Shangri La Pt. 1

72: Unwitting

'These guys... they're trying to cause a ruckus between Momo's Arranged Marriage?'

( Back to Present! )

"They... Someone in the palace is trying to ruin my Arranged Marriage?" Momo questioned. 

This was one of the last things the Princess wanted to hear at a time like this, especially since things have changed–in a good way–between her and the Prince. 

"I know you're still not happy with this whole Arranged Marriage thing, but I just wanted to tell you about this since it could give you a heads up and hope for the better. I know you didn't want to be put in this Arranged Marriage, so I will try to find those men to cause this to happen faster so you won't have to–" 

"W-Wait wait wait a minute!" Momo exclaimed, making her friend flinch. 

"Y-Yes, Princess?" 

"You... You think I should just let this happen?" 

"Ah– I thought you didn't want this Arranged Marriage?" 

"I... I didn't at first, b-but now that I've been getting to know S-Shoto on a different level... things have changed and..." Momo paused as she couldn't help trying to hide the blush that bloomed on her cheeks. 

"I'm starting to have feelings for him." she finished shyly.

Jiro was speechless, she thought she knew her friend more than anyone in the palace, but to see the Princess actually blushing and acting shy just speaking about the Prince, things were different this time. 

"You– You actually want to continue this Arranged Marriage with the Prince?" 

"M-Mn. I-It would only be right, e-especially now that I'm liking him more and more every time I see him." Momo answered. 

"Then... Then are you saying... you're fine if the Prince's drink is stronger than yours to the point of making him drunk and letting him cause a scene at the ceremony?" Jiro questioned, unsure of how the Princess was going to respond. 

"No... No, I need to do something to make sure that doesn't happen. Call all the servants to help me finish getting ready, I think I'll think of something to fix this before something like that will happen.

And so after a couple of hours of more preparation for the long night, the festival officially started in the palace. Hundreds of people from all over the world enter the gates to get this chance of a lifetime to see wonders of the East. 

And though he was dressed in his disguise–like he wasn't a knight of the Todoroki Kingdom–Katsuki entered the palace along with everyone else to make sure he was not recognized by anyone. 

'Geez, did this many people really wanna come here for a one night event? This festival is different from anything I've seen before.' Katsuki thought as his eyes wandered around but was unsuccessful with finding a certain greenette. 

'She ain't here... Does that mean she'll get here soon?' he thought after realizing he needed to find a seat now before the ceremony officially began.

"Heh– Didn't think you'd look like this and act like a stranger." a voice spoke near the disguised blond, causing him to search his surroundings. 

'Who the hell said that?' 

"Ey, down here." Katsuki flinched and then slowly panned his head downwards to see Gin practically sitting at his feet. 

"Sup."