We Talked

I felt my face heat up as I leaped off his lap. "S-sorry!" He looked up at me and cracked a smile. "Why are you sorry for that? It's fine isn't it?" He sat back down across from me and picked up his sword. "Knights are supposed to put their life on the line when it comes to saving people." His eyes soften as he continued to stare at his sword. I hadn't noticed it before, but a small ring was dangling from a string that was wrapped around his sword.

"Syo, about that ring..." I pointed to it and he gave a sad smile. "That belonged to my mom before she died." He placed two fingers on it and held it up. "See? On it, it says "Vis Vires" which is Latin for "Strength". She gave this to me believing that it will give me that strength in becoming a better knight." I gaped at the ring in awe. He really must have loved his mom. I was the same for my grandma. She always cheered me up during the worst of times. I was grateful to her.

I sighed, I missed her already. "Your mom sounds like a wonderful woman, Syo." He looked at me and smiled. "Ya. She was the best. Actually, she gave this ring to me just before I went off to take my knights exam." I tilted my head to the side. "Ohh. So the ring did give you strength after all!"

Syo laughed and set the sword back down. "Ahaha. I wish. But deep down, I knew that it was my own strength that made me pass." I nodded in agreement. "You believed in yourself to the end." He smiled and rested his head on his hand as he looked out the window. I lowered my head and smoothed out my dress. I hope I don't do anything stupid at the castle.

The carriage stopped moving and we both glanced at the door. The driver opened the door and bowed. "Welcome to the Kingdom of Agnapolis." I stepped out of the carriage and stared at the castle with my mouth hanging open. "I-it's huge!" Syo stepped in beside me. "Ya. Supposedly, this castle was built over one hundred years ago." I turned my head to him. "S-seriously? It's that old and it still stands?" He shrugged like he didn't care if the castle fell or not.

The driver went ahead if us. "Are you coming?" My eyes lit up and I ran to him. "Ah! Yes!" Syo caught up to me and together we entered the gates of the castle. I stared in awe as I tried to take in everything in sight; to their majestic garden which seems like it expanded forever, to its life size fountain that could fit at least thirty people.

"Everything is so beautiful! It seems like I'm in a dream!" I spun around and giggled. I have to make sure I remember everything so I can tell grandma about it! I stopped spinning and noticed Syo staring at me. I gave a dry cough and blushed. "U-umm..." He smiled and gave me a thumb up. "Hey it's cool to be excited about seeing the castle for the first time. I mean, on my first visit, I was literally jumping off the walls because I was excited."

I tried to imagine Syo actually jumping from wall to wall like a chimpanzee. Luckily, I couldn't. The driver led us to another set of huge doors. He bowed again. "My lady, are you ready to meet your princes?" I gulped and exhaled out. "Y-ya. I'm ready." The driver smiled and pushed opened the doors. "I'll have to also mention that many other young women are here as well, so please try and get along." I gave him an unsure smile. "O-of course." Syo sighed. "Just be yourself. I know the princes wouldn't try to hurt you or anyone. Just relax."

I exhaled out again as I saw the room inside. "I'll try. You'll be by my side, right?" He nodded and led me into the main throne room. I gasped as I saw many colorful dresses, all glittering and shiny. Looking at my own dress, I suddenly felt like a no body. I pursed my lips and turned around. "M-maybe I should back out now." I took one step and then felt a hand rest on my shoulder. I glanced at it and frowned. "Syo..." He smiled and turned me around. "Come on! Remember what I said, be yourself! I'm sure they'll like you." I stared at him and then determination set off in my eyes. "A-all right! I'll give it my best!"

Grinning, Syo dragged me into the room. It was a sight to remember; a chandelier hand in the very center of the room, a neat polished floor that sparkled, and paintings filled every wall. "Even this room looks like a dream..." I whispered. I glanced around the room, trying to spot any of the princes.

"It looks like every one of the princes is chatting with someone." I felt Syo's breath in my ear and I jumped. "O-oh! Is that so..." He nodded and turned his gaze somewhere else. "Let's sit on that bench while we wait. Is that fine with you?" I also nodded and followed him to the glittery bench. What was with this castle and glittery things?

Sitting down, I began to smooth out my dress. Syo noticed and smiled. "Trying to make yourself look more presentable?" I stopped midway and blushed. "We'll I don't want to make a first bad impression do I?" He leaned back on the bench and closed his eyes. "I guess not." I lowered my head and saw my clenched fists. I must really be nervous about this. I mean, how can anyone not be when it comes to meeting the people who rule over you?

Syo opened an eye and tapped my arm. "Psst. Someone is coming this way." I shot my head up and looked at the incoming figure. Immediately I noticed his shiny red hair, his red cape flapping breathlessly behind him as he made his way over here. I stood up to show my respect and bowed my head.

"Ah, you don't have to do that. I actually get kind of antsy when a subject bows to me." I looked up and saw him scratching his head in embarrassment. Syo held his hand out to the prince. "Haruka, this is Prince Ittoki Otoya, the King's first son."

I stared at him confused. "Eh? First son?" Syo continued. "Otoya was "biologically" his first real son. The King then married three other women, making three more princes."

I listened carefully to every word he said: okay, so Otoya was the King's first son, then, he made love to three other women, producing three more babies. So that would mean... "There are four princes in Agnapolis?"

Otoya laughed. "Yup. It doesn't get too lonely around here either that's for sure." I tapped my chin in a thinking process. So that would mean I would have to win the heart of one of the princes eh? Ooh, that'll be tricky! "U-umm. So Otoya doesn't want me to bow to you anymore, right?" I looked at him and he grinned. "I would like that."

I smiled and nodded. "Alright then, Prince Ittoki." He looked at me funny. "You don't have to address me with my proper name. Just, "Otoya" will be fine with me." I glanced at Syo who was still sitting on the bench. He nodded and I looked back at Otoya. "Otoya, then?" He smiled and held his arms out. "Uh huh! Nice to meet you... Um?" I smiled back at him. "Nanami Haruka." He stepped forward. "Haruka it is then!"

I stared at him as he still held his arms out smiling. I stiffened as I felt Syo's breath in my ear again. "It's the greeting they do here in Agnapolis. When a prince holds his arms out, they are inviting you to go hug him." I scrutinized at Otoya. What a weird greeting. But rules are rules. I went up to Otoya and wrapped my arms around his waist.

My first time hugging a man... A strange image crossed my mind as I tried to imagine what it would be like to hug Syo. My eyes widened and I blushed slightly. Why am I thinking about that? Otoya released me and took a step back. "I better go meet some of the other girls. I'll see you around, Haruka!" He waved and disappeared in the mass of bodies.

"A prince must have his work cut out for him." Syo nodded in agreement. "Ya, you do not know how hard it is for them to follow their strict schedule." I glanced at Syo. "Just how strict is it?" Syo scratched the bridge of his nose and looked at the ceiling. "I guess I could tell you their routine..." He lowered his hand and looked at me. "First thing in the morning, wake up, have breakfast with the king and then their off to do their morning warm ups which includes upper body strength, vocals, language and the history of Agnapolis."

I blinked. "All in one morning?" He nodded and continued. "Lunch is after that, then its horseback riding with the instructor and sword practice after that. A short break, then a dance lesson followed by a daily fashion break, which basically means trying on new clothes that arrive from the tailor every day." I kept nodding at everything he said as if I understood it, but the truth was that all the information was getting crammed into my head!

"Lastly, dinner and washing after that. Then bed time." He exhaled out and grinned. "Seems hard doesn't it?" I held my head in a show of tiredness. "I'll say! I don't think even I could do all that without passing out."

Syo grinned and touched his sword that was strapped to his back. "Being a knight is way fun and cool too! You get to ride horses and fight with swords and wear armor and and-" He suddenly laughed and rubbed his head. "Ah, sorry. Today was supposed to be meeting your princes. Not listen to me blab about knights." I shook my head. "No, I'm not entirely annoyed by that." In fact, I want to hear more.

He smiled and lowered his hand. "Thank you. But let's get back on track shall we?" I nodded and we began to take a tour of the room. Syo stopped in front of the food table and he looked at me. "Are you thirsty or hungry?" I lowered my gaze and blushed. "Well I am kind of thirsty." He smiled and picked up a glass. "Then I'll get you some lime water, is that fine?" I nodded; he picked up a spoon and began to use it to fill the glass up.

"Oh? Why if it isn't Syo!" I heard a voice behind me and I turned to see another prince walk up to us. Syo looked at the newcomer and cringed. He set down the glass and ruffled his hair. "Ah, Natsuki. Are you behaving today?" Natsuki smiled and nodded. "Yup. Just like you told me so!" Syo looked at me and held his hand out. "This is Prince Shinomiya Natsuki, the King's third son."

The prince took my hand in his and he chuckled. "Uwah! You're so adorable! What's your name?" Feeling a bit overwhelmed that a prince had just grabbed my hand, I looked away shyly. "N-Nanami Haruka..." My voice trailed off at the end. Natsuki tilted his head to the side, still smiling. "Haruka! Nice to meet you!" He held out his arms and this time I knew what to do: I embraced him.

He held on to me for a little longer than expected. I heard Syo give a dry cough. "Natsuki, you can let go now." His eyes widened and he released me. "Ah, sorry! I just couldn't get over the fact that you are so cute!" I laughed nervously and wrung my fingers together. "I-is that so..."

Natsuki smiled and Syo sighed. "Natsuki, you should be greeting the other women. I'll see you later." He frowned. "Aw! B-but Syo..." Syo glared at him and he scampered off. I glanced at Syo. "Why did you do that?" Him being a prince must mean more respect, even from Syo. "He's always acting way too optimistic," Syo looked into the crowd. "He doesn't know right from wrong, that's why I have to be strict on him. He agreed to that rule himself."

I stared at Syo in awe. He really does care for Natsuki, almost like a brotherly bond. "How long have you known Natsuki?" Syo glanced at me and picked up the glass of water. "I've been in service to the King for about four years know, so I've known Natsuki ever since he was little." He twirled the glass I his hand and then handed it to me. "You could say that we're technically brothers, since he never leaves me alone." I accepted the glass and took a sip of it.

It must be nice to have someone to care about, even if you're not related by blood. I finished the glass of lime water and set it back on the table. "So there are only two more princes I haven't met yet?" Syo nodded and looked in the crowd once more. "Mhmm... Oh look, I think Prince Aijima is free, come on!" He grabbed my hand and dragged me to the farthest corner of the room.

I looked down at our hands that were twined together, and couldn't help but think that his was warm. My lips curved up into a small smile. We let go of each other as we stopped in front of a man with a green cape. "Ah, Syo, I thought you weren't going to be here today!" The man stared at Syo with curiosity. "Well I'm here now, got a problem with that?" He shrugged. The prince waved his hands and laughed. "No no, I was just thinking that you had other business to attend to." Syo sighed and turned to me. "Haruka, this is Prince Aijima Cecil, he is the second son of the King."

Cecil glanced at me and smiled. "How do you do, my lady?" He took my hand in his and brought it up to his lips. I blushed slightly and looked away. "I-I'm doing fine thanks." He stood back up and smiled. "So your name is Haruka?" I nodded and hid my hands behind my back. Syo crossed his arms and sighed. "Do you always have to act like that?" Cecil glanced at Syo. "Eh, act like what?" I saw him roll his eyes and shrugged. "Never mind."

His hand lashed out and grabbed mine. "Let's go Haruka." I kept on tripping as he dragged me away from the prince. "S-Syo?!" He led me back to the entrance of the castle. I looked back at the very surprised Cecil as he sighed and walked away. "What's wrong Syo?" He scratched his head and avoided my gaze. "We... Cecil and I never got along in the first place. So that encounter just reminded me of how he used to act when we were kids." I listened to ever word he said. Did he have a bad past with Cecil? The squealing of young girls brought me back and I glanced at the ruckus. Syo also noticed and he sighed. "I doubt you'll be able to get near Prince Jinguiji Ren rather, if you can get near him." I stared at the crowd. "Is he that popular?" Syo shrugged and looked at me. "You can meet him later."

I nodded. But what were we supposed to do now? Suddenly I heard Syo cursed under his breath. "Man, I forgot about my lesson today!" I glanced at him in confusion. "Syo?" He scratched his head and laughed nervously. "Sorry. I have to be somewhere today, but let me show you to your room before I go."

He took my hand again and led me out the doors. After crossing through the courtyard with the huge fountain, we stopped in front of another building but this one was less superior looking than the throne room. He pushed opened the doors. "This will be the women's sleeping quarters; you'll find your name on a plaque next to your room."

I nodded and saw him leave. "Ah, are you leaving already?" He glanced over his shoulder and grinned. "See you tomorrow." He raised a hand at me. My face fell as he left. Syo was the only person who was closest to me in the castle so it felt weird standing alone without him.

Raising my hand to my chest, I put on a determine face. "I can't get scared now!' I nodded and made my way to my room, with the thought of Syo holding my hand lingering in my mind.


Is this getting interesting for you guys? xD But if you haven't noticed yet, I took the honorifics off the names. They didn't use those during the 18th? century in Europe so I hope that cleared up any confusion. Now dont worry about the other memebers of starish appearing in this fic (they're coming next chapter) I have roles for each one.

Now about the Superhero fic, I am almost done with chap 1, so please bare with me for a little longer. Dx. But heres a warning for you guys about it: REALLY cheesy! So if you arent into that kind of stuff then I wouldnt recommend it. Btw, its the funny kind of cheesy (are there different kinds of cheesiness?)

Thanks for reading!

Next Chapter: We Rode