She King

By: money127

Hello! I'm back. Sorta… I'm so so so sorry for being MIA (Missing In Action or something) for so long but I've been so so busy with all the homework, the manga and the dramas (like K-dramas and stuff) that I just couldn't force myself to start writing (even though most of the time, writing is fun but to start writing is a lot of hard work and strong will). So I'd like to apologize to everyone who has been waiting to read this (so arrogant of me to think that someone is though) because, believe me, I know how it feels like to wait forever for a chapter of your favorite story.

Happy New Year everybody and enjoy chapter 3!

Imperial Prince Kan Sakura (Imperial Princess Mikan Sakura) was walking towards her study in a hurry. The conversation with Former Crown Prince Natsume Hyuga took too much of her time. She had a campaign to plan and she couldn't afford any waste of time. As she passed by the Grand Hall, she came across the portraits of the former rulers as well as the current one along with their queens and concubines. In the latest portrait, the king sat at his throne with the queen standing right behind him and his concubines (one of which was her mother) at the sides of the throne. Someday, she would be the King of Alice, she thought as she bowed down in honor of her father and mother.

"How respectful of you, Prince Kan." Mikan heard a voice behind her and turned around to face one of the King's advisers, Official Persona.

"Persona." Mikan said and bowed slightly, mostly out of habit rather than out of respect for the shady young man who curiously managed to get his way into the king's council.

"I would like to help you become the king." Persona voiced as she was about to walk away. Mikan stopped and Persona slowly crept up behind her, "It's not every day I see a beautiful princess running for a position as the king." He whispered in her ear. Mikan didn't turn around but continued walking.

"Follow me." She said and Persona.

Once Mikan and Persona were in the privacy of her study, she turned around.

"What do you have to offer?" Mikan asked, cutting down all the small talk.

"Very important information and much needed support." Persona stated shortly.

"Start talking." Mikan ordered. Persona raised his right eyebrow.

"Weren't you supposed to ask what I wanted in return?" Persona asked.

"I want to get as many things as I can before you start bargaining. This is a common mistake people make because they don't give an effort to milk out anything for free." Mikan answered, her voice impatient.

"Your father wants an interesting development." Persona said.

"If that's all you have to say then I'd rather not waste my time." Mikan turned towards her desk.

"There's a point system." That got Mikan's attention, "It is a well known fact that your mother was the king's favorite concubine. Not to mention that the king is very fond of Prince Natsume. The officials didn't want him to be biased so they created a point system in which they would have a way to influence the competition. Of course on their side, it's just a way to gain power but for you, this will be a chance." Persona was one of the officials so he would know very well what he was talking about.

"Keep talking." Mikan ordered.

"The King's vote is 10 points. An official's vote is 2 points and an opponent's vote is 5 points, of course the princes can't vote for themselves. The person with the most points wins. In about a day, this information will be spread to the rest of the princes. Well a part of it at least." Persona finished explaining.

"You have proved yourself to be very useful." Mikan applauded, "What do you want in return?" Mikan offered.

"I…" Persona walked towards Mikan and whispered in her ear, "I don't want anything. I have more money than I can spend and a position in the government that keeps me busy and satisfied. I don't want anything from you but a great show. I want to see you claw your way up to the sun and then crash and burn depending on what decisions you'll make." Persona lifted Mikan face up to his, "You're such a beautiful princess, so greedy, so shameless and so desperate. Such dark eyes…" Persona said and inched closer to Mikan, "Good luck, little princess." Persona whispered against her lips.

And then he was gone, leaving Mikan confused and determined at the same time.

The next day, the point system was announced to the princes in the running. Everyone was informed on how much they were worth (point wise) in this competition. All but the princes themselves. They had no idea that they themselves could vote for someone. Mikan had a piece of information that no one else knew of and she was going to take advantage of that in every way possible. It was soon understood that instead of running the best campaign, the king cared more about who could please him and the officials more. "Corrupted" didn't even start to describe the old bored man. And another silent rule was established, all fair in throne and war; they were going to play dirty if necessary.

Mikan contemplated her plan in her study. There were 5 officials and 5 opponent princes. In total, she could get 45 points. Excluding the king, who would do anything to make her grovel for his 10 points and the other 4 officials (aside from Persona) who would be more inclined to vote for the easily manipulated Ruka than the other strong and knowledgeable princes, Mikan could only gain 27 points at best and then there was Natsume who would definitely not vote for Kan, that left her with the maximum of 22 points. Natsume was the biggest opponent. He could also get 20 points from his brothers and he would probably get the king's 10 points. If he was smart enough, he would be able to even gain the officials' votes. The only way to make him fail was to turn all the princes against him and that was what Mikan decided to do, no matter what. The end justifies the means after all.

Mean while, the former Crown Prince Natsume Hyuga was walking through the same hall Mikan was walking on just a day ago. Stopping at his parents' portrait, Natsume looked at the sad eyes of his mother. The king never loved her. Up until the very last day of her life, all he cared about was how to save his beloved concubine Yuka, Mikan's mom. She was a beautiful lady though very cold and always unhappy. She was forced to marry the king and was always bitter about it. Mikan looked so much like her. He missed MIkan and Kan's face did nothing but remind him of his beloved. Sure they were half-siblings but he heard that aristocrats did that nowadays. They married cousins and siblings just to keep the inheritance in the family.

"How do I get the most points…" Natsume thought to himself. No official would vote for him, since he had too much influence and knowledge to be manipulated by them. His father was half-crazy about Lady Yuka and would definitely on Kan's side in this. Kan Sakura… That guy just appeared out of thin air. In his whole life, Natsume never heard of him and now he appears and starts playing the Prince… And yet… he feels so familiar that Natsume can't help but feel protective…

"That guy…" Natsume said to himself, "Why did he have to look so much like Mikan…"

The next day, the Princes were invited to go hunting with the King. Everyone was still dressing up. All but one… Mikan walked towards the stables to meet with a very "loyal" servant.

"Goshima." Mikan called out and a good looking servant in neat clothes came out.

"Your HIghness." Goshima bowed.

"I want you to check up on the horses before we take off." Mikan said in a quiet voice and handed him a small bag of silver coins.

"Of course." Goshima inched closer to the prince.

"I want you to…" Mikan whispered in his ear.