The Laws Of Love
A/N: This story was inspired by one of my absolute favourites, Violet167, and her story 'The Prince And I'. I loved your story, Violet, and I desperately wanted to do a spin-off of my own. I hope you don't mind. This story shall be dedicated to you, Violet, with the hopes that you read and enjoy it as much as I enjoy your stories.
My parents work in a bakery so it's very easy for me to write about that kind of setting and I know the kinds of pies, breads, savouries, sweets and pastries like the back of my hand which is extremely helpful. This is one of the reasons why I kept Misaki as a baker's daughter, not just because Violet did. Just thought I'd clarify :)
Just a quick note before we begin (Sorry that this is starting to sound like a rant): I'm sorry if anyone (especially Misaki) seems a bit OOC, sometimes it just happens, but here's my note to tell you that I realize that it happens a lot in my stories. Sorry if that annoys anyone. Without further ado, let's get started!
Chapter 1
"You may be labelled as a commoner and I as a prince, but our hearts beat the same, do they not?"
It all hapened on a crisp autumn day behind the hill that overlooked the capital city. The hill separated two worlds; those who worked for a living and those who lived without working for it. However, the crossing of these two worlds wasn't as catastrophic as all had presumed it would be, just challenging. It's hard to make an eternity of separation disappear with just a pair of teenagers who are still figuring out who their true selves are. But it's not impossible.
Ayuzawa Misaki was just an ordinary girl, seeing herself as no more special than the next person. She lived on the outskirts of the capital city, beyond the towering hill that gave the distinct feeling of separation she was sure wasn't necessary. The distinction between the two sides of the hill was made blatantly obvious by both parties. Those in the capital city had no want of being associated with the likes of common folk and those beyond the hill wanted nothing to do with those who gave the false belief that those beyond the hill were anything above ordinary. Misaki had pondered one too many times if there may be someone in the capital that was worth listening to, but every time one of them strayed across the borders she was proven horribly wrong.
The sound of a bell broke through her reverie and brought her back to existence. She bounded down the stairs and into the bakery, smiling politely at the customer searching around through the cake cabinet.
"How may I help you?" Misaki asked as the figure stood to his original height and studied her curiously. His blonde hair was dishelved from the whistling wind and his emerald eyes sparkled as they met with her amber ones. For a moment everything was completely silent. The wind slowed to nothing, the birds stopped chirping and the sun dipped behind a cloud. And then it was suddenly louder and brighter than ever. Though he had clearly dressed down for the occasion, there was no mistaking him. The prince of Seika was standing in her bakery.
"I've never had anything from a bakery before," He grinned, completely at ease with the situation as he directed his attention back to the cake cabinet. "What do you recommend, miss?" Misaki blinked for a full three seconds before following his eyes to the cabinet.
"It depends on your taste really. Is there anything you prefer or dislike?" Was she meant to act as though she knew he was the prince? Throwing all caution to the winds, Misaki continued to act as though he was merely a customer, which he was. He thought about it for a moment.
"I do enjoy roast vegetables." Before she knew what she was doing, Misaki giggled. He watched her for a moment with a smile before she realized and covered her mouth with her hand.
"I'm terribly sorry," She dipped her head in his direction briefly. "But I meant your prefences within the boundaries of sweets."
"Don't be sorry, it's refreshing to see a genuine smile for once." Misaki gestured to the cabinet, smiling gently to herself.
"Your preferences, sir?" He pondered it for a moment more before clicking his tongue in disgust.
"I despise anything bitter or any cake that contains fruit."
"So, something sweet and fruitless? That's a start I suppose."
"You know, miss," He smiled again. "I don't think it has to depend on your personal preferences." He leaned against the counter, watching her closely. Misaki crossed her arms and quirked her eyebrow.
"Oh really? Tell me then, what are we basing your selection on if not preference?"
"Pure instinct. There are two things in here that caught my eye straight away and I'm rather determined to get them."
"Oh? Do tell."
"The chocolate eclair," Misaki nodded.
"Certainly." She bagged one chocolate eclair and slid it across the counter to him. "And the second item?" He handed her the money for his eclair and, before she could pull away, he grabbed her hand and kissed it.
"I rather think I have to get to know her first," He smirked, grabbed his brown paper bag and turned to leave. "Do have a good day, won't you?" And with that, he left, the glass door swinging shut behind him. Misaki feathered her fingers across where his lips had lain and shook her head, her cheeks bright red.
"This is absurd." But as the door continued to open throughout the day, her heart couldn't help fluttering at the thought that it might be him.
~o~
At around eleven on the friday of the following week, the bell tied to the glass door of the Ayuzawa family bakery chimed and a blonde-haired male walked in. He took his place in line behind and old woman who took her items, handed over her money, and left with a smile and a thanks. Misaki crossed her arms and tapped her fingers on her upper arm.
"Do I sense a friday routine starting, your majesty?" He quirked his eyebrows.
"Perhaps. Do you dislike routines, miss Ayuzawa?"
"Not at all." He smiled and ducked his head to peer at the cake cabinet.
"Perfect." He scanned every cake before sighing. "This may sound awfully odd but must you call me 'your majesty'?" Misaki blinked.
"You're right, it does sound like an awfully odd question to ask a common baker's daughter-,"
"Oh, you're actually rather intriguing-,"
"My point being, what else am I meant to call you if not what every other person must call you?"
"Try calling me Takumi."
"You are joking, right? What kind of right do I have to call a prince by his given name?"
"A prince is still a man, miss Ayuzawa. He has a right to be his own person and I'd prefer you to know me rather than the prince. Does that make sense to you?" Misaki frowned.
"Sure..." They stood in an awkward silence for a minute and with a conflicted look upon his face, Takumi turned his eyes back to the cake cabinet. "Misaki." Misaki said without thinking. He blinked at her. "My-my name, I mean. It's like an equivalent law isn't it? If I know your name, surely you must have to know mine... Don't ask what drove me to spout such nonsense," She sighed, burying her face in her hands and leaning against the counter top. "Because I have no idea... Please feel free to ignore me at your own leisure." Takumi chuckled and tapped the glass of the cake cabinet.
"I'll take a Pain au chocolat, if it's not too much trouble, Misaki." Her heart fluttered desperately against her rib cage at the sound of her name and she fumbled for her tongs. She bagged the Pain au chocolat and set it on the counter in front of him.
"Believe me, it's the most troublesome thing in the world to see you walk in here." He raised his eyebrows teasingly and smiled, grabbing the brown paper bag in front of him.
"Then let me make it more interesting. Say I do happen to come in weekly, in exchange for purchasing your baked goods, let me ask you a question each and every visit." Misaki raised her eyebrows and dusted her hands off on her apron.
"I thought the exchange for purchasing my goods was letting you eat them?" She smiled.
"Smart girl... how about in exchange for my time?" Misaki trailed around the counter and began pushing the chairs under the tables so that she had something to do.
"Is this your subtle attempt at kidnapping me? Because I'll tell you now, I'm nothing special." Takumi leaned back against the counter, the paper bag clasped in his fingers.
"Well, I beg to differ." She walked up beside him and leaned over the counter, grabbing a wet cloth. As she pulled back she smiled.
"That's sweet but I'm afraid you really don't know me. I'm not worth your time." She began wiping the tables down, avoiding his glance.
"I'm willing to get to know you."
"Takumi, really-," She stopped mid-sentence and froze.
"You can't tell me you feel nothing, Misaki."
"Look- if this is what your instinct is telling you, then I'm afraid your instinct is a bit rusty."
"Is it because I'm from the other side of the hill?" He asked.
"It's got nothing to do with who you are, it's who I am that's the problem. Look, if you've got what you came for, I really must be off. I have errands to run."
"Let me come with you-,"
"Look, I'll- I'll see you next week if you drop by. But for now, my shop is closed. Please go."
"I'll be here the same time next week," He sighed, running a hand through his tousled locks as he made his way to the door. "And, Misaki?" She looked up at him. "I think you could be worth all the time in the world."
I know it's a bit short but it felt right to stop it there for the first chapter. I really hope you enjoyed it because I have so many ideas for this story. As always, please R&R, it means the world to me.
Xx SweetsPrincess-Sama