It Was All Arranged [R. Sakamaki]

Her New Bodyguard

Slowly, the weeks passed, ending the second month of Spring as the Kingdom was finally rebuilt and the villages were alive day and night, celebrating the end of the dark era. Colourful banners decorated the streets and the markets were bustling with citizens wearing their best clothes. Music blared from the old speakers, encouraging the villagers to dance around the centres of their villages. The noise was loud and joyous, reaching the ears of the Queen who stood in her newest art studio before the large easel which Kanato had made.

She'd been dressed in a long dress which tickled her ankles, the top half made into a white blouse which covered her arms and the skirts a soft brown. She wore a white band in her hair, keeping the loose strands from her face as she focused on the thin brush in her slender hand. Her curls had grown slightly, tickling her shoulder blades as she moved. Her condition had improved over time, the marks on her body had faded into nothing and the woman seemed to be in a much more pleasant mood. Until she turned and caught her husband standing by the discarded canvases, eyes trained on the ocean streaks across the white backs.

"There's no need for you to follow me around the castle," she sighed, hand pressing against her hip as she glanced at him. Reiji turned, his fuschia eyes landing on her grey pair as his gloved hand slipped from the canvas he held.

"I'm merely keeping my word," the King replied, watching as she let out a long sigh.

"I'm safe in the castle," she said, "you have duties to tend to."

"My duties consist of party planning," he sighed, "I will gladly choose to stay with you than participate in such a ridiculous activity."

"Our people are celebrating," she said, "the attacks have ended, their families can rest peacefully now."

"Even so," he sighed.

"If you're truly that worried about me," she said rolling her eyes, "then station me a bodyguard."

"I suppose that would suffice," he frowned, moving to stand beside her, "what are you painting?"

"The arctic," she said softly, dropping her brush into the water pot and sighing, "I've lost interest in painting, where are we to go next?"

"A walk in the gardens," he proposed, "we could have our lunch by the lake."

"You really should return to your duties." She hummed as she opened the large door, holding it open for him to stalk out of the room. "Leave me to my own devices, I beg of you."

"Are you tiring of me?" His eyebrow quivered as she shut the thick door, locking it with her rusted key. The corridor was tight, pressing their chests together as they looked at one another. 

"Only a little," she replied as she forced a thin smile, "you forget that I am still very mad with you."

"I don't forget," he said, watching as she took off down the dim corridor, "you remind me every day. I haven't slept in our bed since you awoke."

She turned, flashing him a pearly grin before she took off running down the hall. "Athena, wait!" He yelled, groaning as she disappeared round the corner, her heels smacking the cobblestone floors as she escaped her husband. She'd made it to the courtyard when she tripped, stumbling into the fountain.

A strong arm snaked around her waist, catching her before she hit the water. His hand was cool against hers as his drooping grey eyes frowned into hers. "Must you be so clumsy?" He asked, his voice deep as he slowly lifted the Queen to her feet.

"Ruki," she cleared her throat, bowing her head politely as she tucked her hair behind her ears, "I haven't seen you since your ceremony."

Because Ruki had been the man who'd saved the Queen, he'd been knighted by the grateful King himself a week after they'd returned. He'd been the first knighted since the new reign of Reiji. Athena had avoided him since, their tension thick with awkwardness. She bowed her head as his hands returned to his side.