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

22. A Surprise Request.

((Hey guys! I'm back! Sorry it's been a minute, hope you enjoy the new chapter!))

I woke up the next morning, predictably, alone. I couldn't help but roll over in my bed, letting out a deep sigh as I did so. I could have anticipated such an outcome, but part of me couldn't help but hope that Prince Nagito would be there next to me when I awoke.

I couldn't help but sigh, burying my face in my pillow. Of course, it always seemed to go back to Prince Nagito. One moment, he was sweet and kind, overflowing with warmth. The next, it was like he was someone else. It was confusing to never know exactly who you were going to get.

I frustratedly hopped out of bed, trying to cast the doubts in my head aside. I had fallen into a pretty mundane routine at the castle, save for the kidnapping incident, with much free time to myself during the day. Although it was sharply different from my bustling life back at the bakery, I had grown to quite accustomed to my new routine at the castle, and had found the luxuries that came with it easy to adapt to.

Before I knew it, I found myself back at the table in the dining room, my name card nearly placed directly next to the princes. I hesitantly took my place, waiting for the others to arrive. The table appeared to have less chairs than the day before, leading me to believe more girls had been sent home.

I anxiously waited for the others, drumming my fingers gently on the white tablecloth. The table had appeared to be set for a meal, but I still had been the only one to arrive. I glanced over to the clock, realizing that it was actually the evening. I blinked a few times, wondering if I was still half asleep, but sure enough, as I walked out of the dining room, the pale moon shining through the tall windows immediately caught my eye.

I frowned, staring down at the porcelain tile beneath my feet. How was it evening already? Did I end up taking a nap? The last memory I had was of the prince holding me as I drifted to sleep, so I surely had been asleep that whole time...

Had the prince done something to cause me to sleep in so late?

As I stood there in my confused daze, I failed to notice that Prince Hajime had made his way down the hallway toward me. It was only when I felt him shake my shoulder gently that I was snapped back to reality, my eyes locking with his.

"Lady (y/n), are you ok?" The prince asked, his eyebrows furrowed in concern as he looked down at me.

I stared at him silently, unable to form the right words.

"I was calling out for you, did you hear me?" He continued, placing his hand on my forehead. "It doesn't seem like you have a temperature, but are you feeling alright...?"

"How is it evening already?" I asked him, gazing out at the moonlit courtyard beyond the windows.

"I'm sorry, I'm a little confused," the prince replied, keeping his watchful gaze on me.

I looked back to the prince, studying his concerned expression. I was at a loss for what to tell him— would he believe me if I told him what had happened?

My gaze trailed down to the silver key that the prince clutched in his hand. I opened my mouth to ask him as an attempt to change the subject, but instead, I decided I couldn't bear to be dishonest with him in this instant.

"Your majesty, I... have only now just woken up. I have been asleep all day, and I am not quite sure why," I admitted. "Last night, your brother came to visit me, and that was the last memory I had before I woke up..."

The prince stared at me in shock, taken aback by my words. After an agonizingly long moment of silence, he finally replied.

"Komaeda did this, you think?" He echoed, his lips curled into a frown. "My word, lady (y/n)... I'm so sorry that happened. I cannot bear the thought of him trying to harm you in any way...."

I smiled at him, grateful for his genuine concern. "Thank you, your majesty. I am not sure if it was his doing, but I still worry if he had some part in it..."

"I would definitely suspect so, as well," the prince replied. He then lifted the silver key, holding it out for me to view in plain sight. "In fact, that's why I was coming to find you, just now."

"Find me? For what?" I echoed.

"Brother is away tending to business in a nearby kingdom," the brunette prince explained, keeping his focus on the object. "I... have reason to suspect that he is responsible for some other foul play that has occurred as of recent. And so, I wanted to check his study while he was away to see if I could find any evidence... but I require assistance to make sure we are not spotted by any of the castle staff."

"So, that's where I come in," I mused, eliciting a chuckle from Prince Hajime.

"Yes, it is," he exclaimed. "Would you mind coming with me?"

I hesitated for a moment, considering the prince's request. If we were caught, I would surely face expulsion, or worse. But upon looking at the prince's eager expression, I decided to give in to my morbid curiosities as well, eager to find out what sort of items the prince stored in his study.

"I will," I replied, my voice lowered down to a whisper as I spoke. "Do you know where his study is?"

"I knew you'd say yes," the prince exclaimed, his expression animated with delight. "Come, follow me. I'll lead the way..."

The prince immediately turned down his heels and took off down the hallway. He then stopped and gestured for me to follow.

I hesitated for a moment, unable to shake the nagging fear of the unknown that laid before me. All I could do was cross my fingers in hope that the castle staff would turn a blind eye to our 'visit'.

I took off behind him, following the prince down the dark hallway as we made our way to Prince Nagito's study.