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Chapter 4: It's Time to Go Home

"Just a little higher!" Rein instructed as Bright climbed the wall for the Sky Flower. It was an effort to find the crevices and footholds on the stones, not to mention the moss and water that makes the said stones to become slippery. The prince pushed all his might in propelling himself upward, panting and sweating as he did so.

"Hang in there!" Rein supported.

Bright was just about to reach for another crack when his hand slipped. Rein shouted and covered her eyes. He quickly unsheathed his sword and aimed for the softer parts of the stone wall, luckily he managed to prevent a drastic fall by hitting on a fissure on the said wall.

The blue-haired princess sighed with relief.

With an elegant movement trained and honed through the years of mastering swordsmanship, Bright was able to get hold of the last crevice before reaching the Sky Flower. He carefully uprooted it just like how he would gently lead his partner to dance. The prince held up the flower to show his success and rein clapped with delight.

"Be careful on your way down!" she then reminded him as he started his descent.

When finally he landed, Rein tackled him into a tight hug.

"You did it Bright-sama! You got it!"

"Y-Yeah… wait a minute," he said as he eyed the flower, "Rein, didn't Auler gave you a picture of what the Sky Flower looks like?"

"Uh… yeah…"

"Can I take a look at it?"

"Sure," Rein unfolded a piece of paper, "Here."

The two stared at the photo, then at the flower, then at the photo again.

"They're not the same?!" Rein shouted in despair.

"Well… yeah…" Bright replied in a sad tone. He was disappointed that after climbing and nearly falling to his death, he would later find out that it was the wrong flower.

"And after you went through all that trouble…" the princess muttered, casting a lonely look at Bright, "I'm sorry; I should have checked the photo before you climbed for it," she even said as she eyed Bright's clothes which were now coated in dirt.

The prince, once again, was astonished how Rein could easily read him. It made him forget about the flower and instead remembered their moments of how they got here in the first place.

Bright shook his head as if to say "It's okay" then suddenly tucked the flower on the nook of her right ear. It looked perfect on her sky-blue hair and it even made her more beautiful than before. Actually, it seems that as time passes, Bright could tell that she's growing to be a graceful and wonderful princess (with the occasional clumsiness that's associated with the most unprincess-like princess in the history of the Mysterious Planet). A flower still yet to bloom… and he was honoured to witness that growth. He was proud of what was becoming of Princess Rein.

"B-Bright-sama?" she asked in a bashful voice as she touched the flower.

He only made a smile and said, "I bet either Sophie or Auler got the real flower so let's go back."

Rein nodded and then once again, she saw his extended hand. She took it and together they went out of the cave.

When they emerged from the cave, the sun was already starting to fall in the west. They instantly saw Sophie who was sitting on a rock, humming a tune while holding a bunch of small white flowers.

"Finally you're back-pumo!" Poomo stated as he approached Rein, "I was already at my limit and was about to follow you-pumo."

"Poomo?" the princess said as she stared at him. He was covered in dust and there were some bruises on his tiny body, "What happened to you?"

"He protected me," Sophie said while flashing a grateful smile towards him.

"I-it was nothing-pumo."

"And look!" Sophie declared as she showed the flowers, "I got the Sky Flower!"

"Sophie…"

"That isn't the sky Flower," Bright said.

"Eh?" she replied in her usual manner, "Is that so? Well, its still pretty and I'm sure Onii-sama got the real one."

"How could you be so sure-pumo?"

"I just know it!"

As if on cue, Auler came out, holding a pastel blue flo0wer with seven petals. On each petal there were white marks that resemble the clouds.

"Got it," he stated with a grin. If Bright and Poomo were in bad condition, he was worse. His entire body was covered in all sorts of wounds and his royal robes were in shreds as if he fought with a fierce beast. But he looked like he didn't care as he said, "I hope Altezza will be happy when she gets this."

"I'm sure she will," Bright assured him. His heart was overflowing with gratitude that his friend offered his heart to his beloved sister. Ah… beloved. With this word in his mind, he turned to Rein, "So, shall I assist you in going home?" the prince offered.

Without a moment of hesitation, Rein shouted a gleeful, "Yes!"

"Rock, paper, scissors!"

Fine was paper while Shade was rock.

"Wow, Shade, you really suck at this game," Fine commented as she peered into the prince's eyes. He had already had five consecutive losses and it was humiliating as hell. Aside from that, every time he losses, he needs to answer Fine's question. Of course he could also ask her a question… that is if he ever wins. That was the rule, the winner will ask one question and the loser has to answer it. This was an idea that Fine brilliantly made up as they continued their way to the shop that sells the best Sunny Drop candies.

The ever so cool and calm Shade collected himself with a single sigh, preparing on what would be Fine's sixth question for the day. The others went like this:

Question #1: "Favourite past time?"

His answer was reading.

Question #2: "Any weird hobbies?"

He countered this by saying that past time and hobbies were the same just in the hopes of not answering the question but the girl was so persistent so he replied that he had always have a green thumb and was fond of plants. His weird hobby was gardening.

"That is weird," Fine said, "Never knew you had a thing on those…"

Question #3: "If you weren't a prince, what are you?"

He thought about that for a while and told her he could be an archaeologist or researcher. Something along those kind of jobs.

Question #4: "Do you keep a journal?"

Yes, yes he does.

Question #5: "Any other things you suck at aside from rock-paper-scissors?"

Singing. Do not let him sing. Ever.

As it goes, the questions are just random interrogative sentences based on fine's whim. He glanced at her, noticing that she became quiet all of the sudden.

"Fine?" he asked in concern.

"Ah! Yes!" she said, obviously startled, "The question!"

Shade noticed that she was debating on asking him that particular question in mind so he said in a voice masked with fake annoyance, "Please just bombard me with the next question so it'll be over."

Fine stole a glance from the prince but he wasn't looking her way. She needed to get it out of her head – this question that has been circling around her head for some time now.

"Do you like Rein?" she whispered.

"I'm sorry, I didn't catch that," Shade said, "What is it again?"

Fine took a big breath. Released her worries and anxieties in that one exhale and flashed a brilliant smile, "Nothing! I just thought you could have the opportunity to question me since I feel sorry for beating you up in our game."

She wasn't ready for the answer. She wasn't ready to have her heart break. So she tucked away her hopes and dreams in the corner of her heart. She tucked away her feelings. She was just a princess who hasn't had a slightest idea as to what love or romance is… One day, one day for sure she'll be able to handle the answer to that question.

"Any question?" Shade asked.

"Yup! Any question!"

The prince smirked and Fine gulped. She was so nervous on what would be Shade's "question" that the prince laughed. At first, Fine was surprised; she never saw how Shade laughs. It gave him a lighter aura, a boyish charm and an irresistible pull. Well, at least to Fine. Then her cheeks heated with anger.

"A-are you making fun of me?" she shouted. How ironic that earlier that day, Shade yelled the exact same words to her.

"I-I'm sorry!" he chuckled, "Okay, okay. I'm serious now."

"You'd better be!" Fine said as she pouted and crossed her arms.

"Anything you like aside from eating and playing sports?"

"Hmmm…" Fine thought for a while, "Festivals! I love festivals! I got to eat so many foods and play all sorts of games!"

Shade sighed, "I guess I should have seen that coming."

The princess grinned and when she noticed a shop with pink stones and a blue roof, the grin only spread wider. She pointed at the said shop and declared to shade, "That's it. The best place to buy Sunny Drop candies aside from –"

"… the ones your Mother makes," the boy finished for her.

"Let's go!" Fine said as she fist-pumped the air and marched towards the candy shop. As they went inside, the bell went "ka-cling~!" indicating their arrival. The wall was light green with tiny clovers painted on it and the tiles were in alternating black and white. The glass cases displayed different candies of rainbow colours shifting from chewy, crunchy and even gummy. Some melts in your mouth, other pop – all the while giving you an assortment of flavours for your taste buds and hues for your tongue.

"Waahhh~! So many candies!" Fine said as she gazed upon the different flavoured candies. She moved to the next and to the next, drooling with delight, "So many to choose from!"

Shade coughed and Fine turned around to face him, "So… where are the Sunny Drop candies?"

The princess examined the displays once more, "Huh? It's not here? Where could it be?"

"Ohohohoho!" a shaky laughed resounded the room. Shade and Fine faced the counter where it came from. An orange tabby cat was sitting there. Her eyeglass was perched meticulously on the bridge of her nose and her whiskers moved with apprehension. The prince observed the granny cat – even though she was old there was a hint of playfulness in her eyes.

"Why if it isn't Princess Fine!" she addressed the girl and bowed in respect, "What can I do for you, your highness?"

"Hello!" Fine greeted her in her usual cheery voice, "I was wondering where was the Sunny Drop candies. You see, my friend here needs it for his – "

"Oh! I'm so glad that you two visited my humble shop for your date!" she chided.

"Date?!" Fine and Shade uttered at the same time.

"Y-you misheard me, granny. I said 'my friend' and that's really it," Fine said although the words seemed bitter in her mouth.

"What did you say? Oh yes, yes," she took a box from one of the closets behind her and placed it on the wooden counter, "Here's that Sunny Drop candies you mentioned."

"Gee, thanks!" the red-haired girl said, sighing with relief at the thought that the misunderstanding was already over.

"How much is for that box?" Shade asked as he was opening his wallet.

"Oh no, no. You could have this for free."

"Really?!" Fine shouted in delight.

"But in one condition…" the cat quickly retorted.

"What condition?" Shade asked.

The granny touched her nose with one of her fingers. Fine and Shade did the same thing. Then, the cat smiled, "Just a little nose-to-nose would be enough."

"Nose-to-nose?" Fine tilted her head, clearly not understanding what they needed to do but Shade on the other hand, was already blushing a bright shade of red that rivalled the tomato.

"Hey, what's a nose-to-nose?" Fine even questioned him but he refused to look into her innocent ruby eyes.

"It's just like a kiss but just with your noses," the cat explained.

"Huh?"

"Your highness," the cat said. Clearly, Princess Fine isn't one of the sharpest tool in the shed, "I just want you to touch noses. Nothing more, nothing less."

There was a moment of silence.

"EHHHH? B-B-But that's just – " before she could even finish her sentence, two hands glided across her waist making her body face the handsome prince.

"This is for Milky," he said as he gripped her waist closer to him.

"T-This is for Milky," Fine repeated but her mind could not process properly because of how near their faces are. She relished the sight of his face – his unkempt hair, his perfect brows, piercing eyes and then she wandered to his lips and she forgot to breath.

"Relax," Shade ordered, "Don't worry, I'm not gonna steal your first kiss," he ven assured her.

'But I want you to,' Fine thought but instead she mustered the courage to say, "Just get on with it."

Shade moved his head closer… closer... closer… Fine had to close her eyes in fear that she would run away. She kept thinking that this is for milky… then she tried to think of sweets… then she desperately hoped that Rein was there. And then she felt a light sensation on her nose. It was… comforting… and she could even smell Shade's breath.

She heard flashes of camera but she didn't care. She wanted to stay in that position for a long time.

"You know, I could add another box if you kiss her on the forehead," the cat mischievously said.

Fine was about to protest when Shade gingerly placed a kiss on her forehead. The prince smelled Fine's apple scented hair and he was immediately intoxicated by it. His lips stayed on her forehead for a while, not caring if the cat got some more pictures. Eventually, he hesitantly pulled away, afraid that it drags too much longer; he would have to break his promise on not stealing her first kiss.

"Done," Shade announced as he arranged Fine's bangs.

"Oh my~ So many lovely pictures! Here, two box of Sunny Drop candies," the cat said while grinning from ear to ear. The two started for the doorway as she muttered, "Ah… spring is here."

Once outside, Shade whistled and his pet, Regina came running. He casted Fine a look and then lifted her on Regina's saddle. After this, he rode on his pet's back while caging Fine in his arms in order to hold the reins.

"I'm gonna take you home now," he carefully said, watching Fine's reaction as he did so.

"O-okay."

He felt relief when she replied so he jokingly said, "I think I should pull stunts like that every once in a while. It makes you quiet."

"S-s-shut up," she said, "T-that's just… invading my personal space," Fine stated, surprised at how she had come up with a coherent response even though her mind is scattered and her heart was racing.

Shade raised his brow and then whispered to her ear, "If you say so… but let me invade your personal space once more…" he leaned closer despite his indecision. But he couldn't contain himself, he needed to say this now, "I'm fond of your sister but I like you," he answered her earlier question at the same time confessed.

The prince was about to lean away, thinking that Fine would be too flustered to do or say anything but then he felt a light peck on his cheek. It was fast but sweet. He looked at her and then she whispered, "I like you too…"

He grinned. He was literally in cloud nine, "Hey," he said, "You just invaded my personal space."

0_0

Wh-what did I just did? xD