Blessing (Sakura x Saizo)
Prompt: ryouma reaction when he found out that sakura is marrying saizo

Sakura's day had started out nicely. The morning was quiet, calm. She had woken up on time, tended to some injured soldiers (thankfully with only very minor wounds), and enjoyed a small breakfast with Hinoka.

Things were going well for Sakura, until she remembered something she needed to do.

Finding Saizo just outside Ryoma's chambers, the maiden nodded and poked her head in.

"B-big brother?" The shy girl asked, her shy voice breaking the silence. Ryoma kept his eyes closed, but relaxed his expression.

"Ah. Sakura. What brings you here?"

Feeling only an iota of confidence at the thought of not being shooed away, Sakura nodded to herself and walked in. "Brother, I… we have something we'd like to tell you."

Saizo appeared almost out of nowhere. "She's right, Lord Ryoma."

"Saizo?" Ryoma recognized his retainer's voice. Deciding to end meditation for now, Ryoma opened his eyes and stood up. "What is it?"

Sakura wanted to just give up and go back to her room. To just say 'forget I said anything' and leave. But Ryoma would have to know eventually. Might as well be now.

"S-S-Saizo and I… are… um… we're…" She verbally flailed. "We're…. getting married. And we would… we'd like your blessing…" Sakura closed her eyes and flinched. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to upset you, I just-"

"Sakura." Ryoma said with a calm, yet commanding tone. The girl in question looked.

"Y-y-yes?"

"It's okay. Truth be told, I've known about your feelings for each other for some time now."

This time, Saizo spoke up. "Lord Ryoma! But how?!"

Ryoma chuckled as he put his hand on Sakura's shoulder. "Well… Not to suggest I can be stealthier than my most trusted ninja… But I happened to be around the corner when you were both confessing your love." Now Ryoma was blushing. "I… felt you both needed your privacy."

Saizo hung his head in embarrassment, and mentally noted that Ryoma shared his sister's gift of making him feel foolish. And like Sakura, Ryoma did so in a way that did not devalue the ninja, rather endeared him to Saizo's heart. They truly were siblings.

"Sakura," Ryoma began, "I'm happy you've found someone whom you'd like to spend the rest of your life with." He smiled and turned to Saizo. "And you too, Saizo. For years I've known you to be a good man. Sakura has brought this family much happiness. She would make you happy as well."

"Th-thank you, Lord Ryoma…" Saizo blushed furiously.

"Y-yes, thank you, B-Brother."

Ryoma nodded. "I suppose this means we'll have to plan the ceremony. I will leave that to you and your retainers. I have a meeting I must attend."

"Yes, milord." Saizo bowed. Sakura also bowed in appreciation and the two left.

"That w-went well!" Sakura beamed. "I was worried he'd be mad."

"Lord Ryoma is a generous man. That is why I take pride in being his retainer." Saizo praised.

The shrine maiden tilted her head. "Wait… Won't you be his brother-in-law once we get married? Would it still be proper for you to be his retainer?" She put a hand to her chin. "Come to think of it... You'll need some retainers of your own, won't you?"

Saizo's eye shot open. "Uhh… that won't be necessary. I'll just be my own retainer."

"Saizo!"

But the ninja was gone, as though he was never even there.

"Saizo come back! Y-you can't hide from your future wife! That's against the rules! I think…"

Yes, things were going to become very interesting in the royal family's future.

A/N:

The second "royal reacts to engagement" drabble I've written, and the second Saizo romance I've written. This is "Lilac Foxes meets Spicy Outside, Sweet Inside". That's all right though, it gives me practice with new characters. I still have more experience writing Nohrians, so this was good for me.

I specifically wanted Ryoma to be a supportive older brother. Overprotective older brothers are such a cliche. I figure Ryoma trusts Saizo, seeing as he is Ryoma's retainer, and he'd also focus on their happiness before his own comfort.