One
The drawing room was small compared to other rooms in the palace, though nonetheless beautiful. A golden chandelier was raised high above, dormant as its light was not required during the day. The room consisted of a few settees and chaises gathered snugly in the middle, their arms gold and fabric white and teal to match the rest of the chamber. Guards were stationed along the length of the room as they were around most of palace, each bearing the emblem of the Haruno monarchy.
The room contained the only entrance to the throne room, which was why Sakura rested on one of the divans, her fingers idly tracing the filigree patterns as she waited. The king was in there right now, discussing private matters unknown to her. She knew it would likely be a while until the gargantuan doors to her left opened, but still she didn't mind sitting there.
Soon enough she would be able to enter the room and speak with her father about an event she would like to accompany her dearest friend to. As it was located quite far, she required permission to leave the court for an extended period of time. So she sat, imagining what sort of boring conference was being held in there this time, unknowing to the fact her very fate was being determined.
In truth, there was no big event. Her friend had concocted the lie in order to get her away from the ever demanding eyes of court. She had insisted that Sakura be granted some freedom to do as she wished, but as the only child of the ruler, her responsibilities as princess were as relentless as ever.
Normally, she would have hated the idea, deeming it unforgivable to deceive a father who had given so much to her. But she had to admit, being cooped up here all year round was starting to grate on her sanity. So she decided she would lie, just this once, if it produced her even an ounce of freedom. What harm would it do?
Of course, she would eventually have to return. It was inevitable. Just as her future reign.
She sighed, now looking up to the painted sky on the ceiling depicting gods and angels alike among clouds of pure white. What she would give to have talent like that! To make the beholder's soul fill with tranquillity upon gaze– to entrap one for eternity. The thought of having that much power over someone was exhilarating.
And she was almost certain she would never have it.
Though she was princess, and strictly speaking ruled over an entire kingdom, that wasn't the sort of power she longed for. What she wanted went beyond that. Power over someone's heart. She had never been delusional enough to believe such a thing could happen to her, yet she was unable to stop her mind from wondering what it would be like, to have someone at the mercy of her every wish, and in return she at theirs.
The doors to the throne room thundered open, breaking her thought trail and effectively making her jump out of her skin. Her head snapped to the source of the unexpected arrival, and she found herself staring at a young man, no doubt whom had just been in presence of the king. Her heart still pounded in her chest from the initial shock and she felt as if she had been caught in the act of something private, her thoughts laid out bare for all to see. But that wasn't possible, for how could he have known what she was thinking of? Nevertheless she felt raw and emotionally exposed. But maybe that was because of something else.
Like the way his eyes were intently trained on her.
She swallowed as she stared back in perplex. His tall stature and regal looks were not unlike who he had just had an audience with, but still managed to be completely different at the same time. He was sharp edged and possessed a distinctive cold aura, his entirety clothed in black. His hair and eyes appeared this colour too, and Sakura had to stifle a breath at how dominating he looked as he stood there on the threshold.
He took a step forward, holding her gaze as he let the doors fall close behind him. She noticed a sword peaking from his side, and was baffled by how he had been allowed to carry it in the presence of the king in such a secluded room. Did that mean her father trusted him?
"You must be the princess," he spoke, his voice somehow rough and smooth at once. For reasons unknown, this invigorated her, and she bit back a retort.
"I am," she replied simply instead, glad she didn't sound as breathless as she felt. Was he squinting at her now? What the hell was his problem?
Sakura waited for him to say something else, but he seemed to be weighing his options, and taking an awfully long time in doing so for her liking. Seconds ticked by and she couldn't help herself from blurting, "And who are you?"
He merely stared at her as if this was the stupidest thing to say. Should she know who he was? Well, even so, she didn't. So she pushed, "So?"
He raised an eyebrow as if seconding her question, seeming like he wasn't going to supply her with answer, to her dismay. Whatever. She didn't want to know who he was anyway. "Is my father free to see me, then?"
"The king is in the company of his advisors," he said after a moment, "I recommend you wait until he is finished speaking with them."
"Since when were you my advisor?"
He was squinting at her again, she was sure of it this time. She squinted back.
This caused him to break his gaze, for the first time since he entered the room. His eyes trailed around and onto the guards stationed at their posts, looking more like statues to Sakura than real people, and to the minimally decorated walls. She couldn't understand why, he must've seen it all before when he had entered on his way to the throne room.
"Are you going to leave?" she said, her tone rather candid. She didn't want to spend another moment in his alluring presence, and besides, he was blocking the path to the throne room.
"Why, am I vexing you?"
She wanted to snort at his arrogant remark. She debated whether she should stand up and walk towards the doors where he was standing to make her point. She decided she would rather not get any closer than necessary and stayed put. "You're blocking the way."
He stepped closer. "Am I?"
Why don't you just go already? She sighed, running a hand through her pink locks. As much as she hated to admit it, he was vexing her. Though he was far from an eyesore, she would be much more comfortable if he just got out of her sight. Her mind was reeling and she just wanted it to stop.
A smirk ghosted his lips, and he stepped closer still, seeming to sense her discomfort. In a matter of seconds he was stood directly in front of her, and his eyes took her in once again. Sakura couldn't help the faint blush that arose on her cheeks as he looked at her with great earnest. Unbidden, her own eyes flicked across his features which she could see with greater clarity now that he was closer. He was just breathtaking, surpassing even her greatest imaginations of beauty.
As her eyes skipped across his aristocratic nose and cutting cheekbones, she missed the way in which he analysed her for personal purposes. She didn't know how long they stared at each other; it could've been mere seconds or long minutes.
Her tongue slid out to wet her bottom lip, and she immediately regretted it as it caught his scrutiny. She tried not to bite it in nervousness. Sakura liked to be in control, but he caused her to lose all sense. Her mind was in perilous frenzy. Steadying her breath, she spoke to break the silence, "I haven't seen you before, have I?"
Surprisingly he answered her this time, giving her a firm shake of his head. "No. This is the first time you have seen me." He paused before adding, "But not the last."
Without missing a beat, Sakura quipped a little breathlessly, "Frankly, I never want to see you again."
His eyebrows rose before his lips curved into a sinful smirk. She felt her heart flutter. "I'm afraid that's not possible."
Confusion graced her features as she tried to make sense of the words. Maybe he would just hang around court for a bit longer like an unwanted wasp. It didn't matter, she assured herself, she wouldn't be here. Still, she was curious as to why he had spoken with such unwavering conviction.
"Oh? And what makes you so sure of that?"
His smirk grew dangerously. She inwardly cursed at how it made her stomach somersault. She didn't wait for a reply, somehow knowing she wasn't going to get one from him.
She stood, planning on dodging him on the way to the throne room, as she remembered why she was here in the first place. But before she could even take so much as a step, his arm reached out and she found herself staring up at his face again, his fingers forcing her chin up. Her breath hitched and her lips parted involuntarily in protest.
Wrong move.
His gaze once again fixated on her lips, before smugly catching her eye again. She found herself trapped in place by them once again. He had the looks of a god, how was she supposed to look away? She angrily chastised herself, get it together, Haruno.
Just after her hands latched around his forehand in order to wrench his grip away, his taut muscles flexed underneath her as he raised it to snag on a piece of her loose hair.
"Your hair is most unusual."
She stuttered for a response. Was he complimenting her or insulting her? She couldn't tell. Not when her mind was distracted by something else, something smooth and hard she was still gripping onto. "I was gifted it by the gods."
Why couldn't she bring herself to remove her grasp?
His breathy chuckle was enough to cause her legs to tremble. She regained her posture at the last moment, and successfully managed to disengage his hold on her.
"Excuse me, but you should not be touching what is not yours."
Staring defiantly up at him as she anticipated him not to react, Sakura was caught quite off guard by what he said next.
"Soon."
What the hell was that supposed to mean?!
Before she got a chance to inquire, he turned swiftly on his heel and exited the drawing room.
Sakura entered the throne room, her mind too busy entertaining the worst possible interpretations of his departing words to remember why she was here in the first place. Her eyes fell on her father, who looked the ever most sublime ruler on his throne atop the dais in the far left of the room. The room itself was quite wide and rectangular; the space constructed as if it could hold a mini army before the throne if needed be. Sakura was once again reminded that the golden seat would one day be hers.
"Father," she nodded in greeting. From his facial expression, he seemed to be mildly surprised to see her here.
Sakura headed towards his throne, where he was dismissing his advisors, who bowed and left the room. She hiked her dress up as she stepped up the small staircase before standing directly before him.
Her dress pooled out around her as she sunk down onto the polished floor, the cool rock kissing her legs. Her father's warm hand came to rest atop her head in a loving gesture, addressing her like he did no other. She would've smiled, were it not for the inner turmoil her mind was waging.
They sat quiet for a moment. Her father seemed to want to say something, but was looking for the right words.
"I have news to share with you, my dear, what fortuity you came and found me."
Sakura listened to what he had to say, but somehow doubted he would have told her anything if she hadn't been waiting outside the throne room to see him. Curiosity and respect deemed her silence.
"The day is here Sakura," he started softly.
Now she was even more confused, with not a single idea of what he could be referring to.
King Haruno seemed to get straight into addressing her qualms, though he was oblivious to her earlier encounter. "Time really does go quickly, for I am giving your hand in marriage."
She blinked; her emotions were rushing as she sought to make sense of his words. He couldn't possibly mean–
"Sasuke is the commander of the biggest military organisation in the country. There is none better for you than him."
Her eyes widened as she realised what he meant, who this Sasuke was.
It was the same man she had met only moments ago.
"He has accepted this proposal, and I have done the same on your behalf."
Sakura sputtered. Her mind had caught up with what the king was saying, another realisation hitting her. Sasuke wasn't even a prince?! And yet her father was offering her like it meant nothing, like he wasn't marrying her into a lower station!
"W-what? Father, I am going to be a queen one day! He's not even a prince, nor lord; you can't just accept this ridiculous proposal just because it benefits the kingdom! If you just wait– think about all the other hands that will come forth in the future with much better alliances!" The words were coming out fast, in a desperate attempt to clear the fog covering his vision.
She had always known she would marry someone of her father's selection, that she would never have a choice in the affair. She figured she'd at least have a final say in the matter. But now the king was ready to throw away his only child's chance at securing her reign, her life.
"The people! Will they accept me knowing I married far beneath myself? Won't that only make them think I'm weak?"
King Haruno sighed atop his throne, "Sakura. My flower. You know very well they would accept you even if you were crippled. The Haruno line is a prestigious one. Do not think that this would rule out any hope of you ascending the throne."
The frustration mounting within her crested. Why couldn't she make him understand? This marriage did nothing in terms of royal welfare. A future queen wed to a lowlife military commander. The notion nauseated her.
"I– I won't! There are plenty of other options, if this is about fear I won't marry suitably. But Sasuke is not suitable." What did he even bring to the table to gain her father's approval so swiftly? There had to be more to it if he was so adamant. She didn't care, she was a royal.
Rising from her place, she once again tried to make the king see reason. But to no avail. He had obviously made up his mind, and no amount of imploring would change it.
"Please– think about this again! It does no good for me to marry a commander. Not only would it jeopardize my future, but infects the royal line! You can't allow for this!"
The king looked at her with sad eyes as her voice broke. But she would not stop.
"You have to understand! There are so many other choices–!" A sob tore through her throat as she willed herself not to cry. "There are thousands of lords who would take my hand! Just because this choice seems like the right one right now, doesn't mean you should take it. Father, please! You have to listen!"
His hand twitched as he debated whether to touch her in such a state of hysterics. "Sakura... You have to know I'm doing this for you. There is no way to change my decision."
There was always a way. But how could she make him see one when it was clear his resolve was set in stone?
Stepping back with tears brimming her eyes, Sakura felt as if something important had been wrenched from her chest. Like her heart. Not only did the king make the offer, but he had sealed the deal without her consent.
And there was nothing she could do about it.
Her shoulders slumped dejectedly. Quietly, she made her way down the steps.
The King sighed as he watched his daughter exit the room. He knew she was not happy with this decision, that she felt there were much better suitors. As heir to the throne, she was only thinking about her future as a queen. And she had a right to. It hurt to see her despondent. He understood what she must be feeling; he had been hesitant at first, too.
But he knew he would not be able to protect her for forever.
So here you have it, the first chapter of Imperial Afflictions! I have been working on this for quite some time now, but for the same reason chose to keep it leashed for a little while longer. I'm still not sure about the name, it was a debate between this and another but I went with this one. Feel free to leave a review or PM me about your thoughts! The next chapter is ready, just have some editing to do before I release it into the world, but you'll have it as soon as tomorrow! :"3
