Four months later,

Ryuko's stay had been for much too long in the Grand Duke's mind. He was tired of her, the way the King would just kiss up to everything she asked. It was understandable but still, what the hell?! She wasn't even a princess!

Ryuko and Shinya had started sleeping in the same bedroom, despite most royalty sleeping in separate beds. It was a common thing, not out of the ordinary! Ryuko enjoyed her time far too much and it was disturbing... With the Grand Duke's interference, he'd get her killed if he had to. Shinya would have to let it happen too, as long as he played his cards correctly.

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Ryuko was dressed in a baby blue dress with snow peacock feathers decorated all over her. Her sleeves had a pattern sewn into them to look like the feathers, and her baby blue hat had feathers sticking out the top. Her baby blue heels had the feathers on top as well, matching the rest of the outfit.

"Do you like this? I helped pick it out for you." Shinya asked when they met at a nearby lake.

"Yes! I love it. Snow peacocks are so gorgeous." She laughed, falling to the ground next to him. They were having a date by boat, and it was a lot like a picnic. "They said it was specifically for today. What's the occasion?"

"Oh? You'll find out." Shinya said.

"Are you going to kill me, or are you going to marry me." She laughed, sitting down on the boat. Her dress was so large and it puffed up when she sat down. She placed her gloved hands over her Lap. Her white opera gloves went up to her sleeves.

"Isn't this lake beautiful?" Shinya asked, staring down at it. It was crystal blue with a few little lilypads across the water. "I love it. It's gorgeous. I've found diamonds in here before." He laughed.

"That's very interesting Shinya." Ryuko said.

"I love that you are interested in what I have to say. My opinions on anything other than politics are usually ignored." He sighed, placing his elbow on the boat. Ryuko frowned at the mention of politics. "Sorry, I know I'm not supposed to talk about my duties while we're on dates." He apologized.

"Ah, it's fine. I just want to spend time with you right now." She laughed. They didn't get to go out often because Shinya was so busy, being that he was the new King of this country. "Did you know Reiko is very good at weaving? She made me a flower crown out of black roses and branches." Ryuko said, messing with her floppy hat.

"I wasn't aware of that skill of hers." Shinya blinked. He knew almost everything about his little sister. "Sounds like her though." He laughed.

After a few hours on the water, Ryuko started getting a bit tired.

"Is it time to go back? I'm getting quite sleepy."

"Just in a minute. I have something for you." He said. Ryuko's eyebrow arched. He bought her gifts all the time, it wasn't really her love language, so she was glad it wasn't his only way to show his love for her.

The sun was already setting. The water was the same color as the sky. Many jewelry and gems at the bottom could be seen sparkling. "Shinya what is it?" She asked. Her anxiety was piling up as if she had heard Chitose walking up to her.

"I know we said we were taking things slow, but I do love you. I promise you don't have to agree but, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You'd make the best queen for this kingdom with the way you handle the citizens. I don't expect you to do anything you don't want, like having children. You don't have to even say yes! Or be queen, you don't even have to play that role if you don't want to." He rambled.

"Shinya, what're you trying to say to me?" She asked.

"Ryuko, Will you marry me? I promise you can say n-" Shinya said, pulling out a ring. The gem was a diamond, but it was very tiny, which she was quite happy about. Before he could even finish his sentence, Ryuko jumped on him.

"Of course I will silly! I love you too." She whispered. The other side of their tiny boat tipped and they fell in. Instead of being upset, Ryuko took her hat off and let it float on the water. "Did I ever tell you, I don't exactly like hats?" She giggled. He laughed and placed the ring on her finger as they both stayed afloat. Ryuko laughed at herself for making the boat fall over.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

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"Dear Chitose,

I'd like it if you came to the palace. You're not a fan of Ryuko, and I'm tired of her freeloading off the King. We'll be getting rid of her together.

Forever Yours, Rikiya Yotsubashi"

The Grand Duke placed his letter in an envelope and locked the glue line, placing a stamp and post card on it. "Ryuko will be executed by Next month." He smirked as he wrote the address, sending his letter to the postman.

Keigo watched in horror as Rikiya sent the letter to the postman. What the hell had Ryuko done to be executed?

Maybe she wasn't that good of a person? Or maybe the Grand Duke wasn't a good person...

Hmm...

"Shinya! You're too Romantic." He could hear Ryuko yell.

"Keigo, Your Grace! Can you both come here?" Shinya asked. Both Rikiya and Keigo treaded down the stairs and stood in front of the couple. Ryuko was no longer wearing the opera gloves she had left in, instead her bare hand was shown with a...

Diamond ring on her left hand...

"You're looking at your future queen." Shinya said, gently spinning his fiancé like he had done while they danced.

"We're getting married!" Ryuko squealed and bounced around.

"Congratulations! When's the wedding lovebirds?" Keigo asked, acting as if he didn't just hear that the Grand Duke wanted the future queen dead.

"We've got to plan, but it should be soon, like, a few weeks?" Shinya said. Ryuko giggled, and held his hand.

The Grand Duke looked like he was going to kill a bird after the couple left. "Con-grad-u-lat-ions." He spaced out his word through his teeth. "I wish you the best." He gritted before storming off.

"I don't think he likes me very much."

"Oh, Ryuko, you have no idea." Keigo thought. "You have absolutely no idea."