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High in her royal quarters stood a young woman staring at herself through the mirror and fiddling with the hem of her nightgown’s sleeves. Sunlight trickled into the otherwise dark room, bringing her back to her senses. Right. She had just woken up and needed to go through her morning routine.
“Another boring day..." The girl sighed and briskly walked towards the large window before pulling the curtains open.
She looked out at the vast landscape; watched as the streets below past the palace gates slowly flooded with people starting their days and jobs; stared as royal guards and staff went on about their daily tasks down in the courtyards.
(She remembers the day she watched with knowing eyes as their commander had abruptly— and without warning, in the middle of training mind you— slipped away from his soldiers to chase after a familiar shade of purple hair swerving through the trees.
She also remembers huffing to herself as she felt tempted to press him about what that was all about when they passed by down at the courtyard later that day.
Though the complicated face and strange mumblings her blond commander was making had put her off. Even if she was maybe just a tiny bit worried for him, she held back.)
During her dive through her memories, her gaze subconsciously shifted towards the training grounds before landing on an unfamiliar girl in a long yellow sundress. Had they finally hired a new staff member for the gardens?
The girl was possibly the same age as her. She looked young and stuck out like a sore thumb compared to the other staff. The girl was reaching down towards the wilting flowers stuck in the bushes, some frankly unflattering looking green gloves covering her hands from the dirt as they pulled them out and—
A soft knock at her door snapped her out of her daze as she startled before quickly relaxing. Not even looking towards the intruder, she knew it was just a maid going to replace her sheets and inform her of other matters she reluctantly had to do that day. She held in a sigh, face blank as the door slowly pushed open and the maid started speaking.
“Good morning, Lady Kusanagi. M-My apologies for not arriving sooner.”
She recognises this servant. She’s met her multiple times before and has talked to her for matters outside of things concerning the royal palace a fair lot as well.
(Ah, what was her name...? She was a Hoshino, and she had to run through her memories to remember her first name. Oh, she felt horrible for struggling to remember.)
She nods in acknowledgement as she continues to try and recall.
(Maybe she has to try to memorise the servants' names again. She hadn’t really properly interacted with them in a while due to keeping herself in her room.
She thinks back to when she had tea with this maid. They talked for roughly an hour and— There it was! ‘Ichika Hoshino’ was what she believed to be the maid’s name. She’s mostly sure that she’s right as well.)
Ichika was one of her oldest maids and was above even the best at her job. Though she still had moments where she’d get nervous and stumble over her words and actions. Not that she minded. She does understand the maid's issues and trouble with speaking as she would go through that too.
“It’s fine, Ichika.” She didn’t bother to turn as she spoke, her voice flat and a little deeper than usual due to the early hour. She raised a hand to cover her mouth as she yawned, still a little tired. “...Haven’t I told you to use my first name instead?” She called out to the maid. Said maid seemed to be folding her sheets and making her bed, the shuffling of cloth and thumps of pillows replacing the usual silence.
“S-Sorry, Lady Nene.” Ichika muttered just loud enough for her to hear.
Nene didn’t respond and let her gaze shift back to the spot on the training grounds where she had been watching the sundress girl. (She didn’t know what else to call her.)
Though she frowned as she realised the girl was gone. Disappointment was evident on her face. She wishes she got a better look at her. She coughed, bringing a hand up to her mouth to cover it. She could hear the shuffling quiet down behind her.
“A-Are you ill, Lady Kusa— uhm... Lady Nene? Would you like some medicine?” Ichika spoke up, concern laced in her voice.
A second— or maybe more than five— pass by with the two in silence before the maid sputters out another question. “O-Or uh... some tea? M-Maybe?”
Nene hums, nodding before turning around and looking straight at Ichika. The maid’s black hair was short after the girl had crudely chopped it off one day. (When asked, the maid said something along the lines of battle and safety. Though, now her question is ‘why would a maid be worried about battle so much?’)
She cleared her throat, pushing herself to get back on topic. “I’d like some tea. Passionfruit and peppermint.”
Ichika jolted a bit before nodding frantically. “Yes, ma’am!” She had already turned, sheets in her arms before turning back with realisation in her face. “A-Ah, you have a meeting after lunch with the royal court and—”
“Inform the royal court that I would like to reschedule it. Tell them I have a sore throat and am feeling ill.” She interrupts, waving Ichika off. She absolutely hates the royal court and their meetings. They’re boring and stretch out for longer than she’d like them to. Using the fact the maid believes she's sick would be the best excuse for skipping it.
The maid opens her mouth to reply again before shutting it. Seems like she decided to not respond, and honestly? Silence as a response is something Nene would prefer right about now.
“I’ll run a bath for you, ma’am.” She says softly before sliding into the bathroom, the echo of water rushing into a tub filling the silence.
Life outside the borders of the palace was practically non-existent for the Princess of the White Rose Kingdom.
After the peace treaty the White Rose Kingdom had signed with the other neighbouring kingdoms, their nation had started becoming much more prosperous, with their kingdom especially steadily having their economic growth increase with trading.
But even with such a great feat, there were other things that those such as the royal court would not let slide. One of those being finding the perfect suitor for their princess, who would be next in line for the throne. Nene truly despised the thought and process of looking for a suitor; it was too much of a hassle for her, and she wasn't interested in one. Which was a problem.
Now, the royal court has been hounding her with questions and pushing her to attend events or meetings with other royals and nobles in place of her parents, who soon would be too old to take care of the throne. She understood the problem, but she felt it was too early. The trust she had in the royal court was small as well, which didn't help ease her nerves.
The dim yet bright halls of the palace were silent, other than the soft tapping of heels and the (poorly) hushed whispers of maids passing by. Ignoring the gossipers (Even though she’d definitely eavesdrop on them later), Nene picked up the pace, swiftly walking down the hall before turning to enter one of the courtyards.
Her heels clicked against the rough cobblestone paths outside. She wandered aimlessly, turning her head every so often to stare at the flowers— composed mostly of roses— lining the way and watch staff take their breaks or do tasks.
Nene slowed down, passing by a large white gazebo. She noticed someone she swears is familiar stood in said gazebo, and before she could stop herself, stepped up the stairs to investigate.
The sound of steps on the wood had made whoever was in the gazebo turn around.
“Ah! Hello, good morning!” A bright voice greeted her.
She raised her head a bit to get a full view of the person, a woman with long black hair fading into blue, a wide smile, and eyes that— even if closed— radiated cheer. Nene then realised that she was wearing a yellow sundress. (Ah, this was the girl she was watching earlier.)
Nene stared for a bit. The girl hadn't called her by any sort of title for some reason. (Maybe she just hadn’t recognised her, but that didn’t make much sense, did it? Not like it wasn't possible though—)
“Hey, are you there?”
The sound of the girl's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. She stared at Nene with slight worry, a sheepish smile on her pretty face.
Nene cleared her throat, putting out a smile. “Yes, my apologies, miss.”
Sundress girl startled before quickly waving her hands up and shaking her head. “N-No need to call me miss, uhhh—”
“Nene. Nene Kusanagi.” She stifled a laugh by covering her mouth using her knuckles.
“Wait— Princess Kusanagi?!”
The girl seemed to be distressed (most likely at her casualness in greeting the White Rose Kingdom's princess), and Nene couldn't help but chuckle softly at the other's reactions.
“Yes, I am Princess Nene Kusanagi. Please, use my first name instead.” Nene bowed ever so slightly.
The other’s face was red, head shaking frantically. “Oh! Don't bow to me! I'm just a servant of the palace, please—”
“It's not a big deal.” Nene waved her off, she couldn't help but chuckle softly at the other's reactions. “May I know your name?”
“Ahhh... sorry! I’m An Shiraishi! Nice to meet you Lady Nene.” An’s voice was laced with embarrassment as she laughed nervously.
The princess let out another chuckle, eyes crinkled and smile wide.
The next time they bumped into each other— they did it literally.
Nene was walking around the courtyard, conversing with a noble about economics or something boring. But she’s at least glad this noble is good company.
Quick footsteps that increased in volume was a noise that Nene didn’t pay much mind to. She may have been a little zoned out when it happened, but she let out a wince and a yelp when something rammed into her and sent her falling to the floor.
Nene winced in pain as she blinked to clear her vision, still dazed. The noble she was talking to was quick to ask her if she was alright, but the perpetrator was even quicker to reach down and fuss over her. The voice was familiar though, and she felt a warm hand on her arm.
“...Lady Nene! Are you okay?!”
The princess raised her head before realising it was An. She flushed slightly in embarrassment, noticing how close she was. Nene cleared her throat, swiftly standing up with An’s help and chuckling nervously.
“Do not worry. I am well.” She smiled sheepishly, looking at An.
For a second the two had conversed with each other, not minding the noble lady next to them as Nene tried her best to calm An down and reassure her.
The girl had worried a bit more before sighing and stepping back. “A-Alright... My apologies again, Lady Nene. I— I have matters to get to, sorry!” An sputtered out, letting go of Nene’s arm.
The princess watched as An ran off in some other direction, staring before being brought back by the noble lady she was talking to clearing her throat.
Turning to apologise, she laughed sheepishly.
(Though, she couldn’t help but want to chase after that warm touch.)
Each rise of the sun— each sign of the next day— they had slowly become something Nene had been looking forward to. Ever since she had met An, who turned out to be one of the newly hired gardeners (Thank goodness cause those dying flowers were so disappointing to walk past.), she believed she was honestly the best person she’s ever talked to in the palace. Everyone else was always on edge around her.
The florist was always so relaxed (if Nene was any more selfish and egotistical— like a certain someone— she’d even say she was much happier) around the princess. Other than being one of the only people who actually treated her as a regular person, and not a princess, An was a kind and cute one too.
Today, Nene had slipped out of yet another meeting to see An. They agreed to meet at one of the greenhouses near one of the corners of the tall borders. Nene couldn’t help but get nervous, though she couldn’t figure out exactly why.
(“Hey, how often do you get to go outside?”
“Rarely.”
A hand raised shot down whatever worries the other was going to voice.)
Nene sucked in a sharp breath as she picked up the pace, walking faster down the path and ignoring the confused yet concerned glances the knights passing by had given her.
(“Nowadays, when I leave the palace, it’s for a ball or meeting outside of the kingdom. They used to let me visit the town, even with a single maid, but now they completely forbid me from going out.”)
Soon enough, she sped up into a run. Her dress shoes clacked hurriedly against the rough cobblestone while her long dress and cloak flowed behind her. She may be just a little worried about being late.
(Silence stretched on for a bit longer than usual, gazes fixed on one another.
“Would you like to come with me out of the palace?”)
She was quick to accept An’s offer. She hadn’t told her, but she hadn’t truly stepped out of the palace borders by her own volition in about five or six years. She doesn’t want to count the times she was forced into attending royal balls and banquets. (They weren’t the same as she technically would just get pushed into another stuffy palace except with countless snobby royals.)
Nene walked into the greenhouse right when An had jumped up from a bush in the far corner, a bouquet of some sorts in her hands. Nene couldn’t really catch exactly what the girl was holding due to their distance.
The florist, whose face was flushed, beamed brightly at Nene with one of her wide grins. Her long hair flowed around her perfectly— and Nene quickly snapped her gaze away from it to look at An.
“Nene!”
(The tiniest bead of electricity surges through ever so slightly.)
“You look gorgeous! I suppose you’re ready?”
‘No, not really’ is what she’d normally say to another in this situation, but staring at the girl from across the greenhouse had her putting a fond smile on her face and nodding.
“Yes, let us go.”
The two slipped away to one of the back gates. A basket filled with flowers and other items hung on An’s arm and a picnic basket on Nene’s. The princess had a hood on, face down, and her cloak wrapped around her to cover her frame. An walked just a bit more forward than she did, trying to shield her from any gazes.
She heard the florist happily greet the knight stationed at the gate. Curiosity peaking, she raised her head ever so slightly to investigate. She met the eyes of said knight. Familiar amber eyes— other ones, not An’s— stared at her wide. (Great. Of course it was him.)
“Huh— Lady Nene?!”
Their commander had been stationed right here for some reason and now has caught Nene. Horrible luck. An had jolted in shock, eyes filled with terror and dread as the commander revealed he knew it was Nene she was with. An’s gaze darted to the commander and she was about to apologise when he quickly pulled the both of them towards the gates.
“What are you two doing?!” He hissed at them in a hushed whisper, looking over their shoulders every once in a while to keep a watch out.
Nene groaned and put a hand to her forehead. “Getting out of here. Come on, Tsukasa. At this rate, you’ll be getting us all into trouble.” She snapped with a huff.
“Excuse me—?! J-Just answer why!” Tsukasa didn’t seem phased at the harsh words— a little scoff told them he was a bit offended, yes, but not too bad.
The princess frowned, rolling her eyes. “Because the palace is stuffy and the court is getting on my nerves again.” She crossed her arms.
“You’re not running away right?”
A shake of Nene’s head said no, but An quickly jumped in. “N-No! One-hundred percent not running away! Serious, please trust us!” She looked to Tsukasa with genuinity in her eyes, and the commander faltered a little, glancing between Nene and An.
“Alright— Agh... listen— An can go, but I can’t let you—” He pointed a finger at her, “—out of these gates.”
“I’ll tell the court about you running away from training sessions to find him.”
“...G-Go through.”
An and Nene walked side by side into the forest. The florist chatted about her father and his cafe— where An used to work at. Nene listened as she stared and gaped at the beautiful nature surrounding them. She usually saw the gorgeous landscape daily, but never up close. It was a whole new experience, and she loved it.
(“My father actually started the whole cafe thing when I was about 13 or 14! That’s also when I started working there.”
She raised a brow. “Isn’t that against national laws?”
A laugh cut through. “Ahah! I wasn't actually working—!”)
The princess hummed tunes as she strolled through. Their arms interlocked as An started practically dragging her down the ‘path’ ahead. Not like an actual path, though. It was just a bunch of dying grass and dirt from the number of times people had stepped on it. And every few steps, Nene had to jump over small puddles that hadn’t dried.
(“You know, my friend actually was the one who told me about the gardening position at the palace! He’s like a knight— a paladin or something— I don’t really know.”
“I believe I know of him... Does he perhaps have the habit of being two-faced?”
“Two-faced?! Haha—! If he has orange hair and one stupid random streak of yellow in his hair that has no business being there then— yes, totally! Not in a bad way though. He’s annoying, but I like him.”
Nene didn’t know why, but she had forced herself to give a tight smile at those words.)
They continued on their journey, heading deeper into the forest together. An pointed out some plants and wildlife every few minutes in what seemed to be an attempt to not bore Nene. Though, she didn’t really need to do that. (As Nene would’ve been entertained even if it was just her standing with An.) Nene still appreciated her efforts and continued to humour the other when she’d crack some jokes that may have not landed as smoothly as planned.
After a bit of traversing through the forest, An slowed down. Nene had almost bumped into her since she actually wasn't paying much attention to her surroundings. The florist looked over her shoulder at Nene and gave a bright smile. (A very pretty one.)
"We're here! Hand me the basket."
Nene hastily nodded and gave An the basket she held. A picnic blanket was quickly placed on the grass below and, in a flash, everything was set up.
That was when the princess noticed where they were. They sat on a low cliff-like area, overlooking a gorgeous flower field below them. Nene gaped at the colours and patterns just a few inches away from them and An just laughed fondly at her reaction.
"This place is beautiful." She muttered, shuffling to sit next to the space An patted.
"It is, isn't it? It's somewhere my aunt showed me long ago when I first visited."
"You aren't from here? Ah, that makes sense. I should've noticed..." Nene hummed to herself as she grabbed an apple from the other's hands, fingers grazing ever so slightly.
The florist nodded, a melancholic smile on her face. "Yeah... My aunt was though. She was lovely."
"She sounds sweet. I'd love to meet her someday." Nene bit into the fruit, savouring the taste.
Silence came after that, the only noise being the chewing of the apple in the princess’ mouth. Said princess was about to break the silence, but An beat her to it.
"Mhm. She was sweet. I wish you could. I miss her a lot."
(Ah, that was it. Great job as always, Nene.)
"My apologies—"
"Nah, it's fine! She wouldn't want me to mope around. I learnt that last year when my dad told me everything and stuff." An chuckled and waved her off, face more relaxed than Nene expected.
(Even if she was maybe just a bit curious, the princess still felt guilty, but she dropped it for An. She didn't really want to make her feel bad or anything on their first outing out of the palace.)
They stayed silent for a while after that, exchanging food and admiring the landscape before them. Nene was watching An stare off at the myriad of flowers below the small cliff when the florist abruptly turned to her, causing her to jump and turn away in shock.
An didn’t seem to notice or mind though.
"Would you like to run through the field with me?"
Nene raised a brow at that question, turning back to look at the florist. Strange request. In all honesty, she didn't really get why that’d be something An would want to do, but the other looked enthusiastic and the princess could never truly turn her down.
A nod. "Sure."
That was how the two girls were found running and tripping through a whole flood of flowers, hands intertwined tightly. Nene yelped every so often— almost falling multiple times during the whole ordeal. If An wasn't there, she probably would've sustained a multitude of injuries. (Thank goodness she didn’t though, as it’d be over for her if anyone found out she got hurt.)
An laughed the whole way— a sweet sound that made this whole thing worth it— before slowing down to a stop in the middle of the flowers with heavy breaths.
Nene panted, face red and breathless as she tightly clutched her stomach (she should really exercise more...), and hunched over a few feet behind An.
Then, her hand was abruptly released, and she raised her head to investigate, missing the warmth. Instead of finding An standing before her, she was met with a colourful bouquet in her face—
The very same bouquet from the greenhouse.
Nene stared blankly, confused before the flowers started shaking in front of her vision, insistent.
"Hey, are you gonna take it or what?" An's voice reminded her of where she was.
Nene choked out a "yeah", straightening herself and clearing her throat. Flowers were promptly shoved into her hands and the overwhelmingly sweet scent of them registered all at once.
She stared, amazed. It was clear An had some sort of experience with making bouquets due to how masterfully ordered they were, even with such a strange array of flowers.
White and pink camellias mixed with yellow peonies lined the bouquet; in the middle, was a single white rose, a magnificent one at that, around it were some smaller sunflowers and a few yellow and red lilies. There were other random ones scattered, and some seemed to have been shoved in a bit haphazardly. (An must've picked them up while they ran.)
There was silence between the two girls before shuffling broke it.
Nene's head shot up to look at the sound and found An with her back turned. She was looking over at the setting sun (Had it become that late already?) with her hands clutching a small cluster of white chrysanthemums tightly.
She didn't join An in watching the sunset, choosing instead to stare at the girl who always radiated brighter than the sun itself.
She had barely even registered the moment said girl started speaking.
“Nene—”
(A familiar spark set off in her heart, pounding in her chest.)
An had turned around to face her, a fond smile of her face and her hand raised up in the process of pushing a stray strand of hair back behind her ear.
“Thank you.”
(A sweet laugh filled the silence; a laugh she had grown to adore.)
Nene stared, lips parted ever so slightly and hands around the florist’s makeshift bouquet gripping tightly.
(An was always so unfair to her...)
...
“I should be the one saying that...”