Icy Highness | Yuzuru Hanyu

62.

The peace that came with Yuzuru being at the palace wasn't something that Athena counted on lasting too long.

Even as they exchanged small kisses for the first time he showed up, the chaos about his presence had only just started and she couldn't help but constantly think about it.

"I can hear you thinking from here" he said as they cuddled in one of the couches she had in the bedroom.

"Sorry, I know you didn't come to see me miles away."

"You're worried about the reaction."
Athena didn't have to say anything, Yuzuru could read her better than anyone else, he knew what was consuming her thoughts and he hoped the idea of coming here wouldn't get her into trouble. "And it's my fault... If I hadn't come..."

"I'm glad you're here" she instantly cut his words. "I had missed you so much in the past few days, you have no idea."

"But..."

"I still worry, of course. My mom is not exactly the most understanding person and she won't like this."

"Are you afraid of what she might do?"

"Afraid? In a way... But it's mostly because I never know what to expect. She will want to make a point out of you and I don't want you to get hurt."

"I can handle myself"

Suddenly Athena started to consider just how secretly he came to her country because she knew very well how his surroundings were usually controlled.

"Does your mom knows you're here?"

"Yes. She's the only one I told."

"So?"

"My whole team is probably freaking out." He said with a chuckle.

"Yuzu! They will kill you!"

"I'm the one paying them. It's not as if I can be on the ice anyways"

"Ankle again?"

He confirmed her suspicions with a simple nod.
"We both know it was never fully healed."

"You're crazy, winning the Olympics with one ankle and a half"

"I was lucky."

"No, you were good. So, what are the plans next?"

"They will hold a parade for me in Sendai."

"Damn... My boyfriend is famous." She said laughing and he quickly replied with a loving kiss on her cheek.

"I love when you call me that."

They were both smiling like silly people when a gentle knock broke their focus on each other.

"Yes?" Athena called out, knowing that most people in the palace wouldn't dare to even open the door unless she allowed it.

The door opened softly to reveal her maid Joanna, who was looking at the whole room until her focus landed on the Japanese currently sitting beside the princess.

"Your Highness" she said bowing "I'm..."

"Oh, Jo! Come in!" Athena quickly cut her words as she saw her faithful maid. "Let me introduce you to Yuzuru."

The maid blushed, this was one of her skating idols after all, and one that was usually almost unreachable for most.

"Is this the famous Joanna?" He asked right away. Athena and he had spoken about her on a few occasions, mostly because the young woman had helped them time and time again through the course of their shaky relationship.

"I..."

"I have a lot to thank you for" Yuzuru continued and making her flush an even redder color. Athena could understand why.

"Stop talking, Zu. Joanna is your fan and is trying to deal with the fact that you're in front of her." Athena joked.

"Would a hug help?" He said with a smile and already standing and moving towards her. "It's nice to finally meet you."

A nod was everything that the skater needed to hug the young woman gently, not in the way that he did to Athena, but far more politely given that he didn't want the wrong message to be conveyed.

As soon as Yuzuru turned to get back on the princess' side, Joanna remembered why she was there in the first place.

"I came to warn you that your mom just arrived and is looking pissed."

"I'm sure we can handle her, no?" Yuzuru said with a confident gaze that Athena didn't understand. This man was truly a mystery to her most of the time.

"You're far too confident to meet someone you don't know and that already hates you from the start."

"Fake it until you make it." Yuzu said with a chuckle that only made Athena shake her head in disbelief.

It took mere seconds for her mother to show up in the room with a huge frown.

"What the hell is this?" She screamed almost as soon as she entered.

"Good afternoon to you too, mother." Athena replied with a tone that she knew would only infuriate the woman further.

"Why is he here Athena?"

"I don't know. Yuzuru, why are you here?"

"To see you and this lovely country."

"Listen, young man. I don't know who you think you are, but my daughter is a royal and is not supposed to be going anywhere near someone like you."

"Your majesty...Athena might be a royal, but she is also a fully grown adult that can make her own choices. I won't come into the palace if you forbid me to do so, but I won't stop seeing your daughter just because you think she can't have friends outside of the royal bubble."

"You two are no friends and we both know it."

"Do you have any proof of that?"

Yuzuru surprised Athena with the challenging tone he used on her mother, but he was still ever so polite as he spoke to her.

"You forget who you're speaking to. I can make you leave this country in seconds"

"Isn't that the case for both of us? You wouldn't dare to challenge your current popularity by expelling a newly crowned and loved Olympic champion out of your country, would you?"