Merry Christmas! I figured giving a little present to those who miss me. Here is a fiction based upon an Otome game that I fell in love with.
I hope you enjoy, and thank you for reading!
Prologue
"We're nearing Suna, Your Highness." Spoke the finely dressed gentleman who was driving the carriage.
"Thank you." She smiled, "Now, Deidara, remember what I said to you." She turned to her son, her smile quickly disappearing.
"To behave and be a good wife to my new husband, hm." Deidara replied, eyes fixed onto the red velvet which covered the internal of the carriage.
"Good." His mother nodded, satisfied, "We will be meeting with the King and Queen of Suna to discuss your marriage. This will truly bring peace to our lands."
"Now, now, wife. Let's not scare him." The King laughed whole-heartedly, making Deidara shuffle closer to the window to avoid his parents' conversation.
For centuries the Suna and Iwa colonies had been at war. Suna wished more land and Iwa fought to defend. Iwa defended their land viciously, yet fell at the feet of the Suna army. Iwa was granted freedom, but legally Suna held power. In exchange for independence, the King of Iwa had requested a marriage between his son's hand and the prince of Suna. Rumour had it that the prince was a cruel man and heavily egotistical, exactly the opposite of Deidara. It caused him immense fear.
Yet here he was, at the large barbed gates of the Suna palace. The horses loud bickering brought the carriage to an abrupt halt. In a second, the carriage door was held open for the royal family to exit. Before leaving, Deidara pulled his large hood over his face, hiding the deep fear he had for his future marriage. His father exited, followed by his mother, lastly himself. Deidara's long white dress drifted to the ground, picking up sand in its fabric immediately.
His blue eyes peeped from under the hood, wowing at the luxury of the palace before him. Ivy vines gripped to the beige stone, working its way entirely up against the buildings side. Large windows dotted across the palace, gazing out across dark green meadows surrounding the site. A tall, dark man waited at the palace entrance. A hand was placed on his shoulder, "Deidara. Best behaviour." His father pulled down his hood, obviously a little embarrassed by his son's actions. Deidara's blonde hair flowed to his shoulders. The tall man from the entrance puffed out his chest and strode towards Deidara's parents, bowing upon arrival.
"Welcome to Suna, Your Majesty, Her Majesty, princess." The man straightened out, "Call me Itachi. I will be your guide for your stay." He rested his hand over his heart, a smile appearing on his pale face.
"Greetings." Deidara's father smiled brightly, "We're expecting a gathering with the King and Queen."
"Yes, Your Grace. The Queen is preparing the assembly. I was instructed to make you welcome in our parlour room. Please." Itachi bowed once more, gracefully walking into the palace. Deidara sighed, panicking slightly, but followed the man nevertheless. They were guided through luxury hallways, filled with gold and red ornaments.
"This palace was built in 1560 by Suna's most prestigious architect." Itachi smiled, his hands held behind his back, "The carpets you see before you are still the original carpets which were installed many centuries ago." The ravens wide smile grew wider, Deidara's parents obviously interested and intrigued by the castles' decoration. Deidara could care less.
Soon arriving at a small room, Itachi bowed, "It was requested that the princess wait here." Deidara nodded, watching Itachi and his parents walk away. He swallowed hard, nervousness overtaking him.
The blonde made his way slowly around the room, observing everything upon the shelving. It reminded Deidara of a fairy-tale, the way he would meet his prince and live happily inside a big palace with his children running freely.
He sighed to himself, but something just then caught his eye. Deidara turned to the large porch which connected to the room. He had escaped the temptation to indulge in adventures around the room, but not the power to withhold himself from entering the spectacular garden. The blonde had always been fascinated with finding white flowers, like the ones his mother grew around their home due to his fascination with fairy-tales. His favourite fairy-tale included the princess who found a white flower which could grant wishes. He crouched down to view a flowerbed, smiling at their immense colours. Without warning, he heard footsteps approach him from behind. The blonde turned to find a man of striking elegance, his gaze cold as ice.
"What are you doing here?" The tall man stood over the blonde, his redhead gently rustling from a slight breeze.
"I'm looking for something, hm. A white flower from a storybook. White flowers can grant wishes, hm." The man's hardened expression gave way to surprise. But only briefly. In the next moment, his eyes had narrowed coldly.
"Are you truly foolish enough to believe in a fairy-tale?" For a second, the blonde's heart wavered. The flower wasn't likely to be here, after all. But he wasn't prepared to leave without properly searching. The aristocrat let out a sigh as the blonde continued his search, "You'd best leave immediately after finding your precious flower. The palace is no place for the likes of you." The red-clad nobleman turned his back to the blonde and started to walk away.
"My lord, may I have your name, hm?"
"Sasori. But you needn't remember it, for I doubt we will meet again." The blonde watched Sasori disappear into a shadowy passageway. Just as he was about to resume his search, someone cleared their throat.
"Excuse me, miss." Turning to face whoever had arrived, he found none other than chamberlain Itachi standing before him. An elegant smile floated across Itachi's face as he watched the blonde fall into a panic, "If my lady would be so kind as to follow me, please. I assume you wouldn't want to return to the parlour with your clothes covered in mud." Itachi held out an outstretched hand for the blonde to take, "I have arranged a fresh change of clothes for you. Please."
Deidara nodded and took the raven's gentle hand, allowing himself to be led back into the bedroom parlour.
"Now, if you could please change your clothes." Deidara nodded, taking the clothes behind a divider. He slipped off the now muddy-white dress and instead, placed on a peach evening dress. Deidara felt the rich cotton, admiring the workmanship of the gown. He stepped out slowly, "Ah, you look ravishing." Though simple in design, the beauty of the clothes he had received made the blonde incredibly happy. Iwa citizens would never have the privilege of wearing anything this fancy. Fabric from his hometown didn't consist of high-quality cotton like here in Suna. He smiled slightly, feeling the rich fabric of the flowing dress once again.
"Is this all right? Me wearing this dress, I mean, hm." He asked. Itachi gave a warm, reassuring smile.
"Pay it no worry. It's yours to keep."
"Oh, but I couldn't-"
"The lady of the manor has insisted. After all, gifts are to be accepted."
"I must thank her, hm." Any urge to resist was stifled by Itachi's smile. There was nothing else he could say. A small sigh escaped his lips – just before a slender arm wrapped itself around his hips, "Wha.."
"Stand up straight. And mind the sighs, they're not becoming. You're the betrothed, after all." The blonde smiled, forgetting why he was here in the first place. There was a small, timid knock at the door, to which a maid shuffled through.
"Lady, the royal family is ready." She bowed deeply, awaiting dismissal.
"Thank you. You're dismissed." She bowed again, exiting the room, "Come, miss. I shall guide you to the main hall." Taking the blonde's arm and wrapping it around his own, Itachi escorted the blonde through the palace. Itachi knocked on the large oak doors once arriving at the assembly room. The doors were slowly opened by two maids either side on the inside of the hall. Itachi's smile curled upward with a sly rascality, "Have fun." Deidara found himself pushed unsympathetically forward into the hall, almost falling in front of his parents and the royal family of the palace.
Deidara straightened his posture, slowly making his way to the table, gradually getting used to the heels he was wearing. His eyes remained on the floor, not wishing to show his nerves. Soon, he found himself face to face with an older woman. The brunette woman's luminous smile helped soften the knot of tension in his stomach, "Nice to meet you, Deidara." She bowed to the blonde who panicked and bowed back.
"The pleasure is mine, your majesty, hm."
"Please, call me mother!" She replied, waving her hand to him, "Please sit." The Queen pulled out Deidara's chair to which he sat quickly.
"T-Thank you, hm." Large quantities of food were brought out by maids, carefully placing the dishes in front of the Queen and Iwa royalty.
"Please, let us talk and eat! I'm happy to share this celebration with you." The Suna Queen smiled, signalling her guests to eat. The Iwa parents tucked in. The Suna Queen smiled once more, leaning over to Deidara, "As the future queen, you must safeguard Suna for another generation, if not many more years to come." The Queen's words left Deidara's heart beating uncontrollably.
"Y-Yes, hm. I'll do my best." Deidara blushed.
"Your Grace, I wasn't aware your son and husband would be missing the assembly this evening." The Iwa King spoke out, watching the Suna Queen closely.
"Yes. The King has taken ill and the prince is, unfortunately, nowhere to be found." She shrugged, continuing with her meal.
"We look forward to meeting them both at the wedding then." The King smiled, "Speaking of. When is the royal wedding set?" Deidara frowned, suddenly losing his appetite.
"Father, no need to ask silly questions." The Iwa Queen spoke up, "Obviously it will be next summer. Ah! Such a beautiful summer wedding!"
And for the hundredth time, dread ran through Deidara's body.
-o-
After dinner, the Iwa royals departed from the Suna palace, leaving Deidara waving his goodbyes. The Suna Queen placed a hand on his shoulder in comfort, "I would like you to receive this." The Queen pulled out a necklace from a pocket on the side of her dress, "It was my mothers, then mine, now yours. Maybe someday even your daughters, too." She smiled and tied it around the blonde's neck.
"I can't accept these clothes and your mothers necklace, hm..."
"Nonsense. You are family." She smiled, "I must admit, I wont be around here much longer. Not only am I nearing fifty years of age, but I leave for Amegakure tomorrow and I'll be there indefinitely." She raised her hand and cupped the blondes cheek.
"It was my pleasure meeting you, hm." Deidara smiled, feeling like he was losing his family all over again.
"Don't worry, I wont miss your wedding for the world! Feel free to explore the palace, it's yours now. I will let Itachi know you're off drinking tea." She winked and left the blonde to his own devices.
Locating the kitchen, he gathered some tea and made his way to the fountain in the courtyard. He sat down on the fountain's marble edge, slowly sipping the tea he had collected. He was finally alone. Just as he began a visual search for the white flower again, he spotted a man walking along the covered passageway across the courtyard. The man quickly had disappeared around a corner before he could figure who it was. Yet, suddenly, another man appeared from behind the same corner.
"Sasori?"
"You again?" Sasori had noticed him and approached. Deidara noted the beautiful deep red-hair he had, rustling in the slight wind, causing butterflies in the blonde's stomach, "Are you still trying to find that flower?" Embarrassed to reveal the truth, Deidara chose to sit in silence. As the silence pervaded, Sasori extended his hand, "Stay still." Sasori softly ran his fingertips through the blonde's hair, straightening out a loose knot, "There. That's better."
"Thank you, hm."
"What's with the 'hm'?" Sasori frowned, staring at the blonde for a response.
"Impediment."
"Unique." The red-head nodded and smiled gently. Deidara blushed at the smile. He had seemed so cold-hearted when they first met, it was hard for Deidara to believe it's the same person smiling at him. He realised he had been staring at the red-head and looked away, flustered. But a moment later, "What is that?"
"Hm?" Deidara looked up at the man to find him glaring at his necklace. His expression appeared to be somewhere between anger and surprise.
"Follow me." Sasori seized Deidara by the hand, making the tea spill from his hand. Sasori's harsh expression unchanged.
"What are you doing, hm?" With his hand firmly grasping the blonde, Sasori took him into an empty room. As the door shut behind them, Sasori turned to him, placing both hands on Deidara's shoulders, "Can you please tell me what this is all about, hm?"
"My mothers necklace. Explain yourself." The features of Sasori's face were twisted, almost as though he were in pain, "That necklace is an heirloom of my mothers, worn exclusively by the princess who is next in line to the throne. I told you to leave this palace once you found your precious flower. Whatever possessed you to remain?" Sasori's harsh words trailed off to a murmur.
"The Queen gave it to me, hm."
"The Queen is my mother." Sasori frowned, convinced the blonde was some kind of thief.
"Your mother truly gave it to me, hm. She also confirmed our marriage, but you never showed to the hall so you wouldn't know, hm." Deidara responded, his voice a little too loud.
"You? My princess?" He retracted into silence, eyes affixed to the floor. Sasori removed his hands from Deidara's shoulders, his next words piercing and cold, "I don't think you've got what it takes to be my princess."
Deidara's mind went blank. Why is he doing this...
"I suggest you leave the palace before it's too late." It was hard to believe he was the same person who had fixed the blonde's hair just moments ago.
"But why..."
"The thought of the kingdom's future resting on the shoulders of an Iwa, makes me sick."
"Excuse me?" Deidara's brimmed with tears, threatening to fall any second.
"Princess Deidara?" Itachi's deep voice resounded from the hallway. Sasori fired one last icy glare in Deidara's direction before vanishing through the door. Now alone, the tears fell. The man he was supposed to marry was so cruel. Deidara hung his head low in defeat.
"There you are." Itachi's head poked out from behind the door, a quizzical look on his face, "Is something wrong, miss?"
"Sorry. I didn't notice you there, hm." Deidara smiled, dabbing the tears from his face. Itachi entered, beginning to survey Deidara's face immediately. His eyebrows raised.
"Something is wrong, princess."
"No, no. I'm okay, really, hm." Itachi smiled at him reassuringly.
"Well, it's tea time. May I escort you?"
"Of course." Deidara gave a small nod, and they set off toward the dining hall together.
An amazing spread of the finest delicacies was waiting for the blonde, lined up on the dining table. His plate remained largely untouched from start to finish.
"Is tonight's meal not to your liking, princess?" Itachi leaned in, whispering to the blonde.
"No, it's delicious. I just-" Staring lifelessly at his food, he couldn't help but recall the excitement of the day. He never came here expecting marriage to such a cruel man. The image of his future scared him dearly. If he could just spend time away from the palace... "Itachi?" Deidara questioned, making the raven lean back in, "Would it be possible to take a trip outside the palace in the near future, hm?" A deafening silence fell across the dining hall. Itachi's signature smile faded away. But in the next moment, he had plastered the same pleasant expression back on his face.
"You wish to leave the palace?"
"Is that okay, hm?"
"I shall ready some knights and attendants for your excursion."
"Knights? But I'm just going into town, hm."
"You're the princess. I couldn't possibly let you outside the palace walls without protection." All the new rules were jarring, to say the least, and Deidara could do little to conceal his distress, "I should also mention, your new dance lessons are scheduled to begin tomorrow. That is why I absolutely cannot allow you to leave the palace walls alone. Even if you did just become the princes' bride. I'm sure you're all too familiar with the danger lurking outside royal walls." There was only one thing Itachi could possibly be talking about.
"I assume you mean the neighbouring country, Konoha, hm?"
"Correct. With so little known about the country, it's impossible to calculate if and when they might strike. I daresay your selection as the princess will become common knowledge within Konoha in no time."
"Your majesty." A small man entered the room.
"Speak, Kabuto." The snaky eyes opened, looking at the man named Kabuto who had just arrived.
"The spy has come with what he claims to have some vital information." Another male figure appeared behind Kabuto, as if on cue.
"Long time no see, Orochi. I've got a very interesting wee bit of information I think Konoha will find quite useful."
"And that would be?" Orochimaru tilted his head onto his hand, intrigued by the possibility of new information.
"Suna has just found their princess for prince Sasori, or so I hear."
"A new princess?" Kabuto gasps.
"Hm..." The king frowned, gazing out the window in deep thought.
In the end, the topic of Deidara's excursion outside the castle walls was dropped. And after tea, Itachi had shown the blonde to his room.
"This is your chamber, princess. You're probably exhausted after such a long day. Let's call it a night, shall we? Sleep well." Deidara nodded.
"Good night, Itachi. Thank you, hm." After seeing Itachi to the door, he flops down on his soft, fluffy bed. Lost in thought, his eyelids became heavier by the moment. Before long, he was fast asleep.
-o-
The next morning. The melodic sound of chirping birds filled his chamber. He stretched his body on the bed before halting suddenly, forgetting where he is. He snaps upright, peering at the unfamiliar surrounding. Deidara sighs once remembering.
A ruckus was brewing just outside his door. Poking his head out the door, he tried to figure out what was going on. Swallowing back his fear, he ventured into the hallway. He managed to snag a glimpse of a troubled Itachi flitting away down the corridor, "What on Earth is going on, hm..." Deidara followed Itachi's footsteps, the sound of urgent voices came from behind an elaborately decorated door.
"There never was a more inopportune time for His Majesty's illness to worsen." Deidara's eyes widened as he listened to the conversation. The king... The room erupted into a clamour. Then, a single voice rang out, placid and clear.
"My dear liegemen, I apologise for worrying you so." The blonde gasped as the king began talking, "Though appreciated, your concern is turning into panic. Have you forgotten about Sasori and Deidara?" The king's words brought Deidara to full attention. The weight of his new role hit him like a ton of bricks.
"Forgive my brazenness, Your Majesty, but the severity of the situation eludes you. Should the worst come to pass and the throne be rendered vacant, Konoha is certain to strike." Deidara's fingertips grew cold as thoughts of the worst-case scenario took over his mind. The blondes thoughts turn to the children in town, and his role as princess began to seem less an obligation and more his moral duty. The weight of his role as princess settled heavily on his shoulders at last.
Ignoring his sick feeling, he flung open the door to the king's chamber and made his way inside, "I hope His Majesty will forgive this sudden intrusion, hm." The inhabitants of the room where none other than the king himself, including the queen and Sasori, who both sat on the king's side.
"What the-" Sasori's face slowly shifted from puzzlement to contempt. Deidara did his best to lamp down his nerves and address the king directly.
"Greetings, Your Majesty." He spoke slowly, but he could hear his own determination, "Your Majesty, being chosen as the princess is an honour I accept with great humility. I pledge to do everything in my power to save Suna and its people, hm." Deidara kneels down low in the most formal curtsey he knew. Still, in full curtsey, nothing could have prepared him for the king's response.
"A splendid display. And delivered with the eloquence fitting for a true Suna princess." Deidara looked up, eliciting an approving nod from the king, "I expect great things from you." The king smiled, nudging Sasori, who frowned. Though Sasori did not seem as convinced, he dared to contradict his father, "With such a strong princess to take my son's hand, I practically have the privilege of collapsing at my own leisure."
"Dear, now really isn't the time to make such jokes." The queen touched her husband's arm with a shocked face.
"Oh, come on. Laughter is the best medicine." She let out a small sigh at the king's words, "Though your concern is appreciated, I require peace and quiet for a speedy recovery." The gang nodded and the whole room exited. Deidara observed the procession in silence. Seeing the Queen stride off whilst in conversation with herself, he feels the prickle of someone's gaze from behind. Sasori's eyes met Deidara's for just a moment before he averted his gaze.
"I hope you recover soon, father." Sasori said, disappearing from the room without so much as a glance in Deidara's direction.
"Before you leave, Itachi, if you would be so kind as to give this to the princess." The king handed something to Itachi, who then glided Deidara's way.
"My lady, this way please." Deidara gave a final curtsey to the king, to which he smiled, nodding, "Marvellous show, princess."
"Marvellous? Me?"
"A strong spirit is the mark of talent. This shall make the task of teaching you all the more enjoyable." Itachi cradled Deidara's chin in his hand, a small smile crossing his face. Itachi brought his hands to the crown of Deidara's head, affixing something in his hair, "A tiara, princess – yours. Proof that you are capable in His Majesty's eyes." Itachi smiles and tucks a piece of the blonde's hair behind his ear, "I would've liked to begin our lessons today, but I must attend to the king. You're free to pass the day as you like." Itachi's eyes sparkle as he gave Deidara one more devilish smile before calling down the hallway, "Tobi."
Tobi, who had been patiently waiting in the background, came forth.
"Please tend to the princess for the remainder of the day."
"Understood." Itachi promptly turns around, vanishing back into the king's chamber. Tobi watched him go, then turned to the blonde, "So, how about that bold declaration in front of the king and Sasori?"
"I think 'bold' might be an exaggeration, hm." Deidara couldn't deny the newfound warmth bubbling up inside him, "But thanks to the king's blessing, I'm starting to feel up to the task of being the princess."
"That's...good." Tobi's response lacked enthusiasm, "But Your Highness- What about your life in Iwa? Are you really okay with leaving that all behind?"
"Well, there is one thing, hm. Maybe you could help me with something, Tobi. Tonight, and only tonight, I need your help to sneak out of the palace, hm."
-o-
The moon towered high above in the midnight sky. Deidara silently slipped from his chamber into the deserted hallway. With Tobi's aid, his excursion to town was about to become a reality. The sound of the midnight bells reverberated throughout the castle. The blonde hastily descended the crimson-carpeted stairs, lifting his dress so as to not trip. Waiting for him outside front was a horse, a carriage, and Tobi. Tobi, who was silent but his feelings were plain on his face. His forced smile betrayed the tension of the situation at hand.
Suddenly, as if plucked up by some unknown force, he found his body suspended in the air. The high heels he had barely gotten used to slipped off as he tripped forward wildly. He closed his blue eyes, bracing himself for the impact. But instead, he found himself in the security of a strong pair of arms.
"What are you doing here at such an hour, princess?" The man's velvet words echoed close to his ear.
