Shizuka here, Sorry everyone if I didn't update earlier... (Well I was planning to but kinda caught up with college and the infamous WRITER"S BLOCK)
Anyway, here's a little LONG chapter...
Thanks for everyone who reviewed! I really appreciate it! Please keep reading and reviewing my work! It's my first so pardon the wrong grammar and such *scratches head*
Disclaimer: I do not own Junjo Romantica! TT^TT (sadly)
Months after the Legendary War, the people of Futsu Kingdom somehow started to settle to their own homes. Cold breezes blew all around the kingdom. Indeed, winter is nearing, that means, Christmas is just around the corner.
"Your majesty, the carriage is ready" a lady-in-waiting entered the Queen's chamber.
The Queen nodded, "Well done, tell the chauffeur that we will leave in an hour"
"Yes, your majesty" the lady-in-waiting bowed and took her leave.
"Mother, do you really intend to fetch Misaki personally?" Takahiro asked his mother with a worried tone.
"The Prince is right your majesty… We cannot risk your safety…" the head mage added as he stepped beside the prince.
The Queen smiled softly and nodded, "I know that…"
"Then why go your majesty?"
Hanako faced the two of them, "Takatsuki-san, I am very eager to see my child that's why I will fetch him personally…" she softly answered.
"Isn't Shinobu-chan with him? We should both fetch them…" she added.
The head mage looked down, "Your majesty, indeed I want to see my son now but heading to Iro Kingdom now is not a wise decision. Forgive me your majesty but I cannot let you leave." Takatsuki knelt.
"Takatsuki-san" Takahiro mumbled in surprise.
"Your majesty, there are reasons why I want you to stay in the castle for now. First is that, the kingdom is still in recovery and most of our people are experiencing hunger. The impact of the war has not yet alleviated. And most of all, with all grief, with the loss of our king, the whole kingdom is affected. The people are grieving," Takatsuki spoke.
The Queen sat on her chair, "I know that… Too well…" she whispered to herself.
"However," she continued. "I will still fetch Misaki personally for his own safety… I want to see him immediately and I want to be the one who will tell him everything…" she stood up and picked up the picture of her beloved husband.
"And I will be the one who will be there… for him…" Hanako smiled to the other two. Takahiro and the Head Mage looked at her in confusion and worry. They may never understand what a wife or mother would feel if her husband died in war and her son away from her. The Queen was strong enough not to show any sign of weakness to anyone since the death of the king. Yes, she wept but she remained strong for her son, her people and for the whole kingdom.
The Head Mage nodded, "If that is your final decision, I have no right to object your wish your majesty" he sighed and softly smiled. He turned to the Crown Prince, "I will take my leave now," he bowed and left.
Takahiro was left with his mother. He could not think of anything to change his mother's mind. As if there is one. He curled his fists in frustration, "Mother…" he started.
"I know that nothing will change your mind… That's why… I want to go with you to fetch Misaki so I can…" Takahiro added with a hopeful tone. He has a feeling that this will be…
"No, you should stay here" The Queen interrupted him. She put the picture back to the side table.
"But mother!" Takahiro was about to complain but his mother gently cupped his cheek.
Hanako looked at him with a pained smile, "You should stay here and take care of the kingdom… If we go together, it'll be too risky… It's better if one of us will be left here in the palace to rule the people. So, be a good king okay, my beloved Takahiro?" she gently chuckled.
A lady-in-waiting entered the room; "It's time to go now, your majesty" she bowed.
The Queen nodded and left. Takahiro was left in the room puzzled. The Crown Prince stared at the door. He couldn't understand why there was certain feeling snaking in his heart. A very terrible feeling can make him cry at the very minute. 'Why does it feel that mother is not coming back…' Takahiro thought and slapped his forehead.
Iro Kingdom…
Misaki and Shinobu finally finished their preparations for their departure. The young prince of Futsu Kingdom eagerly waited for his beloved mother to arrive. It has been months since they last saw each other. Yes, it was fun to stay at Iro Kingdom and enjoy the abundant variety of flowers. (Yeah, yeah, Misaki liked flowers HERE -_-")
But it has been awhile since he last saw and smelled his mother's roses. Queen Hanako, herself, tends and grows roses of different species in a small glsshouse inside their castle. She often brought Misaki with her when she's tending those delicate and beautiful blossoms.
Shinobu flopped on the bed, "So boring…" he grumbled. The young marquis was sent to Iro Kingdom to be ther young prince's playmate and company. On the contrary…
The young prince tugged his friend's sleeve, "Can't you at least be excited to go home?" he asked.
Shinobu pouted and crossed his arms, "Here or at home is the same. It's still boring,"
"Sorry if you felt that way Shinobu…" Misaki frowned. The young prince felt sad to see that his only friend doesn't enjoy his company.
The sandy-colored hair boy sat up and glared at the older kid . His brows furrowed and looked away, "It's not your fault okay! It's my family's fault! If I don't get to go out and play with you, I would definitely die of boredom! So don't blame yourself so much!" he huffed as an eminent blush spread across his cheeks.
The Prince stared at him and smiled, "Thank you Shinobu"
A simple knock on the door caught their attention, "Are you two ready for your departure?" the tall and slender man on the door asked. He was wearing a royal blue prince suit with golden linings. His jet black hair fall between his eyes and his soft brown eyes smiled as he gazed at the young prince and his friend. He's in his early teens.
Misaki stood up and bowed, "Good morning Ijuiin-niichan," he greeted with a smile.
Ijuiin Kyou is the Crown Prince of Iro Kingdom. He is the only son of King Gin Ijuiin and Queen Yuuko. He's very talented when it comes to visual arts and the Art of Fighting. He specializes in sketching in visual arts and fencing and jousting in the art of fighting.
"Good morning Prince Kyou" Shinobu lazily greeted and bowed his head.
The older prince knelt before Misaki. He gently caressed the younger one's head, "So, you're going back to your kingdom?" he asked.
Misaki nodded and smiled sadly, "Yes, mother will be fetching us today. She might arrive here any minute…" he then paused and his eyes lost its glow.
"What's wrong Misaki?" Ijuiin asked.
"I won't be able to see you draw and I won't get to play with you…" Misaki mumbled.
The black-haired prince smiled softly at the cuteness before him, "You can visit me anytime here if you want," he chuckled.
Misaki pouted, "But Niichan would probably disapprove… He doesn't like me going around…"
"Then I'll be the one who will visit Misaki in his palace" Ijuiin answered simply.
The younger prince's eyes glowed in happiness, "Thank you Kyou-niichan!" he smiled and gave the older one a bear hug.
The older prince chuckled, "You're welcome"
"Oh!" Misaki exclaimed as if he remembered something.
"What is it Misaki?" Ijuiin asked.
"Can I bring some roses from this palace back home? Mother likes roses of different kinds. I want to give her some…" The little prince looked out the window of the room. It had a very scenic view of the central courtyard of the palace.
Ijuiin placed a hand over his shoulder, "Pick as many roses as you like…" he approved.
The Queen arrived in the afternoon, she was welcomed by the Crown Prince, who was accompanying the two noble children. Hanako smiled to her child, "Misaki!" she called tenderly.
The little prince ran towards to his mother, "Okaachan!" he cheered.
Hanako bent down a little and adjust her shawl to give her beloved son a warm embrace. It has been months since she held him. Misaki, on the other hand, missed his mother dearly. He missed her warming scent and love, "I missed you Kaachan…" the little prince mumbled.
"I missed you too dear… Kaachan was lonely without her beautiful blossom" the Queen sweetly chuckled.
Misaki gently pulled away and pouted playfully, "Kaachan!" he grumbled.
Queen Hanako stood up straight and turned to Prince Kyou, "Thank you for looking after my precious prince… I would like to thank your parents personally… Where is Queen Yuuko?" she asked.
"I'm afraid she can't see you right now Queen Hanako… She's not feeling well right now and father, on the other hand is quite busy,"
Hanako smiled sadly, "I wish her immediate recovery… Tell her I will visit her again… Misaki and I should get going now…" she held Misaki's hand and left.
Shinobu and Kyou waved them goodbye. The young marquis was left in the care of Iro Kingdom for he was to be fetched by his parents.
As the carriage of the Queen along with her Royal guards went down the mountain path, Queen Hanako felt restless. She kept looking out the window of the carriage. Misaki looked at her in confusion. The young prince got slightly worried with his mother's actions, "Kaachan…" he called softly as he put a hand over the Queen's arm.
Hanako fidgeted and looked back at her son, "What is it my dear?"
"You look scared Kaachan… What's wrong?"
The Queen smiled sadly, "Sorry my prince, Kaachan was just thinking of something…" she answered as she caressed Misaki's cheek reassuringly.
Misaki looked at her sadly then a smiled grazed his lips, "Oh! I almost forgot!" he exclaimed and took the bouquet of roses to his mother. The Queen's eyes widened in surprise.
"I asked for this from Kyou-niichan because I know Kaachan like roses. I picked them up by myself! I knew that… Kaachan would be happy to see this beautiful flowers so here… I hope this is enough so you won't be lonely anymore because Touchan isn't with us anymore…" Misaki mumbled with a soft and innocent smile.
Queen Hanako couldn't help but be extremely happy. That simple gesture of his son brought tears to her eyes. She let out a soft inaudible sob. Misaki became anxious, 'I made Kaachan cry' he thought and felt like crying.
"I'm sorry, did I make you sad?" the young prince asked and let his head hang.
The Queen lifted his chin and wiped away the forming tears on his eyes. She smiled at him and held him close, "Now, now, Misaki… Don't cry. I'm not sad nor angry at you… I'm just too happy that I can't help but cry happy tears…" she kissed his forehead.
"I'm so glad that you are my little rose…" she chuckled softly.
Misaki scowled, "I'm not a girl!" he grumbled. The Queen just held him and kept smiling.
Meanwhile, on the higher grounds of the mountain. A group of black cloaked men were watching the convoy of the Queen.
"Isn't this a bit too easy?" one of them smuggly spoke.
"They are too low on security… Only six guards around the carriage. Three at the back and three at the front. No one is on the side… The current target is like a sitting duck" another commented.
The one with the black hood and black rose emblem on it clicked his tongue, "Such a pity… There's not much thrill in finishing this…" his monotonous voice whispered. He turned back to the one who was farther away from them. He was sitting on the tree branch with nothing but silence.
"You better not fail here or else… I'll personally kill you… Akihiko"
Please Review! The next chapter would be uploaded three or four days from now. I'm working on it... And a little bit angst and drama will be presented...
Well then, thank you for reading!
Sincerely,
ShizukaUsami89