AN: Just thought I would clarify that for this story, I'll be listing the characters in the Western way...does that make sense? So for example, the Japanese introduce themselves with their surname followed by their first name (Matsuoka Rin) but in the West, it would be Rin Matsuoka. Also, I'll be referring to Ai by his full name, Aiichiro, because idk when I think of royals, I think of them being polite and stuff like that. IDK. Just my thought processes...so please bear with me.

Also, I don't know Nitori's dad's name so I just made something up ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Yuna's mother, Queen Nori, was best friends with Prince Rin's mother, Queen Miyako. At home, Queen Nori was a loving wife, a compassionate queen, and a stern but caring mother. With Queen Miyako, Yuna's mother was like a teenager. The two queens spent their days reminiscing their youth and looking forward to the future.

Yuna politely listened to the queens' conversations but she ended up tuning out the majority of the conversation. She tried to keep herself awake by doodling on her skirt with her finger but eventually, she had to excuse herself.

"Forgive me, Princess Yuna, we must be boring you. If only my daughter were here to accompany you," said Queen Miyako.

"Is she away?" Queen Nori asked.

"She is studying abroad with someone we trust. I am hoping that this experience will help her to mature and that she will gain the needed skills to be a good princess."

The queens dove into another conversation and Yuna slipped out of the room as soon as she heard her name mentioned.

Yuna decided to explore the west wing of the castle today. The guest quarters, where Yuna and her mother currently resided, were in the east wing and she had already explored that area. Besides the two guest rooms that Yuna and her other occupied, the other rooms were currently empty. Servants were cleaning the rooms and preparing them for guests that would be arriving later in the month.

It had been a few days since Yuna had seen Prince Rin. Queen Miyako frequently complained that he was always locked up in his office, surrounding himself with paperwork and matters of the kingdom. It explained his lack of appearances around the castle but Yuna wasn't particularly looking for him.

"If I see him, then I see him. If not, that's okay, too," she murmured to herself.

The west wing contained the royal library and it was rumored to have so many books that it took up the entire west wing and parts of the castle had to be remodeled to accommodate the number of books. Yuna was greeted by two large wooden doors that blocked off the entire hallway and she was surprised to find that it was easy to open despite the size and appearance.

The library looked like it had been taken straight out of a fairy tale. Rows and rows of bookshelves stretched as far as the eye could see and Yuna could see that there was an end to the rows of bookshelves; a large scenic painting hung on the wall at the end of the rows and there were some tables and chairs scattered around to provide spaces for reading. The librarian greeted Yuna, informing Yuna of his location if she ever needed him, and she thanked him before happily skipping towards the books.

Spiral staircases resided at the back of the library, granting access to the second floor. The bookshelves were fewer and it seemed to be designated as a study area. There was a particular table that was covered with papers and stacks of books; curious, Yuna wandered over and read the contents of the papers.

"U-um, excuse me! Please don't read those!"

A young boy scrambled towards the table and he immediately gathered the paper into a stack, firmly tucking them into a book and slamming it shut. Yuna was taken by surprise by the boy's actions.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know they were private."

"They're not private. It's just...I'm too embarrassed…"

The boy blushed and he began to fiddle with his fingers as he looked down at the floor. Yuna understood that the boy was embarrassed of his writing and it sparked her curiosity even more. She wanted to ask if she could read what he was writing but she decided to change the subject instead.

"My name is Yuna. What's yours?"

The boy looked up at her,

"My name is Aiichiro Nitori, son of Lord Akihito Nitori. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Lady Yuna."

"Ai, have you finished writing your book report?"

Aiichiro jumped and he scrambled to pull the stack of papers from the book. Yuna looked around, searching for the source of the familiar voice, and she saw Rin emerge from a row of books.

"I'm finished, Your Highness!"

Rin bowed slightly towards Yuna and she responded by curtsying curtly.

"Have you been well, Princess Yuna?"

"Yes," Yuna replied.

Aiichiro paled and he bowed deeply to Yuna, who was surprised by his sudden movement.

"Forgive me for my impudence, Your Highness! I did not know of your royal status!"

"It's alright, Aiichiro. I purposely didn't state my title."

Rin sat down at the table and Aiichiro politely pulled out the chair beside Rin for Yuna. She didn't plan on joining them but she couldn't refuse Aiichiro's polite offer so she sat down. Aiichiro hurriedly sat down beside across from Rin and Yuna thought Aiichiro looked like an eager puppy as Rin read through the stack of papers.

"This is written very well; it's thorough and filled with details but some of these details are unnecessary. Still, you've come a long way, Ai; you've improved greatly. Continue the good work and keep in mind that not every detail is important."

"Yes, Your Highness. Thank you, Your Highness!" Aiichiro got up and bowed deeply, "Ai, you don't have to-" but Aiichiro had already disappeared behind a bookshelf to grab another book.

Rin sighed and neatly stacked the books that were scattered on the table.

"Ai is the only son of Lord Akihito Nitori, a noble who is skilled in commerce and public relations. Lord Nitori sent his son here to study under me so he comes by three or four times a week."

"I see. He seems to admire you, Prince Rin."

Rin gave a small smile. Aiichiro returned with another stack of books and Yuna asked him if she could study with him. Aiichiro tried to explain that studying was for a novice like himself but Yuna comforted him, telling him that studying is good for all ages and that studying with friends made the day go by faster. Blushing, Aiichiro agreed and Yuna picked a random book from the stack he had brought.

Rin was doing his own work while Aiichiro read and took notes. The book that Yuna picked was incredibly boring; it was a book about politics and it was a subject that Yuna wasn't very fond of. It was a topic that was simple and complicated at the same time, and although her father encouraged her to study it, her grades and the tutor's annoyance was an indication that politics was not her strong point. Yuna forced herself to read through the book; she didn't want to look uncool in front of Rin and Aiichiro.

Eventually, the sound of writing stopped and Yuna, having inadvertently losing herself in the book, looked up to see Aiichiro fast asleep. His head was resting on the stack of books and his pen had fallen from his hand, dropping splatters of ink onto the paper. Rin tsk-ed but he took off the coat he was wearing and draped it around Aiichiro's shoulders. He set the pen back in its place in the ink box and moved the ink box and papers out of reach.

"He's very sweet," Yuna said softly.

Rin nodded as he gently patted the top of Aiichiro's head,

"He's a hard worker. He's becoming a fine man."

Yuna closed her book and set it aside as she left the table to look for another book to read.

"Have you had a tour of the library?" Rin walked alongside Yuna and he motioned to the bookshelves on the second floor, "This floor contains books about history and culture. The first floor has all the books on literature, fiction, the arts, and miscellaneous subjects."

"Have you read them all?"

"Not yet, but I hope to accomplish that feat, one day."

Yuna asked if there were any fairy tales in the library and Rin led her down the stairs to a small section towards the back.

"I've never heard of these titles before. Are you sure they're fairy tales?" Yuna asked.

"They're fairy tales from another kingdom

A good friend of mine let me have these books."

Yuna's eyes brightened,

"From another kingdom? How fascinating!"

She reached up to grab a book from a taller shelf but she was too short; seeing her struggle, Rin reached over her and pulled out the book for her.

"If you ever need help, just ask," Rin sighed.

Rin noticed the blush on Yuna's cheeks and he realized how close he was standing to her. He handed the book to her and she shyly took it, murmuring a soft word of thanks as their fingers brushed each other, sending jolts of electricity down their arms.

"I, um...I'm going to borrow this."

"Sure."

Rin and Yuna were startled by a sharp gasp and they saw Aiichiro covering his eyes.

"I'm sorry! I didn't see anything! I didn't see Your Highness kissing Her Highness!"

He bowed curtly and ran away.

"Kissing?" Rin and Yuna looked at each other and then turned away with red cheeks.

"I, I'd better go clear up this misunderstanding," Rin stammered.

"Yes, um...I'll...I'll borrow this book."

"Right, you do that. I...I'll get going."

Rin and Yuna nodded curtly to each other and left.