This chapter is more of a drabble of sorts, but it helps continue the story. ALSO I HAVE SOLD MY SOUL TO BLUE EXORCIST. MY CHILDREN WOUND ME
Rein slowly sat up in bed, the sun breaking through the windows. Boomo sat above her head, snuggled in her hair. She pet his head, causing a small smile to form. She stretched and rubbed her eyes, then began looking around.
She couldn't remember how she had gotten back. She suddenly remembered everything else that occurred last night. A flood of emotions overwhelmed her. Fear, stress, anxiety, and most shockingly, embarrassment. She covered her face and shoved it back into the pillow. I can't believe I left the castle like that! Rein thought. I can't believe I let my nerves get the better of me... An image of Toma appeared in her mind. It's been six years. I should be over it.
"Would you quit moving, you're making it hard to sleep." A voice grumbled next to her. Rein shot up and looked to her side. Shade was next to her, an sour look on his face. Rein went pale, letting out a screech and unconsciously pushed him off the bed. Boomo immediately woke up, alert and prepared to fight. "What's your problem?!" Shade asked as he sat up next to the bed, a glare on his face. Before Rein even got a chance to reply, Boomo sprung into action, slamming into Shade's face and biting his nose.
"Perv! Liar!" He growled through his teeth. Shade kept trying to pull him off his face. Rein was still in shock as she stared at the two struggling.
"I'm not a liar! Quit it!" Shade said as he finally managed to pull Boomo off. He held him by the tail so he couldn't reach his face anymore. "And you! Why!?"
"Why were you in the bed?!" Rein retorted. Shade rubbed his forehead.
"Perv!" Boomo shouted.
"Shut up! Ok, look. You fell asleep, so I brought you back and put you in bed. Your little rat woke up, thought I was doing something and attempted to attack me. I told him I was just putting you in bed, and then proceeded to finish up some work. I was so exhausted, I didn't realize I had fallen asleep on the bed."
"Don't just do that without warning!"
"I told you I was exhausted! Plus this is my bed!"
"My, my, it's nice to see the couple have a healthy quarrel." Elizabetta said as she shut the door behind her. Fango was right behind her, a snicker on his face.
"Good morning Prince Shade, Lady Rein." Elizabetta said with a small curtsy.
"Morning." Fango said. Elizabetta discreetly stepped on his foot before proceeding to approach Rein. Shade stood up and stretched himself.
"Good morning." Rein said, feeling even more embarrassed. "Is there something you need, Lady E?"
"What do you mean Lady Rein? Don't tell me that you think your lessons are over just like that! That was only the beginning!" Elizabetta stated as she got closer to Rein.
"B-But..."
"The wedding is in three weeks! You need to know everything there is to be a princess, and even a queen before then!" Rein frowned.
"Come on Elizabetta, don't bully her." Fango said as he walked next to her.
"Fango, you're a saint!" Rein said as she jumped out of bed and hugged him. Fango blushed at the action.
"W-Woah, calm down!" Fango replied, unsure of how to react. Suddenly Shade approached, pushing the two of them apart.
"It's too early in the morning for this nonsense." Shade said, giving Fango an unusually dark glare. "Elizabetta, I think it's best to give Rein the day off for today. A little break for her busy week."
"Shade, you're my savior!" Rein cried as she gave him a hug this time. He sighed and pat her on the head, earning a blush from Rein. "A-Anyways! I need to get ready! All the males have to leave!" Rein cried as she shoved Shade away and headed for the closet.
"You heard the woman." Elizabetta said. "Leave." Her cold tone sent shivers down their spines. They proceeded to exit the room. "You too, rat." Elizabetta said as she glared at Boomo. Boomo quickly left.
The two boys stood outside, side by side. "How scary." Fango said as he stared at the door.
"I don't know how you deal with her everyday." Shade replied.
"Willpower, you prissy prince." Fango laughed. Shade just glared at him. "I was surprised you know. She's quite the girl if she managed to get you angry. You're always so stone cold." Shade glared at him once again. "To think you would let her have the day off."
"It's only fair. That dance last night seemed to take quite the toll on her." Shade replied. Fango's smile seemed to fade.
"Shade..."
"I know. It's only temporary." Shade said.
"Bad men." Boomo suddenly grumbled as he floated between them. The two of them were surprised. "Bad bad men!"
"This stupid rat..." Fango started. Shade grabbed him by the tail and tied it to the nearest table leg.
"Sit and reflect you rat." Shade said before walking off. Fango watched as he walked down the walkway, and made a left towards the queen's chambers.
"What a dedicated son." Fango laughed.
Fango wasn't sure how much time had passed, but the room's doors finally opened. "You were waiting here this entire time? How creepy." Elizabetta scoffed as she stared at him.
"As if your weird habit of watching couple from a distance isn't creepy." Fango replied, unfazed. Elizabetta blushed.
"Don't go making things up! I just..."
"What are you two talking about?" Rein said as she popped out. She was dressed in more casual looking clothes, wearing a simple sky blue dress that reached her knees, and a sweater.
"What's with the casual attire?" Fango questioned.
"Are you saying it looks bad?" Rein asked as she looked over herself.
"No, not at all! You look nice, it's just..."
"Considering it's her day off, I don't see it necessary to wear such extravagant clothes."
"Wait, it's Miss Rein's day off?" A sudden voice called from behind. Everyone turned to see Milky, a large smile on her face. "Really?"
"Good morning Princess Milky. Yes, it is her day off." Elizabetta replied.
"Oh my gosh, this is great! We should visit the village!" Milky replied as she ran up to Rein and took her hands.
"T-The village?" Rein replied.
"Princess Milky, I don't think..." Fango began.
"Come on! It's been so long since I've gone shopping! Plus it'd give me a chance to bond with my new big sister!" Milky squealed.
"I was wondering what all the commotion was about." Shade said as he walked in.
"Big brother! Let's go to the village! Come on, come on!" Milky cried as she tugged on his shirt. He seemed reluctant. "I'm sure Rein would love to go too!"
"W-Wait, I'm not sure..." Rein began. There was a chance the the soldiers patrolling the village would recognize her. She couldn't take any chances. Suddenly Milky threw her a puppy eyed glance and she couldn't say no either. "Please?" Rein asked. Shade sighed and nodded. "Yay! You're the best big brother ever!" She quickly gave him a hug, then grabbed Rein's hand.
"Wha-" The two soon disappeared down the hall.
"I'll go accompany them." Fango said. He got up, pulled a struggling Boomo off the table leg and began to follow the two girls.
"I should get going too." Shade said as he began to walk off. Elizabetta stopped him.
"Not in those clothes you're not." Shade looked down and realized he was still dressed in his formal clothes from yesterday. Elizabetta dragged him inside the room.
The group took decided to take one carriage so that they didn't attract any suspicion. Fango was on the reigns while everyone else sat inside. The ride was surprisingly silent, making it harder for Rein to ask her question.
"Um, I've been wondering this for a while, but are you sure it's ok to visit the village? Aren't things a little..." She looked up to see Shade staring out the window, an empty stare on his face. Elizabetta didn't seem too interested in answering. The entire carriage ride ended up being in silence.
When the group finally made it to the village, everyone slowly stepped outside. That was when Milky pulled Rein back in the carriage, letting Shade and Elizabetta exit first.
"The area we are in is one of the better areas in the kingdom. The only villages that were greatly affected by the economic decline were those at the edge of the kingdom. Big brother is trying really hard to help the poorer areas, but he can't do much as a prince..." Rein was surprised to hear Milky have a negative attitude. She gave her a pat on the head.
"Have faith." Rein softly replied.
"We're going to leave you two behind." Fango called as he looked inside.
"Sorry, sorry!" Milky said as she took Fango's hand and jumped out. Rein followed soon after. She gasped at the large array of beautifully colored shops and people. The contrast was drastic compared to her original home.
"Wow!" Rein gasped.
"This is the Moon Kingdom's shopping district! There are all kinds of shops around here!" Milky stated as she began to run ahead.
"Hey, Milky!" Shade called as he followed her. Milky slowed to a stop as she turned to Shade. He pulled her hood over her head. "Don't show your face and don't run around by yourself. It's dangerous." She turned around, and ran forward again. Shade pulled his own hood over his head.
"It doesn't seem dangerous..." Rein replied. "Isn't there too many people for something to happen?" Shade sighed as he watched Milky run off again, this time dragging Fango with her so she wasn't alone.
"Part of the reason is because my face isn't exactly unrecognizable. In Milky's case, I don't know if you've heard the info, but human trafficking has started growing since the Moon Kingdom's decline." Rein felt shivers down her spine. "It's reached this far." Rein couldn't help but smile however. "What?"
"You're such a king big brother." Rein replied. Shade couldn't help but feel slightly embarrassed. "That's nothing to be embarrassed about! I would want my sibling to be safe too!"
"Well this doesn't only apply to Milky either." Shade suddenly intertwined his hand with Rein's earning a surprised look from her. "You can't leave my side either."
"Ahaha! Oh my gosh, look at that beautiful dress over there!" Rein said as she quickly pulled her hand away and turned towards a window. She placed her hands on her face, attempting to hide her embarrassment. Oh my gosh, calm down! He just wants me to stay safe! That's all! No big deal!
"I thought I just told you don't wander too far." Shade muttered as he grabbed Rein's shoulder. Rein jumped.
"H-Hey! I think I see Fango! Let's go catch up with him!" Rein said once again and quickly ran off. Oh my gosh, oh my gosh calm down! Without realizing it, she bumped into another woman, falling to the floor.
"Ah! I'm sor-" Rein began, but she only heard a sound of disgust.
"What a misbehaved child! Brat's shouldn't be running around like a wild monkey." She scoffed. Rein's stood up and gave a polite bow, hiding her sour face.
"I'm sorry ma'am." She scoffed once again and walked off. She even hit her shoulder with her purse as she walked by.
"Oi, Rein!" Shade called once again. He stopped talking once he saw her cold expression. "Don't pay attention to them Rein."
"The people here are quite rotten, aren't they." Rein stated as she stared at the ground.
"I'm sorry." Was all Shade could say.
"Don't be." Rein said. "It's not your fault." She turned to him, a confident look on her face. "But if you don't fix this when you're king it will be your fault." Rein said as she smiled at him. Surprised, Shade stared at her. "We should hurry up and catch up to the others. I'm sure they found something cool by now." She quickly turned around and walked forward. Shade is working hard to create a better kingdom. I can't let my feelings get in the way of that. Rein told herself. Even as she said that, she couldn't help but feel sad.
"We were waiting for you guys!" Milky said as she waved at them. Fango looked exhausted while Elizabetta seemed to be enjoying herself as well.
"It seems the couple was having some alone time." Elizabetta teased. Rein laughed, while Shade just sighed. The group began moving around again, keeping close together. Milky and Rein kept getting caught up in all the shops, staring at everything. Elizabetta wanted to visit the book store, and Fango was more interested in getting something to eat.
"Oh my gosh, I love this jewelry store!" Milky said. "I wonder if they have anything new..."
"The pieces the have here are quite gorgeous. I'll join you." Elizabetta stated.
"Maybe I should get some jewelry too." Rein contemplated.
"Why are girls so in to this...?" Fango asked, dreading going inside.
"You can get a cool piercing or something." Rein laughed. Fango scowled.
"I'm not joining." Shade replied, staring at the cutesy store.
"Traitor." Fango muttered. Shade stood outside the store, his back leaning against the glass. He stared at the shimmering silver behind the glass. His eyes skimmed over most of them, but landed on a beautiful star shaped necklace. An image of Rein flashed in his mind. This would suit her...
Rein walked around the jewelry store, staring at the entire assortment. Everything caught her attention, especially the ones that involved the solar system. "What are you looking at?" A voice whispered behind her. Rein turned around in surprise, her head colliding with his.
"Oh, sorry Fango." Rein said. Fango waved it off, shaking his head. "What brings you here?"
"The princess and Elizabetta kept forcing me to put on jewelry. I abandoned Boomo there though." He sighed. Rein held back a laugh. "Also Elizabetta told me to give this to you." Fango handed her a pouch. "Can't buy things without money." Rein opened up the pouch to see a gold mine of stones.
"Woah, I would have killed to get his much when I lived on the streets!"
"Haha, if that was the case, I would have had to arrest you. According to Elizabetta, that was a gift from Shade."
"Why didn't he give it to me personally?"
"Probably too embarrassed." He muttered.
"What?" Fango just shrugged. Rein turned back to the jewelry, but her mind was somewhere else. "Does Shade ever get... overwhelmed?" Rein suddenly asked.
"Why the sudden question?"
"It's just that... He is so young, yet working so hard for this kingdom. His mother is ill, and he has a little sister to take care of, and yet... how is he able to handle it all? I just don't understand." Rein couldn't help but stare at the floor. Bad memories were dredged up once again.
I hate this! Why do I have to do this?
"Why don't you ask him yourself?" Rein kept silent.
"I can't do that." Rein replied, a small smile on her face. "But I do know what I can do. I want to help lighten his burden, as best as I can. So please, wish me luck Fango!" She gave Fango a tap on the shoulder before running off. Fango watched her leave, dumbfounded.
She walked outside searching for Shade. Before she could even get another foot out the door, a force pushed her to ground.
"Ow.." She looked up to see a scruffy child, with knotted hair and a torn dress. In her hands was a broken basket, the contents littered the floor.
"Stop that pest!" A man screamed from the distance. Rein glanced between the child and the man, watching him approach at full speed. The girl quickly gathered the food into the basket and got up to run, but tripped.
Rein, unable to process what was happening, immediately helped the child to her feet. However, it was too late because the angry man had harshly grabbed her by the hair.
"Thanks for capturing this dirty pest." The man grinned an eerie grin. Rein shivered, and could only stare as the child winced in pain. "As for you..." He gripped her hair tighter, his grin turning into a frown. Rein could feel her anger swelling. She watched as he raised the hand which held a rolling pin.
"Stop!" Rein screamed, covering the child. The man froze before swinging down. By now, a crowd had gathered.
"Why are you protecting this rat?" He questioned. Rein glared at him.
"You are a rotten old man." She spat. The old man was suddenly angry again.
"You're just a pest too!" He replied, releasing the girl and grabbing Rein's dress instead. Her glare only hardened.
"I don't see the point in chasing this poor girl when all the things she stole are just half-baked." The man only seemed to get angrier, but didn't seem to have a proper comeback. Instead, he raised the rolling pin again. "Seems an ingrate like you can only resort to violence." Rein shut her eyes before he could swing down. She heard the wood hit flesh, but there was no pain.
The hand released her shirt, and she opened her eyes to see the large back of the prince, his hand holding the rolling pin.
"Who-"
"What are you doing?" His voice was calm, but powerful, completely cutting off the man. The entire crowd was silent. The man hesitated to answer.
"I... I was..." Shade glanced at Rein, who was talking to the child.
"Please wait a little longer." Rein whispered to her. She nodded and held on to Rein.
"If you do not have a satisfactory reason for you actions, I will have you arrested on the spot." The man began to sweat at the tone of his voice. However, it seemed Shade's threat wasn't convincing enough.
"U-Under what authority do you have that power?" The man replied. Shade released the rolling pin. Slowly, he pulled his hood just enough for only the man to his features. His face paled and he took a step back. "Y-You are..."
"I will say it once again. Give me a reason or leave." His tone was cold, almost murderous. Rein was grateful he couldn't see his face, for fear if what she would see.
Slowly, he retreated. Shade pulled his hood more over his face and turned to Rein. Rein, however, let go of the little girl.
"Are you okay?" She asked. The girl nodded and stood up, basket in hand. Rein smiled and gave her a pat on the head. Shade crouched next to her.
"Where do you live?" The girl flinched and hid behind Rein. Shade frowned as Rein punched him.
"You're too scary." She took the little girl's hand. "I will-"
"We will." Shade corrected. Rein looked at him before turning back to the child.
"We will take you home." The crowd continued to stare, but Rein made sure not to let go of the little girl's hand. The three of them began walking through the crowd. The walk was quiet, almost uncomfortable. The girl stared at the contents of her basket, refusing to let go. Shade kept an eye out for any patrolling guards, and Rein made sure to keep a tight hold on her hand.
Rein was sure they had been walking for an hour until they reached the outer reaches of the village. Rein felt her heart sink.
"Is this where you live?" Rein asked. Before her was a sea of garbage and worn down homes. She nodded. The three of them began walking farther in. Rein felt empathy, having experienced the same scenario. It didn't take long before the girl found who she was looking for. Rein watched the tears well in her eyes as she ran for a small boy laying on the ground. She released Rein's hand and ran towards him. Rein could hardly watch the scene. He was starved, she was sure he was near death. She glanced at Shade, but she couldn't see anything under his hood.
Rein began to approach them, but Shade took her hand. Once again, she couldn't see his face. She pulled away, and walked up to them. Slowly, she took out the sack of stones and placed it in the girl's hand. Then she turned around.
The two began heading back to the shopping district. There was only silence on their way back, the two of them lost in thought.
By the time they returned, the two were bombarded by their three companions.
"I thought you guys were kidnapped!" Milky sobbed as she hugged both of them. Boomo also hopped into her face. She smiled and gave them both a pat.
"Where did you two go?" Elizabetta asked. The two of them kept quiet. "Were you two part of the commotion that took place earlier?" More silence.
"I think it's about time we return." Fango stated. "I don't think I can handle carrying anymore bags." Everyone turned to see Fango carrying a pile of boxes that were almost as tall as him.
Everyone piled into the carriage feeling unusually exhausted. About halfway through the ride everyone had fallen asleep except Shade, who was deep in thought staring out the window. He was caught off guard when Rein suddenly fell on him, slightly asleep.
He stared at her sleeping face, wondering how she managed to live through those years in the slum. They hit a small bump in the road, and shaking Rein awake. He quietly watched as she rubbed her eyes. Suddenly, she looked at him, her face still drowsy.
"Aren't you tired Shade?" She asked. "You need... sleep." Her voice was groggy and her sentences were choppy. He wanted to reply, but she wasn't done. "You work too hard...You forget... there are people... who support you..." Shade looked at her more intently, listening closely to her words. "We... I..." She slowly began, almost drifting back to sleep. "I will always... be on your side... and make sure... you become king..." She leaned on him again, a small smile on her face. "Trust...me..."
Shade could only stare as she was asleep again. Even half asleep, she was still strong. A strange feeling arose within him as his doubts cleared away. Only one thought surfaced his mind.
I don't want to let go.
Oh God, this was long. I'm sorry for the long wait. I was very lazy and had a lot of holidays, and have also been reading other FF stories because you know.
I also want to mention that I want to practice my art skills, but have fallen into a slump so I'm proposing an idea. I've been thinking of drawing certain scenes from any of my stories, but I don't really want to choose. So I've decided to let my readers decide which scenes they want to see drawn! There will probably more details on my authors page, but this is a general summary. I hope this can make up for my absence. You know I love you guys! Also Happy Valentines!
