Rona wasn't really one to trip, not really one to slip either, and often had to be in a palace with lots of guards around, so getting hurt was really rare. Despite her mischievous streak, and her tendency to get in trouble.
And yet, the leaf was a bit wet from the earlier rain, and she stumbled and hit the ground, the old sidewalk, way harder than she thought she would. And there was Ryuu, moving quicker than she ever knew he could.
He knelt in front of her, reached for one of her hands, and helped Rona sit up a bit better, and then he pulled medicine out of her pocket and started treating her knees.
Rona would feel awkward that she was in a dress, half sprawled on an old sidewalk, and the boy she sort of liked was cleaning and treating her knees, but she was just too shocked to really say anything or feel anything.
"There. You'll be good soon." And Ryuu sat back, and Rona stared right back at him.
"How?" She stammered and quickly regained her composure, it wasn't right that a princess should forget how to speak despite how quick this all was, "I mean, why did you just have medicine there."
"You never know what will happen." Ryuu shrugged, "I bring a few ointments, bandages, and whatever else I could need wherever I go. I go well stocked."
"Is that normal?" Rona pulled her knees together, the urge for modesty suddenly kicking back in, and dropped her legs flat to the ground, "Do other people you know do that?"
"Shirayuki usually does." He shrugged again, perfectly calm about this.
"Maybe I should come more prepared." Rona muttered. Or it's just an herbalist thing.
"It wouldn't hurt." Ryuu stood up and offered her a hand, still probably half in pharmacist mode, "It's not usually needed though."
"I guess, you're welcome for letting it be needed." Rona grumbled, still a bit shell shocked and almost bitter about it too, even though it was nice to hold his hand for a little bit and actually super neat to see him in his element. So often, Rona is doing her own thing, completely in her element and comfortable, and Ryuu is out of his element and a bit lost.
"You didn't have to." Ryuu muttered, and when she looked over, he did look a little upset. Being able to express himself well didn't come easy for him, even though it came very easy for Rona.
"Okay." She paused, taking a deep breath, "Sorry."
His eyes got wide, and he suddenly seemed a bit nervous, "You don't have to apologize. It's fine."
"Okay." Rona reached out and took Ryuu's hand back, squeezing it gently in hers, "Thanks for being my knight in shining armor, Ryuu."
"I wasn't-I'm not a knight." Ryuu's face turned red, and Rona wondered if it was the implication or if something else was on his mind.
"Thank you for being my pharmacist then." Easy. And Ryuu, despite his nerves, was starting to look a bit calmer now.
"You're welcome." He paused, steadying himself with his own deep breath, "Take care of yourself, okay?"
"Will do!" Rona chimed in, happy like a little bell, "And if I fail, I know you'll help me out."
"Don't fail." Ryuu paused, "I don't live in Tanbarun, you know?"
"Yeah, I'll be careful when I'm home too." And Rona for a moment almost said, I love you; there was something so sweet and endearing about this boy. And sometimes she wonders just what it would like to be just that kind of rebellious, to break the trend of a princess marrying nobility, if only to marry the one she trusts would take care of her, in his own special way.
And she's positive she loves him, despite noble practice, and despite the two of them being from different nations. He's amazing to her and somehow funnier than he intends to be. And just so sweet in a little quiet way, that Rona's learning to appreciate more and more as the days pass by.