{Note}

Hello everyone! I was very busy yesterday and a great aunt of mine was suddenly admitted to the ICU, so I didn't have much time to write the next chapter. But no worries, I'm writing it now.

A huge thank you to my readers and reviewers! I hope you all enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed writing this. (And I'm still so glad that you guys are still unsure about the whole "Is Yuuri Ren or Raina?" debate. Because otherwise, I'd be doing a bad job and the story wouldn't be as interesting ;)

Personally, I think of Yuuri as a strong person who refuses to compromise on his values and beliefs. He's a good guy and sometimes a bit of a pushover, but when it matters, he is someone who will stand his ground and fight for what he believes in. That's why I wanted to paint the new characters as personalities that are independent and strong yet kind and compassionate (Raina doesn't seem so at this point, but trust me, she is.)

Oh yeah, there's definitely gonna be MPreg (spoiler!). Not telling who the parents are though! Sorry guys, I know some people are grossed out at the idea of it, but I love it. I wish same-sex couples could have kids in real life. It's just not fair.

So keep READING and REVIEWING. I'll keep writing. Longer chapters are better, right? I think so too. But that will mean that I will update less frequently.

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The Reclamation of a Bratty Prince

CHAPTER TEN

The Pervy Prince

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She could almost see Ren groan as he walked beside her. Ah, he doesn't want to meet the pervy prince! But I wonder if he's just as flashy as this guy? I bet he's in his thirties, with a bit of a belly and a receding hairline. She smiled inwardly. I wonder if I'll win this bet.

. . . . .

"Ah, Your Highnesses! Prince Gwendal and Prince Wolfram, welcome. Welcome my Lords, to my humble castle," the Lord Julius Dante announced with practiced ostentation as the wide mahogany doors opened to admit the two royal guests.

Martin Dante, the young lord stood beside his father, looking ridiculous with blue and green feathers in long hair. The young man had obviously dressed to impress but in Raina's eyes, he looked like an overstuffed peacock – not that she had any idea what an overstuffed peacock would look like. He wore a dark blue coat over a grey shirt with ruffles and white lace with a maroon ribbon running through it. He wore bright blue pants with a single gold stripe running vertically at the front. Raina didn't know if he wanted to impress the 'pervy prince' or scare him away but right now she wanted to meet the prince in question. She sensed rather than saw Ren tense up, the air surrounding him suddenly becoming hard and solid. Raina almost laughed.

Ren is such a sweetheart. He looks after me and puts up with all my idiosyncrasies and yet tries so hard to protect me even though I can protect myself. I mean, what does he think is going to happen to me? No one is going to run off with me or anything. But he's just too cute that way. Going so far as to dress up as a girl for me? Damn, but I wish I had a camera.

Ren wore a scowl on his face. He hated the damn dress. It was itchy and stretchy and it brought attention to curves he didn't even know he had. Just this afternoon, he found some guard eyeing his behind while he served the baked potatoes at the staff hall. The soldier had ogled his butt openly and Ren had been so embarrassed at it all. He hadn't even realized he had been blushing till another soldier who noticed the whole thing asked him if he was shy. "Pretty girl like you must be used to all the attention by now. If he's making you uncomfortable, I could ask him to make it less obvious. But it will cost you a kiss you know. On the cheek," the soldier had said teasingly. Ren laughed at the soldier. The ogles did disturb him – he was not used to being openly stared at as a sexual object and the whole situation embarrassed him. He was a little angry but he was not one who easily succumbed to anger. "No thank you, kind sir. But if you will, I would like to know your name," Ren flirted. Wow, I'm good at this. This guy seems nice, though.

"It comes with a price, beautiful. I will tell you mine if you tell me yours," the soldier said, blinking his grey eyes.

"Well, it wouldn't do to have a friend who doesn't know my name. I am Ren Anon," Ren said with a straight face although his felt a mischievous smile tugging at this mouth. Who knew dressing as a woman could be so much fun? "And yours?"

The young man had smiled magnanimously and despite a missing tooth, it was a charming smile. He removed his cap showing cropped blue hair (Ren was surprised to find his jaw hadn't fallen to the floor yet) and bowed. "Willeford Macchis, my lady. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Well, that had been the only upside of the day. The pretentious peacock called Martin had ruined the rest of the morning for him. Ren was sure the redhead hated him. He had forced Ren to go back and forth between the kitchen and his private dining hall where he ate with his father along with the complaint that the chicken did not suit his taste. The third time he had been sent back to the kitchen, the chef almost hit him with the ladle in her hand. He himself had been panting, the tight bandage constricting his breathing. Being a girl is not so much fun now.

The redhead definitely had something against him. He could not - for the life of him - understand why he hated him. But right now, Ren's attention was fixated on the 'pervy prince'. Who on earth, well, since we're not on earth… who the hell was this guy who had the bratty Martin so in love with him? He surely sounded like a creep. If he goes after Raina… I don't care if he's a prince or whatever, I'm gonna kill him. No one messes with my girl. Well, I'm sure the bratty Martin will try his best to occupy the pervy prince's attention so maybe I'm worrying over nothing.

Raina felt the tense air around Ren subside somewhat. Well, she thought, it's time we see if the Prince had a potbelly and a receding hairline. And for the fun of it, maybe he'll have sunny yellow hair since everyone here has hair with bright colours.

Two tall figures entered the hall gracefully and walked directly towards the Dantes who stood in the middle of the room.

The first one, and also the taller one, was a man who wore a long dark green coat over a white shirt. His coat had dark blue edging and a single gold medallion hung around his neck. He had dark grey hair that reached his wait and he wore in in a ponytail. When Raina could see his face better, she realized that despite the stern and no-nonsense look, he had a kind face or at least she felt that he was kind. Raina had a knack for things like that. She wondered if that had anything to do with her being a Piscean. Perhaps not. The man before her had beautiful, deep set eyes that were both intelligent and kind. He looked a little haggard though, with the creases on his forehead and beneath his eyes. Even now, his eyes seemed dull and tired. Probably because of the long journey though. If I remember correctly, Vlaire said that the royal palace is three days away. They made it in two and a half. Wow. That must have been dangerous for people living in this century.

Raina's heart almost stopped when she looked at the next person. He had hair the colour of liquid gold, as if a drop of sunshine had fallen onto his head and sprung silky gold threads where his hair was. His eyes were pools of the deepest and most glorious shade of green she had ever seen. He had a beautiful face that was not too angular nor was it too soft. He had beautiful lips that looked full, soft and warm. The man was easily the most gorgeous person she had ever seen. He was the man in her dreams.

There is no question about it. Raina continued to stare. She had forgotten about her bet with herself. None of that mattered now. This was her destiny. Somehow, she was here with this man who had appeared in her dreams. Raina was both thrilled and scared. No, that can't be right. This is just too good to be true. It's like some fairytale or something. He was definitely not the one in my dreams. I can't be sure. I hardly remember what he looked like. Although they do look similar.

Raina continued to stare at him until she was suddenly hit with the realization that everyone in the room was staring at her.

Ren did not understand what had just transpired in the room. The tall dude had accepted Lord Dante's hand and welcome. He must be the elder prince. The guy seemed decent and hardworking so he must be Prince Gwendal the maids were talking about – the longest reigning Maou of the country. Ren almost laughed. He could not believe that a real live Maou stood before him. He remembered his grandmother telling horror stories of the Maou when he was a child. Although for some reason, she always insisted that the Maou had wings and he could fly.

"Thank you for accepting us on such short notice, Lord Dante. I'm afraid my brother and I will have to impose on you for the next few days."

Lord Dante beamed happily, "My Lord, it greatly pleases me to be of service to your highnesses. Pray, how is Lady Celi?"

Here comes the small talk. Ren shifted his sight to the slightly shorter guy beside the Prince and almost gasped. The man was fucking… beautiful? Handsome? Who cares about that! Why am I correcting myself. He's the pervy prince isn't he? Ren looked to the Martin brat for confirmation. Yep, he's the one. I can see starts in his eyes. God, I never want to see that again. I thought that expression was only reserved for cartoon characters. The blond prince was addressing the lord now and when he had turned to greet the Dante brat who was all starry-eyed now, he thought the prince had looked directly at him. Must have been a trick of the light or something.

"Prince Wolfram, nothing pleasures me more than to see you here. I must say Wolfram," Martin said, dropping the formality, "that I have missed your company tremendously." He held out a hand, which the blond guy accepted. The prince smiled and hugged the younger man.

"I am so sorry and ashamed for how I behaved. Looking back, I had been naive and childish. I hope we can go back to how we used to be," Martin whispered in the pervy prince's ear. The prince blushed. What the hell-? No way. You guys used to be boyfriends? And somehow, now that I've met the pervy prince, I just can't call him that. Maybe I'll call him Pretty Boy. Yep, that's settled. So, Pretty Boy and the bratty Martin. I want to say that they are perfect for each other, but I can't. Not with him blushing and all. He looks… cute.

Ren blushed a little at the thought. He looked sideways at Raina. She was staring at the blond prince. For a moment he thought she looked frightened but he could not understand why. He was about to shake her a little when suddenly the blond prince was in front of him and looking at Raina. Ren could not believe his eyes. The blond prince was looking at Raina with utter shock and incredulity. "Brother!" he shouted. And the next thing Ren knew, the older prince was there too, staring at a stupefied Raina.

Ren looked from face to face. Martin and Lord Julius seemed just as clueless as he was. He looked at the blond prince for some kind of answer and the prince suddenly looked at him. "Err, is something wrong with Raina?"

"A double black." A deep voice came from the left. It was the Prince Gwendal. Everyone turned to look at the taller man. "Someone born with black hair and black eyes. Someone born with incredible maryoku." He was still staring at Reina who was slowly coming to. She started when she realized that everyone was staring at her. Pretty Boy suddenly reached out a hand to touch a lock of hair… and he caressed it. Ugh, you sicko. You're hitting on Raina already? He turned to Raina, concerned and thinking she might be sick, but Raina was watching him intently, a smile and a blush creeping on face. Pretty Boy had a strange and pained expression on his face. Raina, you don't want to make the martin brat angry. Trust me. Stop smiling right now. Ren glanced at Martin who was angry but also curious. "Um?" Raina mumbled, breaking the strange air that had surrounded them.

"Young lady, may I have your name?" Prince Gwendal asked matter-of-factly.

Raina wondered if she done something to displease anyone. "Raina Deshmukh, Sir."

"You are a double black. Why did you hide yourself here?" he continued.

"A double black, Sir? I have been called that before but I do not know why," Raina answered, a little unsettled.

Pretty Boy put a hand on her shoulder and explained, "A double black is someone with great power, born with black hair and black eyes. A long time ago, there was one such person. The most powerful Maou in history… was also a… double black."

Raina was surprised to hear that. So black hair is considered exotic here! "I beg your pardon Sir, but I have no such power. I am a simple young lady and in the place where I come from, everyone has black hair and eyes." She was not sure if she should have added the last bit but she was uncomfortable with the attention.

Unfortunately, Gwendal and Wolfram found her statement very intriguing. "Everyone has black hair, you say? Where is this village? I suppose, perhaps, they also have a flying device? Something not fuelled with Houseki stones but pertol?" the blond prince asked.

"Lord Wolfram, what do y-" Lord Dante began but he was silenced with a gesture by the older prince.

So his name is Wolfram. It's a beautiful name. "Pertol? You mean petrol?" Did they have similar technology on this era? She was not too sure. "Are you talking about an aeroplane?"

Both princes paled and looked at each other, as if exchanging some message between them. "Are you from earth?" Gwendal asked with a steady voice.

Raina sighed in relief. "Yes, yes, I am. Thank god! I was so worried." Raina turned and hugged Ren. "Oh Ren, we can go home now." She could feel the hot tears falling but she didn't care. When she felt the pressure of Ren's hand on her back, she felt assured and relieved.

"Ren? You're from earth too?" Wolfram asked sharply.

Ren smiled meekly and shrugged. He had not wanted to divulge that fact immediately but it was too late. "Yes, Your Highness."

Gwendal von Voltaire decided that it was time to take this into his own hands. He turned to the lord of the castle and his son, and asked if they could adjourn to a study where they could question these two people in private. He stressed the word 'private'. Gwendal felt bad about keeping the lord in the dark but this was a matter of national security. Lord Julius looked unhappy but there was nothing he could do about it.

"Let me get this straight. You are both from earth," Wolfram questioned once again while rubbing his temples.

"Yes." Both Raina and Ren spoke in unison.

"You guys were neighbours? In Japan," Wolfram continued while Gwendal merely watched.

"And you don't know how you can to this world because a kid knocked you into a pond?"

"That's correct."

"And you're friend here, Ren. She's not a double black?"

"Yeah, she had red hair."

"But she has black eyes."

"Yeah, she's weird."

Raina almost laughed. Earlier, Ren had whispered to her in Japanese, "Whatever you do, don't tell them about me being a guy, okay. They seem nice and all now, but you know how it is – it is always the good guy who ends up being the bad guy." Was Ren ever going to get out of his detective phase? The guy acted like he was a crime detective or something, ever since CSI started airing. Well, I'll indulge him this time.

"Let me see, you both don't know why but you can speak our language?"

"Yeah. I could understand it almost immediately but Ren took some time, I guess."

"And Ren is your…?"

"BFF."

"He, I mean, she," Raina began and corrected herself, stressing on the female pronoun, "is my best friend in the world."

Wolfram looked towards Gwendal, a silent question in his look.

Gwendal stirred and walked to them where they sat. Ren had been quiet the whole time. His hands were clasped together tightly in his lap. He felt cold and exposed thanks to the stupid dress. And he hated being scrutinized. He could feel those green eyes going all over him, measuring him no doubt. The prince obviously felt suspicious about him. Well, he definitely has reasons to doubt me. I am after all, a man in drag.

Gwendal stood silent awhile and then spoke aloud. "I will have to take you with me when I return to Blood Pledge castle. There are things we need to speak about which we can't do here," he looked at Raina as he said this.

"But, what about Ren? I can't go leave without him," Raina said, not realizing that she had referred to Ren as a male. Ren too, seemed to have missed this detail, his attention focused on what Gwendal was saying.

But it was not lost of Gwendal and Wolfram. "It's the second time you've referred to her as male," Gwendal stated.

Raina quickly corrected herself. "Yeah, I know. I keep mixing my 'He's and 'Her's up."

Getting back to the point, Gwendal explained, "It is a long way back to the castle and there won't be enough space for seven people. We don't have enough guards with us and it will be difficult to travel with two women. We are bound to attract unwanted attention and there's no guarantee that we will arrive safely. It is better to leave your friend here and come collect her later."

"But… Ren is good at sword fighting and she can sew and cook too. Can't she come too? I promise to do my share of the work."

Wolfram stood up and spoke in his ear. After a minute, the brothers turned to the two women.

"Ren," Wolfram addressed directly for the first time.

For some reason, the sound of his name rolling off the blond prince's tongue felt like a jolt of electric shock. Whoa, am I attracted to the dude? No way. No frickking way! Blond guys are Raina's thing – not mine. I was just shocked, right? I mean, he ignored me the whole time.

"Yes," Ren looked up from where he sat. He looked directly into Pretty Boy's eyes, waiting for the blond prince to continue. He felt an uncomfortable tingling at the pit of his stomach. I hope that is my lunch and not 'butterflies'. Damn!

Ren felt as if the prince kept their gazes locked for a moment longer than necessary. Or it could be my wishful thinking! Damn! I can't believe I have a crush on this guy! I never knew I was so shallow – to crush on someone just because that person is gorgeous beyond reason?

"Is what Raina said true? You can defend Raina and yourself? You can cook as well?"

Ren smiled genuinely for the first time that day. "Yeah. That I can definitely do."

"Then, it's settled. You will come with us to Blood Pledge castle."