A/N: Way to lazy/busy to edit. Tell me if something's wrong. I'll try to fix it up. My word choices must be way off but oh well. Enjoy? :-/

It was a lovely day in the summer. The sky was completely clear of clouds and the breeze was so gentle to the skin as if it was a caress to soothe the scorches of the sun. The prince had decided to spend the day with the lovely ladies from the palace village. She asked Mikoto, the duke of Mikoshiba, to take cover for her during her lessons on etiquette (she didn't really need it) for the day. Knowing Mikoto, he might really need it to prevent further embarrassment when his usual crowd of girls surrounded him. The elderly teacher wouldn't notice due to his color blindness. Added to that, the prince and the duke seemed too alike in their height, gesture and sometimes, their voice.

The prince snuck out of the room and pulled up a hood to her head so that no one would notice her signature blue. She was light on her feet as she weaved through the halls. No one seemed to mind this conspicuous figure lurking in the palace. In broad daylight. She passed by the study and heard Hori's voice. Kashima stopped in her tracks so she could peek in what Hori was doing. He was holding a notebook with one part rolled against his palm. His eyes were focused on the ceiling like it was the one he was talking to.

"To be or not to be - that is the question.

Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer

The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune

Or to take arms against a sea of troubles

And by opposing end them..."

He was delivering the lines with such vigor but he stopped and sighed. He placed the notebook on the table. Kashima's heart, which was beating so rapidly, ached for her teacher. His acting had captivated her. She wanted to hear more of this... this speech. Why had he stopped? But more importantly, why had she stopped for him? She was on her way to a beautiful adventure but here she was, dazzled beyond her wits. She shook her head and attempted to move from her spot but she couldn't leave without doing anything to the poor teacher's sad face. She was about to call out to him but she bit her tongue. She was about to go inside but she pinched herself to stop. She was stuck just as her feelings were. She was a man - supposed to be a man. She could not possibly publicly display her affection for another man. It was wrong. Or was it? It wouldn't be too bad right now because there aren't a lot of people around. But then, Hori doesn't know she was a real girl. It would be too weird if she shows any kind of romantic affection unless he preferred male company; she would happily fulfill that. After a few more debates in her mind, she finally decided to move away from the room and travel to the palace village.

Maybe it is nobler to tolerate the bull crap fortune throws at us rather end a relationship.

After a short practice of lines, Hori finally gave up and sat down. His lack of height had affected his lack of self-esteem. Even if he became an actor, undoubtedly, he would play the part of the fool. How could he, Hori, play as Prince Hamlet?

Kashima would have been perfect for such a role.

Perfect height. Perfect face.

Hori blushed at the thought of her face. Sure, she was handsome. The girls fawned all over her all the time. A sudden jolt shot through his body. The prince should be having her etiquette lessons right now. Not that she really needed it, he thought. Hori left the room and headed for where the lesson was supposed to be held. He wanted to check up on her if she was going to her lessons or maybe that was just a poor excuse for seeing her. He peeked through the tiny slit of the door as he opened it slightly. Instead of a blue, he saw a red head practicing conversations with the teacher. Hori banged the door open. Fondness for the prince quickly turned to irritation. The two who were having the lesson stared at Hori.

"Where is the prince?" he demanded.

"Isn't it him?" the old teacher pointed at Mikoto who was slightly trembling under Hori's stare.

"I'm not asking you, sir. I am asking the duke here." Hori clarified.

Mikoto didn't answer but by the looks of it, Hori knew where she went. Of course, what better place to practice the same skills taught here other than the great palace village where all the attention-seekers live. As they say, experience is a great teacher. Hori turned on his heel and headed for the stables. He mounted his favorite horse, the one considered the tallest in the kingdom, and rode to the palace village. He roamed around the streets and in no time, he found her. Seeing a crowd of girls always gave her away. She was laughing along with them. As much as he wanted to hear her laugh, his anger was prevalent. He turned his horse around so that its rear was facing Kashima's back. With a command, the horse kicked the prince, which sent her flying almost to the other end of the street. Hori, along with the other girls, followed after her flight and waited for her to recover. The others were asking if the prince was all right while some gave Hori the evil eye for doing such a thing to do the prince. Kashima gathered herself up and faced Hori. The pain from being kicked by a horse was immense but what was more intense was that Hori was up there, looking down at her. He looked so strong and... tall. She never saw him like that except for the occasional meetings they had when they passed each other by the stairs while Hori was going down and she going up. While nursing her cheek that collided with the ground, she beamed a smile at her mentor. This irked Hori even more. In one swift motion, Hori managed to get down the horse, tie Kashima up and drag her back to the castle. Before Hori threw her back in with the duke of Mikoshiba and that old teacher, he had trapped her with his hand against the wall.

"Do you understand the position you have in this kingdom?" he seethed even though his short stature lowered his threatening stare. He clenched his teeth to stop the overwhelming feeling of punching her.

"Yes, I am the prince of the De Grantaine Kingdom. I am the heir of King Suoh, my father," she said with a smiling face but her hands were trembling slightly. She had sneaked into the palace village for quite a few times and most of the time, Hori caught her but he was never like this. Irritated, yes but never this angry.

"Anyone will try to use or kill you just to usurp the throne! Please do reconsider that, Your Highness." Hori said as he stepped back from the prince.

Kashima didn't understand it but something within her snapped.

"Are you insinuating that I cannot protect myself?" Kashima was towering over him.

Yes. Let me protect you. "It's never a bad idea to have bodyguards around!" Hori retorted.

"Hori-sensei, I am not a girl who needs escorts. I am a man who can protect myself. Excuse me." she stormed off.

He followed her with his gaze and mumbled:

"Is that what you tell yourself, Yuu?"

A/N: I'm so sorry I actually used Shakespeare. D: and a Prufrock reference. I am not entitled to even use them. D: