Poisoned Apple

Chapter 2

. . .

Music piped throughout the elaborately decorated Grand Hall. Couples danced, friendly chatter circulated, hearty laughter pealed, multicolored gowns swished, and everything glinted under the chandeliers. The night of the ball had come.

Imai Hotaru stood at the buffet table, currently devouring her second serving of crabs. She had been asked to dance countless times, and although the princess refused the clamoring bachelors, they contented themselves on sitting at her table. Annoyed, Hotaru ate right at the buffet table peacefully. Until—

"Hotaruuuu!!!"

BAKA!

Reflex reactions couldn't be helped. Vivacious Mikan tries to hug her best friend every time they meet, while cynical Hotaru either dodges or shoots her with the infamous Baka Gun.

"Aw, Hotaru, you're mean! Just when I sneaked ou—I mean, just when I got the free time to see you―" Mikan's rant was cut short by Hotaru.

"Idiot. Get back in and don't sneak out." Hotaru reprimanded in her usual monotone, turning back to her crabs.

"But—but, Hotaru... What if you already chose the new king and then you'll be married and then I wouldn't even know who he is and then you'll be Queen and then you'll be too busy to talk to me and then you'll have kids and I won't even know them and then we'll grow old and then-!"

"Don't decide my future for me, stupid." The princess shot her a sideways glance before firing the Baka Gun again, sending Mikan to the kitchens.

"Dummy,"

Hotaru sighed. She knew her obligation. She knew the decision she will make tonight will affect the entire realm, not to mention the entire world, since many countries depend on the Imai Empire's exports. She knew the hardships of governing alone. She knew.

But still, she knew none of these nobles have what it takes to run a country. They lived for fame, power, and riches. None of them knew what responsibilities they must face.

Hotaru sighed again, this time grabbing some clams. The whole future of the country was to be concluded tonight.

"Oi, dance with me," a deep, gruff voice behind interrupted her out of her reverie.

"No." Hotaru continued eating her clams.

"I didn't give you a choice. Dance with me," the voice persisted.

As calmly as possible, Imai Hotaru replied, "I said no,"

"I order you to,"

Exasperated at the stranger ordering her around, she turned and fired her Baka Gun at the rude guest, who simply dodged the assault.

Standing before her was the sole heir to the Imai Empire's archenemy. Ruffled raven locks, trademark crimson eyes, perfectly chiseled pale face, a smirk gracing his soft lips, tall, well-built body, and a careless air around him.

Hyuuga Natsume.

. . .

"Hotaru-sama is going to choose tonight?" Anna squealed after hearing out the tearful Mikan.

"Yes, and I heard that the marriage will be held as soon as possible," added Nonoko silently, since it would dampen Mikan more.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid Hotaru! She never says anything! She never tells me anything! She never tells me what's going on in her life! She's so stupid! Stupid Hotaru! I can't understand you anymore!" exploded Mikan, furiously chopping vegetables.

"Mikan-chan, I'm sure the Princess has her own reasons," Narumi, the Royal Family's advisor, twirled round and round the kitchen in a ludicrous maid costume.

Sniffling, Mikan considered his statement. "I know that, Narumi-sansei. That's how Hotaru always is. But she's just so one-sided!"

"Mikan-chan, you're really an important person to Hotaru-chan, and you know that," Narumi wheedled, looking at the child he has treated like a daughter for all these years.

Mikan smiled. "Thanks, sensei. I think I need a breather. Misaki-senpai, may I take a walk?"

The aforementioned looked up from the stir-fry. "Sure, but would you mind feeding the guests' horses, too?"

"I don't get those nobles. Why bring horses when you can ride limousines?" Mikan wondered.

"I'd say it's all just a cultural, show-offy, rich-people act," Misaki handed Mikan the horses' food while mixing the vegetables and preparing a cake's batter.

Mikan headed out through the back door and sauntered to the stables, dragging the sack of oats. As she entered the large red-planked building, a shadow from one of the stalls greeted her.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! A GHOST! JII-CHAN! HEEELP MEEE!!" Mikan squealed and dropped the bag of oats, preparing to scamper away yet staying frozen, until a pair of strong hands silenced her.

"I'm sorry, I'm terribly sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. I was just checking on the horses," a deep, soothing voice stammered. "Are you alright?"

Breaking away, Mikan saw that the "ghost" was a tall, lean, blond-haired, blue-eyed young man dressed in scruffy clothes. He had a concerned look on his angelic face. Mikan calmed down and smiled brightly.

"Thank goodness you're not a ghost! I'm sorry I overreacted," laughing sheepishly, she bent down to retrieve the fallen bag when the boy beat her to it.

"Oh, you're here to feed the horses?" he inquired. Mikan nodded shyly.

The boy smiled. "I'll help. Oh, by the way, what's your name?"

Mikan flashed a bright smile. "I'm Sakura Mikan. I work for the Royal Family. How 'bout you? What's your name?" she asked, leaning closer to the young man, who was feeding the horses by himself, in order to help.

The blond boy blushed at her smile and at their close proximity, causing him to stutter, "I-I'm N-Nogi Ruka. I'm the stableboy of the Hyuuga House,"

. . .