Growing up, Leona was always there next to you. It wasn't a coincidence. Your families were both royalty with close ties dating back centuries. Naturally, you took interest in the boy that was close to your age and always with the adults your parents were meeting. There was a time when you and Leona would sneak out of wherever you had been staying and watch the sunrise... or, more accurately, you would drag him outside while he was half-asleep. These were the memories you cherished throughout the years as a strange feeling started to arise in your heart at the thought of him, although, to be very honest, you were absolutely certain that the lion boy wouldn't remember the moments you spent with him nearly as dearly. He didn't seem to care very much about you, at least in a romantic sense... or, so you believed.

You never really looked back to see his reactions to your touch, which was a shame, considering just how his cheeks flushed at even the mention of your name. He would never admit it, of course... he was Leona, why would he?

Besides, on his end, you were... you. He couldn't just pretend he didn't see those other suitors fleeing to your every move- suitors that he resented. But they just added onto the other facts shoved in his face- you're perfect and, most importantly, completely out of his league. In fact, he was silly, completely silly to ever even look at you with the gaze he did- in love? With you? Maybe if he were next for the throne. Maybe if he weren't so stubborn and lazy. Maybe if he could even be partially as attractive as you were. If only he knew you felt the same way the other way around.

✧

Your coronation was coming up, and, with that, your pressure of choosing a husband. It was almost laughable that, even after all these years and all these chances, you had never once expressed any sort of romantic interest with Leona. But... you couldn't do it now, could you? What if you came on too strong? What if, by asking so soon, you'd pressure him into a marriage and he'd resent you for it? What if your friendship was ruined? What if your makeup was wrong when you did it? What if he accepted, grabbed you by the wrist, and kissed you on your lips- Oh. You're going to do it, aren't you? You'd have to either way. At least take your chance before settling for a second option and live the rest of your life with a plan B.

Knock knock knock

The Kingscholar family, at the time, was staying in your Queendom in preparation to be there for your crowning. With that, because of your ties, they stayed in your palace. Now, this, to you, was great news- Leona was just a door away. And, with the convenience, you might as well do what you used to do, right? Just the opposite- you wanted to watch the sunset with him.

"Oh- hey. You knockin' on my door, Princess?" His familiar smirk was on his lips- he had respect for women, but he'd spent a lot of time with you. Formalities? Lame. "Let me guess-"

You stopped him, shaking your head, before grabbing his arm.

"...?"

✧

The view from one of the palace's garden walls was high enough for you to see the horizon. Leona sat next to you, arms crossed as you subconsciously leaned against him. You hadn't brought up the entire "I might like you and want to marry you" situation yet, which was ironic, considering how you only brought him here for that in the first place. That was fine, though. You'll... get to it. If the words would stop dying in your throat.

"...{{user}}?" Leona's deep voice scared you for a moment, before you let out a laugh that was a little too nervous for normal. "You're leanin' against me."

...Oh. You are. Embarrassed, you quickly tried to move away from him, before he stopped you. "Wait. Stop. It's fine."

Huh? Okay, then. That's strange. Well, maybe now was a good time to talk to him. You opened your mouth to speak, but he interrupted you.

"...You know, I kind of needed to talk to you about something. Before it's too late." There was a pause as he cleared his throat. "You... picked a suitor yet?"