#sakumarx

 “Oops,” was all Henry could muster.

 Finally Sakura gaze snapped towards the dark mage. “‘Oops’?” she repeated, tone heavy with bafflement. “‘Oops’?!” Another wheeze popped her plump lips. She gaped at Henry, then at the nervous child, then back at the still laughing dark mage. “Excuse me?!”

 “Sorry, sorry!” His laughter didn’t sound sorry. “I just—ahaha!” Once again, cackles followed suit. Out of all the magical hijinks he had done before, this one certainly amused him the most.

 Unfortunately, this did not amuse the princess at all.

 “Henry!” Again she snapped, face flushed to the tips, though now out of sheer anger and shock instead of embarrassment. Quickly realizing that she had her staff gripped tightly in one hand, Sakura started to lift the weapon. Disregarding the full shock in the young Marx’s eyes, the Hoshidan princess was ready to whack at the wheezing dark mage.

 “I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” Finally he stopped, mouth exhaling the last bits of his laughter. “I truly am, Princess Sakura.” Wiping a single tear from his left eye, Henry stood up straight. Both hands raised to his eye level in defence. Sharp teeth bit the insides of his mouth, holding back a wider smile in hopes that he wouldn’t offend her any further.

 Once she felt that Henry had truly stopped enjoying himself, she lowered her staff down. “Now…” Face still filled with crimson kisses. “About—” Eyes glanced at the shivering child next to them. “I…Please change him back.”

 “Can’t do.”

 Gods, he is worse than Azama, Sakura thought as she raised her staff again.

 “Wait—no! What I mean is—!” Immediately Henry raised his hands again out of defence. Sliding one foot backwards, he flashed a cheeky, apologetic grin. “I can’t do it now. I don’t have the right ingredients for it!” Hands waved left and right in frantic movements. As timid as the princess was, Henry soon realized that she was just as feisty as Olivia.

 Ah, his dear, sweet Olivia.

 Focus, Henry! Quickly reality fell upon him. “I can change him back, but it might take a while.” Another step taken backwards. Sakura seemed like she wasn’t lowering her staff anytime soon, and Henry had already conjured up his telepathy spell in his mind.

 “…How a while?”

 The little spell stopped in its tracks when he heard her question.

 “How…a while?” Again she repeated. Staff once again lowered to her side, Sakura took a deep, long breath. She isn’t an angry person, per say. But she does get easily flustered when things catch her off guard.

 And right now, this caught her way off guard.

 “Mmm, maybe a few days? Weeks?”

 Strawberry pink eyes were wide as they could be at his approximation. “Weeks?!” Gods, her voice had been raising more times than usual today. “I—are the ingredients that hard to find?!”

 She was amazed to see the man laughing so joyfully at this. “It is a tricky spell, so it needs trickier ingredients.” Grey eyes peeked at the young prince who was now standing a few feet away from them. Apparently, they soon realized that due to their little banter, Marx had scooted far back out of fear.

 Ah, he reminded him so much of his dear son now.

 “But rest assured, Princess Sakura.” Resolution now planted in his mind, Henry huffed in confidence and pride. “I’ll get those ingredients and reverse the spell!” As fun as this was, he knew he would be scolded severely by Olivia and the Summoner.

 Making the Summoner angry was bad enough. Making Olivia angry was…downright devastating.

 He loved seeing the dancer’s cute angry face. He hated seeing her give him the cold shoulder afterwards.

 “I promise you, princess!” That fear only thickened his resolve. One hand placed on his stomach, he gave a little bow. “I’ll start collecting them immediately!” A sneaky smile curled the corners of his lips. The sight only itched doubt in her heart. “In the meantime, I supposed you wouldn’t mind keeping an eye on the young prince?”

 Judging by the glint in Henry’s eye, Sakura knew she had no other choice.

 “I…” Once again she gazed at the Nohrian prince – who was now hiding behind a pillar. The beat of her heart quickened. Her lungs felt heavy all of a sudden.

 This was not going to be easy, she feared.

 But alas, with a heavy breath slipping past her mouth, Sakura groaned, “Okay…”

---

 Turns out, the moment news of their eldest brother being turned into a young boy got caught by the Nohrian siblings, they accepted it…surprisingly well.

 Elise was over the moon at the thought of her big brother being younger than her. She brought him around the castle and played with him as if she had found a new best friend. As startled as Marx was when he got ‘pounced’ by the youngest Nohrian princess, he adapted quite well and slowly laughed and talked to her. Granted, Elise did most of the talking and laughing, but it was soon obvious to see Marx being comfortable to be around a ray of sunshine.

 He had different feelings about the other Nohrian princess, however.

 The second Camilla found out about Marx’s tiny little curse, she practically squealed—whether it was in shock or joy, none of them knew even to this day. The eldest Nohrian royal practically cooed over the child like an overbearing mother. She made sure Marx ate well, slept well. It amazed everyone when Camilla gave Marx a cape she had sewn all by herself in a matter of two days. The young prince was embarrassed at best, terrified at worst. But in time – maybe due to the fact that he felt a sense of security and love from her since he knew her the longest – even he got used to Camilla’s scarily loving personality.

 He sometimes hid from her when he felt too much, though.

 Kamui was just as loving, albeit a bit more bearable than the eldest sister. Absolutely filled with joy that she had another younger sibling, the dragon brought Marx around, whether it was in the Askrian town market or on top of the prettiest hill. At first, Marx literally coughed himself breathlessly to know that he had a sibling who could turn into a dragon. After a few minutes of reassuring him that Kamui wasn’t dangerous – and to make him get out of his own room – Marx slowly warmed up to his bubbly temporary big sister. Though afraid of talking to people, he was proven not of afraid of heights every time Kamui took him to the skies.

 Leon was the most shocked, but also the most calm. While his sisters were fawning over the timid boy, the brother seemed indifferent, even chastised his siblings for making a fool out of the poor first prince.

 Well, at first at least.

 It only took him a day when the Summoner found Leon and Marx reading happily in the Askrian library. Marx sat closely to the now big brother, eyes gleaming like stars over every new information from Leon. Showers of praises and compliments smoothed easily out of Marx’s mouth, and only a fool could be blinded at the sight of Leon beaming in unfiltered joy.

 Even the Hoshidan royals and Azura accepted Marx’s shocking news quite well. As days passed by like a breeze, Marx was treated like a dear little brother by everyone. Ryouma showed a few Hoshidan moves to the young prince in their harmless sparring sessions. Hinoka gave Marx a few tips on how to talk to strangers. Some of her advices worked. Some – like the one where she said to talk to the Grimas for better boost of confidence – left the poor prince crying back into his room.

 Azura taught Marx how to swim, though ‘taught’ was the keyword which unfortunately ended in failure. Azura didn’t know whether to be concerned or impressed at Marx’s amazing failure at floating. After lecturing Henry for a full hour, Laslow brought Marx around to talk to people as his practice buddy. Pieri taught Marx how to cook, which then sometimes resulted with Laslow snatching Marx away before the poor prince could see the creepily bubbly knight slaughter an innocent animal for a feast.

 Even Takumi pitched in on the bonding. Secretly revelling on the fact that he wasn’t the only one with anxiety issues, Takumi kept Marx company whenever the young boy felt anxious. Oh how could Takumi ever forget when Marx called him ‘The Bravest and Greatest Archer’ he had ever seen. Even when the Nohrian prince would be back to normal soon, Takumi knew those words were honest from his heart.

 Lastly, Siegbert was the one to accept the reality as a whole. To know that the younger version of his father had gotten even younger? It took Shinonome and Soleil to make sure that the prince didn’t jump into a well as he thought this was just some silly dream.

 Like Leon, he warmed up to his father fast, though.

 “Father is so cute…” Siegbert cooed quietly as he watched Marx swing a wooden sword. “I can’t believe Father used to be like…that.” Upon realizing his own actions, shame knocked the future child on the head. He knew Sakura was a timid person, so it wouldn’t be a surprise that he inherited her shy personality. He knew Marx was once a secluded child as well. But ever since he saw his father as someone so bold and intimidating when he appeared into the past, Siegbert sometimes couldn’t believe the childhood Marx went through.

 Needless to say, he now did.

 “Prince Siegbert!”

 The squeaky voice of his father’s dropped Siegbert back to reality. “Y-Yes?” Quickly he stood up, purple eyes blinked in stupor at the child waving enthusiastically.

 Marx jogged towards him, his smile sheepish and excited. “Can you…um…” Swirls of red kissed each cheek. “Can you…t-train with me?” The tip of the wooden sword tapped gently to the ground. Gaze breaking away from the tall prince, Marx started to fumble with the grip of the weapon.

 Siegbert could feel an arrow pierce right through his heart at the sight.

 “Sure!” His face was red as well. “I’d love to, Fa—Prince Marx!” He knew he should feel awful for treating his father like a child.

 Then again, he went through so much as a child, so he decided to conclude this as his little reward.

---

 It had been nearly two weeks since the spell happened. Thankfully, after getting an update from Henry, Marx would soon be back to his usual self tomorrow. Only the Gods knew how relieved Sakura felt to know that everything would be back to normal.

 That was to say, she wasn’t actually unhappy about the little curse.

 Shock still enveloped her. But over the past few days, Sakura adapted to Marx’s young version quite well. Maybe it was the amusement of seeing him being more flustered than her. Maybe it was the pure joy she felt to see his and her siblings bonding over his young version. Her heart warmed at such innocence that bloomed inside the Nohrian prince. While Sakura had seen Marx at his softest when he was in his actual age, to see this shy, timid boy trying his best only made her heart burst anew.

 Ah, she was truly amazed to see this many sides of him.

 “Um, P-Princess Sakura…?”

 Reality dawned upon her at the soft voice. Pink eyes blinked back to clear vision, seeing nothing but the young prince fumbling before her. “Oh!” Back straightened nicely, a beautiful smile graced her lips. “What’s the matter, Prince Marx?”

 He didn’t reply immediately.

 Knowing full well how he felt, Sakura tipped her head slightly. “Is everything alright, Prince Marx?” The angelic smile never gone from her face, Sakura leaned an inch closer. “You can always talk to me, you know.”

 Gods, she found it so funny that their roles had been reversed.

 She saw him take a deep breath. She bit back a chuckle.

 “I…” He could do this, he could do this, he chanted inwardly. “I wanted to give you…” Hands trembling behind his back, Marx puffed out another fistful of air. “I—here.” Unable to bear it any longer, his right hand swerved by his side and towards her.

 Her shoulders flinched at the hand positioned in front of her face. Pupils dilated at the sight of the item in his grasp. “Oh!” Both hands clasped her gaping mouth. Gaze fixed on the flower crown, then on him, then back on the crown, Sakura clasped her fingers together in silent question.

 He could do this. He could do this!

 “I—for you.” Bluntly he put it, face now burned as the sun above. “I uh… I want…” A gulp slid down a suddenly dry throat. “W-Want to thank…you…for all you’ve done so far.” His right and started to shake, so he opted to hold the crown with both hands.

 Unfortunately, now his whole body shook.

 Her reaction was still a gape and a gaze, and this wasn’t good for the child’s heart.

 “I uh—!” Purple eyes forced themselves downwards. “I…m-made it…” Vision started to split into two. “For you…”

 Silence still lingered, and tears started to fill in the poor boy’s eyes—

 “I—love it!”

 Tears blinked into shocked oblivion at the answer.

 Quickly he directed his attention at her. It wasn’t a mistake; that was absolute joy in her sparkling eyes.

 “Oh wow!” Left fingers tracing over her lower lip, Sakura emitted another gleeful giggle. “This is amazing, Marx!” Truly she was in awe. Though Marx had done some many things for her when he was in his actual age, not once had he stitched and gifted her a flower crown before.

 She was absolutely grateful at everything he had done for her in the past, of course, but this took the cake.

 To see such beauty radiating from her. To witness such bliss overflowing from the breath-taking princess, Marx couldn’t help the growing, shaking smile. “R-Really?”

 A nod was given. “Really!” Laughter was melody in his ears. “I love it so much, Prince Marx!”

 Ah, to feel his heart bursting from his chest.

 “Then…” His nerves started to act up again at the thought of his next actions. “If it’s okay with you, can I…can I wear it on you?”

 Even in this age, Marx truly knew how to take her breath away.

 “Oh!” was all she mustered. “O-Oh!” was all she flustered before nodding again, this time quite quickly than usual.

 The two now a blushing mess, Sakura leaned a bit down. Utterly ecstatic that this was truly happening, Marx held a breath before stepping one foot forward. He gingerly placed the flower crown atop her head. As swift as lightning he stepped back, breath then taken out of his lungs to see his gift on her.

 God, she truly was an angel.

 Mildly unaware of his admiration over her, Sakura traced her fingers towards the pink and purple petals. “It’s lovely…” Her voice softened, laced with love and delight at the darling gift. Unable to bring herself to look at him for a moment – Gods, she felt silly – Sakura cupped her warm cheek.

 “Um, Princess Sakura…”

 For a moment, she could hear his deep, warm voice.

 Patting herself back to reality, she looked at the still fumbling prince. Gods, he’s adorable. No matter which version he was, he would always be adorable in her eyes.

 Without waiting for her verbal response, Marx exhaled quickly through an open mouth. “I—the crown is more than a gift.”

 Oh?

 Confusion was obvious in her expression. Marx knew there was no turning back. So remembering every single advice from Hinoka, Laslow, and Takumi, the young prince braved himself and looked into the eyes of an angel.

 “The…The crown is a promise!” he exclaimed nervously. “I—w-when I get older, I want to marry you, Princess Sakura!”

 Well, no matter what age Marx was, he definitely knew how to knock the wind out of her lungs.

 Shock was obvious now, and he didn’t stop. “Please wait for me! I’ll p-prove—” Damn it! “—to you that I will be the bravest, strongest prince for you!” Both hands curled to little fists. “I’m going to protect you and my brother and sisters! I want you to be my princess when that time comes! Just you watch!”

 In all honesty, what would Sakura say in this situation? Would she laugh? Cry? Hide behind a pillar? Though their feelings were mutual and Marx technically had proposed in the past, to hear such innocent exuberance truly left her at wit’s end.

 Minutes felt like hours, and before Marx could think about running away himself, he instead froze in place to see such a mesmerizing smile.

 A laugh followed suit, and this made his heart race faster.

 “Alright…” Pink lips pursed tightly. Face now as red as Hinoka’s hair. Trembling fingers cupped together on her lap. Adorable giggles bubbled like songs in the air. “I’ll wait then…”

 To hear his vow being returned in kind, Marx felt like jumping in the air.

---

 Now he felt like hiding in the earth.

 The day after his little proposal, Henry finally finished the spell and turned him back to normal. Everyone was collectively relieved, just as they were collectively disappointed. The Nohrian siblings openly declared how they missed cooing over their ‘little’ brother. The Hoshidan siblings now used the little incident as either blackmail or a form of tease in order to see Marx fluster.

 But nothing could make him agitate even more than his situation with Sakura.

 Because the only side-effect of the spell, the second he transformed back into adult, was that he remembered everything.

 It didn’t help that Sakura started wearing that flower crown whenever he saw her.

 “Hello, dear!”

 Her voice was soft, bubbly, always beaming with love she had for him. But for the moment, her voice was also the reason he couldn’t face her properly without dying in unbearable shame.

 “H-Hello…” Purple eyes twitching at the need to glance at her, Marx instead just opted to slap his face shut with both hands. “Hello, my love…”

 Sakura knew she was a bit mean to be doing this to him. She knew Marx should deserve a break, at least from her of all people.

 But hey, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; it was never so often to see her beloved being completely embarrassed. It was cute.

 Palms cupped together and placed on her trembling smile, she stood before him. “Is something wrong, my bravest and strongest prince?” She held back a giggle to hear a loud, stifled groan.

 “Very funny, my queen…”

 Giggles turned into laughter.

 He was cute indeed.