Icy Highness | Yuzuru Hanyu

69.

Athena started getting ready for the ball under the watchful gaze of Yuzuru, who seemed to be enjoying the view.

She placed her eyes on him every once in a while but he wouldn't budge as the Hairstylist curled her hair strand by strand and the makeup artist finished her work as well.

"Yuzu? Everything okay?"

"Yeah..."

"You've been staring a lot." She ended up saying and he just shrugged his shoulders.

"It fascinates me how much time girls dedicate to pleasing others."

"You mean with the makeup and hair?"

"Yeah... Can I admit something to you?"

"You know you can" Athena didn't even care that her stylists were listening to the whole conversation.

"I like you better without all the glam."

Any other person could feel bad after hearing that, but she understood what he meant.
Yuzuru had said more than once that she was beautiful when she was in bed, her hair a mess, and not a single drop of makeup on.

He liked her just as she was and strangely enough, it made her more comfortable on her own skin.

"I know... But you understand why, don't you?"

"Yes. I just feel bad that you have to spend so much time getting ready. That looks like torture."

All of the women in the room chuckled at those words.

"The pain of being a woman." The hairstylist said.

"Yes..."

"We're almost done, your highness."

"Good. Zu...maybe you should start getting ready too."

"Yeah, yeah, sure... I'll just take a quick shower and I'll be back in 15."

"Perks of being a man." Athena joked this time and he changed paths to kiss her briefly before heading to the bathroom.

"Cute. I like him."

"I like him too." Athena said, staring at the ring on her finger.
She was too lucky.

Just as he promised, he was back shortly, already fully dressed, looking as dashing as a prince.

"Wow... Can I style your hair?" The stylist asked making them all laugh. "What? I just think it can add the last touch... Not that he needs it."

And it truly did. She styled it just a little bit combed to the back, the long hair making him look just a little bit more rebellious. A sexy bad boy prince.

"See, you don't need that much hairspray" Athena joked immediately and he just rolled his eyes.

"I would if I was skating. My hair gets wild."

"Fine fine... We can go soon. I will just get dressed."

"Take all the time you need."

The hairstylist finished the look just a few minutes after and admired her handiwork.

"Beautiful as always, your highness."

"All thanks to you."

"Should we help you get dressed?"

Athena looked at Yuzuru and found his handsome face still looking at her.

"I think we can manage. Thank you."

He saw them leave and the princess take the dress from the rack it had been resting on before she undressed from her robe.

"You will help me, right?"

Yuzuru was out of the chair faster than he could count to three and hugging her almost naked body from behind.

"The things I want to do to you." He whispered and she chuckled.

"Not now..."

"I guess not... Later..."

Slowly but surely, they managed to get Athena in her dress, Yuzu even helping her with the straps of her heels.

Not long after, they were ready to go, but not before he took his phone from the jacket pocket and captured a selfie of both of them.

As soon as he pointed the camera, Athena kissed his cheek lovingly and Yuzuru had to take a second one kissing her lips as well.

"We look good" the princess said as he showed her the photos.

"All thanks to you, love."

"Let's go before I lose it..."

"Lose it?"

"You just look too good for your own good." She answered biting her lip and giving him a gentle slap on the ass.

"Let's go." He whispered against her lips.

🌸

It's safe to say that Yuzuru had no idea what to expect. It wasn't as if he went on royal balls regularly.

He was obviously a bit nervous, wondering if he would even be ready for the whole mess that they would have to deal with once the media heard about this.

"Yuzu?" He heard a soft voice call for him.

"Yes, my love?"

"You warned your parents, right?"

Nodding, Yuzuru was quick to answer.

"I called my mom in the morning. I think she was a bit confused but happy too."

Athena smiled in reaction. Yumi already knew her but it was always confusing to suddenly hear about marriage.

They entered the already full ballroom and felt eyes on them immediately followed by hushed whispers.

The people present bowed and greeted as Athena passed but she could hear the faint comments and the confusion about the presence of the man beside her.

All of that was more than expected, especially since most Europeans didn't follow figure skating.

It was funny to hear the assumptions that he had to be an Asian prince. He did look good and she was more than proud to have this handsome man by her side.

"You're okay?" She whispered.

"Absolutely, you?"

"I'm ok"

Just as she confirmed it, Athena felt her mother's gaze. The Queen's expression was hilarious, wide eyes and mouth slightly agape as she stared them down but the best thing was that by her side were her dear cousins who seemed to be having an existential crisis.

Athena knew why. Not only did he look like he belonged here, he knew how to behave in such a formal setting, partly due to the Japanese usual formality in everything.

She wasn't worried at all.

This might have been a way that her mother found to make her give up on this relationship but Athena was certain now.
This was the leverage they needed and Yuzuru was just about to capture everyone's hearts with the same easiness that he did a triple axel.