"May I ask again why I have to be the one to greet this 'Prince Nagisa' ? It's not like I'm the one who invited him." I ask my father, the king, regarding our special visitor from the North. It is our duty, as the Kingdom of the Phoenix, to keep strong relationships with our neighbors, including the smallest of them all, Blustasia (Blue-stay-sha), from which this prince happens to be from.
"Karma, it's simple, you're the same age and are both the eldest princes of your respective areas. Besides, he and you are both going to be kings some day, you should try getting along with him. Also, I said so, and my word is final." I glare at my father, he glares back. We stare at each other until one of us looks away. Stubborn old man.. I turn away and leave the room. I guess I can entertain him for two weeks…I hope he's at least BEARABLE.
"I don't know if I'm ready for this…" I say at the front of the gate to Phoenix castle, "I haven't had much experience going to other kingdoms… a-and what if I say something I shouldn't? They could easily destroy all of our land!" I frantically turn to my trusted attendant, Nakamura, obvious worry in my eyes and voice. "Prince Nagisa, you shouldn't worry so much! Everybody loves you, you're nice and freaking adorable. Besides, you learned everything you needed to know in your special lessons, you got this!" She gives me a thumbs up with an encouraging grin. I smile but then realize what she said. "Adorable?" I tilt my head, she just laughs, "Hey!" She puts her hands up, "I'm just repeating what your fans say!" I have fans?!
Before I can say anything, the gates start to open, I straighten myself up, knowing what this means. The gates go out completely and we are greeted with two walls of servants and knights, making one long isle leading straight to the notorious redhead himself, Prince Karma. There's constantly rumors going around about him, sometimes good, sometimes bad. According to the whispers I've heard around the castle, he's mischievous, and likes a good fight. He's also popular with the ladies, but has never once accepted their offers to be with him. There's also his ingenious discoveries that have changed the world as we know it. All this and he's only 18, same as me. I'm feeling A LITTLE BIT inferior.. (Author: yep, in this story they are 18, just seemed more appropriate than 14)
"I welcome you, Prince Nagisa of Blustasia." He bows, as per protocol, I try to calmly bow in return, "I thank you your highness, I look forward to spending time with you." I say the words I had rehearsed oh so many times, trying to sound as natural as possible. All the servants and Knights bow as well, then they all go back up at the same time. The isle of people disperse, leaving just Nakamura, Prince Karma, and I.
"Well then, now THAT'S over with," The Prince begins, losing his formal voice and going into a very unexpected nonchalant kind of tone. The prince walks over to my attendent and I, reaching out his hand, "Nice to meet cha, Nagisa," I tilt my head at him confused, he lightly laughs, "You shake it…" I jump, and grab his hand to shake it. He laughs again, "Sorry I'm just nervous… " I explain to him, scratching the back of my head, grinning like an idiot. "It's okay, and who are you again?" He turns to the girl standing next to me, holding his hand out to her as well. "Prince Nagisa's attendant sir, Nakamura." She shakes his hand respectively and calmly, way more professional sounding than I thought she could ever muster. Prince Karma takes his hand back and motions us to follow him. "Father said I have to give you guys a tour of the castle, so come on so we can get this over with as well." He says with a slightly annoyed look on his face. I laugh and start following him, Nakamura staying a small distance behind me.
I walk around with my arms wrapped around my back, following the Prince around. My nerves have seemed to calm down some, mostly due to the Prince's laid back attitude. "And here's the garden, not very interesting here so let's just move on." The Prince starts to walk away but I walk into the garden starry eyes. Having noticed this, the Prince swings back around, and follows after me. "Wow… this is truly beautiful. The landscaping is done brilliantly and Ooo I just realized they planted flowers that have similar meanings together! That's so cool~" My eyes turn into literal stars as I go around and look at every little part of the amazing garden before me. "You like flowers?" The Princes asks me, squatting down next to me, I turn and smile, "Of course! They're beautiful! Plus I think there's nothing more romantic than receiving a bouquet of flowers!" I see a little pink show up on the face of the redhead beside me, but then he puts his hand over his mouth, covering the faint pink in the process. Did he just blush… nah… that would be weird…
"Well uh," The Prince begins, avoiding eye contact but then points towards the flowers in front of us, "What do these mean?" A small smile forms on my face, as I am reminded of good times, "Those mean 'Eternity'. Mostly because they last a long time… My Mother, " I touch the pedal of one of the flowers, stroking it gently, "She would always be telling me if I gave these to the person I love, then our love would last an eternity." I take my hand back, starting to gain a longing look. The Prince puts his hand on my shoulder, he looks at me with worry. "The loss of Queen Hiromi was truly tragic, she was well respected and was a wonderful woman. I'm sure many miss her, even now." He comforts me, I lightly smile, "Thanks… Prince Karma." I stand up and move to the next section of the garden, Prince Karma silently following me.
My Mother passed away about three years ago from a fatal disease. She taught me everything I know about flowers… I was the closest to her, that's also why it hit me the hardest when she passed away. I went weeks without eating, wouldn't leave my room, and refused to talk to anyone. I eventually realized, with the help of a certain attendant, that I needed to enjoy life more, just like mother would have wanted. So I started going back to normal, although I promised to myself that I would never forget her and all the lessons she taught me.
I finish looking at the flowers and plants, explaining all their meanings to Prince Karma. We both stand up and start walking out, along the way starting up a new conversation, "You know Nagisa," I respond with a 'Hm?', The Prince turns around to me, "You can call me Karma! I don't care bout all that formal crap anyway." He waves his hand in front of his face almost as if he was whisking away the formalities. I jumped and gave a quick, "OhmygodimsosorrywasIbeingrude-" The Prin- I mean Karma- started laughing out of control. I stood there pins up, What's so funny… "Ok, so, you're adorable, " I blush while Pr-Karma is still laughing his head off. I stand there awkwardly until he calms down, "Come on, let's go over to the kitchen. I'm pretty sure there was some staff that wanted to meet you."
We walk down to the Kitchen as Karma tells me about all the fans I have, though I don't know why… If anything HE should be the one with all the fans. He's done amazing things and he's hot too.. "And here we are!" He says, motioning to the area where it smells REALLY good. "PRINCE NAGISA!" I small (Shorter than me, which is rare.. ) girl in a long maid uniform runs over to me, almost bumping into me, I laugh a little bit, making her blush. "Oh my god! I'm your biggest fan! I've heard so many things about you but this is my first time seeing you in the flesh!" Literal hearts form in her eyes, and I just scratch the back of my head, not really knowing how to handle this situation. "Umm, well, Nice to meet you…" I moved my head, indicating for her to give me her name, she jumps and gives a hardy, "Anna, sir!" I laugh at her seriousness, suddenly Nakamura elbows me and whispers to me, "Well aren't you the popular one~" I jump, realizing I had completely forgotten she was there. Guess I just got swept away by Karma…
"Well, Anna," Karma begins in an annoyed tone, "We have to tour the entire castle, so if you don't mind…" He motions for her to leave us. She huffs, "Fine," She starts walking away, but then turns around and sticks her tounge out at Karma, he glares at her for it. She then giggles, "Bye Prince Nagisa~ I'll see you again later!" Karma stares at her leaving with an even more annoyed face, "Gag." He says, I look at him questioningly, but he just ignores it and pushes me towards the kitchen again.
I am introduced to a very huge and friendly guy, named Bill. Apparently, he was a sailor and, once retired, became a cook. Seemed like a pretty big accomplishment to me, Sailor to head royal chef. I didn't say anything though, since Bill was busy telling me sailor stories. Got me scared to death to ever go on the ocean again… Now Karma is just finishing off the tour at my room.
"Wow… I would've been fine with a normal room you know…" I say as I walk into the gigantic king sized room. "Well, you're our guest, and also you're a prince so… My Dad picked the room and he's all about treating royalty appropriately, as he says. Personally, I like treating people as people, why should one person have more value than another?" I look at the redhead as if he had JUST read my mind, "It might be an unpopular opinion but those are my exact thoughts too. I think the only things that should measure a person's worth what their values are and how hard they work at their goals. No matter what it is they do, if they're working hard, then they're good in my book." I smile, Karma looks at me as if he's seen a ghost, "Yes! Those… are exactly my thoughts… One thing though, " The redhead smirks, "If their goals include killing…. I wouldn't necessarily call them good." I blush, being a little embarrassed from not thinking of that. "Well you know what I meant!" I pout, the Red Prince starts laughing at me, which just makes me blush more. "I'm going to bed!" I yell in an accidental cute manner.
Karma starts walking towards the door but then stops in the doorway, "My room is right across the hall and your attendant is down the hall… Call for me if you need anything~" The prince… winks? Did he just wink? "Good night!" Karma runs out the door before I can say anything. I stand in silence in my huge room. Well then… guess I'll just go to bed… if I can find it in this huge room...
This prince.. I think as I lay down in my bed after walking the few feet across the hall to my room. I thought I was going to be dealing with some spoiled brat, like the rest of the royals I have to entertain, but he's… different. He seems like an actual human being and not some glorified figure head that doesn't actually do anything. I reach my right hand up to cover my eyes, grinning, "This is going to be interesting…"
So this was going to be a one-shot but I decided to make it a few chapters instead, anyway I hope you like it! Pls leave a comment, I love to hear your opinions!