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[deniles]

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[deniles]

[He began to follow around, looking closely at everything that was everywhere. Blinking slowly through each of the doors that was opened and getting a closer look.

It was massive. Niles, for once in his life, definitely thought he could get very easily lost.]

I... see. What is the purpose of the queen's chambers? Don't we sleep together?

[lightninglobster]

[Ryoma doubled back when Niles mentioned the queen's chambers, pulling a key from a nearby bookshelf and undoing the lock, gesturing for his lover to proceed him while the servants set up a table in the bedroom full of their tea and food.]

Well, in Hoshido's past, there have been kings with wives who... couldn't find rest next to their husband, for whatever reason. Or, kings who kept a few other young ladies, and so would rather their wives weren't in the room while they... eugh.

[The hallway to the queen's chamber was a short one--it was beautifully appointed, and had clearly been decorated by a softer, kinder hand. It wasn't as big as the kings rooms, and there were another set of doors on the right--as well as a large window that peered out over the promised gardens.]

I know my mother would occasionally sleep in her own chambers when my father was working later, or if she was tending a particularly fussy baby while he was trying to rest. She'd also dress in here while my father took private visits and reports from Saizo the Fourth.

[Stop focusing on the harem aspect. The doors to the right led into what had once been a nursery, and another bathing room.]

[deniles]

[Niles is planning on not saying anything about the harem aspect. He already brought up his concerns about it, and how he doesn't want it. Ryoma seems to be in the same camp.]

The way you talk about it, it sounds like you're the first king to take a husband.

[Not that he minds, of course. He keeps walking and looking. Particularly at the gardens outside.]

I see the appeal. I do plan on mostly sleeping in your chambers, Ryoma.

[It's trying to keep track of everything. At the very least, if he does get lost, Ryoma is sure to hear him.]

Our chambers, that is. So the gardens truly are just ours?

[lightninglobster]

[Ryoma would find... something to do with the harem room. Maybe a renovated set of guest chambers, or a nursery, or... something. He didn't want to have to use it for its original purpose.]

The first in a very long time, as far as I recall. I can count on one hand how many kings had a male consort... the number goes up if you count the number of acknowledged male concubines, if that makes you feel better?

[Always look on the bright side? The private gardens were... lush. Colorful. One of the public gardens was made of rock and sand, meant to be raked into thoughtful patterns, while another centered around a beautiful pagoda for outside dining. The gardeners had apparently decided to experiment with the family's gardens, looking for exciting new combinations of flora and fauna.]

I'm glad. I sleep easier when you're by my side.

[Ryoma doubled back to the main chamber, going to unlock the door to the little mudroom that led to the garden--a last minute precaution against intruders and the like, as well as a place to change without tracking dirt all over the floors.]

It's the royal family's--if you look across the way, there are a few more doors. One of the doors leads to the main nursery, and those three doors lead to my siblings' adult rooms.

[deniles]

[Niles did have an idea for it, but if Ryoma had something better for it, then he was welcome to take care of it.]

I don't feel sad about it, if that was your concern. Rather, I'm curious and amused.

[It was beautiful. And he was thankful for the opportunity to go out and look around. Stepping into the mudroom as it opens, he makes sure his yukata is tied up so that it doesn't accidentally open.]

And I with you. It's been a rough little bit.

[He takes a deep breath, slowly stepping out into the fresh air. This place felt far cooler than the rest of the castle, with beautiful flowers everywhere.]

...Well, there go my ideas for morning plans. I'll have to get dressed first.

[Is he joking or serious? It's truly hard to say.]

[lightninglobster]

[Ryoma was all ears. He'd never been much of an interior decorator, truth be told.]

Hoshido is old fashioned, for better or worse.

[Ryoma smiles over his shoulder, changing his slippers for something more appropriate for the outdoors before he slides the screen leading out. There are plenty of places to sit in the garden--it's been built to be comfortable and cozy, a little slice of paradise just outside the king's door. Ryoma goes to linger by the koi pond, watching the fish swim under the bridge that arched over the stonework pond.]

I look forward to both of us resting easier--and the days when my siblings have things that take them away from the castle.

[Ryoma is joking. Probably.]

[deniles]

It seems that way. I wouldn't want to lose it.

[Niles stays barefoot. Mainly because his shoes are not appropriate at all for this, and it feels nice to walk through grass. Eventually, he'll get a wardrobe here that Ryoma can approve of.]

I already have ideas for Takumi.

[He smiles and turns to look at his fiance.]

...You look more handsome here in the sun.

[lightninglobster]

Tradition is something to be respected... but it's also something that needs a firm kick in the ass every now and then.

[Ryoma will order him slippers for walking around in the bedrooms, and in the halls, and in the outdoors... Saizo was already on a hunt for some temporary measures. At the mention of Takumi, however, one Ryoma's brows was on the rise.]

What do you have in mind for my little brother?

[... and then he was flushed, smiling and looking back to the fish.]

I do all right, I think.

[deniles]

I am happy to give it the firm kick in the ass.

[Giving a quick nod and a chuckle. That is what he's best at.]

I think he would quite enjoy spending some time in Nohr with Leo. Helping improve trade routes.

[He moves closer to Ryoma, reaching to touch his hand lightly.]

More than alright... my love.

[lightninglobster]

You will be the dawn of a new day for Hoshido.

[He was only partially teasing, kissing Niles' knuckles and tugging his soon-to-be husband close, leaning back against him with a happy little sigh.]

Oh. Oh, I see. Poor Takumi will have no idea what's racing right for him. I feel like I should protest you waggling my brother at your lord like a particularly tasty cut of steak...

[And yet, the thought was entirely too funny.]

[deniles]

I’m preferable to the rise of a new moon myself.

[Niles always prefered the moon over the sun. Dawn compared little to dusk for him.]

Ex-Lord, Ryoma. You snatched me away from Leo, after all... so cruelly.

[Not denying it in the least.]

[lightninglobster]

Hm. It is a more apt comparison for you.

[Ryoma smiles, curling fingers in Niles' hair and playing with the pale strands, brushing a kiss over a lock of hair as he drew him close.]

What can I say, I only strive for the best and the brightest. Perhaps Takumi is a fitting trade--a prince for the love of my life.

[deniles]

Don't consider it a trade... consider it an offering.

[He smirks. Is he serious? It's so hard to say.

The next few days go by fine. Niles starts getting ready for the engagement presentation where all the nobles will be coming to see him for the first time. Niles is unfortunate enough not to have the same tailor as Ryoma... Oboro. Who still does not like him.

So he goes to the in house tailor, and the day before the ceremony, he receives his outfit in his room. Alone.

Minus Saizo behind him.]

...Saizo. What color is this?

[It's pink. Floral. Bright. The exact opposite of all of Niles's clothes.]

[lightninglobster]

[Saizo is silent at first, eyeing Niles sullenly as if he's expecting some trick or trap, gazing hard at the cloth as if there was some secret to be gleaned from it... but it's garishly pink cloth, with no tricks or traps that Saizo can find.

It's definitely not his color.]

It's pink. I didn't think you cared for pink.

[deniles]

I asked for it in black to match Ryoma's red.

[He looks at it and lets out a sigh as he sits down and carefully looks it over. It's...]

...There's not even time to make a new one, is there? We go out tomorrow.

[lightninglobster]

[Well. That's a conundrum, now isn't it? Saizo's brow wrinkles like he's frowning, dead eye opening to a slit as he stares at the pink garment. It is beautifully made, richly detailed

and absolutely meant as an insult.]

There is always time for mistakes to be corrected. The tailor must have misheard you.

[At least, that's what the idiot better say, if the way Saizo is picking the robe up and starting for the door is any indication.]

[deniles]

[Well, there goes Saizo. Meaning Niles is going to follow after him carefully.]

Misheard me. I'm sure that's it.

[Considering he never brought up the word 'pink', he's starting to believe that this was the first of the many sabotages he'd experience here.]

[lightninglobster]

If it wasn't an honest mistake, it's going to be a problem.

[And you do not want to be Saizo's problem. He cuts a look to Kagero as he passes her, her eyes lingering on the pink garment with an arched brow and a small frown. She matches pace with Saizo for a moment, going the opposite direction from him as the red haired ninja lets himself into the tailor's room.][Target sighted. The tailor is in Saizo's sights.]

[deniles]

[The tailor looks up from what he’s working on, an outfit for one of the nannies.]

Ah, hello Saizo and Niles. Is there something wrong?

[Niles pauses and frowns, looking from the outfit to the tailor.]

This... isn’t what we discussed. I didn’t want pink.

[The tailor just smiles and moves over.]

I think pink would be better for the event. Have you even tried it on?

[Which was proof enough that the tailor actively went against Niles’s wishes. Which leads to him frowning.]

[lightninglobster]

Lord Niles.

[Saizo is not here to play this shit, son. His eye narrows when the tailor opens his fat gob, straightening up as he stares the man down.]

Pink was not what was asked for. Why did you deliberately choose against his highness' wishes?

[deniles]

[It causes the tailor much discomfort to be stared down like this. Niles is, however, looking a bit more confident that he’s not being an asshole. The tailor straightens up.]

Black is such a dark color. It wouldn’t look good on Lord Niles or for the event.

[It almost sounds like the words Lord Niles are disgusting to the tailor.]

Pink is nice and everyone will like it.

[lightninglobster]

[Saizo doesn't need to blink.]

Lord Niles has a dusk complexion and carries black well. Pink will clash with his majesty's red outfit.

[He stresses red, and turn pauses. Brow wrinkling.]

Not that it matters, because you were given a direct order that you ignored. Why?

[deniles]

I simply believe that it will go over much better.

[As if the argument ended there. Niles looks from the outfit to the tailor and back. He has one moment to be an asshole, so he takes it. Grabbing the scissors and using them as a throwing knife, lodging in the wall behind the tailor. The tailor looks shocked and scared.]

I don’t care if it goes over well. I want to look nice beside Ryoma. Make me ablack outfit.

[No shit taken.]

[lightninglobster]

You were not asked what you thought of your orders. You were told to follow the specifications given.

[Saizo doesn't even flinch when Niles makes a point, brow raising.]

Are you colorblind? Incapable? Do you not have the skill required?

[deniles]

[Niles is thankful Saizo is right beside him just as unhappy. If he wasn’t? He might have been more quiet. The tailor looks nervous as he becomes surrounded.]

It’s black. How hard is it to do this in black? Do you need help? Maybe someone to replace you?

[Found another pair of scissors.]

Saizo. Get Ryoma before I wear red tomorrow. All over.