As expected, every single member of his family was already seated at the long dining table with his father at the head of it. Well, everyone except Jun-niichan of course, whom had been sent to a neighboring country for a meeting as a delegate from Fairfeather.

 

 

“You are late,” Prince Sho is quick to point out when Tatsuya approached the table and sat at his usual place.

 

 

“Sorry, Sho-niichan,” Tatsuya apologized. “Flower-arranging class ran a bit late today.”

 

 

“You know our family has always kept to the rule that all of us must eat dinner together,” Prince Sho continued. Amongst all her brothers, Prince Sho had always been the strictest and most serious of them all.

 

 

“I am sorry,” Tatsuya repeated. “I will try to make it on time in future.”

 

 

“Now, now, Sho,” the king piped in. “I’m sure Tatsuko didn’t mean to be late,” he said, smiling at his daughter. “So how was class?”

 

 

Extremely boring, was the first thing that came to mind but instead Tatsuya answered, “It was lovely, Otou-sama.”

 

 

The king nodded. “I am glad to hear that.” And suddenly, the king beamed. “Well, have your dinner now quickly. I have a very important announcement to make after we’re done!”

 

 

“Announcement?” Tatsuya asked absently as he picked up his cutlery and loaded food onto his plate.

 

 

“Yes. And it has something to do with you, Tatsuko,” the king continued, still beaming.

 

 

Now that caught Tatsuya’s attention. “About me?” he asked curiously.

 

 

“An announcement, Ueda-sama?” the queen joined in the conversation. Apparently, she too was surprised by the king’s words.

 

 

“You’ll find out soon enough, Okaa-sama,” Nino said gently to his mother. “I’m sure you’d be very happy when you hear it.”

 

 

“Nii-chan? All of you know it too?” Tatsuya asked only to get nods from all of his brothers.

 

 

“We’ve discussed it just before dinner, but we will go through the finer details together,” the king said before suddenly letting out a rumbling laugh. “After all, you’re the main character of the event. Well, one of the main characters anyway.”

 

 

Tatsuya was very curious by now. An event? Involving him? What could it be about? But no matter how much he asked, his father and brothers wouldn’t tell him and insisted that dinner was finished first. And so, Tatsuya had eaten really quickly and ended up waiting impatiently for the rest of his family to finish up. When the last of the dessert plates had been cleared, the king stood up. Tatsuya sat up straight in his chair, waiting for the announcement in anticipation.

 

 

“Now that dinner is done with, I can finally make the announcement! I received good news today!”

 

 

“What good news?!” Tatsuya couldn’t help cutting into his father’s words, earning himself a stern look from Prince Sho but the king merely laughed fondly at his daughter’s antics. He always did have a soft spot for his youngest child.

 

 

“I received a letter from an old friend today, and he has reminded me of a promise I made twenty years ago. A very important promise which I will soon see fulfilled.”

 

 

Suddenly, there was a gasp from the other side of the table. It was the queen. “Ueda-sama!” she started. “S..surely, it’s not… that?”

 

 

That what? Tatsuya was seriously getting impatient now. What was everyone talking about? He was just about to say something when his father chuckled loudly. “Yes, yes, Hiroko. It is exactly that! The promise I made twenty years ago and had almost forgotten. The promise of an arranged marriage!”

 

 

Tatsuya sat there and blinked. “Marriage?” he echoed.

 

 

The king nodded. “Yes. As of today, you are engaged to the current King of Azura, a young man named Nishikido Ryo.”

 

 

Tatsuya continued staring at his father, dumbfounded. Around him, he could feel the beams on her brothers’ faces but the news hadn’t really sunk in yet. Everything seemed so surreal. And suddenly, it dawned on him.

 

 

He was going to get married.

 

 

To a King. A King.

 

 

Panic rapidly bubbled in him and quickly boiled out of control. He shot a look at his mother but the queen seemed equally shocked by the news. She was staring blankly back at him. No, I can’t get married! I can’t!

 

 

“B..but, Otou-sama!” Tatsuya started. “I’ve never heard of this… this arranged marriage before! You never told me!”

 

 

“Ah, yes,” the king said sitting back down. “Like I said, it was something I’ve almost forgotten but I was reminded by the letter. It is wonderful news, Tatsuko. This offer of marriage is a great honor coming from the Kingdom of Azura. Unlike our kingdom, it is a much bigger, richer and more powerful kingdom than ours can ever hope to be. Fostering ties with them will benefit Fairfeather greatly.”

 

 

“B..but,” Tatsuya struggled to say. “I’ve never even met him before! How can I just marry him?”

 

 

“Don’t be silly, Tatsuko,” Prince Sho cut in. “Royal family members must of course be wedded to royal blood. And the King of Azura is a more than excellent candidate for your husband. You can be assured a good life with him.”

 

 

Tatsuya could only stare in dismay at the nods coming from the rest of her brothers as well. This can’t be happening…

 

 

“Why do you look so upset?” Prince Nino asked. “We thought you’d be thrilled to hear the news. Finally, you’ve found a good husband for yourself! This is the most wonderful thing that could ever happen to you!”

 

 

“But I don’t want to get married!” Tatsuya burst out in dismay.

 

 

“Nonsense!” the king thundered, his voice rising slightly in volume. “What are you saying, Tatsuko?”

 

 

“But it’s true, Otou-sama! I don’t want to get married yet. I..I’m not prepared!”

 

 

“Of course you are,” the king insisted. “How long do you wish to wait before getting married? Princesses in the royal lineage are always married out at a very young age and it’s about time you do too!”

 

 

“Ueda-sama,” the queen cut in hesitantly as she finally recovered from her shock. “Perhaps we’re making decisions too hasty—”

 

 

“What is wrong with you women?” the king cut her off irately. “This was supposed to be good news! You are supposed to be happy! Instead, you both seem displeased with the arrangement!”

 

 

“That’s because we are!” Tatsuya said stubbornly. Now, despite the king loving his daughter very much, he also had a very short temper. He had thought that his news would be greeted with happy and excited smiles. He had expected acceptance. He certainly hadn’t imagined that both his wife and daughter would be so disagreeable to the idea.


“Well, it doesn’t matter now what you say,” the king stated, his jaw set firmly. “I have already decided to fulfill my part of the promise and to carry out the marriage as agreed twenty years ago. It is impossible to back out of this without damaging our kingdom’s pride and so it is out of the question. I will send an official letter of acceptance to Azura tomorrow morning and if all goes as planned, you will be married next month.”

 

 

“Next month?!” Tatsuya gasped. “That’s too soon!”

 

 

“I have already decided it,” the king said in a final tone. He looked like he was doing his best to control his temper. “This marriage is a wonderful offer, Tatsuko. You have to see that.”

 

 

“But… but…” Tatsuya struggled to find an argument. “I’m just not ready yet! I don’t want to leave Fairfeather!”

 

 

“Then when?” the king asked, giving up any attempt at control. “When will you be ready? You will have to get married one day and you will have to leave! I am an old man, Tatsuko, and it is my greatest wish to see you married out into safe hands! It might as well be now when the perfect opportunity has presented itself!”

 

 

“But—”

 

 

“Enough!” the king’s voice boomed across the table, silencing all of Tatsuya’s protests. “You will do as I say, Tatsuko,” he said authoritatively before his features softened. “I hope you will understand one day. This is for your own good. This kind of chance won’t come twice. I am doing this for the sake of your happiness.”

 

 

Tatsuya merely stared at his father, knowing that there was nothing else he could say to change his father’s mind. Glancing around the table, from the looks of his brothers’ faces, he knew that they were all on his father’s side. They must think this was for his own good as well. If only they knew the true story…

 

 

Slumping slightly in defeat, his eyes lifted to meet his mother’s helpless gaze. He swallowed, feeling the stress of everything weighing down on him. Without another word, he got up from his seat and bolted out of the dining hall, leaving the rest of his family behind.

 

______________________________________________________________ 

 

 

That night, when the knock on his bedroom door came, Tatsuya literally hurled the door open in his anxiety before ushering his mother in. The moment both mother and son were seated comfortably on Tatsuya’s bed, he immediately burst forth with questions.

 

 

“Okaa-sama, you never told me about an arranged marriage?! Why wasn’t I told about this? You knew, didn’t you? Why didn’t you stop it? You know I can’t get married like this! Otou-sama wants me married by next month! What are we going to do?”

 

 

The queen could only look back at her son in dismay, worry and stress written all over her face making her look even older than she already was. “I am so sorry, Tatsuya. Ueda-sama did mention it to me a very long time ago and I suppose I simply forgot about it. Back then, I probably hadn’t wanted to think about what I was going to do when the time came… I was simply too afraid to face the fact that one day this secret will be exposed… and I think that time has finally come now.”

 

 

The queen looked down miserably. On her shoulders, Tatsuya could see the burden she had been carrying all these years because of this secret. It was then Tatsuya realized that his mother had probably suffered just as much as he had and perhaps even more. Guilt piqued at his conscience and he suddenly regretted losing his calm in front of her. He sighed. “I’m sorry, Okaa-sama, I didn’t mean to accuse you,” Tatsuya said, regaining his composure. “And it doesn’t matter now anyway. I’ll… I’ll think of something,”

 

 

The queen stared at him. “Think of something? Tatsuya, surely you don’t think that this secret is going to be kept for any longer, do you?”

 

 

“Well, there is still one month. We mustn’t give up! We’ve made it this far and tricked everyone for so long so why should this time be any different? There has to be a way!”

 

 

Seeing the determined look on her son’s face, the queen couldn’t help smiling. She reached out a hand to tuck a stray strand of hair behind Tatsuya’s ear. “I am amazed at that fighting spirit of yours,” she said.

 

 

“It’s true! We mustn’t give up hope! There’s still time,” Tatsuya insisted. He really believed in it. There had to be a way around this. There just had to be.

 

 

The queen smiled again. “Alright then. We’ll both think of something. But you need not worry. If… if this secret comes out, I will take full responsibility for it.”

 

 

Tatsuya shook his head violently. “No, you will not! The responsibility is mine! This is about me. It’s got nothing to do with you and anyway, that’s not important! Right now, we’ve got to work something out!”

 

 

The queen said nothing in reply, but inwardly, she vowed to take full responsibility for her actions if the secret did come out into the open. It was her decision after all that led to all this and Tatsuya should not suffer anymore than he already had. She merely nodded. “Alright. We have only one month to think about this. Let’s do our best then.”

 

 

Tatsuya nodded, a smile on his face. “That’s the way it should be.”

 

 

But despite spending most of the night discussing and talking things through, they came up with nothing.

 

_________________________________________________________________

 

 

The next morning, Tatsuya stared helplessly out the window as one of his father’s messengers sped off on a horse to deliver the official letter of acceptance to the proposal. There was no turning back now.

 

 

Suddenly, a knock came from his door.

 

 

“Tatsuko?” came his mother’s cautious voice.

 

 

Tatsuya got up from his seat beside the window and opened the door. “Good morning, Okaa-sama. I didn’t expect you so early. How did it go?”

 

 

The Queen looked into the room to make sure there were no other maids inside before stepping in and closing the door behind her. She sighed. “I am sorry, Tatsuya. I’ve tried to talk to your father about it but he’s adamant. He really wishes you to be married this time.”

 

 

Tatsuya’s shoulders drooped and he sighed. “I suppose there’s nothing we can do when Otou-sama gets that way. He can be so stubborn.”

 

 

“You mustn’t blame him, Tatsuya,” the queen said in a very soft voice, grabbing hold of one of her son’s hands. “He doesn’t know the true story and… he really thinks this is for your own good.”

 

 

“I know…” Tatsuya said in a resigned tone.

 

 

The queen’s looked down sadly. “This is all my fault. Perhaps I really should have come clean last night and told him the truth—”

 

 

“No!” Tatsuya immediately interjected. “You couldn’t have! I wouldn’t have let you!” With this he lifted his other hand to cover the queen’s. “There must be something else we can do! We just… haven’t thought of it yet.”

 

 

The queen blinked at her son before breaking into a small smile. “You are just as stubborn as your father.”

 

 

Just as Tatsuya opened his mouth to say something in reply, there was another knock on the door. Both mother and son froze. “Who is it?” Tatsuya asked, collecting himself.

 

 

“Tatsuko-sama,” a maid announced as she entered from behind the door. “Nakamaru-san is here to see you.”

 

 

Tatsuya blinked for all of two seconds before a wide grin started to carve its way on his pretty face. “Nakamaru? Let him in!”

 

 

The maid bowed in compliance and left the room. A few moments later, a tall young man entered the room. He was dressed in a plain white long-sleeved shirt with a dark green vest over it and matching black pants. He bowed when he was close enough to the queen and the prince. “Hiroko-sama, Tatsuya-sama,” Nakamaru bowed politely. But that was all he managed to say before Tatsuya was already bounding towards him and slapping him on the back.

 

 

“Where have you been, Maru?! I was starting to think you’d never come back!” Tatsuya exclaimed cheerfully, all his troubles temporarily forgotten as he was reunited with the man who was actually his personal-assistant and also best friend. And not only that, Nakamaru happened to be one of the two other people whom knew of Tatsuya’s secret apart from the queen and midwife.

 

 

Nakamaru smiled. “I’m sorry, Tatsuya-sama, I’ve been busy with family matters at home.”

 

 

“How’s your mother? Is she better yet?”

 

 

“Yes, she is,” Nakamaru nodded. “After the doctor Hiroko-sama recommended to us saw her, her condition has been improving greatly.” He paused here to bow in gratitude to the queen. “Thank you for your kindness, Hiroko-sama.”

 

 

The queen smiled back at the young man in front of her. “Don’t worry about it. I’m glad to hear that she is getting better. I am greatly indebted to your mother. After all, she was the one who helped me deliver Tatsuya twenty years ago.”

 

 

“Not at all, Hiroko-sama,” Nakamaru answered humbly. The queen just smiled in return. Indeed, Nakamaru’s mother was the midwife who had helped given birth to Tatsuya back then. She had been the one who had kept the secret and helped the queen bring Tatsuya up. Her son, Nakamaru, whom had also started working for the royal family at a very young age, had taken over his mother’s job as personal nanny to Tatsuya when she had become too old to do it a few years ago. And thus, that was how Nakamaru had become Princess Tatsuko’s personal assistant. Since then, Nakamaru was let in on the secret and had since been loyal to both the queen and Tatsuya, carefully guarding the treacherous secret.

 

 

“Now that my mother’s condition has improved, I will be serving you as usual, Tatsuya-sama,” Nakamaru said before turning to Tatsuya and bowing respectfully, only to suddenly receive a hard smack on the head. “Ouch!” he cried in surprise before looking up at the other man, eyes wide in surprise. “Tatsuya-sama?”

 

 

Tatsuya was glaring at him, half in annoyance and half in exasperation. “Maru, you’ve only been gone for awhile but you’ve forgotten everything I’ve told you before! You don’t have to act so formal around me!”

 

 

“Ah, I’m sorry Tatsuya-sam— I mean…” Nakamaru faltered as the prince’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Um, I mean, I understand, Tatsuya.” To this, the prince smiled in satisfaction. The queen merely smiled at her son and his best friend. She knew Tatsuya and Nakamaru had always been close even before Nakamaru had actually learnt of the secret and when he did, their friendship had only strengthened. She was grateful that despite everything, Tatsuya was lucky enough to have found a loyal and good friend in Nakamaru. At the thought of the secret, the queen was once again reminded of the problem they currently faced. She sighed.

 

 

Both Nakamaru and Tatsuya turned at the sound of that sigh. Knowing what was bothering her, Tatsuya reached out to put an arm around his mother. “Don’t worry too much about it, Okaa-sama. Didn’t I say we still have time? We’ll figure something out.”

 

 

The queen looked helplessly at her son, feeling useless for always relying on her son to comfort her. “I wish I could have your optimism, my son. But I am really at a loss.”

 

 

Just then, Nakamaru politely cleared his throat to gain the attention of the two royal family members. “If you would allow me to speak, Hiroko-sama, there is one thing I would like to say.”

 

 

The queen looked at the young servant whose family she was so indebted to in surprise. “Certainly you can. Speak as you will.”

 

 

Nakamaru bowed slightly before he started to speak. “I have heard of what happened last night. About the marriage arrangements with the Kingdom of Azura.”

 

 

Tatsuya was taken aback at this news. “That’s really quick! I haven’t even spoken to anyone except Okaa-sama about it! How did you find out?”

 

 

“Koki told me,” Nakamaru answered simply. At this answer, understanding dawned on the young prince. Koki was the only other person in the castle whom knew of his secret and whom also acted as his personal bodyguard when he left the castle grounds. Koki and Nakamaru were the best of friends, even before Nakamaru had become close to Tatsuya. Due to that reason, when Nakamaru and Tatsuya established their friendship, the trio inevitably came together and had formed a strong bond. Being a bodyguard, it was easy for Koki to pick up gossip which traveled amongst the castle servants.

 

 

“I see…” Tatsuya said softly, amazed at the speed in which word traveled through the grapevine and also feeling a bit guilty that his friends didn’t hear the news from him first. They had both been loyal to him and kept his secret well-guarded, apart from being such good friends. They should have at least deserved that much back from him.

 

 

“It’s alright, Tatsuya,” Nakamaru said kindly, reading the prince’s expression accurately. “You had a lot on your mind last night. Neither Koki nor I expect anything.”

 

 

Tatsuya looked gratefully at his friend. “Thank you, Maru…” It was times like these that he was glad to have the two by his side, facing everything together with him.

 

 

Nakamaru nodded before turning back to the queen. “Anyway, after hearing the news, I told my mother about it and she insisted that I come back today to support Tatsuya. She told me to pass a message to Hiroko-sama. She said ‘You must never give up, Hiroko-sama. Not after coming so far. As long as there is a will, there is a way.’ She also said that she will always be loyal and support you. And so will I.”

 

 

The queen couldn’t keep the tears from falling when she heard of the midwife’s words. She thinks she might have done something right in her past life to have met such loyal servants in this life. Tatsuya was now patting his mother on the back, consoling her and whispering reassuring words. “See, Okaa-sama? There are people who still stand behind us.”

 

 

The queen nodded softly, wiping the tears with the handkerchief which Nakamaru had seemingly produced magically from thin air. Nakamaru waited for the queen to collect herself before he continued. “If I may do so, I still have something else to say, Hiroko-sama.”

 

 

“Go ahead, Maru,” Tatsuya said absently, still looking over his mother concernedly to make sure she was alright.

 

 

“I suggest you go along with the marriage.”

 

 

At this, both the prince and the queen looked at the taller man in surprise. “What did you just say, Maru?” Tatsuya asked, unable to believe his ears.

 

 

“I suggest you go along with the marriage,” Nakamaru repeated precisely.

 

 

“Wha—? Maru, do you realize what marrying another man means for me?”

 

 

“I am perfectly aware of that, Tatsuya. But since you can’t cancel the marriage arrangement and you can’t expose the secret, there is nothing else that can be done but to accept the marriage.”

  

 

By now, the young prince was looking at his friend incredulously. “Maru, do you realize what you’re implying?”

 

 

Nakamaru nodded. “Please, allow me to explain further. At this point of time, it’s too late to back out of the marriage arrangement. Not only would the Kingdom of Fairfeather lose its face, we may even risk angering the Kingdom of Azura. Who knows what will happen then? And exposing the secret would be out of the question for Hiroko-sama’s and your sakes. Even my family and Koki’s lives are at stake for deceiving the rest of the royal family. The consequences are very grave.”

 

 

Both the queen and prince thought about Nakamaru’s words for awhile, letting the words sink in. They knew he was right to a certain extent, but it was just too dangerous. There was so much at risk. “I see what you’re trying to say, Nakamaru-kun,” the queen said. “But if we go along with the marriage, and they find out Tatsuya isn’t… what they think he is, we may risk angering them even more, and who knows what will happen then.”

 

 

“Indeed that is something I have thought of as well,” Nakamaru agreed, nodding his head. “But there is a difference. If you accept the marriage, and go to the Kingdom of Azura, we will be able to stall for time and this is basically where we put my plan into action, if Hiroko-sama is willing to hear it, that is.”

 

 

“At this point, we’re willing to hear anything,” Tatsuya said impatiently. “Just spill it, Maru. What do you have in mind?”

 

 

“Well, if you agree to get married, we will travel to the Kingdom of Azura in a month’s time. The only time anyone will find out that Tatsuya isn’t the princess they all think he is, is if someone actually tells them or,” Nakamaru’s voice faltered a bit here, “If they, uh, get a good look at your… exposed body.”

 

 

Tatsuya blinked. And then, a slow flush started to burn at his cheeks. Nakamaru’s words had triggered something about marriage that had never crossed his mind before this and he was suddenly feeling extremely embarrassed. “What are you trying to say, Maru?” Tatsuya asked, keeping his voice even.

 

 

“I mean… the most probable time that your secret will be found out is on the night of the wedding. In the bedroom, with the King of Azura himself,” Nakamaru replied, trying not to make the conversation awkward but failing to. There was simply no other way he could explain his plan clearly. “Don’t worry about it, Tatsuya. Nothing will happen if you follow my plan.”

 

 

“Go on then. Let’s hear it,” Tatsuya said, his body suddenly tense. It was his mother’s turn to give his arm a little comforting squeeze.

 

 

“This is where the plan gets tricky. I am assuming that you will be alone with the King on the night of the wedding. And this is where, Tatsuya, you will have to play an important part. You will have to explain the secret to the King himself, before he finds out.”

 

 

“What do you mean?” Tatsuya asked, looking confused.

 

 

“You will have to tell him the truth about everything. About your secret, before he finds out about it himself. And this is a long shot, but I think your best chance is to plead for the King to keep your secret for you. Hopefully, he is a kind person and will accept your explanation.”

 

 

At this, the queen and the prince looked at each other. And then, they turned back to the taller man. “You are right,” Tatsuya said. “It is a long shot. Will he be that understanding?”

 

 

“I don’t know, but I’m hoping for it. It would be our best chance. If he doesn’t agree to it, then you will have to discuss it diplomatically with him and see if there is something we can do for him in return of him keeping the secret for us. We have to make him an offer he can’t refuse. No matter what the conditions, if he is willing to keep the secret for us, we will do it.”

 

 

“And what if he doesn’t want anything from us?” the queen asked softly.

 

 

Nakamaru looked grim at this question. “That,” he started in a lowered voice. “Is the worse case scenario. Anything is possible at that point. We could lose our lives, we could risk angering Azura and our secret would be exposed. In other words, all our worst fears would come to shape at that time. If we’re lucky, the King of Azura will take all of our lives and leave it at that. At least the Kingdom of Fairfeather will be spared.”

 

 

The queen looked at Nakamaru with widened eyes. “There is too much at stake! It’s too dangerous, we can’t possibly go along with the plan! What if it fails? Then it would have all been for naught!”

 

 

“But if we don’t try at all, we would already fail,” Tatsuya interjected suddenly, a thoughtful look on his face. The queen looked at her son in bewilderment.

 

 

“Tatsuya! Surely you can’t think this will work?”

 

 

“Why not?” Tatsuya said, breaking out of his trance. “In any case, we’re at a dead end. We are already at risk of angering Azura if we don’t go along with the arrangement or if we expose our secret. But if we at least try this out, we have one chance at making things work. We have to hope that the King of Azura is a nice person, or at least, we can hope that there is something we can do for him so that he keeps our secret in return. It all depends on the King of Azura, and… me.”

 

 

By now the queen was looking frightened. “Tatsuya, it is too dangerous—”

 

 

“Listen, Okaa-sama. We don’t have a choice anymore. With Nakamaru’s plan, at least we have a shot at saving ourselves and the kingdom’s safety and good name. If we don’t do anything at all, we would already lose the battle. It’s all or nothing.”

 

 

When the queen still looked doubtful, Tatsuya gave a small smile and held onto his mother’s hand tightly. “This is the only way we have now. We have to give it a try.”

 

 

“But if things don’t work out…”

 

 

“It will,” Tatsuya insisted. “Trust me, I will make this work! And even if it really didn’t, I want to know that I at least died trying.”

 

 

The queen was hesitant, the fear evident on her face. But at the determination and courage her son and best friend were showing in planning everything, she just couldn’t help but to believe in them. Finally, she gave Tatsuya’s hand a weak squeeze, before nodding slowly. Tatsuya smiled in reply.

 

 

Seeing the mother and son come to an agreement, Nakamaru softly spoke up. “Don’t worry, Hiroko-sama. We will do our best to work things out. I will do everything I can to help Tatsuya,” he said giving Tatsuya a determined look. A look which promised utmost loyalty until the end. “If we go down, we go down together.”

 

 

Tatsuya smiled at his friend, touched at the dedication shown to him. He reached out his free hand to take Nakamaru’s hand in his, surprising the older man. “Thank you, Maru, for everything.”

 

 

Nakamaru blinked, before giving the prince an embarrassed smile. “Don’t be, Tatsuya. This is something I have pledged my life to. Protecting you.” And the two friends shared a look, the bond binding them together stronger now than ever before.

 

 

A while ago, Tatsuya and the queen had been at a loss, but now they knew what they must do with a helpful nudge from Nakamaru, a servant who had given them everything he had. They were taking huge risks, but it was their only hope. And they would all face it bravely.

 

 

Together.

 

________________________________________________________