Once upon a time there were 2 kingdoms. One located on the cold north snowy mountains and the other lied behind the other side, where the night is longer than the day. Two kingdoms were constantly trapped in an endless war, each wanted to reclaim the other as theirs. The white kingdom wanted a territory where there wasn't snow on the ground, the black kingdom was simply tired with the darkness. After centuries, both kings of respected kingdom had come to an agreement. They agreed to put the battle on to rest and gained peace. The contract included what they call a royal marriage.

White kingdom's prince would marry the black kingdom's princess, and then their heir would reign the entire area of both kingdoms, unite white and black into one.

As today was a day for both involved parties to meet.

Black Kingdom

The preparation was a chaos. The royal ball would be held in black palace, therefore every staffs consisted of maids, butlers, even some dukes and duchess were busy.

Yatogami Kuro entered the ball room with his sword in tow. He did some checks for final preparation. His job was to verify everything went smoothly for the princess. He always did his job thoroughly since it was his hobby to protect and serve.

"Yatogami-kun," Kuro turned, he was confronted by Yukizome Kukuri. Princess's personal maid. "Have you seen hime-sama? She wasn't in her room."

The information was enough to make the black haired bodyguard's face went pale.

The princess, neko hime-sama was a very carefree girl. Her personality was best described as an adorable cat. She loved playing around and never bothered with anything. When she'd heard the upcoming arranged marriage, she only tilted her head, smiling to his direction and asked about what a marriage is.

War is coming. Kuro made a personal note in his head.

He loved the princess, in his perspective, taking care of her was similar with petting a cat.

"Have you checked the garden?" Kuro asked, he managed to gain his calm composure back. Everything's gonna be alright.

"I've checked gardens, kitchen, playing room, bath room, every places she often goes to… I wonder where's the princess… she's looking forward this ball event so much." Kukuri said with worried tone, concern about a failed wedding and war was not only Kuro's problem.

"Yukizome-san, is there anyone know about this matter?" Now, Kuro seriously grabbed the maid's shoulder.

"Yes… some butlers and maids who searching her…"

Kuro nodded, "Tell the king. I will search for her myself… but I'll be honest, there's no much I can do when the prince of white kingdom arrives…"

White Kingdom

Isana Yashiro stared at his reflection on full sized mirror inside his room. Today was his first meeting with the black kingdom's princess. If he was being asked how his feeling right now… it was complicated. He'd grown up knowing his destiny wouldn't be like common people luckily had. He was a prince and heir for white kingdom. Even though he had grown up with such harshness, difficult condition, and fuzzy childhood, he became a good man. He too wanted the war over and people happy, and a marriage was a very cheap price to reach that kind of impossible ideal. However there was this feeling… a stung feeling around his chest, the feeling just like when everyone close to him had to remain distance just because he was a royalty… the similar feeling of loneliness. But this wasn't that.

"Your highness… the carriage's ready outside." His butler told him.

Shiro turned away from the mirror. He's ready. Shiro threw his remarkable smile which capable to melt even the coldest ice on the kingdom.

"Let's go then."

"How is it?" Kukuri asked, now worries were visible on her eyes. She spotted on Kuro entered the main gate with depressed look, and still no princess with him. Kuro weakly shook his head.

"Oh my God… the white king will be very enraged… she has to come!"

Kuro gritted his teeth, "I know… how's your majesty?" Kuro asked about the black king. All parts of him regretted why he hadn't keep watch to the princess. Everything could've ruined.

"He wants to see you in his chamber."

Kuro immediately headed to the king's chamber. He imagined how furious the king would've been… he was a failure after all. And if war did happen, he would take all the responsibility on it.

"Your majesty, it's Yatogami." He announced his arrival.

"Come in, and lock the door once you're inside." A husky deep voice answered. Kuro obeyed. Inside, the king was sitting on his bed. The black king was still in his black pajama.

"You can't find her?"

Kuro preferred silent. The king took it as a yes.

He slammed the wall so hard, Kuro still remained unmoving on his spot. "YOU ARE USELESS THING!"

Kuro went to kneel, he bowed deep to the number one person in black kingdom. "Forgive me, I'm ready to take any punishment you befall to me!"

As he was expected the words, the king only let out a small huff followed by evil chuckles. "Punishment?! Now you are asking a punishment. Even death can't make up what you've done today… Yatogami-kun."

"I will responsible for it…" Kuro gulped, he was afraid if he couldn't hide his fear any longer.

"My daughter's disappear. So you have to reset it." The king finally said.

"Your majesty?"

"Listen… if you fail in this mission I will sacrifice you as scapegoat… what will you do is you will be nekohime princess in tonight's ball. You have long beautiful hair just like my daughter, we can do something with the color…"

Kuro's head snapped up, he never expected such order. "Your majesty… what if… what if they'd find out?"

"Then you understood about the sacrificial lamb is about… you will admit your crime that you intentionally impersonate the princess unbeknownst to us even myself to destroy the engagement. That crime will cost you your life… but then, it's necessary to prevent the inevitable war…"

Kuro's mind was processing the entire situation he would dive in. Impersonate a princess… protect his identity so the prince won't find out… prevent the war…

The last one was the most important.

"I – Your humble subordinate will carry out the order!" Kuro bowed again. It was shame at first when he had walked in, but then perhaps he would walk out with a little hope.

"Then go, pleased the white prince. Remember, it is your life on stake…"

I love to hear your thought ^^

Their encounter... next chapter -