{~_~}

Ephraim's POV

I left (y/n) in the care of the clerics, and I recklessly charged straight for Emperor Virgarde, killing all foes that were in my way.

"Why would you betray Renais?!" I asked the emperor before we fought.

He remained silent.

"ANSWER ME!" I yelled.

I still received no response, so I engaged him in combat, and defeated him rather easily...it was almost to easy, and his corpse disintegrated. I seized the throne, causing all the remaining enemy troops to surrender, but then the unexpected happened; I met with my childhood friend Prince Lyon of Grado.

"Lyon! Why is Grado doing this?!" I asked my childhood friend.

Something was amiss about Lyon, he doesn't seem the same as he was back then. He slowly turned around, and evilly smirked at me.

"Heh, misguided Prince Ephraim, I've been plotting this for years...to steal all five of the Sacred stones and destroy them to accomplish my dream! I was the one who murdered your father in cold blood, and you'll be next when the time comes." Lyon informed me as he used teleportation magic to flee before I got to interrogate him more.

"Prince Ephraim, we found captives in the cells!" Seth came running to me.

We went back to the cells, and in particular we met a man named Knoll, who was once a top researcher for Grado. He explained that the emperor had actually died a year ago, and that Prince Lyon tinkered with dark magic in their country's sacred stone to revive his father.

"He was somewhat successful; however, as you know, Grado's sacred stone once sealed the demon king, and we advised the prince to stop, but he didn't listen. Hence, we believe the demon king has taken over him; using the prince as a mere vessel until he is able to fully awaken." Knoll finished explaining.

"I see...How's (y/n) doing?" I said as I turned to Moulder, one of the four clerics that were working on healing her.

"She's alive your highness, I have to say it was a close one. In your confused state, you nearly struck her vitals!" Moulder informed me.

Thank God, I honestly thought I might have killed her. I don't remember what I did during my confused state, all I can recall is when (y/n) kissed me, I was released from the spell that bounded me. I don't like owing others, so I'll make sure I repay her for her act.

{~_~}

(Y/n)'s POV

I awoke in a different place where I remember being. The last thing I remember doing is kissing Prince Ephraim to free him from the spell that gripped him in exchange for my life...but wait! I'm alive?! I shot up out of the bed in was in only to feel excruciating pain in my side.

"Oh your awake (y/n)! Please do be careful." I heard a familiar voice from a blue haired girl.

"Eirika?!" I looked around and it turns out we're in castle Renais and I'm currently in my room.

"Surprised to see me? Ephraim says that he's taken over Grado, but he was under a spell and accidentally attacked you...he feels so awful about it. Anyway, we're at Castle Renais because we need to use our country's sacred stone to defeat our childhood friend Lyon, who is presumably being controlled by the demon king...I still can't believe that all this Lyon's doing." Eirika told me.

"Wow, that is hard to swallow...Lyon's behind all of this? It's so out of character for him to do something like this. He was never a violent person...so why?"

"I'm about as clueless as you (y/n)."

"Princess, it's time to retrieve the sacred stone of Renais, Prince Ephraim is already in the throne room waiting." Seth announced as he came in the room.

"I see...I'll return when I'm finished (Y/n)!" The princess said before she walked away with Seth.

I can't believe that Lyon is behind all of this. I guess technically though it's not him, it's the demon king who possessed his body, but even so, just as I was able to find away to free Ephraim from the curse that clouded his intellect, I'll find away to release Prince Lyon from the clutches of the demon king!

Minutes have transpired since Eirika left to go to the throne from to find the sacred stone of Renais, and I grew bored of waiting for her return. Despite my injury, I managed to stand up. All I desired was some food, according to my stomach. As I was about to open the door to exit my room, the door swung open.

"Ah!" I screamed as I was startled by my own door. The person who opened it immediately closed my door back.

"I'm sorry, I guess I should have knocked...can I come in?" I heard a voice say.

I must be on the medicinal drugs the clerics gave me, because I didn't recognize the voice.

"C-come in." I said slightly frightened due to the fact that I didn't know who it was.

The door slowly opened all the way, and in stepped the familiar blue headed prince that I know and love.

"Ephraim, it's you!" I was elated to see him.

"(Y/n)! Has your wound fully healed yet?" He asked.

"No not quite but—" before I could finish my sentence I was lifted by the prince, and placed back in my bed.

"If you've not properly recovered, then I don't want you walking around aimlessly. You could tear open your wound; that's an order." He said in a stern tone.

"All I wanted to do was to eat..." I mumbled.

"What's that? You're hungry? What do you want to eat?"

"Oh, but it would be rude of me to ask of a prince to get someone lower classed like me something to feast on."

"Nonsense, the class system means nothing to me, now what do you want?" He responded.

"Thank you Ephraim, if possible can I have (favorite food) please."

"Alright, I shall return, and don't get out of your bed." He instructed me.

{~_~}

Ephraim returned with (favorite food) made by the castle chefs. Oh, it looks so delightful! I haven't had a good meal in such a long time due to this war. I indulged into my meal like no tomorrow, forgetting my manners, especially being in the presence of a prince.

"Haha, you're really enjoying that aren't you (y/n)?" Ephraim chuckled.

"My condolences that you had to witness my glutinous side, I was just so hungry!" I said.

"You got something there." He said as he reached out and removed a crumb from the corner of my lip.

"O-oh, t-thank you E-ephraim!" I managed to say as my face emanated a bright pink.

"Haha you're welcome (Y/n)...anyway, you shouldn't be the one apologizing, I should. I hurt the one I swore I would protect, and I would like to repay you in someway for putting your life on the line to save me."

Marry me and have children with me, that's how you can repay me! Plus, the name Ephraim does mean fruitful.

"Oh Ephraim, you don't have to repay me. I know you would do the same for me, so that's enough for me." I said, suppressing the urge to say my true desire.

"But I want to repay you. There has to be something that I can do for you." He insisted.

I took a deep breath.

"W-well, you know how you partner up with me in battle, and say that we make a good team?"

"Mhm."

"S-so after this war reaches it's conclusion, will you be my partner...i-in marriage?!"

{~_~}

To be continued in chapter 13, make sure to vote and comment!

I hope you liked this chapter! Also, be sure to read my other books if you're a fan of Kuroko no basket and/or Nanbaka! I am the author of Area 51 (Jyugo x reader), Arrested (Aomine x reader), Kuroko no short stories, Star Crossed (Akashi x reader), and the sequel to Star Crossed called Vengeance and Lust (Akashi x reader)!

Written May 23rd,2017
Published August 4th,2017
Next Update August 7th,2017