It was a cold day in the Flame Empire. General Aniosity had just finished her report to the higher ups of the upcoming war between the Flame Empire and the Wind Wanderers. She would be walking through the streets, encountering a suspicious dark hooded figure in the distance.
"Stop right there!" Aniosity said.
The figure quickly turned around running away. Aniosity would chase after him. She would be a powerful bender as she achieved the rank of General, but somehow this figure was faster! Eventually, they ran into a corner.
"You have some explaining to do, why are you out at these hours?" Aniosity said.
The figure slowly took his hood off, turning around and replying to her.
"Why, can't a man walk through the night without being chased by an eager yet stunning woman?"
Aniosity gasped, she couldn't believe who was in front of her.
"M-My Prince! I'm terribly sorry, I didn't know it was you, your majesty. Why out so late at these hours?" Aniosity said
"Sometimes the royalty life is too much, sometimes I want to see how it is to live normally, plus it gives me a view of how the citizens and privates of the Empire live." Prince Trey responded.
Aniosity was shocked, she never knew such a Prince that the media portrayed as cold-blooded and strict was actually gentle and kind. It sparked something inside of her, something that would change her entire life that day.
"Well I better get going now, Dads not gonna be happy if- sorry, Emperor Glovoc is not gonna be happy if he catches me sneaking out at night regularly." Trey continued.
"Apologies my Prince for keeping you out later than usual, I will accept any punishment given." Ani said, fearing for the worst.
Trey smirks, letting out a chuckle. "Punishment? I'll call it even if you tell nobody of this and return to your quarters." Trey replied.
"O-Of course my Prince." Ani hurriedly returned to her living quarters. As she's walking away Prince Trey mutters something under his breath. Ani thought she heard the aforementioned prince say something but she didn't dare to turn around as a sign of disrespect.
It's been a few days since Aniosity encountered Trey. She would have brushed it off, but there's one word that really swept her off her feet. Being called stunning by the Prince of the Empire was something she couldn't get her mind off of, daydreaming about it day and night, flustered at the thought of him saying it again.
"I'm overthinking this.. why am I like this!"
Ani would want to see Trey again, she wouldn't know why. She decided that the best way would be to attend a party hosted by a royal, celebrating the great liberation of the Northern Liquid Tribe. She patiently waited the three long days until the party, preparing the best outfit she could find. As she arrived in her sparkling red dress, she greeted fellow Generals, Captains, and Officers of the Empire.
"Hey, have any of you guys seen Prince Trey around?" Ani asked, trying her hardest not to seem desperate.
"No, I haven't General Aniosity. why so worried about our Prince?" Captain Jonah replied.
"It's nothing, enjoy the rest of your night."
Ani would continue walking, eventually seeing the man she was looking for the entire night. Her face lit up, she still didn't know why she got so happy seeing him, but it made her feel better and that's all she wanted. She then looked to the person beside Trey, her heart dropping to the ground.
"So, what's a stunning girl like you doing out here?" Trey said to the girl beside him.
Ani couldn't believe it, Trey was using the same line that he used on her. She knew it was too good to be true, but wanted to believe and have hope that it was something special. Trey would turn his head, looking over to the side. Noticing ani, "General An-" Trey was cut off.
"Halt!" Came the demanding voice of the Commander Imperial Guard. "General Aniosity, as by royal decree I ask you to stand 12 feet back." He said.
"Who do you think you are?" Trey asked him furiously. "Disrespecting myself and my guests, I should have you court-martialed." Trey continued.
"A-Apologies my Prince, I was ordered by Emperor Glovoc to bring you to his majesty." The guard replied In an apologetic tone.
Trey sighed, "Fine, leave me at once." Trey commanded.
The guard hurriedly fled.
"Hmm" Trey muttered, returning to speaking with Ani. "As I was saying… it is a surprise to see you here General Aniosity, I'm glad you could make it. And I must say, your dress looks outstanding on you." Trey gave off a little smirk, waiting to see the same embarrassed face from a few nights ago.
"Thank you, Prince Trey, but if I may excuse myself I should be going now…" Aniosity replied, turning around and walking in the other direction, trying to hide her face. Trey would watch as she walked away, confused, but would go back to hitting on the other girl.
Ani sat alone in the corner of the massive hall, thinking she was foolish for seeking out a Prince. While she was lost in her thoughts, a particular individual approached her.
"Ani? Is that really you?" The Lieutenant asked.
Ani looked up, not believing what she saw. "Nate…?".
"Ani, it really is you!" Nate said, reaching in for a hug.
Aniosity would hug him back, both confused and flabbergasted. Nate was sent to the Northern Liquid Temples, manning the front lines and taking command over his fellow Soldiers.
"Th-this is so sudden! The media pronounced your Batallion deceased, how are you still alive?" Aniosity asked.
"They never took us out, only captured us. We spend a good long few months working deep in that treacherous place, but alas we claimed Northern Liquid Tribe as ours thus allowing me to come back to the Empire safetly. Why, were you worried about me?" Nate replied.
"Of course, I was worried about you idiot.. we've known each other since we were kids and when I heard the news… I'm just glad you're safe and sound. Did anyone else in the battalion make it out alive?" Aniosity asked.
Nate sighed, sitting beside Aniosity and looking at the ground, having a face of guilt. "I'm the only one that made it out…" Nate said.
"That's awful, I'm just so relieved you made it out okay.." Ani replied still having a hard time believing Nate was here with her.
"Yknow ani, I am really glad to see you." Nate said putting a hand on her thigh.
Trey would look over, seeing the Lieutenant place his hand on Ani's thigh. He wouldn't know how to react as he didn't really have any major feelings for her, but something about seeing that ticked him off.
Ani slightly jumps in shock at the touch. "Nate.."
Nate awkwardly laughs "Sorry, We used to do this kind of thing all the time before."
"No no, It's fine I just need more time to take in all of this. I mean I thought you were dead for god knows how long…" Ani replied sighing.
"I'm sorry I made you worry, What if I make it up to you? How does dinner sound." Nate asked.
"S-sure, I'd love to." Ani replied a little apprehensive.
Nate smiles "Great, I know a place that opens around 7:30. And don't come in something that nice, Don't want everyone turning heads at you." Nate said winking.
Ani became flustered, Agreed to the date shared some parting words with Nate, and returned home.
