In terms of how you'd both met, there wasnt much to discuss. You were an affair advisor of the state and Crunchy Chip was under the legion of Dark Cacao. At a meeting, you'd finally showed up.
Your mask was still wore though. You were from a different contenant called Wol. Any actual tracing of your lineage back would immediately reveal you were the crowned prince of an empire, and you couldn't risk the publicity.
So your white and red mask with an ancient Japanese fox was styled over your face. You pulled at the silky thin strands of your loose bow, uncomfortable in the suit style of the Cacao kingdom. Heavy, dark, and bulky. In your own kindgom, Luo, the average attire was kimonos for females and light, silky suits. Nobinary people were encouraged to wear whatever they wanted.
"Mr. L/N, it's refreshing to see you once again. How have the trade deals between Darinia and Milkow been going?" Dark Cacao asked, making you swivel towards him. "Milkow is still agressive and demanding but the cities have lightened up on each other. Within a few more months they'll be back on normal trade terms."
Dark Cacao smiled in appreciation and nodded, turning to his son. "Dark Choco, I wonder, have you met Lord Y/N?"
The prince shook his head, looking towards you. "He reminds me of a prince in Wol. You share the same first name, I believe." You swallowed, eyes narrowing. "I see. Well, my name is rather common for foreign royalty, perhaps. I assure you I am no more than a Duke who changed status for traveling purpose."
"A Disposed Duke? Thats a first," Affogato noted, smiling behind his fan. "Was it really for traveling purposes, I wonder?" You grit your teeth, standing. "Cacao, I suggest your clown of a court mage learn proper manners. I have genuine meetings to attend. Good day."
You turned on your heel, not caring about the awkward silence you heard as you left. Affogato had always liked getting under your skin, maybe because you were new and he didnt know you well. Even so, he'd lose his head if he ever stepped foot in your own empire. Talking to a prince as such! Even if you were a disposed duke, you did your job well.
You heard footsteps behind you, eyes ablaze as you turned around. A man with a fluffy white coat was running full speed at you. He'd been at the table too... Crunchy... Crunchy Chip, that was right. You folded your arms, eyes glowing behind the mask as he approached you.
"Prince Y/N! Sir, why are yo-" you snapped your fingers, his voice shutting off as your eyes widened. "Follow me. Dont talk, I'll remove your voicebox completely." He nodded enthusiastically, eyes twinkling with interest. How did he know? Wasnt he just some mountain man??
Though, based off his excitement, he must have recognized you. Perhaps he, too, was from Wol? You whisked away to your chambers, allowing him to enter as you shut the door. "Speak," you stated, snapping once more. He blinked, rubbing his throat.
"Oh, Prince Y/N! Im honored to see you here. Are you really disposed though? I thought-"
"That isn't the issue. How did you recognize me without me showing my face?"
"I uses to live in Wol as a child. Your family supported an orphanage of mages, remember? I was one of them, I remember you showing up at my coronation of graduation! You haven't changed much, honestly." He grinned as you groaned, rubbing your neck.
"Alright, since you seem to remember me *so* well, wheres my facial scar?" He perked up, eyes wide. "Right.... Here." His hand came up swiftly, pulling up the mask a bit to reveal the scar on your lower cheek.
You pushed him off, eyes glowing as you pulled the mask down. "Alright... Alright. Okay, listen here. You seem to respect me, so respect my wishes. Don't address me as prince or Y/N. Don't even mention that we know each other. We've never met, we never had this discussion. Understand?"
Crunchy Chip nodded, though he looked up at you with confusion. "Pardon me, but why are you here? Are you undercover?" You shook your head, turning away. "That is none of your business. You may leave. Now."
He evidently took the hint, bowing and taking his leave as you slid against the door to the ground. Ugh, why did this have to happen. If only you hadn't attended that dumb meeting.
××××××
A few weeks had gone by, and you hadn't seen Crunchy Chip since your last encounter. Thankfully, he seemed less enthusiastic to talk to you according to inside eyes and ears. Though he had shut up Affogato, thank the Lord. You'd thank him eventually for it.
"The duke of Listai would like to have an audience with you, Lord Y/N," your servant stated with hesitance. You looked up from your tablework, blinking. "Let him in." She nodded, dissappearing behind the doors before the duke himself entered.
"Lord Y/N, how pleasent to see you."
"Duke Yuriel... A pleasure as well."
"Have you thought at all about my offer?"
You swallowed, eyes dark. A month ago he had cornered you at a party with a marriage request for his daughter. You, being not all that into women, just went along with it. Sadly, the duke thought your fake interest was real.
"I dont need the future position of duke. I'm fine as a lord. Plus, my inheritance elsewhere will ruin your daughter and I's relationship," you folded your arms, leaning back in your chair. Duke Yuriel looked relatively angered, his eyes lighting up.
"Do you think you're too good for my daughter? Hiding behind that idiotic mask, thinking you're soooo handsome?" You smirked at his remarks, shrugging. "Perhaps." His eyes darted to the glass of wine on your desk. You intercepted his reaching for it, pressing firm on the veins of his inner forearm.
"I suggest you leave before I throw you out. I'm sure the newspapers would love some drama coming from you, who's reputation is oh-so-low as of late." The man seethed as he ripped his arm away, stomping out of the room.
Sighing, you gripped the wine and sipped it. You couldn't wait for the day you announced your true identity. Only a couple more weeks, then you'd be free. Then you'd be able to resume trade deals within the continents.
And soon enough, that few weeks came. When the trading team from Wol entered the country, you entered with them, mask and all. Dark Cacao looked in your direction, confusion in his eyes when you untied the string of the mask. Handing it to Lord Iri, you stepped forward and bowed.
"Emperor Cacao, I'm Prince L/N from the country of Wol. Ten years before your reign we stopped diplomatic relationships over a small fight of a port. I've come to tell you every reason we should resume trading."
The people around the emperor gasped, Affogato's face turning horribly grim. His realization of your status was definitely a winning moment for you as you mentally smirked at him. "Prince Y/N! We'd be happy to listen to your reasoning!" A voice yelled.
You knew it too well, teeth clenching as Crunchy Chip appeared from within the court crowd. "He's done a fantastic job here, in our own trades. Why wouldn't he be presenting a good offer to us, your highness?"
His direction was pointed at Dark Cacao, who simply nodded with a half-smile. "Alright. Prince Y/N, we can meet tomorrow at noon for some tea and discuss trades then. Affogato, please set them into their rooms. Move the prince to the distinguished guest's room."
