~ CHAPTER START ~

Third Point of View

Arturia, dressed in her nightgown, sneaked out of her room, holding a lantern.

She decided to sleep in Naruto's chamber like their usual nights.

She's afraid that Naruto will misinterpret the party and believe Morgan's prank.

Arturia reached for the door handle of his room and gently knocked, but no one answered.

"He's probably asleep by now."

She opened the door; luckily, it wasn't locked, but why though. She went inside the room silently. She closed and locked the door. She carefully placed down the lantern without making any noise.

She roamed her eyes around Naruto's room. Her gaze landed on the bed. Naruto was sleeping peacefully. She started walking and went beside him.

She let herself lie down in the bed; that's when Naruto moved.

"Princess?" Naruto, who's half asleep, asked. He moved a bit to let the Princess comfortable beside him. He let her sleep in his arms.

"Hi, sorry to wake you up," Arturia whispered in a small voice.

Naruto wrapped his other arm around Arturia's waist. "If His Majesty catches us like this, he might kill me."

Arturia laughed, "He won't, we're not doing anything bad."

"Sure."

"About the party"

Naruto hummed in response.

"It's not for me or finding any suitable partners. The only suitable one for me is you," Arturia assured you.

"Really?"

"Yep, you're enough for me," Arturia said, pinching his right cheek.

"Then, what's the party for?"

"It's a party for Jeanne's return."

"The first princess is coming home?" Naruto asked in confusion.

Arturia nodded, "Yep, with her Lover~"

"I'm sorry for leaving you earlier; I lied, I didn't have anything to do." Naruto felt bad about his actions.

Arturia held his hand, "It's ok, I understand. Morgan's just playing a prank on us."

Naruto sighed and said, "I can't help but overthink; what if you find someone better than me? What if I am not suitable for you?"

Arturia looked at him. She caressed his face, "Listen to me, okay? You are more than enough for me. All I've ever known is to hold your hand and never let go. You are all that I need, Naruto."

Naruto smiled at her words, "You're making me fall for you even more, Lover."

"That's good because you won't be able to get away from me. You're stuck with me."

"I don't want to be away from you."

Arturia smiled, "Let's wear matching outfits to the party."

"Sure, but for now, let's sleep. I'm kind of sleepy already." Naruto pecked Arturia's forehead, making her smile.

"Good night."

"Good night."

Time Skip

"Where's Naruto?" Arturia asked Morgan.

Morgan shrugged her shoulders and said, "He probably went somewhere. Anyway, how do I look?"

Morgan is wearing a black dress, and Arturia is wearing white.

"It's ok." Arturia plainly said.

Morgan gasped in disbelief, "Okay isn't even a great compliment for me. It should be 'You look good,' 'You are stunning, sis,' or 'You can catch men's attention.'"

Arturia rolled her eyes, "You're overreacting."

She spotted Shirō walking to them. He's also wearing white, enough to match with hers.

"It's good to see you here, your Highness," he said and reached out for her hand.

Arturia let her hand as Shirō kissed it.

Morgan looked at her with her gaze, and she knew it wouldn't be good. She was teasing her again.

"What can you say about her outfit, Shirō?" Morgan asked.

"You look stunning, Your Highness," Shirō said with full admiration and smiled.

Arturia blushed.

"Thank you; you look great, too."

"Thank you, Your Highness. Also, may I take you for a dance later?" Shirō asked.

"I'm sorry, but I'll be dancing with someone else." Arturia politely declined. Shirō's smile faltered, but he was quick to cover it.

"It's alright, Your Highness."

Arturia's gaze went beyond Shirō's back. She saw Naruto walking towards them. The world seemed to stop around her, and her heart skipped a beat.

Naruto is also wearing white and holding a rare flower, the Middlemist's Red Camellia.

"You said we'll match but you don't have red with you." Naruto said, without noticing Shirō, went and kissed her forehead. He placed the flower on her.

Naruto took time admiring Arturia, "Look at you, you're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. You look even more attractive today, Lover."

Arturia blushed as red as a tomato. Morgan beamed in, "Now that's red!"

Naruto chuckled, but then he noticed someone standing beside him. He raised his eyebrow. "Oh, you're here," he said.

"Yes, I came to compliment the two princesses."

Naruto nodded. "Now that you're done, you may leave."

Naruto can't help but feel anxious around Shirō. He fears that Shirō might steal Arturia from him.

Shirō obeyed. He left quietly after glancing back at Arturia.

Naruto sighed, "You look good too, Morgan."

"I know right?!"

Arturia shook her head, "Don't spoil her with compliments, her head is getting bigger."

"Haa! You're just bitter that Naruto complimented me." Morgan boosted.

"Oh, aren't you listening earlier? I'm the most beautiful in the world. I'm the original visual."

For the remaining time, Naruto couldn't stop laughing at their bickering.

The party started with the introduction of the King and Queen, followed by the three Princesses, who were escorted by their knights.

The visitors praised and greeted them in delight.

"Naruto!" Jeanne ran over and hugged him. Naruto returned the embrace.

"Your Highness!"

"Are you and Arturia still not together?" Jeanne whispered her question.

Naruto gave her a shy smile and said, "No, we're not together yet."

"Argh! I thought by the time I got back, you two would be dating already. You move like a snail, Naruto." Jeanne complained. "But it's okay, I am still rooting for you."

Everyone enjoyed their food, minded their own business, and casually talked to each other. The orchestra played a love and slow song.

"Dance with me, Lover"

Arturia accepted his hand as they went in the middle. Dancing slowly, not minding the stares from the others. King Uther and Queen Igraine were even watching with smiles on their faces.

"Our daughter is happiest with Naruto." King Uther pointed out. Queen Igraine held his hand.

"I agree."

Seeing them smiling makes them the happiest parents.

But of course, fate is the villain.

A huge black hole appeared. The people panicked and moved to the side. Even Arturia and Naruto stopped dancing.

"What the hell is that?" King Uther stood from his throne. Queen Igraine looked at them in worry.

A priest immediately went to him and briefly explained the situation.

"And you're telling me that now?!" King Uther shouted in anger. It's an abyss hole created by dark wizards and it will lead you to the underworld.

"Everyone! Retreat! Do not go near the hole!" King Uther commanded.

A wizard appeared and said, "You think you can all get away? You're all wrong."

The hands were starting to emerge from the hole. It grabbed the nearest person and dragged them down. Now who's next?"

Fear covered the palace. It was all written on their faces. They started screaming, but it was no use. They were being dragged down into the hole.

"Why are you doing this?!" King Uther shouted in anger. Naruto kept Arturia behind his back while holding a sword.

"I'll protect you, that's my oath right?"

"...Naruto"

The wizard laughed evilly, "I honestly don't know. Maybe because I enjoyed watching them? Yup, that's right! Their screams are music to my ears. Their fear is an intoxicating scent. And their nervous looks? It's a beautiful sight!"

A hand grabbed Arturia's foot from behind, startling her and causing her to scream in surprise. Naruto's eyes widened and he attempted to cut it off. However, as soon as it was cut off, it regenerated back.

"You can't destroy it. You can't remove it. You can't save her anymore~"

"Arturia!"

"Ria-chan!"

Her family shouted.

"You bastard! Let go of my daughter!" King Uther shouted. Arturia is still holding onto Naruto, preventing the hands from getting her.

"Can't do that. The hands touched her, they must take her." The wizard said coolly. "All you have to do is to let her get taken away."

The hands increased. The force is too strong in this one but Naruto still give his best to hold onto Arturia.

"...Naruto"

"I can't refuse to let you go. I won't do that. Let's wait for a while, okay? Maybe the hands will get tired and leave you be." Naruto tried to reassure Arturia.

"Lover, you can't leave me so hold on tight."

"Ahh, what a beautiful scene. This is even more amazing." The wizard said.

"Hey, why don't you let an abyss hand hold you? That way you can be together."

"No one is going to the underground!" Naruto shouted.

The wizard shook his head.

"Chill, I'm just suggesting."

The force is getting stronger. His grip on Arturia must've hurt now. Arturia's body is already floating because of the hands and all he can do is to hold in her wrists.

The wizard suddenly thought of an amazing idea. He casted a spell directed to Naruto. "There! He can hold you."

Naruto couldn't control his body or speak; he felt like a statue. If it had happened earlier, while Arturia was still in his arms, it might have helped.

But it's too late.

He watched his lover as the hands dragged her down. He couldn't do anything but to watch and listen to her.

"Naruto..." That was the last thing he heard from Arturia.

His tears fell as the remaining people witnessed the Princess's disappearance.

Her family broke down; they couldn't find any energy in their bodies.

"Ahh, I cast it too late." The wizard said. "Well, goodbye~"

The abyss hole disappeared after taking Arturia. The wizard got away.

Naruto, who can finally move since the wizard disappeared, stand still. His soul left his body. His world was taken away.

He stared back at them with his empty eyes. "I'm sorry. It's my fault. I couldn't protect her."

Tears fell from his eyes.

.

.

.

.

~ END OF CHAPTER ~