"Come on. It's starting. You need to get down there." Hotaru said as she looks at her.
Today is the annual Winter Ball of the royalty. Lots of creatures will be going to attend the event. Media will be there too and she is hell nervous.
Imai dismissed her make-up artists and helps. She nodded at her and looked at herself in the mirror.
She is wearing a pure white ball gown studded with diamonds, her crown glistening with precious stones, her sash pinned neatly above her dress. She's all kind of beautiful.
"Wow, your majesty!" Ruka cuts in as she sees her in awe, his mouth hanging open. Hotaru shot him with his baka gun. She chuckles. Oh, she's gonna miss these moments.
"Of course you are beautiful too, my loves." Ruka said to the purple fairy as she ignored him.
"Let's just go." The three, with escorted guards proceeded to the Palace's ballroom.
"Your Majesty's, the Princess of Hyuuga Realm, Princess Mikan Sakura-Hyuuga." Two huge golden doors opened.
All eyes turned to her as she enters the room with a thousands of creatures. They all bowed at her presence and gave her warm smiles. She smiled back and waved back at them.
She begins to walk, eyes roaming around trying to find someone familiar… and in a split second she did.
The Prince was there up front, waiting for her.
It's been months since she saw him but it's like it's been forever. Oh how she misses those crimson orbs, those soft lips, those smooth skin.
He is not showing any emotion as she took his arm, but he looks really tired and rugged. And lonely. Oh how she wishes she can do something to make him feel okay.
"Don't get too swayed by this. Remember, this is only an act, slave." He whispered to her ear as shivers went down her spine. She remembered how angry he was on their last encounter. She just gripped at his strong arms as she follows his lead.
"As everyone is awaiting this part very much, let's start this! May I present your majesty, Prince Natsume together with our beloved Princess Mikan for the King and Queen's Waltz."
The Prince stood as Mikan froze in shock. She didn't know they needed to dance! How come no one informed her?!
The Prince offered his hand but Mikan hesitated.
"Don't you dare…" He said as he glares at her. Many media men focused on them. "You've done enough damage…" She gulped and finally gave him her hand.
The song So Close started playing live as they began to dance. Creatures flocked around them, staring at them dreamily and romantically.
Mikan gulped nervously as the Prince pulled her close to him. "For God's sake. Act properly." He whispered again against her ears. She nodded. She feels like she's going to collapse anytime now.
She was turned and twisted and their eyes met as Mikan's heart tripled its beat.
There are so many things she wanted to say. So many things to be sorry for. So many stories she wanted to tell. But she remained quiet and just enjoyed the moment.
You beside me, just the two of us. My heaven, my paradise right in front of me. Nothing will be ever greater than this moment.
Of all our memories together, this is my most favorite.
I wish time will stop right here, right now. I love you.
so close
and still so far...
But a song has to end as they curtsied together, not uttering a word.
With long last look, she walked and proceeded to do her job - greeting guests, initiating a short chit-chat and taking photos with royalties and friends for newspaper publication.
This is the downside of marrying into royal family... you got to pretend everything's well even when it's tearing you apart. You got to pretend to show that your life is a living fairy tale even though it's far from it.
Moments passed.
She's feeling a little nauseous that's why she proceeded to the ballroom's garden and to get away for a while from the crowd.
And then she spotted him, them... and her heart breaks at the sight.
He was sitting on one of the rock benches while devouring a certain hot blonde on his lap. He was kissing her with so much passion while the blonde girl moans in delight, his face deep red... he's drunk.
She froze for a moment, her eyes wide as a saucer.
There's no fucking way he's gonna do this to her. No. Fucking. Way.
Those crimson orbs. Those red cheeks and sturdy body.
It really is him.
Feeling that he is being watched, he opened his eyes... and there he saw her, gaping in horror as if she's seen a ghost. He automatically dropped the body sitting on his lap and stood up, thinking of what he's gonna say.
"Ouch! Your majesty?" Exclaimed the blonde girl as she was thrown to the floor.
Of course he can do whatever he likes, he's a prince.
Not just any other prince but The Prince of Hyuuga realm. He's the most powerful man on this world.
Someday when she's gone, not too long now, he can marry again.
She's in no way to protest and get angry because she was the first one who wanted to break things off
with him. And she said he didn't love him and was asking for million of golds in exchange of their offspring.
So why does it hurt?
Because she's trapped. Because none of it was true.
Because she still fucking loves him and never has she stopped.
She can come clean now and tell him everything that's happening. But no, she has a plan. She's doing it for her twins and him. Even after this. Even if this continues, even if he find another and marry her...she would not regret her decision.. she would do it again and again because if he dies, she dies too.
She turned her back as if nothing happened and immediately run away leaving him with mouth hanging open.
She ran along the hallway and stopped only to catch her breath. That was too much.
She slumped to the floor and thought of what happened.
Seeing her love, it was the best feeling.
But seeing he has another makes her heart broken into a million pieces, shattered, slammed, grounded and on repeat.
She tried not to think about it.
But, fuck. It hurts like hell.
This is for him, I'm not going to shed a tear.
And she didn't.
Just think of the babies. This is going to pass.
There's always a rainbow after a rain.
Stay strong, he and babies still needs you.
And the tears finally flow like a waterfall.
Moments passed as her stomach grumbles. She looked at her surroundings and saw a vendo machine.
She inspects the products inside and her mouth watered more. There was a sandwich, variety of drinks, chips but what she wanted was that instant ramen. Eating porridge for two months and seeing this makes her really hungry.
But she's penniless so she started to stare at the food and imagine she was eating it.
"What are you doing? The beautiful voice spoke. The beautiful voice!
"Uhmm…I…" She stared at him, shocked to see him there. Her eyes swollen. He followed her.
"About earlier..." his lips muttered, referring to him kissing a hot blonde girl on his lap.
Those lips that was devoured by another.
But she ignored his statement. Starving, the only words she can get out of her mouth was…
"Uhmm… if it's not too much can I ask for a few bucks? I really want to try that food." She said eyeing and pointing at the good looking ramen.
The prince's eye softened for a second but became hard again in a moment. "You saw me here and the first thing you asked for is money? You're really living to your title as a gold digger."
He's got every point. She stood up in an instant.
"Your majesty," she slowly and carefully got to her knees and bowed lowly at him. "Forgive me, I'm really sorry, my lord."
She gropes the nearby chair as support to stand up. Her belly weighs like probably a ton and her bones aren't really doing its job supporting it. He squirmed in his place, debating whether to help her or not but pride got in the way.
As suddenly as she stood up, the more and more she feels very lightheaded as she leans for support to a nearby wall.
Oh please, not now. Not in front of him.
He was about to take a step closer to check on her but she cuts him out.
"You don't have to say anything." She said and gave him a sad smile and slowly turned away and proceeded towards the ballroom. "You should remember our deal. Your money is my only concern. I should really get going now, your majesty." She said coldly and walked away leaving him dumbstruck and hurt.
He just stood there and watched her retreating figure. He's feeling mixed-up right now.
Oh just what are you doing to me.
Another week went by. The Prince was on his study, staring at nothing for a while now.
"My Prince? Are you alright?" Stern asked.
"3 more months right?" He asked. He was referring to the twins's birth.
"Yes, your highness."
"Prepare a party for that. Send invitations to all representatives of the kingdom." He formally stated, like it was a business.
"Of course your highness, we'll work on that immediately." Stern responded while preparing him a cup of tea.
"And don't forget the divorce papers. Let her sign in by next month." He added coldly with a serious tone
as Stern spilled the tea he was pouring.
"I never want to see her again after the birth of my sons. Keep that in mind whatever happens or I'll burn your whole clan in case of insubordination." The dwarf gulped hard.
"Did I get myself clear?" Natsume asked as he stood up and walk away.
"Crystal clear, your highness." He curtsied at his retreating figure.
Crystal clear that he wants nothing to do with her anymore.
