I am so so so sorry for the really late update, but I've been really busy with school work and Drama Club along with planning for America's Yankee Miss Pageant. Anyways let's move on. Quick note, this isn't exactly like back when there were princesses and such. Like if you wear a dress that reaches mid-thigh you won't get like banished or anything or frowned upon. And sign language exists. So if you read through and there is something that looks like it shouldn't be in this time era, please don't get too mad. Just think of it as a semi-modern princess story :) Okay back to the story.
Chapter Two- Introducing The Princess- Natsume's POV-
After playing with the children for a while, Ruka and I dropped the kids off back at the orphanage before heading back to the castle. I was truly relaxed now, forgetting about the arranged marriage completely. Maybe I would be able to sleep soundly tonight unlike other nights where I can't even get an hour of slumber. However, that idea flew out the window when my mother ran over to us smiling brightly.
"Natsume darling! We just received a letter that the princess of the Sakura Kingdom will arrive in the morning. Isn't that wonderful? We estimated she wouldn't be able to arrive until two or three days. Now you'll have even more time to get to know her before the wedding!" she exclaimed and Ruka paled beside me. "Natsume? What on earth are you wearing? Change immediately, I don't want my son looking like he just pulled himself out of a lake" she said, and with that walked briskly back to the castle.
"Just perfect, right Ruka?" I muttered and Ruka sighed. We went back to the animal barn so I could change back into my clothes before going into the hay loft to read. This was a usual day for us, the only difference? I was meeting me fiance tomorrow...wonderful.
The next morning when I woke up, I felt like I could lay in bed until I died. Yeah..like my mother would allow that. Not long after I awoke, she rushed into my room and ordered my to take a shower and put on my best clothes. I had no choice but to listen, so after I got ready, I headed downstairs and find Ruka. There was no way I was meeting this girl without him around.
"Ruka!" I called when I entered the animal barn. He was feeding the horses smiling brightly. He was always like this the morning, and I had no idea why. What was so great about feeding horses. "Ruka hurry up, that princess will be here soon" I said and he looked up and nodded before he quickly finished feeding the animals. He then followed me into the castle to wait in the Grande lobby with my parents.
"Natsume aren't you excited!" Mother exclaimed as she held onto Aoi's hand tightly. Aoi looked at me with a sad expression on her face. She quickly signed a message telling me she's sorry but just give the girl a chance at the very least. Damn, why did she have to say that. I couldn't help but agree for her sake, I can never disagree with her, she was my younger sister after all, I really cared for her.
"Your majesty, the princess has arrived" the guard said and I groaned. They then opened the door revealing a girl my age with short black hair and violet eyes. She was wearing a gown like most princesses that was a light purple and had a silver diamond encrusted tiara on her head. She walked briskly with purpose and her held held high with her hands folded in front of her. Based on the stoic expression on her face, she seemed like she thought she was better then everyone.
"Introducing princess Hotaru Imai, of the Sakura Kingdom" the guard announced and mothers face twisted with confusion for a minute. Aoi smiled slightly but I could tell she was making assumptions of the girl in front of us just like I was.
"It is a pleasure to meet you" Imai said as she bowed slightly. Mother smiled and Father looked the girl up a down, showing no emotion. I wondered what his opinion on the girl was. Ruka looked and gave a sheepish smile showing he found her pretty, but I just shrugged. Yes she was attractive, but so far her personality seemed ugly.
"Hello Princess Imai, I'm Queen Kaoru, this is my husband King Ioran, and my daughter Princess Aoi, and over there is my son Prince Natsume, and his friend Ruka Nogi. Now if you don't mind me asking, wasn't the king and queen of the Sakura Kingdom named Yuka and Izumi Sakura?" she asked and the girl nodded.
"Yes that is my parents names, I was adopted" she stated and Mother's mouth made a small O shape. She was clearly shocked but said nothing more. Just then the main doors flew open and a girl with long auburn hair that was tied in pigtails ran in wearing a maid dress that reached mid thigh and had a white head band on. She placed her hands on her knees and took a couple deep breaths.
"Pardon me, I'm late, my apologies" she said and Imai glared at her, which was strange for a princess. I looked back at the maid. She had chocolate brown eyes that had hints of gold and green in them and long creamy legs. For some reason I couldn't help but stare at her. "It's a pleasure to meet you all. My name is Mikan Sa-" she started but Imai cut her off.
"Mikan! Where were you" she snapped and the girl named Mikan flinched back. This princess was off and so was the maid. The maid may not act like a princess but she sounded like one, and the Imai girl didn't really act nor spoke like a princess. It was odd. And I wasn't the only one who noticed this. Aoi gave me a look and so did Ruka and my father. Mother on the other hand watched in amusement. I smirked and signed to Aoi telling her the maid was oddly stupid. Aoi smiled but gave me a look.
"Hey! For your information I can read sign language and I am not stupid you jerk" the girl named Mikan yelled and Aoi covered her mouth to hide her smile while I raised an eyebrow. I didn't expect the maid to know sign language. Especially since Imai looked rather confused, clearly showing she didn't. Why would a maid know a different language but not a princess?
"I'm sorry my son can be rude. I'm Queen Kaoru, you must be the Princess's maid, it's a pleasure to meet you" my Mother said and Mikan stopped glaring at me and smiled brightly at the her. She curtsied. I saw Imai glare at the girl again. What was with these two? But what really attracted my attention was the way the maid was glaring at me right now. It was so odd. Most girls were gawking at me, not glaring at me with such hatred.
"Anna will you please show these two to their room" mother asked and one of our maids with pink wavy hair nodded and bowed before leading the two girls away. Before turning the corner, the maid Mikan spun around and stuck her tongue out at me, before someone grabbed her hair and pulled her out of sight. I couldn't help but smirk slightly.
"How interesting" I muttered and Ruka looked at me. "Those two are weird, don't you agree? The maid does not act like a maid, she more around acts like a ill-mannered princess, and the princess, she doesn't act like a priness either" I said and Ruka nodded and turned back towards the direction the two girls went.
"I thought the same thing. But what surprises me was that the girl named Mikan seemed too glare at you like you were her enemy, it's weird, usually girls throw themselves at you, but not her. Well at least the princess is attractive" he said, clearly trying to convince me that the marriage wasn't so bad. I just shoved my hands in my pockets and starred at nothing.
"Yeah sure" I said, but my thoughts were occupied by the auburned haired girl. The idiot, she was a nuciance, but I couldn't help but think about her appearance. I could not believe I found a maid attractive, and I couldn't let anyone know I found her attractive. "What an idiotic maid" I said and he laughed. "Come on lets go read" I said and he nodded.
We decided to stay on castle grounds to read this time, so we went towards the cherry blossom trees and climbed up them until we weren't visable. This was my favorite place on the castle grounds to just sit and relax. Besides, no one really came near this area because it was behind the castle. I closed my eyes for a second in an attempt to relax but an annoying voice broke my concentration.
"Hotaru look at this place, isn't it beautiful!" the person said brightly and I looked down to see that maid Mikan and the princess below us. Mikan pulled her hair out of those stupid pig tails and took off the headband, letting her hair fall gracefully over her shoulders down to her waist. I mentally cursed due to the fact that she was evven more beautiful with her hair down. She then giggled before turning to Imai.
"These clothes are so much more comfortable then what I usually wear, it's a nice break" she said and smiled at the girl who rolled her eyes in return. "Oh Hotaru, on our way here I saw this cute little orphanage in the town. Can we go visit and play with the children, pretty please" she begged with her hands clapsed in a praying gesture while Imai glared at her. She then formed a fist with her right hand and hit Mikan in the head.
"Idiot, you almost blew it in there, be more careful. And I'm not going to that orphanage, I'm hungry, go by yourself" she said with no emotion. Mikann pouted her lip before placing her hands on her hips as if she was going to yell at Imai or something.
"Fine, I'll have someone else go with me" she said with a bright smile on her face, as if she just proved a major point. The princess in return raised her eyebrows,and this strange gleam appeared in her eyes before raised a hand to dismiss what she just said in a casual manner. I noticed her hand held calluses and they were rough like she did a lot of work or something.
"Mikan, don't forget, we are not home, and because of this stupid plan of yours, people most likely won't be willing to go with you if you want to do something" she said and Mikan's face fell before she glared at Imai and pointed an accusing finger at her. I noticed her hands, unlike Imai's, were soft and unharmed. That was odd. Usually it's the other way around, the princess has well manicured hands while the maid's hands are rough and callused.
"Your mean!" she yelled before storming off towards the entrance of the castle. Imai however walked in the other direction towards the castle as she called over different servants. Tch, princesses, of course she wouldn't got to the orphanage with her friend. Wait a minute, Mikan is going to the orphanage...I better go make sure Youichi doesn't tie her up and lock her in a closet.
I jumped down from the tree without a word to Ruka and headed towards the entrance of the castle, being sure to ignore anyone who talked to me or asked if I needed assistants. When I reached the orphanage I saw Mikan talking and laughing with a group of young girls while Youichi and his friends talked, most likely planning something. I saw I evil like grin spread on Youichi's gace before he picked up a pile of mud and prepared to throw it at the unexpecting girl.
"I'd duck if I were you" I yelled as Youichi threw the ball of mud. I watched her look up before quickly ducking, just in time so the pile of mud flew right above her head. She then stood up wide eyed as she starred at me then at Youichi who spun around and smiled at me.
"Onii-chan! Why did you warn that hag?" he asked with a pouty lip as he climbed into my arms. Knowing she was watching, I didn't smirk like usual, instead I just shrugged in response. He looked confused and annoyed but smiled. "Will you play with us today again?" he asked and I thought about it. I wouldn't hurt, but the last thing I wanted was someone besides Ruka to see my soft side. I looked at him again and sighed.
"Sure, fine" I said and he smiled brightly. I walked into the orphange and just like yesterday told the woman I would be bringing the children out to play. When I came out of the orphange, Mikan was still gaping at me, surprise evident on her face. Youichi immediately clung onto my leg as we walked to the lake again. I paid little attention to the fact that Mikan was following slowly behind with a confused expression on her face.
I really hated the fact that my soft side was being showed to a girl I just met, especially this girl. I don't know why, but this girl, there seemed to be some kind of force pulling me in. It was bizarre, and extremely annoying, just like her.
As soon as we got to the lake, all the kids started screaming as they jumped into lake splashing and laughing. I grinned and leaned against one of the trees as Mikan looked around, a bright smile on her face as she admired the sceneary.
"Idiot, stop spacing" I said and she jumped slightly before turning towards me. Once she got out of her shcok she glared at me and put her hands on her hips. "Is that like your signiture thing? Glarring at people?" I asked and she rolled her eyes.
"No, it's not, but you seem to be doing a lot of things that make me angry, can't you just relax and have fun for once? Your so grumpy, you don't have to be so negative all the time. Look at where we are. I've never been anywhere like this before" she said and I found it a little weird, but i wasn't going to ask. Instead I walked closer so I was towering over her.
"Then enjoy it some more" I said and placed my hand on her shoulder and pushed her gently, but enough to cause her to fall into the lake with a big splash. When she resurfaced she glared at me, yet again, before pushing her bangs out of her eyes as the kids laughed.
"It's not funny! Now help me out!" she ordered and I rolled my eyes but decided to listen anyways and extended my arm for her to grab it. When she took my hand, a bright smile formed on her face, and before I had time to react, she pulled me into the water. "Now that's funny!" she shoute and laughed along with the other kids. I glared at her, while she stuck her tongue out at me before splashing me. Soon enough all the kids started splashing each other, and soon enough I joined them without thinking.
Thankfully I was able to keep a straight face the entire time, however on the inside, I felt like I could laugh like everyone else was. I did realize though, that Mikan smile, was bright and full of happiness. it was as if she help all things good in that one smile. It made me wonder, how can doing something like this make a maid so happy? Don't they do this as a child?
