CHAPTER 6

Sakura had barely taken a breath after Sasuke left the room before the palace aide entered again, clipboard in hand, to brief her on royal protocols. The crash course was as overwhelming as it was exhausting, filled with lists of rules, etiquettes, and behaviors she had to follow. She tried to take it all in, nodding along as the aide explained how to address the royal family, how to bow, how to sit, how to speak—it felt like she was being prepared for some ceremonial performance, not for an actual life she'd be expected to live.

The whirlwind of instructions left her dazed. And just as she was catching her breath, the aide informed her, "You will be formally introduced to the rest of the royal family now."

Sakura's heart sank. She wasn't ready for this. Meeting the rest of the family—people who would judge her, who might already think of her as an intruder in their carefully curated world—was the last thing she wanted. She swallowed hard, trying to compose herself, hoping she wouldn't stumble over her words or break any of the hundred protocols she'd just learned.

But there was no escaping it now.

Once the briefing ended, she was led down a series of lavish corridors, her heart pounding in anticipation.

After her intense and overwhelming first encounter with Sasuke, Sakura was immediately led away by the palace aide to another part of the palace. As they walked through the grand halls, the aide continued his briefing on royal protocol. Don't walk ahead of His Majesty, always two steps behind. Lower your voice when speaking to the royals to show proper deference, followed by a crah course on general protocol. She tried to take it all in, nodding along as the aide explained how to address the royal family, how to bow, how to sit, how to speak—it felt like she was being prepared for some ceremonial performance, not for an actual life she'd be expected to live.

The constant stream of rules felt like a tidal wave of information, and Sakura struggled to hold on to each one.

The journey through the palace was both beautiful and intimidating. The grand corridors seemed to stretch endlessly, lined with tapestries depicting the long and proud history of the Uchiha family. The weight of the monarchy pressed in on her, making it feel like the very walls were watching her, waiting to judge her next move.

Finally, they reached a set of tall, ornate double doors. The aide gave her a quick nod. "This is where you will meet the royal family. They're expecting you."

Sakura's heart raced. She wasn't sure if she was ready for this. Meeting Sasuke had already been overwhelming, but now she was about to meet the rest of his family—the most powerful and revered people in Nippon Koku. She took a deep breath, steeling herself before stepping through the doors.

The room she entered was large, yet intimate, bathed in soft natural light - the Public Drawing Room, she would later learn. The immediate Uchiha family was waiting for her, each one standing with the air of authority and grace she had come to expect from royalty.

Mikoto Uchiha, His Lordship's mother, former Queen, stood with quiet elegance, her dark eyes watching Sakura with a mix of curiosity and warmth. Next to her was Fugaku Uchiha, his sharp gaze critical but not unkind, assessing her with the weight of someone who had seen many come and go. Both parents exuded a sense of power and dignity, and Sakura could immediately see where Sasuke had inherited his composed and stoic demeanor.

Izumi, Itachi's wife, stood nearby, her expression gentle but calm, the kind of quiet strength that comes from having navigated both personal and public trials. Her presence immediately softened the atmosphere, and her kind smile was a balm to Sakura's nerves. She was beautiful, and there was an air of kindness about her that put Sakura slightly at ease, though she knew Izumi was as respected as the rest of the family.

But then, Sakura's breath hitched as she saw him.

Itachi Uchiha.

He was sitting in a wheelchair, his once powerful frame now gaunt and frail from illness. His skin was pale, his hair no longer long, but thin and tied back in a way that revealed the toll his sickness had taken on him. But his eyes—those dark, thoughtful eyes—remained as sharp as ever. Despite his physical weakness, there was a presence about him that spoke of a man who had led a kingdom with wisdom and strength for years. The sight of him, so weakened, filled Sakura with a deep sadness. She had admired him from afar, like many of her countrymen, and seeing him like this was almost too much to bear. Tears stung the back of her eyes, but she held them back, determined to remain composed.

Itachi caught her gaze and smiled softly, a flicker of warmth in his eyes. "Miss Haruno," he greeted her, his voice gentle but still carrying the weight of authority. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Sakura stepped forward, bowing deeply, her hands trembling slightly at her sides. When she straightened, her voice was thick with emotion. "It's an honor to meet you," she whispered. "I've admired you for years."

Itachi's smile softened. "I've heard many good things about you," he told her, voice soft and raspy with illness. He had to take a small, heartbreaking pause before continuing, "What is it about my reign that caught your admiration?"

Sakura's breath hitched again, this time from excitement. She had studied his reign, his political maneuvers, and now, here she was, standing in front of him, being asked about it directly. Her voice gained strength as she spoke from the heart. "There were so many moments..." she began excitedly, not knowing where to bein.

Itachi raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Go on."

Sakura smiled, her heart still pounding but her enthusiasm clear. "First, your trade negotiations with the Northern Federation. You secured long-term trade routes without sacrificing Nippon Koku's sovereignty. The way you balanced diplomacy with strength was masterful," she said, trying not to gush, remembering the paper she'd written on it for an assignment a couple of years ago.

Itachi nodded, clearly pleased. "That was a delicate balance, indeed."

"And then there was your alliance with the Eastern Republics," Sakura continued, feeling more confident now. "You built that relationship on mutual respect and diplomacy rather than power. It was a rare show of leadership, and it set a precedent for how nations can cooperate without coercion."

Around the room, Sakura could feel the royal family watching her more closely now. Mikoto's previously guarded expression softened, and Fugaku's critical gaze seemed to warm slightly as he listened.

"And lastly," Sakura added, her voice faltering slightly as her emotions surfaced, "Your healthcare reforms. You brought in universal healthcare, ensuring that every citizen had access to medical care. My father… he was able to get the treatment he needed because of you."

There was a beat of silence as her words sank in, and Sakura blinked rapidly, trying to hold back the tears. Her admiration for Itachi had always been strong, but now, standing in front of him, it felt personal. She had been touched by him in ways that had impacted her family directly.

Itachi looked at her with warmth and kindness, his hand trembling slightly as he lifted it. "I'm honored to hear that my efforts helped your family. It is rare to meet someone who understands both the actions and the reasons behind them."

Sakura's heart swelled at his words. The man she had admired for so long had not only recognized her, but also validated her admiration. It was more than she could have ever hoped for.

Standing nearby, Izumi gave Sakura an encouraging smile. "You've done well," she said softly, her voice filled with warmth. "Itachi always valued someone who could see the heart behind his decisions."

Sakura smiled at Izumi, feeling a sense of connection to her—one that wasn't based on royal protocol but on shared understanding and respect

Just then, a figure standing in the corner of the room caught Sakura's attention. He leaned casually against the wall, his posture relaxed, almost indifferent, but something about him felt out of place in a room full of such powerful and prominent figures. His dark eyes, however, were sharp and calculating, far from indifferent. Sakura found herself wondering who he was—this man who seemed at ease among royalty yet carried no air of formality. There was a faint smirk on his face, as though he knew more than he was letting on, and it made her curious. Who is he, and why is he here? she wondered, sensing that his presence held more significance than it appeared.

Before she could speak to him, another presence filled the room, one that immediately lit up the atmosphere—Naruto Uzumaki.

He bounded over to her with his characteristic enthusiasm, his blue eyes shining with excitement. "Sakura-chan!" he exclaimed, overly familiar in a way that wasn't off-putting at all, his grin wide and infectious. "It's so great to meet you! I'm Naruto Uzumaki, Prime Minister of Nippon Koku."

Sakura couldn't help but smile at his energy. "I know who you are," she said with a laugh, shaking his hand. "I actually voted for you."

Naruto's eyes widened in surprise and delight. "No way! You voted for me?"

Sakura nodded, feeling the warmth of his personality wash over her. "I liked your political stance—your focus on economic reform and transparency in government. That's what won me over. But," she added with a teasing smile, "if you don't deliver, I won't be voting for you again."

Naruto burst into laughter, clearly enjoying her directness. "Don't worry! Everything is in the works—I promise!"

Their interaction lightened the mood even more, and Sakura felt some of the tension in her body begin to ease. Naruto's friendliness was disarming, and it made her feel as though, maybe, she could actually navigate this new world.

As the conversation flowed, Sakura noticed that his Lordship had entered the room again without anyone being the wiser. He was standing near the back of the room, watching her with his usual unreadable expression. He hadn't said much since their earlier meeting, but his presence was undeniable. Before she could fully gauge his thoughts, however, Neji approached him, bowing slightly.

"Your Majesty," he said respectfully, "your next appointment is awaiting."

Sasuke gave a brief nod, his gaze lingering on Sakura for a moment longer before turning and following Neji out of the room.

As he left, Sakura turned back to the family, gathering her courage as she bowed once more. "I am Sakura Haruno. I'm honored to meet you all, and I will do my best to fulfill the role that has been given to me." For even though she's a careless, nervous mess, she'd been commanded by none other than her King to accept this destiny. And even though some part of her did feel like she'd been picked like a doll in a china shop, she was here now - probably for a reason - and she would make the best of it.

Mikoto nodded approvingly, and even Fugaku, always calculating, seemed to acknowledge her with more warmth than before. Izumi's smile was as kind as ever, and Itachi gave her one last approving nod before leaning back in his wheelchair, clearly tired from the exchange.

Sakura straightened up, her heart still pounding but filled with a renewed sense of hope. She had met the Uchiha family, and somehow, despite the overwhelming pressure, she had made an impression.

tbc

Reviews are always nice.