Shinobu's pov:
"..."
'No one told me visiting another kingdom would be so troublesome.'I internally sigh.
Father was more than delighted to arrange everything for me, he was rambling on how important the Lava and the Ice Kingdom were in terms of power. I stare at the cold-weather clothing he packed.
'Just what do I need this for?'
The carriage then stopped, the person knocks on the door, saying that they reached the kingdom.
"Princess, do be cautious when in another kingdom."
I wave at him as he goes over to a guard, I turn to look at the walls that surround the kingdom. Taking a deep breath, I walk towards the gates.
"Good morning! Name and purpose of visiting?"The guard asks me when I approach them.
"Princess Shinobu Kocho of the Butterfly Kingdom."I hand over a letter.
"Very well. Are you visiting the Icy part or the Hot part?"He writes on a piece of paper and gives me back the letter.
"Um..Hot?"
"All right... Everything is taken down, You may enter."He motions for the gates to be raised for me to enter.
"Also...Do wear lighter clothes as the area is very warm!"He waves at me before attending to another person.
"The area is very warm?"I raise an eyebrow at the statement.
Stepping into the Kingdom, a wave of warm air rushes at me, warming up my body in an instant.
'He wasn't wrong..'
Looking around as I walk around, the citizens were chatting happily, busy bartering or calling people over to check out their goods. The children were running around the busy markets, playing to their heart's content.
'What a happy kingdom...'I make my way over to the castle after asking for directions from the happy to answer citizens.
"State your purpose."The guards stop me in my tracks as I got closer.
"Visiting the prince who attended my birthday party this week."I handed over a letter that contains the seal of the Butterfly Kingdom.
They had a questioning look as they took the letter. They nod at each other after confirming it was the real one, calling over a free guard to lead me around the castle.
"Princess Shinobu, I believe that they would be busy right now as they attend their horse riding lessons, So I hope you could wait for them in their meeting room?"
"Of course, I am the one who is visiting after all."They led me to the room, opening to reveal a very comfortable environment. Dark red walls with lava coloured swirl as the design. A fireplace was placed behind a messy desk. The desk was placed near the large windows that reach the ceiling. I assume it was their personal table as I could see papers and a stack of books on it.
I walk over to the large table in the middle of the room, taking a seat on the comfortable material.
As I finished looking around the designs on the walls, I could hear the double doors slightly open. I turn my head to see white locks peeking inside. I tilt my head, confused as I stood up to see who it was.
"Hello?"I open the door fully to see a young kid, dressed up in a white dress shirt with a sky blue vest and cobalt shorts with white gloves.
'What a beautiful shade of blue.'
His blue eyes widened as I caught him. He rushes to get up and run away from me, even as I call out to him.
"What a weird kid.."I mumble before feeling something poke my cheek.
.
My pov:
I was taking in the scenery around me, endless fresh grass and many cherry blossoms trees planted, making it seem like it came out of a fairytale as the cherry blossom petals were floating about when a maid caught up to me.
"Catherine, What's up?"I turn my horse to face her.
"The princess has arrived and is waiting for you in your study room."She then turns the horse around to trot back to the castle.
"Hm, as much as I like to stay here, I better go greet her.."I gently pat the side of my horse's neck.
"Back to the castle Midnight."
I reach the stables to take off the equipment before letting her rest under the shade. I speed walk towards my study room to see her outside of the room with her back face towards me.
'Hm? What is she doing?'I silently walk up and poked her cheek.
She slightly jumps at the sudden contact, I just had to chuckle at her.
"Good evening Princess."I cover my laughter as she settles down.
She coughs into her fist as a light blush covers her cheeks, before taking a good look at me.
'Cute..' I smile at her reaction.
I was wearing a light grey dress shirt with a maroon vest, black trouser and chocolate brown high-knee lace-up boots. Long chestnut wavy hair tied up into a high ponytail and the same white gloves. Black eyes with a light fade of red.
"Hello?~Are you still there?"I tilt my head as I snap my fingers.
"Ah right! Sorry about that, I kind of spaced out."
"Anyways come in, someone will bring some snacks for us."I enter the room, walking towards my desk.
She takes a seat, looking at what I was doing. I quickly clean up my messy desk full of paperwork from the nights before.
She stares at me for a minute, making it awkward when I finish and took a seat.
"So... any questions since you been staring at me?..."I gave a closed eye smile as I sip from my cup.
"Um yeah..Weird question but are you a female?"
I choke on my tea, ending up in a coughing fit, covering my mouth as I pat my chest.
"Are you okay?!"She immediately stood up and came over.
"Ack- Yes..Just got surprised when you asked that question.."She lightly pats my back.
'I'm trying not to die today please-'I soon calm down, coughing from time to time as she sits back down.
"You almost got me with that question but to answer it, yes I am a female."I stare at her with a tired expression. (Imagine Giyuu's face when Shinobu bullies him.)
"Eh? Then why did you wear that mask that indicates that you were a prince?"She questions while taking a snack from a tray when a maid brought it in.
"I liked the design, besides my parents told me to act like a prince in another kingdom as most of them doesn't really... accept females for first in line."I frown but quickly change it into a smile.
"Now, What did you visit for?"I cross my legs.
"I just wanted to thank you..."
"That's it?"I tilt my head and blink innocently.
"Well...I did want to visit the 'Icy-Hot' Kingdom as you suggested."
I chuckle before grabbing a cookie.
"Also I never got your name."
"I never said it?"I surprisedly blink before going back to my usual face.
"Well then let me introduce myself."
"Haru Hino, The First Princess of the Lava Kingdom. A pleasure to meet you."I childish grins.
"Now then, Shall we start our tour?"I hold a hand for her to take, leading her out of the room.
"Oh right! Do you have any cold-weather clothing?"I stop at the entrance hall, grabbing a fur coat from one of the butlers.
"Erm, why?"She quizzically stares at the coat.
"We will be visiting the Ice caverns in the Icy area so you will be needing warm clothing."
"So that's why father packed that, although I left it in the carriage because I thought I wouldn't need it."She mumbles while looking away.
"If you don't, I can always lend you one of mine."I signal to a butler.
"If it's not any trouble."She smiles at me.
.
Shinobu's pov:
I slip the warm coat on at the border of the two Kingdoms, surprised at how the temperatures could change drastically so fast.
'The smell of vanilla and roses.'The coat's scent rose to my nose as soon as I slipped it on.
"How is the temperature so different?"I ask as we walk towards the mountains where another castle was at.
"I try not to question it too much."She waves at the guards who let us pass after seeing her.
"Come on!"She drags me inside in the ice caverns, which was much colder than outside, our breaths come out as cold air.
"Woah.."The entire place was almost clear ice, I almost slipped if she didn't catch me in time.
The ice seems to sparkles as we walk past it, cold to the touch as I place my palm on it.
"What do you think?"She asks when we step outside when we were done.
"Amazing...I never saw ice like that!"
"Hehe, Do you prefer it here or at the Hot area?"We stroll along the path, window-shopping at the food served.
"Hmm, I think I prefer it warm, even if the cold is nice to feel."
We arrived back at the castle after walking around until noon.
"As much as I like to spend my day with you, I need to attend to my duties."She pats my head as an apology.
"You're more than welcome to stay here though, just call if you need help."Giving me a wave, She left with 2 butlers.
"Hmm, might as well look around..."
.
.
The castle was huge as I got lost several times, I managed to wind up outside in a rose garden.
"How pretty.."I examine the carefully trimmed bushes before hearing someone address me.
"Hello, may I know who you are?"
Turning around, a maroon coloured hair male stood before me, who was much taller than me for sure. He wore a crisp dark amber coloured military uniform, black trouser. The triangle symbol on his left was a red rose and orange flames as the background.
His hairstyle was an undercut and was slicked back neatly, and dark amber eyes that show he was obviously tired with light eyebags.
"I'm Princess Shinobu, I was meeting with Haru before she left to attend to her duties."
"Mm, all right do call if needed."He walks away, farther into the garden where the trees block the sunlight.
"Man why am I so short.."I sigh in annoyance as I have come across everyone taller than me in the castle except for that kid from the meeting room.
The sound of wooden swords snap me out of my thoughts, looking around I could see the male from earlier with a group.
Walking closer, I could see the white-haired boy from the meeting room charging at the taller male.
"Haa!"
"Rui, Your charges are sloppy and easy to block."
He easily blocks the hits as Rui backs up to avoid a downward strike.
"Seems like we need to increase your upper body strength."
Rui flops down onto the grass, tired from striking.
"Other than that Mako, Why is a random girl staring at us?"A girl pops up behind me, scaring me as I thought they wouldn't notice me.
I let out a string of gibberish as I jump out from my hiding spot, landing in front of the group.
"Um..Hi..."I awkwardly greeted them as I look around for a way out.
"Hoshiko, I told you that a princess was nearby."He sighs.
"Ohh, So you're that princess that Haru danced with."She steps in front of me, looking up and down.
'What's with her?'I back up slightly.
"Hmm, Not bad I suppose."
"What's that suppose to mean."I deadpan at her as she walks over to Mako.
"I just assume that Haru would be alone since most people don't allow females to be first in line."She shrugs as she sits down.
"Even though you found out she's a female, You didn't run away. For that, you are okay in my books, I guess."
"Anyways who are you guys?"I tilt my head as they beckon for me to join them for lunch.
"I am Mako as you would have heard from earlier."
"We have Hoshiko and Kaki, the twins."He points to the two who were fighting with an older boy.
"That's Kazemi."He was the older boy who was fighting with the twins.
"And I am Satsuka."She appears behind me with a mountain of food.
"The rest of the group is in the forest until 2 pm."Mako gets up to help Satsuka set down the food.
"And him?"I point to the white-haired boy who was trying to break up the fight.
"He's Rui, the one and only prince of the Lava Kingdom and brother of Haru."
'So that's why he was in the castle earlier.'
"Anyways lunch is ready."He whistles at the trio fighting.
"Food!"They all cheer and rush over to eat.
"I didn't know what you would like to eat so I just got grilled salmon from the kitchens, I hope you don't mind."
"Oh! Not at all!"I wave my hands around as she places the food in front of me.
'It's so good..'I cry internally as the salmon melts in my mouth.
"You guys didn't tell me what you were doing here in the garden though."
"..." The group stops eating altogether.
'Did I strike a nerve?..'
"We are..a private army for Haru."Mako sigh as the group continues to eat, although the air seems tense now.
"Sorry if I asked a sensitive question!"
"No no, It's just that the public doesn't know about us and we intend to keep it that way."
"Oh..Why?"I raise an eyebrow as I finish my food.
"That's for Haru to answer."Hoshiko stacks the plates up.
"And it seems like our time is up, we should get going now."Satsuka glances at the group.
"A pleasure to meet the second princess of the Butterfly Kingdom."They all smile at me before splitting up.
'Hm..A private army huh? I wonder why she has one...'
.
I make my way back into the castle after spending time in the gardens, wandering in the hallways until Haru found me for dinner.
"Just how did you get lost here?"She teases while we walk towards the dining room.
"I have never been here before, idiot."I roll my eyes as we enter, the smell of delicious food fills the air.
My stomach grumbles slightly, making me embarrassed as I take a seat next to Haru.
"So this is my Mother and Father, and my younger brother."She playfully ruffles the younger boy's hair as he complains.
"Hello, Sir and Madam, thank you for allowing me to visit your kingdom."I smile at them as the food was served.
"Oh please! Just call us Sora and Takibi!"She claps her hands as she beams at me.
"So why do we have to call you Father and Mother?"Haru puffs her cheeks, looking at them while pinching both of Rui's cheeks, making him whine in pain.
"Because you two are our children and you need to respect us."Sora deadpans at them before smiling at me.
I just awkwardly smile before starting to eat.
'How is this so delicious?'I internally cry while savouring the taste.
"So how was your visit today?"Takibi asks.
"Oh! It was great, Haru gave me a tour at the Ice caverns and it was so pretty there!"
"Haha, glad to see you're enjoying your stay here."He chuckles.
"Anywho...I will show you your room during your stay here after your done eating."Haru sighs before continuing with her food.
We quickly finish up our food, making our way to my room after saying goodnight to Sora and Takibi.
"And here's your room, my room is just next door so if you need anything just pop over."She opens the doors.
"Thanks for today, Goodnight!"I wave at her before closing the doors.
'It's so spacious!'I spin around the room before flopping onto the soft bed.
"The bed is so soft!"My voice gets muffled through the sheets.
I changed into comfortable clothes after resting on the bed for a minute.
'Honestly, I wouldn't mind staying here if it meant freedom like this..'Father always had me coop up in the castle after Mother had died, saying it was too dangerous. I sigh as I lay on the bed, waiting to drift off to sleep.