#then suddenly was given all the freedom + a personal bodyguard to essentially be her servant

[lionblaze03-2]

Anemone is honestly an incredible character and if you guys can't see that then you just don't understand negative character development

[freedom-shamrock]

A Little Secret - Chapter 9

Also on AO3

Chp 1   Chp 2   Chp 3   Chp 4   Chp 5   Chp 6   Chp 7   Chp 8   Chp 9 Chp 10   Chp 11

Amazing art created by @soundofez​  pg 1  pg 2  pg 3

Unsure What to do With all Ten Fingers

Adrien wondered how Marinette always managed to seem so calm when Chat Noir stopped by out of the blue.  It wasn't like his visits were scheduled.  Maybe it had something to do with the fact that her parents were aware of his stops and had encouraged the friendship.  Actually.  That probably had a lot to do with it.  He could drop in to visit any of them, as Adrien or Chat, and they welcomed him as family.  There was no pressure and no obvious stress.

The same definitely could not be said for Ladybug's visits to Adrien's house.  Despite the fact that no one ever came into his room unannounced, there were plenty of places to hide, and the mansion was essentially empty, he was constantly paranoid that someone would come in and find him sharing a bowl of popcorn while watching Cardcaptor Sakura with the superhero.

"Relax kid," Plagg said, hovering over the hastily assembled blanket fort that shielded the couch and wall mounted television.  "The only people in the house are you and your bodyguard.  The chef left half an hour ago.  Your boss and minder aren't due back for a week."  Over the summer, the tiny black cat had given Adrien's father and Nathalie nicknames consistent with how they treated his charge.  Adrien had quickly given up on trying to get him to use their names.  After all, Plagg had an excellent understanding of the relationships involved.

"I know," Adrien said, flopping onto his bed.  "The logic is all on your side, which I've gotta say is a weirdly swapped situation.  But I just… can't help it."

Plagg nuzzled Adrien's neck.  "It'll get easier with practice.  I promise."

Adrien sighed.  "It's been two and a half months, Plagg."  Ladybug had been visiting once a week, on pre-scheduled evenings, ever since Adrien had been confunded by an angry Harry Potter fan.  "I don't think it's gotten any easier."  He looked around his room.  "But it's probably because I'm inviting her into this place."  He waved his hand at his room, large enough to contain most of Marinette's family apartment.  "Marinette welcomes me to her home .  It's just… different."

"You're not wrong," Plagg agreed.  "If it helps any, I'll hang out in the hallway, and I'll disrupt the electricity, briefly this time, if someone's coming."

Adrien rubbed the kwami behind the ears.  "Thanks Plagg.  I'll have extra cheese for you later."

For once, Plagg's timing was perfect.  The moment he phased through the bedroom wall, there was a tap at the window.

Adrien scurried over and let in his guest and best friend.  "Hi!"  He waved up to her, then held out a hand to help her down.  "I'm glad you were able to make it."

She smiled, and suddenly his room didn't feel nearly so cold and empty.  "I would have texted if something came up."

He nodded.  "I know," he said quickly, wanting to correct her misperception before it could take hold.  "It's just… it sometimes doesn't feel real that we do this.  Not until you're here.  And I just realized that makes me sound like I have problems with the difference between reality and fantasy, and ohmygod I'm going to shut up."  He covered his mouth with one hand.

Her giggle made him so happy.  He loved that sound.  "Are you okay with me being here?"

"Yes," he said quickly, worried she'd leave, and no irrational fear was worth that.

"You seem kind of… nervous.  Is everything all right?"

He nodded and gestured to the blanket fort.  "Yeah.  Peachy.  It was just a long day.  Intense photo shoot.  Minor diva moments.  Interns breaking down in tears.  The usual."

"That sounds exhausting," she said, cringing before ducking into the tent.  "Oooh.  Nice place you have here."  She flopped happily onto the pillows.

"I thought it would be more cozy," he said, shrugging as he settled in with her.  He already felt better and he wondered how much of that was just being around her.  Plagg had mentioned something about past Ladybugs and their ability to soothe and calm others.

"Now back to your ghastly day with all the drama," she suggested.

"We don't have to," he started, but she was shaking her head.

"This is what friends do," she reminded him.  "Vent a bit.  Decompress.  Then we can set it aside to fully enjoy the movie."

She knew him so well; it was really nice.  "Not all fashion houses are like this," he said.  "But my father's… it tends to run pretty high strung.  A lot like my father, actually."  He took a seat beside her.  "I would never recommend a friend of mine seek an internship at Gabriel."

Ladybug stared intently at him for a moment.  "Really?"

He nodded.  "Interns are treated as disposable commodities."  It was something he'd recognized as problematic even when he was homeschooled and friendless.  "But because there are so many people who think that completing an internship at Gabriel will give them a leg up, there are always others to take their place.  It's completely fucked up."  He'd tried to get his father to see what that could do to the company's reputation, since that was pretty much the only thing he cared about.  "My father is warped enough that he thinks it makes the company seem more attractive.  It's not just the standards of beauty that are unattainable, it's everything about the company and its designs."

"Wow."  Ladybug sighed.  "That's disgusting."

"Yeah."  He pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket.  "I've got this friend named Marinette who's an amazing designer even though she's entirely self-taught.  She's thinking about internships, and I know she's always wanted to study with my father, but… interns don't get to do that at Gabriel.  Even the really good ones.  And so many of them leave the industry completely after their time with us."  He snorted.  His father considered it weeding out the chaff, those who didn't have what it took.

"Yikes.  It must be pretty horrible if it makes people give up their artistic dreams."  She looked horrified.

"I would never want one of my friends to work there in any capacity."  Marinette had what it took to land a spot, and she had the talent and skill to make it in the business, but he couldn't stand the idea of her enduring Gabriel's standard abuse, of her getting jaded and bitter.

"Even if it meant you got to see them at work?" she asked.

Adrien shook his head.  "I absolutely don't want anyone I know picking up a job at Gabriel because of me."  He shrugged.  "I'm planning on bailing at my earliest opportunity."  Plagg was the only one who knew about that plan, and he'd encouraged it.

Ladybug stared at him in wide-eyed shock.  "You… you're leaving modeling?" her words came out in a raspy whisper.

"Can't imagine me as anything other than a model?" he teased.

"Oh.  No, that's not it at all," she assured him, one hand reaching out to land lightly on his shoulder.  "You're brilliant.  I can imagine you doing all sorts of things."

He felt his sly Chat grin on his face.  "Really?"  He drew the word out and leaned forward, suggestively arching his eyebrows.

"Not those kinds of things!" she squeaked.

He chuckled, thinking and hoping the pink in her cheeks told a different story.  "Seriously, though," he went on before he could dig himself into too deep a hole.  "I'm not leaving modeling entirely, at least not at first.  It's not like I hate it.  It makes good money, and I'm decent at it."

"Decent?!" she demanded.  "That's like saying Chat and I are okay at defeating akuma."

He grinned, but continued his train of thought.  "But modeling isn't a realistic life career, so I need to work out a plan for when I no longer have the look companies are aiming for."  He shrugged.  "I don't want to model for Gabriel anymore, and I want control over my schedule."

Ladybug nodded.  "That all sounds fair, and probably past time."  He'd shown her his crazy schedule when they first started trying to arrange times for her to stop by.  "Have you decided what that plan will include?"

"Decided, not really, but I've obsessed over the possibilities," he admitted.  His dream of freedom was relatively near, and he'd spent many of his free hours and breaks between activities thinking about his options and identifying what he really wanted in his life.  A lot of his dreams were long range hopes for a warm family environment.  Some were vague and nebulous because he'd had so little opportunity to explore his own interests.  The few that were specific and detailed were too personal to share just yet, even with Plagg.

"If you need anything, you know you can ask your friends, right?" she asked.

He nodded.  "My friends are amazing, and I hope I'm half as good to them as they are to me."

"You are," she insisted.

He unfolded the paper he'd pulled out earlier.  "I'm making a list for Marinette."  He flattened it on the table.  "These are fashion houses that have good reputations for how they treat their interns, staff, and models."

Ladybug glanced down at the paper and froze, her mouth dropped open into an adorable O of surprise.  A red fingertip hovered over an e-mail address.  "Are these…"  Her voice was reverent.

"Those are my contacts, most work in talent acquisition, and they've offered to look at her portfolio."  It wasn't a tiny list, and he was very much aware that the details were not publicly available.  He'd used his well-honed schmoozing skills in talking up the staff he ran into during various fashion events.

"How long have you been working on this?" she asked, wonder clear in her voice.

"Oh… a while, I guess."  He shrugged.  "Probably since April.  That's when I realized I needed to get Mari some options other than Gabriel, while I was still in favor."

"You think that'll change?" she asked.  "That people won't want you when you… um… go rogue?"

He grinned.  It was such perfect phrasing.  "Hard to say.  Some won't care, even if my father makes a scene and throws bad publicity my way."  He rolled his eyes.  "Some would probably prefer it if things get really ugly, so they can claim to have poached me from their rival."

"You've transposed your numbers," Chat said gently, tapping the scratch paper where Ladybug was working through a physics problem on refraction.

"Hmmm… oh… yeah," she said groggily, striking out the mistake and rewriting the problem.

"Why are you so tired tonight, Bug?" he asked, catching the edge of the blanket that tried to slip off her shoulder.  Snuggle studies had somehow ended up being part of their post- workout routine, so they were huddled together under a blanket on the floor of the dojo they'd been using all winter.  Late February saw some warmer temperatures, but it wasn't nearly enough for his partner.

"Designing," she muttered.  Then, as if realizing this version of her wasn't supposed to be telling this version of him about her personal life, she scrambled to cover.  "Uh… you know, planning how I want my gap year to go.  Figuring out what I need to do, to be where I need to, at the end."

"I can completely relate," he admitted, hoping to ease her mind.  He'd been doing a lot of planning and researching as well.  "I'm hoping to make a lot of changes during my gap year, and… they're taking more time to work out than I expected."

She leaned into him, her face pressing into his ribs, and hummed.

"But, you know you don't have to do it all now, right?" he asked.  "That's part of what the gap year is for.  Figuring things out."  He pushed her paper out of the way before straightening up and scooping her into the nest made by his folded legs.

"Yeah," she agreed.  "But I'm a planner, you know that.  I feel better if I have some idea or road map, even if it's going to change."

He adjusted the blanket to make sure she was fully covered.  "I know."  It was part of what made her such a great hero and them such a perfect team.  She planned in advance, while he did it on the fly, and she was flexible enough to modify as needed.  "But maybe you should just put down the basics for your plan now, and figure out the details after Final Bac."  It was surprisingly sound advice from Plagg when he'd been stressing out over it.  Though to be fair, his kwami had been much more helpful to his personal plights in the last eight months.

She snorted.  "Tikki told me something a lot like that too."

"I get that you have big plans, L.B."  He tightened his hold on her for a moment.  "I really do.  And yeah, there are things you'll need to do to get there, but you can't do it all at once.  You'll burn yourself out.  And where would that leave me?"

She let out a little laugh.  "Fine.  I'll try to balance things better."

"That's all I can ask, Bug," he said.  "But it will cut down on my worrying."  He looked at her homework.  She still had a few problems to go, but she had time tomorrow.  "How about we call it a night, and you go straight to bed.  You've said you have afternoon science, so you can hit those problems during your break."

"Okay," she agreed, making no move to get up.

"You want me to take you home?"  He felt oddly breathless.  Knowing who she was, without confirmation, was one thing.  A full-on reveal was something else.

She shook her head against his side, instantly snuffing out the brushfire in his brain.  "Can't tell you who I am; you know that."

"It's not safe," he said, unsure if it really mattered at this point.

She nodded.  "But I want to."  It was the first time she'd frankly admitted that to him.

"You… you do?" he asked, warmth of happiness suffusing him.

"Course I do," she insisted, hugging him tightly.  "You are my most favorite person, ever."

"You're mine, too," he said softly.

"And as soon as it's safe, we're doing a whole reveal hand hanging out, and everything," she promised.  "Sound okay?"

He let out a sigh.  "Sounds purrfect."

"Great.  Now, two minute power snuggle before I have to go out in the cold."  She tugged the blanket over her head before wrapping her arms around him in her cocoon.  

He chuckled and pulled out his baton to set an alarm.  He wasn't as tired, but falling asleep seemed very possible given his current comfort level and the happy buzz filtering through his head.

Chapter Title - "Not knowing how to do anything with all ten of your fingers" is a French idiom for being or feeling completely useless.

Huge thanks to @soundofez and my betas: Karnival and @chatbug-jk​

[ansatsu-database]

Korotan C Rough Summary/Synopsis (Part 4)

June 2016? My goodness, it’s been that long!? Sigh, my work life...

Previously on Korotan C: Princess Lea of Norgo Kingdom visits Kunugigaoka for a Debate Rally, but she's decided to sneak out of her hotel and into the city. Upon saving her from an assassination attempt, Class 3-E and Asano Gakushuu are now bodyguards on a mission to escort her to safety.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Spoilers beware, and remember, this is not intended to be a full word for word translation. This is only so that you have an idea of what is happening.

I have no guarantee that these are 100% accurate

Chapter 4

Taxi would be the quickest way to reach the embassy, but should their enemies discover them, it’ll become easy to mark and ambush. Thus, Karma suggests that they use methods that include crowds of people to make things harder for them.

They’ll use public transport whenever they can, and switch the mediums of travel too. From here, they can take the bus, then switch to train at the station. Of course, some of them have to stay with the princess.

Nakamura then suggests maybe it’ll help if the princess wears a different outfit. Like, she can put on a Kunugigaoka uniform, then someone else dresses in the princess’ outfit.

That idea will put the person dressed in the princess’ outfit in danger of being assassinate though. “Well, even if I say that, you’ll still do it anyway,” Karma quickly realises.

“Same hairstyle, same colour, isn’t that just right? Exactly like the princess who’s being marked! Incidentally, you better protect me, my meat shield!!” said Nakamura.

“Hey! How many times are you going to use me as a meat shield!?” retorted Terasaka.

After Nakamura and Lea swapped their clothing, Yoshida brings the princess a knit cap for her to completely hide her blonde hair.

“Class E keeps on demonstrating an unfathomable level of prowess, whether at the Athletic Festival or the 2nd Trimester Finals, just where did your strength came from?” questioned Asano.

“Well… it was probably… the result of us fighting to the death at the precipice that was Class E…” answered Isogai.

“Isogai-kun… is getting better and better at lying…” remarked Kayano (probably)

“Well… it’s not like he can say that it was all thanks to a Mach 20 superbeing,” replied Nagisa (probably)

Unbeknownst to everyone, someone is spying on them from the shadows.

“Everyone has matured well, getting more and more reliable. Should anything happen, Sensei will be there to help, so just go along with your own daring ideas!”

Suddenly, a dog barks from behind the octopus and he screams. Karma and Asano both heard him, to the former’s exasperation.

The students travel in 2 groups, with Lea grouped together with Asano, Nakamura, Karma and Terasaka. En route to the bus station, Lea gives the ambassador a call, telling him that everything’s fine, and she’s heading now to the embassy.

When the bus arrives, Karma and Asano boarded first to make sure passengers are OK, with Nakamura and Terasaka keep up their guard from behind.

Karma sits at a window seat closest to the emergency exit, with Lea next to him, and Asano standing next to her. Nakamura and Terasaka then sit to her front and rear, completing a cross-formation that defends Lea in the center for their travel.

But during the bus journey, Karma decides to lighten things up with small talk, to Asano’s chagrin.

“Hey, don’t you forget that we are supposed to be protecting the princess! Don’t relax your guard, we’re not here for sightseeing!”

“While keeping up your guard is important, it’s still a long way to the embassy, so there’s no way to maintain such a high tension for the whole trip.”

“It’s because you carry such optimism like so many others who’ve given up on hard work that you…”

“Besides, if you want to pursue perfection in being a bodyguard, then before the princess made her suggestion, you should’ve taken the first step, so being adaptable is another essential skill to have.”

“I don’t need you to teach me how to be a bodyguard! And on the social side of things, I have plenty of experience.”

--

Lea watches with amusement at the banter between the two.

She remarks that “Karma” is an odd name, is it common in Japan? He reckons he’s the only one in Japan to have it, it’s a name that his always-travelling parents with their strange tastes came up with.

Isn’t that lonely, what with his parents not being at home? He thinks he’s actually freer this way, as long as they don’t mind his business he’s got no objections. Lea feels envious at the relationship the Akabanes have.

Karma then brings her attention to Asano’s family. Normally, if you have the school’s board chairman for a father, then you would get all sorts of special treatment, and everything is fine and dandy, but not for Asano-kun. Never mind special treatment, the way he kept working hard to stay at the top is considered “that’s how it should be”, that’s just…

[“You know nothing! Can you cease with your blabbering! Since ancient times, the only ones who become rulers are the strong. That is my father’s compass of education, and one that I believe to be correct. I never yearned for any warmth between father and son, and I have no interest in discussing such relationships with someone who likes to gossip like Akabane. So whether it’s this guy, or my father, I will rule over you all, over all of humanity. That is my calling, and I take joy in living in this calling.”]

[“Pfft,”] blurted Nakamura. [“So cool, Asano-kun! But I think that’s just a load of hubris.”]

[“There’s no helping it if it’s seen as hubris, although, I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing to be undeterred by the gazes of others and stick to your beliefs. But if it were me, there’s no way I would ignore how others around me sees things, or the expectations from my parents or my citizens. I would stick with my beliefs while carrying all the pressure and responsibility, and I would hate to act like I’m losing to that pressure!”]

[“Indeed, running away is no good.”] (Don’t know who says this)

Seeing his retaliation, Lea lightly pats him on his upper arm.

[“Let’s not talk about this anymore, Gakushuu is too perfect, it’s boring.”]

[“Expectations from others is proof of your worth, and as for how this strength is to be used, it’s completely decided by me, by my freedom. I decide where my life leads to.”]

(He was so serious that Karma and Nakamura opted not to tease him here)

[“From now on, I shall etch your words into my heart.  I will believe in myself and do the things that I believe in, and I shall not falter and continue forward, no matter what those around me say. But conversely, please remain in contact with me as much as possible.”]

[“Then you had better keep up with my growth.”]

Seeing how the two have been using such tough language against one another, Karma can’t help but feel excited. [“My oh my~ Don’t you think those two suit each other a lot?”]

[“Can you not make such low-levelled jokes!?”] Asano angrily stares at Karma.

[“Aha, he’s angry now~ Asano-kun is so cute~!”] [“He does like the princess huh~!”]

Asano’s strong tone only got Karma and Nakamura more fired up.

[“When this is over, if you dare to spread this sort of rumour, I’ll use all the power in the school to massacre you!”]

[“So scary~”]

She may’ve been the butt of the joke, but Lea holds in her laughter and turns to the windows. The appearance of her excitedly gazing out at the scenery of the passing streets presents a temperament of both girlish innocence and royalty. Asano involuntarily looked at this from a side view, but when he suddenly sensed a devilish gaze coming from Karma, he hurriedly turned back towards the front.

“Hey! Can’t you all speak with some simpler English? I couldn’t hear a lick of it!” said Terasaka.

“Man, you just had to do it, breaking up this lovely atmosphere?!” retorted Nakamura, as the bus slowly approaches the train station.

--

Meanwhile, the second group had already taken another bus, arrived at the train station and got into formation. Some went to check the surroundings for any assassins that may be in hiding, while others remain nearby gathering intelligence on the situation.

In front of the station, Nagisa and Kayano are throwing out snacks to the pigeons nearby, with more and more gathering, and even landing on their heads and shoulders and pecking at the snacks in their hands. Isogai and Maehara, on guard nearby, wonder if they’re alright, but it’s part of Karma’s plan, what can they do?

The “escort” bus now arrives at the station. Maehara spotted that one of the people waiting in line to board is dressed in black and reading a newspaper. And as the passengers gradually exit the vehicle, he leaves the queue and approaches them.

Isogai can see that the man has something in his hand, probably a syringe. He calls out to Nagisa before the duo runs towards the bus.

“CLAP” With a sound from Nagisa’s hands, the pigeons all flew towards the airspace around the bus. The man in black was distracted for one moment, and when he looked back, he’s face to face with his target. Well, someone who was supposed to be his target, smiling.

“Eh??? Did you see the princess?” Seeing Nakamura’s grin, the assassin knows that he messed up, and Isogai takes this chance to bat away his syringe with a rolled-up notebook. Not giving him any leeway, from behind Nakamura, Asano sends a kick his way and knocks him out.

The assassin had two more accomplices, and after seeing his defeat, they retreated to their car. But when they opened the door, they saw that the wheels had all fallen down to the side of the road. Next thing they knew, they’re strapped to their seats with duct tape.

[“You are under arrest.”] Nearby the station was Korosensei, dressed in police uniform while chewing bubble gum and playing with the duct tape roll. Next to him is Yoshida with a wrench and Muramatsu with a carjack, snickering that the assassins were way too obvious with their black clothes, black car and bubbling bloodlust.

“Korosensei, did you come to help us?” asked Nagisa. Having heard from Karasuma and Kataoka, at first Korosensei wanted to bring the princess to a safe place at Mach speed. But since he’s not allowed to do that, he can only support the kids, ensuring that the princess makes it to the destination and that his students are safe as well.

By the way, he took the chance to clean away the pigeon feathers and droppings on Nagisa. “Wha? When did that happen!?”

As thanks, he gives the leftover snacks to a delighted Korosensei. In exchange, he gives his bubble gum to Nagisa before disappearing at Mach speed.

[philipsgaiamemories]

The Prince & the Servant

Was bored at work, and decided to write a drabble inspired by @awesomewritingprompts​ (Genre: High Fantasy, Person: Terrible Writer, Problem: Wedding Needing to be stopped)

Fandom: Kamen Rider Gaim

Relationship: Kouta/Micchy

Summary: Much to the horror of Scribe in Training Micchy, Prince Kouta is about to marry the Princess Mai.  Is there a way for Micchy to stop this sham of a wedding? 

Today was the day...

 The small scribe apprentice sighed heavily, lifting his gaze up from the beige parchment he was writing on.  Placing the feather pen back in the well, he rubbed his dark eyes, sore from the flickering lantern lights in the royal library.

 Today was the day that the Prince, his Prince, married that women, the Princess which will merge the two aligned countries.  It was the perfect political move for the two kingdoms...but for Mitsuzane Kureshima , it was a nightmare coming true.  Although he was of common blood, Prince Kouta Kazuraba when they were young blessed him with kindness, saving him from the streets as a child. and even giving him the nickname, "Micchy".  The  two grew up together quickly becoming inseparable, even sleeping in the same bed.  Their bond grew deeper and deeper, until the two didn't know where the friendship ended, and shy intimacy began.  Then one night as boys do, they were wrestling in bed before sleeping, and their lips brushed up against the other.  That sensation...it was just, right... and from that moment on the boys could not keep their hands off one another in private.  It was insane, a boy of royal blood, and a common stray having an  intimate relationship? And although they couldn't say it in the light of day, they proclaimed their love for one another in their stolen glances, and lingering touches.  And to prevent suspicion the Prince set Micchy up with an apprenticeship with the royal scribe, so that the boy could not only learn a skill, but an excuse to always be near him.  

 But now...

 Even though he knew the Prince wanted to prevent it, he was pushed into being into a relationship with the Princess Mai, from the neighboring country. Micchy could see the immediate change in Kouta's personality, the normally warm royal stiffened at the mention of her name.  Every time they were near one another he kept his distance from the Princess, keeping respectful, and courteous.  But that didn't stop the girl from trying to get close.  Reaching out for him, gently touching his hand, soft words, as if they were star crossed lovers. 

 There was no love there...and yet...SHE got to stand on the other side of the alter from the Prince.   And even though they outgrew sleeping in the same bed, it didn't stop the small scribe in-training from being jealous.  How could she just waltz right in, and act as if she had the Prince's heart? But as angry as he was, what could he do? Even though he was given so much freedom, and privileges others dreamed about, he was still just a lowery servant.

 DING DING DING

And there it was, the sounds of the castle bells calling all servants to put down their duties and celebrate the beginning of the wedding.  The kind Prince wanted the non-essential servants and staff to celebrate the ‘happy day’, and take the rest of the day off.

“You are still here?”

Jumping in his seat, Micchy looked up, staring up at the red headed Royal Scribe, Jonouchi Hideyasu.

“Hideyasu-sensei-“

“Go on…I know you’ll get let in if you show up…” Adjusting his thin frames, the master scribe flashed a wry smile before gracefully walking off.  

Biting his lower lip the lean scribe-in-training stared down at his shoddy attempt to recreate a spell on the parchment.  But…he didn’t really want to go to this fiasco wedding. As much as Micchy wanted to be there for his secret lover, he couldn’t imagine watching him give his life to a complete stranger.

Pushing himself out of his seat, the boy carefully put his things away, and walked out of the royal library.

But yet…

He found himself wondering the hallways towards the ceremony, the guards paying him no mind and easily allowing him through. Quickly he slipped into the grand hall, now lavishly covered in wedding décor, the dangling gems, and silk streamers carefully placed around to make a fairy tale scene.  The flowers so fresh that the room smelled of roses… Everyone was chatting in excitement, but none of that mattered the moment Micchy lifted his eyes to the alter.

In his rightful position, dressed in beautiful white and gold regalia was Prince Kouta, his Prince.  He was smiling, speaking to others from the court, but Micchy could see the anxiety radiating from him.  Those tale-tells signs that no one could see.

Micchy wanted to run up to him, to console him somehow, but suddenly the music swelled, and the ceremony began.  Everyone began to gather, leaving the center aisle for the Princess-bride to walk through. Micchy squeezed himself behind a Lady, peering over her shoulder as the bride walked down, dressed in virgin white, and diamonds.  As much as the scribe didn’t want to admit…she sparkled…

The rest was like a dream, the voice of the Priest as they started reciting the sacred text.  The sounds of Kouta firmly saying he would take her as his wife. It was all too much…

“Does anyone have any reasons why our Prince cannot marry the Princess?”

Of course no one spoke…who would?

"I do!" Suddenly a voice rose up in the silence, a familiar voice...Micchy's voice. He put his delicate hands over his mouth, his eyes wide like saucers.  Why did he speak up?! How could he interrupt such an important day to his Prince? 

 The people around him stepped aside, hushed whispers rising up all around him.  Micchy's dark eyes darted back and forth feeling dread fill him, seeing the guards slowly coming towards him for the outburst.

 The Priest roared, "Who dares interrupt this sacred ceremony!"   

Once again, Micchy looked towards the Prince for help, his eyes screaming with fear.  He had never once spoken up against the Prince, and here he was defying this unison.  'Please...stop all of this...' 

 "Take him to the dungeon." 

 'Dungeon?!' The scribe-in-training gasped sharply, "M-Majesty please..." 

 Kouta's voice was firm and powerful, cutting through the crowd’s hushed noises.  “I will be there in a moment.”

 The guards were quick and swift, taking the lean boy by the arm, and pulling him along through the crowd.  Micchy’s heart pounded against his small chest as he was quickly dragged through the hallways and down the dungeon stairs. He had never been to the dungeon, and it smelt dank and moldy from disuse.

 He was pushed into the first open cell, the loud clanking of the metal bars closing vibrated through him.  The lean scribe began to pace frantically around the small confides, his fingers in his dark tresses. What did he do? How could he stop something so important?! How could he speak against the one he held so dear?

 It didn’t take long for the sounds of heavy footsteps on the dungeon stairs, followed by the head bodyguard, Kaito Kumon, and the Prince himself.  Micchy went up to the bars eagerly, momentarily forgetting the situation at hand, before locking eyes with Kouta and it all coming back to him again.  His gaze fell, shifting in his place like a child about to be scolded.

 “Leave us.”

 “My Lord? But-“

 “Leave Kaito. He can’t do anything behind bars.”  

 The large bodyguard hesitated for a moment before bowing to his master, and quickly excusing himself back through the door. After a moment, when Kouta felt safe that they were alone, he turned back to the boy behind the bars, a frown dancing on his face.

 “Your Maj-“

 “Stop.” Kouta shook his head, his dark hair flying around his boyish face, “What were you thinking Micchy? Today of all days you speak out like this?”

 Placing his hands on the cold bars, the scribe moved closer to the man, his voice barely above a whisper.  “My Prince…please do not marry her. She doesn’t know you as I do…How could you let her in like this, she doesn’t love you!”

The royal’s face softened, warmth filling his eyes. “Micchy…you knew this is how my life would end up being.”

 “I’m a Prince, so I have to marry a Princess and continue this lineage.” Scoffing, Kouta leaned up against the bars by Micchy’s face, feeling the boy’s familiar breath on his skin. “We had to stop this at some point…you know that…”

 “Bu-But I LOVE you.” Micchy whispered desperately, knowing that after today everything was going to change, “I know we cant be together officially but…I can’t stand the idea of her touching you…being with you always…”  

 Suddenly there was a rustling causing both of the boys to spilt apart as if they were caught red handed.

 Stepping through the doorway was the Princess still dressed in her virgin white. A frown placed on her lips as she pushed the door closed behind her.

 “Your Highness,” Moving away from the bars, Micchy did a small bow, “I’m sor-“

 “Mai, I’m so sorry for this! Please don-“

 She lifted her small hand, silencing the boys, her small eyes moving between the two. The Princess sighed lightly, crossing her arms across her small chest a thoughtful look in her gaze.

 “I see…” Mai whispered softly, an eyebrow lifting, “ It makes sense now…all those looks, and the way you run off while I am around. You love him.”

 Micchy felt his heart drop as the Princess laid out their secret, dread filling his whole body.  If she revealed it, she could not only condemn him to jail forever for touching royal skin in such a sinful manner, but destroy the Princes’ reputation. Shaking his head furiously Micchy waved his hands trying to dismiss the idea.

 “P-Princess that’s not it at all! Please!”  His cheeks burned hotly, wishing that he could say what he wanted to say. To tell her that she didn’t belong, and that she ruined everything, but he had to remember his place. He was nobody compared to this Princess.

 “It’s okay Micchy, after hearing this, I want to admit something too…” She started, “Just as you care for this boy Kouta…I love someone else that I shouldn’t, and I am to marry someone I do not love.”

 Wringing the fabric in her fingertips the three fell quiet, unsure where to go from here.  It seemed as if all three were caught in a political game that none wanted to be in. The world expected so much out of the Prince and Princess, so much so they couldn’t live the lives they wanted to live.

 Finally after what seemed like hours of silence, Mai let out a sharp breath, “If you’re willing to listen…I may have a solution…We can use this wedding to help us all.”

 “Eh? How your Majesty?”  

 “If we go through this wedding, no one will question if you two are together…No one will question me when I go to Yuya. We keep this separate from our official duties altogether okay?”

 “Separate?...So…the Prince and I...”  Micchy voice was hesitant, unsure if he should believe of the words of the Princess. She didn’t want him? So much so that she would turn a blind eye to his relationship with the Prince?

 “And you’ll be okay with this Mai?” Kouta asked, hope evident in his voice.  

 The girl nodded, a smile dancing on her lips. “It’s evident that you two really care for one another, and I can’t give the Prince what you can Micchy…Can we agree to keep this between us and away from the public eye?”

 “Of course!!”   The scribe felt as if all the anxiety and fear that had been building up to this moment melted away like ice.  “T-thank you Your Majesty…”

 “Now that, that, is settled, we should attend to the wedding…” Kouta ran his fingers through his dark hair with a sigh. “Shall we Princess?”

 “Yes. Of course, can’t keep the guests waiting…” Turning away, the girl flashed a sympathetic smile to the boy.  “I’m sorry this is how it has to be…but at least we can be with our loved ones…” Opening the door, Mai disappeared once again, heading back to the ceremony to continue on with the ruse.  

 Kouta turned back to the boy, his small hand slipping through the bars to stroke Micchy’s cheek.  “I’m sorry Micchy…but I can’t let you out at this moment…I have look like I’m punishing you…Please forgive me…”

 Biting his lower lip, the scribe to be nodded, closing his eyes against the touch. “…I’ll be fine…as long as you come back to me…”

 Chuckling the Prince replied lovingly, “I’ll always come back for you.”

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