Zannanza comes to visit her every time he can, usually at night, when Kanesh City has fallen asleep. Lucienne would wait for him in front of her small cottage, hands holding tightly the lyre and a soft smile appeared on her face whenever she saw the familiar blond walking out of the wood.

He would take her out for a walk by the river bank, feeling the gentle breeze and admiring the night view. They talk about their lives, Zannanza's duty as the mayor of Kanesh City, Lucienne's job to learn and help Kalani prepare medicines during her trip to the city. While the bluenette doesn't have much hands-on experience with healing, she is able to use her knowledge to treat the wounded animals in the forest. She goes to the city from time to time, shadowing her mentor as she treats her patients.

She was surprised when Zannanza mentioned that he had met Kalani before as she was the one who healed Tito, his trusted retainer. The news brought a smile to Lucienne's face, the thought of her mentor being the one who created the medicine to combat that disease made her proud to be the starseer's student.

Talking to Lucienne makes Zannanza realize how little experience she has in dealing with the people around her. While she learns a lot from Kalani, the young maiden seems to have a difficult time blending in with society, especially when she has hidden in the forest for so long. The young prince asks her why she doesn't live in the city and the bluenette only shakes her head, telling him that it's Kalani's decision and that she doesn't wish to go against her mentor.

Prince Zanannza has thought about this many times, maybe if he is able to persuade Kalani to let Lucienne go into the city more. He would love to show her around. Maybe she can even stay at his castle, that would be very nice, seeing her lovely smile every day.

Maybe the god or goddess or an unknown entity has heard his prayer, because a few days later, when he is inspecting the city with Tito, he spots a familiar figure in the market, asking for the price of the herbs from a trading ship.

"My lady, this is the least we can give you. I can not go any lower than 10 silver shekels." the trader knits his brow annoyingly "If you can't buy them, go somewhere else. Stop bothering my business!"

"Sir, surely that is not how you would address your customer…" she speaks up, her voice soft and tender "Besides, the last time I checked, I can get 2 bundles of medicinal herbs with 10 silver shekels, your price is outrageous!"

Tito looks at the quarrel and then back to the young prince, he plans to intervene but Zannanza stops him, they have to observe the situation first.

"So what? People need their medicines, they will pay any price to get their hands on these herbs. As a healer, you should know that very well!" he argues back "What's wrong with making a quick buck? I have a family to feed to, you know?"

"You're selling medicines at an outrageous price during this time when most people can get sick, and you call it a quick buck?" she raises her voice, hands curling into a fist "You're killing the people of Kanesh City without even using a weapon, just how cruel can you be?"

His buyers take notice of their argument and slowly back away, they don't want to get involved. This angers the trader as he can not sell his goods as long as the young lady is still here, causing a ruckus for his business.

"Look lady, I don't have time to play your silly game. Leave or I will make you le… On second thought…" an ominous smile forms on his lips as he gawks at her, scanning from top to bottom "I will give you a discount, in fact, I will give you the herbs for free if…"

The way he trails off from his sentence sends a chill down her spine. Holding onto her hand as he ogles at how pale and smooth her skin is, the man almost can not hold back his drool. He hasn't seen her around here, so she is probably someone out of the city. Maybe with a good deal, he can take her as one of his many wives and mistresses.

"Can you please stop?" she yanks her hand off his hold, knitting her brows disgustingly at the man.

"Are you sure? You can get all the herbs you want, my lady. The sky is the limit if you choose to do what I have in mind."

When Zannanza hears that, his vein almost pops. No one can talk to his maiden like that, treating her like an object and using their fortune to bait her to give in. But she knows better not to fall into those tricks as she steps back, turns around and walks away. The trader's face turns bright red at the insult and he is angry at the silent treatment. Instead of leaving things the way they are, the man decides that he must confront her about what she just did.

But before he can reach her, Tito steps in and blocks the man's view. The young maiden gasps, startled when Zannanza sweeps her off her feet, letting her sit on his forearm as he smiles at her flustered face.

"Y-your Highness…?"

"H-hey, wh-what are you trying to do?" the man stutters at the scene "D-do you know who I am?"

Tito shakes his head, of course, that is the first thing he spits out, telling people that he is a nobleman and they have no right to intervene.

"Why are you here?" he asks her.

"L-lady Kalani told me to come. I was supposed to shadow her when she was treating her patients…" Lucienne holds onto her cloak tightly, fearing that it will slide off and reveal her hair "She told me to get the herbs for her before we go home…"

"I see." Zannanza hums a bit "You heard her, Tito. I will be waiting at the castle."

"W-wait, I can walk."

"I know you can." the young prince chuckles at her comment, still holding the bluenette in his arms "I'll take you to my castle. Kalani can meet you there when she finishes her job."

Lucienne doesn't want to agree with this plan, but the thought of dealing with the trader makes her sigh. Zannanza helps her get on his horse, the stallion neighs softly as it picks up her familiar scent. The delightful sound draws a giggle out of her as she pats it lightly, finding the horse adorable. The young prince climbs onto the horse and circles his arms around her, reaching for the rein. The closeness makes her blush, she tries to keep a cool head by fixing the cloak again to cover her hair.

"Let's go."

She only nods, hiding her flustered face.

Lucienne feels like her pride and dignity just got stripped away from her. She sits on the soft lounge cushion, hiding her flustered face as she lets out a desperate cry. Beside her is Zannanza, who rests against the cushion, smiling amusingly at her antics.

"Please allow me to walk on my own next time…"

But the young prince just chuckles in return. Lucienne feels embarrassed because he has been carrying her from the stable back to his private quarters before settling down in the courtyard, in front of everyone's eyes. The maid has come with food and wine, all prepared for the bluenette as this is the first time she visited his castle.

"You should take off the cloak. There's no need to hide your hair from me."

Lucienne hesitates at first, she never takes off her hair cover when she is outside the forest. But Zannanza makes sure that no one but him is here, that it is okay to take it off and relax, even if it's just a bit. The bluenette bites her bottom lips and sighs, slowly removing the cloak as her wavy blue hair cascades down her small shoulders.

She looks at the feast in front of her face, blushing at how much food is on the table. This whole feast can feed her and Kalani for the rest of the week, not to mention the high quality of it almost makes her stomach rumble. Can she really eat everything?

"They are all yours."

Zannanza still rests on the cushion, one hand holding the wine cup as he looks at her, smiling when he can see that glimpse of happiness in her eyes as she stares at the food, choosing which one to eat first. Reaching his hand and gets a bowl of sweet jubilee grapes, he hands it to her. Lucienne's eyes shine brightly when she sees her favorite treat as she gratefully accepts it, munching on the fruit happily.

The way her legs swung as a blush creeps down her cheeks is the answer he needs, she is enjoying this a lot. While Kalani brings sweet jubilee grapes back home whenever she can, Lucienne can't help the blissful feeling every time she gets her hand on the fruit. She loves them a lot.

While eating, she can't help but steal a few glances at the young prince, startling lightly when he catches her eyes. He keeps drinking his wine, admiring the beauty in front of him. This is the first time he sees her outside of the woods, he must savor every moment of this before Kalani gets here and brings her home. They are in his private quarters, just a few steps away from his bedroom. If he can get her there, maybe they can…

Startled at the thought, he coughs awkwardly against the wine cup. How can he have such distorted thoughts about her like that? Despite how much he wants to do that, Zannanza always reminds himself why he is taking things very slowly and seriously with the bluenette. She is not his playmate or sexual partner, she is Lucienne, his beloved young maiden.

Lucienne notices how nervous she becomes under his gaze, she can't act like her normal self if he just keeps staring at her like that. The young prince keeps drinking his wine and hasn't touched any food, she is worried. Plucking a grape from the bunch, she leans closer to him, just enough for Zannanza to notice.

He hums softly when she places the sweet fruit on his lips, blushing as she pushes it lightly. She is feeding him and Zannanza gladly accepts it. One hand rests on her waist, the young prince pulls her closer while her fingers are on his lips. Lucienne gasps at the contact, a bright blush adorns her face as she averts her gaze, avoiding his eyes. This is embarrassing…

"Don't hide your face like that."

His voice is warm and kind, guiding her attention back to him. Zannanza sets the wine cup on the table, one hand combs her blue locks, the other one rests on her waist. She enjoys it a lot, his big calloused hand combing her hair so gently like that, it makes her lean in more as she lets out a pleasant hum. The young prince smiles, she has always been fond of a good head pet after all…

A few head rubs later, Lucienne finds herself lying on his chest, her eyelids getting heavy. This warmth, this gentle hand, they bring such a peaceful vibe to her, making the bluenette drowsy. She shouldn't sleep, Kalani can come here at any time, but…

"H-hey, it's not a good thing to sleep on top of a man like that, Lucienne…"

Swallowing a big lump in his throat, Zannanza tries to keep her awake but his words fall on deaf ears as she slumps onto him, eyes closing peacefully. The young prince freezes in his spot, not knowing what to do. If brother Kail was here, he would probably laugh at him for letting a young maiden sleep on top of him like that.

Sweet and innocent Lucienne doesn't even know what she is doing to him. Zannanza has to try his best to tame the beast inside him, he can not force himself on her, she is too young and pure for that kind of thing. Maybe he is influenced by Yuuri, who keeps telling him that fifteen is still a very young age to engage in this kind of thing between a man and a woman. The young prince lets out an exaggerated sigh, covering his flustered cheeks with one hand.

Lucienne is going to be the death of him one day…