My Priceless Treasure

Chapter 13

Important Note! TW: mentioned SA, mentioned child trafficking, mentioned pedophilia

The young prince had not once talked about the marriage he was forced into with his friend he already called the best. He had wanted to, on more than one occasion, but he had never found the right time or the courage to speak up. He feared Nagi did not want to hear anything about it or might even be furious at him for not resisting against it. He felt as though he would betray his best friend by officially spending the rest of his life with someone other then, even if forcefully. He was worried to death about what outcome it would've been, was it an outcome that made Reo look weak or not interesting enough? Or maybe one that made Seishiro look as if he wasn't good enough? He didn't want any of that to happen! He'd rather die than make his dear friend feel negativity!

So now he was stuck at a fancy dining place with Princess Chigiri, being pressured to make small talk and try to get to know the woman in front of him. Well, it would not be a bad idea to get to know someone before getting married off to that same person. "Well", Reo started, pausing shortly and creating an awkward silence, "What do you like to do in your free time?" Wow, very basic. Though, he knew what he was doing. By starting with basic questions, he would already get a slight idea of the princess's interests and political views. Even something small like a hobby could tell a lot about one's character. The princess might've realised too – well, she didn't seem to not be the logical type of person – and answered the questions given to her: "I enjoy reading in my free time. Sometimes I go out for a walk and watch my people grow. Sometimes I talk to them when given permission. Though some men really are disturbing..." The young woman shivered slightly at the thought of creepy old men trying to get near her. The prince shot her a pitiful look; oh how unpleasant single men could be to young women who they knew couldn't protect themselves, he didn't want to admit it but he understood the feeling.

It was a dark and unpleasant memory but having had feminine features made his childhood a whole lot harder than it should've had been. It was around the time he began his advanced writing classes. He had had purple hair longer than he had this day, going halfway to his neck. Not only that, his slim figure and customised garment gave a lot of details about his body. He would either be called a girl or at least be perceived as one; and he was a child at that, no older than ten years old! He remembered the day he had almost been abducted and sold off, very unpleasant and very disturbing – he just wanted to forget all this!

He nodded in agreement: "Some men really do not know their place. I am very sorry to hear you have these kind of experiences." He took a sip from his cup, facing away from the princess; after all, he didn't want to be disrespectful or creepy by staring at her the entire time. What bad impression would that leave her about him? He couldn't risk that if he had already been forced to spend the rest of his life with her. Maybe even, he could be catching feelings for her. Then it would be easier on both of them – well, that's the outcome he would be wishing for.

"What do you enjoy doing in your free time?", she asked in return. She smiled slightly which made her eyes lift up just a tiny bit, she squinted slightly. The young man couldn't help but feel a warm sensation flow through his chest. It was as if he had seen angel fall from the heavens. Just this small gesture made him believe in God; God, who had created the society they were living in now, who had made Reo lose hope in finding love and happiness, and who had made him believe his bloodline was chosen to lead a land, a kingdom. Just one teeny tiny smile made him believe in a God, just not the one he had grown up with and learned to despise. It was one who told every single human they shall love one another and not interfere with one's decisions. He never knew just one smile of someone he had known for less than a week would've changed an entire part of his perspective.

"I enjoy going out a lot. I usually go to the huge market and help out. I love chatting with all the different sellers and help them try to improve their businesses as much as I can. I have also made a new friend that I usually go out or casually spend time with", Reo felt unusually relaxed around the young princess. It felt as though they had already known each other for their whole lives. It was a new feeling, it was not something he felt with Rensuke or Seishiro – but who was he to complain? He was great friends with Rensuke, they would go through thick and thin and have each other's backs in every situation; and Seishiro – well, Seishiro... – the young prince was immediately drawn in by his charisma, attached to him like to no one else. It was a different kind of admiration, he only had to figure out what kind.

"So you are a fundraiser?", the princess asked. She tucked her long strawberry-colored hair behind her ear, looking at him through her upper eyelashes. She chuckled lightly which the other mirrored her actions. "Well, you could call it that!", he scratched the back of his head, "Though I prefer being called generous – or just human." "I see, very modest", she replied and sipped on her tea. Setting the cup back down, she continued: "I am relieved to see someone with the same interests as me. I think we would be quite compatible. Do you think the same, dear prince?" Reo was slightly taken aback; this woman in front of him had the same thoughts as himself! And she was bold enough to say them out loud! He had just met the confident version of himself – just feminine!

"Yes! Yes, I think so too!", he laughed happily, "We would make great friends!" The two of them continued talking until late evening when they were going back to the palace. Both of them found out a lot about the other. The prince found out about the princess' age – she was his age also – as well as her favorite genre to read. Who had thought a charismatic yet sweet woman like her would be into thriller and horror?! That was such a surprise, even Reo had to ask her to repeat herself twice. Not only that, she seemed to be good with animals too; on their way back they had almost run over a stray cat when the princess had stopped, crouched down to that poor thing and began caressing it. Reo had soon followed in helping that little creature. Well, in the end they took it back to the palace, making it a house cat.

He realised very soon that the two of them were very much compatible. He was delighted to have a woman like her next to him – she was so different from the people around him. It was like she understood his every move and his every thought; she gave him the security he had not had yet with anyone. The young prince could be himself around the princess, he could be Reo. He would forever be grateful for this friendship.