Chapter 10

The 10th Prince's face vibrated a joyous smile, that seemed not quite similar to Lira that she was forcefully trying to muster.

"Pardon me, my Prince, but we cannot not take precautions in these kind of things," Lira gulped silently; but the 10 Prince had exceptional hearing, as well as mind reading abilities, "I will sleep on the same bed as you and protect you with all of myself."

The Prince smirked at her request, but knew very clearly that this was a necessity for the safety of the royal family. And that was what Heart Servants had pledged when they first entered the Heart Servant Academy. They are required to sleep on the same bed as their master, for protection, but also for - other things. Yes, exactly what the 10th Prince has been thinking in his mind all day since he first saw Lira among the crowd of Heart Servants.

In his eyes he already set his mind on this person. She had the world's most beautiful hazel eyes. Blended extremely nicely with her dark brown hair, when under the sun, it seemed to reflect a similar shade of her hazel eyes.

And among all the other Heart Servant she seemed like a nameless, simple and not very beautiful girl, and maybe even some simple-minded country girl. But something about her, struct him - her simplicity.

Then and there where he first sat down on that chair, the first girl that caught his attention was - Lira. He decided way before his Royal brother (- the most favorable Prince of the Queen) had offered this Heart Servant.

It's almost too coincidental that his Royal Brother might set up a girl, that he seemed to have fall in love at first sight. Maybe he's just tricking himself that the girl who for the first time in his life he has affections for - is a spy. He couldn't believe it that maybe... he would fall in love with a girl that may be a spy for his number one competitor for the throne.

He continued his devilish smirk, "Well," he made direct eye contact with Lira and even stepped closer to her, "You can sleep right next to me on the floor," He turned towards the Shoji door, "You can get the futon out of the storage yourself, it's right there."

Lira quietly obeyed his order not asking for anymore explanation, such as what a Heart Servant should do - not question their superior.

The 10th Prince sat quietly on top of his bed and watched as this cute, diligent girl spread out the blanket and sheets on the floor. He gazed magically into her hazel eyes. Star struck by her beauty, and her extreme speed in setting up a futon.

With a merry smile Lira chimed, "All done!"

"You have speed,"

"Well speed only comes with years of practice,"

He started guessing different reasons, "Have you been sleeping on futons your whole life?"

She spoke slowly, "For country folks like us, we don't get the luxury of sleeping on beds. We are all grateful to even have some clean sheets and blankets. But most importantly enough layers to keep us warm on cold winter nights."

The conversations ended there. Well at least he got something out of her past - she's a country girl, and might have lived an extremely different childhood from him. He almost has sympathy, and just wants to hold this poor little girl in his embrace.

But... A better reason for getting in royal affairs so she can turn the tables and have wealth. His head was screaming with negative thoughts, he almost had to use extreme force to command his brain to stop.

He stopped thinking about it.

The 10th Prince untangled his legs from a cross-legged position and requested, "Take off my robe and change me into my sleepwear." He stood up and stepped around the futon.

"Yes, 10th Prince." Lira somehow guessed that his stuff was in the drawers beside the futon storage cabinet.

Lira gently unwrapped the obi around his waist. She looked up, their eyes met. They made eye contact for a few seconds. The 10th Prince's eyes drifted down to looked at her cherry blossom coloured lips and was tempted to seize this chance.

But she quickly shifted her gaze from his charming ruby eyes and went behind him to take off the layers of his gown. She continued taking off the numerous strings used to hold the traditional attire in place. He made it easier for her, he lifted up his arms slightly while she slid on his sleepwear.

He enjoyed every moment her fingers brushed against his arms while she began sliding on the sleeves. Her finger tips brushing against his bare skin sent almost electrical waves around his body.

She shifted into a better position to help him take off his pants and put on the bottom half sleepwear.

He quickly gasped, "It's fine, I can put on the pants myself." He could feel something that was being a bit too active and didn't want her to see it. He cursed in his mind. Its been restless all day and now she's here its... He requested her to get him a cup of water.

In the meanwhile, he quickly took off his pants and slid on the sleepwear. He adjusted his clothes while waiting for Lira to bring over the cup of water.

She came back to a calm Prince and handed him the cup of water with both hands.

"Thank you Lira," their hands touched slightly. He took a mouthful of water and placed it back into her hands. With a bit of hesitation while she placed the cup back to its original place, "Don't you need to change?"

"The Academy's going to deliver my things to me tomorrow,"

He nods slightly while he climbs in bed pulling the thin sheets, "I don't like candle lights when I sleep,"

Without hesitation Lira quickly blows out a few candles and leaves only one on the table, "Is it alright if I leave this one on? That's if you need to get up in the night. And if you do, please wake me up, I need to assure your safety."

"That's fine." He smiles slightly knowing that she's so considerate of him.

"Goodnight, my Prince," Lira chimes while crawling into the futon.

Silence fills the room. Crickets chirps echo through from outside.

The 10th Prince sticks out his leg out of the sheets. Although the sun has already set long ago and it usually cools down pretty quickly on these summer nights, but his body is abnormally hot for some reason.

He looks up at the ceiling, "Night, Lira," he smiles a little. He turns to see Lira lying on the futon already deep in slumber. He whispers, "You're beautiful,"

Almost if she could hear him, she smiles slightly.

He quickly turns over facing away from Lira to stare blankly at the wall. That's so embarrassing, he just silently confessed to a girl. In front of her, but hopefully she didn't hear it.

Steadying his breathe and racing heart, he tries to not think about anything. But obviously his mind begins to race, his heart unconsciously racing too.

He keeps recalling when she slammed to shoji door open, he was so shock at the sudden noise. The art frames in his study room all shook in unison. Some were almost on the verge of falling off of the nails they hung on. Thinking about it now he can't help but laugh.

The fun's only just begun.