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「𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ⇀ 𝑲.𝑴𝒂𝒕𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒐」

── ❝𝗜 𝗡𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗞𝗡𝗘𝗪         𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗟𝗗 𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗗         𝗠𝗢𝗢𝗡𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗜𝗡         𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗦 ❞

    〡𝑲𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒔𝒖 𝑴𝒂𝒕𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒐 𝑿 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓〡

◉ ┅ ┅ ┅ ┅ ┅ ┅ ┅ ┅ ┅

𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘶𝘦

❀

Chapter Index:

❀ | ①    ❀ | ②   ❀ | ③  ❀ | ④  ❀ | ⑤ ❀ | ⑥ ❀ | ⑦

𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘶𝘦

𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗬𝗜𝗡𝗚: 𝙢𝙤𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 - 𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙖 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙚 ı𝗹ıı𝗹ıı𝗹ıı𝗹ıı𝗹ıı𝗹ı ᴠᴏʟᴜᴍᴇ : ▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮ 𝟬:𝟬𝟭 ─●──────── 𝟯:𝟮𝟵 ◁ 𝗜𝗜 ▷

➳༻❀✿❀༺➳

○𝘒𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘴𝘶 𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘴𝘶𝘯𝘰 ⇾ 𝐀𝐤𝐚𝐭𝐬𝐮𝐤𝐚 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐨𝐦

❝𝑻𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝑰 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖,❞

○[𝘠/𝘕] [𝘓/𝘕] ⇾ 𝐀𝐨𝐤𝐢 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐨𝐦

❝𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒎𝒐𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕.❞

❛𝑨 𝒇𝒂𝒏𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒃𝒚 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈_𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒅𝒔❜ 月

𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭:

「 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 ⇀ 𝑴𝒂𝒕𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒐」

「𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 ⇀ 𝑶.𝑴𝒂𝒕𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒐」 [OLD]

「𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ⇀ 𝑲.𝑴𝒂𝒕𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒐」

「𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐲 ⇀ 𝑪. 𝑴𝒂𝒕𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒐」

「𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐖𝐚𝐲𝐬 ⇀ 𝑰. 𝑴𝒂𝒕𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒐」

𝐎𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐬:

𝐑𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬

✧ Osomatsu - Cool down

✧ Osomatsu - Cherry Boy

✧ Osomatsu - Consequences

✧ Osomatsu - Courage

✧ Osomatsu - Deal

Osomatsu - Monster?

Osomatsu - A Promise I'll Break

Osomatsu - Something Eternal

Osomatsu - 'Hymn for the Missing'

✧ Karamatsu - Ravenous

✧ Karamatsu - Warm

Karamatsu - Prepared?

Karamatsu - Cold!

Karamatsu - Lycoris Radiata

Karamatsu - Dark Forests

Karamatsu - Learn

Karamatsu - My Love For You

Karamatsu - Special Treatment

✧ Choromatsu - By The Pool Side

✧ Choromatsu - Sweet Stimulation

✧ Choromatsu - Surprises

✧ Choromatsu - Slightly Sadistic

✧ Choromatsu - 'Tell Me'

Choromatsu - A Gracious Green

Choromatsu - Attention Seeker

Ichimatsu - Gamble

Ichimatsu - Distant Future

Ichimatsu - A Winter Carnival

Ichimatsu - Patch You Up With Kisses

Ichimatsu - Reaching You, Finally

✧ Jyushimatsu - Our Little Secret

Jyushimatsu - "It's Okay."

Todomatsu - Nice And Simple

Todomatsu - Kill her? Why Would I?

Todomatsu - Malicious Deity

✧ Matsuno - School Grounds

✧ Matsuno - 'Ragdoll'

✧ Matsuno - Take Care Of You

❀

𝗥𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀

You write to me about roses, About roses opening as roses die. Always, you say, there are roses, So that people get used to them And cease to wonder. Now I am on a hilltop, Bare, with a few pine trees Twisted by an inexhaustible wind, By a wind that is never tired, A wind that passes and passes and is never gone. I cannot think what it would be like for the pine trees If there were no wind.

——

Your roses would not be happy on my hilltop. They would be scornful of my huckleberry bush With their plain, blue fruit.

——

They would not care for the white meadow-sweet That leans against a rock. Roses must have rich soil, And careful pruning. They must be sheltered from the wind and cold And have stakes to lean upon. They do not stand alone like the flames of vervain On my windy hilltop.

——

Roses are gifts for lovers. Lovers have always had much to say about roses. When you sent me a rose Folded in a letter, Did you know I would open it on a hilltop Where the wind searches me As it does the pine trees And my skirts are brushing The fine flame of the vervain?

—𝙇𝙤𝙪𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝘿𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙡

❀ | ①

╔═════ °• ♔ •° ═════╗ 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 ╚═════ °• ♔ •° ═════╝

The letter crumpled between your fingers, your grasp becoming too tight for the fragile thing. Your angered steps echoed through the empty hallways as you made your way to the main throne room, bursting through the door despite your butler's worried cries.

"What is the meaning of this?!" you seethed, waving the pale paper towards the two lone figures in the room. A heavy sigh resonated from your father as he pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger.

"[Y/N], you are of age to be married. Of course we had to choose a suitable groom for you--"

"I know that!" you cut him off. "But that isn't what I'm talking about. Out of all the kingdoms we have alliances with, you picked this one?!"

"They made us an offer, [Y/N]. You know that we must do what we can to protect out kingdom!" your mother spoke next, furrowing her brows in worry. She glanced at her husband, who's lips were set in a firm, solemn line.

"And you must know that each of those six princes are utterly useless when it comes to ruling a kingdom! Why do you think none of them have been married off yet?"

"[Y/N], that's enough." your father stood from his throne, straightening his regal robes as he offered his wife a hand, carrying her down the set of high steps and heading for the door you had entered through, sweeping past you. You spluttered, the letter forgotten in your palm as you hardened your hold.

"But father--!"

"There is nothing else to discuss!"

The annoyed tone of your father's words hung in the air dangerously, like icicles waiting to drop.

"By now, one of the Matsuno sextuplets will have been chosen and is being sent here for twelve months. You will behave yourself and treat him as your future husband, and that, is, it. There is nothing you can do to change anyone's minds."

He turned to you, eyes full of stern resolution, locking onto your horrified glare.

"Am I understood?"

He didn't move an inch as you stayed silent, lowering your head as you spat out the words through gritted teeth.

"...Yes, father."

You burned holes through the ground as your parents walked away, the final closing of the doors telling you that you were completely and utterly alone. You grasped the letter between both hands, ripping it apart in a fit of bubbling anger, the fragmented remains scattering across the marble floors.

Storming away to your room, skirts raised above the ground so they wouldn't slow you down any further, thought after thought trickled to your mind, only serving to fuel the fire growing in the pit of your stomach.

Akatsuka Kingdom. Known for its power, as well as the rare phenomena that was the six princes, all identical sextuplets who were born into the royal family. Many thought they would assist the kingdom in growing stronger, using their princely wits and charms to raise their power.

Instead, they all became well known for their immense stupidity and lack of interest in becoming King and inheriting the throne from their parents, let alone marrying into a wealthy royal family, such as your own.

You slammed your bedroom doors shut, breathing heavily. Now, somehow, you were destined to marry one of them? Was this fate's cruel way of messing up your future? Slowly, you reached a hand up to the tiara resting haphazardly on your head, removing it and holding it to your eyes. The jewels encrusted into the gold linings reflected your scowl back at you, distorted and warped hideously.

From a young age, your mind had matured a lot quicker than your body. You were more interested in learning about how to be a perfect ruler than the other snobby royals and lords you had met over the years. You had always longed to find someone of the same mindset, in hopes that they would aid you in strengthening your own kingdom.

But now, everything was falling apart right in front of you, and you apparently had no say in the matter.

The tiara fell from your fingers, rolling across the ground with a clatter. You didn't care where it was. You slid down against the door, head cradled in your hands.

What would you do now? What now? What now? What. Now?

The answer seemed obvious, too obvious at first.

You raised your head, glaring at empty air, barely registering how dark the room had become. The setting sun glinted dangerously through your windows, lighting up your eyes in a raging fire that had suddenly exploded from withing you.

You couldn't cancel the wedding. But no one ever said that they couldn't. All you had to do was keep pushing, and pushing, and pushing, all the way to their breaking point. Then they would leave, and you would be at peace. You would have him gone no sooner than he arrives.

A malicious grin crossed your lips as you carefully stood up, picking up your tiara off of the ground. You twirled the headpiece between your fingers, the dark shadows in the dimly lit room casting a sinister aura over your form.

You huffed a silent chuckle. It was ironic, really. Your kingdom was known for its everlasting beauty, filled to the brim with flowers and greenery that attracted others like a bee to its nectar. However, it's as the old saying goes...

"Every rose has its thorns."

❀ | ②

╔═════ °• ♔ •° ═════╗ 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡, 𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐬 ╚═════ °• ♔ •° ═════╝

You did everything you could to avoid meeting the prince when he arrived, but it seemed that your parents were expecting this, and had knights placed around every corner of the castle in order to escort you down to the main gates.

You kept your face a blank slate as you stood between your parents, hands folded neatly in front of you, just as you were always taught. Your eyes were trained on a carriage glinting in the distance, slowly approaching.

"I hope you remember your manners, [Y/N]," your father muttered, barely moving as he addressed you. You suppressed the urge to roll your eyes, replying flatly;

"How could I, father? Especially after that little talk we had yesterday. I know my place."

"Just don't do anything out of order."

"You can trust me, father." You briefly turned to him, flashing a bright smile that didn't quiet reach your eyes — not that he had the chance to notice that. "I may act rash, but have I ever gone against my word?"

He had no chance to respond, either, as the carriage had pulled to a stop in front of you, it's white horses shaking their heads with a huff. The driver of the carriage stepped off his seat, swiftly moving to the door and pulling it open with a bow.

"May I present Prince Karamatsu, of Akatsuka Kingdom."

Out stepped a man with a pale, rounded face and thick brows resting above his large eyes, his dark hair slicked back with a few rare streaks of royal blue running through the sides. His attire also had flashes of azure, fitting nicely against the white fabric. Except for the cape which he had draped over his right shoulder; it was covered in glittering sequins, practically blinding you all as it reflected the sun's light in multiple directions.

You hid your grimace well, though your brow twitched every now and then at his atrocious display. The man, Karamatsu, brought a gloved hand to his chin, eyes sweeping over your small royal family. His lips stretched into a cat-like grin, eyes lidded as he hummed triumphantly.

"It seems that I have arrived at my destination!" He pointed his hand towards the sky, posing dramatically. "Fate has led me down my destined path, yet it still stretches onwards! Where to, next? Our mortal minds will never know!"

His monologue was met with confused silence. You hated how the deep rumble of his voice raised goosebumps across your skin. Your fingers were gripping your palms in a white-knuckled grip, resisting the urge to pull out your hair. You hoped that now, your parents could see what kind of hell they were attempting to put you through.

It didn't take long for his luggage to be taken into the palace, a surge of maids carrying uncountable amounts of cases to his new sleeping quarters. Your parents showed him through to the main hall, having a pleasantly one-sided conversation with the prince whilst you followed silently from behind. Your father cleared his throat after a moment, plastering a polite smile on his face.

"Well, Queen Koume and I must get back to our royal duties. I can assure you that our servants and knights around the palace are more than able to aid you should you need anything, Prince Karamatsu," he bowed his head lightly. Glancing at you, he added, "Our daughter is also quite the intelligent child. I'm sure she will be more than happy to assist her fiancé in any way she can." He pressed the last few words as he stared hard at you, lips thinning into a flat line as no response was given from you, not even a twitch of facial expression.

Your mother tugged gently on his arm, a warning look subtly sent his way as she smiled at her guest. "We shall see you at dinner later tonight, dear." With that, she led her husband away, disappearing round a corner and leaving the two of you alone. Instantly, the Prince was bowing low in front of you, almost comically so.

"I am truly blessed from the heavens above to be given such an opportunity to wed the most exquisite of flowers!" He took a gentle hold of your hand, bringing the back of your hand to his lips and placing a chaste kiss against your skin. You merely watched on with a slightly raised brow.

"Princess, I look forward to our future together!"

A moment of silence passed before you smiled softly.

"How sweet! I most certainly do not look forward to our time spent together, unfortunately!"

"Hm! As expected, my Princess is as kind as she appears! Soft and kind-hearted, you— ..I'm sorry, what was it that you said?" His tone fell from confident to unsure in a heartbeat. You slowly allowed you smile to fall away into a scornful glare, the man's lips now pulled into a timid smile, sweat beginning to accumulate on his temple.

"It seems that you can actually listen to something other than your own voice," you sneered, crossing your arms over your chest. He tilted his head, confused and slight hurt flashing through his eyes. "This whole set up for our marriage is one of the worst things my parents could ever do."

You took a few steps forward, standing chest to chest with him and pushing a finger against him.

"Let me make this clear, your highness," you spat, "I, just like many other princesses across the region, don't want anything to do with you and your kingdom. If you had any sense with you, then I would expect you to be gone by dinner today, and to call off this god forsaken wedding the minute you arrive back."

You turned on your heel, snapping your fingers as you walked away, a grin spreading across your lips. The look of disbelief on his face was enough to assure you that he would definitely be taking your kind token of advice.

Behind you, a servant you had summoned was busy trying to coax a frozen Karamatsu to his room, his eyes locked onto your back as you grew further and further away from him, eventually disappearing from his view.

You spent the rest of the hours till evening reading in the library, making use of your secret corner hidden atop the bookshelves to catch up on the handful of novels you had picked up. Your mind had stopped thinking of the so-called guest that had entered your home while you were distracted, only to be reminded of his existence when your butler came to fetch you for dinner.

"Tanuki? Where is the Prince?" You asked innocently as you were led to the dining room. Your butler hummed thoughtfully.

"I am sorry, your highness. I haven't seen him since his arrival this morning. As far as I'm aware, he should be joining us for dinner this evening."

'Oh, I'm sure he won't be,' you thought giddily.

A set of tall doors were pushed open for you, the long table filled with food beckoning for you to take a seat. Only, you were stuck where you stood. Your eye twitched dangerously at the sight before you, your lips trembling as you struggled to keep them shut so as not to scream in frustration.

He was sat there, happily chatting away with your mother as your father laughed at something he had said. His eyes locked into yours, the air stilling for a moment before his smile widened, gesturing for you to come take a seat.

"Good evening, Princess! I'm sure that the food will taste ten times better now that we have been graced with your presence!"

He winked at you from across the table as your chair was pushed in. The grip on your utensils tightened considerably. A voice in the back of your mind was becoming louder and louder, drowning out the talk around you.

You had underestimated him, it seems.

'No matter.'

You pierced a morsel of food harshly with your fork.

'This just means I can resort to harsher methods.'

❀ | ③

╔═════ °• ♔ •° ═════╗

𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠.

╚═════ °• ♔ •° ═════╝

"What do you think, dear?" Your mother turned to you with a smile. "A horse ride with your future husband sounds quite relaxing, don't you think?"

"It would be quite relaxing, if my future husband actually knew how to ride horses instead of betting on them," you replied flatly, staring right into the man's dark eyes. He met your deadpan look with a smug grin, corners of his mouth curling upwards.

"Touché, my love!" You grit your teeth at the pet name. "Although, I am quite certain you will enjoy the riveting show of horse racing just as much, with my presence by your side!"

"I'm sure she will come to enjoy a few games!" your father agreed. "I myself cannot deny the joy of horse betting."

"Wonderful story, father," you rolled your eyes. Standing up from your seat, you bunched up your skirts as you began making a hasty exit. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have more important matters to worry about," you turned back with a spiteful glare, "such as making sure my kingdom doesn't fall to ruins."

You never liked waiting for responses, and so you left with those final words hanging in the air. Your platter of food had barely been touched, but who could blame you? Your appetite was no longer with you after having to sit at a table with three people who you currently felt nothing but anger towards.

You didn't actually know what you were going to do after leaving the dining hall. If you were being honest, you didn't particularly feel like studying or reading -- you were sure that if you picked up a book, or any object for that matter, it would just end up being hurled at the wall.

Your stomach churned uncomfortably as you stalked down the large, empty hallways. Your footsteps echoed around you, too loud for your tastes. They rang in your ears like high-pitched white noise, never ending, ringing and ringing. It made your chest feel tight. Which you found odd; you were sure you hadn't worn a corset on this particular day.

Everything seemed to be doing a great job at ticking you off, so you took a sharp left instead of a right towards your quarters, heading for the garden. You paused in the glass doorway, eyes scanning over the tall bushes and bunches of flowers decorating the space. The large fountain could just about be seen in the distance, the moon above casting a glinting glow on its running water.

Taking careful steps down, you sighed heavily as your foot made contact with the gravelled pathway, the crunching stones muffling the sound of your heels greatly. You spotted a few guards patrolling the perimeter, each of them giving you a stiff bow before marching onward, their guns propped against their shoulders. You held your tongue this time as they passed.

It was dark, but not dark enough so that you couldn't see where you were going. A breeze swept by, but it's calming nature was lost on you. You slowed your quick pace down to a gentle walk, eyeing the delicately trimmed hedges that stood tall around you.

In most kingdoms, the hedges would be covered in roses, always deep crimson, and always blooming. You had always wondered if they were even real. You had touched their petals, but they didn't feel like silk; thy felt rough and fabricated. Empty, with no sense of care oozing from their centres. They were just as fake as the smiles others had sent your way, ever since you were young.

You raised a hand, stretching a single finger outward towards the flower. It's bleeding colours were darkened under the night sky. For a moment, you forgot that roses were red. This one looked black. Pure black, a darkened abyss, swirling and writhing, contorting into sneering faces. It swayed in the breeze, laughing and mocking you.

You returned your hand. Turning away, you headed towards the fountain, taking a seat on its marble ring. Your tiara was in your hands again. You could barely make out it's engraved designs. The cut gems had lost their flare. They were dull, now. They were nothing more than stones to you. Nothing special. Nothing unique. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing.

Amidst the trickling of water from behind you, a pair of footsteps sounded from nearby. You straightened your posture, replacing the tiara above your locks, glancing over to your right. A horrible glare graced your features when you saw who it was.

"Please, wait! Don't leave yet!" Karamatsu spoke first, hastening his walk into a jog to reach you. He looked like a lost puppy, eyes wide and brows upturned as he begged you through his dark orbs to stay.

'Pathetic.'

"Well? What do you want?" you snapped, crossing your arms over your chest as you turned your nose up in spite. The man took a deep breath, whether in relief or to calm his anger, you didn't care.

"Princess, I... Would it be alright if I sat with you here?" He timidly asked, a small smile on his lips. It wasn't the same one as before. You raised a brow.

"That's what you came all the way out here for?" You sighed heavily, standing from your seat. "I don't have to time to waste on the likes of you." You began walking away, annoyance rolling off of you in waves.

"No-- Wait!" He grabbed a hold of your wrist, harshly halting your movements. "I just meant that--"

"Don't you get it?" you whipped around, boring your hardened gaze into his own eyes. He flinched at the look. "You are nothing but a burden to me. I want nothing to do with you, and there is nothing you can do to change my mind!" your voice raised with each word, and you caught yourself before it could get any worse.

Taking a deep breath, you yanked your wrist out of his hand.

"I'm giving you one more warning. Leave by morning, if you know what's good for you." You turned away once more.

"...Do you really hate me that much?"

His voice was soft and gentle. No trace of anger was there in his words. Not even sadness. It was an emotion you couldn't quite identify. You turned to look at him. The moon shone down over him, casting a ghostly glow over his face.

He was smiling. Now you knew what it was. It was understanding.

"...I see," he bowed low to you, the same way he did when he first met you. "I bid you a goodnight, Princess. Sleep well."

You had no words. Nothing left your lips, although they were parted. You stared at him for a moment, then you turned and finally walked away. Reaching the steps back up the castle, you paused, the itching urge to look back one more time biting at you, but you fought against it.

You didn't care. You didn't care. You didn't.

The castle was quiet now. Your footsteps didn't bother you this time. The emptiness didn't disturb you this time. Your stomach was no longer churning. All was still. Was it always this quiet?

Reaching your room, you didn't bother to change out of your dress just yet. Instead, you moved towards you tall window in the dark, moving away the thick curtains. You sank to the ground, your skirts flattening out around you like a withering flower. You stared upwards, towards the moon.

A plain white disc in the sky. Greying in some areas. A soft, dark shadow surrounding its edges. The stars couldn't sparkle as bright as the moon. No matter what. The stars that hung in the night sky could never, ever, shine as bright as the moon.

You sat there, nails digging into your upper arms as you lost yourself in thought. The moon rose higher and higher. So many thoughts, and at the same time, nothing at all.

「 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 ⇀ 𝑴𝒂𝒕𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒐」

── ❝ 𝗮 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗲𝘁, 𝘀𝗼𝗳𝘁-𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗹. ❞

〡𝑴𝒂𝒕𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒐 𝑩𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝑿 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓〡

⤷ 𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚌 𝚖𝚢𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚢

◉ ┅ ┅ ┅ ┅ ┅ ┅ ┅ ┅ ┅

𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘶𝘦

[ Chapter 1 ] [Chapter 2] [Chapter 3] [Chapter 4] [Chapter 5]

❀ | ⑦

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𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐞. 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧.

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Hugging the flowers to your chest, you attempted (quite poorly, if you were being honest) to hide your flushed cheeks and pouty lips from the man before you, stuffing the lower half of your face into the petals and taking a deep breath. You couldn't deny the heavenly smell of the blossoms, your vision now slightly obscured by a mesh of various blue hues, the colour that you could only now associate with one person.

Karamatsu couldn't help but to watch you in silence, his dark eyes admiring the way your petite hands clasped themselves around the cut stems, your shoulders and clavicle exposed to the soft light filtering into the small space your dress, though now they were covered in dainty petals as you pressed the bouquet closer to yourself. His mind began to fill with all sorts of ways to describe your elegance and beauty, wanting to remove the white cloth covering his fingers so that he could run his bare fingers over your skin and tresses.

Clearing his throat quietly, he rid his mind of these thoughts as best as he could and licked his slightly dried lips, preparing himself to speak.

"Princess--"

"You--"

The both of you froze, Karamatsu's cheeks darkening at the sound of your voice chiming in alongside his, as did yours, though you were grateful you had the flowers so that he couldn't see this. With a small gesture of his hand, the prince urged you to speak first, to which you shifted uncomfortably in your place, eyes stuck on the flowers bunched in your hands.

"...You didn't need to bring a gift to speak with me, you know," you began quietly, the usual bite behind your words gone as you avoided your original sentence for the time being. "We're not the kind of royals who demand items in exchange for words."

"I am aware," Karamatsu smiled softly, hoping it would encourage you to keep talking with him the way you were doing so now. "Even so, I felt it was necessary if I am to convey these words to you."

"Which are...?" Oddly, your heart began to thud against your chest in anticipation, watching the way his hand moved to run lightly over his coloured streaks of hair before settling it over his chest, looking into your eyes with his rich brown orbs.

"I would like to become closer with you."

The words tumbling from his lips left you in surprise, eyes widening as he continued.

"The same way we did that day we travelled through the forest on horseback, I wish to do that again with you. I must admit, it felt nice to be able to bond with someone after facing so much rejection from other royals I have briefly acquainted..." A quiet huff of laughter left him at that.

"However, I understand that you do not wish to go through with this engagement, and I do not want to force you into yet another unfortunate circumstance," His words became softer, the smile on his lips becoming solemn at its corners as he lowered his gaze, hand pressing firmer against his chest. "So, even if we do not become close as husband and wife, then at the very least, having you as a friend would still warm my heart nonetheless."

Though his heart ached, he knew it would be for the best. Cutting things off earlier into whatever relationship the two of you had begun to form would be much easier, even if it was still painful for Karamatsu to do such a thing. Truthfully, he didn't want to leave, he didn't want to have to give up on you, but if it was something you wanted, he couldn't force anything. Love and friendship are delicate things, preciously moulded by the hands of those who are willing to move forward, and you...

"I don't want you to leave."

Karamatsu's head snapped up, mouth slightly agape as he questioned whether he had heard you correctly, or if he had imagined your words. The crimson staining the tips of your ears and dusting your shoulders told him otherwise. You couldn't meet his eyes, pointing them down towards the few books still laying open and your eyes catching onto the delicately coloured sketch of a baby pink larkspur, the layers bunching together like the skirt of a ball gown.

"I don't... want you to leave," you breathed, squeezing your eyes shut in hopes that it would help you concentrate on what you were saying and not on Karamatsu's twinkling eyes. "I'm sure you've realised this by now, but I'm not used to having such conversations anyone, not even my own parents... Vulnerability has made me weak in the past, and now I believe that becoming hostile towards others is just second nature to me."

A small lull in your voice came and went, ears sensitive to his quiet breaths, and you wondered if he was even breathing at all as he hung onto your every word.

"I know I can't hide away like this forever. I look like more of a coward than anything else, at this point," you sighed. "I know I don't deserve it, but if... if you could..."

This feeling inside of you was so foreign to you. It made you hesitant, made you scared, made you want to back out at the last possible moment, but you knew if you did such a thing you wouldn't get a chance like this ever again - and that thought hurt you more than you thought it would. Swallowing your shallow pride, you forced the words out of your mouth, ignoring that snide voice in the back of your mind telling you to give up already.

"If you could find it in yourself to forgive me for my actions... for what I've said to you... then maybe we could start this over. I want to be patient with you, the same way you have been patient with me."

"... As friends?"

Karamatsu may have been too hopeful, but he wanted to hear it from you nonetheless.

"... Wherever it goes, I don't think I would mind as much." You tried to stay nonchalant about it, though the sudden flush of heat over your skin at the sight of Karamatsu's broad and genuine smile made you fumble, and once you locked eyes, neither of you could bring yourselves to look away. Feeling bold, the prince raised both of his hands and placed them around your own, surrounding them with warmth, the sensation of his gloves brushing against your skin sending a shiver up your spine.

"Thank you, princess." He breathed quietly, the soothing baritone of his voice low for your ears only.

"F-For what?" you responded just the same, the fragrance of hydrangeas now surrounding you both, intoxicatingly sweet.

"For giving me a chance."