Looking out for you.

by crctrrxx

Summary:

A new slow burn royalty Akian series im working on! Parts may not be updated as frequently bc I’m stuck for ideas and I’ve only planned out the main plot points sooo hehe 😼

Chapter 1: Deceleration..

The wary knight was called into the throne room. Today felt strange — a cold atmosphere lingered in the castle, and all the maids and knights were unusually silent, almost... scared? But despite that Akito ignored the change in environment and just declared to himself that it was a bad week of some sort.

 

Walking into the throne room he was greeted by King Ken, with the queen sitting at his right as he exhaled softly while pinching the bridge of his nose. His elbow leaning against the throne arm. Akito bowed to him before he announced.

 

“Akito. you’ve been summoned here for a reason..”

 

“And what is that reason your majesty..?”

 

Akito’s eyebrows now perked up with intrigue as Ken glanced at Yuka with worry spread across his entire face as she just nodded back to him. His gaze now back on the confused boy in front of him as he began to mutter.

 

“Someone has declared war on our country.”

 

“What..”

 

Akito’s eyes now widened with fear as he continued to stare at the man in front of him with disbelief.

 

“As my knight I trust you to be extra vigilant of my daughter.”

 

“Do you plan to tell her..?”

 

Ken took sighed as he plopped his head into his hand that leant against the throne his whole hand spread across his forehead as he clutched it somewhat in a somewhat tired fashion.

 

“No.”

 

“May I ask why not..?”

 

Akito slowly and internally came to terms with the news that he was previously told. His eyes narrowing in a determined manner as he now turned his head to peer at the marble flooring beneath his boots.

 

“As much as I admire your honesty Akito I believe that it’s best not to break the news to my daughter..”

 

Akito deeply disagreed with the King’s statement but he nodded anyway as he placed a clenched fist to his chest. Feeling his heart pound within it as he turned to the king with a unyielding glimmer in his eyes

 

“I understand your highness. Until then. I’ll keep An safe.. you can count on me.”

 

Ken smiled softly at his response as he took his hand from his head letting it dangle beside it as he calmly dismissed Akito. Akito walked out stopping in his paces as soon as he shut the decorated door behind him. He reached for his sword and pulled it from his scabbard holding the bottom side of the blade with both hands — staring at his reflection as he mumbled..

“I’ll protect you An..”

 

Akito swiftly shoved the sword back into the scabbard as he clenched his fists tightly, gritting his teeth and a muttered again.

 

“..no matter the cost”

Chapter 2: Strengthening our tactics.

“Akito..? Akito!!”

 

The princess wandered around the castle in search of the knight as her eyes darted past every hallway thay was in the grand residence but she saw nothing. Instead just the desolate white corridors with nothing but red carpet and portraits as she sighed. Passing by the umpteenth hallway she searched for that day her eyes landed on the boy standing outside the throne room door with an oddly unwavering glisten in his eyes..

 

“Akito! There you are!”

 

“W-wah!?”

 

An immediately ran towards Akito — she swiftly halted beside him afterwards while Akito’s head bolted in her direction his hands instantly went to his head to fix his hair, making him seem even more presentable as An panted quietly.

 

“About time I found you.. I’ve been searching all over the castle.”

 

An brushed off her red, poofy dress while Akito scratched the back of his neck somewhat awkwardly.

 

“yeah.. I was just checking my sword.. it’s all good, no need for sharpening..”

 

Akito lied as he tightened the scabbard around his waist An just looked at him in a somewhat confused manner as she scoffed to herself.

 

“Okay… anyway! Me and the chef made some cookies! We were wondering if you wanted to try any?”

 

“Oh.. maybe later..”

 

An nodded and Akito began walking towards the courtyard. An raised a brow as she followed behind him, soon speeding up to his pace as she walked alongside the knight.

 

“What are you—“

 

“Get your horse riding gear on..”

 

An’s eyes lit up with excitement as she stopped in her tracks, squealing excitedly. Meanwhile Akito couldn’t help but crack a smile at her antics.

 

“We’re going horse riding? It’s been so long!! I’ll be as quick as I can!”

 

An quickly zoomed off, lifting her dress slightly so she wouldn’t trip on it as her heels clacked against the ground Akito’s gaze softened as she ran off. Turning back around as he made his way towards the stables..

 

An arrived at the stables with her hair up and white buttoned shirt, tucked into thin black pants. She also wore black boots that were slightly stained brown from treading in mud. She looked at Akito and grinned, placing a hand on her hip as she chirped

 

“Let’s get going!— huh..?”

 

Akito walked away from the stables past An. Her brow raised as she quickly followed after him.

 

“Hey! Where are you going?”

 

Akito didn’t respond but only quickened his steps as An walked next to him. Her eyes widened with confusion.

 

The pair arrived at the courtyard as Akito brushed some of his ginger hair back into place with a swift hand movement. An now stood behind him timidly and he grabbed a wooden sword shoving it into An’s grasp as she wrapped her arms around it, soon holding it with her right hand. Akito taking a few steps forward

 

“What am I supposed to do with this?”

 

Akito stopped. Now carrying his own wooden sword he turned his head sideways to the girl his back still faced towards her as he declared.

 

“I’m going to teach you how to fight.”

Chapter 3: A ‘reliable’ mentor.

Notes:

SORRY IT TOOK ME SO LONG TO MAKE THIS CHAPTER I SWEAR ILL TRY TO POST THESE MORE OFTEN

An just stood there.. dumbfounded while she stared at the wooden sword grasped in her palm. She finally looked back up to Akito with a suspicious expression on her face.

 

“How on earth is that supposed to help me? Isn’t it YOUR job to fight people off or something? And another thing.. why would I need to know this if there’s no one out to get me..”

 

Akito pinched the bridge of his nose as he tried pondering of a good enough excuse before spitting out.

 

“I hate to face it to you but I won’t be by your side every second.. and if that moment does come when I let my guard down…”

 

The knight just looked at her as she somewhat understood what he was saying, An just figured that he was being overly defensive so she just went along with it for his sake.

 

“I’d rather do horse riding but fine..”

 

Akito sighed of relief as he walked towards An, now standing besides her as he observed her stance with a finger over his lip, he placed his own wooden sword down against his leg and began to speak.

 

“Lesson 1, sword posture.”

 

“What’s so important about that?”

 

An raised a brow with bewildered expression on her face and standing in an unbothered stance.

 

“Without a good posture, you lose balance. And do you know what happens when you lose balance?”

 

Before An could speak Akito quickly hoisted his wooden sword he propped on his leg as he shot in front of her and shoved her in the stomach with the sword, causing her to stumble and fall backwards while she yelped and dropped her weapon. Akito scoffed as he stood back in a relaxed position.

 

“You fall. And once you fall, you’ve already lost.”

 

An looked at Akito with her brows furrowed and her lips curled in a frown as she scooped herself upwards, picking the sword up as she did so.

 

“You can’t do that! That’s cheating!”

 

“.. this isn’t a game”

 

“Whatever!!”

 

An stomped her foot and huffed meanwhile Akito just shook his head at her.

 

“Anyway, your posture at the moment has the same equivalence of a slumped jelly. Your back isn’t straight. Your knees aren’t bent and your grip on the sword is far too loose. If I didn’t know better I would think you were trying to tickle me with it which clearly won’t do.”

 

An subconsciously began to shuffle in the spot she stood at as he continued to critique her. She could feel her mind slipping away from anything Akito was saying as she spaced out. Her eyes half lidded as the man continued to ramble on. Soon enough he was observant enough to realise she wasn’t paying attention as he grumbled and snapped her out of it.

 

“Did you even hear what I just said.?”

 

An quickly jumped and turned to Akito as she spluttered out

 

“Uh.. yeah.. keep back straight..! Don’t.. fall..?”

 

Akito gave her a glare of disapproval before facepalming

 

“We’ve got a long way to go..”

 

An just grinned awkwardly and scratched the back of her neck as she forced a chuckle.

 

The rest of the evening went on perfecting An’s battle stance, Akito constantly and patiently correcting her errors with a composed tone. After she finally got the grasp of it Akito concluded the session. Taking An’s sword as she cheered and ran back into the castle.

 

“I’m free!!!”

 

Akito placed both the swords into the sword stand as he ran a hand through his hair, turning to the setting sun - it illuminated the sky with a soft golden hue that made Akito gaze at it in awe for a split second before he whipped his hand from his hair. Walking back into the castle, following the same path An took. Mumbling to himself.

 

“Maybe I should try those cookies..”

Chapter 4: A reminder of your oath.

Akito was leaning against a counter in the kitchen as he popped a cookie in this mouth, licking the crumbs that caught onto the corners of his lips as he looked at the chef who was scrubbing dishes at the sink.

 

“These are nice cookies you and An made.”

 

“Ah thanks. It’s my special recipe.”

 

The woman responded almost dismissively, mostly just wanting to get on with her work as she examined a shiny white plate she just cleaned. She gave it a satisfied smirk then placed it on top of a stack of plates.

 

“Awh don’t be like that Mafuyu, I’m just trying to talk to you.”

 

Mafuyu shot him a glare before darting her entire body to face him, holding a knife in hand. Now a frown on her face as Akito’s eyes widened before grinning awkwardly and raising his hands - inching further backwards into the counter.

 

“Understood..”

 

The purple haired woman huffed before getting back with her washing Akito lifted the tray of cookies as he began to walk around the kitchen munching on the sweet biscuits. Mafuyu listening out for every move he made, making sure the current layback knight wouldn't ruin her kitchen.

 

“There’s a war going on right? Shouldn’t you be with the princess.”

 

She suggested with a grin on her face as she side-eyed Akito awaiting his next move. Mafuyu was fully expecting him to panic but he just shrugged as he ate another cookie.

 

“There’s two knights standing outside her bedroom right now I called the order, she should be safe and sound.”

 

“You promised to protect her no matter the cost.”

 

Akito jumped while he choked on the cookie that was half crunched up in his mouth as he quickly swallowed it, the chunky and sharp pieces travelling down his throat as he grimaced and coughed.

 

“You.. you heard that?”

 

Mafuyu dried her hands off before returning the polished dishes to their correct locations in the kitchen before approaching Akito.

 

“I hear everything.”

 

Akito’s eyes just widened as a sudden eerie atmosphere entered the room. He just chuckled as he scratched the back of his head Mafuyu snatched the tray of cookies from Akito as he outstretched his arms to try and retrieve it. A pouty looked now on his face as he saw Mafuyu shove the tray into a wooden cabinet.

 

“I doubt you are really living up to that promise if you’re here eating snacks.”

 

“That’s none of your business! Why were you even listening anyway? Where even were you!? I saw no one!”

 

Akito exclaimed in a defensive tone as he folded his arms. Becoming grumpy with the chef as his eyebrows lowered and furrowed angrily. Mafuyu just looked at him, no response coming from her as she soaked a cloth and began wiping the counters with it.

 

“So? Answer me!”

 

“I have my ways knight.”

 

“That doesn’t answer a thing.”

 

Mafuyu felt herself become slightly more annoyed with Akito’s antics as she slapped her cloth onto the ground in one quick motion before grabbing another one and dampening it. She shoved it into Akito’s chest as his hands scrambled around before catching it.

 

“If you’re going to stay in my kitchen then make yourself useful and clean that counter.”

 

She demanded in an authoritative tone as Akito grumbled and plopped the cloth onto the counter he stood by before brushing his coat off and walking to the door.

 

“Thanks for the cookies.”

 

He mumbled as Mafuyu nodded and he left the kitchen. Now in the massive hallway as he quietly retorted to himself.

 

“Miserable dolt.”

 

“I HEARD THAT!”

 

Mafuyu yelled from behind the door as Akito’s eyes filled with alarm. He quickly bolted down the hallway, his every step filled his haste while he softly snickered to himself..

Notes:

I know Akito hates half heartedness but let’s just pretend that he thought he wasn’t being like that bc he got two knights at the door I was desperate for smth to write and this was all I could think of pls

Chapter 5: An unexpected encounter?

Notes:

Heh what’s good guys I’m back

Akito eventually decided that Mafuyu was right, which was surprising for an ego like his. I mean who wouldn’t feel a little proud about being THE princess Shiraishi’s knight of honour? So he decided to make his way over to her bedroom through the castle of rich marble floorings and long carpets of dark red wool that decorated the floor alongside the stones walls that were covered in white wallpaper.

 

Akito finally arrived at the princess’s bedroom after what felt like an eternity of walking (it was a minute) through the castle big enough to share the equivalence of a maze. His eyes landed on the two guards he ordered to stand outside the room as he approached them almost cockily.

 

“Alright boys, shift’s over. I’ll take it from here.”

 

The guards just looked at him - questioning his unfamiliar attitude before nodding and professionally walking off. The ginger watched them both until they were out of sight before twisting the golden-coated doorknob and opening An’s door. Inside he saw her lazily lying on her queen bed, practically doing nothing but staring into space. Then, she suddenly processed his very presence through her head and sprung upwards with immense speed, her eyes lighting up while Akito shut the door carefully behind him.

 

“Akito!! About time you showed your face in here! Those guards were simply way too boring! They didn’t even want to play dress up with me.”

 

“Eh. Smart choice of them.”

 

An’s face scrunched up in a mock anger as she scoffed swiftly walking up to him. She pressed a finger to his chest and agitatedly huffed.

 

“I can have your head!”

 

“You never take it though. Just proves you truly do care about me.”

 

Akito teased confidently but all that got in return was a slap across the face by the princess as he gasped and clutched his probably red cheek. It somewhat baffled him how strong that blow to the face was..

 

“Ow..”

 

“Oh c’nom toughen up! Aren’t you a knight?”

 

“Women are just a different breed..”

 

He just rubbed his aching cheek while he sighed. The princess had an idea come to mind shortly after as she paced around the room, suspiciously organising something that made Akito’s gut tell him to just leave that dang room as soon as possible but his dedication to duty caused him to just stay put.

 

“I supposed there is one way you can make that little remark up to me..”

 

“..and that is?”

 

Akito asked with a raised brow removing the hand he held his cheek with to now rest at his side.

 

“We are going to have a tea party!!”

 

An exclaimed with joy and Akito’s expression darkened with regret after she chirped that sentence, she then revealed the small table with four chairs at it two of those chairs occupied by stuffed toys as he groaned ever so quietly to himself.

 

The last time An made him have a tea party she forced him to wear a pink sparkly dress and there was not a doubt in the world that she was going to make him endure that alleged ‘torture’ again. But this time. She somehow found a way to make it even worse..

 

“Okay! Come out now Akito!”

 

Akito walked out of the closet wearing one of An’s massive pink dresses also wearing tons of pink makeup alongside it. His orange hair tied up in two small pigtails that An managed to tie on his short hair as she smirked proudly at her work.

 

“I would rather get executed..”

 

The princess’s eyes dimmed and they began to tear up dramatically as she sniffled her mood instantly degrading while she tried to hide her upset, wiping her watering eyes as she murmured.

 

“Y-you said you loved my tea parties..”

 

“Nonono! I do! I really do! The dress is amazing!! Thank you, your majesty!”

 

An’s eyes lit up again and she cheered happily almost as if she was never crying so pointlessly to begin with, Akito felt relief surge through him meanwhile An guided him to the small pink table and seated him down. He held his small antique cup with this thumb and index and took a pretend sip while An did the same. Looking at him approvingly.

 

After a while, King Ken entered the room. His eyes landing on the glamorised man sitting so stupidly in that chair as he put a fist to his mouth attempting to suppress a chuckle. Akito upon realising his predicament flushed a soft red before protesting.

 

“We never speak of this.. ever.”

 

He put a scarily large emphasis on the ‘ever’ while An giggled happily. Akito was basically done in this moment and he got up forcefully, which made his chair topple over. Storming over to the closet to get his knight clothing back on.

 

“Anyway I was just coming to check on you An, everything’s okay I’m assuming?”

 

“Yes dad.”

 

She replied respectfully while Ken nodded and left the room, shutting the door behind him and as soon as he did Akito came out of the closet fully changed, turning to An, he saw that she was walking in her bedroom and that she was about to trip on the cup he threw on the ground. His eyes widened and he leaped into action before charging towards the oblivious princess and grabbing her by the shoulders to move her away from the ‘obstacle’ but his coarse of action was a little more aggressive then he intended.

 

An took notice of the cup and then looked at Akito. A confused look on her face as she said with almost annoyance.

 

“Akito? What was that for it’s only a cup?”

 

“Uh.. yeah. Sorry princess.”

 

He instantly took his hands from her shoulders and brushed them off awkwardly before shuffling in the spot. An just shrugged and scooped up the cup, placing it on the table.

 

“Why are you so tense? I’m fine honestl-“

 

As she was saying that Akito was caught off guard by a sudden noise that hit her window. He bolted in front of her - An feeling like she couldn’t loose anymore braincells trying to figure out his antics while she facepalmed.

 

“What ever floats your boat..”

 

“Yeah bedtime for you.”

 

An couldn’t even protest since Akito hoisted her by the shoulders and escorted her to the bed before slamming her down onto it and tucking her in with a blanket. Giving it a pat before wiping sweat from his forehead. An kept a neutral expression but many gears were turning in her head.

 

“I haven’t even gotten in my pyjamas-“

 

Akito slammed a finger over her mouth.

 

“Worry about that when I’m out of the room.”

 

He went to her window and stared at it with suspicion after locking it, he then said his good nights to the princess before leaving the room.

 

“God what’s his deal..?”

 

The puzzled princess didn’t know what was wrong but she knew something was going on. Especially because of his embarrassing behaviour but she just rubbed her face. She was going to get to the bottom of this. If it was the last thing she was ever going to do.

Chapter 6: Stealthy and quick enemies.

“What the hell do you mean that you’ve forgotten the ammo?”

 

A loud and enraged voice yelled to a taller and purple haired knight as he rummaged through the storage they brought with them, being pulled along by a horse.

 

“We don’t need the ammo to raid one little city. That’s a waste of resources. Unless you’re saying you’re not good enough to use only your sword?”

 

“That’s not the point Rui! The Otori kingdom is counting on us to take down that god forsaken Shiraishi one!!”

 

The blonde man exclaimed before desperately searching the cart the horse carried.

 

“Well TSUKASA. It’s a smarter option to save our things for the bigger villages or cities.”

 

Rui explained in a calm manner trying not to wake the other knights that came with them to raid while Tsukasa just huffed and sat beside the crackling fire while trying to compose himself

 

“You know how those fancy pancy shits are! They are probably going to have guards around every village because they care too much!”

 

Rui facepalmed and softly stroked the horse his quiet voice never quivering before approaching Tsukasa and clenching his fists.

 

“Are you telling me you’re so weak you can’t fight off a few guards?”

 

“Hah. Says that one who doesn’t guard the princess Emu.”

 

“You aren’t right now are you?”

 

Tsukasa just looked up and shot him a glare, the fire illuminating the side of his face with a golden hue before Rui walked over to his tent dismissively and plopped onto his side, falling asleep out of the exhaustion of walking miles while Tsukasa mumbled to himself.

 

“I’ll teach you not good enough.”

 

Once morning rose the Shiraishi kingdom knights were called to a meeting. The king sat at the round table with an almost worried expression on his face which made Akito’s spine shiver before sitting at his assigned seat with the rest of the upper-classed knights. He turned his head to the map covered across the surface and looked at it with a pensive glint in his eyes as Ken began to speak.

 

“The Otori’s have struck our Eastern boarder.”

 

Akito’s eyes widened and the room broke into yells and statements of disbelief for a few seconds while the King shushed everyone with a firm tone, slamming his fist on the table.

 

“That’s enough! You lot will be glad to know that it’s not a whole army it’s just one knight!”

 

“I don’t mean to burst your bubble your majesty but that’s WORSE!”

 

An angered guard yelled which started a chain reaction. Causing the whole room to burst into complains and screaming again.

 

“I agree, if just one foolish guard can wipe out a village then imagine what the rest of them can do!”

 

“Yeah! They are barely laying any low LIKE YOU SAID THEY WOULD!”

 

Another guard chimed in and Ken yelled in another loud tone before sighing from agitation.

 

“SILENCE! I TELL YOU! You people are acting like children!!”

 

Akito just sat there and listened intently to Ken’s strategies while he progressed with his explanation the girl next to him took in his focussed state and nudged him while making silly faces, trying not to laugh in between them.

 

“Mizuki take this seriously..”

 

Akito whispered in a demanding way, Mizuki giggling but despite that Akito still kept his attention on the table, doing nothing but stare at those tiny plastic pieces that were supposed to represent them and watching the king push them around with a thin rod while explaining battle plans.

 

“..buzzkill”

 

“We are in a war, mind you.”

 

“One that’s only lasted for 3 days at most so far! I would keep my hair on until they actually start prying their way into the castle.”

 

Akito and Mizuki quietly squabbled somehow going unnoticed by the king. Akito not allowing his eyes to rip from the map.

 

“Otori has already done damage to one of our eastern cities and with just one foolish knight as well. We don’t know what they are trying to do but they aren’t playing a very fair game, it was a bad idea trying to raid now and whoever did it probably knew that.”

 

Mizuki tilted her head in confusion and narrowed her eyes. The gears trying to turn in her head but were most likely as stiff as a board while Akito sighed - praying he has finally shut her up.

 

“Why’s that a bad idea..?”

 

Mizuki asked tentatively, not wanting to show that she actually piqued a small interest in whatever the ginger was thinking.

 

“It’s caused way too many casualties. Knowing the king he would order to take down the Otori kingdom’s eastern or even western boarders to threaten them but obviously not instantly. Of course before that we’ve got to recruit new warriors to fill in for the ones that have fallen. But everyone knows that now we’ve been given the first attack then we will come back.. even stronger.”

 

Mizuki just sat there as she stared at Akito her mouth agape, she quickly put back on a normal face though before putting an index to her lip while her eyes landed on the table.

 

“I guess you have a point..”

 

Akito nodded and the meeting was suddenly closed off which caused Mizuki to jump and panic because she barely listened to any of it. The knight beside her took notice to this and smirked before lifting himself up from the chair.

 

“All we really need now is the focus of the knights we have now Mizuki.”

 

Akito teased and snickered, Mizuki walking beside him with an annoyed frown eventually getting in front of him and leaving the room.

 

“Akito, a minute please?”

 

Ken requested as soon as Akito was about to leave the room and he instantly stopped in his paces, turning to him before nodding.

 

“Do you need to be reminded of your duty?”

 

“Sorry?”

 

Akito almost felt unease and embarrassment creep through him thinking that he was going to be scolded for explaining his own opinions to Mizuki.

 

“The one relating to my daughter.”

 

Akito felt relief pass him while wiping away the sweat from his forehead. Thank god Ken didn’t know about that.

 

“Oh yeah.. I can assure you shes A-okay!”

 

Akito said proudly while the king nodded and began to dust himself off, taking his crown from his head and polishing it with his clothing.

 

“Instead of fighting the Otori’s like the other guards you are to stay at this castle and by her side at all times.”

 

“But.. I’m your best fighter! You need me out there!”

 

“Exactly. You’re my best fighter. So I can put my trust in you to keep her safe..“

 

“I don’t really agree with this.. but whatever you say, your highness..”

 

Akito bowed and Ken placed his crown back on his head Akito was about to leave the room before halting and placing a hand to the door frame. Looking back to the king.

 

“You can count on me to keep her safe.”

 

As he said that the pair heard an ear-piercing screech that made Akito jump and unconsciously whip out his sword from his scabbard while he stood in a steady battle stance - pointing the weapon towards the open doors before calming down ever so slightly and relaxing but then he realised the scream was oddly similar to An’s voice.. His eyes widened and so did the king’s as if they shared the exact same thought before the knight spit out.

 

“Princess!”

Chapter 7: A distressed mistress?

Notes:

This is lwk so lazily done ignore that

Akito and the king began sprinting out of the room and began scrambling around to where An might’ve screamed from, panting heavily and darting their heads in all sorts of directions.

 

Akito passed a corner and his eyes widened while seeing An cower against a wall. Her eyes were shut and she was trembling, her fists clenched, upon hearing Akito sprint towards her she dove to him and pressed her hands against his chest while he looked down at her and softly wrapped his arms defensively around her upper back.

 

“Princess, what happened?”

 

“There’s a spider..”

 

Akito had a look of disbelief on his face and sighed as in a way to say ‘I should’ve known..’ he then backed away from the princess after realising the predicament they were in and approached the crawling creature on the ground. It would be time-consuming to get a cup and paper and he doubted that An would let him leave her alone with the spider. So he pulled his sword out and sliced it in half with one blow..

 

“Did you just kill it?”

 

An yelled like she was wronged in her tone and Akito turned to her in confusion.

 

“You wanted it gone didn’t you?”

 

“I thought you were going to get the cup and paper like any normal person!!”

 

“Oh come on!”

 

Akito facepalmed and grumbled while An just folded her arms and tapped her foot.

 

“Actually this is a good time to do some more training..”

 

“Wait wait wait nononono spare me Pleasee…”

 

An tried to protest but Akito had already made up his mind. Threats were increasing anyway. He took An by the back of her dress and pulled her along the halls, walking towards the bedroom.

 

“Hey!! You can’t do that! I am a princess! I am so gonna get your head.. let go of me this is degrading!!”

 

An kept yelling non-stop and Akito groaned finally arriving at the bedroom before gently shoving An in there and shutting the door.

 

“Get your horse-riding gear on. I’ll be waiting out here until you’re ready.”

 

“This is so unfair!!”

 

Akito rolled his eyes and leant against the wall beside her door while folding his arms and staring at the ceiling..

 

Meanwhile An was in her bedroom and trying to plot how she could get away with not having to train. Suddenly her eyes landed on her window and she snickered. The princess grabbed a satchel and a few other things. Shoving them into the bag which took longer than she intended before opening the window and crawling out of it. Carefully making sure she wouldn’t make too much noise as she manoeuvred herself and her red dress out of the room. Sweat rolling down her face before she successfully made it out and climbed her way down the castle.

 

Her gloves weren’t helping her with gripping and just as she was about a half way down she slipped and slammed harshly onto her back. The impact causing her to groan in pain as she rubbed the back of her head and lifted her now weakened body from the grassy ground. Stumbling stealthily but also half-heartedly while she supported her back upwards. Suddenly her dress got caught onto a twig from a bush and she yelped before being pulled back and falling right onto her stomach..

 

“Why is my luck so bad.. especially when I’m trying to escape Akito!!”

 

After getting up for the second time she heard a loud and demanding voice coming from the courtyard as she peeped her head around. Seeing 4 knights discussing battle plans and how they were going to recruit new knights. This made An glare at him with confusion and then she shot her head back behind the wall..

 

“What battle plans..? There’s no wars going on and we have a fair amount of warriors..”

 

An just shrugged and figured it was a precaution thing. Surely her dad would tell her if something broke out?

 

After a while she managed to escape the castle walls via passageway and made her way to the nearby lake with glee in her mind. She took a breath in and then out inhaling the fresh air around her and she stared down at the blooming flowers while she made her way to the running water lake. Not tearing her eyes from it at all..

 

Just as she was about to reach the river she turned her head forwards and bumped into someone before stumbling backwards and was about to speak before her eyes widened and she grinned awkwardly.

 

“And where do you think you’re going?”

 

There was Akito. Stood right in front of her..