-Disclaimer: I do not really own anything so yeah…also I am broke…so do not bother suing me.

-Author's Note: I am continuing from where I left off…remember, you flame me. I flame you. For a few names, I will make up names because I forget and well…yea. In addition, Kyoya and Tamaki are half brothers in this story along with well…you will find out. They all share the same father, different mothers.

Answers

In the previous when I said that I would tell you who the characters are, well here they are:

Haruhi

Haruhi's father

A maid

That is only three but there will be more up!

Chapter 2: Who is the Prince? Him?

Haruhi wakes up to see a gorgeous sun arising from the mountains of the east. She watches as it brightens the sky and create another day.

"Mistress Haruhi, are you awake now?"

"Yes, Sana," replied a serene Haruhi.

Sana opens the door and finds Haruhi sitting in her chair by the window. Sana looked extremely frail but strong, nonetheless. She sets down the washbasin, hands Haruhi a wet towel and toothbrush (hey, it may be old but they still need fresh breath!), and waited as Haruhi cleansed herself off in the morning.

"Sana, how old was my mother when she died?"

"Why would you want to know all of a sudden Haruhi?"

Sana worried that Haruhi would die soon for these possibly inherited genes.

"I want to find out since my mother's death was pretty soon after my birth. I want to find out the reason and if it has anything to do with me."

Sana sighed, "Mistress Fujioka died when she was 24. It was a peculiar disease and she knew it well herself."

Haruhi stared down at the floor, calculating the years she could possibly have left. The outcome was five, five more years before she might also die.

"Um…Mistress Haruhi?" snapping Haruhi back into reality. "We have to prepare for your meeting with the emperor."

Fact: in ancient china, one must be presented beautifully to the emperor, otherwise, if not worthy then well, dress as best as possible.

Sana fixed Haruhi's long, silky, brown hair into a butterfly bun with a few braids hanging off the sides and back. Then she dressed Haruhi in a pink and red gown. She looked dazzling in this outfit.

They then left for the palace in the car car: a wooden carriage like shoebox with four handles for 2-4 men to carry. with four men carrying and about twenty guards in front. They passed through the village, then the forest, and finally they reached the city.

In the market, everybody moved aside as the big carriage passed through. Haruhi peeks outside through her shaded window to find a few men drooling like dogs. They go on a bit farther to find all the men from where they passed come trailing as close as possible. It was like a rampage! The speed of the car went faster as they approached the palace. The men were also gaining even faster but the Fujioka family guards kept them away from the carriage. If one were not familiar with this, they would be frightened out of their minds!

They finally reach the gates and the emperor's guardsmen took control and fought off the goggling men.

"Haruhi, we're here. You may come out now."

"Thanks Sana."

She steps out of the carriage and carefully set her dress in place. She then walked grandly up the many steps.

Not the least bit tired, she greeted the emperor, "Haruhi greets the emperor and wishes him a long, prosperous, joyful life."

"You may stand."

"Thank you your highness."

He ran down his golden steps in a mighty rush to hug his niece.

"Haruhi, oh my, look at how much you've grown. You're more beautiful than your aunt."

"Thank you uncle Suoh," said Haruhi plainly.

'Wait, why am I here again? Oops, all the worrying must have made me forget he's my uncle…but not blood related…'

"Well, I've been waiting for you. Why don't we walk to the garden and talk?"

"Yes, uncle Suoh."

They walk through the gorgeous gardens catching up about the last fifteen years.

"I still remember when you were four-years-old and you came to visit the palace with your mother and father often. You were always such an adorable little girl."

"Thank you, uncle Suoh."

They continue on and on…until they reach the gazebo. They settled down for a rest and drank a cup of tea.

"You're wondering why you're here aren't you, Haruhi?"

"Yes."

"Well, I'm here to…"

"Prince Kyoya has arrived!" shouted a guard.

The emperor's eunuch came in with Kyoya behind him.

Kyoya bowed and said, "Father, Kyoya is here. What, may I ask, is thy reason for doing so?"

"Please join us Kyoya. You remember Haruhi, do you not?"

"Of course father, but she has not shown up for years. So why do you mention her now?"

Kyoya was completely ignoring the girl with his father because he knows that she is probably the next chosen empress for him. Therefore, he just left her alone and ignored her.

'This is Kyoya? He looks so cool! Why is he saying such a rude comment? No greetings?'

"Well son, I wanted to introduce you to Haruhi."

"What! This is Haruhi?"

Surprised, he carefully turned his head to receive a cute Haruhi style smile. 'It really is Haruhi. She is so beautiful now.'

"Hello Kyoya. I see that you do not remember me."

"My, Haruhi, you've certainly grown. Please excuse my lack of attention towards you."

During their catching up conversation, the emperor's eunuch came and told him there is an important meeting coming up.

"Excuse me, for I have a meeting to attend. Haruhi, please stay for as long you like. Servants..."

Six came over and bowed and they waited for their assignment.

"This is your new mistress, Haruhi. Please show her to her bedchamber and anything she needs to know."

"Yes, emperor Suoh," bowed and agreed the servants.

The emperor left but Haruhi and Kyoya talk a bit longer.

"So why am I here?" asked Haruhi.

"To tell you the truth, I have no idea because you are my cousin, but I have to say…I have been meeting with quite a few girls to be my bride recently. This was all thought up by yours truly, my mother."

"…?" There is no law against marrying your cousins if you are rich back then.

"Oh Yes, did you remember Fuyumi?"

"Yes but it is a bit fuzzy now. Why do you inquire?"

"Well, recently, she has been married off to the Morinozuka kingdom and is now their new empress. Didn't you attend the banquet?"

"Well no. My father did not tell me such a thing."

"So our kingdoms are now united. It is in perfect harmony. I miss her though. She is also pregnant; I heard it is a boy. Oh won't brother-in-law be happy to have an heir."

"Congratulations. I hope she was happy and I give my fullest regrets for not attending."

"You have nothing to be regretful for. You did not receive the invitation."

"So what has been exciting in your world?"

"Well, I won the most beautiful woman in china award but I didn't even enter. I guess my father or Sana did that. Then men from all over china have been courting me since. That is why I have stayed in my room reading all the material on cooking, sewing, and medicinal herbs. Although I have martial arts training every other morning, I do not enjoy them."

"I see that your life has been quite exciting. Would you like to greet mother now or see your bedchamber?"

Confusedly, she asked, "…but I'll be leaving soon…why give me a bedchamber?"

Sana walked in on the conversation and said, "Mistress Haruhi, this will be a long-term stay."

"What!"

Haruhi was completely oblivious to this. She had no intentions to stay at all. Besides, she did not pack anything.

"But I didn't pack anything."

"Don't worry, I'm pretty sure father and mother has it all supplied for you. Why don't we take a look?"

They stood up and followed one of the servants to the west side of the palace. Now she will not be able to see the sunrise from the mountains any longer. Rather, she would watch the sun set in the evenings. They finally reach the bedchamber; it was spacious and very feminine. Kyoya was right, everything was provided for her.

"The Empress is here!" shouted the door attendant.

The Empress walks into the bedroom and sees her son and niece talking merrily on the bed edge. They rush over to the empress and bows.

"We wish the empress will live long, live strong, and well."

"Please rise."

"Thank you, empress."

"So niece, how have you been? Why have you not visited your aunt?" said the empress with a pout.

"Well, I have been locked into my bedchamber to escape from all my suitors," laughed Haruhi.

"Well, niece, you know my intentions for having you here, no?"

"Um…actually, I do not. Uncle was about to tell me but had to attend a meeting."

"Really, well then let me be straightforward with you. I asked you here so that we may arrange a marriage between you and Kyoya. In other words, Haruhi, I want you to be the next empress," said empress Suoh with a very blank face.

All the warmth that was there before disappeared as she finished saying what she intended to say.

'What!' thought Haruhi and Kyoya at the same time.

Kyoya steps up and says, "Excuse me mother empress but Haruhi is my cousin. I cannot think of her as my wife, only as a little sister or cousin. Why and when did you come up with such a ludicrous idea?"

The empress became outrage by such behavior by her son and said, "Silence, how dare you say something like that? You decline every girl I have arranged but you declined them all. Then when I bring in my precious niece, you decline her as well? I will not accept such behavior. You will marry Haruhi and she shall be the next empress."

"Um…empress Suoh…please excuses Haruhi for saying this but I do not think this will be a good idea. I have quite a few suitors and they are from the enemy countries as well. I believe that our kingdom will be in great danger."

"Nonsense, Haruhi is my niece. Besides, they only want you for your beauty but they do not know you as we do. So you are both getting married in the spring," she commanded.

"…"

"All right, that is settled. Haruhi, your father will be coming here shortly after in a few days worth of time. In the meantime, why don't you and Kyoya prepare for the big banquet?"

"…"

The empress then left the room and told one of the servants a few instructions.

The servant walked in and bowed, "Empress Suoh has instructed that the bride and groom be separated into different units. Until the royal marriage day arrives, you will not be able to see each other. So prince Kyoya, would you please come with me?"

"Alright, I'll be there in a second. Haruhi, I hope I can see you soon."

Then he left, 'I have been waiting forever for this to happen. Haruhi is finally going to be mine.'

After Kyoya's departure, another prince, whom name is Tamaki passed through. He happened to glance into the bedroom to see the most beautiful girl sitting on a delicate table with lots of jade green lace tablecloths covering it. He fell in love at first sight.

(I forgot to mention Tamaki's background so here it is! Tamaki's mother is one of the emperor's many concubines. Tamaki's family is the next in line for the throne. Although, he already has a fiancée, Maria, he just loved Haruhi with a first glance…understand?)

He stops in front of her door and she glances up from the floor. She saw a boy with blonde hair and blue eyes.

Out of curiosity, "Who are you?"

Tamaki enters the room and bows in front of Haruhi, "Greetings, my princess, my name is prince Tamaki. My mother and I are the second in line for the throne. It is my pleasure to meet you."

'Wow, the gaijin prince. Oh! This is Kyoya's half brother. He sounded perverted from Ky-ky's description.'

"Hello prince Tamaki, do please stand."

"Thank you."

He got up and in the process noticed her gentle, innocent, deep, brown eyes. Completely ignoring his manhood, he carefully asked, "May I know your name, dear princess?"

"Sorry, I must have forgotten. Please excuse my manners. I am princess Haruhi, mistress of the Fujioka household. My father is the master. Pleased to meet you. I have heard a lot about you from Kyoya," said Haruhi.

"I see…the pleasure is completely mine," said Tamaki. "So why are you at the palace?"

"Oh…um…," mumbled Haruhi.

"My aunt, empress Suoh, has arranged a marriage for me and Kyoya. I am to be the next empress you see."

'Darn it. Why did mother not notice her and make me her fiancé? How could she miss such a beauty?'

"Pleased to hear that I will have a beautiful future sister-in-law. By the way, if you don't mind my asking, how old are you?"

"Oh no, it is fine. I am 19 years but …"

'She's pretty young but who am I to say? Kyoya and I are both merely one year older than her.'

"It was nice to meet you, I shall leave now."

"All right, it was nice meeting you."

Tamaki left the room and headed for his mother's bedchamber. She is a French woman that is married to this empire's emperor for her family's industrious purposes. They came from France to create Chinese fashions to bring back to France but due to the laws of china, their product is not to be exit the empire so they were lock in a prison cell. However, due to her beauty, the emperor made a compromise with her. If she would become his concubine, her family can return home but she would stay behind. Then they eventually fell in love etc.

Haruhi stayed in her bedchamber and thought about what her aunt wanted. After a while, she gave up and read a book of herbs. She has nearly memorized all of the medicines available at that time in china.

By the time she finished her book it was late and time for her bath. Sana prepared a bath for her with many candles and rose petals drifting inside/outside of the tub.

She took off layers and layers of her clothes until there was no more fabric touching her smooth, silky, pearl skin. She carefully stepped into the tub and felt all the tension in her disappear.

She washed herself for quite awhile, serenely wiping away the sediments of dirt, sweat, dust, etc. Little did she know there was someone watching her bathe from up above.

Cliffhanger! Yay! Did you like? I made it longer! Please review afterwards so I know that you are reading this. In addition, the anonymous reviews work but please do not take advantage of this. Thank you! Cannot wait to write more…if I have time. SORRY+ Also, does my story sound funny somewhere? I cannot seem to find it so if you find it, pleased tell me. Thank you! Hope to HEAR from you!