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feral-oya · 5 years ago

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His Knight in Shining Armor

𝙋𝙖𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜: 𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘨! 𝘚𝘶𝘨𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘢 𝘒𝘰𝘴𝘩𝘪 𝘹 𝘔𝘶𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘳! 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘹 𝘴𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵! 𝘋𝘢𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘪 𝘚𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘮𝘶𝘳𝘢 𝙂𝙚𝙣𝙧𝙚: 𝘔𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘶, 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘶, 𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢 𝘧𝘭𝘶𝘧𝘧/ 𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘴𝘵𝘺? 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙨: 27k 𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: 𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘺 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘵, 𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘼𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧: 𝘓𝘶𝘯𝘦

𝘈𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳'𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘦: 𝘍𝘐𝘕𝘈𝘓𝘓𝘠! 𝘈𝘛 𝘓𝘈𝘚𝘛, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳. 𝘐 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘵 𝘰𝘯 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘒𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘚𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘈𝘳𝘮𝘰𝘳. 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘤𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴, 𝘪𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘐'𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦- 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘮𝘺 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘐 𝘢𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘳 𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘰𝘤𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘥- 𝘐 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵, 𝘭𝘰𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘹𝘹𝘹

𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨: 𝘐𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦 1500𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺 1600𝘴, 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘥, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘒𝘰𝘴𝘩𝘪 𝘳𝘰𝘺𝘢𝘭 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘭𝘦. 𝘉𝘺 𝘮𝘪𝘥𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵, 𝘢 𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦'𝘴 𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮. 𝘏𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘶𝘯𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘦𝘯, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮. 𝘈 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘴𝘶𝘳��𝘪𝘷𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘦𝘯. 𝘍𝘰𝘳 10 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘰𝘧, 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘧 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘪𝘳. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘪𝘴 18𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦. 𝘚𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘺𝘢𝘭 𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘥’𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳’𝘴 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘯𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘭𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘯 𝘶𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦

𝙢𝙤𝙤𝙙𝙗𝙤𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙨:

'It has been 10 years already'

Sugawara Koshi, the one and only heir to the throne, was standing right in front of his bedroom window. The tall glass allowed him a fairly good sight upon the castle's garden all the way to the gates surrounding the royal grounds, in the distance there could even be seen the peak of nearby houses.

The castle's garden was most certainly the most beautiful place around town and it was very traditionally different from what other kingdoms may consider as a proper garden. It was not constantly pruned by the gardeners; in fact the cuttings were done once a year, in the late winter as trees are dormant, to clean up dead or sick branches. Flowers are chopped off in fall to allow them a fresh start when spring comes.

The king, Sugawara's father, had always insisted the garden grows naturally, that was despite the queen’s disagreement- and even after his royal majesty died, the queen had never been able to tame the garden to be uniformly shaped. So the royal grounds were charmingly asymmetric; scattered weeping willows and oak trees around the castle, year round of blooming flower bushes. The garden always smelled much like a delicate perfume- mayhaps gardenia ?..

The prince and his family would often enjoy breakfast sitting in their gigantic solarium full of luscious plants when they could not lounge on the royal terrace; just so they could admire the beauty nature gifted them in return for their patience and dedicated care. Sugawara had grown to adore everything about the garden; the sight of it was reassuring, it felt like delicate nostalgia and home. It became one of the prince's coping mechanisms to look outside to soothe his nerves when something huge was going on in his royal life.

However, today, although he had been staring at the garden for hours, Sugawara felt sort of restless. The burden was such a deal that the young heir to the throne could not even focus on the gorgeous scenery standing right outside the window. His grey eyes showed nothing but emptiness- as if he lacked of any emotions of some sort. Truth to be told, it was only an illusion while inside his mind his thoughts were scattered and screaming in distress.

He knew it would have been inevitable. It would have happened sooner or later.... the coronation. When his father passed away, Sugawara was only a few years old and so it was decided by the royal advisers that the queen would take upon her husband's responsibilities to the throne upon the wait of her son reaching adulthood. It was only increasingly more apparent that his 18th birthday was approaching at a rather fast pace and the silver haired boy felt less than prepared for what was to come.

Being a king may have its perks, however it certainly does not balance the crushing weight of duty. Being a king means that you have to constantly make crucial decisions for the best of your kingdom, it means making sure your people are safe, it means being fair-minded and most importantly, being the king means insuring someone will take on after you and continues what you have started as a ruler. It means marriage.

To Sugawara all of these listed things were making him feel as if he was too small to play such a grand role. He had always been a caring boy throughout his childhood, he would always get concerned about anyone that seemed feeling wrong. The queen had often told him to be careful of how much he cared, as this might be a blessing but likewise a curse when you rule over people. His emotionally investing personality always pushed him to exhaustion as he had to make sure everyone around him was fine. He could not even process the thought of doing the same thing for thousands of other people, might as well die now before it happens.

Sugawara imagined the society hiding behind the walls as needy and reckless creatures, his mother made him believe so in order to scare him from going outside the royal gates for she has been terrified her husband's killer would find a way to kill her son just as she killed the king. To the young heir, the fact he had never seen beyond these concrete walls was frightening. It became obvious to him as he spent more and more time staring outside that he had to get out there, as he had planned it the night before, and face his citizen before his crowning. Do not understand his motives wrongly, it is not that the prince wanted to disobey his mother by going outside. In fact, if he had not be the heir, he would have probably never left the comforting feeling he felt by staying in the castle. He had no choices... plus, not that he wanted to admit it but he was fairly curious as to what was going on behind the gates.

Oikawa Tooru, his childhood best friend and also his personal butler, had told him stories about the town in the past. He would talk about the fresh smell of bread when you passed in front of the bakery, the summer festivals which was coming up soon and other stuff that sounded appealing to the boy. Yet what really piqued his interest was when Oikawa mentioned the flower market going on through spring and summer. It was smart of him to address the topic of the seasonal markets with Sugawara as he had tried for a long time to convince him to go out. He knew this would be the last push that would encourage him to cross his mother's order.

As the sky turned from a shady orange to a pinkish glory, Sugawara finally snapped back into reality and dressed himself as a meek citizen with the help of his friend that had just arrived to show him some emotional support. It was a rather rare sight for him to witness the prince derogating to one of his mother's formal rules. Nevertheless, it was clear to Oikawa as of why the prince wanted to see what was going on past the drawbridge and he judged it was only fair for his friend to know.

Now dressed in a citizen casual way, Sugawara nervously looks up to his partner in crime, it was as if he suddenly regretted the whole idea. Though Oikawa knew his childhood friend was not a scaredy cat, he knew it must cause him stress to do what he was about to do even if he tried to act all tough and rough.

"Don't sweat it Suga, you're just going to see what normal people do with their lives and acknowledge they're definitely not as bad as the queen says. Plus you'll finally get to see the flower market that I've been talking to you about!"

The teenage boy still seemed unsure even with his friend's encouragement but he nonetheless nodded along, straightening his back in an attempt to boost his confidence which only earned a grin from Oikawa and not so much assurance.

"Well... let's head out before mother sends a butler to fetch me for my hundredth crowning rehearsal."

⚜

'It has already been 10 years'

It was around six thirty in the morning when the sun started peeking through your window which woke you up from your slumber. For a few minutes your stared at your ceiling and took in every details that made it different from another ceiling. As ridiculous as it seemed, it allowed you to properly wake yourself up and slowly realize today was the big day.

Today you were leaving to follow your father's steps and become a member of the royal guard. Ever since you were a child, even before your father's death that particular night 10 years ago, you had always been so focused on becoming a musketeer just like him- you aspired to live the adventures he lived as he was the captain of the royal troops. The fact he died succeeding his duty as a musketeer only enforced you to become one as well. Everyone had a dream, some dreamed to be wealthy or to have bigger lands but your dream was to follow your father's path and make sure his sacrifice in the name of the royal family had not been in vain.

As your eyes finally adjusted to your surroundings and time only grew older by the second, you finally decided it was time to get up for you had to get ready to leave. Even though you had been preparing for days now, realizing it was time to finally leave the family nest was a little overwhelming.

Standing in front of a mirror, you stared at your reflection. Not doubts you had to do something about your appearance before leaving. The curves of your hips and breast are clearly showing even if you are in a nightgown. Although you have to credit this nightgown for being quite tight and small since you have had it ever since you had your first period when you were 12 years old. You were now a young woman about to celebrate her 18th birthday, it was obvious as of why the robe did not fit you as much anymore.

Your eyes drifted to the corner of your room where your wardrobe stood waiting for you to come pick your outfit for the day. You knew your mother had left a few of your father's clothes newly tailored to fit your body and something to bind your chest before leaving to care for the farm. Any other women at that period of time would have refused to do what your mother was doing for their daughters, society was much of a patriarch and the idea of a woman cross-dressing as a man to become a soldier would have been absurd. Of course, your mother is certainly not like any other women at that time. In her younger years, she had gone on many adventures with your father and she was quite a rebellious young lady. Your mother was strong and had always considered her husband not only as a lover but also as a friend and equal, just as your father considered her to be all of these things as well. If it was not for you, your mother would have probably left to join the royal guards when he died.

Overtime, her need for seeking revenge toward your father's killer had slowly died down and she grew older. She knew it would not be good for her to enroll now as her heart sometimes collapsed but she knew you could pursue what she aspired to do. Seeing you were so determined to become a musketeer and honoring her husband's legacy made her fondly smile at you, you reminded her of her younger self and she wanted you to be what you felt you should be. That was why she kept and re-tailored each of your father's clothes. She wanted you to look at yourself in the mirror and feel confident in your dreams... so you did.

You opened your wardrobe and picked what you would wear. Which was mainly a pair of dark trousers and boots, a white shirt and black jacket, accompanied by a rapier carrier and a cloak for the road. Following dressing up and struggling in binding your chest, you carefully styled your freshly cut (h/c) hair in a manlier fashion and topped it with your father’s hat to complete the look. It was obvious you still had some pretty feminine facial features but regular people were so not used for women to wear something else than long dresses in this age that there would not even be questioning regarding if she was a male or female.

You spared one last look towards the reflecting glass and grabbed the bag you had packed with some food, money, more men clothes and one dress in a secret compartment in case you wanted to dress as a woman when you would be off duty. Your hand then reached for the carefully sheathed rapier your mother had bought you a few weeks ago as an early gift for your 18th birthday and you made your way out of your house to the stable so you could fetch (Horse name) and be on your way to the grand city.

Just as you expected, your horse was waiting for you already saddled up and your mother standing beside the animal softly caressing its mane. She gently looked up when your marched in and she enveloped you in a warm hug.

"You have not left yet and I already miss you."

"It is not for eternity mother, I will be back to visit you once I am promoted musketeer"

You felt her head nod in the crook of your neck as you both let a comfortable silence speak for the emotions you felt. As you said, it was not as if you would never see her again but you and her knew that it was risky business to cross-dress as a man to join the royal military. You could get imprisoned if someone figured it out. However you would not let that happen and would make sure to come back home again to see your mother once you have finally became an official member of the royal guards.

Shortly after that, you both parted and bid goodbyes to your mother. You climbed on your horse and slowly but surely, you went on your way to the capital.

⚜

It was dusk of the second day that you had been travelling when you arrived in town. You were more than glad to hop off (horse name)'s back to walk by yourself. The capital was gigantic, although you had expected it to be quite large you did not think it would be as huge. It might have been because of its immensity that you were feeling a crushing weight upon all of your body. It felt as if something was prying on an invisible shield over your head and the gravity of it resonated through your members. You decided to not insist too much as to what was that sensation in your heart, so you would not be bummed out. Moreover, you needed to focus on finding a place to eat and drop off (Your horse name).

As you walked your way to the metropolis's communal stables, you took your time to notice the scenery it offered you. The streets were far different from the ones you grew to know in the countryside; they were constructed by meticulously placed stones to create a somewhat straight road. The borders of the paths were framed by little ditches filled with water and it seemed to be ingeniously structured to water the trees that stood around. The markets and other buildings were covered in delicate growing vines full of blooming flowers, you recognized one of the vines as being what your mother called morning glories. You could clearly remember them growing on the side of the barn and their trumpet like frames only opening when the sun came out in the morning. You also noticed the presence of many glass like lanterns with glowing little flames inside hanging around the streets which was perfect as the sun was setting already. The gentle music played by street minstrels only added charm to what you had already seen and it was astonishing to you how everything seemed so properly cleaned.

You had visited other towns and cities before but none were as beautiful and lively as the capital. Generally there would be rats running around and the side of the roads would be filled by food garbage and horse crap. You had heard many times people calling the metropolis the Blooming City in reference of its beautiful gardens and city structure. While you had never seen it before today, it was hard for you to picture what the saying meant, however now that you see it with your own eyes it is clearly apparent as to why it deserves such a nickname.

Directly after dropping off (Horse name) to the stables, which were as clean as can be, and making sure your horse was in proper hands, you headed off to a tavern the stable owner advised you to go for their cheap and tasty food. It was a big cottage like establishment, the smell of freshly cooked bread, meat and vegetables hit the rim of your nose. You hoped no one heard the growl your famished stomach was making as your eyes scanned the room for an open table. Unfortunately, it seems the pub was indeed as famous as the stable owner told you it was as there was not any open table to sit at.

You were about to leave as a peculiar fellow with brown hair that had only a flash of blond in the fringe seemed to call out to you. It was a young man sitting at a table of four with two other guys, one with long flowing brown hair and the other one having short black spiky hair. It appeared as though all three of them were around your age, about 17 to 19 years old, you had never seen them before and were most definitely not used to be called upon like that. Despite being unwanted attention you still marched their way curious as to know what he wanted of you.

"I'm glad you noticed I called out to you!" said the guy with a wide smile on his face, "my comrades and I noticed there weren't any places left for you to sit, we thought you seemed enough of a nice feller to invite you over."

"If you want to sit with us of course," added almost immediately the one with black short hair, the corner of his mouth raising in a half smile.

You nodded promptly as you could not believe how nice these perfect strangers had been inviting you over to their table. If you were not so adamant on not believing in luck, you would think it was your lucky day. The one who called you over squatted farther on the bench so you could have a place to sit as well.

"My name is Yuu Nishinoya," he said as he gestured proudly towards himself with his first.

"I'm Daichi Sawamura," added the guy with the spiky hair as he then turned toward the last man in the booth, "his name is Asahi Azumane, he is not much of a talker but I assure you he is not as bad as he seems."

Asahi nodded at you, an embarrassed blush slowly forming on his cheeks as you could not help but smile at how weirdly contrasting this reaction was compared to his physical appearance which gave the impression he would be much meaner than how he acts.

" I am (your guy name) (L/n)," you lied in assurance as you had practiced saying your male name about a thousand times as you would be looking at yourself in the mirror.

" (L/n) as in (Your father's name) (L/n)? The bravest captain the musketeers had in the whole history?" questioned Nishinoya, his eyes gleaming in interest.

"Do not swarm him in questions Yuu, let him at least call for a meal before you do so."

Being referred as a him was fairly weird to you and you had almost corrected him but you obviously could not do that. Especially if they were musketeers in training and relying on Nishinoya’s enthusiasm concerning your father and the rapiers attached to their belts, the possibility they were here to train as well was pretty high. Nevertheless, you laughed the guy's enthusiastic behavior off which seemed to surprise all of them.

"It's fine, I don't get fervently asked about my father every other day."

Your response was perfect being that it got a wider than ever grin from the small guy, an agape mouth from Asahi and seemingly caught all of Daichi's interest.

"It must be so weird to be the son of such a great man," said Daichi thoughtfully as if he was trying to picture himself as being the son of (Your father's name) (L/n) himself.

"It was him whom inspired me to train and become a musketeer!"

Your eyes shone brightly in pride.

"It is exactly why I'm in town right now. I have the intention of dropping my candidature to become a musketeer in training and follow his legacy in protecting the royal family."

You had never quite thought of how people saw your father outside your home. You could never have imagined he would be inspiring to people as far as the metropolis. It felt like euphoric to finally meet someone other than your mother that understands the impact your father has. Contrary to popular belief, meeting someone that shares your thoughts and opinions is not annoying. It creates a connection that makes you want to know more about this person and to know how similar you really are.

Because Nishinoya and you engaged the conversation of becoming a musketeer, Asahi and Daichi soon enough opened up about what they thought as well. It turned out to be that all four of you wanted to become musketeers. You also learned the three of them had grown up in the same village not so far from the capital and that Nishinoya’s enthusiasm concerning becoming a knight in training had become contagious, giving the musketeer fever to both Asahi and Daichi. They had just arrived the day before you for the same purpose you came for. As a result, you all decided that, after wrapping up supper, the four of you would head down to the recruitment building and propose your candidature to the current captain of the musketeers and hopefully be able to start training altogether.

⚜

It was only a few days after your arrival in the capital and Sugawara’s interestingly eye-opening visit in town that a strange situation occurred. The blue irises bloomed out of rotten plants and he could not resist going out in the garden to look at them from up close. Truth of the matter, blue irises had not bloomed in many years on the royal grounds. They had been probably one of the king’s most cherished flowers in his living days. There used to be dozens of pots filled with these gracious and peculiar looking blooms in the castle, but ever since the king died, these plants refused to grow any successful buds whatsoever. If any stems tried to produce one, it would start rotting down.

When the prince had seen blue spots sprinkled here and there between the white roses from his window he assumed he had gone mad and was seeing things. It had been 10 years since any irises had produced flowers and now the whole garden is covered in blue petals.

Upon further investigation, Sugawara realized there were not only irises that increased in popularity. Another bluish flower he had never seen grow on royal grounds before had also bloomed in the garden. He recognized them as hydrangeas, flowers he had seen only once in his life before and it was at that moment the prince realized something wrong was going on. He bent down in front of the most glowing and elegant hydrangea to carefully break its stem. Once he had the flower in his hands, he hurried on his way to show his mother. He felt she might have an answer to his sudden awakening panic.

Bursting through the doors opening on the sunny solarium, Sugawara found the queen pinching the bridge of her nose with her eyes shut tight. He could not tell if she was angry, had a migraine or if she was about to burst into tears. Her breakfast remained untouched and so did the cup of her favorite tea, she sat there on her wooden chair, a hydrangea laying on her lap.

The tense feeling that had already crept in the royal heir’s stomach had began to increasingly churn. His palms felt clammy and a painfully heavy headache was growing from his tightly clenched jaw. The hair on his neck is rising and his heart rate quickens so fast he puts his hand on his chest as if the sudden rush of adrenaline in his veins made it harder to breath. So. He was right. This flower did mean no good.

“Mother.”

The queen remained silent which only worried her son more than he was already. She slowly opened her eyes after a few seconds and looked right where the prince stood but she could not gaze up to meet his stare. Her eyes were watery and a tear ran down her cheek as she frowned seeing the prince was also holding a hydrangea. She raised up shakily and only now does Sugawara became aware of how frail and exhausted his mother looked. She walked closer and closer, the dark circles below her eyes and wrinkled skin on her face became progressively more apparent. She softly caressed her son’s cheek with the back of her fingers as her other hand goes to choke a sob, quickly embracing him without saying a word.

It was an understatement for the least to say Sugawara was shocked to see her normally composed mother in such a state. She had never been so upset before, even while his father’s funeral she had only stoically accepted condoleances, not even shedding a tear. A flower should normally not have that effect on someone, even if it was the most alluring or the most unsightly of all. All the son of the queen could think about was that moment. That one time he had seen that same inflorescence of blue ovals before.

He had seen her, a woman so beautiful she could bewitch men. He did not know how she managed to get past the gates and enter his home. He did not know her purpose but he clearly remembers her long silver hair full of delicate ivy leaves and gardenia blooms, her tall slender figure as she stood in the moonlight. She was humming an oh-so familiar lullaby while plucking flowers off the hydrangea stem. At first, Sugawara had thought his mother was unable to sleep again and came to sing the lullaby she used to sing him to sleep when he was a baby. But why would she be plucking petals in his room? Would she not go outside for that? She hated making a mess.

At that time he was so naive and innocent. He did not know what this woman would do to his father. He swore that if he knew, he would never have listened to the woman’s voice when she called upon him. He would not have let her stroke his cheek gently with such a sickeningly hypocritical caring gaze. It was too late. At first it was only commander (L/n) whom entered the room in a frantic panic. He froze when he saw her and then walked toward her. Addressing her as his queen. Sugawara was puzzled as… he thought his mother was the one and only queen.

For when the king abruptly entered the room and also froze in place, he seemed lost and perplexed.

“Who are you?”

A tear rolled down her cheek as the king said those three little words that seemed so meaningless. The pain in her soft gaze said it all. She was utterly heartbroken.

Why?

Why was she- this utter stranger, this viper, this sorceress- why would she be heartbroken?

It was then, when the queen barged in... The hydrangea the woman held had faltered all too quickly. The room grew cold and Sugawara did not understand why no one was saying or doing anything. He remembered the way the woman had bent down to kiss his hair, the queen shrieking in rage. The silent whisper of a foreign language he had never heard before chanting what he thought was a curse. He remembered everything happening slowly; his father snapping out of his trense turning towards the queen and then his eyelids grew heavy. The prince’s limbs were limping and so he felt gentle hands lay him on the floor. The split second before falling into unconsciousness he remembered the agony in his father’s last cry as a blinding light shone in the room.

These hydrangeas blooming in the garden surely did not mean anything good. Sugawara was sure it was somehow linked with that woman. The alluringly beautiful silver haired lady. And he was more than determined to figure what exactly was it that connected the hydrangeas to this woman so he could stop her mother from suffering this way.

“Do not worry, mother. I will not let her hurt you again.”

He embraced her tightly as she sobbed in his neck.

⚜

You certainly did not expect training camp to be as energy draining as it was. Of course, you did expect a few tiresome exercises to get you in shape and ready for eventual combats, but you did not expect heavy training from eight to six, five days a week with field labor on Saturdays to help farmers in their crops. Not to mention, it was also fairly hard to continuously wear that awfully uncomfortable binder on your breast; ever since you arrived here, you barely had enough alone time to be able to take it off without anyone noticing.

Obviously, you understood the importance of making recruitment camp as hard as can be since the men that would be selected to become actual musketeers had to be la crème de la crème. The royal family’s security was not to be taken lightly… You knew the commander committed to make a point on strengthening the royal guards so incidents such as what happened to your father would not happen again when a musketeer had to intervene in a dangerous situation.

Though it was a much needed sacrifice to follow your father’s legacy, you had grown highly exhausted over the past month and it was gradually starting to show in your mannerism. On Sunday mornings, you found yourself being unable to actually get into the normal course of action which would consist of going for a shower, then breakfast and shop for the much required needs the commander has sent your to fetch.

Nishinoya, Daichi and Asahi had began to notice your lack of motivation and it worried them much considering you were usually the most cheerful and hard working person they had ever met before joining the military recruits. Your whole current mood would constantly scream ‘give me a break!’ despite you continuously working vigorously all week. It was strange to them how you seem to detach from your feelings when you were training, it was as if your resolve was so strong that it over passed tiredness- and it did- but it was clear that you needed to have a break from the tough work and finally have time to just have fun.

By the end of June, after a particularly rigorous Friday of training, you only wished that you would have the weekend off for your whole body crying out in pain. On 19 O’clock sharp, you and the other trainees had come in as per usual to have supper before being released for the night to rest or do as they pleased. It was one heck of a surprise when the commander in charge of training you had announced throughout lunch that you would have Saturday, Sunday and Monday off for the summer festival.

You had never felt so grateful for a few days off before. Hopefully, you would be able to excuse yourself from your friends while the break and dress the way you want without having your chest painfully bound flat. You decided that as soon as you would be dismissed after eating you would try to rest so you could enjoy the following day, however when you finally had the chance to slip into your bed your eyes would not remain shut.

Although your body felt more than worn out, it was impossible for you to sneak off to wonderland; you felt sick. As if you knew something weird was going on or that you had done something wrong but could not remember what exactly was it that you did.

You twisted and turned in your itchy cotton sheets in an attempt to shake off the feeling but it was to no avail. You had to witness everyone but you falling asleep. Much earlier than you expected, soft snores were echoing through the room, you knew you would most definitely not be able to doze off now for the sounds were startling you awake.

It was pitch black outside, every street lantern had been blown out for hours now and only the moon along with the stars were illuminating the metropolis. You found yourself looking out the nearest window, wondering how the world looked up there. It was not the first time you had looked at shines in the sky, taking into account that you had experienced many sleepless nights in the past. It would usually calm your nerves enough to let you sleep, yet this time it was definitely not enough to chase away the choking feeling in your throat.

You did not know if it was only the lack of sleep that made you feel so on edge, still you tried to find a way to at least tone the sensation down. So you started focusing on the details the front street was composed of and it was then that you noticed a woman dressed in a pale dress and cape slowly walking down the street. Stopping right below your dorm window.

She was as graceful as can be; a tall ballerina like frame with long flowing silver hair sprinkled in gardenias. You could not clearly see her eyes from where you stood but you knew she was staring right at your face. It was as if she wanted to tell you something that would turn out to be crucial information.

Your heart was throbbing against your chest and somehow you felt you had to go down there and know. Following your instincts, you grabbed your booths and rapier, silently hurrying down the stairs. You stepped outside, only a few meters away from the bewitching stranger.

“May I help you?”

The raving beauty only giggled softly, which sounded much like little bells shimmering on Christmas day than a laugh. The more you looked at her, the more she reminded you of a fairy or an enchantress. She was as fascinating and charming as a siren and you knew better than to fall for trickery siren like sorceress. You instinctively grabbed your rapier’s handle tighter, not letting her a second out of sight.

“No need for such treatment dearest child,” she said, “I have not come to hurt you, only to seek for your services.”

“My services? I am not even a proper musketeer yet, I don’t see how I could be of any help to you.”

“Nonsense, I have seen what you are able to do. (Your father’s name) was right when he told me you were not much of a bragger but I did not expect you to deny your gifts.”

“How do you know my father? You do know he has died years ago and he could not have told you about my current capacities, right? This makes you extremely suspicious in my book.’’

“I am fairly aware of his passing away child for I was there when he was slain.”

“It is impossible. Unless…” You took a step back as a thought crossed your mind, “Unless you were the sorceress. Which also means you killed him.”

“Wrong. I did not kill your father.”

“But you do not deny being the sorceress? I think I might be misinterpreting some of what you’re saying, you will have to develop more than that for me to believe you.”

“The night your father passed away, I indeed snuck into the castle, however it was not to do the wrongs that I have been associated with for years now.”

“What were you doing in the castle at night, sorceress?”

“I had intended to see my son.”

“Excuse me, did you say your son? This is impossible, I heard you had snuck in the prince’s room-”

Then it hit you. She was saying that the heir, Sugawara Koshi, the son of the king… was her own son.

Ridiculous. Her lies were incredibly ridiculous. Inconceivable even.

“You are lying.”

“I wish I was, dear.”

“How..?” You questioned in disbelief. This woman must be a fraud, it was impossible for her to be the prince’s biological mother. Her sayings were so delirious you were starting to consider she was not the sorceress at all and was only trying to cause anarchy.

Seeing your astonishment, she knew she had not convince you at all. For the purpose she intended you to accomplish she needed you to know the truth as of what happened to your father and to the king years ago. She knew you would have to go way back and see for yourself the context that led to such acts that particular night.

You eye her carefully as she knelt to the ground, for a moment you thought she would beg you to believe her but she did not. Instead, she silently murmured a few words, her hands covering a small part of dirt and slowly but surely you began to witness the growth of a sprout as she raised her hands. You were amazed to see the sprout gracefully growing into a beautiful baby blue hydrangea, a flower that seemed to invade the market these days.

“I can understand how you might think I am probably just some crazy woman babbling about your father. I could’ve just told lies to confuse you or even just to hurt you, but I am no sadist,” she handed you the bloom gently, “when you will be ready to see the truth, pick any of these blue petals and slip it under your thong before you sleep. The hydrangea will show you the truth. Then I will be able to address which services I wish you to do.”

You curiously gazed at the sorceress’s gift and took it from her hands as she wanted you to. So many questions were tickling your mouth, questions you wished to ask her for your confusion to be cleared… but when you looked up to question the woman, she was already gone.

⚜

“Come on Suga!” Said Oikawa, “you have not gone out in days! I know the queen has not been feeling well but you gotta get out of here and have some fresh air…”

“I don’t have the time for that Oikawa,” he said firmly, sighing, “Mother has been feeling unwell for a reason and I finally have a lead as to what might make her sick.”

Oikawa turned toward his childhood friend, a gleam of worry in his eyes. He walked up to him and grabbed his shoulders tightly to have his attention. Sugawara looked up at him, startled.

“One day. One day at the festival for you to relax and enjoy yourself. That’s all I ask.”

For a moment, the prince looked into the man’s eyes, wondering what he should do. He could see it; the worry in Oikawa’s eyes. He knew he could not say no to those eyes, especially if it meant that his friend would stop worrying about him.

“Fine,” he muttered, “but only one day. I have to investigate on mother’s illness as soon as I come back.”

The young butler grinned in victory as he excitedly walked over to his bag and handed Sugawara a festival attire similar to his so he could also dress appropriately for the situation. As soon as they were both well groomed for the event, they snuck out of the castle to the town’s flower market where a crowd was already having fun.

Dancing men and women dressed in their finest wears in honor of the festival, flowers strings hanging around the fair along with carefully designed lanterns. Cheerful music playing in the background and the sweet smell of food cooking as street marketers were selling freshly baked goods.

Sugawara had never gone to a festival before, all he was bothered with were royal meetings and if his mother felt like it on that day, he would be allowed in the party room for a ball. The sight of such event was rather new to him and it apparently occurred that he liked it. Everything about the festivities screamed of joy, he suddenly wished he had left the darkness of the castle years ago so he could see this every year.

Oikawa tapped his shoulders lightly and the prince turned his head to look at him. He was smiling.

“ Your majesty,” he said teasingly in a quiet voice so no one else would hear, “I think you already have yourself a fanclub.”

He then turned away toward a group of girls of all ages going from fifteen to nineteen, giggling as they looked their way.

“Nonsense, my friend. We both know they are looking right at you. Do hurry up and talk to these ladies before one of them decides to chase you around,” Sugawara rolled his eyes, yet a smile was tugging at his lips.

His friends pouted, “you are no fun, I swear. Do try to enjoy yourself while I’m away though. I know you will miss me!”

The prince laughed softly as his butler walked away already sending charming smiles toward the maidens. He knew his childhood friend was a hopeless flirt as he was always flirting with the maids around the castle, Sugawara could not blame him; Oikawa knew that he was beautiful and that women generally found him quite appealing- surely he could not let his beauty to waste.

As for himself, the prince was standing on his own now. No one knew who he was and no one was around to call him majesty. It felt good to be free again, although he felt slightly insecure for he still did not know much about the town’s folks after his first visit. He only hoped that he would find some other people to hang around since he knew that hanging around his friend along with surely enough horny teenage girls would not be particular fun, however for now he did not have much the choice so he tagged along.

⚜

Dearest forbid the stress you were currently in. It has been an hour or so that you had been trying to sneak out of the dorms along with your bag without your friends noticing it. However it was of no use to even try. Yuu, Daichi and Asahi had already in mind that you would accompany them to the fair, Yuu had been very adamant on your presence for he wanted you to be further introduced to his fiance, Kiyoko.

It was only after managing to distract them by saying you had to do something before joining them at the fair that they let you off the hook. In a quick haste, you picked your stuff and made your way to a young maiden’s house whom you had acquainted yourself with when you were younger. Yachi Hitoka used to be your neighbor and best friend before her mother decided they would move in the city so she could see her husband, whom was a flower merchant, more often.

Both of you exchanged letters for years to learn how one was doing- your last sent letter was the one in which you announced her you would finally follow your father’s legacy and that you would be around to see her soon. You knew that your secret was safe with Yachi and that she would gladly let you stay at her house as well as help you prepare for the festival- moreover she was the only one who knew that you were in fact a woman.

Your walk to the Hitoka’s was not as long as one would expect to be- especially with your tief-on-the-run demeanor; you only walked quicker to get to the safety of Yachi’s house, you almost felt followed. You knocked on the door, sparing a few glances on the sides as her neighbors eyed you carefully for your friend had almost never men showing up at her door besides Hinata Shoyo, whom was probably her closest friend in town. To your relief, you soon enough saw familiar blond hair and brown eyes appear as she opened the door to welcome you.

At first, she seemed confused as to who you were for she had never seen you cross-dressed as a man but when you took of your hat to bow your head like a proper gentleman and looked in her eyes intently, a joyful smile appeared on her face.

“Come in! I’ve been expecting you for ages.”

As soon as the door closed behind you, Yachi embrace you in a tight hug and hushed you to tell your adventures at the training camp. You told her about your blooming friendship with Yuu, Daichi and Asahi, how harsh the schedule was but also how glad you were for actually pursuing what you had always wanted to do.

She made you sit down in front of the mirror to comb your hair and style it properly, she scrunched her nose softly when she noticed how tangled your hair was from training camp and sent your for a bath before actually doing your hair.

It felt pretty nice to be clean of that awfully stinky onion sent you carried for weeks now, it was finally replaced by the smell of roses and gardenia and you were glad to see your hair was not dirty anymore. You realized that you missed having the possibility to pamper yourself like any other woman even though you were satisfied with becoming a musketeer, it was as if you lost a part of yourself by trying to be someone else.

You gazed at your face in the reflecting glass as Yachi was fumbling to find a pair of shoes that could accompany your flowy (color of your choice) corset dress.

“So you’re telling me you haven’t been able to actually have fun and go out?” she questioned eyeing a pair of white heels.

“I haven’t… The boys have always been with me since I arrived, except for bathing time- I managed to have some time to bath by myself.”

“Huh… That sucks,” she frowned before smiling brightly your way, “you’ll see (Y/n), we will make up for all that time you lost while training and have fun at the festival- Ah! Found it.”

She grabbed a pair of delicate white satin shoes, similar to hers, and gestured for you to take them. Your hands gently got a hold of them and your eyes glimmered in interest.

“Are you sure you want to lend me these shoes? I might dirty them at the festival- they are so beautiful.”

“A beautiful pair of shoes for a beautiful woman,” she winked.

Your cheeks faintly blushed as you muttered a quiet thank you. You then slide your feet inside them and Yachi did the final touch to your hair by putting dried hydrangeas in your hair to form a flower crown. You could not help but to let your thoughts diverge to the lady of the night before when you noticed your friend had done your hair with the particular flower she had given you. You did not want to concern yourself with her at the moment so you did your best to dismiss your thoughts, as Yachi proudly admired her work.

“Voilà!” she exclaimed, her hands on your shoulder, “now we’re both ready for the festival! We should be on our way though. Hinata said he’d be waiting for us at the flower market- isn’t it exciting? I’ll finally introduce the both of you. You’ll see he’s quite the happy-go-lucky kinda guy.”

“I’m sure he’s amazing,” you mischievously grinned toward her, “afterall he must not me that bad if you like him so much.”

You watched in amusement as your friend’s face turned in about fifty different shades of red in a matter of second. She only nodded shyly at you before pressing you to head downstairs so you could both be on your way to the party.

You could only the festival would be as fun as Yachi said since you were not as much of a fan of crowd but nonetheless left her house with a positive mindset on the question. However, upon your arrival at the fair, you did not expect to be greeted by two familiar faces as well as a flaming orange haired young man- whom you assumed must be Hinata since Yachi seemed so eager to be embraced in his welcoming arms. Asahi and Yuu were standing along which means they both probably would stick around as well- that was one surprise… then you noticed Daichi was not with them. For some unknown reason, a chill ran down your spine and it felt off. You quickly brushed the feeling off as your blond friend turned toward you to introduce your welcomers.

“(Y/n) this is Hinata, Hinata this is (Yn). She’s the childhood friend I talked so much about.”

Hinata grinned towards you and extended a hand for you to take cheerfully. You took it, smiling back; you had never met someone with such a contagious happiness before. It was clear as of why Yachi liked him so much; he must make her feel joyful a great load of time.

“Hey! It’s good to finally meet you!” he exclaimed.

“So is it to meet you, I was starting to wonder who might make my best friend so happy while I was away,” you could feel Yachi’s glare in the back of your neck, following suit was a cloud of red forming on the newcomer's cheeks. The situation was only more amusing.

“I mean-,” he coughed slightly to cover up his nervousness but it was already too late; both you and Yuu had noticed his shyness.

“Aah poor guy,” Yuu interrupted, dropping a hand on Hinata’s shoulder, “you know I was just like you before I asked my delightful little Kiyoko to marry me. You’ll see everything goes after a while!”

The redness on the small man’s face only brightened and spread to his words, so did Yachi’s cheeks. Yuu only laughed at their reaction, patting both of their backs.

“Come on, lovebirds! Do be on your way to enjoy your evening together, Asahi and I will take over your friend,” he said to Yachi’s intention, “ She’ll be safe with us, I’m sure Kiyoko and her will get along just fine.”

The blonde turned her gaze toward you, as if asking for permission to go ahead but also clearly showing she would not leave if you did not feel up for it. You knew better than to ruin her moment, you could see her the next day for some girl time after all.

“Go ahead,” you told her with a reassuring expression, “these guys seem like a fun time anyway.”

⚜

Sugawara did not know for how long he had been staring into blankness; his head was about to burst of pain and he was desperately trying to center himself again. It was because of those loud girls surrounding Oikawa that he felt this way. They were constantly squealing at his every movements and the prince could not believe how annoying women could be around his friend.

Sure, the brunet was a sight. He was not gonna lie about that fact; with his stunning smile, tall and fit figure, he was hard to resist… just not enough to make you squeal every god forbid thirty seconds or so.

It was only when he started feeling nauseous that he told Oikawa he would be back after getting a drink. Of course, he did not have the intention of getting himself that could make him feel sicker but he knew his friend would probably not let him off the hook otherwise- he would probably get him back to the castle right away so he could rest. Truth to be told, Sugawara did not want to be on his way back home already. He wanted to see more of the festival, he could not deny that the festivities were captivating and seeing how the people he would soon reign over are actually as human as him comforted him a lot.

However, for now, he would just walk away towards center town where a wishing fountain had been erected on his parent’s wedding day. Oikawa had shown him the place the first time they had visit town together, the fountain had struck Sugawara as magical and fascinating. He did not know if it was for the delicate lilac flowers floating around the water, the shiny coins in the pool’s depth, the background melodies coming from the fair or just the symbolism of marriage the structure held itself with.

Sitting by the borders of the pool, he could not help but notice the water was not covered in lilac blooms like the last time he had come around. His friend told him purple lilac had always been the only flower floating around the pond because it represented the first love between the queen and king. His throat tighten as he noticed hydrangeas were floating instead.

A whiff of the gentle smell of gardenia flew by his nose, he felt as if he was not by himself anymore. His eye started scanning the area, trying not to look as afraid as he felt deep inside his heart. Was she here? For a moment, his breath stopped when he saw a figure sitting on the stairs of a nearby house. It seemed to be a woman in a long pale (color) dress looking thoughtfully up to the sky.

For a moment, he thought it was the sorceress. Sitting in plain view. But no, when the stranger turned her head toward him, it appeared clear to the prince it was not the sorceress- it was you. You were sitting there in all your glory; short (curly/straight/wavy) (hair color) hair, smooth and gentle (skin color) skin, (eyes color) eyes hidden behind feather like lashes… you were certainly not the witch he had thought you to be- although it was inevitably certain your beauty was just as bewitching as the woman that stood by his window, hair full of vines.

“Beautiful night isn’t it?’’ he asked, surprised to hear his own voice for a split second. He had not intended to speak to you at all, in fact you were making him feel so nervous for some unknown reason and he had never felt his heart tighten this way before.

You seemed just as surprised but smiled nonetheless, turning your gaze back to the sky for a few seconds.

“It is, we are lucky the festival started this evening,” you gestured to the seat beside yours so he could come sit.

“Did you have the chance to enjoy the fair?” you asked.

“I have, although I am not quite accustomed to loud festivities… My head is throbbing.”

“Mine is too, not gonna lie I’m fairly new to being in town. I’ve never been to a festival as big as this one before. It’s surprising the amount of people that showed up. Luckily I had some friends with me earlier so I wouldn’t get stuffed by the crowd. Were you accompanying anyone? You said you weren’t used to fairs so I can imagine you wouldn’t show up alone.”

“I was tagging along with my friend Oikawa, unfortunately for me- he’s a total womanizer. I just could not stand the squeals anymore.”

“Well that sounds about as similar to my experience tonight,” you gave him an empathetic smile.

“ What happened?” He asked, his eyes perking up.

“Basically all the people I came to the festival with found themselves some partners to dance and have fun. After a while, it gets pretty lonely by oneself on the side chugging drinks, I guess.”

Sugawara laughed slightly.

“Understandable. Although I have to admit... that I wouldn’t usually think a lady as beautiful as you are would be left on the side.”

Your cheeks turned flaming hot and you glanced back at the silver haired boy. He also had a faint blush on his face and you could see in his eyes he was trying to figure out how you would react to such an openly frank compliment. The truth was that you were unsure, a part of you was telling you that you could not trust a man you just met- that him complimenting you was a way to get to you. On the other hand, there was something in his grey eyes and the smell of newly bloomed lilac lingering on him… His silky silver hair softly moving from the light blow of the wind. In the distance, you could hear a woman’s voice whispering softly to trust him. On ordinary basis, you would think you were going crazy but for some reason you knew that you could trust him- it just felt right. Nevertheless, you could not bring yourself to show it. It was too early yet- you did not believe in love at first sight or any of those fairy tales. So you just sat there, staring at him for a good minute.

“Pardon me, that was probably inappropriate since we don’t know each other,” Sugawara said, your silence worrying him. It was true that he had not been taught to say such things to a woman he just met, the words kept dangerously slipping from his thong tonight. He wondered if Oikawa had made him drink more than he thought he did. Maybe he was just drunk or something- hopefully he would regain his prince ways soon enough.

“Don’t say sorry, it’s just that… I haven’t been called beautiful before. I was taken aback by your words that’s all,” You paused, “You’re not so bad yourself,” you added quietly- his back immediately straightened up, the point of his ears almost glowing red, “What’s your name?”

“You can call me Suga, may I know yours?”

“I’m (Y/n), pleased to meet you,” you extended a hand for him to shake.

“The pleasure is all mine,” a small smile tugged on his lips as he shook your hand.

For a split minute, you both held each other’s hand as you would stare at one another. Aside from the music coming from the fair, a few streets away, center town was completely silent. Sugawara wish he had the courage to actually ask you to get back to the festival with him so he could dance with your or even just propose a real rendez-vous in the near future. He knew his friend would probably soon come to look for him so they could get back to the castle before the queen noticed his rather unusual absence. He knew that if he truly wanted to ask you out he had to do it now. It was to no avail; his mouth was nailed shut.

“(Y/n)!”

You jumped as you heard Yachi’s voice calling you around. Her date with Hinata must have come to an end and she worried about you, after all the moon was high in the sky- you assumed it was midnight by now.

“I have to go… my friend is calling me,” Sugawara raised, helping you up as well. You could see his mouth twitching like he was about to say something, but what he said sounded rather disappointing. You figured by the look on his face that he would maybe say something else. Maybe… the drinks you took earlier were starting to be effective after all.

“Of course. Be safe on your way home. It was good meeting you,” he kissed your hand gently as a farewell.

“It was good meeting you too,” your heart rippled against your chest, so much you feared he could hear it.

Yachi’s voice once again echoed through the streets, although this time it seemed to be much closer. You both knew it was the time to part ways, Sugawara let go of your hand and bowed at you politely- as any gentlemen with manners would. You bowed back a slight smile on your face, then were on your way.

The prince was looking at you, trying to capture the moment so it would be forever inked in his mind. He would like to remember the gentle swaying of your dress in the night, your hair dancing in the wind, your flushed cheeks as you turn away. Something was tugging at his heart to move and call you back, it was only when a gentle breeze murmured in his ears to do so that he gained enough boldness to do it. It did not appear to him that you could refuse his advances or accept them. All he wanted was to maybe get the chance to see you again. If you said no- he would move on surely, however for now the fear did not cloud his mind- he was not thinking of your response. Only to ask.

“(Y/n)!” he called out which made you spun around quicker than you would have wanted to show. Your eyes were reflecting the moonlight, his heart dropped to his heels and went up again so fast he almost felt dizzy.

“Yes?”

“If you’d like to, I wish for us to meet again tomorrow, here.”

A joyful expression appeared on your face, so… he did wanted to tell you something earlier.

“Sundown, don’t be late.”

⚜

An hour and about later, after you told your friend about your curious meeting and dressed up as a man again, you exited Yachi’s home and told her you would be back tomorrow for the festival. You had to get back to the dorms so you could eventually face the boys after not showing up at all. The fact that you had been right under their noses the whole time out of your man’s disguise made you feel strange. You even thought, at some point, that Daichi had figure out your little secret.

He arrived only a few minutes after your own arrival. When he first saw you, he looked distrustful. His eyes scanned your whole body and you could see in his eyes he was ruminating. You could almost hear Asahi’s voice telling him his staring at you lacked of respect, only then he excused himself and beamed at you, shaking your hand.

The rest of the evening went by smoothly, at least that was what you thought. You did not know, at the time, the suspicious glances the brunet had send your way throughout the night. Even now, thinking about his reaction was making you nervous. Your stomach churned painfully. What if he did catch up onto my secret? you thought. That would be the ultimate cherry on top. Keeping up your act was already a ton of pressure on your shoulders… What would you do if Daichi knew? Would he tell everyone? If he did, you would surely be on thin ice- the queen could order your exil or to be beheaded.

A loud sound of rattling metal falling from a nearby inn’s garbage can startled you out of your train of thoughts, you looked back, a chill ran down your spine. You knew better than to call for strangers deep in the night, even disguised as a man, so you just looked toward the alley you heard the sound. The hair on your neck ruffled up and goosebumps formed on your arms. You were being watched. Your eyes were searching from rooftops to the darkest corners surrounding you, you could not see anyone but you knew they were there, carefully following you with their piercing gaze.

The sudden flash of a shadow jumping out of the alleyway only confirmed your suspicions and you started running the opposite way. Your mind was spinning as you were trying to figure out which street to take in order to escape your pursuer. You could not help but ask yourself what someone would want with you at such a time of the night, was it a thief? An assassin? You did not know and not cared enough to look back.

Your concern grew further when you noticed two other shadows joining in in your pursuer’s haste. You kept turning corners of streets and houses frenetically, you hoped they would lose track of you but when you thought you would finally be able to get rid of them you unluckily ran to a dead end. Panic was choking you, you knew you could not let it take over your mind for you knew they were too close behind to let your mind be clouded. You grabbed the handle of your rapier and spun around to face whoever was out for you.

The three of them stopped at the edge of the alley and seeing your were holding your weapon they immediately did the same. Tension was growing.

“What do you want with me?” You asked, breathless from your run as you felt your legs shaking- full of adrenaline.

None of them said a thing, only the tallest of them three looked back on the shadow of his partners. You could not see their faces since it was too dark and none of the street lanterns were shining still at such hour.

“Speak before it gets out of hands,” you pressed, slowly unsheathing the blade of your rapier.

“Let’s not blow… this out of proportion shall we, (Y/n)?” Said a familiar voice.

Your breath stifles abruptly and your whole body feels like ice. How does this person know? Your chest is binded, you are wearing men’s clothings… Yachi had even help you taking off your makeup and did your eyebrows in a manlier way, as beforehand so you would not be recognized as- well, a woman. As yourself.

“Who are you?”

“This hurts me (Y/n), I thought we were friends,” said a second voice you also knew.

“Stop messing around and get out of the shadows, cowards!” you gave up the act, your voice came back to your feminine one. It did not matter anymore. These people were a danger to your secret. Your nerves were thin and if they did not want to come to you and discuss like proper beings, you would come to them far less welcoming.

It was the taller man that stepped forward first. Although his partners had try to stop him, he walked your way first into the moonlight. A tall brunet with a goatee slowly came into view and it took you a split second to realize that one of these strangers was Asahi Azumane, one of the comrades you always hung out with. Your eyes widened as you guessed who his two acolytes were.

“Asahi,” you said tensely, “I thought we were friends.”

“So did we (Your boy name),” Yuu came out as well and sure enough a defeated Daichi followed suit.

“I am your friend,” you answered.

“Friends don’t lie or hide stuff from one another,” cutted in Daichi, crossing his arms on his chest.

“Tell me you wouldn’t hide things from others if you were in danger of being killed,” you said in a quiet voice so anyone else than you four would hear.

“Why would you even do what you did if you knew the consequences of being found out?” asked Yuu, voice dripping of suspicion, “would you, by any hazard, want to hurt anyone by using the privileges of the royal guards?”

“How dare you think such a load of crap about me Nishinoya,” you barked back, “never, for the sake of my father, would I hurt any hair on their royalties’ heads.”

“Is (Your father name) (Last name) even your father? We are not so sure if we can trust you anymore (Your boy name),” muttered Asahi a pout visible on his face.

“If you could let me explain instead of making assumptions that would make the situation a whole lot easier,” you sighed, fingers pinching the bridge of your nose angrily.

“Look,” you added looking back at them, “give me a chance to tell you my side of the story. Then you decide what you think of it. If you do not believe me? Fine, go ahead and tell our superiors so they can deal with me themselves. If you believe me then… we’ll see if that even happens.”

They exchange a gaze and seemed to be thinking altogether about what they should do about you. Of course, you knew it would not be easy to convince them you were about to tell them the truth, you had hidden a crucial detail from detail for a long time now. They might judge you as mistrustful, however it was the only choice you had left. You would sure as hell not let yourself be turned in or something similar without having a chance at explaining yourself.

“Okay,” finally conceded Daichi, “let’s get somewhere safer. We’ll let you talk for yourself.”

⚜

You were sitting at a table in the corner of the nearest inn you found yourself to be. Asahi, Yuu and Daichi soon joined you with their drinks. You were all much calmer than before, most of it due to Asahi admitting he did not want anyone to fight tonight- no one liked to see the gentle giant sad so you came up with an armistice to cease the hostility between the rest of you.

“Go ahead (Your boy name,” said the tall brunet, “we’re listening.”

You eyed Yuu and Daichi carefully, they nodded as well, showing they were all ears.

“As I told you the first time we met, I’ve come here to follow my father’s legacy… that much is true. My father was (Your father’s name) (Last name) and he was captain of the musketeers at the time.”

“How can we know if this is true?” asked Yuu.

“Well…,” you took a medallion from your shirt and handed it so they could see what it contained.

Inside was a folded paper of a picture that was drawn by a professional when you were a child. It showed your mother and father holding you in their arms with a joyful smile. The picture had been taken in honor of your father’s rising as a captain of the guard, which was one year before his death, so he was wearing his official uniform. Anyone could clearly see how proud you and your mother were of him by the way the artist had draw your eyes looking up at him.

“This is a picture that was drawn the year he was promoted when I was about six years old. Can we move on from this point on?”

They nodded.

“I was told, as a child, that girls were forbidden to become soldiers. Apparently, some girls did try before but were beheaded by their ruler at the time. My father knew the law about women and was very adamant on me crossdressing as a man if I indeed decided to be a musketeer. I grew to understand the importance of what he meant when I informed myself about the law. As much as I’d like to be the first female to become a musketeer- I don’t wish to be killed.”

“Why would you even follow this path then?” questioned Daichi, taking a sip of his beer.

“I believe my father’s killer will come back for the prince. I don’t know how to explain it, but I’ve always felt as if this person never totally left. They did spread the news the murderer escaped the castle. I,” you paused, thinking if revealing the last part was really necessary. You wanted to tell them about the woman that appeared in front of the door the other night but you did not know if that would destroy the logic you had build so far for them to believe you.

“Go ahead, no more secrets, remember?” told you Asahi as he smiled sympathetically.

“I met a woman about two nights ago. She was tall and gracious with silver hair full of gardenia blooms. She told me she wanted to use my quote on quote services…She apparently is, get this,” you looked around you before lowering your voice, “the mother of the prince.”

“How could you have met the queen? Her majesty and her son barely go out of the royal grounds, if they ever do,” daichi seemed doubtful and you shook your head softly.

“She wasn’t the queen, that’s the thing Daichi. There were two women in that room on that night. The queen and the sorceress. I’ve seen the queen in the past, she had ebony hair- no way she’d have her hair silver by now…”

“How can you be sure of what she told you?” hummed Yuu in curiosity.

“I doubt her words very much so. If the sorceress was the prince’s mom why would she try to assassinate her own child?”

“Maybe out of jealousy that she could not have raised him herself,” proposed Asahi.

“She would probably just kidnap him and raise him in some cottage in the woods. The real question is how would her child be prince if she’s not the queen? I mean, someone has to labor that child, yes? So it is either the bastard of the king or something bigger than we thought happened…” reflected Daichi, “but how can we figure that out? It’s impossible to know what happened in the past aside if we were there.”

“That is where I was coming to… The sorceress gave me a flower, a hydrangea. She said that by slipping any of its petals under my thong before sleeping I would see the truth,” you looked back to your drink and took a swig at it desperately, “ to be honest although I’ve had the flower for a couple of days now I’ve just constantly been pushing the night I would slip a petal in my mouth. I’m scared it’s poisoned or enchanted in some sort of way.”

Daichi’s face twisted in a thoughtful expression, you knew he was analyzing what you just told him. Probably trying to sort the truth to the lie. Problem is, there is no lie. Everything you told them was the truth. You were risking yourself by telling everything, they might say you’re crazy and get you locked up.

“Do you have it with you? The hydrangea?”

You nodded and reached for the inside of your cloak, then handed him the ever so good looking bloom. It did not even falter after a few days without water- anyone could guess it was enchanted.

The brunet examined the plant; he made it twist and turn between his finger, smelled it, touched its petals… Asahi and Yuu were also curiously, but seriously looking at the flower. Then they exchanged a glance and nodded gingerly.

“If you do decide to try the sorceress’s enchanted flower tonight, we won’t let you do it alone,” he handed you back the flower.

“But what if it’s poisoned? You will all die and I couldn’t bear to think you would die because of me,” you said refusing to let people you cared for risk their lives for your responsibilities.

“It’s out of question (Y/n),” paused Daichi, you noticed it was the first time he called you by your name unironically, “I think both Yuu and Asahi will agree with me on the matter, although you did do some mistake, I still consider myself as your friend. We- well at least- I won’t let you go through something like that alone. You say that what concerns you the most is if the flower is poisoned but I know this tears you apart deep down because you will learn the truth of your father’s passing.”

You looked down, trying to hide your eyes already tearing up. His words were too gentle and forgiving. He spoke the truth. You have always been told one and unique story concerning your father’s death, never before had you considered that something else could have happened on that night ten years ago. You did not know if you were ready to learn about something as huge as your own father’s death.

You felt a finger slide under your chin to raise your head back up. You could see the concern in Daichi’s eyes. Then your gaze met Yuu’s and Asahi’s and you understood that even if you did not want them too, smart as they are, they probably picked themselves a petal already while you were not looking.

“You’re right,” you sighed, “I’m frightened to learn the truth. I don’t want the way I picture my father to be distorted.”

“I know you do not agree with the idea (Y/n),” started Asahi, his cheeks flushing red, “but as Daichi said, as a friend, I will go through it with you. You know I’m not the most courageous… many would say I lack bravery to become a musketeer. However, I would do anything for my friend,” he nudged Yuu to add his own thing so you would feel reassured by their support.

“I’m not as good of a pep talker compared to these two goofballs, but you said you wanted to follow your father’s legacy in protecting the royal family. It is a necessary evil to know what happened, so you won’t make the same mistakes as he did.”

You replaced a strand of hair behind your ear, something you used to restrain yourself from doing when you were around them. You had not been here for years now, but you felt it in your heart; you knew you could trust these men. Heck, even after what you hid from them they were ready to help you. The sorceress did not tell you to not share the hydrangea with anyone else. It was their choices to accompany you through this journey. You decided you were grateful for them and that you would stop shutting them out on everything you were experiencing.

“Alright then. Let’s see what the sorceress has to tell us. Tonight.”

⚜

It began with blurry vision of a castle. As floated closer and closer, your eyes slowly adapted to your surroundings and you figured the castle in front of you was the one by the edge of the city you had come to to do your training.

You did notice it seemed different than it did now. The neighborhood seemed livelier and the plants greener and prosperous. More importantly, the crushing weight glooming over the city was gone.

“That was about fifteen years ago,” echoed the sorceress’s voice, startling you in your sightseeing. You turned your head to the side to see her right beside you.

“It feels different.”

“It does. Do you know why?”

“No.”

“Because it was a different ruler at the time, let me show you.”

She gestured for you to take her hand, so you did. You were still mistrustful when it came to her but you had to let her tell you her side of the story and you wanted to know the truth on your father’s doing in this whole story.

You both appeared in a large elegant room full of chandelier, people of diverse money incomes were valsing cheerfully around you and beautiful music was played by minstrels. The silky red curtains hanging by the grand windows were indicating you were not any party. You were not surprised to see King Shohei Koshi, his child sleeping in a wooden cradle by his chair and finally the queen… hold on a second.

The woman beside the king was not whom you would have expected her to be, instead of a queen with straightened ebony hair and a severe expression, you saw the gentle face of the enchantress with her long silver hair joyfully clapping along the music. You turned toward the her confused. Was Daichi right when he said everything could be far more than you could expect?

“I see you are confused, dearest child,” a charming but sad smile to her lips, “I was sitting on the throne because I was the queen.”

“How? What happened?” you asked, her gentle hand guided you to a corner of the ball room where two chairs were resting. You sat down now ready and curious to hear her story.

“My sister, the current queen, was jealous of me. Shohei, Sayuri and I had known each other’s since childhood for our father was the king’s magical counsellor. We both lived yearly at the castle with our father and received royal education as the queen, Sakura the gentle, wished for us to be treated as an equal. As the years passed, Shohei and I grew closer to one another through interacting in royal classes. We enjoyed learning French, reading, poesie and even the tough botanic lessons my father used to teach us. Our free time was constantly spent in the garden or out in town to see the freshly cut flower at the market, never did we let Sayuri tag along with us...” She sighed, closing her eyes to recall these memories better.

“She, of course, tried to spend time around with us. Shohei was not to inclined to do so most of the time. He thought my sister was acting suspiciously strange around him, the truth is that she was falling in love with him and unlike me she did not know how to deal with her feelings. As her older sister, I knew what was behind her acts and… I did the mistake to promise Sayuri to convince Shohei to give her a chance. For a few months, it worked. My sister and him would go on dates at the flower market, he would always buy her a yellow rose… she knew the meanings of the yellow rose, but she always assumed he gave her one because he cared for her. She could not bear to think a second it might have been because Shohei saw her as- well, a friend…”

“You said her dates with the king worked for a few months, what happened then?”

“On the day before his coronation, Shohei had told me to meet him in our secret garden by the borders of the woods after his sword fighting rehearsal- he said he had something to announce. I agreed upon it, thinking he would announce he finally fell in love with Sayuri and that he would propose to her while the crowning ceremony. My sister found the letter he sent me and figured out where our little rendez-vous would happen.”

“Oh no,” you muttered, your hand going to your mouth as you could imagine the suite of events.

“Yes, dear… When I met with him, Shohei confessed his love for me. Over the years, I had also fell for him but never told him for I wanted my sister to be happy with the man she loved. When he told me about his feelings I was shocked. I remember clearly telling him I could not do such thing to my sister…”

The enchantress raised her hand softly and a cloud formed before you, showing 18 years old soon-to-be-king Shohei kneeling in front of a young silver haired girl.

“I know she’s your sister, Kushinashi,” he said pleadingly, “but I do not love her. I love you. I have our parents’ benediction-”

“Shohei!” interrupted the girl, “I cannot marry you. It will break her.” She sounded resigned and hurt. Her head turned away, unable to look in his eyes.

“Kushina. Look into my eyes and tell me you do not love me in the slightest. If you do, I will leave you be and ask Sayuri to marry me, as you wish me to.”

The enchantress looked back in his eyes, you could see the pain in her gaze. She did not flinch, however. She straightened her back confidently and gulped before saying the forbidden words without a single tear or frown.

“I do not love you, Shohei. Now go on and ask for the hand of a woman that loves you,” she tore her hands away from his smoothly and as she went away the cloud showing the scenery disappeared.

The sorceress was pinching the bridge of her nose, frowning. You could clearly guess how painful of a memory it must be.

“You must have guess by now that Sayuri had heard the whole thing. Of course she was pained to learn the man she loved did not love her back although she was surely reassured he would ask her to marry him. Everything was going to go perfectly fine and I would not have my little sister’s heart break on my mind. The issue with all that is that Shohei did not stay true to his words. The next day, while the coronation ceremony he knelt before me. I could remember the horor on Sayuri’s face. I could not bring myself to say no in front of the crowd and I won’t lie to you, dearest… My heart was longing for him. I selfishly wanted my happy ending.”

You softly took the sorceress’ hand in yours and gave her an sympathetic look.

“It is not selfish to wish for personal happiness.”

“Even if I knew my sister’s feeling regarding him? Even if I stole the love of her life right under her nose for my own?”

“If the king had asked Sayuri as wife, you and him would have both been unhappy for her own selfish happiness.”

“Maybe Shohei would have grown to love my sister if he wasn’t so stubborn,” she insisted.

“Enchantress, I may not know much of love but there is one thing that is clear to me, your husband only had eyes for you. After months of courting your sister he never fell for her. He tried to do as you wished, one cannot simply close their heart on their feelings.”

She locked eyes with you and for a moment you could see the remorse being replaced by a feeling you did not quite know. Peace, maybe? Whatever it may be, you could not have instigated further for she looked back to the valsing people.

“Sayuri did not make a scene when he proposed… but she vanished the next day leaving a note to expect her to return for revenge. I never told Shohei about this letter, I never thought my sister would hurt me and I figured those were hateful words from a heartbroken teenager. The next three years had gone peacefully and I was sure Sayuri had forgotten the incident,” she pointed toward a lady in a red gown, long ebony hair braided in her back, entering the ballroom, “I was wrong.”

It was happening in front of your eyes, the queen was murmuring words in a strange dialect, evil words only the darkest of all would use. You did not know their meaning but its effect was devastating. The room grew quiet, the candles went out. People stopped dancing and their eyes emptied. Only the enchantress was wide awake, crying out loud for her sister to stopped. She watched helpless as the brightness in her son’s eyes was fading away.

“By the time they woke up again, Sayuri had sent hellhounds on my heels. I tried stopping her at some point but as you could see my powers were to no match back then. Never had father taught me magic that could hurt someone.”

You watched as the sorceress from the past tried tying her sister up in strings of growing vines but she only seemed to grow each time she was thrown a spell on.

“You knew I love him. You took him away from me. Now I will take everything from you. I feel generous enough to give you a few minutes ahead before I unleash my dogs on you. Do not worry, dearest sister. They won’t even remember your cowardice when they wake up. It will be just as if you were never here,” the woman laughed as she made appear a golden crown on her head, from all over the corners of the room, black wolf like dogs eyed the true queen in a new found hunger.

“When I fled that night,” the decor slowly changed to a cozy cottage kitchen, it smelled of chamomile tea and freshly baked bread, “I conjured a spell I was taught to only use in dear situations. You might have noticed that although Sayuri has taken over, her power doesn’t seem to have touched the environment. I wanted to protect the civilians from terrible living conditions and starvation. So I made sure she could never destroy any of it. It felt horrible to part from my husband and my son, I knew I would have to be stronger to protect them from her.”

“I don’t mean to interrupt, your majesty,” you said politely as she handed you a freshly broomed cup of tea, “but what business did my father have in all of this? Was he on your sister’s side?”

Kushinashi Koshi, as you remembered her name to be from the flashbacks, smiled at you reassuringly. The way she comfortably sat in her swinging chair was subconsciously making you feel lighter.

“The night my sister took over, your father was patrolling in the streets and I was fortunate enough to cross his path. He helped me get rid of the hell hounds and that was before he even saw my face, your father was an utter knight in shining armor and there is no denying to it.” you could not help but smile proudly at her words before she continued.

“The second he understood who I was, he immediately asked what happened. I was curious as of how he still knew who I was. Sayuri’s spell was powerful and if I understood her words correctly, it would have normally spread to the entirety of the people living in our kingdom. It’s only then that I noticed your father was wearing a black tourmaline medallion much like the one you are wearing right now. Your mother was witty enough to have a protection spell cast on his jewelry which shielded him from my sister’s incantation.”

The enchantress moved her hand gently and a cloud, much like the one from earlier appeared, your father was making her climb on his horse and he made his way to the house your mother was currently living in. Your mother had open the door in a haste, your baby form sleeping in her arms.

“He brought me to his wife, your mother. Unfortunately, she had not done a protection charm for herself and (Your father’s name) figured she had no idea who I was at all. So he introduced as a friend that was in trouble and needed a shelter upon the time he finds a safe place for me to live. (Your mother’s name) was an absolute angel for she welcomed me in her house for about six months before your father heard there was a cottage deep in the woods by your house. I lived there for many years…”

“Weren’t you suffering from being apart from your loved ones?” you asked, saddened by what you had heard so far.

“I was. I kept studying any spell books I could find to reverse her curse so I could finally live on again. One night, ten years ago, I finally found it. I immediately sent a raven to tell your father I found a way to reverse the spell and that I was on my way. I had gathered all my bravery and flew to my child’s room, my only luck in breaking the spell was to make someone remember me without enchanting them into it. So I sat by the window and softly hummed the song I used to sing him to sleep when he was a baby as I plucked hydrangea petals nervously. I just hoped this could work”

The cloud changed form showing the prince’s bedroom on that night. It was just as the enchantress had told you to be.

Her long flowing hair was full of ivy and gardenias as she plucked flowers. Her voice was chanting a delicate lullaby, one that only mothers would charmingly sing at night to soothe their children to sleep. Her voice might have intrigued the little prince for he sat up in his bed and got closer to the sorceress watching her curiously.

“Brace yourself, dearest child… This is where everything turns vinegar.”

Only a few minutes later, your father busted through the door. He was out of breath and his eyes laid on the enchantress. He softly closed the door after looking around, in the distance you could hear the voices and steps of guards frantically searching for something- or someone.

“My queen, she already knows you’re here, they are searching for you.”

“Oh,” her voice sounded disappointed and her heart stung but she did not give up just yet. She needed her son to remember so her life could be normal again, “how much time do I have (Father name)?”

“Not long… I saw her barely a few seconds ago as I was going through the stairs. Shohei is also awake and he is helping the guards in searching you.”

It was exactly as your father finished his sentence that the king ran in the room. He was alone. God only knew how long it would take before Sayuri made her entrance as well.

“Who are you?” he asked, sword out. To your surprise, Shohei Koshi did not seem furious at all, he was intrigued. His frown brows could speak the confusion itself, it felt like a déjà-vu.

A tear rolled down her cheek as the king said those three little words that could seem so meaningless to someone that did not know her pain. Her heartbreak was so great you could feel it in your own soul; it was the loud sound of shattering glass as it exploded and every little pieces of it were piercing through your own heart.

The ultimate cherry on top was seeing Sayuri enter the room. Everything felt colder and by her only presence the, once alive, hydrangea faltered to its death and turned an ashy black. She began yelling at her sister to get out but the sorceress could not bring herself to do so. Instead, she bent down to kiss her son farewell as the king watched his eyes subconsciously tearing up as well. The false queen shreaked in rage and began whispering dark incantations.

The prince slowly fell limb against Kushinashi for her kiss was to make sure he would not see the horrible things that could happen next and be protected from any spells that could hurt him. Sayuri grabbed the sword from the king’s hands and it was then that he was startled out of his trense, he turned toward his wife- the urge to stop her was pushing him to act.

“Sayuri! No!”

But it was too late. When he stepped in the block the sword from reaching the enchantress the sword slashed right through him. (Your father’s name) seemed angrier than ever, the false queen only tore her sword out of Shohei Koshi emotionlessly and turned to face your father as he stepped in to protect Kushinashi.

“You won’t touch a single hair of her, witch. Not as long as I still stand.”

The sorceress’ sister only laughed loudly.

“I’m impressed Captain (Last name), your bravery and your resistance to the curse are spectacular. However neither of them will help you kill me tonight- prepare to die. Traitor.”

She lunged at him whispering some incantations as their swords crossed violently. The enchantress was petrified, she never thought her acts would have ensued to people dying for her.

“Please your majesty, you must flee. I don’t think I will be able to hold on to long,” the musketeer said as a blackness began to spread on his hands. Sayuri was cursing him.

“I cannot let you die for me,” she answered, then whispering a soft incantation that could maybe help protecting your father.

“You must find (Y/n) and (Your mother’s name), your highness. Please tell them the truth as to what happened tonight. It is my dying wish.”

On these words, he pushed Sayuri backward and skillfully swung his sword at her as she warded off almost each of his blows, sending them back. However, with any amount of bravery or strength your father could have had, his arms were once too weakened by the witch’s spell. His arms were wobbly and as much as he persevered, the false queen finally stabbed him to his death. He coughed blood and his face changed to a ghostly white.

“Go!” He bark, his eyes meeting Kushinashi’s, “please.”

Sayuri huffed and puffed as she withdrew the sword from your father and turned to her sister, she was wounded and was weaker but the resolve in her eyes told the enchantress she would never stop. It was when her sister ran at her that she decided to flee, like your father had wish you to.

She exploded in tiny hydrangea petals, leaving the false queen yell in rage as the sorceress escaped through the wind, the last thing the vision showed was the guards bursting through the doors to find their queen spilling crocodile tears over her husband’s body.

Your cheeks felt wet and hot. Salted water dropped from your eyes, your vision was blurry. Your throat burned and your hands were shaking slightly. You did not thought or said a word. You knew your father had been gravely wounded on that night, ten years ago, but you never imagined his wounds were made by such hateful selfish hands, they seemed even more hideous now that you knew.

The enchantress tenderly embraced you and caressed your hair, waiting for you to stop sobbing quietly. She, of course, had expected the truth would hurt. She was confounded to see that your heart had not grown darker whatsoever, you did not feel the need to revenge. Your resolve to take over his legacy and accomplish his duty only grew and Kushinashi knew that you had grown to be the brave and kind woman (Your father’s name) seemed to always take pride of when he was still alive.

She could remember the man’s voice when they last sat together, the day he was promoted captain of the royal guards. He told her that he was so proud of his daughter, that (Your mother’s name) an him raised you well and that once you would be an adult he had faith you would be there to take over him, that you would be able to help her break the curse and protect her son. He was right, your pure heart told her right away when you both first met.

She gave one last caress down your hair before cupping your cheeks to look you in the eyes.

“It is now time to wake up, (Y/n),” she said faintly, “your friends will wake up as well. I cannot stay longer in your dreams, in case Sayuri senses magic and comes for you. Meet me at the flower market when sun rises, I need to discuss one more matter.”

You nodded, as your eyes sleepily closed until you fell into a gentle slumber.

⚜

As you agreed with the enchantress, Daichi, Asahi, Yuu and you all went to the flower market to meet with her. You had your doubts that she might tell more about the need for your services she told you about the night you met. She was already standing there when you arrived, a welcoming smile on her face.

“I’m glad you have all decided to come, I’m sure it must be quite the knowledge to know. Unfortunately, you might have guessed I don’t go around telling stories and that if I gave (Y/n) the hydrangea was that I wanted outside help in my quest to get things back as they were.”

“What do you expect of us?” asked Daichi inquisitively, but not impolitely.

“I would like for the four of you to protect my son,” she gestures to create a cloud similar to the ones from her vision to show the prince’s face so you would all have a visual of what he resembled.

You momentarily felt your heart drop to your heels when you recognized the face of the man you had met the night before at the fountain. You felt lied to and tricked but you could also understand why he could not just yell around he was the prince. After all, he was the prince. Who says someone would not try to hurt him if they knew his identity? So despite your bitterness, you gulped down your pride and opened your ears for what was next.

“While the coronation banquet, in about a month. I have reasons to believe my sister’s eagerness to be powerful grew bigger over time, especially since my husband’s death.”

“You fear she might try to hurt your son, your highness?” asked Asahi quietly so no one could overhear.

The enchantress nodded solemnly.

“Didn’t she love him in the slightest,” questioned Yuu pensively, “ after all she did spare him when she murdered captain (L/n) and the king ten years ago.”

“Sugawara is the last hope I could ever have to get my life back, to reverse the curse someone that cared or loved me deeply has to remember me. Ever since I returned in town, hydrangeas and irises have grown increasingly more in the royal garden, she has sent creatures of all shapes and forms to retrieve me, she knows I’m back.”

“In honor of my father’s sacrifice and also because I believe you deserve to be happy again, your majesty, I will protect your son on his coronation day,” you bowed your head politely, she gently caressed your hair.

“Thank you. I know how meaningful it is to take over your father’s steps and I’m grateful for your support.”

Your friends also bowed their heads to the queen and offered their services.

“(Y/n) is our friend, my lady,” began Daichi, “if she risks her life by agreeing to protect your son, we will stand by her.”

“And we do have to mention we are not overly fond of the uncaring current queen,” added Yuu which earned a fervent nod from Asahi.

“All of you have my gratitude,” she murmured, “of course, I won’t leave you without any protection for this service; it is a very dangerous one I ask of you. On the day my son will be crowned, I will sent crows to give your tourmaline charms that can block any spell or curse from affecting you. Wear it while the banquet in case she tries to use magic over you,” her gaze turned to the East. It was dawn.

“The sun will soon rise, hence I will have to leave you at that. Be careful of who you trust, my dears. Keep a watchful eyes around in case Sayuri hears about you,” she kissed each ones of your foreheads before disappearing in a whirlwind of petals through the wind.

⚜

Following the meeting with the queen, the four of you had gone back to the dorms and discussed of everything you had gone through in one night until the sun had gone high in the sky. You also took the time to admit you had unknowingly met the prince the night before and that he also asked you to meet again later on that day. They seemed just as baffled as you were but the truth was that after the revelations you were blessed upon tonight, no one was truly surprised. All you felt was sleep deprivation and so it was agreed that you would all rest before going to the festival .

It was already late in the afternoon when you and the others woke up to get ready. You told them you would join them there after getting ready at a friend’s house and they told you to be careful on your way there.

On the course of getting to Yachi’s place, you remembered that you had also given a hydrangea petal to your friend last night. You had completely forgotten about it because of the whole fiasco that followed as soon as you had left her house. It was her whom had convinced you to actually take one of them so you could see what the sorceress meant by yourself, she told you that she would also try it that night so you would not feel alone. Little did you know at the time that all your guy friends would also follow you in this crazy adventure.

You expected Yachi to swarm you in questions when you arrived, instead you were surprised by a strong embrace the moment you stepped in. She made you promise to be vigilant on your quest and you guessed that the enchantress had told her for the sake of sparing you the explanations. By all means, you did promise your best friend that you stay on your toes when you would attend the banquet.

Once satisfied with your promise, she hurried you to the bath so she could get you all dolled up for your evening with the prince. You looked like you had a rough night, which was the case, and Yachi could not allow you to go on your date looking like a scarecrow. In a matter of time, she had done her magical transformation and you looked like you again. You were grateful for her help and support, although it would seem like any regular festival glam up, Yachi’s meticulous attention to making you feel better was rather relaxing. She joked around, messed with your hair, boosted your confidence by telling you thousands of times you were the best friend she ever had… She was the real thing, a friend.

Knowing that sundown was only getting closer by the second, she teasingly rushed you to leave the house before getting late to your date and so you hastily made your way to the fountain to wait for the prince.

Your heart was beating furiously against your chest, it was both from the fact that you knew his secret and last night’s charmingly addictive impression you had of him. You had never accompanied someone anywhere as some secret rendez-vous or something before. Seeing him coming back after last night’s moment you shared together under the moonlight was making your hair rise in a good way.

“For some reason, I thought you might not have come today,” he said, cheeks a warm shade of pink, “I’m glad you’re here, (Y/n).”

“I was scared you might not show up as well,” you admitted as he offered you to take his arm like the gentleman he is.

“Shall we be on our way?” he proposed as you linked arms with him, grinning.

“Yes.”

The both of you headed to the flower market where the party was already going strong. The whole market was illuminated by a grand bonfire and cheerful music played in the background, encouraging people to dance.

The crowd was cheering for a group of young girls of about six to eight years old. Linking arms or hands they danced in rounds singing along the rhythm of the drums and horns. The sight was heartwarming and you could not help but to cheer along. Sugawara glanced at you as he clapped his hands as well to encourage the little girls, seeing you happy for so little pleased him very much so- the tender grin on his lips said it all.

When the little girls finished their carole, the crowd roared in admiration, leaving them blushing and laughing happily. It was their turn to choose who would be dancing next and one of them seemed to have caught interest in your unusual duet. She turned to her friends, whispering something in their ears as they all mischievously cackled.

They went toward you and as you realized you were next in line to dance, you panicked and looked at your companion for help. Except his eyes were full of mischief and he circled your waste in one arm, grabbed your opposite hand and carried you to the middle of the dance circle.

“I don’t know how to dance!” you whispered which only made him smile wider.

“Just follow my lead, you’ll see,” he said as the music changed.

From slowly spinning you around to moving his feet from left to right, you could not lie, Sugawara was an amazing dancer. Feeling his confidence, it was impossible to resist not having fun. Following his lead was easier than you had expected and a few steps on his shoes later you were laughing along as you danced in unison, encouraged by the same crowd that had been standing for the little girls only a while ago.

“Come on folks, join in!”

Emboldened by Sugawara’s invite to dance, more and more people joined the two of you in your rather ridiculously fun dance. You felt less nervous that less people were observing you and could focus on your partner’s lovable grey orbs. His gaze meeting yours halfway there, he was radiant.

You did not know how long you had been dancing and staring at one another like that, but the moon was high up in the sky when you both decided to have a break for a drink. Stopping by the nearest stand, you paid and grabbed your drinks to head back to your meeting spot.

You sat on the same stairs you had sat on the night before, one and the other looking up to the stars quietly. It was not awkward or unpleasing, you would describe it as those rare moments when you are with someone you feel an unexplainable comfort whenever they are around. Usually, you would feel this way around Yachi, your mother or Daichi when you would not be able to sleep.

You felt his hand delicately taking yours, you side glanced at him to see if his face had changed or if he was in distress. You found him peacefully admiring the sky, suddenly aware of how warm his hand was against yours. You tangled your fingers with his gently and mimicked him.

Over the course of the next month, the prince and you found each others every Sunday evenings. You quickly established a strong friendship and you looked forward every moment that you could spend in his company. You tried not to mix duty and friendship but it eventually caught on, what was once the wish to follow your father’s legacy was now closely followed by the fond feeling your felt for Sugawara. You apprehended his crowning ceremony both because the risk of him getting hurt was high but also because it might affect the relationship the both of you had.

Yet, every beautiful thing has an end, three weeks ahead of the crowning day the captain of your division announced there would not be any breaks from training for fourteen days previous to said date. He wanted everyone to be ready for the event so he could select the best ones to help guard the castle. As much as you wanted to keep your dates with the prince, you knew would not be able to physically keep up.

So Sunday before the beginning of intense training, you met up with him as per usual but you were deeply preoccupied. You did not know what you would tell him, what excuse you could tell him that would be valuable enough to miss your weekly meetings. You were so deep in your thoughts all throughout your date that Sugawara was growing anxious. He asked a couple of times if you were fine and each time you told him you were doing great, a sad smile on your (lip color) lips.

Later that evening, when you were making your way back to center town, it was only then that you addressed the topic.

“Suga,” you began hesitantly.

“What is it (Y/n)?”

“I meant to tell you this all night long tonight, I was unable to before now. I won’t be able to show up to our Sunday nights for two weeks.”

“Oh. Is everything alright? Did I do something wrong?”

You immediately stopped in your track and took his hands, “no, of course not. It’s just that I… I’ve been keeping something important from you. I’m scared you might be disgusted or distrust me if I tell you.”

“I’m all ears, (Y/n). I’m aware we are not long time friends, but I promise I react the way you think I will,” he looked serious and expecting, you dared not to stare in his eyes.

“My father’s name was (Father’s name) (Last name), did you know that?”

“(Last name) as in the famous captain of the guard that died protecting the prince years ago? What business does he have with you being unable to meet me?” he seemed confused, but his words did not sound unkind.

“Well, I decided to follow his legacy a while back. My arrival in town was to become a musketeer and so… we were told by our captain that we would be on intense training for the fourteen days ahead of the new king’s coronation.”

“Wait, hold up,” he said quietly, sparing glances around, “I don’t understand. Even if what you are telling me is true, how could you train as a musketeer? You are a woman.”

An embarrassed blush flushed your cheeks, he raised your head so he could see if you were lying or not.

“I cross dressed as a man.” You braced yourself for the frustration or disdain but nothing came, he looked concerned and worried.

“What if you get caught?”

“What?” you asked, dumbfounded by his reaction

“You heard me, dummy! What if you get caught? They could behead you if they find out,” he cupped your cheeks, “look in my eyes. Tell me.”

“I have people that watch for my back,” you pitifully tried to resonate his concern, “if I get caught, they will make sure I escape safely.”

He frowned and closed his eyes, reluctant.

“You’ll be careful, right?”

“I always am.”

“Promise me you’ll be careful.”

“I promise Suga.”

“Good. It’s late now, we should be on our way home. Will you be alright?”

“My friend’s house is just around the corner, I’ll be okay,” you stayed silent a few seconds, “will you be fine? I know I dropped something big on you tonight.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve seen worst. Tell me, (Y/n).” You hummed in response.

“The night of the coronation ceremony, would you be available to attend it as- well you know, yourself? Or will you be on duty?”

“I suspect I won’t be chosen to secure the palace, first years rarely get picked. Why?”

“I also have something I’ve been hiding from you. Unlike you, I can’t get myself to say it now. So please, join me for the banquet. I heard it was open to civilians as well and so I wish for us to meet there so I could tell you my secret.

He did not know you knew his secret. You knew it was better for his security that he did not know you knew. So you played dumb and acted as if it was not already planned for you to be there to watch over him throughout the night.

“I’ll do my best to come but I can’t promise, just in case I’m picked to stand guard.”

“Fair enough. I guess we have to say our goodbyes until then?”

You nodded, “ Until then.”

⚜

It was like thunder had rippled through his body, Sugawara woke up in a cold sweat. For a moment, he did not know where he was and what was going on. His surroundings were spinning and his stomach was violently protesting each time he tried to move. He kept hearing faint voices echoing in the night, his head was throbbing from them.

Flashbacks of his dreams were haunting him; your beautiful shining hair was gently dancing along the wind as you were standing in the royal garden. You had raise your head toward him as the sorceress appeared behind you, hand on your shoulder. Both of you had look in his deep grey orbs intently.

“Watch out for the orange lily, Suga,” you carefully placed a flower crown made of statices and snapdragons on his head, before lightly kissing his cheek.

‘Orange lily?’ he thought, massaging his temples, ‘it makes no sense… and the witch’s presence only make it more confusing.’

It was as if the both of you were trying to warn him about something without getting caught. Sugawara was desperately wracking his brain, trying to find out what you were trying to tell him… He knew the orange lily was the key to his guessing- he just did not know where to start in his research.

All these thoughts were making him uneasy, he slowly breathed through his mouth in attempt to calm his nerves before going to sit at his desk so he could scribble his thoughts. After lightening up a few candles, he began writing down his dream on his journal, sketching around lilies, statices and snapdragons. He knew the meaning these flowers held. Statice usually represented remembrance, sympathy or success; snapdragons could either represent positively, graciousness and strength or negatively, deception and presumption and finally orange lilies could represent passion.

‘Watch out for the orange lily…’

The issue was that he did not understand why he would need to be careful of something that was passionate or any passions of some sort. There was something missing, his understanding was limited. To know what the flower crown you gave him meant he needed to know what role occupied the lily in his dream.

Could it represent anything else than the actual meaning of orange lilies? A realization crossed his mind, it became apparent you were talking about someone- this person must have something in common with the meaning of lilies but where to start looking? Perhaps it had other meanings he did not know about?

He grabbed a few books about the meanings of flowers around the world from his bookshelves and started going through each one of them. By sunrise, Sugawara knew the meanings of lilies in each countries of Europe and a few of western Asia, however nothing sparked as an important information. He was about to give up when Oikawa knocked on his door to get him breakfast.

“Oh, oh. You’re awake- you had a bad dream again?” he asked, laying the tray on the corner of the prince’s desk.

“Yes. One that I can’t get myself to understand at that.”

“Do tell.”

“Remember that girl I’ve been meeting up with at the market ever since the festival?”

“Mmh, what about her?” he said pensively, pouring the both of them a cup of tea.

“In my dream, she was standing in the gardens accompanied by the woman that killed father years ago. She told me to be alert and watch out for the orange lily. Then she gave me a flower crown made of statice and snapdragon then kissed my cheek. I woke up completely panicked. My mind hasn’t stop obsessing over the lily part… I don’t know what it means. There are not any meaning from any places around the world for what I’ve seen so far, that could make sense in these circumstances.”

“I see,” he paused passing a hand on his face in attempt to wake himself up better, “what if you tried translating orange lily in other languages? It’s popular in almost every culture to name their children after flowers. Perhaps the lily isn’t philosophical at all- it might be just a way to hide a name or something.”

Sugawara’s eyes lit up in excitement, jumping up to hug Oikawa tightly, then ran to the door to be on his way to the library.

“You are a genius, you know that?” he called out loud enough for his friend to hear as he disappeared in the corridor.

The young butler just stared at the door for a minute, still stunned by what just happened. He then chuckled quietly to himself as he looked down upon Sugawara’s journal, gazing over his doodles. Oikawa wondered what could link your appearance as well as the king’s murderer in Sugawara’s dream, something fishy might be uniting the both of you. A tense sensation formed in his chest the more he thought of it, he needed to think about something else before the feeling got worse.

He reached for the book that remained unopened on his friend’s desk and admired the details of its cover; the title, Hanakotoba, written in golden kanji pictograms was surrounded in meticulously detailed flowers of various colors and shapes. He opened it, flipping pages after pages, reading about the languages of flowers in Japanese culture. He finally stumbled upon the pages addressing lilies and cautiously read their descriptions until he wound the one about orange lilies.

小百合 (Sayuri, romaji form.), also known as orange lily in common English, has both a positive and negative quotation in the Japanese language of flowers. When moderately present in a bouquet, orange lilies represent moments of splendors and happiness. On its counterpart, if abusively present in a bouquet, their meaning quickly transforms to hunger for more, haste, hatred or even revenge.

Oikawa frowned slightly as he doubted you meant to watch out for moments of splendors and happiness. Revenge, haste, hatred… eagerness, they would all be suitable things to warn someone of. Who, in his friend’s inner circle, could be able of such things? He read the paragraph two or three times again, as he reflected on who could wish evil upon Sugawara. He scrutinized every written words continuously until he stopped on one of them, solemn.

Sayuri.

⚜

Oikawa hurriedly threw on a cape and scribbled a note for the other servants to cover for him while he was gone then left for the market, hoping to find you. You had appeared in his friend’s dream and he was convinced you knew something about it- he did not know exactly why but for Sugawara’s sake he would find out. He feared that without the knowledge of what this warning meant that the prince was not safe anymore and he could not let him get hurt… or worse, murdered. Not under his watch.

Entering the gates of the fair, he wondered where he should start searching. Eventually, he figured he might ask the merchants around if they knew you and if they had any idea where you could be found. The day was passing by faster than he expected, soon enough it was dusk. Oikawa decided he would go to a tavern and set himself a drink before returning to his main quest, which was to find you.

He sat at the counter ordering himself a beer, enjoying to finally be sitting after a long day of walking endlessly. The boy was beginning to believe you were a ghost girl, he had never seen you before and so the only idea he had in mind concerning how you look was when Sugawara described you in his romantic late night banter. Maybe you had passed by him today and he would never have known. He chugged the golden liquid quickly and asked for another drink. In the meantime he waited for his second fixing, Oikawa’s ears picked up a conversation. He heard someone say your name.

Of course it might have been any (Y/n) in town, but he was desperate to find you. He discreetly looked behind him to see who the voice belonged to and his stare met deep brown orbs. They belonged to a man he would judge to be around his age, he was sitting with two other guys. All three of them seemed to be musketeers in training. His companions might have noticed his staring because both of them turned around to see what was the matter.

“What are you looking at?” Snapped the shortest of them three, which surprised Oikawa. Apparently, they did not like to be gawked at and he did not blame them.

“Forgive my manners,” said the brunet, “I might have heard you nice fellers mentioning the name of a woman I’ve been searching for all day. Her name is (Y/n), she has short (hair color), (eyes color) eyes, she’s supposedly around this height,” he gestured with his hand how tall his friend had told him you to be, “fairly (skin color) skin…”

The trio exchanged a gaze momentarily then turned their attention back toward the young butler. They seemed wary of the newcomer, almost no one knew your female identity- in fact only your friends did. The fact that this random person know how you look and who you are was particularly unusual.

“Who’s asking? I’ve never seen you around before,” asked the one Oikawa had first set his eyes on.

“My name is Oikawa, I’m a friend of one of her friends.”

“Oh yeah? Mind telling us who that friend might be?” asked the little man.

“Suga. They met while the festival about a month ago.”

“What do you want with (Y/n)? She’s a nice girl, I promise she would never do any wrong to your friend,” spoke up the one that had stayed quiet so far, Oikawa realised by his words that he might have sounded threatening as he did not explain why he was looking for you at all. Those guys were probably just cautious and careful friends that were protecting you from someone with ill intent.

“I fear my friend is in danger and I feel that she might know how to help me protect him, I know that sounds crazy but I really need to find her before tomorrow night.”

The inn’s door opened and closed, a fresh breeze that smelt of gardenia slipping in. Oikawa raised his gaze toward the new customer and saw a man approach their table. It was you, in your man’s disguise. That, the butler did not know and it briefly shocked him seeing (Y/n) male copycat.

“Well, here’s a fun ambiance,” said the newcomer with a welcoming smile, “why so tense boys?”

“That guy’s been searching for (Y/n),” the shortest said, shooting you a meaningful glance, “he said he’s a friend of Suga and he believes she could know something about his safety.”

Your facial expression turned grim, your lips pressed together gently and you looked back toward the brunet, eyes cold.

“How can we know you’re not just some fraud? I mean, no offense. You look like a pretty nice guy, not gonna lie but you must understand we have to watch over another and we don’t have any idea who you are…?”

“Oikawa. That’s my name. I don’t have any proof of my friendship with Suga, you would just have no choice but to believe me. Still, if you don’t intend on telling me where I could find her- I would like to be told now so I can just enjoy my beer and be on my way to find someone that will tell me where she is. I don’t have any time to waste.”

Once you heard his name, you knew he was probably not lying. Sugawara mentioned his name time to time when he said he had to go because he had to meet with him. You sighed, relieved and also slightly nervous. You did not know how you figured you had business with the prince’s safety but you intended on knowing more about it.

“Fine,” you said, “come on, I will show you where she lives.”

“You’ll be fine on your own (Last name)?” asked Daichi, pressing on the last part, you knew he was trying to know if you wanted them to tag along just in case the guy would be a fraud.

You nodded at your friends, and walked out of the tavern, Oikawa by your side. You strolled down the streets of the metropolis in silence, you could see the man beside you kept getting tenser by the second. You huffed quietly as you arrived in front of Yachi’s house, where she was already waiting for you by the window since you had ask her to help you getting ready for your later rendez-vous with Sugawara.

She opened the door and was surprised to see you were not alone but did not question it. On the other hand, Oikawa could not keep his mouth shut and immediately asked her if she was (Y/n), to which you just shook your head desperately. You hurried him inside the house before he could have any response from your blond friend.

“Alright Oikawa, let’s talk,” you said sitting down, legs cross with a severe look on your face.

“I thought you were taking me to (Y/n)? I’m not saying anything before she’s here.”

You scoffed, went to the pot of water on the counter, grabbed a glass of water and a cloth to scrub your face. Your scruffy brows washed off quickly, showing more feminine facial structures. You took off your hat and unbuttoned your shirt to show your binder, which both made Yachi and Oikawa yelp in surprise. People were definitely not used for people to just start undressing before them.

“My disguise seemed to have fooled you too. I am (Y/n), I’d advise you to not press for further proofs as I did risk a lot by bringing you here without knowing you in the slightest.”

A billion of thoughts crossed the brunet’s mind but by the tone of your voice, he guessed this was not the time to assault you with any of his concerns. He quickly regained his composure and nodded politely.

“I’ve come to you because I think my friend is in danger.”

“What could I do even if he was indeed in danger? I’m just a musketeer in training.”

“We both know you are not only that, (Y/n),” you cocked a brow at his words as your heart anxiously beat against your ribcage.

“Is that so?”

“I’m sure you know far more than you allow most of us, regular citizen, to believe. You and the sorceress that murdered the kind ten years ago are linked, a way or another. That much, I’m certain.”

You were frigid and it must have shown because Oikawa smirked proudly.

“How could you have come to these conclusions?”

“Last night, Suga dreamed of you and her warning him about a certain… orange lily. You gave him a crown of snapdragon and statice, which are both flowers recognized for their meaning; statice for remembrance and snapdragon for strength or maybe presumption?”

“What do I have to do with the way he pictures me in his sleep, Oikawa?” you said cautiously, not to show how stressed you really were.

“Suga never dreamed of things that meant nothing. It’s a secret of his, we could say. He often jokes about being farseeing because every time he dreams of something, it somehow rubs off on his awake life. Now, drop the act sweetheart- we both know you’ve been keeping it up for long enough. I’m concerned for my friends and I need answers.”

You sighed, massaging the back of your neck tiredly, “you’d be surprised of how much you don’t know which pushes me to believe you won’t accept the story that comes with my business in this whole affair.”

“I’ve seen a female crossdressed as a male musketeer today. Pretty sure I can handle stories that involve the king’s murderer.”

“See? This is already going wrong.”

“How is it wrong? The sorceress did kill the king and (Your father’s name) (Last name) at the time.”

“This is where you’re wrong,” you reached for the inside of your cloak and go out the enchanted hydrangea, “I was once just like you, I believed every word I had been told about that night, I never doubted it a second. You know why?”

He shook his head in negation so you could go on.

“Because the story I was told satisfied me, the captain of the guards was a hero and I oh-so desperately wanted to be as brave and chivalrous as him so I could also protect the royal family from dark and bewitching sorceress as well.”

“Then what is the truth if what we were told wasn’t?”

You plucked a petal from the flower’s stem and handed him, he took it- brows furrowed. He did not understand.

“Might as well let her explain for herself then, she at least deserves that. Slip the petal under your tongue as you take a nap, wake me up when you’re done” you were barely raising up from your chair that Oikawa already seemed to panic.

“How do I know if you have not poisoned that crap?”

“As you said, Oikawa, you will just have to trust me,” you were now out of sight and he just stared at the delicate thing in his hand.

He smelled it distrustfully but it did not smell of poison. He could not believe he was about to do as you said, still he slipped it under his thong and laid on the kitchen’s floor. The love he had for his best friend was far greater than the fear of being poisoned, moreover he was convinced that despite your rude mask you were not as bad as you led to believe. He knew Sugawara would never like someone with a wicked heart, that was unless you had put a spell on him.

He nonetheless followed your instruction and closed his eyes, slowly but surely he fell asleep. It was then that he saw her, a woman with long silver hair resembling his friend’s hair and a gentle smile on her lips sitting in her cottage kitchen preparing tourmaline charms. When their eyes met she did not seem surprise, instead she invited him to sit and proposed him a cup of chamomile tea.

“You’ve been a great friend to Sugawara for all these years, I was expecting you to eventually catch on. I guess you deserve to hear the truth if you’ve been so willing to protect him. Sit tight, dearest child, here it goes…”

⚜

It must have been almost morning when Oikawa shook you awake. In your whole life never had you felt so attacked before. If you were not so quick on your thoughts, you might have just slapped the poor guy. Luckily for him, you only frowned and opened your eyes. Sighed when you saw it was him and knew you had to get up since he probably wanted to address the vision.

You raised from Yachi’s bed, careful not to wake her up as well, and made your way down stairs to heat up some tea. Oikawa just sat at the table in utter silence and the fact his nosy mouth was not rambling already was rather unsettling. Once you finished brewing some tea, you handed him a cup, to which he thanked you quietly.

“You’ve been noticeably quiet, what’s on your mind?” you began, taking a sip of your cup.

“Well, I’m sure you understand how overwhelming learning about something as big as that can be. Besides, it’s not everyday you learn your best friend could be killed at his own crowning ceremony,” his eyes looked out to the rising sun, he seemed contemplative. “I heard you and your musketeer friends were assigned to his security, if you don’t mind I would like to have ins on what’s going on, tonight.”

You nodded comprehensive, “sure. I cannot deny you this request after all, I would want the same if it was my best friend in danger.”

“What’s the plan?”

“Daichi, Asahi and Yuu are assigned to stand guard in the banquet room, I will attend as a civilian just as Suga requested me to come. We will keep an eye on Sayuri and anyone that could come in contact with him through the evening.”

“That sounds too easy. What’s the trick?”

“The queen’s magic,” you scratched your neck in discomfort just by thinking of it. Even with the enchantress’ tourmaline charm, the fact Sayuri could use magic on everyone was a possibility. You did not want to see anyone hurt for pride and power, her values were contrasting against yours- you promised yourself no one would have to undergo the same fate as your father or the king.

“Could queen Kushinashi not protect with you with any of her powers?”

“She will. By the time it will be time to attend the ceremony, each one of us will receive a packet from a raven. Inside will be your protection charm so you could be shield from any spell or curse. The issue there is that only the boys and I will have one, if Sayuri decides to cast a spell on everyone else in the room to counter us- we will surely be outrunned.”

“Sly, very sly at that,” he hummed, passing a hand in his hair thoughtfully, “do you think she will use magic as the banquet begins? Or just as last resort?”

“She knows queen Kushinashi has created alliance with some people, she will stand on her toes all night long but I doubt she will use magic in beginning. With further discussion with my companions it became obvious she might try to hire someone that could do her dirty work and only use her powers as last resort.”

He shook his head approvingly before rising up, “thank you for telling me the truth (Y/n). I will have to leave now, someone might wonder where I’ve been since I left the castle early yesterday.”

“Of course,” you bowed your head in departure and he does the same, “be cautious Oikawa.”

“I could only tell you the same.”

He opened the door and was on his way. You exhale calmly, trying not to stress yourself over this evening. You needed to get back to the training building, you knew soon enough the commanders would come in the dorms and wake everyone up for the last training. You scribbled a note for Yachi’s attention saying you would be back later on to get in your ball dress and left for the dorms unhurriedly.

⚜

Later that evening, Oikawa entered his friend’s room. He was fidgeting and nervously stepping around- something was bothering him.

“Hey, are you alright?”

“I feel nervous. I told her to come tonight so I could tell her the truth, that I am the prince.”

‘If only you knew,” thought Oikawa, dropping a hand on his shoulder, “don’t worry, I’m sure she’ll take it well. Everyone has some dark secret for others to find out eventually anyway.”

“You think so? I mean this is not like any secrets.”

“Yeah I think so.If I was you, instead of worrying about what she might think, I would be concerned of who might show up to my ceremony.”

Sugawara frowned and looked at his friend, “What?”

“All I’m saying Suga is to watch over yourself tonight, alright? I have a weird feeling about tonight,” he said trying to cover up for his slip up.

“I’m sure everything will be fine, mother made sure the place would be secure.”

‘That’s exactly that the problem,” Oikawa thought to himself as he tried to act like everything was going to be great. He knew that telling Sugawara about his mother’s plan would make him look crazy, plus he did not want to risk the plan.

“Anyhow, they’ve sent me to tell you that they were about to announce your presence. I hope you’re ready.

“I don’t have a choice now, do I?” he asked, faintly smiling.

The butler shrugged, “come on now, your majesty.”

His friend only scowled at his words and walked his way to the entrance of the ballroom where the banquet would be held. As soon as he arrived, trumpets and a servant announced his arrival. The room fell quiet as the prince went down the stairs, his back straight- he felt oddly aware of the stares he was given. He desperately tried to find some familiar face to focus on until his coronation was over. When his eyes laid on you, he felt a peace to his furiously beating heart. You smiled at him encouragingly. He knew that with you around he could do it.

He walked up to where stood the queen, waiting for him already. By her side was a lady around his age holding a cushion that supported a golden crown. Once he was in front of her, the ceremony began.

“Sugawara Koshi, first of his name, heir to the Koshi family, are you willing to take the Oath?” said the queen.

“I am willing.”

“Do you promise and swear on your name that you will care and govern the people standing under the flag of your family?”

“I solemnly promise I do.”

“Will you assure judgements and laws are fair and merciful of the innocent?”

“I will.”

“Sugawara Koshi, I, queen Sayuri, first of her name, proclaim you king of my lands. You are now responsible for my people as I were before you and have the obligeance to honor your promises. Long lives the king.”

“Long lives the king!” Everyone repeats, applauding and cheering as the queen carefully putted the crown on his head. Sugawara stood proudly in front of everyone, bowing politely until the crowd finally calmed down and went for the banquet.

He made his way toward you, nervously. You could see it in his eyes and in his movements, he was building up the courage to face you. Seeing him this way was rather quite adorable and even though you had known his secret for a long time now, it felt strange to see him all dressed up this way. He looked stunning.

“My lady,” he said teasingly, kissing your hand just like the first time you had met.

“No needs for such formalities, majesty,” you responded with the same voice.

He could not help but smile, “I’m glad you came.”

“I am too. Congratulation for your coronation by the way.”

“Thank you… How are you taking it? I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier…”

“Well I’ve always known you were too polite and delicate to be the son of any merchants,” you responded jokingly, in hope he would feel better, “but it doesn’t matter. King or civilian, you are someone I care for and that won’t be changed by some ceremony.”

“You make it sound as if it didn’t matter much to you,” he said, surprised.

“Well, your coronation is important, yes. Thing is, however important it is- it doesn’t have to interfere between us and that’s what I live by.”

A faint blush appeared on his cheeks and he passed a hand in his neck, relaxed.

“Thank you (Y/n).”

“No need to thank me, you accepted the way I was too. You mind having something to eat? I haven’t ate since lunch.”

“Sure, come on.”

He grabbed your hand as you both walked to sit at a table to enjoy the banquet. On your way there, people of any social status congratulated him for his new role and Sugawara would always reply he was thankful for their support and grace them with one of his beautiful delighted face.

As you sat down side by side, a butler came to give you both a plate of food and a goblet, that he filled with delicious smelling liquid you assumed to be nectar.

“Queen Sayuri sent me fetch the most delicate nectar we had in our reserves in your honor your majesty. We hope you like it,” said the man.

“I’m sure I will, it smell lovely. I appreciate it,” the prince curtly nod at the servant before he left the table.

“Cheers (Y/n),” he said grabbing his goblet to raise it to you, you gestured to do the same.

“To your coronation Suga,” a sickening feeling grew in your stomach as you drinked the sugary drink. It felt strangely thick in your throat for it looked to be much more liquid in your glass. The tourmaline medallion hidden under the top of your dress started burning uncomfortably. You turned to look at Sugawara in horror as you saw him drink as well, your gaze turned to meet Oikawa’s and he seemed to immediately catch on.

The newly crowned king dropped his cup only a few seconds after you reached to grab it, completely panicked. His face turned white and he stretched his hand your way to touch your cheeks.

“I don’t feel so good (Y/n),” he said, his fingers as cold as ice, “I feel cold. Hold me, please.”

You caught his limping body as it fell off his chair, you faintly heard people gasping at the sight but could not get yourself to move from your position. You grabbed the rope of your medallion and passed it over his head in a way to keep the both of you shielded from any other magical attacks and hopefully to cease the cursed nectar’s spreading.

“Seize him!” yelled Oikawa, pointing toward the servant that served the drink as he was about to escape the room, “he poisoned the king’s drink!”

Daichi immediately jumped on the guy as he was the closest, Yuu and Asahi came to help him keep the man from escaping.

“She told me to bring them this particular bottle!” the servant cried out as he was to be taken away, “I swear on my daughter’s head that I did not poison that nectar!”

“Who told you to serve it?” Asked Yuu harshly.

“The queen! The queen told me too! Please I have a family to care for.”

“Impossible!” interrupted one of the monarchs in the room, “why would the queen poison her son butler? This doesn’t make any sense, you fraud! Someone must have paid you full price to poison the prince.”

“Except the drink wasn’t poisoned,” you called out, snapping out of your trense, “it was cursed. How would you explain that sir?”

“How would a woman such as yourself know it was cursed?” he retorted, “How do we know you did not poison him yourself!”

“Because I was sent to protect his highness while the coronation, someone had reasons to believe the queen would abuse of her magical knowledge to keep the throne for herself! I was given a charm of protection that could protect me from any sort of magical danger, when I drank the nectar- the necklace burned my chest so badly my skin is blistered.”

“Let us say it was cursed,” interjected the queen, “how dare you put the blame on me, his mother? I have carried him in my womb and cherished him all his life.”

“Liar!” Oikawa shouted, “you stole the child from his real mother and cursed your people to believe you were the true queen.”

“Nonsense!” she screeched back, everyone could see she was losing her cold, “such clowneries will not be tolerated in my court, young man.”

“Enough of your lying,” cutted off Daichi, with a grim expression, “if you did care as much as you are saying about your son you would have already been trying to heal him with your magic. Do not try to cover it up with a bunch of sweet words.”

Guests began to exchange glances and murmuring, the queen was fuming. She tried to make them stop but no one listened. In a fit of anger, she started whispering words in another language and almost every people around you halted, their gaze turning empty. The scene was oh-so familiar from the vision and it was horrible to live it once again.

“Get Sugawara out of here, (Y/n)!” called out Daichi as him and your two other friends reached for their swords.

“I can’t let you guys fight her by yourselves!” You insisted, still holding Sugawara against you.

“Don’t worry,” said Yuu with a wink, “you’re not the only one that topped the best scores in sword fighting. Leave it to us and protect the king! We’ll catch up soon enough.”

You hesitated but Asahi confidently nodded in your direction and you decided that you would trust your friends with the matter at hand. You grabbed the boy’s waist and spared one last look toward Oikawa, frozen in his daze. A sad lump fell in your throat and you hurriedly made your way to the nearest door, hands nonchalantly trying to tear Sugawara out of your grasp.

It led out to the garden where you marched a good distance away from the ballroom. You laid the boy in the grass and reached for a secret pocket in the skirt of your dress. You carefully plucked the petal of your hydrangea and forced it under his thong.

“Hear me call upon you, Kushinashi,” you chanted softly, invoking the enchantress, “crucial times has come, I ask for your guidance.”

A gentle breeze caressed your hair as a tornado of delicate baby blue petals formed in front of you, slowly metamorphosing into the sorceress’ tall and slender form. Once she opened her eyes, she choked a sob and immediately knelt by her son’s side.

“I was too late to stop him from drinking cursed nectar,” you said, ashamed.

“Do not blame yourself my dear,” her voice was wavering, “every curse can be undone. I just have to find the right spell.”

The woman positioned her hands over his stomach and murmured different incantations one by one. A loud explosion echoed behind you and you turned to see the ballroom flaming, Sayuri coming straight towards where you stood. Your heart felt heavy in guilt and pain realizing your friends were nowhere to be seen, you unsheath your sword preparing to cover for the last people you had to protect.

⚜

Sugawara felt icy, his body did not obey to any of his orders; it did not flinch or moved. The faint sound of voices resonated from somewhere he did not know. For a moment, he could not tell what they were saying, he kept trying to focus on their words but his mind was growing tired. He was not able to think straight anymore, could not form coherent thoughts. He was dying.

All he could see was darkness and it was swallowing him whole. Warm hands pressed on his chest lightly and it seemed to do nothing at first. Second by second, darkness was replaced by flash of colors which slowly transformed into pictures of his memories and sounds.

He saw the angelic face of a woman happily looking, she shared his grey eyes and silver hair. She was humming a peaceful lullaby he knew so well, the warmth of her gaze was tender and motherly. A strange heat spread through his chest the more he stared at the memory. He did not know this woman, but he loved her.

Memories only popped more and more, in each one of them, she stood there with that same loving expression. She cooed at him, made him laugh, fed him, sung him to sleep… but he still could not figure out who she was. Maybe he had reborn already and this was his new mother? No, it could not be. Everything he saw, it felt like years of worth of sight.

‘Remember me.’

‘Come back to me Sugawara.’

He now understood the whispering voices in his head. They repeated on and on the same phrases, but he still did not know their meaning. The boy grew angry with himself as he could not recall who the woman was- he knew she was important. He searched his thoughts for a name, anything that could hint him away.

The scene changed to show his bedroom, the woman was now by his window, plucking hydrangeas. He saw captain (L/n) enter the room in a frenzy. They exchanged a few words only to be interrupted by the king and queen following only a few seconds later. Déjà-vue.

‘Remember.’

The woman bent down to kiss his head but he realized she was actually murmuring in his hair, words he seemed to not have heard in his memory.

‘I love you.’

He felt his eyes fluttering open out of nowhere, he was snapped out of his dreams violently. Instead of warm lovely arms to welcoming, it was the cold grass under him, the smell of burning wood and glass, clashing of swords. He painfully managed to sit up, noticing the lifeless body of the woman he was dreaming of only a breath ago and then the presence of three guys as well as you facing his mother, the queen.

You were all bloodied and surely deeply wounded. His concern was focused on you, he could see how heavy you were breathing, your once beautiful dress was torn apart, your face was covered in blood and sweat. Your knuckles were white form holding your sword too tightly, your attention was on the queen’s every moves.

“Stop,” his voice was hoarse, he raised up weakly. Your eyes turned to meet his and you seemed as shocked as someone would be to see a body rise up from the dead.

It was a pitiful mistake of yours to look away, Sayuri only smirked and shoved you brutally against the ground with her power. Air knocked out of your lungs, you tried to breath so badly but you could not. Daichi tried running to your side but was powerfully propulsed away against a tree, madness submerged Nishinoya as he sprinted the queen’s way blindly. His foolishness only resulted in getting knocked out of cold.

“Mother, stop!” but she did not care of his words, she knew her sister had already given him the hydrangea. She could not go back; sooner or later he would realize what she did as well.

Asahi was the last one standing except for Sugawara, he resisted the urge to cower back- he could not allow himself to. Someone had to stop that woman from hurting people further than she did. Unlike Daichi or Yuu, Asahi did not rush in. He tightened his hold over his weapon and stared at his opponent. The queen gestured him to get closer, so he readied his blade and engaged with her in a dance of swords.

The long haired brunet skillfully dodged her hits, calculating every movements and actions. Not fully entering the danger zone so he would not get furtherly harmed. He spared you a few looks to see how long he would have to hold off still. It was the only error he could have done, the one time he saw you raise up he felt so relieved that he momentarily forgot to watch his side.

At the last second, Sugawara saw the treacherous blow your friend was about to take and instinctively jumped on him to get him out of the way. You took the moment to charge in Sayuri’s back and she barely managed to block you. Her face was now crisped and her eyes were full of hatred. She could not believe someone as meaningless as you could have almost gotten to her.

“You need to remember Suga!” You yelled, as you kept holding your sword against hers.

“Remember what?” he was huffing and puffing from the shock his lungs suffered when lunging to protect Asahi.

You were not able to respond for Sayuri succeeded in tackling you against the ground, both of your blades way too close of your face to be comfortable. The king, alarmed and anxious to see you in danger, searched his mind for what you could mean. He recalled the voices from his dream telling him the same thing as you did- he closed his eyes, trying to focus on images he saw in his slumber. Flashes of the enchantress’ face appeared in his head, her mouth was moving- she was telling him something. He peered at her lips, trying to read the words without hearing them.

‘I love you, my son.’

The realization hit him like a brick wall and he was stunned. How could it be? His gut feeling was telling him it was the truth and he could not believe it. Yet, when he opened his eyes again to see the witch holding you down, he was convinced.

“You’re not my mother.”

As soon as the words came out of his mouth, the false queen had turn to look at him. She screamed in pain as her body slowly distorted to separate and metamorph itself in orange lily petals. The wind grew strong and carried the blooms away, the burning ballroom rebuilt itself as it had been built beforehand, the garden only got greener and flowers bloomed.

You sighed in relief seeing Sayuri was gone. Your head felt heavy and you allowed your body to simply lay on the grass, completely drained. The last thing you saw was Sugawara trying to tell you something, but you only faintly smiled before falling into obscurity.

⚜

You must have been sleeping for a while now, when you woke up you were wrapped in comfortable bed sheets and was laying on a soft mattress. Close to you was sitting the enchantress, she was patiently doing embroideries waiting for your awakening. Once she noticed you were looking at her, wide awake, she laid her tissue on the side.

“How are you feeling dearest child?”

“My whole body feels bruised,” you said with a faint smile, “but I think I feel fine somehow.”

Kushinashi chuckled, “I see.”

“How are you doing, your majesty?” you asked back, “I remember you were gravely hurt while the battle.”

“Fairly well,” she responded, “I’m glad this whole story has been dealt with. Finally being able to talk with my son was a great alleviation.”

“How is he taking it all?”

“Surprisingly well. I had to tell him the whole story from point A to Z, including your participation in all of this and what happened on the night of his coronation. He told me he was glad you were there to watch over him even though he would’ve liked you or Oikawa to tell him the truth.”

“And the others, is everyone alright?”

“When Sayuri faded away, every curse she casted were undone. The fire was only an illusion so the people in the ballroom were not actually hurt, just confused as to what had happened after their bodies were taken over.”

You relaxed slightly, “I’m glad then.”

A soft knock echoed and you turned your head to see Sugawara standing at the door. The enchantress tapped your arms gently.

“I will leave you both to discuss,” she left the room. The both of you remaining behind stayed silent for a while, just until he quickly closed the distance between you two and embraced you.

“You don’t know how relieved I feel to see you awake,” his head was resting against yours, you caressed his back lightly.

“I could tell you the same, you scared me shitless back then when you drank that cursed nectar.”

“I’m sorry,” he simply replied then parted so he could appreciate your awaken face.

“Look, I know I should’ve warned you about your mother’s sister before instead of hiding from you-”

“Don’t worry yourself with trivial details (Y/n). I understand why you and the others did it, I would’ve probably not believed you anyway at the time.”

You nodded, falling silent. Sugawara cleared his throat after a moment, you could see he had something else to add, so you playfully nudged him.

“Come on, your majesty. You cheated death, you crossed blades with a malefic queen and saved the whole kingdom from a curse, I’m sure what you have to say isn’t as hard as any of those things.”

The corner of his lips raised slightly, he seemed to be less tense.

“You’re right, but it asks a different kind of guts to say these words. You don’t have to tell me what you think straight after I tell you because I understand it may be overwhelming after what you went trough.”

“Go on, tell me,” you encouraged.

“I grew to like you a lot,” he began nervously, “if you don’t mind, I would like us to have a fresh start and get to know one another better, you know… to see where this could go.”

Your cheeks were now flaming hot, the answer was already clear in your mind and it only needed to be said.

“I would love to Suga.”

⚜

As peace was reestablished, Daichi Sawamura, Yuu Nishinoya, Oikawa Tooru, Asahi Azumane and you, (First name) (Last name), were awarded and promoted for you bravery in protecting the royal family and their civilian.

It was understandable to say the least that breaking a fifteen years old curse that was casted by a very powerful sorceress was a life changing experience and it did influence the choices you all made in the future.

To begin with, you had figured that keeping the royal family safe was not only apart of your legacy but also something that tied you closer to Sugawara. Living through the experience together created a special bond and you lived in the palace with him for as long a he reigned over his people.

Oikawa decided to resign from his butler duty to live a peaceful live as a flower merchant. Of course, he did keep contact with his childhood friend and said friend understood Oikawa’s leaving. Every now and then, the brunet would come back to visit him for old times sake.

Finally, Daichi became a member of the king’s personal guard along with Asahi and Yuu to highlight how much the royal family trusted in their capabilities to keep them safe and it was an honour for the three of them to live up to that.

But more importantly, although peace had been restored, you remained partly restless, as though you had unfinished business to keep an eye out for. Little did you know, deep in the woods of a far away land grew an orange lily, awaiting for her time to shine.

⚜

Sources: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 Youtubers/ artists that inspired me through hours of continuous work: ChilloutDeer , Ludovico Einodi , Adrian Von Ziegler & BLUME

#sugawara x reader #sugawara koushi #haikyuu #haikyuu x reader #anime

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