The Guardia Kingdom and Meldia Kingdom once shared a single crown. Their history runs deep—ancient ties marked by both friendship and rivalry. Even now, though peace covers the continent like calm waters, everyone knows a single spark could ignite conflict again.
To keep relations strong, both kingdoms regularly send envoy delegations to one another.
This time, Meldia's envoy travels to Guardia. Among them is Onee, a close confidant of Prince Heinz.
"Phew. I'll never get used to riding horses."
During their journey to Guardia, Onee dismounted for a short rest, stretching stiff joints as they muttered under their breath.
They say they aren't used to horses, but really—you shouldn't ask how they learned to ride in the first place. There's nothing this overly capable Onee can't do.
(T/N: In Japan, horses are technically treated like light vehicles—you don't need a license to ride them. But if you drink before riding, that's still considered drunk driving. So, be careful out there.)
"You alright, Yuuki? You're the star of this envoy. Don't go collapsing before we even arrive," Grace teased.
"You say that like I planned to."
Yuuki—better known among friends as the Muscle Onee—shrugged. Their tailored knight ceremonial attire gave off an elegant charm for once, rather than the usual tight fit that strained against every muscle.
The sword on their hip? Purely decorative. Everyone important knows it.
"Still, why am I the acting captain? The real captain's fine. We don't need a stand-in."
"Yuuki... you really think the captain could sit still and behave at a ceremonial event?"
"...Yeah, fair point."
Her eyes went dead for a moment before she sighed in defeat. Even though it wasn't her fault, she apologized anyway. The captain's wife would've done the same—restless, fidgeting, always moving like a child who couldn't stay still.
"So the captain's even like that?" Onee asked.
"Exactly. Same energy, same speech patterns too. I get that you and the captain have to talk rough because of your jobs, but why did she end up speaking like that too, I wonder."
Grace almost blurted out, You're one to talk, but swallowed the words just in time.
"Anyway," Grace said, straightening. "The queen of Guardia hasn't appeared in public since her royal marriage. This envoy also doubles as her formal reintroduction. I'm sure things will go smoothly—but don't cause a scene, okay?"
"Oh please. As if I'd ever do something that reckless."
Grace's earlier warning echoed in Yuuki's head like the line, "Don't push me! I said don't push me!"
But even this Muscle Onee knew better than to take things that far, so they simply nodded in silent agreement.
...
*At Guardia Kingdom.*
The envoy's greeting ceremony ended without a hitch.
The Queen and Yuuki briefly met eyes, but that was all—no words, no gestures. Just the faintest flicker of recognition.
The ceremony concluded without a single disturbance. Perfectly peaceful.
* * *
"So," the King asked, "what did you think, Asahi?"
"That person is not human! No Japanese person looks like that!"
The Queen's voice thundered down the palace hallway as she strode beside the King. Even in anger, she kept her tone low enough not to echo. Truly a considerate Japanese woman—furious but courteous.
"Height's one thing. He's tall, fine. But that build! His arm was thicker than my waist! You don't even see that in bodybuilders!"
The Queen's protest was, unfortunately, perfectly logical. Yet Yuuki—Muscle Onee—was indeed Japanese.
Those muscles weren't for show; they were battle-hardened through countless playful brawls with his wife. A very practical kind of strength.
"I think," said the King calmly, "you're just too skinny, Asahi."
"Shut it. And all of you in this world are freakishly big anyway!"
Though slightly taller than the average Japanese woman, Asahi was considered petite in this world.
Rumor said the King fell for her the day she punched him out of sheer irritation. The shock rewired his brain straight into devotion.
A miracle of love, indeed.
Then the King paused mid-sentence.
Following his gaze, the Queen noticed Yuuki sitting on a courtyard bench. Grace was beside him, chatting quietly.
"Well, speak of the devil," the King murmured. "That's the envoy's knight, right? They seem close."
"That woman is Prince Heinz's favorite," the Queen replied. "Her family may be minor nobility, but her mother was the Prince's wet nurse. Grace is his most trusted knight."
"So that musclebound man's most trusted ally is the Prince's right hand. Interesting pair."
The Queen studied the two from afar—future pillars of their respective kingdoms.
Then Yuuki looked up. Their eyes met.
Silence stretched between the Queen and the envoy.
Grace quickly kneeled in respect, but Yuuki didn't move. He knew. And so did she.
They both realized it—
The man on the bench and the passing heroine shared a secret no one else did.
They were both from Japan.
And they both knew the only line that could follow.
"Uho! Nice guy..."
"Wanna do it?"
'Do what, exactly!?'
Of course, it was a cliché. A well-worn internet meme that half the audience probably expected.
But clichés don't always work in another world. The instant the Queen blurted it out, chaos erupted—Grace screamed, and even the King shouted in shock.
A queen and a knight, declaring an affair on sight.