A/N:

Hi everyone. This is my first fanfiction and I'm really excited for it to be a Nico x Maki story. As of starting this, I'm not fully decided on the direction this story will be headed, I have some ideas, so feel free to leave suggestions.

My Princess in Shining Armor:

Chapter One

Maki woke up, tired from the day prior of lessons in politics, literature, and sword fighting. Slowly Maki dragged her body out of bed, the bright mid afternoon sunlight blinding her. She wandered across her room and went over towards her piano, her only source of comfort, the one place she could be herself.

Ever since Maki could remember, she was Prince Maki Nishikino, although her maturing body begged to differ. Apparently her parents were told that they were expecting a son, and quickly announced it to the entire kingdom, and news quickly traveled to other kingdoms. Of course, when she was born, both her parents and the doctors were shocked. However already Maki had been arranged to marry the princess of the neighboring kingdom, who was only two at the time. And instead of telling everyone a princess was born, Maki was forced to grow up as the child her parents hoped for, a son, a prince.

When she was younger, it was simple; all her mother had to do was dress her in boy's clothes. But as the years went by, the wedding grew closer, and Maki had a harder time keeping up her facade.

The secret wasn't going to hold up much longer, she was getting older, and binding could only hide her chest. What were her parents thinking? Did they have a plan for what to do once Maki and her princess were asked to produce heirs? She wasn't allowed to ever ask, due to her parents' fear that someone would find out.

As she sat down on the bench, rested her fingertips on the keys, and began playing, all her worries flooded out of her mind. She was calm, level headed, and nothing was troubling her. Since she was a child, she began taking lessons. She always loved music, but her parents were worried it would distract her from her lessons. After begging, her parents gave in and hired a teacher who came twice a week to teach her. It had been ten years since then, and she was a well trained pianist. Often she found herself composing her own music.

In fact, at that moment she was trying to finish her current piece so she could play it for her teacher.

Until her mother walked in, "Maki, my sweet prince, tonight you'll be meeting your fiance."

"What?" She exclaimed, looking over at her mother, who stood in the doorway. "I thought the wedding wasn't till I was eighteen."

"Well, your fiance is of age, and will be coronated in a few weeks. Her mother, the current queen, wishes for you to take position as king there within the year."

Maki felt a haste breath struggle to come out of her mouth. "Mother, this wasn't part of the arrangement. How can they expect me to rule? And you realize everything will go wrong once they-."

"Maki," Her mother's stern voice stopped her from asking the question she killed to know the answer to. "You will meet with the princess tonight, end of discussion. I'll have the maids bring in your outfit. Please be ready soon, it's a long ride there and we want to arrive before sundown."

Maki watched her mother walk out and two maids enter. Both were the same age as Maki, and were the only people, besides her and her parents, that knew her secret. They were the closest thing Maki had to friends, and she treasured them. One had light brown hair, and sometimes wore glasses. She was quite shy, but genuine. The other was outspoken and cheerful, with short orange hair.

"Maki, we have everything here," Rin smiled, carrying the night's outfit.

"I brought some tea and snacks in case you wanted something before we start," Hanayo placed down a tray on top of Maki's desk.

Knowing she just wanted to get all of this over with, Maki stood up from behind the piano and walked over, "Let's just get ready. The sooner that happens, the sooner I go there, and the sooner I come home."

"Oh Maki, stop being so negative," Rin smiled, her hands on Maki's shoulders as she jumped in excitement, wanting to lighten up the mood. "Once you're all dressed up and there, I'm sure you'll have fun."

"Sure," Maki sighed as she rolled her eyes. She walked over to her bed, where Rin had placed out her clothes for the evening, and looked over everything. But before anything, Maki knew what she had to do. Quickly grabbing her bandages, she went into her bathroom. She stood in front of the mirror, still only wearing her sleep clothes, which were purposefully baggy as to hide her figure.

Carefully she took the top off and looked at her reflection. The body looking back at her wasn't what people wanted to see, and it needed to be concealed. She wrapped the bandages over her bare chest, making sure they were secure, but not too tight as to prevent her from breathing. Once it was done, she walked out so Hanayo and Rin could dress her. In that moment, her mind almost went blank, feeling almost like a doll, being dressed up and controlled by her owner, having no say in what would happen to her.

"What do you think?" Hanayo asked, tapping Maki's shoulder as she smoothed out the jacket.

Maki turned towards her mirror. Covering her body was a carefully constructed outfit; a black vest, which she wore over a white collared shirt with gold trim, a scarlet jacket, black pants, and brown freshly shined boots. Rin was behind her, tying up Maki's short red hair up into a ponytail. The reflection she saw looking back at her wasn't her own, she never was her own person. Her entire life she longed for freedom, to no longer have her fate be decided by her parents. However she was blessed into being born with this cursed life.

She felt guilty for the princess she'd be meeting tonight. Maki knew it was her responsibility to charm her, but she could never fulfill her fiance's wishes. If she ever found out her secret, Maki knew it would only cause her despair.

Why do my parents think this is the right thing to do? Don't they realize they're only going to hurt more people?

Hanayo pulled a small velvet box out of her apron pocket and placed it in the palm of Maki's hand. Instantly she knew what the inside contained, her and her fiance's engagement rings. Maki slipped the black velvet box into her pocket before leaving her room, hastily thanking Hanayo and Rin on her way out.

Her parents were waiting in the foyer for her, both well dressed and wearing similar color schemes, as if to match her outfit. The three of them walked outside to their carriage waiting for them. Maki entered first and sat across from her parents, her gaze directed out towards the window. She watched the familiar scenery of her kingdom fade into countryside, and then slowly to a new kingdom. It was far more decorated, covered in lush gardens. In the center was the palace, glowing under the white moonlight.

As the carriage came to a halt, Maki felt her chest tighten. This was her duty, she had to go through with it. There was no way she could get out of tonight. The driver opened the door, and her parents ushered her out first. Their driver held open the door for her, and Maki cautiously walked out. She looked up at the castle, noticing how large it was. An overwhelmed feeling washed over her. It felt like her heart was in her throat, impossible to breathe.

Her mother, who walked out after her, placed her hand on Maki's shoulder. She smiled down at her. "My little prince is all grown up."

These words didn't ease Maki, but she had no choice in this. She closed her eyes and sighed before walking up the stairs to the castle doors. Two servants opened the doors, bowing at her presence. Maki, followed by her parents, entered the castle. A maid with long purple hair tied into two pigtails greeted them. She then led them into the throne room. Maki's parents urged her to open the door so they all could enter. She didn't feel that she had the strength to do so, knowing tonight was going to change her life forever. However Maki knew her life was never her's, it was her parents and she was supposed to please them, so she opened the door to meet her fate.