Radiant Beauty

Chapter 2

By WittyRemarks

Setsuna didn't understand. Ever since two days ago, all she had on her mind was that serene beauty. She felt as if she had been shot by a love cupid as all she did was sitting idly in her room window, hoping to catch a glimpse of her again. She had so many questions she wanted answered.

What did she think of her? Did she already have a significant other? What was her favourite color? Does she hate her?

Considering the last gift she gave her before she left the nursing room, it was possible she didn't scornfully loathe her.

She ran her hand down her cheek and continued watching the outside view.

Konoe Konoka...

She frowned at the realization. For the past two days, a thought had never crossed her mind. She had wanted to get into contact with the young lady but it would have been wrong to barge into every house to see if she was there. The prince also didn't want people to think she was desperate just because she wanted to scrounge high and low to find that one maiden that captured her attention. She wondered if there was an easier way of finding her.

She jumped off the window ledge and left the room, quietly closing the door behind her. If one person were to know where she was, it was possible her own advisor would know. She stood in front of his office and rapped on his door. "Greetings Konoe."

"Come in." Once the door was open, an old man with a long azure robe was seen sitting at his large desk sorting through scattered papers. "Prince, please have a seat." He made a gesture towards the large chair across from him.

"Thank you." She said politely. Setsuna sat across from Konoemon on the desk and peered down at the papers.

"So what brings you here today?" He grinned. "I know, you must be excited to meet the new line up of ladies we have for you."

"Do you know a young lady by the name of Konoe Konoka?"

That smile melted off his face. His eyes looked up at her with an astonishing look. "Where did you hear that name from?"

"I met her a few days ago—"

"Don't get involved with commoners, Prince. They are nothing but a troubling bunch."

"So you do know her?"

"No, I do not."

"But you mentioned commoner. Besides, we don't have many people with the name of Konoe around here. Are you sure she's not a relative of yours?" she questioned.

"Why don't you pick from this bunch? We have Kagurazaka Asuna and Miyazaki Nodoka from the other kingdoms. Aren't they cute?" he said as he shoved the photos of the two ladies in front of her.

Setsuna frowned and placed the photos face down. "Are you purposely trying to avoid my questions?"

"I only want the best for you, Setsuna-kun."

Somehow she doubted that.

"Forget it then." She leapt off the chair and started towards the door. "By the way. Negi-kun said he's dating Miyazaki already. Please take her off the list."

The old man looked down at her file. He angrily scrunched it up into a small photo and tossed it, missing the nearby trash can.

She didn't understand what got Konoemon so upset. He had never avoided her questions like that before. At least not from what she can remember anyway.

"Greetings Prince." A tall man suddenly appeared in front of her, wearing a light smile on his face. His short white hair swayed as he removed the hood on his head.

"Takahata, what brings you here?" He was never seen in the area. He opened a small dark portal and reached his hand into the whirl of magic. Then he produced a white envelope with the red Springfield seal.

"A letter for you from Negi-kun."

"Thank you. You need not trouble yourself." She reached out and gracefully accepted the letter.

"Oh, it is no trouble at all. Goodbye Prince." With that, he disappeared in a cloud of whirling mist.

She retreated back into her room. There was a large desk in her room empty with a few empty papers and a bottle of ink and a quill. Taking a seat in the large comfortable chair, she ran her finger along the envelope's sealed edge and tore off the seal.

She unfolded the letter and touched a character carefully scripted on the page. The letter began to illuminate.

"Greetings Setsuna-san!" A cheerful voice called out to her. An image of a small boy figure dressed in royal red attire stood before her and bowed.

Prince Negi Springfield. Her best friend who lived in another region. He was everything that she aspired to be, despite his young age. Negi was the gentle and kind prince who charmed everyone around him. He was known for leading powerful armies of mages who were sent out to help resolve wars and sought out peace. This kept him very busy.

"How are you? I feel like I haven't talked to you in a long time. I have been caught up in managing some incidents here that I lost track of time. But it's nothing compared to you managing the entire Kanto region."

She chuckled. As a prince, she was quite free. Most of her decisions were made through a number of advisors who managed different states under her name. Her only responsibility was to look like a charming figurehead until she was granted the title King.

"Did you find a princess yet?" She frowned. Normally he wouldn't ask her about things like this.

"I heard from Izumi-san that you brought home a stunning young woman. Nodoka has been very kind to me but I'm still not sure it if it will work out. You should visit! Goodbye!"

I think I will.

"Oh Daddy! You should go back to sleep. I'll bring you lunch when I'm done." Eishun had stumbled into the kitchen to see what his only daughter preparing lunch. Although his head was slightly throbbing, he was curious.

"I'll be alright. What's for lunch?" He peered over her shoulder to see her chopping up tofu in a consistent manner.

"Miso soup, bean sprout salad, Nikujaga with rice."

"Oh! My favourite. I love my fatty beef!" In his head, he imagined a plate of rice and deliciously stewed carrots, potatoes and beef with a layer of white fat clinging to each piece. He felt himself salivating and biting into each savoury morsel of meat.

"The doctor said it's not good for your heart, Daddy." Konoka quietly reminded him. "So I'm using leaner beef this time."

"But the beef will be so dry…" His image of his favourite dish shattered in his mind.

"I brought down the heat and letting it cook longer so it won't be as dry." She smiled and tossed the chopped tofu into the pot of miso soup.

"Thank you Konoka." He gave her a small squeeze on the shoulder and kissed the top of her head.

"I want you to get better Daddy. So go back to bed now. " He smiled and walked out of the kitchen.

She brought the soup spoon to her lips and tasted a bit of the hot spewing liquid. Then she reached into her cabinet and pulled out the salt and lightly sprinkled it into the pot.

"One beef stew!" The strong aromatic scent of the beefy mixture often aroused the senses of many passersby. It was because of this that the small restaurant was still open even if they only served a few popular dishes.

"Coming!" Konoka quickly grabbed a plate and swiftly plopped a giant scoop of rice on one half of the plate and poured a scoop of beef stew on the other half.

"450 yen please." The sounds of coins and the plate hit the table almost simultaneously in sync. "Thank you very much. Next please!" She swept the coins off the table and tossed them into the jar behind her with her back still behind in the customer.

"I'll have what he's having please."

"Coming right up!" she reached for the plate and dropped a scoop of rice and beef stew. "450 yen please." As she turned around to face the customer, her hands slipped and dropped the plate of food.

Clank.

The customer instantly pulled Konoka out of danger before the plate hit and splattered its scalding contents along the floor.

Konoka was more startled by being swept up into the arms of a stranger than being worried about being scalded by the hot liquids.

"Are you alright miss… Konoka?"

"Eek! Pervert!"

Nikujaga – Japanese style stew often with minced pork, beef etc. Oh how I crave it so! It's often a staple food in Japan popular among commoners.

Constructive criticism is welcome.

There may be some changes in the upcoming chapters. I wrote this chapter years ago and I've changed my writing since then. I would like to finish the story eventually but we will see with time.

WittyRemarks