My Favorite Accident
{The Intruder}
VENTUS VANTAGE POINT
The night was perfect. She wouldn't expect a thing, I wonder why commander gave such an order. 'Kill the Crown Princess of Shokkou, time limit is 900 hours. Don't fail us Ventus' or so he says. Like I would, somebody wouldn't like that and if that somebody wouldn't like how it went… she's going to pay for it.
"I can't let that happen." I clench my fists, making a low noise from the tree I was perched on. The branches were strong enough to be climbed on, and conveniently one of the sturdy branches can function as a bridge to the Princess' balcony. Another good thing about this particular tree was the thick shade it provides. Not much of an effort to keep hidden.
"How long does it take to eat dinner, it's been three hours…so that 897 hours left—"You got approximately a month to do this, don't fail us."—the first night's a failure of course." I planned to jump off the stupid tree then and there, but at this time the curtain's lit up.
I crawled up to the end, peeking at the silhouette she made by the curtains. I could only summarize her shadow with one word: hideous. She gave a bulky, chubby short form and what was she doing with that pointy hat? I particularly know royalty dress to impress even when there's no one to impress, Holy Sh…Crap. Now that's different.
Well the world has one less ugly hideous pompous princess after this, You better thank me God; I'm ridding your world of nasty too imperfect models of the human life. I pushed on the branch, launching towards the castle's balcony. I slip out of visual range, my whole body and back against the wall.
There's two!? My mouth gapes, "I don't think this is right, Your Highness."
"Think what you will Merryweather, I did not ask for your advice on this."
"But—but, Your Highness! You can't not attend the banquet tomorrow night, that would be very disrespectful to Lord Terra.
"Aqua… come now, your senses needs adjustment child!"
"I'm fine, Merryweather. Tell Mistress Flora and Fauna to have a good night, you too." The sound of the door slamming shut echoes. And I think little Miss Princess pushed her out, what did they just talk about? Some Lord Terra and having a fine weather… some topic.
"Hmph… what would you expect from a Princess after all." Time to move.
I pushed one of the glass doors slightly open, peeking at the pretentious sorry excuse of a human being inside. The curtains still shrouded the view but sure enough the silhouette from before wasn't hers. She was lying on the bed, her feet still flat on the floor.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
AQUA VANTAGE POINT
There's no use mourning over the loss of your singlehood, Aqua. Everybody—every noble gets to this point of her life where they're controlled manipulated and betrayed by their own for power. Yes you're not alone. The world would tell me that if it could talk. I know it's selfish. I know I should learn to accept this fate… but I, I couldn't. You see, there's someone special to me. Someone who I believe could make me the happiest person in the world; He believed in me, supported and showed compassion towards me. AND TAKE NOTE, he is neither my father nor brother. He was the reason I stayed in the castle, stayed as princess.
"Your Highness, may I speak with you." a voice behind the door rings, breaking the silence and inner frustration build-up in me. "Your Highness?"
The moment I opened the door, all hell could have broke loose and still I'll find a reason to smile. It was him, at the door: the only person this heart beats and yearns for, he smiles at me with a smile that could light up the world. He was my guardian, my closest friend that my father allowed (boys aren't really 'friendly' in Father's eyes). He puts a hand on my shoulder, sighs then grins, "You're unusually happy. Auntie Merryweather said you were feeling sad when she left."
"I'm fine Zack… it's just, I have other things to do, to think about… and it's because you took the time to visit me. I'll smile for that." How could I not smile when he's giving those cute puppy dog eyes?
He pinches my cheeks and pokes a finger on my forehead, "Dummy," he says amused and laughs, "Alright. I just came to make sure you're not killing yourself. See ya, have a good night's rest. Princess Aqua." He bows and leaves.
As the door shuts, and I rest my whole self on it the girly squeal I've been suppressing came out (but just a little), "He came to make sure I'm alright! He's so sweet!!" I slid down to the ground squealing and thumping on the floor. Sometimes I think God's testing me, testing me at how much Zack and I deserve each other.
"Do you have a crush on that guy?"
Who would ask that ridiculously obvious question? "Hmm… well, I really like him." My mouth instantly answers not thinking about the details and consequences of answering.
"Well that's too bad. I heard you were getting engaged." Who are you, my inner mind!? Then again the voice was too deep and boyish for my inner mind to possess, I must be hearing voices.
I dusted myself up and walked over the bed; completely ignoring the voices I've been hearing "Hah. Well… liking someone and getting married to someone isn't really the same. Is it?" Annoying voice.
"I'd like to think it is." There it goes again! I shifted my gaze from the ceiling to my surroundings, and there he was blonde, pale-skinned and blue-eyed. How I could practically miss him from the start baffles me. He was just standing there, hidden from the door's view—but there! Human-sized and obvious.
He leans on the bathroom door's frame, smirking to himself, "Wow. Just, wow." He claps and bores his sights on me. My thoughts: he noticed how I probably gawked at him. They were mesmerizing, deep dark blue that lures you in—and they were set on me.
Should I be flattered or annoyed? "Who are you?!" he laughs, smiling at me with considerable mischief flashing in those beautiful pair of eyes. "Aren't you going to bow in front of your princess?" that was just low. Aqua. Really, use your position that gets you everything.
He chuckles and stands in front of me, his hands reaching out to rest on my shoulder, "As a matter of fact princess," he smirks, "I am not." Why I couldn't shake his hand away was a mystery. It was as if, I wanted it to stay there. Not a shrug, or jerk… I just glared at him.
"Shocked?" he leans closer, that incredible annoying smirk now in close-up.
My lips were quivering, I don't remember ever feeling scared; "…N-no."
He chuckles again, this time moving his hand to touch the side of my cheek; "Of course you're not. You're the princess after all," he brings his face close to mine, just side by side, he turns to me; breath ghosting over my cheek and he smiles. "Your Highness," he says it breathlessly; "I'll see you soon." The next thing I felt were soft lips pressed gently on my cheek and a strong gust of wind passing the whole room.
"Wait!" I moved to push him off, but he was gone. There was no one in my room but myself. Who was he? My idle hand lifts to touch the spot where he left his mark—my breathing hitches and the sound of my heartbeat rings so closely to my ears; they sound frantic… fast and erratic. Just thinking about what happened made goosebumps appear. "That boy, with the blonde and windswept hair and ocean blue eyes…"
'I'll see you soon.' What does he want with me?
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
I brush the morning mess away from my eyes, fluttering them from the sunlight that shone brightly in my room. I had such an awfully weird dream last night; I can't wait until Merryweather comes—I bet she'll say something like: "That's forbidden princess you can't dream of random young men entering your room, nonetheless letting them kiss you." I let out a chuckle, it was dream. A weird but memorable dream, I sat up only to be met by a harsh glare from the sun.
"Ugh… who left the curtains open… too early…" I was about to stand and close them myself, but…
"Good morning, been thinking about me?" How was he… supposed to… wait a minute--!
I slapped myself (figuratively of course), "I must still be dreaming, yeah! I'm just dreaming!" I blinked a couple of times and lifted them to look at where he still is. "Oh… no… it's—"
"—Real? Why of course, I'm not to dreamy looking that you mistook it all for a dream… or am I?" He smirks. From the chair he was perched on, he stands up and hovers over me, an evil smile on his lips. "That must be some dream, to able to turn that red in the morning. I'm flattered, Your Highness."
I wanted to slap that look from his face, to kick his shin and say 'I didn't mean to, it was an accident' or to plainly gouge those eyes away! But I did the stupid thing to do: grabbed the blankets and hauled it over my head and refused to look at him. This is so kindergarten, how could I pull such an immature move.
"This is so childish…" I whisper to myself; well at least there's no hypnotizing blue eyes to catch me off-guard. That was something to smile about; the memory of the kiss flashes in my mind and I could feel the heat radiate from my face.
"I agree, this is childish."
"Where is that voice coming from. Why does it sound—" he too went under the covers; "—You! Get out!" I literally, kicked him out. He chuckles and tore the covers away from me; "Hey!" I desperately covered my upper body with my arms, sitting I sent another glare his way.
Another chuckle, "Nice nighties, does His Majesty know you don't wear the usual nightgowns?"
"S-shut up!" So I like wearing over-sized T-shirts and polos, it's not a crime. I just feel more like sleeping with cotton on then silk. "Who are you anyway!?" let's get back to the REAL criminal here, "You—"
"Your Highness, it's time to wake up. His Majesty the King, wants you down for breakfast. I can't make excuses for you this time." It was Merryweather outside the room, calling me for breakfast with my father (and my fiancée); I avert my eyes over the blonde boy smiling wryly at me and then at the door, and back. If Merryweather would catch this person inside the room, he'd never see the light of day again—if not, then everything would be as it was.
He grimaces, and with a blank voice and face he says: "I'll be seeing you, Your Highness." He leans closer to my stoic position, fear and anxiety clouding over my better judgment. He leans forward, placing another soft kiss over my forehead. "Have a nice breakfast now." He winks, drops the blanket over my head and disappears just like before.
"Your Highness, I said, your father wishes your presence this morning." She opens the door; to find everything in order. And I only had the consciousness to lie and smile.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
THIRD PERSON VANTAGE
"I'm tired of you disobeying my instructions young lady! You will attend the banquet, and you will be Lord Terra's escort! You will learn your place! That's how I convinced her." A low toned laugh erupted from the King. Aqua merely shrugged and continued to ignore them.
"Then she is forced to attend with me," the brunet duke frowns not tearing his eyes away from the blue-haired princess. She however, was only occupied with her food and the thoughts of the man appearing out of nowhere inside her room. A little out of the ordinary, but nonetheless a better thought than 'marriage'.
"Don't you worry, Lord Terra. Aqua's a very nice girl; she just … can be very stubborn." He grins wide, stretching his eyes and mouth to show much assurance to the duke. "I hope you won't have problems. After the wedding, of course." He laughs heartily; Aqua rolls her eyes and remains to sit quietly ignoring both of them. This wasn't some topic she dies to talk about. She rather liked the idea of dying before the wedding. A quiet smirk runs up her face, to this she ducks her head down.
Terra, a powerful duke of Shokkou's enemy Kingdom, Tatsurai, possess a very strong and wide range of armies throughout Tatsurai. He's a noble capable of overthrowing their king if he so wished. His name alone alarms the generals and colonels of the royal army, and knowing this power was something he prided himself with. At a ball for peace, held by Shokkou, he laid his eyes on the kingdom's princess. Instantly captivated and besotted by the princess's beauty alone. He chased, stalked and did whatever to, not just 'see her' but, to make her his. This pursuit of lust did not escape the sights of the Shokkou King; quickly he made the arrangements with the young duke and ordered a noble trade for peace. His only daughter for the price of peace.
Aqua's cold and direly lethal aura towards her father, upon hearing this, only worsens and ends with an argument. She had never once again 'talked' to her father in the way daughters would. She started to rebel and brand herself a bastard child; she would gladly consider being an illegitimate child than being a real one to a monster that discards her feelings and freedom so willingly. If her mother was still alive, this wouldn't happen, she thought. She would have escaped, beaten the living daylights out of anyone, but because of one young army general she restrains herself.
Her exit was near. The King and the duke had anticipated for the young heir to stand up abruptly and excuse herself from their presence. She would have, if only Zack didn't enter the hall with the same blonde mystery man in tow. Aggravation was plastered on his face, and a blank and emotionless one for the one dragged. Aqua's gaze was torn between the two: normally it would be easy to choose between anyone and Zack, right now… she found it rather tiring and dizzying to keep switching looks between the two visitors.
"Your Majesty, Princess Aqua, Lord Terra. I apologize to intrude on breakfast, but—"He looks back; planning to glare at the blonde behind him, only to find him gone and striding near the princess in a dazed state. "—Hey, you! Get back here." He calls sternly, the blonde man just rolls his shoulders and pulls the chair beside the princess and sits on it.
"Such insolence!"
"Mind your manners!"
He narrows his light blue eyes at the two others present at the table, blinks and rests his eyes back on the flushed and embarrassed look on the maiden beside him. He hums, perfectly unmoved by the stares, glares and string of threats thrown his way.
"Good morning, Your Highness. Was breakfast filling?"
She sighs, I should have expected that, she thought, "Very much, would you like some?"
Whoever he was, whatever his intentions may be, it seems as the princess knows him. This worked to the man's expectations. He glances at the food: pancakes with strawberries, cream and syrup, and many others. He shook his head and Zack finally catches up with him.
"You, don't you know how to address someone of royalty?!" Zack's hold on his shoulder made him cringe a little; his blue mako eyes flashes towards Aqua and she, although she didn't intend to, glares at how he handles a 'friend' of hers. His grip softens, "Bow to your King."
Aqua interjects, keeping the confusion and offensive atmosphere alive; it's only rare to see her father so shocked and appalled it amuses her, "You don't have to. Isn't that right?" she places a hand over the man's pale hand, and then smiles familiarly at him.
He smirks and props his free hand on the table, and rests his hand on the propped up hand. "As you wish, Your Highness." The looks that tarnish the two other nobles on the table could have been clear as day. They wanted respect, from this man—not because he appears out of nowhere, but because Princess Aqua seems to know and respect him. Her father was currently on her bad side, and he knew this. If he were to persecute and demand respect from the blonde, his daughter would only hate him more. Duke Terra on the other hand, was boiling with jealousy. How dare a man, he had not heard of until now, capture the sweet smile of his princess? This was completely smudging his pride.
The King wanted nothing more than to change the relationship that had befallen them, he wanted his daughter back and getting on the good side was here in front of him. "Ah. Of course, and friends of my Aqua is a friend of mine, you don't have to bow." He turns to the princess, "Introduce him to us, Aqua."
She panics, her eyes widen for a brief second, she clenches her free hand and grips the one holding on to the man's hand. She averts her eyes to him, pleading, "O-of course, Your Majesty." Her eyes were burning with worry; she doesn't know how to start; where to start. She doesn't know the man after all, this was just a sick joke to piss off her father and fiancée—she was hoping that her father would snob him instead… but apparently things change. She sighs and bows her head low, "Actually—"
"I would like to introduce myself, if that's alright, Your Highness?" He winks at her; a wide smile present of her face as she nods. Dumbfounded and relieved, she leans on the chair and awaited the introduction that piqued all of them.
"I am the son of the King Yumekirai, I was sent to Shokkou for a peace treaty with His Majesty—my name's Ventus." He stands up, bowing to the King and addressing the Duke shortly after. "Princess Aqua and I, met when she was strolling around the east wing's garden. The beautiful blue hydrangeas caught my eye from afar. There was our first meeting. I apologize for the past trespassing." He sits down, and smiles at her.
"I'm sure the blue hydrangeas were mystifying, heart wrenching aren't they?" Terra spoke, not looking at Ventus. Calmly, he drinks his tea and waits for an answer.
"They were in bloom, indeed they were. But I was more captured by the one tending to their care, wasn't I, Aqua?"
"You were staring…" that's a lie. A complete lie. We didn't meet at any garden, and there definitely was no hydrangeas in my room. You snuck into my room because you wanted to—not because you were captivated by some garden flower. What's with you?!
He laughs lightly, "As expected the princess would not reply properly to a smoothly executed flirt after all." Her face burns bright red, he was flirting!?, she mentally screamed and felt herself slide down her seat a bit. He turns to her, smirking haughtily, "It's alright. I found the honest and hard to get approach even more attractive." He leans closer to her, only to have a bread knife thrown in between their faces—the steel knife attaching itself to the cement wall behind them.
"That's enough. If you haven't heard from Princess Aqua, we are engaged." He says annoyed, wiping his hands on the napkin and watches the glare the princess was giving him.
He hums, "She hasn't at all. Maybe the princess isn't too fond of marrying you—don't get offended though. It's just an assumption." She chuckles, finding the whole thing hilarious; she never saw the great powerful Duke Terra so furious and her father a little more than flustered. It was an adjustment she'd be willing to take on.
"T-that's r-r-right! A joking assumption! Don't take it seriously Terra!!" the King intervenes, warring steams starts to form between the two. It's a no-brainer that the two present men at the table were very powerful. A prince of a recently discovered kingdom, a duke with power to overthrow a kingdom—the King doesn't want to end in the rear end to either and to take sides will be disastrous. "Very, very comedic, Prince Ventus!" he offered a lone applause, and notices the tense stare Duke Terra was giving the oblivious blonde that fools around with the princess.
"Ah. Well, Prince Ventus. If you don't mind—would you like to stay for the banquet tonight?"
He grins, "Of course. I did mean to have a word with you, after the banquet then?"
"It is done." The King chimes and stands up and exited the room with the duke in tow.
Once the room was emptied and the table cleared, the preparations started immediately. The dozens of servers, cleaners, royal advisers were scattered across the dining hall, a large door was opened to connect the hall to the ballroom. Aqua and Ventus were still seated on their seats, watching the parade of preparations put up the magic for the banquet tonight.
Aqua, for the first time in her life, was happy. "You don't mean that do you?" she couldn't remember a time she stopped laughing. Once the young prince introduced himself, and came to her 'rescue' during breakfast, she was more than grateful to play the friend to this mystery prince.
"I do. Sometimes, aaaaand… that really doesn't matter now, Roxas doesn't mind."
"Prince Roxas seems to be an unlucky brother if you ask me."
"Unlucky… huh?" his light and carefree tone fades away, and at once the princess sees the change in the prince's tone. "I better go and get ready, I'll see you tonight, princess." He stands up to leave, eyeing the dumbfounded look on the princess face. Like she was waiting for something, he thought. Then he figured, that's it, and smirks at the poor frozen girl.
"Are you leaving now…?" She pushes her seat slightly, her eyes burning with anxiety as the blonde stares down at her. Her face flushes deep crimson, "Uh… do you know where your room is, your things, or do you want a tour around the castle grounds?"
"I do, it's in the east wing… if I'm correct, near the gardens where I met you, the king was very generous about it. Thank you for your offer, but I already know the layout of the castle very well. It's with the research I mentioned." He chuckles; she grimaces and courtesies feeling a little dejected.
"I'll see you at the banquet… Prince Ventus." Her voice a few notes lower than her cheerful laugh.
He sighs, "I… we're friends as I recall, just call me Ven." He smiles, once the blue eyes of hers were looking. "Aaaaand I would have asked you to accompany me, if only your soon-to-be husband wasn't staring at me like I'm something to hunt."
"I wasn't--!"
"Yes you were. But don't worry, I'm not going with anyone else—"
She lowers her head, embarrassed at being read so easily. She mutters, sighing, "I'll ask Naminé if she would be going with anyone else. She'd be a good escort I'm sure of it." Deep inside, although she had offered, she wished he would say 'no thank you, it's you or no one' and then smirk at her. It was dream that remained a dream.
"That won't be necessary, Countess Naminé is a very busy consort to my twin." He chuckles, forgetting to tell her about this. "They're engaged, if I remember correctly. My brother moves fast,"
"And so he does." She smiles, relieved. "Who would you be going with then?"
"I'm not going with anyone." He laughs; the girl's face was permanently beet red. "I told you that before, I'm here for important matters not fritter away time."
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
"What's taking you so long, Ven?!"
"Hey, I'm sorry! Things are complicated here. More complicated than the mission report," his voice filled with annoyance. He wanted to hunt, kill and bury the one that assign him this ridiculous mission. IT was more than ridiculous, IT was completely absurd and unnecessary—not that meeting her made a difference at all—but to go this far? He sighs, "I still have time. Don't rush, I'm in a perfect position now."
"You don't take three days, the longest was eight hours!"
"Well, time for a change." He unpacks his things, setting a suit for the occasion on the bed. The royal family of Yumekirai provided him with everything her needed, and if he doesn't have something the King of Shokkou would be very happy to lend a hand. He was given a room fit for a prince, it was double of Aqua's room except for the personal touches she made. He was satisfied to say the least, the dresser, bathroom and walk-in closet was a wonderful touch.
"Bastard."
"Thank you." He replies cheekily.
He hears the phone being passed, and a voice a few octaves higher speaks, "Ven." A one syllable word, his name even, got him shaking. "You know the price if you fail. I don't want your emotions getting mixed up in this. Remember her Ven, and don't fail." Ven bits his lip, and clenches his fist. No matter was happens, he had to protect her. He had to forgo his feelings; Aqua was the target and he was the bullet.
"Understood. Princess Aqua would die by midnight."