::
You walked silently through a grassy field under a pitch-black canopy that stood far above you. It was nighttime.
The moon was out, the stars were out and a cool breeze blew against your neck as you walked slowly with Lord Kibutsuji by your side.
You were currently travelling up a hill to a location of his choosing and you had dressed up for the occasion wearing a blue kimono with a matching blue ribbon in your hair.
You wanted to blend in with the night and blend in you did, your outfit complimented the shining yellow stars perfectly. It accentuated your pretty features and brought attention to your eyes and lips.
This was officially your second visit.
You were elated. Your stomach felt like it had a million butterflies in it and you couldn't help but feel as if you had gotten closer to him since your last visit.
You still hadn't told your father about the fact you were visiting Kibutsuji but you figured he didn't need to know...at least not yet.
Today was no different. He didn't know you were out here with him. He was out with a client and wouldn't be back until tomorrow.
You made it to the top of the hill and your eyes looked down at the scenery around you. You could see far into the distance. The town and lanterns stood out to you, the large never-ending forest on the west side was a nice sight too.
"Oh my," you spoke softly.
Kibutsuji looked over at you.
You spoke, "It's quite a scenery."
"Is it to your liking?"
"Yes my lord. It's simply stunning," you nodded as you tucked a piece of hair behind your ear, "thank you for bringing me out here."
Kibutsuji observed you silently. You were quite calm right now. Your voice was gentle and soothing, your aura subtle and sublime.
Your head looked up at the sky seeing the stars with a clear expression.
"I haven't gone stargazing in a while...actually since my mother died. I forgot how pretty the night sky is."
Kibutsuji watched you skeptically.
Your eyes stared up at the sky.
Kibutsuji's eyes left yours and looked up at the sky as well, his mind wandered in thoughts. He was feeling slightly better than the last time you had seen him, he was still taking an enormous amount of medication though.
It seemed to him things were getting worse. His life was getting darker and your visits were the only thing still illuminating it.
Deciding to ask you to see him was one of the best choices he had made this year. You were single-handedly keeping him away from despair.
"(Y/N)."
"Yes my lord."
"What's your greatest desire?"
...
You turned your head to face him, "All of a sudden?"
He gave a nod.
"I want to be a doctor like my father."
Kibutsuji blinked.
"It would suit you."
"You think so? I was hoping someone would say that. He doesn't allow me to study all the practices. He says..." your voice trailed off.
Kibutsuji gave you an inquisitive look, "Finish your sentence."
"He says it isn't a woman's place."
Kibutsuji narrowed his eyes at you. You tensed a bit under his gaze.
"W-What?"
"He's mistaken. As long as a person is useful, who cares what gender they are."
You looked at him surprised before you giggled softly.
"My lord," you said smiling.
"Yes, (Y/N)."
"Thank you."
Kibutsuji extended his hand to you placing it on your cheek as he stroked it gently.
Your heart tingled.
Was it possible to fall in love so quickly?
Because if so, you felt you were already in love with him.
Kibutsuji watched as you gazed upon him with eyes he couldn't describe. They were filled with a sense of attraction so strong, emotions he couldn't quite comprehend but he recognized as being...love.
Love.
When was the last time he had been exposed to such an emotion? Even his own parents had never shown him too much in that department and yet you, you had shown him it consistently for the last five years.
The sudden realization made his chest tighten.
He wasn't used to this. It caused something inside him to tingle, it was a mesmerizing feeling.
"My lord, what's your greatest desire?"
Kibutsuji's hand was still on your cheek and he brought his other one to cup your face softly.
He blinked.
"I desire perfection."
...
"Aren't you already perfect though?"
"Not completely. I have an illness."
...
"You're still perfect to me though."
...
"Are you flirting with me?"
"Am I?"
"Then enlighten me, tell me what's perfect about me."
You leaned close to him, "Everything," you whispered.
"Is that so?"
He leaned closer to you his hands leaving your face to pull your body closer to him.
You lunged towards his chest and you landed on him blushing considerably upon being in contact with his body.
"Lift your head, (Y/N)."
You slowly did to see him looking down at you.
"Are you sure you're not starting something you can't finish?" he said his hands stroking your cheek.
Your eyes averted from his. Your eyes gazed upon his lips. You bit your lip.
"Why...are you so attra...."
He smirked. He knew what you were going to say.
He leaned closer to you closing the gap between the two of you.
He was about to kiss you when—
"My lady!"
Like a child caught doing a bad thing, you immediately jumped before scrambling to put a respectable amount of space between you and Kibutsuji.
Nao raced towards you.
"Your father has gone looking for you."
"What?" you looked at her disappointed, "I thought he said he wouldn't be back until tomorrow."
"He came back early."
She grabbed your arm.
"We have to go."
She yanked you by the arm and you gave a bow to Lord Kibutsuji before being dragged away.
::
"Where did you go?"
You spoke honestly, you weren't one to lie, "I...went to see a suitor."
Your father was a bit taken aback. He had no idea you were actually beginning to appeal to his standards.
He was so elated he forgot to ask you who the suitor was.
"That's splendid news!" he exclaimed happily, "well now that you're back go hurry and rest up. Tomorrow you have the festival to look forward to."
You blinked a few times.
You had forgotten all about that.
Tomorrow was the noble's festival.
It was the biggest festival of the year.