The day had started just like any other day for Shizuru Fujino. Her tieguanyin tea had been brought up shortly after her morning beauty ritual and she now sat in her robe with both hands lightly gripping the fine teacup as she inhaled deeply. The first part of her day was always her favorite. There was no one vying for her attention or attempting to seduce her. It was the only time of day she could let her guard down and not wear the mask she had carefully crafted over the years, a mask she had now grown tired of. Regrettably, there was nothing she could do about it. She was a Fujino and as such she would have to continue doing what was expected of her. Shizuru allowed her ruby eyes to remain transfixed on the bottom of the cup and wished her life would change. A lone strand of hair escaped its place and Shizuru sighed as she lightly ran her fingertips over her ear returning the chestnut strand to its rightful place. It was time for her to head downstairs and join her father. Walking into her bedroom-sized closet she briefly wondered about her father's odd request to meet him in his study rather than at the office. Whatever it was she was sure her father did not want the employees to gossip about it. Opting for a white blouse and gray pencil skirt she quickly buttoned her shirt and slid the skirt over her perfectly toned legs tucking in the blouse in the process. After slipping on her cream colored heels she began her decent.

As Shizuru neared her father's study she became aware of other voices behind the door, but her upbringing did not let her simply walk into the space uninvited. She lifted her right hand, made a fist, lightly knocked, and waited for a response.

"Come in!" Kenji Fujino's deep voice floated across the door.

Shizuru opened the door and was surprised to see two of her friends and colleagues seated across from her father.

"Ara, if father had informed me we would have guests I would have made it down sooner" Shizuru politely informed as she stepped further into the room.

"That's alright princess there was no need to rush. Both Reito and Alyssa just arrived a few moments ago" her father responded.

"Good morning Reito-san, Alyssa-san" Shizuru greeted.

"There is no need for such formalities Shi-chan we are not in the office" Reito pointed out smiling.

"Yeah Shiz leave that for later" Alyssa added.

Hearing my friend's easy tone made me relax and provided me the reassurance to walk the rest of the way to the seat opposite my father. The fact that Reito our Chief Financial Officer and Alyssa our corporate lawyer were here did nothing to quell the unease that had begun settling in the pit of my stomach. Had I done something wrong? Was the company in some sort of trouble and I had missed it? It couldn't be. Could it? What had I missed? My internal dialogue was interrupted as my father spoke up again.

"I have asked you all to meet me this morning to discuss something of high importance to Fujino Corp. The upcoming marriage of Shizuru and merger of our company" Kenji said.

Hearing my father remind me of my impending fate made me want to scream or run, but I did neither. I simply crossed my legs and made sure my mask was still in place. I received sympathetic glances from my friends, before Alyssa chimed in.

"Everything has been taken care of Mr. Fujino. The wedding date has been set and the paperwork drafted. Is there a clause you were thinking of adding?" Alyssa asked.

"It's not just a clause I need Alyssa, it's a whole new contract" he responded to her question while standing and walking towards the window.

I had to admit this caught me by surprise. I had never known my father to ask for such a thing and it appeared as though I was not the only one who was troubled by his request.

"Mr. Fujino I assure you I went over the numbers with Alyssa myself and the proposed contract makes the best sense for Fujino Corp" Reito desperately added hoping my father would change his mind.

"I have no doubt that you both did an excellent job on the contract but that is not the reason I am asking for a change" he answered.

Turning to face me he continued speaking "Shizuru when I asked you to consider an arranged marriage you agreed claiming that if it was in the best interest of the company you would move forward with it. I have to ask you now if you have developed feelings for your fiancée" my father asked.

The question managed to leave me speechless for a few seconds as my father had never ventured to ask me about my feelings in front of an audience. Both Reito and Alyssa remained silent waiting for my response while I tried to come up with a diplomatic answer that would make him stop worrying. It's true that I felt nothing for my fiancée but I also knew that my father had worked so hard to position our company as one of the top in the nation. If I had to marry to ensure that his legacy continue I would do it. I would do anything to give him some peace of mind even if it meant sacrificing my own life.

"I do not dislike her, but I believe I have not spent enough time with her to develop any feelings father" I replied honestly.

"Good. I would hate to break off this engagement if it meant hurting you" came his response.

"Break off the engagement?" I asked a bit perplexed.

"Yes, I've decided that the merger with the Marguerites is not one we will move forward with. I've found a more suitable arrangement. Kuga Corp has reached out and offered a more beneficial deal. Alyssa, you and Reito will be able to review the proposal this afternoon. We will be the managing partners while Kuga Corp will provide the designs." My father informed us. "Reito please retrieve our balance sheets from the office for review at Kuga Corp today and take Alyssa with you to begin dissolving our contract with the Marguerites."

"Yes Mr. Fujino." Reito responded while retrieving his briefcase from the side of the chair.

"You're dismissed," added my father.

"Thank you Mr. Fujino." Alyssa and Reito bowed and excused themselves from the studio.

There was a long pause between my father and I while I processed all that had happened in such a short amount of time. I was no longer engaged to the Marguerite's daughter, Fujino Corp would be merging with Kuga Corp, and what was that about managing partners? I was so lost in my thoughts that I had not noticed my father had been observing me before reinitiating a conversation.

"Princess I have to tell you something and I hope you don't hate me for it" my father started and it instantly caused me apprehension.

"What is it Otosan?" I asked.

"Kuga Corp is not currently in the best shape it could be in which will require a great deal of work from you." He sighed.

"Me? I don't understand."

"You will become Kuga Corp's CEO while I continue to manage Fujino Corp until the merger has gone through and everything has been acclimated."

"What will happen to Kuga Corp's current CEO?"

"Saeko Kuga has decided to retire while Natsuki Kuga will continue to be the head automobile designer. As you know she is the reason why we have not been able to beat the Kuga's" He smiled. "It makes me happy to know that we will finally be on the winning team."

"We sell just as many vehicles as the Kuga's and are just as profitable if not more." I huffed.

"Tell me Shizuru what have you heard about Natsuki Kuga?"

"I've heard she is beautiful but cold. They call her the ice princess" I tried to remember something I had read about her in an article but was drawing a blank.

"She is indeed beautiful," my father emphasized.

"I haven't had the pleasure of meeting her."

"Well you will be meeting her in a couple of hours." My father said while taking a cup of coffee to his lips.

"I suppose it's a good idea to meet my new colleagues as soon as possible." I added.

Kenji Fujino rushed through the next sentence and uncharacteristically mumbled at the end. "Natsuki will be more than your colleague Shizuru, she will be your wife."

I shifted in my seat as I processed the new information I was being assaulted with. I was sure I had not misheard him say she would be my wife, but I had to be sure.

"Wife?" I asked.

"Yes princess. You will no longer be marrying the Marguerite's daughter; but you will be marrying Natsuki Kuga to solidify the union between our companies. Once Saeko retires she will be handing all of her stocks to Natsuki and in turn I will hand off everything I have to you. Your Otosan is getting old and would like to retire." My father confessed.

"I see." Was the only response that managed to escape my lips. Looking up at my father I observed the wrinkles that had suddenly become more pronounced along his eyes and took in his hair that displayed more white in it than I remembered. My brain replayed the words I had told myself a few minutes ago. If I had to marry to ensure that his legacy continue I would do it. I would do anything to give him some peace of mind even if it meant sacrificing my own life. I would not marry for love but at least I would ensure my father's happiness. I took a steadying breath, and accepted my fate.

"Shall I call Mikoto and have her bring the car around? We don't want to keep my future mother in law and wife waiting" I gave him my most dazzling smile, which he returned in earnest.

"Yes princess, lets get going."