Yuki: Here you go! The next chappie. Please review, ne? (grins) Oh yeah... for your info, some spellings and grammar I used is British language, so it's different than American's.
Chapter 10: The Scandal.
The Crown Prince came back from the Buckingham palace after apologising to Queen Elizabeth about putting the palace in an uncomfortable state for a meantime. He was walking inside the hotel lobby until someone called him. "Natsume-sama…" A bespectacled man called. "We have found Rei… And I have something to talk about Rei, my Highness."
Natsume turned and said, "What is it?"
"I heard that Rei and Serina-sama have been quite close."
He frowned, "So what? I heard aunt has a lot of acquaintances in the British Royal household…"
The man started to look serious, "But… when she recommended you the chief secretary Rei, the undergoing process was weird. And I'm not sure if I should tell you this but, when it was the first time she came here, she presented a bouquet of lily to the Queen of England. If the servants wouldn't gotten to it first, a grave accident would occur. The lily represents 'death' in this place. I'm not sure whether she knew and sent it…"
Natsume said, "All right then…" He left and walked to Rei, who was looking suspicious. "Where were you all this while, Rei? A chief secretary doesn't go around the city without me."
"I've been running around to prevent his news from spreading. I've stopped the head reporter."
"…It'll be all right if someone doesn't leak out the story back in Japan…" Natsume turned his back. Rei stared at him, with frightened expression. "Serina, that woman…"
X
"Are you crazy or what!!!? What did you say?!" Serina boomed out loud while she was standing in front of his son. She was having a nice little chat with her son in her palace, until she heard that…
"Yes, I love Mikan." Ruka said in a relaxed tone.
Serina argued, "She is your cousin-in-law, your cousin's wife--"
"She was my betrothed. She was stolen from me." Ruka said.
"I was so relieved when I found out that child was not married to you after your father's death. B-but now…" She said facing him, "You said what?! You loved her?! What is that nonsense!!!?"
"It's strange…" Ruka said. "The more you hate her, the more I get to love her deeply…"
"Ruka! Stop this nonsense!" Serina shouted.
X
The next day, a servant attended to Karin's palace, informing something.
"W-what? Ruka-sama was in the Crown Princess's palace?" She paused from wearing her earrings and stared at her maid, in disbelief.
"Yes," the servant said, "I think he went there to accompany her."
"What was he thinking? He's the second-in-line. He must be at the main palace while Natsume's away…" Karin said. "Instead, he went to her palace, alone!"
"They're the same age, Karin-sama." The maid said. "They're like siblings and maybe he felt pity of her for being so lonely."
Karin closed her jewellery box. Surely not… Don't tell me… does he…
X
"What do you mean by that, Rei?" Serina called him through her cell phone.
"I'm afraid that the Queen Elizabeth has taken care of it. This incident was proven that it has nothing to do with Natsume-sama. The reporters are not allowed to pick any gossips from the royalties…"
"Fine then…"
"The drink that he drank was proven that it has illegal substances in it… But, I have other things in mind, Serina-sama. A new way to bring him down…"
X
"Oh, hey William." Mikan waved at him, with Ruka beside her to translate. "How are you?"
"Yeah, are you used to this place?" Ruka asked.
William smiled, "Yeah, I'm doing fine! I felt like not going back to my hometown, haha… Em…" He suddenly looked serious. "I have news to tell…"
After a minute of explanation, Mikan shouted, "N-Natsume did what?!!"
"W-well, you'll hear the rest later, Mikan-hime." William said. "I do have someone in my mind, but I don't have the evidence to proof it. I'm not telling you deeply; maybe you might get a heart-attack later."
It must've been mom's doing… Ruka thought deeply.
"H-how is he doing??" Mikan asked.
"He's fine; he'll be back this evening. " William said. "Don't worry, Mikan-hime. I'm sure he would tell you the details later."
X
Maika repeated, "Mikan-sama, your husband is around this place. Wouldn't it better if you greet him? He is your husband…"
"She's right. You didn't even see him during the send-off, Mikan-sama…" Otonashi said. Mikan was under the covers, refusing to go.
"I don't want to. Wake me up when the dinner's time." Mikan said. "Leave me, please…" Maika and Otonashi bowed and closed the door.
Flashback…
"I'm sorry, Mikan-hime. Maybe because of that drug incident, he was busy and was unable to contact you."
"He was distracted with his problems in London. That's probably why…"
"I informed him to call you but his mind slipped, Mikan-hime."
End of Flashback…
Mikan stood up and opened the door. "You really lack patience, Mikan…" She said to herself. She sneaked to the Prince's quarters. While she was in the woods, she heard a cracking noise. She turned her head to see who was behind him. It was Natsume. Her eyes extended and gaped at him.
He tilted his head to the right and said, "What have you done to yourself…? You're all skin and bones… Are you here to meet me? Let me take a--" He wanted to take a step closer, but…
"Don't you even dare, taking a step forward… Y-you… you jerk…!!" She cried. He stared at her for a second.
"I'm heart broken, you know…" He said, sarcastically. "Telling your husband whom you didn't see for a long time not to come any closer?"
"Y-you're really despicable…" She said, taking a step ahead every time she talks. "You're selfish, arrogant, and cold-hearted. You step on other people's heart like a chewing gum… You're the most despicable person I've ever met… but…" She tugged his jacket, "I've missed you so much…" She hugged him.
What shall I act at a time like this…? I didn't expect this to happen… Natsume thought while blushing. She's hugging me so tight… S-should I hug her too? He placed his arms around her, doubtfully. He whispered in his heart. Anyway, it would've been great if you went with me.
X
At the grandmother's palace, Natsume, Karin and Serina was there. His granny, Minami asked, "How was your trip, Natsume-sama?"
"Yes, I've returned early because I've missed you, grandmother." He said while bowing.
"Are you sure you missed me, or your wife?" Minami teased with a fan covering her face. "Anyway, her condition is not good, Natsume-ouji…"
Karin creased her brows, "Her health is not good. She has been getting comprehensive medical testing back in the royal hospital…"
Natsume closed his eyes for a while. What's her problem…?
"By the way…" Serina asked, "I've heard you had a lot of hardships back in London."
He glared at her, intently. "Yes, I did. Looks like someone pulled a dirty prank…"
"You should be more careful, Natsume-ouji. Luckily the press didn't know about your problem." She said.
"However, it'll be all right." He said confidently. "As long as someone keeps quiet." He took leave and Serina stared at him.
He's just like Matsuda when he was younger… Serina felt scared suddenly. He might have a scarier side of him that I thought he wouldn't have...
X
Mikan was in her room, wrapping herself with blanket due to the cold weather. Winter season has arrived. She took another thick blanket and tried to sleep. But, she couldn't. Her heart beats faster when she remembered how Natsume hugged her. Her face reddened and it made her body felt warmer.
"Thinking something perverted?" A voice called. She opened her eyes and found Natsume standing in front her with his hands inside his pocket. "… Hm…?"
"Look, I'm sick right now…" She complained. "I went out and greeted you without wearing any cloak…"
He smirked and sat beside her. "Really… You're so childish…" He felt her forehead with his hand. "A fever? Idiot…"
"Natsume…?" She called for him. He looked at her. "Was I promised to be married to Ruka?"
His eyes widened, "……" Natsume said, "The promise between our grandfathers was that, you will be the wife of the grandchild who will be the future king. At that time, the child was Ruka. That's right; you were supposed to be his bride."
"Oh… so it was true." She said. "I couldn't help but to feel bad and I couldn't confront him well."
He looked away from her, "He might have treated you well if he's married to you. Isn't he known as the man of manners? But, it--" He was interrupted with her words.
She said while closing her eyes. "Natsume, welcome home…" Mikan dozed off.
He blushed and said, "Don't talk those sappy lines… Hm…" Maika and Otonashi said you lose 7 kilogrammes... And not wanting to take any medicine. What is troubling you so?? Natsume placed his arms on her bedside and slept there.
X
"Natsume-ouji!!" Karin came in with a newspaper in her hands. She entered his room, where he was talking with Mikan several days later. She slammed the table with the British newspaper. "Tell me, is this true?! Natsume-sama, you have to be careful with what you're doing! Everybody will be watching you and there are a lot of things lurking around. Come to my palace after this!" She stormed away outside.
Natsume reached for the newspaper with his fingers. After a look, he sighed. Mikan, who was curious as well, took a look. "What makes Karin-sama to be so angry like that? What kind of--" Her eyes fixed on the headline, 'Third party?' A picture of Natsume and Sumire coming out of the hotel together. "Y-you two met… at London…?"
He stared at her, "She was having a meeting at the same time, so she paid me a visit. And she was in the same hotel as me."
"……" Mikan was disturbed whenever Sumire's around him.
"Why do I have to report this to you anyway?" He said coldly. "I was having a crisis back in London, I was thankful enough someone was there to hear me out. Do you need more explanation?"
She turned to him, "What's with your attitude…? Am I in the position where I can't be curious about a picture that you're in?"
"I… I don't like it when you worry…" He stated. "Back off, you should concentrate on getting your health back."
"I'm healthy right now, so, why don't you back off…" She said, frowning.
He grasped her wrist and yelled, "This wrist's as thin as mosquito's and don't worry?! Everybody was worried sick about you! What on earth makes you worried so much that you can't even eat?!"
She took her hand from him. "You don't need to know why I'm worried." Mikan faced him, "For a person who thinks that it's not appropriate for me to ask about a picture, why would you even care whether I die or wither away in hunger?" She headed to the door, "I've been so stupid, I was feeling all sick thinking about you and was waiting for your arrival… I can't even concentrate on things properly. I felt so sorry for myself right now." She left the room, leaving him in agony.
X
The rumour about Natsume and Sumire grew out of proportion. It was spreading wildly and it is a famous gossip, especially among the teenagers. Hence, it has become the point of criticism. The Royal household's position was getting in a deep trouble nowadays.
Mikan was walking in her school corridors until she saw a dark green haired girl walking past her. She recognised the face and called, "Are you, Sumire?"
The girl stopped walking and turned her head, "Yes… Oh, you're that girl."
"Could we… have a talk?" Mikan asked. From a far corner, Hotaru was eyeing on them and went to Natsume's class.
Hotaru rushed towards the passageway and reached at his class. She went up to him and said, "Mikan's having a talk with your girlfriend. Stop them, will you…?"
"……" He muted, "It's so obvious what that idiot will do." He ignored Hotaru, who was feeling angry with his attitude.
Back to Mikan's situation, the princess started first. "The rumours tend to dissipate quickly. I mean, don't worry about all the stories people made up. You'd just stopped by in London--"
"Wait… I didn't really stop by…" Sumire cuts in. "Meeting him was my objective from the first. Since you two have been going here and there together, I have no time to talk to him also. Seeing him happy to see me back in England after the ordeal was great. I'm here to take a good look at him, even though I'm in different school. And why do I feel like I'm a mistress, after hearing what you said just now?"
"W-what are you saying…?" Mikan paused from talking and held her head. Her visions started to blur. "S-Sumire…?"
"H-hey, what's wrong with you…?!" Sumire said. "Hey…!!"
"I… I'm sorry, but… we'll have this talk later…" Mikan started to walk but she was staggering, and then, she collapsed on her.
The homeroom teacher, Misaki-sensei rushed to the announcing room and grabbed the microphone. "Emergency, emergency. Natsume Hyuuga, class 3-B, your wife has fainted. Please be at the school's compound as soon as possible. I repeat…"
Natsume, who was writing on his book, stood up immediately with his eyes open wide. "M-Mikan!" He rushed outside his classroom and ran downstairs. He zoomed outside of the building and saw a group of people.
"Oh my God!!" A girl panicked, "Mikan fainted!! W-what should we do, sensei!!?"
Kitsuneme looked worried, "She's anorexic… Oh my… Should we call the ambulance??"
He made his way through the crowd and saw Mikan being escorted with 2 bodyguards. "W-what happened?!!" Natsume came in front of his sensei, who was escorting Mikan.
"Natsume-sama, I'm not sure myself. We came here as soon as possible…" A sensei explained.
"N-no, I'm a-all right… I… I--" She collapsed again, but this time, Natsume managed to grab her by the waist. He wrapped his arm around her waist and another arm supporting her head. He brushed her hair slightly. Natsume stared upon her pale expression. It worried him to death.
Sumire was walking behind him, "Look, it happened like this--"
"There's no time, sensei. I'll bring her to the hospital since this is not so serious." He said worriedly.
His sensei nodded. "Yes, you may leave." Natsume carefully brought Mikan in the car and told the driver to go to the hospital.
Sumire stared as the car drove away. She looked down, with her tears on the ground. Everybody was talking…
"I… I thought Natsume-sama was having a fight with Mikan… But…" Anna said.
"Yeah, by the looks of it, he really cared for her, huh? That's cute…" Nonoko adored.
"Hey, look…" said a girl pointing to Sumire. "What's she doing here?? I thought she's in different school?"
Sumire thought, he didn't even look at me… He just… ignored me! Her tears flowed.