Chapter Six: Fire and Ice

Your POV

While we're on our way to our destination...

"Where did you get that dress-aru? It's rare for a villager like you who have that kind of clothing-aru." The Chinese prince asked me while petting his pet panda.

"I made it myself, even the designs and the weaving."

"You're a hardworking girl after all." - Francis

"No, not at all. It took me a week to do this before you visited here."

I glanced at them one by one but Ludwig was the one who captured my eyes because his body stands out like damn! I can see his toned upper chest but the problem is, he didn't even make eye contact on me. How confusing.

"What about your sister? Aren't you going to get her?" - Alfred

"She's probably asleep."

"Did you inform your a-parents about this?" - Feliciano

"I already told them."

"I-I saw you with a boy earlier, w-who is that? H-He looks familiar." - Arthur

"Boy? What boy? You mean Soo Young?"

"Who?" - Arthur

"Prince Im Yong Soo from Korea, he just came here for a vacation. Is there a problem?"

"N-Nothing much." - Arthur (looking away)

I elbowed Francis slightly and he looked at me because I'm sitting between Alfred and him.

"*Whispering* Do you know why is Arthur acting like a possessive person?" - Me

"*Whispering* I already know what's going on but he doesn't know it yet. I think he's jealous." - Francis

"*Whispering* Could you be a little specific? I don't understand you." - Me

"*Whispering* We saw you talking to a guy lately and he thought he's your boyfriend and started acting like an idiot." - Francis

"*Whispering* We'll investigate that later." - Me

Before our conversation ended, an arm wrapped around my waist and then pulled me close to "someone". It was Alfred.

"Alfred, not in front of everybody!" I muttered angrily and pried his hand off of me.

Actually, his hand made me calm and soothed. I glanced back at him to see holding a pair of earphones attached to his phone.

"Wanna share?"

"I'm not falling for your traps, your Highness. Don't you dare."

His face turned into a serious one, making my stomach flutter which obviously didn't let me look away for a moment. Those hypnotizing blue eyes, I can't help myself but to blush furiously.

"Sorry, I'm just joking. I didn't mean to do that. Here." He chuckled and handed me the left side of the earphone and plugged it on my ear without hesitation.

"I thought I'm going to plug it myself." I rolled my eyes.

"At least I've shared this to you, dummy." He chuckled again.

"Whatever."

He went to his music playlist and tapped the soundtrack:

Kiss Me - Sixpence None The Richer

I love this song! This is the reason why am I so starstruck-ed at Alfred and why am I interested in gardening. Every time I go to sleep or water my flowers or cooking breakfast, I always play this music whenever I need privacy.

Kiss me, out of the bearded barley,
Nightly, beside the green, green grass,
Swing, swing, swing the spinning step,
You wear those shoes and I will wear that dress

Oh, kiss me beneath the milky twilight
Lead me out of the moonlit floor
Lift your open head
Strike up the band and make the fireflies dance
Silver moon sparkling...
So kiss me

I remembered the kiss again.

Ugh, why can't my imagination fly away instead of crushing it into pieces?!

I felt my eyes getting heavy.

Third Person POV

The princes were looking at the attractions. They didn't know that (Y/N) and Alfred fell asleep in the middle of the ride and ended up cuddling. Feliciano was the first one to notice.

'I knew it! They are so made for each other!'

He grinned at the sight and elbowed Ludwig instead of startling the two sleeping (cuddling) lovebirds.

"Hey Ludwig, look at them sleeping. They look like kids cuddling on the living room."

The German's eyes went wide and his blood boiled because of jealousy. He don't want to show it to everybody that he's jealous of Alfred and he might kill him. He stayed calm.

"Y-Yeah, they are."

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They're at their picnic site where there are mountains, waterfalls, lakes, trees, and irresistibly beautiful flowers scattered around the place.

They already saw their cuddling session and decided to surprise them by readying the venue.

They went down the carriage slow and steady and got all the food, drinks, of course a large cloth for them to sit on, leaving (Y/N) and Alfred sleeping beside each other while the others are ready. Unfortunately, they need to wait for them to wake up.

Alfred's POV

After a couple of romantic songs, I felt something warm and comfortable and slowly opened my eyes. Miraculously, she woke up too and our faces ended up blushing furiously.

"W-What the heck, (Y/N)?!" - Me

"I was going to say that same line. What the heck are you doing?!" - (Y/N)

"Why are you sleeping on my shoulder? And who said that you're going to sleep on my shoulder, hm?!" - Me

"Wait, you're the one who slept on my shoulder first so you don't have the right to talk to me like that!" - (Y/N)

"Wait, what?! No, you're the one who slept first because of my music." - Me

"Hmph!" - Both of us

We crossed arms and turned away from her and so do she.

*Dub Dub* *Dub Dub*

My heart suddenly raced. Why am I arguing with (Y/N) when I can admit that I was the one who slept on her shoulder first. But this feeling...it's so ecstatic every time I'm near her, my heart keeps pounding even though I already kissed her. I thought my nervousness will go away but no...it made it worse and I'm becoming a TSUNDERE which is obviously noticeable to the other princes.

She was the second to the last who went down the carriage and joined the others while I needed some space.

Back to Your POV

I joined the others and sat Japanese style while they were sitting Indian style and something is bothering me for some reason. (By the way, my back was facing them.)

"Mademoiselle, are you alright?" Francis placed his hand on my bare shoulder and sat beside me. "Here, have some tea. This might probably calm you down." He gave me a cup of tea with a drop of chamomile extract.

"Merci. You're very kind." I smiled still looking down and smelled it before I took a sip of it. It taste so good! "Wow! You made this? Delicious!" I asked, glancing at the French man and back to my teacup.

Francis' cheeks went pink, "Y-Yeah. Ludwig helped me because he's an expert when it comes in making tea, right Ludwig?" He looked over his shoulder and saw the German pouring tea at Feliciano's teacup. He looked at him and nodded a little.

He looks back at me and I saw him looking away. I wonder what's got into him.

"Sorry because of my rudeness, your Highness-"

"You can call me Francis, that is...if you don't mind."

"If that's what you want." I nod once.

After that we ended up talking a lot of how hard can they handle their royal duties without rest and how do they cook since they're teenagers.

Francis can be flirty, but he can be a gentleman when you least expect it.

"...After that, the teenage girls I flirted with started chasing me in anger because the girl I flirted was her sister..."

While he's talking, I looked around and saw the others talking, eating, laughing and discussing about their duties at the castle. Something is missing literally, but you all know who it is.

I shouldn't have fought Alfred.

But he fell asleep first. And I saw it with my own eyes.

"Bella, what's the matter?" I snapped out of my thoughts when an Italian asked in front of me while he's crouching.

"I'm okay. I just...need some privacy. If you excuse me, your Highnesses." I bowed and walked away from them.

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After a long walk, I went to my favourite place: The cliff with a cherry blossom trees and a bench at the center.

I sat there, guilt rising up to my heart. Why do I need to argue with Alfred if I can apologize to him personally.

I just looked around the forest, there were some trees standing like 2 meters away from each other and there were also flowers like dandelions, sunflowers, roses especially the red ones, tulips and many more amazing plants scattered around the area.

"I wish you were here, Alfred."

"I am."

My widen and turned around to see Alfred rubbing the back of his neck and his cheeks were pink.

"I was wandering around the forest when I heard what you said, so I'm here to...apologize."

He walked towards me and then sat on the bench beside me.

"I just wanted to admit that...I was the one slept first because... because... It's been almost a week since we met and all I wanted to say is...please forgive me for yelling at you."

While he's apologizing, his hands held mine and looks at me with those sincere and hypnotizing azure eyes.

Without warning, he engulfs me in a hug which is obviously an apology hug. Then I heard sobs and sniffs as I felt warm drops of liquid on my back.

'Is it just me or is Alfred crying literally while hugging me?'

"I will never forgive myself if you didn't forgive me. I promise I won't do that again." He says as he keeps sobbing.

I've never seen a guy crying in front of someone, even me. I can't believe that men were so sincere when it comes to apologizing.

I pushed him away gently and wiped the tears away from his face.

"I apologize for yelling back at you. And I already forgave you for that." I cupped his cheek and pecked him on the lips.

The kiss wasn't rough nor a lovey-dovey type. Just a quick peck on the lips was enough for me.

Meanwhile~

Arthur's POV

Where on earth is Alfred and (Y/N)?!

"Hey, do you know where (Y/N) and Alfred went?" I asked.

"I don't know. You go find them yourself, we're very tired and I need some beauty rest." Francis flipped his hair like a boss.

"Seriously, where are they?"

"She went off to giver herself some privacy at her favourite place, maybe." - Feliciano

"Can you describe the place?"

"The place has pink cherry blossoms near a cliff with a bench at the center." - Feliciano

"You mean that cliff-aru?" We looked at Yao as he points at something with a fork. I looked at a cliff where there pink trees- wait...that's the place?!

"Let me guess Arthur, you're jealous of Alfred aren't you?" - Francis

My face flushed red. "N-No! Why would you say that? M-Me, j-jealous? How dare you say that?!" My eyes were twitching left and right as imaginary smoke came out of my face.

"Ooh~ you really are jealous~"

"Shut up, will you?!"

I look at the cliff again and I saw something moving, "Give me your telescope. Now." I glared at him and gave me his mini telescope.

I saw (Y/N) and Alfred hugging passionately.

"That brat."

I stood up and walked away stomping my feet on the ground.

"Where are you going-aru? Aren't you gonna finish your meal?" I heard Wang yell but I ignored it anyway.

Chapter 7: Childish Bodyguard

I was about to walk in when I saw a person holding an umbrella and a sling bag. I noticed that the tip of the umbrella was really sharp and very pointy. I stepped on a twig and its head looked at the noise.

(A/N): Author is now part of the story! Yay!

"Is someone there?" The person asked using his deep and growling voice. "It's just my imagination." Then it walked away. "I need to find the girl named (Y/N) before it's too late."

Why is it looking for (Y/N)?

Don't tell me...

I ran, sticking to the path to the cliff where (Y/N) and Alfred are located.

-------------------------

It took me a half an hour to walk and run and I finally found them sitting and laughing.

"(Y/N), someone is tracking you." - Me

"What?!" - (Y/N)

"He's holding an umbrella which the tip is sharp as a sword and he's on his way. We have to leave now!" - Me, holding her hand

I heard bush rustling and I saw a silhouette...that's him!

"There he is!" I exclaimed.

And when the light his him, Me, Alfred and (Y/N) backed away. He looked up and glares at us, except for her. He was wearing an oversized jacket, a pair of shorts above the knee, a pair of rubber shoes and his black hair was messy.

"W-Who are you?! A-Are you going to kill us?" - Alfred.

His brown eyes staring at us and slowly walked towards us, I've realized that we're located near a cliff so we have no choice but to stand still. He was inches from us and he touched (Y/N)'s belly.

"You two, back off." He commanded and we obeyed, leaving the assassin and (Y/N) under those trees.

Your POV

I was shivering from fear that he might kill me at any moment but when he looked a bit down to face me because I'm a bit petite than him, his terrifying face turned into a childish one.

"(Y/N), it is you! Oh, it took me a day to find you and I'm so happy about it!"

I was confused. How did he know my name and why is he searching for me?

"Wait, how do you know my name?" - Me

"Your father told me and he said that you need someone to protect you from any kind of danger."

"My father?" - Me

He nodded. The way he talks, I think this person's a girl.

"Are you a girl or a boy? Because of your voice..." - Me

"You're mistaken. And I'm a boy sounded like a girl and I have a girlish name."

"Can you tell me your name?" - Me

"You can call me Juliane if you want."

He really has a girlish name. How confusing.

"I heard you and the princes are having a picnic, can I join? I'm so SO hungry right now." He rubbed his stomach as it grumbles like an earthquake.

"Sure-"

"YAY! Come on!" He pulled me by the arm and started running while the two royals behind us started following us also.

Minutes later, we're back at the picnic venue, still holding my arm.

"Welcome back (Y/N)- who is that person clinging at your arm?" Francis asked me suspiciously.

"Wow, so many food to choose!" He exclaimed as he lets go of me and took a piece of bread and ate it, swallowing it whole. And he took two pieces of it and a glass of cold drink, he ate the bread again and drank the glass of drink without breathing.

All princes were shocked including me because of his appetite.

"Sorry for my rudeness." He stood up, "I'm Juliane, nice to meet you your Highnesses." He then bowed.

"Why do you have an umbrella sword? Are you an assassin?" Ludwig growled.

"Yup but I'm on the light side and I'm her bodyguard. Her father hired me to watch over her until my contract is expired."

"How old are you?" - Ivan

"I'm Fifteen years old your Highness. Thank you for asking." He said between chomps and sips.

"And you're THAT short?!" All of them asked shockingly as he gave them a simple nod before finishing his 'meal'.

I admit he was a bit shorter than me and more cuter than I've ever imagined.

"I do siestas in the afternoon and that's the reason why am I this tall."

"Incredible." I mumbled.

-------------------------

After Juliane and the princes got to know each other, I noticed a specific thing based on his appearance so I spoke up.

"Aren't you hot in that jacket?"

"This? No. Why do you ask?"

"I-It's not that I'm judging you but the sun literally hits you and it's very hot here outside."

"I got used to the temperature besides, my body temperature is low that it is cold as ice. Also, assassins need disguises."

"You have a point." I glanced at the lake and saw some fishes jumping from the lake. Since I haven't eaten fish for a long time so I decided to catch fish myself.

"You might get wet if you walked into the lake and you don't have extra clothes so I will get it for you." He set the glass aside and stood up, removed his shoes as he walks into the lake. For him, the surface of the water was touching his lower thigh. He took off his jacket and placed it on a boulder nearby.

Good thing he has a shirt on.

With the speed of light, he instantly got a tuna, a BIG one. He didn't even use a net to catch it, just his hand holding the tail tightly.

"Whoa, that's a BIG one." I stared in awe.

"Fried, Soup, or Sushi?"

"BOTH!!"

-----------------------------------

My parents allowed me to go the castle for a royal dinner and promised them to leave some food for their dinner.

While HE'S preparing our dinner, Arthur pranced over to me and said,

"If your bodyguard's an assassin, then why is he acting so childish?" - Arthur

"I don't know. But he has a reason. But the scent of fried tuna is so good I want to eat it right away!" I licked my lips and rubbed my stomach at the same time.

Since the kitchen room is beside the dining room, I went there to help him cook and prepare. When I got there, I saw him wearing the same shirt and shorts even when the apron is covering the front part of him.

"Can I help you with that?" I asked.

He flinched and looked over his shoulder.

"Oh (Y/N), can you check the soup and taste it if there's missing?"

I picked up a ladle and opened the cover of the ceramic pot as I took a sip of it. I added a bit of salt and took a sip again.

"Well?" He asks as he focused slicing the sushi roll and the fried fish.

"Delicious! I don't know you can cook this good!"

"Me neither. Cooking is not actually my hobby." He says as he flipped the fillet of tuna like an actual chef.

"Well, what is it?" I asked as I covered the pot full of soup with indulging tuna flavor and went beside him.

"I love drawing like nature, the sky and many interesting things that made me zone out of my thoughts. What about you?" Even for a bodyguard, I've never seen a bodyguard this gentle when he talks about his public life.

"I love gardening, it makes me feel lively. I remember my days as a child helping mom water her special flower, a sunflower which is tall as you. I wish I was a kid." I sighed deeply and there was silence.

We suddenly laughed.

"Come on, let's serve our dinner for tonight."

He turned the stoves off and he was holding two trays, one on each hand carefully while I was holding a tray the traditional way. Of course, the maids were helping us.

We went inside the dining room...

"Dinner is ready, your Majesties!" He happily exclaimed as drool slowly slide down to his chin. As expected, the princes cheered, including the King and Queen.

We placed the big plates and bowls full of tuna delicacies especially the sushi he made. I need to know what he really is.

Juliane's POV

I served each of them my tuna dishes and they started digging in with royalty.

"Delicious!" - Alfred

"This is so good!" - Arthur

"Yummy!" - Francis

"I want to eat this forever!" - Feliciano

"Wow, fried tuna's good!" - Ludwig

"Well-balanced, I love it!" - Ivan

"Oishi." - Kiku

"Sushi is amazing!" - Yao

I glanced at the King and the Queen, their faces are unexplainable and hilarious.

"What does it taste like?" I asked.

They took a while to think before answering...

"Unbelievable! How can you cook this good?"

I rubbed the back of my neck and laughed nervously as my cheeks go pink.

"Thank you for appreciating my tuna dishes, your Majesties."

"Your welcome, young man. Why don't you join us? You're the one who made dinner for us." The King insisted kindly.

"I'd love to."

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Your POV

"Good evening, your Majesties." Me and Juliane bowed and we went off with his umbrella sword in his arms and placed it at the sheath inside while he follows me.

"Say, can I sleep with you? I'm a bit scared if I'm inside a room alone even when ther no soft music."

I blushed slightly. It was the same reason three years ago, I was scared of something under the bed but not anymore.

"Sure, you can sleep with me if you want."

By the look on his face, I can see stars literally and his eyes were sparkling.

"Really?!" He asked in excitement.

"Really sure." I nodded.

In a blink of an eye, he was dragging me by the arm and ran towards my house with the bags on my other hand filled with indulging tuna meals. We passed the bridge, the houses, some small buildings and lastly, my house which is located not too far from the lake I always go for some fresh air and also my stress reliever.

When we got inside my home, I saw nothing. Its the same fully decorated house but something's missing...I went to the living room, nothing. The kitchen, nothing. The hallway, nothing. Where could they be?

I saw a note behind the front door that said:

Dear (Y/N) sweetie,

If you're looking for us, were at the mall right now and if 'he's' with you, tell him to change clothes. I already brought some clothes for him, it's located at the living room sofa. And like you said, "Better sleep early!"

Love,

Mom & Dad

I know that they're talking about.

"Have you found them?" He asks as he approached me.

"Don't worry, they just went out for a walk. And mom brought you clothes, its at the living room sofa."

"Okay."

I went to the kitchen again and microwaved the food I brought home. "Hey, if you want to eat again, the food is in the microwave."

"Got that."

Then I went to my room to get my beauty rest.

Third person POV

Juliane got his clothes brought from (Y/N)'s mother. He went to a nearby room and started to strip off his clothes.

----------

Once he got out, he is now wearing a blue oversized dress shirt and a pair of brown short shorts.

"Ah~ finally I changed clothes! Let me do some chores."

He picked up a broom and a dustpan and started cleaning the whole house. Of course, he dusted every inch and detail on every small object he found and placed it on designated areas. He took a piece of face towel and wiped the sweat out of his face and body. He heard a beep from the kitchen and saw the microwaved food was done so the took some bowls and plates and placed the heated food onto it and placed some parsley as garnish.

He decided to continue the cleaning as his reward for letting him stay at (Y/N)'s house for a year.

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He finished cleaning and stood at the center of the house.

*SHINY!*

Juliane laughed at himself for seeing the house as clean as polished marble and shiny as diamond.

He yawned.

"I feel sleepy." He went to (Y/N)'s room and saw her sleeping so he shook her slightly. "(Y/N), wake up."

She groaned as she flutters her eyes open to see his sleepy face. She knows why he's in her room. She adjusted to give him some room to sleep on.

"Good night."

Meanwhile~

When (Y/N)'s family arrived just in time, they went inside and they suddenly dropped their bags.

"What...the heck just happened?" Her Dad asked as the others stared at the house in awe.

"Wow! So clean!" Her mom twirled as she looked at the rooms. Until they heard light snoring.

They looked at each other before going to their daughter's room. Once they reached the door which is slightly opened so they peeked inside and saw their daughter sleeping with someone.

(Y/N)'s brother covered (S/N)'s eyes. "What the heck am I seeing?"

"If you want to know who's with her, why don't you check it out?" (F/N) smirked.

(M/N) went inside quietly and slowly removed the blanket, revealing her daughter and its bodyguard hugging him protectively.

"Aww~"

She slowly walked out of the room and asked the husband.

"I saw her hugging a boy, who is he?"

"...You mean her bodyguard?"

""Bodyguard"?"

"Yeah. The teenager you saw just now was her assassin bodyguard."

"AN ASSASSIN?!"

"Why do you keep asking me?! Let's take about this tomorrow morning."

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Your POV

I felt something warm and comforting and the time when I woke up, I saw a certain person's head snuggling into my neck.

I've never thought that an assassin this young could be so cute when sleeping. I noticed his cheeks turned pink so I pecked his forehead, making his cheeks turn dark pink.

"Good morning, my childish bodyguard."