Finally, I updated.

I'm sorry it took me so long. It's because I was busy with my review lessons for entrance exams. XD (yes, I am that grade-conscious.)

Oh, and thanks for the reviewers!

Anyway, here. Btw, it's sort of long but this is only the first part! :D

Enjoy~

~(*o*)~(*o*)~(*o*)~

My Fiancè is a WHAT?

Her hazel orbs implored with wonder at the big white-tiled space as Mikan welcomed herself in her own private bathroom. She had been using it for four whole days now and yet every time she enters she can't help gawking at the big amount of space it consumed.

Her bathroom walls were stacked with shell-decorated white tiles while ocean-themed mosaic occupied the floor. Just entering the room emits the feeling of relaxation – and the lack of dryness. A bathtub was deposited in the far end of the room where it faces a one-way glass which was actually the half of the wall so that while plunging in the tub, one can enjoy the marvelous gardens of the palace.

On the other side of the glass divider – which was positioned so that the bathtub was on the other side – was a long white counter striped with bits of gold. Different toiletries were hung orderly on the counter itself and in the hanging glass cabinets above it; a luxurious sink stationed in one of its fractions.

Opposite it was the once non-functional toilet bowl which frankly looked more like a throne to Mikan and like everything else in the room, it was colored white with some streaks of gold for delicacy. Fortunately, right after her first night, the plumbing of the throne was immediately repaired.

Thank God.

The brunette smiled at the brightness of the room and graciously closed the divider, dipping herself into the foam-invaded bathtub with random rose petals floating lazily on the water surface. It was already twilight and through the glass, she can see the surroundings gradually darkening – and shuddered.

It was beautiful alright. But believe it or not, regardless her age, Mikan still believes in ghosts and she can just picture one with overflowing white kimono walking out of the shadows of the garden.

She winced.

Not wanting to scare herself anymore, she directed her thoughts to the long day she suffered from. Well who wouldn't? She was stuck either with Natsume or his savage fangirls – she chose the former. She'd rather be tortured endlessly with his sarcastic comments than be tortured physically – not to mention brutally – by the jealous witches in his fanclub.

Mikan dipped herself deeper in the water as she replayed her day in the Academy.

~(*o*)~(*o*)~(*o*)~

The brunette walked awkwardly after her best friend, her supposedly fiancé and his cousin, swallowing a bit of her saliva, hoping to drown the dreadful nervousness creeping in her stomach. She remembered her ruined – and damned – first day in this Academy.

She must admit, it didn't go pretty well – at all.

First of all, tripping was not a part of her first-day-in-school to-do list nor was dumping tacos and milk on herself, sentencing herself to eternal humiliation. And she was pretty sure engaging in a catfight with one of Natsume's fangirls isn't a part of her plan either; nor was Natsume announcing their so-called relationship which by the way even she wasn't sure of what it is.

For now, they're going with 'engaged'. She gagged inwardly.

Which part of their treatment to each other suggests that they were about to get married?

Nothing!

Anyway, because of the said circumstances, it was decided that she is to be transferred with the Alice – this so-called elite group where only royalty can enter – because it's where she truly belongs anyway and also for her 'protection'. Whatever that meant.

Mikan sure doesn't feel protected being near Natsume. But she guessed it's better than being served alive to his fangirls. Anything was better than that, she decided.

So, her first day didn't go well. What assurance does she have that her second would?

She began to calculate the possibilities in her mind.

Engrossed with her thoughts, the brunette kept walking after her co-Alice, not noticing a stray leg which's aim mainly is to trip her. And it was succeeding – about to succeed – when Natsume grabbed Mikan by the arm, steadying her.

He glared at the owner of the damned leg.

It was a she with long flowing black hair and Mikan guessed with the way she almost swooned over Natsume is that she's one of those fangirls. The girl was about to run when the raven-haired lad caught her by the elbow and looked at her squarely in the eyes.

"Try that again and you're dead." He hissed savagely. "No one bullies this idiot except me." He said, louder than his pre-sentence, capturing the attention of the bystanders. When it comes to things he own, Natsume doesn't like sharing.

Hotaru looked at him icily. "That's my line Hyuga. Go fetch some originality."

He chose to ignore this and kept on walking. Mikan caught up with his long strides and glared at him but mumbled a small thanks. No matter how unfeeling he rescued her, he still did prevent her from being humiliated – again.

"Mikan-chan, are you alright?" Ruka asked from behind her, patting a white bunny. Mikan wondered if pets were allowed inside but shrugged it off. Maybe it was part of the Alice privilege?

She smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, don't worry. I'm alright."

"Maybe if you grow another leg, it would thankfully repair that inhuman lack of balance you have." Hotaru commented casually.

Mikan pouted. "And maybe if stupid inhuman beings stop sticking their freaking legs out just to trip me, I wouldn't have to." She retorted rather stubbornly.

"Well, maybe if you grow some eyes too you'd notice their 'freaking' legs stuck out to trip you." Natsume grumbled under his breath.

The brunette glared at him. "That's right, pick on me you two. What, lemme guess, next you want me to dig sockets on my body for those eyes I have to grow!"

"That would be a good idea, unless you want them hanging by your hair." Natsume smiled mockingly.

Mikan rolled her eyes. "That's gross okay." She looked around her, noticing something uncommon. "Say, aren't people supposed to be flocking around you and squealing loudly or something?" she said. If people were trying to ignore them, they sure doing very good at it, she thought.

Hotaru shrugged. "Maybe your face scared them off."

The brunette glared at her then pouted. "Ha-ha. Very funny Hotaru. Drop that sarcasm off, I'm being serious."

Ruka looked around him and noticed a girl reading some sort of stack of papers rabidly. Close enough, he can see that it was the school paper and that Mikan's photo with her dripping with taco dressing and milk was pasted as headline. He sighed, so that was why people didn't notice them. They were busy reading the newspaper.

He closed the distance between them and the girl who was still reading the newspaper, not noticing the prince near her. So if the Alice wants to go unnoticed, all they have to do is scatter interesting reading materials and they're off, Ruka thought amusedly. Where was that idea years before when they needed it?

"Excuse me," he said gently. The girl looked up and blushed immediately after seeing who wanted her attention. She must be drifting to Lala Land by now. "May I borrow that newspaper for second?" Ruka asked.

The girl automatically offered the paper and nodded rather like a robot. Ruka mumbled some thanks and went back to the Alice who were staring weirdly at him.

"What was that for, Ruka-pyon?" Mikan asked him as he twitched and blushed at the same time at his nickname.

"The reason why they don't notice us." He said simply as he offered the newspaper to the three who read it.

New Transfer Student Mikan Yukihira: Modern Day Cinderella?

By: Rika Amou

Last Friday, an interesting scoop about our very own Natsume Hyuga-sama was issued in a famous Teens Magazine, claiming that he who had just turned seventeen recently was ready to take someone from videotapes as a wife! Talk about present-day fairytales huh?

Of course, this sizzling topic startled and presumably very much pleased most of Japan's and even some non-Japanese girls from other countries, taking this as a cue to test their luck – and fate – to be the next Mrs. Natsume Hyuga. It was reported that some courageous girls even tried to sneak into the Palace!

However, despite the feisty excitement going around most teenage and even non-teenage girls, news regarding the said announcement hasn't been reported even after days. And the only question hanging by the nation's mind is: Who is the lucky girl?

Mikan Yukihira folks, is the lucky girl. This was revealed in the lucky and might I say, messy encounter and chaos which happened yesterday in our very own cafeteria. Yukihira-san was reported to be the new transfer student from Class 1-B who was rumoured to be Misaki Harada-sama's very own cousin. But is this true or is this just a felony created to cover her true identity?

Anyway, how did we know that she is the lucky Cinderella chosen by Natsume-sama? Yesterday, as she was about to take her lunch, Yukihira-san ungracefully fell on her butt as she tripped, causing tacos and milk to fall over her. However this incident surprisingly took a nasty twist as with unknown reason, a catfight between her and a third-year member of the Natsume-Ruka Fanclub erupted. She was evidently losing when Natsume-sama himself rescued her and proclaimed that she is his fiancée!

What a wonderful Knight in Shining armor huh? But is the Damsel in Distress really deserving to be rescued? According to recent survey taken, most people account her character as being shady and unknown. How can such a person be the next Empress?

Never fear, our dear readers for we shall request Mikan Yukihira-san herself for an exclusive interview! So stay tuned and find out more.

Mikan Yukihira: Is she really our Modern Day Cinderella?

Mikan stared incredulously at the paper while Natsume snorted.

"Modern Day Cinderella? As far as I know Cinderella was beautiful. I don't see the resemblance." Natsume teased. The brunette glared at him then glued her eyes back to the paper.

An interview? What the heck will she do?

"According to my calculations, your interview might be today or tomorrow. So prepare yourself and go find some brain to put in your empty skull." Hotaru said as she started walking.

"Mikan-chan, good luck." Ruka said sympathetically.

Mikan froze in her place. "EHHHHHH?"

~(*o*)~(*o*)~(*o*)~

The brunette sighed as she remembered. Well, the interview didn't happen today which really wasn't purely a good thing since the unsettling nervousness and dread possessing Mikan will keep dragging on to tomorrow.

She played with the scented bath absently, replaying what Natsume said about the article.

For once, she had to agree with Natsume. How the heck did the writer of the article end up linking her to Cinderella? It's like saying pandas and komodo dragons were cousins.

And hardship-wise, she was the panda.

How come Cinderella gets to have a Fairy Godmother and Mikan doesn't? That is so unfair, the brunette thought. She really doesn't see the connection between her life and Cinderella's.

"I mean, Cinderella hardly lifted a finger and suddenly, poof! She gets to be a princess!" Mikan mumbled grudgingly. "All she did was wear glass slippers, turn some pumpkin into a medieval limousine and her friend rats as her servants! Aww come on, wasn't there something called Animal Abuse at those times? Ruka would not be pleased. Besides, I would never turn my friends into servants." She said. "AND, she had a very kind Prince Charming while I, on the other hand, gets a devious one. Not only that, I have to put up with some stupid fangirls whereas she only has to put up with two step-sisters! Also, I believe she was not kicked out by her own mother." Mikan sulked. "What, I didn't know all you have to do to be a princess is to wear glass slippers and run away at midnight! If it were that easy then let's all be princesses!"

Mikan sighed.

She felt like a big idiot. Did she just talk to herself all alone?

Yes, yes she did. And she's guessing it must be the stress getting on her nerves – or the heat of the water, or her nervousness for tomorrow. Either way, she figured it's time for her to get out of the bathtub and put on some nice clothes.

Except she was not able to bring her clothes in the bathroom.

"Okay, Mikan…don't panic." She said, consoling herself as she walked out of the bathtub, wrapping a towel around her body and hair at the same time as she headed for her dresser. She was sure she left her change of clothes on the seats at the center of her own dressing room. "All you have to do is get your clothes then change back in the comfort room. No sweat Mikan! Now let's just hope my ladies-in-waiting aren't in the room to bombard me with unnecessary services."

Luckily, they were not.

But a silver-haired boy was sitting just beside her clothes.

"KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

~(*o*)~(*o*)~(*o*)~

Mikan was sure she left her room in a perfect state.

Okay, so maybe she scattered a few clothes and her bed was still undone. And aside from the mess she made with her bag and papers and some homework, her suite looks perfect – Not. But she was pretty sure she never dragged a lost boy in her room. Not even when she's drunk.

So why is there a silver haired boy sitting in her couch as if it was the most natural thing to do while staring at her almost naked?

OHMYGOD, she's naked.

"KYA—"

"Mikan-chan are you al—" Ruka blushed as he shifted his gaze from the towel-wrapped Mikan to the stranger at the couch, his flush getting a darker shade every time he glances back at the brunette while she took the leisure of staring at the faces in front of her one by one, quite uncomprehending what the bloody hell is happening.

Natsume was there, looking as nonchalant as ever but inside his bloody orbs, Mikan can see a bit of amusement and something she couldn't quite identify. Hotaru was beside him, stoically watching whatever show she's putting up with. Then Misaki and Tsubasa were also there, mouth wide open in shock while Aoi was blushing furiously with Ruka.

Silence.

"Polka." She heard a husky voice say and realized it was Natsume.

She looked at him uncomprehendingly then followed his gaze beside the silver-haired boy who was also watching her in his expressionless face. There lied innocently were what the brunette can identify as her clothes and on top of them was a small triangle-like scrap of polka-dotted cloth. Mikan's eyes widened as blood rushed to her face, realizing that it was her underwear.

"PERVERT!" she burst.

Natsume smirked.

"OUT! OUT ALL OF YOU!" Mikan screamed in embarrassment. "And bring that sparkling thing with you!" she said, pertaining to the silver-haired stranger because really, he seemed like he was sparkling with his silver hair shining under the light and all.

"Oh, you mean You-chan?" Misaki asked.

You-chan glared at her, a glare like Natsume's. "Tch. It's not as if she put up a really good show. She was as flat as a board anyway."

Mikan's eyes popped out of her sockets in anger. "GET OUT ALL OF YOU OR I'LL BLOODY THROW EVERYTHING I CAN PUT MY HANDS ON!" she screamed.

"Including the towel?"

"…"

"OUT!"

~(*o*)~(*o*)~(*o*)~

As soon as the door to Mikan's room closed, Youichi whistled.

"She has some pretty nice curves huh?"

Tsubasa snapped his gaze at him and snaked his arms around the youngster's neck tightly as the boy struggled free. "It must be nice being a kid huuuuuuuhhh? You can do anything. Even sneak in on older onee-chans! Huhhhh how was it Youichi?" Tsubasa asked in his low evil voice, tightening his grip on Youichi.

"Cough, let me go!"

"Tsubasa-nii, he's choking!" Aoi uttered in panic, rescuing him as Tsubasa released his neck. Youichi watched as Misaki did her mother-like hands on hips thingy. How many times has she done that before?

"And since when did you arrive you little thug?" she asked as if he was not supposed to be there. Well yeah, he is not supposed to be in Mikan's room, watching his cousin's fiancée panic while her body's only being half-concealed in towel. But hey, he's fourteen and that's above thirteen which means that he is allowed to see PG13 movies right? And what happened a while ago seemed like a small scene in a PG13 movie.

He shrugged. "Just a while ago."

"And you decide to show up in Mikan's room huh? What is it, you little perverted brat?" Tsubasa muttered as he wiggled his fingers murder-like.

"In my defense," he said quickly. "my raging hormones kicked in! So who am I not to oblige, right Natsume-nii?" he asked, looking up to the raven-haired boy, expecting some kind of affirmation.

But he got none. Instead, Natsume glared at him.

Youichi blinked. "What did I do?"

Tsubasa grinned. "Well let's see… An intruder just intruded in Mr. Natsume's property. What does Mr. Natsume do?" he asked playfully.

"What? But Natsume-nii would never –"

"Toast him dead." Hotaru answered icily as she looked at Youichi. He swallowed.

"Hey!" he protested stubbornly. "Why are you guys all protective over her? I'm the cousin you've never seen since 5 years ago!" he said.

Hotaru stared at him blankly. "That idiot is unfortunately my best friend and money-wise, I can dig up more green papers with her scandals than yours."

Tsubasa shrugged. "She's my sister's best friend. Plus, she's cute. Unlike you."

"Well, she's my fiancé's sister's best friend and she's just kind." Misaki answered.

"Okay, I get it! She's connected to you in some ways. But blood is thicker than water! Oh come on…" he said.

They all looked at him. "Not this time buddy." Tsubasa answered.

"Yeah, not after Natsume rescued her." Ruka smiled.

"HE WHAT?" Youichi asked in surprise. "He never rescues damsels-in-distress! He's the villain!"

"Oh but he did." Misaki answered. "Maybe Natsume here finally fell for—"

Natsume glared at them. "One more word and I'll personally fry you into –"

"Fry them into what?" Mikan asked innocently as she walked out of her room, this time fully dressed. She looked at them curiously. Wondering why they chose the hallway as the best place to chat.

But of course, they never knew what Natsume planned on frying them into because the Empress came with a worried-stricken and strangely happy face plastered on her face – if that's even possible.

"What happened?" she asked. "I thought I heard Mikan-chan scream!" she said.

Everyone looked at each other.

"Oh, that's nothing aunt. A really big cockroach just appeared in her room." Tsubasa said, looking at Youichi purposefully.

"Oh my, but everything's alright now?" she asked in mild surprise.

"Yeah, sure. We already squished it dead, its innards burst out." Tsubasa grinned.

Kaoru raised her perfect eyebrows at her nephew and shrugged. "If that's the case then. But I must say, I am quite disappointed it was not the sound of…" she looked at all the minors in front of her. "Nevermind. Anyway, I'm feeling a bit good today so meet me at the parlor and we're going to play a game. Winners will have their breakfasts back and losers will either lose their dinners or receive something worse." Her eyes glinted evilly before walking back to the hallway.

"What about me?" Youichi yelled.

"Welcome back, You-chan!" Kaoru replied.

He glowered at his aunt. "I told you not to call me that."

Tsubasa sighed.

"Is it just me or did Aunt took the hobby of starving us recently?"

~(*o*)~(*o*)~(*o*)~

Okay, so I sort of finished it…

That is just the part 1 and I decided to cut this chapter into 2 so the second chapter will be uploaded soon. :D But please wait for it okay?

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