Izana breathed out in contentment as he settled into a chair on his office's balcony, with a glass of wine on the table next to him. Settling Princess Ria into her new accommodations and showing her the layout of Wistal Palace took most of the day.
Luckily, everything was done just in time for Ria and Prince Izana to have a quiet dinner alongside Shirayuki, Prince Zen, and his attendants. Afterwards, the seven of them had retired to a common room, where they each told stories until the sun had set. Three hours later, Prince Izana took Princess Ria to her chambers, and after a courteous exchange of "Goodnight", he headed back to his office.
However, he soon realized he wasn't ready to sleep just yet, and after sending for a glass of wine, he decided to watch the night sky for a little while.
"Hmm…" he mused, taking a small sip from his glass. "I can't remember the last time I've been like this, just being alone on a quiet evening…I'm certain Princess Ria would enjoy this, if she were here."
"You're…right about that." said a sleepy, yet warm voice. Izana turned to see Princess Ria approach, wearing a long-sleeved nightgown inlaid with lace and a ribbon on the bodice, and matching white flats.
"Princess, I thought you would be asleep by now." Izana raised an eyebrow. "I'm not saying your company is unwelcome, I'm only surprised to see you up this late."
"Well, I found it hard to fall asleep tonight." she replied, sitting down in the other chair on the balcony. "The chambers you've offered me are very comfortable and I am quite grateful, yet…unfamiliar."
"I see." Izana replied. "Do you need something from the Pharmacy to help you rest?"
"I'll be alright, but thank you." she responded. "I've always enjoyed stargazing, ever since I was a young girl. I've found it quite soothing in stressful times."
"Why is that?"
"My father never told you about my origins, did he?" Ria asked, and Izana shook his head. "Well, I suppose you would've been informed eventually, but I think it would be better if I told you myself."
"When I was an infant, I was left on the steps of the Royal Palace in Acordia, on a night just like this one. My father, King Josiah, took me in as his own when he found me. This was only a few hours after his wife's funeral service, as she had passed away only three days earlier. The first things I saw when I opened my eyes were my father's face and the stars above."
Izana nodded, signaling her to continue.
"I never knew my birth parents, and even after my father personally put out a notice asking for any information about me or where I had come from…no one came forward to claim me. All we had to go off of was a crystal pendant that was with me. No jeweler or blacksmith in the city had made it, or knew where it could've come from."
"After three days of waiting, father officially adopted me as his daughter,and I became his heir and princess of Acordia." Ria finished with a wistful sigh and Izana gave a nod of understanding. There was silence for a few moments before Izana responded in a careful, but caring nature.
"Well…I'm not sure what to say." he replied gently, considering his words carefully. "I am glad that the King found you, and that the path you've taken brought you here to Clarines."
"As am I." she replied, giving him a kind smile. "I know I should sleep. Though, I must admit that I am enjoying your company, Prince Izana."
"I'll walk you back to your chambers then." Izana offered, standing up and offering his arm. Ria accepted it, and as they headed back inside, he noticed she was starting to nod off, as her eyelids were flickering. Thankfully, as they approached their destination, Ria's eyes sparkled in gratitude. Izana brought her hand to his lips, and gave a gentle kiss. In response, she placed her head on his shoulder and gave him a long kiss on the cheek, making Izana's face turn a pale pink.
"Goodnight, Prince Izana." she whispered, putting as much gratitude in her voice as she could. "I'll see you in the morning."
"You will, Princess Ria, and goodnight." he replied as he opened the doors and helped her back into bed. Izana turned to leave, and upon glancing back as he reached the hallway, he gave a small smile of relief, seeing Ria was asleep at last.
Once he returned to his own chambers, he changed into nightclothes and entered a deep, content slumber.
When the morning arrived, Izana had already bathed, dressed, and arrived at his office to start his daily paperwork. Normally, most citizens of Clarines would be asleep, or just getting up, but Izana wasn't your average citizen. He was a First Prince, and thus, his responsibilities often meant waking up early.
As he dipped his pen in a fresh vial of ink, a knock on the door made him stop. It was too early for the Palace staff to be busy, and Izana was certain it wasn't his brother or any of Zen's attendants. So, that only left one possibility of who it could be…
"Come in, Princess." Izana beckoned, and Princess Ria did so, taking a seat on a couch nearby. Clad in a pale gold, long-sleeved dress that reached her ankles, matching jewelry, and her usual crystal pendant, Izana had to remind himself not to stare at her, in awe of her beauty.
"Good morning, Prince Izana." She said kindly, bringing Izana back to his senses. "I apologize if I interrupted anything."
"No, it's quite alright." Izana responded. "How did you sleep? Were your quarters suitable?'
"Very much so." Ria gave him a small smile. "I must remember to write to my father and tell him of your hospitality."
"Well…thank you for that." Izana replied cautiously. "Was there something you needed form me?"
"Is it not wrong to want to spend time with my betrothed?" Ria smiled. "Of course, I don't mean to intrude…but I do enjoy your company. You're…a far different person than many of the nobles in Acordia."
"What makes you say that?" Izana asked, his curiosity peaked.
"There…was a certain group of nobles that were vocal in the court during my childhood." Ria replied. "They were stern advocates of finding a potential suitor or suitors for me before I came of age. One of them even made the claim that I was promised to his son before I was adopted by my father."
"That's absurd." Izana replied. "How can your birth family promise you to someone, if no one knew who they were?"
"My father would agree with you on that, Prince Izana." Ria replied. "He had to officially decree that whatever promises my birth family made regarding me were to be disregarded. As far as the King, and the vast majority of the court was concerned, I was the King's daughter, and his daughter alone."
"Eventually, the group left the court in protest, and though my father keeps close eyes on them, they have been quiet ever since."
"That's good to hear, however, is there any chance they might come back?" Izana raised an eyebrow. "There is still a chance, however small, that they might follow you here. If that were to happen, we'd need to put the proper security measures in place. I don't want anything happening to you while you're here."
"Thank you, Prince Izana." Ria replied. "However, I can defend myself should the need arise. It may not be the most pleasant of solutions, but my father did instruct me on the use of a dagger or a bow and arrow, just in case it were to happen."
"Your father is quite proactive. I admire that." Izana nodded, before he looked down to check his pocket watch. "Oh, my. It's already time for you care to join me, Princess?"
"I would be honored."
As Ria again took Izana's arm, they began to walk side by side towards the dining room, with the thought of any potential trouble put aside, but not forgotten.