Amu

As I stepped out to the garden, I found myself aimlessly wandering in the maze of the rose bushes as I thought about my future engagement. Of course everyone wanted me to wed the heir of Hinyst so there was a chance that we could form a powerful continent, so that pressure is already on my shoulders.

Ikuto Tsukiyomi, that was the prince's name. A lovely name to suit a lovely face, but what if he is a dirty conniving snob? My father says they're all like that, but he is so judgmental sometimes that I'm not sure if I should trust him. They might not enforce their rules as much as we do, but that doesn't mean that it is a terrible country.

I plucked a rose from one of the bushes, minding the thorns as I twirled it around in my fingers, staring into the petals as a heavy sigh escaped my lips. In all of the novels I have read, in every movie that I watched, the woman falls in love and marries that man. What if I get stuck in a marriage I don't want to be a part of? The deadline is in two months, how am I to fall in love with a man in two months?

"Amu!" I heard and looked up, seeing my sister running towards me, holding the front of her dress up so she wouldn't trip.

"Yes?" I asked when she finally reached me.

"I wanted to talk to you, I have a break from my science lesson." She told me with a small smile.

"What do you wanted to talk about?" I wrapped my arm around hers as we continued to walk together.

"You know all of princes right?" She asked.

"I know of them, if I personally knew them, this would be a much easier decision." I told her.

"Do you have any idea who you want to marry?" We paused for a moment and I unhooked my arm from hers, pondering for a moment.

"Truthfully, no. I only know one of the suitors who shall be staying in our castle, which is the prince of Hinyst. But I believe that after two months, I will know what I want out of a marriage, and know who can give it to me. When you are ready for marriage, you will find someone who shall truly love you as well." I handed her the rose, making sure not a single thorn pricked one of her slim fingers.

Upon one of them was a ring with our family jewel, a ruby. A coruscating crimson was illuminated by the sunlight, the golden band accenting the red brilliantly. It was one of the first jewels that our founders found, and ultimately became the most important part of our family, since it was what let us strive and expand our land.

Something your mother taught you was to not be selfish, and to marry just for yourself is as selfish as can be, my bitter subconscious nipped at my heart, the thought of disappointing my country, my parents, my own sister was a bit too much to handle.

"When are the princes coming?" She asked curiously.

"Tomorrow in the afternoon, we shall be having a fancy masquerade party for their arrival, so make sure Mio picks out the best dress you own." I told her and she nodded. Ami was still sixteen, she had three more years until she has to worry about these types of things. For now, I can at least put her mind at ease about it by pretending it wasn't a big deal.


"This is such a big deal! Does this dress even match my mask?" I asked Mio with a frown, Mio hesitated and I groaned. "Do I switch the mask or the dress?"

"Princess Amu, please calm down. It's not like you need a mask in the first place. I mean what is the point of a masquerade party when you can tell the difference by the colors of their hair?" She began to mutter incoherent things about the party while I stared at myself in the mirror.

My dress was blood red, skin tight and sleek until it reached my waist, flowing out and covered it multiple layers of ruffles. My pink hair was tied up into fancy bun and my ears were decorated with golden chandelier earrings that matched my showy necklace. To top it off, my golden princess tiara, that I soon would be trading in for a crown.

"Please tell me you are not considering changing the dress because if so, I will have to call-"

"No, I like it." I mumbled. It was elegant and chic, it practically belonged in any little girl's princess dream. Something about it called to me, gave me a new boost of confidence. Perhaps the color, or the way it complimented my figure, just something.

"So a new mask?" Mio asked and I nodded, she scurried out of the room and quickly returned with a golden one, matching the accents of my outfit perfectly. We stepped out together and waited for my sister to emerge from her room in a gorgeous baby blue dress and a silver mask. We all walked down to the ballroom where I could already hear the music. Mio and Ami went inside first, telling me that the guards will open the doors from the inside for me once they were ready.

My nerves were acting up as I waited, wanting to just step in and get it over with. Oh goodness what if I trip, did mother say anything about having to give a speech, is my some of my dress caught in my underwear?

I heard the creaking of the large doors and instantly stood up straight and adjusted my tiara before plastering a smile on my face. As the doors slowly opened, I was revealed to an applauding crowd, walking in while waving towards every side. I managed not to trip while making my way to my position beside my mother, who had the microphone.

"The dear princess has no idea who the eligible bachelors are in this pair, besides the fact that they are all wearing red masks and they are also holding cards from a deck. At the end of the party, Princess Amu will pick the one who made the best impression by which card they have, and that lucky bachelor will have the opportunity to go on the first date with her." The audience hummed and whispered. "Now we begin!" She announced and the casual chatter continued.

My mind ran wild, when will they approach me, will they be polite or rude?

"Good evening, my princess." I heard someone behind me and I jumped in fright, turning around to see a boy with a cloak covering his head, and a mask covering his face. The shadow of his cloak cast on his face had made his eyes seem brown, but I don't think that was their actual color.

"Good evening." I greeted him, I noticed a card poking out of his shirt pocket, a red heart. "My prince." I quickly added, bowing. I was hoping Mio was right about their hair revealing their identity, but whoever planned this thought everything through.

"May we dance?" He stuck his hand out and I put mine in his as he led me out to the dance floor. Could this possibly be the prince of Hinyst, I prayed that he had a good heart if it was him.

"You seem nervous." He pointed out with a chuckle.

"A little yes, not knowing who anyone is scares me a little." I confessed.

"I don't mean to frighten you princess, just know I shall not do anything that isn't meant with the goodness of my heart." He gave me a genuine smile and I felt relief, letting him glide me across the dance floor. We talked about things, but nothing that gave me a hint on who he was. We finished and I was going back until I felt myself trip, something catching me before my face collided into the floor.

"You don't even know who I am and you're already throwing yourself at my, princess." The man spoke up in a low voice while helping me stand back up. He was dressed the same way as the last one, except he had a card with a black club.

"Please excuse me, I don't know what suddenly took my balance away."

"Not enough practice on those heels, I suppose." He joked and I chuckled.

"Perhaps." I tucked a loose hair behind my ear.

"I saw that the first prince already had the chance to dance with you, hope he didn't charm you enough to give up on me." His lips formed a pout.

"Of course not." At those words, he placed his hands on my waist and I was shocked. The first prince wasn't as forceful, but maybe I was just overreacting. My arms wrapped around his neck instinctively, one would usually go in his hand and the other would go on his shoulder, but I suppose maybe he was taught differently.

"So princess, how was the first prince?" He asked me, the question was strange but maybe he was afraid of the competition.

"Charming." I told him and he hummed.

"Seems boring, don't you think?" He cocked his head curiously at me, a deep shimmer in his eyes but I still couldn't make out the color.

"E-Excuse me?" I felt intimidated, his body was extremely close to mine and he was also a bit taller than me, but so was the other prince.

"A nice prince, I can sense the need to rebel within you." He whispered and my eyes widened as I felt his hand travel down a little lower.

"I would appreciate it if your hand moved back to up its original spot." I growled at him and a smirk met his lips.

"You make it so obvious that you are a virgin." I was stunned by how crude he was, how could this man be destined to rule a country one day? I grabbed his wrists and placed them at his sides, glaring at him as I walked away. I found my mother and told her that I had made my decision.

"May the two princes please step up?" My mother spoke into the microphone, there was some shuffling as the two emerged from the crowd, the hoods of their cloaks still up. Everything was silent as the Queen commanded them to take out their cards, both of them getting down on one knee while pulling out their card, their heads down while sticking the cards out toward me.

"I choose..." I paused, walking between the two. I felt disgusted just looking at the black club. "The red heart!" I took the card out of his hand. The man proceeded to slowly take off his mask and hand that to me as well. The figure stood up slowly, the curiosity killing me. He flicked his head up, the hood falling down and I couldn't believe my eyes.

The prince of Hinyst


Ikuto

Once I finished my dance with the princess, I quickly looked for the second cloaked figure in the room. I knew there were only two princes in the ball, one of them being myself. I finally found him and made my way towards him, ramming my shoulder into his. The man shut his eyes in pain, I took the time to swiftly switch our cards, barely being able to slip mine into his pocket unnoticed before he finally looked at me.

"I apologize." I said, hoping he didn't notice my smirk. The Queen of Dragran called for us and we made our way over to the front of the ball, where the princess stood, waiting for us. We knelt down, our heads down as we stuck out our cards. I knew damn well I wouldn't be able to contain myself as soon as I saw her walk into the room with that dress on. I had to have the first date, I am the prince of Hinyst after all.

"The red heart!" She called out and I stood up slowly, finally putting my head up and letting the hood pool at my neck. Behind the mask, her golden eyes were wide with shock and what seemed to be relief. I looked back at the other prince, who seemed to be confused by his own card. I ignored him and took her hand gently, kissing the top of it.

"It would be my pleasure to take you out on the first date." Applause engulfed us and she could barely look me in the eyes.

I already had her right where I wanted her.


Ikuto is a sneaky little fox isn't he?

xoxo, PP