SS – Himedere

Once upon a time, there was a haughty princess that thought she was above everyone.

The general public had a good opinion of her, but certain people that lived inside the castle knew about the true, hidden side of the princess.

Her father, the king, knew about her bad behavior, so he made sure that everyone kept quiet about her behavior by making all the workers in the royal castle sign a contract.

Most people would think, "It can't be that bad, she might just be a little obnoxious..."

However, that could not be any further from the truth.

She was a selfish brat that had a superiority complex regarding anyone that she met.

If they weren't royalty or someone extraordinary, she wouldn't even bother considering them as an acquaintance.

That was the true nature of Akari Akazawa, first princess of the Akazawa kingdom.

"Haaah... I hope I don't get scolded again today..." A listless knight sighed.

This knight, Takei Tanaka, was a laughingstock in the army of knights.

He was very clumsy, messed up a lot, and made a lot of trouble for the other knights.

Which is why he was shunned and casted aside from the other knights.

Even the princess had gotten mad at him on several occasions.

"You useless knight! Carry my luggage to my room correctly!"

"I am your boss, your princess, and your master. You will listen to every command and whim of mine."

"Bring me the things I requested immediately! There's a meeting between kingdoms soon and I need to be ready!"

At some point, Takei had inadvertently become the princess's personal pack mule. "This is bullying, isn't it?"

The clumsy knight then went about his day normally, which surprised him because he would usually get interrupted by the princess berating him.

At around noon when most people were having their lunch break, Takei heard a loud scream come from the top floor of the castle.

"Eeeek! Help me!"

Takei had been eating his lunch alone in a secluded area devoid of any other people, so he could hear the scream crystal clear.

Looking up from his seat, he could see an armed enemy running away with the princess thrown over his shoulder.

A kidnapping, how cliche... I should let her be punished for how much she bullies me, but that would be in bad taste. I probably wouldn't be able to sleep at night.

Although Takei was regarded as a clumsy knight who couldn't do anything right, there was one thing that he excelled in.

It was one singular thing that he was unparalleled in...

Combat.

"Don't worry, I'm just here to kidnap you and maybe rough you up a bit. I won't kill you."

"That doesn't make me feel any better! Help, someone!"

Please... Someone... Save me...

The intruder was running off with Akari as fast as possible, but someone appeared in front of him before he could even notice.

"Did someone call for help?"

The person who stood in front of the intruder was none other than the strongest clumsy knight in the kingdom, Takei Tanaka.

With a sword in hand, he was ready to fight back against the bandit.

"How troublesome, but let's proceed," the bandit grinned, as he put down Akari for a second to fight Takei.

They were on the top of a roof, so there was no reason to worry about Akari escaping.

Takei got into a sword stance and stared the enemy down. "Try to impress me. I hope you'll meet my expectations."

With those last words being uttered, both of them dashed forward and raised their swords.

The way the swords were raised, anyone could tell that both of them were going for a one-hit battle.

In other words, they both decided to end the battle in one hit.

Will that knight be able to win this? I hope he doesn't die saving me...

Akari was quite worried about who would win the fight, although she was more worried about whether Takei would be able to survive or not.

It seemed that the little princess was finally beginning to open her heart.

Luckily for her, the princess's fears were unfounded.

After the blades clashed and smoke dissipated, there was only one person left standing.

"Knight...!"

Takei was standing amidst the smoke and rubble from their powerful clash, with his sword stuck through the bandit's chest.

"I won, princess..."

Before he could even release the sword from his hand, the princess ran up and tackled him.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." She wailed. "Hic... I'm sorry for what I've done!"

No one came to save me but him... The one person who I've been consistently bullying for the last couple years just so happens to be my savior. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

"Erm, sorry for what?" Takei awkwardly chuckled.

Akari looked up to him with tears in her eyes. "I've looked down upon you for years for your status as a knight. I've bullied you countless times even though you did nothing wrong. I'm sorry, so incredibly sorry. I don't expect you to forgive me, but I will atone until you do."

There was a glint in Takei's eyes when Akari said this.

"Is that so?" Takei indifferently said. "Then, atone right now. Sit down and close your eyes."

"O-okay..." Akari nodded, as she sat down and closed her eyes.

Akari nervously awaited to see what her fate was going to be, but a long time passed without anything happening.

Is he still thinking of what to do to me? What is he do-?"

*Flick*

"Kyaaa!"

Instead of being brutally punished like she thought would happen, a single finger came and flicked her forehead.

"W-What are you doing!" She yelled, in embarrassment.

Takei mischievously smiled and winked. "Oi, why should I be commanding my boss? Aren't you the princess that we all love and revere?"

Akari realized that he was mocking her, which resulted in an even redder expression than what she already had.

"Agh, I tried to be nice to you! How dare you, you lowly knight! I'm going to keep using you as I see fit!" She yelled.

In response to her outburst, Takei laughed and patted her head.

"Yes, yes. I understand. Let's go back to the castle, shall we?" Takei smiled. "You can yell at me as much as you want later."

"..." Akari was speechless.

Ah, I see what his intentions are. He wanted to cheer me up... What a kind man...

"O-Okay, take me back to the castle then," the princess said, albeit a bit more bashfully.

Takei nodded and gently smiled. "Understood, princess. I'll escort you back then."

On the way back, Akari held the hem of Takei's shirt the entire time.

Neither of them knew at the time, but it wouldn't be too long until they realized that their hearts belonged to each other.