Chapter five: On Bed Rest (Hanae)

"Are these the herbs the kingdom is able to grow?" I asked, glancing from my clipboard to the shelves in from of me.

"Hai," the maid answered. I started writing on a sheet of paper.

"The foreign market opens today, doesn't it?" I smiled with glee when I received an affirmative. "Good. Go there and buy two jars worth of each of these herbs." I handed her the paper. "There should be a cart with a butler, driver, guard, and the money needed ready for you at the castle gates."

"I'll be back before lunch."

'That reminds me. Where is my… king? I haven't seen him yet this morning.' My heart pounded at the thought of the raven conqueror and of seeing him again so soon. Last night after supper, Sakura and I led the brothers to the music room and sat them to meditate. At Itachi's request, I had played a soothing yet complicated piano piece with my sister playing the harp along with me.

"He won't eat, Hanae. And no one can convince him to do so," Sakura informed me, handing me a plate of food. I inspected it before giving it back.

"He would've died if he had. Bring it with me please?" She nodded and followed me to the kitchen. I heard all conversations cease as we stopped in the center of the kitchen. "Who cooked that?" I asked, gesturing to the plate.

"Hanae-sama…" a cook started. I refrained from gritting my teeth. Apparently, Sharingan people do not know what it means to only call me Hanae-san.

"That was a trick question. I told you all I am the only one who can cook for him," I ground out.

"In all due respect, Your Highness," the head chef replied. I turned my attention to him. "We have been cooking for His Majesty since the beginning of his life. I believe we know how to care for our king." I turned to my sister.

"Sakura, arrange interviews for a new head chef. He will continue to work with no pay until we find his replacement."

"Hai."

I then walked to the fridge and pulled out two eggs and some milk. After putting the milk in a pot and adding some herbs, I set that to warm up and cooked the eggs. The kitchen was silent as I cooked Itachi's breakfast, put it on a tray, and walked away. Message received: Princess Hanae is not someone to just push around.

"I was wondering when they would catch on," he said as I walked into his room.

"They didn't I had to fire the head chef because of his disrespect to my wishes." I set the tray down on the nightstand and sat on the bed next to him. "Are you still sore?"

"Hai."

"Gomenasai. You should've told me when you couldn't move on during the ride." He ignored that, and I sighed. "After you eat, I will give you another massage to relax your body." I handed him the plate and stood up to prop him up with some pillows. 'He'll have to receive any visitors in bed today. He's in no condition to sit up in his throne.' I stood.

"How long will I be on bed rest?" he asked suddenly. I looked at him in surprise before smiling again softly.

"Only today if your stress level stays down when I get it to a safe level." I walked to his dresser and picked up his hair brush. "May I?"

"Hn." I sat on my knees next to and slightly behind him and released his hair from its tie.

"What do you have to do today?" I started brushing.

"I have meeting with the lords of each kingdom my brother and I have conquered thus far. Then I'll receive reports on the other nobles Ino-san has invited to the castle for a ball tonight." I bit my lip.

"Another so soon?" I pulled the silky strands into a low ponytail.

"This one is different. It's focused more on business affairs than social ones." Once he had finished his breakfast, I took his plate as he lay on his stomach. I then went about the task of massaging his tense, sore muscles.

"May I attend this one?"

"I believe Ino wants you to play." My hands froze on his back, and he lifted his head to look at me. "What's wrong? You play better than any tutor."

"I… I've never played for an audience before."

"That's all?" I lowered my head and nodded, blushing lightly. I felt the bed move. "You're too naïve for your own good, Hanae-san. Play tonight. I want to listen to you let go."

"H… hai." I looked into his eyes shyly. "I will. But only because you asked me to."

My breath caught in my throat as his hand touched my hair then my cheek. That hand trailed to the corner of my lips, where it then stayed. "Wear something… red tonight. I'm curious to see how the color will look on you."

"H… hai." He smirked lightly as I gave him a nervous smile. He leaned forward till only a centimeter separated us. "I… Itachi-sama?"

"Don't stick around. I don't enjoy sharing with those idiot lords."

I bowed my head in understanding (after moving back first, of course) before getting up to light a few candles around the room. I felt his eyes following me as I picked up his tray.

"Call me if you need me." I curtseyed and left.