Duty-Bound: Chapter 69
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She could feel Hotaru's gaze on her, but she didn't ask what was wrong. Hotaru would tell her when she was done studying her. It was always what she did since the first time they met. Out of all people she knew, Hotaru was the only person who could see through her peasant mask as Mika. The only logical reason of how she could do such a feat was because she, too, was a princess.
"So… I have heard this commotion from Ruka-dono before he left," Hotaru began.
Her lips tugged upward as she watched the sakura petals. "He's an honest one, isn't he?"
As she turned to the violet-eyed princess, she caught her evil smirk. She gasped. "You didn't!"
Hotaru gave her a lazy look. "Of course, I did."
She sighed before shaking her head. Hotaru would always be Hotaru. When things were not going on her ways, blackmailing was her last or probably most common resort of getting information from someone. She chuckled. "So?"
"Don't you think it's time for you to introduce him to me?"
"Hotaru… you have met him before."
"Proper introduction, Mikan…"
"Curious?"
"No."
"So?"
"Just get it over with."
"Why?"
"Mikan…"
"Alright, alright," she finally relented as being Hotaru's blackmail victim was the last thing on her mind. Besides, she knew Hotaru wanted to give a proper inspection of who her suitor was despite of what she said. Glancing at her love's hiding place, she inclined her head towards her place, wordlessly asking him to join them.
Much to her pleasure, Hotaru accepted Natsume as her suitor. Now, they only needed to face the elders. She honestly didn't care what their objections would be. However, it would be less a hassle if they got their approval, and she would make sure they had it.