Maldie had just finished doing Haru's makeup. This time she used silver eyeshadow with a touch of glitter. She painted his lips, the tips of his hair, and even his nails gold, and paired it all with a simple, silver kimono with no patterns.
"Haru, do you know what silver means in our culture?" she asked, pinning a matching flower clip into his hair.
"My dad told me once… but it was a long time ago," he replied honestly.
Maldie sighed.
"Silver represents the moon. According to legend, the Hoshigane were born from the stars, and the moon sits among them, beautiful and majestic. That's what the nobles will see in your outfit today – otherworldly, untouchable. Some might think it's a little arrogant, but… you'll see for yourself why I chose it."
"O-oh, I understand," he said, his heart thumping faster.
Why do I feel like something bad's going to happen today?
Please let my gut be wrong this time…
Haru looked at himself in the mirror.
He was practically over the moon – he'd kissed Shion for the second time, and he now he was stunning.
I hope he likes how I look.
Haru stepped out of the room. Maldie stayed behind, saying she had to clean up. Haru offered to help, but Maldie said that his only job today was just to be a beauty from another world.
Haru laughed, finding it funny, said goodbye, and left the room.
As usual, Gari was standing guard at the entrance, but today she was dressed differently. She wore a strapless white dress, and – for the first time since she started working here – she had makeup on. Her eyeshadow was blue, her lashes thick and dark.
"S-sorry, boss, for this s-stupid outfit," she muttered, a little embarrassed. "B-but we were told to dress up today, so I asked Maldie to help me out."
"No need to apologize, you look amazing! Sorry, you just caught me off guard with the change."
"I-I know, I feel like someone else in this, haha," she added with a laugh.
"So, ready to go?"
"Yeah! Wanna hit a bar again after all this mess? I'll just throw on some regular clothes first. Gotta shake off all this stress!"
"Sounds great."
"Awesome!"
When they entered the hall, all eyes turned to Haru. People started whispering among themselves.
A few weeks ago, something like this would've embarrassed him.
Today, he felt proud of himself. But what he cared about most was the prince's gaze–
–who was busy talking to some woman.
Prettier than him, dressed more extravagantly, her hair styled even more elegantly. And as if that wasn't enough, she was sitting on Haru's throne.
Shion didn't even glance his way, caught up in his conversation with her. Only now did Haru take in the hall, noticing a crowd of politicians he didn't recognize.
Looks like a delegation from another country. C-could she be a princess?!
That would explain why Shion let her sit there. But if that's true, then why…
…why did you let me kiss you yesterday?! And why did you say we'd meet every night?
Shion, how could you not tell me?! I would've done things differently, I…
Haru's heart pounded harder from the stress. He studied the woman sitting in his seat. She wore a pink dress full of ruffles and lace. Her hair was styled in a fancy way that highlighted her thin, delicate light-brown curls. Her eyes were a mesmerizing gold.
She's so gorgeous…
…more gorgeous than me.
"Everything okay, boss?" Gari asked, noticing Haru's lips trembling on the edge of tears.
"Yeah," he said, his voice a little shaky. "Let's head to the back."
"Don't even think about it," a familiar voice called from behind.
Maldie was there.
"Phew, just in time. I knew I had to show up before you did something stupid. Don't even think about hiding in the crowd! This is one of the best makeups I've ever done on you. You want all my hard work to go to waste? Get to the very front right now!"
Haru sighed and, looking a bit defeated, walked to the front.
"Your Highness," one of the ministers approached Shion. "Do you find Princess Aki's company agreeable?"
"Very much so. Thank you for arranging everything so carefully," Shion answered politely.
Haru's heart thudded again. He could tell right away from Shion's voice that his joy was fake.
What a rehearsed, empty thank-you.
Why won't you refuse them, Shion? You have me…
…I know when we met yesterday in the royal gardens you were just as happy. I could feel it.
So why…
Their eyes met. Haru blushed instantly, his gaze shimmering with love.
His eyes… it's like he's apologizing to me…
Shion tried to keep his expression steady but failed. Not when he was staring into Haru's honey-colored eyes, not when he saw the hurt and disappointment in them…
Shion's brow twitched. For the first time in forever, the prince felt like he might break down and cry from sadness. The tears in his soul, full of frustration and disappointment, welled up and almost reached his eyes.
But Shion had to stay strong.
Not a single tear slid down his cheek – unlike Haru, whose eyes were already glassy though he hadn't started crying yet.
"Are you all right, my prince?" Aki asked, eyeing Shion carefully.
"Yes, forgive me. Sometimes the pain of my curse intensifies," the prince lied.
"Ah, I see. You have my deepest sympathy."
I'm sorry, Haru. This time I couldn't say no. I had no arguments left.
I refused because I was still searching for the key, but when you appeared, my advisors chose a fiancée for me against my will, arguing that I had to secure the kingdom's future.
I tried to get out of it any way I could, but they pushed me into a corner.
"My daughter feels so wonderful in his company," Haru heard the voice of an older, heavily made-up woman nearby. "It's as if they're destined for each other! Our kingdoms will be joined by the unity of their hearts!"
"N-no… I won't let that happen…" Haru muttered under his breath.
Unfortunately, Aki's mother was close enough to hear him.
"Hm? And who exactly do you think you are to have any say in this?" she asked, offended.
The hall went silent. All eyes turned to Haru. Several of Shion's ministers glared at him with a mix of anger and blame, as if to say, "Don't you dare ruin our hard work."
Shion and Aki were looking at him too. Gari glanced around the room warily, feeling the tension rise. The half-dragon stayed ready in case anyone tried to attack Haru.
Haru's heart pounded like a hammer.
"What's wrong, speechless all of a sudden?" Aki's mother was relentless. "If you're bold enough to mutter under your breath, have the guts to say it aloud in front of everyone!"
Shion… I fell in love with you the moment I saw you…
Haru thought, stepping forward.
…I was never brave enough to tell you. I thought it was too soon. But if someone's going to take you from me, then I want you to know…
…I want you to know that I…
Haru stepped into the center. Shion gave him an uncertain look, while Aki eyed him with irritation.
"Shion, you never told me you had such a cutie among your staff. And for some reason she's against me? You'd better explain fast if you don't want me to break off the engagement!"
"Aki, I…" the prince began to speak, but Haru cut in:
"You don't have to say anything, Shion," Haru said softly but loud enough for everyone to hear.
"You're calling him by name? What exactly are you two to each other?!" Aki raised her voice in outrage.
"I'm the key to Prince Shion's curse," Haru replied calmly, trying to rein in his emotions.
But again he lost the battle with his feelings for Shion.
"And why would some 'key' oppose his master's marriage?" Aki stared at him in disbelief.
"Because I…"
It's time. Time to finally say it.
Time for the whole world to hear, even though I'm not ready.
Why is everything happening so fast? Why do I have to say this now, in front of everyone, instead of just you in the royal gardens?
Haru lifted his gaze, staring straight into Shion's soul. His honey-colored eyes were wet with tears.
"…because I love him!" he shouted with all his strength.