Disclaimer: I don't own Shugo Chara.
Chapter 5
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"It isn't the right time to tell him yet,"
A ten-year-old Ikuto paused right outside the open door to his parents' room. He couldn't knock since he recognized his mother's serious tone. Ikuto decided to walk away, knowing the eavesdropping would only get him in trouble. But he changed his mind when he heard his name.
"Ikuto's old enough." Aruto answered.
"He's just ten!"
"He should know. He needs to know. What if that child come back when he's of age?"
"I'm sure that he would be smart enough to know that he's lost his right to the throne already." Souko argued gently.
Ikuto flinched. Right to the throne? Wasn't he the one next in line?
"How can you be so sure otherwise?" Aruto reasoned. "Aniki is the heir to the throne, if father didn't disown him, he'd be the King right now and his son would be the Crown Prince."
Aniki? Ikuto's brows furrowed as he recalled that his father only had one brother— a younger brother, who is Tadase's father. But what caught his attention the most are the last words his father said. Did that mean that someone else is suppose to be the Crown Prince?
"You understand Souko, that everything our son has right now might be taken away in a blink of an eye."
"Aruto."
"Not only that, but if the Council thinks that he is better than our son..." Aruto trailed off, knowing that his wife already understood what he is trying to say.
"But Ikuto-kun is doing quite well!" Souko's maternal instinct immediately kicked in at the thought that her son may be deemed inadequate for the role of Crown Prince.
"One mistake on his part, Souko," Aruto said, "all his hard work will be thrown out the window. He should be aware of the stakes at hand."
"If he's no longer the Crown Prince..." Souko's eyes teared up just imagining the possibility of it.
"Everything he has right now will be taken away from him. Even his engagement."
Souko gasped at those words, "You can't mean that. She was chosen because she's meant for Ikuto-kun."
"If that boy wants her for himself, he can make it happen. Pride and envy only makes a person blind."
"You really think he'd take away Amu-chan?"
Ikuto flinched at the mention of the pinkette. What did his mother mean by that?
"It's better to let him know about Kukai's existence before it's too late." Aruto concluded.
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Ikuto woke up gasping, his hand immediately gripping the Dumpty Key around his neck. His eyes quickly darted around his room which already had sunlight streaming in through the cracks of his curtains. He took a deep breath and he closed his eyes once more.
The dream he had was a memory he wanted to forget.
His parents never came around to tell him about Kukai, but he had his own ways to know more about the said person. The rightful Crown Prince. Ikuto scoffed at the thought.
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Amu wiped away the tears which continue to run down her cheeks as she laid onto her bed in the new room temporarily assigned to her within the palace. She barely slept through the night, and every time she thought of her childhood friend who is now away, her tears continue to pour out.
Had she really been ignorant the whole time? How could she not have noticed Tadase's feelings for her?
She groaned into her pillow upon remembering Ikuto's intense glare as he snapped at her. It was her first time to see the Crown Prince snap. Sure, he would always tease her and say cruel things but not once had Ikuto raise his voice against her. It just meant that she really pushed him to his limits.
Suddenly a soft knock came from outside her room followed by a gentle voice, "Amu-chan, do you mind if I come in?"
The future Crown Princess immediately sat up wide-eyed as she stammered, "Y-Yes."
The blond haired queen opened the door to Amu's room with a small apologetic smile on her face, but concern immediately replaced it when she saw Amu's swollen eyes and tear-streaked face. Being conscious of herself, Amu left her bed and wiped her face once again. "I'm sorry," She murmured, going inside the bathroom to wash her face.
"It's alright, Amu-chan." Souko said gently, sitting at the corner of Amu's bed as she watched the pink-haired girl wash her face from the opened bathroom door. For some reason, Souko's heart clenched upon seeing Amu's tears.
As she watch Amu wash her face, the familiar golden gleam from Amu's neck caught her eye. She saw the Humpty Lock around Amu's neck from the mirror's reflection as Amu checked her face. Souko was about to say something, but thought otherwise.
"Sorry for not being presentable," Amu said as she returned to the room.
Souko gave a small smile, "Don't be so formal Amu-chan." She reminded and then Souko patted the space beside her to which Amu immediately followed. "Did Ikuto-kun say something he wasn't supposed to say again?"
Amu shook her head as she stared at her hands which rested on top of her lap. Souko placed a gentle hand on top of Amu's, which caused the girl to flinch and look at her. "Your expression doesn't say that it was nothing." Souko said gently. "As that child's mother, I understand him very well and from what I've seen, he's always been misunderstood."
Amu bit her lower lip, she was about to shake her again when she decided otherwise. "I think this time, I'm the one who was wrong."
Souko stayed silent as she let the girl collect her thoughts, but her gentle hand still remained on top of Amu's. A sign of reassurance that she wouldn't be judging anyone. Amu felt her tears at the back of her eyes once again as she thought of Ikuto's words a while ago. She decided to tell the Queen about what happened when they left her and Ikuto alone.
"Tadase had always been nice to me," Amu said in a small voice as she wipe her tears away, "Ever since we were small. But I didn't think anything more of it because we grew up together."
Souko gave the younger girl a small smile. "I think it wasn't his intention to let you know."
"But!" Amu looked up at the queen, "Now that I think of it, Tadase's done so much! Ever since we were young, he always left small presents outside my door just to cheer me up."
"Tadase-kun?" Souko said in surprise.
Amu nodded. She could still remember the times when she slept over in the palace. Whenever she got scolded during her lessons, the next day when she opens her door, she would always see a small gift waiting for her. Small presents that would never fail to make her smile.
"Amu-chan," Souko said gently and she shook her head, "I think you're mistaken." She could see the sudden confusion in Amu's eyes, but she continued, "Those gifts were from Ikuto-kun."
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"Ikuto-kun?" Souko called out gently, seeing her young son pacing in front of that girl's room— the future Crown Princess' room. It was already late at night, she was surprised to see her son still awake. "What are you doing?" She asked, walking towards the Crown Prince.
Ikuto immediately hid something behind his back and stared at the floor as his mother approached. "It's nothing." He said in a low voice.
Souko knelt down in front of her son and lifted his chin gently. She smiled when her son finally met her eyes. "You know that you aren't a very good liar, Ikuto-kun."
Ikuto pulled his chin away from his mother with a slight blush on his cheeks. "Only to you, Mother." Then he brought his hands in front of him, and Souko saw that he had a small teddy bear keychain on his hand. "Amu," Ikuto began as he glanced at the said girl's door once again. "She had been crying a while ago,"
With that, Souko giggled, as she immediately understood what her seven-year-old son was trying to do. She brought her hand on top of her son's midnight blue tresses and gently ran her fingers through his hair. "You should talk to her then." It was only a few months ago since the future Crown Princess was chosen to stay at the palace for formal lessons, but the two had never exchanged words while the younger prince was already becoming a friend to the girl.
Ikuto shook his head.
"Eh? You don't want to talk to her?"
"Tadase likes her."
"Hmn?" Souko was surprised, "What are you talking about? Tadase-kun is only being friendly towards her since she's new in the Palace."
Ikuto shook his head once again and this time he refused to speak. Souko became slightly worried. The younger prince likes the girl betrothed to her son? And because of that, Ikuto refuses to talk to the girl? "Ikuto-kun," Souko said, "Amu-chan is going to become your bride."
Once again Ikuto shook his head, and then this time he walked away from his mother after dropping the keychain in front of Amu's door.
"If you don't speak to her, she won't know that it's from you." Souko called out.
Ikuto looked at his mother. Souko was surprised to see an expression of an adult in his young features as he said, "She doesn't have to know."
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Amu sat wide-eyed as the Queen finished telling her story.
"Amu-chan," Souko said softly as she tucked a loose strand behind Amu's ear. "Most of the time, Ikuto-kun keeps the truth to himself. He's not fond of telling others about the good things he's done, but there are plenty of things that Ikuto-kun has done for your sake that you don't know about." With that, she glanced at the Humpty Lock around Amu's neck. "Don't give him too much a hard time. He just isn't used to communicating with others, seeing as how isolated his world is."
Amu swallowed as she took in Souko's words.
"Imagine having the weight of the country pending to be placed on your shoulders, having the expectations of a whole nation pressuring your every move," Souko spoke, her eyes softening, "I've been in your place Amu-chan, and I can tell you, even though Aruto is as carefree as he is now— well he's always been like that, but when choosing me to stay by his side...it took a while before his heart opened up completely."
"Eh?" Amu finally looked up and faced the Queen. "Weren't you..." She trailed off. Everyone has heard about the love story between the King and the Queen. They were childhood friends, and since young they've already promised to be together. There were no arrangement or any political strings pulled behind it at all.
Souko smiled, "We are in love. But you can never fully erase the doubt in one's heart. As a person of high position, betrayal isn't uncommon. Ikuto-kun has seen his fair share of these. The only thing you can do is be understanding."
Amu slowly nodded. For the first time since she's met Ikuto and entered the palace, she actually felt that standing so high above from the others isn't as luxurious as she had thought it to be. And also for the first time, she felt the sadness of the most desired title namely the "Crown Prince".
Suddenly, Amu could feel the room spinning.
Souko immediately caught the pinkette when she was about to fall forward. "Amu-chan!" The queen called out in surprise. She instinctively held a hand against Amu's forehead and gasped.
The last thing Amu heard before everything became dark was the queen calling for the people who were on standby outside her room.
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"Where's the documents concerning this report?" Ikuto addressed his attendant who was standing beside him.
"Here." His attendant answered, passing on a folder to the Crown Prince.
As the attendant watch the Crown Prince going on about his duties as if nothing was amiss, he couldn't help but sigh.
He had heard every word exchanged between the two yesterday. He didn't think that what his charge did was wrong, he thought that it was much crueler letting the girl go on without knowing that the person beside her had feelings for her the whole time.
If it weren't for the fact that he trusts his charge's actions are for a better future, he would've told the future Crown Princess every single truth already—starting with the fact that Ikuto has been in love with her for a long time.
He sighed again. He knew so much about the Crown Prince. He's aware that Ikuto purposefully put up his cold demeanor in front of Amu in consideration of Tadase's feelings for her. "What's holding you back this time?" He couldn't help but say aloud.
"What was that?" Ikuto looked up to his attendant.
The attendant was about to dismiss it, but decided that he might as well speak up while he has the Crown Prince's attention. "I'm sure you've heard that Amu-sama woke up with a fever this morning, I suggest you go see Amu-sama as you take a break."
"She doesn't need me." Ikuto said, turning towards his desk once again as he began to scan through the papers in front of him.
In a blink of an eye, the papers Ikuto was just holding suddenly disappeared from his hands. Ikuto glared at his attendant as he reached his hand in front of him. "Give those back." The Crown Prince said with no emotion in his voice.
"It's time to take a break Crown Prince," his attendant emphasized his title which caused Ikuto's eyes to narrow at the possible hint of sarcasm. "Your health is also important which is why I suggest that you take a break and save the both of us this stubbornness. You've been working nonstop since six in the morning."
Ikuto grabbed his papers when his attendant's attention wasn't on it. "It's barely five hours since."
"If this is your way of trying to distract yourself from worrying about the Crown Princess, I should tell you that it's quite unhealthy."
"Nikaidou Yuu."
His attendant laughed loudly this time. Having the Crown Prince call out his full name with his tone cold as ice meant that he had struck a nerve. "Yes, Crown Prince," He answered, "Now if you don't mind, I'm going off for a quick break." Just before he could retreat, they both heard a soft knock by the door.
"Ikuto-onii-sama?" A familiar face popped up into the room.
"Ami." The crown prince acknowledged.
"I was on my way to see Onee-chan, but thought that I should drop by to see you first."
"I'm off to my break then." His attendant smiled, quickly leaving the room before the crown prince could say another word.
"You look like you didn't have a good night sleep." Ami observed as she slowly walked towards Ikuto's desk.
Ikuto chuckled as he brought his hand onto his face, "Your sister is a force to reckon with."
Ami gave a short laugh as she quietly sat on one of the sofas. At this, Ikuto also stood up from his desk and sat across from the younger Hinamori.
"What happened?" Ami asked, she already had a vague idea about what happened. It most probably had something to do with the younger prince being sent away. She knew her sister would blame the Crown Prince for letting it happen.
Ikuto just shook his head. "I told her the truth."
"You told her your feelings!?" Ami gasped. While part of was surprised that Ikuto immediately told her what was going on, she didn't expect this.
Ikuto chuckled once again, "As if I'd do something like that." He easily reached across the table and gently ruffled Ami's pig-tailed hair. "I'm sure you would've noticed it too. Tadase's feelings for Amu, that is."
"Ah," Ami looked down at her hands which laid on her lap. She did notice the younger prince's feelings for her sister. There was just so many things that you can see when you're the outsider. "But that's the truth isn't it? Onee-chan would never be able to realize it on her own."
"It wasn't mine to tell."
"Heeeh," Ami said quietly as she regarded Ikuto. "Ikuto-onii-sama also have those kind of thoughts. You're actually more considerate than what people credit you to be."
Ikuto laughed softly, "Another one of my secrets are out."
Ami joined his quiet laughter, "You're just easy to see through once people get past that front you always have."
"You and the kiddy king are the only people brave enough to look beyond what's in front of you." Ikuto murmured.
Ami was quiet at that. She didn't particularly try to look beyond the princely persona Ikuto had, in fact she didn't think it was a front at all. Until she saw how he was around her sister. The difference was so obvious that sometimes she just couldn't understand why her older sister didn't realize the Crown Prince's feelings herself.
Ikuto sighed as he rested his elbow on the small table across them and leaned his chin at the back of his hand. Ami looked at Ikuto and without meaning to, her eyes traveled beneath his unbuttoned collar. Once again she was surprised to see the necklace that was similar to his sister's.
"Ikuto-onii-sama,"
"What is it?" Ikuto asked, glancing at Ami. When he glanced at her, that was when he finally realized that she'd been staring at him.
Ami suddenly stretched her arm at the space across them and pointed towards him. In reflex, Ikuto looked down and wondered where she was pointing at. "That necklace around your neck."
A few seconds passed before Ikuto looked at Ami and chuckled lightly. "What about it? Do you like it?" Ikuto immediately straightened his posture, effectively hiding to locket away from Ami's eyes.
"You have a matching one. Just like the one around Onee-chan's neck." Ami decided to come out clean.
"Does she now? It might be a coincidence." Ikuto lied smoothly.
Ami sighed knowing that it wouldn't be easy to make him admit the truth. If he had nothing to do with the necklace, Ami expected a different reaction from him. "Then I'll tell onee-chan about it. I didn't want to tell her my speculations because I wasn't sure, but if you're not going to talk then I'll have onee-chan do it. She's better at confrontations." Ami looked at the Crown Prince with a hard look, emphasizing the fact that she's being serious.
Ikuto's eyes slightly narrowed when he realized that Ami was actually threatening him. Him. The Crown Prince. "Ami," he said in a deep voice, "Don't push it."
"Push what?" Ami challenged back. "All you have to say is the truth."
Ikuto sighed as he rubbed his temples with his forefinger and thumb, "Why do you have the same love for challenge like your sister? Can't you just trust me?"
"How can I trust you when you're not saying anything? And anyway, with this, I can already confirm that the necklace around onee-chan's neck is a matching pair with the one you're wearing and that you're the one who gave it to her."
Ikuto clenched his fists shut tightly as he tried to control his growing annoyance knowing that Ami right on the spot.
"Are you aware that onee-chan thinks that the necklace was actually from someone else?"
"Clearly," Ikuto said through clench teeth.
"Then why don't you say anything?" Ami demanded. She took a deep breath, trying to control her voice. The only thing in her mind right now is that the Crown Prince is being ridiculous. "What's the purpose of giving that necklace to onee-chan? I can understand if you only want to give it as a gift, but you have a matching one. As far as I can see, there's no reason at all to—"
"Enough Ami." Ikuto said in a hard voice as he glared at the younger sister of his betrothed. As much as he tells Ami most of what he can't tell others, there was a line that she's not supposed to cross. Ikuto swiftly stood up and looked at her meaningfully, "Do not. Do not mention this to Amu." With that, he walked out of his office.
"I just want to understand." Ami whined in a low voice as she followed Ikuto with her eyes until he closed door behind him. "If he loves onee-chan so much, why can't he just out with the truth?" She murmured.
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Thud.
Ami flinched wide awake when her head suddenly slipped from the back of her hand and landed on the soft bed where her elbow was resting. She glanced at the clock placed on the bedside table as she tried to recall where she was, she rubbed her sleepy eyes when she saw it was already past midnight. A small groan was suddenly heard. Ami looked towards the bed and saw that her sister had tossed to her side.
The younger Hinamori shook her head as she reached forward and touched her older sister's forehead. It was still burning.
"Onee-chan," She suddenly remembered the brief conversation she had with the Crown Prince. And as she glanced at her older sister, the golden chain is seen around her neck. Ami frowned. "If only you know the extent of Ikuto-onii-sama's feelings for you..."
Ami leaned her forehead onto her folded arms and faced down. "If only you can see how kind he is..." Her voice was muffled by the bed sheets. She was about to look up when Ami suddenly heard the door knob to her sister's room slowly turning. She decided to stay still and pretend to be sleeping.
She heard light footsteps as someone carefully closed the door and approached her sister's bed. A low chuckle was heard and Ami felt her heart skip a beat when she recognized the familiar voice which spoke, "So Ami is here too. You shouldn't be on that position though." Ami felt his presence beside her this time and she closed her eyes tightly when she felt him rest his large hand on her head. "Ami?" He called softly.
Ami's heart starting to beat fast when she heard him calling her name. She resisted the urge to move as she continued to pretend to sleep even as he repeatedly calls her name. Finally, he gave up and sighed. "You're really fast asleep then." Ami realized that he was making sure she was sleeping. A light weight pressed onto her back and Ami felt warmth enveloping her, she took note that he had draped a blanket over her.
Ikuto-onii-sama... It was about time that he had come to see her older sister.
"Amu,"
Ami felt her heart clench tightly upon hearing the Crown Prince call her older sister's name. His voice was farther this time, she assumed that he had gone to the other side of her sister's bed where another stool had been placed. Ami resisted the urge to look up and take a good look at the Crown Prince's expression as he called her older sister. There was so much tenderness in his voice which Ami had never heard. She felt that she shouldn't be here right now. It felt too private. But she couldn't move at all.
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Ikuto glanced at the younger Hinamori once again as he called out his Crown Princess' name. He knew that the younger one was a light sleeper, but having called her name several times and the fact that she didn't wake up might've meant that she was very tired. But that wasn't the reason why he was checking whether she's awake or not. For the words he was about to say to the sleeping Crown Princess, he didn't want any other people to hear them. Just as he never wanted anyone to know how deep his feelings run for her.
He came to Amu's room after much debate.
Just as his attendant pointed out, he had been worried about Amu's condition, and in order to forget it he had decided to bury himself in his work. He didn't want to see her yet. Especially if there's a chance that she's awake when he goes to see her. Especially after the heated conversation between the both of them yesterday.
Adding the fact that he had recalled a memory he had wanted to bury in the back of his mind, Ikuto's thoughts were all over the place. The chance that Amu would've met Kukai and fall in love with him was a one in a million chance. The fact that it did happen, Ikuto began to mildly panic.
What if... He couldn't bare to finish the thought. He took a deep breath and sighed deeply, trying to calm himself.
He watched his Crown Princess sleeping rather restlessly. Most probably from the fever. Ikuto took a seat on the stool beside Amu's bed as she continue to toss and groan. Without thinking, the Crown Prince reached out and gently touched her forehead. To his surprise, Amu's knitted brows suddenly relaxed and her tossing immediately stopped.
Ikuto chuckled at the immediate reaction his Crown Princess had to his touch. "If only you can easily calm down like this when you're awake instead of snapping at me all the time." He couldn't help a smile as he slowly traced his hand to Amu's warm cheek. "But if you were awake, you wouldn't have let me touch you so casually." He let his lean fingers trace the contours on Amu face and he couldn't help but continue to stroke her cheek fondly.
He let out a deep sigh of contentment as he watch her sleep peacefully. It was during times like this he began to question himself. Had he been doing the right thing for the past years? Hiding his feelings for her, pretending to be cold towards her, and even annoying the hell out of her. When he thought about the reasons why he acted that way towards her this time around, the reasons didn't seem justifiable at all.
Protect her smile.
That was his purpose. As he thought of that, he had unconsciously traced Amu's lips with his thumb.
"As a naive prince, I vowed to protect your smile. Your laughter and smile had been the purest thing I've ever seen." He murmured, brushing away her bangs which began to cling to her sweaty face. "I justified staying away from you by using Tadase's feelings for you and because you shine even brighter when you're with him, and so I was scared," With this Ikuto was barely whispering, "I was scared that I would taint you."
He pulled his hand away from Amu's face and went on to hold her hand which had rested on her side. Ikuto sucked in another deep breath. Everything was starting to come out now. With Souma Kukai's involvement in Amu's life, his insecurities are on its highest level. He had to get the words out of his chest even if she couldn't hear him.
"Being close to the Crown Prince would cause people to scrutinize you, they'd judge you. I didn't want that for you. I didn't want you to try and change yourself just because of what people might say. Knowing you," Ikuto stared at Amu's close lids, imagining the golden orbs just beneath them. "Knowing how you have a strong sense of duty, you would try to change yourself and be a better fit to be by the Crown Prince's side."
He gently squeezed her hand. "When in reality, it should be the opposite. I should strive to be a man fit to be your betrothed. I've always been envious of the fire in your eyes, and your strong sense of what's right and wrong. If I hadn't met you as a child, the pressure and loneliness of being a Crown Prince would've crushed me a long time ago..." Ikuto felt his heart being squeezed inside his rib cage as the next words he was about to say began to choke him. "I've always yearned to be by your side...but I was a coward back then..."
"Not just because I might taint you, but because of the possible dangers you might face. Being close to me... being my betrothed... I knew I wasn't strong enough to protect you back then, that's why I chose to be a coward and distance myself from you." Ikuto swallowed as he shook his head. He let go of Amu's hand, "And yet I can't let you go." He laughed dryly. "Logic doesn't work for me when I'm with you, Amu."
He knew that if he wanted to protect Amu, he should've just let her go and relieve her of her duties as the Crown Princess. But instead, he couldn't do that at all because he was so selfish. He keeps making excuses to himself.
"I'm a mess, aren't I?" He chuckled without humor.
Amu suddenly turned her head to the side, in result, the chain around her neck became visible. The sight didn't miss the Crown Prince's keen eyes. The emotions he was barely holding in finally came crashing.
Ikuto once again held Amu's hand, this time with both of his hands. He brought his clasped hands to his forehead as he looked down onto the bed sheets. "Stay." He said in a desperate voice. "Please stay by my side Amu." The Crown Prince felt a burning sensation behind his eyes and knew what was coming, but he no longer gave a damn. "The truth about Souma Kukai will eventually come out, and I feel sick knowing that you would choose to be by his side. Dammit Amu!" He squeezed her hand, "What should I do to make you stay by my side?"
A teardrop fell.
The prideful Crown Prince knew that he was acting like a lovesick fool, but he didn't care. Amu is his weakness. Just as his attendant had said before, he was in the losing end. He was the one mostly invested emotionally between the two.
"Seeing you cherish that Humpty Lock knowing that you're thinking of another man..." Ikuto clenched his jaw. "I'm stupid for hiding the truth, aren't I? I was too egoistic. Seeing you wear something from me without you knowing went over my head."
Slowly Ikuto moved Amu's hand to his lips. He gently kissed the back of her hand.
"I love you, Amu." He murmured sincerely as he felt another teardrop falling, this time landing onto the back of Amu's hand. "Tell me, what do I have to do to make you see me? Because right now, I can only think of using my title and play dirty." He swallowed again.
"There are people around me urging me to tell you of my true feelings," Ikuto said quietly, "I would've... but I'm still a coward, Amu. What if you tell me you don't feel the same way and that you'd rather be with Souma Kukai?" The Crown Prince stopped as the thought brought several pricks of pain to his heart.
He closed his eyes once again. "This political agreement is all I have to keep you by my side..."
Amu groaned in her sleep, as if responding to the obvious distress rolling off of Ikuto. Her brows furrowed and her lips slowly parted. For some reason, the Crown Prince couldn't help but hold his breath as she began to say something unintelligible. For a brief moment, Ikuto caught the word she was murmuring in her sleep, and it crushed him.
"Kukai..."
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Ami finally let out her breath when the door to her sister's room closed, and along with that she didn't stop her sobbing voice. Her tears had been streaming all along as the Crown Prince poured his heart out to his unconscious betrothed. It took everything she had to hold her voice back.
She felt herself wanting to hit her older sister hard on the head when she murmured Kukai's name in her sleep. She couldn't see the Crown Prince's expression, but she knew it must have been filled with pain. He remained silent the whole time after that.
The younger Hinamori wiped her streaming tears and watched her sister's sleeping face. "Onee-chan no baka." She blinked furiously as the tears still refuse to stop. "How can you hurt someone who loves you this much? Please don't be selfish."
She glanced to the other side of the bed where she guessed Ikuto had been sitting on and her heart clenched even tighter as she saw visible droplets of water on the bed sheet near her sister's hand— most obviously they were his tears. She had heard his brokenhearted voice, but she didn't think he would've cried. Ami shook her head. "He isn't as strong as you think he is." She murmured as she glanced at her sister once again.
She knew how devoted the Crown Prince is to her older sister, but hearing the words from him personally and knowing the depth of his feelings... Ami suddenly felt bad for supporting and teasing her sister to Kukai in the past. But speaking of Kukai... she had heard the Crown Prince's words, "the truth about Souma Kukai would eventually come out...". What truth was he talking about?
Ami shook her head. There was so much more going on behind the scenes than she thought.
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