Chapter Text

"What the hell do you mean?" The princess' voice was sharp. She casts a glare to her parents as she tries to digest the news they had just disclosed to her. "Why in the world would I be getting married with Chou?"

"Baby, it's for your safety." He mother says, trying to soothe her daughter. Sana scoffs, "By marrying me off to the enemy?" She questions. Her father, the King, sends her a disapproving look from where he is sitting. "At this point," He mutters, "The Chous are more of an ally."

Sana rolls her eyes, "Chous? And allies? With us? You've got to be kidding." She states. Her mother glares at her, "Sana, that is no way to speak to your father!"

Sana crosses her arms on her chest, "Well, what you're doing with my life isn't the nicest thing to do as well."

"We told you it's for your safety." Her Dad says. "And why am I in danger? I have been fine for the last twenty year. Marrying me off to protect me is unnecessary!" Sana protests.

"Things are different now!" Her father bellows as he stands up. "You're getting married with Tzuyu whether you like it or not. So, you young lady better come to terms with it." He tells her and then leaves the room.

Sana bursts into tears at his words. This is the first time her father had yelled at her. And it was all because of that Tzuyu. Her mother places her hand on her shoulder and gives it a comforting squeeze before she leaves the room as well leaving the princess alone in her huge room.

• ____________________ •

"Mom, tell me you're joking." Tzuyu says as he lays his head on his mom's lap and gazes up at her to inspect her expression to see if she was really serious. "I'm not." His mother simply replies as she sips her tea.

Tzuyu runs his fingers through his hair to calm himself, "Why her out of all people?" He asks. "You know I don't like her." His mother simply hums, "Why not her? And, I'm fully aware that you don't quite fancy her. But that can change." She says, "People naturally develop feelings for each other after marriage."

Let me rephrase that," Tzuyu says, "I just don't like her. I despise her." Queen Chou shrugs, "Not my problem."

"At least tell me why. You can't expect me to marry her for no reason."

"There is a reason and you'll find out about it when it's time." She tells him. "For now, "Just do me one more favour and marry her, hm? I promise you it's not for nothing." She mutters and caresses his face.

Tzuyu looks down, going quiet before he finally gives in, "Fine."

• _____________________ •

Tzuyu stands before the mirror as he gives himself a look over and hums lightly to himself, "You're too handsome." He smirks. His bestfriend slash cousin shakes his head at his words, "Dude," He utters, "Get your head outta your ass."

Tzuyu laughs, "Why? Are you jealous?" Chaeyoung rolls his eyes, "Why would I be jealous?" Tzuyu fixed his coat, "I don't know. Maybe because of the fact it's because of this handsome face of mine that I bagged Rose noona." He said smugly, caressing his jaw. Chaeyoung just shake his head. It was no secret that Tzuyu was a little, scratch that, very narcissistic. "Until when are you gonna brag about that?" He questions instead, "And for your information, we had already called it quits before," He shrugged, "So yeah, it's nothing to do with you. She just slept with you to get over me." He explains.

Tzuyu shrugs his shoulders at his words, not quite listening to him, "Whatever." He mumbles as he exits the room with Chaeyoung and heads down to the ballroom where his engagement ceremony with Minatozaki Sana of Welton is held. Sighing, he approaches his parents and stands beside them, greeting some rulers of the neighboring countries, paying extra attention to Creston allies. It is a big occasion and almost every ruler of the world was invited. /If they're doing this much for the engagement I wonder how much they would do for the actual wedding/ He thinks.

He actually doesn't want a grand wedding. Maybe if he was marrying someone of his choice but right now he would rather bury himself six feet underground rather than put the ring on Sana's hand. He never understood what was it about the female that triggered him so much. As far as he can remember, he was nice to her when they first met at a political alliance involving both their kingdoms.

He remembers how he had boyishly smiled when he had greeted her but the princess had shrugged him off as if he was a pest. Needless to say, he hasn't been quite fond of her since that very moment, his 8 year old heart was quite hurt at her outright rejection.

"Are they here yet?" He asks his mother. The Minatozakis had left their palace two days before to attend the engagement ceremony. They were directly attending the ceremony and then would stay at the Creston palace until the wedding. Queen Chou shook her head, "Not yet. But I believe they will be arriving any time now."

And as if on cue, the door of the ballroom opens and entered the Minatozakis with a few of their closes relatives.

/Tzuyu watches the people immediately move back, making way for them. It wasn't surprising to him as they ruled the entirety of North and their military power was one of the best. You certainly wouldn't want to cross a Minatozaki.

He watched his mother and father approach them with wide grins on their faces, "Welcome to Creston." Queen Chou smiles as she hugged Sana's mother. All this time, he still hadn't seen Sana. He frowned at the realisation as he shifted on his feet to look behind the King and Queen of Creston.

"Oh my! Is that Tzuyu? You've gotten even handsomer!" Queen Minatozaki squeals and looks at her husband who silently nods, a small smile on his lips. Tzuyu just smiles shyly as he bows to the both of them as a form of respect.

He lifts his head, ready to inquire about his soon to be fiance when his mother speaks. "Where is Sana?"

Tzuyu glances between the two women. "She is outside. In the garden." Tzuyu, again, wasn't surprised. Sana, since childhood had loved flowers and spent majority of her time in gardens. She had particularly fell in love with the lavender roses that grew in the Chous garden and so whenever she came to visit, which was rare in itself, Tzuyu always saw her sitting by herself in the garden. Not that he cared.

"Speaking of which," Queen Minatozaki turns to Tzuyu, "Why don't you bring here so we can finally start the ceremony?" She beams at him.

Tzuyu bites his lips. He doesn't want to confront the princess so early in the night. He was planning to delay their engagement as much as he can but it seems like the elders had completely different plans. They almost seemed eager to marry the two off so albeit, reluctantly, Tzuyu nods, not wanting to appear rude or ill-mannered in front of the Minatozakis.

"Sure." He utters as spins on his heel and walks out the ballroom and in the direction of the garden. With long strides, he reaches the garden in no time and the first thing he sees is the back of a woman. Thinking that it's Sana, he approaches her and taps her shoulder. The woman turns around and Tzuyu frowns. /This is not Sana./ He thinks to himself but at the same time, the woman looks familiar and he can't pinpoint why.

"Tzuyu?" She whispers.

His frown deepens, "How did you know my name?" He asks her. The woman chuckles as she takes a step towards him, "You've always been so forgetful." She smiles gracefully at him.

And then it clicks as Tzuyu grins, "Mina!" He gushes and steps forward to hug her. Mina was among the first woman he befriended and he can confidently say that he prefers Mina over Sana. They had met previously at some occasions involving both Welton and Creston. Granted, the Myouis weren't royalty,they still held great importance within the Welton kingdom and were invited to every important event. "Did you come here with them?" He asks as he steps back, referring to the Welton rulers.

"Kind of." Mina says, "Sana asked me to come with her, you know for moral support." Tzuyu scowls at the mention of the female, realizing why he is actually here, "Where is Her Highness?"

Mina giggles at his words as she points right and leaves.

Tzuyu starts to walk in the direction of his soon to be fiancé, his heartbeat quickening. He just hopes they don't end up fighting.