned jealous glares from the other guards-in-training

Not to mention Hyun’s superiors

They trained him harder than any of the new recruits

Pushed him to his limits

Until late one night, the young boy sneaks out of their quarters and sits by the small pond in the palace

No one could see him as tall weeds and greenery obscured the pond

Hyun Ryu sits by the edge of the water and winces as the fresh cuts on his arm sting

He takes off the top of his robes and lets out a breath

The fabric of his clothes are making his wounds ache

Hyun looks at the bright moon, his resolve wavering

But he knows he cannot give up now

The memory of the nightmare is still fresh in his mind

And he cannot allow his home to go into ruin like his dream

He would do anything to defend it

As he’s deep in thought, the weeds behind him rustle and he tenses, ready to make a run for it in case his superiors found him

But his eyes widen as he sees a young lady stepping out from behind the weeds

She gasps, eyes wide as she takes in the half-naked young man before her

Sitting there with wide crimson eyes, his handsome features accentuated by the moonlight

The young lady averts her gaze and Hyun hurriedly pulls on his clothes

A hiss escapes him as the wounds sting upon rubbing against the fabric and the young lady is drawn towards him, sneaking a glance towards the young man

She spots the gashes on the young man’s body and she unconsciously steps towards him

“Those look painful,” she comments, looking at his chest, at the small scratch marks

Hyun gives her a pained smile as he slowly pulls on his robes

“I fell a lot of times today. The pebbles on the ground kept scraping against my clothes that I tore them and got the scratches. Don’t worry though,” he chuckles, “I heal really fast.”

Then he realizes he’s in the presence of a lady of the palace —one of the court ladies in training?

“A-ah, I’m sorry!” he exclaims but the young lady touches his hand, stopping him from completely putting on his robes

“I can help you,” she says, meeting his gaze

Hyun Ryu gulps

Her hazel eyes are gentle, her hands soft against his callused one

And he lets his clothes fall back down, revealing his upper body to her

The young lady reaches into her clothes and pulls out a small box

“I fall a lot too,” she tells him, not looking at him as she opens the box and dips her slender fingers into some sort of cream

“So one of the physicians gave this to me as a gift, to help with the wounds.”

Hyun inhales sharply as her fingers touch the gashes on his arms

Then he relaxes as the cool cream soothes his wounds, her light touch sending a thousand bolts of electricity throughout his body

It’s as though his senses are heightened; but he can’t notice anything else but her

Her flawless pale skin

The curve of her neck

The shape of her lips

Those mesmerizing eyes…

“What’s your name?” he asks her, his curiosity burning

The girl finally looks at him and smiles

“My name is MC, how about you?”

“I’m Hyun Ryu,” he replies, smiling back at her

“I’m sorry for troubling you, Miss MC.”

“Oh no, it’s alright! I’m glad I can help,” she says to him, moving on to his other wounds. “And please, call me MC.”

“MC,” Hyun says again, liking the way her name sounded

“What are you doing here this late at night, MC? It’s quite dangerous to roam the palace at night.”

MC laughs, “I could say the same about you, Hyun Ryu.”

“Well, I’m going to be a royal guard,” Hyun replies.

“But you’re not yet a guard, so you have no permission to be here as well.”

Hyun chuckles, “Then this will be our little secret~”

MC grins but then her cheeks turn pink and Hyun’s heart does weird flips inside his chest

“A-ah, Hyun…your chest.”

Hyun looks down and notices that she had put the cream all over his wounds, except for the ones on his chest

He turns red as well

“You don’t have to do that, MC,” he says, suddenly feeling nervous, “I already feel ten times better!”

He pulls on his clothes as MC settles into the space beside him

He looks at her and she’s staring at the moon

Hyun wanted to ask what she is thinking, but decides against it; it isn’t any of his business, and he doesn’t want to scare her away by forcing her to talk to him

So the two settled into a comfortable silence as they watch the moon together

After half an hour has passed, Hyun is startled by a hand tugging at his clothes

When he looks at her, MC hands him the box

“A gift,” she tells him, “for keeping me company tonight.”

Then she gets to her feet

“Wait!” he calls softly

“…Can I see you again, MC?”

MC blushes but a small smile plays on her lips

“Perhaps. Good night, Hyun Ryu. Good luck on the training grounds tomorrow!”

He did see her again after that night though

They met up once a week, when the moon was at its highest point in the sky

And they sat by the pond and talked about the most trivial of things

He chuckles as he recalls her words to him during one of their meetings

“Zen.”

“What?”

“You can call me Zen.”

“Why would I call you that, Hyun?”

“Because we can’t reveal our relationship, jagiya. But if you’re in trouble and you need me, just scream out ‘Zen!’ and I will hear you no matter where I am. I’ll run to you and protect you.”

“…Zen sounds like a funny name.”

“Hm? You think it’s funny? Well, I can always think of a different n—“

“I love it.”

“Oh? You do? Jagi, do you mean it?”

MC giggles

“Yes…I love everything about you…Zen.”

Hyun never felt happier in his entire life before

He trains as hard as he can during the day, wanting to be stronger, enduring all the hardships his superiors puts him through

And every night he would lay in his cot, imagining her face in his mind

Excitedly awaiting their next encounter

He already knows it

He is in-love with this wonderful court lady

Even though it is against the rules to have relationships with anybody in the palace

Suddenly, he wishes they were both free from the palace

So they could live a peaceful life together without rules between them

But his dream still haunts him and he holds onto the faces of his family

And he vows to himself that he will save his family and his country first before asking for her hand in marriage

He is finally given a task

All his hard work paid off and despite all the bullying from his comrades and superiors, Hyun Ryu managed to earn their respect

He never gave up and he worked twice as hard as anybody in the army

Due to his age, he would be assigned to guard one of the royal family instead of performing the more dangerous tasks

But if he manages to fulfill his duties well, they may promote him to a higher rank

Hyun can’t wait to tell her all about it

But for now, he makes his way towards a different part of the palace

To where the king’s consorts stayed, along with the other princes and princesses

He reaches the quarters he has been told to guard and he nods to the guard he’s about to relieve from duty

When suddenly, the doors to the pavilion opens

And he stops in his tracks

Because there she is…

Dressed...in regal clothes…

Hyun nearly drops his sword

MC raises her eyes as she descends the stairs, and their gazes meet

He could see her surprise written all over her beautiful face as well

Her foot misses the next step in her shock

And her court ladies scream as MC falls

But Hyun runs forward, dropping his sword to the ground as he reaches for her

MC falls forward and he catches her in his arms, her face dangerously close to his

A blush appears on her face and Hyun is about to speak when the court ladies scream and hurry towards MC

“Princess! Are you alright?”

Princess

Oh God

P R I N C E S S

She tries to stand and Hyun assists her, but she winces and Hyun panics

“M—Princess,” he catches himself before focusing on her, “Are you okay?”

“My foot —it feels like I twisted it,” MC replies

“Princess, let me assist you,” he tells her, before wrapping an arm around her shoulders then bending down and scooping her legs with his other arm, carrying her in his arms

The court ladies assist him into laying her down on her bed but MC isn’t even thinking of the pain at the moment

She’s looking at him, his face merely inches from her, his expression filled with worry

Her heart pounds against her chest as she feels his strong arms around her, lifting her as though she weighed nothing

She’s never seen him in his uniform before, but she knows she will be dreaming about Hyun Ryu like this from now on

He sets her down gently and she resists the urge to cling to him, to ask him never to let her go

But…

But he must hate her now

She never told him she is a princess

A daughter of a concubine…But a princess nonetheless

But how could she tell him? She cherished those nights with him

Would he have treated her the same if he had known she is royalty?

Hyun Ryu looks at her and she stares back at those crimson eyes before he bows and runs off, probably to call the royal physician

MC wonders if it’s the last time she’ll ever be able to talk to him again

…and if it is, then she just lost her chance to tell him her true feelings

Aaaaaaaand I didn’t have enough time to finish this ^^; I still have some stuff in store for this fic and I will finish it when I get home! <3 Sorry for the cliffhanger! ;;; See you guys again in a few days! ^^ <3

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shintorikhazumi · 7 years

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A Ginger Romeo x Tsundere Juliet: Chapter 1

Prologue Start-

“Are you my Juliet?”

“If only you’d be my Romeo.”

The flames engulfed the small country cottage as a crimson-haired female remained locked in the Captain of the Royal Guard’s embrace, screaming at the soldiers to stop this cruel act. Her lover, she prayed, must’ve escaped before the flames worsened, right? She hoped so. She wished he would not be burned to a crisp, baked like his famous breads and cakes.

Tears of joy and relief flowed down her face as she saw auburn locks emerge from the falling house. But as soon as those tears of happiness came, they turned into tears of fright, horror and dread as he was immediately apprehended and made to kneel before the girl’s father. The King of Canzone, the place of song.

She saw the monarch’s gaze burn with rage hotter than the physical fire just beside them. He stared at the lean body, feeling his anger boil even more at this lad who had almost violated a valuable asset to his success. He didn’t really care about the girl herself, he cared about the benefits he gained from her. He merely needed her as his little ‘support’. He could marry her off to some rich tycoon for all he cared, someday, but this boy was getting in the way of such plans.

Love. Ha! A petty, irrelevant thing. His own brother fell ill to its charms and see what it got him. It brought him six feet below the ground.

The Ruler kicked the baker in the chest, nice and firm. The brunette offered him a frightful glare in return. He struck the boy again, hoping to lighten his rage, yet it only seemed to heighten his negativity even further.

“YOU RAT! I should throw you in the dungeon! Maybe send you to some jungle to die! How dare you touch what’s mine!” He carried on with the assault, halting only to let the boy catch his breath, catch a glimmer of hope before he was destroyed.

“Please, stop!” The weakening princess cried.

“Oh?” Her father turned his attention to the crying lass before returning to the fairly battered teen. “You hear that? She cries for you! She never did that for any of the suitors I set up for her before… So why does she… for some lowly mutt.” He spat at the infamous thorn in his side. “What have you done to her? You’ve bewitched her!” He delivered a resounding slap across the handsome face. “Should I send you to an island? Maybe you could die alone? That would make me soooo happy!”

“Stop! Please stop this! Don’t hurt him! Don’t take him away from me!! Please father, don’t… don’t!”

“Maki!” Although he had been beaten black and blue, the strength and ferocity in the young man’s voice shook the earth on which the King stood. The lovers gazed at each other, Romance blooming through those stares.

The adult looked on the exchange in silence. Maki actually felt a strong fear from noticing it. It never meant peace if it was silence from the harsh ruler. That man’s greed knew no bounds. And all this desperate struggling was getting to him. He finally broke the peace, addressing his ‘daughter’. She felt a chill run down her spine. Something was definitely going to happen.

“I beg of you, my king.” Her voice turned small. “Don’t take him away from me.”

“Hmmm?” His attention focused on her, “Don’t worry.” He laughed, it sounded like death itself. “Don’t worry~” He sang. “I won’t be the one taking him from you.” Her father’s steel-cold voice resounded.

“Huh?”

“The gods will. I will only be the one sending him there. To a place he can be happy. Happy and alive. Alive yet… dead.” He spoke the last word with so much hate, you could have seen it float in the air. “Say Goodbye, Maki.” It sounded like a command that she was supposed to obey. As her father raised his sword up over his head, men held the boy’s head down, revealing his pale neck, marred with a few burns.

The fact that the boy neither cried nor screamed for mercy, urked the King to no end. It was as if the boy refused to admit he was at fault. It even seemed as if he, the mighty king of Canzone was the one in the wrong. He growled at the lad’s figure.

“Romeo is no more of a prince than you are a Juliet.”

“Honoka!”

“If he were, pray you’ll meet in the next world.”

“Farewell… Montague.”

End

~0~0~0~0~

“Romeo, oi… Kousaka Romeo. Where the heck are you at?”

“For the last time, Umi, my name is Honoka! Weren’t you supposed to be smart or something? Or do you just have some kind of short-term memory loss, Dory?” Honoka popped out of a bunch of leaves and at the sight that greeted him, tried his best to hide his amusement at the face Umi was making, but to no avail.

“I am, for a fact, smart, and for your information, that’s what everyone calls you anyway!” Umi huffed, crossing his arms over his chest. “And can you get down from there? Why are you even hiding in a tree in the first place?” He reprimanded the other teen, as he did almost every day.

“Isn’t it obvious? I’m looking to catch a glimpse of the lovely flower known as the female.” Honoka smirked, continuing his search from up high. “And I think I’ve caught a glimpse of the lovely daughter of the Minami’s.

“O-oi!”

“I know, I know. Calm down. I won’t touch her… a lot.”

“Honoka!” Umi began to climb after his childhood friend as the latter climbed even higher up the old oak tree in the center of the village. It was their secret base after all. The place they always played at from their days in elementary and training school.

“I’m just joking. Don’t you worry your handsome little face one bit, Sonoda-sama. Sir Horatio would take back your knighthood if he saw you like that.” Honoka poked at the wrinkles between the bluenette’s forehead, continuing to laugh at his compadre’s expense.

“And you should try harder to gain your knighthood! If only they knew how talented you were with a sword, moreso than I am-“

“Umi, I am but a humble baker. Baking is my life, the bakery keeps food on my table and water in my tub, clothes to drape over this frail form and lights to keep away the ghouls and any and all creatures of darkness.” Honoka stated dramatically as he jumped down from the high branch he was on, landing with such grace as if were just stepping down from a short stool, of course, winking at the ladies who passed by at the same time as they blushed and gushed, and giggled.

“And yet you still wonder as to why people call you Romeo.” Umi sighed, running a hand through silky locks. “If they knew of our secret-“

“Shhh… we promised to never speak of that till my next birthday.” Honoka’s back was turned to Umi, but the prodigious knight knew that his friend was anxious of his coming of age and the revealing of their well-kept secret. He tried to approach the strong figure, placing a hand on his shoulder for moral support.

“Don’t worry. You’ve been living like this for sixteen years already. And I’ve been sent to protect you, I live for you. When the time comes, your seventeenth birthday, everyone will know. Even that horrid King of Canzone.” Umi squeezed the well-toned shoulder of the baker. “I swear I will keep you from harm.”

Honoka’s laugh was the most beautiful song you could’ve heard, well maybe second only to the boy’s actual voice… and maybe Kotori’s, but… it was a tone with so much charisma and it was utterly contagious that Umi found himself laughing along. Something he had not been able to do in a while. If not for his master, he would never have laughed or even chuckled in his life.

“Thank you, friend. I will be on my way and so should you. The bakery needs tending to and I know you don’t have as loose a schedule as you portray it to be. Knights’ jobs aren’t so easy, you know.” Honoka gave Umi a slap to the shoulder as he stuck his hands in his pockets. The male waved goodbye to his friend, not once looking back to the soldier.

“Hah… you are most welcome.” With a sigh and scratch to the head, the Knight left to attend to his duties for the day.

~0~0~0~0~

The auburn-haired baker took a leisurely calming stroll through the familiar town of Adagio, in the kingdom of Suono, kingdom of Sound. The kingdom he was born in. Due to problems in the past, such as the former kind King and Queen of Suono dying, the cause hidden from almost everyone, and their heir missing, the prime minister, The Grand Duke, Minami-sama, and Sir Horatio, Captain of the Royal Guard had been assigned to provide guidance and protection for the Kingdom.

The neighboring Kingdom, Canzone, was ruled by the Capulet lineage, but the once warm and friendly country turned hostile as they tried to overthrow and subject Suono to their rule, led by a new King, King Cattivo, who was rumored to have killed his own half-brother for the throne, the Kind man from the Nishikino branch of the Capulet family. He took the man’s wife and daughter and claimed them as his own, even though he thoroughly abused his queen because she refused his advances.

Honoka shook his head in disgust. That man was as fit to be King as an elephant was fit to be a mouse. He raised the taxes in Canzone and the money that didn’t go into his pocket, which was around five to a mere ten percent, went to deadly weapons, illegal magic research, and military reinforcement. The baker hadn’t noticed how hard he was gritting his pearly whites till he felt pain. He couldn’t help it. Just the thought of all the imprisoned citizens of Canzone made him want to cry blood.

“Romeo!” A playful tap on his shoulder roused him out of his complex thoughts about repulsive political matters and brought him back to reality, a gesture he was most grateful for.

“Yes?” Standing before him was Eli Ayase, the only female Knight who had made it into the Royal Guard despite all the rigorous training. She said she owed a great debt to the former King and Queen and wanted to repay it by protecting them, but it seemed impossible now, with how they had passed on and all. Instead, she requested to be assigned to protect the baker, something that other Royal Guards found utterly ridiculous. Why would a Royal Guard, an extremely talented one at that, ask to protect the town’s baker?

“How are you doing Honoka?” She asked the sixteen-year old cook, as she joined in on his stroll towards his bakery. It was obcious she cared a great deal for him. She was extra protective too. When the blonde had time, she’d take Honoka out to eat or spend her days off right at the ginger’s side. Sometimes, Honoka found that he didn’t quite understand her actions himself, but being the sweet gentleman he was, discarded unneeded thoughts.

“I am doing just fine, Madam Eli. If I may be so bold as to question a Knight, why are you here… with me… again?” Honoka flashed another one of his flirty smiles towards the Guard who was unfazed.

“You know why I am here. I would spend every second of my life by your side if I had to.” Was the reply that the blonde always gave without fail. Her eyes shining with sheer sincerity and determination.

“And I told you already that it’s alright even if you didn’t. You need not dedicate your life to someone so lowly as myself. Meister Ayase would be displeased by your great disservice to the country.” Honoka spoke in a formal manner for once, something he seldom did. The conversation was going in a bad direction, and both could feel the shift.

“My father would be proud of the path I’ve chosen, and that is to keep you from harm’s way.” The other responded with a religious fervor that matched the intensity of the ginger’s stare.

“I already have Umi for that. I don’t need two of you Knights. In fact, I could well defend myself from danger.” Honoka spoke in a factual tone, and Eli knew that the man’s words were nothing short of the truth and nothing came to mind that could oppose the solid statement. His mood was starting to sour and he disagreed with that side to himself, the side that could easily get hurt and hurt.

“I know that, and yet I still worry, just as Sir Sonoda does. That is the reason-“ Without letting the girl finish, Honoka spun on his heel to walk away from the annoyance. Eli’s presence in itself wasn’t annoying, but the way both she and Umi would dote on him unnerved Honoka to no end.

“Wait! Don’t just leave, hey we were-“ It wasn’t as though he hated her company, it was more that he knew that another one of their debates was taking place. It didn’t worry him if it was concerning him himself since they’d forgive on another eventually, but that didn’t change the fact that he strongly disliked hurting the older girl. The guilt would always stick around like a pest.

“Eli.” For the first time since this morning began, the baker’s voice turned hostile and chilly. Threatening. It was so unlike his usual cheery, playful character. But there was one more emotion that coated his next words. “Don’t you trust me?”

Of course she did. Of course Ayase Eli trusted her master. More than anything else, actually. More than anyone. Moreso than her seniors and the people who raised and took care of her, even.

But somehow, it was quite the challenge to put those feelings into words.

Honoka, deeply wounded from the lack of response from the blonde, readied himself to sprint away, unable to bear the thought of his blonde friend seeing him break into tears. As he began turning to the opposite direction, arms around his midsection kept him firmly planted in his spot and encased in a warm embrace.

“I do.” The breath next to his ear was ticklish, and the words poked at his heart strings. “But, I still worry despite my deep belief in you.” The golden-haired knight sighed as she felt the boy turn to return the embrace. “I’m sorry.” She whispered. She tightened her hold, forgetting for once that they were in the middle of town, well into the morning.

“I understand. I just wished you could let me go a bit. Or at least loosen the leash you and Umi have tied around me.” Not a single sound escaped their mouths during the next few moments, as they continued in that very suggestive situation that could have meant anything with how close they were. Eli secretly admitted it felt wonderful. Locked in this person’s embrace, she felt safest here.

Honoka began to laugh awkwardly as he cleared his suddenly hoarse throat, seeing as too many people had begun staring. None of those gazes welcome.

“Ehem. Anyway, if both of you wish to not tarnish your reputations, I suggest you… ehem... disentangle yourselves from one another.

“Umi!” They both released the other and jumped a safe distance from each other as they hid their embarrassed faces from the blue-haired knight.

“And here I thought we had rounds to do together Eli.” Umi ran a hand through his locks. The day had just started and he was already exhausted.

“Ah… Yeah! That’s right. Well then, excuse me… Kousaka-san.” Eli, along with Umi bowed to their secret master, running off to god knows where for their tasks for the day.

“Yeah, take care.” Honoka waved and stretched his arms above his head, ready to open up shop for the day. At least his baked goods would always make him happy, and at least they trusted him with their deliciously crisp lives.

“Fight dayo!”

~0~0~0~0~

“One baguette, maybe a dozen baker’s choice doughnuts, and some of your freshly made lemon jam.” A female customer told the man behind the counter as he gave a curt nod and went to gather the order.

“Oi, boss… here’s the request.”

Honoka smiled at his helper. He was quite mature in years, with a large build, most thought he was some bouncer or soldier, but he surprisingly loved sweets and pastries. This job was a perfect fit for him and Honoka laughed as only he knew of this secret side of his partner.

“Here you go Benvolio. Make sure you hand the pretty lady a flower for service.” The brunette winked at the lady on the opposite side of the counter as heat rose to her face. Benvolio smirked, accepting the customly made basket of goods.

“Flirt.”

“Sweets-lover.”

Honoka couldn’t contain his laughter as the older man tried to hit him with a piece of French bread but missed significantly.

“You are much too naïve. As if a piece of bread coupled with your slow movements could have an effect on me.” Before the angered Benvolio could deal a second swing, the daughter of the duke entered.

“Oh! Miss Minami!” Honoka greeted with a grin. “Here for another creampuff? Oh! I just remembered, we had them made in a form you’d be most pleased with. Just a moment.” The baker went further into his spacious kitchen to retrieve the mentioned sweet as Minami Kotori all but giggled. She had not spoken a word, and yet her childhood friend knew her so well. But he seemed to always forgot one thing.

“Honoka! I’ve told you a dozen times-“

“Here, Kotori!” Her unspoken demand had already been granted in the form of being addressed by her given name, and a delightful present that was an alpaca-shaped creampuff was handed to her. “Free of charge. Customer service.” The male blushed as he was rewarded with a kiss to the cheek.

“Just make sure your ‘Customer Services’ don’t put you out of business, my sweet baker.” Kotori liked how Honoka was the only person who would treat her as normal. Not like how others would. People who were afraid of her social status and standing.

“Out of business?” Honoka gloated, raising a challenging brow. “As if.” His chest puffed out in pride, he took her other orders and served the other customers too with brilliant hospitality.

~0~0~0~0~

“So are you done for the day?” Kotori was seated in one of the shop’s comfortable chairs, placed for customers who wanted to drink tea and chat in the homely atmosphere the bakery presented.

The sun looked like it was just about to set, and Honoka was shocked as she finally noticed how long the ash-gray brunette had waited for him.

“So you actually have some business with me?” Honoka sighed, ashamed that he had left his friend waiting too long. She usually didn’t stay in the bakery this long if it wasn’t for something important. “I’ll go get changed quickly madam, don’t fret.” He flashed his business smile and ran to the changing room to get dressed.

Stepping out in casual wear, he offered his arm for the lady to take, being the gentleman he was, and after ensuring his place was well locked up and secure, they took a stroll to any place their feet would take them.

~0~0~0~0~

The peaceful atmosphere between the two best friends was one of the reasons Honoka loved spending time with her. Kotori was a very beautiful young lady, and the boy couldn’t help but appreciate her during times like this. Times when they would just silently understand each other, no words needed. In turn, Kotori also appreciated the kind and accepting, and very romantic and loving nature of the auburn-haired Knight in training.

Their walks usually happened when something was troubling either teen, and Honoka would usually be the comforter, at times taking sweets along for a late-afternoon picnic or from time-to-time, a secret midnight snack-slash-rendezvous.

Of course the two were strictly best friends. Of course.

Reaching the river, Honoka spoke up as they had been quiet for quite a while already, the purpling skies telling them that they had actually been walking for a fair amount of time. “Is this about Umi again?” He winced as he received a blow to the arm. Women were quite strong nowadays.

“No. It’s a proper business proposal this time. Not that I would not like to get to that, but…” Pink dusted her pale cheeks.

“Ahaha… I understand. So what job?”

Kotori led Honoka beside the riverbank where they usually played (even at their age neither believed they were too old for games), and took seat. She remained silent and Honoka felt the pangs of worry tug at his heart. “Ko-“

“I don’t want you hurt.” She whispered.

“What was that?” Honoka didn’t quite catch that statement. Prying never sat well with the sword wielder, not that he always took one along, but he actually was quite the fighter. He was even skilled with a bow. “Kotori, is everything alri-“

“Actually, I have a friend.” The male frowned, getting cut off twice wasn’t exactly his idea of fun, but He did want to hear what his precious counterpart had to say. “She… she doesn’t get along well with her family and I was wondering… well… if you could…”

Kotori trailed off once more, mumbling words and letting out random phrases, making Honoka picture out some broken record. “Could you just tell me what’s going on?” No response came. “Kotori?” He attempted to put a hand on the noble’s shoulder.

“Gah! This is bad… I can’t put you through this!” The sudden yell made Honoka jump in surprise. He felt his heart pumping so strongly, it sould have well leapt out of his tight chest. The female placed her hands on her head: she seemed to be deeply troubled. She knew the other teen would accept, even if it meant facing ghosts of the past that would surely be there to haunt him for much, much longer. She needed to consider all the results, all the effects it would have, pleasant or horrid. She didn’t want to put him through any of it, knowing a fraction of his past. “Never mind I’ll just ask someone else-“

“What is it?! What do you need?” Honoka could no longer take this tenseness, this anxiety to know what was running in Kotori’s mind, the suspense was killing him. Not only that, all those close to him were making him feel as though if he were untrustworthy. Like their problems were something he could never hope to help with, let alone fix, and yet they all meddled in his affairs!

“Honoka…?”

“Please…” The warm hand embracing hers made the tears that were threatening to spill, stop their insistent pushing. “Trust me with this. Let me help you.” Honoka truly was a smooth talker. His expressive eyes telling you all you needed to know and understand. He was a very open person, keeping no secrets. Ok not exactly, but… you just couldn’t bear to fail a person such as him.

“Maki needs help, you see.” Kotori finally told her friend, not noticing the close proximity between their faces. Honoka, however, did and did his best to pull away, and hoping he hadn’t been too obvious.

“Ok… ehem-so some girl needs time away from her family. I’m guessing you want me to help her escape?” Honoka spilled Kotori’s plan for her. He knew if he let her lay it out in full, they’d reach the dawn of the following day just discussing a simple matter like how to tie a rope to a tree. Don’t ask, Honoka would say. It happened.

“Yes… it’s just…”

“Just?

“You might have some trouble and it’s more dangerous than the usual.” Kotori looked at Honoka’s baby blue orbs filled with excitement and thirst for adventure. She didn’t want to put out that spark, but… “Also you need to know this. I don’t want you surprised, or caught off guard to the point of having little mishaps, okay? You have to be safe coming back. God knows Eli would have my head.”

“Oh come on, what could happen? No accident will just ‘happen’. And why would I be shocked? Is your friend an extremely noble person?” Honoka laughed and Kotori wished she could too. It just wasn’t the right situation for it. She knew Honoka remembered most of his past, despite it happening when he was at such a young age. It meant Trauma to be reminded of this. It meant a bad kind of shock.

Kotori took a deep breath, preparing herself for the worst. “The truth is…” The eager anticipation seen through Honoka’s body language was evident as he waited for a new adventure. “She’s the princess of Canzone. Nishikino Maki, from the Capulet branch.”

Honoka’s sparkling eyes dulled as his jaw hung slack. The fire in him doused with a bucket of water. “Oh.”

“Yeah.”

Kotori found she hated awkward silences like this. They felt nothing like the tranquil moments she spent with Honoka, those without words. She felt the dire need for her friend to say something, anything to ease the fear that was beginning to grow in the young maiden’s heart.

“Are you still… up for it? I mean- you don’t have to force yourself or anything, okay?!” Kotori was beginning to think it was a bad idea to present this task to Honoka and panicked. The smile sent her way, vanquished those fears.

“If you trust me enough to ask this of me, how could I ever refuse?”

“You know if you keep that up, I might just fall for you.” Kotori giggled, feeling relief flood her entire being.

“I’d rather you not. Please don’t. I’m too young to be in heaven.”

“I didn’t know there was an age qualification for death.”

“Well now you do.” The jabs and jokes lightened the atmosphere of the lovely chilly evening.

~0~0~0~0~

A few wrestling matches later, Honoka decided to take heed to the warnings of the swift dropping of the temperature and proposed to take the girl home, despite her refusal, and against his better judgment. Why? Because a certain female Knight would be searching for him.

“Let’s get you home before Eli finds me and drags me home.”

“Alright.” The Ash-brunette gave in, not wanting to further impose on her friend’s kindness. “Kyaa!”

“And up you go!” Kotori swore her the whole town- no kingdom could hear her thumping heart. Honoka had carried her, bridal style, as he laughed at her shaking form. “Hold on tight! The Honoka express is bound for the Minami Residence! Fight dayo!” And with the speed of light, he sprinted towards the aforementioned location, taking small detours where they could see the beautiful stars, and probably take shortcuts.

“Idiot.” She sighed, feeling light as a feather as she was carried safely home. She knew she was safe. With this person, who wouldn’t be?

“Why are you two with me?! I wanted to go alone!”

“And we said you can’t.” Umi replied flatly, swatting a branch away from his path and pointedly ignoring his auburn-haired master as they continued their trek through the deep forests.

“What the heck? And here I was thinking that I was the master.”

“You went against our ground rules. Think about it as getting grounded.” Eli told Honoka, recalling last night’s events after the latter came home.

~0~0~0~0~

“To any power or celestial being out there, I pray that my guards are asleep. Thanks.” Honoka clasped his hands together in front of his humble abode.

“I hope they answer your pleas, yeah?”

“Crap.” Turning to address the owner of the smooth voice, Honoka chuckled fearfully. “Hi… I’m sorry, Eli.” He gave up on forming an excuse, seeing how tired the knight seemed to be. “Sometimes I wish you’d sleep without me. I know how tired you actually are.” In futile attempts to turn away the wrath of his guardian, Honoka smiled the smile he knew she was weak against.

“You know we can’t do that. And yet you still are so selfish.” Umi’s voice joined in the conversation as he leaned on one of the posts by the stairs. Honoka glared at the male.

“Kotori had a request for me.” He explained. The blonde felt a sudden rush, as she panicked, her eyes widening in shock and slight anger.

“Honoka! We agreed on no more jobs like that!” Eli shook the boy by the shoulders. “You promised!” Kotori’s jobs always had a hint of danger laced in. Eli didn’t like the sound of an endangered Honoka. Sometimes, she even disapproved of their meetings because they seemed to always lead to these little missions Honoka loved.

The two knew of their friend’s joy in taking part of an adventure and helping others, but if it was at the risk of his own soul, they would go so far as to ban the baker from meeting up with the Duke’s daughter.

“Then what am I to do?!” He felt ticked off, raising his voice as he unintentionally banged a fist in the middle of their shared dining table. “Be a baker my entire life? You both agree that I have my fair share of skills. I can protect my own being.” Honoka found himself questioning his friend’s trust in him again.

“I need action every now and then! And it’s a simple task! I just need to grab some girl and take her away from her house for a while.”

“You’re kidnapping a girl from her home?!” Eli looked as she if she would faint any moment at the revealing of the actual thing.

“Correction, it’s no home. It is simply a shelter. That’s why she needs to get away from it. And I am not ‘kidnapping’ her, I am helping her out.” Honoka frowned at the thought. What a sad life that child led.

“So? Who is this person?” Umi seemed to grasp the situation and with how he said it, his services were available for Honoka’s use.

“It’s the princess of Canzone.” He admitted. The pair saw the seriousness and conviction burning in their charge’s eyes, yet they still feared for worse. The fact that another kingdom was involved, even so because it was Canzone, especially because it involved Royal blood, it could already be labeled as worse enough.

“No.”

“Ugh!” Honoka prepared to march off and lock himself in his quarters till daybreak. He didn’t care about their opinions anymore. He’d go anyway, he thought. With a mindset to sneak out, he guessed he would have to rest up to have the strength he needed for the journey. His was about to slam his door shut, but their statement stopped him in his tracks.

“Not unless you take us with you.” They smiled. They knew he would have to agree. They’d stalk him even if he didn’t. They were confident he’d say yes.

“No.”

Well, whatever. It didn’t change the fact that they’d be on a journey tomorrow. They were accompanying him, no buts allowed.

~0~0~0~0~

“Eeeellliiiii!!!” Honoka whined. “Just why couldn’t we have taken Berto?”

Honoka had woken before the crack of dawn to pick up the map and instructions from the Minami’s, but the formerly sleeping knights had awoken at the sound of running footsteps outside. He hoped that if Eli did come along, she would have at least brought Berto.

Bertomoligio was Eli’s pet dragon. She used him for hunts and travels and such.

“We’re trying to secretly take that princess out, right? What good would it be if we attracted soldiers and patrollers and scout’s attention? We’d be dead before we got to her. And there goes your plan to save a soul.”

“At least I tried.” Honoka sighed, draggin along his tired feet. He hadn’t slept much last night, plus he was slightly out of shape, always being confined at home by the two guardians. Spotting a flowing creek, his spirits were lifted and he took a dash for it, discarding his sandals to the side as he cooled the bruised skin in the flowing water.

“Child.” Umi retorted.

“That, I am.” Honoka laughed as he splashed along everywhere. “How ‘bout we take a rest? I brought bread!”

The three planned their approach during that break. They were about five kilometers from the kingdom walls and the guards could well likely spot them from a kilometer’s distance. They needed to get in, but that was impossible if they couldn’t even go near the barricades.

“So Kotori’s map tells of a moat encircling the walls and a drawbridge by the south entrance. The North has a brick walkway-bridge and most watchers are stationed by these two entrances.” Umi drew out the first plans on the dirt with a stick.

“A fourth of a kilometer east from the walls, there is a well. It’s a dried up one that is, in truth, a secret passage. If we could make it there, and fortunately we can due to the east being a fairly wooded area, we’ll have a sure gate pass in.” Honoka explained, the two nodding their agreement. “We execute our approach when we are the least visible. Nightfall.”

~0~0~0~0~

Night came speedily as the three, fully charged, ran as silently as they could to the targeted location. They found the well quite easily, their eyes having already adjusted to the darkness. They could see the lights from torches and could hear a few voices from the walls.

“I think there is some kind of celebration?” Eli asked.

“That’s a good opportunity for us. Let’s move while we are yet to be noticed.” Honoka told his companions as they jumped into the well, lighting a torch as they were well into the passage.

“I wonder why they are so… loud. I thought this place was unhappy… for the citizens.” Honoka stated his opinion of the country.

“Aren’t those just the rich ones? Maybe they decided to celebrate how foolishly rich they are?” Eli responded with disinterest. “We should be near enough-“

“Who goes there!” A voice bellowed. “See I told you there was a chance someone would sneak in through here!”

“Shut up Matthias. Who’s there?” A pair of city lookouts approached the corner where the trio had stuck their backs to.

“They seem like an easy win.” Honoka told his partners in crime.

“I agree.” Umi whispered back, smiling as if he read his master’s thoughts. Nodding to Eli, they began the count.

“3,2…1”

~0~0~0~0~

“So… where should we place their unconscious bodies?”

“Wait, we may be able to use their uniforms.”

“Good idea, Honoka.” Umi began disrobing the pair, Eli scrunching up her nose in disgust.

“You two go do that. Who knows where those have been.” She turned around to allow the males some privacy as they changed into their ‘disguise’.

“Infiltration has no room for hygiene.” The boys laughed as they shared a high-five. “Though we do admit it’s quite gross.”

“See?”

The disguises worked surprisingly well, well supposing most of the guards were pretty much intoxicated and incapacitated. It was a simple sneaking in for the spies.

“This place is prone to conquest if they keep this up.” Umi sighed in discontent and disappointment. “And here I was afraid of their defenses.”

“I don’t think we should underestimate them.” Honoka spoke under his breath, only for the knights to hear as he nodded a greeting to a passerby as they were able to approach the center, the castle.

“How do we get in now?” Umi asked Eli, the one who held the map at the moment.

“There is a small manhole nearby that is connected to the aqueducts of the castle baths.” She stated as the two understood immediately what she meant, and took off the stinky armor and were left in normal clothing. “We’ll go through there.”

Crawling their way in, the three emerged in the dead center of a large bath. Wet and soaked to their boots, they headed off to any spare room in search of fitting garments that would also help in hiding them in the royal palace.

“Are we good on time?” Honoka asked Umi who pulled out a silver pocket watch and saw that it was about two in the morning as they followed the map in search of the princess’ quarters.

The three had realized that the place was even larger than the drawn out map had suggested, and working their way through was quite confusing. Along with the additional knock-out here and there, the three made sure that they weren’t noticeable in the slightest. The background of the partying only supported their cause.

When they reached what seemed to be the corridor that lead up to all the royal housing and bedrooms, Eli had almost stepped in to a hallway when she felt restriction of movement.

“Hey, isn’t it this one he-“ A hand covered Eli’s mouth unexpectedly, she would’ve fought back and nearly screamed had Honoka’s voice not soothed her, informing her that it was only he who had held her.

“Shhh… Look.” He pointed at the room Eli mentioned. Two maids were knocking at the door. They seemed desperate.

“Maki-ojousama, your father calls for you to join in the party!” The silver-haired one spoke meekly.

“I refuse to be his plaything. He’ll just make me an entertainment for his guests and for those stuuuppiiid suitors.” A voice responded from behind closed doors.

“Maki-sama!”

“Leave.” The weight of the word was so heavy because she meant it.

“Yes.”

Honoka felt a pain in his chest. That one spoken word held anger and bitterness, but also loneliness and hurt. He felt the sudden urge to protect whoever it was behind those wooden separators. To embrace the crying soul. If only he could he-

“Honoka? Let’s go!” Umi tugged at his shirt as they approached the room, making sure to look out for patrolling officers. Honoka briskly tapped on the door, hearing sniffles from the inside. He felt his own soul fall to pieces as the speed of his knocks increased significantly.

“GO away! I told you I don’t want to!”

“Ummm, no. That’s not it. Ummm…. Ahh… how should I say this.” The blue-eyed gentleman was at a loss for words for the first time and he didn’t know how to deal with that. “Actually-“

“So you must be another suitor my father sent.” The voice was coated with venom, and Honoka winced at how painful it was. “You should already know I’m not interested. I will never be interested.”

“Really now?” Honoka smelled a challenge, and grinned. He loved it. “We’re going in.” He instructed to his co-conspirators as they helped him pick the lock. As soon as the door clicked and swung open, a pillow met Honoka’s dashing smile.

“Are you some kind of pervert? I said I’m not interested!” Honoka took the object that was in the way of his line of vision. Before he could lash out a reply, gorgeous lilac greeted him with the most vivid rosy red he’d seen in a lifetime.

“Hello.” Was all that fell from his lips as the one opposite from him, pillow clutched tightly in front of her form stared at the being in front of her.

“Hello.” He was in no means, bad looking. He was rather charming. Maki thought, but immediately shook her head to rid them of those thoughts. Any suitor, no matter how handsome, as long as it was from her father, would be a horrible man. “Please leave. You are not supposed to be here.” She told him. She didn’t want to deal with any men at the moment.

“No wait! The truth is-“

“You there! What are you doing with the princess… wait why are you even he- Intruders!” The loud interruption prompted them to turn to the sound of the voice. A Royal Guard, Honoka assumed, had spotted them. Well, the door was wide open.

“Umi, Eli.” That’s when the princess noticed that there were actually other people there, besides her handsome intruder.

“Who are you people-“

“Do you trust us?” Honoka suddenly asked, her hand offered to be taken by the beautiful woman in front of him. Maki looked behind the boy, his two companions fighting off the most elite forces, hand-picked by the king and top generals themselves, with such ease that she was beginning to really question these people’s identities.

“Honestly, no.” She spoke earnestly, locking Violet with blue.

“Good. I don’t either,” She looked at the male incredulously. How could he say such a statement? How was she supposed to feel assured? “- but… we were sent by Minami Kotori-sama to help you.”

“Kotori did?” She felt joy and sincere gratitude well up at the mention of her friend’s name. Maybe she could place herself in the hands of these strangers, if they, indeed, were sent by her dear friend.

“You can thank her later, but for now- woah!” The ginger dodged the stray spear that had hit the large glass window behind them, creating the perfect escape route for the culprits. “That was close, right princess?” He had subconsciously pulled her close in an act of defense, but she seemed to find it repulsive. “Oh, forgive my rudeness.” The male, noticing this, apologized.

“I-it’s fine.”

“Honoka! We need to leave, so if you could just!” Umi was starting to back away from the door as he approached their window of opportunity… literal window of opportunity, Eli following suit. It wasn’t as though they find it hard, but they were beginning to attract too much attention and they wanted to escape unidentified, after all.

“Got it.” He turned once more to the still processing noble. “Well then, excuse me and forgive my rudeness once more but…” She, at first, couldn’t comprehend the meaning behind those words till she felt him hoist her up, gently into his arms as Eli dug around under the bed in search of something.

“Found it!” She held up a small bag with the princess’ escape belongings. Kotori had told them about it. That she had instructed the Nishikino heir to prepare for escape any time.

“Let’s go!” Umi jumped out first, followed by Eli, the sounds of sirens ringing throughout the kingdom, replacing the previous noises of merrymaking.

“Shall we? Wait, do you trust me?” Honoka teased, dodging another arrow. It baffled the girl in her arms that this weird man still found the time to be pulling jokes. Honoka had turned to the unwelcome guests. “Tsk, it’s not good shooting at your own princess.” He scolded, as he mumbled a few incoherent phrases. “So princess… your verdict?” He chuckled at the frustrated expression she wore. He knew what she wanted now.

“I do for now… so just-!”

“I understand.” Honoka faced the crowd of soldiers. “I enjoyed the game gentleman, but I must bid thee farewell. Arrivederci!” He grinned and fell off the window “I understand.” Honoka faced the crowd of soldiers. “I enjoyed the game gentleman, but I must bid thee farewell. Arrivederci!” He grinned and fell off the window sill, his back facing the ground, with the princess cradled tightly in his hold, the screams erupting from the lovely lady not fazing him in the slightest.

Landing perfectly on his feet, he shot a lazy grin to the one wrapped in his arms. “Now wasn’t that fun.” He received a red cheek in return and an angry red-head walking away from him and opting to walk beside his blonde protector.

“Never again.”

“I take that as a solid yes.” He shared a fist bump with his usually stoic faced friend. They watched that two ladies hit it off naturally as they spoke of their common dislikes, particularly, Honoka’s care-free and, truthfully, aloof personality. The man in question found a large Cheshire cat-like grin plastered onto his face as he focused on the maiden in her night gown, the one who he might just have the pleasure of knowing these next few days.

Stretching his arms and raising his fist in the air, he felt the muscles relax after all that running. He knew that he was looking forward to this new chapter of his story. Looking up to the mix of orange and sky blue tints, just like the rising sun, a new day, a new option, a path was opening up to him. “Fight dayo.” He encouraged himself.

“This is gonna be a blast!”

#Love live #honomaki #kousaka honoka #honoka kousaka #maki nishikino #fanfic #GRxTJ

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