Rin: Sorry for the very long wait, everyone!

Mikuo: Yeah, sorry for my lazy kanojo… She's so silly.

Len: Where were you, Rin-nee?

Rin: You see… I went to Camp Cebu. #NYSTESCCampCEBU

Miku: Ooohh… I'd like to go to Cebu for vacation someday.

Len: Shall I take you there, Miku, for our honeymoon?

*Miku faints

Mikuo: Get a hold of yourself, imouto!

Rin: Hehe… Read and review!

Len: And Love Len x Miku!

Miku: 146Lenku doesn't own Vocaloid…

Mikuo: But Rin is mine! Mwahahaha! *Rin faints

Chapter 15 –The Princess's Mask-

"This is…" Warm tears slid down her flawless cheeks. I smiled, seeing her cry once more. It had been four years since I last saw her. Funny, she was crying that time, too but this is different.

For the past four years, I trained to become a perfect prince for this kingdom and for Miku. I told my grandfather, the king, everything that happened so far in my life after escaping the kingdom to live with my parents far from the island kingdom. I read thousands of scroll, suffered rigorous swordfight practices, and was taught proper etiquette for the Circle of Elders to recognize me as their prince once more.

I was the only 'single' prince in the kingdom. All of the other princes are already married and I'm hoping to be like them someday. Yes, my greatest dream is to marry the person that I love the most and that is, Miku. All of the young, single ladies of the kingdom literally throw themselves at me but I dodge them all.

There was even one test where my Uncle sent a very pretty lady inside my room to entertain me. He said that it's part of being a man. But I protested and sent the lady back to her family and gave her money for her family and herself. I remain untainted and loyal, which is very unbecoming of a man.

"Do I really look like this?" I hear Miku ask herself. She was staring at the painting that I made. It was a painting of her holding a white mask, crying but smiling. In the painting, she was kneeling, smiling so warmly yet tears tainted her smooth cheeks. She looked beautiful in the painting but still, she's still more beautiful in personal.

"Len…" She suddenly mumbled. I smiled, knowing that she must have sensed my presence.

"Did you call me, Miku-sama?" I asked her softly. She turned to face me. Her tears washed her whole face, wiping most of her makeup. Her eyes turned watery again and she really looked cute in my eyes. I laughed softly and she pouted.

"W-why are you laughing, you baka?!" Miku asked with her face red.

"Nothing… You're just too cute, Miku." I said, brushing her right cheek with my thumb. Miku closed her eyes and enclosed my hand in hers, pressing it slightly against her cheeks.

"Len, I missed you… so much." Miku softly said, new batch of tears spilled from her eye lids.

"Don't cry now… I'm here for you, Miku." I answered, wiping her tears dry. She nodded silently.

"Len, thank you… for everything. I… love you, Len." Miku gently whispered to my ear. I blushed like some lovestruck teenage boy. And I realized, well, I am a lovestruck teenage boy.

Then I guess I should proceed to my next plan.

"Miku-sama, do you remember that fic you made me read that night? I guess that was 'Reaching You' if I'm not mistaken?" I asked Miku as I led her to the balcony. I lovingly gazed at her as she marveled the twinkling stars in the night sky.

"Of course… That was the reason I wore that white mask, remember?" she answered, closing her eyes as if she was recalling something. I put on a white mask that I had hid behind my coat. She opened her eyes and looked at me.

"Do you remember this scene, Miku-sama?"

Her eyes widened. The cool night breeze swept past us, brushing our skin ever so slightly. Our hair strands smoothly flowing along with the wind. I smiled and cleared my voice.

Do you still remember, Princess?
On the footprints you have left behind
Flowers filled with your colors are blooming beautifully
One of those flowers has always believed
And still believes only in you
I will pledge my love for you

*song from uta no prince-sama 2000% Crystal Time by Ichinose Tokiya

"L-len…" Tears welled up from the corner of her teal orbs. I slowly took off the mask with a smile on my face. I knelt down in front of her with our gazes never leaving each other. I took a tiny jewelry box from my pocket and opened it before her, revealing a sparkling, silver ring with two large gems which are colored teal and yellow. Miku gasped and brought her hands to her mouth.

"I thought I'd never truly love you… I thought I loved you because you resembled my first love… But the past four years proved me wrong. I realized that I truly, madly and deeply love you, Miku. I longed for your presence every single day. I couldn't even find myself flirting with other girls because my heart and my thoughts are so full of you… I don't wanna be apart from you anymore. That's why… Please let me stay by your side and be the prince that you longed for! Please… be my princess, Miku! M-marry me!" I finally said, pouring all my unspoken feelings into my words. I nervously looked up at her. She was silent and she was hiding her face with her bangs. I gulped.

"You… I hate you. From the very first time I met you, I hated you. And now, you're making me hate you more!" Miku suddenly said with a hint of anger in her voice but she still refused to let me see her face.

"Eh?" It was all I could say. What would this mean? Is she saying 'no'?

"Didn't I tell you that I loved you? The answer is obvious, right? It's YES! Yes! Then why are you not sliding that ring around my finger? What was with that overly sweet proposal?! I hate you! You're making my face look as red as a tomato!" Miku continued, looking at me with a flushed face. I felt as if the weight in my heart was lifted. I slid the ring into the ring finger of her right hand. It fitted her perfectly. She smiled brightly at me, one of those rare smiles that she have. She looked like she has become prettier than before. It's probably the prettiest that I've seen her.

I stood up and wrapped my arms around her. She kept on crying but she laughed, at the same time.

"I love you Miku… I'll love you forever…" I said, kissing her forehead. I leaned down and gave her a sweet and innocent kiss. With that, she whispered softly, "I love you, too… For eternity."

We stayed in each other's arms for a while. Then we decided that we should go to the ballroom and announce our engagement to everyone. My grandparents were talking to Miku's father. When my grandfather noticed me and I gave him a thumbs up. He nodded and immediately cleared his throat.

"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen! Welcome honorable guests and dear friends, to the royal ball for my beloved grandson, Prince Len III's Engagement to Miss Miku Hatsune of Hatsune Group of Companies! Now, let us raise our drinks for this lovely couple!" My grandfather announced. I hear a lot of depressed sighs coming from the ladies. However, everyone cheered and raised their wine glasses for Miku and I. I noticed Miku fidgeting with her skirt so I held her hand to stop her.

"Everyone's looking at you, Miku… They're waiting for you to speak as the future princess of this kingdom." I whispered to her. She blinked and tried to look away.

"B-but I…"

"Don't worry… I'm here. I'll be your strength." I said soothingly, holding her hand tighter. She nodded and faced everyone.

"U-uhm… I am Hatsune Miku, heiress of the Hatsune Group of Companies. I just want to tell everyone that… I didn't marry Len for business matters!" she courageously said out loud. Most of our wealthy visitors gasped. (Probably because she called me 'Len', not 'Prince Len')

"L-len… became my butler four years ago. He cared, protected and loved me with all of his heart even until now! He made me feel that I wasn't alone… That I am loved. That's why… I love him with everything I have! So please accept me!" Miku added with fiercer feelings. I stared at her in awe. It really was right to choose her. No one deserves to be even compared to her…

Everyone applauded. It seems that her voice had reached them. That's my Miku, after all.

His fearsome father approached us with a smile. That was amazing. He actually smiled!

"I'm proud of you, my daughter…" he said as he patted Miku's head lovingly. Lovingly? That's going completely out of character. He turned to look at me. He gazed at me not with cold eyes, but with warm ones. I could feel the love of a father overflowing from his gaze. What happened? Did he already accept me?

"Take care of my princess, young lad. She's now you're princess so treasure her with all of your heart, understand?" his father said, patting my head gently like I was his son.

"Dear?" a brown-haired woman called out with teary eyes. Miku's father turned to look at the woman.

"Meiko… My dearest." He mumbled

"Okaa-sama…" Miku mumbled.

Miku's father ran to the woman and held her tightly in his arms. The woman sobbed loudly, hugging him back tightly.

"I'm sorry! Forgive me, dear! I'm so so sorry! I love you! You're the one that I truly love! Please give me another chance! Please! I was so stupid… so stupid!" the woman cried out loud, her nails digging his shoulders. Miku's father wiped all her tears lovingly.

"It's okay now… I forgive you. So don't cry… I hate seeing you cry, love." He softly whispered, rubbing her back softly to comfort her. The woman kept on sobbing and sobbing like a child. Miku smiled and began to cry. She ran to them and hugged them both. It was quite amazing… They were all crying but they were also smiling.

I guess everything is settled according to plan. So this is now our happy ending, eh? Finally, I can start a new beginning with Miku… Without anyone stopping us.

I felt a cold, penetrating glare from across the room. I turned to look at the offender but there was none.

Huh? What was that?

I'm not letting it end like this… No, not yet. I'll come back and take her. I'm not giving up yet, bastard.

I heard someone whisper from a distance. I looked around everywhere but…

Wait.

I saw wisps of blue strands of hair left the room through the door.

Could it be…?

Rin: Yosh! I'm extending this one!

Len & Miku: Yay!

Mikuo: Please R & R, everyone! 3