“You make anything seem so beautiful.”

—

HEIAN ERA.

Growing up as a princess, you were never thought of one to explore monstrous creatures, nonetheless speak to them. you were shaped to be a certain person, to be expected of certain things. rules to abide by.

one, marry. marry into a family that would grant you a lifetime of happiness, money, and wealth.

two, become with child. create an heir to take over the throne of your soon—to be.

and..

three, live your life by the royalty you were given.

but to you, that’s not what mattered. nature mattered. animals, insects, plants mattered. and so, you sought to study and learn the ways of nature.

you were taught that creatures and monsters weren’t the ways of nature, but the way of the devil. so you stayed away. or, tried.

a small wooden table sat near clear green trees tall as the sky, covered in flowers and plants that you picked apart.

as you examined a lily, you noticed a motion in the distance. a light pink butterfly. it captured your attention, enchanting you.

you stood up, eyes following it. the fabric of your gown brushed against the green grass, sunlight shining above you, covered by the trees. you chased after it, sliding off the insufferable heels given to you by your mother.

a look of glee on your face, your teeth visible. you noticed the tall back of a man, the butterfly landing on the shoulder of him. hair a fading pink, he turned around, facing you.

a creature, but he looked.. human?

he eyed the butterfly, a mix between crimson and wood brown coloured his eyes. he looked relaxed, calm, quiet and eased.

his eyes flicked up to you. a sort of stillness went through your body as you examined his face.

two faces, and two sets of eyes that intrigued you. a body like a normal, muscular human.. though his face wasn’t.

his head tilted, seemingly wondering what you were thinking.

“I am lost.”

his voice startled you, deep and silky.