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Dreamer: I suppose you meant Izumi, but she's not a princess. She's the court sorceress, spell caster MA-GI-CI-AN GIRL! *throws Princess Maker 2 out the window*

Two Sides of a Coin

Chapter 12 – Waking from a Dream?

The first thing Takuya saw when he woke up was red, deep red all around him. The mattress beneath him felt like silk, as did the light blanket covering him. The feel of the cloth against his skin told him he was wearing nothing but his boxers. He sat up quickly and looked around.

"Good morning."

He jumped when the curtain of red was pushed aside and tied to the bedpost by a brown haired maid.

"You… who are you?"

"Lana, sir."

She curtsied before tying the curtain on the other side of the bed.

"Where am I?"

"The prince's chamber, sir."

"The prince's…"

He blushed furiously.

"The prince's chamber?!"

He began panicking.

'What, what happened?! How did I get here?! Ok, calm down, last thing I remember is… is Izumi talking to me, and then… and then…'

He held the sides of his head, a terrified look on his face.

"Is everything all right?"

Lana asked worriedly.

'What… why, why can't I remember? What happened? What… did Izumi do anything to me?! Why… why do I only remember bells?!'

"Sir?"

The girl gently touched his hand, and Takuya looked at her with rather haunted eyes.

"Please, if I can help, I will. Tell me what it is I can do for you."

Her quiet voice helped to sooth his nerves but only somewhat.

"Some… some water, please."

"Right away."

He watched her go to fetch him some water from the pitcher on the nightstand.

"Why are you here?"

Disliking the silence, he attempted to begin a conversation.

"Kouichi-sama asked me to watch over you until he came back."

"Kouichi…"

'Maybe… he, he has to know what happened! Why I'm… dressed like this… in his bed…'

The blush on his cheeks was a deeper shade of red than the curtains surrounding him.

"The prince is very kind, he found you unconscious in the hall and since his room was closer then your quarters, he brought you here."

She handed him a glass of water and he drank quickly, the cool liquid soothing his dry throat.

"Say, er…"

"Lana."

She said kindly.

"Lana. Do you… do you know what happened last night?"

The blush that rose to her cheeks scared him, but it was no over what may or may not have happened the night before.

"I… the prince just came to the maids' chambers this morning… no one of rank has ever done that, aside from Lowe-sama… but that's a different story… Anyway, he came this morning and asked me to accompany him to his room. When I got here, you were asleep, and the prince ordered me to look after you until he returned."

"Is, is that so…"

'Why was I in the hall? What happened before it?!'

With a swift movement, Takuya threw the thin blanket away, slightly startled by the chill that hit him.

"Where are you going?!"

Lana hurried to ask, sounding slightly fanatic.

"The prince, I have to talk to him…"

She beat him to the door and stood there, arms spread.

"You mustn't."

"Out of my way!"

"The prince has ordered me to not let you go until he returns. I will not disobey him."

From what Takuya saw of the maids during breakfasts and when they cleaned the cadets' rooms, they were there for the money and potential connections. However, the blush on the girl's face highlighted her eyes, which were truly determined to accomplish the task she was given. While he respected her for it. She was still in the way.

"Move, Lana."

"I must refuse, sir!"

They stared at each other for quite a while. Both knew that if the boy wanted to move her, he could. The girl on her part was about ready to cling to the door frame like her like depended on it.

"Lana…"

"I refuse!"

He was just about ready to throw her out of the way when a knock came from the door. Both froze, but Lana had to get it.

"Yes?"

Takuya found himself letting out a breath he held in, and he did it rather disappointedly as it was Arbor who came into the room, rather than the boy whose bed he woke up in.

"Don't need to look so down, bro, I'm here for you."

Arbor said, noticing the look on Takuya's face.

"Hi, Arbor."

There was still something missing in his voice.

"Personally, I don't see why the long face"

The shorter boy said, looking at Lana.

"If I were under the care of a beautiful girl…"

Said beautiful girl looked away and blushed.

"Real funny, Arbor, but I'm hardly in the mood for this. Have you seen the prince?"

"Yeah…"

Arbor chuckled lightly, shaking his head.

"Izumi's chasing him all over the place. I passed by them earlier… prince sure is good with a sword."

Takuya tensed at the sound of the girl's name and looked pleadingly at Lana.

"Please, Lana."

She bit her lip, slowly giving in to his constant pleadings.

"I…"

"Why don't you go and fetch the prince?"

Arbor began, a compromise offer in mind.

"I'll stay here and keep him company."

"I'll stay put."

Takuya hurried to add, wanting to see 'Kouichi' as soon as possible. Still hesitating slightly, Lana looked from one boy to the other before taking out a bunch of keys.

"I'll… I'll lock you here, just to be sure… is that…"

"It's ok."

Both boys said reassuringly and the girl smiled softly before leaving the room. No locks were heard.

"She sure trusts us."

Now the door was locked.

"Or not."

The two laughed slightly, but got serious pretty quickly.

"You missed quite a show."

"Oh?"

Takuya replied, trying to get his mind off of the blanket in his memory.

"Yeah. Yesterday too, but today more. Kouichi came in during morning drills, and ordered us to stay put while he talked to Aguni. 'Talked', yelled at him's more like it."

"Yelled at Aguni? Why?"

"What why? Because you disappeared yesterday and he didn't seem to care!"

Whatever trace of a blush was left disappeared along with the rest of the colors from Takuya's face. Not only he was clueless as to where he's been, so were the people around him.

"I was… missing?"

Hands crossed, Arbor leaned against the locked door, seeming rather amused.

"The next thing you'll tell me is that you don't remember where you've been."

Takuya went to get another glass of water, having to lean against the bed on the way.

"So where were you?"

"…"

"Takuya?"

"I… I don't remember, Arbor. I really don't."

Neither was laughing. The grim tone Takuya used scared Arbor, and he felt too uncomfortable to even try and laugh about it."

So he laughed at something else.

"I wish I had a body like that."

"Oh, shut up!"

"Will you listen to me already?!""

They were in the prince's private training room, chosen personally by Wolf for the large windows and wide space. The sun was shining brightly, its rays filling the room. Izumi was standing at the side, trying desperately to talk to the prince, many times stopping to admire him though she came to lecture him. About him, about her, about Tomoki, and about the brat cadet the boy was so fond of.

He, on the other hand, hardly acknowledged her presence. Kouji had been practicing his fighting abilities, something he hadn't a chance to do often back home. Having been at it for the past three hours, unable to sleep due to concern for Takuya, his built figure was covered in sweat, the shirt long since discarded.

He moved his sword slowly at times, practicing the movement before slicing in full force. It was a good way to get his mind off of things, since one wrong move and he could've cut his leg off, having used his real sword instead of a wooden practice one.

And he had enough on his mind without Izumi shouting at him.

"Kouichi-sama, please, stop for a minute! I… it's of outmost importance that I speak to you!"

"Then… talk!"

He said angrily as he sliced once more, tired of her wishing to speak to him for the past half an hour instead of actually doing so. She stared at him as he stood up and took a minute to catch his breath. The girl didn't remember him being so masculine, then again, she also didin't remember the last time she saw him shirtless, and the blush that stood on her cheeks since she's gotten there proved it.

"Talk, dammit, or get out of my sight."

He glared at her, but there wasn't anger underneath the layer of defensive rage. There was sadness, hurt, despair… he was lost. Her heart ached. The boy looked away and resumed his training.

"When you decide to talk to me, let me…"

Without much thought, Izumi jumped at Kouji, just barely missing being hit by his sword. Surprised, he fell backwards, dropping the sword in the process. Both hit the ground, the girl clinging to the would be prince.

"Why are you so lost, my prince? Why are you so troubled? Where has the spark from your eyes gone to?"

She gasped as she felt his strong arms wrap around her, holding her close, ever so gently. The only thing keeping her from dying of happiness was the knowledge he either meant it in a different way, or thought she was someone else.

"There's no point in sharing my troubles with you. Not after the way I treated you, I have no right."

It wasn't that he wasn't angry at her, but worry for Takuya, as well as the gut feeling the boy's behavior wasn't Izumi's doing made her presence tolerable, and at that specific moment, comforting. She snuggled closer, knowing full well she was unworthy of his apology.

"It is my duty to serve the prince."

"…you can't."

"You can't know that for sure."

She looked at his face, but his gaze was aimed at the ceiling.

'Maybe… now's my chance…'

She felt disgusted with herself at trying to do such a thing while the prince was was at such a state, but she went on nonetheless. Squirming a bit, Izumi extracted a small flask filled with a lavender colored potion from her sleeve and uncorked it, dipping the tip of her slender finger in the solution.

'All it will take is one drop… one small drop… on those fine lips of his…'

Her hand trailed to his face, careful as to not let the precious liquid go to waste. Upon contact Kouji closed his eyes and the girl wasn't sure whether or not he was enjoying the touch or too troubled to care. She did, however, knew one thing- that was her chance.

"Kouichi-sama…"

Her finger was less than an inch away from his mouth.

"I love yo…"

"KOOOOUUUUIIIIICHIIIII-SAAAAMAAAAAAAA!"

At the sound of the shout, both teens shot up and looked at the door, Kouji accidentally leaning on the bottle Izumi left on the floor, breaking it. At the sound of breaking glass both turned to look down, but the boy hurried to calm the girl's worries.

"It's ok."

He looked back to the door in time to see Lana run past the entrance while looking at him, apparently skid to a halt, as he only heard her, and see her run back, this time into the training hall.

"Kouichi-sa…ma."

The stutter was in reply to the position the would be prince and court sorceress were in. Kouji was sitting up, holding his hand, while Izumi was all but sprawled on top of him, trying to have a look at his hand.

The maid turned her back to them, blushing, and willing-not-willing jumped to a sort of salute which reminded the boy of Arbor, and he chuckled, frustrating Izumi somewhat.

"You, you you, your highness!"

"At ease, Lana."

He said calmly as he stood up, Izumi not far behind, still demanding to see his hand.

"It's ok, Izumi, really, I'm fine. What is it, Lana?"

On her way over, the girl feared he'd be mad at her for such a blunt show of disobeying orders, but there was relief and a touch of hope in his voice. The maid turned to them again, trying to steady her breath.

"Kouichi-sama, he woke up."

His blue eyes widened and she hurried to continue, still fearing she had disappointed him.

"B, but, don't worry! I locked him in your room, he's still there!"

When she finished, she found him laughing, and Lana turned to stare at her shoes, blushing. Izumi shook her head and poked his chest.

"Kouichi-sama, you're hurting her feelings."

He stopped, though his voice still carried laughter.

"That's good to hear. Thank you, Lana, I appreciate your help. You've done me a huge favor."

"Oh, no, it is not a favor, if the prince asks…"

"Then the prince owes you a favor."

Both girls blinked at him. Even the 'Old Kouichi' knew better… or worse… than to treat the servants as equals. But for Kouji, that's exactly what Lana was. The only person in the entire castle of the same rank as him.

He picked up his shirt and considered it for a moment, before throwing the clothing item at Lana. She caught it, but just barely.

"Wash that, please. And have a bath brought to my room? I'm not supposed to have my shower until later… but I can't walk around like this, eh?"

He looked one last time at his hand, then at the mess which was the small bottle. Izumi blinked when he looked at her apologetically.

"I hope that wasn't important."

She bit her lip, but then shook her head with a slight smile.

"No. Nothing I can't make more of. And Kouichi-sama?"

"Hm?"

"…please, think about what I told you."

After a moment, he nodded, looking rather grateful.

"I will. Thank you, Izumi. Well then, Lana…"

The maid jumped a bit at the sound of her name, giving Izumi another reason to see her as pathetic.

"Ye, yes?"

"You have the key. Lead the way."

He stopped only once to look back at the court sorceress, and she flashed him her best smile before being left alone. She kneeled next to the remnants of the flask and examined a rather large shard of glass.

'I almost had him… if it wasn't for that brat… I… all it took was for him to get it into his system… not like I had to do an entire ceremony! I…'

Her eyes widened when she noticed a red stain on the shard in her hand. It stood out on the background of the original potion's lavender hue, and Izumi turned to look at the door. There was no doubt the prince wasn't quite all right, as the blood on the glass proved he had been cut. A smile rose to her delicate lips, and a spark of hope lit in her heart.

'Maybe… just maybe… I had my chance… and won.'