(Irene POV)

I've been feeling strange lately. It all started that day. The day I was almost assassinated. Just thinking about that fact scares me, but it didn't happen. Because of him.

Why is it that my heart races when I see him? My hands start to sweat and I start to feel clammy. The only way to talk to him normally is by acting as my "Captain", strict self.

Why did he help me? Sometimes I wonder that. And when I do, a fantasy invades my brain. And as much as I want it to stay inside, I have to shake it out.

It's strange. Why do I feel like this? This has never happened. For once, I don't wish to talk to someone besides family in a non-business way.

It's strange. I don't understand it.

When I gave him the Artifact, for some reason I ended up unconsciously slipping it onto his right hand's ring finger.

For humans, this means the person is engaged. But it also has a similar, almost identical, meaning for Elves. Placing a ring onto another's right ring finger is an act of proposal.

I proposed to him. He doesn't realize that, but I do.

Why?

Why did I propose to him?

And why...does thinking about a future together with him make me feel...so happy? The happiest I've maybe ever felt. It feels a void in my heart has been filled when I think about that.

I don't understand it. That's why I decided to ask Mother. She might know.

"You keep guard out here. Don't let anyone else come in." I ordered.

"What's going on?" He asked. "You suddenly stopped the spar."

I have been sparring with Kage, teaching him about the weaknesses of the Royal Knights. All Royal Knights use the Lightning Sword technique. If Ken knows how that style works, he'll be able to counter it if any more Royal Knights defect.

He's a quick learner. He quickly grasps the weaknesses and how to use them. Unfortunately for him, his teacher, me, is stronger and can easily counter. But every time he is knocked down, he gets back up without a complaint. It's incredible...

I shook my head out of those thoughts. Not the time to be fantasizing.

"I need to ask Mother about something." I stated.

"Got it." He nodded. "I'll make sure nobody else comes in."

I stood in front of the door to Mother's room. She should be inside at this moment. I knocked on the door. It opened, revealing my mother.

She had long, flowing blond hair with light blue eyes. Her Elf ears stuck out, revealed and unhidden. Some Elves hide their ears. Our family takes pride as Elves. This Elf was the Aegis Family Queen, Isabela Aegis.

"Oh! Irene! What a wonderful surprise!" Smiled Mother. "How can I help you?"

"I want to ask you something. May I come in?" I asked.

"Of course!" Mother happily replied. "Come right on in!"

I walked in, sitting down on the couch. Mother locked the door before sitting down next to me.

"So, what's wrong?" Mother asked. "I can tell something's bothering you."

She's observant as usual...

I started to explain my troubles. "I'm confused. There's this man, who whenever I look at him, my heart races and I feel...different. I want to talk with him normally, I-".

"There's no need to continue." Mother stated. "I know exactly what's going on."

Looking at her, I saw she had the biggest grin on her face.

"What's happening to me?" I asked her. "Am I sick?"

Mother grinned. "Yes. You've been afflicted with the sickness of love."

"W-what?!" I stuttered in surprise.

Love?! Like, holding hands...hugging....kissing...sex...marriage...that?!

"Oh, you sweet, innocent girl." Mother whispered, hugging me. "You finally found the one."

"T-the one?" I asked.

"The one you love. The one you'll want to be with forever." Mother clarified. "Now you just have to make him yours."

Make Kage...mine?

The idea makes me feel so...giddy.

This is so strange, to think that just thinking about this one man could make me feel so happy.

"So, what did he do?" Mother asked. "To make you love him?"

"He...he saved me. He saved my life." I stated.

Twice.

"Really? But the Royal Knights have done that multiple times? Is he a Royal Knight?" Mother wondered, confused.

"No, he isn't. I-it's different." I replied. "He didn't have to do it. It wasn't his duty. Yet he saved me..."

"Hmm. He seems like a good man." Mother smiled. "Now make him yours."

Make Kage mine...Do I love him..?

...

...

Yes. I can feel it. He makes me feel a way that I've never felt before. He makes me feel like a...normal girl.

Not a princess. Not a knight. But a girl. A person.

A friend...?

No. Not anymore. I don't want to be his friend. I want to be more.

I want to know him better. I need to know him better. I want to know everything about him. So I can become his.

I can already imagine it. A future with him. We'd get married and have children...he'd become the king of the Aegis Family.

I want him to stay by my side 24/7. I want him.

I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him. I want him.

I'll make him mine. I'll become his.

It'll be perfect.

"H-how should I do that?" I asked. "How do I make him mine?"

"Well, first you need to make sure to hang out with him a lot." Mother stated. "If you don't hang out with him enough, another wench might steal him right from under your nose."

"Okay." I nodded, noting the advice in my head. Be the closest girl to him. He's already staying by my side 24/7, so that shouldn't be hard.

"You'll have to make sure he sees you in a good light." Mother added. "Make sure to use your womanly charms every once in a while."

"Ooh, and you have to let him know you're interested. If he knows you're interested, then he'll start to think of you differently. Same if he notices your womanly charms. He'll start to think of you less as a 'companion' and more of a 'interest." Mother explained.

"Got that?" She asked.

"Yes. I do." I replied. "Thank you."

"Of course! Anything for my daughter!" Mother smiled. "Oh, and don't forget. If push comes to shove...do anything to make him yours. Anything. Because trust me, his love will be the best thing in your life."

"Okay." I nodded. "I'll start now."

Mother grinned. "Good luck!"

I exited the room, closing the door behind me. Just as I ordered, Kage stood there by the door.

"Kage." I said, grabbing his attention.

"Ah, welcome back Aegis." He greeted.

No. I don't like that. My future husband shouldn't be calling me by my last name. Especially since my last name will be becoming your's.

"Call me Irene." I ordered.

"Huh?" He responded, confused.

"Call me Irene." I restated. "It's too confusing to call me Aegis. Especially if you also know my sister."

I want to hear you call me by my name.

"Alright, Irene." Kage said, smiling at me.

It felt as if my heart had pierced by a hundred arrows. Each arrow tipped with love potion. My heart started racing, moving thousand of miles per hour.

I'll make you accept my proposal.

"Can I call you Ken?" I asked him.

"Hm? Sure." He replied.

"Alright then...Ken." I smiled.

"Why'd you say it a second time?" He confusedly asked.

"I just wanted to." I giggled.

Ken...

I love you. I'll make you mine.