Ah, it's been so long since I've last written. I'm so sorry, but I realised that when one returns from a holiday to find work piled up, one has no time to post…. Hopefully this chapter was worth the wait, even though it is a little short… Thank you for your continued support. If it wasn't for my dear readers, I would never have reached chapter 12! Now on to the story! :D

Chapter 12: The Royal Invitation

'Wow,' Mafuyu breathed, staring up at the huge tapestry hanging in front of her. The hand-stitched work of art depicted a great battle that had taken place centuries ago, yet the vibrant colours in the cloth really made the scene feel alive. Classes had finished and she felt the urge to walk around a little, deciding to wander the palace halls and hoping to discover anything interesting. And now her eyes feasted on the war before her. Swords clashing, war cries howling, bodies hitting the ground one by one…she could almost hear the horses canter, smell the rustic blood as the wind raked through her hair, feel the adrenaline…

'It's very detailed, isn't it?'

She jumped at the sound, pulled out of her fantasy, but recognised the speaker before her knightly instincts made her punch his guts out. 'Hayasaka!' she smiled, her muscles loosening. Ever since she had been back from her hometown, her knightly side had begun to show. She was even reminiscing about her own battles before being interrupted. No, Mafuyu, tame yourself!

'I stare at this every day,' Hayasaka murmured. 'Just look at that detail – can you see that doctor tending to that soldiers wounds? And that messenger, running to get to the army before the enemy?'

Mafuyu chuckled, amused by Hayasaka's wonder. 'Every day? You take a detour just to see this?'

'A detour?' he shook his head, jerking a thumb over his shoulder. 'No, I come this way every morning and afternoon. The boys' dorms are down the hall.'

'Oh?' Mafuyu perked up at this knowledge. 'Then…that means your room is there?' she beamed. 'Can I see it? Oh, I wonder how your room looks like! Do you have many weapons there? Is it tidy? Ah, do you have – '

'No!' Hayasaka stared. 'Are you kidding me? How can…how can I let a girl into the boys' dorms?!'

'A girl….ahhh,' Mafuyu bit her lip. Back at Higashi, she was allowed into the knights' dorm because, well, she was a knight. And she didn't live there anyway. 'Sorry, I forgot.' An idea dawned on her and her face brightened. 'Hey, Hayasaka, why don't you come over to my place instead?'

Hayasaka looked at her as if she had just asked him to jump out of a window. 'No! Why would I do that?!'

'Because we're friends!' she said. 'And I haven't had anyone over yet.' Except Takaomi. But he doesn't count, because he's a creep.

'I…I'm sorry, but I don't like going into the city. P-plus I have a lot of duties left unattended.' A pang of guilt in his stomach after seeing her disappointed expression made him stutter. 'Why don't you ask your neighbour?'

'My…neighbour? Well,' she shrugged. 'I guess.'

Mafuyu rubbed her hands up and down her arms, slightly shivering as cold gusts of wind assaulted her. My neighbour. Yes, it was quite rude of me not to have introduced myself earlier, and now it's already been over a month since I arrived. I hope it doesn't feel awkward.

'L-Lady Kurosaki!'

The girl was jolted out of her thoughts by a breathy voice, and she turned around to see a Palace messenger jogging after her.

With a clumsy bow and trembling hands, he held out a scroll. She took it with caution. Who would send me a message? Wait, her face brightened when she saw the familiar crimson wax seal of the Royal Palace. Is it Hayasaka? Is he coming to my house after all? She carefully unrolled the scroll, eyes running over the cursive writing and eyes widening as the words were digested.

'What'll be your answer, milady?' the messenger puffed.

'Uh…' she swallowed, her eyes transfixed on the signature at the bottom. 'Well, I can't refuse.'

'Very good, milady. Thank you,' he bowed again and scurried off.

What is the meaning of this…? Mafuyu bit her lip. Mother, I have a feeling that you may have to disown me…

Her mood completely ruined, Mafuyu raised a hand and rapped on the front door of her neighbour's house, closing her eyes and sighing. She knew she couldn't put it off longer, lest she forget. Please don't be home, please don't be home. I'm not in the mood to be hospitable…

The door creaked open. 'What do you want?'

What a greeting! Mafuyu opened her mouth to retort but froze. She knew that voice. Slowly, she opened her eyes. 'Ta…Ta…'

'Yes, ta-ta!' the man waved goodbye and went to close the door but her hand shot out with speed, slamming the door open.

'Takaomi?!'

'Mafuyu,' the advisor grinned down at her. 'What's wrong?' he chuckled.

'You live here? Since when?!'

'Uh, since before you moved here. Really, you didn't know? Goodness, Mafuyu, how dense can you get?'

Mafuyu's brain was working overtime. That time, when he said his way home was the same as mine…and when he jumped out the window and disappeared…and when he dropped by when he felt like it…was all because he lived right next door?!

'So, what do you want? You're letting all the heat out. Either come in, or get out.'

Mafuyu stormed into the house, her heart beating. How could I be so stupid?! She berated herself with a slap. Takaomi merely stared at her with a raised eyebrow.

'Well, I originally wanted to invite my neighbour over for tea, but seeing it's you I've changed my mind…'

'Oh, don't be like that,' Takaomi leaned in close and Mafuyu could feel his breath on her cheek. 'I would love to come over for tea, and dinner, and bed-'

'Enough!' Mafuyu spat, face red. 'There're other important things. I've received a letter.'

'So?'

'It's from the Crown Prince.'

Takaomi straightened, his eyes glinting with an emotion Mafuyu couldn't put her finger on. 'Well, what does it say?' Mafuyu hurriedly ran back to her home to retrieve the letter and handed it to him. 'His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Miyabi wishes to share an audience with the two current members of the Juvenile Guard: Sir Hayasaka and Lady Kurosaki,' he read aloud. 'Tomorrow after lessons? I wonder why.'

'Am I going to get expelled?' Mafuyu clutched her dress; she was still in uniform. 'I don't want to leave Midori Ga Oka, not only because I'll get disowned, but…I kinda like it here now. I…' her eyes widened when she felt a hand on her head.

'Stop worrying about useless things,' Takaomi rolled his eyes and ruffled her hair. 'Tomorrow, bring Hayasaka with you and meet me in my office before you meet with his Royal Highness,' he drawled the last few words. 'I have something to give you.'

'Okay,' Mafuyu sighed. 'You're sure we're not in trouble?'

He grinned at her cunningly, winking. 'As long as I'm around, I'll make sure you're around as well.'

Yes, I know that it was short….I'm very sorry. . Recently, a Hetalia (if you don't know what Hetalia is, look it up now. You're seriously missing out on this awesome fandom!) plot bunny has been digging holes in my garden, and I had to tend to that… So please, if you have the time, try my new Hetalia Pirate AU 'Hoist the Sails' and tell me what you think of it. It won't be a very long fanfic, and I know once that little plot bunny has been chased away, my Oresama Medieval bunny will begin bothering me again! Thank you again for your continued support. ^^