Anime: Oushitsu Kyoushi Haine

(Y/n)'s POV

This was definitely unacceptable behaviour for a lady. Running late by ten minutes, more if my coach could not get here by noon. A frustrated sigh escaped my lips as I stood on the steps.

A flurry of giggles erupted behind me as my sister put her hands on my shoulders, massaging them with a gentleness that hinted at the tense posture in which I had familiarised myself with.

"Clara (made-up character), what are you doing here?"

"Waiting for the coach to take you to your prince charming?" she asked, ignoring my question.

"*blush* I-it's nothing like that!"

"Sure it's not. I know you fancy him. If only you were confident enough to confess your love..."

"C-Clara!"

"*laughs* Okay, I won't keep you waiting. Get on your way now."

"I'll see you when I get back."

"Oh no, feel free to stay there. Who knows? Maybe he'll let you stay over."

I sent her a friendly glare, mostly as a warning to her endless teasing. She faked an innocent smile as the carriage started to leave our home. I waved goodbye before closing the curtains.

As the distance shortened, I felt my body grow nervous yet calm. The man that I had grown to both admire and love stirred quite an unusual mix of emotions.

To my knowledge, I could not allow these childish feelings to show. To marry or even court him would be like poison in his family's bloodline. I...had to keep my desires hidden.

~When you arrive~

The guards gave a nod of the head as I stepped into the palace. Coming here has been a large part of my childhood and even now, I loved visiting.

The spacious interior of the palace made my mansion look similar to a villager's cottage in comparison. It was like entering a fairy tale, an everlasting dream.

A small smile graced my face as I spotted Bruno waiting for me. He smiled and offered me his arm as we walked through the palace walls.

"Kai's been looking forward to your visit," he exclaimed.

"Oh, I'm glad to hear that."

"It was quite a sight to behold actually. We have a royal tutor and it seemed as if Kai was emitting a deadly aura during our lesson, which undoubtedly scared off all the maids."

"I can imagine that."

"He's been in the hall next to the ballroom ever since, waiting for you to arrive."

We arrived in front before Bruno pushed open the door. I saw Kai standing near the window. He turned his head only when Bruno had quietly left.

I smiled and went to sit on the plush sofa beside the window. He joined me after a while and placed his head on my lap before closing his eyes. A slight blush formed on my cheeks despite my trying to prevent it.

"Kai?"

"I...feel comfortable...in your presence. Everyone else avoids me..."

I stayed silent, knowing that he did not need a reply. Most of our afternoons were spent like this: peaceful and quiet, contempt with staying by one another's side.

Out of habit, I began playing with his hair. He grabbed my hand, catching me by surprise. I just giggled as he stroked them. It wasn't unusual with his love for soft things...although I found it hard to believe that my hands were one of his beloved soft things.

"Soft..." he exclaimed.

"Kai, are you tired?"

He gave a slight shake of his head.

"Do you want to go walk in the gardens then?"

He stood up, implying that he didn't mind. I smiled before walking beside him, out to the gardens that he loved so much. It was almost sunset by the time we went outside but neither of us minded the time.

Birds chirping in the background made the area seem serene yet alive. I glanced at Kai, wanting to start a conversation but he seemed lost in thought so I thought better of it and left him alone.

Suddenly, a teenage boy ran past me, making me trip. If Kai wasn't by my side to steady me, I would've fallen. The boy stopped and turned around, a menacing scowl on his face. What was a commoner doing inside the palace walls?

"Watch it," he exclaimed angrily.

"That's hardly a way to apologise. You pushed past me, it wasn't the other way around."

"Tch, arrogant nobles. You're always thinking about yourselves. You don't even care about the state of us lowlifes."

I was bewildered by his speech, unable to find the right words to say.

"H-how did you get in here?"

"That's none of your business, missy. I've heard of your family...(Y/n)."

"What have you heard?"

"Your father's a drunk bastard, and your mother lets others use her body for money. Oh, and your sister is a boast who shows off your family's wealth."

"What-"

"Take back...what you just said," Kai ordered.

The boy seemed afraid of him but quickly regained his posture and smirked arrogantly at the tall prince. Kai's hands were squeezed into fists, his knuckles white.

"Something wrong? I only stated the truth," the boy mocked.

"The truth?..."

I immediately held onto Kai's arm, knowing that he was trying hard to hold back his anger. The boy wanted a reaction from him. It wasn't worth it. This boy wasn't worth Kai's attention.

"Kai..."

He seemed to come back to his senses, and let his fists fall to his side. Leo, Bruno and Licht all came running to the scene, clearly worried about the situation.

The guards were called to take the boy away before he could cause any more trouble. I let out a sigh of relief, glad that nothing serious had happened.

"(Y/n), nothing serious happened, right?" Leo asked.

"Fortunately, nothing happened."

"...he insulted...her. I was angry," Kai exclaimed with his eyes on me.

"Don't worry, I'm fine. He only wanted a reaction. None of what he said was true."

"I was angry. I thought...I wouldn't be able to...hold back..."

"Well, you did and that's all that matters," replied Bruno.

"Oh, want to have dinner with us tonight?" Licht asked me.

"I don't want to intrude-"

Kai tugged on my hand, making me look at him.

"Then...I will gladly accept your kind offer."

"Let's get ready for a feast!"

"There will be no feast!" Bruno exclaimed.

I laughed. Being in their company was something that I'd never give up. They were like a second family to me after all.

"Maybe we should beg our father to cancel Kai's arranged marriage with Beatrix," Leo whispered.

"I agree," Licht added.

"I can hear you, you know."