My gentle guard •Asanoya•

Chapter Three

Nishinoya pov

I wake up to one of my servants getting me. "Prince, the king requests your presence." He explained. I groan in annoyance, why must I be called to my father at the ass crack of dawn. I look out the window, drop that, it's not even dawn yet. It was pitch black outside, moon shining brightly in the sky. The feint light glowing from the moon rested upon my furniture in my room. My servant goes away once I acknowledge him and I get out of bed.

Normally, I would get dressed but not today... tonight? What should I call it? I slip my warm and fuzzy slippers on before moving my body through the hallways, stairs, living rooms and more hallways before I got to my mom and Dads room. I knock quietly and go in. Dad looked at me and ushered me over to the edge of his big bed. I sat on the corner and he started talking

"You know, you're getting close to the age. You'll be 18 soon and you know what that means. You'll get married to a beautiful princess and succeed my throne." My father told me. I frown very visibly. I don't want to get married yet. I'm not ready for this yet. I don't want to just marry some random lady, I want to actually love them.

"But Dad... why can't I just find someone I truly love?" I ask sadly. We've had this conversation many times before but it's much more serious.

"We've gone over this many times before. We need to form alliances. You are the one to become the next king." My father explained for the millionth time.

"Dad, I get it, ok? I just want you to give me a chance to find someone myself" I say quietly

"Fine," I wasn't expecting my dad to agree "you have until your birthday to find that someone."

My eyes widen. No way. "What- really?!"

"Yes. Sorry for calling you in so early. I just wanted to tell you while it was still on my mind. You know how forgetful I can be" he laughed lightly. I nodded and he sent me back to bed.

I was walking back to my room when I realized I wasn't tired anymore. I decided to just walk around the palace to find something to do. I see the grandfather clock on the wall, 4 am. I left the inside to the garden and walk around there for a bit. I started to hear noises from a bit further so I follow them. It was coming from the training field.

I walk over and peek over from behind a bush. It was Asahi practicing his sword skills on a wooden dummy. Is that all he ever does? I watch him for a bit. Maybe about half an hour. I finally decided I would go up to him. "Asahi!" I giggle as I skip up to him.

Asahi flinches then looked at me. "Oh- hey!" I finally reach him and give him a hug. "What are you doing here? And up so early? It's almost five am you know?" Asahi asked.

"Well, Dad requested my presence an hour ago and I wasn't tired anymore so I decided to walk around a bit." O explain. But now that I think about it, my sleepiness is catching up. Asahi nodded and set his sword aside

We both sat down on the ground next to each other. Asahi was adverting his gaze away from me and that's when I remembered I sleep shirtless and I didn't put a shirt on before I went to my Dads room. His cheeks were red. I know I'm not seeing things. "What were you two talking about?" He asked nervously.

"Oh, just the boring old 'you're the successor of the throne. You need to find a wife'" I put air quotes and talk in a deeper voice to mimic my dad.

"Oh yeah, you have to do that soon..." Asahi mumbled.

"Yeah, but he's being flexible. I don't really want to just marry some random princess I don't know. He said that if I can find someone I love before my birthday then I can marry them. Otherwise I have to marry some random girl." I explain.