invisible strings | h.kazutora ✓

chapter five

"Ahhh! Finally, My work is done." You said while stretching your arms. You're tired but you cannot sleep so you decided to go to the palace garden to watch the night flowers bloom.

"The ball must be starting by now." You whisper to yourself as you slowly walk around the garden.

"As long as you have my mark, you are mine and mine alone." You remember what Kazutora said to you earlier and it made your cheeks burn.

"Psh! Acting possessive my ass."

"I thought that I could find you here." A familiar voice said, making you flinch.

"Kazu—I mean your highness" You bowed to him. "What are you doing here?"

"It's suffocating there so I went out to get some air. I am glad to see you here."

"I see... Even royals need to escape sometimes, huh?"

"Yeah. I know this is my destiny but sometimes I can't help but feel trapped, you know."

"I somewhat understand that. Back in my world, all I ever did was study and work to sustain a living. I felt trapped that I can't do the things that can make me happy because of the weight of my responsibility."

"Yeah, the responsibility." Kazutora put his hand behind him and walked closer to you. You then both look at the beauty of the palace garden together.

"But yours is way too heavy. Everyone is depending on you but you manage to take care of them... Us. You're a great leader, Kazu-sama. I admire that part of you."

"So you're praising me now, huh?"

"I'm just stating what I observed." Kazu looked at you with his eyes wide. He doesn't quite understand why your words suddenly lift the heavy feeling he's had for a long time and it made him feel confident that he's doing everything right.

"Do you want to dance?"

"What?"

"Humans are for sure doesn't have great hearings. I wanted to dance with you."

"My hearing is fine, for your information." You are tempted to roll your eyes but you stopped yourself. "But why? There are a lot of princesses at the party just pick one."

"Am I not allowed to dance with my bride?" He walked closer you but you stepped back.

"Stay there." You gestured for him to stop.

"Why?"

"You keep invading my personal space."

"That personal space that you keep saying is mine too." He took a step forward. "I told you, as long as you have my seal of promise, your body, soul, everything is mine."

"Are you drunk?"

"I am not drunk." He stopped near you and took a bow. "Can I have this dance?" He extended his hand, waiting for your response.

"Power tripping, eh?" You then accepted his hand. He stood straight and smiled at you.

"You have a weird language, milady." He said and guided your hands to the back of his shoulders. He then put his hand behind your waist.

"I don't know how to dance, and there's no music." You whispered. You heard him snap his finger behind you and suddenly, low music, carried by the breeze is filling the garden.

"Wha— Wow!" You said, while looking around, "That's... That's impressive!" Kazutora chuckled. He then twirls you around just in time when the night flower blooms, tiny lights slowly floating as your dress spreads gracefully from the twirl. You can't get enough of how beautiful the place is. How magical it feels twirling around in the bed of flowers.