Bruno VS. Brunia

In the carriage, Prince Bruno and Princess Brunia were advancing to Wienner the capital city. Brunia asked, "Bruno? How are we even here? Going to the national opera house?"

Bruno replied, "You forgot?! Well... it all started this morning at breakfast..."

*FLASHBACK*

At breakfast, the four Princes and the four Princesses assembled at the family table with the King and Queen. As Prince Licht and Licha arrived at the table, the King asked, "Good morning to you two. Have you made any progress in your bonding assignment?"

Licht answered, "Of course, we have. Our date gave us an excellent opportunity to bond."

Licha added, "Indeed, Your Majesty, but to comfort you; no; that wasn't actually a date. We just gave that name as we would love to tease both the Brunies!"

The King gave a small giggle and replied, "Remarkable progress, you two. Don't worry, I won't disclose your little scandal to Bruno and Brunia."

A few minutes later, Leonhard and Leonora arrived at the table too. The Queen asked, "Good morning, to you two. Bright and early, I suppose. Have you two also made progress in your assignment as your younger siblings?"

Leonhard replied, "Of course, my Queen. I did promise father that I would make him proud, and I'm glad to see that everything's going well."

Leonora remarked, "Yes. Before we just used to play soccer and fencing together. Now, we are also able to study together and help each other."

The Queen smiled and responded, "Glad to hear it, my dears. Please help ourselves with some fresh bacon."

Soon enough, Bruno and Brunia entered the room and greeted everyone present there. The King inquired, "Good morning to you too! So, I hear that you're getting along splendidly. However, have you two done anything recreational other than studying together?"

Bruno answered, "Yes, we have been getting along quite well, but no. We haven't really been able to take out time to go something recreational."

Brunia added, "Yes, Your Majesty. I have been so pre-occupied with my studies that I haven't been able to do the same."

The King asked, "Alright, so are you two free today?" Both of them glanced at each other and then nodded with approval. The King then instructed, "I have purchased two opera tickets for the Queen and myself. But I suppose that you two can go instead."

Brunia exclaimed, "No, Your Majesty, we can do something else. There is no need to give up on those expensive tickets."

The King replied, "Trust me, you need it more than we do. I insist that you two go together. If it were someone else, I wouldn't give up my tickets, but I suppose that you two can understand the beauty of opera. Maximilian, the palace guard, will accompany you. The show starts at five in the evening." The Prince and the Princess nodded their heads with approval and sat down at the breakfast table.

A few moments later, Kai and Kaira penetrated the room and took their seats at the table. The Queen commented, "I see that you two have gotten along splendidly since Kai gave Kaira a little push into persuading me for the Princess to resume her studies at the etiquette academy."

The King exclaimed with joy, "Really? That's terrific news!" Soon Professor Heine and Professor Heidi joined the royal families.

Licht asked in curiosity, "Father, may I ask you a question? Why are you and the Queen so eager for us to get along?" The King was flushed out for a second, but then quickly replied, "Vermillion is one of our allied nations for more than 500 years now. All of the predecessors of both the kingdoms have established close relationships by meeting each other and introducing their children. It's tradition, my son."

Licht responded, "Oh, of course. Stupid question."

*END OF FLASHBACK*

Bruno concluded, "...and so that's that." Brunia inquired, "However, about His Majesty's answer to Licht's question seemed a little one part of the reason, right?"

Bruno answered, "I think so. He did look startled at first about it."

The carriage diver summoned, "Your Highnesses, the national opera house has come into view." Both of them descended the carriage and entered the mesmerizing premises. An usher in suit and tails leads the Prince and the Princess through the exquisite building and into an intimate private box with a breathtaking view of the stage.

Brunia exclaimed, "Amazing! I have never been to an opera house before. But I did listen to it several times on the radio."

Bruno replied, "I know, same here. But being here and seeing this in person, it's a whole different feeling." They take their seats as the lights in the theater dim. The orchestra roars to life as the curtains open to reveal a starry set. A beautiful woman takes the stage and begins to sing in Italian. Her voice is lovely but mournful.

Bruno asked, "Do you comprehend what they are portraying on the stage."

Brunia answered, "I know that you're trying to test my knowledge in this field, but alright, I will explain. The actors are portraying the story of a young woman dying as she's bitten by a snake. And that male over there is searching the underworld for her, until at last, he finds her again."

Bruno was surprised and gaped at Brunia with his mouth open amazed by her knowledge. She grinned at him and commented, "You look really cute when you're perplexed. Here, let me close that for you." Brunia touched the Prince's chin and closed his mouth for him.

Brunia remarked, "Well... I must say your skin is very soft. Like a kitten with soft fur." Bruno smiled as a response and continued to watch the show on stage. A few moments later, when the drama progressed, Brunia felt a damp tickle at her cheek and realized that she's crying. When she looked over at Bruno, she was astounded to discover that he's doing the same!

Bruno glanced at Brunia to see tears in her eyes, and he gently wipes a tear off her cheek and mentioned, "I understand you feel. You must have not seen anything like this in your life before. To be honest, neither did I." And before he knew it, he discovered that Brunia was holding his hand! He didn't pull away; instead, he interlaced his fingers with hers, holding tight.

They remained like that until the show concluded. Brunia didn't have the foggiest notion that she was holding Bruno's hand. As the show ended, the applause filled the room like a thunderstorm all around the Prince and the Princess in the dark, and they both looked at each other, both realizing that they are holding hands. Unwillingly, they both let go and left the premises.

As they were walking out together, Brunia asked neglecting the subject of what transpired in the opera house, "Bruno? Have you seen Maximilian?"

Bruno answered calmly, "Not really. But he did tell me that he is gone at the grocery store and will be here at 8."

Brunia added, "And it already is. Let's just wait here because only he knows where the carriage is parked."

A few moments later, Maximilian appeared at the view and screamed, "Uh-Heeeeeh!! 'M here! Prinsh Bruuuunoooo and Prinshesesss Bruuuniaaaaa!!!"

Bruno asked angrily, "ARE YOU DRUNK!?"

Maximilian answered with excitement, "NOOOOOO!!!! I bought one bottle of wine from the grocery store! It's been a while!"

Brunia whispered to Bruno, "I doubt whether it stopped at one drink. Bruno, we must help him, or he will be knocked out any time soon."

Bruno nodded with approval and inquired, "Maximilian, do you know where the carriage is parked?"

Maximilian shouted with glee, "OHHHHHH YEAAAAAHHHHH!!!! It's behind the national opera house!" Bruno and Brunia carried Maximilian and went behind the monument as he said. They found their vehicle, and Maximilian commented, "SEEEE!!! I'm SMAAART!! I DON'T KNOW WHY LUDWIG BLLLAAACACKK!" His speech was interrupted by him puking all over Brunia!!

Brunia screamed, "MAXIMILIAN!!!! WHAT IN THE DEVIL YOU DID TO MY DRESS!? UGH!" Bruno quietly made the drunken palace guard sit in the carriage and went over to the adjacent grocery store to buy Brunia a new outfit.

He rushed back to the carriage, where Brunia was standing outside and said, "Here. They don't really sell palace gowns in town so you'll have to adjust with this."

Brunia smiled and asked, "You bought that for me? Seriously?"

Bruno grinned as a response and answered, "Yes, now you don't want to go back home looking like that." Brunia quickly went to a changing room of a nearby store and promptly ascended the vehicle along with the Prince and headed back home.

As they reached the palace grounds, Brunia snuck into the kitchen and bought a bucket full of lemons for Maximilian to feast on to decrease the alcoholic content in his body. After Maximilian was brought to his senses, the King and Queen appeared at the entrance and asked, "Good evening to you two, and Maximilian. How was the show at the opera house?"

Bruno answered, "It was magical, and it was worth it."

Brunia added, "Absolutely, the pain, the happiness and the love portrayed by all the actors on stage made everything seem so real. Thank you, Your Majesties, now would you please excuse us." They both bowed in front of the King and Queen and fell into a deep slumber in their room without saying another word to each other. Both the Professors noticed their behavioral pattern towards each other and sensed some hostility. While they were sleeping, both the Professors walked towards their room and wondered what happened at the national opera house. They knew that they didn't fight, but something of significance did transpire there, and they were curious to reveal the fact.