"Welcome to the Kou palace." You heard a smooth voice from the other side of the opening doors say. When the door's were fully opened you nodded to the guards on either side and stepped in.

"Hello Princess (y/n)." A boy around your age welcomed you. He had the famous pink-red hair of the Kou empire, although his hair appeared to be a bit more pink than the gentleman, Kouen, who greeted you at the gates. You bowed slightly.

"And you would be?" You said politely.

"I'm the third-prince of the Kou empire, Prince Ren Kouha."

"Nice to meet you." You noticed three beautiful women blushing behind Kouha.

"Are they your attendants?" You ask.

"Yes. This is Junjun, Jinjin, and Reirei." He replied. They came out to stand on his side once they were introduced.

"Thank you for coming to the Kou palace." One of them said. You smiled.

"It's a pleasure."

"Would you like a tour of the palace? I assume it's your first time here." Kouha said.

"Yes, please."

Prince Kouha led you around the palace, showing you where everything was. Once you got to the library you nodded at Kouha.

"Could I go in?" You asked, looking at Kouha pointedly.

"Of course." He said, getting the hint. "You three stand outside for now." Kouha said to his attendants. You swept in gracefully, Kouha following. Once you were both in the farthest part of the library you turned to him.

"Do you think it was convincing?"

"You mean that we don't know each other?" He picked at a nail, staring at it disdainfully.

You karate-chopped him in the head.

"No. I meant was it convincing we aren't secretly plotting to murder Koumei." You paused and sighed dramatically. "Of course I mean that we don't know each other!"

"Geez!" He said, still rubbing the back of his head."You're so feisty all the time! But, yes I do think it was convincing." You breathed a sigh of relief.

"As you know, I'm being married off to the Kou empire."

He looked up at you. "Yeah, I know."

"Who do you think it will be?" You ask, blushing and looking down at your chest. His arms wrapped around you and you hugged him back, loving the warmth.

"Let's just hope I'm chosen." He replied. You nod and start to cry. Kouha didn't seem to mind it so you buried your face in his chest. (You were remarkably even shorter than Kouha, as he's grown quite a bit.) Kouha rested his chin on top of your (hair color) locks.

"You're my best friend." You mumbled into his chest.

"Right back at you."