Nami

“Meow, meow,” Yuki cried while watching me open a portal to the Kingdom of Angels.

“I will be back soon, Yuki. Please, wait for my return,” I said, patting the Cat Guardian’s head and smiling. “Make sure to get plenty of rest because we will be traveling to the Kingdom of Demons in the afternoon, okay?” 

“Meow,” he responded before jumping onto my bed and lying down, letting me know he understood. 

I nodded in approval and stepped into the white portal, taking deep breaths to calm my nerves as anticipation and nervousness began to get the best of me.

* * *

“Princess Nami,” Sir Seichi, the Commander of the Knightly Order, who also happened to be my brother Sora’s childhood and best friend, exclaimed the second I stepped out of the portal.

I held a strand of my white hair and glanced over my shoulder, smiling softly as I saw my light blue wings fluttering graciously on my back. Ah, I have missed my wings. Being human has its charm, but my comfort truly lies in my angel form. I inspected my white robes embroidered with light-pink thread, the latter forming designs of delicate flowers up the hem and along both long sleeves. 

“You look truly magnificent, Your Highness,” Commander Seichi continued, showering me with praises. “You have blossomed into a delicate and beautiful young lady.” He fell onto one knee, bowed his head, and put a hand on his chest, greeting me with utter respect.

The fact that I needed to cast aside my nonchalant manner and put my princessly mask on to talk to him bothered me a bit. Whenever I interacted with Father, Mother, and the other Angel Nobles, I needed to be regal and behave and speak like a perfect lady—the same rule applied when I interacted with my brothers in public. When Sora, Souma, and I were secured in our privacy, we acted more like caring and loving siblings, allowing us to be much more casual and whatnot.

Noticing that the Commander was still kneeling, I said, “There is no need for such formality, Commander. Please, rise.” As he obeyed immediately, I took a minute to inspect his frame—his long and silky light blond hair, the young and perfect features on his flawless face, and grey eyes granted him a beauty that was rare even amongst angels, making him a desired and admired angel lord by the angel ladies. His light green wings befit the Commander of the Knightly Order, as well as a member of the second-highest-ranking Noble Family in the kingdom, drawing both jealousy and admiration from the Angel Nobles and Commoners alike. His father, Hamada Teruo, served as the Grand Master of the Knightly Order and was my father’s right hand, and they had been around the castle for as long as I could remember. 

“Your Highness, how do you fare? I had not anticipated the pleasure of encountering you here today.” He grinned, looking as handsome as always in his uniform—dark blue pants, a light blue and white surcoat, and a dark blue mantle with a golden brooch displaying the kingdom’s crest. 

“In truth, I have arrived unannounced; the weekend in the angel realm was not in my plans. However, there is an urgent matter that I wish to discuss with the king, and it cannot wait,” I asserted, clenching my fists in determination to give myself the courage to tell my brother everything about Yusuke and my visit to the Kingdom of Demons.

The commander tilted his head to the side, reminding me of a certain demon who did the same thing whenever he was curious, confused, or asking about something. Due to my own mind betraying me, I ended up giggling, making a mental note to share that observation with the one and only when we met in Tokyo. 

“Are you… giggling?” Sir Seichi asked, wide-eyed and mouth agape, astonished. 

I frowned, confused. “Why do you seem so surprised?”

He bowed. “My apologies, Your Highness. It was not my intention to offend you.”

I shook my head. “You did not offend me. I am simply curious as to why my giggling seemed to surprise you.” 

He glanced up at me, relieved. “It is just that…” He ran a hand through his hair and averted his eyes from me. “I have never witnessed you giggling before, and I was taken aback by how beautiful you look when you do so.” 

I blinked several times, my brain struggling to process his words. 

Is my brother’s best friend flirting with me? Has my life turned into a rom-com? 

I had learned the term ‘rom-com’ when I read a magazine featuring love and flirting, and I had been wondering since then what that actually meant. Not that it mattered, but according to Aimi-chan, I started living a kind of rom-com story the moment I met Yusuke for the first time; go figure.

“Little Sister?” Sora appeared behind the commander, as stunned by my presence as his servants following him were. “I must admit, your visit this weekend has taken me by surprise. It is a welcome one, of course, but not quite what I was expecting. I trust there is a delightful reason behind this unexpected rendezvous?” He smiled politely.

I waved at him, my face breaking into a grin immediately as excitement overwhelmed me. I cast aside decorum and ran toward him. “Sora,” I squealed, wrapping my arms around his neck and hugging him tightly. “I have missed you so much.” 

To say that my brother was taken aback by my warm and friendly greeting was an understatement. “Na-Nami?” he stuttered as he wrapped his arms around me, hugging me back. “I have missed you too,” he whispered.

“Princess Nami.” All of my brother’s servants present bowed respectfully as I released their master, and I smiled in return to let them know that I appreciated their gestures.

“Why did I not receive such a delightful reception as the king did, Princess?” the commander pouted, scowling at me and pointing toward Sora. “I would have embraced you warmly, as well.”

Sora glared at his friend, hissing, “Seichi, my oldest and dearest friend, would you truly dare to disrespect your King so? My little sister is off-limits. Do not jest about laying a finger on the princess, or you may find yourself facing consequences even our friendship cannot shield you from.” He was really, really angry.

The commander put his hands in front of his chest in a defensive mode. “My sincere apologies, Your Majesty. I would never disrespect you or Princess Nami.” He bowed.

Sora huffed, “Very well.” He then glanced at me, his expression softening. “Are you staying here until tomorrow night, Nami?”

“I am not, but I would like to speak with you now if you have the time,” I said, hopeful that he was free and could spend some time with me before I lost my courage and fled back to Tokyo without accomplishing my mission. 

My brother was pensive for a brief moment before ordering one of his servants to cancel his next royal appointment. Then, he ordered the other ones to prepare the gazebo at the Daffodil Garden for casual tea, which they obeyed immediately.

“Let us have tea in the Daffodil Garden in thirty minutes, Little Sis.” Sora smiled and walked away without giving me the chance to thank him for granting me some of his precious time. 

Once it was just the two of us again, Commander Seichi commented, “I can see that the human realm is working wonders for your soul.” 

“Pardon me, but could you elaborate on that?” I asked, my brows furrowed. 

“Your display of emotions enhances your regal charm even more than before your sojourn in the human realm, Your Highness,” he stated, winking flirtatiously as his lips curled into a beam. “Now, if you will excuse me, duty calls, and I must return to the Knightly Order pavilion.”

I watched him bow and waltz away in silence, still dumbfounded by all his praises and flattering. 

Has he always been like that? Not that I minded his behavior, as I believed any angel lady would be more than happy to receive compliments from the commander. 

“Princess Nami? Your Majesty has instructed me to assist you in preparing for your tea,” one of the female servants informed me, her voice low and respectful. 

I nodded in response and followed her to my chamber, feeling both excited and apprehensive about the conversation I was about to have with the king of the Kingdom of Angels.

* * *

“You look absolutely lovely in that robe, Your Highness,” the sweet servant remarked, her green eyes shining with wonder and admiration as she gazed at me. 

“Thank you.” I smiled at her through the mirror. “Though, I have no recollection of ever acquiring this robe before.” I frowned, digging through my memories to remember when it had come into my possession. The robe was white, adorned with golden and light blue embroideries on the waist, forming a beautiful belt of flowers and leaves. Although the morning sun was warm, the natural cool breeze coming from the water fountains scattered around the garden prompted me to put on a white hooded cloak decorated with light blue diamonds. In the Kingdom of Angels, the angels walked barefoot—our feet never got hurt regardless of the circumstances, and they never got cold even during snowstorms. 

The kingdom was naturally blessed with colder weather, having never experienced hot temperatures. That was why I despised hot weather; I almost had a heart attack when I learned that Tokyo went through a season called summer every year, which, apparently, reached scalding temperatures, turning daily life into literal hell. 

I am so not looking forward to spending my days in Tokyo during the so-called summer…

I cringed at my reflection in the mirror, dreading sweating, panting, and taking ten cold showers a day to survive what could easily kill me—even though there were still two months remaining until August, and I might receive permission to move back to the castle permanently until then. 

Fingers crossed that the attacks will stop until summer. 

“Princess Nami, is there anything about your robe that does not meet your preferences or liking?” The servant sounded and looked worried.

Before I could respond, my mother burst through the door and approached me, her disapproving expression informing me that she was not pleased by my sudden visit. 

“Lady Misaco.” The servant bowed and looked down before her. 

“Mother.” I nodded slightly, my heart turning stone cold in an instant.

“What are you doing in the angel realm, Nami? Why did your brother cancel an important royal appointment to have tea with you?” she barked, the tone in her voice and the rage in her eyes contrasting with her impeccable posture and delicate looks. As a forty-year-old angel lady and former queen of the Kingdom of Angels, she looked immaculate with her short white hair, light blue eyes, and matching light blue wings—the latter used to be a light shade of green but turned light blue when she married Father, Fukuyama Yoshihiko, who carried the blood of the Royal Family. Her beige robe, adorned with patterns embroidered in grey thread, though elegant, seemed just… boring in my eyes.  

“I have arrived to address a matter of utmost confidentiality with my esteemed brother, Sora. My sincerest apologies for any unintended disturbance to his schedule; I bear regret for the inconvenience caused.” I apologized automatically, though merely for show. 

“What matter do you wish to discuss with him?” she pried, glaring at me with such intensity that my soul almost left my body. 

I took a deep breath and replied, “I regret to inform you that I cannot disclose the details at this moment.” 

I am dead.

Mother narrowed her eyes, turned around after a couple of seconds, and left the room, allowing me to breathe a sigh of relief and be proud that I had managed to maintain my composure without revealing anything despite the pressure.

Does Mother hate me? Has she always hated me? Is that why I was so sheltered growing up? I could not help but wonder silently, sadness settling in my chest as I thought about all the families I had seen in the human realm having fun together. 

“I do not wish to overstep my bounds as a mere servant, but may I humbly express my honest opinion to you, Your Highness?” The servant glanced at me through the mirror while brushing my hair with a golden brush. 

“Yes, you may.”

“Lady Misaco is deeply fond of Your Highness, yet she restrains her emotions due to her position as the former queen of the Kingdom of Angels. I implore you to be patient with her,” she pleaded. “Her concern for your safety is genuine, and she even sought permission from Lord Yoshihiko and King Sora to visit you in the human realm. Regrettably, her request was dismissed due to concerns about potential dangers.”

“Mother expressed a desire to visit me in the human realm?” I gasped, shaken to the core, but in a good way.

“Yes, she did, Your Highness.” The servant smiled.

“Thank you for informing me.” I returned the gesture, the sadness in my chest turning into a gentle warmth in my heart.

* * *