"Did you see that, Byron?" The heels of Her Majesty's boots clanked as she stepped on the platform. She boarded her carriage swiftly and her royal advisor, and childhood friend, Byron Wagner went in after her.

"How dare he?!" He heard her say again, placing her elbows on the windowsill and cupped her chin with her hand. "No one's ever refused me a dance! No, I ASKED him, and he refused me! I've never been so humiliated in my life!"

Bryon stared at her and chuckled gently. "Don't be so upset, (Y/N). I've heard he always does that, so it's not a rare occurrence. Duke Howard is simply uninterested in women."

(Y/N)'s irritation was painted on every inch of her face. She hadn't really intended to ask Louis Howard for a dance, yet seeing he has turned every lady down at the ball that evening, she thought it would be a nice challenge to overcome. And yet the results of her actions rendered her speechless when Louis shot an icy glare before turning his back on her.

"I am the Queen of Stein." She whispered to herself. "Nobody tramples on my pride and gets away with it."

And from that day, (Y/N), the Queen of Stein, vowed to make Duke Louis Howard of Wysteria fall for her deep and hard.

"Please don't forget that the Princess Elect of Wysteria will be coming over later." Byron reminded.

(Y/N) nodded as she slipped on her vest. "I'll be back before that. It would rather be a nice to experience this ocular visit first hand. I have never been into town for a while."

"Are you sure about this?" He closed his journal and set it on the table.

"It'll be like taking a walk in the garden, Byron." She replied, gathering her hair to one side before tying it. "I'm taking Albert with me. I trust that you'll finish all the paperwork in time as well."

"Of course, Your Majesty."

There was a knock on the door and Albert poked his head before fully coming in. "The carriage is ready, my queen."

"We won't be needing the carriage, Al." (Y/N) smiled. "Get me my horse."

"C-certainly, my queen." Albert bowed.

(Y/N) and Albert were almost past the castle gates. He took a glance at her and realized she was smiling brightly. "Someone looks happy."

"I'm excited." The queen admitted. "I don't always get to see the capital up close like I used to. Thank you for coming with me, Al."

"It's only my duty, Your Majesty."

"Please Al." She faced him. "It's just us, you don't have to be too formal."

Their horses made their way into the city. Albert brought them to the public stables for safekeeping. The queen's task today was just to check the city out. Ocular visits are helpful in getting real time information and so the queen decided that she would do it once in a while personally, even though she has men working for her. "It is my responsibility, after all." She told them, and so she was given a slot once a week to oversee the capital.

They went to the market, the plaza, and some government offices. Her visit went like a breeze and she asked Albert to come with him to the fountain near the plaza.

"It's almost time for us to head back, (Y/N)."

She stood in front of the fountain and opened her arms wide. She looked up, closed her eyes, and inhaled deeply.

"Excuse me, big sister."

(Y/N) looked at her side to see a young boy tugging on sleeve. She then smiled, "What is it little boy?"

"Will you help me make a wish?" he asked shyly. "My arms won't reach."

She kneeled down to him and the gesture made Albert wince. "Your Maj—"

"Alright." She softly said. "Come here."

The boy ran into her arms and she lifted him up. She looked at Albert with a bright face. "Why don't you make a wish as well, Al." With the boy in her arms, (Y/N) walked closer to the edge of the fountain. "Close your eyes first, make a wish, then throw your coin." The boy did as he was told and he thanked her when he was done. He waved with a smile as went away.

"You know, Al." The queen said. "My only wish is to see the people of Stein with smiles on their faces."

The Royal Wysterian carriage was full of people. Giles and Leo were seated together, and across them, the Princess Elect of Wysteria sat beside Duke Howard. The latter was particularly, evidently, wearing a horrid expression. Had the Archduke been well, he wouldn't have to go through this ordeal. As it was a diplomatic affair, he could not refuse this meeting in Stein.

Gazing out the window, he saw several figures of people circling around the fountain near the plaza, but one thing caught his eye intently. There was a figure of a woman, gently lifting a child with smiles plastered on both of their faces. He found himself smiling a little as well.

"Please wait here." Albert said before going back to the public stables to fetch their horses. (Y/N) sat on a bench. It really is getting late. She thought to herself. Byron will be furious. But I know he'll handle things well. She stared across the street and saw the lamps flicker against the dusk. The streets were a bit crowded as the stalls were preparing to close for the day.

"Big sister!"

As if a reflex, she lifted her head and saw the same young boy from the fountain. He waved at her and she did as well. The boy lifted his other hand and saw that he had flowers with him. He looked right and left before moving across towards her. As the boy was in the middle of the street, a bright carriage suddenly appeared near the curve, coming at him with great speed.

"Aghh!" The driver tried to pull on the reigns as hard as he can.

"Watch out!" (Y/N) cried as she dashed to save the child. Without a minute to spare, she flew over him and caught him in a tight, protective hug. The horses neighed in surprised and they seemed crazed. One of the horses slightly hit her aside and both of them were thrown across the street.

"What happened!?" Giles came out from the carriage. "Stay inside, princess."

"There was a boy crossing the street and—"

"Big sister!" The driver's explanation was cut off by the young boy's cries. He crawled out from under (Y/N's) embrace." She clearly had taken a hit.

Leo and Louis went down as well and they both frowned at what they've seen. Leo rushed over to the boy's side. "Are you okay, kid?"

"But she…" The boy was starting to cry.

A groan of pain came from the queen. "Ahh…"

"Hey, can you stand?" Leo tried to grab her shoulder but she slapped his hand away. She lifted her frowning face to meet his eyes. He blinked his eyes in surprise. "Oh boy, Giles. We're in big trouble."

"(Y/N)!" Albert was seen panting atop his horse. He immediately dismounted after seeing her predicament. "What happened, are you okay?"

The queen ignored his questions but she clutched onto his shoulders for support and reached out for the boy. "The flowers are pretty, Thank you."She wiped the boy's tears away. "Now smile. Big sister is okay."

"Well, now I'm not sure how this meeting is gonna go." Giles' expression darkened. "I never imagined we could put the Queen of Stein in such a ridiculously dangerous situation."

Louis sighed, his expression apathetic, but his eyes had been fixed on the queen for quite a while.

After the boy left, Albert scowled, "How dare you do this to the Queen of Stein?! I knew Wysterians could never be trusted!"

Leo as about to say something but (Y/N) cut him off. "Al, let's go. We'll settle this at castle Stein."

"Your Majesty, please let us at least take you inside the carriage." Giles offered.

"Al, my horse, please." (Y/N) tried to walk alone but she almost tripped.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty," Albert looked at her with a seriousness she's never seen from him before. "As much as I don't want any of them near you, I won't let you ride horseback in your current condition. Byron would think so as well, so please get in the carriage for now."

Leo bowed before taking (Y/N) by the hand, gently escorting her inside. "I hope you don't mind me borrowing your horse."

The queen remained silent as she slid into the carriage, sitting beside the princess. The Wysterian royal looked shocked and offered her handkerchief to her.

"I'm very sorry about this, Queen (Y/N)". The princess sounded worried. "I would personally tend to your wounds when we get to your castle."

"It was an accident, Princess (P/N)." The queen replied. "I'm sure nobody wanted for it to happen."

Giles smiled a little. "Indeed, and I find it chivalrous – what you did back there – saving that child even if it almost cost you your life. You truly are a queen."

(Y/N) said nothing. She took out the flowers the boy gave her from her breast pocket. Louis, who was sitting across her, silently gazed at her as she fiddled with the gift with a weak smile on her face.

Back in her chambers, the queen of Stein changed into a fresh batch of clothes. She winced in pain as she raised her hand. She could feel her body ache all over and had visible bruises on the side of her face. The princess had mostly put disinfectant on it already and she could still feel the stings. The doctor had given her painkillers, but it was certainly taking time to kick in. She was told that her injuries were nothing to be worried of, thankfully.

"Queen (Y/N)?" the princess knocked on her bathroom.

She came out dressed in a black military coat over her usual clothing. The seal of Stein gleamed on the left side of her chest. The princess stood there, astounded at the queen's stance. She looks so strong, so regal.

"Uhm-, is it okay for you to wear something as heavy as that?" (P/N) asked, hoping not to sound offensive. "Your bruises would heal faster if you dress lightly, Queen (Y/N)."

"Thank you for the concern, Princess (P/N)." (Y/N) smiled. "I'm fine. Dinner will be served shortly. That will also be the commencement of our diplomatic meeting."

The dining hall was lively as Wysteria and Stein shared a meal. Ever since the neighboring kingdom crowned their Princess Elect, it has been easy to negotiate with them. Some businessmen have also taken an interest to expand in Wysteria, which would certainly benefit both nations.

"Where's Nico?" (Y/N) asked, noticing that her young knight's seat was empty.

"I had him inspect some towns nearby." Byron answered. "He will be back in a couple of days. How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay, Byron." She replied with a smile. "I'm happy I went, so I hope you and Albert don't go worrying about it."

As the festivities continued, the delegations of the two countries continued to roar in the silence of the night. Most were exchanges of political thoughts, economic development plans, and military training.

"I see," the princess nodded at Byron's words. "Perhaps that is a good start. Giles, let's tell Alyn these plans when we get back."

"Of course." Giles nodded.

"By the way, Princess." Byron added. "Stein is also interested in your choices for Prince Consort. Have you decided on that?" The princess looked at him for a moment and dipped her head low when she felt her cheeks grow hot.

"My, Sir Byron, how bold." Giles flashed a smile. "But the Her Highness' is – "

"Giles!" (P/N) hissed.

Byron smiled and folded his arms over his chest. "I see. We'll be looking forward to the official announcement."

"What about Stein?" Leo suddenly appeared. "Isn't the queen lonely without a king by her side?"

"Ah…" Byron weakly sighed. "Her Majesty is – "

No one really noticed (Y/N) waltz out of the dinner party. Her temples were terribly aching and the noise only made it worse. She didn't bother to tell her royal adviser or her knight as they already had plenty of things to deal with. A simple headache is only a trivial matter, even if it was a queen's. She wasn't sure if it was because of what happened earlier or that she was starting to get sick. I just need to get a little air. Hmm… the garden would be nice.

And she did make her way to the garden. There, she saw a lone shadow in the dark. Could it be an intruder? Driven by her sense of security, she stealthily came closer, a hand clutching the handle of her sword.

"Oh…" She murmured after realizing it was the blonde duke. Seeing him again made her remember what he did to her at the Princess Elect's coronation. I vowed to make you fall for me, huh? (Y/N) frowned at the thought. She dropped her hand from her sword and walked over to him.

"I assume you've had enough of the ramblings inside, Your Grace?"

Louis turned around and was a bit surprised to see the Queen of Stein, yet he regained his stiff expression quickly. "Hmm… I've finished what I needed to discuss."

He looked at her as she walked past him to sit on the marble bench. He kept thinking of the accident earlier. "Are you feeling better, Your Majesty?"

She nodded, gazing back at him. She was lost in his sapphire eyes for a moment. He didn't have that ice sculpture expression he shot at her back then. His eyes were warm with concern. She was rather displeased.

"Do you mind if I sit beside?"

"For someone who turned me down asking to sit beside me, Hah."(Y/N) managed to say firmly. You haven't showed any interest in getting close to me before. "Are you being soft with me because of my injuries?"

Louis let out a sigh that was half a chuckle. "I know better than to go soft with you, Your Majesty. As far as I'm aware, you can actually kill me with your eyes closed."

"You make it sound like I'm a beast." She tapped the empty space on the bench, gesturing for the duke to sit down.

They both sat there in silence, the gentle gush of wind ruffling through their hair. The queen's headache seemed to have slowly retreated, yet she could still feel a pang of pain across her temples. She quietly placed her hand on the side of her head.

Louis seemed to notice her gesture and said, "Might I share a trick, Your Majesty?"

"That depends on what you have up your sleeve, Duke Howard." She saw a smile on his face for a second.

Taking that as an affirmation, Louis lifted his hands to either side of her head, his fingers digging through her hair. "This is just one way to nurse an aching head." His thumb applied an amount of pressure and gently went in circles along her temple and she felt a shiver run through her body.

She flinched.

"Oh." Louis stopped. "I'm sorry, did that hurt?"

"Ah, no." The queen felt her cheeks go hot.

The duke pushed himself closer and she was inches away from his chest. "I must say," He began. "What Her Majesty did earlier was really commendable."

"Anyone would do that." (Y/N) breathed in. "It's nothing extraordinary."

"Not any noble would. The way I see it, aristocrats have this heightened level of self-importance. Saving someone at the probable expense of their lives isn't something they can do."

"Wouldn't you have done the same thing?"

"Who knows?" Louis' hands fell down and she looked up at him. "But, you've earned a great deal of my respect, Queen (Y/N). Not that it would make any difference to you, I just wanted you to know."

She internally gasped at his words. What? What? Did I just get through to Duke Howard? She had wanted to make him fall in love with her out of spite, but something inside her stirred up a feeling she wasn't all too familiar with. She looked at him again and could see that he was getting up to go.

"I believe it's better for you to rest at this time." Louis suggested.

The queen thought for a while and said, "That's okay. I'm staying for a while, Duke Howard."

"Louis, Your Majesty." He flashed a fleeting smile before turning his back on her. The Queen of Stein sat there, her hand over her chest, watching the duke disappear into the darkness.