Disclaimer: I don't own -man. It belongs to Katsura Hoshino

Author's notes: I decided to write a -man fanfic with my favourite couple. Hope you like it.


Chapter 1
Unwanted arranged marriage

Amalthea kingdom…

Klaud Nine, princess of the Amalthea kingdom, stirred from her slumber when she heard someone calling her. She slowly opened her eyes to reveal her purple orbs adorned with long eyelashes. Her lady-in-waiting, Miranda Lotto, smiled warmly at her and she couldn't help but smile back.

"Good morning, princess." Miranda said.

"Good morning to you as well Miranda. And what did I tell you about calling me Klaud and not princess?" Klaud asked as she placed her hands on her hips and looked at her with a stern look.

Instantly, Miranda's eyes widened and she started bowing frantically.

"Aieeee! I'M SORRY!" was what she said in her state of panic.

Klaud's eyes softened when she saw her flailing her arms frantically and constantly apologizing. She knew that what Miranda went through, was the reason why she became like this. Sometimes, she heard people commenting on how unlucky she was for having Miranda as her lady-in-waiting and how they became friends in the first place. The beautiful and elegant princess becoming friends with the clumsy and plain-looking woman known as Miranda, was something that most people couldn't comprehend. Klaud, however, had a different opinion about her. To her, Miranda was a kind-hearted woman who was far from plain. She possessed inner beauty and strength that other women didn't. She willingly became her friend, not because of her royal status, but because of the person she was underneath.

"You don't need to apologize. I just said that because we're friends" Klaud said as she hugged her.

Miranda's eyes brimmed with tears, but she held them back and hugged Klaud back. How she longed for somebody to call her a friend and thank her for being useful. To her, Klaud was an irreplaceable friend, who still took her as her lady-in-waiting despite the mistakes she did. Klaud accepted becoming her friend, even though her status was different from hers.

They pulled apart from each other, when they heard Lau Shimin, Klaud's monkey, snoring slightly. Both the girls giggled at this.

"Shall I prepare the bath for you?" Miranda asked.

"If you don't mind preparing it for me"

"Not at all" beamed Miranda.

Klaud waited for Miranda to prepare the bath and once Miranda came out she went in. She took off her nightgown, submerged in the bathtub and sighed. As the water helped her relax, yesterday's event flooded her mind.

Flashback

Klaud entered the assembly hall and saw her father discussing something with his advisor. Once her father saw her, he signaled the advisor to leave them alone.

"Daughter, you're here" the king said.

"Yes, father. Is there something that you wanted to tell me?"

The king cleared his throat. "You're going to be engaged to the prince of the neighboring kingdom"

Klaud's eyes immediately widened. She couldn't believe her own ears. Her beloved father telling her that she is to be engaged to someone she didn't even know.

"W-What?" she said astounded.

"You're 21 already and you still haven't got married. I want to have grandchildren soon. I'm not getting any younger. My decision has already been made. You're going to meet him in one week and stay there for two months in order to get to know each other. Understood? So, you better start packing now."

Klaud still in state of shock could only nod her head as she left the room.

End of flashback

Klaud sighed once more as she got up from the bathtub, dried her golden locks and wrapped herself in a towel. After taking a bath, she felt rejuvenated. She came out of the bathroom and saw that Lau Shimin was already awake.

Lau Shimin looked at her with a questioning look as if he was asking her if she was fine after yesterday's event.

"I'm better now, Lau Shimin. Thanks for worrying about me." She replied to his unasked question. The white monkey only swung his tail in acknowledgement.

She walked to her closet, chose a dress and asked Miranda to help her dress.


"Am I explicit?" said an authoritative voice.

Flashback

Ichirou was in the middle of training with his best friend and general of his father's army, Cross, when he was suddenly interrupted by a servant. The servant bowed at them.

"Prince, your father has requested your presence"

At first Ichirou didn't know what to say, because he didn't do anything to upset his father. Then, he started getting worried. What if something happened to his father? Many 'what ifs' were running through his head.

Cross saw that the prince couldn't utter a word and sighed in exasperation, so he asked on his behalf.

"Has his majesty told you why?"

"I'm afraid not. His majesty asked me to bring the prince to the assembly hall. That's all"

The servant waited for the prince's answer.

"Let's go, then."

"I'll catch up to you later." Ichirou said to Cross, who just nodded his head. After all, he had somewhere else to be.

The servant led the prince through many corridors until they finally reached the assembly hall. The servant bowed at the king.

"I have brought the prince here, as you have requested your majesty."

"Very well, you're dismissed."

The servant bowed once more and left.

"My son, I asked you to come here, because I have something to tell you."

"What is it, father?"

"You are of marriageable age now. So, I have decided that you will get engaged to the princess of the neighboring kingdom."

"But father, I don't know this so called princess. What if I don't like her and she doesn't like me?" protested the prince.

"That's why, I invited her here. She will come here in a week and she will stay here for two months."

The prince opened his mouth to protest once again, but he was interrupted.

End of flashback

"Yes, father" Ichirou Kaoru, the prince of the Aureliun kingdom, replied.

"Then you're dismissed."

The prince bowed and left the assembly hall. He walked to his room, plopped down on his bed and sighed. The 21-year-old prince closed his eyes and placed his left hand over his closed eyes.

He was trying to find a way out of this unwanted arranged marriage. Suddenly, as if by enlightenment, an idea came to him. A plan soon formulated in his head. He stood up quickly and left his room. If everything goes according to plan, he won't need to marry the princess. He smirked. Now, he needed to find Cross.


Author's notes: What do you think so far? I had this idea in my head for quite a long time, but I couldn't seem to find the time to write it. It would be my first multi-chapter story as well. Constructive criticism is allowed.