Anime: Pandora Hearts

(Y/n)'s POV

"Father, you asked to see me?"

His stern gaze did nothing to dispel the nervousness rising in my throat, his aged hands throwing the document down onto his large oak desk.

"What is the meaning of this?!"

I recognised the document as the thesis I had submitted under 'anonymous' to a research facility. His anger pointed to the fact that he already knew of the anonymous person's identity.

"You are about to be married into a family! You do not have time to be researching chains snd the abyss! Leave that to Pandora! You're just a girl for goodness sake."

"But father-"

"I don't want to hear it. Go to your lessons."

"...if the man I am engaged to is just like you, then I'd never want to marry him!"

"(Y/n)!"

"I've never met the man, so I'm free to think what I want until I do meet him...if I do meet him."

Without waiting for his reply, I left his office with nothing but his own disbelief and anger as his only company for the afternoon. My personal maid, Elisa, trailed behind me as I walked along the spotless hallway.

Soft, cream-coloured wallpaper adorned the dark maroon carpet, red roses perfuming the crisp winter air. I arrived at my room, pushing the giant double doors open to find that my equestrian outfit had been placed neatly on my bed.

"Do you need help, milady?" Elisa asked.

"No, thank you. Just the fact that you've prepared this is enough. If my father asks where I am, say that I won't be back until evening."

"As you wish, Lady (Y/n)."

She went back outside and shut the door. I slipped out of the (f/c) dress that clung to my body, hurriedly changing into the midnight blue top and black pants.

Slipping into my black boots, I opened the door and bid farewell to Elisa before walking down to the stables of our manor. Snow, my snow white stallion, neighed at my entry as I placed my hand on his head.

Strapping the saddle to his body, I jumped up before he took off, seemingly knowing my intention. He galloped along the road and into the fields, enjoying the rush of wind against his body.

I, too, could not hide the excitement in my chest as I smiled and rode with him. Noticing a chain appearing not too far from wherever I was, I unhooked my feet and stood up on Snow's back.

A young boy lay unconscious in the grass as the chain threatened to consume him. Aristocratically grabbing the gun from my belt, I aimed for its head. Bang. Bullseye.

The creature still moved despite this. Suddenly, two people rushed past me as they rode their horses to the chain and its contractor. Snow came to a stop as I watched them defeat it in awe.

If the daughter of the (L/n) family was caught out here, it'd be a hassle. I immediately sat down on Snow and willed her to go back to the mansion, not having realised that the two had already identified me.

Gilbert's POV

~At night~

I watched from the shadows as (Y/n) cast her face in her hands. Her stallion stood by her side, nibbling on the freshly cut grass. Tears glistened as they dropped onto her legs yet she made no attempt to stop them.

The girl today...was definitely her. She had effortlessly stood on her horse and shot the chain's head from at least 100m away. And she was also...the woman I was engaged to.

I appeared from my position in the shadows and knelt down in front of her. She tensed, yet showed her tear-streaked face nonetheless, apparently curious about my identity.

"Milady, you seem troubled."

"Who are you? How did you get in here?"

I handed her a handkerchief.

"I had a meeting with your father. He seems worried about you."

"I..."

"Wipe your tears away. It'll ruin your beautiful face."

"...who are you? How do you know me?"

"Pardon my ignorance, milady. My name is Gilbert Nightray. I believe your father has said that you're in an arranged marriage with someone."

"Yes, he has."

"Well then, allow me to introduce myself as your future husband."

Her eyes widened in surprise as she perked her head up. A gentle smile touched my lips as I sat down beside her. She kept quiet, her thoughts and feelings pondering the truth and responsibility that came with it.

"Your father has told me that you excel in almost every field, but you dislike the suppression of tradition and absurd rules that come with being in an influential family."

"That is true."

"What are your thoughts on marrying me?"

"I've only just met you, my lord."

"Your father has said that you'd never marry a man like him."

"H-he even told you that? I-I apologise if I have caused you any offence."

I just chuckled, having found her reaction cute. She blushed deeply and made her point known with the subtle movement of turning her back towards me.

I stood up and stopped walking once I was in front of her. Lifting her chin up to meet my gaze as I leaned down, I could now see the rebellion and sorrow clashing with the love and passion in her eyes.

"Have I upset you?"

"There's no need for you to concern yourself with me," she replied.

"I saw you out in the fields today."

"The fields?"

"Your horse riding skills are splendid-"

I was taken aback as she covered my mouth, her eyes carefully searching and her ears perked for any sudden noise. Once she had deducted that there were no eavesdroppers, she released me from her hold.

"I'm sorry, my lord. My father cannot find out about that. If he knows..."

"Well, he has been watching us for some time now-"

"What?!"

She abruptly stood up, her face only centimetres away from mine as she looked through the windows high above and found her father looking down on us.

I turned around and saw a ghost of a smile appear on his face as he walked away. Looking back at (Y/n), I blushed once noticing the close proximity of her face as she stared at me.

Damn, she was too cute for her own good. I took a few steps back, giving the both of us some space. Yet her next actions surprised not only me but herself as well.

She pulled me into a hug, tears streaking down her cheeks once again. Unsure of how to console the girl when the situation was unclear, I simply rubbed her back and waited for her to compose herself.

"He gave me his consent. He acknowledges the fact that I..." she began.

That must've been why he smiled.

"I'm glad."