Royals. (Prince! Komaeda Nagito x Fem! Reader x Prince! Hajime Hinata)

17. A Midnight Nightmare.

Darkness, total darkness.

The same darkness I had grown to be accustomed to. I had grown quite used to it, but it still had the same numbing effect on me as ever before.

However, this time, the darkness was different. In the distance, I could faintly make out a giggle. The giggle then grew louder and stronger, eventually erupting into full on laughter. I listened as more voices chimed in, and eventual a sea of laughter filled the darkness.

I couldn't move, couldn't do anything. I was completely immobile to the horrifying chorus surrounding me. Suddenly, one of the male laughing voices, the one which started the chain reaction, began to speak.

"Nishishi! Did you seriously think you could escape, (y/n)?"

"How pathetic to think you could be free!" A female voice yelled. "Hope you're excited to rot in the darkness for all of eternity!"

I tried to open my mouth to scream, but no noise could come out. I could only listen to all of the vile words that they threw at me.

Suddenly, my eyes flew open, and I sat up with a quick jolt. I couldn't help but let out a loud gasp, as if I was drowning and finally able to breathe again.

I looked down at my hands, relieved to be able to faintly make them out in the dark lighting. I couldn't help but breathe heavily as I stared at them, faintly illuminated by the moonlit window nearby.

Flashbacks of the dungeon replayed in my mind, reminding me of my time in captivity. It all happened so recently, and I was still left with so many unanswered questions. My dream may as well have ripped open the wound yet again.

I was still gasping for air when I heard a gentle knock at the door. I jolted my attention to it, the adrenaline from the nightmare still coursing through me.

"What? Who's there?!" I exclaimed, staring intently at the door.

"Lady (y/n), may I come in?" A familiar voice whispered from behind the wood. I immediately recognized it as belonging to Prince Nagito, but I was too overwhelmed to even fathom how to respond. What if he was the spy? What if this was a trap?

Thankfully, he took the lead, slowly twisting the doorknob to enter my room. The prince's silver eyes shone in the faint light, with concerned brows hovering on top of them. His mouth curved into a small frown, the prince wasted no time in silently shutting the door behind him. Then, in a soothing yet vulnerable voice, he spoke. "Sweetheart, are you alright?"

Though the sight of him had made me feel more secure, I still was amped up from the nightmare I had before. "I... I was back in the dungeon again... I'm never going to escape..."

The prince slowly sat down on the side of my bed, not once looking away from me as he did so. He gently took a gloved hand and placed it on top of mine, bringing my clammy fingers to his lips to plant a soft kiss on top of them. "You're safe here, lady (y/n)."

Though the prince was unpredictable at times, something about his tone seemed to make me feel more secure. My heart was still throbbing in my chest, but the prince thankfully spoke before I had to worry about responding.

"I know you're still shaken up," prince Nagito murmured. "Believe me, I would be too. A poor maiden like you should never have to endure such a horrendous experience. But I promise you, you are safe here with me. I will never let anyone out a finger on you ever again."

My heart nearly burst at his words, amping up in speed yet again. "Are you serious?"

The prince edged closer to me, his silver eyes not once leaving my gaze. Until he slowly leaned in, gently pressing his soft lips on top of mine.

I felt a wave of shock pass through me as I desperately tried to kiss back. His lips were soft and gentle, contrasting the usual abrupt nature of the white haired prince. They lingered on top of mine for a moment before he slowly pulled away, his eyelids fluttering open yet again. "Did that seem serious to you?"

My jaw dropped open, completely at a loss for words. I could still feel the sweat from the nightmare on my body. "Am I dreaming?"

The prince merely chuckled at my words. And then, in a low, raspy voice, he spoke. "Trust me, (y/n). If this is a dream, I would never want to wake up."

I sat there in silence for a brief moment before letting out a small giggle, my lips curling into a tiny grin.

"There's that smile of yours," the prince murmured. "It's wonderful to see it again."

"How did you get here?" I whispered to him. "How did you know I was having a nightmare, I mean."

"Don't worry, lady (y/n)," he replied. "I just have a way of knowing these things. Are you feeling any better? Would you like for me to sleep next to you tonight in case you have another bad dream?"

I hesitated for a brief moment, soaking the stillness of the night. I studied his face— the silver eyes, concerned eyebrows, and the lips which seemed to beg for my response. If I were to get caught with him in my bedroom at such an unsightly hour, I would surely face consequences. If not from the royal family themselves, but from the other girls. But then again, the thought of falling asleep in the empty room by myself sent another shiver up my spine.

"I would be delighted."

The prince nodded before hopping under the covers with me. "Lay down, lady (y/n)."

I did as the prince said, and was shocked to feel his arms wrap around me. His warmth seemed to envelop my body, allowing for my heart to finally calm down. 

"I will protect you," were the final words I heard the prince murmur before I was finally able to be lulled into a calm, peaceful sleep.