i do not own GBF.

"Did you see her?" a guest said.

"The silver-haired girl, right?" one of her friends giggled and the others immediately joined in. "I can't believe the crown prince is interested in a commoner."

"Well, what did you expect? Be a little charming and men will be wrapped around your little finger in no time."

Reiji rolled his eyes, but didn't change his position. With his back against one of the trees, he had decided to escape for a while from the large-scale party his parents had orchestrated in honor of his younger sister's 9th birthday. He wasn't far away. In fact, he was still on the palace grounds, close enough to still hear the music through the walls, but the least he wanted was to be discovered only to be forced back there. He didn't count on, however, that he would end up hearing different kinds of stories and gossip from people who believed they were being discreet or had some kind of immunity.

Those who spoke about him, commonly, were those from the faction that supported Reon as prince. It was normal that when there was more than one possible heir to the throne, the other nobles would ally or make enemies depending on what they believed was best for them individually. As utopian as Arian seemed, there were things in human nature that did not change in any world and that was something he and his family were aware of.

Someone uninterested.

Selfish

Immature.

Impulsive.

They were things he had heard before and they might be right to a certain extent, but it wasn't something that kept him up at night.

When they were talking about Aila, though, it was a totally different case.

At first it was like an open secret. His family hadn't said anything regarding the earthling who now lived in the palace with them and it had been effective for a while. People weren't interested at all.

And then, they were both seen at the festival and things changed.

"She follows him like a dog."

"Maybe that's why he likes her."

"So irresponsible..."

If he ignored the fact that they were being totally disrespectful… No. They could say whatever they wanted about him. It wasn't going to make him any less of a crown prince after all, but when their comments shifted toward Aila, it rubbed him the wrong way.

Reiji sighed and began to move to get up and give those people a warning; however…

"Re— Prince Reiji is not irresponsible," Aila's voice, loud and determined as always, made him halt. Not just him, as the people who were talking also stopped to look at her. She crossed her arms and although it was obvious that she wasn't used to wearing gowns, it didn't seem that way as she lifted her chin and frowned sternly. Almost looking like one of them, a daughter of aristocrats or the matriarch of some family. "You can say what you want about me, but speaking ill of the crown prince or his family is far beyond your limits."

"Oh yeah?" one of them raised an eyebrow, as if wanting to test Aila, and took a step towards her, placing her hands on her hips and smiling arrogantly. "You seem to know him very well..."

Aila was not intimidated. Who did they think they were to talk like that? She didn't want to offend their majesties or anything by messing with sons or daughters of important people, but she couldn't just ignore what she was hearing.

"That's right," she answered confidently. "He may be a hotheaded person, and lacks common sense and tact," she began to list, not being aware that Reiji almost fell over hearing her speak so bluntly. "He likes to have fun, yes, but he is not irresponsible or selfish, quite the opposite. He inspires everyone around him and is always serious about his goals and wishes. There on Earth, everyone who knows him respects him..."

He gave her a home to return to when she didn't have one. He taught her how fun Gunpla Battles could be. He gave her the friendship of China and Sei… Aila would be forever grateful for those simple things.

But even if she said it out loud, even if she explained every feeling, she was sure that people like them wouldn't understand her. They wouldn't bother trying to understand.

So, she exhaled and smiled in the kindest way possible before saying:

"But it's obvious that brute people with so few neurons can't see it that way."

Well, maybe she hadn't meant to say it so directly, but from how the face of the girl in front of her scrunched up, she knew that she had successfully conveyed her message.

"You—! Who do you think you are, commoner—?!" Aila was surprised when the girl raised her hand. It's not like she couldn't defend herself or fight back, in fact she was 100% sure that she could defeat her with just one hit, but since she had probably already crossed a line that she shouldn't have crossed and she didn't want to tarnish the name of the Reiji's family, she just shrank and closed her eyes waiting for the contact.

Which never arrived and instead, she only heard gasps of surprise along with a few distant "Prince!"

"What the hell are you doing?" Reiji asked and she looked up again, seeing how he had stopped the girl by grabbing her wrist. "If you're going to defend me, do it to the end."

Her face turned red immediately, realizing the situation.

"H-H-How much of that did you hear?!" she asked, panic represented in her high-pitched voice. Sure, she had defended him, but she didn't want him to rub it in her face for the rest of her existence.

However, she knew it was too late when Reiji smirked and let the girl go with some disdain, who with a quick bow apologized hurriedly before escaping with her friends.

Aila wouldn't know if there would be consequences, but Reiji didn't seem to care when she answered:

"Enough, if not all."

"Eek!" that's it. Aila would never hear the end of it and she prepared for that.

But then…

"Thank you, Aila."

Aila blinked and frowned. She didn't know if he said it quietly, or if the music was loud enough to make it sound like that, or if she had just imagined it. Anyway, she still felt her heart skip a beat.

"What?" so she asked.

But Reiji suddenly looked confused.

"Hm? I didn't say anything."

Aila gaped.

"You totally did!" she accused, but Reiji just shrugged.

"I didn't!"

"Say it again!"

"Nope!"

Aila felt like laughing. She wanted to hear it again, she wasn't going to deny it, but with him admitting it she was more than satisfied for the moment.

And then, she felt her hand in his and before she knew it, he was pulling her away. Aila did not resist, as she found herself curious.

And Reiji didn't look at her when he said:

"Mom and Dad must be wondering where we are. Let's go."

She smiled softly as she said "okay" and did not let go of his hand. If there had been a little more lighting she probably would have noticed his red ears.