The sun shown brightly as Victoiré walked towards a pond with recently trimmed grass surrounding it, with Obi following behind her. She sat down by the pond, as she patted the space beside for Obi to sit, which he did.

"I always come here when I need some time alone. But in this case, I need, no, I want to tell you something Obi" Victoiré said, as she started trembling with tears brimming in her eyes.

Obi noticed the way she currently was, and reached out for her hand. "You don't have to tell me"

Victoiré gave a glance at Obi's scarred hand and shook her head. She gave a sigh and took a deep breath before speaking.

"You were one of the few people I begin to trust, and I thought you deserve to know what happened to me..." She said as Obi held her hand tighter. "I was a spoiled princess, everything I ever wanted they gave it to me. But everything started to change when my parents died during their trip to another country. It felt like my world started to crumble." She clenched her other free hand into fists as she remembered the memory from her childhood.

"But, Gin saved from that despair. And he was my first love..." She told him, giving a smile. Her expression instantly changed as she pressed her lips into a thin line. "And just one night, changed everything. I was kidnapped by Zen's best friend, Atri. They cut my hair and sold it to the market. My personal aide, Nova along with Mitsuhide and Lord Brother they came to save me but... Nova lost his life. And that's when I decided to hide away my hair. The sudden disappearance of the redhead princess of Clarines became a mystery in the kingdom. Even inside the castle, only some people know the secret that I have."

Strong arms suddenly wrapped around her small frame, her mouth went agape as she gave a glance at the raven-haired male.

"I'm sorry, I wish I had met you earlier as possible" Obi whispered.

Victoiré gave a slight chuckle. "It's in the past now"

"I want to help you. I want to help you get over your fear, I'll do anything just to see you make a real smile once again" Obi said, and broke the embrace as Victoiré stared at his mesmerizing determined eyes. "It's now or never, Princess"

Victoire felt crying once more, she wants to believe that he could help her. She gave a weak yet fake smile. "Thank you, Obi. I'm counting on you"

- - - -

There stood the princess at the front of the medical building. She yet gave another convincing smile as she opened the door as it revealed Shirayuki and Ryuu making a certain medicine.

"Oh, if it isn't the princess" Garrack said, approaching Victoiré. As soon as Shirayuki heard her the certain raven-haired princess' name, instantly rushing to go to her.

"What brings you here Victoiré?" Shirayuki asked, a smile plastered on her face.

"Nothing special, just wanted to see how you are doing" Victoiré said. "Well, I see that you're making a medicine, mind if I help?"

"Sure, we needed a hand anyways" Shirayuki said and turned to Garrack. "Right, Garrack-san?"

"Of course! If I remember, I did also teach the princess about herbs and how to make medication" Garak said.

With that said, Shirayuki grabbed Victoiré's hand as they walked to where Ryuu was currently making the medicine.

"Ryuu sorry for the wait" Shirayuki gave a quick apology as Ryuu gave a slight nod and continued working.

"Shy as ever Ryuu?" Victoiré asked, a slight chuckled coming from her. The young brunet eyes went wide and turned to where the princess is currently standing.

"Princess?" He muttered.

"Hello Ryuu, how are you?"

The young boy had a blush on his cheeks. "I'm fine princess" He whispered, enough for Victoiré to hear.

"That's good to hear, well, I'll help you out"

Victoiré grabbed a dried Spellamiso, and started to grind them using an old-fashioned mortar and pestle until it turned into powder. She gave it to Ryuu as he mixed it with the other grinded herbs.

"Thank you, princess. This is enough for now" Ryuu said in a soft yet quiet voice. Victoiré gave a chuckle and patted his head.

"Alright" She said and turned to Shirayuki. "I'll be going now, I'll come by again tomorrow"

"Good work today" Shirayuki replied. As soon as the princess left, Garrack approached Shirayuki giving her two folders with the name of Zen and Victoiré written at the front.

"These are Zen's and Victoiré's medical history. I want you to read them carefully. That's all for now" She said, before walking away.

Shirayuki decided to open Zen's medical history first, and the first thing she saw already made the redhead tear up, unaware of the fact someone went inside the room.

"They... experienced these horrible things during childhood?" She whispered to herself, yet the unknown person who went inside the room heard as well.

"Who did?" The voice questioned. Shirayuki's eyes went wide and looked at the person.

"Obi?" She asked, Obi grabbed the other folder from Shirayuki's hand, as he read the details carefully. He clicked his tongue before storming out of the room, bringing along with him the folder.

He opened the door of the room, not even caring his rude actions. When he saw the princess who was sleeping deeply on her couch, he approached her and held her hand.

"I didn't know you through alot more than I ever imagined..." He whispered, tears streaming down his face. Victoiré slowly opened her eyes when she felt droplets of tears falling to her cheeks, and the next thing she saw, Obi was crying. She noticed a familiar folder that Obi was holding, her eyes went wide. Victoiré rose from the couch to embrace the ex assassin.

"Obi, I did all those things to be able to protect those who are dear to me" She whispered.

"But... You don't deserve to experience this kind of hell" He whimpered, embracing the princess tighter.

Victoiré's face softened, pulling away from the embrace and cupped both of Obi's tear stained cheeks.

"I have you now" She said, and leaned forward and kissed his forehead. "And seeing you being like this towards me... it breaks my heart. And now, you are one of those people who I want to protect."

Obi's eyes were red and puffy but despite that, he gave a smile. A smile that made Victoiré's heart skip a beat, as he leaned forward his head resting on Victoiré's shoulder.

"I want you to rely on me too, I told you, didn't I? I'll help you, it's now or never"

〜〜〜〜〜

Helllloooo! i'm sorry, i wish i could've made this chapter better than it is, this chapter makes me cringe and its more like a filler for me tbh (● ˃̶͈̀ロ˂̶͈́)੭ꠥ⁾⁾

but i hope u enjoy it tho :-)

and yes, Obi is truly . . . . . . . . . ONE OF THE HOTTEST ANIME GUYS EVEEEEEEEEER

and love u guys xx

— イサ