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My Dearest Treasure,
The days hath begun passing far slower upon my hearing word of the ball. I find myself longing for thee no matter the time of day. Be it day or night, my thoughts linger on thy tender touch and velvet voice. Each image I conjure holds not a candle to thy beauty; and yet I commit it to page in hopes that somehow my artistry can bring thy face to life. Perchance my treasure is a beauty meant to be seen only in flesh. Perhaps it is blasphemy to tarnish such divine image with lackluster imitations.
But at last my reveries shall be replaced with action as the heavens hath granted us the chance to meet once again. I expect my father to be quite occupied throughout the ball. I know politics does not interest thee, but thou hath surely recieved word of my kingdom's official entrance into an alliance with thine own? Hence, it is likely that his time will be spent conversing with thy parents rather than hovering over me. When I find him to be properly distracted, I shall do my best to sneak away. Keep thy eyes on me. I shall be waiting in my garden.
Eternally yours,
Mikage Reo
Nearly three hours have passed since the beginning of the ball, and Reo is struggling to remain the polite princess she usually so easily embodies. Her father has long been distracted. In fact, she has not seen him for quite a while at this point. Yet, it seems he is not the only barrier between her and her beloved as she has been consistently swept away in meaningless conversations with people of meager importance. Reo reminds herself she mustn't lose face. Even as her heart calls out for her treasure, she keeps a pleasant smile upon her lips and does not allow her mind to wander to curly, white hair and smooth, pale skin.
Her eyes flit over to Seishirou from time to time. Unlike Reo, the other princess has quite the reputation for her lack of etiquette. To her it is beyond refreshing. To others, Princess Nagi is impossible to please and unsuitable for marriage. Reo assumes this is must be the reason Seishirou is adorned in the finest gown she has ever laid eyes on. Her treasure is always enchanting—that is simply a fact of her existence—but this evening she looks absolutely ethereal, dressed in a white skirt partnered with several lace draperies. The train is long, dragging behind her as she walks. And the bodice—Reo has to force herself to look away lest she be caught staring. She is not unfamiliar with Seishirou's ample bosom, but they tend to meet during the day rather than the evening, so Reo is not yet accustomed to seeing her treasure in clothing so low-cut.
The bodice she wears is a stunning lilac, split in the middle to reveal a white fabric with pearl lacing that hangs loosely across the center. There is a intricate lace trim on either side that continues up her neckline and down onto the puffy sleeves. It leaves her shoulders entirely exposed. Reo never imagined collarbones could look so tempting, but it is only natural that Seishirou would be the one to open her eyes. Despite herself, Reo averts her gaze to refocus her attention on the blabbering marquess before her.
She has stopped listening to his hollow pleasantries several minutes ago. For him to have the gall to approach her with even a sliver of hope of gaining her favor is utterly ridiculous. She has no interest in marrying below her rank. Her marrying a marquess? Really? She almost wants to laugh. Her father would hardly consider granting a duke her hand in marriage, let alone this lowly noble.
"Such an alliance would grant both kingdoms a highly advantageous shared border that could serve as a critical—"
"If I may—Lord Inoue. I must discuss something with Her Royal Highness."
Reo is unable to hide the way her eyes widen at the sudden sound of her treasure's voice. She turns her head to see the other princess standing tall beside her; despite the attempt at putting on a pleasant smile, Seishirou is clearly displeased. Is she jealous? Reo covers her mouth with her hand to hide the smile forming on her face.
"Please excuse me Lord Inoue," Reo bows. "We shall continue this discussion at a later time."
"Ah, of course, ma'am." He returns the bow as Seishirou walks ahead, clearly expecting Reo to follow suit. With the train of her skirt cascading down onto the floor behind her, Reo must step around it carefully to walk by her side. It's quite normal for two princesses to converse at an event such as this one. Reo tries to remind herself of this once they step through the large double doors leading out of the ballroom.
"Beautiful as ever, my treasure," Reo speaks, voice barely above a whisper.
Seishirou hums, never good at taking a compliment. "I missed you."
"As have I," she says. "Where are you taking me?"
Reo laughs when Seishirou stops dead in her tracks and turns to her with a pout. She has no idea where she's going. All Reo's heart wants is to kiss that precious look away—feel her love's plush lips with her own and leave her with a smile. Unfortunately, it's entirely out of the realm of possibility while they are still in the main hall.
"Follow me."
As always, it takes no convincing to get Seishirou to follow her lead. They walk through the palace without a word, and Reo wills herself to keep her gaze ahead. One look at Seishirou has her mind all muddied. No matter how many times they meet, she feels she can never get accustomed to her beauty. It almost feels wrong to steal her away from the crowd. Alas, what she's doing is indeed wrong—falling in love with another princess, leaving behind the ball meant to celebrate their kingdoms' alliance to instead hide away in her chambers. Even if it is wrong—even if they can never truly be together—Reo wants Seishirou all to herself. She wants to take her away and strip herself of petty formalities, lay herself bare and in turn see deep within the recesses of her soul. She will make her home there. Reo knows it is exactly where she belongs.
Once they arrive at the stairs, out of sight from the party guests, Reo holds her hand out behind her. She revels in the way Seishirou takes it without her needing to utter a single word. How she has missed her touch. She is sure Seishirou's hands are even softer than her own. Her fingers are delicate, long, and supple—perfect in every sense of the word. There is surely not a single girl on Earth fairer than her love. When they arrive before her bedchamber hand in hand, her personal guard, Rensuke, is standing rigidly by it's side.
"Getting quite bold, My Highness," she teases as she reaches to open the door for them.
"Thank you for keeping quiet." Reo bows. She has upmost respect for Rensuke. She is the closest thing to a friend she has made within these palace walls.
"It's only natural," she says. "My loyalties have always lied with you, my Highness."
Reo sends her a sincere smile and leads Seishirou through the threshold. The door is closed gently behind them, and she wastes no time bringing her free hand up to cup her treasure's face.
"Reo…" Seishirou has the cutest pout on her face as she leans into her touch. It's the one she uses to get her way. Reo is quite familiar with all the expressions the other makes.
"What is it, my love?"
"I hate this," she complains. "Hyouma tightened my corset far more than usual, and my parents forced me to have my hair done all fancy."
"They intend for you to be wed soon, I assume." Reo brushes her thumb across Seishirou's cheek, trying to ground herself and fight the raging jealousy that boils in her gut. She hates the reality that others too can bear witness to her treasure's radiance. If she could, she would lock her far away, someplace made just for them.
Seishirou's gaze falls to the side, glum expression on her face. "I refuse."
"Don't fret. No matter what happens—if we marry or not—I will always be yours," she comforts, although she feels no better.
"Mn." Seishirou nestles her head into the juncture of Reo's neck, wrapping her arms around her waist. "Reo looks pretty as always."
Reo lifts the other's face with her thumb, "You look far prettier."
"Not true," Seishirou pouts.
Reo rolls her eyes and plants a chaste kiss on her lips—she is not at all surprised by the other's protests as she pulls away.
"Let me loosen your corset."
"And Reo will tighten it back up?"
"Of course, my treasure."
She taps Seishirou's arm in a silent request to loosen her hold, and the other begrudgingly obeys, letting her arms fall from where they circle Reo's waist. It takes little time for Reo to step around her and unclip her bodice, revealing the camisole underneath. She lifts it up and tries to fight the urge to run her hands along her porcelain skin, instead busying herself with untying her corset and pulling on the ribbon enough to give it some slack. Seishirou sighs as it loosens up. It's not much at all, but anything is better than nothing. Reo readjusts her bodice with careful precision, planting a kiss just above where it lie across her back.
Reo lays her head on Seishirou's shoulder and runs her hands down her arms, "Feel better?"
"Mhm," she hums, turning in Reo's hold. As their eyes meet, Seishirou's gaze softens. Several moments pass just like this—with them quietly admiring each other. It is impossible to know when they will be granted the chance to meet again. And so, Reo commits every detail to memory, making a map of her lover's face. Each line, each dip—she tucks it away and vows to remember it. Just as she will remember the color of her lips and light blush of her cheeks. She doesn't stop even as Seishirou leans forward and presses her lips against her own. Reo takes note of the feeling, of their shape and warmth, of how they move against her. She is sure there is a god in this world because Seishirou could not exist by simple coincidence. It would be a miracle for such perfection to crafted without intention. As they part and Seishirou's breaths come out in gentle puffs of air, Reo knows no one else can compare to the princess in her arms.
"Reo, promise me one thing?"
"Anything," she says, truth dripping into every syllable.
"Stay with me until the end?"
Reo smiles, "I never planned on doing anything else."