The day ended with the Queen, Princess and Calcifer eating together having dinner, it was time for bed and Maculata and him were on the bed, about to go to sleep.
But Prince Calcifer isn't sleepy yet, he sat up on his bed and looked at his side, the Queen is already asleep.
'I wonder, how she is able to sleep with a stranger next to her, doesn't it bother her?'
Prince Calcifer leaned on the head rest of the bed and was thoughtful, just then Shadow appeared.
"Are you plotting something...?"
"Sir. Shadow"
"If you are plotting something, I have no choice but to-"
"No, I just can't sleep, don't be alarmed"
'I guess she could sleep, knowing that Shadow is always watching her'
"Shadow, you have been with her majesty, since the very beginning, am I correct?"
"Yes"
"Isn't it a little strange for you, that you are courting someone you have seen, growing up?"
"Are you implying, that I am too old for her?"
"N-Not at all"
'But isn't it a little strange? Shadow is human...right? Doesn't he think that being, Maculata's suitor is a strange situation?'
"You...are human, if I am not mistaken...?"
"I am not sure, myself"
"...You aren't sure?"
"I just woke up, one day, here at the Palace, and followed his late King, her majesties father, King Silvril, I was but a shadow, lurking around the royal family, I helped them while I lurked and then his majesty acknowledged me"
"...Then you aren't entirely human"
"Maybe"
"It's interesting that you weren't perceived as a threat..."
"His majesty thought I was a lost puppy...I guess I was, back then, when his majesty told me to protect her daughters, I took it seriously, but he told me to protect Maculata the most, since she will be the one to inherit the throne one day"
"Favouritism, aren't we?"
"What- No!"
"Sh"
"Ah..."
"What do you feel about her majesty, now?"
"What...do I feel?"
"Yes, you being one of her suitor and watching her grow and all?"
"I..."
Shadow was lost in thought, Prince Calcifer folded his arms, he could see the flushed ears of Shadow, the moonlight shining on his form.
"I'm now just realising it, but the Queen is very beautiful"
Shadow's eyes widen, at what the Prince said, The Prince pushes a strand of hair away from the Queens' face.
"When her cold expression is taken away, she looks like an innocent and lovely lady, but I guess she decided to keep her frightening expression so that everyone takes her seriously"
"Ah...yes"
"She looks so peaceful, sleeping"
"You're lucky, you are sleeping with her now"
"Weren't you the first one, who sleeps with her every Monday?"
"...Yes"
"Then why are you, sounding jealous-"
"..."
"..."
Prince Calcifer pointed at Shadow with a knowing and teasing expression, Shadow brought his sword out, very flustered, the prince immediately retreated his hand.
"D-Don't cut my hand"
"I...apologise"
He sheaths his sword back to its scabbard, Prince Calcifer sighs in relief.
"I...am jealous, since...I was so flustered yesterday, that I couldn't be with her majesty"
"Shadow...do you love her majesty?"
"Yes"
"Wow"
"Wait...no! What I meant to say was-"
"No need to explain, Shadow, you are a man in love, it must be frustrating for you when an unknown man is with her majesty"
"...Yes"
"Don't worry, maybe when this is all over, you can have her all for yourself"
"I think you should sleep now, Prince Calcifer"
"Although...I don't think that the other suitors wouldn't fall in love with her, Shadow..."
"What do you-"
"I am actually falling in love with her"
Shadow felt pain in his chest, he huffs and went away.
"It looks like, your charm is different, you need to open, a forbidden box first before you find the beauty in it"
Maculata opened her eyes and looked at Prince Calcifer, she then clicks her tongue and turns around.
"Was I being too loud?"
"Yes, now shut up"
The Prince, laid down looking at the Queens back, the Queens' mind is now awake because of the noise.
"Are...you staring at my back? Stop that"
Maculata turns around, the two stare at each other, Maculata closes her eyes, her brows furrowed.
"You know, you are pretty, when you are very relaxed"
"Are you implying, I am not pretty even when I am not relaxed?"
"Of course not"
"You should get to sleep already Prince Calcifer"
"Not when I get a chance to admire, the Queen?"
Maculata opened her eyes again, glaring at the Prince, the Prince just smiles at her, Maculata blushes.
"Whoa..."
"Stop it, and go to sleep"
"Blush again!"
"No!"
Prince Calcifer sat up and towered over the Queen, Maculata's eyes widened at the Prince actions.
"Prince Calcifer"
"I want to have a better look-"
Prince Calcifers body went numb, he drops on Maculata's body, the Queen was very confused, she shoved the Prince to the other side of the bed and sat up.
"I hope that helped, your majesty"
Shadow appeared with a blowgun in his hands.
"He isn't dead, correct?"
"No, he is just asleep"
"Thank you, Shadow"
Shadow bows and leaves, Maculata finally lays down, she did still blush remembering, Prince Calcifers form towering over her.
'I can't believe that he would do that...'
She pulls the blankets over her head, finally closing her eyes.
The next day, Prince Calcifer apologised, Maculata huffed at the Prince ignoring, him, he apologised and kneeled to the Queen.
"Please forgive me, my Queen"
"Alright, now get out"
"I'm not going out, until you forgive me"
"I forgive you"
"And you look at me"
Maculata was furiously blushing, Prince Calcifer smirked at the Queen, the Queen, couldn't believe that the Prince is getting under her skin.
"Are you satisfied?"
"Yes"
He stands up smiling, and exits the room, he couldn't believe that he made Maculata blush for a few more times.
"Good Morning, it looks like you have done well, if you exit all smiles in her majesties chambers"
"Good Morning, Ouran, good luck today"
"I will, thank you"
The Prince walks away, he was very happy and giddy, but then he realises what he said to Shadow last night.
"I am actually falling in love with her"
He just said that to annoy Shadow so that he has realisation of his feelings but then, when he remembered those words, his heart skipped a beat.
"It's real...?"
He questions himself, he then touches his chest, thinking of Maculata's different expressions, made his heart pound so hard in his chest.
"This...is bad..."
He returns to his room, and falls on his bed, he REALLY is falling for the Queen.
"This was supposed to be a temporary thing, since I know her majesty, will just send a letter to my father regarding this, and explain why she will not agree to an engagement with me...but it looks like the winds are changing for me "
The moment he said that a cold gust of wind, entered his room, coming from the open window.
"A temporary thing, maybe pursued so that it becomes permanent..."
He said to himself, he looks out the window, and remembers his fathers' words when he got kicked out of the Rasea Kingdom.
"Maybe, I got something to thank father for, when I return to my Kingdom...?"
---------------
"Maculata stole my heart, it looks like, I cannot love anyone any more, I apologise, for this marriage is only for the Rasea Kingdoms benefit, Lady..."
---------------
"Now to get breakfast"
He stands up and prepared for the day, he called out for a maid and asked for breakfast.
He thought about the other men that is courting the Queen, 'They also have a goal, but I wonder...will they be able to let go of the Queen after this?'
He sat at the balcony of his room, enjoying the cool wind blowing touching his skin.
"I now feel the frustration of the ninja, it looks like I don't want anyone to see, her majesties cute side like that, to think that someone as serious and fierce looking as her majesty, had a soft side, especially when she is asleep."
He then thought if that was her cute and relaxed side, then what about-
He stops his thoughts, his face becoming beet red, a knock caught his attention and he opened the door.
"T-Thank you"
"Oh, my! Your highness, do you need the doctor? You look flustered!"
"No, Thank you"
"Alright"
The maid pushes the trolley inside of the room, and towards the balcony, the maid shortly leaves after giving him food.
"My mind was about to wander into a forbidden place"
He starts eating, his mind is full of the Queen, it was normal of course, since he is a man in love.
But this will also be the reason why his personality, becoming the flirtatious, childish, Prince that he is now, will turn into a cold man, that only cares for his Kingdom.
As he falls deeper for the Queen. He wouldn't realise that the Queen is locking his heart never to be open for anyone ever again.