Beauty and her Beast (Nokto)

~Chapter 4, Part 4~

Luke: Although, I haven't been here that long, so I don't know much about all this royal stuff yet. 

Veronica: Wait, what do you mean, you haven't been here long? 

Luke: I got summoned to the palace when the king died, because I've got, like, a right to the throne or something? I didn't actually know I was a prince until then. 

Veronica: What? Really?!

Luke: I still don't know my brothers that well yet, either. I bet you'll get to know them better than I do. 

Veronica: I'm not so sure about that.

Luke: Mmm, I am. I mean, look at how you're all determined to ask everyone questions already. 

Luke smiled at me again, and the flopped back down onto the soft grass, coaxing one of the small birds into his hand and stroking its feathers. (I already knew you're all different from each other, but... it never occurred to me that you might have had such different upbringings, too.) There was so much to learn about all of them, and I had to learn as much as I could as quickly as I could if I wanted to choose well. (I knew it wouldn't be easy being Belle, but...) I sighed softly, and almost without thinking, I lay down on the grass at Luke's side, staring up at the blue sky overhead. 

Veronica: I can't believe I've only got a month, I'm not sure I can really get to know all eight of you well enough to make a wise choice. 

Even as I murmured the words, a memory from that morning flashed through my mind, along with an image of Nokto's flippant grin. (Oh, wait, that's right-I guess I only have to get to know seven of you, really.) 

Luke: I don't think you really need to get to know all of us that well. I mean. if ya think about it, Leon and Chevalier are our leaders 'cause they're the most suitable, and the rest of us already go along with them. And then there's guys like me, I'm so obviously not cut out to be a king, yeah? 

Luke threw me a rueful grin, but I was thinking of Nokto again, and I sighed. 

Veronica: You say that now, but... I still want to know why each of you does or doesn't want to be the next king. I want to know that, and everything else I can find out about all of you, before I make my choice. That's the duty I was given, as Belle. And... I want to fulfill my duty to the best of my ability. 

Luke: Really? Wow, you're so earnest, Veronica!

***

Veronica and Luke's voices seemed to drift on the breeze, and Nokto stopped suddenly. His expression remained the same, but his eyes moved in their direction, as if seeking the owners of those voices. The young woman in his arms lifted her head, her expression curious. 

Noblewoman: Is something the matter?

Nokto: Hmm?

Nokto looked down at her again, pulling her closer and burying his face in her neck, as if distancing himself from those voices. 

Nokto: I know I'm the one who asked you to sneak out and come see me here, but maybe we should go to your villa after all. 

He murmured the words in her ear, his voice husky and sensual. She nodded at once, her cheeks flushing with pleasure, and Nokto's smile widened with satisfaction. 

Nokto: I want to take the time to enjoy you throughly, without anyone interrupting us. 

Several days later-

The room was deathly silent, and the sound of my frenetic, nervous heartbeat seemed to roar in my ears. 

Sariel: Are you ready, Veronica?