{MIHO'S POV}
"Inviting us to Wistal castle? That's all?" I ask for the umpteenth time, eyebrow raised.

"Your uncle was complaining about how you might as well still be missing for as much as he's seen you. That's all he wrote." Dad holds up the letter, a suspiciously wide grin on his face.

"I don't... buy it." I make a grab for the letter but Dad dodges again.

He tosses it to Shiro, who holds it above his head. It isn't just Dad. All of my family has been watching me with these eerily happy expressions for the past two weeks. Since the letter arrived.

Asahi was suspicious at first too, but they let her read the letter and now she won't stop cackling and beaming when she looks at me either.

According to anybody I ask, the letter is merely an invitation from Uncle Izana to spend some time at Wistal castle.

There must be more to it than that. If only I could read that damned letter!

I leap for it, but Shiro tosses it to Mom, who tosses it to Akegi to Shiro to Mom and back to Dad in a cruelly effective game of keep away.

I puff out my cheeks and tear up.

When even the 'extremely cute' card doesn't work, my only option left is physical violence. I don't want to hurt my family, so I'm stuck in a catch-22.

And so, with no clue as to what I'm getting myself into, I pack and board the carriage for the long ride to the capital of Clarines.

{INSIGNIFICANT MAID'S POV}
"Is that him?" Shion whispers, pointing with her eyes as we hurry past.

"Yep. He arrived from Zoral this morning." Yuuna affirms. "I was near the gate so I saw the envoy arrive. Izana-heika greeted him personally."

"They are both kings, after all." Shion says.

"Technically an emperor. He just turned 20 this year though. Niko is younger than us and she's still three years older than the special guest!" Yuuna replies.

My coworkers turn to look at me, even though I didn't ask to be dragged into their gossip.

I shrug. "You can never judge a book by it's cover. I heard he's the best emperor Zoral's ever had. More so than his father, the Peaceful Emperor."

Shion laughs. "Our Niko is too gullible, believing everything she hears. I would need to see that!"

"Hurry up!" Yuuna calls, racing ahead. "The head maid will yell at us if we're late!"

I look at the clock. "Actually, I have my lunch break scheduled now. See you girls in thirty minutes."

"Yeah, yeah, eat well and get lots of energy to help us. The rugs are heavy! Later Niko!"

Shion and Yuuna dart off. I sigh. I've just started as a maid in Wistal castle, and I only signed up for the dowry I'll receive when I get married and leave. I don't think I'll ever get used to this environment.

I walk briskly to the canteen, grab a quick meal, and settle down. Even here, I can't escape the gossip about that person from Zoral.

"Maybe he's come to take the princess with him!"

"Isn't that basically a marriage proposal? Kyaaa!"

"So will Hikari-sama become the queen of Zoral? Or are you talking about Akegi-sama?"

"Not Akegi-sama—her younger sister, Miho-sama.  She's the Commander of Zoral's army. Get this girls! I heard they're in loooove."

"Ooooooooh! Miho-sama lives in Wilant castle with Zen-sama, right? Does she know he's arrived?"

"She should! Izana-heika sent a letter to Wilant once the boy emperor accepted the offer to visit."

"Does that mean they're coming?"

"Should arrive today or tomorrow!"

"I'm tasked with cleaning the hallways near the entrance for the next few days, so I'll let you know if I see their reunion." I speak up.

"Lucky Niko! But I want details, hear me? De-ta-il-s." A really gossipy but friendly maid, Rui, gets right up in my face.

"Understood." I put some space between us again. Rui backs off, but only slightly.

"I want to know everything that happens. Keep your eyes open, newbie, you'll get the hang of it eventually. But remember, e-ver-y-thing!"

"Yes, Rui-senpai."

*the next morning*
{AOI'S POV}
I've started and won a revolution. I've fought tooth and nail for my life. And I've conquered another kingdom. But I've never felt more nervous than right now, sitting in a room with Izana Wistaria.

The king of Clarines just has this aura about him that makes him peerless. He's the type of ruler that I aspire to be. And he's Miho's uncle, which induces a whole new level of anxiety.

Miho.

I want to see her so bad. This desire is like a bubble in my chest that just keeps painfully expanding. Zoral isn't the same without her.

This agonizing past year and a half, Miho was always at the back of my mind, encouraging me as I worked. So I worked harder and harder, until the problems decreased and eventually stopped coming.

It wasn't for Zoral. It was for Miho.

The battle against Azov didn't feel right. I wanted her with me. She's long since become an irreplaceable existence in my world.

Izana smirks. I can tell he knows exactly what I'm thinking and is enjoying making me antsy. I'm incredibly glad we're allies.

There's a knock on the door.

"Enter." Izana says. A maid slips into the room.

"Prince Zen's carriage has arrived at the gate. We were told to let you know—"

I stand abruptly, cutting her off. I turn to the exit, then hesitate. I'm being very rude to my host. I turn back to Izana, fidgeting.

"Um—"

Izana holds up a hand so I shut my mouth. "Go on then. Sweep her off her feet."

I nod. I exit the room calmly. As soon as I'm out of his sight, I dash forward.

She's here.

She's here.

Miho's here.

My feet know the twists and turns of the corridors by heart, even though I've only spent one night here. Or maybe they're just taking me to Miho, because that's all that matters in the world.

I spot the double doors that lead outside, to her. I hit them in a flat out sprint.

The wide double doors bang open, and I stand at the top of the steps, panting for oxygen. Miho's back is turned, but I can't bare to hold this bubble inside my chest anymore. Just seeing her beautiful, long, strawberry pink hair is enough.

I shout, "Miho!"