The prince and his three knights: Chapter 6

[lilly0]

Title: The prince and his three knights: Chapter 6
Pairing: 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

It’s evening when they finally arrive back home, and much to his surprise Jun doesn’t feel bad or depressed when they approach the huge castle. It doesn’t feel like a prison to him anymore. They take the path to the stables immediately. Though Jun got accustomed to riding by now, he still feels tired.

 

“Let me take your horse to the stables,” Sho offers. “I’ll brush it and feed it. You are for sure bone tired.”

 

Jun shakes his head wildly. “Rock is my responsibility. I have to look after him myself.”

 

“Great,” Kazu grumbles and glares at Satoshi. “You traumatized him. Now he thinks he is irresponsible whenever he doesn’t do something himself, although he is almost dropping unconscious from tiredness now.”

 

“No,” Jun shakes his head again. “I used his services after all. It’s just right that I-“

 

“Told you,” Kazu rolls his eyes. “Traumatized.”

 

Satoshi blushes a bit and looks slightly guilty. It gives a weird twitch to Jun’s stomach, because it’s not been his intention to make him feel bad.

 

“What are you even talking about?” Sho wants to know.

 

Kazu gapes. “You didn’t realize?”

 

“Realize what?”

 

“The whole drama went past your eyes?” Kazu asks in disbelief. “On the first night when Rock went nuts?”

 

Sho blinks in confusion. “What kind of drama?”

 

Before Kazu can say something, Jun intervenes. “Nothing, really,” he says with a bright smile. “I enjoyed every moment of this trip, nothing else matters.” He really did enjoy this trip, much to his surprise. He didn’t even need to remember Sakamoto’s advice or his own common sense, because these three guys were so kind to him and showed him around with so much genuine warmth and motivation, apparently full heartedly happy that he enjoyed it. Just spending time with them was wonderful already.

 

He smiles happily while he attends to his horse, not quite noticing the happy glances he receives from the other three.

 

 

~~~

 

When they approach the castle together, the first thing Kazu sees is his father, this rather weird Sakamoto-san and a tall auburn-haired man, waving slightly. Jun’s eyes go wide, and then he seems to forget everything around him, even his obvious tiredness, and just runs and flies into the guy’s arms. To see him hug someone else makes Kazu feel instantly annoyed, and judging by Sho’s and Satoshi’s upset expressions, they aren’t too pleased either.

 

“Who is this!?” Kazu whispers in slight annoyance. “I’m only competing against my brothers, not against some random stranger!”

 

“Definitely,” Sho agrees. “I’m only accepting you guys as competition.”

 

Satoshi nods, but before he can answer them, Jun has turned around, tugging the man with him. “This is Masaki,” he exclaims with a dazzling bright smile that seems to be able to light up the darkness of the night. It’s the first time they see him smiling like this. “My favourite brother!”

 

“Ah,” Sho makes and obvious relief shows on his face. “Your brother, Jun-san! It’s nice to meet you, Masaki-san.”

 

“Yeah, very nice,” Masaki grumbles, glaring at them. He puts his arm around Jun’s shoulder possessively. Seems like he by now got to know about how they were courting his little brother.

 

“I promise, he is a very friendly guy normally,” Sakamoto explains with a devilish grin, enjoying this way too much. “Jun-kun makes him possessive.”

 

“I have every right to be possessive,” Masaki huffs. “Jun is my favourite little brother. And one of you.” He points an accusing finger at them. “One of you took advantage of his innocence and his pure little heart.”

 

Sakamoto snorts.

 

“His…what?” Sho asks in disbelief.

 

Masaki’s eyes are narrowed in anger. “Which one of you monsters lured him to bed!? Answer me!”

 

Their father’s eyes seem to come bulging out, while Sakamoto raises his eyebrows. It’s only then that Kazu realizes that all of them are looking at them curiously. He wonders where they actually got this idea from!? Jun meanwhile seems to be frozen in shock by his brother’s question.

 

Kazu rolls his eyes. “Seriously…”

 

Sho chuckles all of a sudden. “I can only talk for myself, but I’m sure the same thing goes for my brothers: None of us lured Jun-san to bed. We wanted to show Jun-kun the country, make him see the hidden places. None of us has ill intentions towards him. In fact we all have the highest respect of him.”

 

“Yes,” Satoshi smiles at Jun, one of his rare bright smiles. Satoshi is not always showing his emotions directly, but it seems like Jun somehow talked to his heart, like he probably did with all of them. It’s probably because Jun tries so whole-heartedly to do things right, and because he takes it to his heart so much when someone is mad at him. “We want him to feel at home here, and we want to know him better because he is kind-hearted and precious to us.” He pauses, eyeing Jun first and then Masaki, and his brothers.

 

Kazu nods. “Let’s lay it open now. We like your brother a lot, and respect him a lot. If anyone gets closer to him then only legitimately, and when he chose so himself but definitely not against his will or in an inappropriate way.”

 

Appropriate. Marriage. The thought hits Kazu out of the blue. Marriage is damn serious! Wow, he hasn’t even thought about it that much up to now. He wonders if he is even ready to marry. He eyes his brothers from the side, but both of them seem to be pretty relaxed at the thought.

 

Jun blushes at his words, while Masaki is obviously wavering a bit. “But…” he mumbles. “The wasteland…”

 

Kazu looks at him in confusion. What is he even talking about?

 

To his relief though Jun seems to have found his voice again. He pushes at Masaki’s arm. “Masaki,” he says seriously. “No one lured me to bed or did anything to me. Their intentions were solely out of their kind-hearted souls.”

 

Masaki’s eyes widen in shock. “But… but this means… No~” he whines.

 

“What do you mean with no?” Satoshi asks pointedly. “I thought you were just being worried that one of us might have done something immoral.”

 

“Jun,” Masaki whines, apparently ignoring them now. He wraps his arms around Jun. “You can’t fall in love with one of them! Definitely not! Why don’t you like Yamaguchi-kun? He is nice! Like a fluffy bear. Or even Sakamoto-san that old grumpy hag?”

 

“Lo-“ Jun blushes, pushing him aside. He turns around on his heels. “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m going to unpack my bags.”

 

Kazu chuckles inwardly when he sees how Jun’s cheeks are coloured in a soft red. Then however it hits him what Masaki just said. Love? Did Jun fall for one of them? But how do Masaki and the others know?

 

Sakamoto looks after Jun before eyeing them intensely. “Good,” he says happily. “I didn’t believe you would do something against Jun’s will anyways. Which means…” he smiles. “It’s pure. The growing feelings are pure.”

 

“What does this mean?” their father asks curiously.

 

Sakamoto smiles. “That your country will change, step by step.” He chuckles. “Just wait and see…”

 

Kazu eyes him in confusion. What is he talking about? What do they know and keep from them? He doesn’t miss the weird glance Yamaguchi and Sakamoto exchange and the look of hope in their father’s eyes, and then of course Masaki’s unsettlement.

 

 

~~~

 

 

Jun isn’t even sure what he is looking for, or rather who. Masaki’s words at the entrance of the castle right after their return unsettle him. Because… what… he likes… loves… does he really? Like one of the brothers? His heart makes a few careful jumps and a smile spreads around his lips before he realizes he is dozing off again, a stupid habit really.

 

But it’s not bad, is it? He has to marry one of them after all, marrying someone he likes is good… Just that probably the brothers are just kind, and not in love with him or anything alike. It’s for sure just one-sided. They want to become king after all, and please their father. It’s their duty to marry.

 

Jun sighs.

 

“Wow, this was deep,” he hears a voice behind him. When he turns around Sakamoto and Yamaguchi are walking down the corridor.

 

“Ah, it’s nothing.” Jun forces a smile to his lips.

 

The two men exchange a look before Sakamoto frowns in worry. “I didn’t take Masaki-san’s words before seriously, but… Jun-kun, they didn’t do something to you, did they?”

 

Jun shakes his head fiercely. “Of course not,” he huffs, not minding if he is defying Sakamoto now or not. “They would never do something against my will! They are not bad people.”

 

Sakamoto looks sincerely relieved. Much to Jun’s surprise though he doesn’t get angry at his defensive attitude, instead he smiles. “I never believed they would do something bad to you, but I couldn’t be a hundred percent sure either.”

 

“What’s bothering you, Jun-san,” Yamaguchi says warmly. “Are you feeling homesick?”

 

“No,” Jun says, eyes widening at his own realisation. “I don’t feel homesick,” he stutters. “Is that bad?”

 

“Not at all,” Sakamoto soothes him. “Do you start liking it here?”

 

Jun looks at the floor, blushing slightly. “I’m not even sure when it happened that I don’t hate this place anymore. It’s snowy and cold, and apparently they only have a two month summer period, and the farms have difficulties because of the long winters and the occasional bad weather, but I don’t know… the country is rough, but still pretty. Just like the people. And everyone…” treats me with respect. “… is nice.”

 

“The fact that at home they weren’t nice to you, is not your fault,” Sakamoto urges. “I hope you know that. It’s their wrong, not yours. The people here seem to be simpler, but it doesn’t make them cold-hearted.”

 

“I understand that now,” Jun agrees.

 

“So, if it’s neither the country nor the people, what is it then?” Yamaguchi asks again.

 

Jun bites down on his lips. “Did the wasteland really start having vegetation again?” he asks nervously.

 

Sakamoto and Yamaguchi exchange a look. “You didn’t miss Masaki’s words,” Sakamoto says. “Does it bother you?”

 

Jun shrugs. “I’m not sure if I understand. I mean, all of them were so nice, and there was a moment where I could feel my heart… I’m just not sure what it means. And especially who… and I…” he pauses. “Sorry for being a rambling mess,” he says in frustration.

 

“Jun,” Sakamoto says unusually soft. “To be honest, we all hope you will fall in love. You might think we want it for this country’s sake – to be honest that’s how we sold it to king Koichi – but Yamaguchi-kun and I want it for your sake. And the king really likes you too. You do not need to apologize for having feelings or for not being able to voice them yet.” He nods towards Yamaguchi with an encouraging nod before he turns around slightly. “I’m going to leave you guys alone for now. The king wanted to talk to me.”

 

Jun knows immediately it’s a lie. Once Sakamoto is away, he sighs. “He wants us to talk alone, right?”

 

“He has never been good with pretending,” Yamaguchi grins and tugs him along to his room. “He thinks you might feel more comfortable talking with me.”

 

That might be true. Jun’s not sure how to answer, hence is glad that Yamaguchi first prepares some tea for them. “You like one of them, don’t you?” he finally asks.

 

“I think so,” Jun admits quietly. “But I don’t know who it is…”

 

“Just give yourself some time,” Yamaguchi argues. “You have just realized that you might like someone, you don’t need to pressure yourself. Sakamoto-san is right. We want you to become happy.”

 

“But what if the other person doesn’t like me back?” Jun asks nervously. “It must be frustrating to be forced into marriage.”

 

Yamaguchi looks at him in surprise. “That’s what’s on your mind?”

 

Jun shrugs.

 

“Why do you think they might not like you?” Yamaguchi asks in return. “You do not spend so much time with someone and try so hard because you don’t like him.”

 

“But the king told them-“

 

“The king told them his wish to see one of them marry you. They don’t know it’s the condition to succeed the throne,” he explains much to Jun’s surprise. He thought the brothers would know it by now. “He also told them to treat you well. But he never said they should go on a trip with you to make you like this country. He also didn’t say that they should train your sword fighting skills or teach you about history or go out with you and go to social gatherings. It’s their decision. What they are doing and how they approach you, is solely their doing.”

 

“Are you sure?” Jun asks in disbelief.

 

“Yes,” Yamaguchi chuckles. “It’s more than a mere tactic. But who can blame them? You are sweet and attractive, and have a good heart.”

 

“But I’m also whiny and helpless,” Jun argues.

 

“Not at all,” Yamaguchi argues. “No one blames you for being sad because you were sold by your father. You are kind and always do things wholeheartedly. You just need to work on your self-confidence. That’s all. You are gradually growing.”

 

Jun isn’t quite convinced, still it’s comforting to hear it. “But how do I know who I like?”

 

“No one can help with you that,” Yamaguchi says softly. “Take your time, meet the brothers individually and figure it out by yourself. One day you will for sure naturally realize who it is.”

 

 

~~~

 

“You are sporting a really difficult expression,” Sho interrupts his trail of thoughts.

 

Jun has decided to take a walk outside to clear his mind from the talk with Yamaguchi. It’s still cold but it doesn’t feel as cold as it was two months ago. “Do I?” Jun tries to smile do diffuse Sho’s obvious worried expression.

 

“And now you are trying to make me feel better by pretending to be alright,” Sho teases and takes off his scarf. He wraps it around Jun’s neck and basically tucks him into it.

 

“I’m not feeling cold,” Jun tries to argue weakly, though he enjoys how fluffy and warm Sho’s scarf is and how it smells like his bathing scent. And a bit like the stables. Kind of manly. At the same time he feels embarrassed that Sho gifts him with a scarf…  again. He really needs to think about how to redo the favour because Sho is always so attentive. “And now you are without a scarf.”

 

Sho chuckles. “You are still not used to the cold here,” he says with a smile. “I am. And I don’t want you to catch a cold.”

 

Jun returns the smile shyly. “Thank you, Sho-san,” he says. “You are always so attentive.”

 

“It’s nothing,” he says, and shows Jun a warm smile. Before he can say more though Kazu and Satoshi join them.

 

“Hey guys,” Kazu eyes Sho in obvious interest. “Why are you looking so happy?”

 

“Shut up,” Sho mumbles half-heartedly.

 

“Well, in fact we were looking for the both of you,” Kazu looks at him with a grin. “Shun-san and Kiko-chan invited us a lot throughout the last weeks, we should redo the favour.”

 

Sho nods. “That’s true. Have you thought of something?”

 

“I’m not sure yet,” Kazu sighs. “Let’s talk to our father first, and see what he thinks.” He turns his attention to Jun now. “I’ve found some of the books you were interested in. Whenever you feel like it, pick them up from my chambers.”

 

Jun looks at him in surprise. “You still remember?” It was weeks ago that he talked to Kazu about a few books he wanted to read but didn’t know where to find.

 

Kazu grins. “It’s not that hard to remember. You were the only one basically asking me for something, so it was easy to recall.”

 

“But I didn’t want to put any pressure and work on you to go out of your way,” Jun argues.

 

Kazu chuckles. “Satoshi really traumatized you,” he teases, making Jun shift around nervously. He eyes Satoshi, who seems to look almost a bit worried.

 

“It’s really not like that,” Jun defends himself. “I really had fun, and…” he pauses. “You are making fun of me, aren’t you?”

 

Kazu grins. “Yes, your reactions are kind of cute.”

 

Against his will Jun has to laugh a bit. “You are so silly,” he teases back.

 

“That’s the spirit,” Kazu answers with a wink. “So, come for the books whenever you want to.”

 

Jun smiles. “Thank you.”

 

One of the men waves at them from the stables. Sho sighs. “They are waiting for me, sorry guys.” Before he can leave though he turns around again. “Are we proceeding our training tomorrow, Jun-san?”

 

Jun nods eagerly. “Yes, please! I hoped you would ask.”

 

When Sho left them, he is alone with Kazu and Satoshi. “Say,” Jun says to Satoshi and Kazu after a while. “What’s this back there?”

 

Satoshi looks at the direction Jun points at and smiles knowingly. “Ah, this.” He smiles and signals Jun and Kazu to follow him. The thing Jun was curious about is an old, dry tree, and he wonders why it’s still there, in the middle of the huge yard in front of the castle.

 

“That’s the symbol of our town,” Satoshi explains.

 

“I know what you think now,” Kazu grins. “An old dry tree, as the symbol of a town. How pathetic.”

 

“This is not what I thought,” Jun argues. “But… I do wonder about how it’s a town symbol.”

 

“Well,” Satoshi explains in his calm and soothing voice. “It’s the first plant that got planted before this city was built. There are a millions of romantic stories surrounding it. I can tell you all about it when we have our lesson tomorrow.” He looks at the tree thoughtfully. “The tree has more of a symbolic worth by now because it hasn’t been blossoming since centuries. I wonder if it’s even still alive.”

 

“Can I touch it?” Jun asks carefully, not wanting to step over a certain boundary. But the white trunk is a bit alluring. Like it’s calling his name.

 

“Of course,” Satoshi smiles. “Touch it.”

 

Jun lets his fingers glide over the tree, trying to feel its juice of life. He has a feeling for trees and plants, it’s been his favourite hobby back at home. “It’s still alive,” he says when he rests his ear against the trunk. “Weak, but alive.”

 

Kazu looks at him in astonishment. “You can feel it?”

 

“Yes,” Jun smiles. “I’ve always had a thing for plants and flowers.”

 

 

~~~

 

 

As his most recent talks with the brothers did confuse him more than it helped him, Jun wonders what to do. Aside from his own confusing feelings something else lies on his mind though, and he decides to get it out of the world first.

 

The guards show him the way to Satoshi’s chambers and much to his own dismay he feels nervous when he approaches them. He has never been here, unlike Sho’s and Kazu’s private place. It’s difficult for him to read Satoshi or understand him.

 

He knocks at the door, his heart beating faster. “Come in,” Satoshi says from inside.

 

Well, no running away again. Jun opens the door slightly, looking inside. Satoshi looks at him in surprise. “I’m sorry to interrupt you,” Jun mumbles meekly. “But I…”

 

His voice trails off when he sees the inside of Satoshi’s room. It’s apparently not his bedroom or anything alike, but more like an atelier. He is sitting in front a potter’s wheel now, hands dusty and wet from the mud.

 

“You can paint…” Jun asks in surprise. “And do other beautiful things?”

 

Satoshi chuckles. “It’s not that awesome, Jun-kun.” He waves with his hand. “Why don’t you come inside?”

 

“Is it really okay to step inside?”

 

Satoshi chuckles in amusement, and Jun nods with a smile, closing the door behind him, carefully coming closer. Satoshi proceeds with his work and Jun watches him in fascination, how he builds a beautiful vase out of basically nothing. “This is so beautiful,” Jun states in fascination. This whole place here seems like an oasis of calmness. It’s almost soothing to be here. “How can you do this?”

 

Satoshi laughs. “It’s pretty simple,” he says warmly. “Do you want to try?”

 

“I don’t know how though,” Jun points out. “I’m sorry.”

 

Satoshi squeezes his eyes a bit but still smiles. “We talked about this already, didn’t we?”

 

“Too much apologizing?” Jun asks in return and grins, to his surprise it’s suddenly a lot easier to communicate with Satoshi. Since their little trip it seems like the latter warmed up towards him.

 

Satoshi nods and smiles. He cleans his hands with a wet towel and then offers his hand to Jun. “Come,” he says.

 

Jun nods, letting Satoshi pull him towards the potter’s wheel, and sits down at the bench. Satoshi stands next to him and grabs his arms, his hands resting on Jun’s before he activates on the wheel and starts forming a pretty little cup.

 

It’s unbelievable that he can actually make something like that, okay, with Satoshi’s help, still… it makes him remember why he came here. “Satoshi-san,” he says carefully. “I wanted to tell you… you didn’t traumatize me or anything alike.”

 

Satoshi stops the movement for a moment but apparently recovers fast. “Are you sure, Jun-kun?”

 

“I learned an important lesson from you,” Jun explains, his voice surprisingly steady.  “Don’t let them tease you. I know what you wanted to tell me back then, and you do too. Nothing else matters. I just don’t want you to feel bad!”

 

Satoshi stays quiet for a while, and for a minute Jun can only hear the sound of the wheel. “Thank you,” Satoshi finally says, voice hoarse. “Thank you, Jun-kun.”

 

 

 

~~~

 

Nagase runs so fast he almost knocks Yamaguchi off. “Kochi-san!” He calls out, much to Koichi’s surprise calling him rather informally while others are around. “The tree!”

 

“The tree?” Koichi blinks.

 

“The white tree,” Nagase explains.

 

“The dry thing in front of the castle?” Masaki asks curiously, recently he has been joining them a lot for their little gatherings and card games. And Koichi has come to like the charming and cheerful young man.

 

“It’s the town symbol,” Sakamoto explains without much empathy for the dried up little bundle of branches out there.

 

“It blossoms!” Nagase calls out.

 

Koichi laughs. “No way.”

 

“By my life, it does,” Nagase points at the door. “The buds are small and hardly visible, but they are there. See it with your own eyes.”

 

Koichi shakes his head in disbelief but follows Nagase’s wish, merely out of curiosity. He is sure that his old friend just got tricked by the light or the reflection. Maybe he drank too much last night. Hence he doesn’t eye the tree with much interest. It’s still white and dry, except for this tiny green part at one of the branches and-

 

Koichi’s eyes snap open. A green part? He bends forwards, eyes widening. Nagase was right. The tree is showing life.

 

 
A/N: And, stage free for Masaki! He will appear more often from now on, I promise. He is not happy with his little brother marrying one of the brothers XD
Meanwhile Jun seems to have fallen for one of them for real?  And  more mysterious things happen ^^

Also, I decided that I will reveal Jun's chosen one during the next chapters ( I mean gradually. I think it will be clear around chapter 11) and not drag it forever. And then focus on their relationship. And also see what's going to happen with the two brothers that will eventually lose. What do you think about that plan?