Disclaimer: I own none of the characters except for OC's

Shivering in the Icy Darkness

Masato let out an exhausted sigh as he gently messaged his temples. He had just gotten out of an important meeting and was less than thrilled about the topic.

Once every year, representatives from each Kingdom would gather and hold a meeting. The location of the meetings changed every year, rotating from each Kingdom. This year, it was the Southern Kingdom's turn to host the Kingdoms' meeting.

'That means preparations are going to be the utmost important for the next month or so.' Masato said to himself.

The prince could only visualize the stack of papers he would have to go through. Not only that, but he also had to help and make sure the palace was in order for the meeting. As the next in line to rule the Southern Kingdom, he would be one of the representatives attending.

The thought about the meeting was troubling, especially since the Western and Eastern Kingdom were still at odds with one another. It was also rather concerning that the West recently started viewing the South as a potential threat due to having a friendship treaty with the East.

"Ah, your Highness!"

Masato immediately snapped out of his thoughts and looked ahead to see Haruka walking towards him. A wave of relief washed over him, gratefully accepting the distraction from the current issue.

"How did the meeting go?" Haruka asked as she walked over to his side.

"Long," Masato replied as he and Haruka started walking towards his office. "I suppose it went as well as it could have considering the topic. Though the palace is about to get quite busy."

Haruka nodded. "Tomochika-san told me about the yearly Kingdom meeting. So I assume it's going to be held here?"

"Unfortunately yes," Masato said with a sigh. "It's rather turbulent between certain Kingdoms presently, so I don't believe it will go well."

Haruka hummed in agreement. From the way things stood, mere words would not change the minds of how the Kingdoms thought and felt.

"Nanami." Masato said rather suddenly.

"Yes?" Haruka replied, noticing that Masato had stopped walking.

"…There's something I have to ask."

Masato clenched his fists at his side, feeling rather hesitant to ask. But he had to know. He turned to look at her, his expression serious.

"Nanami, do you-"

"Big brother!"

Masato's question came to an abrupt stop when a small body was suddenly flung into his back. The prince flinched at the sudden contact. However, when he looked over, he immediately realized who it was.

"Mai?"

A little girl with short, blue hair stood behind him with her arms wrapped around his waist. To Haruka's surprise, the girl shared Masato's eye and hair colors. She had a pink ribbon that flowed down on the side of her hair and wore a black and white dress that flowed a little past her knees. The girl looked to be before her teenage years and wore a big smile.

"What are you doing here?" Masato asked. "You're not supposed to be wandering the palace on your own."

Mai's smile fell before she looked away, causing Masato to frown.

"I'm sorry, but…I haven't been able to spend any time with you lately. I felt lonely." Mai replied, her bottom lip trembling.

Masato let out a sigh before patting the little girl on the head.

"All right, but only for a little bit."

"YAY!" Mai said gleefully while hugging him again.

Mai turned and noticed Haruka looking at them curiously. "Big brother, who is that?"

"Ah, allow me to introduce you two," Masato replied. "This is Haruka Nanami, my assistant. And this is my little sister, Mai."

Haruka gave the younger Hijirikawa a big smile, bowing courteously. "It's very nice to meet you, your Highness."

Mai returned the smile before looking back up at her older brother. "She's really pretty. Is she your lover, big brother?"

Both Masato and Haruka's let out undignified sputters, their faces turning a considerable shade of red. Mai tilted her head to the side, confused by their reactions.

"M-Mai! Who taught you that word?!"

"Hm? Kaito-san did." Mai said.

A dark expression fell over Masato's face, causing Haruka to take a step away from him. Even though he didn't say anything, Haruka knew that he was thinking "I'll kill him."

"No, no, it's not like that, your Highness!" Haruka cried, frantically waving her hands in front of her. "I'm just his assistant, nothing more!"

"Your Highness!"

Haruka and Masato glanced over to see Natsuki hurrying over to them.

"I apologize. I should have been keeping a better eye on Mai-chan." Natsuki said.

Masato lifted an eyebrow. "I thought Jii was supposed to be watching her at this time."

"Jii-san had some urgent matters to attend to and told me to watch her until he was done. Unfortunately, I got distracted by a couple of cute ducklings in the pond outside and didn't notice Mai-chan wander off."

The prince could only sigh. "Nothing happened this time, but please, try to pay more attention when watching her."

Natsuki bowed. "Yes, I am sincerely sorry, your Highness."

Mai was instructed to apologize as well, since it was partially her fault as well. Since the two siblings had not spent much time together recently, Masato relented and decided to take her on a walk through the garden. He instructed Haruka to carry out her daily duties and he would see her at the time of his evening tea.

As he walked away, Haruka couldn't help but wonder what he had wanted to ask her earlier. He looked rather serious and Haruka worried if something was wrong. Though considering he had not seemed bothered by not finishing his question, it must have not been too serious.

Deciding to not let it bother her, she glanced over at Natsuki, who was watching the Hijirikawas leave hand-in-hand with a gentle expression.

"It must be nice to have a sibling that watches out for you…" Natsuki drawled.

Haruka couldn't help but smile. "I feel the same way. I always wondered what it would be like to have siblings."

Natsuki turned his glance over to Haruka. "Why don't we head to the garden as well?"

"Eh?"

"My job is to help water the flowers. Would you care to assist me?"

Haruka's face lit up. "Of course!"

After Natsuki retrieved the watering pots, he and Haruka made their way to the garden. Haruka had always been particularly fond of that place since Masato showed it to her for the first time. Amidst the stress of palace life, the garden seemed to have a soothing effect. The garden was where Haruka felt the most at ease. Helping to water the flowers made it almost seem like she was giving back to the garden. Though it was a rather childish thought, Haruka didn't care.

"Shinomiya-san," Haruka called over to Natsuki. He paused momentarily to look up at her.

"I've been wondering this for a while, but how did you end up working at the palace?"

A gentle smile spread over Natsuki's face as he glanced down at the flowers before him. "Well, it was a couple years ago when I came to work for his Highness. I was wandering around the capitol, accepting any paid job I was offered.

"Unfortunately, I couldn't keep a stable job and was constantly fired. After I was fired from my last job, his Highness came up to me. It was rather surprising to have been offered a job so suddenly like that."

Haruka giggled. The prince seemed to have a habit of giving jobs to people rather randomly.

"What brought you to the capitol? Did you live here?" Haruka asked.

Natsuki shook his head. "Oh, no. I lived…"

He paused and his face scrunched up into contemplation. Haruka looked at him curiously before a frown spread across his face.

"I…I can't remember…" Natsuki whispered, bringing a hand to his head. "What was I doing before coming to the capitol…?"

"Shinomiya-san?" Haruka said in concern, noticing the sudden shift in mood.

"Ah!" Natsuki said with a jolt. "I apologize. I didn't mean to get distracted."

"No, no, it's fine," Haruka reassured. "But are you all right?"

Natsuki's expression softened before looking down at the flowers once more. "I…I'm fine. Please don't worry about me."

Before the topic could be pondered further, a black cat suddenly shot past them.

"A cat?" Haruka said in confusion.

Did she imagine it or did that cat have a piece of bread in its mouth?

"GET BACK HERE YOU STUPID CAT!"

Haruka turned just as Syo suddenly rounded the corner of the palace and accidentally collide into Natsuki. The cat paused to take a quick look back at the commotion. It blinked a couple times and tilted its head curiously before disappearing into the bushes.

Since Natsuki stood nearly a foot taller, he only stumbled back a couple steps while Syo was knocked onto the ground.

"Are you all right?" Haruka said, hurrying to Syo's side.

Syo nodded he rubbed the back of his neck. He suddenly froze, causing Haruka to look at him in concern. He cursed under his breath and Haruka followed his gaze to see a pair of glasses on the ground.

She suddenly heard heavy breathing behind her and glanced over her shoulder to see Natsuki hunched over.

"Shinomiya-san?"

His breathing became deeper and she could hear a bit of a snarl along with it.

"…Shut up."

"Huh?" Haruka said in confusion as Syo slowly rose back to his feet.

"I said…SHUT UP!"

Natsuki shot Haruka and Syo a glare, grinding his teeth together and his hands balling into fists at his side. Haruka stumbled back a few steps in shock. She had never seen or heard Natsuki so angry.

"I hate noisy people." Natsuki growled.

His gaze narrowed onto Syo, causing the shorter male to shrink back.

"What I hate more are people who aren't watching where they're going!"

Syo let out an undignified yelp as Natsuki took a step towards him.

Haruka quickly put herself in between them, spreading out her arms protectively.

Natsuki paused. "Get out of my way."

"Shinomiya-san, stop! What's gotten into you?" Haruka demanded.

Green eyes flared in rage as Natsuki bit back his lip in a snarl. "Get out of my way or you'll regret it."

Haruka widened her eyes in shock as her whole body started to tremble. She swallowed nervously with great effort and felt a drop of sweat run down the side of her face.

Before Natsuki was able to react, Syo slammed his glasses back over his face from behind. A dumbfounded expression came over Natsuki's face as he glanced from one side to another.

"Eh? What's going on?" Natsuki said, looking around completely oblivious to what had just transpired. "Syo-chan, why are you here?"

Haruka blinked several times, unable to process the sudden shift in the mood. One moment Natsuki was threatening her while the next he was his usual self.

Syo took a few deep breaths as if he had just run a marathon before letting out an exasperated sigh.

"I swear," Syo muttered. "Uh…I came looking for you because…there's…this guy…on my squadron who really wants to try your food. Yeah, that's it!"

Natsuki's eyes immediately lit up. "Really?! Who?"

"Black hair, glasses, kinda on the short side," Syo explained. "I think he's resting in the Guardian Patrol quarters."

"Oh! I know who it is! I'll go work on it right away!" Natsuki said excitedly before dashing off towards the kitchen.

"Kurusu-kun…was that such a good idea?" Haruka asked, recalling the last time Natsuki helped her in the kitchen. "Will your comrade be all right?"

Syo let out a grunt before he ran a hand through his hair. "It was the only way to distract him. Besides, four-eyes will be fine. He's been through worse things.

"In any case, you're probably wondering about what happened, right?"

Haruka nodded slowly, still feeling overwhelmed and with many questions.

Syo quickly glanced around before motioning for Haruka to follow him. The two walked in silence around the back of the palace. Thankfully, there wasn't anyone there and the two could now talk privately.

"What is going on? What happened to Shinomiya-san?" Haruka asked in utter loss.

"I'm not sure when it started, but a completely different personality comes out whenever he takes his glasses off," Syo said. "However, I heard a rumor he's put over a thousand people in critical condition in the past just by getting on his bad side."

"O-Over a thousand?!" Haruka said with a gasp.

Syo nodded. "If you do anything to get him mad, you're finished. If he's not snapped out of it…you can basically say that all hell will break loose. But once he wakes up, he has no memory of what happened. I don't even think he's aware of his alternate personality."

"Has his alternate personality been triggered here at the palace previously?" Haruka asked.

"Yeah, it happened while I was still working as a servant," Syo said with a sigh. "However, the worst was avoided thanks to Kaito. I'm amazed he is able to stay at the palace as long as he's has. In any case, be careful around him. If his glasses ever come off again…run."

The rest of the day went by like normal, though Haruka couldn't get Syo's words out of her head. No matter how much she told herself to be careful, she just couldn't view Natsuki as a threat. While she did witness him become someone completely different, Natsuki was still Natsuki, right?

"Is something wrong?" Masato asked after taking a sip of tea that Haruka had just brought to him.

Snapping her out of her thoughts, Haruka quickly shook her head. "N-No, of course not. Everything is fine."

"Don't lie." Masato said sternly.

Haruka flinched before Masato added softer, "We've spent enough time together for me to tell whether something is bothering you."

Haruka's gaze softened. It touched her to know that Masato cared enough about her to try and lend an ear whenever she had a problem. However, she thought it best not to get Masato involved. He had enough to deal with as it is.

"Thank you, but it's really nothing." Haruka said, giving him a reassuring smile.

Before Masato could respond, Haruka cut him off.

"I never knew you had a little sister. Why is it that I've been working here for nearly a year and I've never met her?"

Masato let out a sigh, accepting Haruka's change in topic. He leaned against the arm that was propped up on his desk and gave her a small, amused smile.

"You never asked if I had any siblings."

Haruka's cheeks went red with embarrassment before she turned her gaze to the ground. "W-Well…"

"Besides, Mai generally stays in one part of the palace due to safety reasons and isn't allowed to go out much. So I am not surprised you two hadn't met before," Masato explained. "I'm actually a little surprised she was able to find me, especially since had just gotten out of a meeting."

"I guess she has a radar for her older brother." Haruka said with a giggle.

"I suppose so." Masato said as he eased into a gentle smile while looking to the side.

Haruka felt her breath hitch upon the sight. Never before had she seen such a gentle expression on the prince's usual stoic face. Though she had seen him smile before, this was different. She could clearly see the love and affection for his sister on his face.

If only she could see that expression more. Upon realizing her thoughts, Haruka's face went completely red.

'W-What am I thinking?!' Haruka shook her head to shoo away such thoughts.

Masato lifted and eyebrow at her behavior but let out a dry chuckle in amusement.

The moment was however short lived when a knock sounded from the door.

"Y-Your Highness!" Otoya said with a bow after he entered the room.

"Is something the matter?" Masato asked.

Otoya scratched the back of his head while smiling sheepishly.

"Well…"

Not long after Syo and Haruka's talk, one of Syo's comrades came down with a bad case of food poisoning and was out for the rest of the week. Needless to say, he wasn't happy when he found out that it was Syo's fault for his predicament. Syo decided to stay in the servant quarters for a few days to insure his safety.

"It's a little cramped now since Syo decided to stay with us for a few days," Otoya said with chuckle. "But I guess I can't blame him for wanting to stay clear of trouble."

Haruka giggled as she wiped down the table sitting in the middle of the palace's library.

"Speaking of staying out of trouble, has that Le bel guy been coming around often lately?" Tomochika asked, dusting a nearby bookshelf.

"His visits have been less frequent from when I started being his personal servant. Gives me time to catch up on my work here at the palace."

Tomochika let out a sigh. "Otoya, you really shouldn't be such a pushover."

A nervous chuckle escaped from Otoya's mouth as he rubbed the back of his head.

Haruka glanced down at the table. No matter how much she tried to reassure herself, she couldn't help but worry about Natsuki. Compared to Otoya and Tomochika, Haruka didn't know Natsuki as well.

However, what happened a few days ago wasn't what someone would call normal. While she was able to act normally, Haruka couldn't shake off the feeling of wariness around Natsuki. Whenever she'd get close to him, Syo's words would echo through her head.

So many questions whirled around in her head and wondered if they would ever be answered. She couldn't ask Natsuki about it since he himself wasn't even aware of his alternate personality.

There was also the question of what would have happened if Syo didn't know what to do in that situation.

Natsuki then stepped into the room, holding a tray with four cups on top. "We've been all working so hard the past few days that I made us some fresh cups of tea."

"Um…" Otoya muttered rather uncomfortably as Tomochika stared at the cups with bemusement.

"That's…um, very kind of you, but we already had something to drink earlier." Haruka said, not wanting there to be any more casualties from Natsuki's famous brew.

"Oh, and here I thought we could all enjoy this together," Natsuki said with a disheartened frown. "But I guess it is what it is."

With that, he took one of the cups and held it up to his lips. Before he could take a sip, however, the steam from the tea fogged up his glasses.

"Ah." Natsuki said as he moved to remove his glasses.

"W-Wait!" Haruka nearly cried as she quickly took his cup. "Here, let me just cool this off for you."

Natsuki blinked in confusion as Haruka began to blow the steam away, but gave her a warm smile. "Thank you, that's very kind of you."

Otoya and Tomochika glanced from Haruka to Natsuki before they glanced at each other in confusion.

After Haruka was sure the tea had cooled down, she set the cub back on the tray. "I think that should do it."

"Thank you very much, Nanami-san," Natsuki said as he picked up the cup again. "I'm very fortunate to have such a thoughtful friend like you."

With that, he took a sip of tea.

Everyone visibly flinched, anticipating the usual reaction from Natsuki's concoctions. However, the moment never came and Natsuki continued drinking the contents of the tea without a problem.

"Does that mean…?" Tomochika wondered aloud.

"…Is it safe?" Otoya finished, looking at the contents questionably.

Letting curiosity get the better of him, Otoya took a sip.

The reaction was instant as Otoya started to gag profusely, tears building at the corners of his eyes.

"Ittoki-kun!" Haruka cried as Otoya fell to his knees as he sputtered with disgust.

"Eh? Are you all right, Otoya? What happened?" Natsuki asked as Haruka rubbed Otoya's back to try and soothe him.

Tomochika eyed Natsuki incredulously before she let out a sigh. 'I really don't understand…'

After Otoya recovered from his little episode, the four servants proceeded with the dusting and cleaning the room.

While Natsuki cleaned a particularly dusty part of a bookshelf, he accidentally inhaled in some of the dust. He began to real back several times, preparing for the final sneeze. But the moment was stopped when Haruka rushed over and put a finger under Natsuki's nose.

Natsuki let out a sigh of relief, the need to sneeze passing him by.

"Thank you again. You're helping me in all sorts of ways today." Natsuki said with a chuckle.

Haruka giggled nervously before offering to help dust the bookshelf, which Natsuki happily agreed.

Tomochika eyed them suspiciously and let out a low hum.

"Hey, Otoya." Tomochika said, coming over to the redhead's side.

"Hm?"

Tomochika motioned towards Haruka and Natsuki. "Is it just me or are they really close lately?"

"W-What?!" Otoya demanded almost panic-stricken. "W-What gives you that idea?"

"Don't you think it's a tad strange that Haruka has been doing all these things for Nat-chan? I mean, earlier she was constantly asking if his glasses were on right." Tomochika pointed out.

"You don't think that…she could…?" Otoya paused.

Tomochika glanced up thoughtfully. "What? Like him? Why not? I mean he's nice enough."

"N-No way…" Otoya said, feeling his knees buckle underneath him.

The sun was nearing the horizon line and the sky was turning a range of red and orange.

Haruka let out a quiet sigh as she trudged down the hallway beside Natsuki. For the majority of the day, Haruka spent most of her time not only doing her chores, but also making sure that Natsuki's glasses didn't fall off.

It proved to be a very daunting task as there were several mishaps where they were close to falling off. Unfortunately, she was nearly drained of all energy and she still had a bit to do before the sun set.

"You've been working awfully hard today," Natsuki said. "Maybe you should take a break."

"N-No, I can keep going!" Haruka said, trying to sound energetic.

A concerned frown formed on Natsuki's face. "Is it because you've been helping me all day?"

"Eh?" Haruka said with a start. "I um…I'm just trying to make sure your glasses stay on. I mean, it would be rather difficult to see without them, right?"

Haruka mentally smacked herself. That had to be the dumbest reason anyone had come up with.

"Hm, I suppose so." Natsuki said, thinking it over.

'Oh my gosh I can't believe that worked.' Haruka thought as she let out a sigh of relief.

"I do try to keep my glasses on for the most part. Whenever they come off, I blank out. I'm not sure why."

Haruka stiffened but continued to listen as Natsuki went on.

"When that happens, I swear I hear a voice that says they'll protect me…Either way, I like being able to see clearly so I rarely take them off."

'Does he sleep with them on…?' Haruka wondered.

"In any case, thank you for worrying about me, Nanami-san," Natsuki said with a smile. "But maybe it would be best if you focused more on your chores. You don't want to disappoint the prince, do you?"

At the mention of the blue-haired man, Haruka's cheeks reddened. "I um…"

'Why am I getting flustered?' Haruka wondered as she placed her hands over her cheeks.

Natsuki chuckled. "Well, I better get back to work. And don't worry. I will take care to keep my glasses on."

Haruka looked back up at Natsuki and smiled. "Thank you. I guess I will see you later then."

Natsuki gave her another smile before continuing on his way down the hall.

As he walked down the corridor, he could hear a small voice in the back of his head.

"Don't get close. Don't get attached. They'll only betray you."

Natsuki winced while bringing up a hand to clutch his head.

"Don't get close. Don't get attached. They'll only betray you."

'You're wrong!' Natsuki shot back.

A memory of him as a child sitting in the middle of a dark room suddenly flashed through his mind.

"NO!" Natsuki shouted, grasping his head as if it was going to break.

The small voice didn't say any more, leaving Natsuki in silence. He was breathing heavily, trying desperately to calm himself as his heart hammered against his chest.

He leaned against the wall with his arm, trying to sort out his thoughts.

'They're different…they're my friends…' Natsuki said to himself.

"Don't worry. I will protect you no matter what."

Haruka fell back onto her bed with a sigh, her limbs heavy and stiff from the day. She did as much work as she possibly could, despite her setback.

"Hey, Haruka," Tomochika called from her bed. "Is there something going on between you and Nat-chan?"

"What?!" Haruka cried, immediately sitting up in utter bewilderment. "There's nothing going on! W-Why do you ask?"

Tomochika shrugged. "Looked like you guys were pretty close. I was only curious."

A sudden devious smirk came over her face. "Actually, I've been wondering what's been going on between you and a certain blue-haired prince."

Haruka's face erupted into that of a tomato's and she could have sworn she felt steam come out of her ears.

"W-W-W-WHAT?!" Haruka nearly shrieked before waving her hands in front of her. "I-It's not like that!"

"That reaction sure is suspicious," Tomochika said with a giggle. "Are you sure there's nothing between you?"

So many emotions were swirling around within her that Haruka didn't know what to do. She felt anxious and embarrassed yet somewhat happy?

"Tomochika-san, please!" Haruka cried as she threw her pillow at her friend, her face still burning.

The redhead only laughed. "All right, all right, we better head off to bed anyways."

Haruka nodded, still feeling dazed from the up and down of emotions as Tomochika handed her pillow back to her.

"Good night!" Tomochika said.

"Good night." Haruka replied as she laid down and pulled the covers up to her chin.

Her heart was still beating at a rapid pace and Haruka doubted she would be able to sleep soon.

'Why…? Why am I feeling like this?'

While Haruka tried to sort out her emotions, a pair of green eyes stared at her through her room's window from a nearby tree.

A/N: UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. This. Chapter. Took. So. Freaking. Long. You. Have. No. Idea. I basically just got fed up and decided to just move on. I CANNOT write Natsuki, it's ridiculous. Combine that with writer's block and finals...it just wasn't happening. I just spent 5 freaking months going back and forth writing this. I'm sorry if this chapter isn't as good as the others, but I just had to post something so I could finally move on.

Thank you all for hanging around for this fic, I really appreciate the support. :) I really like reviews, so leave one if you feel inclined to do so. Thank you so much for reading!