Misaki had gotten the routine down by now. After being here for more than two months, he had gotten used to getting himself ready. He had acquired more dresses, mostly from Miss Aikawa who had gotten them from other royals who discarded the dresses or even from her own collection. They were still much simpler than the other princesses, who wore elaborate gowns and jewelry. But Misaki made due with what he had. Of course, Akihiko had given him a few fancier looking dresses as well, though Misaki had set those aside for another day. Besides he wasn't fond of Akihiko spending so much money on dresses that he certainly wouldn't use after this. He couldn't even give them to Manami or Miss Aikawa since they had been designed for his thin and lanky frame. Still, they made his figure look curvy.

Misaki hummed a bit as he tied his, now longer, hair back into a bun, his make up already on. It was still annoying, having to wake up early to put on his 'ensemble' but what could he do? At least he had gotten the hang of it already. Once he was done Misaki stood up and slipped on his shoes before heading out of the room and down to the kitchen. He yawned and stretched his arms a bit as he walked down the stairs, wondering what he should make for breakfast today. Of course, the group had already eaten breakfast but Misaki had given up on even trying to mingle at this point. He was so detached from them that trying to talk to them was useless.

He sighed and pushed open the doors, finding it...surprisingly empty. Usually Akihiko was already here, either trying to make food for them, and failing, or simply munching on things as he waited. However he wasn't here, which disappointed Misaki, much to his embarrassment.

"Probably sleeping in or something." he huffed under his breath. Misaki shook his head and already began cooking, working quickly. It was so strange, how...well how /domestic/ their relationship had become. Especially considering the circumstances. Of course, Misaki had never outright admitted that they were technically together, or even in courtship. However he had silently made the conclusion that the two were definitely more than friends. Misaki smiled softly to himself, thinking about how strange it all was. Though...he wasn't complaining. After all, despite how unexpected everything was, it was still very nice...to be loved like this…

Misaki groaned and shook his head. "Stop thinking about stupid things." he muttered. He swore, he was becoming more and more like a woman each day. All romantic and gooey. "I think the make up is getting to me."

Misaki poked at the eggs on the pan, getting lost in thought once again until he felt a hand on his shoulder, "Slept in again? You're lucky I still am making you fo-" Misaki turned and almost jumped out of his skin when he realized it was /not/ Akihiko. "P-Prince Haruhiko?" Misaki pressed his back against the counter.

"I didn't mean to startle you." he said, seeming just as surprised at Misaki. "I apologize."

"N-No. You just caught me off guard." she said, putting a hand on her chest. "Is there something you needed?"

"No, I heard someone in here and went to see. I didn't assume that you'd be in here." he said, eyeing her up and down. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, just cooking." she said with a idle shrug.

"But you seemed to be expecting someone else."

"No I wasn't-" she tensed up a bit when he took a step closer. She found herself trapped between the counter and him.

"Was it my brother?"

"A-Akihiko-? No-"

"You two do seem to spend a lot of time together. I would imagine you would eat breakfast together, seeing as you both don't show up in the morning and I doubt Akihiko could even cook for himself." he leaned closer to Misaki.

"We're just friends." Misaki said, feeling more and more trapped.

Haruhiko stared into her eyes, looking for something though for what Misaki wasn't sure. After a bit he took a step back, "Come with me to town today."

"Huh?" she smoothed out her soft pink dress. "B-But I have to cook."

"I'll send someone to clean up for you. Get your coat and meet me outside." he commanded.

"W-Wait. I-" before she could say anything else he was already leaving the kitchen. She sighed and looked at the half made food before deciding that trying to argue with him at this point would do no good. She quickly grabbed her coat, quickly looking around in hopes of seeing Akihiko as she did so. Sadly, she didn't see him. With a sigh she went back downstairs and outside, finding Haruhiko standing outside next to the carriage. After hopping in she wrung her hands together in anxiety, not knowing exactly what would happen. She just hopped it would be over soon.

The ride there was quiet and awkward, and walking together was the same. Haruhiko seemed to be thinking of something else, simply walking down the street and remaining as silent as ever. Misaki sighed softly, looking up at the grey and cloudy sky. Usually she would have loved to be out taking a walk. She'd walk around, maybe go back to the lake and just sort of enjoy the quietness of it all. The snow was always so comforting and she'd gotten used to the cold too. Especially with all the warm clothes and with Akihiko holding her hand-

Misaki turned red and huffed, a cloud of mist coming out of her mouth. Damn it she needed to stop sounding like some love struck maiden. She was a man damn it! Her cheeks were red now and she mentally cursed herself for thinking about those things again.

"Something wrong?"

She looked up and noticed Haurhiko was staring down at her now. "No, just...a bit cold." she said, laughing softly.

Without missing a beat, Haruhiko put an arm around her and pressed her against himself. She sputtered a bit but found herself unable to push him away, mostly because she was being held firmly. "We're almost at the store."

"Store?"

"I'm going to buy you a gift." he said bluntly.

"Wait, Prince, you don't need to waste your money on me." she said urgently.

"Nonsense. It won't be a waste. Consider it a courting gift."

"Courting!?" she said in surprise. "But I-" she was cut off as he nudged her inside a store. It was filled with all kinds of jewelry made up of all kinds of jewels. Some Misaki didn't even know existed. It was certainly beautiful, though he still was a bit flustered.

"Pick anything you like. Money is not important." he said calmly.

"P-Prince I-"

"Call me Haruhiko."

"...Haruhiko. I can't accept this. Besides I don't know a thing about jewelry. Let alone diamonds and such." she said, looking over some pearl earrings.

A man behind the counter came up behind him, "Perhaps I can help find my lady something?" he offered. He soon began showing her many gemstones and trying to persuade her to buy them. Misaki mostly rejected everything, still sort of thrown off by it all.

"What about those?" Haruhiko pointed to a very beautiful necklace, simple yet luxurious. Misaki stared at them and took them gently from the clerk. "Oh...they are...amazing." he admitted.

"Would my lady like these?"

Misaki knew they wouldn't leave until they picked something so she simply nodded and handed the necklace back to the man.

However, after Haruhiko had paid him, turned to Misaki, "Let me put them on."

Misaki hesitated before nodding. Haruhiko went behind Misaki and put the necklace on. It felt...wrong. Misaki felt uncomfortable, to say the least. Unlike when Akihiko would help Misaki maybe put on her hairclip or fix his dress...it was embarrassing, yes, but this was just uncomfortable. The necklace felt unusually heavy and constricting, like a collar. It was over all unsatisfying. And although she didn't want to admit it, she knew what was different.

He wasn't Akihiko.

"Thank you for taking me out today." Misaki said politely. She curtsied once they had gotten back to the palace.

Haruhiko stared back at her, once again with an unreadable expression. "I hope you enjoyed yourself. If you wish, we could do this some other time."

"It's alright, I shouldn't allow you to spoil me so much." she said, laughing a bit nervously. "Um, I have to go back to my room now. It is getting late." she started to leave but he suddenly grabbed her wrist. Misaki turned back at him, surprised. "Prince?"

"What's the rush?"

"I-I'm just tired is all…"

"It's Akihiko, isn't it?"

"Huh?"

"What does he have that I don't?"

"I-I don't understand-"

"I can care for you, make sure you don't have to lift a finger for the rest of your life. I can give you everything you ever asked for."

Misaki began to worry and tried to tug herself free from his grasp. "Haruhiko please let go. I don't know what you're talking about."

"Is it the age gap? You and Akihiko are ten years apart."

"It's not that-wait it doesn't even matter! We're just friends. Now please let me go!" Misaki took a step back, trying to put more space between them.

"I can take care of you. Why choose Akihiko? He won't be crowned King, you know. If you want to become Queen, you should come with me."

"Why does it even matter to you?" she asked, voice rising up a bit.

"Because I love you."

Misaki started at him in shock before yanking her wrist free from his grasp and running away, "P-Please excuse me!"

Misaki ran quickly inside, not daring to look back. He ran up the stairs, tripping on a few steps but quickly picking himself back up. What was wrong with him? What a blunt way to put things! If only he knew that he was a boy! Then he wouldn't have been so...weird! Misaki rounded the corner and bumped into someone but was caught by someone. Misaki quickly pushed himself free, "Sorry!" he looked up but soon tensed up seeing Akihiko.

"What are you doing running through the halls?"

"I-I um...I'm tired and, you , I need to um, do stuff. Yeah stuff! And I didn't see you today-I needed to go….ahaha…" Misaki was a flustered and stressed mess.

However, when Akihiko placed a hand on his head Misaki relaxed slightly, "Calm down. What is it?"

Misaki looked around, worried that Haruhiko or someone was going to pop out from somewhere. "Um...it's a long story. C-Can we go to my room please?" he blushed, looking up at him.

Akihiko raised a brow but nodded and lead them back to his room. Once inside Misaki closed the door and went straight to the vanity, washing off the dumb make up. "Where were you this morning?"

"Sleeping. I stayed up late having to go through some paper work my father gave me. I apologize for being late."

"It's alright." Misaki said, voice a bit muffled as he wiped off the lipstick.

"Where were you this morning? I asked around and no one had saw you."

"Um...that's um…" Misaki sighed, "I went out to town."

"What for?"

"Y-Your brother...took me shopping."

There was a tense moment of silence before Akihiko walked up behind him, "Did he buy you this?" he touched the necklace.

Misaki nodded, "I don't know why. Said it was some sort of gift-hey what are you doing?" Misaki said, feeling Akihiko unhook the clasp.

"Throwing it away."

"Hey now, you can't throw something away like that!"

"You want to keep this? You know what him giving you a necklace means don't you?"

"Still it's very expensive! I'd prefer you don't toss it like it's trash."

Akihiko set the necklace down and glared, "What did you two talk about?"

It was Misaki's turn to be silent for a few moments, "Nothing of importance."

"Then why did you look so stressed earlier?

"It's just...he was being weird. Like...talking about things. And saying nonsense. Like...loving me or something." he said, trying to sound casual about it. However when he saw Akihiko turn form the door in his mirror. He stood up and grabbed his arm. "W-Wait! Where are you going?"

"I knew he would pull something like this."

"Usagi?"

"He's always been like this. As selfish as always. I need to make sure he stays away from you."

"Usagi! No fighting!" he said, holding his arm tightly.

Akihiko growled before looking down at him. Misaki's face was fairly clean though he had a smudge of eyeliner on his cheek under his eye. He pushed Misaki backwards towards the vanity and lifted him up so he was sitting on it. Before Miskai could question he grabbed the cloth and started cleaning off the make up. "Don't talk to him anymore. If he's causing you trouble let me know."

"If he knew what I really was he wouldn't do this you know." he pointed out, looking down at Akihiko's chest shyly.

"It's his loss." he tilted his head up and kissed him softly. "He's missing out on a lot."

Misaki blushed and huffed, "I'm not all that special."

"On the contrary, I believe you are quite amazing." Akihiko smirked before kissing him again, although the kiss deepened and he held him close. Misaki whimpered softly, hands on the taller man's chest. He tilted his head and eventually warmed up to the kiss, sliding his hands around his neck. Akihiko pulled away after a moment and began to trail his kisses along Misaki's jaw and then down his neck.

"Nnn….U-Usagi…" Misaki moaned softly. He gripped his shirt and wrapped his legs around Akihiko's hips. However when he felt him start to undo his dress he tensed a little, "H-Hey! W-Wait…" he gasped when he bit down on his neck.

Akihiko pulled away a little and pressed their foreheads together and looked at him, "Misaki?"

Misaki turned deep red and looked away shyly "Wh-What?" he mumbled, feeling Akihiko pull down his dress.

He kissed his shoulder softly, "I love you."

The next morning Akihiko slipped out of bed. He was reluctant to do it, since he'd rather sleep next to his Misaki rather than have to face the pain in the ass he called his family. However even he knew both would get into big trouble if anyone saw them like this-Misaki's true gender aside. He kissed Misaki's forehead softly and ruffled his hair before leaving the room and shutting the door.

It was early, still fairly dark out. He tiptoed out of the room and down the hall. He had run in to a few servants though they paid him no mind, too busy trying to prepare for the day. Akihiko breathed a sigh of relief when he got to room. He opened the door but stopped when he heard someone behind him.

"Where have you been?"

"Haruhiko." he grumbled, more a statement than a question. "What do you want?"

"What are you doing up so early?"

"None of your business." he started to walk in to his room.

"Wait." he walked over and caught the door before he could close it. "I need to talk to you. About the throne."

"I don't care-"

"And Manami."

He turned to look at him slowly, "What about her?" he growled.

"I'm taking over after our father. And I'll be the one to choose my wife first. I don't care about what sort of affair you two may be having but it ends here."

"It's not your desicion."

"It will be. I want her, and if you show any sort of hostility-I'll put you in the dungeon."

Akihiko felt his anger rise and his hands turned in to fists. "Just try. I doubt our father will let you."

"I don't have to listen to that old man."

"But you do. You always have. And if he hears about this-you know what he'll say." Haruhiko glared at Akihiko but he stared back at him, bitter but collected. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have more important things to attend to." He shut the door in Haruhiko's face and once inside he sighed and sat on his bed. As much as he was right, who knew what his brother would do. Especially if he found out about who 'Manami' really was. He looked down at his hands, filled with worry. "I'll protect you, Misaki. I promise."

((A/N: Well that was a long spand between the two chapters. I'm sorry, school is kicking my butt and so is college. I know you guys wanted a juicy sex scene but got to keep it within ratings. I'll probably edit this once it's done. Or post the nsfw part on my tumblr. We'll see. Anyways, thanks for supporting me and I hope you like this chapter! Only 2-3 more to go! And then I start my next story, haha. Have a good week guys!))