be kind

It was that last trait that caught her own attention, drawing it to the prince. As a knight of Cephiro, she served the Princess Emeraude. She had sworn her life to the princess. And yet the prince was occupying more of Hououji’s attention.

Unacceptable. Her thoughts should be on the princess’ safety and happiness. But the gold eyes of the prince were hard to forget, especially when they bore down on her from his throne like they did presently.

Hououji managed not to squirm as she felt his gaze. Her own green eyes were fixed on Princess Emeraude as she addressed the court. Shidou on her left was fidgeting with her sword’s pommel, and out of the corner of her eye, Hououji saw Ryuuzaki still Shidou’s nervous hands with her own. The princess was discussing trade with Autozam, and Shidou had been involved with an influential citizen from that country.

As knights of Cephiro, none of their love lives could ever be normal. The position didn’t allow it. Their first love was to be Emeraude. Their second love, Cephiro.

But as his reigning sister spoke, Prince Ferio continued to watch Hououji. Finally, she turned her eyes to meet his, and she saw a soft relief cross his face. He did nothing to hide it. For her part, she kept her expression stoic and firm. His didn’t waver.

~

It was late that evening, and the knight of wind was filling her pitcher with water in the kitchens. The palace was quiet. She hadn’t been able to sleep, and she had already drank all the water on her bedside table.

Feeling a presence in the room, she whirled, only to come face-to-face with Prince Ferio.

“Prince,” she managed, surprised, bowing slightly. “Good evening. Are you thirsty, too?”

“I am,” he said, filling his own pitcher from the flowing basin. “I couldn’t sleep.”

“Nor I.” She didn’t know why she offered that information. Maybe it was just that obvious.

“Would you like to not sleep together?” he said, before spluttering and turning a little red. “That is, will you join me? I like how the night sky looks from the library balcony.”

She laughed softly. “Of course. I’m always curious about a new perspective.”

The prince held out his arm. “Dame Hououji, shall we?”

She hated that title. It sounded stuffy and aristocratic. Not that she was hurting for wealth and privilege. But she certainly didn't think of herself as stuffy.

“Just Fuu is fine,” she said, and her voice was softer than she expected.

His gold eyes warmed as she slipped her hand through his arm. “Please, just call me Ferio. You are my sister’s knight, we shouldn’t fuss with such formalities, don’t you think?”

“I…” She didn’t know what to say. “That makes sense,” she managed, sounding silly. Her cheeks warmed, and she dipped her head so her golden curls would hide the flush. It didn’t feel okay, but the prince had asked her to.

The view from the library balcony was one that Fuu knew well, but she still listened attentively as Prince Ferio pointed out the constellations to her. Then he showed her the telescope that the Guru had made, and she sort of stopped listening as she gazed at the stars that much closer. It was incredible.

At some point, she realized that the prince had stopped talking. She pulled her gaze from the cosmos and looked over at him. He was watching her, his expression warm. Fuu felt her face grow hot.

“I thought you’d like it,” he said. “You’re smart, and curious. It’s yours, if you’d like to take it to your quarters.”

“I couldn’t–” she flustered.

A glint came into his eyes, and he smirked, one hand on his hip. “You’re not accepting a gift from the prince of Cephiro?”

“Well–”

Prince Ferio laughed a little, shaking his head. “It’s yours if you want it, Fuu.”

The familiarity of him saying her birth name made the hair on the nape of her neck prickle. “I do want it,” she said softly.

A silence fell between them. Crickets chirped in the distance and the crescent moon hung silver in the indigo sky. Fuu’s heart raced, a bird fluttering against the cage of her ribs. 

The prince took a step closer. He tilted his head, his gaze hard. “It’s yours, you know,” he finally said.

“Thank you,” she managed, glancing at the telescope, and back to the prince. “It’s a generous gift, Your Majesty.”

He laughed softly again, stepping close enough to take her hand in one of his, lifting it. “How many times must I ask you to call me Ferio?” he whispered, raising her hand closer to his face. 

“I don’t–”

“Tell me if I’m mistaken, and I’ll leave you with your gift and bother you no more,” he said softly, grazing his lips over her knuckles. Her fingers were long and slender, with a hard grip, but right now her palm was soft against his fingers, his thumb warm over the back of her hand.

“You’re not mistaken, Your–” She hesitated. His eyes were so expectant. “I do want you, Ferio,” she whispered, leaning closer as he brushed his mouth over her fingers, his gaze locked with hers.  “I want you,” she said again as he moved his arms around her waist.

“You have me,” he murmured, his scarred nose so close to hers.