Chapter 2

Shiro and kuro find themselves being escorted to the entryway of the place. There was no need for deceit, at the sight of the regal beauty of the two men the men guarding the gate wholly believed their lies. Kuro snickered at the foolishness of the guards, to not even check identification and go on someone's word alone? It was exactly what would Make the kingdom easy to overtake. Kuro stretched his arms upward , hanging them lazily behind his head.

"Put your arms down and act like a prince" Shiro scolds.

Kuro guffaws, "what does it matter, i don't care if people think I'm a prince or not"

Shiro recalls the rumors of the Shima empire's king. Though he did not hold the riches, resources, or great tracts of land that other rulers did, he was worldwide known for his superior combat technique. Such is the reason that neighboring kingdoms themselves had not attempted to invade.

"You too smart to be this arrogant , you have heard the stories of king Jouchi. This is one man we don't want to underestimate"

Considering his words kuro lowers his arms straightening his posture "alright i'll be careful"

When the two men step into the entrance hall they are surprised to find it rather crowded, on either side the hall is floor to ceiling with supplies and food. The attendant escorting shiro and kuro bows to shiro.

"You will be received momentarily you're highness"

Seeing an opportunity to behave like a spoiled noble, kuro raises his hand to the servant ready to strike him. "You fool, I am the prince, not him!"

Before his hand can connect with the servants face, a small body steps in the way grabbing his hand. "I'll have you know prince subarashii, that in shima when a man strikes another, the other man has the right to strike back. Irregardless of ones status"

Both shiro and Kuro find themselves shocked by the speed of the woman in front of them.not only her speed but her lack of presence was impressive, Neither one of them sensed her approach. Shiro, however, was more mystified by the fact that he once again was face to face with misa. Tskuki hops excitedly off of Shiro's shoulder. She catches him on her elbow without faltering from his weight. At the sight of her a grin forms wide on Kuros' face.

"Please, call me suba." Kuro says with a small bow, his eyes never leaving hers for a moment.

Unimpressed by his charm, Misa dismisses the servant kindly. She then stretches her arm returning tsuki to shiro. the two exchange glances, forming a wordless agreement to not mention their previous meeting.

"I prefer to stick to titles until we are married your highness"

Shiro and kuro try their best not to react to this piece of news. The conditions of the prince's arrival had completely evaded kuros ears. But the ability to adapt to wild circumstances is part of the job of a spy"

"If that's what you want, but when we are married what should i call you"

Shiro felt his eye twitch when kuro said "married" with so much conviction. For reasons unknown to him shiro found the entire conversations quite annoying

"Call me whatever you want, I'll show you to where you will be staying until the wedding night"

The stoic princess spun around escorting the false prince and his "so called" attendant . Kuro nudges shiro and whispers into his ear

"The wedding night, this woman is forward, don't you think?"

Shiro ignored kuro, looking for something to distract from his current annoyance

"What are all these supplies for?"

As misa walks ahead of the men she brushes her long hair behind her ear, and action that does not go unnoticed by the two men.

"I apologize for the mess, we are distributing supplies to the public tomorrow."

Shiro found himself surprised by this. the nobles he had come across hardly would distribute goods to those in their care, and even less would store the food in the receiving hall.

"And when will our wedding be held dearest?" Kuro flirts, his cheeky tone eliciting no reaction from the princes.

Shiro can sense that she is definitely a cautious woman. unshaken and unresponsive to his teasing she replies "whenever you like, it doesn't mater to me "

After silently walking through many corridors she stops in front of a grand red door

"This is you're room lord … suba," she pauses at saying kuros assumed name.

Shiro finds himself enamored by her stony face. He tries to read her, a skill that he's always had. Yet he cannot even to begin to tell what she is thinking

"I'll show you're attendant to his room, we will be eating the morning meal in an hour"

Before kuro can even think of a clever comeback she strides off, shiro following closely behind. When they are far from kuros room she addresses shiro

"What is your name?" She says with just a hint more warmth then she had when speaking to kuro

"Shiro" he answers, instantly noting his mistake of using his true name. "You don't seem to like the prince very much"

"Don't i?" Her vague expression was once again accompanied by an unreadable tone. She stops dead in the middle of the hall "i must warn you shiro, my father will be at the morning meal"

Shiro pauses behind her, confused as to why this information was a warning. "I assumed as much, it will be a good opportunity for prince subarashii to meet him"

The princess tugs at the end of her hair turning to face shiro, unlike before her walls are completely broken down, shiro can see more tells than he can count. "I-it may not be such a good meal actually. You see, my father rejected the prince's proposal three times. It was the choice of my mother and myself to accept it" she bites her lip, clearly scared and uncertain.

"So what is the king going to do when he finds out?" Shiro asks

Misa looks to the ground nervously "I'm not sure, but you should be prepared in the event he tries to attack the prince … and you must also keep an eye out for my brother."

"Will you point them out to me?"

The princess shakes her head with a small grin "you'll be able to tell right away who they are. We look very similar"

Kuro tries to picture misa as a man but finds it nearly impossible. As he's thinking tsuki whines at him with pleading eyes. He glances between Shiro and Misa. Silently asking for permission to go to her

Shiro sighs at the bird and looks at misa "would you want to hold him again?"

she smiles extending her arm. Shiro nods giving the bird permission to fly to her. Excitedly he swooshes down to her and begins grooming her as he lands. "I can watch over him for the morning if you like." She says through her giggling as the powerful bird nibbles gently at her ear

"N-no" Shiro says nervously "tsuki never leaved my side"

"That must be exhausting" she says stroking the bird under the chin he leans into her touch

"its worth it to be sure he's safe." Shiro says

she smiles at him genuinely "I understand, but if you let me watch over him i swear to protect him with my life. "

Sensing her sincerity shiro sighs. "Alright, but know that he is my most valued possession"

She smiles nodding "i wont let him out of my sight" then she wave "well then, rest well we will see you at the morning meal"

Shiro watched her leave, the kindness she displayed still rattling about in his head. It had been a long time since he had been treated with such sincerity. Those he knew either feared him, wanted something from him, or would thoughtlessly turn against him if the mood struck them. Shiro placed his trunk in his room and quickly made his way back to kuros room. He considers knocking but just enters instead. Kuro has himself draped dramatically over a chair deep in thought

"Congratulations on your upcoming marriage, prince suba" Shiro walks to pour himself some water as a wicked grin forms across kuros face

"There's something absolutely maddening about that woman." Kuro says completely enamored. Shiro paused at his mention of misa. Kuro strides over leaning close to Shiro, his villainous eyes searching for a reaction. "Don't you think?"

Meeting his gaze, shiro is careful not to show any interest in misa. It would just be fuel to the flame "A royal is a royal" he says without a hint of interest.

Shiro eyes him seemingly unconvinced. But gives up after a moment "Of course, shell be mine in no time" he says, nonchalantly spinning around.

Shiro grips his glass determined to not react "I hoe you're not actually planning on marrying the woman " siping to hide his face he leans on a pillar.

Kuro laughs plopping onto his bed "I'd rather take her by my own strength than marrying her because of some snotty prince's title"

Shiro desperately want to inquire of kuros plans. Wants to hear him know what he means when he says "take" but any interest shown in the topic would only rile kuro up "Don't get too distracted, this palace will require our full attention" he says dropping his arm to his side.

Kuro stretches his arms, gripping the sheets on the bed "you would think a palace would have more exotic linens"

It was something shiro had noticed too, despite the palace being beautiful and well maintained, i was decorated quite simply. Guest rooms that would often be filled with ornamental and practically useless items, were instead adorned only with practical items. Many royals and nobles did everything they could to be flashy and make a show of their wealth. The men would come to find that decor was only the beginning of differences from other rulers