Chapter Text
“Princess Lumine, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is Kamisato Ayato."
A man bows politely to a young woman, who blinks in surprise by the sudden introduction. She knows who this man was. He was one of the Lord Commissioners of Inazuma, an ally of Khaenri'ah, her kingdom. With pale blue hair and violet eyes, he was one of the most attractive men she ever saw. The mischievous glint in his eyes though, that spelt trouble, and Lumine, the outcasted, unloved princess, should stay far away from such a man.
Why else would a powerful man like him talk to her, a princess with no power? Her parents paid no heed to her, her brother tries to get her in trouble every chance he got, the palace staff overlooks her and the nation forgets her. He probably wants to use her, and she wasn't going to get wrapped up in any scheme of his. She was nearing her 18th birthday - the plan was to leave Khaenri'ah and the life of an unloved princess behind for a more simple, happy life in a foreign country. She has it all planned out - and a scheming Lord wasn't going to throw a wrench in her plans.
Lumine bows to Kamisato Ayato, turning to leave when she hears a low chuckle from the man, a deft hand gently cupping her chin to lift her head up to meet his gaze.
“?!”
Lumine blinks in shock and backs away from the man; they were in a quieter, more secluded part of the ballroom; how else would he be so daring? And even so, he shouldn't be so daring - she glares at the lord and huffs.
“Excuse me, I have to go—.”
Lumine says in a curt tone, spinning around to run in the direction of her quarters, done with today when a hand, firm but gentle grasps her wrist and pulls her towards back to the man in question.
”Now, now. Princess, I mean you no harm, if you would just listen to my proposition, instead of running away.” A soft, breathy tone whispered into her ears as she gulped nervously, slender hands rested on her waist as he pulls her closer to him, her back against his chest. What was this dude’s deal anyways?!
”You know, princess Lumine, word is that you are to be engaged to Lord Childe of Snezhnaya, better known as Tartaglia. And, my sources say you have quite a bit of history with him.”
Lumine gritted her teeth as Ayato whispers to her in a low tone, his grip on her not loosening. He is not someone you should trifle with, this man. She pulls at his arms around her waist.
“Mmm. So feisty. I suppose you tried to escape, didn’t you? I heard about a commotion earlier this week in the east wing of the palace.”
She did - and she was going to try again - she refuses to marry the loyal dog of the cold-hearted Tsaritsa.
”…What the hell you want, Lord Ayato? Everyone knows I have no position or status in Khaenri’ah; my parents, the king and queen, ignore me. My brother, the future king, dislikes me. The palace staff pay no heed to me nor does the Kingdom cares about their only princess. I have nothing to offer you.”
”Wrong, princess. There is something I want from you.” Lumine is surprised at the gentle tone as he laughed slightly, releasing his hold on her waist to take her left hand in his own, kneeling on the floor with a smile.
“Princess Lumine Viatrix of Khaenri’ah, will you accept my proposal to become mine?”