#type stuff

Your train of thought was rudely interrupted by the head maid.

“Why are you staring at the basket of laundry like it just killed your entire family?”

“Oh, I'm so sorry, I just zoned out for a second.” You were embarrassed that she caught you fawning over a guy you don't even know, and even more embarrassed with how red your ears were by now.

“Okay…hurry up then.” She walked away, graceful despite her elder age.

As you exited the room you were cleaning into the outside, carrying the murderous laundry in your hands, when someone caught your eye. You turned your head to see a procession in the courtyard near you, it was….the EMPEROR?

Wow, he was covered in elegant, opulent jewels, the finest silk that must have been imported from the western regions, and he was followed by high-ranking advisors. You couldn't help but stare at the young man, he had long black hair that was shorter near the front, glowing blue-teal horns sprouting from his head, but there was something about him.

You continued to gape shamelessly at the man until he seemed to notice your gaze, shifting his eyes and making eye contact with you. His eyes seemed to…widen?

You looked away immediately, flustered, and your skin was now the color of the tomatoes in the kitchen downstairs. Not realizing you let the basket go, you dropped the laundry onto your feet.

OWWWWWW

That brought you out of your delusions.

You exhaled, solemnly looking at the toe-killing basket.

You decided to put your romantic fantasies to rest, just continue on with life, and accept reality.

Well, that would be the case if Dannie didn't come back to interfere.

It was a few minutes after your shift ended, and you were starving, but you were so tired. There wasn't any dinner left either since you took too long finishing your chores. You couldn't venture into town since most places would've already closed down by the time you got there, not to mention you were a penniless pauper from sending all your earnings back to your family.

It's okay, one night won't hurt. It wasn't like you were a stranger to going to bed hungry; it just wasn't what you preferred.

Just as you made peace with your sad predicament, walking through cobble streets of the palace grounds so you could at least splash your face with some water before you collapsed, you felt a tap on your shoulder.

“Salutations.”

Dannie???

“I apologize for my recent absence. I have been rather preoccupied with, uh, stuff.” His face was youthful but with very evident stress built up underneath. His lips were curled into a small smile, like almost afraid of expressing joy.

You took the young man in, the one you had just made peace with, never seeing again. You couldn't deny that you felt a surge of happiness swell within you. Maybe life was finally going your way.

“Oh, it's okay, I've been…busy too.” You said almost silently, too nervous to let a single breath out of your body. Why are you so anxious? This is good. Why are you like this? 

“I was…wondering,” he seemed to be overrun with a certain nervousness now too, “would you…like to have dinner together?”

You let out a small surprised sound at his offer, DINNER? Was he CRAZY? Why would he want DINNER? Your mind zoomed through all of the worst options while your heart did backflips so violently you thought it might just come up out of your throat.

You stared at him, deep breaths, “S-Sure. How would we do this dinner? There's no food left in the servants’ dining hall.”

“I was thinking…a picnic?” He brought out a fancy little basket from behind him.

“A picnic, now??? But it's almost nighttime!” You weren't opposed to the idea, but you were wary of being outside, alone, with only a mysterious man to accompany you.

“Yes, if you don't want to, that is perfectly acceptable, but I know a nice little spot under a tree right outside the palace walls that I go to to think sometimes.”

Who is this guy?!

You thought for a moment, since it was just outside, there must be guards there, so you were safe, hm. “Okay, I'll come.”

Dannie’s small smile grew a little wider, and his eyes a little calmer, “Perfect.”

He reached for your hand but stopped himself midway. His cheeks and ears grew a deep shade of red, and he looked away immediately.

“Uh, follow me. I'll show you where it is.”

“Okay.”

With that singular word, you followed him into a future you weren't sure you were ready for.

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: ̗̀➛ a/n part dos: hellooooooo again im so sorry this took so longgggggg and hello the love of my life @all-skedaddle-and-no-bop

banner art credit goes to @ruri_R_rikka on twt/x