invisible strings | h.kazutora ✓

chapter six

The kitchen asked you to serve tea at the palace's garden where the marriage meeting is taking place. You are curious to see what the princess looks like because you heard the handmaidens were talking about how beautiful she is.

"Are you serving their tea?" Ran asked as he walked beside you.

"Yes." You answered and turned your head to look at him. You got startled when you realized that it was the Royal army commander. "Jeez! Don't just pop out like a wild mushroom everywhere, I could die of a heart attack, you know." You paused. "I'm sorry for my rudeness, your highness."

"It's fine, I like the way you treat me as equal. I'm tired of people treating me like I'm some kind of treasure." He leaned close. "It's suffocating."

You just smiled at him in response. Ran tilted his head to the side, trying to analyze what is the situation right now.

You reached the palace's garden. They are not here so you just proceed to place the tea on the table. Your mind is floating somewhere else because you keep thinking about that marriage meeting. You know that it's none of your business but you can't shake this uneasy feeling.

"Disappointed that he's not here?" Ran suddenly asked.

You flinched that made the teacup quiver. Thank goodness you quickly balanced it. You sighed and looked back. "Oh, you're still here?"

"Yes, it's my break today and I don't have anything to do so I decided to have a little chat with you, y/n."

"Why don't you practice stabbing someone. you're a soldier, right?"

"I really like your way of communicating y/n it's refreshing." He chuckled.

You didn't notice what he just said because your head is filled with weird imagination about Kazu and the princess. Are they holding hands right now? Did that fox kiss her like he did to me? Those questions are inside your head.

Ran scratched his temples while his other hand is in his waist. He's just staring at you while doing the finishing touches of the table. She really is worried about Kazu, eh? What's her relation to him?

After you were done, He immediately grabbed your wrist and dragged you away.

You got surprised by the sudden dragging. "He—Hey! where are we going?" You lift your dress up using your other hand to avoid tripping. That would be embarrassing if that happens.

"You want to see the prince, right? let's sneak to his marriage meeting."

"Isn't that illegal?"

"Well, true. but you're with me so... you're head is safe."

"Oh, you like dark humor, I see."

"What's that?"

"Nothing." You shut your mouth and continue to follow him. You both hide behind the flower bushes. Ran sits on the ground with one knee up, he rests his arm on his knees while he supports his body with his other arm on the ground. you, on the other hand, are crouching while peeking from the bush.

There, you see the Prince walking with the Princess. They look good together. Too good that it feels sore to your eyes. They are smiling while walking in this beautiful garden. Wow, I don't know that he shows his smiles to other females.

"They suit each other." You mumbled.

Ran, stared at you without you knowing. His gaze traced your features from eyes down to your lips. He got lost in your beautiful face that he unconsciously tucked your hair behind your ear.

"Ayame," he whispered. you got startled and lost your balance. Ran acted fast and grabbed your hand, pulling them towards him that made you fall to his chest instead of falling behind. You made a faint squeal so, you immediately covered your mouth.