"Ahem," the prince cleared his throat and started listing, "People you've offended: the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tora, the Ambassador of the Republic of Teri, the Secretary of State from…"
Haru's brain completely shut off halfway through.
He stared at the prince, wondering if anyone takes care of his look the way Maldie does for him every morning. Does anyone at all? And if they do, what kind of cosmetics do they use?
"…and now the list of insults that were considered particularly offensive: fat bald rat, pig-monkey, and beside that..."
"Please, just stop! I don't even remember what I did wrong! And isn't it partly your fault? You didn't tell me I'd have to drink wine with everyone, one by one! I got drunk too fast!"
The prince exhaled sharply, clearly annoyed.
"Fine, if you insist," he said, his tone colder than usual. "Many of them were just complimenting your beauty. Some, of course, were a bit over the top, but still, I think you're not appreciating the luck you've been given. Your punishment: for two weeks, you won't sit on your throne. Second, you'll send apology letters to everyone I mentioned. Third, you'll help Maldie with her duties. And make sure your bodyguard feels comfortable – we just hired her."
Her? Haru wondered. Hmm, would the prince be jealous if another man protects me? No, idiot, not the time to think about that!
"I have a tiny, tiny request," Haru said shyly. "Could you give me a list of all those politicians? I kind of drifted off while you were naming them."
Shion sighed.
"It's here, on the very top. The biggest pile of papers to my right. Once you take it, you can go. I need a bit of rest."
"Oh… okay. I-I mean, y-yes, My Lord."
Without waiting, Haru followed Shion's instructions. He sighed, then went back to his room.
There, standing by the door, was a muscular woman taller than him.
She had long red hair and large, black eyes. Haru noticed she had a tail and wings like a red dragon. She wore a black top and matching pants.
"Hey, you there," she said bluntly, "where's that Haru girl I'm supposed to protect? I've been knocking for like a couple of minutes and no one answered."
"I-it's me," he whispered, caught slightly off-guard.
"Huh?! But you're a guy! Definitely! My nose doesn't lie!"
"Well, I guess so…"
"And you look hella prettier than me! How am I supposed to protect you if I want to hit you for that? Damn it, calm down, Gari, calm down…"
"Gari," Haru said gently.
"Wh-where did you hear my name?!" she said in total shock.
"You just said it."
"Ah… right," she answered, her expression a bit silly. "Eh…" Gari's expression darkened a bit.
"Is something wrong?" Haru asked, confused.
"I just realized I messed up my first impression! Please, give me a chance! Don't kick me out, because I have nowhere else to go!"
"Relax, I'm not that harsh," he answered. "Do you want to come in and have some tea?"
"Really?! Can I?!" she asked, eyes sparkling. Her dragon tail wagged from side to side.
What are you, an oversized puppy? Haru thought, half-amused, half in disbelief.
"Yes, please," he said, opening the door – then immediately regretted it.
Gari just ran in and jumped onto his bed.
"Wow! This bed is amazing! It's so soft!"
"Thanks, but maybe…" Haru didn't finish.
Gari fell asleep instantly.
Well, looks like that's it for our tea party. Now, if I have a moment…
Haru looked at the list he had been holding all this time. He rang for a servant to bring him ink, a pen, and paper. Gari didn't even wake up.
He sat at his desk and thought about how to word his apology letters. It took him so long that it was already dark and he had to light a candle. Gari kept snoring loudly.
Haru fell asleep over his desk. Maldie woke him up, bursting into the room as always.
"Time for your daily beauty routine!" she said cheerfully.
"What?" Haru asked, barely awake.
"Oh my god, look at you! Do you know how hard it's going to be to cover those dark circles? And your shoulders are so stiff! Don't tell me you pulled an all-nighter!"
"M-maybe…"
Gari lifted herself to a sitting position and stretched.
"Wow, boss! Sleeping in your bed is amazing! Best nap ever!"
"And who are you?" Maldie glared at her. "Haru, did you do anything weird with her? You know the key must stay pure, right?"
That snapped Haru back to reality.
"What? No! She's my bodyguard! Shio-I mean the prince hired her for me."
"Uh-huh, and instead of guarding the door, she jumped on your bed and now you didn't get enough sleep?"
"Yeah, something like that."
Maldie shot Gari a furious look.
"Get out. Immediately. If I find out Haru didn't get enough sleep because of you again, I'll turn you into a dragon purse."
Gari, though much stronger and taller than Maldie, shivered in fear, apologized, and left as quickly as she could. She sensed the real threat in Maldie's eyes, which even Haru noticed.
Once Gari left, sitting like a scolded dog outside the door, Maldie sighed.
"You'll probably be late for the ceremony today," she said, then started fixing his hair.
"Ceremony?" Haru asked, surprised.
"Did you forget? They were talking about it like half the banquet."
Haru sighed.
"I drank too much and don't remember anything."
"Well, at least that night you weren't alone. The prince walked you to your room, but I guess you didn't have much fun. He left pretty quickly."
"He just made me some tea!" Haru blushed.
"Yes, I know, I'm just teasing you. After all it was me who dressed you and tucked you in."
"T-thanks," Haru said shyly, looking at his legs.
"Anyway, back to today - why the hell did you decide to stay up all night?! You really want me to keep an eye on you every evening? Really… perfect timing. One of the few chances to show off your beauty, wasted," she said with a hint of reproach.
"I needed to get some paperwork done for our prince."
Doesn't she remember? Maybe she left earlier? She probably had to. Later that night, only nobles and politicians were still around…
Besides, why does my appearance even matter that much?
"Maldie, I really appreciate everything you're doing for me, but I-I'm not some kind of trophy to show off! I just don't get it," he said, frustration getting the better of him.
"I understand it's not easy for you," Maldie said kindly, "but you need to remember you didn't come here on a vacation. Even as the key with an important mission, have you considered what will happen once you lift the prince's curse? You should start building your position now. Everyone knows the court is full of intrigues and betrayals. I've heard enough rumors to be certain of that."
Yeah, like I even have a choice, Haru thought, sighing.
Maldie worked twice as hard on his makeup that morning. The dark circles under his eyes were minimized to just two faint lines - barely noticeable unless one leaned very close.
As a finishing touch, she pinned a cherry blossom preserved in resin into his hair.
"Perfect! Looks like I just made a little work of art," she said, laughing at her own joke as she handed him a mirror.
Haru wore a cherry-red kimono patterned with dark golden branches. His lipstick and eyeshadow matched beautifully.
Once again, he couldn't believe the reflection staring back at him was really his.
"Wow, Maldie. I owe you one."
"It's nothing, really. I'm just doing my job.," she said, gently and friendly patting him on the back. "But I won't say no to a good drink" she added with a smile.
After a moment, Haru left his room. Bored Gari sat on the floor, tapping her long nails on the ground.
"Boss, finally! Woah! You look amazing!"
"T-thanks," Haru softly. He wasn't used to compliments. "Let's go."
Gari nodded, and together they walked to the throne room. The doors were open, and the sound of lively discussion and multiple voices could be heard inside.
"Your Highness, it's hardly elegant for your key to arrive late to this event..."
"He just came in."
Everyone turned toward Haru and Gari.
Haru and the prince's eyes met again. Haru's heart raced. For a moment he thought that the prince was amazed by his charm. His heart knew it, but he couldn't be sure.
Unfortunately the wonderful moment didn't last long.
A loud crash filled the throne room, followed by shouting.
A tall, four-armed wind god with white wings and red skin broke into the hall.
Before anyone could react, the god snatched Haru and almost cut the prince in half with one swing of his wings. Luckily Shion dodged the attack in the last moment.
Gari wanted to protect Haru, but the god sent her flying across the room with a single flick of his hand.
The prince tried to fight back, but didn't reveal his eyes in time. The wind god was way too fast, it all happened within seconds.
"Shiooooon!" Haru cried, tears in his eyes, reaching toward the prince.
Haru struggled, bit, and kicked, but he was too weak for it to have any effect.
During the struggle, the cherry blossom in Haru's hair fell.
It hit the floor silently.