ShinoMitsu Week @shinomitsu-week - Tumblr Blog

Royalty AU

ShinoMitsu Week 2022 Day Three

A/N: Ayooo! I have no business writing a Royalty AU but I did anyway to avoid the angst prompts. Still, I think it’s pretty fun. Biggest piece I wrote for the event! If you are looking for accurate setting info and whatnot you won’t find it here unfortunately, but hey! Cross dressing Shinobu in here, might be worth overlooking the other stuff, hm? Reference photo for the illustration here. Just like I have no business writing about royalty, I’ve got no business trying to draw any type of fashion. Hope you like it! Word Count:~13,500

Two countries waged war against each other for three hundred years. The original reason for the conflict was lost to time, but the hatred was just as fresh as the day it was conceived.

The Kanroji Family ruled over the vast mountain range and valleys of the east. Their castle clinging to the tallest mountain was an incredible sight. A passionate people, they fought for what they believed and loved just as furiously. Their strength was sought out by many.

The Kochou Family of the west, had domain over lush forests and serene lakes. It was well known that the wild flowers grown there were the most beautiful in the land. The people there, thought stern, yet fair. Clever people who knew how to make do with what they had. Many advances in medicine were discovered there.

Neither family could recall why they hated the other after all this time, but soon a new enemy had amassed an empire to the north, threatening the way of life of both kingdoms in a way that neither had witnessed in many generations. The king and queen of each domain met on neutral ground, the threat of Lord Muzan hanging over their heads driving their desperate need for cooperation.

“Kochou,” King Kanroji gruffly greeted, sitting his wife down at the table before seating himself.

“Kanroji, a pleasure,” Queen Kochou greeted in return, sounding overly sweet. Her husband assisting her into a chair before taking one for himself. “I believe you know why we invited you here?”

“Yes…” King Kanroji clicked his tongue, grounded only by his wife’s hand on his arm. “Muzan has been encroaching on both of our lands as of late.”

“His total disregard for human life and his misuse of power are unforgivable.” Queen Kochou nodded.

“So you want a truce, do you?” King Kanroji asked, he was not a fan of beating around the bush.

“Yes. I understand why it may be a difficult suggestion, but as it stands now, Muzan will overtake our kingdoms within a few short years. We both have resources the other lacks, if we work together we can overcome this threat to our peoples.” Queen Kochou explained, her husband nodding along.

“Perhaps you are worried for your kingdom, Kochou,” King Kanroji sniffed, looking down upon the small woman, “but as you know, I have the mountains. Only the strongest could survive the climb and then to try to fight my men, they would be dead before they could catch their breath.”

“Yes you have your mountains, Kanroji,” Queen Kochou acknowledged, her hand clenched tightly beneath the table, “but you also have the valleys where most of your food is produced. All Muzan would need to do is level those fields and he would starve you out. Are you really so stubborn—“

“Do you not understand why I cannot trust you?” King Kanroji bellowed, face red. “Three hundred years of conflict! How will I know that this is not some elaborate ploy? That you haven’t cut some deal with Muzan already?”

“I cannot prove anything to you beyond what that man has already taken from me,” Queen Kochou said, somehow managing to remain calm despite the large man yelling in her face.

“Then I can’t trust a word you say.”

The room became silent, the tension seemed to only grow in the absence of discussion. Queen Kochou and King Kanroji having a silent battle with eyes that could freeze a turbulent ocean twenty feet deep. Meanwhile, their respective spouses felt suffocated by the stand-off in the room.

“What will it take for you to agree to this truce?” Queen Kochou finally relented.

“A marriage.” King Kanroji says with finality. “If we are to fight together, I refuse to return to hostility. A marriage between our families will ensure that the feud between us is on a path of healing,” King Kanroji leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled in front of his face. His pastel green eyes bore into Queen Kochou’s, such a deep purple they almost appeared black, “My eldest daughter, Mitsuri, is of age. I’ve heard tell of your difficulties conceiving children over the years.” He stated carelessly. “Were you able to produce an heir after your own daughter was born?”

“Yes, I was.” Queen Kochou affirmed without batting an eye. Her husband turned to look at her questioningly before thinking better of it. “A few years after Kanae was born we had success in conceiving again.”

King Kanroji’s gaze roamed over the Queen’s face, searching for some sign of deception. After a few tense moments, his wife squeezed his hand and nodded reassuringly. King Kanroji’s shoulders relaxed and he squeezed his wife’s hand in turn.

“So, Queen Kochou,” he cleared his throat, “Do we have a wedding to prepare for?”

“…I believe we do, King Kanroji.”

***

All things considered, Mitsuri took the news of an arranged marriage rather well. Which is to say, she didn’t take it well at all at first. Really? An arranged marriage with the son from her family’s sworn enemy? Granted, she still didn’t understand why their two families hated each other so much to begin with, but it was still a huge shock. Not to mention she had always dreamed of finding true love, and that rarely came out of arranged marriages. She had plenty of suitors that left her hanging as soon as they found flaw in her. What if this prince couldn’t stand her flaws either? They would be stuck together, wasting away in a loveless marriage. Only staying together long enough to make an heir or attend some royal function. That was not a life Mitsuri wanted. She cried in her room for the first several days upon hearing the news.

However, Mitsuri was nothing if not resilient, optimistic. It took some time, but she was warming up to the idea. This union was bigger than her and Prince Shinobu, this was going to end the three hundred year feud between their families and unite their kingdoms against Lord Muzan. And even if romantic love wasn’t in the cards for them, that didn’t mean they couldn’t be friends. Mitsuri prayed that it could be so.

“What are you thinking about, my strawberry?” Queen Kanroji asked from the sofa. She had been watching her daughter get fitted for her wedding clothes and caught her smile in the mirror.

“I’m looking forward to meeting Prince Shinobu, mother.” Mitsuri said, moving her arms out at the seamstresses’ direction, “Do you know anything about him?”

“Not at all, darling.” The Queen shook her head. “I have heard of Princess Kanae of the Kochou Family, but not a word of her younger brother, but if he is like his sister, then he should be a fairly benevolent young man.”

“I hope so.” Mitsuri’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes, she was still nervous.

“No need to worry darling, you’ll have home field advantage with him moving into the castle. Your father made it very clear that you are our first priority in this agreement. If there is any treachery afoot, he will back out of the agreement immediately.”

“I know mother, and I’m very thankful. It’s just all happening so fast. I wish I could at least talk to him before the wedding day.”

“Perhaps a letter then.” The Queen advised, “Your father has been exchanging correspondences with Queen Kochou the last couple weeks. I believe the messenger will be leaving tomorrow morning, you could leave it with him.”

“That’s a great idea, mother!” Mitsuri beamed. “I’ll write it as soon as Nezuko is finished with me!”

After her fitting, Mitsuri practically ran to her room much to her mother’s dismay, and settled at her writing desk. She got out her prettiest stationary and readied her quill, finally pausing. She racked her brain before realizing she didn’t know what to write.

“Ah! Come on brain, think!” She groaned. This was harder than she thought. What should she say? After much deliberation, she decided to write about herself, an introduction. Hopefully Prince Shinobu would humor her by doing the same. The next morning, she caught the messenger boy before he left and gave him the letter smelling faintly of her favorite perfume.

***

“Is it too tight, Princess?” The seamstress asked, even as she continued to destroy Shinobu’s lung capacity.

“Yes.” Shinobu gritted her teeth together. Catching her reflection in the mirror, she felt foolish. Did her mother really think she could pass as a man for however long it took to stop Muzan’s army?

“Truly?” The seamstress, Aoi, loosened Shinobu’s chest bindings and the Princess gasped for air, rubbing gently at her tender flesh. “Apologies, Princess. I’ll try to make it looser, but that will mean you will probably need larger shirts and jackets to better conceal your chest.”

“If it means I can actually breathe, fine.” Shinobu grumbled.

“It is a noble thing you are doing for the kingdom, Princess Shinobu. Without this union, we would not have the numbers we need to keep Muzan at bay.“

“I know how important this marriage is to the kingdom. This is a small price to pay for a chance at peace after three hundred years of conflict.” Of course that peace could only stay intact for as long as she could keep up this ruse.

“How is it going in here, brother?”

“Do not call me your brother.” Shinobu snapped at Kanae. Glaring at her older sister’s reflection in the mirror as Kanae walked around the room.

“Well, I have to get used to it now, don’t I?” Kanae smiled sympathetically. “We both will. You may go tend to Kanao now, Aoi. I’ll take care of my grumpiest sister.”

“Very well, Princess.” Aoi bowed and then took her leave.

“So really, how are you feeling?” Kanae asked, coming up behind Shinobu to give her shoulders a comforting squeeze.

“About pretending to be a man and being shipped off to marry the daughter of our family’s longest standing enemies? I feel wonderful.” Shinobu answered with as much sarcasm as she could muster.

“Shinobu…”

“I know, I know! I’ll tell you the same thing I told mother. It’s a necessary sacrifice I am willing to make.” Shinobu noticed the sorrowful look her sister wore and frowned in kind. She knew it must be hard for her big sister to watch her go off and not be able to protect her. Shinobu sighed, “But if there was one good thing to come out of this mess, it’s that I get to wear these pants.”

Kanae giggled, “Are they really that comfortable?”

“Extremely. This on the other hand,” Shinobu motioned to the gauze and tape still covering her chest, “this is absolute hell. I swear my tits are where my lungs should be.”

“Shinobu, language!” Kanae laughed in earnest now, making Shinobu smile.

“What? I’m a man now, aren’t I? I can speak how I please.”

“Just don’t speak like that to Princess Mitsuri, the poor girl would probably faint.”

“I’m sure the topic of breasts will be off the table indefinitely.” Shinobu snorted, moving to change into something more comfortable.

“You don’t know that.” Kanae said, sitting down on Shinobu’s bed.

“Um, I’m pretty sure I do.” Shinobu shot her sister a look over her shoulder, “Yes, hello wife. It is I, your husband. I was wondering if you’d like to compare chest sizes. What do you say? I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.”

Kanae doubled over, rolling across the bed and rumpling her dress as she laughed heartily.

“Oh,” Kanae gasped, trying to catch her breath, “I’m going to miss you.”

“I’ll miss you too.” Shinobu smiled sadly.

“Who knows what the future may hold, Shinobu.” Kanae smiled, “I’m not sure why, but I have a feeling everything is going to work out.”

Before Shinobu could ask Kanae to elaborate, a knock sounded from the door.

“Can you get that?” Shinobu asked, jogging to the attached bathroom and closing the door behind her.

Kanae got up and smoothed her dress and hair, then she walked to the door. Opening it, she greeted the young boy waiting in the hall, letter in hand.

“Hello, Tanjirou, isn’t it? Do you have correspondence for my mother?”

“Yes, Princess Kanae, I’m honored you remembered,” Tanjirou bowed, “I have already given Queen Kochou King Kanroji’s message, this however,” he presented a pink dyed envelope with a fancy wax crest, “Is for Prince Shinobu from Princess Mitsuri.

“I will accept it on his behalf, thank you.” Kanae said. She took the letter and bid the young messenger goodbye. She closed the door and twirled the letter in her hands, looking at it with interest.

“Who was that?” Shinobu asked, exiting the bathroom dressed in a nightgown.

“King Kanroji’s messenger boy came by with a letter for you from Princess Mitsuri.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Not at all! Look,” Kanae handed the envelope off to her sister.

Shinobu inspected the envelope, turning it every which way it her hands.

“What? Do you think she’s trying to poison you?” Kanae asked, one eyebrow raised high.

“Just looking,” Shinobu said defensively. She turned the letter over and picked at the seal, a sweet scent, perhaps vanilla, met her nose. She removed the stationary from the envelope and sat on her bed to read, rolling her eyes as her sister moved to read over her shoulder.

Shinobu read over the letter. It held all manner of details about Princess Mitsuri and her life in the mountains. It was only introductory information such as how many siblings she had, what her favorite color was and what kind of food she liked, but it did make Shinobu feel a little better about the stranger she had to marry. If this letter was anything to go by, she seemed nice enough.

“She sounds like a sweet girl.” Kanae declared once she finished reading. “Are you going to write her back?”

“Of course.” Shinobu said as if it should have been obvious. “If she’s going to go through all the effort it’s only right to return it in kind.”

“Awww, Shinobu! That’s so nice!” Kanae cooed, “I think you two might actually hit it off!”

Shinobu pushed Kanae away and scoffed, “This ‘relationship’ is being built upon a rather big lie, sister. Best not to get too attached.”

“So pessimistic.”

“Just being realistic.”

“Well I’m rooting for you!” Kanae ruffled Shinobu’s hair and ducked out of her way, skipping to the door. “I’ll leave you to your love letters, goodnight!”

“I am not writing a love letter!” Shinobu yelled after Kanae closed the door to her room. Shinobu groaned in annoyance and moved to her writing desk. She could write the letter now, and have the messenger boy deliver it to Princess Mitsuri when he left to return home the next day. As she wrote, she tried to be as honest and open as Mitsuri had been writing her letter. The only falsehood being her own signature, Prince Shinobu.

***

Mitsuri was working with her dance and etiquette instructor Hinatsuru, when she caught wind of Tanjirou’s return to the castle and bolted. Thus leaving Hinatsuru in the dust. The older woman crossed her arms and shook her head, yet she still smiled, having dealt with Mitsuri’s exuberance for years already.

Mitsuri slid down the banister, startling General Tengen and Lieutenant Makio when she nearly fell to the foyer below.

“Careful, Princess! Your father would have my hide if you up and died in front of me!” Tengen scolded as her pulled Mitsuri back to the stairs. “Shouldn’t you be in class right now anyway? At the very least you should have your guard accompanying you if you’re skipping out.”

“No time, I’m expecting a letter!” Mitsuri grinned, hiking up her skirts and clearing the rest of the stairs.

“Hina really has her work cut out for her.” Makio chortled as they watched Mitsuri run to open the front doors herself much to the butler’s distress. They continued on their way to the war room, smiling at the Princess’ giddy cheers.

“He actually wrote me back?” Mitsuri blushed, holding the letter Tanjirou gave her to her chest. “Did you see him, Tanjirou? What does he look like? What did is face look like when you gave him the letter?” She asked in rapid succession, overwhelming the poor messenger a bit.

“I apologize Princess, I did not get to see the Prince.” Tanjirou bowed deeply, “I was intercepted by Princess Kanae when dropping the letter off and she was the one to give me Prince Shinobu’s reply as well.”

“Oh, that’s fine. Don’t worry!” Mitsuri tried to hide her disappointment, “What is my future sister-in-law like?”

“She is very kind, Princess. Her voice is soft and she personally asked the chef to prepare dinner for me. She even had a lunch packed for my journey home.”

“That does sound nice, I’m glad!” Mitsuri beamed. “When do you suspect my father will send you out again?”

“I have yet to see him, but I suspect no more than a week. Should I expect another letter from you, Princess?”

“Yes, thank you Tanjirou. I simply must read this now. Rest well!”

Mitsuri was half way to her room when she quite literally bumped into her mother and behind her, Mitsuri’s guard, Kyoujirou. Uh oh, mother was giving her that look.

“Mitsuri, my darling daughter, can you tell me why Hinatsuru is currently reading alone in the ballroom?”

“Ah, well, I got a letter from Prince Shinobu, mother! I was just going to read it really quick—“

“No, no, no. You may read it after your lessons. To ensure you are listening to Hina, Kyoujirou will sit in until you are finished.”

“It seems I’ll be your jailer rather than protector this afternoon, Princess!” Kyoujirou yelled, his booming laughter causing the Queen to wince.

“Awww…” Mitsuri deflated. She spent the rest of the afternoon eyeing the letter every time Hinatsuru twirled her around as they danced.

***

“AAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I win again!”

Shinobu groaned laying flat on her back, splattered with mud as Inosuke taunted her from above. With an inelegant grunt, she kicked at his shins, making him fall into the mud as well. Slowly, she got back to her feet as the young, wild guard rolled around in the mud.

“You need to be stronger.”

“Don’t you think I’m trying, Tomioka?” Shinobu huffed, pushing her hair and mud from her eyes to better glare at her stoic guard.

“Since you will be isolated in the Kanroji’s castle we cannot protect you. You will need to know how to—“

“—How to defend myself, I know! It’s not as if I have ever been given the opportunity until now! Just let me brew my poisons.”

“If they find poison on you, they will never trust you and the alliance will be good as dead.”

“Ugh! This is pointless!” Shinobu threw her wooden sword to the ground. “As if three weeks of training is going to save me should I require it! And you know I hate to acknowledge this, but I only pass five feet when I’m on the tips of my toes. A Kanroji soldier could crush me with his bare hands should he so desire.”

“…Then we will focus more on your agility and evasion tactics.” Giyuu blinked.

Shinobu rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest, “You know, you’re supposed to say something more like, ‘oh no, Princess, you can certainly take down a full grown man twice your height and triple your weight.’”

“I’m sure you could, Princess. I saw how you kicked Duke Maeda when he got too fresh with you and your sisters.” Giyuu said, stoic as ever, “He went down like a pile of bricks.”

Shinobu smiled at that.

“Enough of this boring talk, fight me!” Inosuke roared, shoving the wooden sword back into Shinobu’s hand.

“Um! Shinobu?”

Shinobu put the sword back into Inosuke’s hand and the boy screamed with disappointment, instead shoving the sword in Giyuu’s hand and demanding him to fight instead.

“Kanao, what is it?” Shinobu asked as she walked up to her younger sister, stopping a little farther away since she was absolutely caked in mud and didn’t want to soil Kanao’s clothes.

“The Kanroji’s messenger boy…” Kanao blushed faintly, as she produced another pink envelope for Shinobu to see, “He had another letter for you from Princess Mitsuri.”

“Already?” Shinobu reached for the letter, but quickly withdrew. She didn’t want to get mud all over it. “Could you put it on my desk for me, please? I’m not exactly equipped for this at the moment.”

“Yes, I can do that.” Kanao nodded, yet she stayed in place as if she had more to say, but didn’t quite know how to proceed.

“Something on your mind?” Shinobu asked, accepting a towel from one of the young maids, Kiyo, to wipe at her face.

“Do you think it would be proper for me to show Tanjirou around the botanical gardens while he is here?”

“I don’t see why not. Take Inosuke with you just to be safe.”

“Okay, thank you.”

“Inosuke!” Shinobu called out to the boy growling under Giyuu’s foot. “Wash all that mud off, you are to accompany my sister and the Kanroji messenger boy to the gardens.”

“Finally, something to do!” Inosuke cackled, scrambling to his feet once Giyuu freed him. He ran to the stream and belly flopped in. He rolled around and gurgled like he was drowning for a bit before emerging and running into the castle with a whoop.

“Remember to dress properly please! We do not run about the castle shirtless!” Shinobu yelled after him. The boy had promise, but he was still as feral as the day they took him in. She turned back to Kanao, “Have a good time, Kanao. Now if you’ll excuse me, I believe I will need to take no less than three baths to remove all this grime. Tomioka?”

“Yes, Princess.”

Shinobu slapped a handful of mud in her guard’s face. “Don’t think I didn’t see that little smile when I slipped earlier.”

“Apologies, Princess.” Giyuu said monotonously, swiping the mud from his eyes.

Shinobu took another towel from Kiyo and followed after her younger sister. Once Naho and Sumi prepared her second bath, Shinobu fully relaxed into the tub. All the while the possible contents of Princess Mitsuri’s letter were swimming through her mind.

***

The wedding day was quickly approaching, but Mitsuri was no longer worried in the slightest after exchanging several letters with her Prince, her Prince! Ah! She could just about sing from the highest mountain peak! After exchanging those several letters, Mitsuri could feel herself falling harder and harder for the man.

He was so eloquent in his writings. So clever and sweet. If his written word made her swoon so, she couldn’t imagine what hearing the words roll off of his tongue would do to her. Oh how she longed to finally meet him, to put a face to the man of her dreams. She told him as such in her latest letter. Mitsuri had never felt so brazen. They never spoke of their upcoming union in their letters, nor had they ever dared speak of anything improper. Just expressing her desire and excitement at the prospect of meeting him felt too personal and gave her butterflies.

Shinobu, on the other hand, was growing more and more anxious as the day drew closer. She had always wanted to treat Mitsuri with respect. Just because they had to get married, didn’t mean they couldn’t get along, but she had honestly developed feelings for this girl through only reading her letters. She had a softness and warmth that carried through her writing, drawing Shinobu in like a moth to flame.

When Mitsuri wrote of how excited she was to meet face to face, it made Shinobu’s heart feel heavy. Whatever image Mitsuri had of her, of this Prince, she just knew it would end in disappointment. Mitsuri’s writing was so honest and uninhibited… it would surely break Shinobu’s heart two times over if Mitsuri found out she was actually a woman. Still, she played her part, burying her insecurities deep inside her so as not to alarm her family. Though Kanae did expect something was amiss, Shinobu gave her sister no opportunities to confront her about it. Not that she needed an excuse, the wedding was to be had on neutral grounds tomorrow and Shinobu had to perfect living out a lie until Muzan’s forces could be defeated.

***

“Where are those damn Kochous? They’re late!” King Kanroji grumbled, tapping his fingers anxiously against the arm of his chair.

“Have patience dear, they aren’t terribly late…” Queen Kanroji tried to console.

Mitsuri, though she was sitting right next to her parents, could not tell you what they were talking about. She had her head in the clouds, imagining her Prince walking through the double doors and sweeping her off of her feet. Her younger siblings were also largely unbothered, instead chasing each other around the pews and weaving between guards.

“If they think they can just waltz through those doors— oh,” he clears his throat, “there they are.”

Giyuu and Zenitsu, the Kochou messenger boy, opened the doors and stood, stoically and nervously respectively, on either side as Queen and King Consort Kochou stepped inside, General Gyomei filing in behind them. The man nearly filled the whole entry way and blocked out the sun as he ducked inside.

Mitsuri watched in awe as her soon to be in laws were seated across the isle from them. She tried to discreetly get a good look at them, but the Queen noticed her and sent a smile her way. A blush flared quickly over Mitsuri’s skin and she faced front again, watching two guards, Sanemi and Inosuke, guide Kanae and Kanao to seats of their own. Mitsuri saw how Kanae waved and spoke softly to her boisterous siblings and smiled. She really was quite kind. Kanao, seemed to hide behind her older sister a bit which Mitsuri found cute. She was just as shy as Prince Shinobu had told her in his letters. Her heart began pounding in her chest, speaking of Prince Shinobu, he must be coming in next! She quickly looked back at the doors, and forgot how to breathe.

He was… strangely beautiful. Not that it was strange for a man to be beautiful! She just hadn’t expected that to be the first word to come to mind.

“Hah, poor boy must have gotten all his mother’s genes,” King Kanroji snickered only loud enough for his party to hear, “He might even be shorter than her.”

“Be nice, dear.” Queen Kanroji scolded quietly, subtly smacking his arm.

“I’ll be plenty nice. Nothing to worry about from a frail boy like that certainly. I’m sure Mitsuri can handle him easily should he try to cause any problems.”

Mitsuri couldn’t stop staring.

Prince Shinobu was not at all what she imagined. His features were soft and smooth in appearance and he was indeed shorter than she would have thought. No visible muscle or stubble, and his hair looked ever so soft and shiny tied up in the back as a short ponytail while two shorter swatches of hair hung on either side of his delicate face. As he walked, he almost seemed to glide down the isle. Filled with the poise and grace that Hinatsuru nearly had to beat into Mitsuri during their lessons.

Mitsuri practically jumped out of her skin as she realized her Prince was standing before her, offering his hand to her, she latched on quickly, her heart beating faster knowing that his skin really was as soft as it looked. She looked up into his deep, purple eyes unable to comprehend the various feelings they held.

“It’s an honor to finally meet you, Princess Mitsuri.” Shinobu spoke.

Shinobu’s voice fell upon Mitsuri like a misting of rain. A sound sweeter than anything her wildest fantasies could have thought up. Shinobu’s lips twitched ever so slightly and Mitsuri’s skin bloomed with the heat of a forest fire. She had been staring this whole time. She hasn’t said a word! Quick, say something! Anything!

“You’re beautiful!”

Anything other than that!

“I- I mean, um, good to meet you too, uh, an honor to… the honor is mine!”

Mitsuri could feel sweat rolling down her back. Her parents put their heads in their hands and Mitsuri wanted desperately to copy the position. But then Prince Shinobu laughed, his smile stretching a bit wider.

“Thank you, Princess. Though I must say I believe my looks pale in comparison to yours. You are more lovely than I could have ever imagined.” Shinobu said, basically killing Mitsuri on the spot.

Mitsuri gaped like a fish, trying to find words, but all her brain could do was send screams and squeals bouncing around her skull. She further short circuited when Prince Shinobu lightly squeezed her hand and ran his thumb over her knuckles before withdrawing. He bowed and then went to take his seat, leaving Mitsuri totally incapacitated.

“Maybe I’ll need to keep an eye on him after all.” King Kanroji grumbled.

From then on, King Kanroji and Queen Kochou took control, signing various documents and discussing how to proceed against Muzan’s army. Finally, it was time to seal all agreements and end hostilities between their lands forever.

Mitsuri stood on shaky legs nearly swooning when Shinobu put a hand to her lower back to help steady her. Together, they stood before their respective parents and with a few flowery words, their marriage set in stone.

“I’m so proud to call you my child.” Queen Kochou said, pulling Shinobu into a hug.

“The castle won’t be the same without you, we’ll miss you.” King Consort Kochou sniffled, hugging Shinobu tightly along with his wife.

Kanae and Kanao rushed in next, nearly tackling Shinobu into the ground.

“We’ll write you often.” Kanae promised, not even trying to hide her tears. “We love you.”

“Stay safe and come home to visit soon.” Kanao murmured into Shinobu’s clothes.

“I will. I’ll write you all whenever I can.” Shinobu promised in return.

“They’re acting as if they’re sending the boy off to war.” King Kanroji scoffed as he entered his carriage behind his wife. “What do they think we’re going to do, eat him?”

“Oh, they’re just saying their goodbyes dear. I imagine you’d be bawling like a baby if it was Mitsuri who was moving into their castle.”

“I would not!” The King huffed, though his eyes softened as he watched the Kochous finish their farewells in silence. Until he noticed that Shinobu and Mitsuri were getting in the final carriage, alone.

“Kyoujirou!”

“Yes, my Lord?” Kyoujirou answered loudly.

“Ride up with Mitsu. Be sure that boy keeps his hands to himself.”

“Yes my Lord!” Kyoujirou said even louder, running over to the newlyweds and joining them with a hearty laugh.

“They are married now, dear.” Queen Kanroji giggled, “If you wanted to play overprotective father, you should have had them courting these last several weeks.”

King Kanroji waved her off, glaring suspiciously at the carriage behind him as best he could.

***

“You two sure are quiet!” Kyoujirou’s booming laughter filled the empty space. The carriage had been winding its way up the Rocky Mountain pass and hardly a few handfuls of words had been shared in that time. “I can’t speak for you Prince Shinobu, but Princess Mitsuri is usually much more lively!”

“Kyou!” Mitsuri blushed. The reason they weren’t talking right now should be obvious even to him, she thought. Kyoujirou standing opposite of the door looking down on them as they sat on opposite side of the carriage felt incredibly awkward!

“I apologize,” Shinobu smiled contritely, “I must say I’m not used to this thin mountain air. It’s a little dizzying.”

“Oh no! I should have warned you about the elevation change! I’m so sorry!” Mitsuri scrambled from her side of the carriage to sit beside Prince Shinobu. Gods, he even smelled amazing… Not now Mitsuri!

“Here, lay down.” Mitsuri said, already guiding Shinobu’s head and shoulders to her lap.

“Ah, going to teach him how to do some proper belly breaths Princess? Good idea!” Kyoujirou praised, still standing firm as the carriage bounced over a patch of particularly rocky terrain.

“Place one hand on your stomach and one on your chest.” Mitsuri instructs, “When you breathe in, instead of taking the air towards your chest, take it towards your stomach. This way, you’ll take in more air. It’ll sound a little like, fwoooooooo and leave pressure in your belly, get it?”

Shinobu was finding it a little more difficult to breathe now than before with those wide, green eyes staring into her very soul. Still, she tried to do as Mitsuri instructed, her heart fluttering at the praise older girl gave her. Come on Shinobu, she internally berated herself, you are not being a very convincing man right now!

“I think I’m feeling better now, thank you.” Shinobu cleared her throat and tried to sit up, only for Mitsuri to place her hand on Shinobu’s chest.

“Please, stay down. It will help with the dizziness.” Mitsuri explained, withdrawing her hand to rest in against Shinobu’s forehead instead.

“Yes! Wouldn’t want you fainting on us, Prince!” Kyoujirou agreed.

“…Alright.” Shinobu succeeded in hiding the tremor in her voice. That was much to close. She was lucky Aoi was so good at her job, Mitsuri hadn’t seemed to notice anything amiss with that touch. However, it was the wake up call Shinobu needed to remember that she had to be more careful.

“Almost home!” Kyoujirou shouted. “I’m sure some rest will do you good, Prince Shinobu! Don’t worry, you’ll get acclimated in no time!”

“Thank you, Kyoujirou.”

Shinobu was warmed by Mitsuri’s desire to dote on her as they exited the carriage together. They had only just met, and although they had sent each other letters, Shinobu wouldn’t have though it would be enough to be treated with such care.

“What’s wrong, lad? Air too thin for you?” King Kanroji laughed, slapping Shinobu a little too hard on the back.

“It will certainly take some time to adjust, your majesty, but your daughter has been ever kind and patient with me.”

“That’s my Mitsuri all right!” He lowered himself to whisper into Shinobu’s ear, “Mistreat her and treaty be damned I will end you!” He rose back to his full height, patting Shinobu on the shoulder, “Let’s see what feast Suma has prepared for us tonight!”

Dinner was a hearty and boisterous affair, much different from the dinners Shinobu was used to back at home. Though she supposed having five young children would do that. It was different, but not unwelcome. She handed her roll to one of Mitsuri’s grabby little brothers and smiled at the look of absolute joy that came over his face before shoving the whole thing in his mouth. The act reminded her of Inosuke.

“Full already, sweetheart? That’s unusual. Are you ill?”

Shinobu turned her attention to Queen Kanroji and Mitsuri. The Queen had her hand on Mitsuri’s forehead for a moment until Mitsuri pushed it away.

“I’m fine, mother. I ate plenty.”

“If your are certain…”

Mitsuri sensed Shinobu’s gaze on her and flashed a nervous smile. It concerned Shinobu, but she didn’t want to draw further attention. Perhaps she could ask Mitsuri how she was feeling later.

When dinner was finished, Mitsuri practically dragged Shinobu away to their shared chambers, much to her father’s dismay. All of Shinobu’s bags were already inside what could only be described as a house within the castle. Three bedrooms with attached bathrooms, a shared living space, an office, and a large balcony overlooking the mountain range.

“What do you think?” Mitsuri asked seemingly still full of nerves since dinner, “Do you think you’ll be comfortable here?”

“Yes, it’s wonderful.” Shinobu assured, grabbing her luggage to move into her new bedroom.

“Oh! Let me help you unpack!” Mitsuri followed, only to be dissuaded by Shinobu.

“That’s quite alright. I can handle it. Take some time to relax, I’ll be done shortly.”

“Oh, okay.” Mitsuri made room for Shinobu to walk past her with arms full of luggage. Shinobu set down the bags on the bed and gave Mitsuri a little wave and a smile before closing the door.

Mitsuri sighed and sat down on the couch. Of course he’d want a little space to settle in, but now she was feeling anxious. She had been so weird today! What if he was already starting to have doubts? Her stomach growled mournfully and she pressed her hand against her belly to stifle it. Maybe she should take this time to freshen up!

Mitsuri fisted her skirts in her hands and jogged to her own room, she quickly undressed and scrubbed her body clean in the fastest bath of her life. She dried herself off and brushed her hair into a single braid. Then she looked over her nightclothes and bit her lip. Would Prince Shinobu find any of these enticing? Mitsuri wasn’t sure she was ready to do anything of a more sensual nature as of yet, but she still wanted Prince Shinobu to find her attractive. She put on one of her favorite silk nightgowns and returned to the couch, trying to find an appealing pose before Shinobu returned.

Meanwhile, Shinobu was glad she had managed stop Mitsuri from helping her unpack. She hid her binders under her pile of trousers and all of her feminine products deep within the cupboard beneath the bathroom sink. Once everything was strategically placed, she locked herself in the bathroom and practically tore her clothes off. The combination of the binder and the thin mountain air was less than pleasant. She washed herself and begrudgingly put her binder back on, along with more comfortable clean clothes. She couldn’t wait to go to bed.

When Shinobu returned to the living space, she was paralyzed by Mitsuri. She watched her testing out various positions on the couch, some more ridiculous than others, but nonetheless she took Shinobu’s breath away.

“Eep! Prince Shinobu! I didn’t notice you came back!” Mitsuri blushed, sitting rigidly against the couch.

“Sorry, I did not mean to startle you and please, just Shinobu is fine.”

“Then please call me Mitsuri! Here, sit with me!” Mitsuri rapidly patted the space next to her, stiff as a board.

“You look very nice Mitsuri, I like your nightgown.” Shinobu took the seat, not fairing much better than Mitsuri. She knew Mitsuri was gorgeous, but this was too much.

“Thank you.” Mitsuri bit her lip, “Hey… Shinobu?”

“Yes, Mitsuri?”

“I, um, I’m—“

Mitsuri’s stomach decided then to interrupt her.

“Hungry?” Shinobu chuckled.

“No, no I ate plenty. You saw dinner…”

“Your mother expressed worry about your lack of appetite. You should eat something. Do you think Suma is still in the kitchens?”

“I’m fine.”

Shinobu sat closes to Mitsuri, staring inches in front of her face. Mitsuri’s heartbeat picked up in tempo. Was Shinobu going to kiss her, already?

“I’ll be right back.” Shinobu declared, standing up and walking briskly to the door.

Mitsuri jumped to her feet when Shinobu finally returned. Shinobu opened the door wide, and Suma came in with a cart full of food.

“Here you are, Princess! I’m glad your appetite returned!” Suma skipped, parking the cart in the middle of the room. “Anything else, Prince Shinobu?”

“That’s all, thank you for your help Suma.”

“You’re very welcome!” Suma blushed, bowed and scurried from the room, closing the door behind her.

“What’s all this for?” Mitsuri asked, her stomach growling again and the delicious aroma met her nose.

“You’re hungry. Please, eat. Why are you denying yourself sustenance?” Shinobu questioned pointedly.

“It’s just… you won’t think it’s unseemly for me to eat so much?”

“Not at all.” Shinobu frowned, “Who has told you to think such a thing?”

“An old suitor…”

“Well he is a fool, an ass.”

“Shinobu!” Mitsuri could hardly believe such a delicate face could speak in such a way. Another thing to add to her mental list of what made Shinobu attractive.

“Should I ever have the chance to meet him, you point him out to me and I will show him what unseemly really means as I throw him off the highest peak of this mountain.” Shinobu fumed.

He really was dreamy. Another point, hot when angry.

Mitsuri took Shinobu’s hand in her own and squeezed it, “Thank you.”

Shinobu blew a gust of air out of her nose and smiled, squeezing Mitsuri’s hand in return.

“You don’t have to change a thing about yourself, understand?”

Mitsuri nodded.

“I’d like to hear you say it.”

“I understand.”

“Thank you,” Shinobu sighed, “Now please eat.”

While Mitsuri ate, Shinobu sipped tea and they chatted. Eventually getting comfortable enough that they were joking and laughing together. Mitsuri never felt more at ease, but soon enough the food and tea were gone and the conversation grew quiet and Mitsuri didn’t know what else she should do so she leaned in close to Shinobu, aimed her lips to meet his… and she bumped her lips against his cheek instead when Prince Shinobu suddenly turned his head.

“Huh?” Mitsuri blinked, pulling back slightly.

“We don’t need to rush into anything just yet.” Shinobu said, her heart pounding from the close quarters. Did Mitsuri really like her enough to try to kiss her so soon? “We may be married now, but don’t feel pressured to go any further until you are ready, okay?”

Mitsuri’s eyebrows pinched in confusion. Sure a kiss was special, that’s what she had always believed since she was a little girl, but having been kissed by a handful of suitors in her past, she didn’t think it was such a problem to want to kiss her husband. Especially when he was so sweet. So why did Prince Shinobu turn away? He did look rather pink, perhaps…

“Have you ever kissed someone before, Shinobu?” Mitsuri asked, batting her eyelashes.

“Besides my family, no…” Shinobu admitted bashfully.

“Have you ever even courted someone before?”

“No.” Well, her mother had tried to set her up with that one guy, Murata? He was nice enough, but it soon became obvious to everyone that Shinobu was not interested in him in the slightest. Or any other man for that matter.

“Wow! You’re newer to this than I would have thought!” Mitsuri marveled openly, “I never would have guessed, you were always so suave in your letters.”

“Is it really so strange?”

“No! Not at all!” Mitsuri fumbled. “I’m just excited that I’ll have all your firsts! I mean— I didn’t— that’s not how I wanted to say that!

To Mitsuri’s relief, Shinobu laughed, and not an awkward polite laugh, a real one. It was one of the most wonderful sounds she ever heard and it only made her want to kiss her Prince more.

“So you’ve kissed suitors before then?” Shinobu asked, still giggling a bit.

“Yes.”

“The unseemly one?”

“No.”

“Good.”

Shinobu gave Mitsuri a shy look that made Mitsuri’s heart flutter. The Pseudo-Prince then leaned in and surprised Mitsuri by kissing her forehead, then she stood up, smiling down at Mitsuri.

“It’s getting late, we should sleep. I’ll see you in the morning, sleep well.”

Mitsuri looked out at the glass doors of the balcony, it was indeed late. She wished the night didn’t have to end, but she was tired as well. She stood and kissed the top of Shinobu’s head before dancing away.

“Good night, Shinobu. Sleep well.”

Shinobu was right, no need to rush. They had the rest of their lives together. Mitsuri was really looking forward to see how they would grow together. She went to bed excited for what the future would bring.

Shinobu watched Mitsuri twirl away into her bedroom before all but running into hers. She unbuttoned her shirt and freed herself from her binder before unceremoniously flopping into her bed. She pulled a pillow down to where she laid and hid her face in it. Mitsuri wanted to kiss Prince Shinobu. Would she ever want to kiss Princess Shinobu? She tossed and turned for awhile but eventually fell asleep.

***

Mitsuri was starting to get anxious again. Shinobu had been in the castle for nearly a month. It had been one of the best months of Mitsuri’s life, but she couldn’t help but think Shinobu was hiding something from her. Not to mention that all her attempts to kiss the Prince thus far were thwarted. He always turned his head or someone would interrupt. It was rather discouraging. When she was being courted, boys usually couldn’t wait to kiss her. Oh how the tables had turned.

“Mitsuri, something on your mind?” Shinobu asked, serving Mitsuri a cup of tea before sitting across from her. They had decided to take tea on the balcony. Windy, but refreshing and the view was incredible.

“I saw this and it reminded me of you!” Mitsuri blurted, pulling a flower from her lap and presenting it to Shinobu.

“Oh!” Shinobu accepted the flower, and took in its delicate scent with a small grin, “Thank you, Mitsuri. I love it. It reminds me of home.”

“I’d love to visit your homeland someday. Hopefully this war ends soon.”

“I hope so too, I think you’d like it there.”

“I already like it because if you came from there, it must be nothing less than magnificent.”

“You flatter me, Mitsuri. I don’t know why you think so highly of me.” Prince Shinobu blushed and looked away like a maiden and Mitsuri supposed, in a way, he kind of was. Having never courted anyone he was so nervous to get close to her. Maybe, Mitsuri thought, she should take more initiative.

“Why wouldn’t I?” Mitsuri scooted closer, batting her eyelashes, “I like you a lot,” she lowers her voice, drawing closer to her Prince’s lips, “you’re a real gentleman…”

Her lips met jaw, thwarted again.

“Thank you.” Shinobu murmured, looking over the mountain range again.

Mitsuri’s brain couldn’t stop her mouth quick enough.

“Shinobu, are you gay?!”

“Huh?” Shinobu snapped her head back to Mitsuri, eyes owlishly wide. How did she know?! Oh, wait, she was a man right now, right.

“Ah! Sorry!” Mitsuri was panicking, “I didn’t mean— I, that was so rude of me, I’m sorry! There is nothing wrong with it if you are, I should have gone about it better. I just have wanted to kiss you for weeks now, and you haven’t let me. I thought you were just nervous so I wanted to take the lead. Now I’ve made it uncomfortable, haven’t I?” Mitsuri sunk into her seat, pressing her face into the table.

Shinobu smiled in a sympathetic manner and patted Mitsuri on the back, “It’s alright, don’t beat yourself up.”

“But… are you?” It would be just Mitsuri’s luck that the man she fell for wasn’t into women. That’s probably why he was always so clean, smelled nice, had good fashion sense… Gods, he had to be!

“I’m not a gay man, Mitsuri.” Shinobu told her, which wasn’t a lie. She was a gay woman. ✨Loopholes✨. However, this was still getting harder. She didn’t want Mitsuri to think she was taking advantage of her when she inevitably found out she was also a woman.

“Then why won’t you let me kiss you?” Mitsuri sniffled, “Do you not like me?”

Oh no, Shinobu would throw herself off the mountain if she made Mitsuri cry.

“Listen, Mitsuri,” Shinobu swallowed, she would have to try to word this carefully… “I do like you, very much in fact. I just don’t want to take advantage of you.”

Mitsuri removed her head from the table to look at Shinobu with watery eyes.

“What do you mean? How is it taking advantage if we both want it?”

“There is one thing about myself that I have not been truthful about since the very beginning. I fully intend on telling you, but it must wait until the war is won. If what I reveal to you does not change what you feel for me, then nothing would make me happier than to feel your lips upon mine.”

“Shinobu, what do you mean? What are you hiding? What could be so awful that you think I won’t love you anymore?” Mitsuri wracked her brain for some clue, something she might have overlooked or missed, but came up empty.

“I can’t tell you, just please believe me when I say—“

“Excuse me Princess Mitsuri, Prince Shinobu,” Kyoujirou’s loud voice carried through all the way from the front door of their chambers, booming knocks shook the paintings on the walls. “A word if I may?”

“Come in Kyou,” Mitsuri called back, gently dabbing underneath her eyes. She looked at Shinobu over her shoulder, “This conversation isn’t over.”

Kyoujirou entered the living space, a man with messy, black hair walked stiffly behind him. Upon seeing the royal couple he suddenly looked more lively, sending Mitsuri and Shinobu a crooked smile as he bowed before them.

“Meet the new recruit! This is Kaigaku, he will be training under me to be a protector of the royal family. He shows promise thus far!”

“Thank you sir,” Kaigaku said, his eyes not straying from where the royal couple stood, “I want to give my all to serve the noble Kanroji family.”

“Thank you for your service,” Mitsuri acknowledged, “My family greatly appreciates such dedication.”

“Oh Princess, I assure you,” Kaigaku grins, “it’s an honor to be within these castle walls.”

Kyoujirou chatted with Mitsuri for a few minutes before they had to go. Mitsuri showed them out with a smile that only held long enough for her to close the door. She turned to Shinobu who was looking over the balcony railing, head hung low.

***

The war waged on for another two months, but Mitsuri knew that they were approaching the turning point in their favor if what her overheard her father say was anything to go by. So she decided that now was the time to finally pull Prince Shinobu’s secret out of him. She could feel the strain in her heart taking over more times than not. It was clear to Mitsuri now, that if they continued to dance around this matter, she wouldn’t be able to take the ache much longer.

She walked into their chamber’s office and couldn’t help but smile faintly, watching from the doorway as Prince Shinobu diligently wrote a letter to his sisters.

Seeming to sense her presence, Shinobu’s quill paused, and turned to give Mitsuri a weary smile of her own.

“Mitsuri, do you need something?” She asked despite knowing that they have only rehashed the same conversation for the last few days.

“I can’t keep going like this, Shinobu.” Mitsuri murmured, taking a seat at her desk. “You can’t either.”

“I told you, I cannot tell you until after the war.” Shinobu frowned.

“What does the war have to do with our marriage? Anything you have to tell me, you can tell me now.”

“Our marriage exists because of the war, Mitsuri.” Shinobu reminded, rubbing at her forehead. “It’s what unites our kingdoms against Muzan. If we fall apart now, all will be lost.”

“Why can’t you trust me!” Mitsuri cried out, startling Shinobu. She never heard Mitsuri raise her voice out of anger or frustration, “I’m not so childish as to walk away from this. Thousands would be killed if our kingdoms split. I’m not stupid, Shinobu!”

“Of course you aren’t stupid!” Shinobu rose her voice in return, “I just… I can’t tell you right now.” Shinobu tried to take Mitsuri’s hand in a comforting manner, but Mitsuri pulled back and stood up, fighting back tears as she ran out of the office and out of their chambers.

“Mitsuri, wait!” Shinobu threw her quill down, ink splattering across her half finished letter. Her legs got caught in her chair as she tried to stand up and she lost balance and fell. With a string of curses, she kicked the chair away and and got back to her feet, running out into the hall.

Shinobu looked both ways, and felt helplessness fall over her like a weighted blanket. Mitsuri was already gone, but she couldn’t be far. She had to find her, console her somehow. Shinobu knew it was hard, she was hurting too, but Mitsuri would just have to understand that she couldn’t tell her who she was just yet. Shinobu chose a direction and ran as fast as her legs could carry her.

Mitsuri kept running until she made it into the solarium and collapsed face down into the cushy chaise lounge chair, sobs shaking her entire body. Eventually she tired, and moved to lay on her back. Usually the solarium would make her feel better, but Shinobu had made a little plant nursery in the room that had Mitsuri wanting to cry all over again.

“Why can’t he trust me?” Mitsuri whispered hoarsely, reaching out to stoke a delicate leaf with her finger. “Can’t he see how much I love him?”

“Princess Mitsuri, are you alright?”

Mitsuri sat up and wiped at her tears, forcing a smile to her face.

“Oh, Kaigaku, hello. I’m fine, just a little stressed. You know, war and all…”

“Ah, I can sympathize with that. Would you like some company, Princess? I’m a good listener.” Kaigaku asked, already drawing closer. “Captain Kyoujirou has been putting me threw the wringer, but I have a break right now. Is Prince Shinobu around?”

“He’s writing to his sisters right now. I hope you don’t find me rude, but I came here to be alone.”

Kaigaku laughs, and Mitsuri jumps in her seat and harshness of the sound, her forehead wrinkles as she asks, “What is so funny?”

“You are a really hard person to catch alone, you know that?” Kaigaku sighs, Mitsuri gasps when he pulls a knife from a leather sheath in his jacket. “I thought I’d only have to suffer here a week tops, but two months? Lord Muzan was getting impatient with me so thank you for finally giving me this opportunity.”

“You’re working for Muzan?!” Mitsuri attempts to stand but when Kaigaku points to knife at her she sits back, angled as far away from the knife as she can be.

“You just sit right there and look pretty alright? I have a lot to get off my chest right now, you know? ‘Be nice to have someone to monologue to a bit.” Kaigaku flips the knife between his hands.

“You see Princess, your little marriage uniting the Kanrojis and the Kochous has really put a damper on Lord Muzan’s plans. We never would have thought that after a three hundred year feud, your kingdoms would ever see eye to eye. It’s infuriating, annoying, but,” he points the knife back at Mitsuri, “It’s a fragile bond.”

“If something were to happen to you, the King would be devastated, wouldn’t he? Treaty be damned, he would wreak justice on whomever he believed responsible, wouldn’t he?”

“Why would our union with the Kochous suffer for something you did to me?” Mitsuri asked, her expression now stern even in the face of danger.

“Me?” Kaigaku feigned disbelief, dropping the act in his next breath, “I’m not here, I’m resting in my room after all the drills that airhead Kyoujirou put me through. Kochou on the other hand, he’s almost always with you, isn’t he?”

“No!” Mitsuri could see where this was going, “He is a kind and gentle man! No one would believe such a thing!”

“But they will, because grief does things to people. It won’t help that I snagged this knife off of a Kochou soldier’s corpse when I was on the front lines. Still has the poison and everything.”

“Don’t do this, please!” Mitsuri subtly grabbed the lounge pillow beside her, she needed to time this just right…

“Don’t worry, I’m sure your precious husband will be joining you shortly!” Kaigaku thrusted the knife forward and at the same time, Mitsuri flung the pillow, causing Kaigaku to stab through the chaise lounge instead. Using the momentary surprise to her advantage, she kicked Kaigaku in the stomach as hard as she could and tumbled out of his reach, rushing towards the door.

“Get back here, bitch!” Kaigaku wheezed, why was that girl’s kick so strong? He wrenched the knife from the chaise and ran after her, cursing when he hears her yelling for help in the hallway.

It becomes a bit of a game of cat and mouse, until Mitsuri trips on her dress and tumbles to the floor. To make matters worse, she caught her forehead on a table on the way down, shattering a vase as well. Mitsuri groaned, putting a hand to her forehead and finding it wet.

Kaigaku smirked, closing the distance he assumed that the wide-eyed look Mitsuri wore was one of fear, not surprise at the person who was rushing behind him.

“Get away from her, you bastard!”

A weight crashes against his back, a flower pot, tiny arms pummle and pull at his back and Kaigaku turns with a dark chuckle, shoving Shinobu into the nearest wall, hard.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the little Prince. What a daring display, too bad you were born with all the ferocity of a kitten!” He spat, turning back to Mitsuri, he rose the knife, stumbling back a bit when Shinobu wrapped her arms around him in an attempt to keep him away from Mitsuri. “Get off me, damn it!”

Kaigaku wrenched himself free, all but throwing Shinobu at Mitsuri. The couple struggled to help each other to their feet. He could hear voices now, metal clanking and leather stretching, armed men sprinting down the hall. Damn it! He had failed. They would all know! He snarled, no. He hadn’t failed yet, it wasn’t the way Lord Muzan wanted, but he could still kill the Princess!

“Halt!” Kyoujirou roared behind him, still not close enough. Tengen and Makio close on his heels.

The knife flew out of Kaigaku’s hand at high velocity, aimed squarely at the Princess, it was a flawless throw… If only the Prince hadn’t gotten in the way! Kaigaku had no time to react as he was thrown to the ground by General Tengen. He still didn’t fail, right? Once the Prince died, surely it would destroy the morale of the Kochou troops. Lord Muzan would come for him, right?

“Shinobu!” Mitsuri cried, dropping to kneel beside her Prince, hands shaking as she moved to grab the knife embedded in his chest.

“Don’t touch it.” Shinobu instructed between heavy breaths. “Just leave it to me, okay?”

“Shinobu, it’s poisoned!” Mitsuri cried harder, “You need to take it out now!”

“Don’t worry, I recognized the blade. I’ve encountered this poison more times than I can count in my lab back home. It won’t have much affect on me.”

“Get Doctor Tamayo, Makio!” Tengen yelled, “You, inform the King and Queen! And you, get the rest of the royal family on lock down. Kyoujirou, I need you to summon all staff and guard. If there was one mole, there might be more. Hey—! Stay put Prince Shinobu, you shouldn’t be moving!”

“I can take care of myself!” Shinobu shouted, more as a response to pain and stress than because of Tengen himself.

“Where are you going?” Mitsuri stumbled, chasing after Shinobu with a slight limp.

“I can fix myself, Mitsuri. Just stay here and wait for the doctor, you have a nasty cut on your head.”

“I’m not letting you go alone!”

“Please!” Shinobu shouted.

“No!” Mitsuri shouted in return, “General Tengen, we will be in our chambers, have someone send word to Makio to send her there!”

“Yes, Princess!” Tengen growled. It was not what he thought was wise, but his forces were spread thin as it stood and he had Kaigaku to deal with. “Be vigilant!”

Mitsuri nodded and without warning, lifted Shinobu into her arms and moved as quickly as she could through the hallway. When they made it to their chambers, Mitsuri took Prince Shinobu to his room, setting him carefully onto the bed.

“What do you need?” Mitsuri asked, buzzing with nervous energy.

“I can take care of myself. Wait outside, please.” Shinobu groaned, wiping a thin sheen of sweat from her brow.

“I’m not letting you do this alone. I’m stronger than you, I won’t let you push me out anymore!” Mitsuri said resolutely. She pushed Shinobu to lay fully against the bed with as little force as she could. “What do you need?”

“Mitsuri, please go—“

“No!” Mitsuri towered over Shinobu, “No more hiding! We are married! This is a partnership and we are in this together!” Mitsuri breathed heavily, “You saved my life, you brave, stupid man. Let me help you now, or it will kill me!”

“I… Under the sink, everything I need should be in a box under the sink.” Shinobu hissed, lightly probing the site around the knife.

Mitsuri ducked into the bathroom a big, white box immediately caught her attention and she rushed back to the bedroom, screaming when she saw Prince Shinobu sitting up. He had removed the knife and a few of his top layers leaving just in a white undershirt stained with blood.

“What did you do?!” Mitsuri scrambled to the bed unsure what to do herself, she opened the box and started frantically tossing everything onto the bed.

“It wasn’t as deep as I thought it was. Please stop throwing my supplies everywhere. I’ll be okay, I just need a few stitches.” Shinobu tried to soothe Mitsuri’s nerves with a smile. “Can you do something for me, Mitsuri?”

“Of course, anything! Do you need a blood transfusion? Take mine!”

“Though I admire your heart sweet girl, I don’t know if our blood types are compatible, nor do I need blood at this point. I have a lot of supplies here, but what I really need is a good antiseptic. Make sure the Doctor brings me some?”

“I don’t want to leave you…” Mitsuri was torn, surely Doctor Tamayo would bring such things with her without being told.

“I’ll be alright, I promise. I’m not going anywhere.” Shinobu ran her fingers down Mitsuri’s cheek, knowing the girl responded best to gentle touches.

“Okay,” Mitsuri nodded, “I’ll be so quick, you won’t even know I was gone!”

“Be careful, have her check your head. You might need stitches too.”

Mitsuri was already out of the door and halfway down the hall before Shinobu could finish speaking. Shinobu took in a shaky breath. She’d have to finish this quickly before Mitsuri came back. She unbuttoned her shirt and shrugged it off her shoulders, tossing it into the pile. Then she cut through her binder with scissors from her medical kit. With teeth bared, she peeled it away from her bloodied skin. The wound was below her left collarbone near her heart. Luckily, she had been wearing several layers as the weather grew colder. She shivered, taking out her own antiseptic, dampening a cloth, she pressed it to the wound.

“Shinobu!”

No

Mitsuri was frazzled running through the halls she needed to find Doctor Tamayo and make sure she brought… what did Shinobu ask for again? Damn it! Mitsuri ran back to her chambers twice as fast, calling Shinobu’s name.

“What did you say you neeee— breasts!” Mitsuri’s mouth nearly dropped to the floor. Shinobu tried fruitlessly to cover up, but it was obviously too late. Mitsuri just kept opening and closing her mouth, intermittently gesturing towards Shinobu’s chest, now hidden away behind a blanket.

“Mitsuri, I can explain,”

“Are… Are you a woman, Shinobu?” Mitsuri crawled into the bed, stopping just in front of Shinobu, her forehead wrinkled as the cogs turned in her brain.

Shinobu pursed her lips and nodded her head. She tried to turn away, unwilling to watch Mitsuri’s reaction. However, Mitsuri reached out and caught her cheek, keeping her in place.

“This is what you’ve been hiding; what you have been so worried about.” Mitsuri deduced. “You aren’t a Prince, you’re a Princess! Princess Shinobu! Wait, is your name Shinobu?”

“Yes. I was honest to you about everything except this.” Shinobu said, gesturing at herself sullenly, her breathing becoming more erratic as the fact that everything was out in the open now hit her.

“Hey, hey! Shinobu, breathe! It’s okay!” Mitsuri cooed, stroking Shinobu’s cheeks with her warm, strong hands. “Is it your wound? Does it hurt terribly?”

Shinobu released a watery chuckle, “You are unbelievable. Aren’t you upset?”

“At you? Heavens no Shinobu, of course not! Kaigaku on the other hand,” Mitsuri’s eyebrows furrowed deeply, “I hope father has a special place in the dungeons for him.”

There was a knock on the door and Shinobu jolted back, nearly hitting the back of her head on the headboard of the bed. Mitsuri was quick to soothe, pressing her forehead against Shinobu’s while whispering assurances.

“It’s okay, Doctor Tamayo can be trusted to be discreet. No one else has to know yet if you aren’t ready. You’re safe here with me. I won’t let anything happen to you, I promise.” Mitsuri dragged her forehead to Shinobu’s temple, kissing her cheek before pulling away all together. “Will you trust me?”

Unable to find her words under the tightness in her throat, Shinobu nodded. Once again amazed by the extent of Mitsuri’s care for her, Prince or not.

Mitsuri slid off the bed and strode across the room, opening the door just as the concerned looking Doctor was poised to try the door knob.

“Princess!” Tamayo notes the young woman’s appearance with great care. “How is the Prince fairing? You look like you could use a stitch or two yourself.”

“I’ll be fine, help the… the Prince first, but um, Doctor Tamayo, you must keep what you see unrelated to the wound to yourself.”

“Whatever do you mean, Princess?” Tamayo asked, already moving around her to attend to Shinobu.

“Uhhh, you’ll know it when you see it…” Mitsuri laughed awkwardly, quickly moving back to sit on the bed beside Shinobu. She put an arm around her, pulling Shinobu’s head into her side, she stroked Shinobu’s hair to comfort her as Tamayo moved in.

“Oh,” Tamayo’s eyes spark with understanding as she drew back the blanket, “I see.” She cleared her throat, “You did well cleaning the wound, as expected from Kochou Royalty, lay back and I will stitch you up. I expect I’ll need no more than eight, maybe even less. You were very lucky the knife did not penetrate very deep Prince… Princess. I suspect you can handle the poison, or do you have an antidote you would allow me to administer?”

“The purple pill bottle, just one should be enough for my side effects. Thank you.” Shinobu said, her voice hoarse as Mitsuri helped her to lay flat on the bed.

“And thank you,” Tamayo said in kind, readying to suture the wound closed, “for protecting Princess Mitsuri.”

“She may not be a Prince, but she makes an incredibly heroic knight!” Mitsuri chimed in, grinning when Shinobu turned away from her, the red shell of her ear still very visible.

“Try not to stimulate her up too much, she needs to relax. Also, you may want to look away, Princess. I’m ready to close her up.” Tamayo warned, knowing very well that such things gave Mitsuri, as she herself put it, the heebie jeebies. “Perhaps, you should begin dabbing the blood from your face if you think you can handle it.”

“Right!” Mitsuri shuddered, “I’ll be in the bathroom, call if you need me Shinobu!” She squeezed Shinobu’s shoulder and darted into the bathroom.

Shinobu’s eyes stayed firmly on the bathroom door as Tamayo worked on her. Whatever local anesthetic the Doctor administered was expertly crafted as she hardly felt a thing at all.

“Only needed six,” Tamayo murmured with a positive lilt in her tone, “when it heals, the scar might not even be noticeable.”

“I appreciate that,” Shinobu said distractedly. “Could you check on Mitsuri, please.”

“Already on my way.” Tamayo smiled softly.

Tamayo helped Mitsuri finish cleaning her wound. She needed two sitches, but luckily didn’t have a concussion. She did, however, twist her ankle a bit and needed to keep it iced and elevated when she made it back to the bed beside Shinobu.

“I suspect your family will be banging down the doors before long, Princess,” Tamayo turned to face Shinobu, “Is there anything in particular I can get you to wear? Something not too tight on the chest?”

“A loose nightshirt I suppose,” Shinobu sighed tiredly, pointing at the one of the lower levels of the dresser, “if I keep the blanket over me as well, that should provide enough of a barrier.”

“Here, I’ll help!” Mitsuri took the shirt Tamayo found and helped Shinobu into it. She smoothed out the fabric and fussed over Shinobu’s hair. When she was pleased, she kissed the top of Shinobu’s head and lowered her back into the pillows, snuggling up beside her.

“We’re ready, thank you again, Doctor Tamayo!” Mitsuri said.

“Of course, Princess. Should either of you need anything, please don’t hesitate to summon me.” Tamayo packed away her supplies and bowed before taking her leave.

Not long after, the girls were woken abruptly from their dozing by a handful of loud voices and tromping feet making their way into their chambers.

“Mitsu!” King Kanroji cried, bursting through the bedroom door without knocking. “My baby girl, your poor head!”

“Don’t crowd them dear, remember what Doctor Tamayo said.” Queen Kanroji warned, though she also rushed in to pet her daughter’s hair.

“And you!” King Kanroji focused in on Shinobu, “You, my boy, I can’t thank you enough! You saved my daughter, I owe you my life.”

“I would do it all again, your majesty.” Shinobu quietly proclaimed. She was too tired to say much more. Mitsuri looked at her as if she would start crying again.

“I have sent word of what happened here today to your mother. Once it is safe to do so, your family will come to the castle to see you. With all the information we squeezed out of Kaigaku, that should happen sooner rather than later.” King Kanroji explained.

“Thank you.” Shinobu winced as one of Mitsuri’s siblings crawled over her legs.

“Father, although I am very happy to see you all, Shinobu and I are quite tired.” Mitsuri said, her tone gentle. She removed her sister from Shinobu’s knees and shot her an apologetic smile.

“Ah, yes,” King Kanroji cleared his throat, “I’ll have Suma send in dinner later. If you need anything, I have Kyoujirou posted outside your chambers until Tengen finishes getting information from Kaigaku.”

“Rest well darlings.” Queen Kanroji began corralling the rest of her children towards the door.

When the door finally closed, Shinobu relaxed, nearly falling asleep, she flinched when Mitsuri touched her shoulder.

“Sorry!” Mitsuri panicked, “Did that hurt?”

“No, just surprised me,” Shinobu turned towards Mitsuri, “What is it?”

“Ah, nothing really.” Mitsuri blushed. She had always been one to show her affection through touch more than anything else.

“Okay.”

Mitsuri thought that would be the end of that, but a little while later, Shinobu whispered,

“So, what does this mean for us now?”

“Hm? What does what mean?” Mitsuri blinked.

“You know I lied about being a man. What should we do about our marriage?” Shinobu asked. Although she didn’t really want to know, it was better to just rip the bandaid off now than wait.

“Hm? Isn’t it fine the way it is?”

“Is it? I’m a woman. You and your family didn’t exactly know that before agreeing to this. Don’t stay with me because you feel obligated after I—“

“Shinobu,” Mitsuri covered Shinobu’s mouth with her hand, “don’t you dare finish that sentence. Whether you are a man or a woman or not quite either, that is such a small thing, it hardly matters to me. I didn’t fall in love with you because I thought you were a man, I fell in love all the little things, everything that makes you, you!” Mitsuri leaned over Shinobu, faces inches apart, her eyes not hiding even an ounce of the love she held for the woman below her.

“I love how you play with my siblings. When you talk to your plants when you think no one is paying attention. How your nose wrinkles and your eyebrows furrow when you get grumpy. The way you hum to yourself when we go on walks. How you kiss my forehead and cover me with a blanket when you think I’ve fallen asleep on the chaise. The little smile you get when you’re about to say something clever and the glimmer in your eyes when you tease… I love it all, there is so much I haven’t even begun to cover yet.” Mitsuri slowly dragged her hand away from Shinobu’s lips, letting it linger in the space between Shinobu’s jaw and neck. Shinobu stared up at her, mesmerized.

“You said before, that if what you revealed to me does not change what I feel for you, then nothing would make you happier than to feel my lips upon yours,” her thumb brushed against Shinobu’s bottom lip, making her chest hitch, “may I make you happy, Princess Shinobu?”

“Please,” Shinobu whispered, already breathless.

Mitsuri needed no more assurance, finally closing the distance between them. Shinobu gradually weaved her fingers through Mitsuri’s hair, she had never felt so warm.

***

One month after that faithful afternoon, Muzan’s forces were eradicated and the man himself was killed in battle. Finally, the Kochou’s were on their way to see Shinobu again and celebrate the allied kingdoms victory over the tyrant Muzan.

Shinobu and Mitsuri had continued to be discreet about Shinobu’s gender during that time. However as victory became more certain, they discussed how to tell everyone. They decided it would be a surprise for everyone to do the reveal when Shinobu’s family was set to arrive.

“That looks so good on you!” Mitsuri admired, spinning around Shinobu to see every angle. “Do you like it?”

“Yes,” Shinobu smiled, smoothing down her skirts. “Though pants are still more practical, it’s nice to have the choice. I must say, I am rather nervous.”

“Don’t be nervous! Just imagine everyone’s faces when we walk down arm in arm in our beautiful dresses!”

“Gods, you are so cute. I can hardly stand it.” Shinobu said. She kissed Mitsuri’s cheek before crossing the room to retrieve her shoes.

A round of knocks mingled with Mitsuri’s elated squeals.

“Princess Mitsuri, Prince Shinobu, our guests of honor have arrived!” Kyoujirou yelled.

Mitsuri wiggled over to Shinobu and offered her hand.

“Ready for first blood?” Shinobu smirked.

Mitsuri laughed and nodded in reply before announcing to Kyoujirou that they were ready. They exited their chambers with wide grins, watching Kyoujirou gape at them for a solid ten seconds before releasing a good-natured, hearty laugh.

“What a surprise! I had no time idea! Right this way then!” Kyoujirou motioned for the couple to walk in front of him, chuckling jovially as they made their way to the stairs.

“Kochous, welcome!” King Kanroji welcomed with open arms. His wife at his side, tried to corral the youngest children who were running around the horses.

“Kanroji, a pleasure.” Queen Kochou greeted, though it was clear that something else was on her mind, “Where is my son?”

“He and Mitsuri should be coming out any second, attached at the hip those two.” Queen Kanroji answered warmly while picking up a wriggling child.

“That’s nice to hear.” King Consort Kochou smiled shyly, Kanae and Kanao looking restless at his sides.

“Ah, there is Kyoujirou. They can’t be too far behind.” King Kanroji said, directing everyone’s attention to the castle entrance.

“Now presenting, the royal couple! Princess Mitsuri Kanroji-Kochou and Princess Shinobu Kanroji-Kochou!” Kyoujirou’s voice commanded the space, a large smile clearly visible on his face at the surprised looks all around.

“Kyou, you had one job!” King Kanroji yelled looking utterly embarrassed, “Don’t emasculate the man in front of everyone he knoooooOOOOOOOAAAHHHH!?!??”

Mitsuri and Shinobu came into view, practically falling over each other as they laughed. The varied reactions across the lawn were priceless, but King Kanroji’s sputtering was the greatest of all.

Kanae was the quickest to recover, and ran over to Shinobu in a heartbeat, sweeping her little sister off the ground in a tight embrace and twirling her around.

“I told you it would all work out, didn’t I?” Kanae smiled, finally putting her sister down, but not letting her go.

“Then what are you crying for?” Shinobu scoffed, ignoring the tears that escaped her own eyes as she held Kanae just as tight,

“I haven’t gotten to see my baby sister in nearly half a year, of course I’m going to be emotional.”

“Hi Shinobu.” Kanao quietly made her presence known, looking down at her hands as she wrung them together.

Kanae pushed Shinobu at Kanao and started in on Mitsuri, hugging her tightly and officially welcoming her to the family.

“Hi Kanao,” Shinobu huffed, gathering her up in her arms, “I turn my back for a second and you decide to have a growth spurt. So unfair.”

“Sorry.” Kanao said, though she looked anything but, bending her knees to give Shinobu a little height on her.

“You pulled a fast one on me Kochou.” King Kanroji grumbled, though he watched the scene unfolding in front of him with soft eyes.

“Perhaps,” Queen Kochou smiled, watching her husband run into the fray to sweep Shinobu into his arms. Queen Kanroji and Mitsuri’s younger siblings had also joined in to become more acquainted. “But would you rather have had it any other way?”

“No, I suppose not.” He gestured for her to follow him, “Come on, give your son, er, daughter a hug. Or are you scared I’ll see you cry?”

“Hardly.” Queen Kochou chuckled, spreading her arms out wide to catch her middle child when she came soaring at her. “My brave little butterfly, I’ve missed you so.”

“I missed you too,” Shinobu said, “so much.”

“Alright, alright,” King Kanroji called, “let’s take this love fest inside, Suma will get cross if the food cools before we get there.” He watched Mitsuri link back up with Shinobu, greeting his greatest rival, now her mother-in-law, with nervous energy. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten you little miss. Conspirators the lot of you!” He said, only holding out for so long before chuckling along to Mitsuri and Shinobu’s giggles.

After a lively meal and an evening of games, the Kochous were shown to their guest rooms for the evening. When Kanae heard about Shinobu and Mitsuri’s shared chambers, she wiggled her eyebrows at Shinobu which earned her a hard punch to the shoulder. Mitsuri couldn’t help but grin upon seeing her wife’s flushed face and coaxed her into their room before she could bruise her sister any further.

“She is so annoying. I swear I didn’t miss her at all.” Shinobu grumbled, not convincing anyone that her ire was genuine.

“It’s the big sister’s job to tease. I would know.” Mitsuri said, tickling Shinobu’s sides before the shorter girl batted her hands away.

“Hmph, sympathizing with the enemy I see. Well then you can go take a bath by yourself tonight.” Shinobu stuck up her nose at Mitsuri and began walking to her old bedroom that she hadn’t personally slept within in weeks. Mitsuri latched onto her back before she could get too far.

“Nooo! Shinobu, don’t go!” Mitsuri pouted, nuzzling and peppering small kisses on the back of Shinobu’s neck until the grumpy girl caved in.

“Fine, fine,” Shinobu sighed, turning in Mitsuri’s arms. Mitsuri on the other hand, seemed more than happy to lavish the column of Shinobu’s neck with attention than to head to the bathroom to start filling the tub. “Mitsuri, the bath?” Shinobu tried halfheartedly to remind her.

“Maybe bed first?” Mitsuri asked coyly, her fingers fiddling with the back of Shinobu’s dress. Her head dipped further down to kiss the faint scar on her chest.

Shinobu rested her lips on the small scar near Mitsuri’s hairline in return, “I suppose I’m not against the idea.”

That was all Mitsuri needed to sweep Shinobu off of her feet. Her mouth occupied and her vision obscured, Mitsuri used her memory to navigate to their bedroom and revel in the love they shared.

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