He was running late, as always. The prince sighed with annoyance as he looked at his pocket watch.

Eighteen minutes passed time. "Where is that damn rabbit? He's always late! He's lucky I don't have him beheaded!" Tsukishima the white rabbit was the Prince of Hearts right hand rabbit. And as such, he had many important responsibilities, such as arriving on time. He tapped his foot and fingers impatiently as the Cheshire cat, Psyche, appeared next too him.

"Nyee, Roppi-sama~" purred the Cheshire who sat on the arm of the smaller throne which Roppi sat upon. The larger was for his mother, the Queen of Hearts.

Roppi cast a glance at the feline. "What do you want you insufferable cat?"

"Nyeen! Roppi-sama's always so mean to me, Nyee!" the cat whined with a pout. He quickly perked back up and pranced around the thrones.

"Be gone with you, or it'll be off with your head," Roppi said, waving him off. The feline tittered, and made his body vanish, leaving only his head and hands behind.

"You can't behead something without a body, Roppi-sama~" He looked across the wide room when he heard the door open. A tall young blond man with rabbit ears rushed in looking panicked. "Ooo, he's here!" As the blond approached, Psyche made his body reappear. "Naughty, naughty Tsuki-chan, making his majesty wait," he giggled.

The rabbit looked nervous and blushed at Psyche's comment. "I-I'm really sorry." The cat always made jokes of him and Tsuki didn't like it at all, but what could he do? He was just a servant.

"You're late," Roppi stated matter of factly, ignoring the cat.

"S-So-Sorry! I-I'm really sorry, Hacchimenroppi-sama!" His face all flushed, embarrassed with himself. "I-I brought the papers you asked for!"

Roppi sat up tall and stared down at the stuttering rabbit. "Tsukishima. I have been incredibly lenient with you. But my patience is wearing thin. And as such, you're walking on thin ice. So if I were you, I wouldn't slip up again." He spoke with a harsh tone as usual, but with Tsuki, they were usually empty threats, or it would wind up being something as simple as scrubbing the floors for a week.

"That being said," he relaxed his body, "bring me the papers." He held out his hand to receive them.

"Nyan, don't take all day like usual," the cat teased, while pulling a mocking face.

"Begone with you!" ordered the prince, making Tsuki sigh with relief. The feline grinned like mad before vanishing completely. "Now then, Tsukishima, come."

The rabbit smiled softly to his prince. "Yes, sir." He made his way to the throne and kneeled in front of Roppi handing him the papers he asked. "I'm really sorry about being late… I promise it won't happen again." He looked to the side somewhat sad. If there was something Tsuki hated the most, that was disappointing his prince.

Roppi took the papers from the rabbit. He looked through them nodding. "Good. Good. Things are in order. Arrangements are going well. The celebration for my birthday is just a few days away." He paused. "Do you think I'd be a good ruler, Tsuki?" Roppi smiled. "Ah, nevermind."

Tsukishima looked at him and nodded nervously. Even though the prince probably had paid no attention since he didn't wait for his response. Tsukishima thought Roppi was a good and fair ruler already, and admired him for that. If only the other could see himself the way the blond did. But probably it wouldn't matter. The raven was the heir to the country, and a merger rabbit's opinion was useless.

Roppi stood up and held out his hand for Tsuki to take and lead him. "I want to visit the gardens. Take me there, Tsukishima."

A smile tugged on the rabbit's lips as he bowed respectfully. "With pleasure, your majesty."