(Y/n)'s beauty could not only impress the villagers, but it also caught the attention of the royals, specifically prince Tobirama. The way his sentence would come to a halt every time he spotted the beautiful woman by the bakery purchasing bread or playing by the village fountain with the local children, was enough to make even the elder brother of the prince chuckle.  However, despite her breathtaking smile and kind-hearted nature, giggles would emit every time she was seen with her face buried in an open book.

     Tobirama was a prince known for his intelligence. Many say he was the strategist behind the many fights fought and won by the kingdom of Konoha. They say he and his brother was the perfect brain and brains combination. So seeing the apple of his eye being taunted due to their addiction to reading, he was slightly ticked.

     It was a lovely day. He had escaped the clutches and duties of the stiff and boring castle. Off to the secret garden he went. Well, not so secret anymore. A gentle hum greeted his ears and the smell of fresh-baked bread invaded his senses when he entered the small garden, that was supposed to be hidden from the world. A figure sat by the edge of the pond, knitting in silence.  His eyes followed the scarf that was sprawled on the grass and soon landed on you.

     Luckily, you haven't noticed him yet. He watched as the sunlight hit the waters and reflected back onto your face, giving a slight glow that enhanced your beauty. Tobirama sat on the rock next to where you sat. You lifted your head, letting out a tiny gasp when you spotted red eyes that seemed familiar trained on you. "You're the prince, are you not?"

     He wore a sheepish smile, "That's right," pulling out a small sketchbook from his worn leather satchel and a sharp pencil. "Is it alright if I sit here?"

     "Yes, it's fine, your highness." you were a tad nervous, who wasn't? It's not every day you meet the prince, this was the first time your paths crossed.

     "Call me Tobirama." he gave another smile before he started sketching.

     It was quick to turn quiet. The sound of a pencil being moved over the same places on the textured paper and two wooden sticks dancing together created a soft cloth that continued to pile on your lap, joined with a little chirping from the birds.

     Who was the scarf for?

     No idea yet. You were just doing it for the fun of it. Just mindlessly tangling the yarn to create a long cloth made to warm one's body in the cold.

     What was Tobirama sketching?

     You. Little by little, the sketch created by his talented hands came together.

     "Father said I should find someone one day," he began, you hummed in response. He was relieved you didn't ask who, since he was about to say it anyway. "This is the person I want to bring home."

     He moved the sketchbook to your lap as it laid limb on the messy clutter that was your handmade scarf. The sketch came together in a mess of pencil strokes that pictured you sitting by the pond with a radiant smile on your face. Hands occupied by knitting a scarf that was piled on your lap with a single book by your side.

     You gasped sharply, cheeks pink with fluster and embarrassment when she realized what the prince meant, "Why me, your highness- Toborama?"

     "You don't want to have a better life than this?" he took his sketchbook back and with the corner of an eraser, he erased some accents he deemed imperfect. "You don't want to be my princess?"

     "What will your father think? For you to take a commoner like me?" your voice carried doubt along with it.

     "I don't care what he thinks. I'm not in the line of the throne anyways." it was a sad reality for anyone who longed to become king, but he never cared for the throne. As long as his brother can manage it then he can rest easy. He stored his book back into his satchel before standing up as he held out a hand. "So? Will you take this lonely hand, princess?"

     "Do you promise that I can still see my family again?" he stopped for a moment, red eyes widened at your sudden question. But he regained his composure as his smile grew even more lovely.

     "Of course." you took his hand. "Then I'll come with you, Tobirama."

     He gave his hand a small tug as if beckoning you to come closer before embracing you in a welcoming hug. "I'm glad, my princess."

798 words

［(－v－)］zzz

Check Chapter 91 :D