After a small pause, I smiled kindly at the lady in front of me.
"Pleased to meet you again, Princess Haruhi."
I took her hand in mine then lowered my head to softly kiss the top of her hand.
"Likewise Prince Kaoru."
She returned a smile back to me when I stood up straight again. Turning back to my horse, I took out the letter from a bag Silver was carrying and gave it to his majesty.
"A letter from my father, your Highness."
He examined the envelope for awhile before opening it to read its contents. After a few moments, he brought his attention back to me.
"You gentlemen have traveled a far deal to get here. Why not stay for the night and depart tomorrow?"
I politely bowed at his kind offer.
"As generous as that is your highness, we must be on our way. We could not trouble you with our presence more than we should. My men are capable of making our trip back as we are now. Rest assured, Princess Haruhi will arrive swiftly and safely to my kingdom."
"Well then at least rest for a while till you and your horses are ready to go."
I thought about it then nodded.
"I can not deny that we need rest, but if needed to, I have faith that my men could go on even without it."
He smiled then looked at me in the eyes.
"You have grown up to be a fine young man Prince Kaoru."
"Thank you, your Highness."
My lips formed a small smile from the compliment and I couldn't help but feel a bit more confident in myself. When I looked at him again, I noticed that he was looking behind me with a confused expression. I turned my head to the side a little to see that he was looking at Kyoya.
"Excuse me."
Kyoya looked at the king then stood by my side before bowing.
"Yes your highness?"
"Have we met before?"
I blinked at the question the king asked.
"Forgive me, but I have no recollections of such thing, your highness."
He shook his head and looked like he was trying to remember something but then put it aside.
"Never mind then, I shall leave you to enjoy your rest. Feel free to depart whenever you are ready, Prince Kaoru."
"Yes your highness."
We both bowed politely to him as he turned his back on us to walk back inside the castle with a few servants and guards behind him.
"Kaoru."
I looked at the owner of the voice and saw that it was Princess Haruhi.
"Yes?"
"If I may ask, how Hikaru is doing?"
I blinked once then answered her.
"He is well."
She smiled softly at that and looked truly happy since the first time I saw her.
"That's good to hear."
When she really looked at me she suggested if I wanted to have a tour around the castle. Kyoya heard about this and immediately agreed for the both of us. With no other choice, I followed Haruhi and left Hunny and Mori to do who knows what in the free time they have now.
While she was showing us around and explaining some history in certain areas, I wasn't concentrating on it so much. The fact that brother was going to see the person he liked again after so long made me kinda sad. If he still had those feelings, and she returned them, they would evidently get married. Even if they weren't, they probably are going to since there wouldn't be any other reason for a princess of one kingdom to go to another one.
I could feel a small part of my self confidence disappeared. There was even a small pain somewhere in my chest that I could feel when I thought about brother getting married. I shook my head to block out the bad thoughts I might start getting. If my brother's happy, then I'm happy. Now, I'm nothing more than to a shield and sword that will protect him with my life.
"Why is it that I could get so discourage at times like this."
A hand was waved in front of my face and I blinked before looking at the owner of the hand which was Kyoya.
"You alright?"
He gave me a curious look and I smiled a little.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
Time skip - 1 hour later
After we were rejuvenated, Mori led the Princess into the carriage that was set up for the trip. When she got inside, I was about to get on my horse when a servant came by and presented a letter to me.
"For your father, Prince Kaoru. The king says he leaves his daughter in your capable hands and wishes you the best of luck."
"Tell him I give him my thanks."
I placed the letter in a bag then got on Silver before clicking my tongue so that she would move forward. Kyoya rode beside me on his horse while Hunny and Mori were in charge of the ones pulling the carriage.
"If I'm correct, at the rate we're going now, we'll get back by sundown."
Kyoya said after he took one last glance at the town when we exited it.
"Then I'll be able to eat a bunch of sweets."
I smiled and stretched my arms a bit before holding onto the reins again as the knight next to me chuckled.
"You really love sweets don't you. It makes me wonder how you became one."
My smile become small when I heard that.
"Would you like to hear the story?"
"Sure."
I sighed a little recollecting the memories back then when I was free to do almost whatever I want.
Flashback - 10 years ago
I smiled triumphantly when I looked back at the castle walls from a tree I was sitting on.
'Who knew that it would be so easy for a kid to sneak out of a castle.'
Looking at the town I couldn't help but feel a little excited. The feeling of being free to do what I want is amazing and I wished that I had more time to enjoy it. I jumped down from the tree then pulled my hood up from my cape so that no one will make a fuss of me being here.
When I got to the market place, everyone looked so busy with there own business that no one seemed to notice that I was even there. From stall to stall, I looked over the products being sold then stopped at one that had round looking snack on display.
I unconsciously titled my head then noticed a boy my age stealing one of the round snacks. I blinked at what I saw and then frowned when the fat owner of the stall caught him in the act.
After he held the boy down by his wrist, he started beating the boy with a large stick. I cringed at each hit that was delivered to the thief. It was cruel though since he was a kid like me. What made me angry was that the people walking by pretended not to notice and just went along with there daily life.
I couldn't take the sight of this anymore so I picked up a rock then threw it at the owner's neck. He yelped in main and allowed the boy to force himself out of his grip. After that, he managed to get away as the owner looked around for the person who threw the rock. I smiled and just walked away from the scene.
As I continued walking forward, I thought about what happened there. Many thoughts were jumbled in my mind.
"Why is it that no one tried to help that boy? How could the owner just beat him up in front of the whole market place without being punished?"
I gritted my teeth then remembered that back in the market place, that boy wasn't the only one stealing some food. Others that wore ragged clothing like he was were doing the same. This made me frown.
"How can the king let his people live this way? This is just too cruel."
I shook my head to get those thoughts out of my head.
"Too much thinking."
I started walking on a quiet street when a hand suddenly clamped onto my mouth while another dragged me into an alley way. By instinct, I struggle and thrashed around as I was pulled deeper into the narrow passage. When I was turned around, I stopped struggling when I saw that it was the boy from earlier.
"Oh hi there. How are ya?"
He didn't answer me but just took my hand to put a round snack on it. I looked at it confused then back to him only to see him start to walk away.
"Hey!"
I immediately ran up and tackled him to the ground despite the many other things I could have done to get his attention. Thankfully it looked like he didn't suffer any serious damage so I was relieved. I sat next to him as he sat up and looked at me with a irritated look.
"What is this and why are you giving it to me?"
"That's a cookie and.."
The boy looked to the side then continued speaking.
"It's for helping me out."
"Hehh?"
I was confused at first but then I realized he meant for throwing a rock at the fat owner's head.
"Oh no problem! It was fun seeing him yelp like a girl when he got hit by that rock."
A small smile formed on his lips then disappeared as soon as it appeared. When I took a bite out of the cookie, it immediately made my jaw drop.
"Woah! This is so good!"
I broke off half of the cookie and offered it to him. He looked at it then at me weirdly.
"Eat it! It taste uber sweet!"
When I didn't pull my hand back for a long time he chuckled a little.
"Yah I would know since I steal something there every week. I can't believe I got caught this time though."
He took the cookie from my hand then ate it.
"Well, I've never eaten something like this before so thank you so much!"
Within a few seconds, I gulped down the rest of the cookie and smiled widely.
"Wahh, I want to get more now. Let's go now!"
I took his hand and was going to drag him out there but was pulled back by him.
"The owner already saw my face, he won't let me anywhere near there."
This made me discouraged for a moment but then I shook my head and pouted at him.
"Pwease? Cookie is needed to satisfy this kid."
He blinked and then looked to the side.
"Fine."
"Yayy! Here, you can wear my cape so that meanie won't hit you."
I took off my cape then put it on him and the hood on his head. When I finished I noticed that he was looking at me with a shocked expression before it became one of hate.
"You're part of the royal family."
"Ah yeah, my name's Kaoru! What's your name?"
Instead of answering me he pushed me to the ground.
"Why are you here!? Are you happy seeing people like me barely able to live with what little we have?!"
I looked at him confused.
"Well no, I just wanted to visit the town since it's so boring back at the castle."
His face softened when I said that and he looked away as I stood up.
"Go away."
"Huh?"
He looked at me in hate again.
"Didn't you hear me? Go away! I don't want to see your face you rich spoiled brat!"
I cringed a little when yelled but just yelled back.
"Well I'm not leaving cause that's not a good excuse to make me go!"
We both stared at each other in a stare down then I blinked.
"Darn it I lost."
I yawned a bit then looked at the boy again.
"Well I don't know why you seem to hate people of the royal family, but I'm getting that cookie with you whether you like it or not."
I grabbed his hand and started walking off with some difficulty since he's stronger than me.
"Come on you lazy butt! Move your legs! The cookie is waiting for us!"
I was practically leaning all my weight to the other side while he just stood there seeing me struggle.
"Mah! You meanie."
With a soft thunk I lightly bonked his head with my fist. When I did that I noticed that his face had no trace of hatred it them so I continued my mission.
"Let's go!"
I walked behind him and pushed him from there.
"Onward you lazy butt!"
After a while I was out of breath.
"Pheew, to much energy used."
I heard chuckling at this time and I looked at the boy who was laughing at me.
"Oh you think that's funny huh? Making a poor boy work his butt of like this."
"Yes."
I blinked then shrugged.
"Can we go get a cookie now?"
"Sure."
He patted my head and I smiled.
"Yay!"
We both headed out of the alleyway and made our way back to the market place. With the cape on the boy, he wasn't recognized by the fat owner that was more than happy to give us the two cookies I bought. Also since the people were so engrossed with their activities, no one noticed that I was part of the royal family.
After a while, we walked off to the tree where I made my escape. I waved at the boy as he left with a small smile. I stretched my limbs and was about to go back into the castle when I remembered that I didn't even ask for his name.
'Ah well, I'll ask him when I see him again.'
When I went back in, I saw that Hikaru was talking to that princess again. She went off somewhere and that's when my brother looked at my direction. I walked over to where he was and sat down.
"Hey, where'd you go?"
I looked at him and held a finger to my lips.
"Secret."
Present time
"Sadly, I never got to see that boy again, but if I were to say who inspired me to be a lover of sweets, it would be that guy."
I looked at Kyoya and he stared back at me with a smile before he petted my hair.
"Well that's a nice story. You manage to kill half an hour."
"Oh my, really? I didn't think I was talking for that long."
He chuckled at me.
"You really haven't changed from back then, Kaoru."
I blinked and looked at Kyoya.
"Huh? Can you say that again?"
"Oh it's nothing."
After silently riding for a while in between some breaks for the horses, we were just a couple of miles from the castle. Although everything was silent and normal so far, it seemed rather to quiet for my taste. In the back of my head I felt that someone was following us when from a glance there was no one but us riding on the path through the forest. I slowed down so that I was right next to the carriage.
"Mori, is it just me or do you feel like there's someone watching us right now?"
I whispered those words so only the two of us can here and when he looked at me, a small nod was the answer. While looking around from the corner of my eye, I put my guard on.
"Hmm, so I'm not the only one. Maybe I should check on the princess."
When I was about to pull the curtain to the side so I can see her, an arrow flew by just missing my hand a bit. The next thing I know it, there were men coming out of the bushes or trees on horses.
"Ambush! Mori go full speed now! We'll catch up later!"
"You got it!"
With the snap of the reins, the horses pulling the carriage ran off ahead as two men chase after them. Before I was able to go after them, a man sliced his sword at me to get my attention. I pulled out my sword from its sheath then blocked an incoming attack before kicking him off his horse which almost made me fall off my own.
When I got myself straightened up I attacked another man that was about to run after the carriage before going ahead seeing how Kyoya can take on the other two back there. Looking up I see Hunny on top of the carriage shooting the men with arrows to block them off.
"How did he get up there?"
My shoulders shrugged in an 'oh well' manner before I had Silver run up behind one of the men, who was right next to the carriage door, so I could slice his neck. His body leaned to one side before sliding off his horse.
"Forgive me for attacking you but you attacked us first."
I pulled the curtain back a little to see the Princess there safe but a bit scared from the confused expression she had.
"Don't worry Princess, we'll keep you safe, I promise."
A smile formed on my lips to reassure her that and she looked like she was calming down. Her face though turned into one of shock when she seemed to glance at what's behind me.
"Kaoru, look out!"
I turned around when I heard my voice being called then saw a sword was being swung my way. By instinct I tried to block it but still ended up getting a large cut on my left arm. I hissed a little from the now open wound then slashed the man.
"Darn it."
Looking around I quickly blocked another attack from a man then noticed that he was rather young. I quickly knocked him out with the handle of my sword then made sure he didn't fall of his horse before making it go a different direction. When I looked at the other men still there, I could tell that mostly all of them were around my age even when they had a hood on.
Before I was able to do anything else, they all headed back when someone yelled for them to retreat. We all stopped a while later when we were sure they weren't coming back to check on damages.
"Is everyone alright?"
Mori nodded then I had Kyoya talk to the princess and calm her down if she was a little shaken up from the attack. Hunny yawned loudly then stared at Mori for a bit with a dazed look.
"The Princess is alright."
"Thanks Kyoya."
I sighed in relief that everyone was alright then smiled.
"We should be less than a mile from the castle. Let's head on out now then we can rest there."
With that said I was going to get on my horse but then Yami held my hand to stop me.
"Shouldn't we get your wound bandaged?"
I looked at the cut I got earlier and then laughed nervously.
"Ah yah, but I don't really need to do that now right? I could get my wound wrapped up at the castle."
Again I laughed nervously and tried to get away but his grip was firm. Mori looked at me blankly with a container that had medicine so that the wound won't get infected.
"No! Get that thing away from me!"
I was about to run off but Kyoya held me down with a smile.
"Come on Prince this has to be done."
"Don't wanna! Don't wanna! Owwwww!"
I pouted as the medicine was being applied to my wound and could barely struggle from the pain. Usually it's just a sting to other people, but since the nurse back then put too much on a large cut, it made me never want to use that thing ever again.
After a while I felt my hair being petted and I opened my eyes that I didn't know was closed to see Kyoya smiling at me. His soft gaze made me blink and momentarily dazed until Mori finished wrapping a bandage neatly over my wound.
"Thank you."
I looked at my arm and glared at it for not being fast enough to block the attack as Mori and Hunny get ready to take off again.
"Now now don't blame you're arm, I'll get you a cookie when we get back to the castle."
I smiled widely at Kyoya when he said that.
"Really?"
"Yes really."
"Yay!"
I hoped onto my horse then softly clicked my tongue for her to move forward along with the carriage as Kyoya rode beside me. After a while, we finally made it back to the castle as the sun started to set. When we rode through the gate I saw that the prince and queen were there to greet us.
We came to a stop then all got of our horses before helping the princess out of the carriage. She walked up to the prince and queen then smiled at them politely.
"Good evening Queen Himiko, Prince Hikaru."
She curtsied elegantly and received a smile from the both of them as I stood a few feet away from them.
"Good evening to you too Princess Haruhi. I welcome you to our kingdom on behalf of my husband who is too ill to greet you himself."
"I wish him good health your highness, and I am honored to be here in your presence."
"As we our with you, Princess."
The crown prince then took her hand and gently kissed it while looking at her with a wide smile. I looked down after he did that and made my expression unreadable.
"Shall I give you a tour around the castle for old times sake?"
"I'd be honored, Prince Hikaru."
Looking up a little, I saw the two of them walk side by side inside the castle and I felt my chest hurt a little. The soldiers took away the horses and carriage elsewhere and I dismissed my men to do whatever they pleased then saw my mother look at me kindly.
"You did well to get her here safely Kaoru."
"Thank you mother."
She took my hand in her's then notice the bandages.
"Were you attacked?"
"An ambushed occurred but no one was badly injured."
She looked at me with a worried expression and I smiled at her.
"There's nothing to worry about mother, I'm fine really."
I lightly bowed to her before excusing myself to the garden. Like usual, I go over to the same tree and climbed it before sitting on a branch to look off at the sunset. When I heard footsteps from behind I quickly hid myself deeper into the leaves then saw two pairs of feet near where I was.
"Princess Haruhi."
His voice made me flinch a little but then I calmed down and kept still.
"I really missed you. I haven't seen you since so long. It seems like ages from the last time we met as kids."
"It has been ages to me as well Prince Hikaru."
They didn't talk for a while and I peeked my head from one opening to see the princess kiss the prince on the cheek.
"Happy belated birthday Prince Hikaru."
She smiled brightly and he did as well. I sat back down in my hiding spot and heard them leave the garden. Putting a hand to my chest I gently clutched my shirt to try to ease the pain there.
"Ouch."
I heard another rustle behind me then turned around to see Kyoya sitting on the same branch I was on.
"Hey you ditched me back there I feel hurt you know."
He pouted at me and I smiled a little.
"Aww I'm sorry, I'll share my cookie with you if that makes you feel better."
His pout turn into a smile.
"Sounds good to me."
