The air was stuffy inside the ornate ballroom which was grandly decorated in the kingdom's signature colors of purple and red, as per the Queen's request, since they were also her favorite colors. Nobles and royalty alike stood in circles, sipping on expensive wine in the finest of golden goblets with all kinds of appetizers being distributed by servants on trays. The light music floated in the air as graceful dancers took to the dance floor. The only thing unusual about this ball was that everyone's faces were hidden by very intricately decorated masks.

Shiori's own was a white one that was adorned by sapphires and light blue feathers-how wasteful…The rich spent money needlessly, and Shiori loathed it. She was wearing an extravagant dark purple ballgown, the corset was a bit too tight for her liking, thanks to her Step-mother, the Queen. She was a perfectionist, even her own step-daughter was just an accessory. She glared through her mask as another snobby nobleman, probably twice her age, wrapped his arms around her, sweeping her offbeat to the light music. And as much as she wanted to cause a scene, she knew it was in her best interests not to. Just a few more dances and then she could escape outside for a bit. She mingled among the nobility long enough and hated every minute of it.

"Excuse me." A soft but firm voice and a pair of hands swept her away from the nobleman she was dancing with. Familiar and warm hands. She looked up into soft green eyes that were peeking through a black mask adorned with gold. His short, brown hair framed his face nicely. He gave her a kind smile and spun her around into his arms. "I apologize for not getting here sooner, Shiori-sama." His hand was on the small of her back and the other was holding her hand. When his hand made contact with hers, she felt a pleasant tingling.

"I-Iba.." She whispered, her cheeks warming underneath her mask, glad that he couldn't see her face clearly. Her body pressed closely to his, their faces mere inches from each other, as they danced slowly to the song. Since this was a masquerade, no one could tell who was actually who once they were all dancing on the dance floor.

Iba was her favorite knight out of all the castle guards and knights. She had to be escorted everywhere by order of the Queen Step-Mother, and she'd decided to choose the most handsome out of the ones that were being inducted back then. "Where were you?"

"Father was having me dance with some nobleman's daughters. None as beautiful or as interesting as you, Shiori-sama."Chuckling lightly, his soft green eyes met her pretty cyan ones.

Her heart sped up, doing flips, and butterflies flapped angrily in her stomach. She quickly cast her eyes straight ahead, but when he twirled her around back into his arms, their lips hovered dangerously close together.

Shiori froze for a few moments, tempted, oh, so tempted, to lean in and-

Iba's cheeks were dusted with pink and he steadied her on her feet as he bowed and she curtsied when the song ended. "I regret your Knight in shining armor was not able to come for you sooner." He kissed the back of her hand and led her to the refreshments table, her arm in his.

Her face reddened even more and she quickly grabbed a flute of champagne and downed it. "The Queen had suitors lined up to dance with me…men twice my age, Iba." She took out her fan and hid the rest of her face with it.

Iba gripped his flute rather tightly after she mentioned that. He cleared his throat and led her outside to the balcony. The moon was full tonight, casting a glow on the both of them. Iba stared at her as she moved to lean on the balcony. Her beauty was unmatched by anyone. He longed to run his fingers through her violet locks, to look into her cyan blue eyes and-

"Iba?"

His soft green eyes widened for a second and he looked back at her. "Yes, Shiori-sama?"

She opened her mouth and closed it as she stared at him, captivated by his soft and handsome features. His face was the only thing that kept her sane in this castle, trapped in a life of pointless and wasteful luxury, and by controlling monarch that were supposed to be her parent. He showed her kindness when no one else did. He didn't do it out of respect for the crown, he did things for her. She could feel his…no, she wouldn't go there. She didn't even know what she felt for him. …What did she feel for him? "…The Queen has made a decision."

"A decision?"

"Yes…She wants me to marry soon."

"What of your mission, Shiori-sama?" Iba's voice dropped to a very low whisper. "You're going to let your legacy perish?" He knew this was a poor excuse, but he didn't have the right, nor the power to speak out against this decision. He knew his Princess was not in a place to refuse either, but he still wanted her to fight it.

Shiori gripped his arm, her jaw clenching. "Unfortunately, I'll have to spend nights with my husband," She spat the word out with disgust, imagining any other man lay his hands on her. She couldn't stand the thought. "Instead of robbing the noble houses."

None would have guessed that the Princess of their very own country was actually the famous Phantom Thief, Morning Glory. She was dubbed that because she left morning glories in place of items she had stolen. After that, she used her name as the Princess to donate to poor villages and orphanages that were being neglected. She knew how much they suffered due to the wasteful and lavish lifestyle nobles led. It disgusted her, so she had to find a way to remedy that.

From a young age, she studied swordsmanship and practiced in secret with an uncle of hers. She was far more comfortable in pants than in ball gowns, and if the Queen Step-Mother found out, it would be a very disastrous thing…She honestly wasn't sure how she would react, but she knew she would provably use it as an excuse to be rid of her once and for all.

Iba hated the thought of another man putting his hands on his Princess. He hated even seeing her dance with anyone else. His head was turned constantly to look at her as he was dancing with other women. Shiori-sama…was special. The more time he spent time with her, the more he thought about her, learned about her…his heart beat faster just glancing at her, but he could never admit his growing feelings for her. It was out of line for him as a knight.

And yet.

Iba cupped her cheeks, and looked into her eyes. His thumb slowly ran down her cheek, before he reached for the mask, hesitating. He gently took it off of her, his eyes taking in every inch of her beautiful face. He'd remembered how shocked he'd been to uncover the identity of Morning Glory. He did feel ashamed that he'd clashed swords with the very person he was supposed to protect.

Shiori's face reddened underneath his touch. Her breath hitched when his face drew closer, lips hovering right above her cheek. "I-Iba?" Her voice was barely above a whisper. She didn't know what he was doing, but she wanted more. More of this.

He knew this was wrong. This was the Princess. He was just a knight, she was the Princess. The Princess that was about to get engaged. There were consequences to pursuing…dangerous feelings. "Shiori-sama…" He murmured against her skin. He had pushed away his feelings, but his heart felt like it would explode with them in this very moment.

Shiori reached up to place her hands on his cheeks, closing her eyes, her lips brushed against his, much to his surprise. Her heart was beating in her throat as her fingers went to weave into his hair. She didn't want to think, nor care about the consequences. She just wanted to feel him. Their mouths molded together perfectly as they finally got a taste of each other for the first time.

They parted for a few moments, breaths mingling as they stared into each others' eyes. Shiori blushed and looked down as their foreheads touched.

"Shiori-sama…" Iba reluctantly pulled away from her. He had made a grave mistake. Such a big mistake.

Shiori grabbed his arm before he could turn away from her. "No." Placing her hands on his cheeks, she pulled him in again, and he couldn't resist her. "I don't care, Iba. I'm not letting you go."

"Sh-Shiori-sama…" Iba took the mask and placed it back on her face. "This is improper of me. I shouldn't have-" He sighed and peppered kisses along her jaw. He wanted to feel her skin to skin, to feel and worship every inch of her. "This is very inappropriate of me, Princess…"

"I don't care. We've both been feeling it for a long time, and I'm tired of pushing my heart away. I don't care what happens anymore. I want you. I…" She hesitated, taking in a small breath and kissed him again. "I love you."

Iba's cheeks warmed and he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her in closer. "Shiori-sama, I am unworthy of your affections, but I also…love you." He hummed over her lips before taking them again.

"Iba…we should…leave…"

He could see the lust in her eyes that probably mirrored his own. "A-are you sure, Shiori-sama?"

"Iba, the East Wing is abandoned. Please."

"Yes, your Highness."

The pair made it to a room in the very far East Wing. All the rooms were furnished and cleaned regularly, ready to be used whenever they had guests drop by.

Shiori removed her mask and threw it aside. She reached up to remove Iba's, her hands lingering at his cheeks. His hands cupped her cheeks and he pecked her lips. "Shiori-sama, is this what you want? With me?"

"Hachirō." Shiori grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled him down for a long kiss. "I'm very sure about this, about you."

His hands slowly ran down her back, his fingers slowly undoing the laces. Shiori let out a small gasp as he kissed her bare shoulders and loosened the laces of her tight corset. Her hands were busy trying to free him from his clothes as quickly as possible. Her hands gripped his arms, biting back an impatient whine. Iba let out a low chuckle, taking his time with the laces of the corset, leaving a trail of slow kisses from her neck to her shoulder. Once she was free from her ball gown, Shiori pressed herself closer to him, lips and teeth at his neck. Iba let out a small gasp of surprise and helped her out of the remaining of her undergarments and let her long, violet hair down.

Iba's teeth grazed her earlobe and he paused, stilling her hands. "Shiori-sama," He whispered, his breath hot on her ear. "…Are you…sure this is what you want?"

Shiori pulled him to the bed and hovered over him, her violet hair tickling his cheeks, her lips taking his. "I want you, Hachirō. I've never been more sure about anything."

Iba's hands slowly ran up her back and up to her cheeks before kissing her again. "Shiori-sama-"

Shiori's lips met his to silence him. "Drop it. Just say my name. No honorifics." She ordered in her monarch voice.

"...Shiori…" He murmured against her lips. His hands trailed down to her waist and gently flipped their positions, his lips exploring every inch of her.

Shiori stared at his sleeping face, slowly turning towards him, her hand moving strands away from his face. She never imagined she'd be waking up next to him after a long, passionate, and loving night. She didn't know what was going to come next, or how they were going to manage this, but she wasn't going to let go of his hand, even if it costed her the crown or her life. She interlaced their fingers and moved closer, placing a kiss on his jaw.

Iba stirred and opened his eyes and gave her his perfect angelic smile, the smile he reserved for her and kissed her forehead. "Shiori-sama-" He chuckled when her cyan eyes narrowed. "Shiori. I love you. How are you feeling?"

She kissed him until they were both breathless. "Does that answer your question?"

Iba chuckled and pecked the corner of her mouth. "Plenty. Princess, we should get you back to your room. People will talk."

Shiori kissed him once more before reluctantly getting up to get dressed. Iba quickly got dressed to help her with the corset. "It's not too tight, is it?"

"It's fine. You're very gentle. My Maids are much rougher." Shiori laughed and sighed, looking at her hair. "What should I do about this?"

Iba took her hand and led her to the vanity table and began brushing through her hair. "I can't remember all the details, Shiori, but I can replicate it."

"Hachirō, you…can do hair?" She raised her eyebrows.

Chuckling, he began styling it up as it was before their passionate night. "I am your Knight, Princess Shiori. I must be well-versed in all matters in order to serve the royal family." When he was done he leaned down, placing his chin on her shoulder, he looked in the mirror with her. "How is it?"

"Hachirō, is there anything you can't do?" Sighing, she kissed his cheek. "Hachirō,"

His heart sped up each time she said his name. "Yes, Princess Shiori?"

"...I know it's probably a given…but…" Hesitating, she took his hand and gave it a squeeze.

"This is a secret. Of course."

"I'm getting engaged today…but I'm going to fight it. We're going to figure it out. I'm not going to get married to anyone. You…You're mine. I want you." She flushed and looked down, feeling rather embarrassed that she was baring her soul to him. It was the least she could do for the man she loved. He deserved to know what was in her heart. "If…I must relinquish my crown to be with you, I shall. We can run away and start a life elsewhere…"

"Shiori…"

"I know! I sound very idiotic, like a lovesick maiden that wants all of this, us, to work out! All of this sounds ridiculous to me too...but it's the truth." She shook her head and looked over into his soft green eyes.

Iba smiled and kissed her lips. "This is very bold you, Shiori…but I feel the same, however, I could not ask you to give all this up for me. The Queen's word is law."

"Fuck the Queen's word." Shiori growled angrily. "She killed my father. She's nothing but a murder, throne-stealing bitch." She closed her eyes for a moment, and took a breath. "She's been trying to get rid of me. I might as well save her the trouble, but at least we can be together."

"Shiori, we need to think about this more carefully. We can talk about this more later, for now, you need to get back to your room and change. The Queen asked for your presence in the throne room before breakfast."

"Very well, Hachirō…"

After Shiori was changed into a new gown, Iba escorted her to the throne room and stood behind her as she stood in front of the Queen.

"Shiori," The Queen waved a delicate hand. "Meet your Fiance."