Duty-Bound: Chapter 8
...xXx...
He reached a clearing that was not far from the palace and sat down on a big boulder. Before closing his eyes to start his meditation, he positioned himself comfortably.
"How is she?" his mother inquired.
"She refused to see Lady Yuka," he replied simply.
His mother sighed. "It is expected. Lady Yuka should have known this before asking you to bring her back to this land."
"Yes."
"Tell me what you need, Son."
"Mikan agreed to see Lady Yuka if I claim her as my betrothed."
He was slightly surprised when his mother continued to look at him calmly as if he hadn't said anything at all. Unfazed, his mother asked, "What was your answer?"
"She dismissed the bargain before I could respond."
Silence ensued.
"You're the head, Son."
"I can't do whatever I want, Mother," he interjected.
"No, you can't. Otherwise, you wouldn't have come here and told me this."
His mother was the only one who knew his feelings towards Mikan. He felt like a child for asking his mother, but the matter wouldn't be about him anymore if he really wished to claim Mikan as his betrothed. His original plan was to hear his mother's opinion, but he now knew his mother had left the decision to him alone. The responsibility as the head clan was something he hated, but without the position, he couldn't get close to what he really wanted: Mikan. A nearby presence stopped his thoughts. His eyes were still closed when he demanded, "What is it?"
A ninja appeared before him. "Princess Mikan is missing, Natsume-sama."
His eyes snapped open in alarm.
"We only know that Princess Mikan didn't leave the palace grounds."
After a moment he got up from the boulder. "Return to the palace. I know where Princess Mikan is."