Princess of Vers

alegría

Inaho Kaizuka

He may be a deadpan, but Inaho can tell that something unusual has happened. Lemrina's is more fidgety and agitated while Slaine seems..out of place. Although, he cannot read people that well, their behavior is more obvious than it should be. He can't help it but to be slightly worried, especially about the Princess living in his private home.

He trudges at his usual pace to the room that Slaine would stays in for the week. Inaho stares at the door for a short period of time before unlocking the door and stepping in. Slaine immediately shifts, the duvet shuffling. The brunette eyes catch Slaine's every reaction and movement, collecting data of the unusual blonde to research later.

Light sleeper..or perhaps he was just resting while still being aware of his surroundings; could be by instinct or he may be anxious.

"How have you been so far?" Inaho blankly asks, trying to keep a constant expression. He keeps in mind that if any kind of unusual reaction may result in Slaine not telling him information that will be imperative to find a justification to both his own and Lemrina's behaviors. Slaine swings his emaciated legs across the bed and rubs his eyes.

"I've been fine," the blonde mumbled. Inaho wishes he had the analytical engine to confirm if he was lying or telling the truth.

"I apologize for waking you; you must be fatigued, considering your elaborate moving process." Inaho eyed Slaine's increasing thinning figure. "I just wanted to go over some restraints for you," Inaho says, scanning the room for any objects that may lead to attempt of suicide. He doesn't spot anything dangerous. Satisfied that there is nothing, his crimson eyes trail back to the blonde. Slaine nods in accordance.

Too much accordance..

"Yes, I expected that to be necessary. Go on," Slaine says, waving his hand, motioning Inaho to continue. The brunette cleared his throat.

"As you can see, you have a window in this room; keep in mind that it is bullet-proof and an alarm will be sounded if it is shattered or forcefully opened. The bedroom door will be locked all throughout the night for obvious reasons and I will open it for you to prepare for breakfast. You must be accommodated at all times throughout the day, either by me or my sister, Yuki." Inaho glanced at his watch. "The UFE has given me those very strict orders to have you in sight when you're not in this room." Slaine sighed.

"I see. I will abide by the your 'commands', Kaizuka." He eyed Inaho's blank expression. "I presume that you are a good cook?"

"Indeed."

Slaine cleared his throat awkwardly as Inaho seemed to want to continue the conversation. Unfortunately, Slaine was not in the mood to speak to his captor. He was tired and exasperated. "Is that all?"

Inaho stared at Slaine for a while, before breaking the inept eye contact, alleviating Slaine's nerves. "Yes, I'll be taking my leave now, Slaine. Sleep well." As Inaho backed away from the room and closed the door, remembering to lock it, he turned away and strode down the long moonlit hallway. As he stopped at the last door in the corridor, he placed his finger on a small screen attached to the door knob. As a line ran down the screen, scanning Inaho's finger, a small click was heard, signaling the door lock's opening.

As Inaho walked into his spacious chambers. Fatigued from the long day, he slumped into his queen-sized bed, falling asleep as soon as his face hit the pillow.

With a flick of his wrist, the brunette turned on the stove burner. He took a rectangular-shaped pan and placed it on the red burner.

Maybe I should wake Slaine up again...

"Good morning, Inaho," Inaho heard a groggy voice say. He turned to see an unkempt Slaine. He smirked at the sight. Slaine's messy blonde hair, wrinkled clothes, he found that everything about him was surprisingly amusing.

"Good morning, Slaine." Inaho took a pair of chopsticks and beat a bowlful of eggs and seasonings. "How'd you sleep?" Slaine leaned unto the counter, placing his hand on his chin.

"I haven't slept better in years. Thank you," Slaine replied, observing Inaho's cooking. Inaho poured the egg mixture into the hot pan. As the whites of the eggs turned white, a mouth-watering aroma filled the kitchen. The welcoming scent filled Slaine's nostrils.

"Would you like scrambled eggs or an omelette?"

Slaine looked to the window. "..Scrambled, I guess.." he mumured.

"Too bad. I made omelettes today." Slaine narrowed his eyes in confusion.

"What was the point of asking?" Inaho's lip twitched upwards. He turned around to catch a glance of Slaine. He once again focused his one-eyed gaze on Slaine's thinning figure. It somewhat concerned him, and he didn't know why.

"Make sure that you eat enough," Inaho sighed. Slaine, full of boredom looked back at the window, grumbling as a response.

Being the great cook that he is, Inaho was done with the six-person meal in ten minutes. After serving two plates paired with tall glasses of orange juice, he braced himself for Slaine's opinion of the cookery.

Clumsily using the chopsticks in his delicate fingers, Slaine managed to take a bite. The brunette observed Slaine's counteractions. A smile twitched at his lips as he saw widened blue eyes, raised eyebrows, and widened mouth. "It's good," he simply said. Inaho gave a weak smile before his attention was drawn to the stairs. Princess Lemrina was awake, and was clutching the stair railing for dear life, hoping she wouldn't fall. "Princess Lemrina!" Slaine spiked out of his chair and rushed over to assist his fiancee. Lemrina smiled as Slaine wrapped his arm around her waist and held her right hand while her left held to the railing. He slowly helped the paraplegic princess down the stairway.

"Thank you, Slaine," Lemrina whispered as she reached the last stair. She sat down to a warm plate of Inaho's breakfast. As she too picked up the chopstick with un-experienced fingers and tampered with the dish. After putting it into her mouth, her eyes widened.

"Have you not experienced terran dishes on Vers?" The lavender-haired princess shook her head, disappointed at that fact.

"I'm afraid not. Since I strayed away from the royal family, I wasn't given the highest quality meals, let alone terran dishes," she replied. Inaho looked to his phone in attempt to not make eye contact.

He cleared his throat. "If you were the Princess, why did you not get the best quali—"

"I don't want to talk about it."

Inaho nodded, acknowledging her wishes. Lemrina sighed heavily from Inaho's rather rude abrupt comments. When Slaine had asked her long ago if she would hate her family forever, her answer was yes. Two years later, the answer was the same; she wished nothing to do with her corrupt family who are obsessed in either befriending or taking advantage of Earth. Realizing that her reply left the dining room in silence, she elaborated.

"My Father, Emperor Gilzeria, envied Earth because of it's resources. To avoid a revolution against the Imperial family, he, along with my mother, put all the blame on the Terrans. After they both died, Asseylum eventually learned of Earth and she too, envied the resources. But unlike Father, she didn't wish to seize those material goods, but share them and befriend the Terrans. Although her motives were pure, she still left a deaf ear to the pleas of the Versian people, leaving them hungry as she goes on her expensive trips to Earth." Lemrina sighed and intertwined her fingers. "I fear for my sister. That she'll get hurt if she doesn't act soon. But I equally am cautious for my life, for I am vulnerable because I became her impostor and helped you, Slaine." Her eyes trailed to her fiancee and she gave a small smile. "I don't want to get involved in politics right now. I just want to enjoy my time here on Earth with you."

Inaho made sure to take in the information that may be helpful in the future. She knows how to hide her nervous emotions, a good skill. From hours of examining Lemrina's speeches as Asseylum, Inaho knew the that she seemed a bit stressed. He considered watching her more carefully, her Aldnoah skills are an advantage.

Inaho unlocked Slaine's room two hours later from breakfast. Even though Slaine requested a moment of peaceful rest, Inaho wanted to ensure Slaine's safety. He slowly opened the door and peeked inside, finding Slaine peacefully resting. The brunette cautiously approached the bed and analysed the breathing patterns. He watched Slaine's chest rise. He's breathing too fast; he's pretending.

Inaho sighed heavily and walked carelessly out of the room before locking it. Why is he acting so strange? What happened yesterday between Slaine and Lemrina?

Slaine woke to a soothing voice softly urging him to wakefulness; almost like windpipes in the woods. It was a hushed but sweet sound.

"Slaine..wake up. We're exploring the city today," the windpipes continued.

Slaine shifted, the sheets underneath him ruffling. He opened one turquoise eye to allow his fatigued eyes to adjust to the light of a new morning. He looked over to his left to see his beloved Princess Asseylum.

"A-Asseylum—what..what are you doing?" His mind surprisingly wasn't scrambling like Inaho's eggs. He was surprisingly calm to see the childhood friend that he loved as a kid. His mind ordered him to remember the sight of the same beloved Princess pointing a gun of shining silver to his head, a look of horror across her face.

"I order Slaine Saazbaum Troyard to immediately cease all hostilities."

He quickly pushed the thought away, all while keeping his eyes fixed on his princess. His eyes were full of astonishment and wonder. The wonder of why she was here of all places, why she wasn't with Vers, why she visited two years later, why she put him in his situation; too many questions ran through his head...

Until he was met with a blinding light.

He shielded his tired eyes from the painful light. It only lasted a few seconds before it had faded away. All breath left his lungs when the blonde looked back at the sight of the most dreary face of someone he was not expecting. Her lavender hair looked dull, her eyes like cold knifes giving Slaine goosebumps, her arms crossed as she narrowed her eyes at Slaine's awestruck facial expression.

"I expected more from you after two years, Slaine." Lemrina sighed heavily turning and pacing the small room nervously, occasionally placing narrowed glances at Slaine. He wondered what went through her mind. To Slaine's dismay, Lemrina spun on her heel and faced his paled face once again and ran a hand through her short locks. "Things have not changed, Slaine; I feel the same as I did two years ago. I'm just you're little play toy aren't I?"

"..."

"I knew it, I am."

Slaine wasn't exactly sure how their conversation escalated this quickly, but he knew that if he didn't speak at all, it wouldn't help the situation.

"I officially belong to you, Princess Lemrina. I am not using you in any way and I truly lo—"

"Don't give me that! If you truly love me, why did you look at Asseylum with such..awe? You don't look at me that way at all!" Slaine sighed heavily. This argument is not helping their relationship in any way. Lemrina's eyebrows furrowed, leaving her with a sorrowful expression. "Have you let go of her yet?"

Slaine pressed his lips into a thin line. "I need you to trust me, Princess." He felt pathetic to refuse a straight-forward answer, but he wished that Lemrina would avoid her jealousy, which was why the conversation even started in the first place. Lemrina's eyes softened at the humbling comment and sighed softly.

"Please call me by my name, Slaine. No need for that anymore," Lemrina said, placing her small hand over Slaine's. It was enough affection, not too romantic but..comforting. Lemrina wasn't too shy to show it. She looked to the window and stared at the azure skies that displayed across the atmosphere. Though her heart still ached of envy, she decided to focus on matters that were more important to her: Slaine. Asseylum was once again out of the picture and Lemrina was determined to once again take advantage of that fact. This time, her plans won't go to waste. She stared into Slaine's eyes with determination of a strong leader, ready to engage whenever needed.

Lemrina opened the palm of the blonde's hand and placed a small device. Slaine looked to the object in his hand and saw a small pad with two switches. He looked up to his fiance, silently asking for an explanation.

"A new technology that Vers has invented; a device that allows other to possess the power of Aldnoah only for the purpose of shape-shifting." The Princess pointed to a small switch that had a small engraved arrow. "Kaizuka insisted that I don't alter your appearance completely, but feminize them." Slaine nervously looked to the device in his now sweating hand.

"F-feminize?"

The lavender haired princess giggled at the reaction.

"Yes, you'll still have your features." She placed her hand at her cheek. "It's only for when you go out in public."

"I..suppose it'll do."

"Oh and since you can't use my last name as a last name, you'll have to use Kaizuka's." Slaine's pupils dilated.

"So...I'll have to be...married to Inaho?" he said, his expression disgusted. He could never be married to that emotionless freak.

"Yes, I'm afraid so, Amberley Kaizuka.." Slaine was absolutely petrified.

"Amberley?!"

Slaine indulged in the luxurious shower that Inaho had owned in his room. Unlike the prison, where people weren't very concerned with his well-being and living conditions were horrible, he was grateful that Inaho had allowed him to stay here with Lemrina for a month. The blonde concluded that he would enjoy the limited privilege and and mesmerizing hot water.

The blonde stared at the small hand device that stood on the counter. He took it in his palms and examined the metal and the smooth edges. Slaine clenched his pale eyelids closed and pressed a small button. He was engulfed in a blanket of light filling the spacious bathroom. Slaine felt the depth of his stomach tickle as the aldnoah revamped, reformed, and revised him into the mysterious body of a woman. After a few milliseconds that felt like hours, Slaine opened his teal eyes and looked into the mirror at his adjusted appearance. His basic features were the same; teal eyes, ashen blonde hair, pale skin, until Slaine examined closer. His hair laid passed his shoulders, his new curvature thighs wrapped around the baggy shorts that he wore, he looked to his rather..large chest. Slaine gulped, hoping that Inaho would never look at his new curvy and feminine features in a perverted, sexualized way. No way..he's too much of an emotionless person to show any kind of concern...

Slaine pushed away the engrossing thought. He put on a pair of grey sweatpants that Inaho had provided for him (which he found a bit too big after the transformation) and trudged out the door. Slaine jumped when he found Inaho at the door.

"Oh. I was just about to knock," the brunette monotonically stated, boring crimson eyes at Slaine's new figure. Slaine felt heat rise up in his cheeks. "Amberley Kaizuka."

"Orange..it's just us. Y-you don't have to call me t-that.." Slaine felt heat rise over his cheeks. Inaho patted his pockets for something, continuing to stare at Slaine. The blonde trailed Inaho's eyes, attempting to know what he was so intrigued about that he had to stare. "I-Inaho..please stop staring." Inaho blinked before taking a small navy blue box out of his suit coat. Without hesitation, Inaho opened the box, revealing the precious content inside.

On top of a amaranth small cushion, was a dazzling ring, engraved with leaves across the orange and silver band. The gleaming band crowned a marquise diamond. "The band has material made from the remains of the KG-6 Sleipnir and the Tharsis," Inaho bluntly said, taking the ring out of it's place and taking Slaine's hand. "It's physical proof that Amberley Kaizuka is my wife, so that it's more conspicuous." Inaho slid the ring onto Slaine's finger.

When the two had fallen down to Earth together, the Tharsis and KG-6 Sleipnir had been abandoned in the deep sea. The UFE had taken retrieved the significant artifacts, taking them to museums and cultural centers for the attraction of the public. Before they could showcase it, Inaho had requested that he own a portion of the two kataphrakts for his own possession and use. Though hesitant, the UFE permitted him to do so, and cut a rather large scraps of the war machines. Inaho had made sure to brush and polish them to remove them of any unwanted grime from the years of war and took them to a jeweler to custom make the bands (which was costly) and he had chosen the diamond. The process took a long period of time, but soon enough it was done and Inaho was satisfied. It had been masterfully made, and the brunette had hoped that Slaine would at least find a little bit of happiness in the ring. The small ring represented the small hope that they had in their friendship, all the hardships that they went through over the years, and how they had no reason to fight anymore. Inaho had secretly hoped that Slaine would warm up to him as a good friend and they both can grow, not in a sense of duty, but trust.

"..Thank you, Kaizuka. I-I...won't lose it." Slaine slowly backed away back into the bathroom and slammed the door. As he looked into the mirror, he realized that his face was extremely red. How could he ever keep himself calm with everything that has come by in the past two days? He peered into the diamond's core. It was truly beautiful, and he was genuinely grateful that Inaho had put the time, effort, and probably money into something so insignificant, yet so significant in it's own way. Slaine understood that the ring was just for demonstration and nothing more, but for some odd reason he had put so much gratitude into the gift, like it was something more to him. Slaine quickly pushed the feelings away, remembering that there is no need for such feelings to even attempt to interfere in the relationship that he had already committed to with Lemrina. He had already decided to finished what he had already started, and mend the wounds that he has placed in the princess's heart. That was his goal...

Or was he just programmed to do so?

He awoke to the unknown feeling of light blinding his eyes. Slaine furrowed his brow and felt an unusual warmth on his right hand. He looked, and there was the brunette that he knew so well. Even with the icy blue eyes staring into his own agitatedly, Inaho kept his usual monotonous expression. A smile tugged at the stodgy man's lips.

"Your reflexes are sharp." He released his hand from the comforting position, leaving Slaine's hand cold at the absence. "As usual." Slaine pressed his lips together in an flustered motion. He desperately wanted to find the unpleasant conversation about himself drift to another topic. He didn't want the discussion to lead to an unwanted topic like his father and his adoptive father or his time as Lord Saazbaum Troyard. Or..

The scars..

Oh God no, not the scars...

So, he said the first thing that came to mind:

"W-what time is it?!" He said a little too desperately and loudly. The blonde felt heat rising over his cheeks once again. He hoped that his flustered face wasn't too obvious. Inaho lifted an eyebrow and pulled out his phone.

He pressed the phone's main button, making sure not to unlock it. "It's 6:38," he said before putting it away. Slaine's eyes searched for the window, desperate to conduct conversation. The matter that the two spoke of was too embarrassing and he wished that Inaho wouldn't mention it ever again. Though he had already transformed back, he still felt the haunting feeling that Inaho was lecherous towards him. He swallowed before looking towards the rising sun, giving him a good idea on what to speak about.

"The sunrise is quite beautiful, i-isn't it?" Slaine stared at the brunette and watched as the crimson eyes moved past him to the window. It was nice scenery of course; the azure skies fading into yellow and orange only to crown the sun and it's radiance. The younger man had already seen it millions of times, therefore he had no intimate feelings for it. In response, Inaho slightly shrugged and looked back at Slaine's teal eyes which were still gazing at the skies. They showed not a sense of longing, but commitment to some kind of goal, something that was bigger than him. The blonde had stared out into the sky with a goal in mind, and Inaho knew that, even without the analytical engine; the determination, the frustration, the commitment.

Programmed...

Maybe he was like himself during the war, just a person with a goal in mind, trying to strive towards it. The only dilemma was that Slaine was supposed to be nothing but a prisoner, with nothing to fight for and nothing to gain or lose.

"There is nothing to be gained by continuing to fight."

"Agreed. But there is nothing to be lost by it, either!"

"Given into despair is a foolish choice."

"You just don't get it! This is the choice I wanted the most!"

Inaho had just wished that Slaine would just had listened to reason during that final battle. Things wouldn't have turned out the way that they were now. Now, it was the same way, they both had nothing to gain or lose by being friends, being enemies, or even being in that situation in the first place.

Slaine having a specific goal in mind was somewhat problematic..if only he knew what it was that the blonde had in mind.

"You can see everything, can't you?"

"Yes. But I can't see what I really want to know."

Inaho simply looked to Slaine and walked out of the room.

"Breakfast will be ready soon."

"Slaine? What is this cream called?" Lemrina pointed to her ice cream cone, and Slaine simply smiled.

"It's called ice cream. It's usually favored by Terran children and some adults."

"I see. It is very appetising."

"Mhm."

Inaho looked to Slaine's direction. He didn't seem too uncomfortable with the fact that he had feminine features. Inaho indulged in the fact that he was a few centimeters taller than Slaine in his new female body, unlike how in his normal one the blonde was six centimeters taller. Pushing the thought away from his head, Inaho looked around his surroundings in a alert attempt to catch someone who is lurking. Luckily, since Lemrina and Slaine were in disguises, the public recognizing the two was very slim.

"Is there anywhere else that you two would like to go before we leave back to the house?" Slaine shook his head, and Lemrina huffed.

"I just wish to sit on a bench. All this shopping and food has gotten me restless," she said. Respecting her wishes, Inaho looked around before spotting one in the distance.

"There's one about twenty feet away. We can sit down and relax there."

"Thank you, Kaizuka."

After walking a short distance, they had finally gotten to the bench to sit. Lemrina sighed as she sat down, for the gravity changes were a bit overwhelming for her. Slaine on the other hand, was surprising calm and found joy in Lemrina's happiness.

Inaho spotted a dark blot sweep through the narrow alleyways a few meters ahead.

Probably just seeing things from being tired-

Until he saw it again.

"Did you see that?" Slaine inquired before Inaho nodded slowly.

"Who's there?!" Lemrina yelled out in a stern voice. Suddenly, a sound of running footsteps growing fainter by the second led the trio clueless. "Let's just be cautious next time," Lemrina stated before standing. "Let's go."

Inaho regretted taking Slaine and the Princess out in public.

But who was that? He inquired as they walked.

SorrySorrySorrySorrySorrySorrySorrySorrySorry!

I took a long time to update and I'm super sorry! Everything has just been piling up on me. Luckily I got a snip of free time and used it to post a new and polished version of this on Ao3 and get this chapter out!

I promise, I will be in full swing with writing chapters, the process is just really long due to the fact that I want my chapters to be more lengthy. But, so sorry for the super long delay!

Please do check out the newly done chapter one on Ao3 as well as here!
Thank you for reading!

-yams