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Normani had been running. With the upcoming holiday season known as December, the young woman’s work grew exponentially in the last few days. On top of the exuberant abundance of holiday cheer she presented at her shop, her father was feeling especially diplomatic. Meaning she had to balance her presence as a candy maker with her responsibility to put her father’s life in front of her own. Overall, Normani was exhausted. One particular Saturday, Normani unlocked the door to her home and barely took a step in before leaning against the wall to kick her heels off. A normal woman her age would be dressing up to go out, party, drink, and maybe make a new friend to take home for the might. But as per usual, Normani wasn’t following the norm. She had just returned from a mark who decided be especially annoying and try to fight her back. She just wanted to get the hit over with and be on her way, but this guy decided to run and take a butcher knife to her upper half till she decided just snapping his neck wouldn’t be sufficient. So much for easy clean up. 

Pealing off her jacket revealed a blood stained top and leggings Normani groaned “I liked this outfit too.” She murmured taking a few more steps into her home. She paused to the sound of someone walking around in her kitchen. With calculated steps Normani inched towards the threshold, hand rested on her gun, until she saw a more familiar frame emerging with his hands clutching her favorite mug. Her shoulders slumped in relief as she ran her fingers through her hair. 

“I should be more used to you being here pup. Sorry I’m so tense.” With extended hands, she took her mug from his hands immediately sipping the pipping hot liquid inside. Sweet scents of jasmine tea curled under her nose as she smiled back up at Insu. “I hope you had a better day than me.”

          ❛  you  think  you’re  funny,  little  brother?   ❜   a  compilation  of  emotions  left  GUARDED  by  the  steel  of  yellow  irises.    ❛  do  you  want  to  die?  ❜

           ❛   you  came  from  the  stars?   ❜    he  is  ELATED,  surprised  masked  only  by  the  ferocity  of  his  gaze.  the  hero  wrung  his  hands  together,  standing  beside  his  quivering  mare  who  nudged  and  nudged  at  the  stranger’s  shoulder  with  snorting,  puffing  nostrils.  his  hand  raised  slowly,  pointing  toward  the  glimmering  sky.     ❛   our  gods  did  the  same.  from  that  group  of  stars--  just  there.  in  a  nebula  beyond  here.   ❜

“Almost? So, are you saying you don’t love me back?” the elder voiced with a mixture of surprise and hurt, of course that part was all for the fun as she had expected to hear something like that from the younger. The smaller scrunched up her nose ever so slightly as she made a face at her, trying to fight at the squishing that had just begun. With just one look people would assume the smaller to actually be the younger, but in this relationship everything was a bit wacky and backwards. “Unhand my plush cheeks, young woman.” Swan began to whine a bit, wondering if this tactic would get her out of the danger she had been in. The small rapper put her arms up as if she was ready to fight the younger, well, ready to karate chop her if need be. “My cheeks are worth a million dollars. I should really invest in them.”

“I’m meeting who now?” Normani demanded of the man sitting across from her. During this evening’s family dinner, a bit of news had come gushing excitedly out of her mother’s mouth. Apparently the youthful princess had a meeting tomorrow she was not prepared to have. “Your finance. We’ve been over this many times Normani. His family already paid a hefty dowry for you to be married to their son. And this union will greatly strengthen both of our kingdoms.” The older man was so very wise in his old age. He had seen and experienced first had how marital bonds lead to a wider reach of power. With Normani being the King’s only child, it was important to have her married off as soon as possible. 

But Normani couldn’t say she had been looking forward to it. The idea of having to share her power or become a lower class background figure to her husband just didn’t appeal to her. “Can I at least know his name? It’d be kind of awkward to just call him ‘finance’ all evening.” Turning to her mother, Normani leaned closer because she knew she’d at least get more information. “Mother, what about my archery practice tomorrow? Won’t meeting with this guy interfere?” Waving her hand with ease, Normani’s mother smiled. “His name is Choi Insu and that activity can be rescheduled. I don’t even understand why you do archery. It’s not very lady like.” Falling back in her chair in a huff, the princess knew the conversation was basically over. She wouldn’t be getting out of this meeting. 

The next evening, after an extensive preparation with a long bath and many dress changes, Normani stood with her parents in the main hall. The guest of honor would be arriving soon. Her husband to be. This would be her first look at him. There would be a party in this man’s honor to welcome him and his family into the kingdom for the first time. By tonight, everyone would be drunk, merry and dancing the night away. Nibbling on her bottom lip purely out of nerves, Normani stood to the right of the royal couple, trying to ever so gracefully hid behind her handheld fan. Before long, the heavy place door swung open. Servants orderly filed in and soon, the visiting kingdom’s King and Queen filed into the room. They were trailed by a tall man who Normani assumed to be there son. At least he’s easy on the eyes. The princess thought to herself as she lowered her fan slightly. The Royals greeted one another with warmth and open arms. When the time came, Normani closed her fan and stepped forward to greet the Royals. After that she stepped to the young man and bowed respectfully. “Good evening Prince.” She greeted finally raising her eyes to meet his. “I will accompany you throughout the night. If you need anything at all. Please let me know. “ 

It had been a few weeks since the Gala. Life had basically returned to normal for Normani. A temporary end to her job being a glorified party planner. Instead she was back to managing her sweet shop and carrying out marks on her Company's behalf. A calming few weeks of semi normalcy actually. Until one of her father's workers hand delivered a box to her shop.

"What's that for?" She questioned as the box was gently placed on one of her tables. Normani made a move to open it but was stopped. "It is for a Mister Choi Insu. A thank you gift for being a massive donor at the gala." Normani looked between the box and the man speaking. "That's great and all, but Insu isn’t here. Why is his gift here?” It seemed stupid that she would even have to ask that question but this guy seemed like he felt like withholding information. “Mister Warren requested for you to hand deliver the gift yourself.” 

Since when was delivery girl added to my job title. Normani sighed deeply. She knew she wouldn’t hear the end of it if she didn’t do as her father requested. After sending the worker off she picked up the box, which had quite a bit of weight to it, and carried it behind the counter. She went to her back office to change out of her work clothes into something more appropriate for hand delivering expensive gifts. She put on a black body con dress that ended just above her thighs with a long trench coat and black heeled boots. With that she was office. 

Normani walked down the familiar hallway yet again holding the box against her to keep it from slipping. She was sure the door was going to be closed and she didn’t have hands with which to knock. Instead, when faced with the obstacle, she gave the door a solid kick expecting to just get someone’s attention. She hadn’t planned for the heavy door to actually open slightly. 

“Hello? Insu?”