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Tᴏᴍᴏᴇ

Delicately sliding her fingers around the handle of the cup, she closed her eyes and raised her hand to take a long sip of tea. "It's been quite a while, hasn't it?" she murmured, in the same overly-persuasive tone I casually donned.

"Of course it has. You were at my wedding." I spat back. It was a terribly discerning situation. I could practically feel her glares outlining my shadow, and the unnerving scent of citrus only clouded my mind, but I couldn't trace a source from it.

I was on a terrace, somewhere on the side of the mansion, but I couldn't care any less about location. In the entire area, the only furnishing visible was where we were seated-- simple chairs and a table, but still fancy enough to be expected of such a home. The manor's shaded windows were elegantly woven onto the wooden structure like lace onto silk, and the sun was almost perfectly clouded, just enough to adorn a glimpse of the manor's gardens. What was most fascinating about it all was the boundless view of the forest, the overstretching canopy of viridescent nature, and if you squinted, you could see towers in the distance. Or, whatever they were called. I hadn't recalled the name at the time. Alas, all this undeniable beauty was nothing to me in the state I was in.

Tea with Maeko sounded much simpler beforehand, but I should have expected a shiver or two down my spine. I was usually much more acquainted with such attention, but her watchful eye wouldn't cease, only adding to the tension. She had requested that we would have some tea together, but I didn't dare touch whatever she put in my drink. Perhaps the bitter fragrance came from there.

I looked down to my blades, which I had unhooked from my belt, and left leaning on the side of my seat. I could have left them to be polished and such, but I had no trust in the staff of the household.

"Enjoying the scenery, I assume?" she queried with a warm smile. I finally stomached the will to take a look at her. Uncommon flaxen eyes, fixed on my every move, and a bronzed complexion, which accentuated her beauty in the eyes of many. Perhaps if she was told that more often, she wouldn't be such a spoiled heiress.

"It's lovely, yes." I croaked, clearing my throat before gazing down at the tea. Instead of a calming drink, it appeared as a poisonous brew. I pushed it aside and leaned forward, resting my arms on the table. "Cut to the chase, Maeko. I'm in no mood to play games today."

"I simply wanted to converse with you. Aren't we friends after all?" She batted her eyelashes, and her smile turned into an ingenuous frown.

I sighed. "Why is it that I was pulled out here?"

Maeko suddenly stood from her seat, with a loathsome, dulled sigh as she slowly paced towards the boundaries of the terrace. In another swift instance, she twirled in my direction, her dress flowing along to her movements. "Tomoe Yamada.." She said with a pause. "Have you ever truly loved Sora?"

"W-what?" With that trivial question, I couldn't help but chuckle. That couldn't be it, was this all about that petty arrangement? I muffled my laughter with a palm, finally easing into the situation.

"Stop answering my questions with more questions. It's no fun," she whined in reply.

"I have no attraction towards Sora. It stifles me that you're so curious with my answer." I pressed, hiding my smirk with my hand. "Is that all you have to ask then?" I leaned back in my seat, and became more satisfied with the unexpected turn of events.

She inched closer, taking a glance at my untouched tea, before letting out another tedious sigh. "Hasn't it been clear after all these years?" Her voice quivered, almost as if she was on the brink of tearing up.

My brow furrowed. "What, you love me? You know nothing about me. We've only met once or twice every year, and in that much time I could have changed completely."

The strong aroma of lemon returned. Maeko stood next to me now, and I somberly expected another sigh. Instead, she brushed her fingertips against my shoulder as she walked past me, letting out a large breath of air as the sound of her footsteps ceased. I spitefully brushed off my shoulder, hoping she didn't expect me to follow her to the other ends of the terrace.

..

A minute passed. She was definitely waiting for me.

I lazily pulled myself out of my chair, holding back a yawn as I swept my hair back and paced over to her. Of course, before anything, I briskly hooked my swords back onto my belt before continuing. When I had finished, she whirled around, hands presumably clasped behind her back, and a stiffened expression held on her face. Would she say it? I tried to guess the results to this drama.

"Tomoe.." she began again. "Ever since we met, I've held a thorough admiration for you. I know how true these feelings are."

I didn't think she would say those words. I thought over whether if I cared if she thought poorly of me, and after a few seconds of silence, I wrinkled my nose. "I'm in no place to begin with a relationship, due to the current turn of events with the kingdom, so please excuse me for my wavering reply." I had decided that it could stain my reputation if she didn't approve of me.

Her shoulders subtly lifted, and I could tell she was sighing once again. Three times, and I had begun to think if I was irritating her as well. "Remember when we first met? You were left here in my home when your parents went out for.." she trailed off, hinting at me to continue.

"They went off to the isles for a vacation and they needed a babysitter." I said, holding back a discontented grumble. I sniffled slightly, hoping the everlasting scent of citrus would go away before I became lightheaded.

She went on, intrigued by the memory, "..I recall how nervous you were that day, like it was your first time leaving the castle.."

"I was eight!" I groused rudely. I was becoming uncomfortable again. I began arguing with myself over whether I could survive jumping off the terrace from these heights, if things went terribly wrong.

Maeko perched herself on the wooden lining of the terrace, and I mimicked her actions, leaning forward to both estimate the distance between there and the ground, and examine her expression. She was starry-eyed, with a dazed smile on her face. Delirious fool!

"You were so kind to me. It was so cute, how you balanced your fear with some sort of chivalry."

I turned around, with my elbows supporting myself against the railing. looking back at the wasted tea cups. "Can we please end this drama? This isn't a soap opera where I miraculously decide I'm in love with you. I'd like to get on with my day."

It seemed like my words weren't enough. Maeko stepped in front of me, and with both hands, tightened a steady grip on my wrists.

"You're lying," she purred. "Why else would you be back?"

I easily swept one hand away, the corners of my mouth slightly lifted at how weak her hold was.

"My friend was hurt. Simple as that."

A hint of bitterness crossed her gleaming gaze. "I thought she was Sora's friend. Is she the reason why you can't return my adoration?"

I grinned from ear to ear. "You don't love me. Maeko, you're making a complete fool out of yourself."

I must have hit a nerve then. One would usually call me agile, but there are few instances when I'm outnumbered. This was one of those instances where I had no control over the situation.

She yanked me down to her height by the collar, and I finally realized where that horrible stench was coming from as our lips met. I vigorously shoved her away as soon as I realized what was happening.

"You're horrendous." I scowled as I wiped my mouth with my sleeve, silently cursing at a slight sniffle.

Maeko returned my previous grin, and twirled a lock of her cocoa brown hair. "Will you finally admit that we'd be great together?"

I placed my palm on the handle of my blade and gritted my teeth. "What are you talking about? I thought this was an act of idiocy. I hope you realize that I could have you hung for assault against a member of the royal family." I glared daggers at the woman in front of me, partially out of breath. My throat dried as I spoke, and I could already feel some sort of fatigue sinking in.

"We could rule Tekonn together.." she mumbled.

At these words, my eyes widened, and I mirthlessly burst into laughter, in utter amusement at this peculiar turn of events. "You toad-brained hag.. you were simply after my throne weren't you?" I snickered with a leer.

"..O-of course not! Haven't I confessed my love?"

I unsheathed my blades, and she stepped back with horror frozen on her face, eyes locked onto my hands. "You should learn about manipulation before trying it on someone in the real world. What, did you learn that rubbish from a fairy tale? Don't reply,  I don't care to hear your answer anyway." My throat was burning now, and speaking only sparked irritation. Of course, I didn't let that get in my way, despite how much it would pain me afterwards.

"I--"

I stepped closer to Maeko, unable to cease my laughter as she took an exact step backwards. "It was clear the moment you pushed me out here into this meager excuse for some 'quality time'." My stance shifted into what resembled a parry. "If you had really thought of us as good friends, you would have recalled my allergy towards lemon. Your perfume is the most wretched thing I have ever had the displeasure of breathing in."

"Tomoe.. are you alright? I-if we could just calm down and handle this like civilized folk.." she stuttered, in a pathetic attempt to surrender.

"Sorry, Miss Maeko, but I believe our little date is over."

It only took one thrust from my cutlass to strike her down, and a slash to the face to muffle any crying. I pulled the blade from her stomach, apathetic to her wound, but still fascinated with my sudden actions, I silenced her. The corpse was a bloody array of gore, that I rather not recount to myself.

I can still remember how blood seeped from her wound, and how psychotic my actions were back then. I didn't think about how my actions could have damaged my reputation or how I was simply committing a foul deed. She didn't deserve it, yes, but I don't often enjoy looking back on such events. It started with the previous King of Tekonn. Then I must have grown weary due to allergies, and I suppose I simply snapped at the poor girl. There isn't much to say about it all, but maybe that statement would appear as false in the eyes of another. It took me a while to understand why I had done such a thing, and to fully accept what I had done.

One thing was certain-- I would not let anyone else know about the mishap which occurred on that night. Prince Tomoe Yamada of Tekonn.. my title would not be soiled by a murder.

I sheathed my blades, sauntered past an old friend from my childhood, and opened the doors to go back inside the manor.

Then, I ran.