An Arranged Marriage

The aftermath

The first thing Kouen noticed when he woke up this morning was that he wasn't in bed. He used to be able to notice this and shrug it off as it happened often or, at least, it used to. Ever since you had noticed his peculiar sleeping habits you made it a mission to change them. It seemed like you were starting to give up.

Kouen tried to not let it bother him as he got up from his chair. The second he stood up, he felt a crick in his neck and winced. He was starting to understand why you didn't like it when he slept. He could practically hear you scolding him now. He sighed and rubbed at his neck as he rolled it from side to side.

He chuckled to himself as he imagined your lecture while walking out of his study. What Kouen didn't realize at the time was that it would be the least of his worries.

When he stepped out of his study he watched as what seemed like every servant in the Palace was running in a feared hurry. There was never a single moment in his life until now that he'd seen them in such disarray. Well, actually, there was one. He felt a healthy dose of fear grip his chest as he began to think of what might've happened.

At that, he roughly grabbed a servant's arm, forcing them to stop. They were about to give him the stink eye until they realized who stopped them. "O-Oh, my Prince!" They exclaimed in surprise, "what can I do for you?" They tried not to let the fear show once they realized they almost glared at the Prince.

"What is going on?" Questioned Kouen, "why is the Palace in such disarray?" He unintentionally squeezed the servant's arm tighter. His grip softened a bit when he noticed them wince.

The server didn't seem to want to answer the question as they slowly began to avoid Kouen's gaze. However, they still knew the Prince wouldn't let go until he got an answer. They sighed and finally spoke. 

"Princess Y/N is missing."

*~*~*

When Gyokuen had awoken this morning she wasn't expecting such disarray in the Palace. She supposed it was impossible to go one day without anything exciting happening. Was it too much to ask to have just one day to herself to relax? The universe seemed to be saying yes.

Ever since the news had spread around the castle that you were missing everyone had gotten tense and frantic. She couldn't fully understand why as there's no point in worrying now that you weren't even the palace. Gyokuen thought to herself that it might've had something to do with that other magi here yesterday. 

Perhaps, instead of ignoring it, she should've sent guards to where she sensed the presence. She shrugged to herself at the thought, too late now. She smirked to herself, this was definitely going to get interesting now. Her plan was still going in motion, even with this small bump in the road. 

Speaking of bumps...

Gyokuen flinched as she heard the doors to her private room being slammed open. She quickly recomposed herself as if the slam hadn't bothered her and took a sip of her steaming cup of tea. "Kouen," she said, "to what do I owe the pleasure of seeing my beloved son so early in the morning?" She looked his way and gave him a beaming smile. 

The only thing she got in return is a scowl, "did you do this?" he asked accusatorily, his hands began to clench into fists.

Gyokuen gasped and rested her free hand on her chest. "Do you really think I would do something so despicable?" She asked, "and for no reason?" She tutted and waggled her finger from side to side. 

She delicately placed her cup on its saucer, "now, now, Kouen." She gestured to the empty seat across from her, "calm yourself and have some tea with your mother." Gyokuen gave him a sweet smile.