Tonight By The Moonlight: A TakuRan Story

Second Phase

"Takuto, may I know what are you doing there bleeding and laying on the ground in the middle of the night?" Ranmaru asked the young prince with the hint of worry on her voice. He started stating what happened last night then frowned but smiled when he looked at her sky-blue orbs. "Good thing that you've save me there or I'll be probably dead by now."

"It's nothing. Say, do you want to look around Teikoku Kingdom? I know many beautiful places in this palace." She smiled warmly. He also smiled in exchange. The Prince thought that she looks so cute in that face she's wearing. "Hmm? Is there something on my face?"

He simply shook his head in response. "So, do you want to go?" She offered, still keeping the smile.

"When?"

"Your wounds will probably be healed tomorrow, so we can go the day after tomorrow." Takuto smiled as well then instantly nodded.

The very next day, Ranmaru woke up early just to cook breakfast. She decided to prepare pancakes for the three of them. The princess did knew how to cook atleast. She's sure spoiled sometimes, but she's not pathetic like other princesses.

She searched for the ingredients but she didn't found milk and eggs. Ritsu then suddenly appeared. “Your Highness, you cannot cook. His Majesty will kill me if this news leaked. Please let me handle this.”

The princess shook her head. “No can do. You've already accepted me in your home, now it's my time to cook.”

“Your Highness...”

“If you want to help, can you please buy some eggs and milk?” She flashed her sweet smile. This servant can't believe how she treated her. It's not like she's her servant at all, she's like her friend. The maid slightly bowed and left.

While waiting for Ritsu, Ran made some toast. She cleaned the whole house after. Her maid finally went back and the pink head princess started to cook. She poured the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in a large bowl. She mixed these after she also poured the milk, egg and melted butter until it was smooth.

Finished, Ran heated a lightly oiled frying pan. She poured a batter into the pan and poured the 1/4 of the mix. She waited until she could flip it and put it in a plate. She did the procedure again until she was finished. The princess put syrup on the top of the pancakes and the toast in its side then she poured hot milk into three glasses.

Satisfied, Ranmaru called Ritsu to the dining table. She also went up to call Takuto but he was asleep. She found herself smiling as he saw him peacefully resting. She turned back and ate with Ritsu.

The young prince woke up as he smelled something delicious. He went down and found Ran and her maid eating with each other. Ritsu invited him and he also came to dig in.

When they finished, both girls stood up. Ritsu volunteered to clean the dishes while Ran cleaned the table. Takuto offered to help her but she refused, saying that his wounds just healed. The young prince wondered if the Princess of Teikoku is just someone like Ran, a caring, diligent, and smart princess. He even though that Ranmaru would be a perfect princess in a kingdom but unfortunately, she's not.

A question escaped his mouth. “Ran, what if you're a princess? What will you do?”

She stopped wiping the table then frowned as soon as she heard the question. She's even wondering what would she do for her kingdom as their real princess. "If I were a princess, I would do my best serve my kingdom for its good. But I'm not... I'm not a princess and I'm contented in a simple life. I wouldn't wish for an impossible thing." She glanced at his brown eyes and smiled. Ranmaru continued cleaning after.