A waft of wind entered through the balcony window, sending a chill down the purple haired female's spine. She quickly got up to try and shut the window, but for some reason the lock had gotten stuck no matter how hard she tried to force it down.

"It's okay, Jirou, you can borrow my quilt." The princess, who had just been dismissed from the room next door, had closed the door behind her, and gestured to the folded blanket that sat on her luxurious sheets. She looked dejected, and relatively out of it, but wasn't one to say anything unless necessary, and in this case, she felt her emotions to be quite trivial, and instead kept her mouth shut as a result.

The purple haired female shook her head, paying no attention to the quilt that the princess had pointed out for her. She quickly slumped onto the mattress, looking towards the wall in a highly awkward manner. It looked like she wasn't sure if she should look directly at the princess, but at the same time she felt rude if she hadn't, so she only took quick glances back and forth, at least not until they were to speak again.

Momo took in a deep breath, and, being the one who had summoned the knight here in the first place, made an attempt to soften her posture. She then took the directive, joining the other female on her bed. "The night grows cold. It'd be advised that you find ways to keep yourself from getting sick."

"I'm okay." Kyoka's mouth became a straight line, just as she gave a nonchalant shrug. She knew that this was just a means to lift whatever tension was left in the air, but she knew full well that it didn't help in the slightest. The atmosphere was just too tight for her to concentrate, and she felt that dragging this conversation anywhere else that was unnecessary would just lead them away from the point.

The silence lingered for a while longer, Kyoka slapping her palms against her thighs repeatedly, looking for a sound to fill the void. Momo looked down at her roughed up hands as she did this, and listened for any sounds she may have heard in the outside hallway.

The sounds of restless footsteps were upsetting, and the voices that spouted orders from across the palace served as a not-so-friendly reminder of the inevitable.

"As the princess of the kingdom, it is my duty to preserve the safety of my citizens. In order to fulfil such tasks, I'm afraid that the duties that have been assigned to me must be completed.

"As such, the arrival of Prince Shoto Todoroki is no accident."

The knight flinched with the name, and another knot formed in her stomach. She didn't want her to finish the speech she had in mind, knowing that it would just lead her to the bathroom later. "Princess, I really don't think you have to explain anything. I uh... I think you should be off to bed, I'm sure it's past your curfew anyway."

"Nonsense. I believe that you, as my appointed knight, should be informed about the events I am involved in. And as someone I trust, you deserve my insight." Momo's eyes traced over the way her tattered hands made their way to her quivering lips, and the way her pupils shook with despair. However, she continued on, "As the future queen, I myself understand internal affairs better than anyone. Our conflicts with the Land of Fire are not a matter to laugh at, and to resolve these issues, I have been given an even bigger task. As much as I object—"

Kyoka stood up and shot towards the door in one quick motion, and the princess, who had expected as much, stood up as well, tightly gripping onto her wrist. She tried her best to struggle her way out, but the princess was able to find a way to calm her down after a good minute or so, which then led her to grab the quilt from her mattress.

"Your unease about the situation was to be expected. But you know, I would never do anything just to hurt you, Jirou." As she spoke in her soft and formal tone, Momo wrapped the quilt around the other female, patting it down against her skin. It smelled of vanilla and hibiscus, in which the scent acted as some sort of calming incense, leading Kyoka to lower her hand away from the doorknob. "You should get some rest. You have a long day ahead of you, so sleep to ease your nerves."

A heavy feeling sunk into her chest, just as she watched the pastel pink door slide open right in front of her. To her, this felt like the last time it would be just the two of them, for she may have to protect her to-be husband as well, which she resented. And for what? Because he was going to be held together in matrimony with Princess Momo herself? Because it didn't play out the way she had imagined it?

Life was unfortunately infuriating.

She didn't even take a glance up, walking out the door, and giving a quiet farewell. If only she had seen the distraught look on Momo's face, and had understood the reasoning behind it, then maybe she would have stayed a bit longer, but there was no stopping her once she ran down the corridor, holding the quilt close to her face. Her mind, a storm, her body, as numb as ever, so when she tripped over the heel of the other princess, her entire body collapsed onto the plush carpet below.

The silky fawn hair entangled between the princess's fingers delicately, her large lips pursing up as she watched the knight tumble to the ground. Her hazelnut eyes hadn't even the smallest bit of sympathy, especially when she said "Pathetic" under her breath. She stepped around her body, her white heels sinking into the carpet, causing her dress to hit the knight as she passed by.

Kyoka sighed heavily, waiting for the sound of footsteps to fade away before she helped herself up. Knowingly, she understood that the presence of her there was no accident, and she most likely was listening to their prior conversation. She herself wasn't a fan of Camie, but she couldn't complain even if she wanted to, for this was Momo's sister, and hell, the queen's daughter.

"What are you doing on the floor? Are you okay? Are... you dead???"

The monotone voice caused her to flinch. So that was why the footsteps hadn't ceased; it was he. "No... I'm fine." She attempted to pull herself up, however her arm wobbled far too much, which encouraged an assisting hand from the prince.

When their eyes locked, it was almost like the prince gave off a horrifyingly chilly aura, especially with the right hand he had used to prop her up. "Well, if you're fine then, I was wondering if you knew a knight by the name Kyoka Jirou. I was instructed by the knight captain Aizawa to look for them."

"That... would be me." She was quick to take a step back once she regained her balance, whipping her hand away so she didn't have to make skin contact with the prince. She rubbed at her arm, as if to warm it up, and directed her gaze to the ground.

"Oh. I see. Okay well, do you have time to chat in my temporary quarters? He said it would be better if you were present."

Oh god. Aizawa Sensei, what have you gotten me into...

Kyoka pinched the bridge of her nose, shaking her head furiously as she cursed herself out under her breath. This day was just getting worse and worse, and now her teacher was trying to get her involved with the one who caused it? Why couldn't she just get a break?

Shouto raised an eyebrow, but seemed to understand her sudden burst of frustration. "Hmm... well when you're ready, I'll be in the room." With that he was off, leaving Kyoka to her lonesome.

Now, if this was anyone else, they probably would have ignored the previous statement, but she had known better than to ignore her sensei, who had taught her everything she knows. So, instead of punching a hole in the wall and retreating to the courtyard like she originally had thought of, she dragged herself against the wall and down the corridor, where she was met with a door that had almost the same amount of grandeur as Princess Momo's.

There, it seemed that the royal servants had made it their job to make the guest room as fitting as possible: the brass door had been replaced with deep crimson wood, the knob had been changed from silver to gold — one could only imagine what lay on the other end.

However, her awe was short lived, because as soon as she opened the door, the bi colored male was now dressed in a white colored ensemble, one of which was just like the one Yuga Aoyama had made for him a while back. He was in the middle of fixing his ruffled sleeves when he turned towards the door, looking at the female who immediately regretted listening to orders.

"Jirou, glad you could make it." The deeper voice got her attention, and suddenly a wave of relief washed over her. She closed the door behind, taking still somewhat shaky strides towards the knight adorned with black armor.

Shouto took it upon himself to speak once Kyoka had gotten herself settled, fixing the collar of his garb as he did so, "Pardon me, but I still don't understand why you wanted the both of us here. I mean, staying the night here is already over the top, but I really don't need a welcome party." He only glared at the both of them through the reflection of the mirror, not even making an effort to turn around.

Kyoka flinched, the tension in her body returning. That was rude. Even he was a bit nicer earlier. Better get him away from Momo when I have the chance.

"I understand your position, Prince Shouto, but this is regarding the knight Izuku Midoriya."

The prince could only give a slight glance backwards, before returning his focus back to his wedding attire. "Leave Izuku out of this... he's been through enough."

At that moment, she had sworn, that his voice had hitched ever so slightly, and the gleam in his eyes were no longer as stern as he presented them to be a few seconds prior. However, she refused to make a comment, quietly tapping at her sides.

Shouta took a look at the both of them and sighed, running a hand through his black locks. "If that's the case, he didn't seem to care when I confronted him this afternoon. But, him aside, if you insist." Before he went on, he pulled out a scroll from his belt, handing it to the prince with caution. He gave a trusting glance, just before explaining himself. "I don't usually hang around this place, it's not even my job. But look, I'm with an undercover organization investigating each kingdom, and I think you'd be surprised to find that we have a traitor among us."

"If you don't get married to her, then an all out war will be waged. You wouldn't want that now, would you, Shouto?"

Without a second of hesitation, his mouth began to move on instinct, pointing an accusing finger at the one and only menace to society. "Excuse me, but is it a bit of a stretch to accuse my father?"

"Trust me, your majesty, King Endeavor's been on our suspect list longer than anyone. But, this kingdom has its own suspicious figures, especially with the princess—"

"Please don't accuse Momo, I swear she only does everything to benefit the kingdom!" Kyoka had practically blurted that out, much louder than she had originally intended.

"And if you would let me finish." Shouta's stern teacher-look glared down at the female who had probably alerted anybody in a ten mile radius (it was also very irritating to his sensitive ears). "You would know that I was making a suggestion, and there's more than one princess here."

"I'm sorry, Aizawa-Sensei." She bowed, backing off from the conversation for a while.

"Now. Both of you. I want you to listen carefully."

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