The Konoha's highly-respected royal family arrived last night in our small town where I lived. And suddenly, The Land of Snow, known for its harsh climate, is now full of tourists. The policemen have gathered all over the place, and other preparations are made to welcome the royal family.
I must admit I have been waiting for this day to come. My friends and I skipped our classes just to take a glimpse of the ever handsome princes of Konoha. Prince Itachi and Prince Sasuke are born geniuses. I heard that Prince Itachi is currently studying in another country to pursue a Politics and International Relations degree. He is spending his semestral break back in Konoha. Prince Sasuke, on the other hand, is still in high school. He is studying in Konoha University which is known for its prestigious reputation.
The Uchihas have ruled the entire country for decades. King Fugaku, a distant cousin of the former king, and Queen Mikoto took over after King Obito and his queen Queen Rin died in a tragic car accident couple of years ago. Their only daughter, Princess Izumi is promised to be the queen and to be married to Prince Itachi.
"Sakura! I'm so excited! It's not everyday you see the royal family!" Ino, my best friend since we were kids, shouted through the enormous crowd.
"I know!"
I never thought that I could feel the sun and its heat in my entire life. We are currently in front of the hotel where the royal family is currently staying. Many journalists and photographers have lined up together with thousands of people waiting to see them.
I am wearing my school uniform with my coat on, and I wished that I could take it off. Oh, by the way, my name is Sakura Haruno. I am on my last year in high school. I grew up in The Land of Snow, a small town in country called Konoha. I live with my parents, Kizashi and Mebuki Haruno. I would like to be a pediatrician someday. And well, everything has changed on the day the royal family paid a visit on our town.
"IT'S THE QUEEN!" Someone shouted, and everybody went crazy. The policemen is now on high-alert, and they have tightened the security further as the Queen exited the hotel and made its appearance among the crowd.
Queen Mikoto Uchiha is absolutely, effortlessly beautiful. She smiles and waves to the mass of people while waiting for her limousine. She gets into the car, and opens her window to continue smiling until King Fugaku also made an appearance, but instead, he quietly gets into the car beside the queen. And, the limousine took off.
"The king did not even acknowledge the crowd. What a rude old man." Sakura gasped as Ino made her statement.
"Ino! Shh! Everyone can hear you."
"Whatever. I just hope the princes are not like their father."
After a few minutes, the princes have also made their appearance. The crowd went crazier. The policemen push back the people trying to make their way through. Ino, hoping to get a better view, cut in and make its way in front pulling Sakura along.
"God, Ino! Be careful!"
"Sak! Look at them! How can they be so attractive like that! Did the King and Queen have magic genes or what?!"
I must say, I agree; they are perfect. Prince Itachi makes its way near the crowd, and his personal security guards move into its formation to properly assess the situation. The said prince raises his hand, and instantly, the personal guards have backed off. Well, except for one who whispered something into his ear.
One could have guessed that his guard did not want the prince to get too close to the people. However, Prince Itachi seems to not listen, and extends his hand to reach out to us. Ino shakes his hand firmly. And, I swear I see stars in my best friend's eyes.
His personal security guards interfere after one girl pulls Prince Itachi's hand, and instantly, he is out of sight along with Prince Sasuke.
"Tch, what are you thinking, brother?" Sasuke talked after Itachi is shoved into the car.
"Little brother, you should show your appreciation to the people who respect and trust the royal family. Always remember that without them, there could be no us."
Their father's face appeared in the screen in front of them.
"Itachi, what did I tell you about getting too close to masses?" Their mother looking apologetic beside their father, placed her hand on his knee to calm him.
"Father.."
"Enough. I don't want this to happen again. Do you understand? You are to be a king, you should act like one." The enraged King's face disappeared, and Itachi can't help but sigh and throw his head back.
The screen made a noise again, and this time, it is the Imperial Minister.
"Your Royal Highness, The King has strictly instructed for you to be escorted back in palace at once."
"Me too?" Sasuke asked, not pleased with the decision of the King.
"I am afraid so, Your Highness." The Imperial Minister paused for a while and said a few reminders.
"All of your schedule for today will be canceled. The King and Queen have an important meeting with an old friend. Prince Sasuke's presence is expected at the throne room tonight upon the King's arrival."
At the sound of his name, Sasuke raised an eyebrow waiting for an explanation.
"And may I ask why should I?"
"It is the King's orders, Your highness."
Before Sasuke can speak further, Itachi cut him off. "Then, may I know who that old friend is."
"It is not my place, sire. Rest assured, the King and Queen will talk to both of you tonight. That will be all. Have a safe trip back to the palace."
Sakura is on her way back to the secluded Haruno's residence. She is skipping along the road when she noticed a familiar car parked in their driveway. A few other cars are also parked nearby.
This is weird. Do we have any visitors? Is it my birthday? No, it can't be it. That car. Oh my God! Her eyes widened, and her mouth went agape.
"Mom! Dad?" She yells as she makes a few strides to open their gate. She is shocked to see a few palace guards standing near their door.
She makes her way to the door when the guards bow their heads at her. One of them speaks up. "Your Highness, I am assigned to be your personal security guard from now on. I am honored to serve you."
"W-Wait. What? I think you're making a mistake. This is- how can I be-" Sakura, still confused, looks up to the guard to see if this is a joke set up by one of her friends or something.
One of the guards opens the door, and she removes her shoes before entering.
At the sight of her mother crying, she panics. She runs towards her mom, and asks her what is going on.
"Mom? Why are you crying? Where is Dad?"
"I am so sorry, Sakura. I-We should have told you. And I know it is too late, but please do not hate us. Kizashi and I just want to have our own daughter, and you-"
"Mom, what is going on? You're freaking me out." Her mother's sobs echoed through the living room.
Her eyes search for her dad, instead, she sees the King and Queen sitting in a corner. The Queen smiles at her, and the King stands up to assess her.
"I-uh" Sakura makes a clumsy bow, and that is when she sees her dad standing near the stairs with a sad smile on his face. She asks a questioning look to him, but he just continues to smile at her.
"So, you are Sakura." The King's voice snapped her out of her thoughts, and she faces the King at once.
"I-Your Majesty, h-how- I do not understand."
"Take a seat. There is something you must know."
The former king, King Obito had one true friend, Sergeant Kakashi Hatake, his personal security guard and advisor. Kakashi had a wife who died after giving birth to a healthy baby girl. He entrusted his daughter to one of his friends while he is away to serve the King and the palace.
One day, a group of men attempted to shoot the King. Kakashi took three bullets for the King. He was in a critical condition. He spent weeks in the hospital, but was not able to make it.
During Kakashi's funeral, King Obito promised his friend to look after his only daughter, that one day, she is to be married to their little boy. He assured Kakashi that she is to be part of the royal family. It was to show appreciation to his ever loyal servant.
Exactly three months after the incident, King Obito and Queen Rin, who was pregnant that time, died in a car accident. A bus collided into the limousine, and the king and queen, along with their baby boy, were pronounced dead on arrival in a nearby hospital.
The second line in throne that time, Prince Fugaku, became the king and came across to the promise made by the former king. He asked a few of his subordinates to find the couple who took care of the daughter of Kakashi, but they already left their former house.
They searched quietly for many years, through the files of birth registrations, hoping to find a certain girl with a surname of Hatake. They went after every girl with that surname, and yet still failed.
Only one small town was not yet searched through out the years, and that was where they found Kizashi Haruno, a close friend of Kakashi Hatake.
"A-are you saying that was me?" Sakura asked the King after his brief explanation and shifted her eyes to look into her father, begging for him to disagree.
"Yes, you are, dear. Your name is supposed to be Sakura Hatake." Queen Mikoto spoke softly.
"And that is why we are here, Sakura. You are a princess-to-be." King Fugaku confirmed.
With tears now on her eyes, she turned to look into her mother, whose sobs are now louder. She pulled her into a hug.
"Mom..I-I'm not mad. I just-I wish you could have told me. I am hurt actually. But that doesn't mean that I hate you."
Her father chose that opportunity to hug them both, and apologizes repeatedly into his daughter's ear. "I am so sorry, please forgive me and your mother."
He kisses his daughter's forehead, and tells her how lucky they are to have her.
King Fugaku cleared his throat to gain the attention of the little family. "As I have said, you are a princess-to-be. As King Obito had promised, you are to be married to a prince. Our son, Sasuke, has been decided to be your future husband."
"But-Your Majesty, I- I don't think that it is appropriate for my age to get married at such a young age. I am only 18, and I don't think I fit in as a princess."
"Come on, love, you are a princess-to-be, no matter what. That is certain. Do you not like my son? Or do you already have someone?" The queen frowned after hearing a rejection from Sakura.
"N-no, of course not, Your Majesty, I-This is just a lot to take in. And, I need time to decide, and uh I don't know Prince Sasuke that much. I-"
Her mother this time cut in. "Sakura, you are to live in the palace from now on. I actually prepared all your things already. We made that decision for you. You should not worry about us. We love you, and we want the best for you."
"But-how about-"
"School? Someone already took care of it. You are officially enrolled in Konoha University where Sasuke is studying also. Do not worry, child; he will be there to guide you." King Fugaku explained briefly.
"And as far as your concerns on being a princess, I have assigned your personal maids and instructors to look after you. Your room in the palace has already been arranged, and if you want to say goodbye properly to your friends here, you may do so. You can also come back here if you like, all you have to do is tell me." Queen Mikoto added.
"Sakura, you must go now. It is already late. I will explain Ino everything." Her father whispered into her ear.
Sasuke is seated in his designated chair in the throne room with Itachi quietly pacing across the room.
"Brother, can't you just sit?" Sasuke puts his head on his left hand, and sighs.
"Something is up, I just know." Itachi replies as he continue walking.
One of the maids announced the arrival of the King and Queen. Only then, Itachi stopped and took a seat.
Both of the princes stood as the King and Queen enter the throne room.
"Take a seat, both of you, there is much to tell. Especially to you, Sasuke." Fugaku instructed once he was seated at the center of the room.
As their Father finished explaining, he called Sakura to join them. The said girl shyly enters the room and politely bows her head in acknowledgment to the two princes.
"Sasuke, this is Sakura Haruno, a princess-to-be, and your future wife." The King announces.
Sakura did not dare to look to any of them, but she wonders on what must Prince Sasuke is currently feeling right now. Is he shocked? Or perhaps, disgusted? Will he throw a tantrum and-
"I understand, Father." Sasuke's voice made her eyes focus on him.
"I entrust Sakura to you. She will be going to your class starting tomorrow."
Sakura meets her personal servant, a woman named Tenten, who guided her way to her room. She will also be the one conducting her lessons to groom her to be the perfect princess.
She is amazed on how big her room is. She has her closet full of gowns made by the top designers of the country. Her own bathroom has a jacuzzi in it. A bed that could fit at least 4 people, a 64 inch television, and the jewelries inside her drawer.
And suddenly, she feels dizzy. She feels that in one night, ugly duckling turned into a beautiful swan. She still can't believe this is happening, and she wishes that Ino can see how extraordinary her room is. That she can share all of this to her mom and dad.
Tenten pulls out of her thoughts when she says something about changing her hairstyle and her choice of clothes from now on.
"Prince Sasuke has arrived!" Abruptly, Tenten bows her head and exits the room quietly.
"Uh-" Sakura, not knowing what to do, bows her head.
"What are you doing?"
"I-uh. Hi. Hehe. " She laughs nervously, and puts her hair behind her ear.
"You shall not bow to me." Sakura now looks into his face which does not convey any emotions as usual. He is extremely handsome; he is also much taller than her. He's beautiful. She openly stares at his face, and only when Sasuke's eyebrows raise she realizes what she's doing.
"You are clumsy and too ordinary to be a princess. I hope your servant does not quit." He smirks then and added "Do not be late tomorrow, or you'll walk your way to school."
THAT ARROGANT, POMPOUS, JERK OF A PRINCE!
Morning comes after, and three maids have helped her in fixing her hair and putting her make up.
"Should I really wear make up in school?"
"This will enhance your natural beauty, milady."
Sakura looks up into the mirror to look at herself in her new school uniform. Tenten has guided her way to the official dining room. The royal family has started eating their breakfast without her; she bows her head, and a servant guides her to the seat beside Sasuke.
She looks down into her utensils, not knowing which one to use out of at least 5 pairs of spoon and fork.
"The ones farthest from the plate." Sasuke murmurs beside her.
She quietly picks them up, and the servant attends to what she would like to eat.
After they finish eating, Sasuke stands up and nods his head slightly to his father.
"Be careful on your way to school." Itachi says as he exits the room. Sakura does the same, and smiles at the Queen. Mikoto's eyes softened and wishes her luck on her first day.
"That Sasuke, I hope he's not giving Sakura a hard time." Itachi speaks once again after both have exited the dining room.
A/N: Despite the busy schedule, I published another story. I just can't get this out of my head. This is inspired by Goong (Princess Hours), and I am also in love with jinnyskeans's Royal Flush, thus this story.