When I posted the first chapter I was in kind of a hurry, so I couln't say much. Sorry about that. Also sorry that it took so long to update. My usage of the net has been so unstable. I'll try to update sooner next time.
beeks : Thanks. I know. That's why I updated ; ).
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Thanks again everyone for reviewing and for telling me what you think. It's really nice of you and I love them. I won't delay any further and I hope you enjoy the fic!
The Kingdom of Osaka
Mizuki leaned on Shizuki's shoulder and yawned. They were on their way to Osaka. They had been travelling for three hours already.
"Are you tired, Mizuki?"
"Just sleepy. How long left?"
"About an hour more."
"Jeez. Why did we have to pick a fight with such a distant Kingdom, anyway?"
Shizuki chuckled.
Mizuki closed her eyes.
"Let's see how you really are, Prince of Osaka, Hey, wait, brother didn't even tell me his name. Great. I'm getting married to a guy whose name I don't even know. Must ask brother later. Not now. Too sleepy…"
Mizuki stared at her reflection in the floor-length mirror in her new room. Her waist-length chocolate-brown hair was held back at the sides with two pink ribbons. She wore a light pink dress, which was not too simple nor too elegant. She nodded to herself.
"Okay. I'm done."
She was going to have tea with King Sano and his wife. She wanted to make a good first impression. It didn't matter even if they didn't become her in-laws. Brother had worked so hard to make peace with them. She wasn't going to do anything to disgrace her Kingdom.
Knock. Knock.
"Mizuki, are you done?"
Mizuki walked to her door and opened it. Shizuki stood there with two guards on either side.
"Yeah."
"Good. Let's go."
Shizuki held out his hand, which Mizuki accepted.
"Are you nervous?"
"No. Should I be?"
Shizuki shook his head.
"Let's go."
"Tell me, Princess Mizuki, how do you like our Kingdom?" asked Queen Kyoko.
Mizuki smiled.
"Although I haven't seen much of it, I really like what I've seen so far. I look forward to seeing more of its beauties."
Mizuki thanked Mary over and over in her heart. If it weren't for her, Mizuki would have been stammering right now.
They were having tea in the beautiful Palace gardens. The garden was filled with so many flowers and trees. In the middle was a fountain. They were sitting at a little round table next to the fountain. The table was laden with so many cakes and sandwiches that Mizuki was having a hard time concentrating on the conversation she was having with the Queen.
The Queen was a very kind and gentle person. Her smile warmed Mizuki's heart and made her feel comfortable. She reminded Mizuki of her late mother. She was also very beautiful with dark brown hair and light brown eyes.
"Why don't you ask Gilbert later to give you a tour? I'm sure he would be delighted to do so."
Gilbert, Mizuki had learned from her brother on the way to the garden, was her fiancé. He was King Sano's eldest son. Gilbert's mother, Queen Clare, had died when Gilbert was very young. A year later, King Sano had married Queen Kyoko. They had two sons - Sano and Shin.
Mizuki didn't know what to say to this, so she just smiled.
"I wonder what is taking King Sano and King Shizuki so long. They should be back by now," the Queen said.
The two Kings had gone off for a walk a few minutes after Mizuki had arrived at the garden.
"Oh, look, they're back," the Queen said as she stood up.
Mizuki stood up as well.
"Forgive us," Shizuki said with a smile, "But King Sano and myself got caught up in a serious discussion about golf."
"So, what did the two of you talk about?" King Sano asked the Queen and Mizuki.
King Sano looked scary but having talked to him for a few minutes had taught Mizuki never to judge a book by its cover, because despite his stern face, he was a very nice man.
"Nothing much, dear. Just this and that."
"Princess Mizuki, you must be tired after your long journey," King Sano smiled. "I suggest you return to your room and have a good rest."
Shizuki walked over to Mizuki and took her hand. "I'll take her to her room. Please, excuse us."
"So, brother, are you gong to tell me what you and King Sano really talked about or not?" Mizuki asked Shizuki as they were walking through the Palace.
Shizuki's guards had joined them when they had left the garden.
Shizuki looked down at Mizuki with an inquiring look.
"What do you mean?"
Mizuki sighed. "Brother, you don't play golf, remember?"
Shizuki looked sheepish.
"Oh yeah, I forgot. I couldn't think of anything else to say."
"So, what did you talk about?"
"Fine, I give up. This whole thing was planned. The tea, King Sano and I going off for a walk leaving Queen Kyoko and you alone, us returning after a long time."
"Planned?" Mizuki frowned. "Why?"
"Queen Kyoko and King Sano wanted to know what kind of person you were. So, we set this up."
Mizuki gaped.
"Now, look here, Mizuki, there's no reason to be mad. We-"
"No reason to be mad? I have every reason to be mad!" she hissed. If they had been back at the Sakura Kingdom, she would have shouted her head off. Doing so here would just land her in a lot of trouble.
"You could have told me something about all this. I feel so used."
"What would you have done if I had told you?"
"I would have tried to be more interesting, I guess."
"Queen Kyoko asked me not to tell you because she wanted to see the real you. Not some pretend princess. Besides, my sister doesn't have to try to be interesting. She naturally is." Shizuki grinned.
Mizuki smiled.
"Thank you, brother."
"So, do you want to go back to your room?" Shizuki inquired.
"Do you have something you have to do, brother?" Mizuki asked.
"I do. I need to talk to King Sano. There's so much that needs to done. Do you want me to take you to your room?"
Mizuki shook her head.
"I'm not tired. You go on. I'll just look around the Palace."
"Are you sure you're going to be okay on your own?"
"Sure, sure. I'll be fine. See you later, brother," she said and walked away.
Did you like it? How was it? Tell me what you think and if you didn't like it, please tell me what I can do to improve. I'll try my best.
