Tortoise and Fox [BL]

4.6

 "It's not that they failed to teach me well, but that I failed to listen."

"Do not speak of this to a single soul in this kingdom."

The princess gazed levelly with Amari. The moonlight streaming past the half-closed curtains hit the narrow curve of her neck and doused her nightgown in a faint glow. Her hair was no longer immaculately tied up. It now hung limp—damp on her shoulders and delicate neck. The distance she had put between herself and Amari instantly crumbled apart. Scathing caution watched his every move closely.

"Who is there to speak of it to that would believe me," Amari said, while carefully hanging up the standing rack conscientiously moved in by the servants after he returned.

"But it's not a big deal for a princess to travel into the kingdom—the servants notified me without batting an eye. And it is no problem to dress as a man to hide your royal identity from the people—it tends to be a common conclusion most royalty make. So why does it panic you like so?"

Princess Xinyi's prepared excuses weakened with every word, before snuffing out. She clenched her jaw tight. The newfound expressions of Princess Xinyi, combined with Jun Mizuhara, puzzled Amari thoroughly. She was a truly different person from the stoic, steadfast princess he understood her as.

Like Leishan... who also put on a different front.

The rise and fall of Leishan's stacked moles trailed the corners of his thoughts. Amari blinked them away. Princess Xinyi leaned against the wall with her arms crossed—her lady-like demeanor falling away with the clouds shrouding the moon.

"You can tell the servants, my siblings, even my father—but don't tell Minato. It can't be him. I'd rather disappear."

Amari sorted the contents of his satchel into a neat collection atop the table he dined on, before pausing and picking up the crystal hairpin from Princess Xinyi.

"I won't tell anyone. Jun Mizuhara—that's your name, isn't it?"

Princess Xinyi's gaze wavered, as she whispered a dull denial.

"It is not."

It was as if rejecting the notion tore away at something within her.

"When I said Princess Xinyi at the plaza... the life drained from your eyes. Yet, whenever Minato called out your name, you answered clear and concise. You prefer Jun."

"You cannot call me that here."

"But I will in private," Amari smiled.

Jun opened and closed his mouth, before turning away, annoyed. "I didn't expect our Caller to be so asinine."

"True colors have been exposed tonight. And speaking of, I hope to get at least a few hours of sleep in before daylight."

"Hey, what are you—"

To Jun's utter dismay, Amari coerced him until his feet were firmly planted outside of the doorway. Amari peeked his head out, turning to check both ways. Only upon confirming no other presence was around did he finally meet Jun's confused countenance.

"Goodnight Jun," Amari whispered, the secret delightedly rolling off his tongue.

"Goodnight, Amari," Jun managed to respond—the name shot through him like lightning, rendering him speechless.

But midway through his amiable bid farewell, the door was promptly shut in his face. Jun, stunned by Amari's impoliteness, could only shout retorts in his mind, saving them away for the busy morning where they'd go unheard by working servants.