The wind blew cold air just like how it is always in the Land of Kōri. Hiromitsu stood near the large window of his room, looking out at the cold morning, watching his subjects work. Should he really call them his subjects when he refuses to take the throne after his late father? He thought to himself, frowning so deep in thoughts. "Your Highness, the Archeologist has arrived" A girl then entered the mage's room. Hiromitsu was back into reality and forced a smile on his face. "Oh, yes. Thank you, Yui. I'll follow in a moment" The mage prince replied. I have to keep up the act. Hiromitsu thought to himself. He then forced another smile and left his room.
He went straight to his throne room where the Archeologist waited. "Naoyuki, welcome back" Hiromitsu jumped and hugged his favorite Archeologist. "Ah, yes, Your Highness, glad to be back" Naoyuki answered and hugged back. The mage prince pulled away and looked at his guest. "How was it?"
"The trip to different Ice Caves was great. There was not much to see, but we found different crystals of different colors in those caves. We didn't take them, of course, we need your permission first" The Archeologist explained. "That's amazing!" Cheered Hiromitsu. He noticed a leather bag beside the Archeologist and frowned. "You're leaving already?" The mage prince asked sadness heard in his voice. "Well, yes, Your Highness. The Princess of Nihon requested to see me, she needed an important favor. Since my job for the week is done, I decided to go home earlier" Naoyuki paused. "But I'll be back in two days or so" Naoyuki comforted the frowning prince. "I guess it couldn't be helped, after all, that Nihon Princess is your cousin" Hiromitsu smiled again.
The mage prince and the Archeologist have created a great bond with each other. After all, the prince is mostly alone in the castle, only his servants and his created magical being, Yui, is with him. "Are you sure you don't want to stay a little longer, I mean the Desert Princess will be arriving soon for a little visit" The mage prince smirked, noticing the red face of the Archeologist. "P-princess Sakura will visit?" The Archeologist stuttered, blushing hard. "Yes, and they are arriving right about, now" The mage prince stared at the middle of the throne room where a blue magic circle of the moon is placed. An iridescent light formed on the circle, revealing a tall man with ash-gray hair and round glasses holding a tall staff with the moon markings along with a young girl with salmon-orange hair and pink winter dress with Sakura flowers surrounding it.
"Welcome back, brother" The mage prince spoke to the other mage prince. "And welcome dear, Princess Sakura. A guest has been waiting" Hiromitsu crouched to pinch the beautiful princess's cheeks. "Naoyuki!" The young princess jumped towards the Archeologist and hugged him tightly, making them fall on the ground. The mage princes chuckled. "How are you and the king, Hiroki?" The brothers hugged. It's been so long, thought Hiromitsu. "I'm doing fine and so is Takahiro. The kingdom is also doing great. What about you?" Hiromitsu pulled away and faced his younger brother. "Just this and that, handling the kingdom" The mage prince smiled, with emotions filling up inside him. "You don't look too well, are you alright?" Hiroki looked at his older with worried eyes. "I'm fine, Hiroki" The mage prince answered, forcing a bit more happiness into his smile. "You know, if you're feeling lonely here, I can just stay" Said, Hiroki. "No, you don't have to do that. I'm not alone here. I have Yui and the servants and Naoyuki. You visiting me is enough, I'm pretty sure your husband would be very lonely without you" The mage prince answered, comforting his brother. "Alright, if you insist. But remember, if you're ever feeling lonely, I am one magical call away and I will stay here with you until you're feeling better" Hiroki smile, a true smile. That smile, I want that too. I couldn't possibly have you leave your husband for your miserable brother who refuses to take the title of a king. Hiromitsu thought to himself, feeling so hopeless inside but still manage to keep a smiling face and a cheerful aura.
The four decided to take a little break from their duties and decided to have a nice cup of tea in the lounge of the castle. "This tea is so perfect for this cold season" Sighed Princess Sakura. The Land of Yorī is always cold, no other seasons of weather, just snowing. The Ice mages and Desert Mages are distant friends. The late King Hisato, the father of the Mage Princes, was a great friend of the late King Yasahiro, the father of Princess Sakura. The bond between the two families became even stronger and closer when Prince Hiroki decided to marry the new king of The Clow Kingdom, King Takahiro, Princess Sakura's older brother. And years and years, their bond will never be broken. After the marriage, Prince Hiroki stayed at the Clow Kingdom though it was a hard decision for him, he didn't want his brother to be left alone after all, but Prince Hiromitsu insisted.
"Hey, Naoyuki, would you like to come and visit our kingdom?" The Desert Princess asked, cheerfully. "Sure, Princess. But not today, my cousin requested to see me and I've been gone for so long I don't what's been happening with Nihon" The Archeologist explained. "Aw, understandable. Princess Tsukuyomi probably needs you with something. I wish I can visit Nihon" Sakura dreamed. "Someday, Princess Sakura. Someday we'll visit Nihon with Naoyuki. But you know how your brother reacts when you go somewhere he doesn't know" Hiroki spoke. "That meany king" Sakura frowned. "Your brother is just being protective" The three laughed in unison, smiling with true happiness. Though as much Hiromitsu loved seeing them so happy, he wishes he can feel this happiness too. "What is it like in Nihon, Naoyuki?" Hiroki brought on a topic when he noticed his brother not laughing with them. "It's really nice there. It's a very nice town and no one feels poor because Princess Tsukuyomi helps those in need. And the four seasons, Winter, Spring, Summer, and Autumn. It's really amazing" The Archeologist explained with such joy. Hiromitsu, having the habit of looking at people's reaction with stories so interesting, he looked towards the dear Princess who's smiling, smiling with love, blushing so much. I wish I know what that feels like. Hiromitsu thought.
"What are those seasons, Naoyuki? I mean I know them but I can't really imagine what it looks like" The princess spoke. "Well, Winter is something like this, just snowing. Spring is the season when a bunch of flowers and plants bloom beautifully. Summer is when the country becomes so hot and Autumn is when plants turn orange and they fall" Naoyuki explained. "I would love to experience Spring and Autumn. I want to see a beautiful flower too" Sakura sighed and continued to drink her tea. "You know, Princess. You're named after a flower that blooms every spring" Naoyuki spoke. Sakura's eyes started to glow with interest. "Well, that's because Princess Sakura was born at Spring Time, April 1st. Takahiro told me that" Hiroki added. "There's a flower called Sakura and it looks a lot like the flowers on your dress" Naoyuki then added. "Really? I didn't know. Brother told me that this was mom's gift to me before she passed, my brother never told me that I was named such beautiful flower" Sakura's eyes shimmered. "If you want, Princess, I can bring you a Sakura flower from our tree. Princess Tsukuyomi would definitely love to give you a branch of Sakura flowers"
"Really? Thank you, Naoyuki" The princess leaped and hugged the Archeologist. Both Hiroki and Hiromitsu smiled. At least they feel very happy even if I don't and that's enough for me. The mage prince aura became blue.
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