Her eyes bolted open, quickly sitting up. She let out a soft cry of pain as she felt forehead hit something above her. She gingerly rubbed her forehead before looking up to see what she had bumped into only to be met by warm, brown eyes. She blinked rapidly, rubbing her eyes to make sure that she was awake. “L-l-l-Luke?!”

His eyes widened as he saw she had woken up. He could feel an embarrassed blush come on to his face as he realized what it must have looked like from her point of view. “U-um.. You fell asleep at the table….”

Too close, his face was too close for comfort. It was a tad embarrassing having him look at her at such a close distance. She looked down after finally noticing that her feet were off the ground. “Did you carry me all the way here? Thank you, oh, but I must have been heavy.”

Seeing her break eye contact finally made him conscious of the closeness of their faces. Embarrassed, He quickly averted his eyes from the girl still in his arms. “N-no you aren’t heavy. You are welcome Kimiko.” He said shyly.

"Uhm, I’m alright now. You can put me down Luke." Even though he had said that she wasn’t heavy, he surely must have gotten tired from carrying her around. She vaguely remembered having been at the other side of the manse when she had fallen asleep. Had he carried her all the way from there?

"Oh right." Luke set her down slowly to make sure she could keep her balance. "I'm very sorry about that. I shouldn't have lifted you without your permission." He said with a deep bow, not wanting to look her in the eye after such behavior.

"I love you!" she excliamed before taking his hand and pulling him back again to get to the ice skating rink this time. 

He couldn’t help but laugh as he was dragged by the young lady. “I love you too Nivine.” He said as he finally caught up to her and led her to the ice rink.

"Do you need help tying the laces?" Luke asked as they tried to get the skates on their feet. The rink was surprisingly lacking people for that time of year, not that he minded.

"I’m fine Lukey!" she said as she smiled and leaned over, kissing his cheek before heading off to the rink, skating happily.

With a smile on his face, he went to the rink and stepped on the ice. Even though he was supposed to be watching where he was going, he couldn't keep his eyes off of her. She looked so graceful while skating, it was as if nothing in the world mattered. Unlike her, Luke had become so distracted by her skating that he completely lost his balance and fell on the cold ice.

Giggling slightly she ate her sweets. “It’ll be fun to have more sweets together.”

"It would be. Would you like some tea?" He asked realizing that he had never offered her any.

She smiled and nods. “Thank you, that sounds good.”

He quickly got out of his seat and began preparing her tea. "Miss I am sorry for not asking before, but how long do you think you will be staying in the manse?" He knew that she would be staying there as a guest but he had yet to know how long her stay would actually be.

She hesitated to take his arm, but then did, carefully and very lightly, making sure to stay aware of both of their movements, out of habit. “Okay, yes, let’s” She replied nodding her head.

He smiled as he led her down the hallway to the the garden entrance. The scent of the exotic flowers soon surrounded them as he walked her to a small table and pulled out a chair for her.

The scent of the surrounding flowers hit her nose as their view came into sight and she relaxed the garden calming her nerves somewhat. She took the chair he offered, and smiled though somewhat timidly, “T-thank you.”

"You are welcome Miss. Is there anything you would like?" He asked out of habit. He wanted to make her comfortable but he was starting to realize that being formal with her was not the way to go about it. 

Leigh jumps at the sudden voice, eyes widening as they land on the young man.

From the looks of his outfit, she figured that he was castle staff. That could be either really good or really bad. Good because maybe he could help her find Roy. Bad because there’s the possibility that he won’t believe her and have her thrown out of the castle. If the latter happened, they were all screwed. There was no telling what Roy would do if she wasn’t there to stop him. She inhales a deep, shaky breath. Well, here goes nothing.

"Uh, yeah. I’m looking for," she pauses, "…um, someone.”

"You are looking for someone?" He tilted his head. She seemed a bit worried so he tried to keep a distance from her so she wouldn’t feel uncomfortable. He tried to relax her by giving her a warm smile. "Who are you looking for Miss?"

She watched him curiously as he smiled, “Um, his name is Roy,” she paused. “H-He’s my pet. He wandered into here and now I’m trying to find him before he causes some catastrophe,” she finishes, attempting to gauge his reaction.

Even though he made sure to keep a calm expression as to not alarm her, he was extremely worried about an animal in the manse. "I see... Then I shall help you find Roy, Miss." It was all he could say in order to reassure her. Surely it shouldn't be too difficult to find an animal in the castle and it would be easier with two pairs of eyes. "Where was the last place you saw him Miss?"

She felt his kiss at her shoulder, it warmed her heart. He was so gentle. “Luke..” she called his name, letting her breath brush against his ear. She rolled her hips, grinding slowly in his lap. “Put your hands on me more..” she begged, the desire to feel his touch acute. 

He let out a groan as she started grinding into him, a shiver going down his spine at her words. He moved his hands back up her sides as he went to kiss her collar bone, letting his lips brushing against her neck, Feeling her bra against his palms, he moved them forward to cup her through the material.

Her head rolled back, a sigh parted her lips as she arched into his touch. He knew how to push her buttons, and it felt amazing. Her hips rocked over him, his gentle touch urging her to give him more. She dug her nails into his shoulders, using him as leverage. “That’s it.. don’t be afraid to do as you please..” she murmured. 

(can I pet his hair? lol)

She had to know what her words were doing to him, making him want her even more. He began fondling her breasts through her bra, quickly getting annoyed by the material that was separating them. Groaning at how her her hips moved against him, he moved his lips back to hers, kissing her feverishly as he moved his hands around her back to reach the clasp of her bra. Watching her every movement for any sign of hesitation, her unhooked the clasp and quickly discarded the garment.

"I love you!" she excliamed before taking his hand and pulling him back again to get to the ice skating rink this time. 

He couldn't help but laugh as he was dragged by the young lady. "I love you too Nivine." He said as he finally caught up to her and led her to the ice rink.

"Do you need help tying the laces?" Luke asked as they tried to get the skates on their feet. The rink was surprisingly lacking people for that time of year, not that he minded.

She couldn’t help but giggle at his declaration. It was very sweet of him to say but it would surely get in the way of his duties. “Don’t think of me too much, Prince Keith will notice if you do.” Now all she needed to do was tell her Father. He was a kind person, she had no doubt in her mind that he will approve of their relationship.

He smiled at her happily as she gave him a warning. “I’ll make sure to complete my work as I think of you so his highness doesn’t notice.” Then a thought came into his mind. He would have to speak with not only her father about them, but also her brother. 

"Are you worried? About brother and father?" She smiled gently, taking his hands into hers. Out of all the royal families in all of the kingdoms combined. She was proud to say that her Father is a very understanding man that will do anything for his children’s happiness. Thus she wasn’t a tad but distressed about getting her family to accept their relationship.

He laughed a little as he smiled down at her. “I am less worried about your father than I am your brother.” Prince Roberto had always been very attached to his sister and he was so energetic that Luke may need to prepare himself.

She giggled, slightly tilting her head to the side. “Eh? You’re worried about Brother’s reaction?” Now that she thinks about it, this will be the first time that she was ever in a relationship. She was also somewhat curious about her brother’s response to them. Though he can be quite aloof most of the time, the crown prince of Altaria was surely overprotective when it comes to his sister.

"A little. I just wonder what he will say when we tell him." He admitted with a shy smile. He had known them for a long time but he feels like that would earn an even bigger reaction from the prince. " But it will be fine." He gave her a grin as he lightly kissed the top of her head without realizing.

"Hmm," She pursed her lips, thinking hard about her brother’s possible reactions. He could get angry and disagree with their relationship but she doubted that he would do that. That would probably the worst case scenario. Knowing her brother, he would probably end up sobbing, muttering that his little sister is all grown up. "I think his reaction will probably be one worth watching. I should record it or something."

Seeing her deep in thought made him a little nervous until she spoke again. “I think it would be interesting.” He chuckled at what she might have been imaging. He was worried that Roberto would not approve of them but seeing her like this eased his heart a little.

Judging from her brother’s usual attitude he would be very happy and excited for the both of them, probably acting like a teenage girl or turn serious and interrogate Luke. She was betting on the former but the second choice could also be possible. “You know I came here with the intention of confessing to you but I was scared the last minute so I told you that I was here to invite Prince Keith and Cathy.”

His eyes widened at her confession. "R-really? You came here for that?" He was a tad embarrassed by the news but couldn't stop himself from smiling brightly. Never had he imagined that she would like him, let alone try to confess her feelings to him. Unable to help himself, he pulled her into a hug and kissed the top of her head.

Her eyes bolted open, quickly sitting up. She let out a soft cry of pain as she felt forehead hit something above her. She gingerly rubbed her forehead before looking up to see what she had bumped into only to be met by warm, brown eyes. She blinked rapidly, rubbing her eyes to make sure that she was awake. “L-l-l-Luke?!”

His eyes widened as he saw she had woken up. He could feel an embarrassed blush come on to his face as he realized what it must have looked like from her point of view. “U-um.. You fell asleep at the table….”

Too close, his face was too close for comfort. It was a tad embarrassing having him look at her at such a close distance. She looked down after finally noticing that her feet were off the ground. “Did you carry me all the way here? Thank you, oh, but I must have been heavy.”

Seeing her break eye contact finally made him conscious of the closeness of their faces. Embarrassed, He quickly averted his eyes from the girl still in his arms. "N-no you aren't heavy. You are welcome Kimiko." He said shyly.

lukeofliberty

Alberto smiled at the young man politely, “Welcome Luke, if there’s anything I can do for you please do not hesitate to tell me.” Once he finished speaking he nodded towards him. 

Luke gave the butler a small smile and a bow to his offer. "Thank you very much Mr. Alberto. I will be sure to come to you if I even need assistance." Luke tried to keep his posture straight as he looked at the more experienced butler. "If I can be of any help to you, please tell me. I will help in anyway I can." He said, giving him a friendly smile.

Mai let her gaze rise with the stature of the manse as it glowed, haloed by the setting sun, the pinks and oranges dancing over the clouds in soft rays of fading light. Never in her wildest dreams could she have foreseen this coming. She’d been commissioned by the Princess Catherine to paint a…

Keith walked the halls of the manse in search of a release. Today had been more stressful than yesterday and it looked like tomorrow could be worse. He was on edge and it seemed everyone was staying away from the Prince. Even the Princess herself had been keeping her distance.

He ran a hand over his face, vaguely noticing that the door to terrace was slightly open. Since when was this door ever open? Sighing, he walked out the manse, the fresh air meeting his face a nice change from the stuffy air in his office. Why hadn’t he come out here earlier? In a perverse way, he thanked whoever left the door open for him to find.

It was then his eyes landed on her figure, her head tilted to the sky and eyes closed. She looked so open to anything…so free… For once, he was openly and unpretentiously evaluating someone. Crossing his arms and leaning against the railing, his eyes continued to watch her.

His eyebrows rose and he cleared his throat. How had she not noticed him by now? “May I ask why you’re out here?” he asked, amusement in his voice.

Mai’s eyes flew open, a gasp lit her lips. She spun, pressing her back into the rail, her hands landing on either side of her torso. Embarrassment at being caught off guard made all the more acute when she realized the man staring at her in amusement was the Crown Prince of Liberty himself. 

"I.." she stammered, her words failing her as she stared back into emerald jeweled eyes, their depths holding her captive as they sparkled with mischief.

Blinking away her confusion, Mai fell into a curtsy, finally recalling her manners. “My apologies, Your Highness. I was..” she straightened, her eyes once more falling victim to the beauty before her as she tried to explain herself. “I know I shouldn’t have wandered on my own, but..” her words were lost on the wind sweeping between them.

She peered back at the prince, wondering if he’d understand her plight. Taking a step towards him, she tired to put into words the force that had brought her here. “Have you ever been so drawn to something..so.. enraptured by someone or something that you can’t fight the pull they hold over you? You just.. gravitate to them?” her eyes held his, hoping he could understand, even if just a little, the nature of her adoration for the landscape stretching out before them, the hues fading into darkness as day gave way to night.

She stood before him as the silence swirled around them, her hair brushing her shoulders, impairing her view of the prince. She pulled at it, annoyed by its unruly nature. “I’m Mai, by the way…” she smiled, offering her name as a means to end the silence. Not that it had felt uncomfortable in any way.. On the contrary, it had felt almost natural standing in his presence, as if no words were needed between them.

Footsteps rang over the flagstone, drawing her attention away from the prince. A young man came around the corner, distress evident on his handsome face. When he stopped in front of them, Cathy’s words came back to her. “Ah, you must be Luke?” she smiled warmly at him. “Are you alright? You seem a bit winded,” her eyes crinkled. “Princess Cathy told me to look for you when I arrived. I’m sorry I neglected to find you sooner, I got.. sidetracked, you might say,” she smiled over her shoulder at Keith before introducing herself to the butler. “I’m Mai,”  

Checking his watch periodically, Luke had begun wondering if the young lady had lost her way while coming to the manse. Princess Cathy had always been quite insistent on this one artist for the mural so he wanted to be sure to accommodate her to the best of his ability. As he began pacing down the corridor, he was suddenly hit with the thought that he may have already arrived at the castle. He quickly rushed down the hallways until he noticed the balcony door open.

He let out a sigh of relief once he saw the young lady standing on the terrace but quickly straightened his posture when he realized she was not alone. "Ah- Yes my name is Luke. It is nice to meet you Miss Mai." Confused as to why the young lady and his highness were outside together, he gave her a deep bow. "I am quite alright Miss. Thank you for asking." He smiled at her kindly. It was nice of her to make sure he was okay.

Clearing his throat, he continued. "It is fine Miss Mai. I'm sure you just wanted some fresh air after your trip." He said, glancing to the prince. "However, please warn me in the future when you wish to roam. I wouldn't want you to get lost." Smiling at her warmly, he noticed the bags near the vase. It truly was an eyesore but a precious antique. "I was told to watch over you during your stay so please warn me if you ever need anything. Shall I show you to your room?" He asked, turning to her once again.