Yay! A new chapter finally! Chapter 5 is written but Its in major editing right now.

I do not own Magi or its characters. Kaho is mine of course.

Chapter 4: Nightingale's New Home

Kaho sighed, placing down her empty cup and picking up the book from the table. A maid rushed over from a corner and took the empty plate while another maid refilled the cup with tea before retreating back to a corner.

It had been two weeks since Kaho was invited to stay at the palace, and excluding the first night, she hadn't heard a peep from the prince. In fact, she was beginning to suspect that he was purposefully ignoring her. Maybe ignoring his order wasn't her brightest idea. At least the maids had kept her company, and she wasn't banned from the library. She had found a few books on the Torran language and had brought them to her room to read. But she was really having a hard time. If she hadn't caused the argument, she would have taken the prince up on his offer to assist her.

With another sigh, she placed the book back down, leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes.

"My lady." Kaho cracked an eye open and looked at the maid that had spoken. This seemed to be all the acknowledgement needed for the maid to continue. "You seem to be tired. Perhaps you would like a walk around the palace gardens?" That actually wasn't such a bad idea. Kaho nodded and followed the maid out of her room.

Even after two weeks, Kaho still got lost easily in the over-sized building. So far she had found 37 dead ends, though she may have counted some of them twice. It was a blessing that the maids didn't just abandon her at any one room for long.

Today, the maid that had suggested this little walk showed her the way to the garden but then told her she would be back in an hour-something about finishing some chores. Kaho walked for a bit before finding a secluded little area where she lay down in the grass beside the flowers and watched the clouds. It wasn't that she hated the place. In fact, it was very beautiful. It was just... she was a little lonely and bored. Normally, she would be able to talk with her mother and father and even sneak out to the town. Unfortunately, security here was so tight she couldn't get through unnoticed. She tried... A guard stopped her and told her it was dangerous to leave on her own. Kaho had to hold back her laughter and turned around, back to her room.

The breeze feels so refreshing. Kaho thought at she curled up on the soft grass. And the flowers smell nice.

Kouen growled, placing down his glass. A maid quickly came over and poured more wine into his glass before running back to a corner where she kept out of the way. Those damn old geezers had been keeping him busy with meetings for weeks and then they have the audacity to lecture him about spending time with that woman! The woman didn't even respect him, choosing to ignore what he asked her to do! It was so infuriating!

A knock at the door announced Koumei's arrival. Kouen leaned back on his sofa with a sigh. "Come in."

Koumei entered. "Brother, the next meeting will start in 10 minutes..." He paused and studied Kouen with furrowed brows. "Are you sure you want to go? I can always fill in for you."

Kouen glanced at him. Maybe he should take a break, before he snapped. "That may be a good idea, Koumei..."

"Perhaps you should go see Lady Nightingale..." Koumei began. "I mean, you can't just force her to live here and then ignore her."

"Perhaps..." Kouen stood up. "When the meeting's over, come find me."

Koumei nodded and left the room, hurrying to get to the meeting on time. Kouen turned to the maid in the room. "Do you know where Miss Nightingale is?" The maid shook her head no. "Then go find someone who knows," he ordered before closing his eyes for a moment as he rested on the sofa.

It didn't take long for the maid to return with another maid. "Lady Nightingale is taking a walk in the back gardens," the new arrival informed him.

He nodded and waved them away before making his way to find that woman.

"Where is she?" he growled as he walked along a path. He had been walking for a while and still didn't see her. Just as he was about to turn around and head back he saw a speck of white among the green grass. He frowned as he drew closer.

He stood above the girl's still body and looked at her peaceful expression. Her eyes were closed and she was breathing in a slow rhythmic pattern. Her hair was loose and fanned out around her. That girl had, for who knows what reason, lain down in the grass and fallen asleep.

With a sigh of exasperation, Kouen sat down beside her and leaned back on his hands. I suppose it is nice out.

He closed his eyes to enjoy the breeze when he felt something warm curl up closer to him, almost on his lap. He looked down with wide eyes at the smiling girl. He lifted one hand and hovered it over her head, unsure of whether he wanted to move her or run his fingers through her soft-looking hair.

With a grumble he moved her, but not off him like he had first planned. He drew her closer, giving her head a more comfortable position on his lap. A content sigh escaped his lips when he ran his hand over her hair. It was just as soft as it looked, and the feeling seemed to relax him far more than even the wine had.

He leaned back again and closed his eyes, enjoying the cooling breeze and the warmth radiating off the girl.

"Brother En?" Kouha's voice was full of surprise.

Kouen opened one eye and glared up at Kouha who took a step back.

"Er, sorry. I was just..." he stopped talking and looked around. "Um, Koumei is looking for you."

"Then go and tell him where I am," Kouen told him, not willing to get up.

Kouha nodded before running off. Not long after Kouha disappeared, Koumei strolled down the path. "When I suggested to talk to her, I didn't expect it to go this well," Koumei chuckled.

Kouen shrugged. "I found her sleeping."

Something felt warm and soft. Odd, Kaho didn't remember going to bed and thats the only time shes felt this safe before. And why did it her pillow smell of herbs and spices? Not that she was complaining; the scent added to the relaxing atmosphere. She still felt rather sleepy. Perhaps staying up late reading books wasn't a good idea.

In an attempt to fall back asleep she buried her face deeper in her pillow. She took a deep breath and sighed with content. Even the gentle strokes of a hand through her hair was helping in luling her to sleep. Wait. Hand? Why would her mom be stroking her hair? The last time she had done that was when Kaho was a child and had broken down into tears because her grandparents had gotten mad at her for not acting lady-like.

"Are you finally awake?" a familiar voice whispered, probably not wishing to wake her if she wasn't actually awake.

She racked her brain trying to figure out where she had heard that voice before. It hit her so suddenly she jolted up in a sitting position and looked back at Prince Kouen. He looked rather startled at the sudden movement before he relaxed and grinned.

"I assume that's a yes," he scoffed. "About time."

Kaho frowned. "Why are you here?" she asked rather rudely. She bit her lip when she noticed the prince narrow his eyes. "I mean... Is there something you require... my lord?"

"Kouen," the prince stated simply.

"What?" Kaho looked at him in confusion. Why was he saying his own name?

"Call me Kouen," he stated.

This caused Kaho to frown before hissing out. "Is that an order?"

Kouen tilted his head to the side, a gesture she had never seen him do before. Strange. But it was rather cute. Wait, what was she thinking?!

"No."

Kaho blinked. "No?"

"It's not an order," he elaborated. "It's... a request."

Kaho blinked again before smiling. "... Kouen..."

"What?" he asked in a bored tone.

"I was just trying it out." Kaho giggled at the stare that Kouen gave her. "What? Am I not allowed to say your name if its not important? I thought you said I could call you Kouen." This induced a frown from Kouen, but it was short-lived as he sighed and stood up. "Where are you going... Kouen." She hesitated at the name. It felt strange calling him simply by his name. Maybe she should add a 'lord' in front of it?

"Inside. It's getting late and I've already missed dinner," he explained before offering a hand. "Aren't you coming? You're probably hungry too."

Well at least he wasn't ordering her to come this time. She smiled, taking his hand. "You didn't have to wait up on me."

Kouen chuckled. "You grabbed onto me and wouldn't let me go."

This new knowledge generated a blush on Kaho's cheeks. "S-sorry... I didn't..." She wasn't sure how to finish that sentence. Thankfully, she didn't have to, saved when a maid approached them.

"My lord. My lady." She bowed to them. "I have set up dinner on a table in the garden if you would like to eat outside."

Kouen nodded. "That sounds like a good idea. It is rather nice out." He then looked at Kaho.

"Sure." Kaho grinned, understanding the look in his eyes as a question.

Well at least Kouen caught on quickly to the problem, though he did have a little help in that regard (will be mentioned in Chapter 5). And don't worry, more funny arguments will come. This new found knowledge wont solve anything. They just have very.. naturally clashing personalities.

So I need opinions. Are the characters IC or OOC?

Reviews: (also thanks to everyone for reviewing and following and favorite-ing )

Dianne060807 and others: I forget if I mentioned before. At this point I don't know if Kaho will get a metal vessel. It would definitely be interesting if she did though.

Notenoughspace: I hate when I run out of space... on another note, I looked up what Kaho ment before I named the OC (after asking someone else for a name idea). But anyways, most meanings have something to do with flower, summer, incense or perfume... which is why I end up mentioning smells a lot.

AliasGrace625: hmm, you're right, it does seem kinda beauty-and-the-beast-y. A female friend is a good idea, though I'm not having too much trouble with background. I would normally spread the background out rather than give it in the beginning like I did, but I've learned that people like to have a little info on the Oc at the beginning rather than waiting though the whole story.