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yume_to_amePairing: It's going to be a Jun-pairing, but I don't want to spoil it yet. It's either: Sakumoto, Matsumiya or Juntoshi. Jun/Aiba as brothers, and Aiba might get his own pairing.
Rating: up to R
Genre: royality!AU, romance, a bit fantasy,
Plot: To seal the new peace agreement Prince Jun is handed over as a gift to the neighbouring kingdom, the Highlands of Ice. There is a legend surrounding Jun and his sisters and brothers, namely that they hold a secret power which will only be awakened to the fullest when their owner falls in love.
Tired of reigning the Highlands of the Ice the king announces that one of his three sons - Sho, Satoshi and Kazunari - will inherit the throne. As all of them are good men, loyal and talented, he decides to put a challenge to it: Whoever wins the young mysterious prince's heart will marry him and get the throne.*
*Important sidenote: I will not make a love triangle or anything alike. Once Jun decided, he decided. Also Sho and the others won't play dirty.
Note: This is going to be really romantic, I promise :D and I promise you all (!) that the brothers won't treat each other like sh*t. It's super fun to write this! Please tell me what you think <3
The first thing Sho noticed when he looked at Jun was that he looked terrified. Of course he does. He was sent to an unknown country full of people that are strangers to him, leading a life he isn’t used to in a climate he isn’t used to live in. He surely feels horrible now. And Sho’s heart just clenches in sympathy for him.
Besides he is quite a sight. Features like Jun has are not very common in the Highlands of Ice. He looks so exotic and beautiful. His beauty is messing with Sho’s mind.
On top of that their father literally just dropped the bomb now by telling them he will choose his successor, to conditions he won’t tell them.
Hence Sho decides to hold an emergency meeting with his brothers in his chamber. “So,” Sho starts after a while, handing each of his brothers a cup of tea before taking one for himself. “What do we think about this?”
Kazunari hums. “I don’t like how it’s a sly move from our old man. He doesn’t even tell us his conditions. It’s like he wants to check how we react while not knowing anything.” He grins. “But at the same time I’m impressed by it. It could have been my idea, really.”
“You don’t mind us battling it out without knowing what it’s about?” Sho wants to know.
“It’s not like we have an option,” Satoshi says calmly.
“What do you think, Sho?” Kazunari asks in return.
Sho stays quiet for a while. “I want us to play fair,” he says after a while, carefully throwing a glance into Kazunari’s direction.
His little brother blushes. “I would never betray my own brothers,” he huffs. “Whoever wins, will win fair and square!”
Sho nods contently, knowing he can have faith in Kazu’s words. He might be a tease and strategic genius, but he is not a liar. Sho tilts his head, his mind going back to this very turbulent day, with the arrival of Jun. “What do we think about the young prince?” Sho asks curiously.
“He is indeed beautiful,” Kazunari grins. “I might just snatch him for myself.”
“I want to see you trying,” Sho grumbles.
“Why?” Kazunari grins. “Are you interested?”
Sho can’t help a blush spreading on his cheeks. “Well, he is pretty and so different to all the other men and women here. And kind of cute… how he blushed. I haven’t seen someone blushing for real in what seems forever.”
“I wonder what it is,” Satoshi muses after a while. “What’s making him so attractive? It’s like he is emitting certain energy. It’s like it’s magic.”
Sho and Kazunari look at him in surprise. “What do you mean?”
Satoshi chuckles. “Haven’t you realized? The moment father accidentally tugged his scarf off, everyone in the room got interested.”
“Well, he is beautiful,” Sho analyses dryly, not believing in magic or anything else. “Has a pretty figure and shiny hair. Then these lips and the shy smile. No one in this country is particularly beautiful, they are all warriors, and it’s cold, hence their skin is rough and their stature rather thick. Of course everyone is interested. I don’t believe in magic.”
Satoshi smiles slightly. “I’m not talking about magic, Sho. But that he naturally awakes a protective instinct in people. It’s interesting.”
“They say that a certain line of princes and princesses from the Luminous Fields are not bodily strong hence they have a natural alluring aura to keep them safe,” Kazunari explains randomly. “This is one of the more believable rumours. I have heard quite some more.”
Sho frowns when he hears Kazunari’s explanation. He is not interested in any kinds of rumours or alike, but something he finds worrying. “If this is true, and Prince Jun radiates a rather helpless aura, we need to watch out for him. This is a rough land,” he says after a while. “And as we all figured, he is beautiful. We need to make sure that no one here does something immoral to him.”
“Yes,” Satoshi says earnestly. “And we should do something about his situation here,” he adds. “He looked so scared the whole day.”
“I agree,” Sho agrees. “Let’s make him feel comfortable here and show him that this place and its people are nice.” He pauses. “So, we agree that we’ll play fair?”
“And we’ll stay loyal brothers forever,” Kazunari adds. “No hard feelings.”
“No tricks,” Sho says.
“No games, no badmouthing, no deliberate obstacles to the others,” Satoshi continues.
They all nod in agreement and clink their glasses to set their promise to each other. Sho smiles in relief. He has brought up this topic because he wanted to make sure what he already knew: They wouldn’t betray each other. When he takes another sip of his drink, he thinks about Jun again and how he sat at the dinner table, pretty pale and intimidated, looking like a little sheep with a hoard of wolves. His heart clenches slightly. Poor guy, was sent to an unknown country as bait. Like he was sold to them. He probably has nowhere else to go to.
Besides he looks way too fragile in Sho’s eyes. He probably has never had the chance to train with someone or be outside. The kingdom he is from is known for its sunny weather, but this kid is so pale like he hardly goes outside.
~~~
As Sho guessed correctly Jun indeed hardly leaves his chamber. He hasn’t seen him anywhere else except for the dining room and the salon for breakfast, lunch and dinner. He answers to questions and is always polite, but immediately retreats to his room when he can. Just as Satoshi said they need to make him relax. First of all he needs to like this place here, or at least give the country a chance.
“We should probably try to become friends with him,” Sho says to Satoshi when they see how Jun excuses himself to his room again.
“Yes,” Satoshi answers. “He is scared.”
“The situation is indeed unsettling for him. He was basically sold to our father.”
Satoshi smiles. “Sho,” he says calmly. “That’s a problem too. But furthermost he is scared of us.”
Sho blinks. “Of us? Are you sure? But why?”
Satoshi shrugs.
They don’t have the time to discuss it further as they get interrupted by their father’s guard Nagase, demanding their assistance. Later that day however when the sun shines unusually high and warmer than normal, Sho decides to lure the young prince out of his chambers.
Jun answers the knock immediately, his eyes widening when he sees Sho. He seems to be nervous all of a sudden, and Sho immediately recalls Satoshi’s statement from before. Jun might be scared of them…?
“Sho-san,” Jun eyes him warily. “May I help you?”
He smiles warmly, trying to ease the other’s tension. “Indeed you can,” he says non-chalantly. “I need a training partner.”
Jun is obviously surprised by his request. “A training partner?”
“I haven’t practised my sword fighting skills in a while, and as everyone else is preoccupied I wondered if you would like to join me.”
Jun’s eyes widen. “But I don’t know how to fight,” he stutters.
He is so cute!! Sho’s heart immediately warms up. “Do you want to learn?” he offers. “I have trained lots of guys and even women before, you can trust my abilities.”
“Women here learn to fight?” Jun asks in obviously surprise.
“If they want to.” Sho nods. “So, what do you think?”
Jun blinks again. “I… do you think I can?”
“Why not?” Sho asks surprised.
“I’m pretty weak,” Jun explains. “And not really trained. I’m probably going to hinder you more than to help you.”
“I doubt this is possible.” Sho looks at him openly. “As I said I’ve trained lots of young guys up to now. And I’m sure you will do well. We’ll start slow.” He looks at Jun thoughtfully. “The princes in your country don’t fight?”
“It depends on the skills we were born with,” Jun points out cryptically. “My favourite older brother is trained. But I was not allowed to fight. I was supposed to stay inside…”
Stay inside… Sho eyes him in interest. He wasn’t allowed to go outside? But why? “What kind of skills were you supposed to train?” he asks. “Study?”
“Only the necessary,” Jun mumbles, blushing. “I wished I would be more educated…”
Sho laughs. “If you want to study and learn more, I’ll talk to Satoshi. He can help you.” He looks into Jun’s room and points at his warm jacket and scarf. “Dress warmly,” he orders. “I’ll wait for you outside.”
Jun stares at him in surprise. “Satoshi-san?” he asks. “You will ask him to help me with my studies? But… I don’t want to bother anyone.”
Sho chuckles. “You don’t.” He smiles. “Give us a chance, Jun-san, to prove you that we are actually decent people.”
Jun’s eyes seem to light up at Sho’s statement, relief washing over his face. “I…” he smiles carefully. “I would love train with you.”
“Then come,” Sho says casually. “I’m going to await you at the entrance hall.”
~~~
Jun lost count of how often he dropped down into the snow, but each time he did, Sho kindly helped him up again. He felt cold first when he stepped outside, the land covered by snow. Everything is so white but at the same time scary that Jun doesn’t even want to take a closer look.
To his surprise though he doesn’t feel cold anymore when he and Sho train. Sho looks firm and strict, but is a surprisingly patient and good teacher. One and a half hour later Jun’s footwork became so much better that he doesn’t drop down anymore on the slippery ground. He doesn’t even know how long they have been outside until Satoshi approaches them from a larger, flat building which Jun assumes are the stables.
“Enough you two,” he says firmly.
Sho chuckles. “But we are having so much fun older brother, right Jun-san?”
Jun nods. “Yes.”
A smile spreads on Satoshi’s face. “Then you can continue tomorrow.” He waves towards Jun, waiting till he approaches him and wraps a huge scarf around his body.
Jun blushes. “But I’m feeling warm.”
Satoshi chuckles. “Now you do.” He tucks Jun into the gigantic scarf properly. “But working out made you sweat and once you cooled down, you will realize just how cold you feel. And we don’t want you to catch a fever, do we?”
Jun nods shyly. “We don’t.”
Satoshi chuckles. “Don’t give me such a sheepish look, or I’ll feel like I’m your parent. And I’m really not that old.”
Jun smiles. “No you aren’t.” And. “Thank you.”
Sho has put their practice-swords – naturally they didn’t start with real ones for now – and armour aside and cleaned everything up before approaching them too. “Did you have fun, Jun-san?”
Jun nods. He really had. “You were so patient, thank you. I’m sorry for being so bad.”
“Not at all,” The look in Sho’s eyes is honest. “You weren’t bad at all. Considering this is even your first lesson, you were showing quite some understanding.”
“He is right,” Satoshi agrees. “I watched you for a while. Your body is flexible and you know how to move.”
“But I lack strength,” Jun argues, feeling slightly embarrassed at being a man and not having any strength at all. In this country here everyone seemed to be so strong. And Sho told him that even women here train and know how to fight.
“You can easily build up muscles,” Satoshi explains to him. “Give yourself a proper chance. Besides there are different kind of strengths. Take use of the goods you have, and the other parts will blossom too.”
“Satoshi,” Sho smiles. “Sometimes you sound like the personification of Buddha.”
“Indeed he does!” another voice can be heard from behind them and with a swift movement Kazunari has swung himself over the fence and sat down on top of it, feet dangling. “But he knows what he is talking about.” He winks at Jun. “Just don’t let him scold you too much.”
Satoshi rolls his eyes. “I’m not scolding anyone.”
“You totally do,” Kazunari teases. “You have this calm exterior and then you say something, and half an hour later I realize you actually were reprimanding me or someone else. It’s a gift, really.”
Jun smiles all of a sudden. He doesn’t know why, but his heart feels warmer all of a sudden. He still remembers the king’s words, that he needs to marry one of his sons, but this fate here seems better than staying at home and getting a random guy chosen for him, someone who treats him as a gadget only, a tool, someone who doesn’t even consider his feelings or well-being. Someone who won’t tease him just to make him laugh, or take the time to train him and scold him when he doesn’t watch out for his health. Of course it’s still an arranged marriage, but at least these three guys treat him with respect. For someone in his position and with his abilities, it’s already a huge step forward not to be seen as a mere tool. These three seem not to be too bad after all. He doesn’t need to be madly in love, he has already given up on this long ago. When he was a child and it got discovered what he was, he knew he would never have a choice. A kind person who treats him with respect is all he wishes for. At one point he knows that that these three princes will realize that they have to battle it out between them, so that one of them can marry him and inherit the throne, but Jun doesn’t mind…much. They are kind enough.
~~~
Aside from his deal with Sakamoto and Nagase and their well-formed plan to tell Jun and his sons individually what this will be about, Koichi is not someone to put pressure on others but at the same time doesn’t like to keep things solely to coincidence. Also he doesn’t like the fact that he plaid with open cards towards Jun, but kept things from his sons – it’s against his upfront nature. Hence he is glad that his plan allows him to indeed talk to them. Wondering how they should achieve it that his sons and Jun would still act natural around each other, he and his partners in crime – namely Nagase and Sakamoto – came to the conclusion it might be the best to tell his three sons too, but not tell them that Jun knows. All parties involved are informed then but won’t know about each other’s information.
Hence he calls his sons to him said evening. He sends his servants away and pours all three of them and himself a drink, signalling them to sit down. While they still chat with each other, he starts playing a party of chess with each of them, very delighted by the fact how much they differ in their choices. Sho will always go into direct attack, Kazunari will play tactical and Satoshi will stay defensive first, almost like he doesn’t care, and then strike out of the blue. They are good men with individual strengths, each of them with a good heart but with different ways to handle a problem and solve it.
Koichi chose to play along with using Jun as bait, because he knows his sons will eventually be interested in him. But the fact that the young prince was probably always seen as a tool with only one use seen in him – namely his secretive power – won’t make it easy for them to make him fall for one of them. And as Sakamoto told him, Jun needs to fall in love to be able to use the full amount of his power… whatever that’s supposed to mean.
Whoever of his sons manages to make him open his heart might need to show he right amount of insight, patience and sensitivity. All of them are smart, nice, and good fighters, well-respected, but he wants to see which one of them actually can be this other personality too.
He smiles slightly. “I decided on something.”
“Again?” Kazunari asks, as always not afraid of anything or anyone.
Koichi’s lips tug. “It might not come as a surprise to you, or maybe it does. If you think about it properly though, you will realize it’s only the inevitable consequence.”
Sho eyes him curiously. “What do you want us to do, father?”
Koichi looks at them for a long while, insistently. “I want one of you to marry the young prince,” he comes to the point immediately, but doesn’t tell them that it’s his condition to get the throne. This part of the game will remain his secret.
His sons’ eyes go wide. “Marry?” Sho asks in surprise. “What…” He exchanges a surprised look with Kazunari.
“I mean… we know we are in that age, and you already told us you were looking for fitting partners,” Kazunari admits. “And our options are limited as we can’t just marry anyone.”
“We’ll of course accept anyone you choose for us, father,” Sho agrees. “We are just surprised that it’s a political marriage.”
Satoshi doesn’t seem to be surprised, hence Koichi eyes him curiously. “You are not surprised, my son?”
Satoshi shrugs. “I figured there was a reason you immediately summoned us when he arrived. Also, he was sent here as a gadget. An offer of peace. There are only two solutions for him to stay here…”
“Right,” Sho says warily. “I didn’t think about that… He has two possibilities to remain in this country legally. Be a slave or prisoner…”
“…or marry,” Kazunari adds.
“I do not keep hostages, but I can’t merely keep him as a guest either, not forever. I talked to the general, his personal guard, and Nagase-san has been sneaking around the guards, trying to gather as much information as possible. Jun-san is said to be strong in mind and smart, and kind. He has the ideal qualities to be a partner for one of you,” Koichi says calmly. “He will be a good choice of husband.”
“He is indeed interesting,” Sho points out. “I won’t deny that. I’m just surprised by how his country treats its princes. Because he told me he was never allowed to train outside or even be much outside. He also said his father didn’t see the necessity to let him study much. What is his purpose?”
Koichi hums. “His purpose lies probably somewhere else. Like a rare creature he needed to focus on different things. No one estimated it important that he would study something or get a strong body. It’s not why he exists.”
“Pretty sad,” Satoshi comments. “I thought the people of the Luminous Field are a lot more respectful towards each other, not that cold hearted.”
“They are,” Koichi explains. “But I told you, Jun and maybe also some of his sisters and brothers have important… gifts. It makes them different. Like a valuable possession but at the same time they also evoke envy and fear.”
Kazunari rolls his eyes. “Prejudice and discrimination. So, they kept him like they would keep a rare animal.”
Koichi nods. “And you, my three sons, are slowly approaching the age were you need to present our country with a fitting spouse or fiancé. A marriage with Jun-san will tie our countries together and keep the lands in peace. Don’t forget I’m still your king. I chose Jun-san. One of you will marry him.”
They nod at his words.
Kazunari tilts his head, a frown gracing his pretty face. “Who?” he asks, as always his sharp mind works perfectly. “Or are you saying we are supposed to battle it out between us?”
“That’s exactly what I meant,” Koichi answers dryly.
“We understand your orders,” Sho says. “But allow me one question.”
Koichi nods.
“Why don’t you choose one of us for him?”
Koichi eyes them for a while, before nodding slightly. He can answer this question. “A certain bloodline of the princes and princesses of the luminous field have certain powers, but it says they only awake when they fall in love. This kid comes from exactly this bloodline.”
“And you believe that?” Sho asks in surprise. “In magic?”
“We have dragons and fortune-tellers here,” Koichi points out. “It’s just as magical. So, do I believe that this kid has a power that only awakes fully when he is in love? Maybe I do, maybe I don’t.” Koichi looks at them earnestly. “No matter what. I expect you to give your best and make him feel well-respected and appreciated here. This is going to be his home from now on, and I want him to gradually feel like he belongs here. Treat him with kindness and respect, just like you would treat anyone else. Clear?”
His sons nod. “Yes.”
All three of them seem to be deeply in their thoughts. That’s good, Koichi grins. He has seen them interacting with Jun already. Now he has just pushed them into the right direction…
A/N: So... the brothers decided to fight fair.
Sho seems to be interested and is already going into attack? :D The others need to follow fast and not wait too long, it seems ^^
Oh, and they now know they are supposed to court Jun (they don't know though that whoever wins his heart will become the next heir)
More hints about Jun's special power. I'm curious what you'll think once I reveal it ^^
no subject
Date: 2017-05-20 04:25 pm (UTC)Hihihi... I love how these three brother make Jun smile all day. Jun must be excited if he can learn anything he want with them. And more curious about Jun's real power. Is his power to make everyone fall in love with him? XD
But somehow I just... why I feel something bad will happend? *i hope only my feeling, nee?* hope Satoshi will make his move. I'm worried about Kazu who will make a surprised 'attack'.
Just make sure our Jun-chan will have happy happy ending~
Sankyuu or this chapter and will wait for next chapters~
no subject
Date: 2017-06-04 04:43 pm (UTC)I thikn Jun's power might come as a suprise (hopefully I'll be able to surprise you ^^)
Thanks so much for your lovely comment!! ♥
no subject
Date: 2017-05-20 05:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-06-04 04:43 pm (UTC)Thanks so much for reading and commenting! ♥
no subject
Date: 2017-05-20 10:13 pm (UTC)I hope that the three brothers will be able to help him to learn all the things he wans to know.
Thanks for the update *hugs*
no subject
Date: 2017-06-04 04:44 pm (UTC)Thanks so much for your support, my friend <3
no subject
Date: 2017-05-20 11:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-06-04 04:45 pm (UTC)All three of the brothers are trying hard to make Jun feel better, right? :-)
Thanks so much for your lovely comment! ♥
no subject
Date: 2017-05-21 05:40 am (UTC)I'm curious about what will happen now!:D
Thanks for the update ^^
no subject
Date: 2017-06-04 04:45 pm (UTC)Thanks so much for reading, my friend *huggles*
♥
no subject
Date: 2017-05-21 11:54 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-06-04 04:46 pm (UTC)Thanks so much for reading!! <3
no subject
Date: 2017-05-21 04:37 pm (UTC)Thanks for writing this! I love it already! (How many times have I said I love this? lols, sorry)
no subject
Date: 2017-06-04 04:47 pm (UTC)And yes, they will fight fair and square. I hope Jun's power will come as a surprise to you ;-)
Thanks so much for your lovely comment!! *hugs*
♥
no subject
Date: 2017-05-24 10:25 am (UTC)I still have no clue what Jun's special power is, but I eagerly await for the moment when you reveal it. :D Will the next chapter have more Juntoshi/Matsumiya action then? XD I'm surprised at how you made Sho a swordsman, but i really like the idea ^^ Most people would make him the intelligent type, no? Hahaha. But excites excites. :D
Looking forward to the next chapter <3 *hugs*
no subject
Date: 2017-06-04 04:48 pm (UTC)Jun's power will hopefully come as a surrpise. Yes, this chapter was more Sakumoto focused (he turned to be the swordsman because I couldn't imagine the other two in this role at all *lol*) next chapter has more Juntoshi and Matsumiya (just like you said :-))
Thanks so much for reading, dear!! ♥
no subject
Date: 2017-05-25 03:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-06-04 04:49 pm (UTC)(*LOL* Yes, next to Sho's strenght and Nino's casual attitude, Ohno indeed comes off like a grandpa)
Thanks so much for your lovely comment!! ♥
no subject
Date: 2017-05-29 03:39 am (UTC)Jun's sword training was reallh cool, I am sure he'll going to be good in it.
Thanks for the update. ❤❤
no subject
Date: 2017-06-04 04:50 pm (UTC)I'm curious if the end-pairing will be the one you anticipated :D
Thanks so much for your comment, dear!<3
no subject
Date: 2017-07-02 01:18 pm (UTC)And slowly Kazunari becomes my favorite prince... I wonder how he will be attacking Jun *kyaa*
Prince Satoshi is so lovely. He is so caring and he is always calm lol I love how calm he is :3
Prince Sho is quiet effected by Prince Jun. Of course who wouldn't effect from our exotic prince <3 They are so cute!
And being fair... I loved it! I don't want them to go betraying each other at all >.<
I need to read more! Its so good!
no subject
Date: 2017-07-05 06:48 pm (UTC)I'm happy you like Prince Kazu by the way <3
(They won't betray each other, I promise)
Thanks so much for reading ♥