Toshiro Azure, The King of Azuria, and Aoi Azure, The Queen of Azuria, were currently enjoying one of the rare days off they were allowed to have. They sat together in a hot spring, inside the royal castle, enjoying some light drinks.

“We've been here for less than an hour and I already feel like I am ready to retire.” Aoi jokingly said.

“You say that everytime we come here. Still, doesn’t make it less true.” Toshiro said as he drank from his cup.

“So, what my incredible husband prepared for us to do today?”

“You.” He said with a straight face.

“You!” Aoi said after a few moments of silence where she finally understood what he had said.

“Yes, you.” He said as he tried to drink from his cup again.

“Give me that you lovable bastard!” Aoi said laughing as she took the cup and drank from it herself.

“I really wish today wouldn’t end…” Toshiro said, somewhat depressed.

“Look at the good side. You will have all the power in the negotiations to come. What are they going to do? Attack us?”

“Doesn’t mean it isn’t going to be stressful. Really wish they all accepted the alliance earlier, when I was still oblivious to all the work I would have to do.”

“Aiko and Hibiki are already doing most of the boring work you had to do. In a few years the boy will be ready to be king.”

“Stop calling him that. He already has a family.”

“He will always be my little boy and nothing you all say will change that!” Aoi said as she took a bottle near the spring and drank directly from it.

“Care to share a little of that?”

“I don’t know, I might need a little convincing.” She said seductively.

“I was told by my wife that I am very convincing.”

“What a lucky woman. Why don’t you prove it to me?”

—-

After having their fun and leaving the hot spring, the King and Queen were in their room looking at a menacing closed letter with a note attached to it saying ‘VERY IMPORT, READ UNGENTLY!’.

“10 gold it’s Mia.” Toshiro said.

“Hard to bet against something that we know it’s true.” Aoi said as she took the letter.

“What does it say?”

“Mia’s birthday is in a few weeks and we are invited.” She said, completely surprised.

“...Do we have to go?” Ha asked, stunned. He really didn’t know what he should do in that situation.

“Why not? It’s always boring meetings and stressful political battles with nobles. Going to a party where people are just enjoying themselves might be good.”

“Will inform the Royal Guards later then.”

“Why don’t we go look for a gift today? I heard that Dyna got new stock.”

“I don’t think giving anything from that place to Mia would be appropriate, my dear.”

“Why? Our daughters love her jewels.”

“Because Mia is a commoner, she wouldn’t have any reason to use any of those things. Also, because anything there costs more than her house.”

“She just doesn't know the power that a jewel can give you.”

“My Love.”

“Yes?”

“In case you forgot, she is a fighter, not a lady and she is going to be 11 years old.”

“Oh…I forget that part a lot…Do you think she would like a doll?”

“...Probably. I heard that she used to put on shows using dolls. We can ask.”

“Let’s do that.”

—

Aoi and Toshiro were now walking around in disguise. After a quick exchange of messages with Mia’s family, they receive a positive response about giving her a doll. Now, they were looking around the various shops around the city for dolls. They could just ask for artisans to make one but it was relaxing to walk around and see their people from up close. It helped them be a little more grounded too.

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Due to their power they could easily traverse the whole city very fast and without grabbing any attention. They first went around the high-income areas of the city but they didn’t find anything that grabbed their attention. The dolls there were all of good quality but anything that might be acceptable for Mia didn’t look like it had any passion behind it.

After that they went to the lower districts, where the more poor people lived. There they found lots of dolls full of passion but now they lacked in quality. They still brought a few in hopes those dreamers might one day leave this place but nothing that they planned to actually give as a present to Mia.

Following that they began to look around the various commercial areas in the middle income parts of the city. They did indeed find lots of acceptable presents and even brought some so they could later choose the best one or ones.

As they entered another shop, one that was relatively empty, they saw a young couple having a very fervent discussion about what to buy. They couldn’t help but reminisce about their youth where they would have the most stupid arguments, usually over nothing. Looking back it was just how they found a way to stay with each more and not go back to their duties.

“No, it has to be this one. It’s perfect!” The blond girl said.

“I don’t think that is an appropriate present. Let’s take the other one.” The green haired boy said.

“They also sell clothes! I am not going to just give it like it is.”

“But the other one is cooler. It even comes with a weapon.”

“Now the extras are important?”

“Hello, what seems to be the problem? Maybe we can help.” Aoi said as she got the attention of the couple.

“Yeah, I am kind of curious about what you two are discussing.” Toshiro said.

“She wants to give that doll that was based on a courtesan as a present to a friend of hers.”

“She wouldn’t care one bit! And it’s the best doll we found all day.”

The doll was indeed one of the best dolls they ever saw. It almost looked alive. The clothes were indeed very adult, basically just lingerie so he could see both points.

“What do you think, dear?” Aoi asked.

“I don’t know, let me think for a moment…” He said as he began to look at the dolls. The other one was indeed of lower quality but was based on male warrior. Before he could give his answer, he looked at the couple and they were paralyzed, looking at him almost with fear. “What?”

“Your…” They both tried to speak but were stopped by Aoi and Toshiro.

“Follow us.” Aoi said and they both left the place. Toshiro sent a message to the guards following them to buy both dolls after they left along with a few changes of clothes for both that they deemed acceptable.

After walking around a little they reached a small cafe where they sat. Aoi ordered tea for everyone and once it arrived a magic barrier was put on the table by Toshiro.

“So, care to explain how you two found out that it was us?” Toshiro asked, very seriously.

“I’m sorry if I offended you, Your Majesty!” The girl said.

“Me too. I am sorry for interrupting you!” The boy said.

“We are not angry, just curious. The amount of people that can see through our disguise can be counted on one hand. Two now.” Aoi explained, very calmly.

“The artifact is faulty. The spell is inefficient and requires constant mana to work.” The girl explained.

“We felt a lot of mana coming from you so when we tried to look around and see what was happening we managed to see through the spell.” The boy explained.

“You can’t simply look beyond the illusion. Are you two from the Academy?” Aoi asked.

“Yes. My name is Narissa and this is Mathias. We are from the special class.” Narissa said with Mathias just nodding.

“Ah, now I remember you two. I am trying to not focus much on work so I didn’t recognize you two. Also buying a present for Mia?” Toshiro said.

“Yes…It is harder than I thought it was going to be.” Mathias said.

“You can only give food as a present so many times! And who buys candy a month in advance? Knowing you, you didn’t even ask for it to be secured on the way here.” Narissa said, somewhat angrily.

“I was going to give her a sword but you said that wasn’t something you should give to a girl!”

“I said you shouldn’t give her a sword in particular. Nothing that you can just buy will be usable by her. And it’s not like you would ask for a decorative piece.”

“Swords are weapons. If they weren’t or can’t be used they shouldn’t exist.”

“You…!” Narissa was going to say something but Toshiro and Aoi began to laugh.

“Sorry…” Toshiro and Aoi Said. Mathias and Narissa both became red faced. After a minute or two, things calmed down.

“Sorry for our uncouth display.” Narissa said.

“Yes, forgive us.” Mathias said.

“Don’t worry. Young love is like that. Never forget that you can only have a discussion with someone you care about.” Aoi said.

“Just remember that when it comes to people, she is usually right. You can probably demolish a building alone but not buy it before you do it for less than it’s worth.” Toshiro said to Mathias.

“I will keep it in mind.” Mathias said.

“Here, now you can both give it to her. Most of the time, you are both wrong or both right.” Toshiro said as he put the things bought from the shop on top of the table. Mathias and Narissa could only thank the man and his wife as they left without saying a word more.

—-

“What are we going to do?” Narissa asked, panicked.

“About what?”

“The King and The Queen know we are dating! My father doesn’t know!”

“Mine either so I don’t see why you are panicking.”

“I only told Shishen and my Master! If anyone else finds out I don’t know what I am going to do?”

“Am I really that bad?”

“Of course not you stupid pile of muscle and reassurance! Let me panic in peace!” Narissa said as she hugged Mathias.

“Why didn’t you tell Mia?”

“I did and she asked when I am going to get married. I didn’t bring the topic up again with her after that. She also seems to have forgotten.”

“Why not? Who is going to oppose us?”

“I don’t know if I am ready.”

“Last month you were ready for anything,” he said, jokingly.

“Stupid!” She slapped his arm.”I always thought that I was going to be married off, this is new to me…”

“Better this than to basically be sold off, right? I like you, probably love you too. Don’t know many people in our shoes that can say the same at the start.”

“So you probably love me?”

“Well, I would die to protect you and what or who you care about. The question is, would I have to think for a moment or would I just do it?”

“I don’t want to find out.” Narissa said, hugging Mathias more tightly.

“Neither do I but I get the feeling we won’t have much of a choice…”