Judais POV
My heart stopped dead in my chest. Racing, my mind desperately tried to give me some sort of method to talk my way around it
"I'm so sorry sir!" I cried, inwardly wincing again at sounding so pathetic in front of my enemy. "I-I-I" I bit my lip
"How'd you learn?" His eyes were soft and warm they didn't give off any intention of executing me later
"I… I found the tunnel leading to your room!" mentally, I kicked myself. It was a complete lie. There was no tunnel to the princes' room and now he would want to see it! Stupid stupid stupid Judai!
To my surprise his breath caught in his throat "you… you found that?"
I was taken aback by his breathless statement but spoke quickly to attempt to cover it up. "Y-yes your highness"
He almost looked scared "you can't tell anyone" he whispered franticly.
Seeing my wonderful opportunity to make his life a little harder I spoke. "but your highness, if it is not reported to the king what use of it would it be? Therefore if I don't tell him it could be used against you in an attack" his eyes widened, I saw him inwardly weighting his options.
"Hibiki." He stated clearly losing all his royal posture; he clasped his hands on my shoulders "please. You can't tell my father if you do… I'll never be able to leave the castle again"
"That's not my problem is it?" the moment the words left my mouth I wish I hadn't said them. Id completely let my hate get the best of me and my act had slipped "err I mean if I don't tell the king it'll be considered treason"
His eyes were wide, his mouth hung open showing he was completely flabbergasted by my statement "what did you say?"
"y-your highness I said if I didn't tell the king it woul-"
"No, you said it wasn't your problem" a sickeningly happy smile crossed the princes' lips. I resisted the urge to throw up. "You know who I am and you spoke to me like I was a normal peasant"
"Yes your highness I'm very sorry." I said. He still called those lower to him peasants? Well it seemed as if he was rather conceded. His pretty sea green eyes sparkled with happiness
"No don't be sorry!" he said quickly "and please stop calling me 'your highness' it's just 'Johan' remember?"
"Right" I tried to move back to the subject "so you're not going to behead me?"
Once again he looked taken aback "of course not! That's just brutal! If anything Hibiki I want to see you again"
"You… you what?" my polite act had slipped again but this time I didn't care
"I want to see you again. I want you to talk to me like you would someone of your…class" I felt my face heat up with rage
"My class?" I spat "You're looking down on us princy?"
Oh my head was as good as gone. I'd said that. To a fucking prince! I knew enough about him to know my execution would be celebrated with some elaborate feast about the prince regaining his honor. Then he would marry some girl, the kingdom would go on as it had and our entire plan would be screwed. Of course my day had just been full of new things
"Sorry" he looked genuinely worried "I really didn't mean to offend you! I just couldn't think of how to word it better!"
I glared "so… you're not cutting off my head and now you're apologizing? You're a prince! I should be dead by now!" I tried not to let my eyes wander to his sword, though the glimmer of light on the blade still sent chills up my spine. He followed my gaze and gasped
"Please Hibiki I have to intention of executing you! I just need a friend. And I have yet to read a book where friendship is built on threats and power." He was pleading my help. Begging me to be his companion. Of course… it only served as a lovely way for me to get close to him without arousing much suspicion of my planned assassination
"Ok. I'll be your friend Johan." I faked a huge bright smile. He seemed to buy it because my smile was returned tenfold. His smile fell a bit as if he'd thought of something distasteful
"You know the entrance to the tunnel out of my room right? The one in the mulberry bush? Meet me there tomorrow at high noon. We can talk there." I bit my lip. This would interfere with lady lessons and my only time of the day to sleep. But if I said no I may not get such a beautiful chance. I made my smile that of gentleness
"Of course Johan. I'll see you there tomorrow" I stood. The long skirts now soiled with lemonade swished around my ankles "as for now I'll be scolded for being so late" I gave a pathetic half curtsy and turned to leave.
"Wait!" he called again grabbing my wrist and twisting me around.
A messy chaste kiss way planted on my lips. Shock rolled over my features as I stared up into laughing green eyes. While trying to decipher whether he was mocking me or not he spoke
"That was for destroying my lemonade" he announced, it was swiftly followed by another quick peck "that was for being rude to me" and a final, longer kiss was more softly given "and that was for you complete lack of trust in me. I won't take off your head Hibiki." My face was positively glowing red. I tried to assure myself that it was out of anger that I was blushing the color of a ripe tomato but my conscience wouldn't buy it. I punched his arm as hard as I could resulting in him clutching the wounded area
"That was my first kiss!" I hissed feeling violated and vulnerable. Again he looked apologetic
"I'm sorry I didn't know! I just figured…"
"Figured what?" my chin was raised in defiance
"I figured someone as pretty as you would have broken multiple hearts and…and" I held up a hand to silence him
"Anything else princy" bitterly the statement left my mouth I glared at him. A smile crossed his lips
"There is something else." He looked like was going to bounce off the walls with happiness and excitement "your officially invited to the ball."
I hesitated for a moment "can I bring someone?"
He looked confused as if he'd expected me to whoop with joy. "Of course. Who do you want to bring?"
"Thank you." It was quiet, I kicked myself for sounding so shy and weak "she's my sister… um… Joou (1) is her name" he simply nodded
"I'll see you tomorrow Hibiki" elegantly he turned and unsheathed his sword. Moving back to his work on the dummies. I turned as well and hurried away.
Just trying to ignore the taste of sweet meats that still lingered on my lips.
~authors notes~
Johan: *whoops* common ground and three kisses! I call it a good day
Chara: yeah *staring at pictures she took* me too
Haruka: *sighs* by the way minna (1) - is Japanese for queen
Chara: yup! Its haou's girl name
Haou: I really hate you all *looks down at broken ankle
Jehu: yeah! This chapter had a lack of something very important-ME
Judai: before Jehu and Haou get an angry mob together let's see the review corner
Sakural7865: Johan: I took your advice!
Haou: thanks…
Jehu: what do you mean by "pull a jehu?"
Black cat angel: well he's not completely figured out
Ari-Chan and ReNA: Judai: that was close
YAOIfangirl1996: thanks! Here's the new chapter
Greed of the homunculi: Haou: STOP PITYING ME I'M THE DAMN RULER OF THE DARK WORLD…and cant homunculi heal themselves in like…seconds?
Chrisandersenyuki: Haou: agreed.
Judai: well I've made it out with a hell of a lot more good than bad
JudaiXjohan: thank you! Sorry it doesn't completely fit your liking. And I know! I hate high heels to!
Johan: I got some kisses~
Luving randomness: Jehu: at least someone is willing to apologize to me
Judai: 0.0 why did you sound so happy
Haou: and you still will! A broken ankle won't stop me from kicking Jehu's ass!
Yuri n' chuka: Judai: ow!
Johan: no not really but it's better than Johan no baka