Part One

"What are you doing here Princess?" I caught my breath. I was held safe in someone's arms, and I looked up in surprise. I found Leo staring down at me. "You look awfully flustered— what's the matter?" (Ahh I can't be talking to him here and now! But I have to at least thank him for saving me.)

"Um—thank you!"

"Are you going somewhere?" I hurriedly moved away from him, and dropped my gaze at his question.

"No, I-it's nothing." I bowed my head as politely as I could. "Excuse me!"

"Huh?" I heard a faint, high pitched sound, but I ignored it and rushed down the stairs. (I have to hurry!) Leo remained behind me on the stairs. I could feel his gaze on my back, staring right at me. "Maya, wasn't it?" Leo slowly climbed the stairs and then leaned down. "Well what have we here?" He picked up a necklace that had fallen to the floor, and then turned his gaze in the direction Maya had gone. "Our new princess is rather cute." He smiled and then continued to climb the stairs.

Somehow I managed to make it safely into town without anyone finding out. With Nico's help, I visited my pupil and then returned safely. It was the early hours of the morning when I finally sneaked back into the palace. I squinted a little in the early morning sun shining in through the windows. I thought about my pupil, and how lucky I'd been to see her. (We only got to talk for a little bit, but I'm glad I got to tell her what happened.) I returned my gaze to the corridor in front of me, but as I turned a corner I stopped suddenly. (What? But why?) There was someone standing right outside my chamber.

"Welcome home Princess." Leo had been leaning against the wall next to my door, but he stood up straight when he saw me. There was a smirk on his lips as he gazed at me.

"Ah!" I stopped in surprise, and Leo walked towards me.

"What have you been up to, out so late?" I swallowed hard. (What should I do? I don't know what to tell him!) I stood there in silence, too confused to reply, and Leo grinned suddenly. He stopped in front of me and tilted his head, gazing at me curiously. "You look a little tired, Maya."

"Um—that's—"Without even thinking, I took a small step backwards. Leo smirked again, his expression amused.

"You don't need to look so worried— I'm not going to tell anyone." I caught my breath at his words. He reached out with both hands and placed them gently on my shoulders, his smile wide. The fingers of both his hands slid around towards the back of my neck.

"Um, what—" (Gah, he's too close!) Leo's face was too close, and for a moment I forgot to breathe. All of a sudden Leo laughed softly.

"It's okay, you can breathe. But— Just stand still for a moment." His voice was a little more than a whisper, and his face moved closer to mine. His fingers gently caressed the nape of my neck.

(Gah! What's he doing?) I squeezed my eyes tightly shut, and then Leo spoke again, his tone amused. "There we go."The weight of his hands vanished from my shoulders, and I opened my eyes just a little. "You dropped it earlier." Leo took a step back and pointed towards my chest.

"Huh?"

"If you go and drop something like that, someone's gonna figure out that you sneaked out, y'know?" When I looked down, I saw that my necklace had been fastened around my neck again.

"Ah! This was-" (I must've dropped it when I fell.)

"You look awfully flustered- what's the matter?"

"Um- thank you!" I had remembered how Leo had caught me in his arms when I'd tripped on the stairs, and my breath caught in my throat again.

"Anyway, good night!" Leo turned to leave and I hurriedly called after him.

"Thank you, Sir Leo!"

"Maya, didn't I tell you to just call me Leo?" Leo glanced back at me and flashed a broad smile.

The following day- Giles summoned me to visit him in the office. "From here on, I would like you to acquire the fundamental knowledge you will need as the princess. For that reason, I would like you to have a tutor. However-" Giles gave a small sigh and then spoke again. "The most essential person to this discussion is not yet here."

"A tutor?" I considered what his words might mean. (I wonder what sort of person he'll be?) At that moment, the door opening quietly. But the person who stood there was-

"Ahh, sorry I'm late!"

"Leo?!" I raised my voice in surprise as Leo entered the room.

"What exactly do you mean by being late?" Giles spoke in an exasperated tone, and Leo gave him a quick smile.

"That's why I said sorry." I caught my breath as I stared up at him. (Leo's going to be my tutor?) He was the last person I'd expected, and I couldn't hide my confusion. Giles seemed to notice my expression, and he sighed.

"I know how he looks, but he's a very talented bureaucrat. He'll be able to teach you everything you need to know, from regional languages to the history of this country."

"O-Okay." (Leo's a talented bureaucrat? I had no idea.) I glanced in his direction, and as our eyes met, he smirked at me.

"Looking forward to working with you, Maya."

Giles left the room, leaving me alone with Leo. I bit my lip lightly as I gazed at him. (I've only ever seen Leo as the playful type. Is this really going to work?) But even as I was thinking that, Leo leaned close and peered at me.

"Don't tell me-" He lifted his head to one side. "You're sitting there wondering if you really can rely on me or not?"

"Ah!" My pulse quickened at Leo's words, and I hastily shook my head.

"You're like an open book, Maya." Leo grinned in amusement, and then put his glasses on and picked up a book. "Anyway, shall we get started?"

"So here's the things you'll need to remember about the medieval times." I sat quietly and listened to him talk. As I took notes, I glanced up at him now and again. (He makes it so easy to understand. He must be really smart.) "Maya? What's up? Do you have a question?"

"Ah- no, it's nothing." I carefully continued to write down everything Leo explained to me. After a while, Leo paused in his explanation. He looked down at me scribbling frantically on the parchment, and gave me a sudden smile. Then he came around to stand beside me, and placed a hand on my desk.

"How about a little test?"

"Wha-?!" The sudden question startled me, and I looked up to find him smirking down at me.

"Let's call it a pop quiz." Leo removed his glasses, and leaned towards me. His face moved close to my ear, and he murmured softly. "If you get the answer wrong-" I swallowed hard. I could feel his breath against my ear, and my body shivered a little. "You owe me a kiss." (Wait a minute!) Leo gave a soft, throaty laugh, full of amusement. My cheeks burned, and I couldn't help but scowl.

"Leo, stop teasing me."

"Hey, I'm totally serious." He ignored my protest entirely, and picked up his book again."Right, here comes the question. Are you ready?"

"Yep, that's right." I'd answered Leo's question correctly, and I breathed a huge sigh of relief. "Aww, heck. That was my perfect chance too." Leo gave me an easy grin as he spoke. I gave him a small smile in return. (The question he just asked me was about something he just taught me, and in great detail too.) Leo put his glasses back on, and turned to look at his book.(I wonder if he picked a question that he knew I'd get right?) Leo seemed to notice my gaze and raised his eyes again. "Is something wrong?"

"No, it's nothing." Flustered, I dropped my gaze to the book and gave a soft sigh. (I don't

understand him at all.) Thankfully the rest of our lesson continued without further incident. Or at least, without further pop quizzes, anyway.

Soon it was time for dinner. As I ate, Giles told me about an upcoming ceremony. "It will be your coronation ceremony as the princess. Preparations will be starting from tomorrow."

"O-Okay." (It still doesn't feel real to me at all. Am I really suited to be a princess?)

But the preparations went by in no time at all. Before I knew it, there was only one more day until the coronation ceremony, and it was time for my final fitting session for my ceremony dress.

"Huh? Maya?" Leo appeared in my doorway. "Is that your dress for the ceremony?"

"Yeah." He gazed at me quietly for a moment. then he came closer, and caught hold of the ribbon at my waist. "L-Leo?" He grinned at me, his eyes narrowing a little.

"Beautiful- just like a real princess."

"C'mon Leo-" I took the ribbon from Leo and turned my face away. "All you ever do is tease me."

"Aww, but I'm serious." Leo pouted a little as he spoke, and then gave me a faint smile. "Alright, I'll wait for you in the office, okay?"

"Okay." As Leo stepped towards the door I gave a soft sigh. (Me as a real princess? As if.) Leo glanced back at me as he left the room and narrowed his eyes at my sigh.

After I finished having my dress fitted, I put my normal clothes back on. Then I resumed my usual lessons with Leo. As we took a short break from learning, Leo put down his book. He gazed down at me for a moment and then spoke. "Hey Maya. What do you think the princess's most important duty is?" I raised my head and my gaze met Leo's.

"In short term? Finding a prince consort to help me rule, right? But in long term, isn't it running the country?"

"You're right on both counts. And that's why you need to know so many things. You need to consider things from lots of different angles when running a country- and also when choosing a suitable partner." Leo's voice was deeper than usual, and I nodded slowly.

"I understand."

"But if that was all there was to it, well heck, even I could do it. However- you know things that no one else in the palace knows."

"Huh?" (What does he mean by that?) I stared up at him with wide eyes, and he gave me a gentle smile.

"The people here in the palace don't really understand what it's like to live in the towns. It doesn't matter how many books they've read about it- nothing beats actual experience." Leo closed the book he was holding and placed it on the desk. "You will be able to protect this country, using that experience to your advantage." Leo reached out and placed a hand gently on top of my head. "Back then, I thought you could do it." (When he says back then, does he mean-?)

"After all, that whole diplomatic mess as nothing to do with you. You're technically the princess, but only in name. So far anyway."

"I might be new, but I won't sit back and leave the tough stuff up to others."

I caught my breath as I looked up at him, and he met my gaze directly. "Don't worry you're working really hard. I know for sure that you're going to be a fantastic princess."

"Leo-" Leo dropped his hand from my head.

"Do you feel a bit more confident now?"

"Yeah." I nodded and Leo gave me a faint smile.

"Good. So walk with pride when you wear that dress, okay? You really do look beautiful- you're gonna charm everyone."

"Do you really think so?" Leo tilted his head at my question.

"Are you saying you don't believe me?" I didn't know what to say, so I gave him a wry smile. But I felt warmed by his words. (He might be right. I've just got to try my best, in my own way.)

"Thanks Leo." I gazed up at Leo and he gave me a wide grin as he picked up his book again.

"No problem. I'm looking forward to the ceremony. I'll be watching you from the sidelines."

Our break finished and we got back to work. It seemed we spent hours on history and languages. But at last our lessons were finished, and I returned to my chamber. I lay down on my bed and thought about what Leo had said. (He believes in what I'm doing. I never thought I'd be this happy to have someone recognize my efforts.) I buried my face in the pillow and gave a long sigh. I couldn't stop thinking about the ceremony. (Tomorrow is the real start of my life as the princess.) I raised my head at last, and this time I took a deep breath. (I'm going to give it all I got!) I pulled the covers over me and resolutely closed my eyes.

The next morning dawned bright and clear, with just a few scattered clouds in the day of the ceremony had finally arrived, but I looked around me with confusion. "Huh?" It was the midst of the parade, but I couldn't spot Leo anywhere. (Where on earth is he?) I searched for him from the window of the carriage. Giles was seated across from me, and he frowned doubtfully at me.

"What's the matter? You seem restless."

"Ah- it's nothing." I moved my face from the window, and sighed softly. (After what he said yesterday, I was sure he'd be there.) I waved to all the people from my position inside the carriage, but the entire time I was searching the crowd for Leo.

At last the parade ended, and the carriage returned to the palace. I climbed quietly down and stretched a little. (I'm so glad the parade ended without a hitch. All that's left now is the ball right? But-) I tried to hide my sigh from those around me as I raised my gaze. Suddenly I spied Leo, watching me from one of the windows inside the palace. "Ahh!" From this distance he looked small, but there was no doubt it was him. (I wonder what he's doing there?) Even from this distance I could see that his expression seemed more serious than usual. There was something odd about him at that moment, and I couldn't take my eyes off of him. (I don't know why, but something about him is making me really anxious.) I glanced around me, and then I began to hurry quietly towards the palace.

I'd sneaked off during a pause in the ceremony when no one was looking. I walked silently down a corridor in the palace. (I'm sure it was this way.) I lifted the skirts of my dress and hurried my step. (I was told to rest until the ball, so it would be okay, right? But I should be quick and try not to be noticed.) I headed for the room with the window where I'd seen Leo from outside. "Ahh!" As I turned a corner I ran straight into someone.

"Oops!" As I stumbled a pair of warm arms caught me, and I raised my face.

"I'm so sorry!"

"Huh?"

"Ahh!" The person I had run into was none other than Leo himself. He stared down at me in surprise.

"Maya? What are you doing here? What about the ceremony?" I ignored Leo's question.

"Never mind that- where were you Leo?" Leo stared at me for a long moment. Then he frowned a little and mumbled softly.

"I was just-" But before he could finish speaking- (What's that?) I realized I could hear footsteps from the far end of the corridor. Leo seemed to hear them too, and his frown deepened. He glanced over his shoulder. (I knew I shouldn't have sneaked away from the ceremony. If one of the palace staff finds me here-) I caught my breath anxiously and Leo hurriedly grabbed hold of my hand.

"This way!"

"Wha-?" Before I could even figure out what was going on Leo pulled me into a nearby empty room and shut the door behind us.