Kingdoms Apart - SaiOuma

Chapter 2

  "A-Anyways, this is f-for you," he blushed, handing me the blue rose.

 I took the rose and blushed, I stared at the rose for a moment and looked back up to see he was gone. Where did he go? I walked around the dance room and held the flower close to my chest. After a while of searching I couldn't find him, I sighed and looked down at the hand he kissed.

 "I didn't even catch his name," I mumbled to myself.

 Shuichi's POV

 I woke up earlier than I normally did, last night I dance with Kokichi. I blushed remembering that I kissed his hand and gave him the flowers. I don't think he knows I'm the prince and I don't plan on telling him either. I've known Kokichi for years now and over time I've began to like him but, I never had the confidence to tell him. At the dance with that mask on I felt like a new person, a new identity. I could build up the courage to dance and talk with him and not get nervous because he didn't know me.

 "Mister Saihara, it is time for breakfast," a calm voice spoke entering the room.

 "A-Ah right, thank you Kirumi," I smiled.

 She nodded and closed the door behind her, I sighed and looked down at my hands. Does he know that it's me? I pulled my knees to my chest and sighed once again, how can I even face him after that.

 I got dressed and made my way down the hallway, once I entered the dining area I already saw a bunch of familiar faces sitting and talking. Kyoko, Maki, Peko, and Kirumi were all there talking and eating. I made my way over and sat besides Maki, she gave me a look and nudged my arm.

 "So did you finally gather up the courage to dance with him?" she whispered.

 "W-Well, I d-did but, I don't t-think he knows it's m-me," I mumbled.

 "I mean that's better than nothing I suppose," she sighed.

 "Saihara how come you never wear your royal clothing? You dress like an everyday villager?" Kiibo chimed in as he entered the dining hall.

 "I don't like people knowing my actual position, it just bring unwanted attention," I sighed, poking my food with a fork.

 "Wouldn't it be more beneficial to be recognized as the prince though?" Peko asked.

 "I don't see it that way, everybody would just be crowding him all day," Kyoki explained.

 "Fair enough," Kiibo shrugged.

 "Maki, Peko, if Kokichi a-asks to speak with the prince tell him that I'm n-not home and if he asks for a n-name tell him I don't want my name to be t-told," I asked, I didn't need Kokichi figuring out who I really was.

 They nodded to my order and I smiled. I thanked everybody and made my way out the castle door, as I was approaching the front gates I saw a familiar face entering.

 "Shuichi! What are you doing at the castle?" Kokichi greeted.

 "I c-could ask you the same thing," I laughed.

 "Whatever, do you know if the prince is here?" he smiled excitedly.

 "No the prince is away currently," Maki stated, walking out to where we were.

 "That's no fun~ do you know when he will be back?" he wondered.

 "Not at all," Maki stated.

 "Boring, Shuichi come with me I have to tell you something!" he cheered.