Bow, Your Highness

Chapter 12: Are You Satisfied?

Note: Sorry there was no chapter last week – my schedule got messed up. Anyway, enjoy Mona's angst. *Eats popcorn* Trigger Warnings for this chapter: Domestic violence, abusive mother. If you don't want to read it, as always, I invite you to skip it.

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Preparations for the wedding began as soon as they arrived in Inazuma. Of course, the imperial Highnesses were overworked because of their mother. In other words, despite having a deadline, Scaramouche couldn't find the time to settle the Mona matter. And a deal was a deal. He knew she wouldn't marry him until he figured everything out.

That night, he had room on his agenda. Therefore, Scaramouche knocked on the sliding door and waited for an answer. Mona opened without asking.

He was still not used to seeing her in Inazumian clothing. To see her, in general. It was like a lucid dream. When he saw her, he had to remind himself that she was really there.

Seeing that he took the time to look at her, Mona drew him inside with a frown.

Of course, they hadn't talked about the last night in the cabin. That was a moment of weakness for both of them. Weakness. A word banned from their respective personal dictionaries. They went on with the course of their days as if nothing had happened. She didn't cry, and he didn't console her. Full stop.

"Good night to you too..." He looked down at the ground warily, scanning the surroundings. "Where's Kuni?"

"I've left it in the bathroom. I don't want you to snot over me while you enter my mind."

Mona sat with her legs bent on the cushion, worthy of a Fontainese Mademoiselle . Scaramouche found comfort in kneeling. The prince watched her as she closed her eyes. After a few moments, he did the same.

"Fine, precautious princess. Before we begin, let me remind you that blocks exist for a reason. Whether artificial or not, memories you recall all at once can make you have a bad, terrible time – even as if you were living it all over again. There is also a small chance of causing brain damage. It's not a hindrance, just a warning."

"I'll take the risks. I know what the consequences are, Scaramouche. Believe me. And weren't you oh so worthy in the art of mind control? Don't you dare let damage happen. Be careful at all times."

"Yes, yes. Come on, I'll start."

Scaramouche directed his mental energy towards Mona's. He concentrated on the necessary impulses until, instead of colliding, they penetrated. It had to be when Mona entered the same plane as him.

Only the most skilled in the art of the Inazuma throne could achieve complete control over others' thoughts. Scaramouche, of course, lived up to his roots. He was more than worthy.

He went into her mind. He first encountered Fontaine's gigantic palace surrounded by endless gardens. The latter, trimmed to perfection. Everywhere he looked, there was only the pristine exterior. It was a Mona reference – At least, to everything she wanted to represent.