An Arranged Marriage

Gifts

"Princess, wake up!"

You jolted up and sent a glare at Kazue, laying back down on your pillow. "What is it?" You yawned, rubbing your eyes to try and get the sleep out of them.

"You have received gifts from the Kou Empire's first prince, Ren Kouen."

You blinked, your feeling of sleep gone, as you processed the information and then lightly blushed. "R-Really?" You asked, feeling flattered. He chuckled and nodded.

You immediately got out of bed and got ready. Once you finished getting ready you walked to your study, which is where Kazue told you where the said gifts were put.

When you opened the door your eyes widened, expensive jewelry, gowns, and many other assortments covered the room. You walked to a gown trailed your hand down it, you'd have to guess it was the finest silk in the Kou empire.

You turned to Kazue as you felt the gown, "these gifts are all so beautiful. It almost feels like he's courting me. It's actually a little exciting, don't you think so, Kazue?" You asked as you placed a dress in front of you to see what it looked like.

He chuckled at your giddy attitude, "maybe so."

You giggled, "maybe this won't be as bad as we thought," you said as you admired the necklaces and hairpins.

•~•~•

"Prince Kouen, the gifts were sent to your betrothed."

Kouen looked up from the history scrolls he had been reading to see a maid standing there. "Hm, did she like them?" He asked, slightly bored from the conversation as he turned back to his scrolls.

"It appears so, she seemed infatuated by them," informed a maid.

Kouen nodded, satisfied with the answer and dismissed the servant. With a nod they left, leaving him to think of what his betrothed might be like.

•~•~•

"Ne, Kazue?"

Kazue looked to you sitting at your desk reading a scroll. You put it down and stared at your desk, "do you think they'd let me take you with me... When I go to live at the Kou empire?" You asked, putting down a quill that had been in your hand to rest your head against your knuckles.

Kazue smiled "I hope so, mistress."

You chuckled and picked up a butterfly hairpin you had gotten from Kouen. You gazed at it and smiled when it twinkled in the light. "All these gifts were wonderful if only I could repay him for all of this," you said while averting your eyes back to the gifts.

Kazue laughed, "any other princess would've accepted these gifts without expressing a single word of gratitude, mistress you truly do have a heart of gold."

A sly look crossed your features. "Well, I will admit, I do like being spoiled like this." As you said this you put one of the dresses in front of you as if you were wearing it.

Kazue chuckled, "he's in for an interesting journey..." Mumbled Kazue.

•~•~•

Kouen sneezed as he looked over another scroll. He looked up to see if there was dust in the air, seeing none he shrugged it off.

"En-nii, are you getting a cold?" Asked Kouha.

Kouen looked back to the scroll and answered: "I'm fine."

Kouha nodded and dropped the subject. He then frowned "I still don't think En-nii should marry her. She's only going to weigh him down with her needs..." He crossed his arms and pouted like a child.