Luna

Nil hunted a wolf for me; a real, full-sized wolf. He even carried it miles through the woods. The wolf was definitely going to become a nice cloak I was going to treasure. Nil was sitting next to me trying to recover enough for the dancing portion of the event. Some part of me wanted to run my hands through his hair, hug him into me, and just snuggle into Nil. My heart was absolutely racing right now as I was sitting next to him; I could tell my face was completely crimson. Everyone tried so hard to make today special for Nil and me while keeping the security as tight as possible. Nil clearly put in a lot of effort so today would go well, Lux too. I definitely needed to get her some nice fish filets as a thank you. We were currently eating a nice banquet, with Nil looking a bit groggy next to me. I placed my hand on his thigh while casting to make sure his legs could actually move in a while. Nil’s dancing had improved vastly thanks to Duthane’s lessons. Nil put his hand on mine, which made him turn redder than a tomato. I felt this great fuzziness and warmth as he put his fingers between mine.

Why do it if you are going to blush so much? I teased Nil. I could feel how fast his heart was beating. His hands were a little damp, but I didn’t mind.

I wanted to. Nil answered, sitting like Duthane showed him as he had finished eating.

I truly appreciate you hunting a wolf for me and thank you for all the effort you put into making today feel special for me. I told Nil as I kept my hand in his. Nil made a face I didn’t recognize, but he looked ready to cry.

I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I apologized to Nil. His face looked even worse after that. What did I do? Crap, how did I upset him?

I think you are the first person to ever tell me something like that. Nil confessed. Something in my head clicked when he said that; I definitely needed to talk to him more later when we weren’t in public.

It will be okay Nil. I will always appreciate your effort. I assured him. Nil looked at me with an expression like his brain had fried.

We sat in silence for a little bit as Nil took a few composing breaths. Most of the adults were talking to each other so this was a bit boring. I never took my hand back from Nil. He might not have said it, but I could tell it meant a lot to him. His face was clearly struggling with how much he was enjoying this. I think I matter more to him than he realizes. Something about that thought made me unimaginably flush; Nil was my dorky prince. It replayed in my mind way too much as we sat there. Every fiber of my being was enjoying that fact as Nil tightened his grip on my hand a little. It’s okay Nil, I’ll let you know just how much I appreciate you later. I had a feeling if I told him now, he might start crying uncontrollably. Just what I told him earlier seemed to lift a massive weight off of him. I might be okay with seeing him express his joy like that, but some of those not in his family and Grisbane may not be. Nil deserves to be able to express it without worrying about others. I just wanted to hold his head close, stroke his hair, and tell him how much I appreciated all he did for me and how hard he tried for me. Nil always seemed to try to do well and improve for those that mattered to him. It’s one of his best traits. I thought back to the Eternal Emperor; losing what mattered to him broke some part of him that could never be fixed. I wondered what all changed so far as I looked at Nil. He’s so much better like this. My dorky prince was definitely better the way he currently is; I definitely kept smiling at Nil. At this point, I realized Nil was blushing even heavier than before.

What’s wrong? I checked, wondering why he was so red.

You are looking at me with an intense expression. It’s nice in a way I can’t explain. Nil informed me. His amber eyes were so nice as they looked at me. The deep black background makes his eyes stunning.

I understand. I replied. Soon we’d be able to dance, which would allow us to be a bit closer to each other.

What were you thinking about? Nil inquired. His heart was beating so fast it was a bit impressive how composed he looked.

Currently, how nice your eyes look. Before, how someone is my dorky prince. I explained. Nil’s heart rate somehow got even faster.

D-d-dorky? Nil stammered. His normally bone colored skin was currently beet red.

Someone does things their own way and always tries so hard no matter how it looks. It’s nice and endearing. I clarified for Nil. His expression made tingles cascade down spine. Holy shiza, that expression is incredible.

I see. Nil squeaked. How he was currently looking at me was amazing.

You better get used to it. I added on. His expression only got better. I need to relax. I wanted to see that expression more, which did not help.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

I’ll try. Nil quipped. His voice even mentally was still squeaky from how flustered he was.

Good. I stated while smiling at my dorky prince.

The wolf he hunted for me kept flashing back into my mind. All the effort he put in just for today was running in the loop as well. My heart was fluttering uncontrollably as I thought about it all. I have no idea if Nil can even tell. It didn’t matter, I was going to tell him later when it was just us so that he definitely did. The banquet portion of the Imperial Hunting Festival finally ended, and I all but dragged Nil to the dance floor I was so excited. Duthane clearly noted how I didn’t even give Nil a chance to ask me to dance. I saw a couple of the adults chuckling at how quickly we got onto the dance floor. I didn’t care, I wanted to dance with Nil. I wanted to begin to show how much I appreciated him suffering through Duthane’s strict lessons for me. I excitedly took his hand, stepped closer to him, and positioned myself so we could begin dancing. Nil took his starting position, still an adorable shade of crimson. It’s not fair how much I’ve enjoyed today. Nil was still giving me his endearing, blushing expression. How his eyes were focused on me sent pleasant tingles all over me. The song soon began playing, and Nil took the lead. Even as he was clearly tired from the hunt portion his dancing didn’t falter. I felt a tad guilty for how intense his lessons probably were to result in this level of improvement. I will stop teasing him with the metal toed boots. Duthane took my innocent teasing way more personal than I thought. I mean, it’s her job to make sure he has good etiquette, manners, dancing, and presents himself well so I could see that his dance partner finding metal toed boots is not a good thing in her eyes.

I’m sorry for teasing you with the metal toed boots Nil. I apologized to him.

It’s fine. It was a good joke. Nil replied without missing a beat.

But it definitely inspired Duthane’s lessons to be more intense, which wasn’t fair to you. I pressed. Nil gave me an amused smirk as we kept dancing.

It’s her job to make sure I look good in public; I don’t think she actually wants to be as uptight as she is when she’s on the clock. It’s also why Uncle Nox gave me so many archery lessons as well. If I get to make you smile at the end, all that effort is worth it. Nil replied with a straight face. Lord’s above Nil. I tightened my grip on Nil a little as that hit some part of my brain way too hard.

Flirt. I chirped back. I could feel my heartbeat in my ears; Nil was way too smooth sometimes.

Are you okay? How was I being a flirt? Nil checked. Such a dense dork at other times too.

Saying all that effort to make me smile was worth it. I informed him, taking a few deep breaths to calm down.

But I like it when you’re happy; the way you smile at me makes me all warm and fuzzy. Nil retorted. Forling Lords above; I looked at Nil. Did he find some method to channel Nez?

I see. I deflected. My face felt so hot at the moment.

I mean it. I like it when you smile and give me that intense stare. It made the months of torture worth it because it clearly made your day. Nil continued. What was this? How was Nil doing this?

Dork. Giant, royal dork. Dorkiest dork in the world. I snapped at him. I was struggling to dance at the moment as my heart felt like it was trying to burst out of my chest. Nil looked confused as he then realized something.

Wait, you like what I’ve been saying. Nil realized. Dense, dorky brick. How?

Obviously! I spat, trying to feel less crimson.

Someone likes me. Nil taunted. I finally had a moment to compose myself.

I did agree to date you. That’s a given. I teased. Thank the Lords Nil didn’t fully grasp what to say just yet.

That wasn’t right; you got less crimson. Nil grumbled. I smiled at him.

Someone really had me there for a moment. You were saying such sweet things. I informed him. Nil was clearly trying to think of how to get back into the groove he had going.

How are you better at getting me flustered than I am at getting you flustered? Nil pouted. I chuckled a little.

You were doing really well there for a bit. I just know how to express it better. I comforted Nil, moving a bit closer to him so we were nearly nose to nose. Nil was still giving me a happy stare before grimacing a little.

What’s wrong? I asked. Nil let out a defeated sigh.

I want to kiss you, but we’re physically kids which is making it weird. The visual feedback is making me have an ick I don’t like. Also, I think my mom and your dad would hit the barrier if I did. Nil confessed, looking at me sheepishly as he made the gap between us a little more normal sized. I thought about it for a second; I would’ve definitely enjoyed it if he kissed me there, but he had two valid points. I sighed a bit too.

I’m shocked you thought of that. I teased him with a smirk.

Duthane did make a point of thinking of how I look and present myself around others I thought of I remembered. Nil replied, still blushing a bit.

Wow. Someone really paid attention. I continued. Nil still had a great look in his eyes.

Would you have enjoyed it? Nil inquired. I could feel how nervous and tense he got at that question.

I would have liked it if you did. And I understand the ick part. The visual feedback of our physical forms is definitely unpleasant at times. I assured Nil. He smiled wide at me; something about me telling him that made him really happy.

You’re the best. Nil told me while smiling like the dork he was.

We kept dancing, with my toes being completely safe despite what we were saying to each other mentally. I greatly appreciated how much his dancing had improved for me. The two of us danced to several more songs, enjoying each other’s company. Nil’s face made it obvious after about two hours his exhaustion was beginning to catch up to him. I made sure to dance extra well so Duthane wouldn’t give him grief about it during his next lesson. I want to be back at the castle so I can tell him just how much I appreciate him. From his reactions so far, I knew he’d greatly enjoy being told that. Why did I enjoy his smile so much? His flustered reactions were fairly amazing too. There was a large part of me that enjoyed this closeness with Nil. I had the distinct feeling it was something I was going to get to enjoy for a long time. My dorky prince wasn’t going anywhere.