3,000 years ago
The strains of a harpsichord wafted out the open balcony windows, the gauzy drapes fluttering in the wind. In a ball gown complete with layers of tulle and lace, the humidity of the evening was stifling.
"Ma'am."
The girl standing at the balcony, her face turned towards the horizon, spun round to face the intruder. "What?" Her voice was full of weariness.
"Your father is requesting your presence. He demands that you be present at the ball thrown in your honour." His duty complete, the servant offered a low bow to the girl before slipping away into the shadows.
Before she had been interrupted, the adolescent had been watching the people waltz in the gardens below. Candles flickered in the night, kept aloft in glass balls suspended in the air. Everyone was grandly dressed, the girls in gowns and the boys in doublets. Even the servants were primed and groomed tonight.
One specific person had been eyed by the girl all night. Seated at the foot of a leaping fountain, there was a man who radiated power and wealth. A band of gold sat on his head, and an Arcanine rested at his feet. Two Bisharp were standing as his bodyguards. Even without his crown, there was no doubt about who he was—the King.
As if he knew he was being watched, the King raised his eyes and met the gaze of the girl on the balcony. With a single finger, he ordered her to come down to the festivities. The girl's unlined face became marred by an ugly scowl, but she did as he commanded.
It was hotter on the dancefloor. The sea of gowns parted for the young girl as she glided across the ground. The unhappy scowl was still on her face, and no one made any attempt to approach her as she neared the King.
"This is completely inadequate," she barked. "You know I did not ask for a party."
No normal person would ever dare to talk to the King like that, regardless of how kind he seemed. But as his only daughter, the girl could do—and say—what she wanted.
"Now, my little Pidove," the man said fondly, "you know this is necessary. I need to publicly announce your fiancé and what better time to do it than now?"
"I don't want to get married," the princess said selfishly. She knew that she was being uncivil and this marriage would ally two hostile kindgoms—but honestly! How could they expect to tie her down to someone?
"You're eighteen now," the man said sharply. "You're lucky you haven't been married off sooner."
With a sharp snap of his fingers, the music died down. The arcanine at the King's feet pulled itself up to its full height and took a seat at the monarch's shoulder. Everyone turned towards them as a hushed silence fell over the crowd.
"Tonight, I announce my daughter's suitor." Her father was growing old, the girl noticed. His voice rasped as he spoke louder so he could be heard by all the crowd. "I have decided that my only daughter and heir, Princess White of the Light Kingdom, shall be wedded to . . . Prince Black of the Dark Kingdom."
The crowd has known that their princess was to be married to the enemy, but their shock was still palpable even as the King's words left his lips. White saw some of her father's subjects watching her curiously, gauging her reaction. Without a thought, she defiantly lifted her head high, catching the gazes of whoever she could and giving them razor-edged glares.
There was a gentle touch on her shoulder and it startled her. Twisting around so her gown flared around her legs, White eyed the man behind her whilst sudden nerves writhed in her stomach. Oh Arceus, this is him. He didn't exactly look evil, despite the fact he was unfortunate with such an evil-sounding name as Black. It was similar to how White was named White, albeit she was probably the least innocent and pure girl in the kingdom. In fact, the loved to be a little troublemaker.
The first thing White noticed was that the prince's hair wasn't even black. Sure, White's hair wasn't white, but black was such a common colour nowadays. Instead, the boy's hair was an unusual shade of green, like faded tea leaves. It hung down over his face and fell to the small of his back, and unlike some of the slicked hair White had seen earlier in the evening, was rather scruffy. To give a semblance of neat, it had been tied back at the nape of his neck.
But just like White, Black looked just uncomfortable standing up in front of a judging crowd as she did.
White—who had made a point and had insisted that she would hate her fiancé—found herself drawn to him, despite her previously hateful words. His green hair was odd but his grey eyes were filled with warmth and life. Her lips twisted into a small smile and the prince reflected it.
"Would you like to dance, my lady?" He politely offered a hand and White slipped her own into his.
"I would love to," she purred.
As they waltzed over the dancefloor endlessly throughout the night, White couldn't help but wonder if this was really going to be so bad. Black seemed kind, and she liked him. Not to mention she would create peace between two warring kingdoms and save countless lives.
As dawn started to break and streaks of gold highlighted the sky, Black bid White a farewell. He told her he was staying the castle and would return to find her later on. With a nervous giggle, White watched him go and then wrung her hands nervously. This was not going to be bad at all.
Oh gosh I really, really hope I don't mess this up! I know N x Touko is a much loved couple (they're one of my favourites too, of course) and I've read a lot of fanfics about these two. I know the same story can tend to get continually repeated, so I'm trying something a little different.
I know it's a bit odd - N being called Black?It's like whaaaat!? That's normally Touya/Hilbert's name! But it's just for the past, and so it fits in with the storyline. And there's no Touya in the past to I can do whatever I like.
Plus I know this chapter may seem a little rushed or paced too quick in some parts? (It does to me, at least.) For that, I'm sorry. I'm still practicing writing in third person - haven't done it for ages haha xD
DLG will skip between the past and present for the first few chapters before finally ending in the present and continuing from there. Uploads will be random, I'm afraid. I'll be working on something else on this account, of course, but also something else over on deviantART that's not fanfiction.
Oh, and Chapter 2 will be set in the present -
