An Arranged Marriage

Marriage talk and Breakfast with the family

"Hello."

You jumped at the voice and turned to see a boy a bit younger than you with his red hair, which made you assume that he was another one of Kouen's siblings, tied into a messy ponytail. You felt a small pang in your heart when you saw the bangs under his eyes, you guessed the poor boy hadn't slept in ages.

Nonetheless, you smiled, "Hello, I'm guessing you're another one of Kouen's siblings?" You asked. 

He nodded, "My name is Koumei, I am the second prince of Kou," he said. 

You soon realized he was still standing and gestured for a servant to bring him a chair. Once he was comfortably seated he laid the fan he was carrying on his lap, "I saw your match against one of our dungeons monsters. I was impressed to see you come out victorious."

You smiled at his praise, "thank you," you said, "although, I didn't get out of it unharmed." You rested a hand on your eye where the scar was.

Koumei nodded, "you know, I'm sure our healers can get rid of that for you if you'd like," he suggested.

You shook your head and noticed his questioning look. "I wouldn't because it's kind of like a reminder. If I got rid of all my scars I would forget all of the mistakes that caused them," you explained while folding your hands in your lap. 

You didn't know if he understood, but you didn't think he'd have time to once another boy with striking red hair barreled into him. "Hi, Mei-nii~!" He sang with his arms around his neck. 

Koumei resisted the urge to sigh, "hello, Kouha."

You held in a small giggle at their antics causing them both to look at you. You held up a hand, "I'm sorry, it's just really cute to see brothers acting that way," you said with a sleeve covering your mouth.

Kouha rose a brow at you but said nothing. You blushed a bit in embarrassment under his gaze and coughed into your hand, "um, Koumei if you don't mind me asking...-" you got up from your chair and laid a hand on his cheek- "have you been sleeping lately? You look exhausted."

You quickly retracted your hand as you realized what you were doing, "um, sorry. I-I was just a bit worried," you explained. 

Koumei rose a brow, "you just met me and you're already worried?" He asked, "you almost seem like a mother."

You gave a sheepish smile and scratched the back of your head with a light blush on your cheeks, "do I? I guess I'm just a tad worried about you now that I'm your sister," you said, "if it's not too forward of me maybe you should get to bed early. I'm almost afraid you might sleep standing."

Kouha chuckled at your remark, "that happens with Mei-nii, he never sleeps and usually, Kouen slaps his arm to wake him," he said while laughing as Koumei glared at him. 

Your eyes widened while glancing at Kouen who was busy speaking to guests, "does he really?" You asked. It seemed just a tad violent to you, but then again your sisters have always horrid things to you. 

Kouha nodded, "yep."

You nodded at him and Koumei soon cut in, "if you don't mind me asking, Princess Y/N. Do you know how the circumstances came to these?" He asked, trying to change the subject. Unbeknownst to you, he had still wanted to get to the bottom of the whole urgency his father had to get Kouen married.

You frowned at him and your eyes widened as a memory from years ago came back. A banquet, your father chatting it up with stuck up nobles, and one smug woman in particular who got on your nerves that set you off. Soon enough all you remembered was screams and something getting ready to attack her.