AN: I'm back! Honestly, I am not satisfied with this chapter. *lesobs* Anyways, I want to have a fujoshi friend at school, would you guys like to have one too? Kekeke~

A big THANK YOU again to Prustrian Beast and punksnotdead *HUGS* your reviews are very motivational and to all my readers silent or not, you guys are AWESOME! Thank you for supporting Sands of Love!

ENJOY, Read and Review!

Chapter IV: Couple of Bumps along the Way

Furihata's POV

It has been a month since I came to Eon. The initial plan of a two-week vacation prolonged due to incredulous reasons. Even I still could not believe. I, Furihata Kouki, previous tourist, now stays and trains at the royal palace in order to become the royal consort to the country's crowned prince, Akashi Seijurou himself.

I begin to question myself if I'm dreaming or perhaps dying somewhere that I was able to enter this realm of fathomless delusions. But every morning, I would wake up to the sight of a new day and feel the cool wind caressing me, it's weird but, it felt like I'm home. That I somehow belong. My parents did not even bother to call and check if I'm okay, but I guess, I am old enough for them to fret over.

I internally sighed and shot up from the bed and rubbed my eyes, adjusting my vision to the surroundings, I looked at his spot beside me, but he wasn't there, again. Something on the coffee table caught my eyes. A bouquet? I stood up and saw beautiful tulips the colors of vivid red and yellow, his eyes. The image of his smiling face instantly flooded my thoughts. I then notice the note on top of it, the penmanship was elegant and neat, undoubtingly his.

The little note says;

"My Dear Kouki," I paused as I felt my face warm up and continued reading it silently.

"I'm sorry I haven't been able to spend time with you much. I have been neglecting you a lot. I want you to know that I am not taking you for granted, you are very important to me. I have to be away for a while, I'll come back soon, and I promise this time, I'll spend my every waking days with you. I hope you love these flowers I picked myself.

Forever Yours,

A. Seijurou

P.s. Do not leave the palace, especially if you're alone, have Reo or one of my siblings accompany you.

I blushed harder, how sappy can he get? My heart beat fast, like a bass drum. 'Shut up! You like it anyways!' I heard my own voice resonating in my head. I brought the flowers up and inhale its intoxicating, sweet smell and I smiled, gently caressing its petals, my heart thumping hard, impatiently waiting for Akashi to return.

After breakfast, Reo-san accompanied me and we stroll along the palace, I find the gardens particularly magnificent. Reo told me, that the late consort Shogo was the one who beautified the gardens. Shogo-san was like me, a Japanese national, who had captured the heart of the former and late King Shuuzou. "They always argue," Reo chuckled and continued, "but they loved each other unconditionally, until their deathbeds, their love never ceased. They have shown that love towards this country and their children." A distant smile plastered on his face.

"That must be nice, isn't it?" Reo chuckled and ruffled my hair. "I'll make sure to tell Sei-chan to take you here at the gardens as often as he could." I was about to say something back when I suddenly felt uneasy, I felt like I was being watched. The hairs on my nape stood up.

Someone cleared his throat.

"I see, cheating on my brother already. I must say, you're quite gutsy to do so." His baritone voice filled with animosity. I looked up and saw the face of, Aomine-san. He is the fourth prince and Akashi's sibling that loathed me the most. With him around, I find it hard to feel comfortable.

"Daiki-kun, don't you have fencing practice with Taiga-kun this morning?" Reo stared at Aomine, aware of the sudden heavy atmosphere. "Ah, he's busy arguing with Atsushi, apparently Himuro made Taiga some stupid crepe for breakfast and Atsushi bawled like a baby not having any and stating that Himuro favored Taiga better." He unamusingly replied. Reo chuckled a little and shook his head. "They never grew up, huh?" Aomine just nodded and continued looking disdainfully at me.

I sighed, feeling uncomfortable. "Is something the matter, Kou-chan?" I silently shook my head. "I guess, I was right." I can almost feel Aomine smirk. "If you are planning to have an illicit affair, at least do it subtly. Oh, by the way, you don't belong here in Eon." I heard his retreating footsteps.

I felt Reo patting my back gently, "Don't mind anything Daiki-kun told you, neh, Kou-chan?" I bit my lip and nodded.

"You don't belong here in Eon." His spite-filled voice and stinging words kept on repeating inside my head.

That evening I didn't bother having dinner, I felt sick. My insides churning with the thought of eating together with people who dislike me. I felt tears welling up my eyes as I lay down the bed. I clutched on his pillow tightly. I began to ponder as to why did I really stay. The image of Akashi's smiling face was the last thing that appeared in my mind as sleep took over me.

Days passed by quickly, each day I learn new things and everyday my will to stay grew stronger. The longing to be with Akashi. I try to zone out anything that is negative and remain optimistic. It was another Monday. Akashi had been away for two weeks now and I am starting to get worried but Reo would always reassure me that Akashi's business trips usually lasted for months and that he was always safe.

After my morning lessons, I walked through the gardens alone. There it is again. The feeling of uneasiness, I looked around but no one was there. I screamed when I felt something heavy on my shoulders. I heard a deep voice yelling back at me. I faced the person and noticed that it was Kagami-san. "K-Kagami-san! Y-you scared me." I gulped and stared at him, his hand clutching the spot where his heart is. "NO! You scared me!"

He sighed and cleared his throat, grinning widely after. "Furihata-kun would you like to visit the markets with me and Tatsuya?" My eyes widened at the sudden invitation. "C-can I really?" I lowered my gaze and looked at the ground. "I-I thought you h-hate me…" My voice quivering. I heard a loud 'HA?!' coming from Kagami. "Hate you? That's absurd. Well, let's be honest, my older brother proposing to you out of the blue like that was quite a shock, but I would never go as far to hate you, that's just shallow."

Uwah, if only he realizes he just indirectly called his other brother shallow.

I plastered a small smile on my face. "T-thank you, Kagami-san, I accept your invitation." He grinned back triumphantly, seriously there are no resemblance among these siblings whatsoever, but I guess, that's not an issue, as long as they have the genuine bond that brothers have.

The market, as usual was bustling with people, it was very lively. People were animatedly chatting, laughing and smiling together, such a warm feeling emanating from each and every one. "Furihata-kun, here, have some." A voice woke me from my thoughts, it was Himuro Tatsuya. The palace's patisserie, Kagami's childhood friend and well, I don't really have an idea regarding the relationship he shared with the youngest prince, Murasakibara Atsushi. Himuro-san is a very stunning individual I must say, it won't be a surprise if Kagami and Murasakibara are fighting for the affection of this beautiful person.

He was kind and very sweet to. Unlike me, boring, extraordinarily ordinary.

Am I worthy of being with Akashi? Maybe, Aomine-san was right.

I shook my head, I have to stay, to be with Akashi. I focused my attention to Himuro who was smiling and offering me a sugar-coated banana impaled in a barbecue stick. "Careful, it's hot." He continued and bit off his share of the sweet treat. Kagami on the other hand was chowing down merrily, such appetite.

It was almost sun down when we finished roaming the markets, we stopped to rest at the exact place where Akashi and I met. It brings me back to the fear I have of him that day, and it made me chuckle inwardly. I guess people are really different when you have gotten to know them better.

"Aomine, what are you doing here?" Kagami's voice brought me back to reality. "Ah, just wandering around. How about y-oh? What do we have here?" I felt a chill down my spine. "After Reo, you targeted Kagami next? Unbelievable. Is this your plan? To go and seduce everyone?" I hear him gritting his teeth. "Ahomine! The hell?! Enough with that." Kagami answered back.

There are so many things I've wanted to say, yet not a word escaped from my lips. I don't have the courage to even defend myself from such false testimonies, how pathetic can I get? I felt the tears prickling my eyes, they sting.

How can I befitting for Akashi's affection the way I am now?

I can't find the right answers to the questions I have in mind. All I could do was escape. And so I did. I desperately ran away from the insecurities I have.

I can hear Himuro's voice calling me out and Kagami chasing me, but I was unexpectedly fast. I ran past stall after stall and finally reached the market's entrance.

I heavily breathed out a sigh of relief, right now, all I wanted was to be alone, to think and evaluate my thoughts. My feelings. I walked forward, not looking where I was heading to and bumped into something hard. A wall? I fluttered my eyes to the sight of a burly man standing in front of me, he was smirking menacingly.

"Found you." He grabbed me and covered my mouth with cloth. I tried not to inhale it, I know it was chloroform, I've watched a lot of kidnapping scenes from dramas before, but my lungs where burning, I needed to breathe.

I'm starting to fall unconscious. My heart yearning for Akashi.

My eyelids grew heavy and the last thing I heard was my heart thumping, my feelings coming to a conclusion.

I love Akashi Seijurou.

TBC