"Keep your eyes open my dear its getting dark."
"That's why I'm getting sleepy...and my legs hurt"
" Stay awake, closing your eyes means turning your back to the enemies keeping their eyes on you. Keep it fair my dear and do the same."
Those were the last words I ever heard from her mouth. That night under the void enveloping that foggy mountain, Mother left me.
"Keep your eyes open my dear"
"Stay Alive"
Your Highness...
Wake up your Highness!
After confirming the Princess' opened her eyes The Kingdom of Plati honorable minister Asagiri Gen strides with his long purple coat across the galant room to open the windows letting the morning breeze to flow in.
"You overslept again my dear Highness." Gen sing-songed while dealing with the draperies waiting for the drowsy Princess to reply.
"For the hundredth time Gen just call me Kohaku." Rubbing her eyes as she replied with a yawn and laid back down again to her queen-sized bed.
" Ahaha no, no my dear Highness the only moment I will call your first name is when your no longer a princess." Gen chuckled as he assertively pushes the Princess' shoulder up to rebuke her from falling asleep again.
"Then so be it! Father hates me anyway!. Now a fully awake Kohaku jumped out from the matress and rush out the hallway still on her crimson cream nightgown leaving the other person inside her room.
"My...I might have aggravated her."
Gen can't help but retire the bed and sigh. If only the he could see the the former gleaming face of the princess again. Back when she was laughing on her father's arms that she used to love. If only that tragedy never happened.
Accelarating her pace and speed Kohaku arrived at the Palace garden where she only enters- well at least she thought.
"I almost peed my pants... I thought I saw a lion, oh wait a lioness at that." From the shadows walks out a weird haired character sarcastically picking his ear,yes the Kingdom's so-called Royal scientist. Ishigami Senku.
Being teased early in the morning is not Kohaku's cup of tea. If it's not only for his weak physique she could have choked the life out of him.
"What are you doing here weird hair?" She bantered instead,taking a hold of her vexation toward the man in question.
" I ran out of some herbs so I thought I could borrow some from your garden and I've been here a billion of times already so you can't stop me now. Senku exaggerated, unaware of the ominous presence behind him.
"You've been here a billion times and who gave you the permission to do so?" Hands balled into fist with a killing glare from her eyes she asked.
Although, its been numerous times the Princess shown him that face and he knows she wouldn't go farther than that. A casual reply would suffice.
"Come to think of it I'm the one who takes care of the plants right here unlike you who vents out anger to these little ones. Senku argued sounding like an old man.(look at these poor peonies...)
The once agitated Princess cooled down at once after getting over her sleep hearing his fair point and without a choice she curled herself against the fountain at the center of the garden.
"Its still the same thing huh?" Senku queried casually as he pull off a weed from the rose's patch.
"I don't know, I don't even know what's happening to me! Her voice echoed through the palace making it loud enough for the attendants and maids to hear but for most of them it just another usual act from the royal girl. As if its just another child throwing a tantrum over a broken toy. They can't blame the King though for letting her be especially when the eldest daugther is also someone to be concerned about. "Utter chaos" as the elders of the palace named the royal family of Plati.
The scientist concluded his little gardening with a satisfied smile, patting away the earth from his hands and robe. He looked at depressed individual sulking by the fountain and let out his usual chuckle but kept it subtle.
A calling for her to look into to his direction.
"Come to my lab later I'll give you something to make you feel better, this is the time most teens suffer from mood swings after all."(oh wait im a teen too). Senku fully knows that there's nothing he can do to heal the princess' painful laments, for there is no such person who can blow it all away on a heart beat. To save his sanity, he himself assumes its nothing more than a mood swing and thinking its just part of her growing up.
"A medicine huh?" The princess hummed causing Senku to pause from walking.
"Then can you make something that will make me forget? Or something that will finish the pain with me?"
" Something that can kill me"
He can't pull out a joke right now, not this time, not when he clearly heard the seriousness in her voice piercing his very existence. What will leave his tounge will surely impact on Kohaku's
thinking and he wouldn't want her to falter because of him.
That is the last thing he wants to happen-he doesn't want anything bad to happen at all. He sweared to the throne that he will protect her the very same thought of those who dedicated their life for the princess' sake.
Her father may disowned her for her actions but that doesn't mean he wouldn't care to lose her. So thats why Senku have to show her that she's not alone and she will never be.
Turning back to the fountain where Kohaku is he kneeled down and lean closely just an enough gap between them and placed his hands on her head.
"I'm on your side" he whispered softly with the princess staring with a flustered expression on her face.
It must be nice if only the whole world can tell her now that she will be okay. But even inside the palace there are people who wants to cause her misery. From an eagle eye view from a balcony a figure looking down at the two faded into the hall's shadow.
Asagiri Gen finally decided to fetch the princess to change her outfit and made up his mind that it won't hurt to receive a scratch or two if she lash out. On his way he met the head of ministers, the one he despise the most.
"Ah a pleasant morning to you Sir Gen" the gothic themed man with a shady smile greeted as he passes.
"Good morning Prime Minister Xeno." Gen monotonously greeted back without making eye contact with the aforementioned palace official.
If only the palace walls can speak, it will surely narrate a whole book of stories about the pre existing ministers that coerced many rulers to their rotten judgement. Most of them brought fort death to various members of the royal family maintaining the facade of a complete and merry household. In the present if taken into account Xeno is not someone to be trusted any less just like the former prime minister before him which they called Ibara. It could be worse if those two men are connected or share the same manipulative mind-set...
Gen was stopped on his tracks by the realization striking the irony to his thoughts.
"Right...what a shame I'm not any better." Of all bloodlines out there he was born to the world of ministers hence he carries the obligation to follow the steps of his ancestors. He knew long ago that he can't avoid this path yet he decided to keep the oath that his predecessors failed to keep.
"I oath to put the Kingdom's weal above anything else.
The throne before my life
I will be loyal, down to my grave
The crown you must protect and save"
Maids and attendants floods the halls and stairs as they prompt for the morning meal in the palace carrying various kinds of plates and utensils as the Youngest crowned daughter attempts to slide through them hoping she won't break anything. Turns out her predictions are right.
"Good morning your Highness" one of the attendants sheepishly greeted trying to smile with all the sweats dripping off her face.
"Kohaku!"
Stopping from all her strides, Kohaku immediately turn her attention to the graceful voice calling her.
Waiting from the baroque rectangular dining table is the eldest daughter by the name of Ruri.
She cheerfully wave to Kohaku in her navy blue attire which she usually wears. From where she is tags along her two main attendants Jasper and Turquoise looking grieved at the physical state of the youngest.
"Kohaku your a princess for goodness sake , your stance can greatly affect the kingdom's reputation -!"Before Turquoise could finish her lecture, her husband Jasper cuts in.
"It doesn't matter, if your worry about the maids gossiping about her don't worry she won't be eating here as his Majesty orders."
" But--
"By the way where is your adviser?" Jasper inquired.
"My dear Highness! There you are! " Slightly sweating, Gen approach the group with his signature considerate smile as he gave his bow to the eldest:Ruri.
"Oh look at your clothes Your highness its all stained and dirty, I have already prepared your bath and your breakfast so please come." Adding a sparkle to his dark-void eyes as he persuade the princess in question to come along. Yet Kohaku was stopped on her reply when the North door that connects from the dining hall to the King's chamber opens. Walks out a majestic looking figure adorned with his scarlet robe. Alongside him is Xeno waving his hand to signal the guards.
"BOW BEFORE THE KING!"
All maids, attendants, officers and guards within earshot bow straight away one by one like dominos.
As the Highly honored men along with the King strides towards the dining hall, his Eldest daughter stood up and gave her curtsy with her two attendants following her lead by bowing their heads until His Majesty seated.
Gen felt panicky as he saw the King's eyes pointed on his youngest . Fearing that Kohaku will get scolded again he immediately state his excuse on behalf of the princess.
But to their surprise...
"You may now dismiss yourself Minister Gen, but the princess stays." The king waved.
" But your majesty-"
" We have something important to talk about."
The maids standing on each side were concerned of the piercing silence inside the hall as they watch the Royals dine together with nothing but only if it seems the spoons and plates are the ones talking.
Kohaku feels akward and impatient at the same time as she pokes the steak on front of her.
"Kohaku." Her father started.
"I'm not playing with my food."she replied attempting to place a mouthful slice of meat to her mouth.
"Your sister will be getting married soon."
Dropping the steak from her spoon, Ruri can see the clear marks of shock on her sister's face. It took a minute for Kohaku to respond with her usual grumble.
"So what does it mean? What are you trying to imply?" She mumbled, poking her meal even more.
"Tommorow we will held a cotillion and I have invited each noble's son and the princes from our neighboring kingdoms. Explained her father, waiting for her response.
..."And also we have arranged a little tournament between the proceeding gentlemen, just as a helping hand for Princess Ruri to choose. Added the Prime Minister swinging his fingers elegantly as they pointed on the aforesaid maiden who shyly chuckled on the last statement.
Then the King continued with his words. .
"Kohaku...once your sister is given into promised you will take over the position she left and you will be the next crowned princess, so from now on I will revoke your disownment.
The two men once again turn to Kohaku, waiting for her to say something. Yet to their surprise she calmly nods, raise her head and gave them a cheerful smile ...that frowned down, bending the silver spoon she's holding almost breaking them to pieces.
" I barely meet my sister for these passing 10 years just because you disowned me, ...and now you will accept me again as a replacement to her? And give me into marriage too just like that!? Pained voices again echoes the entire hall and with clenched fist, ignoring the pain as her nails pierce her skin out of the spite toward her father.
She loudly whispered:
" That's kind of stupid. "
"Watch your words Your Highness!" Xeno blurted out.
His Majesty signalled all attendants to leave the room including the Prime Minister, leaving the three members of the Royal family alone inside the room.
Ruri worriedly look on the frowned faces of the two individuals on a dispute. Its been a long time since they eat together never expecting it will end on a quarrel.
"I'm doing this to protect you, Kohaku." The king sighed in dismay.
" Someday when I'm gone , you and your sister will need a man to defend you."
"I don't need protection and I can protect Ruri myself! "
" Don't be foolish Kohaku, that's not the way a princess is! There's always someone who will try to take you down and steal the crown from you!"Her father agitatedly replied, slamming the table causing Ruri to close her eyes and tremble in shock.
"Then..."
Disown me again... no... Take away the crown from me, banish me instead!" Tears flow out both her ocean orbs as she look up to her bewildered father.
"Im sorry Father,Ruri, the marriage was never the problem really...
I'm just scared ... Ruri will be gone too just like mother.
Not another word, Kohaku dash out through the door passing by the attendants eavesdropping outside.
She ran pass through Senku through an empty hall but didn't bother to stop even though the scientist called out to ask what's wrong.
She can't take it anymore. For ten years of enduring her loss, getting disowned for the actions that follow it and now with the fear of losing another of her loved ones again. She hate it, she can't even do anything about her problems, what's more she's not even allowed to grieve or to say no.
Catching her breath, Kohaku stopped by her bedroom door leaning to it to ease the turning of her surroundings before finally dropping to the floor making a loud thud that alarmed the man waiting inside for her.
"Your Highness!" Gen quickly lift up Kohaku carefully securing her neck and head before carrying her to her bed. Despite his feeble body that can only lift a pen he thrived to safely lay her, assuring she's properly positioned.
"Don't worry Your Highness I will get the physcicians fast!"
Back at the hallway, Senku was still battling with his second thoughts if he will check on the princess or not. He knows she not alright given that streak of tears that sprinkled on his shoulder.
But with Senku and his rational mind, he had decided to complete his tasks first and just come to check later. Although his doubts rise again when he saw Gen scamper out from the corner and turning to the opposite way tells him one thing...
Just as he's about to follow him he was stopped on his tracks by Xeno.
"Senku"
Similar to Gen, this young scientist is someone who won't easily turn to Xeno given his cunning nature. Especially if it concerns the princess, Senku was careful to make sure that he won't find anything about it.
"Your bussiness?" Senku casually replied, acting like he didn't notice anything
"I listed you as one of the choices for the future husband of the crown princess."
Senku almost puke on the crazy act that the Prime Minister did.
" Me? Him? Someone who doesn't an ounce interest for royalty and fame? "I don't have a milimmeter of interest on that so count me out..." Senku refused shaking his head walking away.
"The orders stated any noble son must join the choosing. Xeno argued back. He walk close to Senku and pat his shoulders finishing his statement... "and your way more than any noble Senku, you were took in by His Majesty himself when your foster father died."
Just as expected Xeno will make his way to take someone into his whim by using the King's authorities at that. Although Senku won't lose to his wits. Heads slightly turning sideways with eyes meeting halfway Xeno's putting one pinkie to his ear.
"Uhuh...And sounds like your confident I will be chosen, let see...what are you plotting? Senku glared at the smirking mister.
"Your quick-witted as ever Senku, if your worried about your delicate body getting crushed on the planned duel, hahaha don't tell me you forget that Science can accomplish anything." Xeno snickered ,patting his shoulders again and waltz away leaving the young gentleman to grip his fists even more.
Anyone can daresay he is scheming to cheat. Xeno could easily manipulate the awaited tournament especially when he's in charge of organizing it, unless Ruri reject Senku or rig to lose anyway. But that's exactly what's bothering him, at the back of his mind something about the way Xeno spoke to him doesn't sit right. His suspicions are still ringing,disturbing his sanity.
Inhaling to his utmost extent and breathing out, Senku calmed his nerves and clear his thoughts.
It might as well an advantage to be joining the tournament, to have a close look on every Xeno's actions.
"I wouldn't let my guard down "
Back at the Bedroom where Kohaku lays, recovering from a minor fatigue as the physician mentioned. Gen patiently waits until the princess regain concioussness as he gradually dampen her forehead with a cotton cloth soaked in warm water.
Him caring for the princess like this brings nostalgia for some reason. There were three of them 10 years ago when they first met the princess and he was once only appointed as a playmate at that time.She was seven and he was 9. Although as it seems he's the only who can last her roughness excluding Senku, while the other two gave up on her within a month!
They will play, laugh and cry together day and night and he will giggle every time the princess twitch her little nose in her sleep which she still do until now.
Gen's reminiscence faded when Senku broke in looking anxious carrying a bottle on a gripping manner.
"I got medicine." The tapped-out lad whispered catching his breath.
Gen took the bottle and place it down on a table and gave Senku a chair to rest on before he could collapse-adding to the minister's burden.
"The physician said there's nothing to worry about..its just a minor burn out, but thanks for the medicine anyway. I'll make sure she'll drink it-
Though this whole time Senku wasn't even paying attention to him but all eyes are pinned to the princess.
"later..."
This was never new for Gen at all. Since they were kids, he sensed that Senku got a thing for Kohaku from the gazes he gives when she's unaware and his full attention is present on every conversation without minds wandering or falling asleep and missing her stories.
He have argued to himself many times and had thought maybe its just him reading too much novels but nevertheless he can see a spark between the two.
Gen clears his throat to bring back Senku to his senses with the distracted man turning to him.
"So Senku..."He motioned his hands to his forehead and gave his usual sinister smirk. "You didn't only came for the medicine right? Another job for me I presume?"
" Heck yeah." Senku chuckled smirking back at the aforementioned minister. "I need your help Sir Gen!"
The morning have gone too fast for the people inside the palace given the preparations needed for the awaited Royal gathering. Aside from the King, this is a very important day for Ruri, the idea of marrying someone only judging by abilities is like crossing a labyrinth. Yet she have to steel her nerve for the sake of the Kingdom she will soon rule and sacrifice things that she desires.
That includes childhood crush whom she rejected an hour ago to perform the throne's will.
"Chrome stop it already this is your fifth shot!" One of the two palace guards on break complained as they see their friend chug down another bottle of liquor .
"I don't want to see her with another man I don't even... know ...Ginro! You wouldn't like that too right!? Chrome yelled, looking like a moron at his drunken state, wiping off the lingering drop from his chin.
Ginro can't say anything anymore, not if Chrome will surely quit any time now or maybe this will continue until the grandiose event is over. He would love to drink with Chrome actually considering he's attracted to Ruri too but not when his older brother Kinro is there to spank him.
Yet much to his shock Kinro took a glass and pour his drink.
"Oi Kinro what about the rules!?"Ginro confusedly protested.
"The higher-ups said we won't be the ones scouting tonight so in behalf of Chromes grievance It won't be a sin if we drink a glass or two. "
Hhaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!?
From a distance Senku caught sight of the three drinking slightly laughing at Ginro's dumbfounded face, feeling sorry for Chrome and bemused with the sight of Kinro drinking. Feeling proud of himself for inventing a lens that let him see far, he had witnessed such an unusual sight. Though his invention's real purpose begins now, averting his attention to the trio he pointed at faced towards the other side of the balcony where Gen stands flashing lights from a little mirror as a signal.
"Still nothing suspicious huh?"
Senku now looked for the Prime Minister who is standing proud at the right hand of the King, now with his scientific invention (an early telescope) he can almost laugh, thinking what it would be like to caught Xeno on the spot.
"Xeno"
On the contrary Gen with another spare of Senku's scientific creation kept his eyes clinged on Kohaku. Following Senku's directive to check on her every minute on whom she's with or where she goes.
As the Ceremony unfolds the two gentlemen ran to their own positions keeping their missions in mind. Every single step, every glace and turns they must watch
"Xeno/Kohaku"
"I got my eyes on you"
-to be continued
...friends and foes both watch over you, yet with different intentions ~mori