Joshua's POV

This morning, after I woke up, I went straight to my studies. Even though there was plenty of work to be done, all I could think about was Mizuki. Her long black hair that always settled perfectly onto her shoulders; her purple eyes that glimmered like a bright star on a dark night. Why am I having these thoughts about a woman that I have just met. I'm the prince, I cannot be having such thoughts. Me and Mizuki have strictly a business relationship. Nothing more, nothing less. Maybe doing some work will get her off my mind.

"Hello, may I come in your highness?" A girl asked at the door after knocking softly. Her voice sounds familiar, but I cannot identify it.

"Yes, come in." I said seriously. After the mysterious woman opened the door, I discovered that the voice was Mizuki's.

"I made your breakfast your highess." She said with a calm, nurturing manner. She walked over quietly and set the plate of food onto my wooden desk. Today she seems more elegant for some unknown reason. Maybe she's just having a good day?

"Hope you enjoy your breakfast prince joshua." She said with a curtsy as she started walking away.

"Miss Mizuki..." I said as she had almost fully exited the room. I don't understand why I had said something, I should have just left it there.

"Yes your highness?" she said as she slowly turned around with a smile on her face. I sat there, trying to think of what to say next considering I didn't have anything to tell her in the first place. There was a piece of hair that was gracefully hanging in front of her face. The pitch black hair made her snow white skin seem even paler than usual. Her beauty I cannot describe, for it had taken my breathe away. I got up and walked over to her, not knowing what my next action would be. I couldn't comprehend what I was doing, or why I was doing it. I barely know who she is and I already get nervous whenever I see her.

I did not know my plan of action and definetly did not want to do anything i'd regret later, so I simply walked past her to leave the room. She was screaming my name, most likely curious to what I wanted to say or what I was doing, but I paid no mind to it. I continued to walk until I got to the gates of the castle. Luckily I had brought a book to read, in case I was out here for a long period of time. I opened the book to page 1, but was soon interuppted by a womans voice saying my name. I looked up and saw Mizuki.

"It's not lady-like to stalk people." I said in a joking matter. I felt like I could say anything to her even though I had just met her, which is weird because usually I act very professional with the castle workers. Mizuki is different than the others, I dont know why or how, but she is. There's something about her that seperates her from everyone else.

"Well then I guess that means I'm not a lady." she said laughing. Her laugh is so adorable. When I hear it its as if the best symphony in the land is playing. My thoughts quickly traced back to what had happened the night before as my eyes trailed to her lips. They were plump and had a natural red tint to them. Her lips aren't like any other womans. She's not like any other woman.

"I guess so." I said with a smirk and a slight blush on my face. She must've noticed that I was looking at her lips and that I was blushing, because she started getting this confusing smirk on her face, as if she had just done something mischievous.

"So how were my lips last night." She said in a joking way while puckering her lips. My eyes widened as I saw this and I blushed deeply.

"They were terrible!" I said, obviously lying. They were perfect. Even though it was by accident, it felt like it was real. I felt something I had never felt before. For once all of my responsibilities were thrown out the window and it was only me and her.

"Mhmm... I see." she said with a wink. Why does she have to tease me so? Why can't she just ask me how her day was then leave it alone? This is one of the things that make her special. Most women in the kingdom would not have brought it up, but she was teasing me about it. Of all things she could do, she had to be teasing me. I looked away from her so she wouldn't see how much I was blushing.

"Prince Joshua are you okay?" she said as she got on her knee's to look at my face. I wouldn't let her see me in such a state, it's so embarrassing.

"Get up you're going to get your uniform dirty." I said in a quiet and emotionless tone. Why can't I just say what I feel? She must be so confused with my actions right now. One moment i'm playful, the next i'm barking orders at her. I can never say what I mean.

"No... somethings wrong. Tell me whats wrong." she said with a concerned voice. Why does she care so much? She's the chef, not my therapist. I wish she was easy to get rid of but I have to say she is persistent.

"I'm Joshua Lieben, Prince of DresVans. I can handle myself." I said while slowly getting up. I tried walking, but I couldn't. I felt something tugging on my shirt. I looked down to see Mizuki holding onto my shirt and looking right into my eyes. She pulled me back down and what happened next was one of the most suprising moments in my life. Mizuki Akiyama had kissed me, but for real this time. I sat there in shock, not being able to understand why she'd kiss me. After a few seconds of having my eyes open, I slowly shut them and returned the kiss.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me." she said pulling away. I noticed her looking at the ground, as if she was about to cry. I lifted her head up softly by the chin and looked straight into her eyes.

"Mizuki Akiyama, I know we only just met, but I have gained strong feelings for you. Even though we cannot be together. I would like for you to know that... I love you Mizuki." I said while looking deeply into her eyes. Her eyes widened as if she were a child who had just eaten a candy bar.

"I love you too Joshua Lieben..." she said in a sincere and calm tone. I then pulled her in to kiss her cheek before I got up.

"It was nice seeing you, Miss Mizuki. Please continue your work. You've been gone for quite some time and i'm sure you're needed." I said seriously. I have to put what just happened behind me, considering I cannot be with her even if I wished. My duty as Prince is to protect and serve my country, even if that means I have to get an arranged marriage.