~HOPE~

Chapter 3

*****

Land warm, sun shining and birds howling. The kingdom of fire, Spriggan Empire stood firm. It was known for its confidence and harsh punishments. It was stick to it's people. Although the sayings, Spriggan Empire was a fairly beautiful land. Its people was handsome albino-s. Their eyes were a color of rainbows, yet one stood out the most. Red. It represented their firecy and brave personality very well. Their buildings were white and pure, their cloths black and red. Everything about them, was perfect. The kingdom of fire was more like kingdom of perfect.

The Empire's emperor, Akito Kurenai, was a man of honest. His body, weak-looking and old, yet eyes, determined. His smile was bright and kind yet his words are sharp. The Empress, Rei Kurenai, was known as poisonus apple. Her eyes, red and apple-like, was not sweet at all. She can say whether you are lying or not, just based on your gestures. Her smile, was gorgeous and could fool anyone. Her words are sugar-coated. While her husband was a weak looking man, she was far from it. She bravely fought in war, protecting her emperor, with determination. She fiercely slashed the enemy's soldiers, her Armour clattering and horse neighing elegantly. No one had predecited that she would be the one fighting.

She lived her name up very well in the war that they started to call the Spriggan Empire, as the Empire of Chess. A chess, always has the Queen move however she wants. Her powerful gaze and strong ability, had always made the Queen very precious. King on the other hand, is protected by his loyal soldiers, knights and more. To a king, everyone mattered, they protected him. But, King is viewed as the precious one. Without him, the game is over. King is the one that is controlling the battlefield, he orders his people, and wins. Even if he is precious and vulnerable at times, he is the most important piece.

Today at the Land of Chess, The Prince could be seen seated in one of the gardens with his best friend—Valt Aoi, the Valkryie Empire's prince—Shu drank the tea, watching his best friend, as the other man spoke. “Shu—Can you believe this?!” The other man sounded excited. With a small smile, Shu nodded, humming for the Blunnette. “I met Prince of Luinor Empire—” Nervousness. Hm. Shu glanced slightly at Valt, before looking straight ahead. “Prince or Luinor Empire?” Shu asked, letting the other know he is listening. “Yes!—I—” Oh? What's that? His shameless best friend blushing? That's new. A small smiled crept its way to Shu's face. Someone has a crush it seems. “And?” he asked, egging the other on. “And he—He was cute”

...

That was not what Shu expected.

People do not call Princes cute. They call them beautiful, sure, but not cute.

Shu wished he could have choked to let Valt know just how ridiculous that sounded. But alas, Shu is his father's son. But still it doesn't mean that, he will not state the obviousness that his friend lacked. He kept the tea cup down, harshly, and looked at Valt as if he had went insane. “Seriously? Cute-? Valt—I know that you can be dumb sometimes—But—” He coughed. Valt just chuckled lightly, embarrassed.

Now this made Shu wonder, how Prince of Luinor Empire had seen Valt as well. Hm, maybe beautiful and handsome. There's no way that, the other man is as idiotic as Valt—

***

“He was cute” Free accidently released the arrow in shock. What the hell was that. Free narrowed his eyes and turned to Lui, his bow still in his hand. “Who is cute? Any maiden had caught your eyes?” Lui scoffed at that. Expected. “No—Prince of Valkryie is cute”

....

Maybe, maybe all that sleep is getting to Free cause this sounded way too wrong hearing from Lui. Personally, Free, himself had never seen the Prince of Valkryie, so he does not have a say in it, but surely, no one calls Princes cute? Unless they are a baby of course. “Lui, are you interested in little children? If so, our acquittance might end here.” he stated, taking another arrow to shoot since the first one got lost because of that confession Lui did.

Lui just raised his eyebrow. “Children? What do you mean? Prince of Valkryie is our age, maybe, a year or two older than me.” he stated. Good thing that Free had not yet was in position. “So you just called a grown up teenager, cute?” he asked. Lui, looked offended, yet nodded. “So in short, you have a crush on him, yes?” He asked. Lui looked like he is about to strangle him, but remained standing there just because it will cause a war. “Yes, a crush, as you had stated. Do you think, marriage will be allowed? Making alleys is good.” Free raised his eyebrow at this. “Who will marry in? Him into your home or you into his home?” he asked. Lui paused at this.
Getting sense into his friend's head was not what he thought he would have to but, alas, love is stupid. “I am sure that, you are talking about the First Prince of Valkryie, because the other Prince is a child and you are not into children. Hence, he will be the Emperor one day. This love is hopeless”

The shot was undisturbed, and on spot in the centre.

*****

Thank you HongAChan

And Grayvere

For the idea for Shu's parents!

This was supposed to be introduction for the Spriggan kingdom but mah Lualt fan girl brain git carried away-