Chapter 7: The Chimera
Disclaimer: 'Prince of Tennis' is not mine~
"Be awed by my prowess!"
That phrase was the first sentence they heard after the trumpet sounded and the door opened. The person who exclaimed was, of course, Prince Atobe Keigo from Hyotei Empire. Confidently, he entered the main hall of Seishun Empire's palace with Prince Yukimura Seiichi from Rikkaidai Empire and Prince Shiraishi Kuranosuke from Shitenhouji Empire. Behind them, their respective personal soldier walked in tow.
Being the host, Prince Tezuka Kunimitsu from Seishun Empire walked up to his fellow princes before saying his greetings.
"I, crown prince of Seishun Empire, welcome all of you in our castle. I hope you can enjoy your stay here," said Tezuka whilst eyeing the three other princes.
"Thank you for the grand welcoming, Prince Tezuka," said Prince Yukimura formally.
"We'll be sure to make this visit unforgettable," continued Prince Shiraishi.
"Ahn. No one underestimate us and survives," said Prince Atobe.
As such, many were confused by the exchange of words between the princes of the four great empires. Seeing those princes shaking hands, no one could successfully guess the meaning of this particular gathering and those who knew decided to keep silence.
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"Put this on, Fuji-kun," said Empress Tezuka Ayana to her (hopefully) future daughter-in-law.
Seeing the dress which was shoved her way, Fuji couldn't help but blinked a few times before she opened her eyes gave a confused stare to the empress.
"But, Empress Tezuka, this is a dress."
"Of course I know that."
"Then, with all due respect, why did you give me this? Aren't I supposed to keep my disguise as a male unknown?"
"Yes, and that's where this problem become a problem," said Empress Tezuka before she sighed and sat on her bed.
Currently, the two are in the main bedroom for the emperor and the empress. Fuji was sure she's not even allowed to come in there, but the empress brushed off her concern.
"The group that targeted the princes' lives is on the move," continued the empress. "It's not a new thing. The one that concern us is the last note."
"And? That doesn't explain the dress."
"We decided to fool them by setting our first trap tonight." Here, the empress stopped before she sighed and looked at Fuji straight in her eyes. "Fuji Shuusuke will disguise as Kunimitsu's fiancée to lure the first batch of traitors on stage. We have reasons to believe that they are well-coordinated. But because Fuji Shuusuke is not Fuji Shuusuka and the real one was already 'evacuated', you can fight them as much as you want.
"Of course, your first and foremost duty is to protect Kunimitsu, but I want you to be careful as well. Act your part and we will finish our end. I'll tell Kunimitsu before the party so you don't need to worry about your disguise as a male."
Fuji knew that it was not a suggestion, but an order. Reluctantly, she gave up and said, "Okay, it seems to be fun and I don't want to be left in the dark about this. …But do I have to wear that dress?"
"Of course," said the empress with a delighted face. "I will also groom you personally myself, so don't worry. Now go change and surprise them."
Eyeing the empress once more, Fuji slowly nodded and went towards the changing chamber to try her new dress. If the empress has something in her mind, not even her husband can do anything about that. If things have turned out this way, she might as well enjoy the play.
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'What was Mother thinking?' thought one Tezuka Kunimitsu as he walked towards his parents' chamber.
It was currently late noon and the ball will begin in approximately half an hour. He was making final preparations for himself, Inui, and his new personal soldiers except Fuji, when his mother called him. Speaking of Fuji, he hasn't seen the brown-haired since before the welcoming ceremony. Guess he will have to ask his mother about it.
Knocking lightly on the master bedroom door, he waited for a few moments before the door was opened. Thinking he was going to meet his mother or father, Tezuka was completely taken aback when a young woman whom he didn't recognize opened it instead.
She was wearing a light blue long dress with long sleeves. Her hair was brown and long, with a small bandanna on top of her head. Even though the dress was simple and her make-up was light, Tezuka couldn't help but widen his eyes and stare at her. She was truly beautiful.
True, Tezuka never seemed to give any reactions when girls flocked around him, but that doesn't mean he couldn't appreciate someone's beauty. After blinking a few times, Tezuka came back to his senses and push his glasses up. But before he can ask her, she has opened the door wider.
"Come in, please. Empress Tezuka is currently applying her make up inside," said the mysterious young woman who seemed to resemble Fuji somehow.
Nodding, the prince stepped inside before coming close to her mother. Noticing her son's arrival, the empress turned around and said, "Tezuka, you've come. Fuji-kun, please close the door and come join us here."
"…Fuji?" asked a confused Tezuka.
"Good afternoon, Tezuka," said the mysterious girl. "You didn't recognize me, right?"
"Fuji? Is that you?" At Fuji's nod, Tezuka looked at his mother, demanding answer.
"Hahaha… Bet you were surprised, right, son?" said Emperor Tezuka Kuniharu who appeared from the library room attached.
"It's a plan to trick that group into showing themselves," said Fuji, since the emperor and empress seemed too amused by their son reaction to answer his question.
"Oh, Fuji-kun. Don't spoil the fun," chided the empress lightly. "You see, Kunimitsu, we have a plan like what Fuji stated earlier."
"And we need your cooperation," continued the emperor before they fill in their son about what will most likely happen that night.
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"Nya! Fujiko! I never thought you can be so beautiful in a dress," exclaimed Kikumaru.
Currently, they were enjoying the ball and the group from Seishun Empire was surrounding their prince and the in-disguise Fuji. After the opening ceremony where all the princes are formally welcomed and Fuji was introduced as Tezuka's fiancée, the two were immediately questioned by Inui, with Tezuka's new soldiers in tow.
Of course, there were uproar and questions about Fuji's identity, since the emperor and empress only introduced her as Tezuka's fiancée. The other princes also eyed them warily, but said nothing. They opted to stay silent but they swore to find more about it later on.
"Hmm…. The empress surely knows her stuff well. It certainly is a good data," said Inui after the two have finished telling them the overall plan for tonight. "I wonder if there's anyone who won't be fooled by your appearance, Fuji."
"Ahahaha…. I wonder about that, too," responded Fuji. "Even Tezuka was speechless when he first saw me."
"Ah, there they are!" exclaimed a very energetic-looking Marui while pointing his finger towards them.
Behind him, they can see a group of seven other young men. All of them wore formal attires with one similarity: the oval-shaped symbol with an 'R' in the middle, sewn to the back of their capes. The symbol signifies that those young men came from Rikkaidai Empire. And in the middle of them, walked Prince Yukimura Seiichi, crown prince and future emperor of Rikkaidai Empire.
"Good evening, Tezuka," greeted Yukimura friendly. "Your parents are doing their best for this occasion, as usual."
"Ah," responded Tezuka. The others wisely move to the side to let their princes greet each other without saying anything, with the exception of Fuji who kept close to Tezuka as to not arouse any suspicion.
"Tezuka! Yukimura! There you are," said a new voice which belongs to the crown prince of Shitenhouji, Prince Shiraishi Kuranosuke. Behind him, walked eight others with a symbol of two diamonds with the Kanji character representing Shitenhouji on their left chest.
"Huh, it's seems like we've all gathered here. But no one can outshine me," said the bragging crown prince of Hyoutei Empire, Prince Atobe Keigo. He led his own personal soldiers, bearing the symbol of Hyoutei Empire, to where the others were standing.
"Ahahaha," laughed Yukimura heartily. "You all seem to be in a great condition, nee."
"If you can call this situation as 'great'," said Shiraishi good-naturally.
"Ah," agreed Tezuka.
But even then, they know that something would happen when the four princes have gathered. With appraising eyes, they all looked at the other party, all the while keeping their guard up and engaging themselves in small talks.
"By the way, Tezuka, you never tell us you have a fiancée," teased Yukimura.
"And do we have the privilege to know your name, My Lady?" asked Atobe while taking Fuji's right hand and kiss her knuckles.
Oblivious to the slight jealous look Tezuka has, which no one know, and ignoring the tightening hand around her waist, Fuji laughed and was about to answer when the hall suddenly went dark.
Frightened, many shrieked and chaos ensued. But before any of them could react, one of the windows shattered open and out of the debris, came out a man wearing a lion mask with tens of men behind him, all of them wield swords.
And the man, who seemed to be the leader, smirked and said, "Say good evening to your worst nightmare, because we are The Chimera."
Hai, Phantom Sky 45 here~
At last, we've arrived at the seventh chapter~
But right now I have a bit of a problem about this story's path, since it's different from my original plot but I can't help myself. And my school term begins tomorrow...
Anyway, this is just me rambling, though I do hope you enjoy the chapter~
Jaa, see you next time~
